juniperus

Bottle: OMFG sweet. Cloying. And I just got it all over my shirt. Oh, and it's red. godsdamnit. Wet: Sweet, with a little after-effect of vanilla..sorta smells like that artificial vanilla shower-gel smell. Dry: honey and vanilla and f-ing sweetness. Have I already mentioned how much I dislike cloying sweet scents? Later: gaaaaack...can't wait..Must. Wash. GAH!

Bottle: musk and a hint of dragon's blood. rather flat-smelling. Wet: Oh my the musks awaken - really round and lovely. Dry: More of the dragon's blood comes out, but it's the rose end of the cross-between-rose-and-black-cherry way I perceive it's scent. With the musk it's heavenly..warm and seductive. Later: Definitely a keeper. The musks are mellow but enticing..a soothing sexiness. Interesting as hell, like Wicked in heat.

Bottle: The pear is foremost, wet and juicy, and sweet and fruity. Then the amber. Wet: Still with the pear. hints of the green in the form of a slight mintyness - the hyssop I assume. Dry: the sweetness of the pear is still right there. had no idea what epazote was so I went looking, and it's not a general-consensus scent, it's described in different ways by different people (helpful thing, that)..but it may be what's contributing to the sweet in an almost chemical-smelling way. Clearly it doesn't like me. The amber has disappeared for the most part, and no more green has surfaced. Arrgh. Later: Now, some cilantro. With pear., and the weedy-smelling hyssop and sage bringing up the rear. All with that odd-chemical smell. This dislikes me. Oh yes.

Bottle: Wood! Cedar chest, freshly made! Wet: Incense and smoke and wood, oh my. I imagine this smells just like the entrance to a shrine where there is a lot of woody incense burning all of the time, so that the smell has permeated the walls. It's smoky enough I almost want to cough in reaction. Dry: The patchouli has stepped forward while some of the cedar has stepped back, so now it smells like a hippy new age store. Seriously. Later: Cedar remains strong though some of the other notes are fading and warming. Very incense-y, warm, and, yes, hippychick. Not quite the blend for me, I'm not much of a patchouli girl. edited to add: I decided to try this one again since I tried it for the first time pretty early on my voyage of notes...and I'm grooving with the woods moreso now, less hippyshop memories and more awareness of the interplay of the incense. So, it's a rediscovered happy.

Bottle: sweet and sour, if that makes any sense. I get a sour edge to aquatic notes a lot of the time, so I assume that's it, plus the hothouse flowers. Wet: none of the woods yes, more of the floral in a broader, less simply-sweet way. the aquatic is still oddly sharp-sour on me. Dry: the moss hasn't taken a tank on me yet, so that's good. it's still really, really sweet, the hothouse flowers almost the sickly-sweet of flowers past-their-prime-bloom and starting to wilt and rot in their vase, and the aquatics are really grabbing me in the sinus. Later: more of the same, so much more than I need to wash it before it grows more sweet and rotty (I imagine some of that is the moss. moss hates me)..I'm getting a headache.

Bottle: rather sweeter than I tend to go for Wet: I immediately got spicy cinnamon (and clove, I think) that dries to favor darker amber and grassy/almost woody...sandalwood? lemongrass? Complex. Dry: I really don't like it wet, but dry seems to be better for me. Hovers close to the skin. Later: Mellowed past the grassy to the woody. faded relatively quickly, by EOD there was no sign of it.

Bottle: cedar and sassafras, hint of the vanilla Wet: vanilla goes wild and covers the sassafras, plus the cedar Dry: Yep, the vanilla has totally overtaken as it usually does on me. The sassafras and cedar are mere hints, now, and the fir has not appeared at all. Later: The cedar has come back some, it's neck-and-neck with the vanilla, and the bit-o-balsam underneath takes on a leather-feel and the sweet of the sassafras is discernible, but barely. Warm ... the wood and vanilla and leather and sassafras notes come together to invoke images of a general store. Would be a pleasant and light gender neutral scent for a cowboy-wannabe, but isn't for me.

Bottle: Honey, first, then the cinnamon and a hint of ginger. Reminds me of this Welsh sweet honey cake I had once, years ago.. Wet: The honey, more cinnamon and peppers starting to stand out. Still very baked-good-y. Honey seems to really inflate on me, so my worry begins. I smell like...baklava. Which is nice and all, I love baklava, but I really don't like to smell like food. It's a Thing. Dry: More of the spicy, less of the sweet. The pepper is really holding its own to keep the sweet of the honey at bay. Later: Well, the musk never came out on me at all, sad because that could have really saved this... Not unpleasant, but I really don't do well with foody scents.

Bottle: super sweet and fruity, although I can't see how- tropical fruit-salad. Banana-mango. Seriously. It's like that weird fake-fruit smell the old Strawberry Shortcake dolls used to have, remember? Wet: A light woodiness with the sweet, the narra, I assume. Dry: Wood, sweet, and a green-ness...the palm or the leaf? I don't know. Like that fruit salad was served in a freshly-turned wooden bowl. Later: The sweet has abated some, and the hint that some of the sweet is floral is there, and the wood is still more present than the green that popped up then hung back again. Tropical, yes, and warm. Too sweet for me.

