fairestrocza

Good point! I hadn't considered the possibility of the lab filling an extra order. I just mailed the lab to give them a heads up. ETA: The problem seems to have sorted itself out. Neither CCNow or the credit card company could explain what happened, but my records are now showing the correct totals, so I assume that either, a) CCNow sent the charge through twice, then reversed the extra, or there was a reserve placed on the card, and both the reserve and the actual charge were registered as a combined charge for a while. In any case, all is well now.

It looks like CCNow double charged me for my epic Yule order. I discovered this when my credit card company called to see if there were unauthorized transactions. Has this happened to anyone else? I have contacted CCNow (still waiting for a response) but I am wondering whether or not I need to contact the lab too? (I know the order confirmation says to contact CCNow for billing questions, but I am wondering if I need a bigger paper trail?) How long does CCNow usually take to respond to billing inquiries? Thanks!

I got email from them this afternoon. (Didn't notice it until just now)

I used up the last of my Samhain yesterday, so today it was Slaugh.

If you got yours at NYCC, I wonder how many bottles of the "wrong" Lover they have in stock?

Oh damn. I just went and checked my backup bottle... But now I am really confused. I ordered my first bottle on August 23rd, shipped on September 14th. I ordered the second bottle on September 27th, shipped on October 14th. Here is my TIL review for the first bottle. My second bottle smelled heavily of sour milk when I opened it to check. On the skin, it smells like sour milk and incense. But here is the thing... that first bottle, the oil is nearly colorless (and tipping the bottle sideways, I can see the label on the far side of the bottle through the oil)... but I can definitely smell red musk. This is the TIL that I am in love with. I wanted at least one backup of this scent. The second bottle is a dark orangish hue. When I tip the bottle sideways, I can't see anything through the oil. Which is the "real" Infernal Lover, and which one is The Infernal Tease? ETA: I decanted vials of both versions. In the clear glass, bottle one is a very pale gold color. Bottle two is a dark reddish/orangish/brown very dense color. I am *REALLY* hoping it was a mislabeling issue rather than a just-skipped-the-musk issue. What I suspect is the "real" TIL is nasty while wet, and disappears almost completely shortly after. The clear/bottle one scent stays for *hours* and smells almost like my chaos amber scent that I adore. I can't imagine that just adding red musk (a note that usually does very well on my skin) could cause that many changes. Hmmmm.

