Schmoozy

First Sniff: Dark, mysterious, loud, earthy red musk. On Skin: Wow, hello red musk, and hello patchouli. Uncertain of myself, I think I can detect, black currant, orchid and lotus root. Unfortunately the darkness and earthiness of patchouli is drowning out everything else. However, there is a sweetness lurking underneath and I wonder if it will stay or get eaten up. Drydown: Thankfully the obnoxious red musk is mellowing out, but to be honest, this is doing nothing for me. Final Thoughts: Meh. I am going to have to try this again some other time.

First Sniff: Creamy, golden amber & apple with a touch of honey. On Skin: Nothing much changes here. It is very creamy and the honey is trying to break through all the other notes. I think there may be too much going on for my sniffer to handle. I am really not a fan of honey, and with the addition of other sweet notes like caramel, skin musk and cream accord it honestly is just to much for me. Drydown: I can rarely detect apple blossom, and it was helping to tone down the sweetness. Unfortunately I can't smell teak either. Final thoughts: Too sweet and cloying for me. I was hoping for more teak, apple blossom and amber.

First Sniff: Wet, lush acai berry with chrysanthemum and musk. On Skin: Stays true to first sniff. Musky acai berry tea with a touch of chrysanthemum. It is simply beautiful and I can't believe, that the jasmine is not overpowering and making me feel sick. Drydown: Some of the musk wears off and it is a lovely berry tea. Final thoughts: Unlike others, this lasts on my skin. I consider this blend to be a surprise hit.

First Sniff: Rum, water, ozone and...celery? On Skin: Wow, at first I thought I got a wrong blend. I literally could not smell any orange, raspberry, pineapple or passionfruit. However, as soon as slathered it on BAM, hello fruits. Oddly enough I can also smell the sun, sand and surf in this tiki. Not one fruit is dominant. I can smell them all beautifully together. Sometimes a whiff of raspberry overpowers the others, sometimes the pineapple shines more, and so forth. Thankfully, rum is not drowning everything out, but as usual gives it a spicy touch. Drydown: This does not change. It has wonderful throw, and lasts a long time. The aquatic & airy feel stays throughout, and I am left with sun-ripened fruit with a splash of rum. Final thoughts: Absolutely beautiful. Besides Golden wave, Rangoon Riptide is my 2nd favorite tiki.

First Sniff: Heavy, buttery vanilla and coconut rum. On skin: It feels dark and spicy. Buttery vanilla rum with coconut and a smidge of pineapple. On me it feels more wintery than a tropical tiki bar drink. Drydown: The rum fades fast and I am left with a vanilla coconut. I can barely detect the pineapple. Final thoughts: I was hoping the pineapple would be more prevalent. It really feels heavy and spicy. Great throw, and lasts quite awhile on my skin.

First Sniff: Cherry Almond Vodka On skin: Fizzy cherry and almond with a splash of vodka. It definitely has a cherry cola vibe to it, which is why I get fizz. It doesn't feel very boozy to me. I am also getting a spicy note, which I think comes from the Jamican rum mixed with orange. I can barely detect lime peel or mint. Drydown: The sweetness of Te Po dies down considerably, and for some reason the almond liquer becomes more prominent. It still has a cherry cola vibe, and feels very spicy. Final Thoughts: Not my favorite tiki scent by a long shot. The cola comparision reminds me of Leo, and I do love the fact that this isn't tropical per say, like other tiki blends.

First Sniff: Gingered Pineapple with a splash of grapefruit. On Skin: Juicy, gingered pineapple, grapefruit and lime. It is definitely boozy, but I honestly can't pick out the individual flavours of booze. Apricot liquer & brandy along with the ginger make this scent warm on my skin. There is a hint of rum, but all three together blend very smoothly. Unfortunately the pomegranate is barely there, outweighed heavily by pineapple and grapefruit. Drydown: The warmth of the alcohol stays and now the pink lime is becoming more noticeable. I would even say it overpowers the the other two. Final Thoughts: Great Throw, not too boozy and not sickly sweet either. A very spicy and tropical fruit drink, that is very warming and comforting. I almost feel like comparing it to a mulled cider or a hot toddy, except it's fruity.

First Sniff: Fizzy, dry blueberries with a punch of lemongrass. On skin: Usually a scent with blueberries is wet and very voluptious. In Blue Fire, the blueberries are dry, and fizzy. The gin really makes these blueberries bubble, like a glass of champagne. I detect a green note, which could be from lemongrass, and the papaya is noticeable, but not in the forefront. Drydown: As the blueberry fades, papaya and lemongrass take over and although this is definitely more boozier than other tiki's, the gin gives Blue Fire a nice twist. Final Thoughts: A nice refreshing fruity twist. Throw is good, and I like the fact that the addition of lemongrass, does not make this an overly sweet tiki.

