metaldog32

If it wasn’t for my sister I might have passed on this; anything with lavender makes me think twice; lavender tends to dominate harshly on me so I wasn’t too keen about Singing Moon; however..it being a lunacy, the wood bitter vetch and the autumn fires made it interesting enough for me to roll the dice; here’s how it went. Initial sniff from bottle: I can smell the sea spray of the Atlantic alright..it’s a dark aquatic to be sure…and I get a little of that rock sea lavender which thankfully..isn’t super aggressive. Definitely reminds me of a chilly night by a tumultuous sea. Applied wet on skin: Sea spray and then something sweet leaps out..just a flash..is it the hellebore??? Wow..I wasn’t expecting that…tail end I get the autumn fires..just a wisp of it..this is certainly quite the morpher..and I have to say..I am pleasantly surprised. Couple of minutes on skin:Dark swirling aquatic coupled with the wood, fires, and wisps of the lavender. Am not sure I register or recognize the thistle or grave grass or meadowsweet. Ten minutes later:Am getting now more of the grassy/vibe of the fragrance now..wet grass..maybe sea grass by the ocean..tinged with a bit of salt and those fires in the distance lending an airy smoky slant. I can see why some reviewers might liken this to Ulalume; I do see a similarity..but in my case Ulalume didn’t work for me because of that overwhelmingly strong wet dirt note. Here..this fragrance hints at wet earth..but it doesn’t come across on me as overly aggressive..perhaps the grass and hellebore do well to temper it on me. Twenty minutes later-This has now morphed yet again..still retains the grass..but I also am registering a creamy sweet-like note interspersed with a tinge of the sea spray and rock lavender. It is very much an evocative scent and yes..I do agree with many who find it appropriate for autumn..I wholeheartedly agree. This lasted a whopping 8+hours…the throw soft to average. I put this on before I went to bed last night and when I woke up this morning and sniffed my wrist, I was met with a beautiful drydown; soft grass like note tinged with a creamy sweetness . Bottom Line: A beautiful interpretation; who knew that grass and grave could be components in an genius and really evocative fragrance??? It is perfect for autumn; I will be wearing it again.

I bought this bottle outright because I get along with Virgos. Very well. My SO is a Virgo; two ex’s have also been Virgos. I like to have fragrances remind me of people. My grandmother was a Virgo..she was beautiful and charming and I only have wonderful memories of her. Always smelling beautiful; looking perfectly made up..having a charming personality. My mother…a Libra is like that too. Initial sniff from bottle: Greenery; I think I get the fern. This sort of reminds me of Pontarlier a little bit because of the fern. It does smell fresh..like a vegetable garden..without the dirt/soil notes. Like sticking one’s face in a vegetable garden early in the morning..before the sun has warmed everything. Very interesting. Applied wet on skin: Green leafy tones..with a wsip of something sweet..floral..the honeysuckle??? I still get a green/fresh vibe from this..it’s really evocative of being in either a vegetable or maybe an herb garden? I don’t know what carrot seed or valerian smells like and fennel has always had a slight sweetness. This translates to me as fresh/green/sweet/leafy. Couple of minutes on skin:Still the leafy/slightly sweet fresh vibe going on..with the honeysuckle still peeking through softly every now and again. Ten minutes later: I am struck at how much this emanates to me the freshness of green. It now has more of the honeysuckle making an appearance..the leafy /green combo has backed down..but the overall vibe on my wrist still resonates fresh clean summer garden. The cleaness of the greenery..it’s simple and pure sillage..uncluttered and kept in balance with the sweetness..it reminds me of Virgos..their way of analysis-usually so single minded and focused..without getting distracted..always with a precision and focus that I have always admired. Hour and a half later: Barely there sweet leafy-ness..not invisible..but just baby soft echoes., Lasting power on this is actually pretty impressive; 5+hours with throw average. Bottom Line: I fell in love with Virgo; I have worn it a couple of times and it just keeps getting better. I love it’s dewy..almost cool greenness..intertwined in that is the sweetness of the honeysuckle and the fennel; I believe the carrot seed must also lend a degree of sweetness; the whole vibe of this is just amazing. I like it enough to wear it during the cold damp rainy days of spring but I have to admit..wearing it on a rainy day in October was just as wonderful. So far the Earth signs haven’t disappointed; am so glad I bought a bottle. What an evocative scent.

I had bought a partial bottle on Ebay because I was so intrigued by this particular queen. Queen of Spades had worked well for me and the reviews on this one made me believe that perhaps a scent with earth notes…aka dirt might work for me..especially since it also intertwined myrrh, amber and pomegranate. Initial sniff from bottle: Deep earth notes indeed..they are here..but it’s kind of nice actually…smells like freshly upturned earth..rich soil maybe??? There is also a sweet/fruity note hanging around..perhaps that’s the pomegranate? It’s secondary though..it flits along the edges..with the rich earth dominating. Applied wet on skin: Earth notes still dominate….I get a tinge of the pomegranate again..but I also register on the tail end something else…the incense/myrhh along with a wisp of sweetness again..that has to be either the vanilla or amber. Still a very rich earth driven fragrance. It’s not bad on me; not something I usually gravitate towards..but still..interesting. Couple of minutes on skin:Freshly upturned earth still in the forefront..pomegranate has backed off…and I get an appearance of the rose..which here is is subdued and works nicely with the earth note..I can’t really say I still get the vanilla/amber/I think the myrrh is at the tail end. Really a very quiet and meditative scent; doesn’t scream for attention at all but it’s not invisible..the throw is soft. Ten minutes later:Earth notes are softened..but still leading..if I whiff deeply enough I get the rose and myrrh/incense somewhere behind it..and on the tail end I get a peek of sweetness..I am assuming it’s the vanilla. Twenty minutes later:Still hovering close on my wrist…the earth notes are just not giving up any space…with a peek of rose..a peek of incense..a peek of sweetness. Hour and twenty minutes later:My sister says this smells beautiful on me; earth notes have seamlessly melded with the floral and the incense myrrh although lending a supporting role give it a subtle depth. Lasting power clocked in at about 5 hours with throw soft to average. Bottom Line: Queen of Clubs didn’t disappoint; I never thought I would be able to wear a fragrance with such a prominent earth note but this just proves Beth’s genius in creating scent; this garnered positive feedback from my sister who is very picky with what she wears. I will definitely re-visit the Queen later this winter; I only wish I was fortunate enough to snag a full bottle. Keeper.

