Eemia

Straight away this smelled like vinegar. I love vinegar, and this is dead on. That extremely sour tang and sharpness I smell mimics the scent of really expensive vinegar exactly. Even down to the vague fruitiness. I'm amazed every time I smell it at how accurate it is. But I don't know if I want to smell like vinegar, as much as I love vinegar as a food product.... It's somewhat green too, but not a fresh, flowering green. It feels more like a damp, old green. It's musty and murky too, like stagnant earth. I think there's a bit of wood in here too but it's so fleeting that I can't be certain. As it dries it becomes all musk and dusty air. I do like this one, but I don't think I will wear it much. Overall it's just too sharp on me. It is a beautiful atmospheric scent though, and I will probably use it as a room fragrance.

This is the only red polish I've ever been able to wear. Red usually looks awful on me. But this is the perfect shade because it's so dark. It isn't cool where it has a blue tint, or too warm where it would have orange in it. It's seems to be straight down the middle. I don't see any burgundy or maroon in it either. A true blood red, just as the description states. The brown is just enough where it mutes the color slightly and deepens it. It looks very glamorous, especially on my fingernails. I keep my fingernails very short across the edge of my skin and oval shaped and this color enhances the shape beautifully. It looks sophisticated that way instead of flashy since the color is so strong. I feel very Old Hollywood wearing this. Love it.

This is so beautiful and thrilling. It's like a pitch black perfume, sharp and dark. The green is such a deep green. It doesn't smell grassy or juicy or even fresh. More like lush green plants that have been frozen with a thin layer of ice, turning them black and preventing them from wilting or browning. The wood is just a faint tone around the edges---almost sweet and very subtle. The dirt appears as it dries down. It's a little musty and still sweet. I love the bleakness of this. For me it's a classic.

First thing I smell is a very strong tangy note. It borders on fruity minus the sweetness. It must be the blood wine.....but it is not metallic as most blood notes are on me. It remains the dominant note for hours. Underneath the wine it smells very complex and dark. The red musk is gorgeous and unexpectedly calm. There is a pale wood that stands out and provides a good counterpoint to the overlying tang. It softens it. The patchouli is in there I know but I can't find it for the life of me. It's just rounding everything out I guess. I thought the cocoa would be recognizably sweet and chocolaty but it's very pure and almost bitter. I'm doing my best to single everything out but truthfully it's so difficult because this one is so compact. Overall it's a mysterious, dark, and musky fragrance coated it rich tangy wine. I had so many reservations about this because of the blood and the red musk but this is so sexy and vivacious. I love how the wine stays at the forefront the entire time. That's never happened before. I love this---good thing I ordered a bottle.

A memory of pleasure passed. A ghostly rendezvous, delight beyond death. Faint echoes of laughter and the distorted music of a harp drift by, along with the scent of soft white pear and sweet vanilla. Soft, fresh pear and vanilla. Like a decadent dessert but without gagging me with sweetness. It doesn't hit me with an intense fruity brightness either. It's mellow and faded, like it's covered in a layer of gauze. I think it retains the same creamy, dry quality as some of the others in this series. This is a very refined foody scent, more delicate than I expected it to be. It fades to a nice light vanilla musk. I wish it lasted longer but it disappears pretty quickly. Coupled with the very faint throw and I'm going to have to pile this one on. Still....it's very pretty and I will wear it often.

I was dying to have this one. I've wanted a paper scent for such a long time. Something that actually smells like thick, dry paper because that's one of my favorite scents in the world. This is musky and very, very dry. It smells like a small, closed space. And....the thick paper smell. Though the musk is dominant, the paper smell is very clear. It's like I'm pressing my face into the open bindings of a new book. But the dusty notes surrounding it makes it feel like a forgotten new book that has been sitting on a dusty shelf for so long that it has almost sealed itself shut. The outer spine is coated in dust and faint incense ash, and as you go to open it you have to crack the pages open carefully. The pages have never been touched, but are so old that they are crumbling around the edges. Coupled with a barely perceptible wood note, this is perfect. After it's been sitting on my skin for a few hours it's a little sweet and still holds a light musk note. It actually smells so good on me, and very comforting. I love this--it's my favorite of the Haunted House series.

This is so lovely and fragile. It reminds me of Antique Lace because they both have a similar malted smell to me. But this is more dry and musky, and I don't smell a vanilla note as I do with Antique Lace. The violet adds that soft powdery touch that perfectly suits the overall dusty/dry feeling. None of the florals stand out on my skin...they are very unassuming. There is a sweet creaminess that is very pretty and clean. It doesn't have a strong throw but it does last on my skin for a good two hours before I have to reapply. This does feel reminiscent of faded belongings and keepsakes. Like all of the Haunted House series, I'm thrilled with the atmosphere it evokes.

