Merlu

I found a decant of The World in my stash yesterday and decided to try it on. In the vial: Smells green, earthy and fizzy. I smell wintergreen and sandalwood. There's definitely a spicy sweetness in there, kind of like a spiced up root beer. Wet on skin: Still the same. Yum! Herbal and creamy, but not too green. It smells round, grounded and serene. I would wear this for a walk in the forest, or for yoga in the park. It's a scent that perfectly suits The World. It's something Mother Earth would wear! Dry down: Oh, hello patchouli. The other notes are disappearing slowly, which is disappointing because they were lovely and promising. After an hour or two, vetivert starts creeping out of nowhere, which definitely means trouble because my skin tends to amp up that note. Then the vetivert invades my skin like an alien, kills all the other notes and tries to eat me alive. This morning I still reeked of vetivert and nothing else. I had to scrub it off in the shower. Blech!

I don’t have a lot of experience to rely on in order to say this, but I have found that worrying about my purpose to be of little use, as it has always kept me from doing what I’m "meant" to do. I keep telling myself: “it’s not good enough, I can do better, I’m not a real artist/actress/writer”, and that often keeps me from actually being better and doing good enough. In my opinion, purpose —just like perfection and many other things I won’t start talking about—is nothing but a human concept we complicate our lives with. There’s nothing you should be doing, there’s nothing you’re meant to be doing, there’s only what you are doing; and everything you do, whether you appreciate it or not yourself, has some kind of resonance in the world. No matter what I think about what I create, I know that everything I have done has been important somehow. Even the silly high school plays I have acted in have touched at least someone: I remember meeting the person my character was based on after a play, and seeing how touched that person was, I knew then that what I had just created had changed someone forever; everything that person would do from now on would be affected in an infinitesimal way by me. I feel like I am nothing but a messenger. Everything I have created, whether it be writings, paintings or plays, is not only my creation, is the result of everyone and everything that has crossed my path, good or bad, everything that has touched me. There’s certainly a piece of you in everything I have created since I met you—although I don’t really know you, the result of your presence in my life has affected me. The world is different just by your being there, and if you don’t know if you’re creating what you “should” be creating, know that you are already doing something important. You are already doing what the universe needs you to do just by being you. I don’t know if this helps, but it’s a start, I hope.

In the bottle: Snow White, but a little softer. Wet, on skin: Within seconds of trying on Snow White, it became so strong it was unbearable, and something turned to plastic on my skin. No plastic in sight with Snow-Flakes, and it is definitely softer, more tame. It has a cold minty note that's not in Snow White. And it doesn't make my eyes water. Perfect! I just hope it stays that way. Dry: Oh, it's a very pretty blend! (insert a delighted purr here) Snow White without everything that made me dislike it! And better. The mint has disappeared, which is a good thing, but the cold bite is still there. It's cold, yet sweet and comforting. Like being outside in the winter, with a warm coat, mittens and a soft scarf, with the wind tickling your cheeks and big, fluffy snowflakes swirling lazily around you. You know, one of those days when you're just happy for no reason (or maybe it's just me!) It's the first "cold, snowy winter" blend that works on me, it's a total surprise. I really love this.

My goodness. At first, this is all warm and creamy carnation, and I love carnation. Then amber comes out, along with a touch of vanilla, and I also happen toLOVE amber and vanilla. Heaven. Heaven, I tell ya. As much as I love amber, it can be sickenly sweet at times, but it never becomes overwhelming in Hod. It stays soft, close to the skin, and amazingly creamy and comforting. Hod is perfectly blended, I feel like I'm surrounded by an aura of soft light every time I wear this. Not really surrounded... it's more like I am light. Oh, how I love this. Hod is definitely one of my favorite scents ever.

Well, if you click on the links I posted, it should take you right to the post in which the correct pronounciation is written. I'll still copy-paste for you. Nyarlathotep: ny-ar- (like the english 'are') LA (do-re-mi-la)-thuh-tep. Centzon Totochtin: sen - tson - to - TOKH - teen , with the "ts" being the same as the sound in pizza. Tushnamatay: tush - na - mah - Tay

You're right, they have been sorted already, you only need to use the "search topic" feature, which I did for you. Nyarlathotep Centzon Totochtin Tushnamatay

Gah! I love Figs and Leaves but don't like Intrigue at all. Figs and Leaves is warm and green while Intrigue is dark and... dark.