I wasn’t passing this up; the cucumber and blue lotus gave me hope that this could resemble in spots the beloved 2004 Blue Moon. The whole “absence of light” just made it too tempting. Initial sniff from bottle:Hmmm..this does smell good; kind of reminds me of BM 2004..maybe it’s the mugwort and lotus??? I think I smell the orchid too and it’s fabulous. Night-time floral..without being super heady and/or lush..retains a coolness. Hmmm..taking another whiff from the bottle I keep thinking that maybe I smell something akin to jasmine??? It’s not super aggressive though..but I swear I smell something that is reminiscent of it. Could that be motia attar??? Humph. Applied wet on skin: Sweet pear along with the floral and lotus…yes this does remind me a bit of the BM…but not quite. It skirts along the same lines..but where BM hinted at melon notes and a coolness and wetness and sweetness..Black Moon deviates..still the coolness is there..but instead of melon it’s pear..and you have that wonderful duo of the orchid and mugwort along with the lotus and attar making this a very intriguing lunacy. My sister wore this before I tried it and I have to say it smelled FABULOUS on her. I remembered asking her what was she wearing that smelled so good..when she told me Black Moon I was amazed; it really does smell like a variation of Blue Moon 2004. Sorry for sounding like a broken record player..mea culpa!!! Couple of minutes on skin:Still the sweet pear..but it has softened a bit..melded with the florals..still feels cool to me..like a midnight garden in summer…all dark and sweet and silent. Thirteen minutes later: Interesting..it’s softened considerably..the pear has kind of drifted away and what I am left with is more of a coolness..cucumber maybe along with the orchid and the jasmine type note..the crystalline muks provides a smooth rondness and I swear I kind of get a bit of dusty note at the end..something that reminds me of a soft sandalwood??? Half an hour later:Poof!!! Almost all gone..but what I am left with are traces of the jonquil/orchid and attar with a wisp of the dusty sandalwood. Lasting power on me is 4+hours if I am lucky..with throw strongest when wet:overall it’s soft to moderate. Bottom Line: Black Moon is a dark floral but without being super heady and overbearing as some nightblooming blends sometimes have a tendency to become. Although I do enjoy jasmine and gardenias and the lushness they create; in this blend the florals are at one instant indeed lush but then they do seamlessly move away in the silence and the dark..leaving me with wisps of sweetness and a dusty echo. Good option from early to late summer…I like it in the evening but I think some females can pull it off for during the day; my sister is one of them. Keeper.

I think the reason why I bought this was because of the words “adrenaline”, “magic” and “fear”. Sounded too alluring to pass up…even if it could end up being an aggressive aquatic…I wouldn’t mind. So…imagine my surprise when the bottle did come and well…it had a happy pink pig hanging out under a palm tree looking at a pretty calm ocean. WTF??? Some kind of joke??? In any event…it’s was really warm in the NY/NJ area when I contemplated wearing this and I figured what the f*ck..let’s try this cheery pink pig. I do like aloe. I like cedar. I have grown to respect cypress a bit. Why not??? Initial sniff from bottle: Clean but not ozone like aquatic..with that smoothness and coolness that reminds me of the aloe..and on the tail end I get a wisp of the cypress..just a tinge…nothing like the frontal assault that is in Nemesis..no..the cypress here is pretty darned restrained. Somebody likened Aeaea to Silence..and I have to agree..there is that coolness that they both share. Applied wet on skin:Oh…it’s the cypress again..a wee bit more present..and it’s still that coolness of the aloe and yes..some sort of berry…not overt though..just lending a translucent wash of sweetness that is there and then…poof…gone. I get a faint floral..I wonder if that’s the snowdrop??? Not really getting the cedar yet. Couple of minutes on skin:Holy cow..it’s happening again..the “Silence” phenomenon….I can barely smell anything on my wrist.Crap. If I wave my wrists in front of my face, I get whiffs..faint whiffs..but whiffs nonetheless of the elusive aloe and the touch of cypress/snowdrop. This blend is perfect for the office..but I wish it would just come out a bit more on my skin..I seem to absorb it. Darn. Ten minutes later:Still very soft on me..but I can register the waft of aloe and snowdrop…no berries..no cedar but the cypress is softened to the background now. This continues on me for a good 4+ hours..but it’s maddening. One moment I think it’s gone..and then I get a tease of a brief trail of fragrance. It’s not invisible..but it certainly doesn’t announce itself either. The throw on this is soft. Bottom Line: Aeaea is one fragrance that kind of befuddled me…along the same lines as Silence. This time around though..I was able to formulate my mind around this fragrance a bit more. I think it worked nicely for the warmer weather we are enjoying right now..but I still think that this would work well in the cooler months. I like the idea of aloe and snowdrop in the cold; perhaps I can get the darker vibe of this fragrance to bloom a bit more on me when the weather is a bit more conducive to my imagination allowing me to possibly hear the wind whisper and wail while darkening skies beckon fall…such a cute pink pig though… hmph..I’m baffled..I admit it…

Initial sniff from bottle: Chocolate of course!!! Something is flitting around there underneath the surface of course..maybe a bit of fruit??? I also get a tinge of floral..but it’s not really discernable..I just get the waft of chocolate. Applied wet on skin: Chocolate and fruit!!! I think more starfruit than peach..and yes..I get some vanilla bean and sweetness that must be the honey. Couple of minutes on skin: Fruit has retreated a bit now and it’s more chocolate..though softened a bit but I get more presence from the vanilla. Am not really getting the clove or massoia or ginger..but it’s still early. Ten minutes later: Interesting…sweetness…the honey and vanilla..with the orchid kind of peeking..and I get a soft spicy-like slant which I have to assume is maybe the clove and ginger??? They are very subdued though..blended seamlessly..and I swear I can still smell a wisp of the peach and/or starfruit. Thirty minutes later:Sweet echoes of fruit against the honey and vanilla..the chocolate is underneath with the clove..again..all of this is very seamless. Nice waft..still very much present. Later:Well..it’s back to being a bit more chocolate driven..but it still retains the touch of orchid and vanilla… Drydown: Sweetness..touch of foody thrown in there. Lasting power-9+ hours with throw average Bottom Line: The July 07 version was the one I wasn’t too sure about because of the fruit but I am glad I took the chance. I find it a welcome addition to my 13 collection; as with all the ones I have had the pleasure to try I like to wear them in the fall and winter..although this just might work for spring as well. Keeper.

