MisterShrapnel

Part of me wants to be a tough snobby critic and say that the Chocolate Box scents are all too sweet and foody or whatever but really, I cannot resist. This is so good. It's strawberry milkshakes or strawberry ice cream for me--my favorite flavor. The cream and sugar and cocoa butter keep it from smelling like fresh juicy strawberries, but it's so UN-plasticky and I'm in love. Wooo this is so happy and pink. The only other strawberry scent I've got is Floating Brain ( ), which sadly has a slightly bitter/burned/plastic tinge at times (my skin is not so nice to cake), but this is perfectly edible.

Surprise! I LOVE this! Aagh. At first sniff I thought "French Triple-Milled Soap," but then my decant blooms into this creamy, soft, and sweet scent. It's kind of "silky" like a white flower petal would feel, and has a very subtle kind of warmth, an illumination. For me, Symmakhia the impression of every Ode to Aphrodite postcard picture rolled into one. It's a little bit fruity (pear!) and vanillic, but this is one of those times when the white florals feel genuinely pretty rather than soapy or old-lady...y. I don't feel awkward smelling this on my own skin. It's downright romantic. (I think I may like lilies and white roses...? I need to find what straight up black lilies are like. uagh.) I want to see how this fares on a full day of wear (I've never been in the mood to wear a floral!), but thus far I changed my mind about my temporarily imposed "no LE bottle purchases" rule. >_> Ha. ha. Ohh this is so nice. Classic beauty.

Ahhh I love this just because of the picture. It's hilarious. I've had a terrible experience with gardenia in the past (I had a drink that was gardenia-flavored...) and even though I LOVED smelling the flower, that one day ruined it. Until now. Because gardenias are still pretty! Really! This is a light, delicate "white" and... well... tissue-y scent, and I'm surprised that I like it so much. The honey is very gentle and adds a pale sweetness (it's not thick and viscous like, say, O...). Like most florals, my impressions begin to veer off into the soap and bathroom freshener territory, but this is, mercifully, a far more gentle association. I haven't done a test of actually wearing this (just dabbed a bit on my wrist) so I don't know how I feel about wearing this for long periods. I do like it, though! (oohh, I want a bottle for the art, though...)

Plum blossom, vanilla sandalwood, nutmeg, and wild rice. Aagh I like this! The plum is less floral and halfway towards the juicy-fruity end of the spectrum, but the overall effect actually makes me think of plum wine. A little bit tart. The rice intrigues me because I can actually smell it. I never expected to find it in a perfume, but it's really nice (It could be contributing to that neat"plum sake/wine" memory)... it doesn't assault you with handfuls of grainy goodness or anything, but it's there! A little comforting, heh. A leetle bit of nutmeg sprinkled throughout. Even though vanilla is a favorite note, I admit I can't find it half the time because other notes distract me... the "creaminess" of this one could be due to the vanilla and sandalwood, though. This is sort of perfume-y like freshener spray is perfume-y; I haven't worn this a full day to test, but it might get annoying to me. I really want to like this, though, because the theme is so perfectly ASIAN-- "LOVERS IN A RICE FIELD"?? My last name partly translates to "rice field" and I love the plum notes, therefore this is so NECESSARY. I might cave and just get a bottle of this... Beth has tapped into my heritage weakness. Pretty and spring-like. This seems to lie very close to the skin. EDIT: Drat. Half the time I get a very scream-y, almost chemical floral--kind of like body splash. >.> Why, epidermis, why?

WOAH cherry. Like the cordial 'sploded in my palms and now the syrup is running down my wrists... I kept wondering how this would differ from Vice and the most important thing is that I don't get my nemesis, orange blossom. This is very boozy and part of me is still recoiling from that cherry cough-syrup sweetness (I just know it's going to get cloying after a while, it's not my kind of thing), though the dark chocolate is quite nice (it's very subtle though).

I was curious about what the "marshmallow" part would be like, and it truly is kind of "fluffy" and white and sweet. Hee! The coconut isn't too overpowering like I was worried about, very tasty, and the white chocolate just adds more sugar and cream. This smells fattening in a FANTASTIC way; nothing is nauseatingly buttery or sugary and my mouth is watering. A lot.

