RedRoseMaze

Spectral Evidence Category: American Gothic Quantity: sample Description: SPECTRAL EVIDENCE In the Old Manse, life lingers, quiet and unassuming yet screaming to be heard. Whispered in a whiff of perfume, a lingering scent of flowers wafts where nobody stood. A shimmering shape lends a glimpse of something that once was. Remembered as visions from a dream, the pieces fit together and the story unfolds. Are you listening? Someone’s trying to tell you something. Lilac, violet, peony, shimmering air Review: In the bottle: How incredibly soft! It’s light and floral, mostly lilac and peony, with a little bit of sweet violet. Wet: It smells like a spring day, or a garden of fresh, delicate lilac, violet and peony. It’s adorable! Dry: As soon as it started to dry, it turned soapy; and then, it disappeared... Too bad. Verdict: I’m disappointed by the limited throw of this perfume; however, it might still be a good idea for my soap-making hobby.

In the bottle: It smells delightfully fresh and herbal, with a strong note of bright vetivert. Wet: It’s still very herbal, but it turns almost floral (that might be my skin chemistry acting funny again). It smells like rain falling on fragrant herbs. Dry: It becomes warmer as it dries, the murky, almost smoky, aspect becomes more obvious. Verdict: It smells very masculine, fresh and clean. I think this might be a good suggestion for men who don’t like a cologne or perfume that smells “too much”.

Hurricane Category: Bewitching Brews Quantity: sample Description: HURRICANE The Dark Side of Air: a high pitched, tangy, clear scent -- light China rain deepened by murky vetivert. Review: In the bottle: It smells delightfully fresh and herbal, with a strong note of bright vetivert. Wet: It’s still very herbal, but it turns almost floral (that might be my skin chemistry acting funny again). It smells like rain falling on fragrant herbs. Dry: It becomes warmer as it dries, the murky, almost smoky, aspect becomes more obvious. Verdict: It smells very masculine, fresh and clean. I think this might be a good suggestion for men who don’t like a cologne or perfume that smells “too much”. More reviews: Bewitching Brews: Hurricane

In the bottle: I know I’m not the only one who mentions the colour of this sample, but... It’s green! It’s spicy, musky; and yet, I smell a mix of wet wood and patchouli. Wet: It’s still warm, spicy and woody, but with an herbal quality, from the patchouli and labdanum, with a note of saffron. Dry: Suddenly, as it dried, it turned into peroxide (I’m not kidding), to come back to spicy patchouli. Of all the skin chemical reactions I’ve experienced so far, this is the most unusual... Verdict: Well, at first, it reminded me of my father’s cologne when I was a kid; then, it turned into something medical, to finish as a spicy man’s cologne. Since it has such a strange reaction on my skin, I think I’ll leave the final verdict to men...

Oblivion Category: Sin & Salvation Quantity: sample Description: OBLIVION Salvation found in darkness beyond darkness, the blessed sleep of nothingness. Dark musk, wood spice, labdanum, patchouli, dark African woods, and saffron. Review: In the bottle: I know I’m not the only one who mentions the colour of this sample, but... It’s green! It’s spicy, musky; and yet, I smell a mix of wet wood and patchouli. Wet: It’s still warm, spicy and woody, but with an herbal quality, from the patchouli and labdanum, with a note of saffron. Dry: Suddenly, as it dried, it turned into peroxide (I’m not kidding), to come back to spicy patchouli. Of all the skin chemical reactions I’ve experienced so far, this is the most unusual... Verdict: Well, at first, it reminded me of my father’s cologne when I was a kid; then, it turned into something medical, to finish as a spicy man’s cologne. Since it has such a strange reaction on my skin, I think I’ll leave the final verdict to men... More reviews: Sin & Salvation: Oblivion

In the bottle: Eww, it smells like cherry-scented play-dough... However, if I pay attention, I can also smell anise and some musk. Wet: At first, I get a lot of anise, but I also smell something sweet, like candy, and cherry. Dry: Cherry and anise candy, literally. I also get a very faint note of musk. It gets better and better as hours go by. Verdict: At first, I tought it smelled too much like licorice; but now, I really like it. It turned into something feminine and sensual.