So I fell in love with the 2006 version and then made it my mission in life to try and get all other versions; I have been lucky-I was able to get the 2005 and 2004 versions from lovely forumites. Initial sniff from bottle: This does smell like wine soaked fruit and sweetness..brown sugar maybe??? Definitely harvest-like..very autumnal to me. I quite like it. Applied wet on skin: Fruity..must be the apples/plums/pears..but they aren’t as fresh as the 2006 version..they definitely have been steeping in something..yet it doesn’t come across as “boozy” or anything like that….just that it has depth. Am not sure if I am registering the flowers or herbs..but I know that I do register the mulling spices/brown sugar and of course..the fruit. Couple of minutes on skin:Still the fruit..but it’s softened some….the sage and maybe the ivy I get at the tail end. Hope this lasts a bit longer..I really like the version..please don’t go away!!! Ten minutes later:Very much softened..just very soft waft of the fruit and the foliage..again..not really registering the florals. This stays very close to the skin on me…not much throw at all. Twenty minutes later:Sweetness…a whisper of the fruit that was there in the beginning…..please, please, PLEASE stay!!! Drydown: Same as above Lasting power alas wasn’t meant to be..within an hour and a half HM 2005 was just a memory on me…sigh… Bottom Line: I loved Harvest Moon 2005 while it lasted..I just wish it lasted longer. I think it’s perfect for late summer and early fall..now to somehow layer it so that it anchors the fragrance a bit more to me..silly skin chemistry. Dabbing on some more now…

So…I bought this because I liked the original 2005 version; different versions intrigue me even though I don’t normally wear chocolate as fragrance. I think the only three I have that are chocolate based are 13, Bloomslang, and Centzon. Am starting from reverse: Lasting power on me has been pretty darn good…9+hours Drydown: I can’t really smell anything on my wrists..but I get wafts of the chocolate..which is a bit dry because of the herbs/sandalwood along with a slight sweetnes..which to me would point to either the fig meat??? Initial sniff from bottle: Chocolate…to me it’s more milk or white chocolate based…something a bit herbal flitting at the edge..and maybe the grains. A tad foody..but not overwhelmingly so. Applied wet on skin: Chocolate..but yes..it’s a bit of a spicy kick..thanks to the cardamom and I am assuming the clove..very nice. At the end it’s a bit dry..sandalwood maybe??? Couple of minutes on skin:Chocolate fading a bit..softened but still present..with the herbs and sandalwood a bit more present. Still a softened spicy chocolate with an herbal and dry tang. Ten minutes later:It’s now more fig forward..melding with the herbs and sandalwood..the cocoa/chocolate is more of a end note.. I still get a nice waft every now and then of the cocoa/chocolate interspersed with the other notes..I like this very much. Twenty minutes later:Soft waft of the cardamom/clove over the cocoa..really nice..with the sandalwood slant…fig is kind of MIA..how the heck did that happen??? Still I am enjoying it immensely. Overall throw is average to strong. Bottom Line: 13-April 07 does not disappoint. This blends cocoa with herbs and spices that ends up being a cloud of perfection that straddles between foody and exotic. Again..nicely done. This blend works for me for fall/winter.

I didn’t get this 5m when it was offered..I think because of the verbena. It usually scares me off because I get the whole “Lemon Pledge” effect. YBNB was nice enough to have a 5ml available so I ended up snagging it..I had to try this nonetheless. I do love amber and the idea of ozone with the sage, citrus, and sandalwood kind of made me gamble. So…to harken the cooler weather that I do HUNGER for..I wear Hunger Moon. Initial sniff from bottle: Interesting..I get the citrus twang slapped with the ozone and the sage. Sage keeps it from becoming what many people get is “detergent” vibe. It is sharp..and almost medicinal..but I quite like it actually. Applied wet on skin: Yup..verbena..but it’s playing nice on me..along with the ozone which is also a bit restrained..and the sage. I get a tinge of the oakmoss on the back..works well in this blend. Couple of minutes on skin: Softly wafting verbena and sage..with the oakmoss and sandalwood under it all..just giving it a very dry vibe. Apparently some reviewers get a “pine” like scent akin to Snow Moon. For me Snow Moon was overwhelmingly pine to the point of it being not enjoyable..but I don’t get that from Hunger Moon..hmph. I get the herbal/dry/citrus-like mélange that is airy and chilly at the same time. I have to say..I like it. When I first applied it and then went downstairs to get some breakfast, my mom remarked how much she loved what I was wearing. When I brought my wrist up to her nose, she sniffed and said it smelled nice..but the waft that I left was even better..interesting. Ten minutes later:Verbena is still here with the sage..but it’s softened…and now I get a sweetness which I am attributing to the amber. Fascinating really. I agree with the hoardes of reviewers who say this is similar to Hungry Ghost Moon..definitely the dry/stark/barren version of it..and let me say I do find it amazing. Twenty minutes later:Verbena and citrus rind are very much in the background..lending a wisp scent..but now it’s all just traces of the amber and sage with the sandalwood..rather thin and dry.. Drydown: Same as above Lasting power clocked in at about 4+ hours with throw average. Bottom Line: Hunger Moon definitely comes across as a bit desolate and barren and thin…but surprisingly..wearable. I think it’s the winning combination of the verbena, sage, and amber that does it for me. The ozone just supports it nicely..injecting that chilly/almost snow-like note that makes this perfect to wear on blustery cold days. A keeper.

