kirakira

On my skin and to my nose, Autumn Lace, though more subtle, is similar to Intergalactic. Though both are very sugary on me, a difference is that Autumn Lace has more of a leafy undertone while Intergalactic has a more fruity-floral undertone. Since comparisons were made to Black Lace, I got out my bottle (13th anniversary release), and on my skin I amp more incense and tobacco than sugar. Overall, Autumn Lace is lovely sugary scent. The only downside is that it doesn't seems to last very long on me. It is sweet and light and I'm glad that I took a chance and ordered it.

Over the summer, I went to a craft fair and a woman was selling vetiver plants (I guess technically grass) and teas. I became interested, especially after learning that vetiver helps with problem symptoms around menopause and menstruation, and that it also helps with memory. I didn't buy her female tea at the time and regretted it. So when I saw Haitian Vetiver listed as a single note, I wanted try it out for its medicinal properties, and after smelling the actual plant, I knew that I didn't find the scent offensive. It is a dark oil and when first applied, it smells really smoky. After drydown on my skin, it ends up being a grassy, almost lemony scent. What I love, is that it has sillage (unusual because perfume oils tend to stay close to my skin), so if I move my hand anywhere near the center of my face, I can smell it. It also has staying power of hours. This won't be for everyone, but it works for me.

Cream accord, amber, teak, and lotus blossom. On me, Glowing Vulva at Ryogoku Bridge starts out as a creamy wood and after about 20 minutes the amber arrives to join the mix. I wear this as a comfort scent so I tend to wear it on my hands. Because of the throw, I can enjoy it from a distance or bring it up close when I need to. Wonderful!

On my skin, Pink Moon 2012 starts out as chocolate with floral undertones. Then it dries down to a just ripened strawberry with a hint of spice (maybe carnation?). Pink Moon 2007 was a little too spicy for me and Pink Moon 2005 is one of my sentimental favorites. So while the 2005 version is still tops to me, Pink Moon 2012 is a close 2nd.

When wet, The Arabian Dance smells like wet leather and is astringent. On drydown, it smells like the inside of an old leather purse (not in a stinky way, but in an "it is what it is" way). That may not make sense, but that's what my skin is revealing to me. I'm not getting any tobacco or hazelnut. I'm just amping leather with this blend.

When I first applied Mead Moon, I thought it smelled so much like Honey Moon that I had to do a comparison. They are similar, yet different. To me, Mead Moon has a lighter quality to it whereas Honey Moon is fuller, heavier with a floral bouquet. With Mead Moon, I smell honey and herbs. I was afraid that Mead Moon was going to be spicy since it contains several spices and I tend to amp (clove and cinnamon), but it is not spicy at all on me. I only wish that Mead Moon had more staying power. It tends to disappear in about an hour on my skin. Overall, I really like Mead Moon and those who love Honey Moon will probably like Mead Moon as well.

I love chypres - they are dear to my heart and I wear them frequently. I bought Frederic because of the word "chypre" in the description. When I opened the bottle, I didn't sniff it, I just applied it and was shocked when the patchouli smacked me across the face! I was sad because all I could smell was patchouli, then I remembered that chypres morph on me and that I needed to wait for dry down. I was not disappointed. I'm not good with notes, but Frederic has a woodsy quality blended with subtle florals. Frederic does not smell masculine to me. It smells womanly - strong, complex and powerful. Fredrick is fantastic!

When first applied, I too feel this smells kind of like soap/shampoo/body wash with cherry blossom being the dominant note. When dry, the florals blend together and the wisteria comes through. Hanaki is pretty strong and has throw. I think of spring when I smell this, so I will probably wear it until the heat of summer arrives.

A swirling, hypnotic perfume of black currant, poppy, red and black musk, lilies, nicotiana, and patchouli. I bought this because of all the reviews describing Arachnina as "perfumey". Well, it does not smell like perfume on me! This is a smoky patchouli scent on my skin. I wish that I could smell more of the black currant but cannot smell it at all. I like that it is very strong and has great throw because there are times I want people to smell me before they see me and I will wear this on those days.

Since I'm terrible at deciphering notes, I'm not going to try with this one. I really like unusual scents like this one. I was expecting something foody but this is not foody at all to me. I mainly smell the cocoa and vanilla with a floral undertone. I don't really smell strong spice or fruit although this blend contains both. I will wear this often.

When first applied, I mostly smell mint. This concerns me because my skin chemistry and mint scents do not always get along. After about 15 minutes, the mint starts to fade and it smells very similar to Snow White with a slight hint of mint. It doesn't have much throw but I like it! Since it dries down to a scent very similar to Snow White, I will try layering them to see if I can increase the throw.

I did not purchase Singing Moon during the live update because I'm not attracted to aquatic scents. I purchased this from the forum after reading several reports that some who wear Singing Moon at bedtime have vivid dreams. I rarely remember my dreams so I wanted to give it a try. Sadly, Singing Moon is not my dream inducing scent. When first applied, I smell a sweet grassy floral blend. After it dries, it becomes a salty aquatic on my skin. Since I like the way it smells when first applied, I will wear it in a scent locket.

I believe that I'm smelling the balm of Gilead since I'm not familiar with the dominant note. I know this sounds strange but Sagittarius smells similar to Zymol car wax. That isn't a negative, it is just how Sagittarius smells to me. Sagittarius evokes a color to me - I see a golden amber when I smell it. I will wear this on days when I feel mellow.

Hope smells like sugared roses when wet. I smell the same type of rose that is in Rose Red (2005). After it dries, musk joins the rose and sugar. Although I usually love rose scents, this is not one of my favorites. The sharp rose and musk just do not blend well to me. This is a rose that I won't be wearing very often.

When wet and first applied, The Shivering Boy smells like Vick's VapoRub or a menthol cough drop. After dry, I smell pine and a slight undertone of menthol. I will wear it the next time I have a cold to see if it makes me feel better.