Tesseljoan

I can't for the life of me describe what Hades smells like on my skin. It is resinous and a bit incensey, but I can smell a teensy bit of powder as well, perhaps the florals... It strongly reminds me of another one of Beth's blends, but I can't remember which one. It is deep and dark, but I don't think I'll wear this often.

I never expectied Bastet to be so light and gentle as it is. On my skin, it is almond at first, and then it morphs into a flower/spice combo, that I can only smell occasionally. It is lovely, but even Dana O'Shee lasts longer. A keeper, but a slatherer as well.

First of all, I know only too well what it's like what you're going through. I have had social phobia in the past and while social situations are a hell of a lot better now (in the sense that I have social interaction at all) but it's never really easy. I don't know if you're thinking of treatment already, because you didn't say how long this has been going on, but do keep an eye on yourself and think about it. As for hte oils: I haven't tried Moxie, but I use BPAL regularly as a little nudge to help me with my social phobia. Crucible of Courage was a big favourite, but it is discontinued, and now I use a combination of High John the Conqueror and Water of Notre Dame or Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo. It depends on what I need the most. where I put the oil depends on the effect: CoC and Water of Notre Dame go on my heart, because I believe these oils to have an effect on myself more then my surroundings. High John and Aunt Caroline are for my wrists and neck, because I want those scents to effect me as well as my surroundings. I guess it helps as long as it makes sense to you. I woulld personally prefer the oil on my skin, but if somewhere else seems more logical to you, then go for it. Good luck on the BBQ next saturday.

Rakshasa was a freebie from th elab. I honestly didn't think it was going to be any good... I mean, I hate roses and patchouli, and especially in combination (Zombie, Burial), and Sandalwood isn't a big favourite with me either. This is pleasant and dry. I guess sandalwood and patchouli are the prominent notes, because I smell a pleasant earthy scent which isn't to much for me, and the roses are nowhere to be seen. I am surprised and I stand corrected regarding my thought s on patcouli and rose blends.

I hate Alice. The character I mean. She is, to me, the most ridiculous character in the books. It has put me off ordering her for a while. Well, to be fair, that and the rose in the description. Anyway, when I first applied this, I was positively surprised by the almond scent that I smelled. It fades quickly though, leaving a very sweet and innocent scent behind. There's something in there that reminds me of Dana O'Shee, but it's not the almond. It is a milky honey. This would be a great scent for a young girl. And I like it, too.

Katharina is all apricot on my skin. Later on, I detect some of the white musk, but it's not more then a breath. I find apricot a bit sickly sweet, so I'm not sure if I'll wear this often.

The amber necklace of Freyja, Norse Goddess of Love, Sex, Attraction and Fruitfulness. Her magnificent necklace was bough from four Dwarves [Alfrik, Berling, Dvalin and Grer] at the price of four nights of her passion. When Brisingamen graces your throat, no man can resist your charms. A glittering mantle of rich golden notes: five ambers, soft myrtle and apple blossom, myrtle, and carnation. I have waited to review this, as my skin turns this into a different scent every time I wear it. Sometimes the apple comes out in the first stage and sometimes it I can smell a very earthy note. In th edrydown, I dicovered, this scetn is almost always the same: it always borders on the powdery or the soapy, but it's not quite one of those. It is... amber. If you like amber, this is totally your scent. I'm not sure, but I'll keep the imp.

Leanan Sidhe is a flowery, herbal sort of scent, with perhaps a faint aquatic in the background (it evokes the mists wonderfully). It is pleasant and not too prominent. I'm not sure I'll wear this often, as it's not quite 'me' but I'll keep the imp around.

This was part of the 'clearing out the regular catalogue wishlist' When this first hits my skin, I can smell herbs, mostly, with a touch of fruit. After about half an hour or so, the scent morphs into a more straightforward berry scent, which I like as well, but not as much as the first stage. This berry note has a similar smell to the one in Bordello, but without the heady amaretto. Overall, this is a nice fruity scent, without being to bubblegum-esque.

I can smell the tea and the vanilla at first: a bit lemony and sweet. After 10 minutes, it becomes far more spicy, and I can really smell the ginger, but not the black pepper, really. after half an hour the honey is starting to come through more, together with the lemony teaness. Wish I'd ordered a bottle of this instead of Dorian. I like this a bit better because this has a nice spicy kick to it as well.

I'm afraid that ordering Mi-Go was due to selective reading on my part. I mean that I was lured in by the description of all those lovely fruits, ginger, tea and musks, and completely refused to see and/or acknowledge that there were florals in there as well that might not work with my skin. Alas, my wrist now smells of generic perfume where I applied Mi-Go. And it is so GOD DAMN beautiful in the bottle. It is fruity, invigorating but not like a kick in the arse that mint usually is, but more like a brisk walk. Fruity, but with depth to it from other notes, that I can't possibly identify. It could have been the ultimate fruity but yet mature scent. It is absolutely gorgeous in the bottle, and perfect for summer. This one is going in the oil burner, but it really doesn't deserve it. Maybe I'll invest in that scent locket after all.

Mint. Cucumber. Pepper. I just knew I was going to love this, and I do. It's screams mint at me from the beginning (which is a good thing in my book) and later on, it fades into a beautiful green scent. Thinking of not going to college next year and spending my tuition fee on about, well, a hundred bottles or so.

