Nimthiriel

Initial impression: It smells incredibly nutty, but also spicy – yet fresh of flowers. Wow, this confuses my nose! First on: Wet, it's a rather hard to describe nutty/fruity hybrid, but it doesn't smell very nice at first. *worried look* Dry: After about 10 mins, it has morphed into something unpleasant – rancid nuts and rotten fruit. I'll need to wash this off. Finally: This made me sad – it sounded so promising. But, I'm glad I got a chance to try it – thanks, kind forumite! Swapping.

Initial impression: I'm terrified this'll go rancid like the apricot in Depraved did on me, but it smells lovely in the vial – soft apricot with a touch of something else. First on: It really does smell like apricot and brandy! Lovely. I hope it stays nice. Dry: 20-30 mins after application, it's still a lovely apricot brandy, though a little softer than before. Yum. This is so delicious! Finally: I have no idea what to use this for (I generally only keep scents if I find a specific ”use” for them), but dang, I have to keep it.

Initial impression: At first sniff, it smells a little of honey and fruity wine. First on: Sweetened flowers – no green, yay! I'm picking up what might even be vetiver. Dry: After about 10 mins, it pretty much smells like clove. 90% clove, and the tiniest hint of... spice. 20-30 mins after application, it's something like clove, vetiver and spice, with a slight floral background. Finally: A pleasant scent, but not for me. Swapping.

Initial impression: A really soft and gentle breeze of something like apple blossoms. First on: As predicted, my skin tries to greenify this, but stops half-way, thankfully. Instead, it nearly eats the scent alltogether! Dry: After about 10 mins, it mainly smells like cucumber and soap on me. 20-30 mins after application, there's very little throw, but it's a pleasant soft floral. Finally: Nice, but not for me. No staying power on my skin either. Swapping.

Initial impression: Ah, peaches and vanilla! A pure shot of sweet bliss. First on: Wet, it smells just like bubblegum. Tropical bubblegum! Pleasant, but a little childish. Dry: After about 10 mins, it's a tropical blast of sweetness – peach and vanilla and possibly the heliotrope. There's the slightest hint of sandalwood in the background. No more bubblegum! 20-30 mins after application, it's a more complex blend, warm and pleasant, but heavy on the peach. Ugh, a bit too heavy! Finally: Well, over an hour later, it was more well-rounded. I think I'll keep this one!

Initial impression: A pure shot of lemon and grapefruit! Yikes. First on: Lemon, lemon, lemon, lemon, lemon... Pure lemon. Dry: After about 10 mins, it's nearly all lemon, but there's the tiniest hint of musk in the background. 20-30 mins after application, it's slightly more complex than before, but it still feels like I sprayed myself with bathroom freshener. Ugh. Finally: Swap, swap, swap.

Initial impression: Strong musk and the slightest hint of coconut in the background. First on: I think this is the orris... It jumps out and I can't really sense anything else while it's still wet. Dry: After about 10 mins, it's gone very soapy. This makes me sad. I was hoping this would work out beautifully! 20-30 mins after application, the soapy stuff has more or less gone away, and it's mainly musk now. Dangit, I want coconut! Finally: It decided to warm up and be a little nicer (with the slightest hint of coconut) after about an hour. I'm really not sure about this one... No, probably swappng.

Initial impression: I get a really faint scent in the vial, no notes standing out... Better try it on! First on: Herbal and dark is the best way to describe it. I think there's a little grapefruit in there as well. Dry: After about 10 mins, I've already discovered this had no throw on me at all. It's nearly gone! There's a slight hint of plum, but otherwise, nothing. 20-30 mins after application, it's practically all gone. Finally: My skin killed this one instantly. Swapping.

Initial impression: It does seem like an angry scent! It stings my nose. First on: It smells like pine or juniper at first, but I think it might be the violet interacting with some other ingredient. It reeks of male anger – what a bizarre way to describe it! Dry: After about 10 mins, it's still very juniper-but-stingy-violet – I'm great with descriptions. It really does scentify jealousy and blind rage. It's not an unpleasant scent (it smells good, strictly speaking), just one hat gives off an unsettling vibe. 20-30 mins after application, it has mellowed out a bit, but it remains... awesomely unsettling. Finally: Swapping this, but it's a great scent. I just have no ”use” for a scent like this.

Initial impression: For some reason this smelled like baking when I first sniffed it! Or wine-making... or both. First on: Wine and wine and wine and... potpourri. Peculiar! Dry: After about 10 mins, it's spicy wine with something else lurking in the background. I assume it's the mimosa, but I couldn't really tell. I think my skin really amps clove like crazy! 20-30 mins after application, it's mulled wine with too much clove, and that faint and confused fruity mimosa in the background. Finally: I didn't like this very much, because my skin just screamed ”CLOVE!” and went nuts. And then it all just disappeared – no throw. So, swapping!

