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SophieCedar

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Everything posted by SophieCedar

  1. SophieCedar

    Virginia

    VIRGINIA Virginia Elisabetta Luisa Carlotta Antonietta Teresa Maria Oldoïni was born in Florence to minor Tuscan nobility. At 17, she married Francesco Verasis, conte di Castiglione, and bore him one son. In 1855, she traveled to Paris as a diplomat with instructions to plead the case for Italian unity with Napoleon III. She displayed an impressive gift for foreign affairs, becoming Napoleon III's mistress and gaining entrance to a glittering social circle that included the cream of European royalty. During this time, she wielded a great deal of political clout as both a courtesan and a spy, and her influence was such that she was instrumental in helping to protect Paris from a Prussian occupation. Considered by many to be the first fashion model, she directed Pierre-Louis Pierson at the Mayer & Pierson studio in Paris to assist in accumulating over seven hundred photographs documenting pivotal moments in her life and flashes of Surrealist artistic symbolism. Photos from this period include images of her in a nun's habit, as a virgin drowned, as a corpse, and also as Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, Judith entering the tent of Holofernes, Anne Boleyn, and Goya's Nude Maja. An exotic South Asian musk blended with white sandalwood, tobacco absolute, white sage, caramel, black orchid, tonka bean, frankincense, muguet, and juniper. This is truly bizarre. I can only smell the slightest red musk and something a little sweet however the oil is completely opaque..? I expected this to smell very strongly, looking at all the ingredients. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with me. Then again, I tested my nose against a few other familiar scents and everything checked out ok.. I conferred with the dh and he only smelled a slight musk too. This is incredibly light. I'm going to watch this topic to see if others agree or if there's something wrong with the way my nose perceives this. Further into drydown, there's a slight waft of caramel and frankincense but that's me really straining to smell something. Double layered, I can smell the white sage and juniper with slight sharpness for a second and then it's gone, back to a strange musky ether.
  2. SophieCedar

    The Sun Rising

    This ended up, after months of testing the whole lot, being one of my favorite lupers of 2020. 1st try was jasmine forward. I think my senses were dampened because of the loads of testing I was doing. A while later after this poor dear was subjected to repeated placement in the retry pile, I discovered its actually wonderful- a rich complex smoky glowing warm french botanical perfume. Truly divine and womanly. The beeswax and jasmine are perfect with the touch of smoke. Very well blended and signature. If this was suspended in alcohol we'd be seeing it on billboards adorned with giant bows; mascotted by mysterious looking women nodding in approval.
  3. SophieCedar

    The Death Grapple

    I never got lavender cola from this. For me- Its exactly the smell of using a Lush Ice Hotel bubblebar in my 1st house in Maine- the antique victorian with its clawfoot bathtub, wide pumpkin pine floorboards with the damp stone foundation smell wafting between the cracks, a bit of dusty radiator and rich maine soil. That's why its a winner.
  4. SophieCedar

    Faster Kittycat?

    White moss, a glowing meniscus of a scent, clean, soft, powder. I can see this being wonderful for orris fans. I'd put it in the Dirty category but its drier. Fancy orchid deodorant? Dusting powder from Saks 5th? A lost Coty line only found in antique stores?
  5. SophieCedar

    Aoede, Melete, Mneme

    This one has staying power to beat the band. Its like Gluttony but even more gluttonous. Lots of butter and cream and just enough sugar and caramel to make me love it. Warm smooth slippery sweet this is starting to sound like a def leppard song or worse so I'll go now.
  6. SophieCedar

    Dalliances by Candlelight

    This has aged wonderfully. When I tried it fresh, 2 yrs ago, it was too much honey and poufed into a powdery mess. Now? The white patchouli and beeswax are more dominant and its like this gorgeous oriental perfect for this time of year.
  7. SophieCedar

