MaidenGenevive

New Year's Eve in Dogville Smells as described. There's a bitterness that feels like the bite of booze. The cologne feels mature, like something my father or grandfather might wear. It's like aftershave; warm and mildly spicy, with traces of shaving cream. The perfume I smelled early on, it felt brass and cheap, overconfident. I almost feel like I'm at a holiday office party; older adults drinking, laughing at their own jokes, wishing the party were over but knowing that it's certainly more fun than being at home. My husband says this smells like perfume mixed with the sharpness of freshly cut green peppers. [2 - Dislike] I think it's interesting, but far too masculine for me. My husband doesn't like it at all.

The Emathides In vial, I detect mostly cedar and amber. On skin, this is warm, with faint astringent tree, quiet florals, and feels mildly edible. It's an usual mix that I honestly didn't expect to like, but I find that I do. My husband says it smells like a spiced lemon cake. As it wears, it has a crispness that makes it feel fresh and clean, but that's teamed with a subtle spicy warmth. [3 - Like] Unique to be sure, and will require a second testing for me to really get a feel for it.

Bengal I must say, I was pretty excited to try this one. And, it's everything it says it is. This is spicy, zesty, warm. It's feels invigorating. This very much reminds me of a tea that I'm quite fond of. [5 - Love] No disappointment here!

Ra Hail unto Thee who art Ra in Thy rising, even unto Thee who art Ra in Thy strength, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Uprising of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Night! A warm, mildly sweet citrus with amber and light florals in the background. This is inviting and chipper, like a bright summer day. As this wears, it reminds me more and more of a soft men's cologne or aftershave. This makes it feel less like summer and more like a sexy clean-shaven man. [3 - Like] Pleasant, but too masculine for me.

Tum Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun.Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day! Initial impression in vial is, yuck! Dirty socks! Or fermented fruit. I'm a little scared to try this on now, but I'll be brave. Wet on skin, still kind of stinky, but I smell a bit of spice rising up from it. The yuck parts are now completely gone, and it's a sweet, spicy smell. I can see how some people get raisins, or grape, out of it. It does resemble that, like a spicy raisin or fermented grape. But really, it's hard to describe. [1 - Hate / 3 - Like] I hated the initial stage, but once it dried on my skin it was definitely interesting. I don't think I can stomach that first part, though, so this is going up for swaps.

Czernobog I picked this out in my search for masculine scents that might work on my husband. This does lean masculine, although there is a sweetness to it that keeps it gender-neutral. Initially, this scent was on the dark and gritty side, but that feeling has all but vanished. Now it's warm and somewhat citrusy sweet. It's hard to explain, but every so often my brain registers candy, like gummy worms, perhaps. That's fleeting and on-and-off. Overall, it's warm and quietly masculine. [3 - Like] I do enjoy this, but I'm not so sure my husband would. I'll have to get him to check it out. It isn't really me, however, so if he doesn't like it, I'm not sure what I'd do with it. It's one of those scents you like, but wouldn't wear yourself.

Black Forest I ordered this for my husband, but am giving it a test before he does. I have my hesitations, as I've found juniper to be too astringent for me. My first thoughts, upon sniffing the vial is, this is tree. A walk in the forest with fragrant trees. It also smells like a woodsy men's cologne. So far, so good; I think this is right in line with what Ian would like. Initially on skin, it's warm and piney, and a little quiet. To me, this smells like a fresh wreath, or freshly cut Christmas tree. This is beautiful, again, images of walking a forest trail enter my mind. This is soft pine needles under my feet and fresh sap. [5 - Love] This has all the elements that I loved in Hemlock, but it's so much better. I can't wait to have my husband try this.

Salome Commanding. Subtly nutty, with warm florals and a bitter musk and tree undertones. This scent feels cruel and unyielding. [2 - Dislike] Not an appealing mixture for me.

