cranberry

Initially it is very strong eucalyptus. I also get lavender and fennel or maybe anise. Maybe a drop of jasmine. As time passes, the fennel/anise scent grows stronger and it gets sweeter. It smells almost edible, like licorice herby candy. As a scent, I like it better than Somnus. But I still think that Oneroi smells the best of the Somnium oils (and is amazing effective).

Initially I get sweet almonds and spice. It seems as if there’s a bit of honey mixed in with the spice and almonds. The sweet almond is initially a bit like cherries but then it mellows. Initially, it reminded me a bit of Snake Oil, maybe the spices, but then as it dried that similarity vanished. The spices are dark and a bit smoky. As it dries, it becomes less sweet and deepens into the spices and smoke. It’s exotic and sultry. Honey has traditionally done bad things to me, but it behaves in this oil. When I first smelled it, I was convinced that I needed a bottle. It also reminded me a lot of Luctor et Emergo’s People of the Labyrinths (now I'm not sure about that as it's been a long time since I smelled POTL). I don't know how much I’ll wear it, so a bottle may be overreaching, but I’ll keep my imp for those times when I feel like a gypsy.

This is such a perfect fall scent that I just had to review it. From Verdandi, I get - apples. Yes, apples, really. All silliness aside, this is a beautiful scent. It reminds me of tart green apples. It is so perfect for crisp weather. Verdandi was a gift from the lab over the summer. Being on a huge amber kick, I tried it right away. It was nice, really nice in fact but I wasn't compelled to pull out the imp until the first frost was threatening. I don't really get amber or herbs. It's a sweet, tart apple but one that is wonderfully grounded, warm and round - that must be the amber. I'm thinking that the herbs must be adding a bit of that tartness in addition to the natural contribution from the apple. The crisp cool air pushes Verdandi from being a really nice scent into one where I need to get a 5 ml, and I'm envisioning Verdandi lotion, Verdandi bath gel. It's a wonderfully fruity scent that's not really foody (foody in my mind equalling more gourmand scents - chocolate, butter, doughy, etc). I think that it's perfect for my mom, who loves fruity and herby scents. I hope that it will turn out to be a perfect fruity surprise for her and that she'll love it as much as I do.

This is a really interesting thread to read. Chemistry is so interesting. Perception too. In the bottle, Queen smelled quite sharp. Herbal. Commonalities with one of the Sominum blends. I think one of them has anise so maybe thats it. On the skin, what a different story. I get pepper plus anise. Lots and lots of anise. Queen is quite intense and just a little goes a long way. The anise adds a bit of sweetness to the spicy bite of the pepper. After about 30-40 minutes, I get a sense of powder where the oil was on lightest. In the area with the most oil, it's still predominantly anise and spice. But I can tell that it's shifting. To powder. Where I put the oil it heaviest, it's almost as if it makes my skin tingle just a bit. When I give it a sniff, it makes my septum tingle just a bit too. I just realized what one of the notes is - clove. So, a combination of pepper, clove and anise. It's also a bit smoky (despite the powder, which it most definitely has). It actually reminds me a bit of Torture King. I'm pretty tired right now and it's late so I'm not in the best frame of mind to judge its effect. I will say that it is a powerful scent. And I can see how that would translate.

Velvet is just beautiful! This is from a slightly aged imp, fyi (ordered in March). In the Imp: rich, good quality, expensive cocoa powder. woods. On the Skin: the cocoa smell is quite intense at first. The cocoa blast fades and sandalwood emerges - sweet, creamy sandalwood. It's incencsy and delectable. It's quite strong on me, just a little goes a long way. It has good staying power on me. It reminds me of a more gourmand version of Tushnamatay - it's the same sandalwood, but instead of carnation it's cocoa. Plus it's stronger. Overall: I like it a lot. Don't know if I'd reach for it enough to warrant a bottle, but I'd like to have an imp on hand. But I have a feeling that this could become addictive. And maybe help curb the odd chocolate craving ... hmmmm, maybe I do need a bottle...? edited due to crappy spelling

King of Clubs has become one of my top 3 oils. I adore it! Damn this is so sexy! In the bottle: earth, touch of almonds, something green/herbal in the background. On the skin: King of Clubs to me smells like the forest floor. I think that's why I love it so much. Once on, I smell mostly mossy earth with a touch of almond. The almond blends pretty quick with the amber, leather and oakmoss. The King becomes slighly sweet, spicy and oh so sexy. As it dries the dark musk (is that black musk?) emerges. Overall impression: This is my new holy grail. I simply cannot get enough! The King and Queen of Clubs are oh so well matched. What a wonderful gift to the forum members - thanks Beth!

