Rouge

I'm still nibbling my way through leftover Pan de Muerto from my recent day of the dead celebrations, so this is a very appropriate blend to try right now! In the vial - A thick and buttery scent. Very autumnal. Wet on the skin - Delicious, rich cake notes with a warm and spicy undertone. There's definitely a vanilla note here too. Next stages - A drier note emerges soon after application, which grounds and tempers the sweetness of the cake and vanilla. Ten minutes into wear and a deep, golden floral note peeks out - marigold, perhaps? Dry down - This is a wonderful blend which alternates between foody, spicy and floral. Similar scents - Cockaigne, well-aged Jack

There's actually already a sizeable thread somewhere on RPGs, with lots of Vampire clan recommendations so the mods are probably going to move this post over at some point. That said, I'd go for Graveyard Dirt or Burial for the Nosferatu, and something very dignified and Roman-style for the Ventrue!

I've been looking forwards to trying what from the artwork seems to be the kinkiest of the Grindhouse ladies. In the vial - Dark, heavily spiced chai tea. I almost want to drink it! Tea and cardamom are two of my favourite notes and here they blend together into a wonderfully exotic scent. Wet on the skin - Carnation adds a peppery sweetness to the tea note. As someone said above, there's a distinct resemblance to Potion by Lush in the carnation note. This is a brazen and decisive blend; not for those who are feeling shy! While there are lots of edible seeming notes in here, when applied to the skin Clemence becomes far more earthy. Next stages - Carnation and patchouli remain the strongest notes, set against a background of dusky spices. It has a strong, powerful throw. Dry down - The final stages are a little more patchouli-heavy than I'm used to but I'm sure it will mellow with time. Overall, a wonderful scent for winter. Similar blends - Mama ji, Hetairae

BPAL's cream note often goes rather sour on my skin, but anything with caramel, honey and amber has to be purchased. It's the law. In the vial - This smells delicious! It's thick, dark caramel and apple blossom with just a hint of woody dryness. Wet on the skin - Bright, sweet apple blossom and brown sugar. I don't actually smell much amber or any of the other notes, but I'll give it time. Next stages - Within five minutes, the cream note begins to emerge. I've got lucky - it's not sour in the slightest; just rich and thick and seductive. Dry down - Perhaps not as musky or spicy as I was expecting, but it's a lovely, foody scent for the autumn. Similar scents - Sugar-Slathered Candied Apple, Anactoria

Ooh, Two Face. He's without a doubt my favourite Batman character. I think he'd wear something from the Lovecraft collection; something born of pure, screaming insanity. Nyarlathotep springs to mind. Or how about Old Scratch; it's certainly dapper and dangerous enough. And hey, he used to be a prosecutor Alternatively, you could always play up the tragic, melancholy side of his story with something faintly floral. Black Canary is easy enough - try Whip. Rose and damp black leather.

I have a quite serious crush on the picture-version of Marianne. Heartbeast, take it as a compliment! I'm a huge fan of BPAL's red musk and blackcurrant notes, so I've really been looking forwards to trying this one. In the vial - Red musk is unsurprisingly dominant, with a peppery background that I can only assume is a mixture of patchouli and lotus root. Wet on the skin - Once more, this is a thick and sensual musk blend. The bergamot lends a lovely brightness, and when combined with the blackcurrant, gives it an almost juicy edge. Next stages - This quietens down into a very sophisticated oriental. There's still a hint of fruit and flowers around the edges, but the main theme of the blend seems to be to be resinous. Dry down - I love this. It's going to be a perfect autumnal scent; dusky and sensual but not quite as rich as Mme Moriarty. Similar scents - Scherezade

LOL, yes indeed. I love her; she cracks me up. Systemaurorora, the only thing I can think of to get your brother to stop licking Gluttony is to get him a gift set of flavoured hazelnut and caramel syrup, of the type you're actually meant to put in coffee.

Hi systemaurora, There's definitely an RP thread around here somewhere; I'm sure it'll have lots of helpful suggestions if you can find it. When I played Vampire: The Requiem, I played a devoutly (read obsessively) religious Lancea Sanctum member from Clan Mekhet. He basically believed he had been sent by God to fulfil the role of Satan on earth; to tempt, seduce and corrupt humans and then punish them when they fell for his machinations. I used to wear Sin or Fallen on game night. It looks as though you want something a bit more incensey, though... how abot Sacred Whore of Babylon?

A freebie from the Lab. I've avoided testing this for a while as I don't like lily scents at all, but here goes... In the vial - Strangely enough, I don't smell lily. This is a sticky, green and honeyed blend. Wet on the skin - This scent is dangerous... it's just like a plant that's fresh and green on the surface but with a venomous, deceptively sweet sap. There's a brightness and moist tone that I find very appealing. It also strikes me as very unisex. Next stages - Finally I'm beginning the smell the warm, spicy note that others have described. It certainly reminds me of citrus. I don't know what's happened to the orange-red colour that everyone else is describing, though; my imp is yellowish green! Dry down - I'm surprised and delighted by this blend, which mellows down into a barely-perceptible veil of sweet, green florals.