Snake Oil Exotic; sweet vanilla with warm spices. Vanilla seems to be one of the lab's strong points. Since I really like this, I asked my husband to smell it several times - each time he swears it smells like baby powder. *sigh* [4 - Really Like]

Pain A bitter lavender mint with a hint of licorice. This has a sharp astringency and is overall unpleasant, so I'm going to wash it off. No extended review here. As an aside, it fits it's description and name well. Pain is sharp and unpleasant. [1 - Hate]

Muse This blend is hard to describe. You take three florals, each of which like to be dominant on me, mix it with lime, which is distinct all on it's own, and you get this. Surprisingly, the notes are playing nice; none really seem to be fighting for the center of attention. The end result feels like summer, fresh cut florals on a table accompanied by a pitcher of lemon-lime drink with ice cubes clinking in it. Although, I must note, lime is one of the first notes to fade. [3 - Like]

Old Scratch Initially, this is crisp, fresh lavender. Then, it warms and deepens; lavender becomes a lesser note, mixing well with the others. What started off as bright and feminine becomes more of a quietly sophisticated men's cologne, warm, sensual, and mildly spicy. [3 - Like]

Queen Mab This is a lot lighter than I expected. I figured this would be a heady floral, with jasmine being dominant and rose being a close second. But, this is actually quite quiet on me. As it wears, it picks up a bit, as rose mixes often do, but overall, it's warm and lightly floral. [3 - Like]

March Hare Initially, bright ripe apricot. Then, warm baked apricot, baked into a pie. This actually smells very much like a peach cobbler. Fresh, sweet, but not cloying. [4 - Really Like] Delicious!

Melpomene Cypress and lavender take focus, and with them, a hint of mint. With lavender being from the mint family, I can see how mint would stay close to it. This is cool and commanding; clean and sharp. [3 - Like]

Masquerade A warm, zesty floral with a bite. The strongest note is patchouli. [3 - Like]

Gluttony In vial, sweet melted butter. On skin, I feel as though I've stepped into a classy coffee-house bakery. Hot chocolate, teas, and coffees are brewing in the background; I'm slowly walking, and salivating, over a case filled with dozens of delicious treats. Cookies, brownies, cakes; which do I choose? The collective smell is driving my nose crazy and making me greedy for goodies. [5 - Love] This is better than Cockaigne and Hearth, which both have similar elements to this. So far, this is my favorite sweet foody smell.

Ode on Melancholy In vial, bright lavender with hints of rose. Wet on skin, lavender starts off being dominant, but the other notes don't take long to pick up. This has a very similar feel as Psyche, the differences are quite subtle. [3 - Like]

Psyche The tale of Cupid and Psyche is both a perfect love story and an allegory for the soul's search to reunite with Deity. This is the scent of true love, your heart's deepest, purest desires. Bulgar rose, Chinese white musk, lavender, orchid and frankincense. In vial, bright lavender. Wet on skin, lavender remains the strongest note, while others are present, but quietly in the background. As it wears, rose and other florals rise and mingle with the lavender. There is a light musk that gives it almost a powdery feel. [3 - Like]

Polyhymnia Overall, this mixture of notes leaves me with the impression of a faint honeyed lemon, like a lemon-drop candy. This is warm, pleasant, and soothing. [3 - Like] It doesn't have much throw. If it did, it would be a 4.

Magdalene Delicate and quiet. I feared the roses would amp and this would be a grandma perfume, but this isn't the case. The roses are subtle, more in the background than usual. This is gentle, but when you get in close to it, it has an air of confidence. As it wears, the rose amps, but remains delicate and has a fresh, clean feel. Later on, it warms. [3 - Like] Another rose that works on me; these are infrequent, so this makes me happy.

Libertine At first, this is predominately violet, but it's not long before I notice a musky sandalwood and the other notes rising up. This is mostly a round, strong floral with a musk undertone. [3 - Like] Nice, but not for me.

Le Serpent Qui Danse A round floral, with depth and substance. As it wears, it somewhat reminds me of a candy, or a cloying wine. The vanilla has an unusual interaction with the florals, leaving it a scent that's a bit hard to describe. [3 - Like] What a unique mixture of notes.

The Lady of Shalott A bright, clear, aquatic floral. Dry, this is cold and regal. This feels sophisticated and classy, while also haughty and self-assured. As it wears, for some reason it really reminds me of drier sheets, which is kind of weird. [3 - Like] Lovely, but not me.

Kitsune-Tsuki A sweet, yet biting, floral. Jasmine is the strongest, but it's complimented well with the other florals. The plum feels overripe and juicy, it winds itself around the musk. This is bright and feminine, a floral with a tart sweetness of fruit. [4 - Really Like] This is fun and sassy.