Reviews from the Chaos Run Amuck circle: Chaos Theory III (??? I think??) Jasmine and lavender. They seem to remain pretty faithful, even on my skin, but they're not really my thing. Previously reviewed by chai_girl. Chaos Theory XV Ooooh, pineapple! And buttery later on! Nice! even later it's more of a vanilla or cookie scent. Previously reviewed by Red_Hot_Mama, hypothermya, with coffee spoons, harlequin, quantum spice, inkstone and andrabell. Chaos Theory XVII This is citrussy and fresh. I can smell something green coming through later on, but it remains a light citrus scent. I'd say it's bright, even. I didn't know I could like citrus that much. Previously reviewed by supasonicsage, hypothermya, with coffee spoons, harlequin, quantum spice, inkstone, paperdoll and andrabell. Chaos Theory XXII Flowers. I'm not a fan of flowers, so this one isn't my cup of tea. It turns sharp on me. Previously reviewed by inkstone, goddessrobyn and andrabell. Chaos Theory XXXIII This one is weird but pleasant in the first stage. I can't describe what it is though, but it's nice. Later on, this turns perfumey and flowery on me. Previously reviewed by Emu Nymph and andrabell. Chaos Theory XLVIII Vanilla and flowers? Creamy, but not too much. Fades into a nice, general "baked" scent Previously reviewed by paperdoll, hypothermya, with coffee spoons, quantum spice, inkstone and magikfanfic. Chaos Theory LXXXVII beatiful dragon's blood (I think it's DB) and cinnamon. Pretty light for a scent with those two strong components. More juicy cinnamon then dragon's blood. Previously reviewed by Vicious Mistress and andrabell. Chaos Theory XCV This starts out fresh as well, a little powdery like Tisiphone. Later on, it starts to smell different...I can't make it out really. It is still a bit powdery, but a bit of musk? Almonds? I know there aren't any nuts in the CT blends, but it feels like almonds.. or no, it is musk! Or..? Previously reviewed by hypothermya, with coffee spoons, harlequin, quantum spice, inkstone and andrabell.

From the bottle The Raven smells like violets and something pickled. Huh? Do I want to put this on? I'll try it anyway.. When wet, violets always smell juicy to me, in this blend that fades rather quickly. It is a dry violet, with a dark musky undertone. I think it is very special as a violet scent, because violets tend to have a linen-drawer association attached to them for many people I know. This violet has the upper hand in this scent, but it is toned down enough not to be associated by people with their own clean undies.

This starts out creamy, but after five minutes I can only smell the sweetness of Chaste Moon. I think it's the scent of those strwberries, with a gentle touch of flowers. It smells sweet and green and flwery at the same time. It's the perfect evocation of spring that hasn't come to ful bloom yet.

I would never picked this one out from the description. Patchouli and ylang ylang are not always good things on my skin, so I'm glad I received this as a gift. It goes a little powdery on me, but in a very good way. I presume the neroli keeps it a bit fresh. I hardly get any patchouli from this either. It is well blended and I can't really pick out any notes, but it is (strangely enough) a gentle, but not fragile scent.

Moss? Dirt? Incense? Where? I jst smell flowers, jasmine mostly. It doesn't go as bad as flowers usually do on my skin, but this scent is very straightforward and lacks depth on my skin. ... You know, I still feel like apologizing to the lab when a scent doesn't work on me, and sod it, I'll do it anyway. Sorry folks, I really appreciate the gift, and I feel bad for not liking it.

The Sleeping Beauty. A gentle, lovely scent, slightly soporific, but beautiful in its quiet repose. Plumeria and white pear, Damascus rose, tuberose, magnolia and evening dew. A floral, a light one, so when it does turn sharp on my skin, it isn't so strong that it drowns out all the other notes. I can still smell the fruitiness of the pear and plumeria, very gently.

Twilight turns to a jasmine/lavender-combo on me. While this may sound lovely, it is not for me. Too much toilet airfresheners with the same scent, I think.

Juke Joint: ehm mint? Hello? Are you there? O yes, in the background. The smoke and the dryness overpower it a bit. I have never had a scent where mint was in the background. Interesting. I'm not familiar with the drink, but I think this perfume is very pleasant. It is a bit dry and almost earthy, with a dry mint freshing things up a bit.

Man, was I forever searching my spreadsheet and the BPAl website until I realized this was an unreleased scent. Wet I can smell pineapple as well. On my skin, it quickly turns to soap, with a breath of pineapple. I'm wondering if this will turn out a bit masculine... After an hour there's only a generic perfume smell left, so there must be a floral in there somewhere.

You know by now how roses and I get along, right? Right. Giving this the benefit of the doubt anyway. I don't smell the slightest bit of spice either, but to me, this is a green rose. I guess there's somthing herby as well. Don't hate it, which was rather a surprise, but didn't find it very special either.

Butterscotch, vanilla.. It kind of smells like a lighter version of Gluttony. Which is great, because I can't pull off gluttony because of the dark coffee notes, but this is just perfect for me.

When wet, lemony tea and sugar. The vanilla is more prominent after an hour, and blends beautifully with the tea. Outrageously beautiful. *sigh* How does Beth do it?

How could I have ignored this gem for so long? It is an absolutely stunning, creamy kind of floral Marzipan. Hardly any cinnamon detectable for me, just a deeper and less milky version of Dana O'Shee, with a wink to Snake oil and Morocco.