BPAL: Halloweenies Pt. 2
Oct. 17th, 2012 01:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwydionThe Pickman decants aren't here yet, but I'm posting these anyway.
The Frimps:
BON VIVANT (Bewitching Brews): (Company says: An effervescent blend of crystalline champagne notes and sweet strawberry.)
In bottle: The strong carbonated champagne note common in BPAL champagne blends with a hint of strawberry accord. Wet: The strawberry accord and the fizz from the champagne blend in really interesting ways. The effects are subtle and unusual. Historically, I do badly with the champagne note and I break down the strawberry accord in some funny ways. This is the closest I’ve ever come to making the champagne note work and it’s because of me miss parsing strawberry in chaotic and interesting ways. Go figure. Dry: The champagne note with most of the fizz gone out.
THE CHICKEN-LEGGED HUT (Marchen): (Company says: Creaky wood and sun-dried thatching, clacking bones, leering skulls, burnt herbs, and enormous magical chicken feet.)
In bottle: This is well suited to it’s concept. Wood and medicinal herbs are strongest, but it definitely has a lot of bone to it was well and there is a touch of smoke, thatch and something avian about it. I’m not sure I want to smell this much like medicinal tea, but it certainly is interesting. Wet: The Wood and avian scent go well together, but I’m sure now there is chamomile among the herbs, and while I like it in tea, it goes badly with my skin chemistry in scents. The smoke goes well with the bone accord. I suspect I’d already be in love if this didn’t have chamomile. Dry: Mostly wood and chamomile.
Ordered:
AMELES POTAMOS (Wanderlust): (Company says: The River of Unmindfulness: bittersweet black water swollen with forgotten tears.).
In bottle: It’s pretty much the lab’s sea scent, made a touch darker, though I’m not sure exactly how. Wet: I’ve been having trouble with the sea accord lately, but this is actually working surprisingly well on my skin. As is often the case, my nose tends to separate out the floral element of the accord, but this time it’s not breaking all the way down, at least so far. Dry: Softens into something darkly sexy.
THE APPALLING ABATTOIR 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: Echoes of crimes long-ago hidden: a slaughter hastily washed away, leaving flecks of gore to settle deep within the rough-hewn stone floor.)
In bottle: Soft and subtle, mostly dragon’s blood with some stone, musk, and spice. Look, I know the last two aren’t listed, but I could swear to musk and I’m strongly suspecting cassia or maybe cinnamon. Wet: Surprisingly juicy and sweet. Dragon blood dominate, with that touch of musk and spice fading into it though still clearly present.. It could be I was breaking down the gore accord when it was in the bottle, but it blends smoother on my skin. The gore accord works beautifully with the subtle touch of stone. As it warms the musk and probably cassia come out stronger again. The balance is different, but still interesting. I really amp musk, and this may be a touch too much with my personal chemistry. Dry: Mostly musk with a touch of dragon’s blood. It’s not bad even with my wonky skin chemistry.
BADGERS 2012 (LE, NYCC, THE GENTLEMAN’S DIRECTORY: NEW YORK CITY IN 1870): (Company says: Sweet patchouli, soft, honeyed leather, sassy sarsaparilla, honeysuckle, and French vanilla.
In bottle: Patchouli dominant, to a worrisome extent, but not as over the top as Occupy. The leather is a distant second, but a good choice with the patchouli. The sarsaparilla and vanilla are soft, but pleasant with the stronger notes. I can barely find the honeysuckle at all. Wet: Still a bit too much patchouli, but not as egregiously so. The vanilla and honeysuckle strengthen and form a weak second together with the leather starting out just behind them, but moving up to challenge the patchouli, carrying the honeysuckle and vanilla along with it. The result is sweeter and more feminine than in the bottle, but still patchouli strong. The sarsaparilla hovers in the background for a while, then edges into support of the leather. It morphs a lot. I had such hopes for this, but think it’s just too much patchouli for my taste, even with that gorgeous honeysuckle/vanilla complex. Dry: Pretty on the dry down where the patchouli and leather blend better with each other and the vanilla. It’s still not me, but I have hopes of it being good on someone who’s skin is better friends with patchouli. I also suspect this will age beautifully.
THE BLOODY BANISTER 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says:
A rotting, cracked mahogany balustrade smeared with bloody handprints frames a cascading Imperial staircase that rises unsteadily into oppressive, suffocating shadows.)