My review is going to be really biased because both the concept and the note list are made of WIN and I already need to upgrade my imp to a bottle ASAP. HAHA! Sorry! (It's more like trying to prove to myself that everything is compatible with my chemistry rather than to see if I need to wear this. I'm crazy.) I saw "sugared lily" and my eyes went Sweet, hazy... really hard for me to read. There's a languid overlay of the opium smoke (I'm just starting to get familiar with the Lab's opium note! It's interesting.) wrapping around everything else. The champaca and sugared flowers gives it a mood reminiscent of Midnight on the Midway, I think, but this feels richer and darker, gold rather than purple in my mind (I don't know why I think this!). Red Lantern? This has something the tone of Red Lantern in it too (sans the caramel); I'm thinking it's the "golden tobacco." I think the floral party (jasmine!) is starting to turn a leedle "powder/soap/hairspray" on me (nooo! back! BACK!) but the vanilla, hints of citrus, and even leather are delicious. I don't know if I get hay at all, I keep trying to find it! There is something a little chilly about it (for the ice caves), despite the bevy of warm notes. I should probably wait, uh, a long time to post a more coherent (and intelligent, hah) review but I'm ridiculously excited that I found my imp. I'll come back later...? This has a little bit of everything--a twinge foody and quite exotic... overall it's generally sweet. This does have some intimidating ingredients, but I'd love to see even more people try it. =)

Woah, this is cool. It really is gingerbread and dirt. And a little patchouli? There is the barest hint of flowers too, buried six feet under. Overall it's quite soft, not an aggressive/very spicy scent or anything, but I really like it. ... *fidgets* I could use 5mL.

I... I actually spent a few minutes staring at the picture, trying to figure out the genders of the two people. Their hairstyles confuse me. I still have no idea who's on top. *squints* Uh, anyway. I'm surprised that the marigolds and chrysanthemums actually resemble carnations not only in appearance but in scent as well. Slightly spicy and creamy floral, and I'm so happy that they never go soapy or high-pitched. The vanilla and amber seem to have a large share of the attention and the cinnamon is very quiet--I don't think I can smell it at all. It's a soft, quiet, and golden scent, indeed a bit lush or "moist," as the previous reviewer stated. Really describes the picture, in other words. Doesn't have a lot of throw or strength, unfortunately, but now I want a full bottle! It's lovely.

For some reason, the first thing this scent reminded me of was that pink liquid penicillin stuff that I had to take once when I was very young. It has that indescribable sweet foody something to it. Maybe the date and ginger combination. That's not a bad thing--after that one illness I feigned sick maybe three times in hopes of getting more of that medicine, I loved the taste so much. I kept asking for it at annual check-ups. I guess I was a little weird. Hehe, this IS a little "freaky" (to quote a previous reviewer)... but I quite like it. Lovers With Rutting Cats also reminds me a little of Love's Philosophy, if you took out the wintergreen. Bizarre vanilla ginger YUM, and you can't beat that obscene label art. I'll take a bottle for sure.

Yes. I swear there's something horribly wrong with me today, I'm going crazy for softer scents, and Alice fits the bill. The bergamot lends a lovely tea-like feel (the suggestion of tea... a little girl pretending to pour tea at her tea party, I guess?) and the milk-and-honey combination, while not so strong, imparts gentle sweetness to back up the overall blend. Rose is mercifully quiet (or absent)--the dominant note is actually carnations on my skin. My imp of Alice was my first encounter with this unexpectedly spicy note, and it describes her character perfectly. Both innocent and mischievous. Overall, this was mainly milk and carnations; a light pink scent. On most days I kind of dismiss such a thing as far too doll-like and "girly" for me to really enjoy wearing, but this is growing on me. A lot. The more I think about it, the more perfect this set of notes really seems to me. Tea, milk and honey, non-soapy (!) pink flowers... hee! This week I kept reaching for my imp (despite forgetting about her for a few months), and the rapidly dwindling levels of oil inside are probably a good indicator that I should go looking for more. How ironic! I love this.

