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juushikaHOD (Discontinued, Sepiroth)
Glory and Majesty, Kokab, God’s Judgement.
I adore carnation, and Hod is hailed as pure, perfect carnation; thanks to a lucky find I was able to grab two imps.
In the vial: Sharp greenery.
On me: Goes on a distinctive powdery spice, gradually grows floral (that'd be carnation), and then takes on a milky undertone. It's a strong blend with a wide throw. It's powdery, which may be an amber base, but with a little grit—more like ground spice than baby powder. Above all, it's strong and pure carnation—the carnation of Alice or Maiden, spicy with a distinct milky background, not the dried blossom of Morocco. It's also the entire carnation, sharp green stem and spicy fresh red blossom. As the scent wears, much of the milkiness and greenery dies down and so does the throw, resolving to a subtle, spicy carnation, red and powdery, like dried carnation blossoms; it's a skin scent and disappears within two hours or so, but it's a lovely skin scent.
Verdict: On my skin, Hod is an experience of red carnation, bold fresh-cut flowers transforming to subtle dried petals—and the experience is incredibly authentic. The scent goes on with a huge throw, dies down to a subtle skin scent, and doesn't last long at all. This isn't a scent for wearing out, because it morphs so much and lingers so little (and it's so rare!). It's a scent to wear, experience, and enjoy. I'm thankful that I was able to get my hands on it, and shall treasure my imps.
GUNPOWDER (LE, Halloween 2008: Sleepy Hollow)
Carrot peelings, hay, chaff, molasses, maple oats, red apples, stable wood, and musk.
I tacked this decant on last minute, too intriguied by the unusual inspiration and notes to pass it by.
In the vial: Molasses, then oats, then apples—but I'm unfamiliar with many of these notes, especially in the context of a perfume, so that's just a guess. The scent is sweet, thick, and very pungent. It has food qualities, but it's not quite foody—this is horsefeed, or a cider house: being around feed or producing food, but not consuming it.
On me: The molasses creates sweetness on top, and it makes this scent very potent. The core is chaff and oats, a fibrous, cooked scent which is feed-but-not-food. At the base is a barely-discernible grounding of wood and a drop of musk. I also get a hint of overripe red apple—a touch of it in the throw, but not discernible up close. All in all, very similar to the scent in the vial but more nuanced. When it goes on, the throw is minimal and the molasses is a little bit overwhelming and cloying up close. Luckily, the throw rises within half an hour, and it doesn't contain so much of the molasses. This is an incredibly potent blend, and one little swipe is plenty.
Verdict: I can't imagine any other perfume like this. Gunpowder is evocative, unusual, and truly one of a kind. I'm reminded of visiting maple syrup and apple cider farms in Vermont, or baking dozens of oatmeal cookies in autumn—this is the scent of food preparation or animal feed, not of eating, and it doesn't make me hungry. I'm not sure how often I'll wear this, because it's more of an experience than a perfume. But I'll hold on to my imp, and I'm thrilled that I had the chance to experience it.
PUMPKIN V (LE, Halloween 2008)
Pumpkin with cranberry, strawberry, red musk, red rose, rosehip, frankincense, fig, jasmine, and carnation.
I grabbed an empty bottle (barely enough to test) from my decant circle because I wanted to smell one of the pumpkin patch and this was the most promising, but red rose scared me away from grabbing enough to wear.
In the bottle: Pumpkin immediately, then a touch of resin (I guess that'd be the frankincense), then just "red"—an overall impression of the color, but no notes.
On me: Goes on pumpkin, then it develops into a balance of red fruit made creamy by pumpkin and just touched by spice. I can't identify which red fruit, but it's distinctly red in color and full-bodied, rich, and a little sweet. The pumpkin is buttery and smooth; it's clearly discernible when I sniff for it, but for the most part it subtly balances out the red fruit and prevents the scent from growing cloying. The spice is subtle and almost featureless, just enough to provide an edge; if it's carnation, it's very flat. I don't get any other florals, including rose (which usually amps on my skin).