First Sniff: Wow. Musky vanilla coconut with a slight floral bite. On skin: This is one of those blends that actually smells like the first sniff. It is inviting, and while the coconut is prominent it is softened by tonka, lilac and musk. I can barely detect tobacco or hyssop, and I am left feeling that I am drinking a warm, creamy coconut tea, with a vase of lilacs at the table. Drydown: Pretty much the same. I don't find that Ashultum changes with time. Usually a note like vanilla will either turn rancid and lilacs will start to scream, but both behave and I am left with a creamy coconut and musky vanilla tea with a trace of tonka. Final Thoughts: I was worried about vanilla tea and lilac. Together along with coconut, musk and tonka make for a beautiful combination. Very delicate and pretty.

First Sniff: Herbal, figgy, green with a touch of orange. On skin: Green, fig musk, with a touch of wood and sweet orange. I am baffled. I don't think I have smelt anything like this before. The fig has a bit of bite and spice, and I attribute the spice to nutmeg and the bite to the black musk. Amber is subtle in this blend, and so is dark myrrh. In fact I can barely detect them as they blend so well. Drydown: It is still figgy and green. Sweet orange has all but disappeared, but gives Aeronwen her sweetness. It hasn't morphed at all, and remains the same as when I first applied. Final thoughts: I love the green aspect, but there is a bite that leaves me unsettled, and I can't quite put my finger on why I don't love Aeronwen, nor do I hate her.

First Sniff: Warm, comforting vanilla with a touch of wood. On skin: This is a warm, golden and creamy musky vanilla, with a touch spice and cedar in the background. I can hardly detect carnation (although, I suppose the carnation lends itself to the spiciness of Inez.) The amber and musk gives Inez her warmth and the vanilla is creamy and to some extent makes this somewhat foody. The sandalwood is hidden in between the amber and musk. Drydown: The vanilla and cedar fade away, and I am left with slightly spicy skin musk. Final Thoughts: Great throw, warm, and overall a beautiful amber blend that loves my skin.

First Sniff: Cloves and spicy carnation On Skin: This is all cloves and carnation with just a hint of patchouli. I can handle patchouli in small doses, so I was a little apprehensive trying it. I am so glad that I gave it a chance. It is so warm and inviting and extremely familiar. This is going to layer so well with Potion. Drydown: The carnation fades to the background and I am left with the scent of a cloves that quickly turns into a earthy, spicy cup of chai tea. Beautiful. As time goes by, this spicy little number get's earthier (due to patchouli) and while it doesn't get overwhelming, it certainly adds depth and darkness that wasn't present on initial application. Final Thoughts: I am thrilled that I decided to take a chance. If you love spicy/earthy/tea scents with strong staying power and a hint of carnation, this is for you. Definitely bottle worthy.

Wow. I am simply blown away that SGA and it's beautiful chapbook, is sitting here in my house. First Sniff: Icy cold, tart green apple with just a hint of sweetness and mint. On Skin: Immediately it is all icy apples on my skin. It is heavenly and I can almost feel the firmness of the apple, the juice that squirts from the first bite, the tart sweetness touching your tongue. Drydown: All of sudden, the mint appears like a chinook wind and cools the apple even more. This is now airy and minty and the sweetness of the apple is just lingering on the side. Final Thoughts: Overall just a beautiful scent that haunts me to the core. It is simply stunning. I am speechless.

First Sniff: Tropical Fruit Salad On Skin: Lush passionfruit & guava. The tangerine is there, but it is very subtle and stays in the background unlike the other two. After a minute I smell gin & tonic but it onlys lasts for a few fleeting seconds, before it disappears. Dyydown: The appearance of G&T, changes the tropical salad. It actually appears to dull the brightness and lushness of the fruits and unfortunately causes the scent to almost disappear completely from my skin. Final Thoughts: A tropical fruit salad with just a hint of booze. Even though it doesn't last very long, I would have to say it is one of my favorites from the tiki bar.

