lorajc

Wow.....this is really a gorgeous amber scent. It is very unique. It is one of my favorites so far. This is an ethereal amber scent. I have never smelled the other notes on their own, so I can't comment on which one stands out in particular, but I really like this. I only have 2 bottles and more are going to be on order soon. I have a cold right now, so I may update this once my head unclogs a bit. I think this is going to be a favorite in the 05 Yules. Great job Beth on making a unique amber blend that is absolutely heavenly.

Okay, I've gone over the reviews and this indecisive Libra cannot decide which ones to get. After reading some posts on the forum (you ladies are bad for the wallet), I found out Libra's tarot card is Justice, Venus is Empress and The Fool is Air. I'm not familiar with Tarot cards, but if this is correct and I'm a Libra, are these good Tarot's to purchase for me? Also, my moon is in Sagittarius and Virgo is my rising sign. Which oils should I pick out of all of these: Those above (as well as) Fortune - corresponding to Jupiter Magician " to Mercury Temperence " to Sagittarius The Hermit " to Virgo I really only have $$ for 4, so please help me decide. Thanks!!

I wasn't sure about this one at all. When sniffed from the bottle, I thought I smelled vetiver and I can't wear vetiver, as it amplifies on me. After spilling a bottle while inserting a reducer cap (klutz I am), I tested it again and when it dried down, it began to get softer and prettier. There is a topnote that is offputting to my nose, but it seems to be growing on me and is becoming more pleasant. I'm still not sure about this one. This is my birth moon and I want to love it, but I'll have to wear it more. I don't know if I can really smell cinnamon in here. If it is in here, it is very slight and as those above stated, it is cinnamon bark or stick not sweet cinnamon. This is deep and feral but softens up as it wears. I can't pull out dragon's blood if it is in there, but I can't wear DB, so if it is in here, it must be minimal. I'll update this after I get to know it a bit more. I don't really get the vanilla others got either. It is slightly herbal on me, spicy, warm and very unique. The lunar oils do seem to be very slight in this blend, thus the "dimmed" lunar oils. They are more prominent in other lunar blends. You might be able to wear this lunar oil if you normally shy away from the lunars. ETA: I'm wearing this today and my nose still dislikes the topnote, but it goes away very quickly. This is not a strong blend and actually wears quite soft. In the drydown, I can understand a bit where the vanilla comes in. It does have a creamy feel to it on the dry down which I'm thinking are the grains. This is one of those oils that may put you off at first, as it's really different, but it is sure growing on me. I can smell the cinnamon in it just a bit more today.

ALL SAINT'S 2005 - This is the other Samhain blend that is slightly noticeably different than last year's blend. Does everyone remember last year's All Saint's had that buttery top note that was in last year's Harvest Moon? and then when it dried down, the incense and Autumn wind came thru? At least that's how last year's wore on me. This year's is a bit rosier in the top note and ever so slightly on the dry down. Other than that, I think it's pretty much the same only without the buttery top note. I think this may be slightly weaker than last year's. I remember 04's used to have to get thru a really strong phase on me before I felt comfortable in public. I don't think this one will do that. All in all it is the rose/gardenia floral mix with the myrrh and incense as a base. I haven't yet got to the Autumn wind, but that part usually doesn't appear until the scent is very faint on me and I've just applied an hour or so ago. I may update this after I actually wear the scent.

I only tested this so this is subject to change. When first applying, I can't really detect any notes. There is a strong top note of something I don't care for but it goes away as it dries down. I guess what I'm mainly smelling is a combination of patchouli, cardamom, and sandalwood(spicy and woody) with a very soft touch of gardenia in the background. This is another well blended masterpiece by Beth and no one note competes with the other. It is a very balanced blend. This is my other favorite so far, although I'm not sure this is the type of patchouli I usually like. I think this smells like black patchouli. I may need to purchase a 2nd bottle of this also.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2005 I have only tested this and have not worn it, so this is subject to change. I think out of all of the Samhain blends, this one smells the most different from last year's. The chocolate note that is detectable on first sniffing the 2004 version is not in this blend. This has a strong top note of something I'm not familiar with. It is the scent of faint incense smoke, crackling leaves and I smell some slight florals. I was slightly disappointed at first, but on the dry down, it smelled closer to the 2004 version. I don't really know how to describe this scent other than what I've typed above. I had a hard time reviewing last year's as well, as my nose is not familiar to notes in it.