Verdict: This is more enjoyable than I expected, but I don't feel the need to track down a wearable amount. (The boy agrees.) The combination of red fruit and buttery pumpkin is full-bodied and pleasant, and it makes for a likable, inoffensive scent that's not without character. I wouldn't mind smelling this on someone else, and don't mind how it smells on me. But I'm not making rapturous moaning noises or grabby hands. This was good to try, and I'm definitely interested in trying more pumpkin blends, but I don't mind not having this one.
HAS NO HANNA (GC, Bewitching Brews: Conjure Bag)
Brings a rush of good luck, lifts the spirit, and helps alleviate depression.
This was a frimp in a decant circle.
In the vial: I can't even say. Something warm and golden with a distinct floral note.
On me: When it first touches the skin, this reminds me distinctly of Chuparosa—not a good thing, in my opinion. The drydown loses some of that bright-pink screaming floral brightness. A golden heart develops: a bit sharp, which could be ginger; maybe some golden fruits; certainly a strong, cheerful floral aspect. The overall scent is a warm, golden tone with a wake-me-up feeling, and it's not unpleasant. It's not my style, however, and I accidentally over-applied (stupid imp leak) and the scent is already quite strong, so I'm more concerned with washing it off than having my depression alleviated. (And then I went and washed it off, so I can't comment on how the scent changes during wear.)
Verdict: To be honest, I stuck this in my box for trades as soon as I recapped the imp. The scent is not at all unpleasant, and I wouldn't mind smelling it on someone else; it can definitely double as voodoo and perfume blend. But predominant florals aren't my style, nor is the bright golden color of the perfume. I'll pass this one on to someone else.
Non-BPAL:
HECATE'S NIGHT POTION (Love Potion)
Comprised of herbs, florals, fruits and resins that have been associated with Hecate for centuries, as well as additional "dark moon" ingredients. The result is a creamy, woodsy, incensey blend, which includes myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli, lavender, azalea, wine, frankincense, black poppy seeds, bergamot and more.
A gift from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sisterite, and I requested it because I was interested in testing some non-BPAL etailers.
In the vial: Distinct, but difficult to describe: wet, green, and antiseptic with a sharp artificial note.
On me: Wet on the skin, it's a cacophany of thick darkness, herbs, fruits, and cloying strength. I can't pick out much distinctly, and it's constantly morphing, without rhyme or reason, remarkably unpleasant and strong. On the drydown, the scent transforms into a rich, deep green vegetative base accented by bright, artificial fruity smell which is probably the wine. Within two hours, the throw and strength die down remarkably and the scent becomes light, sweet, skin-level, and indistinct. It lingers for a bit longer, but is barely discernible.
Verdict: I admire Hecate, but don't worship Her; I can't comment on the religious intent of this oil. It's not particularily wearable as a perfume—the early stages are potent and not particularily pleasant, and the final stage is so light and sweet that it's almost indiscernable. (On the other hand, that may be ideal for ritual use: potent and present during the ritual, dying down to a pleasant memory of itself afterward.) The final drydown is pleasant enough but too weak. I think I'll just have to pass this scent on to someone that will find it more enjoyable and more useful than I do.
DRYAD (Sidhe Creations)
Cedarwood and sandalwood sweetened with honeysuckle, vanilla, sugar, and fresh peach.
Another gift fromsisterite which I requested in order to try a non-BPAL etailer.
In the vial: Peach, and something else—a combination of the cedar and sandalwood, I think.
On me: When it goes on, it's just peach. This is the only note in the blend that I don't care for, but also the only one that I initially perceive—go figure. With time, the peach dies down and the other notes rise: the pale pink floral of honeysuckle, sandalwood, and a fair bit of sweetness—mostly crystalline sugar. But as the peach dies down, so does the scent. It sinks to skin level and after a while, I actually forgot it was there—and in the middle of testing, no less! And then ... it turns to soap. The final stage is mild, almost indiscernible, peach soap.
Verdict: I don't dislike the smell of peach, but I don't want to smell of it either. On my skin, peach is the most discernible aspect of the blend. The other notes are very pleasant, gentle and sweet, but they're not strong enough and the scent doesn't last long enough. This just isn't the blend for me, and I'll pass it along.