In the Bottle: sweet and fruity Wet on Skin: sweet and fruity, reminds me a bit of Skytyping with Chemtrails While Drying: The lemon verbena sticks out, and there is a sugary note which I think is the pink lime. After a Little While: There was a tartness to this scent that I didn't really notice until it was gone. I miss it. The remaining scent reminds me a bit of powdered lemonade. I preferred the wet scent. The musk is amping a bit. Later: It isn't a bad scent. I like many things about it. However, I got tired of it after a few hours. This may be one I have to save for the right mood. Final Thoughts: I like most varieties of citrus notes, and rarely have the 'cleaner' reaction that I often see in reviews of citrus-based scents. However, I rarely seem to reach for citrusy scents when I am deciding what to wear. This is pretty, but I don't think I'd wear it often enough to justify more than a decant. Pomegranate II earns a 3.5/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: I had to do some mixing with the pipette, even after rolling the bottle for a good 2-3 minutes, before the cocoa flakes integrated into the oil. In the bottle, the oil has an oddly neutral scent. If I work at it, I can pull out the cocoa and maybe a bit of thyme, but the scents are pretty well balanced and all seem to blend together. Wet on Skin: Here too, it is hard to pull out individual notes. Second test: tobacco & thyme, now that I know what I'm looking for. While Drying: cocoa, but not super chocolatey, tobacco but not super tobacco-y, thyme… no distinct cognac, anise, or red musk... Ahh, there's the anise, and just the right amount too… hmm, still no Pom. Second test: thyme, tobacco, and just a touch of anise. I occasionally catch a hint of cocoa, but not much. I am definitely not getting any red musk, which is a shame. After a Little While: Seems to be all the second half of the note list, and none of the first half, with an emphasis on the thyme. Second test: thyme with an undercurrent of tobacco and a hint of anise once in a while. Later: Another note is starting to come out, and I'm assuming it is the cognac, because this is starting to remind me vaguely of Autumn Moon of the Mirror Stand. I caught a brief hint of sweet pom, but then it disappeared again. At least the scent isn't as high and sharp as it was earlier, but it is still making me a bit queasy. Final Thoughts: I had such high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it was the red musk that was the major draw, and that is the one thing that never appears for me. I'll keep a decant around to see if something amazing happens with time, but for now I am less than impressed. This blend seems to be highly dependent on skin (and nose?) chemistry, because one friend thinks it is very heavy on the cocoa, and another got lots of red musk and a reasonable amount of cocoa (all from the same well-mixed bottle). Pomegranate IV earns a 2/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: yup, that's jasmine Wet on Skin: The jasmine isn't going totally evil, but it is still drowning out the other notes. While Drying: Jasmine and benzoin. Pom is nowhere to be found. The benzoin seems to be keeping the jasmine in check, but this is still too perfumey and jasmine heavy for my taste. After a Little While: Whaaat?! Can it be?!! The pom has made an appearance, but even stranger, THIS ACTUALLY SMELLS LIKE THE REAL JASMINE FLOWER instead of the evil doom that I usually get with jasmine scents. Later: Fairly quick fade. It is mainly a skin-close scent at this point. There is a slight sourness to it now. Final Thoughts: Someone else mentioned a similarity to the jasmine note in Peach Moon. They are listed as different types (night-blooming vs poet's), however Peach Moon is the only other blend containing jasmine that I can wear (so far). It must be something about the fruit-jasmine combo that keeps the jasmine in check. I had very low expectations for this blend, so I was happily surprised. Pomegranate I earns a 3/5 on my skin.

In the Imp: slightly perfumey apple Wet on Skin: similar to imp; I smell apple, but not quite the fresh fruit scent (ahh, looking at the notes I see that it is apple blossom) While Drying: A bit sharp, a bit sugary. Apple blossom often goes soapy on me. It isn't doing that here, but it definitely has a 'fresh' quality. I think I am picking up some willow bark, but I'm not certain (that is a new note for me). After a Little While: It is starting to mellow and sweeten. The pom is emerging, and maybe a touch of fig. I don't smell any almond. I'm not entranced by the skin-close scent, but the throw is a nice, mild, sweet, fruity scent. Later: Not much throw. Sweet and fruity. No almond. Fades to a skin-close scent fairly quickly, though the skin scent sticks around for a while. Final Thoughts: Nice enough after it dries, but nothing spectacular on my skin. I'm not sad that this is going home with my Pom obsessed friend. The Heraeon of Argos earns a 3/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: A little bit bubble-gum-ish. Wet on Skin: sweet, a bit like bubble gum (neroli + pom?) While Drying: This belongs with the Mad Tea Party category. I can start to smell the vetiver behind the sweet scents, and just a touch of black pepper. I usually despise vetiver, but it seems to be working here. After a Little While: Mmmm, the amber is coming into play, warming things up and softening the edges. Amber & neroli, with just the faintest hint of vetiver. Later: I think the carnation must have been in play all along, just not as spicy and distinct as it usually is, because I keep being reminded of High Strung Daisies. But this is more grown-up, with the amber and the hint of vetiver. Pomegranate V earns a 4/5 on my skin.

