tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79375361920505072232024-03-14T17:16:38.331+10:30365 Days of SmellsReviewing a perfume a day for one year. Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-78267677776334194942015-02-06T19:53:00.000+10:302015-02-06T19:53:38.968+10:30Lila - Wiggle Perfume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxe_8DTFcG0/VMSXNCIiYeI/AAAAAAAAEpU/vVDPh2hy8Rw/s1600/lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxe_8DTFcG0/VMSXNCIiYeI/AAAAAAAAEpU/vVDPh2hy8Rw/s1600/lilac.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lilacs - very floral, very perfumey</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Yep, still lilacs - this is a super feminine floral, quite potent. There's a green note in there too but it's delicate, the flower takes centre stage. Old ladyish but in a good way.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First 30 mins: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Considering how potent this is when first applied it fades pretty quickly. I applied this to my wrists, behind the ears and in the cleavage (the warm spot - shut up, you know it's true) and I can only smell it now if I get close to my wrist and sniff. Not sure if it's a natural perfume - those tend to fade on me in minutes - but it's a shame that something so pretty is so fleeting.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Almost entirely gone. If I press my nose to my wrist I can just barely catch the last remnants of it.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe 2-3 hours. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, so you may have noticed that I've been adding a bit of lilac to everything this spring. I found an amazingly true lilac scent and I've become completely obsessed. I love the summery promise of lilacs, but I wanted to give it a different twist. I read somewhere that the name Lila means "night", and combining that information with its use in a wonderfully dreamy Morphine song, I felt inspired to create a deeply dark romantic lilac scent. Lila combines a rich and retro-fabulous lilac note with an inky black musk, touches of vanilla and black tea, dusky black rose, and a healthy kick of black pepper.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Availability: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/wiggleperfume">Wiggle Perfume</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Discontinued</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Quattrocento Sans, Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-64479424318970858092015-02-04T19:32:00.001+10:302015-02-04T19:32:37.973+10:30Candy Mountain - Common Brimstone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLEGK8r9808/VMSTY7vEHbI/AAAAAAAAEo8/S-G4RB3adyE/s1600/candy%2Bmountain.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLEGK8r9808/VMSTY7vEHbI/AAAAAAAAEo8/S-G4RB3adyE/s1600/candy%2Bmountain.gif" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Just a very sweet, lollyish smell - nothing more to it, really.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Still very lollyish. It's not terrible but it seems like a perfume for a 10 year old. There's nothing else to say about it at this point.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 30 mins: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It's turned into plasticky lollies now. Other than that I've got nothing. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I literally have nothing more to say about this.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not much more than 3 hours. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Actual notes/description:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a magical trip to a place of sweets and joy! With a fluffy bed of vanilla bean and toasted marshmallow and zingy notes of candy floss, banana and cherry, Candy Mountain is sweet, warm and a little whacky. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Availability: </i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/CommonBrimstone"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Common Brimstone</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Permanent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Full size and sample size</span><br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-67440055941875795322015-02-02T11:16:00.000+10:302015-02-02T11:16:43.334+10:30The Piemaker - Sarawen Perfume Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJsmHqikB_A/VM7FPpRg4JI/AAAAAAAAEyo/Meb0ZFGWNBA/s1600/the%2Bpiemaker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJsmHqikB_A/VM7FPpRg4JI/AAAAAAAAEyo/Meb0ZFGWNBA/s1600/the%2Bpiemaker.png" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff:</i><br />
Fruit, but for once not gross fruit. Okay, I'm going in.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied:</i><br />
Sort of like cherry, but this smells like actual cherry pie made with actual cherries, not that cough syrup cherry note you usually get in perfumes. I kind of like this - it's warm but light at the same time.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes:</i><br />
Jammy fruit and something floral - it smells like one of those blossom jams you get at farmer's markets. There is a very, very slight dustiness - I hope that goes away. Sillage is not high, even after just half an hour I don't really notice the perfume unless I sniff my wrist.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours:</i><br />
Sadly this went completely dusty not long after the 30 minute mark, and pretty much disappeared within 2 hours. That first burst was pretty nice, but it didn't like me much after that.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
Not long - not even 2 hours. I find that with a lot of Sarawen perfumes, my skin just seems to eat them.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Having baked pies all morning, the piemaker opened his establishment and commenced to serve his customers. The scent of berries, baked pastry and a hint of floral wafts through, beckoning one to sit at a booth and enjoy one of the piemaker's fine treats! The piemaker is inspired by the character of Ned from Pushing Daisies, and is a balanced unisex fragrance with a floral amber background blended with gourmand notes. Main notes: berry pies, pale musk, apple spice, tuberose, amber.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability:</i><br />
<a href="http://www.sarawen.com/">Sarawen Perfume Art</a><br />
Limited Edition - Valentine's Day 2015<br />