Glory and Majesty, Kokab, God’s Judgement.
I adore carnation, and Hod is hailed as pure, perfect carnation; thanks to a lucky find I was able to grab two imps.
In the vial: Sharp greenery.
On me: Goes on a distinctive powdery spice, gradually grows floral (that'd be carnation), and then takes on a milky undertone. It's a strong blend with a wide throw. It's powdery, which may be an amber base, but with a little grit—more like ground spice than baby powder. Above all, it's strong and pure carnation—the carnation of Alice or Maiden, spicy with a distinct milky background, not the dried blossom of Morocco. It's also the entire carnation, sharp green stem and spicy fresh red blossom. As the scent wears, much of the milkiness and greenery dies down and so does the throw, resolving to a subtle, spicy carnation, red and powdery, like dried carnation blossoms; it's a skin scent and disappears within two hours or so, but it's a lovely skin scent.
Verdict: On my skin, Hod is an experience of red carnation, bold fresh-cut flowers transforming to subtle dried petals—and the experience is incredibly authentic. The scent goes on with a huge throw, dies down to a subtle skin scent, and doesn't last long at all. This isn't a scent for wearing out, because it morphs so much and lingers so little (and it's so rare!). It's a scent to wear, experience, and enjoy. I'm thankful that I was able to get my hands on it, and shall treasure my imps.
GUNPOWDER (LE, Halloween 2008: Sleepy Hollow)
Carrot peelings, hay, chaff, molasses, maple oats, red apples, stable wood, and musk.
I tacked this decant on last minute, too intriguied by the unusual inspiration and notes to pass it by.
In the vial: Molasses, then oats, then apples—but I'm unfamiliar with many of these notes, especially in the context of a perfume, so that's just a guess. The scent is sweet, thick, and very pungent. It has food qualities, but it's not quite foody—this is horsefeed, or a cider house: being around feed or producing food, but not consuming it.
On me: The molasses creates sweetness on top, and it makes this scent very potent. The core is chaff and oats, a fibrous, cooked scent which is feed-but-not-food. At the base is a barely-discernible grounding of wood and a drop of musk. I also get a hint of overripe red apple—a touch of it in the throw, but not discernible up close. All in all, very similar to the scent in the vial but more nuanced. When it goes on, the throw is minimal and the molasses is a little bit overwhelming and cloying up close. Luckily, the throw rises within half an hour, and it doesn't contain so much of the molasses. This is an incredibly potent blend, and one little swipe is plenty.
Verdict: I can't imagine any other perfume like this. Gunpowder is evocative, unusual, and truly one of a kind. I'm reminded of visiting maple syrup and apple cider farms in Vermont, or baking dozens of oatmeal cookies in autumn—this is the scent of food preparation or animal feed, not of eating, and it doesn't make me hungry. I'm not sure how often I'll wear this, because it's more of an experience than a perfume. But I'll hold on to my imp, and I'm thrilled that I had the chance to experience it.
PUMPKIN V (LE, Halloween 2008)
Pumpkin with cranberry, strawberry, red musk, red rose, rosehip, frankincense, fig, jasmine, and carnation.
I grabbed an empty bottle (barely enough to test) from my decant circle because I wanted to smell one of the pumpkin patch and this was the most promising, but red rose scared me away from grabbing enough to wear.
In the bottle: Pumpkin immediately, then a touch of resin (I guess that'd be the frankincense), then just "red"—an overall impression of the color, but no notes.
On me: Goes on pumpkin, then it develops into a balance of red fruit made creamy by pumpkin and just touched by spice. I can't identify which red fruit, but it's distinctly red in color and full-bodied, rich, and a little sweet. The pumpkin is buttery and smooth; it's clearly discernible when I sniff for it, but for the most part it subtly balances out the red fruit and prevents the scent from growing cloying. The spice is subtle and almost featureless, just enough to provide an edge; if it's carnation, it's very flat. I don't get any other florals, including rose (which usually amps on my skin).