In the imp: Violets and roses. The violet is stronger than the rose, which is a good thing as I love violet. Wet, on skin: Violets and roses again, but equally balanced. The rose becomes stronger as it dries. Dry: Rose scented soap. It really smells like artificially scented cleaning product. The soap scent remains even after a few hours.

Charisma and Brass Balls are vital. But I usually just pick a scent that suits the character I'm playing. Otherwise the blend I'm wearing will just distract me.

Sheol smells exactly like a Lush store. Every product in a Lush store seems to smell a little like this before you actually take them out of the store. But other than that, it smells like warm, smoky and resiny flowers. It's both bright and dark somehow. It's perfectly balanced and not too heady. It's a beautiful blend, and it's a different floral, so I'd recommend it for people who usually hate floral blends.

In the imp: Verbena and cedar. Wet, on skin: Verbena and cedar again, with a hint of patchouli. The verbena smells sweet, like lemon hard candy, and it mixes quite well with the woody notes. It's not too sweet, and not too woody. It's lovely, I think it smells quite warm and light for a blend called shadow. Dry: The verbena goes away after a while, which is quite sad. What's left is a dry and incensey cedar/sandalwood combination, and the patchouli gets a little stronger as time passes. I liked the initial scent and I wish the verbena would have stayed on my skin.

In the imp: Brownie batter. Wet, on skin: Brownie batter. Dry: ...brownie batter! This oil is in a category of its own: Brownie batter. I can't say "I like this" nor "I don't like this", it's not summery nor wintery, it's not... anything, it's just brownie batter. Delicious brownie batter, that is. A few days after wearing this for the first time, I stopped resisting and made myself some brownie batter to eat. Oh, the deception! It was MUCH less tasty as Lump of Coal's scent is. So I haven't eaten any since then... Lump of Coal's perfect for people trying to lose weight, if you ask me!

In the imp: Damp dirt. Wet, on skin: Still damp dirt, but it becomes much more wearable in a few minutes, as it starts drying. It becomes warm and sweet. It reminds me of Premature Burial, but sweeter, more comforting and inviting. Dry: Mudpie! You know the ones you used to make outside, after it had rained, and your parents would tell you to stop playing in the mud? This is what, in your mind, they smelled like. Earthy, but creamy, sweet and musky. I can smell soil, amber and sandalwood, and maybe light vanilla... it's like eating cake after doing some gardening, and dropping your piece of cake on the dirt. Not that it happens to me all that often. It's unusual and gorgeous... I love it. ETA: There's something sickenly sweet in this... almost intoxicating. That note became stronger with time, to the point where I barely ever feel like wearing Death Cap anymore.

In the imp: Smells exactly like O, but with much less honey. Wet, on skin: Starts smelling powdery. Dry: Pure baby powder. I'll stick with my lovely O!

On my skin, Beltane '06 is green and watery, but still very sweet and warm, with a little spice. Wearing it is like lying down in a beautiful garden. It's a hot and sunny day, a light breeze keeps you from being uncomfortable. Birds are chirping, there's still a little dew in the grass. You don't want to think about everyday life and its worries, and you wouldn't be able to even if you tried. It feels as though time has been suspended, and all you can do is smile and feel serene.

Ohhh, smells like the lovechild of Dorian and Pink Phoenix! It's the best of both blends. Soft flowers and herbs, and fluffy pink cotton candy. The musk adds warmth to the blend. It's light, sweet and soft, but not innocent, it has some bite. This stays pretty much true to itself all day long. It has good throw, and lasts forever on my skin. To sum it up in a sentence: "Awwww, look at that cute, fluffy little bunn-whoooOOA!" *steps back a bit* ETA: As GypsyRoseRed said, this has sex appeal after a while! ETA2: I gave this one away to my godmother, as it didn't suit me well although I liked its smell.

In the imp: The first thing I thought was "Coral. This smells like coral." Not that I've never tried to sniff coral underwater, but in my little fantasy, this is what coral smells like. Fruity and aquatic. Wet, on skin: Candied apricot and a lot of jasmine, but not too heady. Drydown: The apricot smells more like actual fruit than candy. The ginger peeks through without making it too spicy, it just adds enough warmth to what seems to me like a "cold water" blend. The jasmine is present but not too overpowering. This is well rounded on my skin, and is quite pleasant. I wanted to swap it right away at first, but then something about it drew me in, like a siren. But still, it's not "me" enough for me to keep it.