Available at the time of writing in sample and full size.<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-75979809664798236482015-02-01T17:49:00.001+10:302015-02-01T17:49:10.253+10:30Philtre #5: Embrace - Arcana Soaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLFzCihPWFk/VLmoDW2Dw6I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/CeI3SyOEeO4/s1600/embrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLFzCihPWFk/VLmoDW2Dw6I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/CeI3SyOEeO4/s1600/embrace.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://boxi.eu.com/tag/embrace/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Straight up musk, a classic oriental.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Musk and a looooot of amber. Bit worried this one is going to amp the amber and give me a headache but we will see what happens. It's quite potent on first application - I can smell it all around me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 30 minutes: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Thankfully this has mellowed a bit - the amber is still prominent but it's not head-kicking crazy. The musk is a creamy one, very smooth and compulsively sniffable. I really like that note but I wish the amber would get out of the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Vanilla! Where did that pop up from? There's a slight candy note and it seems more lollyish and less incense-y now. It obviously likes warm places - I can barely smell it on my wrist but it's wafting up still quite powerfully from my cleavage (TMI!).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wrist, maybe a couple of hours. Between the bewbs, about 7-8 hours. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Then you breathed my breath and slept against my fluttering heart. This sensuous formula is believed to induce delicious caresses and kisses without end. Three ambers, French vanilla, Bourbon custard, golden musk, sweet coconut milk and a soft whiff of skin musk. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Availability:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://therhinestonehousewife.com/">The Rhinestone Housewife</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">General Catalogue</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Full size only. </span></span><br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-54094544523097658732015-01-30T12:14:00.000+10:302015-02-02T11:03:34.082+10:30Audrey - Wiggle Perfume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRWlryqu9qM/VMSVPhq4JFI/AAAAAAAAEpI/1omn69QZyn4/s1600/audrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRWlryqu9qM/VMSVPhq4JFI/AAAAAAAAEpI/1omn69QZyn4/s1600/audrey.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">First sniff: </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Grapefruit and something green and lightly floral. Very zingy and spring time-ish.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The grapefruit is the most prominent, but the green note and the floral - now a little creamy - is still there. I <i>really</i> like this so far - I know I will regret not having bought a full bottle while I had the chance.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 30 minutes: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Very potent and super pretty citrus and green with the floral now not as noticeable. I'm sure I can smell a wee bit of vanilla in there but I can only occasionally get a whiff of it. This is a very perfumey perfume - it smells expensive and classy and if someone had told me it was Chanel or Dior I'd have believed it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still gently wafting around me, smelling like something Joan or Betty from Mad Men would wear. It's faded a bit but I can still smell the lovely floral note with that vanilla peeking through now and then. I am really kicking myself for not testing this before it was discontinued.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Five to six hours. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Actual notes/description:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the little black dress of perfumes. It's classic and modern at the same time, goes with any outfit or occasion, and easily defies seasons. A femmed-up twist on chypre, Audrey sparkles with notes of pink grapefruit, orange blossom, and vetiver, and is beautifully grounded by a light musk with hints of saffron. A touch of bourbon vanilla adds a delicate, modest sweetness. I designed this scent with New Year's Eve in mind, but it also strikes me as a perfect bridal fragrance, or just something lovely to wear with jeans or nothing at all.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Availability:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/wiggleperfume">Wiggle Perfume</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Discontinued (sob)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span>Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-90931303933717888192015-01-28T18:48:00.001+10:302015-01-28T18:48:15.564+10:30Dorian - Sarawen Perfume Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1shavtw6SM0/VMiXZu0iM8I/AAAAAAAAEp0/FdWLOgsJvB8/s1600/dorian%2Bgray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1shavtw6SM0/VMiXZu0iM8I/AAAAAAAAEp0/FdWLOgsJvB8/s1600/dorian%2Bgray.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A very potent single floral note - not rose, maybe lotus? With a sharp green note as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Woo, this is a head kicker - I sneezed a few times immediately after applying. The floral note is still right out there but I don't think it's lotus. It's definitely not iris or violet, it's familiar but not common to me. Mystery! There's a teeny bit of something that is maybe vanilla... or possibly coconut. It's got that slightly tropical edge. I like this - it's definitely floral but not old lady-ish. Jeez, it's really strong though. Sorry in advance, office!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>After 30 minutes: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had a doctor's appointment first thing this morning and while he was talking to me he suddenly started sniffling and then sneezed. He said, "Sorry - sensitive nose." At the time I thought he was referring to hay fever, but I realised later on it was my perfume that set him off. Oops! At the 30 minute mark it was still pretty strong, and I still can't figure out what that floral note is. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Almost gone. Wha' happen? It was super potent for a while and then it seemed to fade really suddenly. I can smell it if I hold my wrist up to my nose but it's definitely only got about two hours or so of real life in it. The base is more mellow, musky and less floral - I'm thinking there's coconut in there for sure. I like this one a lot so I wouldn't mind having to frequently reapply. It's probably more suited to the evening than the office though. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About two hours at full potency, then fades considerably. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A beauty that never dies, which lingers in late nights with absinthe-induced fantasies as light musks permeate the air. The sweetness of his sins is covered in dark orchids and red florals, while exotic chypres and hints of coconut cream linger in his debauched luxury... main notes: musk, absinthe, orchids, (d'oh!), coconut. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Availability: </i></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.sarawen.com/" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.996000289917px;">Sarawen Perfume Art</a><br />