So…I bought this because this would be my favorite muse…I do love astronomy and astrology..although when most people hear the latter they cringe inwardly and snicker..thinking that one who finds horoscopes and personality divination to be akin to being flaky and spacey. In ANY event..it’s the one that I was drawn to and here is how it played out: Initial sniff from bottle: To be honest, I can’t smell much..I think it’s the white musk or something..because sniffing this from the bottle kind of reminds me of the “non-read” I got from Silence..and if I remember correctly, Silence has a type of musk too..blue musk I believe. It doesn’t shout any particular note..but the vibe I get is of silence, space, and a slight coolness. Applied wet on skin: Interestingly..it’s more of the moonflower and iris..and they both aren’t really loud either. The ozone..is there on the tail end..but it’s muted..I don’t get any benzoin, or moss or surprisingly jasmine at this point. Funny thing is..the two other times I wore this, I did get an overwhelming note of either ozone and jasmine..almost headache inducing in it’s intensity…but not this time. Couple of minutes on skin:-Jasmine shows up but she isn’t loud or bossy..she’s playing nice with the other florals…with the ozone still rounding up the back. I can see how this could veer into soapy ozone floral..but it doesn’t quite go there. It does seem a bit chilly..but not in a bad way. Definitely evokes dark blue skies with a carpet of white stars…glittering coldly. I agree with some reviewers saying it has a very classic perfume-y vibe..but again..I find it pleasant. Again..when I tried this before, I swore I got more of a wisp of the benzoin and a bit more iris..the former hasn’t really shown up yet..interesting. I do get almost a touch of powder though..very faint..but I suspect that just might be the iris peeking out a bit more. Twenty five minutes later: Hovering floral..interspersed with the ozone making it feel very starry indeed. Moss is here..just as a a bit of an underpinning..keeping it from being too sweet a floral..I think it adds in giving it a very vast and spacious feeling actually. 45 minutes later: It’s the drydown..and it has gotten just a tad bit sweet..benzoin maybe??? Almost kind of vanilla-like..but it’s a wisp of powder, clean white floral..high and bright..now just softly illuminating the dark night sky with it’s cold light. Throw is a bit strong in the wet phase but settles down to a more average waft. Lasting power clocked in at about 2-3 hours from start to finish. Bottom Line: A very aptly named fragrance..and evocative indeed. I think I would like to wear this in the winter..especially at night..when it’s cold and clear and the skies are adorned with glittering stars..this blend I think would do well on such an evening. Not a holy grail..but interesting enough to keep around for now.

My sister bought this 5ml for me because of two things: Lilac and absinthe. She knows my favorite flower is lilac and that for a really long time I have always loved the color green. Absinthe, fairy, ferns..all green. So..this is how this bottle came into my possession last year..and has stayed unopened or un-tried until now. No..it’s not that is is unloved..I just have more fragrance then I know what to do with..it takes a while for me to get through a chunk of it at a time. Initial sniff from bottle: Smells green..definitely getting the ferns..and maybe a tiny undercurrent of the lavender. This isn’t usually my cup of tea..but I will forge on. Applied wet on skin: Fern, fern, FERN..and then right behind it for a quick second it’s blackcurrant..and then it’s kind of just a rush of jumbling notes..the flash of lilac and rose and sugar..but then..we are back to fern and maybe the rose. I don’t get the absinthe..but to be honest I have no idea what that is supposed to smell like. Couple of minutes on skin:Still the fern..with the rose. ..and a trace of sweetness on the end. I don’t know if I am getting the blackcurrant and lavender..but the whole effect is just very green and a tad herbal. Pleasant enough..but it’s not bowling me over. Ten minutes later:Still the ferns..but the rose is a bit more in the mix..although the sum of this is still very green and kind of close to the skin..not much wafting going on. It’s nice..but again..am not ga-ga over it. Hour later: Faint ferns and floral..with a wisp of sweetness. Lasting power: 3+ hours with throw soft to almost average Bottom Line: Pontarlier is nice..but I just can’t see myself wearing this very often..if at all. The fern and overall “green” slant of this is evocative..but it’s not something that really holds my interest or translates into something stellar on my skin. Think my 5ml should go to someone who can really make this fragrance sing.

Yes…so I bought Xanthe because I like the idea of the clown crying while having sharp objects in it’s grasp…it seemed jarring and I was intrigued. I am also a bit fascinated with clowns…having had a bit of an uncomfortable run in with them when I was younger…being forced to take a picture with them when I was very sick..feeling a bit anxious and a bit fearful because behind the greasepaint and silly costumes I could smell sweat and cigarette smoke..they weren’t as jovial and candy sweet as they seemed I remember..and this made me squirm. Fast forward to today; my fascination with them is centered around my desire to wonder why a person would want to be a clown..the whole idea of it..to “seem” happy and jovial while all along..carrying a persona..one’s real persona under a layer of makeup and frivolity…quite interesting really..what does that clown think of..what is he/she REALLY like???? So..yes..Xanthe appealed to me…and the white pepper sealed the deal. Initial sniff from bottle: Umm..Juicy Fruit anybody??? Wow..is that sweet and umm…Juicy Fruit. Where’s the pepper??? Seems just like what a clown should smell like..at least to the little girl inside me. Applied wet on skin: Yup..it’s Juicy Fruit gum alright..with a soft tinge of pepper on the very end..I kind of like the sugar sweetness of it..and then the little bite of pepper. Couple of minutes on skin:Hmm…fruity guava/spun sugar has now coupled with the pepper. The pepper is not aggressive but it seems to pair nicely with the sweetness. Ten minutes later-Same players..wafting together softly. Drydown-Almost cotton candy sweetness…with that little nip of the pepper. Lasting power-3+hours with throw soft. Bottom Line: Xanthe is indeed sweet but with a bit of a bite. Not something I would gravitate towards but the clown did win me over. I like it for when I want something seemingly innocent that carries a bit of an edge. It’s subtle enough to straddle work nicely

Okay…so I bought the 5ml outright because of the following: Amber-love it. Sandalwood-like it Sweet Pea-my sister’s nickname for me and yes..I like it as a fragrance. Initial sniff from bottle:Sweet vanilla and amber..I think I smell the sweetpea but I can’t be sure. Very very sweet. Almost a tad cloying but I am ready to dig in. Applied wet on skin:Mmmmm..amber. Yes…the vanilla is cheek to cheek with amber…and sweet pea is looking for some room on the dance floor. Sandalwood?? Sandalwood is at the bar..having a drink..smoking a cigarette..just waiting and watching the scene. Couple of minutes on skin:Okay…vanilla has switched partners..it’s now with sweetpea; amber has met sandalwood at the bar for a drink..they are very close with eachother. Ten minutes later:I can’t figure out if it’s the vanilla, sweetpea or amber leading..but they are all here and the mélange is round and sweet. On th edge is the sandalwood..wispy dryness here and there. I quite like this. Twenty minutes later:Still going strong..the sweet pea, the vanilla, the amber..and yes the wispy sandalwood. Thirty minutes later: You know..it’s still going strong…this scent doesn’t fade softly into the night. It’s not screaming in your face either..it just keeps wafting out. It’s sweet and round and just…girly. Cuddly. The type of fragrance I would wear if I wanted to feel feminine and flirty in an innocent sort of way. The kind of scent I would wear cuddling with my SO..it seems a bit comforting. Interestingly enough..at the very tail end of this while I am whiffing at my wrists I swear it sort of smells like the drydown of Black Opal. Something here..maybe it’s the vanilla with the sandalwood…it makes me think of that scent. That’s a good thing folks..because I LOVE Black Opal. Drydown-Dry sweetness. Lasting power 4 hours with throw average. Bottom Line: MSaLT is a girly and cuddly sweet floral. I can thank the vanilla and sweet pea for that; the amber and sandalwood make it wearable for me and restrain it from being almost cloying. Surprisingly it has decent wear length and throw-I think it works all year long but I especially would like to wear it for days when I want to feel snuggly and safe.