Verdict: This is more enjoyable than I expected, but I don't feel the need to track down a wearable amount. (The boy agrees.) The combination of red fruit and buttery pumpkin is full-bodied and pleasant, and it makes for a likable, inoffensive scent that's not without character. I wouldn't mind smelling this on someone else, and don't mind how it smells on me. But I'm not making rapturous moaning noises or grabby hands. This was good to try, and I'm definitely interested in trying more pumpkin blends, but I don't mind not having this one.
HAS NO HANNA (GC, Bewitching Brews: Conjure Bag)
Brings a rush of good luck, lifts the spirit, and helps alleviate depression.
This was a frimp in a decant circle.
In the vial: I can't even say. Something warm and golden with a distinct floral note.
On me: When it first touches the skin, this reminds me distinctly of Chuparosa—not a good thing, in my opinion. The drydown loses some of that bright-pink screaming floral brightness. A golden heart develops: a bit sharp, which could be ginger; maybe some golden fruits; certainly a strong, cheerful floral aspect. The overall scent is a warm, golden tone with a wake-me-up feeling, and it's not unpleasant. It's not my style, however, and I accidentally over-applied (stupid imp leak) and the scent is already quite strong, so I'm more concerned with washing it off than having my depression alleviated. (And then I went and washed it off, so I can't comment on how the scent changes during wear.)
Verdict: To be honest, I stuck this in my box for trades as soon as I recapped the imp. The scent is not at all unpleasant, and I wouldn't mind smelling it on someone else; it can definitely double as voodoo and perfume blend. But predominant florals aren't my style, nor is the bright golden color of the perfume. I'll pass this one on to someone else.
Non-BPAL:
HECATE'S NIGHT POTION (Love Potion)
Comprised of herbs, florals, fruits and resins that have been associated with Hecate for centuries, as well as additional "dark moon" ingredients. The result is a creamy, woodsy, incensey blend, which includes myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli, lavender, azalea, wine, frankincense, black poppy seeds, bergamot and more.
A gift from
sisterite, and I requested it because I was interested in testing some non-BPAL etailers.In the vial: Distinct, but difficult to describe: wet, green, and antiseptic with a sharp artificial note.
On me: Wet on the skin, it's a cacophany of thick darkness, herbs, fruits, and cloying strength. I can't pick out much distinctly, and it's constantly morphing, without rhyme or reason, remarkably unpleasant and strong. On the drydown, the scent transforms into a rich, deep green vegetative base accented by bright, artificial fruity smell which is probably the wine. Within two hours, the throw and strength die down remarkably and the scent becomes light, sweet, skin-level, and indistinct. It lingers for a bit longer, but is barely discernible.
Verdict: I admire Hecate, but don't worship Her; I can't comment on the religious intent of this oil. It's not particularily wearable as a perfume—the early stages are potent and not particularily pleasant, and the final stage is so light and sweet that it's almost indiscernable. (On the other hand, that may be ideal for ritual use: potent and present during the ritual, dying down to a pleasant memory of itself afterward.) The final drydown is pleasant enough but too weak. I think I'll just have to pass this scent on to someone that will find it more enjoyable and more useful than I do.
DRYAD (Sidhe Creations)
Cedarwood and sandalwood sweetened with honeysuckle, vanilla, sugar, and fresh peach.
Another gift from
sisterite which I requested in order to try a non-BPAL etailer.In the vial: Peach, and something else—a combination of the cedar and sandalwood, I think.
On me: When it goes on, it's just peach. This is the only note in the blend that I don't care for, but also the only one that I initially perceive—go figure. With time, the peach dies down and the other notes rise: the pale pink floral of honeysuckle, sandalwood, and a fair bit of sweetness—mostly crystalline sugar. But as the peach dies down, so does the scent. It sinks to skin level and after a while, I actually forgot it was there—and in the middle of testing, no less! And then ... it turns to soap. The final stage is mild, almost indiscernible, peach soap.
Verdict: I don't dislike the smell of peach, but I don't want to smell of it either. On my skin, peach is the most discernible aspect of the blend. The other notes are very pleasant, gentle and sweet, but they're not strong enough and the scent doesn't last long enough. This just isn't the blend for me, and I'll pass it along.