Fall 2014 - currently available<br />
Sample and full size<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-81479632648082393372015-01-26T07:58:00.000+10:302015-01-26T09:20:45.329+10:30Toasted Marshmallow - Sixteen92<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGV7fhhf7SA/VMSZrcoSshI/AAAAAAAAEpg/2r5cpLOyox0/s1600/toasted%2Bmarshmallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGV7fhhf7SA/VMSZrcoSshI/AAAAAAAAEpg/2r5cpLOyox0/s1600/toasted%2Bmarshmallow.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Creme brûlée - sweet vanilla with a creamy toffee note</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">S</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">till creme brûlée, but less sweet and more toffee-ish. Liking this a lot so far.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 30 mins: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Not much change, more sweet again than toasted now though. Sillage is quite low and it's faded a bit so not sure how long it will last. Really like this - it's mah jam. It's a warm, sweet-but-not-too-sweet gourmand, very comforting. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Almost gone, didn't change really. Needs frequent re-applying and slathering but that's okay.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not long, could really only notice it for about two hours, if that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone's favorite hot chocolate topping, gooey marshmallows lightly toasted over a campfire. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Availability: </i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Sixteen92"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sixteen92</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seasonal - Winter 2014 Hot Chocolate Bar Collection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently available in sample and full size, but not sure for how much longer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-75881445733647740132015-01-25T17:23:00.000+10:302015-01-25T17:23:23.705+10:30Dark Chocolate Fudge Taffy Pull - Violette Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys6pzDppnD0/VMSQttL5lgI/AAAAAAAAEow/SmlJ-fGxNco/s1600/fudge%2Btaffy%2Bpull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys6pzDppnD0/VMSQttL5lgI/AAAAAAAAEow/SmlJ-fGxNco/s1600/fudge%2Btaffy%2Bpull.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Just lots of chocolate.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>First applied: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Chocolate and something a bit watery, sort of reminds me of Tom Ford's Black Orchid. There's a definite floral note but I can't place it - something delicate. This is quite faint too - I slathered a bit but the sillage is not at all </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">high.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 30 mins: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A watery floral with a bit of a chocolate base note, pretty but not at all what I would expect by the name.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>After 3 hours: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The base has deepened a little and it's <i>slightly</i> more chocolatey than it was at the 30 minute mark; the aquatic floral is still there and seems to be the main focus. The perfume overall is quite faint now - this one doesn't hang around too long.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Longevity: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two to three hours. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dark chocolate fudge with hints of Bourbon vanilla, vanilla cream, pink sugar cane, lemon blossom, orange cream, raspberry truffle, blueberry and caramel. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Availability: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="http://www.violettemarket.com/home.php"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Violette Market</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Limited Edition - State Fair 2012 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No longer readily available. You might pick it up in private sales.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-52138712112737127932015-01-23T11:33:00.000+10:302015-01-23T11:33:32.320+10:30Gibbon's Boarding School - Solstice Scents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCOlCaC2P4A/VLGxzEwjlxI/AAAAAAAAEfc/I2swwlUHED8/s1600/gibbons%2Bboarding%2Bschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCOlCaC2P4A/VLGxzEwjlxI/AAAAAAAAEfc/I2swwlUHED8/s1600/gibbons%2Bboarding%2Bschool.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ww1schools.com/pupils-at-war.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
Leather. This is some kinky kind of school.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
Leather, musty wood and something like... lime? Is it bay rum, maybe? It makes me think of pirates on tropical seas. This is quite a masculine scent. Something about it is verging on fly spray - maybe that limey note is making me think of citronella.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
There's not much change, but it's a bit more mellow now, and less fly spray-ish. This would smell nice on a man but it's not really my thing.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
Much softer, it fades considerably after the first hour. Kind of a generic man scent now - a bit woody but really mellow.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
About 6 hours but very muted after the first hour.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Dusty wooden desks, paper, carefully hidden tobacco pouch, dying fire, dried leaves, leather chairs, Autumn breeze.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://www.solsticescents.com/">Solstice Scents</a><br />
Limited Edition - Foxcroft's Autumn Festival 2014<br />
