TheIceMaiden
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Everything posted by TheIceMaiden
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Love's Philosophy was an odd scent on me as it went back and forth between being gorgeous and well, not so nice. It started off a rich vanilla frosting scent. I next got the wintergreen-like note, but that was brief as well. The saffron came up next and the vanilla went into a "cheap candle" phase as some people have mentioned - waxy artifical vanilla. The drydown, however, was a gorgeous natural vanilla. I loved the opening and dry stage of Love's Philosophy so I think I'm going to age this to see if that odd middle stage goes away. The closest scent to this, to me, was last year's Eggnog, which also had an odd vanilla stage. Love's Philosophy certainly wasn't close to Underpants as I had hoped. But it has potential to be a lovely scent...I hope!
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Since today is La Befana's day, I'm wearing and reviewing this scent. I wavered about getting this scent for quite a while because it sounded so unusual. But I'm glad I ended up with it. La Befana starts out an almost-boozy sort of caramel scent. Once this fades out, I get sugary lillies. dusty violets, and just a tiny hint of green cypress. The lily and cypress fades out and the drydown is a dusty (almost like charcol dust) violet scent. I adore the early stages, but am not too crazy about the dry down, so I've been wearing La Befena in my hair and scent locket. Overall however, this is such a curious, morphing scent as only the Lab can do. Its very fitting for the La Befana legend!
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Oh wow - this is one delicious Fruitcake!! Its candied cherries, almonds, candied oranges, rum and/or brandy, and a little spice. I'm not getting much of a cake note, just all those yummy things a fruitcake is filled with. Fruitcake was such a lovely post-holiday gift from the Lab. I would be so happy if this came back in bottle form for the 2008 Yules.
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Aquarius and Old Moon Sorry for the poor quality..I'm just learning this camera.
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When I initially applied Old Moon, I did a double take (or double sniff if you will)...it really reminded me of Skadi! Old Moon had that similar snowy, everygreen, and berry scent. But as it dries, it becomes a bit greener - I could pick out lots of bayberry and green notes. The cool, snowy scent is still present as well, but very subtle under all that greenery. Old Moon is, to my nose, a cousin of Skadi and some of the other past Yule blends, but unique in its own way. I'm really enjoying it so far!
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This is really an unusal scent, but lovely. It starts out sugared fruits, then I get florals (no lavender so I assume its the others) with a little grass, then the final stage is sugared floral incense. When I smell it I really do picture the fairy market of Stardust...so wonderful job Beth!
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Since we had our first big snow storm today I figured it was the perfect day to test out The Snow Storm. This is a gorgeous scent! Its a crisp, minty winter wind blowing through an evergreen forest. There isn't much morphing on me, it pretty much stays the same the entire time. The Snow Storm does remind me of Skadi, but without her berry note, and of Talvikuu and November as well. The Snow Storm is another beautiful winter blend.
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2007 version - I had tried the 2005 version last year. Although it smelled just like gingerbread in the bottle, on my skin it was raw cookie dough. I decided to give the 2007 version a chance and I'm so happy I did. In the wet stage, I get a hint of that cookie dough scent, but over that is lots of delicious spices. Yes, this is gingerbread!! Ginger is the strongest spice initially but as it dries cinnamon takes over. I'm picturing little gingerbread men with faces made from those Cinnamon Red Hots candies. Gingerbread Poppet had a pretty good throw and lasted quite a while - I could still smell it in my hair when I woke up this morning. I'm so glad I gave the 2007 version a chance because I love it.
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2007 version - In the bottle, this smells purely of rum and brandy! Its so boozey I'm surprised I didn't get tipsy from sniffing it. On my skin, the rum/brandy fades out within a few moments and I get a creamy, vanilla egg nog scent. This is a very light scent and faded away within a few hours. But its delicious while it lasts!