Initial impression: Juniper and soap – I hope the soapy qualities disappear once I put this on. First on: Wow! Strong stuff – juniper, patchouli and myrrh, but no moss at the moment. The juniper soon dies out and the incense type scent dominates. Dry: After about 10 mins, the myrrh has taken over and softened the patchouli a little bit. Oakmoss and juniper are unfortunately absent, but it's a lovely incense-like scent right now. 20-30 mins after application, the patchouli has overpowered the myrrh again, but the moss and juniper are still gone, which is a little sad. I'd hoped for more moss, at least. Finally: I love and adore patchouli, so naturally I liked Omen a lot. It's a dark and masculine scent. I'm a little disappointed at the lack of oakmoss in it (mossy scents are love to me), but I enjoyed it none the less. I'm ambivalent... Keeper or not? I don't know.

I got this one from a swap with Miseraya. How appropriate that I post my review after hers! Here we go: Initial impression: It's nearly all roses in the vial, with some hint of fruit in the background. I have high hopes for the fruityness of this one! First on: It's all green at first (I expected as much) but with a tiny hint of spicyness in the background. Dry: After about 10 mins, it has warmed up and the green isn't overpowering anymore. I can sense some fig and possibly wood in there, and there's only a very light floral to this one. 20-30 mins after application, it's a very ”woody” scent, with some fig and sweetness thrown in. I'm glad the florals are staying light and in the background. If I think really hard about the ingredients, I can pick most of them out – fir, pomegranate, plum, pear, plumeria – but they're not very obvious at all. Finally: I'm delighted that this was a fruity floral that worked fine on my skin. It wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be (based on the really great ingredients), but still a lovely scent. I'll keep it, at least for now.

Initial impression: It's gentle, very gentle... Like a soft whisper. I can't make out any individual notes. First on: Guh, it's ALL green. Green, green, green. Please, little frimp, go anything but pure green? Dry: After about 10 mins, it's become a paradox to my nose – it's gentler than before, but it's also sharper. o_O 20-30 mins afterapplication, it's actually a really pleasant scent. I still can't tell what's what, but it's nice. It has mellowed now, and it really is a soft, gentle and ”sad” scent. I have nothing to use this for, unfortunately, but if I had, it'd been a keeper. Finally: Swapping it, but I actually enjoyed it. It was an oddly kind scent.

Initial impression: Wow! Mulled wine – rich, spicy and refined. This is delicious beyond words! First on: Lush red wine (without smelling boozy) and incense in a very rich and luxurious combination. I love it! Dry: After about 10 mins, it's a dark and sensual blend that strikes me as perfect for Lilith. The roses are peeking through, but luckily not all that much. 20-30 mins afterapplication, it remains a lush scent of wine and incense, that's unfortunately fading rather quickly. I'll need to reapply if I want it to last, but yum, it's a great scent! Finally: This one went above my wildest expectations. Keeper!

Initial impression: Strong, vibrant and indeed refined! Roses, cypress and juniper are certainly in there. First on: Woah, pure cypress! I love cypress – both the scent and the actual plant – but this is so strong it has me coughing. Dry: After about 10 mins, the cypress is still strong, but there's juniper in there as well now. It's sophisticated and ancient. 20-30 mins afterapplication, it has gone more balanced and less in-your-face. I'm not getting any roses or chamomile at all, though. I don't really mind – I'm not fond of roses at all. Finally: After a few hours, this has mellowed into a pleasant scent – perfect for my Greco-Roman whims. Keeping!

Initial impression: It hits me with surprising strength – the jasmine and lavender, I think. This is pretty potent stuff! I somehow expcted it to be softer. First on: Woah! It turns... spicy. The otherwise so potent florals are crushed by a force of spice and musk. Interesting. Also, my skin itches a little. Dry: After about 10 mins, it remains spicy, but it lets the florals through more. It's a very pleasant scent, and it does make me think of wisdom. 20-30 mins afterapplication, it has gone considerable softer, with mainly musk and soft lavender in. I enjoy it. Finally: It wasn't quite what I expected, but I'll keep it for now.

Initial impression: First of all, I'm intrigued by the lush red colour of the oil! Now, the scent – mm, spicy! But it's not the kind of spice that stings or burns – it just sort of... seduces you! First on: It's faint and warm – I think I'll need to apply this more richly! It reminds me a little of dried roses, which is weird. Dry: After about 10 mins, it's a rich and spicy scent that reeks of senusuality. It's warm, it's gentle, yet it's bold at the same time. I love it! 20-30 mins after application, it remains perfectly lush. I can almost sense a little vanilla in there now, but it might just be my mind having a scentgasm. Finally: It's sensual, enchanting – it's a keeper!