Full size and sample size.<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-10568483698016112032015-01-20T20:38:00.000+10:302015-01-20T20:38:19.605+10:30Diabolique - Sugar and Spite Bathery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2ObjpwcRCs/VLmriKmFopI/AAAAAAAAEoc/e8QzPvzHlOA/s1600/Diabolique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U2ObjpwcRCs/VLmriKmFopI/AAAAAAAAEoc/e8QzPvzHlOA/s1600/Diabolique.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>First sniff: </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Sweet, cream biscuits.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>First applied: </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Still biscuity, with a slight tang of something citrus but I don't think it's lemon. Mandarin? Really pretty gourmand but not really getting why it's a Halloween scent. There's a very mild woody note in the background which I imagine will come out more when the top notes dry down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>After 30 mins: </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">More woody now but still quite sweet and biscuit/pastry-ish. When I first applied it, it seemed a little weak and I thought it might fade quickly but it's actually getting stronger as the woodiness amps up. It's very much a Sugar & Spite/Morbid The Merrier perfume - Lysa has a classic signature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><i>After 3 hours:</i> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">A soft, sweet but slightly boozy vanilla with a wood note adding some depth. It has faded quite a lot now - quite faint on the wrist u less I put my nose right up near it. I do like this scent a lot but I'm still baffled by its connection to Halloween. Maybe it has candy corn or something in totally not getting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Longevity:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">4 hours tops, best reapplied after about 2 hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Actual notes/description: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Orange blossoms dripping with sticky black honey, warm gingerbread, 3 vanillas, tea leaves and aloeswood. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Availability:</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SugarAndSpiteBathery">Sugar and Spite Bathery</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Limited Edition - Halloween 2014</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Not currently available, but may be seasonal. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-6475007621416340562015-01-18T17:35:00.000+10:302015-01-18T17:35:49.508+10:30Cake or Death - Common Brimstone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDcLJh-JbYQ/VLGuPToGTeI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/jXN7er-zr_M/s1600/cake%2Bor%2Bdeath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDcLJh-JbYQ/VLGuPToGTeI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/jXN7er-zr_M/s1600/cake%2Bor%2Bdeath.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Cold sniff: </i><br />
Sweet nothing. Not even kidding - there's a faint sweetness but really can't smell much of anything at all.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
Almond and vanilla. This reminds me a little of Haus of Gloi's Troika. It's still quite faint - I have to lift my wrist to my nose to smell it properly.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
Very faint. The scent hasn't really changed at all - still a soft vanilla almond - but it has faded a lot. I can barely smell it.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours:</i><br />
Completely gone.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
Barely a sigh.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description:</i><br />
Luscious red velvet cake blends beautifully with elegant cognac for a delicious gourmand perfume experience.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/CommonBrimstone">Common Brimstone </a><br />
Permanent<br />
Full size and sample size<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-39721766180838811492015-01-17T10:34:00.000+10:302015-01-17T10:34:35.630+10:30Yule - Possets Perfume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtJxMA_qNQo/VLHQ9QRsH1I/AAAAAAAAEgc/qgG7klQyz7E/s1600/yule.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FtJxMA_qNQo/VLHQ9QRsH1I/AAAAAAAAEgc/qgG7klQyz7E/s1600/yule.jpeg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.meetup.com/pagan-319/events/29072191/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
Possets' distinctive 'vomited up caramel' cream note. Blech. I really do not want to put this one on.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
The same vomity note but also ginger and something else that smells a bit like rancid butter. This is not good.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
The cream and ginger are still there, and it's thankfully no longer very potent. Do not like this at all and I can't get to the 3 hour mark. I have to get it off.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
I scrubbed it off with an exfoliating facial scrub just after the 30 minute sniff and I can still smell lingering whiffs of it. Gah.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
20 years, apparently. I don't know - it was a total scrubber on me. I couldn't stay the distance.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Cream with a velvety vanilla and a bit of rummy character, this one will have you slurring and smiling before you know it. A lovely creation which showcases the good things for which Possets is known. Of course you do know that egg nog is about the last of the real possets of old to survive into the 21st century right? Mmmm.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://possets.com/">Possets Perfume</a><br />
Limited Edition - Yule 2009<br />
No longer readily available.<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-22601474260882393652015-01-16T13:29:00.001+10:302015-01-16T13:29:47.943+10:30Tattered Lace - Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tAfWpjdQLI/VLHT9xILqTI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Ul290XFtIEo/s1600/tattered%2Blace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tAfWpjdQLI/VLHT9xILqTI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Ul290XFtIEo/s1600/tattered%2Blace.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
Something resin-y, maybe frankincense or a fairly delicate patchouli. That's the wand. In the vial I can small something foody - it's almost like a sweet custard, like the way a continental slice smells.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
There's that custard smell again, now with a very slight lemony tinge. The resin is there too and it's strong enough that it made me sneeze when I sniffed it closely. It seems to blend nicely with the food note/s though, so hopefully this isn't going to be some big hippie nightmare.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
This has faded a lot - for something so potent when first applied it's really quite faint now. I can smell it when I move my wrist around close to my face but that's about it. Now it's more of a vanilla scent, still a little of the sweet custard note but the resin has pretty much gone.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