Here's a freebie from the Lab! In the vial - Strongly floral. There's something sharp, and something else almost dusty. Wet on the skin - The green tea and lilac in this blend is delicate and soft, but the white cedar gives this blend a strong backbone - not unlike Cordelia herself. Next stages - Going from the ingredients list I was expecting a cool and somewhat airy scent, but instead it's rapidly developing into something woody and slightly warm. As time goes on, however, the lemon and lilac come back and it morphs into a faintly astringent but still feminine summer scent.

In the vial - This one is fascinating. It holds the chilly, hollow note that I've never been able to identify but that is a key component of Fallen. This is a dark, empty crossroads and while you sit there with your guitar waiting for the devil to teach you how to play the blues, you're totally alone with the scent of damp earth and the night wind swinging the spanish moss above your head Wet on the skin - This scent is utterly bewitching. It's dark green and herbal, but with a powerful, earthy undertone that simply throbs. Next stages - The blend is constantly shifting from a mossy to an earthy to a floral scent. It's hard to define. Dry down - Crossroads seems to have finally settled into a heavy, mossy scent with a floral edge. It's powerful but too deeply green for me. Off to trudge the long road to the swaps pile it goes. Similar scents - Bayou, Shroud

In the vial - This seems a very fresh and clean scent; an astringent and faintly sharp tea blend. Wet on the skin - Bright and clear - certainly a scent to wake you up on sluggish mornings! There's definitely a floral kick to this blend along with almost a lemony note, which could I supose be bergamot used in earl grey tea. Next stages - This is shaping up to be a beautiful daytime scent; refreshing and clean. Dry down - Unfortunately the scent doesn't last long on me; the dormouse falls asleep very quickly and retreats back into his teapot! I'll try moisturising first next time. Or I'll simply cover myself in the stuff. Similar scents - Dirty, White Rabbit, Shanghai

In the vial - A rich but somehow dry amber scent. The cedar isn't noticeable in and of itself but I think that's what's giving this blend its warm, woody undertone. There is however something powdery and harsh I'm not sure I like. Wet on the skin - Again, this is a dry, woody amber. I smell none of the floral notes as yet. Next stages - What an incredible morpher! Almost instantly, the harsher aspects of the amber soften to a golden, spicy haze and the delicious almond flower and frangipani emerge, like flowers blooming after a midsummer sunrise. Dry down - Just like a summer's day becoming warmer and brighter as time continues, this blend gets better the longer it's worn. Similar scents - Sol Invictus, The Lion

In the vial - Rich, dry and warm. I smell deep, dark earth and, for some reason, coconut! Wet on the skin - Yes, definitely coconut! That makes no sense at all within the theme of the blend, so suffice it to say Death Cap on first application is a delicious blend of dry earth and sweetness. Next stages - This blend is absolutely beautiful. It's now mellow and sweet with the faintest hint of something almost floral. Dry down - The coconut has now vanished and been replaced by a delicate, papery note that hovers tantalisingly out of reach. It's astoundingly well blended - I'm having trouble picking out any individual notes. Similar scents - Penny Dreadful has the same chocolately, rich scent of earth. Good for - People who want a sweet scent but don't like the foody end of the perfume spectrum.

In the vial - Sharp and clear. As might be expected the Dragon's Blood is the most prominent note, but the lilac adds a lovely freshness. Wet on the skin - I love lily of the valley - it's one of the few lillies I can wear. It's very evident here, but at first application the blend may be a little too overtly floral for my tastes. Dry down - This isn't a blend I would wear outside the house, but it'll be excellent for wearing when I need to wake myself up on sluggish mornings.

In the vial - This is very dry scent. Although the dragon's blood is dominant, as one might imagine, the woody notes and particularly the orris quieten the aggressive nature of the resin. Wet on the skin - Again, a woody, understated scent. Next stages - Orris becomes more noticeable than the other wood notes as time goes on, and its soft, round tones keep this blend from being harsh or sharp. This definitely remnds me of an ancient mausoleum full of dust and stones. Dry down - This is elegant in quite a genderless way, and gives the feeling of detachment and deep thought. This would be an ideal blend to wear when studying, or to use as a room scent in a library. Similar scents - Blood Pearl. If you like the dry, white sandalwood note of this blend, try Shroud.