I remember when I saw this being offered just for the forum; I had to get it because of the whole energy of Water; being a Cancer with a Scorpio ascendant how much more do you need to see I had to get this??? I do enjoy rose..while it being the note that my sister wears I am always on the lookout for blends that incorporate it since sis has claimed Rose Red one of her signature fragrances. The freesia and gardenia are also winners for me and I was intrigued by the rain orchid. So..here it goes: Initial sniff from bottle: Smells like white roses…and maybe a touch of the gardenia. A tad bit sweet in the back…perhaps it’s the lotus???? For whatever reason, when inhaling this blend I can’t help but conjure up in my mind white, silver, water and florals. It just seems a bit cool and sweet and soothing. Applied wet on skin: Roses..and lotus and gardenia and orchids…it’s a beautiful mélange of the florals…and they don’t scream for attention. This blend is quiet on me but not invisible. Rose isn’t amping up…maybe the gardenia and lotus are tempering it..but it plays nice with the other flowers. Beautiful. Couple of minutes on skin: Rose has softened a bit..still present but it makes more room for the gardenia/orchid /freesia. Sweet..but not cloying..but so very delicate too. Ten minutes later:Softened..but now I get more of the gardenia/freesia/orchid with the rose in the backseat and the lotus again lending it’s sweetness like a veil. It is fading fast on me..but it is beautiful while it hangs around. Half an hour later: Softened yet again..but I still get the whispery waft of the gardenia and orchid over the lotus. Drydown: Sweetness…orchid and gardenia. Lasting power not bad; 5+hours but the throw is soft. Bottom Line: Ace of Hearts is a beautiful interpretation of the energy of Water; nothing really akin to it from my limited experience with the GC of BPAL florals…I find it subtle but stunning. Perfect for spring /summer and even in the colder months when I want to revisit the sweet allure of rain-kissed white florals that shimmer like silver…that’s the imagery I get.

So…I am going to attempt to review Aries. I like Aries people..like their qualities…but the notes that are associated with them don’t love me. Usually they have cinnamon, dragons blood, pepper..all of these I like but for some reason on me the sum of all of that makes me queasy. I keep trying though..and that is why I purchased a bottle of Aries. My moon is in Aries..and so I feel drawn a bit to those fiery Rams…I hope I do better with this blend. So far..I have struck out with Mars, struck out with Wrath, struck out with Blood Moon. Okay..here I go: Initial sniff from bottle: Pepper..dry and I think maybe dragon’s blood or ginger??? This isn’t boding well at all. It’s the same vibe I got from Mars..except this time the pepper is a bit more forward. Crap. Lessons will be repeated until they are learned… I am going to push on..despite of what my head is saying..you never know. Applied wet on skin: Argh..it’s pepper or maybe dragon’s blood and it’s dry, dry, dry..almost like a hot metallic on me. I love metallic..but I prefer mine on the cooler side…this is very much like Mars..but I do get a wisp of something sweet/floral on the end.. Five minutes later-Hmph…this seems to have actually turned on me..and kind of in a good way. I still register the pepper..but it’s softened now and I get a bit more of the honeysuckle. It’s like they are in tandem..and although this may seem like an odd combination..it doesn’t make me queasy. I actually kind of like it. Ten minutes later:For the most part it’s honeysuckle with flashes of the pepper. I don’t really get any opponax or ginger..but that dragon’s blood..it is there. Thankfully it’s behaving a bit..because when it gets really loud on me I amp to the point of it being overly aggressive and not nice. At. All. I think that dragon’s blood..when it isn’t lilac-like is when it doesn’t work on me. Here dragon’s blood starts awfully iffy on me but ends up working with the honeysuckle..it’s restrained somewhat and for me that is a good thing. I may have finally found an Aries-style scent that I can wear. I find this scent a bit intriguing..but I am not blown over by it…yet. Twenty minutes later:Softened pepper with honeysuckle and wisps of that dragon’s blood poking in and out. I never really did get the ginger..and the opponax..unless lending it’s vanilla-like sweetness..is very much a subdued note on me in this blend. The dragon’s blood now has settled into being more of a floral note..and this note I can handle a bit better. Hour later: It’s softened considerably but still has presence..and it’s the combination of the pepper and dragon’s blood..which has yet again revealed it’s “other face”..the one that can be tricky on me..the one that is a bit dry and slightly metallic hot-like..but it’s behaving a bit..with the honeysuckle and opponax peeking through with a degree of soft sweetness. Truly a very interesting fragrance. Drydown: Settled down to a skin scent..with touches of faded spicyness. Could be the pepper, could be the dragon’s blood…can’t be sure either way. Bottom Line: Aries..a bit tough to handle..but in the end..worked better on me then Mars..and I am grateful. It’s not a fragrance I would find myself reaching for..yet the experience was so interesting that I would categorize it as an atypical floral and I think I could wear this when I felt like putting something on that gave me the brass balls one needs every once in a while to kick some a$$. I put it in the same category as Nemesis not as a fragrance but of the mood it invokes. My 5ml stays put.