Almost gone. There's a faint whiff of sweet vanilla when I sniff my wrist closely, but that's about it.<br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
Maybe 2.5 hours, tops.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
An allegory of Victorian melancholia: tea-stained bourbon vanilla, with white cognac, coconut bark, Oman frankincense, and woodmoss over opium tar-stained silk.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/">Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab</a><br />
Limited Edition - Dark Delicacies Retail Exclusive 2011<br />
Not readily available. Might pick up in private sales.<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-85749735884223608602015-01-14T06:35:00.000+10:302015-01-14T06:35:07.067+10:30Horror Night At The Movies - Violette Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQijQCu1imo/VLG3aQft1UI/AAAAAAAAEfs/7q6x6Sx2kDc/s1600/horror%2Bnight%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bmovies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQijQCu1imo/VLG3aQft1UI/AAAAAAAAEfs/7q6x6Sx2kDc/s1600/horror%2Bnight%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bmovies.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://europewithanedge.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/look-back-in-horror-part-2/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
No idea. Something vaguely floral and a bit sour, maybe some popcorn?<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
Still no idea - this is a complete mystery. I think there's some almond in there. That sourness is more pronounced and there's a very faint note of something else I can't put my finger on... I think there's definitely popcorn in there too but it's not distinct.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
No real change, it's still a mystery. The base is very perfume-y, like something an old lady would wear. This is <i>weird</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
It's almost gone but once it hit that base it didn't change from the old lady floral/musk thing at all. That sour note still stuck around a bit - I was beginning to wonder if the perfume had actually turned, but I'm pretty sure that note is meant to be there.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
To be honest, I stopped sniffing after the 3 hour mark because I didn't like it at all - not quite a scrubber, but just a bit bleh. It had almost gone by then though so I doubt it would have stuck around much longer.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Popcorn coated in vanilla salt, flecks of almond bark, droplets of crimson dragon's blood resin, and salty sweat mingled with the heroine's white musk perfume as she runs to escape the on-screen vampires.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability:</i><br />
<a href="http://www.violettemarket.com/home.php">Violette Market</a><br />
Limited Edition - The 1980s Collection 2011<br />
Apparently <i>very</i> limited and forever gone.<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-82471415794061980682015-01-13T06:20:00.000+10:302015-01-13T06:20:42.331+10:30The All Chocolate Dinner - Possets Perfume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GD9HAsgTaIk/VLHKEkI4WLI/AAAAAAAAEgM/qgxE13lmO-E/s1600/all%2Bchocolate%2Bdinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GD9HAsgTaIk/VLHKEkI4WLI/AAAAAAAAEgM/qgxE13lmO-E/s1600/all%2Bchocolate%2Bdinner.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
There's almost something medicinal about this at first - I think there is supposed to be mint in there? To be honest, it smells like chocolate-y bandaids.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
That weird bandaid note is still there but it recedes into the background and the top is all chocolate and coffee. There's something slightly fruity as well - it smells a bit like... apples? Caramel apples, maybe.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
It still smells mostly of coffee, or at least a mocha. I <i>guess</i> there's some chocolate there but it's really not standing out. The bandaid smell seems to have disappeared but now there's a slightly dusty note.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
Dusty coffee, fairly faint. Can't smell any chocolate.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
About 4-5 hours. At the 6 hour mark it was very, very faintly there - I could barely smell it even with my nose pressed right up against my wrist.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
To round out the wicked foodies this Yule, it's time for an all chocolate dinner. Bring on the milk and dark chocolate and while you are at it, haul out the rum to wash it all down. Make that a rum toddy, with a nice fat pat of butter in it. Mmmmm. What an evil indulgence!!! Well, you only can get it once a year and this is it! Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://possets.com/">Possets Perfume</a><br />
Limited Edition - Yule: Dark Revels 2012<br />
No longer readily available. You might pick it up in private sales.<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-41549034894204273492015-01-12T08:14:00.000+10:302015-01-12T08:14:12.072+10:30Luxuria - Arcana Soaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEMtk_nRvkI/VLG9EqMI59I/AAAAAAAAEf8/dvN2V8eICKE/s1600/luxuria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEMtk_nRvkI/VLG9EqMI59I/AAAAAAAAEf8/dvN2V8eICKE/s1600/luxuria.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
Vanilla musk. It reminds me a bit of Ava Luxe <a href="http://www.avaluxeperfume.com/site/pages/scentindex/lovestruebluishlight.html">Love's True Bluish Light</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
Still vanilla musk, lovely and smooth but with a light watery element - not sure what that note is but it's familiar. I don't love it there but it does do a nice job of making the vanilla musk a little cooler and more summery. There's a resin note too, making this perfume weirdly dark and light at the same time.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
The resin has receded and the vanilla musk has warmed up now, really reminding me a lot of LTBL. The watery note is still there but barely - what the heck <i>is</i> that?<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
It hasn't changed much from the 30 minute mark, just faded some. I can't smell the resin at all really anymore, and the watery note comes and goes but only barely. I'm undecided about whether I need a full bottle of this but I do really like it.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
About 6 hours or so.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Lust. Wild, carnal musk with blond tobacco, vanilla, dark resins and sugared peach.<br />
<br />
Peach! <i>That's</i> what the watery note was! That's weird, because normally I really hate peach. I did not hate it here.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/arcanasoapsandperfumes/">Arcana Soaps</a><br />