In the imp: Hmm, wonderful. Sweet white rose, with fresh green notes. It's like standing in the woods in the winter in a warm and cozy coat, your cheeks flushed from the cold, and sniffing a bouquet of white roses. Wet, on my skin: Same as in the imp, with pine. Drydown: My skin amps up the pine to the point where it overpowers everything else in the blend. It was so pretty in the imp, though! ETA: I have come to realize that my skin always amps up pine that way.

In the imp: Rain and wet vegetation. This is the scent that lingers after a storm. Heat and humidity. And stillness, as though the beaten down trees and plants were still waiting to make sure it's all really over. Wet, on skin: Vetiver and aquatic notes. There's something sharp and tangy about it. Drydown: Huh? As it dries down, it starts smelling like cucumber on my skin. Then celery kicks in. I feel like a plate of vegetables.

Fresh from the lab imp: Butterscotch. From the imp, to my skin, to the drydown. No rum whatsoever, just a sickenly sweet butterscotch candy scent. After the imp's aged for a few months: Buttery rum, emphasis on the rum. From the imp, to my skin, to the drydown. I really smell like a drunken pirate! Not something I want to smell like, but very interesting!

In the imp: Very soft amber. Wet, on skin: Dry grass! Earthy, but with a little sweetness underneath. A grassland, not in the middle of the day, under a harsh sun, but during the evening, when it's warmer. Dry: The dry grass smell is far, now, and what is left is a warm, comforting musk, like skin. This is a mother coyote, as the sun sets and her babies snuggle up against her for warmth and comfort. She doesn't move, but her eyes are wide open, and she's very aware of every single movement around her. Her babies have nothing to worry about, they know their mother will protect them no matter what. I love this... Although Coyote shares a grassy note with the Lion, I find them to be nothing alike. The Lion is harsh and hot, Coyote is a very warm and comforting 'skin' scent.

In the imp: Somehow, Aeval reminds me of a water park! Very wet... wet hairspray, wet hair, wet sunblock, wet pavement... drying towels, laughter sun and chlorine, and little kids running around. Wet, on skin: The water park thing is still going on... it's weird, but very evocative. I used to go to water parks a lot when I was a little kid. Dry: Now I start getting the scent most people seem to be describing, a fresh and light floral, warm and creamy. The water park thing is clearly gone. Nice, but it doesn't really stand out for me, as a floral. It's not for me, although the water park scent in its wet stage makes me smile! ETA: I have realized that sweet pea always turns "water parky" on my skin, not only in Aeval!

I also smelled strong patchouli in Lear, but I'm guessing it's the cedar. It's a woody and dirty scent, with something herbal in the background. It's a sharp and bitter, in-your-face scent, from the imp to my skin, to the drydown. It's so strong, it's just too much for me. It smells like a man that's so fierce, proud and obnoxious, you just really want to slap him as hard as you can to make him stop.

Okay. Blood Kiss made me experience my weirdest, stangest BPAL olfactory experience ever. Now, that said, the review. In the imp: Smells like very black cherries dipped in dark chocolate, accompanied by a glass of red wine. There's something dark and evil in the scent... as if the cherries were poisoned, and an evil witch is hiding nearby, just waiting for you to eat them. That keeps it from smelling edible. But... as soon as I sniffed the imp, I started salivating. Not that it smells like something I would want to eat, or anything.... just an instant physical reaction. Weird. Wet, on skin: Holy crap, I just morphed into a hungry, salivating dog! That aside.... it smells rich, complex and deep. It's sweet, but still dark. Sexy and seductive, yet evil...warm and cold at the same time. Like kissing someone who just drank something cold. Dry Now the person's mouth warms up... the cold edge is gone. It becomes very warm, enticing and compelling. The chocolate is gone, the wine is more present. I keeep thinking this really smells like blood, not its true smell, but its feel, thick and deep red. And it flows.... Blood Kiss keeps morphing, but the change is so gradual, even organic, I hardly notice it. After a few hours, it becomes smoky, like clove cigarettes, with a hint of cherry. A smoky vampiric kiss. Now I don't know what during its wet stage makes me salivate, but thankfully, it stops when its dry. This blend is so intruiguing and mysterious, I keep wearing it to try to figure it out. It's quite a peculiar experience, in a good way!

In the imp: Whoa! In-your-face marzipan! Wet, on skin: Marzipan again, and bay rum. Smells deliciously exotic and warm. Dry: Clove has taken over, while the rum and marzipan are still there, in the background. It's so yummy... warm and spicy. It's like drinking amaretto on the beach, under the hot sun. It's masculine, but not so much that a woman couldn't pull it off. Unfortunatly, it doesn't last very long on me, only a few hours. It's amazing while its there, though.