In bottle: mahogany dominant, with a note similar to blackened palm that I’m guessing is the rot, with a hint of iron. This is very intense. Wet: Even more intense on the skin. If anything, the blackened coconut is stronger. It blends beautifully with the rich mahogany. The iron is a touch stronger, but not overwhelming. I wasn’t sure I liked it in the bottle, but it’s lovely on my skin. Dry: Mostly mahogany with a touch of dragon’s blood. Exquisite.
THE BOOK 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: Old, yellowed parchment paper, tattered leather bindings. There's a distinct warmth to the scent, though it is ancient and brittle.)
In bottle: I like the parchment note, but there is a touch of something sinister that I’m not sure I like. Wet: Parchment with varnish? Ink? I’m still not sure I like it, though it is interesting. Dry: mostly ink with some parchment. Much nicer on the dry down when it looses the chemical edge and smoothes out.
BUB 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: A dog's bright, beaming memories of playing in the sun, rolling in the grass, and begging for table scraps.)
In bottle: Citrus bright and definitely sunny in feel. Wet: Still strongly orange, but more complex and grassy with amber and a touch of spice. I generally amp citrus, so that’s happening here. Dry: The citrus backs down and it ends up sweet creamy Amber mostly. This is utterly lovely on the dry down and would be brilliant on someone younger than me with less awkward skin chemistry.
GHOST HOUSE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Purple-stemmed raspberries, twining grape vines, Spanish moss, and dusty pale woods.)
In bottle: The blonde woods are strongest and quite lovely with the Spanish Moss and grape vines. Think pale wood and dark green plants. The raspberry is understated and mostly serving to sweeten. Wet: More raspberry on the skin, now almost balancing the dark green with the wood providing the ubiquitous canvass on which they play. They all go beautifully together and this is subtle and exquisite. Dry: Mostly wood with the ghosts of the other elements. It’s lovely.
THE HEINOUS HEDGE-MAZE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: Claustrophobic pathways of neglected boxwood and thorny rosemary intersecting at impossible angles, twisting into itself.)
In bottle: Yep, those are hedges. I’ll call it boxwood dominant with strong rosemary support. They go together well, though are a bit overwhelming. Wet: Boxwood get a touch rancid buttery on my skin. I’m suspecting my bizarre skin chemistry of being the culprit. Luckily, it moves past it quickly and a dirt note and some sort of purpleish honeysuckle like flower comes out. The flower is gorgeous with the boxwood and rosemary. The result is simultaneously wild and delicate. It’s not remotely me, but this would be gorgeous on the right woman. Dry: A little weird on the dry down. Mostly boxwood.
MISCHIEF 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: The scent of petty vandalism: toilet paper wads on damp maple trees, squished pumpkins, raw eggs, beer, pumpkin seed hulls, and soapy glass.)
In bottle: This one’s mighty weird. It almost smells like cucumber and beetles. I’m guessing it’s an accidental accord involving pumpkins, hulls, and flass in the first case and the rest on the other. I am not convinced I want to smell like this, but it’s certainly interesting. Wet: It differentiates out more on the skin. It’s still a mess for me as far as parsing, but I think the beer, pumpkin, eggs, hulls, and maple are strongest. Maybe. The beer is strongest of those. The effect is similar to Brood XI, but not as good with my body chemistry. Dry: fast fading to mostly barley and maple.
NORMAN 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: Hoodie cotton and milk-splashed denim with a hint of pine needles and ectoplasm.)
In bottle: Pine dominant, but with a strong milk component. The fabrics work well with the milk particularly, but also surprisingly well with the pine. I don’t know what is standing in for ectoplasm, but it has a radioactive day glow green sort of smell, if that makes sense. It supports the pine the way the fabric supports the milk. It does smell rather like little kid only nicer. Wet: Ectoplasm is now being supported by pine and I’m calling it dominant, with the milk/fabric combo more backgr4ound. I’m not sure I like the way the ectoplasm is playing with the milk. The effect is rather curdled on me. Dry: Much better. It’s fast fading. The ectoplasm stays dominant, but calms down to the point of interesting. It’s not my thing, but might be someone else’s.