Limited Edition - The Hieronymous Bosch Collection 2014<br />
Note: As of this writing, still available at Arcana's eBay store (link above - email directly for international shipping) and <a href="http://www.thesoapboxco.com/shop-by-brand/arcana/all-products/luxuria-fragrance-oil-preorder?cPath=51_135_143">The Soap Box Co</a>. Not sure how long it is sticking around for, as Arcana limiteds vary from blink-and-they're-gone to still kicking several years later.<br />
Full size, sample size only available from <a href="http://www.thesoapboxco.com/perfumery/samples/perfume-oil-samples?cPath=51_135_143">The Soap Box Co</a> as of this writing.<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-2650242507337367702015-01-11T09:21:00.001+10:302015-01-11T09:21:33.300+10:30Jack and The Devil - Solstice Scents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKjDHdpVCNM/VLGoFpOntJI/AAAAAAAAEe4/n7GcOopeK5I/s1600/jack%2Band%2Bthe%2Bdevil.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKjDHdpVCNM/VLGoFpOntJI/AAAAAAAAEe4/n7GcOopeK5I/s1600/jack%2Band%2Bthe%2Bdevil.jpeg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pirottablog.wordpress.com/tag/jack-o-lantern/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div>
<br />
<i>First sniff: </i><br />
Leather, chocolate... or maybe a deep vanilla?<br />
<br />
<i>First applied: </i><br />
Leathery tobacco and vanilla. Very masculine but smooth. There's some patchouli there too but thankfully it's not crazy.<br />
<br />
<i>After 30 minutes: </i><br />
The patchouli is prominent now, unfortunately. The tobacco is also stronger - this has become even more 'manly' than when I first applied it. It's probably awesome on a bloke, but not my kind of thing at all.<br />
<br />
<i>After 3 hours: </i><br />
The patchouli has mellowed at last and it's quite a smooth, masculine vanilla amber now. Again, I'm sure this would be amazing on a man but it's not something I would wear.<br />
<br />
<i>Longevity: </i><br />
About 6 hours.<br />
<br />
<i>Actual notes/description: </i><br />
Vanilla, tobacco, oakmoss, amber, patchouli, pumpkin and soft spice.<br />
<br />
<i>Availability: </i><br />
<a href="http://www.solsticescents.com/">Solstice Scents</a><br />
Permanent (was originally part of a limited edition Fall collection)<br />
Full size and sample size.<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-48750785578198107872015-01-11T09:20:00.001+10:302017-12-23T13:54:56.908+10:30Aloha 2015! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZxWxpU0vQw/VLGq6KEjwzI/AAAAAAAAEfE/LLkGC7XcZAc/s1600/640px-I'm_back_baby!.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZxWxpU0vQw/VLGq6KEjwzI/AAAAAAAAEfE/LLkGC7XcZAc/s1600/640px-I'm_back_baby!.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello to anyone who may be reading this! Yes, I'm back - I've been toying with the idea of returning for months and I had big plans for a January 1 return but you know how it is.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this time I am not committing to a review a day - last time I tried that I did okay (got to August!), but by the end of it I was so over it. I just wanted to wear a perfume for the sake of it, not because I had to think about it and write something about it. So this time I'm going to keep it simple - a few short sentences about what it smells like to me and that's pretty much it. There are loads of blogs out there that do long, thoughtful reviews if that's what you're after. I'm also going to test/review before I look at the notes, which could show up how wildly crap I am at distinguishing particular notes despite having been an avid perfume buyer for about 25 years.<br />
<br />
I still have my <a href="https://scentbase.com/dee255">Scentbase</a> and keep it pretty much up to date, so if there's anything specific you want to ask me to try out, please feel free to let me know.Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-83404505097837182232013-08-20T17:05:00.004+09:302013-08-20T17:05:37.361+09:30Hiatus<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello!
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have decided on a
short hiatus from perfume testing, because I’m just not feeling it at
the moment. I’ve got a lot of work stuff going on, and I’m not in the
mood to pay attention
to what I’m wearing and make notes about it and whatever. I just want
to wear what I want to wear and enjoy it.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I’m intending this to be a break of no more than a few weeks. I’m not deserting my project, just taking a holiday.
Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-65521027875350453052013-08-12T15:16:00.003+09:302013-08-12T15:16:45.984+09:30Venus Libertina - Arcana Soaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHOvP_GIg5A/UghxhahszdI/AAAAAAAADzI/nY8F1J7jPnQ/s1600/arcana+venus+libertina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHOvP_GIg5A/UghxhahszdI/AAAAAAAADzI/nY8F1J7jPnQ/s320/arcana+venus+libertina.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Details: </b><br />
<i>Venus Libertina</i><br />
<i><a href="http://arcanasoaps.com/">Arcana Soaps</a> (bought from <a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/product-detail.php?iid=134">The Rhinestone Housewife</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Notes: </b><br />
<i>Night-blooming tuberose, pink gardenia, wax myrtle, tiare, bay rum, sandalwood, cucumber, iris and a teensy spill of champagne. </i><br />
<br />
Don't those notes sound lush? I imagined this to be a gorgeous, rich white floral with a dry down warmed by the sandalwood - pretty much my jam. And yet what I got was... lemon toilet cleaner. I don't get it. There is nothing lemony mentioned in the notes. Could it be the bay rum? I know sometimes that can be a tad limey. The wax myrtle? Wax myrtle gives us the scent bayberry. Fine and dandy except I have no idea what that smells like. Is it lemon?<br />
<br />
Not to put too fine a point on it, this was grooosssssssss for the longest time. I really wanted to scrub it off, but I wasn't going out anywhere so I stuck it out, hoping that somewhere along the line it would morph into the amazing white floral I'd been expecting. Nope. Never happened. Instead after about an hour the toilet cleaner <i>finally</i> went away and I was left with a very faint, generic pot pouri floral that was completely gone within 2 hours. I considered trying it again the following day to see if there was just something weird going on with my skin chemistry, but you know what... I didn't want to.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b><br />
1/5<br />
<br />