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Autumn and winter have always been my favourite seasons, but the month of November has always been a strange, in-between month to me. There's the post-Halloween letdown but its too soon to think of Christmas. The autumn leaves are still falling, although winter often comes early (especially here in New England) to cover them in snow. Beth has captured that in-between moment in nature perfectly in November. November has the autumn leaf scent of October burried under the snow/slush note found it many past Yule scents. There's also a brief hint of earthiness (not veviter, more of a dirt note) under those leaves. The snow note is stronger in the drydown than the leaf scent so November is perfect for the Yule collection rather than the Halloween/autumn collection. Its a gender neutrel scent, moderate throw, and so far has good staying power. Its a lovely scent and I'm glad I went with a bottle purchase.
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I've tried El Dia De Reyes twice today and it was a little different each time. Earlier this afternoon, fresh out of the Lab box, it was the scent of hot cocoa powder with a little cinnamon, but no coffee. Now, this evening after my bath, its coffee and cinnamon when wet and cinnamon and brown sugar when dry...no cocoa at all. And honestly, I'm not sure which version I prefer! I'll let it settle for a bit, as I usually do with Lab-fresh bottles, and see what happens in a few days. This is a warm, cozy scent, perfect for the colder months ahead. I love it so far and I'm pleased to finally have a coffee scent that works on me. I have a feeling I'll be getting a backup bottle before the Yules retire.
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I must admit, I suffer from patchouliphobia. I do like the smell of patchouli, but it usually is either stinky mouldy mud puddle on me or amps to the point my head hurts. However, the rest of Crypt Queen sounded so good I took the plunge and bought a bottle. (I also confess that I really wanted that coffin!) Crypt Queen starts out deep, red, lush fruits with a sprinkling of black pepper. Underneath the fruits, I get a hint of florals and an earthiness from the patchouli (which thankfully, behaves wonderfully). The drydown is a peppery mix of rose, blood, and musk. Overall its a well-blended, beautiful scent that fits the name perfectly. It also reminds me a little of Blood Countess. Crypt Queen is very potent and strong, just a couple drops were enough for me (and I usually slather!) to last through most of the day. I'm glad I took the gamble on this scent, Crypt Queen is truly beautiful. And I adore my coffin!
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Somehow, the combination of white chocolate + caramel + cream = dark chocolate on my skin. So this makes PPIII lush, dark chocolate drizzled over pumpkin and pomengranate slices. Chocolate is a note that usually fades fast on my skin, and the original Pumpkin Patch 2 didn't work on me, so I am really loving this scent. ETA: This DID smell like Pumpkin coffee on me after several hours....I love it!!
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This such a lovely, well-blended, old fashioned perfume, perhaps something you'd find on a Victorian dressing table (or forgotten in an attic). It starts off lavender, calla lily and rose and dries down to a powdery, almost dusty, sandalwood floral. Its so light and fades so quickly that its almost the memory of a scent rather than a proper perfume. I guess that fits the theme. I really love this scent, although I wish it was a bit stronger. ETA: Aging has made this stronger! Its become one of my Top Ten scents.
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I was initially wary of trying this scent, but then I caved in and ordered it after the many mentions of the song "Black No. 1". What can I say, I love Type O Negative. In the bottle and on my skin initially, this smells very green and BITTER. As I was debating scrubbing it off, the bitterness went away. The green notes faded out and yes, it DOES smell like burning leaves. The drydown was smokey leaves grounded with amber. MUCH better. This is indeed the girl's perfume in "Black No. 1" and I loved it after that bitter stage went away. I have a feeling this will age beautifully as well. The Death of Autumn is a keeper!!
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Both in the bottle and initially on my skin, this really DOES smell just like candy corn. It even briefly has that waxy note you get from candy corn. How does Beth do it? As it dries, it becomes a little creamier and there's a touch of spice as well. It might be vanilla or honey or caramel, or all three, or none of the above. I'm not sure but it really is delicious. TOT gets a bit sugary in the drydown, but the creaminess lingers. It goes on strong but fades quicky after an hour or two. I love this scent, it represents all the light-hearted fun of Halloween. I'm hoping it will come back some day.