Arkham Revisited was one of the first oils I'd encountered that made me think I can do florals. I'd been convinced that florals were my mortal enemy for a long long time. In the bottle: AR smells bright pink, sweet, berry-like, floral and almost edible. On the skin, wet: AR comes across as very stong. Still the color pink - a strong vibrant hot pink is what comes across to me, and a strong blast of berries/fruit. Flowers are underneath (but thankfully not jasmine or roses). A very pretty, happy, spring scent. As it dries & dry: As it dries, I get more florals but the fruitiness remains. There's a hint of woods way below, providing a good base for the florals and fruit and toning down the sweetness so it's not too sweet. Overall impression: I really like it and I'm glad that I have a bottle. I've read that as it ages it may get a bit more berry-ish. This bottle is a few months old but I don't really remember if it's changed any. But I certainly like it now. It's a very lush, strong scent and lasts for a long time. It's very well blended and a very positive, cheery scent. It certainly changed my mind on florals and for that I'll always treasure it!

Damn. Dorian is oh so sexy. Dorian smells like lemon sugar on me. As it dries, the lemon fades a bit. The sweetness remains and the tea and musk comes out. The tea is very faint and the musks add a creamy velvety smoothness. Beautiful! I'm so glad that I have a 10 ml on the way!

In the Bottle: popcorn jellybellies On the Skin: Shill smells like sweet, buttered popcorn jelly beans. These are among my favorite jelly beans. As it dries, the sweetness goes away and I'm left with butter and popcorn. A yummy smell and Beth captured it perfectly. Shill didnt' stick around for long - it vanished pretty quick, under 2 hrs. Not sure what I'll do with the bottle as I don't see myself ever wanting to smell like popcorn and reaching for it. Maybe a room scent or laying with other scents?

Buck Moon is so beautiful. It is a very light scent that stays close. In the bottle it's a bit cool and a bit citrusy, maybe grapefruit. On the skin, it's very different. I'm not getting forest herbs. Instead, the citrus changes to a sweet mild slightly almond smell. And a warm clean musk. On drydown, the almond become a bit more vanilla, a bit of spicy warmth all underlain with a clean glorious musk. This is very beautiful. I wish it were a bit stonger - the only way I can smell it is with my nose plastered to my wrist. As time goes on, it becomes an amazing skin scent - slightly sweet & spicy, musky. I'd definately repurchase.

I adore Queen of Clubs. Just adore it! Words cannot express... When I first apply it, I get juicy dark red fruit - pomegranite and berries (must be the currant). The fruit has just dropped and I get the rich scent of moist fertile earth. The earth remains for a long time, with incense, musk and sweetness coming in. It combines into this earthy, rich scent that I just love. It closes with the darkness, richness and sensuality of musk. Overall, this is an amazing scent and I'm so thrilled to have some. Thanks Beth for this marvelous gift!!

Numb is a very interesting scent. I too get the similarity to Yog-Sothoth (in fact Numb inspired me to review YS just now). I think that I prefer the musky sweetness underneath in YS but they are so close that if I wasn't wearing one on each arm I probably wouldn't know the difference. Numb is a bit cooler than YS but also a touch more floral. I never consciously knew what violets smelled like before but I guess this is them – good to know. When I first applied Numb on my arm, it was as if I actually felt a cooling sensation which was pretty strange. It’s very light, open, airy and empty. I’m traveling somewhere hot tomorrow so I'm glad this arrived today. I’m looking forward to trying it out in the heat and seeing what happens.