Bottle: sweetness and a hint of aquatic..something. Wet: a woody note is coming out under the sharpness of the sweet. Dry: both sweet and bitter floral, and damp woodiness. Later: a sweet, woody aquatic. complex, interesting almost to the point of disconcerting. too sweet for me.

Bottle: sweet. fruit. mango? also some of the sweet floral underneath, but it's hard to pick out. Wet: even fruitier. I smell like a tropical fruit salad. much harder to find the floral, for some reason. sinus-grippingly sweet. Dry: the floral has come back, but still stands behind the fruit. no hint of the amber yet. Later: Thank god the fruit has receded. the floral, a light, almost cloyingly sweet and nectar-y floral is right up front with just the barest hint of the amber tying it loosely to the ground. Eventually I'll probably like it fine - most scents with musks and ambers eventually fade to just those notes, but I can't deal with the fruit for so long before it reaches that lovely grounded balance as it fades. Well, I pushed my envelope again, but my general rule of thumb regarding me and sweet fruity scents still stands - ugh, ugh, and more ugh. Tomorrow I have to make sure to get something musky or resin-y just to compensate for these last two duds-on-me. Tintagel, maybe. And I'll review neo-Tokyo for Hilly as soon as it arrives. I've bidded on these large or mystery lots expressly to force myself to try stuff I wouldn't otherwise and so I can get a better handle on notes, clarify my already known preferences, and learn. I have enjoyed picking things out by name, actually, as n00bish as I suppose it is, since names can me a thing for me (a cologne called Smells Like Ass, even if it was the divine incense of the gods that made me irresistible to the world, would still be hard for me to grok) and I know many of the stories and references so well

The pearl of the Italian Renaissance. Elegant iris, bright berries, gilded amber and velvety spices. Bottle: a fruity-floral sweetness. berry, baby. Wet: Flowers and raspberries, nothing spicy or resinous yet. Dry: the sweet of the berry recedes as the amber steps forward. it's warming..not terribly complex, but pleasant. Later: the fruitiness does not return, and although the note is there, it's very well balanced with the broad and golden amber and spice notes. Very nice.

Bottle: Mulled wine - how lovely. Sweet, but doesn't assail my sinuses like so many sweet blends do. I think the dragon's blood may be the sweet note I'm catching. Wet: Cinnamon really stepping out, but I'm finding it pleasant, not assaulting. the fruitiness of the bayberry hides just underneath. Dry: still spicy, but I can smell the woods more now so it has that cracker barrel store sort of spice + fresh wood smell (just to give a point of reference, I don't think I smell like the restaurant ... but the spice = wood thing has an old country ambience) Later: shadowy leather like someone just walking by who leaves a hint of their presence. the woods haven't moved any farther forward, to my disappointment, but it still very nice. makes me think of cool weather, spiced wine, and a feast with friends. the dragon's blood still lends more sweet than I prefer, tho. It feels like a holiday scent because of the bayberry, juniper, and cinnamon. Almost candy-sweet upon reflection, but doesn't offend my sensibilities, so it's an odd one for me.

Bottle: spice and the carnation, warm and subtle Wet: hints of the musk, definite carnation and the spices still very present Dry: the sandalwood is still in the background, the spicy carnation and musk remain at the fore. warm and exotic, but still subtle..not at all overpowering. Later: A very balanced blend on me - so pretty! It just keeps warming and broadening, but remains so lovely and subtle. A spicier blend that I can wear in summer and not feel concerned it'll take over.

Bottle: green, crisp with a sweetness to it Wet: very green, with the floral of the orchid and a hint of fruit. I am assuming the green is the bamboo, I can't for the life of me recall that smell (have been in a bamboo stand, in a lovely botanical garden in Nashville, but it was some years ago..). Dry: It's all high notes, but doesn't get to my sinuses (as high notes oft do). Very pleasant floral between the orchid (a higher-note floral I find I rather like) and the cherry blossom is coming out at this point..they work well together. The reedy greenness has stepped back a lit, but it's still a very fresh, crisp scent. The sweet fruity hints I noticed have gone (good. I don't do well with fruit) or mimic the floral so well they aren't distinguishable. Later: That fruit has teased forward some, as the green continues to recede. Hm. It's a young scent, I guess - fresh, springy, crisp, floral...natural and urban and innocent and sassy all at once.

Bottle: Peony! How lovely! And grass. Wet: Backyard, springtime, peonies in bloom and the grass freshly cut. So light for me, but I'm liking it - I have a soft spot for peony. Dry: Very, very light. Some of the tulip peeks forth. I'm still in my grandmother's backyard..grass smell passing some as a light rain opens the scent of the peonies but not so much rain that the damp earth comes to the fore...can catch a whiff of the tulips only if I'm standing right next to that planting bed. Later: Very pretty floral. Light, lovely.