THE PERILOUS PARLOR 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: A memory of pleasure passed. A ghostly rendezvous, delight beyond death. Faint echoes of laughter and the distorted music of a harp drift by, along with the scent of soft white pear and sweet vanilla.
In bottle: Strongly pear with a powerful ally in vanilla. A lot of pear. Wet: The pear is still dominant on skin, but the vanilla softens it’s edges as it warms. It’s lovely and pleasantly sweet. I am suspecting honey despite it not being listed. This is must have if you like pear scents. Dry: As it fades the vanilla lasts slightly more than the pear, slowly shifting the balance in vanilla’s favour, but it’s lovely throughout.
POMONA 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Azaroles, nuts, and apple blossoms with red apple pulp, mulberry, blackberry, and pomegranate juice.)
In bottle: Pomegranate dominant with a strong cider bite. I am not sure I am liking the mulberry which is a strong third. (I am classing Azaroles and apple blossoms in with the apple pulp as my understanding is medlers are like apples). The blackberry is soft and supporting the mulberry. The nuts are soft and delicate as is often the case and are mostly tying the rest together. I like the pomegranate/cider concept and they are strong and delicious together. Wet: Mulberry is now coequal with the pomegranate, pushing the cider down and making me a sad panda. The mulberry may be too much, but I’ll see if it improves once it settles. Dry: Better on the dry down, as the blackberry has a bit more stay than the mulberry and the pomegranate ends up dominant with blackberry and apple support. I like the dry down, but it was disappointing compared to the in bottle glory.
THE SINISTER SALON 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: The walls are hung with massive dust-caked portraits of ancestors long-dead, and desiccated calla lilies curl morosely in crystal vases set on ornate end tables. Whiffs of opium, tobacco smoke, sherry, and cologne hint at crumbling decadence and the echoes of buried perversions.
In bottle: This suits its idea pretty well. I’d swear there was wood in it, maybe as end tables or picture frames. I’d call it wood and tobacco dominant. There’s something suggesting canvas or old wall paper in there. The cologne and opium twine together beautifully to dance with the tobacco. The cala lilies are delicate and present, but not overpowering. The sherry, which I was worried about is extremely understated. Let’s hope that holds on when it hits my skin. At this stage, I am hopeful. Wet: Much as in the bottle, with less cala lily if anything. If you fear florals or wine this should be fine. I’m loving this, the way the wood, canvas, opium, tobacco, and cologne work together. It’s ghostly and androgynous and wonderfully compelling. Dry: Mostly cologne and opium with a rather more cala lily. I like it, but not as much as wet.
THIRD CHARM 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: There's magic afoot: fiery red musk, luminous elemi, East Indian patchouli, champaca flower, cedar incense, ho wood, and hemlock accord sweetened with a peculiar sweet honey.).
In the bottle: Red Musk dominant with strong patchouli and elemi support. Think sticky sexy resiny musk. The champaca is lovely support. The woods and hemlock form their own, more complex faction, dancing with the first and the honey ties it all together. It interesting and intense, but I’m already suspecting the red musk will be too strong with my skin chemistry. Wet: Surprisingly, the hemlock makes its move, doing startlingly lovely things with the honey, champaca, and the musk. It’s more femine than I’d have guessed and a little weird on me, but I am thinking this would be gorgeous on many women. Dry: really pretty on the dry down with elemi, ho wood, honey and a touch of hemlock lingering.
THE VAMPIRE BRIDE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Icy skin touched by a perfume of violet leaf, white tea, olibanum, elemi, myrrh, wormwood, crypt dust, and saffron with a dribble of blood red musk.)
In the bottle: This has the same red musk and elemi thing going on that Third charm does, but this has tea and violet leaf as it’s dominant combination. The elemi plays well with the white tea and the red musk both and the result is more pale, while still having a touch of sensuality. The other elements are all present, but more support than strong voices on their own. This looks delicate, but feels dangerous, which suits the idea well. Wet: I didn’t have big hopes for this, but it’s gorgeous. The white tea is strong and lovely with the violet leaf and elemi. The red musk is soft and clever with the elemi and myrrh. This shouldn’t work, but it does. Dry: Fast fading. Weirdly mostly honeysuckle, elemi and olibanum, but really not much left in a very short time.
