Magycmyste

In the imp: Sweet fig and vetiver. Both very distinct. Wet on skin: Same. I don't know if I'd have identified the fig without knowing it was there, but that's definitely vetiver darkening it. Dried down: Ok, the fig and vetiver are blending together a lot better now. I still smell both parts, but they smell like they belong together now. Throw: I get almost nothing unless the scent is a few inches away from my skin. What I do get is vetiver. Verdict: *** This isn't bad, but I don't think this is for me. A little too much vetiver for my tastes.

In the imp: Sweetened, dark amber. Wet on skin: Getting a bit more jasmine now. Tiny hint of rubber. Dried down: Ok, the rubber's gone, and this is pretty much jasmine and sweetness. I love jasmine (and tea) and I love sweetness, but this scent is just really weak on me. Throw: I do get a little bit of throw off of this, which is odd since I get almost nothing when sniffing my wrist. Which makes me a little sad because I want to huff the jasmine and vanilla. Verdict: **** This is really pretty. I just wish it was stronger. I think I'm going to hang on to the bottle for awhile, see how it ages. I think Genetrix deserves a second chance.

In the imp: Interesting - to my nose, it smells a little like a dry incense. I think it's mostly the chamomile, but it's blended together very well. Wet on skin: Same as before. I'm not sure what's giving it that camphorous, incense scent. Maybe the white musk, though Idon't remember it doing that on me before. Dried down: Same, though the familiar white musk is coming out now. There's almost a sweetness to it. I'm not getting the saltiness of the ambergris at all, which is a little disappointing, but it's a nice scent. Throw: None to speak of yet. Verdict: *** 1/* This is really nice, but I don't think I need a bottle just yet.

I don't usually go for orangey scents, but something about this one appealed to me. In the imp: O-RANGE! I think there's an orange peel in here, too - there's a tiny hint of bitterness (I think the neroli) amid all the juiciness. Wet on skin: The orange flower, I think. It's still very orangey, but it has a distinct floral quality. I think the tuberose is adding to that. Still a bit of sharpness from the neroli that's throwing me off. Dried down: Ok, the orange has calmed down now, softened by the beeswax. This stage is lovely, really. The tuberose is coming out a little more, too. Throw: Not much, but I don't seem to be getting much throw off of any of these today (although the honeysuckle in Erycina really blossomed off of my skin about 10 minutes after I finished my review. Verdict: **** 1/* Well, I'm glad I got a bottle of this. I may need a backup. It would be a perfect 5 if not for that sharp, bitter note that I think springs from the neroli.

In the imp: Apple with a bit of spice. The spice makes me think more of black pepper than cardamom, really. It's a very juicy apple, though. Wet on skin: Same as the imp. Dried down: Still pretty much apple, though the apple has softened. Throw: Not much on me. Verdict: *** This is nice, and I love apple, but... I'm not loving this perfume enough. I've got other apple scents I love more.

Rose water, black cherry, cream accord, bourbon, and orris root. In the imp: A cherry blast smoothed out by cream. Wet on skin: Very cherry, with some almond mixed in. I'm not a huge fan of cherry smells (or flavors), but this isn't bad. I'm still hoping the rosewater kicks in soon, though. Dried down: Getting more of a rosewater hint now, but this is still mainly cherry on me. It's like the rosewater's trying to fight through the cherry. The longer I wear it, the stronger the rosewater becomes, and the prettier this is. Throw: Very light, but what I'm getting is very pleasant and sweet. Verdict: **** The longer I wear this, the more I like it. I think I'm going to go for a bottle, and hope the cherry mellows out more with age.

In the imp: Sweet, sweet honeysuckle. There's a bare hint of the gardenia and patchouli keeping it from going too sweet. Wet on skin: Still almost pure honeysuckle. Dried down: The gardenia comes out more once it dries down. Throw: Almost none on me. Verdict: *** Nice, but no cigar.

In the imp: I'm getting a very confused flower. Not bad, but a little cacophonous. Wet on skin: The gardenia is nice here - almost smells like jasmine, given a slight edge by the frankincense, and softened by the sheer musk. There's almost a bit of sweetness from the vanilla orchid, but it's barely there. Dried down: Dried down, the notes are blending together a little more harmoniously, so it's mostly the gardenia. Pretty. But it doesn't keep me sniffing for more. Throw: Again, pretty mild. I'm not getting a whole lot of throw. Verdict: *** 1/* This is nice, but it just doesn't seem all that special to me.

In the imp: Ooh, pretty. Sweet but subdued. Wet on skin: Mmmm..... baby sweet. I am getting a baby powder scent off of this now. Not that I mind that, but I know some people don't like that so much. Dried down: Same as before. I've got an idea of what's doing what here, but I don't really pick out any distinct notes. This is just a pretty, balanced, well-blended scent. Throw: This has very mild throw on me. But I've only got it on one wrist (and I want to keep sniffing it) Verdict: ***** I don't actually see myself wearing this that often, but I want to have it around for those time that I do. Bottle, please!