I haven't read any of these reviews but I did see someone mention roses somewhere. I don't get any roses out of Beatrice. On me, Beatrice is more spice than florals which is fine by me. I really don't wear too many florals, but this is an exception. This is a lightwearing spicy floral on me. I can't pick out any of the individual notes, but it is really lovely.

Wow, this IS really different from last year's version. I've worn this twice and both times, it smelled different. When first applied it is fruity (apple/plumy) and as it dries down the brown sugar comes thru with the spice and it's gorgeous. The florals round it out but they never scream. This is really a lovely autumn scent, but it is a bit lighter wearing on me. I really slathered it on. I love this.

I would have to agree with Clover's remark about violets. I'm not sure I'd say sugared...as I don't think this is particularly sweet. It does pack quite a punch and this is one of those oils that is much better on the drydown on me. I tested this at night and the next morning it smelled amazing. Now, that's staying power. Absolutely no mint. I don't think of it as an icy scent, as my only comparisons of icy would be Ice Queen, Skadi and Frost Moon (all of which I love). This is a totally different direction and is basically a floral....possibly violets and who knows what else.

The first word that comes to mind when I wear this is "Lush fruit" just like the description states. I really can't pick out any specific note and the lunar oils are not particularly strong in this. This is quite lovely and I'm enjoying it very much. This really fades on me also. It starts out with a small bang, but fades quickly. This requires frequent applciations and lots of oil on me. This is done very well.

2005 Version I reviewed this long ago when it was a catalog scent but this is for the 2005 version. This basically smells the same as the old version, although I seem to like it just a bit more. Carnation can smell sour on me sometimes, but it's usually just a phase that only lasts for a few minutes. I do get the berry a bit more than I remember with the spicy carnation. The amber seems to give it just a bit of depth. This is nicer than I remembered. I'll get a lot of wear out of this.

I was iffy on this when I ordered it, as ginger is hit or miss on me, as well as honey. I was hoping this would be the strong cinnamon scent I've been longing for, but it is not. Again, the cinnamon is very understated on me and the honey, pepper and ginger take over. It does smell similar to Chai Tea but I think the musk and honey makes it creamy, as well. I have to wear this a few more times before I make a final decision on it.

I ordered multiples of this because at first I thought this would be a strong cinnamon scent, but it actually is a floral/spicy/hot scent with no cinnamon on me. I'm torn on this one. I don't like it when first applied. On the drydoown, it becomes "hot" smelling, but I can't pinopoint any notes. I think I like it but, again, I need to wear this a few times to get myself "familiar" with it.

This did not work on my skin at all. The Violet & Jasmine amped up and I only got a hint of vanilla. I would have liked it if it would have been the other way around on me. This does (once again) really evoke the Bearded Lady image for some reason. Beth did so well interpretting this series.

What else can be said about this that hasn't already been said? I haven't slathered it on yet.....but it will require much slathering. I love it, as it is the perfect "cotton candy" scent and I have a real sweet tooth. My only complaint is that I wish it were stronger. I think this may get stronger with age like my aged bottle of Dana Oshee that is so much stronger now and I will really love this if that happens.

I was afraid to order this because of the vetiver, but I did anyway. The vetiver is detectable out of the bottle, but it does not amp up on my skin. I found this to be a bit too masculine for my tastes. I also don't like the bourbon note. I've not had terrible luck with bourbon in the past either. I like the Lime, clove, amgergris and musk and those notes make this reminiscent of Voodoo to me.

I wanted to try this but I didn't think I would care for it. I'm not big on "orange" scents, but I was hopeful with this one because of someone's description of it smelling like Rockstar soap. I wish that's what it smelled like on me. On me it was blood orange and pepper. Not me at all. I am more of a berry girl.