Winners: The Bloody Banister, Ghost House, Perilous Parlor
Runners Up: Sinister Salon, Vampire Bride
The Frimps:
BON VIVANT (Bewitching Brews): (Company says: An effervescent blend of crystalline champagne notes and sweet strawberry.)
In bottle: The strong carbonated champagne note common in BPAL champagne blends with a hint of strawberry accord. Wet: The strawberry accord and the fizz from the champagne blend in really interesting ways. The effects are subtle and unusual. Historically, I do badly with the champagne note and I break down the strawberry accord in some funny ways. This is the closest I’ve ever come to making the champagne note work and it’s because of me miss parsing strawberry in chaotic and interesting ways. Go figure. Dry: The champagne note with most of the fizz gone out.
THE CHICKEN-LEGGED HUT (Marchen): (Company says: Creaky wood and sun-dried thatching, clacking bones, leering skulls, burnt herbs, and enormous magical chicken feet.)
In bottle: This is well suited to it’s concept. Wood and medicinal herbs are strongest, but it definitely has a lot of bone to it was well and there is a touch of smoke, thatch and something avian about it. I’m not sure I want to smell this much like medicinal tea, but it certainly is interesting. Wet: The Wood and avian scent go well together, but I’m sure now there is chamomile among the herbs, and while I like it in tea, it goes badly with my skin chemistry in scents. The smoke goes well with the bone accord. I suspect I’d already be in love if this didn’t have chamomile. Dry: Mostly wood and chamomile.
Ordered:
AMELES POTAMOS (Wanderlust): (Company says: The River of Unmindfulness: bittersweet black water swollen with forgotten tears.).
In bottle: It’s pretty much the lab’s sea scent, made a touch darker, though I’m not sure exactly how. Wet: I’ve been having trouble with the sea accord lately, but this is actually working surprisingly well on my skin. As is often the case, my nose tends to separate out the floral element of the accord, but this time it’s not breaking all the way down, at least so far. Dry: Softens into something darkly sexy.
THE APPALLING ABATTOIR 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: Echoes of crimes long-ago hidden: a slaughter hastily washed away, leaving flecks of gore to settle deep within the rough-hewn stone floor.)
In bottle: Soft and subtle, mostly dragon’s blood with some stone, musk, and spice. Look, I know the last two aren’t listed, but I could swear to musk and I’m strongly suspecting cassia or maybe cinnamon. Wet: Surprisingly juicy and sweet. Dragon blood dominate, with that touch of musk and spice fading into it though still clearly present.. It could be I was breaking down the gore accord when it was in the bottle, but it blends smoother on my skin. The gore accord works beautifully with the subtle touch of stone. As it warms the musk and probably cassia come out stronger again. The balance is different, but still interesting. I really amp musk, and this may be a touch too much with my personal chemistry. Dry: Mostly musk with a touch of dragon’s blood. It’s not bad even with my wonky skin chemistry.
BADGERS 2012 (LE, NYCC, THE GENTLEMAN’S DIRECTORY: NEW YORK CITY IN 1870): (Company says: Sweet patchouli, soft, honeyed leather, sassy sarsaparilla, honeysuckle, and French vanilla.
In bottle: Patchouli dominant, to a worrisome extent, but not as over the top as Occupy. The leather is a distant second, but a good choice with the patchouli. The sarsaparilla and vanilla are soft, but pleasant with the stronger notes. I can barely find the honeysuckle at all. Wet: Still a bit too much patchouli, but not as egregiously so. The vanilla and honeysuckle strengthen and form a weak second together with the leather starting out just behind them, but moving up to challenge the patchouli, carrying the honeysuckle and vanilla along with it. The result is sweeter and more feminine than in the bottle, but still patchouli strong. The sarsaparilla hovers in the background for a while, then edges into support of the leather. It morphs a lot. I had such hopes for this, but think it’s just too much patchouli for my taste, even with that gorgeous honeysuckle/vanilla complex. Dry: Pretty on the dry down where the patchouli and leather blend better with each other and the vanilla. It’s still not me, but I have hopes of it being good on someone who’s skin is better friends with patchouli. I also suspect this will age beautifully.
THE BLOODY BANISTER 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says:
A rotting, cracked mahogany balustrade smeared with bloody handprints frames a cascading Imperial staircase that rises unsteadily into oppressive, suffocating shadows.)