Initial impression: It smells exactly like the almond cookies we buy! Sweet, lush almond, and warm vanilla. I'm getting hungry! First on: Something sharper immediately jumps out when it hits my skin, but it's not cinnamon – is that what heliotrope smells like? Curious, but it's still pleasant – better than pleasant! Dry: After about 10 mins, it seems a tiny bit soapy, but I'm hoping that'll go away. On the bright side, I sense some frankincense now, and the almond and vanilla still stay strong. Yay! 20-30 mins after application, it's even more lush than before. Not nearly enough cinnamon, but here's almond and vanilla and frankincense that makes me completely blissed out. Finally: A warm and beautiful scent. Keeping! <333

Initial impression: Salt sea water and something sweeter... It's impossible to define. First on: Wet, it smells incredibly... green! Like grass and salt water. It's not the prickling green that I loathe, but I still hope it ”de-greens” a little soon. Dry: After about 10 mins, there's a salty scent of old wood, with something far spicier lurking in the background. 20-30 mins after application, it has gone a little more leathery, and maybe that's a tiny hint of rum in the background. Finally: I thought the rum and leather would be a lot stronger, so I'm a little disappointed, but I still like it. I'll keep it for the moment.

Initial impression: In the vial, it's a loaded, tropical scent that has me grinning from ear to ear. It smells delicious, exotic, and... sunny! It also reminds me of a boutique I frequent, for some reason. First on: Wet, it's a little spicier than the first sniff hinted. I can also sense a slightly soapy background, but I hope that fades away. Dry: After about 10 mins, the spice is a little more subtle, and there's no soapyness at all. Yummy, yummy goodness left. It's indescribable to me, but it's absolutely marvellous. 20-30 mins afterapplication, the scent has become much more mild and timid, but it's still exotic. It has almost gone a little creamy now, but it's still a really lush scent. Yum. Finally: My second favourite scent yet – it's officially my second (and more playful) me-scent from now on. ^^

Initial impression: In the vial, it's sharp and flowery, as I expected. First on: Wet on my skin, the flowers are still sharp and prickly, but there is something warm underneath – that must be the frankincense. It does smell a little angelic! Dry: 10 mins after application, it has gone VERY incense-like. I love it! The flowers have faded to the background, giving the ”smokey” and exotic notes more room. Mm. Yummy. 20-30 mins later, the scent remains frankincense-with-a-soft-background-of-flowers. It's quite a magnificent scent, actually, especially if you enjoy incense overall. Finally: I'm intrigued, but not certain. It's a temporary keeper.

Initial impression: In the vial, I'm surprised by how soft it is – I expected something sharp, given the ingredients, but it's almost mellow. I'm interested in how this will turn out! First on: While still wet, it's so soft, subtle and light, that I can barely sense it. It's like a white cloud, just out of reach, somehow. Dry: After about 10 mins, it has grown a little braver, but it's still amazingly soft and gentle. It does smell pure! Pure and soft, like a whisper from beyond comprehension. Wow, this has already turned me into a poet! After about 20, the myrrh is coming through, warming te scent a little – it makes it a little more earthy and real, rather than floating and celestial. Mm. After about 30+ mins, it's a very warm floral, but still light and gentle. Not intrusive in the least. A pleasant breath of the divine. Finally: I'm a little ambivalent. It wasn't as I expected it to be, but it was good nonetheless. A keeper for the moment.

In the vial (initial impression): Opium, but softened by something else, perhaps the myrrh or sandalwood. Strong stuff, I expected something more subdued. Initially on (wet): All sharp iris that stings my nose - yikes! Please soften! Wearing it (dry): 10-20 mins after application, the iris keeps stinging my nose, but there are softer notes playing in the background. 20-30 mins after application, it's turned into a strange mix of iris and sharp spice. o_O An hour later, it had gone from sharp to a soft, soft whisper. It's nearly gone already. :/ Finally: It was sharper than I had expected, yet it disappeared rather quickly. Shame. Swap/trade pile for the Beautiful One.

In the vial (initial impression): An explosion of greens! Moss and ginger and everything but the kitchen sink, in a herbal sort of way. Initially on (wet): It's oddly soft, and very green. Like freshly cut grass, but mellowed out a bit. Mmm. Wearing it (dry): 10-20 mins after application, the fig has come out and warmed up the green blend to an even softer and more harmonic one. Mmm, this is great! I'm all surprised here. 20-30 mins after application, the fig has nearly overpowered the whole scent, along with its partner-in-crime, ginger. It's a bit much, and I wish the mellow herbs would return. An hour later, the ginger has gone very prominent, which is a bit sad - I liked the initial green mellowness. Finally: Lovely, but I wouldn't know when to use it. Goes in my swap pile!

In the vial (initial impression): Smells pure, like opium and... roses? Not really what I expected to smell! Initially on (wet): Seems like roses, opium and - white musk? It's still a fairly "pure" scent on my skin, not the sinful type at all. Let's see how this develops... Wearing it (dry): 10-20 mins after application, it has warmed up a bit, but it's also gone soapy. Ick. Please get better! 20-30 mins after application, it has gone softer and warmer, but still a bit soapy. Hmm. An hour later, it has practically faded away entirely, which saddens me. I'm gonna give it another try tomorrow. Finally: Nope, same result as yesterday. This is a swapper.