Xue_Bai

...what went wrong here? This should be a win, but... So in the bottle, amazing! Wet on skin, crazy almond cherry. And then dry it's dirt. Like, I'm going to have to pull out my dirt SN and compare to make sure I'm not just crazy, but yeah...it's a sweet, musty dirt scent. Maybe aging might make things play nicer? This is just weird for me.

Pumpkin? Sure, in moderation. Booze? Yes! Anything made with booze tends to be a win. Drinking I'm totally into trying as many beers as possible, tequila, and cheap red wines. Classy right here. Yellowstone? My question, but I do like local things, and I collect keychains. Decor? And I would post photos of my room back home, but they seem to have disappeared from my phone at some point. The quilt and pillows are the green Happy Chic ones, seen here, only with black furniture and a spattering of plushies...and often an orange cat or two. Penny Dreadful: Watched the first few episodes. Meant to keep watching, but then we got rid of our extra cable channels. I do have an awesome scorpion lace neck shirt from the show though! Tea/Coffee: ...I have probably more tea than I need, but I will always take more. Love coffee but it upsets my stomach. Cider and hot cocoa I do enjoy in the fall...especially cocoa with Kahlua. Sense of humor: Tends towards dark, dry, and/or innuendos. Sometimes I'm into puns, just depends on the day. Board Games: Ha...ha haha. I'm not too into them, but my family is. Let's just say unless it's an expansion, it'll be hard to find a board game we don't own. I am looking forward for my copy of Grow to maybe finally show up though. Don't want: Scarves, hats...I like them in theory, but tend not to wear them. Stiff for my wall...I have enough for an entire house already. Plain or fun socks? Fun! I usually get guy socks though, they fit my feet better. Name one (or as many as you would like) thing you would like to learn more about? Hmmm...I have no idea. I just like to learn. I lean towards learning about art and different cultures. What one thing you would like to do more of? Pottery...which isn't do-able without a kiln. So, other art, reading. What are some things that fascinate you? Or, What would you like to know more about? I am easily distracted by rocks...having a geology major as my roomie this summer has brought that interest to the front again. Would you like any cookie butter (just to be clear, store-bought, not home-made, and does contain wheat since it's, y'know, cookie butter)? Sure, why not. It's not my favorite thing, but I enjoy it from time to time. Is there any particular piece (or pieces) of art (painting, photograph, etc) that speaks to you in some way? Too many. Which is why I have no wall space to speak of. As a whole though, I love James Jean's works. What kinds of things would you like from the Lilith BPAL or BPTP update (or are you joining a decant circle?) Joining a decant circle. Getting a half bottle of Blood and Judgement (since I don't usually wear leather but it sounds awesome) and decants of Little Lady Macbeth, Sticky Eyeballs, and The Worst Pillow. Do you want to received knit or crocheted items? If so, could you describe or even link to a couple of items similar to what you would like to receive? I could always use more fingerless gloves or mittens...just be aware I have large hands! Would you like anything from Lush? I will not say no to bath bombs, especially since I haven't had access to a bath tub for a few months. Do you prefer hand-made or store-bought? Whichever my Witch prefers! SPICY! Scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "oh, that's a bit too much black pepper for me" and 10 being "ghost pepper? scorpion pepper? I laugh at these! I love as much heat as you can throw my way!" Where are you? I like things pretty hot. I mean, I don't do ghost pepper hot sauce like my younger brother, but I can stand the heat pretty well What is your BPAL "Holy Grail"? Apart from the favorites I listed in my questionnaire, I bought a nearly full bottle of Chaos Theory a few years back that is LOVE. It's oak with a soft backdrop of florals. No moss or evergreens or aquatics playing havoc with my skin. Not manly at all. Not foody (I like Miskatonic University, but it's a coffee scent mainly). Just lovely oak and florals. Analog or Digital? Or Both? Both. I like having cds around just in case, and I do have a few records on vinyl I've picked up. On the book end, I love my kindle, but certain things should be in print to me, and I like having physical copies of favorites on my shelves. What scents from other perfume companies are you really wanting to have in your collection and or are just really wanting to test? Companies like NAVA, Arcana, Solstice Scents, Possets, Haus of Gloi etc.....? Nothing I'm dying to try, though I'm up to trying whatever. Do you have an affinity for any specific animals? Apart from cats of all sorts, I like birds of prey (owls and hawks in particular) and ravens...even if they are little ba***ds that sit above my window in the middle of the night fighting with one another like drunk college students...ahem...yeah. *cuddles raven plushie purchased