    Second Lash

    Tested just now- this has mellowed to a sophisticated french tobacco musk. Period. End of story. Nothing else to it...I urge everyone to retry it
  8. And the revel went whirlingly on, until at length there commenced the sounding of midnight upon the clock. And then the music ceased, as I have told; and the evolutions of the waltzers were quieted; and there was an uneasy cessation of all things as before. But now there were twelve strokes to be sounded by the bell of the clock; and thus it happened, perhaps, that more of thought crept, with more of time, into the meditations of the thoughtful among those who revelled. And thus, too, it happened, perhaps, that before the last echoes of the last chime had utterly sunk into silence, there were many individuals in the crowd who had found leisure to become aware of the presence of a masked figure which had arrested the attention of no single individual before. And the rumor of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapprobation and surprise –then, finally, of terror, of horror, and of disgust. Terror, horror, and disgust: a bowel-churning sweet clench of myrhh and green musk in a pool of suffocating black moss and a shock of white cognac. Call me crazy. This smells clean and fresh and herbal green with a white sheets background. Overall this could've been called Citrine Waterfall in a Serene Mossy Wood and I would've said "Uh Huh. For sure!". The myrrh comes out in drydown and stays meditational due to the cleaner notes. Quite relaxing actually.
  9. SophieCedar

    Party Tricks Hair Gloss

    Uhm...mine is lasting quite a while? Sorry guys 😕 Ultimate pink scent. Less viscous and foody than Velvet Pink Kitty but not hairspray pink or floral pink like Hime Gyaru or Lady in Speckled Pink Kimono or Right Atrium. Foody and juicy but clear without being crystalline. Does that make sense? Tis my new favorite pink. I want it in every medium and I want to live inside Party Tricks permanently.
  10. SophieCedar

    Knee Bolster of Ono

    I've treasured my decant for quite a while. The elements hold over time, which is wonderful. So, you can expect relatively the same experience aged as you see in these older reviews from when 1st issued. Wistful blue airy sweet floral. Distinctly blue lilac. There's no escaping the combo of ultraviolet and apertif wine-like lilac. White sage, in its astringently herbal uplifting way, is still powerful- clearing my brain fog and worry this morning, which I'm greatful for. Sweet pea gives a fresh air summer feel. Tobacco is a nice earthy ground. Orris? Not smelling much until drydrydry-down. The combined elements give the perception of actually smelling a blueberry bush in a garden. A scent that wonderfully defies nature in all the ways I wish could happen in Maine..as lilac peaks in June and blueberry in late August.
  11. SophieCedar

    Voluptuous Wantonness

    Ohhh man. This is my perfect scent and I'm never letting go. Like just as magical as Gun Moll and Red Lantern. Its sweet opium-like warm red and the fig just *glows*. Sugared red, no bandaids, oudh is playing nice. Fantastic. I've found my scent profile.
  12. SophieCedar

    Silver Lace

    Silver Lace is a refreshing addition to the pack. I love it. The bergamot ti leaf and white musk are gleaming white with a sweet smooth sheer vanilla lace over them. Wonderful bright sweet oriental. I will cherish this.
  13. SophieCedar

    Dark Lace

    I get Black Lace's cognac vanilla tobacco and linen notes with grave dirt and black loam added. Kinda reminds me of Penny Dreadful without the red feel...more just...dark. The hammer horror incense starts out giving this a Grand Guignol Thanatos vibe but folds into the tobacco within 5 minutes. On me, its a slightly more cakey bakery Black Lace with a touch of moss and dirt. Uhhh rename it Christmas Cookies in a Graveyard? I dunno. I do agree its mellower in throw than Black Lace. Overall, its warm resinous sweet and incensey. Like a goth holiday party. Yea. I'll stick with that.
  14. SophieCedar

    Strawberry and Rosebud

    What? I didn't review this? Its awesome. Mostly strawberry with a little pink and red rose. I smell like a strawberry shortcake doll! Sweet joyous and buoyant. I notice that people's expressions soften and lighten when they stand close. Me thinks this stuff works.
  15. SophieCedar