A circular pastry glazed with pink sugar that symbolizes the sweetness of life and the certainty of death. In the Bottle: Strawberry cake Wet on Skin: Whoa. Major throw. Warm strawberry baked goods. While Drying: It is a cake note I recognize from other blends, but the strawberry lightenes it up a bit and makes it wearable. (The cake note is often too heavy on me). After a Little While: I start to pick up a bit of the sugar note after this dries. The strawberry briefly takes on a candied quality before heading back in the cake direction. Throw is still significant. Later: Throw- warm strawberry cake. Skin- pink sugar alternating with cake. Oddly, the throw is still going strong, but the scent seems to be fainter when I sniff close to the skin. Eventually, the sugar note seems to disappear completely. Close to the skin, I smell mainly strawberry, but the throw is still cake and strawberries (and the throw is still stronger than the skin scent). Next morning: I still smell strawberries when I sniff my arm. The scent is more strawberry cookies than strawberry cake at this point. Final Thoughts: I'm usually all about the scents with good throw, but I think I'll need to use a light hand with this one. The throw is _powerful_ and it lasts forever. I'd been wearing it for at least 14 hours before my shower removed the last traces, and I dreamed about baking all night long. Thinking back on this a day later, Golletes may be a bit too heavy for me, with its oppressive cake-y-ness. I'll have to retest with a very light application and see how that goes. I wish I got more of the pink sugar smell and less of the heavy cake. Golletes earns a 3.5/5 on my skin. ETA scent description

Disclaimer: Saffron is the only listed note that usually behaves on me. I only bothered testing this because there was a drop left over in the pipette after I was done decanting. In the Bottle: marzipan and cherry cordials Wet on Skin: It is going a bit sharp, but the cherry and marzipan scents are staying true. While Drying: I can pick up a bit of coconut on top of the marzipan. After a Little While: The marzipan has turned into a slightly alcoholic amaretto. I can still pick up a touch of cherry in the elbows, but not elsewhere. The coconut is faint. The saffron is coming out to play now and I like the character it is adding to the scent. It is definitely a boozy amaretto now instead of a foody marzipan. Later: For a while, it is pure amaretto, then it develops this weird, high-pitched thing which I think is the coconut misbehaving & interacting with the alcohol (the coconut in Elegba does something similar, but there I can handle it. Not so much, here). Final Thoughts: I love the bottle scent. Most of these notes are iffy at best, so it isn't surprising that I'm not thrilled with the scent on my skin. If I wore jewelry more often, this might be a scent-locket contender, but as it is, I'll have to pass. Ghoulish earns a 3.5, maybe even 4/5 in the bottle, but sadly only 2/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: Reminds me of Jezirat al Tennyn Wet on Skin: Jezirat, but less feral and more wearable. While Drying: This feels like it wants to go ozoney or soapy on me, but the smoke is keeping it in check. After a Little While: Smoke in the air… this is the scent of a smudge stick rather than burning wet vegetation. Later: At pulse points, I am getting more of an intimate, bonfire smoke scent (more like burning logs), while other areas are giving off a distant smoke in the air scent (more like burning brush). Very evocative. Final Thoughts: Jezirat lite! Like Jezirat, this isn't an everyday scent, but it will be perfect when the mood is right. I'll definitely hang on to my decant. Halloween: L.A. earns a 3.5/5 on my skin.