yesterday* Kitchen Needs or Wants? Nothing I need, but I love pottery of all sorts and tea makers of any kind (particularly silly or cute ones). Makeup! Do you like it, would you want some? If so what brands do you like to wear? I probably have too much eye shadow and nail polish as is...but I won't say no to more. Chocolate fiends ahoy! What kind of chocolate do you like? Do you like any other things in it or just plain good ole chocolate? Any. All. Dark is better, and peppermint, raspberries, and chile peppers are usually preferred things to have in it (though not all at once). Would you be opposed to receiving a ton of Halloween themed items? I want all the Halloween things all the time. I had the hardest time not buying all the Halloween things in West Yellowstone this weekend, mostly because I have no room in my car to bring much home with me right now. But yes. All the Halloween things. "Special little thing" from the Great Lakes Bat Festival? Aww, bats are adorable, so I'd be happy with anything from there. What's your favorite scary movie? Not the biggest "scary" movie fan. I mean I watch them but they're not my thing...but movies in general are, thus the whole I watch them anyways. Usually around Halloween I try to watch all of the following at least once: Coraline, Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, Interview With The Vampire, Cabin in the Woods, Scream, and Monster House. And I watch the Buffy Halloween episodes... Weenies? So, nothing stood out as immediate bottle worthy this year for me...though if my Witch wants to get me a bottle of this year's The White Witch, that's the only one I might get a full bottle of before it comes down. Otherwise I'm getting testers of all the leaves and decants of October, Second Spring, Apple IV, Witch Riding A Dragon, The Witches, and La Femme de Satan, after cutting a lot out. Basically there's a lot in this update I'd probably like, but my Witch should feel free to do as they please with it. Blu-ray or DVD? Both. I'm one of those people who watch all the extras, like all. Usually the Blu-ray discs have more. But I don't own my own Blu-ray player, nor currently my own tv, so whatever works for me! Game systems - console or computer? Mac/PC? Which console? Family shares an original Wii, PS2 and PS4. I don't play too often (no time), so the last console game I've finished was Lego Batman 2. I'm currently without a truly functioning computer, but I'm usually about chill games on it. I still adore the Sims. Are you dressing up for Halloween and if so do you need any accessories for if? Maybe. My aunt had a pirate wedding this summer, so I might use that outfit. Could use jewellery for it. Talk to me about bags, what kinds do you like? Sizes and styles? Must fit Kindle, phone and wallet. Bonus if it also fits a paperback book too. Much larger than that and I'd prefer a tote over a purse. Long over the body straps are preferred. Love Sak Roots stuff! The back packs are especially cute. Also into patch work style purses. What are your favorite fandoms and do you want to receive anything related to such? Buffy (including the movie) and LotR (books and movies) forever and always. Anything Whedon or Gaiman (Sandman especially). ASOIAF/GoT, Harry Potter, American Horror Story, Marvel movies, Batman, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Doctor Who, The Strain, and a butt ton of movies. And I love fandom stuff, from Pop! figures, to subtle necklaces. Love it all. What are you planning to order from the Weenies update? Since I answered this with the last thing on Weenies, I'm going to just say I posted in the thread about them a full break down on the update and what I am and am not getting. The Last Huzzah of the NY Renaissance Faire happens this weekend and I'm going! Is there anything you might want? (Besides a turkey leg, which won't ship well!) Anything my Witch might think I'll like. It's been years and years since I've been to a Ren Faire, so I would know what to get myself if I was at one anyways! Do you like comics or graphic novels? Any issues or collections you want to read? Yes, and my Amazon wish list in my sig has a few. But I'll pretty much read whatever comics come my way. I did have a soft spot for the Minx comic line before line stopped, and my Goodreads should have most of what I've read in there (maybe, it's been awhile since I've checked to see if everything has made it on there). Do you like fanfic? Would you like a story written for you as part of your gift? What characters/fandoms/pairings etc do you like? I used to be super into fanfic, but not as much anymore. I wouldn't mind fanfic if my Witch really wanted to write me something...I do still read Girls Next Door fan comic if that gives a sense of what I like. Where do you have wishlists at? If you could please link to them or to a post that links to them. (Amazon, Etsy, Think Geek, Pinterest, Sephora, Lush, BPAL/BPTP, Soap Box Company, everywhere and anywhere!) Have the Amazon below, as well as BPAL. Going to see if I can res my Think Geek one and add it too. I'm horrible at keeping wishlists. Let's say you have indicated interest in receiving