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I'm reviewing the 2004 version, although I recall my decant of 2005 being the same. This starts out just what the description implies....sweet, juicy plums lightly dusted with sugar. As it dries, the plums become sweeter and more sugary. Whatver florals are in this are so well blended that not only can I not pick them out, this doesn't smell floral at all! Midwinter's Eve is one of my favourite Yule scents and I'm so happy it will be returning this year.
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Dry, cold autumn wind. A rustle of red leaves, a touch of smoke and sap in the air. October arrived three weeks ago in my first Halloweenie order. I dabbed a little on and was not impressed...it was all man cologne and strong wet green leaves. However, I've learned that Lab-fresh bottles often need some quiet time after their journey to settle down. So I put October away for a few weeks, and now... October started out briefly with the ozone scent I associate with cologne. Then the sharp green leaves came in, but they immediately softened to a lovely maple leaf scent. The wood smoke came in next to mingle with the leaves. October started out pretty strong but dried to a soft wisp of woodsmoke and leaves. Its a very gender neutral scent after that initial five second burst of dude cologne. I'm glad I decided to give it a second chance because its beautiful and makes me think of October nights here in New England. ETA scent desciption and because I can't spell
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To this day, that night of foolishness is still celebrated! This is a light-hearted scent: apple orchards, bright cranberries, and a touch of warm cider. Mmmm Punkie Night...Beth somehow managed to capture the scent of autumn in New England in a bottle!! Punkie Night starts off crisp, juicy, just-picked apples. The spices come up next so now it smells like warm mulled cider. The dry stage is mulled cranberry-apple cider. Delicious!! Punkie Night is my favourite apple scent and I truly hope it comes back this year. ETA scent description
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Stardust is my favourite Neil Gaiman book, Yvaine is my favourite character in it, and I love lavender. So needless to say, this scent had a lot to live up to. And its beautiful. Yvaine starts out with a strong lavender note, a bit more potent than the other BPAL's lavenders I've sniffed. Magnolia joins in next. It dances around the lavender and softens it out. As Yvaine dries, the florals tone down and soften, and are joined by musks and something faintly vanilla-esque. Gorgeous! Yvaine has morderate throw and staying power. Its one of my top five BPAL scents.
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Apple scents usually make me think of autumn, but Ladon is very summery - it must be due to the florals. Wet, this is apple blossom and hyacinth, very fresh and lovely. As it dries, apple mixes with the florals. I don't get much dragon's blood until the full drydown. It blends well with the apple. There's a hint of white musk that holds everything together. Gorgeous!
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This is a gorgeous blend and its one of the rare BPAL's in which I prefer the dry stage to the initial wet stage! When I first put it on, Bat-Woman was a mix of the florals on me, well-blended enough that I couldn't pick out individual notes. It was also very strong in this stage - a little went a long way! As it dried, it softened to a mix of lavender and nighttime air. Bat-Woman made me think of being in a summer garden at night, watching the bats come out to play. This is a beautiful, feminine scent that represents the artwork its named for so well.
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This was one of the scents I first tried, and I had forgotten about it until my recently. I don't know why I did because this is a lovely scent! Initially this is lots of lavender with a little wisteria. As it dries, rose and white musk soften the lavender. Dry, its rose, sandalwood, and a bit of white musk. Alas, this is also a very light scent and fades rather quickly. But its a gorgeous scent that represents the poem its named for beautifully.
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In Imperial China, the Dragon was the symbol of the Emperor’s power, and to this day, the concept and the image of the Dragon is considered sacrosanct. The Dragon is a symbol of power, the Lord of weather and water. The Dragon Moon celebrates the glory and vigor of Springtime: dragon’s blood resin, tea leaf, bamboo reed, sandalwood and cherry blossom. From beginning to end, Dragon Moon primarily smells of cherry blossom green tea on my skin. Its beautiful in its simplicity, very refreshing, and another favourite Lunacy of mine. ETA description
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I had a chance to try Closet today. This starts out blackberries in buttercream with a hint of cake (non-buttery cake, thank goodness) behind it. As it dries, the buttercream and cake fade out and its sugared blackberries. The final stage reminds me Bloody Mary but with blackberry of course. This is a nice scent, I'm glad I got a chance to try it.
