MaidenGenevive

Bordello Rich and deep sweet fruits that aren't cloying. The wine gives it a pleasant edge and adds warmth. The amaretto is shy, it doesn't seem to appear until after it's dry and worn, and even then it's barely there. It's predominately fragrant fruit and wine. Almost like Sangria, except richer. This is pleasant. A lot of sweet smells are too thick, and even though this has weight, it's comfortable. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 5 : This is the best fruit scented blend I've tried yet. My husband and I both enjoyed it.

Grandmother of Ghosts In vial: pepper and wood, very pleasant. Wet: slight sting on sky when first applied. More pepper and wood, fresh florals begin to rise. Mandarin adds a slightly sweet citric note which has an interesting interaction with the pepper. The wood seems to have faded. What's left is a peppery citrus with floral interactions. It is only after some wear that a light musk appears and warms everything up a bit. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 3 : Not bad. Definitely an interesting scent, but not exactly me. I loved the pepper and wood stage.

Delirium Apple. Freshly cut apple, just plucked from the tree. This is brief, then it's lemon, with shy hints of rose in the background. The lemon is strong and reminds me a bit of cleaner. The rose now rises up and mingles with the two fruits. This is light and fresh. Shower fresh, I feel like I just stepped out. The rose gives the already tart fruits more of a bittersweet edge and keeps it from being foody. As it wears, I can't help feel when I smell my wrist that I'm smelling fresh old lady skin. I think this scent is too mature for me. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 3 : For some reason, my brain seems to associate rose with grandmothers. Despite that, I found it to be a refreshingly light scent.

Envy In the vial - minty and green. Soon after applying, the lavender steps up, although it's interaction with lime is interesting - it reminds me of lilacs. This is a light and sweet floral that is refreshing. I love this, although, I have a feeling it's not going to have much staying power. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 5 : Simple and light florals are the best kind!

Desire How layered and complicated. The apple is tart, the neroli bitter, the teak and vanilla warm and sweet. The florals make it energetic, and the musk doesn't appear until after it has dried and worn a bit. At which point it's comforting. At first my nose didn't know what to think, it's quite unique in all it's blends. It's interesting how they work together. Also, what's more, some times I get the surprising throw of coconut oil, like sunbathers use; although, when I'm smelling it against my wrist, I don't get that at all. It's so much more complicated. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 / 5 : This is really nice.

Burial I had my husband try this last night. My first impression, smelling it wet out of the vial, is: wow, this is sharp. It almost reminds me of rubbing alcohol. Smelling deeper, I can detect tree. As it wore on him, I couldn't help but think of Pine Sol. I was also reminded of either flea spray or flea bath that my mother used to use. I can picture the cats now, roughed up and greasy looking, smelling dreadful. Any time I came near him, I couldn't stop thinking about Pine Sol and that flea remedy. But, I didn't want to do a review without me actually trying it first. There's always the chance that it might react differently on me. But, so far, it's smelling the same on me as it did on him. Sharp, with a rubbing alcohol quality. Now, here's the Pine Sol, and here, too, the flea remedy. My husband started off liking this scent. He thought it was refreshing and different. He could see the Pine Sol reference, but did not relate to the other. He liked it's first stage, but then he said, as it mellows, it just smells "cheap" to him. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 1 : I wonder if I don't like Juniper, or if it's the mixture of notes. Regardless, this definitely isn't for me. I don't even like the smell of Pine Sol for cleaning purposes.

The Isle of Demons First impression in the vial is: wow, green. Very green, and wet, like fresh cut plants. I apply lightly, fearing the florals, only to soon realize this isn't an overpowering scent, so I apply a bit more. This is fresh. Fresh and bright, with greens and light florals. The florals are fragrant, but not dominating. This is a lovely and invigorating scent. As it wears, it mellows. Some musk arises, although it's not heavy. It's less invigorating and more soothing now. Still lovely. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 / 5 : While this isn't a straight up floral, this is one of the better florals I've tried yet. I think that's because it's more layered and complex, which I like.