Day 224!<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-21672191594213044992013-08-12T14:44:00.003+09:302013-08-12T14:44:46.849+09:30What Larks! - Arcana Soap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnjvBmZevmQ/Ughsr-7noKI/AAAAAAAADy4/sH6a5cYS5os/s1600/arcana+what+larks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnjvBmZevmQ/Ughsr-7noKI/AAAAAAAADy4/sH6a5cYS5os/s320/arcana+what+larks.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Details:</b><br />
<i>What Larks! </i><br />
<i>Great Expectations</i><br />
<i><a href="http://arcanasoaps.com/">Arcana Soaps</a> (bought from <a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/product-detail.php?iid=344">The Rhinestone Housewife</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Notes: </b><br />
<i>A happy blend of English strawberries and salted milk caramels strewn across polished wood. </i><br />
<br />
Hmmm. The thing about caramel with me is that it often treads dangerously close to vomit. This perfume really teeters on the edge of that for quite some time. And maybe that's just me, because I know a lot of people love caramel scents and they are really popular in things like candles. The beginning is super sweet caramel and I never really did get a distinct note of either strawberries or wood.<br />
<br />
It did mellow after a while, but never really changed all that much - the dry down was more of a sticky date pudding kind of caramel than the lolly kind. Perhaps that was the wood after all, warming it a little. The sillage is quite high, and I was pretty careful about only applying a smidge because it smelled so strong in the bottle. It lasts a really long time - it was still quite strong on me at the end of the day, and I could smell traces of it the following morning before I had a shower. I think I'm going to put this one away for a while and see if the sweetness mellows out a bit. <br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b><br />
3/5 <br />
<br />
Day 223!<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-85752297367690560262013-08-12T14:32:00.001+09:302013-08-12T14:48:02.796+09:30Little Flora - Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzKticK_hLo/Ugho_q1Eb1I/AAAAAAAADys/z5gDpy31NwY/s1600/bpal+little+flora.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzKticK_hLo/Ugho_q1Eb1I/AAAAAAAADys/z5gDpy31NwY/s320/bpal+little+flora.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Details: </b><br />
<i>Little Flora</i><br />
<i>Turn of the Screw</i><br />
<i>Yule 2012</i><br />
<i><a href="http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html">Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab</a></i><br />
<br />
<b>Notes: </b><br />
<i>Peonies and cream. </i><br />
<br />
I've tried this out a few times since I got it late last year, but I've put of including it in my daily reviews because there just isn't much to say about it. This is a highly perfumey, super creamy floral. It doesn't change on me at all from go to whoa. It lasts for hours and hours - I could still smell it when I moved my wrists around 12 hours after applying. The sillage is high-ish, and when I tried it this most recent time I actually spilled a dab on myself while applying and it smelled really strong for a long time.<br />
<br />
Little Flora is an ultra-feminine perfume in the vein of something like Wiggle Perfume's <a href="http://365daysofsmells.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/buxom-wiggle-perfume.html">Buxom</a>, though without that one's complexity. I like those kinds of perfumes, which is just as well.<br />
<br />
As an aside, I find the label on this one really creepy. There is just something about pictures of old-fashioned little girls that makes me think of dolls, and there are few things that give me the heebie jeebies as much as dolls do.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating: </b><br />
4/5<br />
<br />
Day 222!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-19250123460711498352013-08-08T18:16:00.000+09:302013-08-08T18:16:16.990+09:30Catch Up Post #8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMbGutqF7Wc/UgNXu6RYprI/AAAAAAAADyU/dnb9AQfZuEE/s1600/Catch+up+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMbGutqF7Wc/UgNXu6RYprI/AAAAAAAADyU/dnb9AQfZuEE/s400/Catch+up+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/109072669/perfume-oil-bottle-small-poisonous-dream?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=dream">Delightful Rot Poisonous Dream</a> - <i><span class="description-content">The blackberry musk of of a sweet dream, distorted by cool mint and black oud. </span></i><br />
This is a synthetic smelling soapy perfume. It smells like an old
lady rose-scented soap set that's been gathering dust on the shelf of a country
chemist for at least 10 years. Sillage is fairly low and longevity is
low to medium. It was gone in about 4 hours, and I can't say I was sorry
to see it go. <b>2/5</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/95357936/nivens-perfume-oil-sweet-cakes-pudding?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=nivens">Deep Midnight Perfume Nivens</a> - <i><span class="description-content">Nivens will lead you down a rabbit hole to tasty helpings
of sweet creamy pastries, cakes and sticky puddings, topped off with
plump wild berries and a touch of spices and soft florals. Fresh, sweet,
and delicious! </span></i><br />
This smells really synthetic to me, as most of Deep <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1694097342" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Midnight</span></span>'s
perfumes tend to do. The smell is nuts, coffee and cream to my nose and
it's all a bit sickly. The dry down is a slightly sickly creamy milk
scent. This was pretty gross, to be honest. And of course, because I
didn't like it, it hung around for ages - about 8 hours. Thankfully the
sillage was lowish, so I wasn't inflicting it on anyone else. <b>1/5</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.solsticescents.com/VIOLET-TRUFFLE-PERFUME-_p_209.html">Solstice Scents Violet Truffle</a> - <i>Dark chocolate, violet, violet leaf and vanilla absolute. </i><br />
This is a sweet chocolate floral that reminds me a bit of Serendipitous.
It goes a wee bit dusty in the first few minutes but doesn't stay that
way for too long, maybe 10 minutes or so. I was just starting to decide
that I didn't like this at all when it morphed into a vanilla base and
became quite perfumey and pretty. The dust note was still there, but low
key. In the end I liked this one quite a bit after the first half hour,
but I doubt I'd buy a full size. <b>3/5</b><br /><br />
<a href="http://possets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=787">Possets Lovechild: Sweetbaby</a> - <i>Vanilla concentrated with lavender and amber. </i><br />
At first this is sickly sweet - all lollies and baby chunder, and I
almost washed it off. However, I stuck it out for the cause and it
mellowed after half an hour or so to a sweet, creamy vanilla - somewhat
similar to Courtly Love though more foody and not quite as perfumey.
