maribouquet

This was a frimp from the Lab, and one I would never have chosen for myself because I do not like patchouli. Or so I thought... Wet: Patchouli and myrrh. And this indian red patchouli is different from any other kind I've smelled before - it's woodier and calmer and I almost like it. Archaeologist rather than hippie, if that makes sense to anyone other than me. Drydown: On me the patchouli is gone within 10 minutes, and I don't mind. Then the myrrh comes out to play with the ylang-ylang (another note I thought I didn't like and was pleasantly surprised by)...and this is warm, spicy and wonderfully satisfying. Sort of like digging your fingernails into someone's arm...(um, not that I would really do that now that I'm not five years old on a playground. But I remember when we used to basically hurt each other for fun, with "indian sunburns" and the like. And you know what? It was fun. Malice!) *puts on bottle list*

This was a frimp from the Lab - thanks lab! Very pretty - a sweet, juicy pink candy rose. I never thought I'd say this about anything, especially something that makes my mouth water like this scent does, but - it's too sweet for me! Sweet to the point of pungency, like orange juice concentrate is. Sadly, not for me.

Mmm, this is gorgeous. I agree with previous reviewers: this is strongly reminiscent of Chanel No. 5. It also reminds me of Jovan White Musk, although I feel ridiculous making that comparison, as Ozymandias is a thousand shades and a few dimensions better than either of those commercial brands. I wish my nose were more developed so that I could pick out the notes that make up this lovely fragrance... I will definitely be getting more.

When wet this is an unapologetically green floral with a strongly powdery undertone. On me it dries down to a clean, slightly rounder/warmer floral. I like it, but have to cut it with almond oil and use it as a moisturizer after showering - that way it's not too strong and can envelop me in a gentler fashion. The name is perfect - this scent is very bright, clean and definitely without mercy. It's like sunlight coming through from behind a crisply opened window shade when you first wake up - it's gorgeous, but can hit you right between the eyes if you're not prepared for it.

I'm glad I tried Peitho, because I'm finally learning to pick out individual notes, and this one was really fun to sniff and identify and enjoy. I get jasmine (which I love), and can smell the vanilla and the sandalwood. The clove and musk I'm not so sure I can locate... Unfortunately, there is also a note that goes horrid on me - I think it may be the myrtle. Whatever it is, my skin does not like it, and it turns into a very strong, repulsive odor. Unwearable. *is sad* ADDED Dec. 3: I blame my nose, here, as this smells (in the imp, wet and dry) like, um, regurgitated burnt tires? I'm glad this is lovely on others because it's truly rank on me.

I wonder if I, too, didn't get a mislabled imp. Or perhaps my nose is wacky? I don't smell florals. I smell...Junior Mints! Straight up mint chocolate. After 15 minutes or so, a layer of saltiness emerges. The god of mourning is drinking Grasshoppers, the lush! It's yummy, but not at all what I had expected, and prob. not something I will wear as a personal fragrance.

This scent has grown on me tremendously - it came to me in bottle-size (10 mL) as part of an eBay purchase that contained several imps I wanted. I don't know what magnolia or oleander smell like, but I'm willing to bet that they are the source of this oil's creamy, velvet-petaled scent as well as a sharper floral tang, both of which I've come to love. Beneath that I can pick up the mandarin, sweet but subtle, and rolling in and out of everything there are wonderful, grounding touches of spice and musk (- cinnamon maybe? also something that comes out in the drydown that reminds me of nag champa.) At first the sharper, tangier aspects of Hell's Belle made my nose wrinkle, but the creamy sweetness seduced me night after night before bed. The more familiar I've become with this blend, the more I've come to appreciate and savor its layers. This isn't a scent I wear during the day, say to work or out with friends, etc. It's more of a nighttime, stay in at home or out on the shadowed edges of a garden party scent. Along with being lovely and rich, it's also highly complex, comforting and undeniably, beautifully carnal. If I were going to get lost in a hedge maze at night with someone truly wicked, I'd want to be wearing Hell's Belle.