In bottle: mahogany dominant, with a note similar to blackened palm that I’m guessing is the rot, with a hint of iron. This is very intense. Wet: Even more intense on the skin. If anything, the blackened coconut is stronger. It blends beautifully with the rich mahogany. The iron is a touch stronger, but not overwhelming. I wasn’t sure I liked it in the bottle, but it’s lovely on my skin. Dry: Mostly mahogany with a touch of dragon’s blood. Exquisite.
THE BOOK 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: Old, yellowed parchment paper, tattered leather bindings. There's a distinct warmth to the scent, though it is ancient and brittle.)
In bottle: I like the parchment note, but there is a touch of something sinister that I’m not sure I like. Wet: Parchment with varnish? Ink? I’m still not sure I like it, though it is interesting. Dry: mostly ink with some parchment. Much nicer on the dry down when it looses the chemical edge and smoothes out.
BUB 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: A dog's bright, beaming memories of playing in the sun, rolling in the grass, and begging for table scraps.)
In bottle: Citrus bright and definitely sunny in feel. Wet: Still strongly orange, but more complex and grassy with amber and a touch of spice. I generally amp citrus, so that’s happening here. Dry: The citrus backs down and it ends up sweet creamy Amber mostly. This is utterly lovely on the dry down and would be brilliant on someone younger than me with less awkward skin chemistry.
GHOST HOUSE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Purple-stemmed raspberries, twining grape vines, Spanish moss, and dusty pale woods.)
In bottle: The blonde woods are strongest and quite lovely with the Spanish Moss and grape vines. Think pale wood and dark green plants. The raspberry is understated and mostly serving to sweeten. Wet: More raspberry on the skin, now almost balancing the dark green with the wood providing the ubiquitous canvass on which they play. They all go beautifully together and this is subtle and exquisite. Dry: Mostly wood with the ghosts of the other elements. It’s lovely.
THE HEINOUS HEDGE-MAZE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: Claustrophobic pathways of neglected boxwood and thorny rosemary intersecting at impossible angles, twisting into itself.)
In bottle: Yep, those are hedges. I’ll call it boxwood dominant with strong rosemary support. They go together well, though are a bit overwhelming. Wet: Boxwood get a touch rancid buttery on my skin. I’m suspecting my bizarre skin chemistry of being the culprit. Luckily, it moves past it quickly and a dirt note and some sort of purpleish honeysuckle like flower comes out. The flower is gorgeous with the boxwood and rosemary. The result is simultaneously wild and delicate. It’s not remotely me, but this would be gorgeous on the right woman. Dry: A little weird on the dry down. Mostly boxwood.
MISCHIEF 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: The scent of petty vandalism: toilet paper wads on damp maple trees, squished pumpkins, raw eggs, beer, pumpkin seed hulls, and soapy glass.)
In bottle: This one’s mighty weird. It almost smells like cucumber and beetles. I’m guessing it’s an accidental accord involving pumpkins, hulls, and flass in the first case and the rest on the other. I am not convinced I want to smell like this, but it’s certainly interesting. Wet: It differentiates out more on the skin. It’s still a mess for me as far as parsing, but I think the beer, pumpkin, eggs, hulls, and maple are strongest. Maybe. The beer is strongest of those. The effect is similar to Brood XI, but not as good with my body chemistry. Dry: fast fading to mostly barley and maple.
NORMAN 2012 (Paranorman): (Company says: Hoodie cotton and milk-splashed denim with a hint of pine needles and ectoplasm.)
In bottle: Pine dominant, but with a strong milk component. The fabrics work well with the milk particularly, but also surprisingly well with the pine. I don’t know what is standing in for ectoplasm, but it has a radioactive day glow green sort of smell, if that makes sense. It supports the pine the way the fabric supports the milk. It does smell rather like little kid only nicer. Wet: Ectoplasm is now being supported by pine and I’m calling it dominant, with the milk/fabric combo more backgr4ound. I’m not sure I like the way the ectoplasm is playing with the milk. The effect is rather curdled on me. Dry: Much better. It’s fast fading. The ectoplasm stays dominant, but calms down to the point of interesting. It’s not my thing, but might be someone else’s.
THE PERILOUS PARLOR 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: A memory of pleasure passed. A ghostly rendezvous, delight beyond death. Faint echoes of laughter and the distorted music of a harp drift by, along with the scent of soft white pear and sweet vanilla.