I received a bottle of this as a gift. I didn't buy it for myself because I was thinking that it would be very masculine. It started out as a complete miss. Strong, overwhelming smoke and bitterness. It reminded me of Brimstone, which on my skin smells like smoky meat. Nothing I would wear easily. But I waited it out for about two minutes and it completely changed. It was deep, retaining that pure smokiness, but revealing more of the notes underneath. The chrysanthemum really began to stand out, as well as the amber. At this point it is very complex. The dry leaves are just pitch perfect. There isn't a tinge of sweetness or anything that would soften this up and ruin that crackling, dry Autumn effect. I wouldn't call this beautiful, but it has so much depth and individuality. It's something I want to savor when I wear it. And for whatever reason I like to picture roasted chestnuts when I put this on. I've never had roasted chestnuts, but this is what my mind conjures up anyway.

This smells so damn good. Like creamy vanilla. A very sweet and tart version of vanilla. I think it smells even better than the actual oil because it has less of the sharp, burnt sugar smell. I keep picking this up just to smell it when I walk by my soap dish. It has a bit of texture from the vanilla beans but it doesn't feel abrasive or gritty (Al-Azif and Perversion are much more scrubby). I could use this everyday, as often as I would one of my non-texture soaps. The lather is just as nice as all of the Trading Post soaps. And it's easy to work into a lather. It rinses very cleanly too.

As an Aries I had high expectations for this one since it represents the archetype of fire. I even bought the eight ounce bottle because I had a feeling it would be a perfect fit. And though I only have this one and Terrae, I am certain this is going to be my favorite. This is spicy, fierce, and very sensual. It has a lovely balance of notes. The brightness of the citrus and spices form a vibrant peak for the more languid ylang ylang. Even the patchouli adds another dimension, and feels earthy and grounding. The fragrance just glows, and I love it. The texture is so gorgeous. It just glides across skin without any sticky, greasy, or tacky feeling. It can be worked into the skin so easily, and sinks in without leaving a film. It is not overly slippery either. Perfect for massages, but is also a lovely skin moisturizer. And the feeling I get from using this is very different than what I feel using Terrae. Ignis made me feel more energetic and intense. I think the bottle is great too. Solid and sturdy so I don't have to worry about dropping it with oil-covered hands. The label is majestic too. ......And it's funny because I would have never expected to be a fan of massage oils. I am not a fan of them in general and I didn't think I would ever use them often enough to warrant buying a quality brand. These have changed my mind completely. I use them every single day.

First of all, the wrapper is beautiful. It feels like a present to open these soaps. Sometimes pumpkin and I don't always get along, so I was relieved when I opened this and found it to be a mixture of scents, rather than straight up pumpkin. The pumpkin that I do smell actually reminds me more of a raw, fresh cut pumpkin than one that has been cooked. This soap has the depth of any BPAL oil....it's foody but not extremely sweet, and has a nice light spiciness. And I agree with some of the other reviewers who mentioned this: it does have a silky butter fragrance throughout. The clay is amazing...I've never had a soap with so much beautiful red clay in it before. It feels wonderful and detoxifying on my skin. Plus it is like an extra bit of attention in the mornings when I'm in a hurry and don't have time for a lot of steps. And I really love seeing all the russet orange lather on my skin. That radiant color combined with the spicy fragrance just feels so warm, which is perfect for colder weather showers. Another happy point to add in its favor: no scrubby bits. I can add this to a more frequent rotation.

Sugar Skull 2007.... I love Sugar SKull 06 and have gone through my existing bottle fairly quick, so I wanted this as a backup. It's slightly different than the 06 version, which is softer and much more fruity on my skin. That version also seemed like it had more vanilla tones. The 2007 version smells like more of a single note....or at least, it's only amping up a general burnt sugar scent. It is very strong and very heavy. It does feel authentically like sugar. It's pucker-my-cheeks sweet. It reminds me of the many times I've tried to make homemade caramel, but only succeeded in burning the sugar and butter to the pan before I could add the cream. Then I'd have to take my metal spatula and scrape off all of these little crusted chunks of burnt brown sugar off of the pan. The whole apartment smelled like that for so long. That's exactly what this fragrance reminds me of. This lasts a long time without morphing whatsoever. Of the two versions that I own....I like the 2006 version better. But this is still a keeper. I can't wait to try it out with my Sugar Skull soap.

I didn't know what to expect (scent wise) when I ordered this. But basically I thought it would be very foody and sweet. Using it this morning was such a pleasant surprise because it's so light and fresh and herbal. It smells beautiful, and very unique. I wish it was offered year round! Maybe I'm biased in liking this one the most of the four Halloween soaps. But I didn't stand much of a chance seeing how it's green, my favorite color. The herbaceous scent is so soothing and bright and suits the appearance perfectly. It has a nice soft lather without any exfoliation bits. I can use the non-scrubby soaps much more often on my sensitive skin, so they are usually my favorites anyway. The clay is a nice touch because it made my skin feel super clean and pampered, but not dried out. I will probably end up ordering another one of these to keep as a backup.