Kabuki Category: Ars Amatoria Quantity: sample Description: KABUKI Compelling, complex, and utterly enigmatic: a luxuriant, exotic blend of cherry, red musk, and star anise. Review: In the bottle: Eww, it smells like cherry-scented play-dough... However, if I pay attention, I can also smell anise and some musk. Wet: At first, I get a lot of anise, but I also smell something sweet, like candy, and cherry. Dry: Cherry and anise candy, literally. I also get a very faint note of musk. It gets better and better as hours go by. Verdict: At first, I tought it smelled too much like licorice; but now, I really like it. It turned into something feminine and sensual. More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Kabuki

In the bottle: Wow, this blend is thick! It’s spicy, with a lot of cinnamon, and something lemony and floral behind. I also smell clove or pepper. Wet: That definitively smells like clove to me! It’s very spicy, in a hot, exotic way. I smell warm vanilla in the background. It’s dark, mysterious and sweet. Dry: Still spicy vanilla and clove. If you give it a few hours to fully blend with your skin, it really feels warm and sensual. Verdict: Well, I have yet to test its properties at night, but it definitively smells good! Now, I have to get that song out of my head...

All Night Long Category: Bewitching Brews Quantity: sample Description: ALL NIGHT LONG As if the name didn't spell it out for you. This blend relieves all sexual inhibitions by simultaneously relaxing and arousing. Review: In the bottle: Wow, this blend is thick! It's spicy, with a lot of cinnamon, and something lemony and floral behind. I also smell clove or pepper. Wet: That definitively smells like clove to me! It's very spicy, in a hot, exotic way. I smell warm vanilla in the background. It's dark, mysterious and sweet. Dry: Still spicy vanilla and clove. If you give it a few hours to fully blend with your skin, it really feels warm and sensual. Verdict: Well, I have yet to test its properties at night, but it definitively smells good! Now, I have to get that song out of my head... More reviews: Bewitching Brews: All Night Long

In the bottle: I smell mostly rose... ‘lots of it... I miss the juicy sweetness of the pomegranate. Wet: I still get a lot of rose, but it’s already much sweeter, and fruity. Dry: It is better, but... I still get so much rose! I don’t get that decadently juicy pomegranate other reviewers have smelled. Verdict: Either Persephone loved the smell of roses beyond imagination, or this blend is still too fresh, and scents haven’t blended as much as they needed. Maybe I should let this one “age” for a few months, to see if it improves a little bit, it seems to work sometimes.

Persephone Category: Excolo Quantity: sample Description: PERSEPHONE Beautiful, radiant daughter of Demeter... her loveliness was so exquisite that even Hell itself could not resist her. Pomegranate and rose. Review: In the bottle: I smell mostly rose... ‘lots of it... I miss the juicy sweetness of the pomegranate. Wet: I still get a lot of rose, but it’s already much sweeter, and fruity. Dry: It is better, but... I still get so much rose! I don’t get that decadently juicy pomegranate other reviewers have smelled. Verdict: Either Persephone loved the smell of roses beyond imagination, or this blend is still too fresh, and scents haven’t blended as much as they needed. Maybe I should let this one “age” for a few months, to see if it improves a little bit, it seems to work sometimes. More reviews: Excolo: Persephone

Voodoo Doll Category: Curio Shop Quantity: sample Description: VOODOO DOLL Well known in the Voodoo world, this particular doll was used as an effigy to gain influence over a specific person…and, in turn, drove its user mad. Wicked little thing, ain't it? Notice where the pins are placed? Curious indeed. What will you do with such a thing? Suggestions, demands, and desires fulfilled? If it pleases our guest, so shall it be. Mugwort, sweet sage, cotton blossom, dove’s feather Review: In the bottle: It’s soft, I smell mostly mugwort and sage. It’s very herbal, yet delicate and feminine. Wet: Is that rosemary? No, wait, it’s supposed to be sage. I still get some mugwort, and some faint cotton blossom. Dry: Oops, it’s turning bitter and stronger (too bad, I liked it before, but I suppose the voodoo doll comes with a curse). It’s much more aromatic: lemony, floral, with cedar. Verdict: It’s an interesting neutral blend, neither masculine nor feminine, and it smells clean. However, this is not a perfume I would wear.