a hand knitted item. What colors, exactly, do you like? If you could provide color swatches here or to pinterest (or something visual), that would help out a lot. I wear looks of greys, blacks, greens, blues, and some people and burgundy. Anything those colors work for me for wearing items. Decorative items could be any color (yes, my room has a color theme, but I'm horrible at sticking to it 100% anyways). Would you rather receive a bunch of little packages through the round, a couple of medium packages, or one big package at the end? I'm good with one or two packages. Whatever is easier for my Witch! For those of us with out-of-country Witchees, would you be happy with receiving a few packages from local to you merchants (say, through Etsy or equivalent)? Sure! If/when you go to the mall, for which store(s) do you beeline? The book store...and then Torrid. Subscription Boxes: I had Loot Crate for a few months...just wasn't worth it to me. Though I like the of them, just haven't found one I want enough. Would Witchees like something from IKEA? (Or any other not always accessible by everyone store?) I'm going to IKEA once I'm home, so not really. Do you like tarts/candles/incense? If so, what type of scents? I like candles, I just never buy myself any. Never tried tarts. Most incense bother family members, so they're out. Love foodie scents for a room, or really thematic scents. Is there anything you wish you could have picked up from the Dragon*Con exclusives? I kinda wanted Dragon with a Llama Mohawk HG...but not that badly. Is there a GC you've been dying to try but haven't got around to yet? So many. See my wishlist (it's basically current). The questionnaire asked about gold & silver jewelry, but how do you feel about copper jewelry? Do you like colorful jewelry, or do you prefer to keep it neutral? I like copper, but usually my skin is too sensitive for it. We asked about decorating style, but are you interested in receiving decorations for your home? Are you interested in things that go on the wall or things that go on shelves? Things for walls, not really. Shelves...maybe. I'm trying to declutter as is...and failing. Office supplies hound? Pens, pencils, journals, any preference, or favorites? Not office, but I could always use brush pens for art! Talk to me about socks! Is there anything, dear, dear Witchee, that I can get for you from Sock Dreams? Anything from another place? Love socks...have HUGE calves that make socks no fun (even Torrid and Lane Bryant tights are usually too tight on them while being loose everywhere else). So if you can find large feet and calves friendly ones, send them my way dearest Witch! I live near a huuuuge candy store. What kind of candy do you like? Gummies? Caramel? Chocolate? Sour? Sugar-free? I've had a lot of awesome candy this summer, but I'm always on the hunt for good sour balls. How do you feel about animal products? Not so much animal toys or food, but more like furs, paws, bones, etc. Not the biggest fan of furs or paws, but I've been wanting to start a skull collection. Don't have to be real either, as I'm super interested in getting some hominid casts. Are you interested in receiving any restaurant.com gift certificates for your area? Naw. But thanks for asking! Skipping some I answered in topic...sorry to make things difficult Witch! NaNoWriMo - Pertaining to that, how does everyone feel about such things? Will anyone be participating? How about NaNo swag, is there any you want? I may write this year. Don't need swag. Honey or beeswax products? Discuss. Yes. Love beeswax products and honey, with a special love of whipped honey. How do you feel about bumper stickers and car magnets? What do you like--cute, pretty, snarky, geeky/fandomy? Eh. Got a few here in Yellowstone that'll be the first on the 13 year old car. Geeky would be ok, bonus points if it'll look good on a yellow VW Beetle. Do you have any phobia's that your Witch should be aware of? Apart from spiders unexpectedly on me, no. Trading Post Weenies are live! Anything calling to you? I got Portal of Death and MPF 13. I'll go over the other things I'd be interested in in the topic for it in a bit. Speaking of nail things, it that time of year and I am doing my jamberry order, Would you want some Lovely Jamberry's for your nails? I'd take any nail wrap you'd think I'd like. Do you like or want to try Marmite? No opinion either way. Some folks have already said they do not want used nail polish. If you haven't already chimed in about that... would you be interested in a bottle of BPTP claw polish (in this case, either Event Horizon or Baku) that has been used for one manicure? Yes. Are there any DISCONTINUED (not LE) BPAL oils that you wish you had, or had a little more of? Eve...I kept getting imps of her thrown at me but she went down at a time I had no cash to snag a bottle. Is there anything fairly basic that you're always running out of and need to buy more of? No. Sorry. Anything interest you from the recent Blooddrop update? Bath things, like the sugar bars, or those super cute Day Of The Dead earrings. How to you feel about foreign spices/flavorings? Yes please.