Full moon tonight, on the Equinox! In the Bottle: sweet, green, fruity, with the faintest touch of evergreen (the fir?), a touch of mulling spices, and something that reminds me of the sugar note in one of the Moths. Wet on Skin: It is easier to say what this isn't than what this is… I don't smell dry leaves, cedar, clove, apple, pumpkin or smoke. What I do smell: plum, balsam fir, wine… some of the other notes might be present, but there are a few here with which I am unfamiliar. Major throw while wet. While Drying: Inhaling, the first scent that catches my notice is an evergreen, probably the fir with just a touch of the juniper berry. However, the dominant scent is something else, and I'm finding it hard to pin down. There is a sweetness here, but I wouldn't classify it as foody, fruity or floral. I'm tempted to say I smell lily, but lily usually hates me, and this is a nice scent. There is something green and vegetative here. I catch the occasion scent of mulling spices, and just a touch of clove. After a Little While: This has just enough throw that I don't really smell it when I'm not paying attention, but when I bring my hands near my face, I get a pleasant burst of scent. If I stop trying to pick apart the scent, and just let it roll over me, I'd describe it simply as 'sweet growing things.' It is a very unusual scent, but I think I like it. Of the other people who smelled it on me, one noticed primarily bright evergreens, another described it as 'clean and fresh,' and The Boy said it could clear his sinuses from 3 feet. Later: The dominant smell from the early stages is still present, but significantly toned down. After about 4 hours, the throw decreases significantly, and some of the brighter notes give way to warmer, softer tones. Final Thoughts: Harvest Moon seems to be very skin and nose dependent. Of the three of us who tried this, nobody smelled the same, and nobody agreed on what notes or even what scent category any of us were exhibiting. Harvest Moon 2010 earns a 3.5/5... maybe a 4/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: Smells like my "unscented" hand lotion, with a slightly plastic tinge. Wet on Skin: Warm (spices?) and slightly camphorous (the mullein?). The plastic note from the bottle disappears almost immediately. While Drying: I can pick up the fir (very light) and apple (more a sweet impression of apples, rather than the juicy realistic note). The camphorous aspect fades behind spicy-sweet notes. After a Little While: Beautiful layers of scent, each distinct but complementary. Gentle woods, sweet apple, a slight fizziness, and a faint warm wax note. Later: Samhain has some throw, but it isn't aggressive. Little puffs of scent give the illusion of movement, swirrling eddies of scent that mingle to evoke a complex mood. Final Thoughts: This scent really showcases the artistry of BPAL. Samhain 2010 earns a 4.5/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: Delicious, spicy red musk - spicy-sweet in contrast with Smut's syrupy-sweetness. Wet on Skin: Holy BPAL, Batman! This smells like my Amber Chaos blend, with added red musk. While Drying: Golden, spiced amber, sweetened by red musk. I get occasional bits of the sourness I associate with dairy notes, but only in the elbows and only while wet. After a Little While: The creamy honey aspect is more apparent in my elbows. My wrists emphasize the delicious spicy amber scent along with the red musk. Later: Sweetly spiced amber and red musk, with an aspect that I associate with scents with "golden" in their descriptions. Good throw. Good lasting power. Even late in the game when the major throw has died down, this still has a significant presence close to the skin. Final Thoughts: This blend thrills me. It doesn't have quite the depth that my favorite Amber Chaos possesses, but is similar enough that I'll be able to use it as a replacement (layered with The Lion to give it a bit more depth) once my chaos is gone. TIL has more depth than Smut (which can occasionally be too sweet for me). The Boy wanted to try some, and his skin just ate it up - I couldn't smell anything on him. When he smelled me, however, he started singing "I smell sex and candy..." Oh yes, The Infernal Lover lives up to my expectations. I imagine this one would be great in an oil burner too - I apparently transferred a bit of oil from my wrists to my laptop. It took me a while to figure out where the awesome smell was coming from, then I realized that when the laptop warms up, it smells like TIL. The Infernal Lover earns a 5/5 on my skin, and I'll be needing to update my Top Ten list. ETA: I am not sure what is in here that is reading as red musk to me (it reminds be a bit of Smut, and a bit of Fenris Wolf at times) but I have one of the bottles with the clear oil that is rumored to have been mixed without the red musk. Who knows. I just know I need more of this one.

In the Bottle: Green, aquatic. The scent of leaves, fresh-plucked from a tree. Wet on Skin: Fresh-plucked leaf. While Drying: Fresh and delicate. After a Little While: Leaf note is gone. The remaining scent reminds me of Lightning, but more delicate and less bitter. Later: Low throw, quick fade. Final Thoughts: I am glad I had a chance to try this one. It isn't really my style, but I enjoyed the leafy note up front (wish it stuck around longer) and the citrusy dry-down was better than most such scents are on my skin. A fun novelty scent for me, but nothing that I need to own. Halloween: San Francisco earns a 3/5 on my skin.