I keep getting followed around by this one (I've amassed three frimps from the Lab!) so I probably should learn to like it. For the longest time, though, I didn't, but my nose is finally starting to turn around. Sweet aquatic (really my first aquatic, I think!) vanilla, though it feels a lot less foody for me and more like a "serious" perfume thanks to a very gentle floral tone. I'm so happy that this is never soapy on my skin despite its freshness (really does make me think of the sea), and it has a resilient wear length. I always associate this scent with a very pale gold color; it positively shines. This blend is quite beautiful, and I'm sorry it took so long for me to appreciate it. Now I'm glad I have a lot already, otherwise I'd have to go looking for more!

Hrrngghagaegag. Yes. This is brilliant. I grew up as one of those weird elementary-school/middle-school girls with a potentially embarrassing "thing" for vampires (actually, I think I've still got it...), so color my thirst satisfied by Blood Kiss. :nod: Was worried that the cherry would be too syrupy-sweet, but the vetiver adds just enough darkness to keep it in check, and meanwhile the vanilla and honey contribute this amazing thick creaminess that reminds me of O. I love the wine in this as well; while I kind of understand comparisons to Midnight Kiss, MK went very grape-y on my skin, and the wine is much more subtle in Blood Kiss. I don't know how long this teeny imp will last me (I've gone through a third of it already, and I just got it! haha!), so for now I'm going to try mixing plain Blood and O in hopes of getting something slightly similar. It's not really working. Should have gone for a bottle on this one, I guess!

Kind of sharper (???) than what I go for, kind of floral, kind of "cotton-y" or reminiscent of linen, both dusty and very clean at the same time. Incredibly sweet. Synesthesia says "white." Not for me! (Apparently, I prefer to smell dirty and evil.)

Dork-tastic reasoning ahead! I always get unreasonably excited about Friday the 13th (three in 2009? yes!!), and this month it's especially awesome because TOMORROW is February 14th, Valentine's Day. I have to wear a school uniform on most days (not that bad, I guess), but since tomorrow is February 14th, students get free dress today (as long as 50% of the outfit is red or pink). I wore red and black today and wanted to smell kind of festive... ... only, Smut is kind of too explicit... ... so I went for something a little safer for the day: Spawn of the She-Demon! I thought of it as a fusion between horror/freaky (13th) and Smutty (the 14th), and... and the red and black musks match my clothes. *hides* I may go for unadulterated Smut tomorrow, though!

Took a couple days, actually, but the addiction finally caught! (Something about it smelt very funny in the bottle, a little... what? "Fermented"? I could smell it in Inez that week too, but it's disappeared! Chemistry?) I agree with TheOneTheyCallLuna: Very spicy cinnamon and clove, hot enough to burn your tongue! But the vanilla background adds a smooth bakery/cookie sweetness without being too sickeningly sweet and buttery. The pine sap is a great addition, both unusual and good for tempering all those edible notes enough that I'm not forcefully reminded of cinnamon chewing gum. And it's both strong and lasting enough for my thirsty skin! I was contenting myself with the prospect of maybe one backup bottle, but today I'm waffling over the idea of a second (or third?!) one. In short, I love this.

Ooh la la. Fancy-pants chocolate, the one I've been looking forward to the most. I see cocoa absolute floating in my decant! Definitely very dark, smoky and almost "burnt"; reminds me of Centzon Totochtin without (with less?) vetiver actually. I love it. Underneath is gooey and sweet caramel mingling in with the smoke. It pleases my sweet tooth like only a foody blend can, but I have yet to find it at all cloying! It might be the most wearable of the whole Box for my tastes. Bottle, yes? Two bottles? ...Maybe!

A creamy, frothy, rich, and very sweet chocolate indeed. Something kind of Gelt-ish about it (I've only sniffed Bliss in a bottle before, so I can't draw any comparisons), but it never goes powdery and there's an ALMOST boozey tone to it. I was happy that I never had to sit through the weird, very distinct "nut" smell that I get from many chocolate scents (cocoa absolute and Centzon Totochtin are exceptions). The Candy Butcher went from a chocolate-and-nut candy bar to mainly cream on my skin, but Milk Chocolate Buttercream stays true to its namesake throughout all the stages. Delicious! I think I'll be getting a bottle before Lupercalia season ends!