Got two decants. III In Bottle: MINT! AND BOOZE! And a touch of currant? (Or some other berry.) In Hair Small Test: More booze than mint now, but the berry's still hanging in the back ground.Also, it's gone a touch musty? Which is what the lab's snow note does too, so the mint might be related (or it could be my nose being weird from sinuses right now). Verdict: While not necessarily my thing, I do like it quite a bit, and will be lovely paired with some of the Yules I have. VII In Bottle: OMG! IS THIS...?!?!? *skin tests against another scent* IT IS! It's pretty much an ever so slightly different version of last year's Harvest Moon. I think the leaf note's the traditional one over the red leaves, but it's nearly identical. In Hair Small Test: Yup, same here. Verdict: I HOPE this ages okay because I'd love to have some around for next fall. But as I liked Harvest Moon as an early summer scent too, this should work then as well. Hiding it away for now though!

This starts out an awesome, dark, foreboding blend of musk, guiac wood, opoponax, and a hint of vetiver. And then it does all sorts of weird morphing, picking up the champaca and lemon peel occasionally. And then, after an intense hour, it becomes slightly flowery hand sanitizer. I THINK it's a mix of the opoponax and lemon peel over a hint of the champaca and vetiver. But it's not pleasant...and headache inducing even with a miniscule amount. To the unloved pile. Ah well!

I am utterly in love. I mean, I knew I'd like it, but it's more amazing than I imagined! Initial impression as drying without searching for notes, it's all smooth sweet resins over incense with a slight astringent note. It's dark, but not heavy or intimidating, instead coming across as playful. Pulling the scent apart, I can find the beeswax and tea most easily behind the resins and frankincense (the astringent quality). Playing within is the bourbon vanilla and the sugar cane. Dry, the daemonorops and hints of the vetiver appear, adding a slightly green floral to the mix, which shouldn't work but balances perfectly with everything else. The rosewood must just tie things together, as it doesn't come through enough to pick out by itself. Dark, slightly murky, without being heavy, while also managing to be sweet and exciting. It really is a good staged horror show scent.

Frimp! Wet: Almond and herbs. And mint? ZOMG smells like my beloved (and gone) Draco blend by Cara on Adagio. I want to drink my wrist now, please and thank you! Dry: Rose slowly pops it's head into the scent, and something turns a bit powdery and very green. It's nothing like the wet stage. As others have said, vaguely potpourii-ish, but not in a bad way. If it hadn't changed from the wet stage it would have been an instant buy. As is, it's just okay...not really me. Got to see how the voodoo works before passing final judgement though.

Frimp! Starts warm almond cookies, before the cinnamon takes over. Goes Red Hots over almond cookies for a bit, before evening out between the two notes closer to skin than before. This has a LOT of cinnamon in it, as it's the only BPAL with it that's caused actual skin redness (not just a burning sensation). If the initial burst of almond cookies kept around, the burn would have been worth it. As is and as much as I love cinnamon, it's not for me.