This one had average lasting time on the wrists - maybe 6 hours - but I
also dabbed a little in my cleavage (oo-er missus!) and it really stuck
around in there. I was catching whiffs of it 12 or more hours later.
This one's a clinger. <b>3/5</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bpal.org/topic/2648-regan/">Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Regan</a> <i>A deceptively sweet orchid vanille with a faint trace of stephanotis. </i><br />
A very heady powdery floral, pretty and old-fashioned, but nothing remarkable. I feel like I've smelled versions of this a million times. Sillage is highish and it lasted most of the day - not really an office perfume. Meh. <b>2/5</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Days 217 - 221!<br />
<br />
Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-75647973730684671052013-08-05T14:30:00.000+09:302013-08-05T14:30:09.772+09:30The Shadowy and the Sublime - Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P6cZe7lUEZ0/Uf8xKlCZ8QI/AAAAAAAADx0/_zoIi4DUg8w/s1600/bpal+the+shadowy+and+the+sublime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P6cZe7lUEZ0/Uf8xKlCZ8QI/AAAAAAAADx0/_zoIi4DUg8w/s320/bpal+the+shadowy+and+the+sublime.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Details: </b><br />
<i>The Shadowy and The Sublime</i><br />
<i>Gothic Literature Vol 1</i><br />
<i>Halloweenie 2010</i><br />
<a href="http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html"><i>Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab</i></a><br />
<br />
<b>Notes: </b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="bbc">A sudden and shocking insight into the vast,
ineffable, overwhelming power of Nature, stirred by a vision or
experience of perfected beauty and perfected terror, that changes the
soul irretrievably. An epiphany: Moroccan amber, wisteria, ambergris
accord, white rose, magnolia, white mint, angelica, bergamot, and myrrh.</span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc">When I first got this, I adored it. This is what I wrote about it back then. </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc"><i>Anything that includes wisteria, white rose, magnolia... I'm there. It
doesn't disappoint either. This is a gorgeous creamy white floral with
no really dominant notes that I could distinguish. It's beautifully
blended, with a medium throw and reasonable staying power. I wish BPAL
would do more of these gentle florals, because they're obviously really
good at it. </i> </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc">Unfortunately, once this perfume had aged a year or so, the amber became really prominent and pretty much took over the 'gentle floral' entirely, and I'm a bit devo because it was so, so beautiful before. Although I can still smell the floral notes, it's mostly just amber, and a really heady kind that makes me feel a bit headachy and nauseated after a while. It's been a long time since I last wore it, but I pulled it out to compare with Estella, hoping that further ageing had mellowed it somewhat. Not to be. This perfume has very high sillage and lasts for ages - I put a teeny amount on my wrist in the morning and when I woke the following day I could still smell traces of it. It's a clinger. I loved you once, lady, but you got old. :-(</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc"><br /></span></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc">Rating: </span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc">2/5</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc">Day 216! </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bbc"></span><i><span class="bbc"> </span></i></span></span><br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7937536192050507223.post-20584501324452969092013-08-05T14:29:00.000+09:302013-08-05T14:31:14.810+09:30Estella - Arcana Soaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OB_N4tICozY/Uf8wrEIT89I/AAAAAAAADxs/c8UNdRxMkH4/s1600/arcana+estella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OB_N4tICozY/Uf8wrEIT89I/AAAAAAAADxs/c8UNdRxMkH4/s320/arcana+estella.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>Details: </b><br />
<i>Estella </i><br />
<i>Great Expectations</i><br />
<i><a href="http://arcanasoaps.com/">Arcana Soaps</a> (bought from <a href="https://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/">The Rhinestone Housewife</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Notes: </b><br />
<i>Quietly stunning ambre blanc and vanilla bean with a kiss of cognac.</i><br />
<br />
I bought this unsniffed after reading rave reviews about it. I bought several other bottles at the same time, two of which were also perfumes I'd not tried before, and since I received the order I have not given those other two more than a cursory sniff, because I am obsessed with this. I've been wearing it most days at some point, even if at night just as an excuse to sniff it. It is so beautiful - I thought at first that it was a lot like BPAL's <a href="http://365daysofsmells.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/the-shadowy-and-sublime-black-phoenix.html">The Shadowy and the Sublime</a>, but I dug that out to compare and it's not really that similar. There are elements that make each remind me of the other, but Estella is in a world of its own.<br />
<br />
I was a little concerned that the amber would be overpowering but it's not at all - it's smooth and mellow and blends gorgeously with the vanilla. This is a very warm, comforting, girly perfume. A snuggle scent, if you like. The cognac is detectable, but it's not a boozy smelling perfume - that note just adds a grown up element to it.<br />
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Lasting power is fantastic - I've put this on first thing in the morning and I can still smell it after dinner. Sillage is medium - if you splash it on you'll probably be announcing yourself for an hour or two, but if you apply subtly it's just enough to let people know you're there without screaming it in their face. I freaking love this perfume - I am definitely getting another bottle before it disappears. Possibly even two. <br />
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<b>Rating: </b><br />
5/5<br />
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Day 215! <br />
<br />Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349956327915851336noreply@blogger.com6