Penny Dreadful First thought - dirt. Warm, spicy dirt. It has the same spiciness that I love about The Dodo and Blood, although it's more muted. I ask my husband what he thinks, and he says "Cake. Like someone's baking a cake in another room." But, he thinks anything spicy smells like cake. I tell him I smell dirt, but he can't detect it. It's a distinct warm dirt, that really does feel like a "rich red grave loam". It reminds me of the dirt note from Death Cap, except cleaner. After wearing it a bit, the dirt note fades. The spices lighten and soft perfume lifts up. It remains warm and spicy, but not commanding, rather it's soothing. I daresay it's shy, but that's not quite right. It has a quiet spunkiness. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 / 5 : The dirt note is so unique, I'm not sure how I feel about it. It's not a negative feeling, it's just different. This scent is lovely, definitely a keeper.

Grand Guignol I'll admit, one of the reasons I chose to test this one was someone else had reviewed it to be something like rotten apricots swimming in booze. I was curious if it would smell that way to me, and if it did, what that would smell like. Basically, I tested this one expecting not to like it. Sweet, but not cloying, apricots and brandy, but the brandy isn't sharp and biting like hard liquor usually is. It's a presence, but it's fairly quiet. At first, I didn't really like it. Apricots are a unique smell, and something about it and the slight booze wasn't clicking with me. I asked my husband to smell my wrist, not expecting much of a reaction. But he reacted very positively. He said it was fresh and feminine, and reminded him of a fruit tea. As it wears, it mellows. It's a warm, pleasant smell, that has a tartness to it. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 / 3 : It's not unpleasant, but it isn't really me. My husband really liked it a lot, it's one of his favorites thus far. I liked the dry-down better than the initial application.

Vechernyaya This smells like a high-end designer perfume. It's gender neutral, although it has a very masculine throw. At last, a gender neutral scent that's more masculine than feminine! This feels very classy. I can't wait to try it on my husband. It's a bit hard to describe, beyond what I already said, but I'll give it a go. It's warm, but not heavy, although it's a commanding scent that isn't at all delicate. But it's not so commanding that it's suffocating. It feels sexy. And I can't stop thinking about how masculine it is. Yup, I'm definitely putting this on my husband later. Oh, and as an aside, my kitty (who loves BPAL) really seems to like it. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 : I really hope this works on my husband, because it's definitely not for me to wear!

Antique Lace Soft and feminine. It's very warm, and the florals are light. Beneath the perfumes (which to me are not long-faded) is linen. At first, I loved this scent, but when I picked up the linen, it instantly reminded me of an old job I had where the woman dosed her house in Yankee Candle's linen scent. It was overkill, head-ache inducing, and now whenever I smell a linen perfume, I start to develop a migraine. Which is what I have now. Unfortunate, since this started off so promising. That being said, the linen is light in this, it's mostly perfume-y. It has a mature feel to it. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 : This doesn't work on me. It really is lovely, but it gives me a headache.

Death Cap At first, it seemed warm and foody. But that was brief, it became sweet dirt. Warm, sweet, and earthy. Interesting, I've never smelt a dirt scented perfume before. Then I caught a whiff of mildew. Ick. I'm allergic to mold and mildew. Suddenly I'm reminded of dank basements, old camps, and itchy eyes. The mildew scent comes and goes. It's predominately a pleasant smell. It has a transformative quality. When I smell my wrist, it smells soft, sweet, and warm. But the more I smell it, the dirt rises up and from that, the faint mildew. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 / 3 : I love the warm notes, and the dirt is very interesting indeed, but the hint mildew is quite the turn-off. I'm disappointed about that, I was really hoping to click with this one.