I love gypsies, fortune tellers..anything that hints of secrets. When Carnaval Noir came out the first and almost only blend I had to get was Gypsy Queen. When I saw this come out for Carnaval Diabolique I knew this would be the first one I had to have out of Act II. It’s taken me over a year to finally try this out; I seem to do well with Beth’s blends with plum, red musk and patchouli..so I am hoping I don’t strike out with this fortune teller. Initial sniff from bottle: Holy cow..this is good. I immediately get the red musk and the patchouli leaf..the plum is flitting around on the edge…am not sure if I register the pomegranate or vanilla..but it’s early. Applied wet on skin: Yep..this is a home-run on me.Plum and patchouli with red musk…this is divine. Vanilla keeps the tail end a bit sweet..but it’s a darkened sweet..heavy with duality and things not being what they seem. Beth is a genius. This sort of reminds me a bit of maybe Queen of Spades meets Snake Charmer??? I never had the opportunity to try Hellion..but if this smells anything like that..I will be on a serious mission to try and get my hands on even a half imp of it..this is just perfection. Couple of minutes on skin:Man this red musk is assertive..but I like it!!! It’s the musk and vanilla doing the tango with the patchouli leaf and plum/pomegranate waiting for their turn at the bar. Don’t know if they will have the chance..it seems like the musk and vanilla are dominating. Smells sexy…and heady. Just the type of fragrance I like..hehehehehehehehehe. This is going to be awesome in the fall and winter. Ten minutes later:Still the musk and vanilla..with the patchouli leaf under it all..and the plum and pomegranate??? I can barely get a wisp of it but no matter..it’s still fabulous, still sexy and like other reviewers said smolders with intent. Intent to do what I have no idea but that’s the point; it hints at many hidden secrets..secrets she holds..about her..about you.. Dark Sparkle said that this blend kind of reminds her a bit of Blood Kiss without the vetiver and honey; I have to agree..but for me it’s a threesome: Snake Charmer, Queen of Spades and Blood Kiss..heheheheheheheeehehe. Twenty minutes later:9:52pm-Musk has softened but still leads the pack..however now the vanilla and wisp of plum are supporting with Beth’s genius use of patchouli under everything. It’s just…wow. I am like some other reviewers..whenever Beth uses the red musk it’s the note that seems to adhere to me like nobody’s business..that and patchouli. I never liked patchouli until I tried Beth’s blends. Nobody does it better..and she has shown her prowess again with this blend. I cannot believe I am actually going to consider having two back up bottles. It seems ridiculous really..considering I have more fragrance than I know what to do with..BPAL and otherwise. Mme Moriarty is THAT good. Of course she is..look who created her… Anyway..back to reviewing: Thirty minutes later:It’s musk and vanilla and patchouli. I can see where some might be tempted to say there is something akin to a tobacco-type note..but for me..I don’t really get that. The patchouli and red musk..which sometimes on me kind of mimics the red ginger relay that smoldering vibe that is so darn addictive. Drydown:Sweetened musk with vanilla. Lasting power is formidable…I kid you not 11+hours. I wore this to bed and when I woke up the next morning I could still smell it on my wrist. Throw is average to strong. Bottom Line: Another stunner. I am getting a second bottle. I think it’s worthy to be part of the LE lineup that constitutes my personal top ten favorites. What a shocker right??? Seriously..it’s just an amazing fragrance that I will enjoy wearing in the fall and winter.

I bought this bottle outright because my father was a Leo. I loved him dearly and get along with those regal cats. Purely for sentimental value..plus..what’s wrong with having some leonine authority when you need it??? That was my father…big smile, big voice, big ideas..and a big personality. You either loved him or hated him…but either way he made sure you would NEVER forget him. Initial sniff from bottle:Hmmm..something slightly herbal medicinal??? On the edges I get something a tad…warm..maybe a wisp of sweetness..is there amber in here?? I can’t tell. Maybe it’s frankincense thought??? Hmmm… Applied wet on skin: Something in here reminds me a bit of Mars..and that didn’t go well with me. Hot and dry…a bit herbal..with a faint tinge of something citrus-like. Surprisingly..this whole vibe doesn’t go full frontal assault on me..it’s a bit subdued on me..not invisible…but not overpowering either. I want to love this..but there is something in here that I register that reminds me of Mars a bit..and that made me a bit nauseous. Crap. Couple of minutes on skin:It’s softened a bit..and this is much better on me than Mars was..thank goodness.Maybe the initial notes..is it pepper??? Dryer than dry cinnamon??? Whatever it is..it never does well with me..but Sol managed to steer away from the nauseous direction I went with Mars; instead it kind of has settled close to my skin with a dry resin-like haze punctuated with either notes of pepper and cinnamon now softened..maybe clove??? I can tolerate this a bit better. It definitely gives off a warm vibe; a bit herbal, a bit resin-like, definitely dry…wisp of something sweet..I still think there might be some amber peeking around in there. Ten minutes later:Wafting softly..it’s settled into a warm and dry resin-like blend with some cinnamon/clove poking through along with either some amber or maybe heliotrope??? Something in here gives it a tad of sweetness. Thirty minutes later:Same as above…but interestingly it has become much more of an intimate scent..and kind of developed a golden dry sweetness. Drydown:Faint trace of the sweetness. Lasting power on me is about 4+hours with throw soft. Bottom Line: Sol actually worked better than I had thought it would. It started out a bit aggressive..but it ended up being sweet and cuddly. I like to think of Leos that way…they are larger than life and can be a bit intimidating..but they have a generous heart and if you get into their good graces..they are the best at showering you with love. The herbal dry pungency in the beginning ended up to be golden dry sweetness..and for that alone it’s a keeper.

I remember when I bought this; I wasn’t too fond of over-the-top fruity fragrances..but this being a lunacy..I kind of HAD to get it. I do like black cherry, plum, mango and pomegranate..so the majority did sound interesting. Initial sniff from bottle: FRUIT-Y!!!!! It’s a cornucopia of fruit…like a huge fruit salad assaulting me. It’s sweet..a bit tart…juicy and kind of in your face. Definitely screams to me summer scent. Fruit fragrance lovers would weep with joy for this I should think. Applied wet on skin: Sweet fruit..but then I get whiffs of the mango..no..the plum..no..the tangerine..no..the blackberry…hahahahahahaha..it’s all over the place but it works. Flashes of the guava and kiwi and cantloupe wink here and there..I think the strawberry, passionfruit, pear give me that sweetness over everything else.. Couple of minutes on skin:Still the big old fruit love-fest going on here. This morphs quickly..no individual fruit is at the forefront for too long before another or two or five come to the front and make everything a blurry fruity mélange. Sometimes I am sure I am smelling the apple and lime..other times the melon..and then still another time..it’s the plums and mangoes..it’s that fast. Ten minutes later:Sweet juicy fruit bowl has softened a bit…very much hovering close to the skin. It’s fading a bit..I suspect this will not last soon..darn skin chemistry eating it up. Twenty minutes later:Same notes..just again..softened and fading fast. Thirty minutes later:Still hanging in there…fruity sweetness is close to my skin. Drydown: Faint whiff of sweet fruit..almost candy-like. Lasting power is clocked on me at 3 hours..with throw soft at best. Bottom Line: Fruit Moon is fun summer fragrance to wear. I would love to wear it if I were going to an afternoon movie, to baby-sit for kids, anywhere casual and breezy. It’s fresh, fruity, sweet and just like summer…fleeting..but while it sticks around you enjoy it immensely; at least I did. I can’t not smile when I wear this