I've always loved the handmade candles my local apple orchard makes, but for their short burn life (real cinnamon and apple pieces mean they were oversized width wise but really short and designed not to burn entirely due to fire hazards) I could never justify buying them at $30 a candle. This, though, smells as good, if not better because of a stronger apple! And after burning it for three hours I can tell it will last much longer. Anyways, the scent is deep (but not dark) mulled apple cider. I don't get any sort of booze note, which is fine with me. Burning in a large open area, it didn't have much range, but smelled nice near the candle itself. However, once moved to a smaller, closed space...well, even unlit I can smell apple cider as I move through the room!

From bottle to puddle in hands, I get mostly yuzu from this, with hints of lime, over a softer, un-menthol mint. On, the white tea and the slightest hint of ginger develops in the background. It is amazingly yummy and refreshing smelling all at once, though it isn't chilly for me, but electric. Lasts much longer and stronger than the Juniper Mint HG (the only other one I have). Waiting to see how it pairs with matching perfume and bath oil (and will update my review then), but for now it plays well with and against Cheshire Cat. Edited for an "a" jumping in at a random place. ETA: Blow drying my hair with this stuff on is AMAZING. It eats the scent on my hair but leaves me whole room smelling wonderful for hours.

I am so glad a got a bottle of this. even if it's not quite what I was expecting. There's very little beeswax and no honey on me, but the vanilla is there, as is a soft musk and shimmery amber with soft florals. Love it!

I bought this to see if it was narcissus that ruined Darkness for me (Spoilers: It was.) It starts so promising in the decant. Fresh and green, with lovely daffodils. On wet, there's something lurking there now, rising from the depths. Dry, it's the swamp of DOOM! (Doom! Doom! -oom!) Well, now I know. Off to the unloved with this decant.

In the decant: A swirl of myrrh, orris, and rose. No real hint of pomegranate yet. Wet: Annnd there's the pomegranate, playing front and center with the rose (which is different from some of the lab's other roses). Below that is the myrrh and what I assume is the cypress. The orris might still be there, but it's hard to tell. Dry: The orris came back with revenge. Now it's rose and orris, with the pomegranate playing second fiddle, and a background of woodiness. Throw is amazing without being too much. I might need a full bottle.

In the decant: Medicinal, yet smokey, lavender. Wet: Soft, smokey, cool resin and lavender. The lavender is still loud, but it plays nice with the oudh. Dry: The lavender is very soft now and is amazing with the smoky resin I'm getting from this. Verdict: Still not really a lavender fan, but this is really nice! Not too much of a throw, playing soundly in the realm of unisex. Not something I'd wear out, but it's just the thing I want for a bedtime perfume. Interesting without being to complex or heavy. So while not bottle worthy, the decant is getting it's own home in my bedside table's drawer.

In the bottle: Rich white peaches! With honey and neroli below. Wet: Ah, there's the tea. The peaches are still front and center though, with the tea mixing in, and the honey and neroli beneath. Dry: Well, nothing goes wrong with this one (unlike Peach II), but nothing is quite right with it either. It doesn't go soapy, but the peach scent pretty much just vanishes leaving a "clean" scent behind to mix with the tea. I can still find the neroli below that, but the honey's also pretty much gone. Verdict: I'm going to sit on my half bottle. It might be wonderful in a scent locket later down the road, or I might get a hold of a single note that will work well with it. But for now Peach V is going to hide shamefully in my BPAL box. (Which means between the two Peaches I got, white peach gets added to my list of skin failures.)

I feel like I'm the party pooper for this review, but...yeah. In the decant, Peach II smells AMAZING! Like, woah! Weirdly reminds me of the fizzing Japanese soda candies. On my skin...well, it plays nice while wet. Lots of peach and tangerine, with the bubbly grapes in the background. And about 10 minutes in, everything goes wrong. It fades to nearly nothing before returning horribly. My peach becomes fabric softener sheets. Nothing of the grapes or tangerine remains either. As much as I wanted to love this scent, I'm very happy now I only went with the decant. To the pile of unloved with it.