Doc M

I was extremely skeptical about the notes in this blend; however, I love mint and I've yet to find a blend that works on me. Furthermore, I dislike musks (generally find them cloying), vanilla can smell plastic and overdone/boring, and when I think of patchouli, I think "hippie." But, mad scientist that I am, I took a chance to experiment with a decant from a forumite. I found this blend to be so complex and provocative: my preconceptions were blown away. This scent, like its namesake, is a transformer. I never get bored of wearing it or am concerned about not noticing it on me after awhile. Initially on my skin it's antiseptic and medicinal (combination of the resins, mint, and juniper?). I find this stage to be oddly refreshing and energizing but it's NOT what I'd call a sexy stage. That happens about 15 minutes later Now it's something smooth, pleasantly but not overly sweet, and frighteningly sexy with a flirtatious pine/mint bite. Like a tiny nip/love bite. <3 I don't smell anything distinctively floral or foody. Nothing I recognize as chocolate or vanilla. Seems like the woods balance everything else out. Good throw, great staying power. Not overpowering even when globbed on. It is a very sexy scent, not for the workplace; I only wear it out with friends or on dates. I've received many compliments (from both genders); it's particularly fun explaining the name (again, not workplace wear, hahaha). It's almost too sweet for a man to wear, but it could work if he amps the juniper/resin/wood notes I think. 3 bottles currently in my stash. Hope this scent is here to stay or will be back when my reserves start running low... I now consider this my signature scent.

On my skin, I mostly get violet leaf (yes, more herbally/green with a touch of violet floral - thank goodness. Was afraid violet would overpower) and the citrusy-musky smell of elemi. Mild/moderate throw without being overpowering. Decent staying power, too. Last about 10 hours on me. Going on 14 hours now & I can still smell it a bit... if I huff my wrist. Lately one of my favorite activities Considered a bottle but as much as I liked it I don't love it. May come to regret the decision...

Frimp from forumite In vial: sugary lollipop Iniial diagnosis: I have no idea what notes are in this. No expectations. On skin: Holy moly, it's the best party in the world. Although Mr. Peppermint and Mr. Vanilla must have beat down on Sugar because he is whimpering in the corner at this party. But that's ok because he was getting uppity. Duration is good at about 8 hours before fading into a mild minty, sugary finish. Prognosis: Good! Very good! Will likely add bottle to collection if available in Yules 2011.

Decant from forumite In vial: the cocoa is separating visibly. I can smell the sweetnss of the chocolate and the tartness of the pom Initial diagnosis: looking forward to this considerably. On skin #1: after shaking vial gently am treated to a wave of notes, each sweetened by a clover smell of honey rather than orange blossom. No citrus or floral detected. On skin #2: more vigorous shaking yields smell similar to Sweet Tart candies on skin. Prognosis and final diagnosis: This separation indicates a physical incompatibility of components which may result in different scents upon repeat applications, which may be desirable to some. Make sure to shake prior to application for more consistent results. I'm keeping this to see what other scents it will produce. *fingers crossed for orange chocolate*

Decant from forumite In vial: *best George Takei voice* oh my. This smells like a cabana boy making a piña colada for me. Initial diagnosis: Yum and yes to both! On skin: Pineapple drenched in butter. Butter, butter, then... Cat pee? WTF? I've heard of this but never thought it could happen to me. Prognosis & final diagnosis: Guess pineapple is my note of doom. I love it but it abuses me like a bad boyfriend. Very unfortunate.

Frimp from the lab. In vial: Sweet spices. A bit perfumy. Prognosis: uh oh. No note list? Let's see what my super sniffer can detect. On skin: mildly sweet and spicy (but not hot like saffron or pepper). I'm getting cinnamon, clove, & honey... There may be a fruit or berry in here, but I can't tell what it is. Diagnosis: Not bad but cinnamon isn't my thing. Might swap.

Frimp from the lab. In vial: aquatic cologne. Prognosis: Not really getting the seaweed... On skin: Oop, there it is! Aquatic cologne, seaweed, kelp, and something kind of sweet like a floral. As time goes on, I start amping the kelp and it becomes extremely strong and sweet but in a mellow way. This would be a good scent to wear while doing dirty chores! Diagnosis: Good but not really me. Might swap.

Key: Strike out: I had it but has since been swapped/gifted *: I didn't like/may be available for swap Bold: I'm in love! 5 mL: Monsterbait Coulrophobia: Bones Trombone LE imps/decants: Creepy* Upa Upa* Spanish Dance Green Tree Viper Lick It (partial) GC imps/decant: Unicorn Horn Set #1 includes: The Lilac Wood The Last Unicorn (planning on a 5 ml) The Butterfly (*I hate to break up the set, but I might swap this for select items) Arachne of Lydia Midnight Carnival Mommy Fortuna Baobhan Sith Nosferatu* Yew Trees* Blockbuster* Windward Passage*

Decant from a fellow forumite : Bottle: watery apple (hollow smelling from the alcohol note maybe). On skin: watery apple, burnt caramel. A slight airiness from the rum note. No coconut, darn! Turns to buttery caramel, and... The apple has gotten much softer and sweeter. Something has gone wonky. More burnt smell. Not wearable for me. *hangs head*

Frimp from the lab. In vial: Ivy and earth. More like clay than dirt. A slight boozy smell. Prognosis? Huh. Interesting notes. I don't even like to drink red wine but let's give this a shot. On me: Sweet red wine, swelling but somehow bodiless and hollow. Herbal/ivy note really amping. Diagnosis? Unusual. Not an overly sweet blend but cloying on me. Perhaps this will be better for someone who amps earthy notes. It's aged a few months since I last tried it. Might be worth a retry before swapping.

My first review! In vial: junipers. Maybe spruce. Slightly smoky/spicy. On skin: the same. The resins and woods start coming out after a few minutes, enhancing that spicy sensation. No berries, unless we're talking those hard green berries you find on evergreen boughs sometimes. This is a very strong scent. Beating on its chest, giving-a-Tarzan-yell strong. There is no feminine sweetness to be found here. I imagine it has a strong throw too. Verdict: Pleasant but a bit too masculine for me. A good scent for winter. Now I get to post my first swap!