Abbie

In the bottle: I always dig on the "metallic" scents that Beth puts out, so just for giggles I'm going to compare this to my half-bot of "Bed of Nails" from Carnivale Noir. My mental pictures are identical, but sniffing directly, Kataniya has a more citrusy scent, whereas B.O.N is spicier, with an undertone of sweet. First on: These become very difficult to distinguish upon application. Kataniya does have a more floral scent. And *Damn*, do I smell good right now, with one on each wrist. Dry: Bed of Nails is the winner in this little game... Kataniya fades too quickly (although the fade isn't anything I'd kick out of bed for eating crackers). She goes to a softer scent, but never powdery. Very sensuous. The girl is a winner.

In the bottle: Really not what I expected. This is peppery, with some sort of darker florals tucked away. A hint of salt. First on: It expands a lot when put on the skin, and becomes hard to quantify. A very grim and ghastly aquatic is how I can put it... not to say that it's bad, but this is not a happy perfume. I like this a lot better on... it reminds me of Scarecrow, one of my all-time favorites. Just a lot more complex. Dry: Lasts a good long time, developing a faint sweetness. I'm amazed how much I like this when I think of my unimpressed first sniff.

I was so delighted when this was released. I love the character of Spider, and the opportunity to have him (alas, only in perfume form) was not to be missed. In the bottle: Spider is very tart and citrusy, with just a hint of spice. No sign of the vetiver that made me leery of ordering this blend. I could talk myself into smelling the artemisia but it certainly doesn't leap to the forefront. First application: Damn, this is really good. Very fresh and manly... I often wear manly scents, so this doesn't bother me. But others who like a more feminine fragrance might want to beware. Not soapy at all, but with a sort of aquatic vibe. And lime. Dry: This order has almost all been a hit, but Spider, I think, may go on my all-time favorites list. It fades a bit faster than I would like. Bravo Lab. This one is everything I hoped for.

In the bottle: This is sweet, and somehow so innocent. Reminds me of Bubble Yum, but in a good way... normally I find that the BPAL sweet scents are too cloying, but this is delish. First on: Bananary goodness. Not much of a morpher. Dry: A quick fader, and not quite as good dry as that delicious wet stage. But I don't care. I love it and will keep it and pet it and call it Fizzgig

In the bottle: A very light musk scent, warmed by amber and a sweet lemony scent. Might be a bit sweet for me. First on: Not too much of a morpher... it's getting a bit soapy. Dry: This one just isn't impressing me. It gets too soapy. One for swaps.

In the bottle: This is dandelion, but sweetened up somehow... normally I find the dandelion smell a bit bitter. Kind of a scent of apple. Really quite light and fresh. First on: This gets more beery on, and I can actually smell the hemp. Not, um, smoked hemp, which I find kind of reeks, but the way it smells when it's not smoked. No hops in here, which is good IMHO, since hops smell pretty strong to me. Dry: Grassy and fresh. This stuff ROXORZ! I'm keeping it!

In the bottle: Musk and dirt. A clean but melancholy smell. First on: My skin brings out sharper piney notes. This stuff is good, though heavy. Dry: A bit too heavy for me to really like. Might be good on someone else. This one's for the swap pile.

In the bottle: Strong cedar, with patchouli. A heavy fragrance. First on: You know, the cedar actually gets weaker on me when it's on. This can only be a good thing. When on, this scent is surprisingly sexy, all leather and salt and smoke. It is completely morphed from what was in the bottle... the cedar's only a bright note. Dry: It smells smoky and burning, but the heavy cedar note didn't come back. This turned out a lot better than I expected. I'm keeping the imp.

In the bottle: Djinn is acrid. Kinda icky. Plus I think my old nemesis myrrh is in here. First on: It's more pleasant on... there's sort of a nice smoky smell which I enjoy. Maybe kind of a pine scent? But yeah, still that icky resinous smell. Dry: During drydown, it gets sweeter and softer and really quite nice. I might hang on to this one for a while and try it again

In the bottle: I picked this up some time ago at a RL swap. It looks like cherry Kool-aid, but smells like pretty pure Dragon's Blood, to me. There's a floral undertone to it that gives it a bit of depth which I like. First on: Oh boy this does not do well on my skin. It gets rank. Oddly enough I think it smells like an asian grocery store. There's just that odd little fishy/ocean smell... mostly hidden under the fragrance of the spices thanks to the refrigeration units, but still very much present. It's not a bad smell, but NOT what I'd like to smell like. Dry: It gets a nice floralish smell when it dries. But I have several other dragon's-blood scents, and this one isn't special enough for me to keep. So overall? Swap pile!

In the bottle: Oh, honestly, I just shouldn't bother with reviews when I'm going to smell something completely different from everyone else. This, to me, is mint and patchouli, which is a combination I don't think I've ever smelled before, and is really quite nice. If I really sit and think about it I can convince myself there's a bit of green in there too. First on: This is a pretty masculine scent to me, but now I'm picking up some lighter tones. Still no florals, but there's a good citrus from the yuzu, and the patchouli's got some more sandalwoody depth. Dry: The sandalwood's a bit stronger than I like as the rest of the oils dry down, but overall? This is good!

In the bottle: A strong, sweet, lemon tea. I would not have said Earl Grey, but I do see what she meant. Not a hint of leather to be found. First on: Pure lemonage. You have to really get your nose up to your wrist and snort to detect anything else. Dry: And it's gone. That was a fast fade. Overall: I love citrus, so I'll keep this one. Might not be for everybody, though.

In the bottle: Mostly geranium, oddly, with violet and lily lagging behind. I have such a weird nose. It's a sharp, wet floral, with a very fresh feel... it makes me think of a rainy day. First on: Violet and chamomile come up strongly. Still a pretty nice scent, but going a bit bath salt-y. I much preferred this in the bottle. Dry: Yeah, the bath salt fragrance is pwning me. I just can't do these violet scents. I'll hang on to it for room fragrance, though.

In the bottle: Mostly pine with a bit of vanilla, but not too strong. Quite subtle. First on: Oh, just prrrr. This is a very sexy scent. To me it smells like pine EO rather than pine scent (I live in a very pine-heavy state and consider myself something of a connoisseur) but the vanilla and amber warm it up and make it seem more sunshiny. This is delish! Damn I wish the boy hadn't left for the day. Dry: This has lots of throw, though it's still a subtle scent. I exude sexiness for miles around. Overall: This one might be a big-bottler if I ever get any money.

In the bottle: Weird. Aquatic, but with an vegetable smell, and maybe a hint of... mesquite? It must be the vetiver, but damn. Very odd. First on: Even more vegetationish. Quite rank. I am beginning to suspect this will not be a keeper but let us see, hm? Dry: It's okay... but just no. This is for swaps.