Wet: Vanilla. And sweet, not fruity sweet, but almost syrupy sweet. Dry: Amber and sandalwood peeking through, but still very sweet. Later: Primarily sandalwood and vanilla. And sweet. A hint of heliotrope here and there, and a bare hint of the amber. Still a very golden blend, but on the sweet side, and really not for me.

Bottle: woody and oddly sweet - reminds me so much of something...wait I know - Stollen! How odd! Wet: somewhat less sweet, but a definite candied fruit after aroma. Dry: less wanton food-ness, thank goodness. the musk is coming forward, and a bit of the frankincense Later: still rather sweet, but very nice. the musk and amber really ground the blend, the sandalwood isn’t' taking off on me like it has a wont to do, and the frankincense is holding its own. another I like, but would like to smell on Bri.

Bottle: Lily and sweet pea. Light and pretty. Wet: Carnation coming out, the three in balance. Dry: more of the lily and carnation, less of the sweet pea (bummer, I like sweet pea. it's that backyard thing..bear with me) Later: The water lily is the dominant note, which is lovely and all, but it isn't necessarily a great note for me. I think I'd love this one on someone else, someone who doesn't broadcast the more bitter notes of the lily like I seem to.

Bottle: wisteria and violet Wet: chrysanthemum note also popping up, but still mostly wisteria Dry: the violet has really stepped up, very nice Later: It's faded fast, although lovely. Sad, but perhaps it will have better staying power on someone else...

Bottle: fir, and something sweet and vaguely aquatic I don't quite identify Wet: heavier fir, undertone of the moss Dry: still with the fresh, green-ness (like new evergreen..you know, the lighter green, soft needles at the tops of the branches in the spring?), more of the earth coming up from underneath. Later: The aquatic is really present, and although I'm not always friends with those sorta-cloying aquatic notes I'm ok with this - it's really balanced by the green and the bottom earthen note. Another woody scent for moi! Whee!

Bottle: Very lavender. Wet: I can catch a bit of the citrus with the lavender, and something slight darker, but that's still well-behind the other notes. Dry: Musk stepping forward..definitely more masculine now, but not dark nor stereotypically so.The lime adds freshness, not fruitiness. Pleasant, sort of mid-range complex. Later: Ok, I get the masculine now - it's got a very nice-smelling aftershave sort of quality as the musk and citrus really even the florals out and make them..a vague hint of flora without being flowery. Might have to make Bri try it, it is pleasant and almost oddly reminiscent of my grandfather's Old Spice, but fresher and lighter. (That isn't what it smells like, but they must share a note or two that I'm reacting to, it's more of a memory of the smell of my grandfather minus pipe smoke.)

Bottle: Strong (but delicate, oddly enough) floral. Dandelion immediately, with something aquatic I couldn't quite identify underneath and a lemony? citrus. Sharpness like glass (or ice, I imagine), less fluid than rain. Wet: Oh that dandelion - much the same as bottle-bound. Dry: The white flowers are coming to the fore - not so much the rain, really, except for the really bright smell of flowers and green grass that really seizes the senses after a really heavy rain - not the cloying of flowers past their prime, either. Later: very short-lived, and not terribly multi-layered over the course, not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, mind you. the sharpness fades fairly quickly, and sweet floral comes forward. I can't figure that the floral is (the white flowers), but it's oddly familiar, a garden-y smell. Daffodil? a really light white lilac? Dunno. It's light enough for a summer scent, but feels really late winter/early spring-y...the time of bulb plants and emergent green. What do paperwhites smell like? It's definitely not heavy hyacinth, but... I don't dislike it, but I'm not certain it's for me, really. Definitely a 'maiden'-y scent, I almost feel too old for it (if that makes any sense).

Bottle: Sharp. Immediate sharpness with a sweet after-taste. Wet: The sharp is taking shape as floral, and the sweet is the peach. Complex. Dry: Floral is heady, the peach sweet is almost overwhelming with the two seemingly fighting for dominance..bitter sophistication. My headache is returning. Later: Amber emerges, but the floral has lost none of its sharpness. The peach is faded slightly, but still there is that headachy-sweet level that isn't agreeing with me at all.

Bottle: lichen and oak, dark and damp. Wet: what does vetiver smell like? civet? I'm catching something that I don't recognize. Oak receding some. Dry: I'm catching the anise, now, but it's not sweet like ouzo or Good and Plenty. Bitter, like really good, imported licorice. The oak and lichen really keeps it grounded. Dark, deep. Not quite dank. I'd like a little more of the oak back - I liked that note. Later: Almost masculine in its darkness. Very earthy, complex in its layers of..dark dampness. A damp, chill, overcast sort of scent. This totally turned on me about an hour after I wrote posted this. It went from sort of dank and gothy to creepy old man smelling. Seriously. And it had staying power, so I smelled creepy old man all the way through my ceramics class. I hope it didn't have much throw. uuugh, totally Aqualung. I dunno, but I got caught up with images of children flayed and I'm at a loss for words here. I like the scent, but ... EW!