Scarlet Woodland

The first time I tried this it was far too sweet for me but quickly realised I was having an anti-sweet week, so tucked it away to try again later. The second try was soooo much better. Wet: There's a brief moment of something medicinal but it quickly settles into sweet, cherry, clove incense. Loads of throw at this point. Drying: Less throw now but still giving good wisp whenever I move, from just a little swipe on one wrist. Can definitely smell the clove, cherry and dragon's blood... not so sure if I'm picking up the myrrh but may be mingling with the Dragon's blood into one resin. Still thoroughly sweet but stops short of being cloying. Dry: I can definitely pick up the something carnation-like that somebody mentioned upthread. So clove, cherry, carnation and dragon's blood incense. The sweetness softens considerably after it's dry. There's something decidedly sexy about this in a blonde, lipgloss, lollipop way. If Sookie Stackhouse were ever turned into a vampire, this scent is what her blood would taste like. I really rather like this but it's definitely a sexy night out sort of scent. After 10+ years with Mr SW, such nights out are so rare though, I think the imp will last me just fine! ETA: Stuff the right occasion...I need a bottle of this

This is absolutely lovely... but. I'm definitely getting the Vanilla, Carnation, Musk, Spices thing which is beautiful. Unfortunately it also smells exactly like the combination of my grandparents' perfume and cologne. That's lovely and obviously nostalgic but oh so traditional and just doesn't feel like me. I also find it a little too sweet which is odd considering how fond I am of Alice. I feel like I can detect ylang ylang in there (which is probably just the carnation mixing with something sweet) and I find ylang ylang waaaay too sweet, headachey and perfume cloudy. Oh well, I shall enjoy taking a little nostalgic whiff of the imp now and then. Will be glad to have this around when my (possibly immortal) gran leaves to find grandad. ETA: I keep trying it because I have a feeling it's going to do a Dorian on me... and one day I'll wake up and love it.

Having been frimped Akuma twice I thought I'd better give it a second chance. Based on the notes it should be right up my street but alas: Wet: Bitter, orange sherbert Drying: Orange/pine toilet cleaner (where the heck is pine coming from?) Dry: Cheap, orangey, institutional soap Whyyyyyyy?

Wet: Scary peach and bitter shrubby combo. Hopefully this settles softer and sweeter. Okay it's getting better but still not liking the wet smell. Drying: Peachy musk. Darkish rather than light but still subtle. Much nicer but it's like not love so far. Fully Dry: Ah, this is more like it. Some powderiness is coming through now which is rather nice. It's a fairly simple scent but definitely not SN. The musk is peeking through to add a little sex appeal. Was worried the patchouli would leap up and bite me as the other scents faded (patchouli isn't fond of me) but it's so well balanced in this that I can't pick it out. From dry onwards this stays a lightly sexy, close to the skin, peach musk. Mr SW approved and he's notoriously picky with scents. I wore Imp to work this morning and have grown rather fond of it. Fancied a dash of freshness once the humidity climbed over 90% at lunchtime (ick) so added a tiny drop of Embalming Fluid... gorgeous! Later in the afternoon (due to lack of customers and general boredom) I thought I'd try adding a touch of Elf to the mix and it was fricking awesome! Imp + Embalming Fluid + Elf = Most luscious, refreshing, tropical fruit cocktail imaginable.

Bottle: Ye gads that's sweet! Butterscotch/caramel explodes out of the bottle. Am slightly frightened to put this on. Wet: Okay, less frightening on but rather like being smashed in the face with a banoffee pie. Still almost painfully sweet. Dry: Much softer and less sweet now. I smell like a delicious banana nut loaf. If I pick it apart it's the pumpkin/apple I'm actually smelling but combined with the cinnamon and nutty, earthy undertone, my brain interprets it as banana. Can't pick up the ginger or mushroom notes on me. Would have enjoyed some ginger but delighted to have missed out on the mushrooms as they're the only food I won't touch with a barge-pole. I really rather like this. Alas, the boy put his nose to my wrist and almost fled from the room. Ah well, will certainly know what to wear if I'm ever "not in the mood". ETA: A few hours later now and I'm getting honey and cognac soaked, golden sultanas with a touch of mixed spice. Pleasant and very close to the skin. Would be lovely for the winter holidays.