Ok, so I don't think I've tried the original of this yet (I've got an imp somewhere, just haven't tried it yet), so I'm going into this one pretty blind. In the imp: Almost minty incense, with a slight sour note. I'm not getting chocolate yet, except maybe a slight dusting of sweetness on top of the incense. Wet on skin: Still minty, like wintergreen gum, with the sourness going a little rubbery. Dried down: Latex rubber dipped in mint. Throw: I'm getting a very mild minty throw. It's not bad. Verdict: ** This isn't completely horrible. I actually like the wintergreen, but I don't need a perfume that smells like rubber on me. Even if the rubber is mixed with mint. Reminds me a little too much of getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist (assuming they use the mint flavored fluoride instead of that icky cherry one).

In the imp: Camphorous Incense with a hint of chocolate. Wet on skin: There's another scent in there that I'm not entirely sure I can identify. I like it, though. I think it's the amber, actually, warming up this scent. But altogether, it reminds me of a candy bar or something, but I can't figure out which one. Dried down: Mmmm....... this is nice. Kind of makes me think of chocolate powder mixed with sandalwood powder now. Throw: A little bit, but not much on me. Embalming Fluid Bonbon has a greater throw on me right now. Verdict: **** I really like this, but I think I can wait on getting a bottle for now.

In the imp: Ooh! Chocolate lemon bars! Wet on skin: Still dark chocolate-covered lemon bars with a hint of green tea. Dried down: The citrus is coming out a bit more, with the chocolate blending into it, rather than being separate. Throw: This actually has some nice throw on me. Verdict: ***** I needs me a bottle of this, I think.

So, narcissus is one of my death notes. But I've been eyeing Signior Dildo since my first BPAL days, long before I discovered narcissus hated me. And I've found one other blend where narcissus doesn't stink it up, so I'm going to give it a shot. In the imp: Sweet flowers and... crap. I don't think this will work. Wet on skin: That's interesting. Rubber. Dried down: Fresh flowers dog poop. I'm glad I went really light on this one. Throw: Not smelling anything from my elbow, and I don't really care to. Verdict: * Yeah, this one is going on the swap pile. At least I can say I tried it now. Hopefully, I'll remember for next time.

In the imp: Wood, patchouli and benzoin. Wet on skin: Sweet, with a hint of mint. Dried down: This is interesting. I like all the scents in this, but... it's a little a little medicinal at the moment? It's also turning a little lemony. Throw: Almost none on me. Verdict: *** Not bad,but not for me, I think.

In the imp: Sweet sweetness, with a little bit of an edge. Wet on skin: Almost fruity sweetness. I think that's the blackcurrant. Dried down: This dried down quickly on me - hasn't changed much throughout. Throw: Only getting a teeny bit of throw off of this right now. But it's sweet, and makes me want more. Verdict: ***** Yeah, I kinda love Red Lantern.

So,am I the first to review the 2015 version? In the imp: Hmmmm, kind of a sour floral. Which kind of scares me a bit. Wet on skin: Kind of bitter. Dried down: Still bitter. There's also a sweet floral, but it kind of clashes with the bitter, rather than toning it down. Throw: Not a whole lot, but I'm ok with that. Verdict: ** Yeah, I don't think this one's for me.

In the imp: Sweet muskiness. This is REALLY pretty! Wet on skin: Tiny bit bitter, but still soft and musky.Maybe even a bit powdery. Dried down: Mmmmm......... definitely getting a little powdery on me, but I really like that Throw: Sweet and musky, hanging pleasantly in the air. I might want to go a little softer on this one, because as much as I like the scent, it's ALMOST going headachey on me. Verdict: **** 1/* Aside from the almost headache, this is perfect on me. I think I might get a couple of bottles, just in case it loses the headache vibe, or if something else is causing that (like, I should probably eat lunch).

In the bottle: Sweet, gooey, warmed over marshmallow, covered with toasted coconut. Wet on skin: I don't smell amber, per se, but I'm pretty sure that's the warmth behind this blend, adding a tiny bit of fire into the mix. Dried down: Warm, dry, unsweetened coconut. This is....calming. I think this is mainly the coconut softened by amber on me. Throw: This has very little throw on me - I went a little heavy dotting the oil from the lid, but this might be one I may need to slather on if I want it to be powerful. But it does have a little bit of throw -I get the slightest hint of the coconut while I'm typing. Verdict: **** 1/* I really love this, and I'm glad I got a bottle and a couple of backups. Interestingly enough, it's not a wild love - as I mentioned earlier, this has a very pleasant, serene effect on me. I can't wait to see how it ages.