First Sniff: Cucumber Mojito's. On Skin: Yep, sweet cucumber mojito's. For some reason, I feel it to be more airy, than aquatic. Sturgeon Moon is definitely green, and moonlit musk combined with agave, gives this green aqautic a sweet, musky but airy tone to it. Drydown: The pondweed, lichen and algae are stepping out and the sweetness of agave is toning down. In the background the cucumber and bezoin are playing quietly. It is light scent, but lasts a good while on my skin. Final Thoughts: Stunning. I wish I had this to wear at the start of summer. Soothing, relaxing, and beautifully done.

First Sniff: A dark, woody herbal concoction. I think I'am in love. On Skin: Slightly fruity, very purple and at times dark and mysterious. I can't pick out one single note that is more dominant than the other. Drydown: I was worried that tobacco would be prevail as it usually does, but I can barely detect it. I am completely blown away with Penumbra. Final thoughts: A smoky, herbal, extremely soothing complex blend. Amazing job Beth!

First Sniff: Blueberry Sryup On Skin: Wet, tart blueberries and green tea. I have a blueberry white tea, and this is almost identical to it and very comforting. The blueberries are sharp and biting and this is the part of the morphing that I adore. Dry Down: Oh noes, here comes the vanilla, and bam....Blueberry/red currant muffins. OMG, a BPAL vanilla that works for me. Yah!!! But it's not finished yet. I can smell a spicy red musk developing among the muffins. Wow, I am confused. Spicy fruity muffins. Final thoughts: This is so much better than Blue Fire. I love blueberries and tea scents. This is a real winner. Fruity and foodie and not overwhelming at all.

First Sniff: Bottled Crunch 'n' Munch! On skin: Coffee, caramel, peanuts and popcorn. Salty and sweet. I don't know if I want to find a Timmy Ho's, go watch football or eat my arm. Drydown: Nom, Nom, Nom. Oops. Oh yah reviewing here... It is all coffee and caramel and I love it. Final thoughts: This is Creepy without the apple.

First Sniff: Oh...wow...Juicy Fruit Gum (green kind, not the yellow) On skin: Spun Sugar is right. A sweet confection of guava, orange peel and apple blossom. Guava and apple blossom are in the front, with the orange lingering behind. I find the white pepper mixed with the orange gives it a spicy kick. Almost like I am smelling Big Red gum, or those little red cinnamon candy hearts mixed with sweet fruit. Drydown: Always evolving, Xanthe is a fruit lovers dream come true. I adore how this morphs between sugar and spice. Final thoughts: I want to chew it.

First Sniff: Oh yum. Candy Cane Cake On Skin: Sweet, creamy vanilla & peppermint. Drydown: The mint fades fast, and I am left with a cool, creamy vanilla. Surprisingly enough, it is one of the few BPAL vanilla's that my skin chemistry likes. It must be the mint. Final thoughts: It's a keeper. I was scared the vanilla would go smoky as most do, but it likes me, it really, really likes me. (One final thought: It faded fast!)

The Unicorn, such a magical scent. When I wear this I feel like I have been transformed to a world where My Little Ponies and butterflies are frolicking and prancing around. Girly, soft, with a touch of air and herbs. I adore the smell of linden blossoms and combined with sweet herbs and white flowers, it really pulls together for a beautiful spring/summer scent. I was afraid it wouldn't last very long, but with my skin it lasts a better part of the day.

Marshmallow Poof is love. Sweet, sugary, marshmallows with just a touch of coconut added in for good measure. Not sure if there is even coconut inside but my skin's chemistry definitely says yes there is. It is sweet, fun, playful and decadent. Amazingly enough this is one foody type scent that actually lasts on me.

Ides of March is . The perfect green scent. Wet from the bottle it is very herbal & medicinal. I know I am going to love it, when I can detect rosemary, lemon & bergamot straight away. While wearing the herbal notes tend to fade and a clean, soft scent appears in it's place. The floral steps in and combines with the herbal and morphs into this absolutely stunning blend. Ides of March really is love.

This was love at first smell. Extremely fruity, fruity, and well more fruit. The hint of bamboo takes the fruit to a new level. Sort of simmers it down if you will. To me this scent brings out the best me, makes me very happy, full of life, and optimistic about the future.

Absolutely genius. I want to eat my bottle of Tokyo Stomp. It smells of mint chocolate chip ice cream or those mint girl guide cookies. I swear I smell chocolate, I think it is the vanilla mingling with mint. Once I apply this on my skin it turns in the complete opposite direction. My skin amps up the mint right away and blows every other smell off the plate. After about 15 minutes, the mint calms down and the vanilla reappears and just morphs into this subtle creamy vanilla scent. I only wished I picked up a couple of bottles of this.