Gwydion

In bottle: A very light green scent, with a hint of mixed florals. It’s very grassy. Wet: Fresh cut lawn, under warm sun. The flowers are very understated, more there to suggest the out doors, instead of making the blend a proper floral. It’s very realistic and definitely reminiscent of a summer day in a field. Dry: Slightly more perfumey, but smells a lot like embalming fluid.

In bottle: Not entirely fortunate. That’s a lot of red musk and the champaca is a bit stale smelling here. The ylang ylang is not entirely integrated. Wet: It’s just not working on me. The musk is at war with the sweeter elements like the caramel and honey. The sad thing is now and then I catch something lovely, when the elements balance just right. The vanilla/red musk combination is reminiscent of snake oil and the floral elements do go well with that base. The issue is likely my skin chemistry, honestly and your mileage may vary wildly. Dry; It’s quite lovely now. It balances out just fine, even with my musk amping skin. It’s not as good as snake Oil in my opinion, but it’s close.

In bottle: It’s a lovely sea aquatic with a rich wood note and something I’m reading qas moss, but may not me. It’s stronger and richer than Jolly Roger. Wet: The aquatic softens a bit and the wood blends better, being part of the overall ambiance. It’s less striking though. It’s more salt spray and less wood. Dry: Mostly Sea salt. I’m a lot less impressed than I was. Heartbreaking.

In bottle: This is definitely melty ice cream and reminds me of ice cream floats. It’s not a pure vanilla and has an effervescent quality reminiscent of carbonation. Wet: Much as in the bottle. It’s also reminding me of cheap gum. There is something about the vanilla that’s suggesting it’s turned a little or corrupted. Putrescence is way too strong a word, though, despite the title. There is a coolness about it. I am thinking melted ic4e cream on a tiled ice cream parlor floor. I’m not convinced I like it; I’m not convinced I don’t. Dry: Mostly vanilla. There is still something not quite right, but it’s less alarming. It’s less gum and more vanilla and slightly dirty tiles.

In bottle: Much as described. It is cake with a decernable cream cheese frosting component. The snake oil is easily discernible as well, with the rest providing a mild back drop. Wet: Oh wow! Now I’m really annoyed my bottle got stolen out of the mail1 This is lovely in it’s complexity. The cake is quite pleasant, but the snake Oil, Dorian, and Constantine come out beautifully as it warms. It’s rich and wonderful, with the cake and the Snake Oil going particularly well together. Dry: It’s reminding me of cotton candy now, though weirdly, the frosting is still showing though. It’s quite fascinating and unusual, rather soft.

In bottle: This is pleasantly delicate and reedy. The herbs give it a little bite. It absolutely captures the concept of the reedy banks of the Nile. Wet: This is still delicate, though richer on the skin. It’s a very light aquatic with the green reeds and rich compliment of growing herbs. The herbs are not at all medicinal and smell like healthy water rich plants growing along the banks. It is a touch floral, but not in a conventional way. I think this is the most unusual aquatic I’ve ever smelled and I’m quite pleased with it. The longer it has to warm, the more nuance unfolds. I’m having a hard time placing the individual plants, but the effect is as if one is walking along the bank barefoot and as each plant is bruised, it releases it’s own scent. It’s incredibly early springlike and refreshing. Dry: It fades rather quickly to a pleasant like reedy scent. I’m okay with that, but I wish it had more throw.

In bottle: There is no point in skin testing this due to the high rose content. This is very young and very floral. The magnolias aren’t kidding. It is aggressively sweet and likely would work best on a teenager. It would be hard for someone with more mature skin chemistry to carry. It would be utterly impossible on me.

In bottle: This has red musk and cherry, which means there’s no point skin testing. It’s mostly red musk and cherry to my nose, though the strawberry/heliotrope combination is quite nice under there. I do like trhe way the various elements work together, but given that it’s the very elements my skin massively amps are strongest in the bottle as well, there is no chance of it working for me.

In bottle: I was not impressed at first as it’s rather more delicate than I like, but it’s growing on me. Apparently, tagette is Mexican marigold. This isn’t really floral or boozey, though there is a hint of floral to it. It’s very Amber dominant, with the cognac and marigold acting as support. Wet: Pretty much as in the bottle, though as is warms, it balances out more. I’m not a floral fan, but the tagette is so delicate, I really don’t mind at all and the cognac lends a richness to the amber. It strengthens as it warms, which is also an improvement. It’s rather more perfumey than I’d choose for myself, but it’s growing on me. Dry: I’m really liking this. The amber cognac combination really works out nicely. I never would have guessed how good this would be from the bottle

In bottle: Mostly cherry, alas. Wet: Cherry and a resin, I’m guessing amber, and some winter spice. It’s well blended, but my skin amps cherry, so it’s no use on me. Dry: Cherry and some incense.

In bottle: I’m guessing patchouli and maybe sandalwood, with maybe brown sugar or cookie and possibly a winter berry, but I’m not really sure. It does well embody the concept. Wet: Much more gingerbread and I’m guessing eucalyptus. The incense backs down in the face of the eucalyptus. Dry: Ends up back to woods, and possibly fruit cake.

Review: This is pleasantly woody and the herbs lend it a surprisingly light spring sort of aspect. The sarsparilla is understated, but pleasant. I’m not an olibanum fan, but it’s working and playing well with others here. It’s light green and surprisingly complex without coming off as medicinal. Ends up smelling mostly of sandalwood.

