sparkybish

Sadly this was all patchouli on me and not in a good way. *scrubs*

All green tea on me, and I forgot how much I hate green tea smell!

In the imp: Strong amber, with something that is sharp Wet: Strong..whoah! Strong..that sharpness i s really overwhelming Dry: Powdery amber but with a really strong bite, which was fitting of a lion, but not for me. The search for a perfect amber scent for me continues!

Silk Road eventually goes a little incensey on me, but not too much. Morocco is my go to spicy warm scent. It also has a bit of floral in it which rounds it out.

In the Imp: Red rose and an earthiness Wet: just like it is in the imp, except more open. I can't get this idea of gardening roses in deep black soil. To me it isn't a dry scent at all. It's damp, and the earthiness brings a complexity to a beautiful rose. Dry: Beautiful. I believe it will go into high rotation!

In the imp: Citrus and cedar, with a hint of something warmer Wet: At first the citrus amps up, but then it fades back and the cedar comes on a little too strong Dry: It's settling into something that is cedary, and pleasant, and somewhat nostalgic, though I don't know of what. Maybe it is school. Pencil shavings and soap. It's growing on me the longer I have it on though. I would love to try this on my husband, but he is anti-smellies for himself. boohiss!

Lovely, creamy vanilla, which does remind me of high school smells, but in the best way. It's shot striaght into my Top 10!

Oh how I loves Mr. Jacquel. Most patchouli gives me a headache but Mr. Jacquel + Me = Lurve.

I smell no strawberry in Hollywood Babylon, but Maenad is my perfect strawberry!

I really like this, and it's a bit masculine, so I layered it with Morocco, and it is beautimous!

In the imp: vague violets with an ozone hanging in there Wet: Airy violets Drying down: It tickles my nose in a good way. It's like a well rounded violet and I smell like candy. But in the best way. Dry: Soft, lovely, complex violet with a hint of sweetness. I am so glad I bought this!! Sidenote: What a lovely label! This is my second bottle with a special label and I love it. I would keep it for that even if I hated it, which I don't!

In the imp: Vaguely metallic and woody Wet: Oh dear, i don't think so. It's all wood. Well I smell some vanilla there, and that's nice, but wooooood. I don't get what all the fuss is about. Drying down: Actually this is kind of nice, for a man. *sniff* Or maybe me. Dry: If I could mate with my hand, I would. I will definitely dilute it a bit though, because it throws a lot on me.

In the vial: A slight sharpness, but I really can't smell anything Wet: Soapy Oddity: for about 5 minutes after I put it on, I couldn't smell it at all. Then it came on like gangbusters and has serious throw. Drying down: Totally NOT masculine on me. Well I guess a guy could wear it, but on me it just smells clean, but warm. Dry: Nice warm, I guess it kind of reminds me of Obsession for men, but i never would have thought masculine until I read the reviews. Maybe my imp is an old one and it something mellows as it ages.

On me, this is all jasmine. Crazy, amped up, jasmine with a hint of Catholic school. I think that's the lime. Lime always reminds me of school.

In the imp it smelled like fruity, spicy, and something else. I wasn't very hopeful. I put it on a few minutes before my shower in case it went bad, but it did some interesting things on my skin. First, I never got the super cinnamon that everyone else seemed to. It was all fruity and juicy on me, with a hint of something manly under it. I was thinking it was leather, but I think it's a combo of the cassia and woods. I really like it and my hand now smells sexay to me. I will definitely give this one a another try on the wrists tomorrow.

A haiku for Arcana: verdancy softens rosemary and lavender Herbal softness charms

I can't remember how it first smelled on me, but now it has gone to a bad place. I think that's the lily. It was the last of my original wishlist and what I have learned from that wishlist is that I'm not so good at choosing scents for myself. Now that I've smelled and tried a bunch of bpal I'm doing better. So for me, it goes to the swap pile. Sadness!

I received this as a frimp in response to having no idea what dragon's blood was supposed to smell like. It's nothing like I expected! I thought it was going to be stronger, maybe overpowering but this blend is lovely. I have sometimes used the incense as a bad descriptor, but in this, it reminds me of Christmas Eve mass where everyone gets dressed up, often putting on perfume, and there would be incense as part of the service. It's a sleepy, but expectant memory, as it reminds me of the anticipation on Christmas Eve as a child. I will definitely put this in the keeper pile, and I might even buy a bottle depending on how the trials go!

Is "Carnival Diabolique" the "Carnival" that is referred to as being a good compliment to Potion from Lush? I don't tend to dig patchouli and so Tramp is a big nix for me, and I love Mr. Jacquel. i don't smell any of the patchouli in it.

In the imp: Sweet, lovely, pretty. I can never pull much in the way of notes out of the imp. Wet: Sweet, but not sticky sickly sweet. I smell the orange blossom, rose, and it has a nostalgic smell for me. It reminds me of my Grandmother's bathroom. In a good way. Dry: It's gone a bit powdery, and the rose is gone, but now the honey and orange blossom really merge for a unique womanly smell. This is definitely on the wishlist.

I received this as a frimp and initially it just smelled like green swampy decay int he bottle. But now i smell so much more. Imp: i do smell decay over something green and juicy Wet: It immediately blooms into this lovely, heady, juicy, green, yet rosy scent. Dry: I get a bit of the dustiness, but in a really nice way that mellows the strength of the rose and the juiciness of the cactus flower. When I wear it I feel glamorous, and earth mothery.

In the imp: Honey, milk, and just sweet. Not at all what I was expecting. I put a dab of this on a few weeks ago and since it wasn't what I was expecting I just shelved it. Wet: Honey and milk, but roses are starting to come out. Still foody and sweet but not obnoxiously so. Drydown: I smell a lot more rose, and a touch of tea and less milk. Still waiting and wishing for the carnation to come out and play, but I like it even without it. Definitely on the wish list for a bigger bottle. Overall impression: Tea, spongecake, and rose dusting powder. Which to me isn't so much dress up and tea parties as it is dessert in bed after a nice long bath.

In the imp: Floral, pretty, old fashioned. I can't pull too much out specifically Wet: Bright, crisp floral. Still feels old fashioned, but not stuffy. More vintage and chic. The rose comes out, and I think I am smelling the lily of the valley. The carnation is peeking out with a hint of spiciness. Drying: The amber is bringing a nice softness and the tangerine is adding a nice well roundedness. Overall impression: Feminine, traditional, but unique. I think this may be my very first 5ml!

In the imp: I can not pick out any of the notes in this. In the imp I smell fruity, and a little spicy. Wet: On my skin it's all juicy. I assume this is the plum. But I don't smell any carnation. And I LOVE carnation so it's a little disappointing. Also it's getting a bit powdery on me. I am starting to smell like an old lady in church. Dry down: Ok, it's not an old lady in church, it's incense used in Catholic rituals. It makes me feel kind of dizzy and my nostrils are burning a little. I really had high hopes for this one, and I am sad. I do want to give it another try during a different time of the month, if you catch my drift. Also I may try mixing this with some single note carnation oil I have and see how it works. w00t! My first review, done!