Of course…I had to buy White Moon. Lilac being my favorite floral of almost all time..this had to come to me. I also found the description very appropro..I have found myself at times during my life dealing with heavy blows..and have always found solace and cleansing with the winter winds and stark white landscapes. It has always brought me peace from within..and well..this blend seemed to have the promise of representing in fragrance what I have always felt inside. I love lilac, lily, sandalwood and moonflower. Violet and I are hit or miss..but I am ready to dive in. Initial sniff from bottle: Sweetness…I think it’s the violet and wisteria and moonflower..not so much the lilac..and that’s fine. Hopefully I will get more of my beloved bloom once I apply it on the skin. Applied wet on skin: Hmmm…still more wisteria, lily,violet, and moonflower..I get a touch more lilac..but it isn’t in the forefront. A wisp of sandalwood in the back. Couple of minutes:It’s lily driven..but I do get flashes of lilac…and the wisteria/violet/phlox trio is playing softly in the background. It’s a quiet floral…really just beautiful. The sandalwood is under everything…giving it a bit of depth but I have to say..I don’t get much of the musk right now. This really smells stellar…the moonflower/violet/phlox adding their touches of sweetness..the lily and lilac doing their soft dance..it’s just so graceful and beautiful. Ten minutes later:Lilac shows up front and center..but then I lose her with the other blooms..but it really doesn’t matter..the bouquet of all of them works wonderfully on me. I don’t really get any “green” note as other people..on me it’s all florals, sandalwood and a touch of musk. Thirty minutes later:Lily and lilac..softened with the violet sweetening up the duo a bit over the sandalwood base. Luckily for me violet isn’t amping up to the point of powder overload..in this blend it has behaved beautifully. Drydown: Bare hint of floral over the last remnants of sandalwood. Lasting power 3+ hours with throw soft to average. Bottom Line:White Moon is indeed a graceful and stirring floral. The notes worked so seamlessly with eachother that the end result on me was just a singularly clear floral that encapsulated the remote beauty of the white moon. A bit quiet but also comforting. I loved wearing this in early summer but I think it will be achingly beautiful in the winter as well. There is something about this blends that represents the release of tears and sorrow..that “release” is White Moon.

It’s a lunacy; I almost always get the lunacies. It being my birth moon lunacy just sealed the deal. My sister is the rose aficionado. She wears Rose Red, Blood Rose, and Spellbound so well. Me??? I like rose..but I need it tempered with something. The honey, blue lilac, patchouli leaf and yess the woodruff made this seem like a good contender for a rose scent I could go ga-ga for. Initial sniff from bottle: Roses..not the super dewy ones in Rose Red..and not the super haughty one in The Peacock Queen..I get more of the tea rose with something sweet in the back..maybe it’s the honey??? Applied wet on skin: Tea rose..and yes the lemon peel in the back. So far so good. Lemon peel doesn’t turn to Lemon Pledge..so already this has bonus points. Couple of minutes on skin:Rose has softened a bit…but still has presence. Somehow..the opium poppy and patchouli and woodruff are swirling with the rose and other florals..here is where it becomes fabulous. Hour and a half later: It’s all softened now…the rose with wisps of the poppy over a base of some sort of earthy/wood note…again..it’s very much subdued. Lasting power: Clocks in at about 3+hours with throw soft to average. Bottom Line: Rose Moon is a very interesting rose fragrance. Sure..in the beginning she seems to come off as predictable..but stay with it and you get surprised along the way. It’s nice for spring/summer but for me I think it would be even better in the fall and winter. Something about the patchouli leaf and balsam and woodruff give it a depth that I think works well with the cooler months coming ahead

Not at all fishy; rather, quite Springy! Innocence spiked with a little bit of foolishness: Lenten rose, crested iris, Virginia bluebell, primrose, moss phlox, blue crocus, daffodil, and dewy tulip with a touch of sugar blossom and honey. I wanted to get this because of the Lenten rose and bluebell/blue crocus. I am usually not a floral gal but I kind of have developed a soft spot for Beth's spring fragrances..so here I am with my 5ml to do some reviewing. Initial sniff from bottle: Pretty soft florals'I can get some of the daffodil and a bit of the rose..but the rest of it is kind indescribable to me. Very soft and spring-like. Applied wet on skin: Pretty!!! Daffodil and rose and the rest of the gang are still here..but I also get a touch of sweetness in the back..could that be the honey??? Couple of minutes on skin:Hmmm... not so much daffodil or rose anymore..so it's probably the iris/bluebell/phlox/crocus/tulip doing their thing. There still is a touch of sweetness in the back... but boy this seems to be fading fast on me. Ten minutes later:Sweet floral still sticking around..but it is very softened. Thirty minutes later:The florals are still there..peeking through..it's almost become a skin scent on me. Drydown:Barely there sweetness... Lasting power was about 4+ hours with throw soft. Bottom Line: Poisson D'Avril is a pretty springtime sweet floral. I find it pleasant enough but it didn't wow me. That being said, I think it will layer nicely over some floral body creams I have laying around so this won't go to waste. A keeper

Initial sniff from the bottle: Soft mint..and not candy sweet either…with some sort of floral. It sort of reminds me of Shattered..sans the grapefruit and champagne??? Applied wet on skin: Amazing; the mint and thyme play so nicely..and there right behind coming up and blooming softly are the florals. Rose isn’t dominating; everyone is playing nicely. It really is an atypical floral with a slight herbal edge that still remains pretty and spring-like. I love this blend. Quick digression: The reason why I bought Taurus is because I like Taurus people; I was involved with a Taurus many years back..and it was a an experience. It was really hard on me when we parted; but I do remain friends with him and to be honest, I wanted to have something in my collection that reminded me of him. Couple of minutes on skinMint and thyme softened but still present; florals still wafting softly. Ten minutes later:Same mélange still going…I can’t get over how different this is from other floral blends that I have. Twenty minutes later:Mint is gone..and the florals and thyme are barely there..but there is a trace of them sticking close to my skin. Drydown:Wouldn’t you know..the mint still peeked a bit here and there..and I am left with that nice little trace of it on my skin. I think that the most apparent floral on me emerging from this was actually the apple blossom and a bit of rose. Violet/columbine/daisy..they didn’t assert themselves too too much but I have to assume that they lended themselves to the overall mélange and the effect actually for me was like inhaling a spring bouquet that had just been through a spring shower with fresh thyme and mint thrown into the mix. Bottom Line: I absolutely loved Taurus and think it is one of the best BPAL florals I have in my collection. Am so glad I snagged a bottle and I think it is absolutely stunning for spring.