Queen Gertrude I haven't been wearing this for very long, and already it's faded beyond the point where I can pick out any particular notes. It's a very faint floral at this stage, that has a mild clean feeling to it. I remember, when wet, the florals all spun together and I did notice the iciness. But the fragrant stage only lasted 15-30 minutes on me. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 / 3 : It's not bad, but it doesn't stand out against other florals I've tried and it fades too quickly.

Suspiro Another nice, quiet, floral. I like florals that are delicate; they are feminine without being overpowering. I mostly pick up on the Jasmine in this. I asked my husband what he thought, and he said it was "nice" and asked if it was the same one I wore last night (Pontarlier). This, like Pontarlier, feels like late Spring, early Summer. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 3 : Not a huge fan of florals, but I liked this one.

Pontarlier I applied before reading the description, and my first thought was, "Lilac? There has got to be lilac in this." It really smelled right-on to me, which is hard to do; most lilac perfumes don't smell a thing like lilac. As it dries, the other florals mingle, but it's a nice, quiet, delicate combination. This is the first floral that didn't make me crinkle my nose and think, "Ugh, old lady perfume." I was hoping that I would find a floral that would work for me, and not give me a raging migraine - happily, I think this just might be it! This is late Spring, early summer (that's when lilacs are in bloom, after all) and very feminine. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, my kitty, Jasper, loves BPAL, but this seems to be his favorite so far. He was very eager to smell my wrist and was acting very eager and cute over the smell. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 / 5 : I still am hesitant about florals, but this one really impressed me.

Blood Love at first sniff. Great in the bottle, wet, and dry. As it wears, it leaves a faint but welcoming scent. What a perfect blend, warm and very spicy, this scent is commanding and sexy. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 5 : Simply perfect.

Morocco Lovely. The spices are warm and welcoming, they instantly are at home in my skin. There are no awkward stages; from bottle, to skin, and even after it's mellowed, it is absolutely divine. Twice I asked Ian what he thought of it, and he said "vanilla fruit". I can see how he's getting that, but that's not what I'm getting. I'm picking up on the spices, especially the warm scent of cassia, blended with musk, and sandalwood. I remember carnations to be a very faint, delicate scent, which I'm not picking up at all. This blend is perfect, the notes all compliment each other so well. It wears well, too, my wrists still smell amazing even hours after I first applied. I love this just as much as The Dodo. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 5 : Without a doubt, one of my favorites.

Eris At first, this scent is overwhelming. Very fruity, almost cloyingly sweet. The subtle floral notes keep this from being foody. It is intense, even an hour after application it's almost too strong for the nose-to-wrist sniff. As it settles, it softens and becomes rather lovely. But it's initial (and long-lasting) intensity is a bit too much. Feminine and youthful, this is a vibrant Summer scent. It's assertive and commanding. It reminds me of a tea my husband and I bought in Canada, "Lady Hanna". [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 / 3 : *sigh* I love this scent after it's mellowed out, but it's initial stage is waaay too much for me.

Namaste I had high hopes for this one, as it was indicated that this is gender neutral so I was hoping it would work on my husband - also, I have a good friend who is very fond of this expression, so I can't help but think of her with this one. I put it on lightly, only to realize that this one I can get away with a bit more, so I gladly complied. It is unassuming and gentle. The strongest note, to me, is the lemongrass. Ahh, it smells sweet, yet tart, and very refreshing. This is a soothing *and* invigorating scent, I can breathe it in deeply, and it really does feel calming and peaceful to me. The florals are very subtle - each note really seems to mesh well with each other. This could work well for any season, but it feels most like Spring to me. It is gender neutral, and I recall my husband really liking fresh scents, so I'm optimistic about trying this one on him. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 5 / 4 : At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but the more I think about it, the more it really clicks with me.