#118 Notes: Amber, lotus, and probably honey, a bit of red musk, and something 'golden' In the Bottle: A golden, honeyed, spiced amber. Wet on Skin: A brief burst of bubblegum (lotus?) While Drying: The lotus disappates, and a deep, rich, creamy, spicy amber blooms. After a Little While: Warmer and sweeter than most other amber blends I've tried. Later: This has major lasting power. I can still smell the scent after more than 12 hours. After the lotus disappears, the scent remains constant though the other stages - a warm, glowing, substantial, smoothly spicy scent. This is my #1 scent, without a doubt. Final Thoughts: I was wavering over whether or not to order an Amber chaos bottle. Ultimately, I decided I should, because I like amber, but I don't have many amber blends that I love, and thus, if it worked out, it would not be redundant. I am SO glad I ordered this bottle. It is the most gorgeous amber blend I have tried. The amber reminds me of Tamora, Haunted and The Lion. I finally have a context to put this in: Imagine combining The Infernal Lover and The Lion, tamp down the red musk note from TIL, and add a bit of lotus. I'll be using the Lion+Lover combo to approximate this chaos blend when I run out. Amber #118 earns a 5/5 (ok, a 500 out of 5) on my skin. This is my #1 for all time scent.

In the Bottle: Reminds me of Miskatonic U, plus a bit of a spicy kick in the nostrils. I can sense a hint of booze if I inhale deeply. While decanting, the wafting scent is very chocolatey - reminds me of the chocolate note in Cthulhu in Love. Wet on Skin: Sinister chocolate. Something almost lemony underneath the chocolate. While Drying: The copal is coming out and giving this a bit of a funk. Copal doesn't like my skin. After a Little While: The throw is still chocolate-dominant, but up close I get a bit of dulce-du-leche. The copal-funk is gone. There is another note that is taking this beyond a foody scent, but I can't quite identify it - maybe it is the copal incence deciding to behave? Later: The vanilla pods come out in the late stage. I never get more than the occasional hint of spiciness from the peppers, but there is a smokiness about the scent now. Not terrible, but nothing special on my skin. On The Boy: On The Boy, however, this is really good. The notes all express themselves in a balanced manner. There is a hint of the same snuggly feel of Misk. U., but it smells more masculine than Misk. U. (on him specifically - on me, Calaveras didn't smell masculine at all). On The Boy, this is a well balanced, spicy, caramelized scent. Much more complex on him than it is on me, and I like being able to smell all the notes when I sniff him. Final Thoughts: I had very low expectations for this one, and it ended up being better on me than I expected. I don't think I need this scent, but I'm thinking of picking up a bottle for The Boy. Calaveras earns a 3/5 on my skin, but a 4/5 on The Boy. ETA I ended up getting a half-full bottle for The Boy, and this is the scent he has been going to lately before an evening out. It smells sooo good on him

In the Bottle: Sugar… apples… ale… this smells delicious. Wet on Skin: A bit spicier than in the imp. The apple is a nice, realistic scent. The sugar sweetens the scent, but isn't a distinct, separate entity on the skin. There is just a hint of fizzy ale to the side. While Drying: Dry, spiced apples. I'm having a mild skin reaction (ginger? Or is there some unlisted cinnamon in this?) After a Little While: A lovely sugared scent wafts away from the skin. Up close, the apple scent is the most prominent. This isn't as spicy as I expected. I don't smell any milk or cloves (both of which can do funky things on my skin). Later: The scent has pulled together into lightly spiced, smashed apples with a hint of ale. Throw is low to medium. Fades faster than I'd like (though a faint, skin-close, sugared apple scent sticks around for a while). I'm hoping age will pull this one together and give it more staying power. Final Thoughts: This reminds me a bit of Poisoned Apple, but warmer and sweeter, with a breath of spice replacing the breath of florals in PA. Lambs-Wool 2010 earns a 4/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: Rich coffee, warm spices, and just a hint of pumpkin. Wet on Skin: Almost like gingerbread. While Drying: The spices are taking center stage. (Spices = Nutmeg, something almost like molasses, and another note - maybe the smoky vanilla bean? I don't smell *any* cinnamon, and my skin usually lets me know when cinnamon is present, even if my nose can't detect it). After a Little While: This has significant throw. I am picking up some espresso, and a minimal hint of pumpkin, but the spices are definitely the stars of the show. I think the creaminess is coming from the vanilla bean rather than any discernable milk note. Later: Good throw, long lasting. Rich and warm, well balanced, and spicy but smooth. The pumpkin never overpowers the scent. Much later: (~8hrs in) At this stage, all that is left is the skin-close scent, with the occasional breath of scent away from my skin. There is a bit of the gingerbread vibe, but the coffee note is now dominant. The espresso becomes more of an instant-coffee smell, or the smell of a fresh bag of flavored, but slightly over-roasted, whole-bean coffee. Next morning: I could still smell a bit of PL when I woke up this morning - this one has some definite lasting power! Final Thoughts: I'll probably need to pick up my own bottle of this one. Pumpkin Latte earns a 4.5/5 on my skin.