    The Shadowed Veil

    Ooh this is nice. As described! Sexy dark...and it wafts like Haunted, but darker and a bit toffee-like sweet. Floats around the wearer but you don't get a straight shot when you stick your nose directly on it.
  16. SophieCedar

    Pistacho Pumpkin Truffle

    Wet phase is gorgeous, strong toasted nutty pistachio meat, fatty sweet belgian chocolate, pumpkin. Le Sigh.... Drydown is strong nutmeg and fatty belgian chocolate. Not my gig. I should have read the notes closely. I amp baking spices. My fault.
  17. SophieCedar

    Pomegranate Smoke Hair Gloss

    Indeed. Very close to what I smell inside my nose when faced with a period of delicious indecision. One moment in particular was staring at myself in a mirror practicing dia de los muertos makeup, an October evening in 2014. This was a strange in-between timeperiod for me- after my husband walked out on new years day. The mystery and magic had started to re-enter my life, that fall. Though I scent synthesize my emotions, so sorry if this sounds weird.... But I smelled THIS. Smoky pomegranate incense with tinges of yearning, confusion, hope, complacency, contentedness, lonliness, and sexual empowerment.
  18. SophieCedar

    Haunted Pumpkin Patch

    Ohmanohman....no disappointment here! Strong Haunted amber black musk mixed with warm fresh pumpkin and a bit of dark green vine. I didn't think Haunted could get sexier...I was wrong. Its got this slightly dangerous lurking around in the dark outdoors sexy vibe now. Wholymolyyy...
  19. SophieCedar

    Apple Sugar

    Of course, with all apple scents, this goes on strong burning-off apple and settles to many base notes. The apple goes to the backseat driver position...and what's worth it on this one is the sugar musk. Oof. Its intoxicating! Sweet, syrupy, slightly liquor-like.
  20. SophieCedar

    Dusk in Autumn

    This. Its my new favorite. Its half oriental half gourmand. Beautiful, slightly sweet, earthy smoky. Perfectly balanced dark sexy and magnetic. Ungh.
  21. SophieCedar

    Popcorn Ball Snake Oil

    The drydown process was a wild ride, producing many confusing twisted expressions on my face... Worth it! Totally sweet corn syrup stuck popcorn balls and snake oil. Its awesome.
  22. SophieCedar

    Blood for Cat

    Bad kitty: golden amber, black cherry, tonka bean, sweet red musk, dried mango pulp, rooibos tea, red currant, and bitter almond. Mellow floaty glowy red and amber scent? I guess my reviews are just as insane as the line concept, here. Sorry not sorry. Quieter than expected but all notes are present and standing in a horizontal row. Nothing screaming over another. I was expecting loud like Gothabilly but its medium throw and well blended. Would make an excellent hair gloss. Another singularity that needs shaking before application. I think its the dried mango pulp floating around in the bottle like ectoplasm? Forewarned, are you!
  23. SophieCedar

    Pink Peach, Grapefruit, Yuzu, & Pink Musk

    I can smell each component separately at different times in the sniff. The pink peach is so cutesy and the pink grapefruit and yuzu are just playing on a swingset together. Refreshing and sweet and yes...pink as hell. My new favorite girly scent.
  24. SophieCedar

    Revenant Rhythm Hair Gloss

    The thing I like about BB and Revenant Rhythm... Its consistent. Both versions smell the same. Every bottle smells the same. Its a straight-forward scent. Warm, sexy, limb loosening patchouli hemp and vanilla. There's no side punches. No period chemistry ruined it today. No weather changes the way it smells. A signature scent thats hippie-ish but on the urban side of things. Easy to wear. ❤
  25. SophieCedar

    Saddypants Lion Alchemy Lab

    Wow not many reviews here?! Huh. You guys are missing out on the perfect late summer scent, if'n ya don't have any of this. Very leonic indeed. The almond actually sticks around on my skin? So, I'm getting golden warm sweet august sun with wafting almond and peach. Not too bad at all. Its like nag champa for those that can't handle florals.
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