In bottle: Strongly pear with a powerful ally in vanilla. A lot of pear. Wet: The pear is still dominant on skin, but the vanilla softens it’s edges as it warms. It’s lovely and pleasantly sweet. I am suspecting honey despite it not being listed. This is must have if you like pear scents. Dry: As it fades the vanilla lasts slightly more than the pear, slowly shifting the balance in vanilla’s favour, but it’s lovely throughout.
POMONA 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Azaroles, nuts, and apple blossoms with red apple pulp, mulberry, blackberry, and pomegranate juice.)
In bottle: Pomegranate dominant with a strong cider bite. I am not sure I am liking the mulberry which is a strong third. (I am classing Azaroles and apple blossoms in with the apple pulp as my understanding is medlers are like apples). The blackberry is soft and supporting the mulberry. The nuts are soft and delicate as is often the case and are mostly tying the rest together. I like the pomegranate/cider concept and they are strong and delicious together. Wet: Mulberry is now coequal with the pomegranate, pushing the cider down and making me a sad panda. The mulberry may be too much, but I’ll see if it improves once it settles. Dry: Better on the dry down, as the blackberry has a bit more stay than the mulberry and the pomegranate ends up dominant with blackberry and apple support. I like the dry down, but it was disappointing compared to the in bottle glory.
THE SINISTER SALON 2012 (LE, Halloweenie, Haunted House): (Company says: The walls are hung with massive dust-caked portraits of ancestors long-dead, and desiccated calla lilies curl morosely in crystal vases set on ornate end tables. Whiffs of opium, tobacco smoke, sherry, and cologne hint at crumbling decadence and the echoes of buried perversions.
In bottle: This suits its idea pretty well. I’d swear there was wood in it, maybe as end tables or picture frames. I’d call it wood and tobacco dominant. There’s something suggesting canvas or old wall paper in there. The cologne and opium twine together beautifully to dance with the tobacco. The cala lilies are delicate and present, but not overpowering. The sherry, which I was worried about is extremely understated. Let’s hope that holds on when it hits my skin. At this stage, I am hopeful. Wet: Much as in the bottle, with less cala lily if anything. If you fear florals or wine this should be fine. I’m loving this, the way the wood, canvas, opium, tobacco, and cologne work together. It’s ghostly and androgynous and wonderfully compelling. Dry: Mostly cologne and opium with a rather more cala lily. I like it, but not as much as wet.
THIRD CHARM 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: There's magic afoot: fiery red musk, luminous elemi, East Indian patchouli, champaca flower, cedar incense, ho wood, and hemlock accord sweetened with a peculiar sweet honey.).
In the bottle: Red Musk dominant with strong patchouli and elemi support. Think sticky sexy resiny musk. The champaca is lovely support. The woods and hemlock form their own, more complex faction, dancing with the first and the honey ties it all together. It interesting and intense, but I’m already suspecting the red musk will be too strong with my skin chemistry. Wet: Surprisingly, the hemlock makes its move, doing startlingly lovely things with the honey, champaca, and the musk. It’s more femine than I’d have guessed and a little weird on me, but I am thinking this would be gorgeous on many women. Dry: really pretty on the dry down with elemi, ho wood, honey and a touch of hemlock lingering.
THE VAMPIRE BRIDE 2012 (LE, Halloweenie): (Company says: Icy skin touched by a perfume of violet leaf, white tea, olibanum, elemi, myrrh, wormwood, crypt dust, and saffron with a dribble of blood red musk.)
In the bottle: This has the same red musk and elemi thing going on that Third charm does, but this has tea and violet leaf as it’s dominant combination. The elemi plays well with the white tea and the red musk both and the result is more pale, while still having a touch of sensuality. The other elements are all present, but more support than strong voices on their own. This looks delicate, but feels dangerous, which suits the idea well. Wet: I didn’t have big hopes for this, but it’s gorgeous. The white tea is strong and lovely with the violet leaf and elemi. The red musk is soft and clever with the elemi and myrrh. This shouldn’t work, but it does. Dry: Fast fading. Weirdly mostly honeysuckle, elemi and olibanum, but really not much left in a very short time.
Winners: The Bloody Banister, Ghost House, Perilous Parlor
Runners Up: Sinister Salon, Vampire Bride