In bottle: Rum and peppermint dominant, alas, alas. Wet: So much peppermint, I can barely smell even the rum. The coconut, vanilla, and cocoa are discernible as it warms, but this is heartbreakingly minty. Dry: Still too much peppermint, though the rum and vanilla made inroads. What with the rash, I’m washing it off.

In bottle: This is fascinating and complex. I’m loving the red ginger, dragon’s blood, and myrrh combination here. The metal is a little odd in what is a surprisingly foody scent. Wet: Ah, there’s the pepper. The core scent combination remains dominant. The basil is understated but more assertive here. This may be the best use of ginger in a blend I’ve smelled. Dry: I really like the use of metal here. The spices and dragon’s blood persist, but soften, though the ginger stays prominent. It’s a little two like a perfume my Mother wore in the ‘70’s, but only a little. It nice enough, but not as stunning as it was at first.

In bottle: The cassia, sugar cane, and musk are fascinating together, but with the agarwood and lemon peel, it’s a little weird. Wet: My skin amps citrus and musk. On my skin, it’s way too much. I can now smell the mango, and while I love drinking mango juice, it is not working and playing well with others here. The jagged effect is probably my skin chemistry and I can easily imagine it working on someone who’s skin isn’t making at least three notes scream, throwing the whole thing out of balance. It has a luscious an playful affect even on me. Dry: The mango and sandalwood combination is lovely here, though the blend is still a touch odd. I think it’s mostly the red musk ands the way my skin amps it mixed with what’s left of the agarwood. Normally I like agarwood, but it’s just not working in this blend for me, again likely because of amped elements.

Tombstone smells a lot like okld time country store, lots of cedar with some vanilla and a touch of rootbeer. I rather like it and it's definitely soft and gender neutral.

In bottle: Smells vaguely alcoholic and rather like juicy fruit gum with a floral edge. It is light and sweet and strangely refreshing. Wet: he bright fruity effect is stronger on the skin. The florals and the alcohol/medicinal side back down. It’s a touch spicy, possibly cloves and or ginger. Dry: The lavender comes out a bit and the fruit and spice combination reminds me pleasantly of Alice’s Evidence. I’m really pleased with this.

In bottle: mostly unsweetened cocoa, a hint of marshmallow and something that I think is the felt. Fascinating. Wet: Rich dry chocolate, a sweet hint of marshmallow. The glue/felt is fascinating with the chocolate. This is not like any of the other chocolate or marshmallow lab scents I’ve tested. It manages to be chocolate dominant without being foodie, which is truly unusual. Dry: The marshmallow sweetens and softens the cocoa. The felt fades out, but the glue lingers.

In bottle: This is strongly alcoholic. Underneath is the oak and leave smell I was expecting. It may have a touch of vetiver under all that, but the booze scent is so strong it’s overwhelming me. I’m also picking up smoke and something sweet I can’t identify yet. I was expecting an oak cousin to holly king, but this is more like Velvet clown’s rural cousin. Wet: Smoke, booze, and taffy. In fact, I’m thinking of a particular flavour of jersey shore salt water taffy which alas, I don’t know the name of. There’s definitely smoke and vanilla or tonka in this and I’m actually starting to pick up wood again as it warms. I was so excited at the idea of this, but I think there’s no way this will work for me. It’s now starting to smell out right rotten under the sweet. Dry: Rot and wood with a hint of booze.

In bottle: Mmmm… holly wood and fir. It’s very December and pleasingly so. Wet: The holly is stronger and now is smells like old polished pine as well. There may be a hint of holly berries. This is really gorgeous as it warms. Dry: Holly wood fading down to almost nothing.

Smashing Pumpkin once survived more than 48 hours and two baths. Just saying.

In bottle: apples dominant with sugar and spices secondary. The milk smoothes and softens it. I think I’m reading the ale as part of the apple cider effect. It’s quite nice. Wet: The milk comes into it’s own as the skin warms it, though it can’t really overwhelm the apples. The sugar and spices are well blended, though muted. Dry: The spices are stronger in comparison to the earlier mix, but it’s generally much the same only softer.In bottle: apples dominant with sugar and spices secondary. The milk smoothes and softens it. I think I’m reading the ale as part of the apple cider effect. It’s quite nice. Wet: The milk comes into it’s own as the skin warms it, though it can’t really overwhelm the apples. The sugar and spices are well blended, though muted. Dry: The spices are stronger in comparison to the earlier mix, but it’s generally much the same only softer.

In Bottle: It is bergamot and lavender dominant men’s cologne. I like the sharpness of moss and thyme with the rest of the blend. The jasmine is pleasantly sweet without turning the whole blend floral. It is indeed decadent and sensual beautifully fitting the concept. Wet: Insanely sexy and pretty much as described in bottle. Add my natural musk to that lavender/bergamot cologne and it’s crazy good. Dry: Mostly patchouli.

In Bottle: I see no mention in the description of what is making the unusual zingy citrus note that dominates the blend. I’m guessing the spiciness is the cubeb. Wet: I’m starting to find the honey under all that citrus now. This is nothing like I expected sort of spicey key lime tart. Dry; the honey is lovely. The citrus/spice edge remains, but it really mellows out.

In Bottle: Lavender dominant. Strangely musky. It’s got a complex herbal background that I’m having trouble parsing due to the strength of the lavender. Wet: Significantly more floral on the skin, though it’s hard to parse. It’s very light and fresh and feminine. I like temple of dreams better as a scent, but this is perfectly pleasant. Dry: Very perfumey. Still lavender dominant.