When I first smelled Yog-Sothoth, all I could think was that the description fit it perfectly. What an airy, empty, smooth scent. Glitering and cool. I liked it but I just wasn't sure. I couldn't get past the description and wasn't sure where to go with a review. Later, it reminded me of Comme des Garcons 2 - but not inky. They have very similar qualities - like a strange, wacked out floral. I've let it sit and since have gotten bottles of Buck Moon and today Numb. When I first tried Numb I though - this must be Yog-Sothoth. So just now I'm trying them arm by arm. Both Buck Moon and Numb are relatives - close relatives. Yog has Buck Moon's musky sweetness and Numb's cool violet. Yog somehow melds it all together and captures air and darkness, coldness and warmth. Amazing. It's going to be fabulous for hot weather and I like how it has aged. Bravo! edited to add: hangingfire, now that you mention it, I also get hints of Chanel No. 5 - must be aldehydes and florals - interesting!

In the vial: vetivert, grass, maybe leather On the Skin: Wow - this is so much better on the skin than in the vial. Initially I get amber and clove, maybe a touch of resin and leather. Once it dries down, I get smoke, clove, and a leathery, resiny incense (that doesn't bring up good images - when I read that, for some reason I think turtle eggs but it's really quite wonderful). Touches of lime and a squidge of lemon peek through every so often. The citrus provides a lift to the scent and melds beautifully with the clove, smoke and resins. I'm not sure where the musk is in here but it has a really good base - I think that the ambergris, leather and musk combine to form an almost incense like base for the clove. Overall impression: I LOVE Torture King. I can't stop smelling my arm - it's intoxicating! Another CN winner for me!

I was apprehensive about Bearded Lady - florals tend to scare me (now I’m thinking that it’s white florals and jasmine). I was pleasantly surprised by this oil. It reminds me of the sharp, sweet incense in Al Azif – rather piercing and quite strong. On, the sharp piercing floral incense remains. It’s extremely sweet and definitely floral yet none of the notes really stand out to me – it’s very well blended. I think that the vanilla and amber must ground the florals and are helping to create that incense vibe I get from this. Overall, it's quite beautiful and I’ll enjoy my bottle.

A bombardment of edible carnival indulgences. Funnel cake, caramel apple, cotton candy, salt water taffy and sugar tart. Damn! Beth is amazing!! Despite all the rave reviews, I really didn't think I'd like Midway. I just didn't see myself in a sweet, foody scent. I was so wrong. Midway is wonderful! It totally evokes all the glorious treats to be found only at a fair. Funnel cake, sweet candy, touch of butter and vanilla. I've worn it a few times now, and sometimes (but not always) I would initially get a slightly plastic note but then it would burn off quickly and just leave a wonderful sweetness that makes me want to knaw my arm off. Everyone I've shared it with (sharing the love) just adores it! I still have yet to try a few of the CN line, but overall CN is an amazing series!

Initially I get almonds and a bit of spice. As it dries, the almonds quiet, the spices come out, and it becomes a bit sweet. Ah yes, there's the bay rum - spicy and wonderful! I just touched on a dab but it seems to have good throw and to be fairly longlasting. Yes, this would be wonderful on a guy and I imagine that it would have fabulous throw (since males tend to be warmer). Overall very nice! Not sure if I need a whole bottle but I'll enjoy my imp! And, maybe, if any of my guy friends are especially nice, I'll share...we'll see.

Santo Domingo was a gift from the lab in one of my recent orders. I'm making an effort to go through my imps, review them and then decide whether to keep them or not. That being said, this is a very interesting scent. In the imp, it's sort of a neutral, slightly spicy scent. Not a lot of florals, no woods, a touch of spice. Reminds me of a medium brown color. Initially on, what I imagine to be the tobacco comes out. That, plus the bay rum. Maybe a touch of lemon. Initially on, it's as in the imp, just rather neutral for me, not evoking much reaction one way or the other. But - once it dries, what a different story. It deepens and becomes rich and spicy. Not real sweet, but somehow it reminds me a bit of caramel. Don't know why as it's not really foody at all but that's what I get. I really get the bay rum, which I really like. Wow - the drydown is really nice. I find it very smooth and soothing despite the spice (which instinctively would get you going). We'll see how long the drydown lasts as I'm only a bit of the way through. In closing, it's lovely - I don't know whether I'll get a bottle but I'll definately keep an imp on hand to enjoy when I want a deep, spicy yet soothing scent.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lab I got to try Empyreal Mist. Initial Impression, in the Imp: Light, clean, pretty floral. Very sweet. On the skin: Still a light, clean floral. Brings to mind white flowers. I'm not good at distinguishing florals, but these are very, very sweet flowers. Stays sweet on the skin, a bit too sweet for my taste. There may be a sliver of wood grounding the scent - but it stays very very subdued and very soft. I get some melon that adds a bit of juicyness to the scent. It lasts a long time on me - even after doing the dishes and applying lotion I can still smell it. Overall: Too floral and a lot too sweet for my taste. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to try it though. Still, it's going in the swap or gift pile. edited for goofy grammar