In the imp: Mmmmm....... lemony white tea. Very pretty. I think the lemoniness might be from the lilacs, but I'm not sure. Wet on skin: Still lemony, but the tea is coming out a bit stronger now. Dried down: Lemon and tea. And I think I've got a hint of the beeswax now, softening everything. If so, it's the most subtle beeswax I've ever smelled in a BPAL. It usually adds a soft sweetness that amps on me. Throw: Soft and lemony tea. Verdict: *** 1/* Very pretty, but I don't think I need it right now. I'm curious how the components will grow with age, though.

Ok, so most of these notes are ones I haven't quite learned to tell apart from each other (except betel leaf, I've smelled that often enough), but they're ones I seem to like in the blends I've sniffed them in. In the imp: Sweet, sweet resin and incense. It has a sticky scent to it - like I would except it to be viscous, almost like honey, but with the incense scent. Wet on skin: Still sweet incense. I only swiped it on one wrist, but I got a lot of oil off that swipe. Dried down: Sweet, and the incense has almost gone a little woody, but pleasantly light wood, not dark. Like a freshly cut beam, or balsa wood. Throw: This had some serious throw on me to start with, but it's gotten a little lighter since it's dried down.Still very pleasant, though. The incensey feel grows stronger the closer my nose gets to my wrist. Verdict: **** This is very pretty. But...I actually don't see myself reaching for it too often. I'll definitely keep the decant, and I might hunt down a bottle later, but for now, I don' think I need to buy one.

In the imp: Woody and sharp, with a hint of sweetness. Wet on skin: Bitter woods. With just a touch of sweetness. Bittersweet? Dried down: Still bitter wood. Funny enough, my fiance likes this better on me than Claircognizance (which is on my other wrist), whereas I like that one better. Different tastes, I guess. Throw: Almost none on me, but I'm ok with that. Verdict: *** I'm tempted to get a bottle because my fiance likes this on me, but I don't think I'd ever wear it, sinc eI don't like it as much. Maybe I'll try out the decant again sometime.

In the imp: Sweet with a little bit of sharpness - the benzoin is taking center stage in this one. Wet on skin: I'm picking out what could be a nice blend of the rockrose, amber and sandalwood - it's got a soft, almost floral, almost woody tinge to it beneath the benzoin, and round out to a beautiful soft sandalwood. This reminds me a bit of the sandalwood powder I used growing up. Dried down: This is getting prettier with every passing minute. Like sandalwood and incense. And I'm definitely getting that lace-y attitude from it that others have been getting. Throw: This one has a pretty mild throw on me, but I'm getting a bit - light sandalwoody air. Verdict: **** I think I want a bottle or two of this, but I think I'd appreciate it more as a room fragrance than as a perfume - Maybe put a drop or two into the humidifier at night. I'm a little undecided at the moment.

In the imp: Buttery sweetness with a touch of booze. Wet on skin: Nuts. With a little sweetness and spice, but nuts. Ok, this is happening far too often in perfumes that have no nut notes in them, so obviously, my skin chemistry is doing something with something. It's not bad, just not what I was expecting. Dried down: Still nutty, but with a bit more of that sweetness, and I'm getting a teensy bit of booze back into this. Throw: This doesn't really have much throw on me. Verdict: *** Again, not that I mind smelling like nuts, but I think I had some high hopes for it that it didn't meet. At least not this time. I do this I might give it another test sometime, but I don't think I'm going to grab a bottle just yet.

In the imp: Strawberry and sugary cake! Mmmmmm............ Wet on skin: Strawberry candy, like a jolly rancher. Dried down: Sweet strawberry jelly, a little softer than the candy. Throw: This has some serious throw on me,. As it was drying down, wafts of strawberry scent started floating around my head. Verdict: **** This is really pretty, but I don't think I need a bottle. At least not yet.

In the imp: Gingerbread sweetened by coconut. Wet on skin: Mmmmm........... this is different from the other gingerbread scents I've tried. It's not screaming gingerbread spice to me - I mean, it's there, but the sharpness of the spice has been softened by the coconut, and possibly the benzoin. I can discern a little bit of patchouli here, but I have to look for it. It blends in nicely, and gives it a touch of sharpness every once in awhile. Dried down: Hmmmm, the gingerbread and coconut is mostly gone now, leaving me with patchouli and benzoin. Which is nice, but isn't really keeping me sniffing my wrist (unlike Gingerbread Cathedral on my other wrist). Throw: I'm not getting a whole lot of throw from this - I have to bring my nose close. Granted, it could be that it's mixing in with Gingerbread Cathedral, because I smell that much better. Verdict: *** 1/* This is nice, but it's not something I need more of.