I recently received this as a frimp from an awesome someone What took me so long to try it?! This is amazing stuff. Rather dry and woody, with a delicious soft leather and doses of spiciness and incense smoke for good measure. I agree to comparisons to Crowley, though this is drier and doesn't have the devilish musk. I'll have to get more of this ASAP, because this imp is going to disappear very quickly. Maybe it's just a sudden infatuation, but Dee is one of my favorites as of today. Instant love.

I didn't want to believe it, but there really is something about Smut that's reminiscent of a latex glove when I wear it. Smells perfect in the bottle and during the first seconds after applying, but now I'm getting a little sugar, some vaguely fruity booze, an undercurrent of musk... and an almighty smack in the face from a latex glove. my chemistry may be all out of whack at the moment, so I could try again later to make sure. Or finally get a scent locket. I do love the concept and the name (!!) as well as the pretty bottle art, but this may not be the one for me. Has to be the first time that my skin chemistry has really surprised me! ETA how odd. I tested Smut 2006 in my elbow (that's the review above) but on my wrist, a decant (not sure what year this one is) is missing the sweaty latex and is much closer to what I was hoping for. Perhaps this could be due to a difference in batches/aging, or maybe location on the skin itself? This requires further investigation...

Testing the 2006 version. I think I'm in L OVE. This has to be my favorite autumnal blend so far, it's everything I was looking for. Boozy and very sweet, warmed by a fantastic combination of musk, ginger, spices, and wood smoke. This feels dark and mischievous (or maybe "roguish" is the better word) and even "fiery." This one burns and smokes, bringing to mind crackling dry leaves and the orange glow of a distant bonfire. I think I may have to wear this, um, everywhere. I hope Beth chooses to bring this one back on a future Halloween update, because I'm going to want lots more when I use this up.

Lush's "Nutts" massage bar induces cravings for a creamy vetiver scent every time I use it after baths, so naturally my hungry eye turned to Death Adder. The coconut here makes me think "heavy metal Snake Charmer" at first, but really Death Adder is a much creamier and smokier scent. You probably have to enjoy vetiver, though! As always, that aggressive note lays waste to everything else in the beginning before it finally calms down. The Snake Oil base lurks very far in the background this time (only pokes its head out to lend a bit of its tell-tale spice after more of the vetiver burns off) and it's more just... smooth and dark vanilla and non-foody coconut, all wreathed in smoky vetiver. I really don't have any other way to say it! I really enjoy this one, and I may even spring for a backup when the time finally comes for the Carnaval to move away.

oh YEAH. Resinous and smoky vanilla and tobacco with a bit of patchouli, very golden like the glow from a campfire or something. The pine pitch adds a fantastic exotic and outdoorsy feeling to the whole scent, and the Illustrated Woman is so representative of the entire Carnaval line for me. This smells mysterious, well-traveled, strong and self-confident like a woman working at a traveling circus would. For the longest time I couldn't figure this one out because it's such an odd scent... There's something sultry and growl-y about it that resembles Snake Oil (they are quite similar, I think) as well. I LOVE this scent like crazy, both the name/concept and the execution, and I'd probably need to stock up on a couple extra bottles because I need this forever.

SUPER pine! I love it! I got a frimp from the Lab on my first visit and now my imp is all grubby from loving abuse. I know some people get AGH PINE SOL but all I smell is delicious, dark, natural woody pine (it softens after a few minutes), slightly resinous and musky. I could really wear this anywhere. Yum yum! This is bottle-worthy in my book.

Forgive me, Paypal, for I have sinned... I almost decided against getting this but DAMN, IS WEAKNESS REWARDING. Ridiculous that I can get my hands on some of this, as I decided from the beginning of my initiation into this (fragrant) madhouse that it would be utterly impossible. This is the 2008 Anniversary resurrection. Oh GOD: Graham cracker crust first (delicioussss from the bakery spices), then moves on to a tiered display of fluffy, sweet, golden cupcakes with vanilla frosting. This is actually edible. It doesn't burn or go stale and gray within minutes (cake and butter will very often do that to me, those bastards). It feels like rich dessert but I'm somehow not gagging, I keep smelling my arm. Perfection. I can't get another bottle probably, but I'm going to treasure my 5 mL forever.