In the bottle: Sweet, powdery and clean. I smell a strong note of honey. Wet: Honey and mandarine, with a little bit of iris and carnation. Dry: Tea rose and ylang-ylang come out strong... maybe a little bit too strong. Verdict: I don’t know, it’s just missing something. It smells like a Lush soap, or baby powder. I would have liked something more unique than that.

Yules: The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: KLARA Category: Limited Edition Quantity: bottle Description: The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: KLARA Honey dusting powder, mandarin, iris, ylang ylang, tea rose, and carnation. Review: In the bottle: Sweet, powdery and clean. I smell a strong note of honey. Wet: Honey and mandarine, with a little bit of iris and carnation. Dry: Tea rose and ylang-ylang come out strong... maybe a little bit too strong. Verdict: I don’t know, it’s just missing something. It smells like a Lush soap, or baby powder. I would have liked something more unique than that. More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: Klara

In the bottle: So soft and delicate... I smell a bit of vanilla and sugar, but I’m not quite sure what else. Wet: It smells sweet and floral, almost foody. It reminds me of Dana O’shee, only colder and crisper. Dry: It turned into vanilla, coconut, mint, and almond, with a floral background. Verdict: Overall, it’s lovely; however, I really got into it when I went outside. The cold winter air improves it somehow; it becomes even crisper afterwards.

Yules: Snow White 2010 Category: Limited Edition Quantity: bottle Description: SNOW WHITE 2010 A chilly, bright perfume: flurries of virgin snow, crisp winter wind and the faintest breath of night-blooming flowers. Review: In the bottle: So soft and delicate... I smell a bit of vanilla and sugar, but I’m not quite sure what else. Wet: It smells sweet and floral, almost foody. It reminds me of Dana O’shee, only colder and crisper. Dry: It turned into vanilla, coconut, mint, and almond, with a floral background. Verdict: Overall, it’s lovely; however, I really got into it when I went outside. The cold winter air improves it somehow; it becomes even crisper afterwards. More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Snow White 2010

In the bottle: A velvety red rose, fresher than in a flower shop. Wet: It’s a bit too strong at first, it’s annoying for my nostrils; however, it gets better after 10-15 minutes. Dry: It’s much better now. It’s a delicate floral scent, feminine, romantic, and almost a sacred rose. Verdict: For those who might be turned off by its initial strong throw, my advice would be to let it dry completely before judging it. It becomes subtle and almost sweet over time.

Yules: Rose Red 2010 Category: Limited Edition Quantity: bottle Description: ROSE RED 2010 The perfected winter rose, dew covered and freshly cut. Review: In the bottle: A velvety red rose, fresher than in a flower shop. Wet: It’s a bit too strong at first, it’s annoying for my nostrils; however, it gets better after 10-15 minutes. Dry: It’s much better now. It’s a delicate floral scent, feminine, romantic, and almost a sacred rose. Verdict: For those who might be turned off by its initial strong throw, my advice would be to let it dry completely before judging it. It becomes subtle and almost sweet over time. More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Rose Red 2010

In the bottle: Hmm, sweet mint... It’s very fresh, green, and maybe a little bit spicy. Wet: A lot of sugar comes out as soon as it touches my skin! It smells like mint-flavoured candy, no doubt possible; it also feels very fresh... I might even say cold... Dry: Strangely enough, it turned almost vanilla and floral on me (one day, I’d like to know what’s wrong with my skin chemistry); however, it’s still fresh, yet softer and more delicate. Verdict: It’s a funny perfume, it really smells like a candy cane, sweet and minty, even though it turned soft on me.