I had bought this in 2005 strictly because it was a lunacy blend. I had never really had too much exposure to honey in fragrance blends..so I wasn’t sure I was going to like this or not; in any event I finally had the chance to try it this year and have been wearing it on and off for a week. Initial sniff from bottle: Smells thick and syrup-like..the waft of honey is immediate. I kind of detect an herb like note suffused in the back along with a faint whiff of a floral..but these two facets are muted under the thick layer of the honey. Applied wet on skin: Honey..but I do detect some sort of floral. Usually the jasmine amps up on me..and it’s a note I don’t mind at all..but here the jasmine is reined in TIGHT by that honey. I get the thyme in the back..soft but I get its presence. Right now it’s the jasmine over the thick honey with a touch of thyme. Couple of minutes on skin:Jasmine is playing nice with the honey…I don’t get much of gardenia or ginger..and the thyme has already softened..peeking through less often. Ten minutes later:Jasmine is still there..but now I get a trickle of the gardenia..and the honey is a bit less apparent. Forty five minutes later: Florals are now in the back..almost MIA..and I am left with the honey vibe again; it’s almost a bit earthy like..sweet and grounded almost. It stays close to my skin..almost melding with my own skin scent. Drydown: Sweetness..almost a touch of powder..but not quite. Smells a bit similar to the drydown I had with O. Lasting power is impressive 10+hours with throw soft to average. Bottom Line: Honey Moon is a surprise hit for me. I think it is different enough to keep in fall to winter rotation. I don’t need a second bottle..but I will enjoy the one I have. Definite keeper.

I love peonies; their big blossoms full of tight petals that seem to go on forever. They are visually striking to look at and their fragrance seems so fresh pretty. Again..not really much of a floral gal but I am a bit smitten with the peony so this was a must-have. Initial sniff from bottle: Funny…but for some reason when I take sniffs of this, I am reminded specifically of a perfume and/or body cream my grandmother used to scent herself with. I had always assumed it was some sort of rose scent..pink roses..but now sniffing this I believe it was closer to the pretty peony. By the way, my grandmother was strikingly beautiful; even in her 70’s people thought she was in her late 50’s or so..always looking very put together but still was the type of grandmother you could give and receive warm hugs and kisses. I do miss her and I am sure my mom, who is her daughter, misses her very much as well. Applied wet on skin: Peonies..yes..there you are…and I get a bit of the plum blossom as well. Feminine floral to be sure. Couple of minutes on skinStaying pretty linear on me; am not sure I am getting the water reeds or soft asian woods yet. The waft is soft but present. Ten minutes later-Peony is still here…softened a bit with a bit of tender green peeking every once in a while..now I get more of the soft woods at the back end..rounding up the fragrance. Very nice!!! The peony is touch heady/strong..but I still find it so very pretty and pink and feminine. Twenty minutes later:Still here…and it does seem as if this has turned a bit creamy..while still retaining the soft floral and the even softer woods. Half an hour later:Still present but softer…at least in throw and waft. Drydown-Bare traces of the notes. Bottom Line: Peony Moon is the embodiment of that beautiful bloom; creamy and pretty and a perfect way to enjoy spring in all it’s glory. Am glad I have my 5ml; it will suit me well when I want to embrace the peony side of me.

My sister had bought me this 5ml outright because she knows I like wood and stony notes. This seemed as good of a time to give it a whirl. Initial sniff from bottle: I get the citrus…but to my nose it smells less lemon-like and more lime. I like lime. Lemon is nice too..but sometimes I get the dreaded “Lemon Pledge” vibe..so I am hoping this doesn’t transform into that. My luck with citrus-type blends is spotty; grapefruit seems to be the only note that translates on my skin well consistently. By the way, this doesn’t club me over the head; it’s not bracing…it just kind of presents itself..quietly in the bottle. Applied wet on skin: Cool citrus-like note..this must be the tea leaf…and there is a very faint wisp of sweetness…smells really nice…I guess this might be the linden blossom??? If I take deep whiffs of this, I get on the tail end the touch of the coffin wood..which is great. Wow..what an interesting scent..I just wish it had a bit more presence. Couple of minutes on skin-Hmmm..tea..has kind of moved a bit to the back with the orris/papery notes putting in a bit more presence..but they all blend very nicely..again the wood note rounds up the back…the whole thing is extremely wispy-like. I do enjoy this blend very much…but I get the feeling it isn’t going to last long on my skin. Very ethereal like. Fifteen minutes later: The tea is now in the back..with the dry touch of orris and papyrus in front..but really very understated..the wood rounding it up and something still giving me a bare wisp of sweetness..could it still be the linden blossom? I do enjoy this immensely..but I wish it would stick around longer..ahh..guess this is the nature of the ethereal spirits..hehehehehe. Some people find this similar to The Dormouse; I agree..but where this differs is that where I registered tea, sweet grass and peony in Dormouse, here in SOTD it’s the papery/dry/wood notes with a touch of sweetness. Doromouse came off on me as sweet and clean and airy…SOTD is more on me like a wispy /dry/clean ethereal. Drydown: Basically on me it’s a skin scent…with a trace the wood and tea. Lasting power on me came in between 2-3 hours with throw barely there. I would like to see how this does in a scent locket though. Bottom Line: Spirits Of The Dead is actually a very ephemeral fragrance..I find it quite wearable. It is actually a wonderful scent for hot and sticky days..I just wish I could get it to stick around a bit longer. However..the wispy-ness of it is appropriate..and I might try layering it to see if I can get it to anchor a bit more on me. Whereas The Star emanates a white heat along with the lime and some coconut, SOTD floats in its dry and wispy way with its linden and traces of papery orris and wood. I am glad it’s in my collection and I will re-visit it later in the summer.