This is another favorite from the CN series. The cocoa bean is prominent when first applied but it really calms down in the drydown. This wears very lightly on me. I was expecting something a bit more fruity, but the fig and pomegrante are nearly nonexistant on my skin. The pomegranate is not nearly as tart and strong as it was in the Queen of Clubs. The vanilla and honey are detectable on the drydown with the cocoa blending in softly in the background with the fig. This is one unique and wonderfully smooth scent. Beth sure does have talent for making these unique blends. Freakshow is a perfect example why an "ordinary" person wouldn't wear BPAL. It's really quite unique in a way only Beth could make work!!

When first applied, I wrinkled my nose at this and was ready to wipe it off. It is all pine and moss in my face at first and then as it dries down, it softens and the patchouli comes out to play a bit. The pine is very prominent on me. The grasses and mosses blend in with the patchouli in the background. There is something in here that makes this soften as it wears and lightens it up a bit. I can't detect the leather or cinnamon. I was hoping for more cinnamon (as usual), but I like this a lot anyway.

I wasn't sure if I'd like this one but I ordered it anyway. It turns out that I was right. I don't really care for tobacco but wanted to try this. I agree that it is very medicinal. I think Beth did an excellent job with this collection and conveying the name of the blend via your smell. This is not really me.

I wore this to work yesterday and had the worst day I've had in a long time. I really need to wear this again before I give it a fair review, but here goes. This smells like Sea of Glass to me. If you have a bottle labeled HOM and it has no "crystal" or "sea like notes", you don't have HOM. The amber only grounds it a little. The dry down is only slightly less intense, but does not really morph much on my skin.

I ordered multiples of this because it sounded like I would love it and boy do I ever love it!! It reminds me of Aureus moreso than Snake Oil....although I do smell the similiarties to Snake Oil. This is smoother than Snake Oil. I hardly detect any plum in this and I get no coconut....although I don't know if black coconut smells like regular coconut. This is heavenly. I believe someone once descirbed Aureus as someone putting Cherubs in a blender and putting them on "frappe" and that is this scent. It is golden, warm, smooth and just lovely. This definitely is the Star of the Carnivale in my eyes, along with Gypsy Queen & Freak Show. Lovely scents Beth!!!

I'm still undecided on this one. At first (first hour or so), this is a strong green-rose that reminds me of the Empress. I am one of the people that cannot wear rose most of the time. There are a few exceptions, but in general, it amps up on my skin, as does Beth's jasmine. After the rose stage starts to calm down, the tobacco leaf, ambergris and tonka come into play. I'm not sure I like the tobacco leaf. I'll have to wear this a bit more before I make a final decision on my bottles. This might grow on me. If you love the Empress, I'd give this a try, as they smell very similar to me.

Wow, I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed if they didn't order this. This is not "animalistic" like people were probably thinking it would be. Musk can actually be clean and fresh smelling (for those familiar with it). This is how the musk is in this blend....very light and fresh. It is very light and herbal with the lunar oils brightly sparkling around over top of the musk which smells like a white musk to me. The herbal note is more prominent at first and then as it dries down it all blends together and melds into an herbal, slightly aquatic (lunar oils) skin musk.

A heavy-lidded perfume, the quintessence of beauty and power shrouded in mystery, swathed in a deep, velvet-clad cloak of dark omens: Romany incense and candle smoke mingling with an alluring, body-warmed whiff of bergamot, neroli, Bulgar rose, carnation, and amber musk. This was the first of the Carnivale Noir scents I reached for (although Snake Charmer was left out of my order .....which would have technically been the first one I grabbed had it been in the box). I really like this. I expected to but I was worried about the smoke part of it. It works wonderfully on my skin and is perfectly balanced. I can smell the neroli when first applied (I actually thought it was plum) and then it melds into a carnation, incensy musk with the fruit tone off in the distance just barely detectable. This is surely one of my favorites from the collection so far. My only complaint is that it didn't last long on my skin.