I knew this would be beautiful, but it's even more so than I imagined it would be! The second I sniffed this inside the bottle I knew it would be a solid favorite forever. This is the kind of fragrance I adore and I immediately loved it. I'm not even going to put the bottle with my others in their box. I'm keeping the Queen in her coffin to sit on my desk. And the coffin?......gorgeously heavy, and ornate. I'm thrilled! The barest hint of dark raspberries and plum and heavy rose musk greet me first. Not a syrupy or sweet fruit, just juicy and very, very subtle. No overwhelming bursts of fruitiness appeared, which I would have still liked but it wouldn't have won me over as much. Mostly this is dry, and antique smelling, musty in a lovely way. More musk than floral, and incredibly full bodied. The patchouli never takes over here. It stays firmly in the background giving the intenseness of the florals a nice balance. The pepper is so sultry and adds a vivid quality. The scent hits its peak when it's mainly musk and regal, barely perceptible florals with a high, cold atmosphere. This is seamless and so complex. It felt special from the moment I put it on my wrists.

This is my favorite of all the polish colors. I actually paint my fingernails in this and I hate my fingernails painted. I love it that much. Thank you for making a pink that I can actually wear! This is such a sexy dark pink. It's a beautiful color that actually looks sophisticated, but saucy too. It's very vivid. I love the vinyl finish...which looks extra gorgeous because it goes on sleekly without any streaks. If it was sheer or had any sort of shimmer it wouldn't have the same intense impact. It also lasts longer than any other polish I've ever tried. So all around, I'm thrilled with this.

A rich ocean scent...it's wet and salty but heavily laden with a jumble of beautiful notes. It's sharply perfumey overall, but the freshness of the earth notes keep it light and natural. The cedar is especially nice. It amps up on my skin right away so that it's the focal point of the whole fragrance. The aquatic notes are clean but they don't remind me of linen or similar clean-type scents. The berries are not very aggressive here. There is a vague juiciness but I can't detect it much. The aloe is easier for me to smell and I love how green it is. The plants themselves smell wet apart from the ocean fragrance. Mostly this remains a perfume fragrance with ties to ocean life. I have worn this all day and I'm happy that it hasn't overpowered me considering that steadfast cedar note. And yes, that pig is perfect.

I just about didn't order this because from the listed notes I was picturing something a lot more masculine and aggressive. But this is surprisingly soft and almost has a vanilla base...or at least a warm, slightly sweet note. This is what I imagine when I think of an Autumn fragrance. A beautiful musk note was dominant at first application. Reminiscent of a wood forest, heavy with dead, dry leaves. But oddly enough completely without the actual wood. Something is very open about this, and warm. Nothing feels chilly or crisp to me. A deep spice lurks about...it's like breathing in swirling ash. Personally, that's my favorite part about this. It stays very true during the drydown. Other musks appear and that same strange vanilla rides it out. There is a suggestion of bitterness as well that deepens the overall fragrance. This turned out to be something I will wear all the time.

This is for the 2007 version... This should have worked on me but unfortunately I'm not crazy about it. The initial stage was very strong and smelled like heavy incense and an oddly pungent fruit note. It almost went to sour on my skin right away. The sweetness was off-putting too because it smelled like cake batter, which made for an odd combination with the incense. It almost seemed like I made a mistake putting on my fragrance. Like my clothes held hints of old incense while my skin was covered in cake scented lotion. On my skin it just doesn't feel whole. From the description I thought I would love this....I usually get along with incense, and the sugary cakes had me sold. I don't hate it by any means, and it isn't awful smelling where I had to wash it off right away. It just isn't quite right. I will hold onto my bottle to try again later. Maybe after it ages a bit it will smell better on me.

This is for the 2005 version... One of the most beautiful fragrances I've ever smelled. This has to be in my top three list. It is innocent, fresh, and dreamy. Beth's snow based scents are my some of my favorites, and this has that cold, white quality that I love so much. I've had this since April when I received a bottle for my birthday but I haven't reviewed it yet because I never knew how to describe it. I still don't think I can do a very good job because all I want to repeat over and over is "beautiful" and "elegant" and so on. But it's true. The florals are understated and crisp. I think there is a slight green note too, but it's not as present as the other notes. It's more of a feeling that goes along with the freshness of the flowers and the snow. There is a very pale milkiness or creaminess balancing out the sharper cold notes. It wears so well on my skin and lasts for hours even though it is a very light scent. I feel very calm and still when I wear this, which is so unexpected because I am often anxious, especially in public situations. That's probably why I love this so much.