Viola Besides deliberately applying very lightly (which I always do, but it doesn't seem to help with some scents) it comes off as a delicate scent. Of course, lathering it on would make it more intense, but I won't be doing that. Delicate, warm, lovely. Clearly feminine. This is late Spring, or Summer. I couldn't help but notice the rose first, but this time it smelled different. The other scents I've tried with rose smelled awful to me, but this rose actually smelled like real rose. I love the smell of live, growing-in-the-garden, roses. Not many rose perfumes capture that. I smell the other flowers mingling in the background. They are mixing too thoroughly with all the other notes to really make their own appearance. There's a sweetness to this blend, but happily, it isn't overpowering. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 3 : What a complicated relationship I have with florals. I dare-say I like this scent, although it might do to test again. I hope to find more delicate florals, to get me out of this losing-streak I've been stuck in.

Xiuhtecuhtli In the vial and upon first application, the first thing I notice is the smell of sweet orange. Almost immediately, soft florals chime in. This is bright, warm, and summery. It is lovely and feminine. This scent certainly is unique. Even as it sets, it remains invigorating and bright. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 : I love how unique this scent is, but the sweetness of the orange combined with the florals are a bit too much for me and are making me feel slightly ill.

Jezebel If I try really really hard, I can kind of pick out the different notes. But that's with great effort, because when I smell this, my nose screams BABY POWDER. I'm waiting to see if the smell evolves as it sets, but I keep getting whiffs of baby powder. I ask my husband to tell me what he thinks and he says it smells almost exactly like baby powder or baby oil. He hates it. He says it's the worse scent yet and asks me never to wear it again. I can't say much else about this scent, because all I can think about when I sniff my wrist is a baby getting it's butt cleaned. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 1 : Ugh. This is really testing my patience. Babies. Do. Not. Want.

Rapture In the bottle and upon first application, an overwhelming floral to the point where it's almost headache inducing. I try to keep my wrists a fair distance from my head as I wait for it to settle down. After some wear, it's a warm, yet still heavy, floral. It has a mature feminine feel to it. Very aromatic and perfumey. I can't detect the mandarin, but I suspect the myrrh and musk are what's warming it up. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 : This feels too mature on me, like something that would appeal to my mother or grandmother. I'm starting to see that I'm not a big fan of florals, which is disappointing. I love the smell of fresh flowers, but floral perfume just comes off as sickly and old-fashioned. I'm sure I'll eventually find a floral note that is love, but I think it's going to require some patience.

Coral Snake First smelling the bottle, I catch warm spices. Opening the vial fully, I smell fresh cut apples. It's funny, closing it partially, I get mulled cider. (I did this a couple of times, it amused me.) Upon first application, it smells strongly of fresh apple. It fades quickly into a warmer note. As it sits, the florals rise and the apple fades. Despite the spicy tones, there is a distinct tart sharpness which can be attributed to the citrus blends. This is a beautiful and complex scent. The florals aren't so strong so that a man couldn't wear it. My husband agrees that it is gender neutral (I had him test with me this time.) This is late Summer, but especially Autumn. This scent makes me think of apple orchards, mulled cider, and other warm harvest smells. After it sets a bit, the fruit and spice tones move to the background and the florals really play up, entering a perfumey stage that isn't me. As it wears further, the florals fade back into the background, and what remains is a soft, mildly spicy smell with traces of vanilla. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 4 / 3 : I love a lot of the notes in this scent and how they shift and transform with wear, but that floral stage really doesn't click with me.

Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo It certainly has a happy, upbeat vibe to it. It's warm and optimistic, cheerful like a morning person. This feels like a hot summer day, girls wearing bright colored clothes and wearing candy scented perfume. It's a bit too sweet, I feel as if I have over-indulged in Cotton Candy and am left with that sick feeling too much sugar yields. This is feminine, vibrant and young. It's lovely, but too heavy for me. [1 - Hate] .. [2 - Dislike] .. [3 - Like] .. [4 - Really Like] .. [5 - Love] 2 / 3 : It's overpowering. It made me nauseous and gave me a headache, but, as it wore, it toned down and become a lovely sugary vanilla that really lingered. Oh, but that first stage was killer.