In the Bottle: soapy/fresh florals Wet on Skin: Not as bad as I feared! The bridal bouquet is made from some of the more delicate florals, and so far no rose/lily. While Drying: Hmmm, a bit soapy. A heady flower is coming out now. I just don't wear florals often enough to be super familiar with the notes. After a Little While: Significant throw. Soapiness has died back. I still get nothing but florals, with a slight sourness (lily?). Later: Notice how I haven't said anything about sandalwood or cloth? Yeah. I noticed that too. This is all about the bridal bouquet, with the soapiness and the sourness fading in and out. Final Thoughts: On the right skin, this might work, but it is definitely not for me. I had some hesitation about even trying this one, but I was hoping the sandalwood and cloth notes would tame the floral aspect. No such luck. The Madwoman earns a 2/5 on my skin.

Red musk, lemon peel, sugar cane, cassia, white sandalwood, mango, and agarwood. In the Imp: Cassia! … and something that is reading as flat - maybe the sandalwood? Wet on Skin: cassia, but it is definitely being tempered by something; I feel a bit of the cassia burn, but no welts (yet) While Drying: cassia and … I think it is the agarwood that is coming through… and just a touch of sugar cane. It is a bit more sweet and fruity in the elbows than it is on the wrists. I get a bit of the red musk if I wave my arms around, but not when I sniff my skin. After a Little While: The cassia is starting to integrate into the other notes. The red musk and sugar cane are helping to sweeten and tame the cassia. My elbows are getting blotchy - I definitely need to be careful where I apply this blend. I prefer the wafting scent to the skin scent. Weird - the skin-close scent is going almost aquatic. Not great. The scent from a few inches away is nice (mainly the cassia/sugar/musk combo), but the rash is increasing. If I am going to battle a rash to wear a sweet cassia blend, I'll go for Egg Moon over this one in a heartbeat. Later: After an hour or two, the throw decreases significantly. The skin scent is now just a little off - more potpourri than perfume now. (Interesting correlation - the throw is strong while the rash is prominent… as the welts started to fade, so did the scent). Final Thoughts: Nice in theory, not so nice in reality. The scent isn't terrible, but there is nothing here that is outstanding enough to make me willing to put up with the skin reaction (and general reaction - I got a bit congested and woozy after wearing this). The Dodo earns a 3/5 for scent, 2.5/5 if you include the skin reaction, on my skin.

In the Decant: uber-sweet and fruity Wet on Skin: sweet, fruity, but less high pitched than it was in the imp While Drying: dries quickly; something in here reminds me of one of the heavier notes in some foody blends (almost creamy/buttery); the sweetness isn't a delicate spun sugar type, but more toothache-inducing-overly-sugared-jam-eaten-straight-out-of-the-jar type of sweetness. I catch a hint of vanilla, and maybe a touch of the lemon blossom After a Little While: Hmm… reminds me of walking through the section of Bed, Bath & Beyond where they sell scented things (like the general air in that area) Later: final stage is mainly a dusky fruit scent with a sweet edge; many hours after application, the scent mellows and is quite nice Final Thoughts: Not bad, but not really my style. Rosy Maple earns a 3.5/5 on my skin.