thanks to the generosity of the lab I got to try All Night Long. while I have yet to try it out for its intended use, I did take it for a scented test run. In the imp: cloves and cinnamon Wet: cinnamon and cloves. this is a very strong scent - a little goes a long way! I get a hint of vetivert underneath. Spicy!! Dry: becomes a dry heat type smell. the vetivert changes to smoke and it becomes a lot less sweet. the cinnamon fades into the background and it's a mix of cloves and smoke. sniffing deep, I can see that it'd be a bit like nuts but I'm getting more smoke. Overall, pretty nice! At this point, as I have 2 imps I don't think I'll get a bottle but I'll probably finish the imps. Thanks lab!

Alice is sooo pretty. I've had some so-so experiences with milk so I was a bit reluctant to try this but I'm so glad that I did. It's a softly spicy floral with touches of milk and maybe a tad of vanilla. The spicy floral is definately carnation. Just looked at the notes - no vanilla listed, but I would swear there is just a hint. Anyway - overall Alice is a very soft, pretty scent, bringing to mind petticoats, white dresses and soft pink ribbons tied around the waist. Very sweet and innocent - a perfect springtime scent - I love it!

Yum - Snake Charmer is amazing. I have to agree that SC is Snake Oil's younger, more innocent sister. When I first smelled this I thought Snake Oil lite and there was no difference. Wearing them side-by-side, you really get the fruity aspect of this as compared to Snake Oil's deep incense. Whiff of coconut and lots of amber. Great throw, very long lasting. I made 1 ml into a spay and it brings out the patchouli - which in the oil form is covered by the vanilla, amber and spices. In any form I love it and I'm so glad that I got a few extra bottles. I think it's going to age REALLY well.

A 5 ml of Somnus was among my first orders to the Lab - what an effective sleep aid. I've tried all the Somnium blends and while it's a toss up between Somnus and Oneroi, I still love Somnus. Very sharp, stong lavendar blast. Herbal underpinnings. Then I'm usually out like a light. For a number of reasons, last night I ended up going to bed around 4:30 AM - before dropping off I set my alarms for 10 AM and put on some Somnus. This morning was the first chance that I've gotten to smell it's drydown! I was sitting here reading about the update and I kept smelling this smell that I didn't recognize. Then I realized what it was! It turns into a much softer floral, with touch of powder, and kinda spicy - like someone went and threw in some carnations. Has a bit of a deeper base, almost a bit musky. It's lovely!

A tawdry Hollywood tragedy, the essence of innocence lost amongst casting couch cushions. Wild clover and gentle melon interlaced with violet leaf, water lilies, smooth wooden notes, and blushing rose. Generous gift from the lab - I'm thrilled to be able to try this scent. In the Imp: Sweet, clean floral Wet: Still a sweet, clean floral. It smells very innocent. The name is a perfect description. Dry: Very strongly scented - you only need just a dab and it lasts a long time. Dry, the melon and a bit of the wood comes out, adding an element of sensuality and depth. Maybe I do get a touch of thrashing around on the couch. But at the same time, still very innocent - so maybe just heavy petting. There's a touch of powder but in a nice way - must be the violet. Brings to mind springtime, lush green, cool breezes, languid, white eyelet fabric, and what I would imagine the deep, gentrified "south" 50 years ago to be like. Overall, clean, mostly innocent, a perfect scent for summer.

I had a similar reaction to Bastet as I did with Baghdad. In essence, this scent is a scrubber for me It turns to this unpleasant powdery floral on me - not what I like at all. After looking at the notes, I think that it's the combination of amber (which I love), saffron (which I THOUGHT I liked) and musk (can go either way on me) that does it - commonalities between the two scents. Oh well - there's plenty more BPAL to love.