For the 2007 version... This was the fragrance I was most excited about when I placed my Halloween order. I love the concept and all the notes sounded like they would be a unique mixture on my skin. I tore into my package today and slathered this on before even opening my other bottles. It starts out smelling strongly of heavy incense and a peculiar smokey dryness. The smell of musky florals is sitting right at the top too. It thankfully doesn't have the cloying sweetness I was dreading. I feel like I'm being overwhelmed by the notes in this so much that I am having odd sensations. It has an atmospheric quality that makes me feel like I'm in the midst of a pressing crowd of people, and the smells wafting around are all foreign to me, and yet I know every single one. Some light fruit appears as it settles down, and it feels more familiar. The incense is so beautiful and intense....it tempers the emerging sugar sweetness. The floral notes are fading quietly into musk and tobacco. This is powerfully evocative for me....it reminds me of growing up so close along the border to Mexico. These smells are so exact they cannot be anything else to me. It's comforting but very sensual and exotic. I am so thrilled with this. I couldn't have imagined this being better.

I have had this soap for a long, long time and I should have written a review sooner because it's one of my favorites. This is deceiving (in the best possible way) because it smells so sweet and smokey with incense, but the texture is so fierce. This is even more scrubby than Perversion soap, which is hugely exfoliating. The graininess in this feels more fine and condensed and will scrub the roughness off of anything. I have to be very careful not to use this on more sensitive areas because it can scratch my skin. For those areas I rub it into my hands first and it works perfectly. It feels amazing on my feet, and since I love being barefoot all of the time it really takes care of them. I bought the soap before I had ever tried the oil, and because I was so addicted to this I bought the oil within a few weeks. This is strongly scented and even lingers on my skin a little while after showering. I consider it one of my staple soaps.

I used to have a terrible aversion to cherry anything. That horrible children's cough syrup I took a lot when I was little gave me a complex about it. But I like this. And my boyfriend goes insane over it and asks me to wear it all the time. It starts out as impossibly thick, deep cherry without even a hint of that dreaded cough syrup. Sweet, but so dark that I can ignore the sweetness. It edges into a musky licorice scent right away and just stays dark and beautiful. Despite the cherry and licorice scent, it never smells foody to me. It is too musky for that, especially in the drydown. And this is one of my longest lasting fragrances. I never thought I could wear this since I don't particularly like licorice either. But it is so seductive. And I would have never picked it for myself, but I received a frimp of it and it just worked out so well.

I think this is one of my most happy scents. If I need some mellow cheerfulness, I pick this. This is unsweetened, bright, and floral. But not a bouquet-like floral, or even a garden-like floral. It feels like it could be a green floral. Something along the crisp and vaguely bitter lines. Although it doesn't have a soapy smell, it does have a clean fragrance. Maybe something musky or amber underneath everything as it dries. I keep thinking there's an earth scent in there somewhere....reminds me of a tangle of roots. I was obsessed with this when I smelled it at a will call a while back, and have been wearing out my bottle ever since.

My mom gifted me with a bottle of this (the 2006 version), and I tried it on without knowing any of the notes. My first thought was oh, sparkly bubblegum! I've been searching for a bubblegum type scent for a long time, ever since Jailbait gave me an allergic reaction. This is the perfect alternative. Sweet and fizzy and innocent. A little fruity. Very fun. After reading the notes I am certain that it's the lotus that is creating the bubblegum scent. It usually does on my skin. But I have never liked the overall effect in other blends as I do with this scent. It just suits the lightness of this fragrance. The fruit note is very subdued and pale, nearly boozy but not heavy. This has a dry, faint final stage. The sweetness wears away along with the fruit notes. It an interesting scent in the drydown. It smells like sparkling white wine after it's been sitting neglected in a glass all night and lost all of it's fizz. I want to be carefree and dancing when I wear this one.

I can't say enough great things about this. It has to be my favorite Trading Post product right now. This feels so silky and is completely non-greasy. It doesn't sit on top of my skin or rub off onto everything around me. It just melts into my skin. It's incredibly decadent. I am usually very leery of massage oils because of the typically thick consistency and sticky texture. This had a light, thin consistency that's easy to spread, and no stickiness whatsoever. A little goes a long way. I have been using it as both a massage oil and an overall body moisturizer. I agree with alicia_stardust: this is the perfect earth scent. It has a beautiful depth and richness that is intoxicating. But it never overwhelms or distracts. It's a relaxing fragrance, and very calming. My boyfriend loves the scent as much as I do, and it smells so good on both of us. Although I do think that the myrrh is slightly stronger on my skin than on his. And the scent lasts for hours. Wonderful!!