Yules: Lick It Vigorously Category: Limited Edition Quantity: bottle Description: LICK IT VIGOROUSLY What else could possibly be more lickable at Yuletide? This is a candy cane perfume, minty, sweet and sugared. [Please don’t literally Lick It. I need no cheerful holiday lawsuits, thank you!] Review: In the bottle: Hmm, sweet mint... It’s very fresh, green, and maybe a little bit spicy. Wet: A lot of sugar comes out as soon as it touches my skin! It smells like mint-flavoured candy, no doubt possible; it also feels very fresh... I might even say cold... Dry: Strangely enough, it turned almost vanilla and floral on me (one day, I’d like to know what’s wrong with my skin chemistry); however, it’s still fresh, yet softer and more delicate. Verdict: It’s a funny perfume, it really smells like a candy cane, sweet and minty, even though it turned soft on me. More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Lick It Vigorously

Jolt Category: In The Mood Quantity: sample Description: JOLT Wake up! Get revved and ready to go go go! Cuban coffee, black tea, double shot of espresso, spices Review: In the bottle: It’s spicy; I identify clove and pepper. Wet: More clove! There’s some dark, maybe even black, coffee behind it. Dry: Finally, I get the black coffee and black tea, but it’s still very spicy. Verdict: Overall, it’s masculine-neutral; interesting, but just not my thing.

Gothic Category: Punk Quantity: sample Description: GOTHIC Dramatic and romantic. Moody, mysterious and morbid. Pale skin. Black and jewel-toned velvets mixed with lace and leather. Influenced by the supernatural and the creative. Black roses planted in graveyard dirt. Blood-red lips inhaling a sweet-clove cigarette. A crushed velvet choker cutting into smooth pale flesh. Beautifully dark and sweet. Review: In the bottle: I do smell a rose, and something herbal, mixed with clover. It’s almost lemony. Wet: Yeah, I definitively smell clove, but it’s sweet and soft, with a background note of cigarette. Dry: A mix of (black?) rose and clove. It’s dark, bitter, and mysterious. Verdict: It’s too bad this one is not available anymore; it’s gender-neutral, not too feminine. However, I suppose it competed with the American Gothic collection. Thanks for the remaining sample, Gary!

Key Lime Pie Category: Mary Jo's Bakery Quantity: sample Description: KEY LIME PIE A southern Florida treat loved by all. Fresh, tart key limes blended with sugar, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk, all poured into a lightly baked graham cracker crust. This one will make your teeth ache! Review: In the bottle: An intense smell of sugary graham crust. Wet: Sugar, cream (or milk), egg, and graham. The lime is very subtle. Dry: Overall, it doesn’t have much throw, and the lime note quickly fades away. Verdict: It’s sweet and creamy, but not for me. Another one in the “future soap” box...

Smooth & Neat Category: Resinate Quantity: sample Description: SMOOTH & NEAT The aromatic flavoring of a fine liqueur, extremely sensual and smooth with a wonderful warming finish. Served neat. Patchouli leaves, bright orange citrus, smooth vanilla, and a splash of hazelnut liqueur. Review: In the bottle: Patchouli, orange and hazelnut liqueur. Wet: Warm orange and sweet vanilla, for the most part; everything else is in the background. Dry: The patchouli and liqueur come back, but it’s still smooth. It’s not the aggressive patchouli some old ladies are so fond of… Verdict: It’s well balanced, smooth and clean, with a sweet dose of vanilla and orange. However, patchouli smells old on me, so the sample will probably become lovely soap material.

First Creation Category: Unreleased Blends Quantity: sample Description: FIRST CREATION N/A Review: In the bottle: It’s very soft, a little bit floral, with something sweet, such as vanilla or honey. Wet: It’s already more herbal, lemony, maybe even with a spicy background note, but I can’t find what it is. Dry: Still soft, creamy, lemony, and floral. It’s a bit old-lady-ish, but it smells clean and soft. Verdict: Yes, it’s a bit old-fashioned, but it smells good; and the ingredients are very mysterious!