In the vial - This is a very unusual scent - it's green and herbal but for some reason that cannot be adequately explained, I'm getting a hint of bananas. Wet on the skin - A mysterious and unidentifiable mix of green and fruity notes. There's a sour tone on first application that I don't really like. Next stages - Luckily the sourness vanishes after a few minutes as a melon-like, wet and fruity note comes to the fore. Dry down - 20 minutes into wear, the blend calms into a soft, fruity veil of scent. I'll probably keep my imp and use it as a room scent on warm days. Similar scents - Yemaya

I don't have much luck with aquatic blends. They generally start off beautifully and sour after half an hour or so until I'm forced to wash them off. In the vial - A wet, very flowery scent. There's a note almost like gardenia, but sightly less sweet. At first testing, the blend seems full, ripe and dewy. Wet on the skin - This seems very feminine; it's gracious, light and not too sweet - I think I can smell a very faint citrus note somewhere in the background. This is a cool and fresh scent for summer afternoons. Next stages - Oh dear. The curse of the slowly-souring aquatic notes strikes again. Dry down - This is going to be lovely for somebody... but not me. Similar scents - Yemaya

I've heard that cats don't like citrus smells, so you might want to avoid Whitechapel, New Orleans, Fire Pig, Bakeneko and most of the new Tiki scents.

In the vial - Sweet and lovely; a breathily floral yet very delicate blend of rose, frankincense and lavender. Wet on the skin - This blend reminds me why Lavender is one of my favourite notes for everyday stay-at-home wear; its clean, fresh and clarifying. Next stages - Psyche seems to me almost a spiritual scent - there's nothing here that speaks of earthly pleasures like lust or money. To use a tarot phrase, this is an Ace of Cups scent; it brings to mind the manifestation of a higher, divine love. The rose never becomes sour or soapy, and the frankincense is just delicate enough to sweeten the floral notes without overwhelming them. Dry down - If you don't think rose scents work for you, try this. You won't be disappointed. It's a temperate, measured and beautiful blend. Similar scents - Rose Cross, Ode on Melancholy

I'm one of those people who was underwhelmed by Snake Oil at first , then fell more and more deeply in love with it as the months went by and it aged down into a thick, syrupy veil of sweet vanilla and spices. Faiza's Companions, however, have without exception bewitched me at first waft. In the bottle - Deliciously sweet and sharp fruits with vanilla. There's something almost powdery in the background, but on the whole the blend seems entirely edible - like a sweet, creamy dessert. Wet on the skin - Breathtaking. This is a blend of ripe, lazy fruits with a real feeling of warmth. This is not a snake to be afraid of; in fact it hardly seems venomous at all! Next stages - Still fruit and powdery amber, with the deliciously sweet scent of orange blossom adding a middle note. I don't smell much of the Snake Oil itself, but experience has told me the base of the Snake Pit scents becomes more prominent over time. Dry down - Ah, there's the Snake Oil! It takes a while to arrive but when it does it's smoky and rich and dark, given just a little extra depth with the vanilla and dry spice of cardamom. Other thoughts - This is ideal for summer; it's fruity and sweet without being cloying, yet rich enough for evening wear.

In the vial - A strong, tangy and yet somehow dry scent, with plenty of passion fruit. It lacks the sweetness of some of the other Tiki blends and so strikes me as ideal for people who dislike "foody" scents. Wet on the skin - This strikes me as an evening rather than a daytime scent - although it's predominantly fruity. it's more classic and less youthful than some of the other tiki series. There's something almost dusky about it. I smell little tangerine; the guava is easily the most noticeable scent on first application. Next stages - The scent fades a little more quickly than some of the other Tiki series. Later stages see a little sourness creep in from the gin and tonic. Dry down - Not my favourite of the Tiki blends due to the slight bitterness of later stages, but it'll make a lovely room scent for hot days.

In the vial - An enticing, sweet and floral vanilla. Wet on the skin - For some reason this blend reminds me of walking into a branch of The Body Shop - it has the same sweet and almost fruity edge I always get from their bath products. Next stages - Although the ginger is noticeable from the outset, it lends a slightly dry note to later stages of the blend keeping it from being too sweet. The "Body Shop" edge calms down considerably and the blend soon simplifies to a warm, creamy and tropical veil of scent. Similar scents - Mouse's Long and Sad Tale

In the vial - Rich, warm and woody. There's a vanilla-like creaminess that's very appealing. Wet on the skin - Happily, this blend is not too overtly masculine. It has a very warm, rich tone from the tonka, which sweetens the musk considerably. Next stages - The lime rind makes a gentle appearence in the background of the scent, but it's swift and fragrant rather than the zingy freshness that might come from the fruit pulp itself. Dry down - A gentle and musky scent that's certainly very evocative of a glade in a midsummer forest where the fae are holding court.

In the vial - Tangy and full of citrus notes. It's exotic, juicy and very summery. Wet on the skin - A lovely, bright blend that makes my mouth water. It's sharp without being harsh. Although the grapefruit is the most dominant note, there's enough pomegranate and apricot to sweeten the blend. Next stages - A few minutes into wear, a sweet and spicy undertone of ginger emerges. Dry down - This will be lovely to wear on a hot day. The fruit remains bright and tart, never becoming either sour or cloying. Similar scents - Fire Pig, Grand Guignol