Scent Whore dorkitude.
Yes, there's a BPAL meme. Yes, I filled it out, and then some.
1. What's your favorite Lunacy oil thus far?
Blue Moon, by far. Not only is it one of the most unique, beautiful perfumes I've ever worn, but it's an amazingly effective ritual oil, as well. When this comes out again in 2007, I will be ordering several bottles.
My next favorite would probably be Harvest Moon, for its beautiful and uncommon yellowness-- butter, hay, and autumnal blooms. I would have loved Frost Moon to bits because it's so evocative, but the prolonged scent of mints makes me somewhat queasy.
2. Rank the four 2004 Halloween blends according to preference.
I adore Samhain so much, and if this is an annual scent, I will buy it every year without fail. It's a daily scent for me in the autumn-- rich pumpkin infused with mullein over a damp, hallowed bed of fir.
Dia De Los Muertos would be next-- it smells completely different on me each time I wear it, alternating between cocoa and tobacco leaf.
Sugar Skull, while completely delightful in its brightness and uniqueness, is not necessarily I want to smell *like.* I wear it every now and again, though, when I'm feeling strange and disarming.
All Saint's came in last, but only by default because my skin chemistry and heavy florals are generally non-mixy things. This is surprisingly wearable and evocative, however, which is rare for me.
3. What was your biggest surprise oil, the one that you were amazed to find that you loved?
Eden, probably. I only ordered an imp because I figured that fig was an odd thing to smell like. Then I smelled it-- smooth waxy leaves and freshness, completely unexpected. The first thing I thought was "Caddy Compson smelled like leaves." I had a total English Major moment. I'm wearing Eden right now. There was also Iambe, which I expected to be too floral, but it's warm and glowy tea most of the time. I love it.
4. Of the 2004 Christmas LE blends that you tried, which was your favorite? Which was your least favorite?
I love Snow White because it's delicious and it always gets comments. It's one of those scents where you never quite know just exactly what it is you're smelling, but it evokes a memory, fuzzy and treasured. For me, that memory was curling up under a comforter with tea and a good book as the first snow begins to fall. I also loved Rose Red, though I rarely wear it. It's a fresh-cut, dew-dripping red rose, thorns and all. It smells completely different from most rose perfumes/notes because it's so true to the actual intent.
I disliked Yuletide on my skin because it smelled of generic potpourri. I might use my imp in my oil burner this year, though. I avoided Egg Nog like the plague because I was sure it'd turn my stomach.
5. Which of the Springtime in Arkham blends did you order? Which have you recieved? Favorite so far?
Ordered: Mi-Go Brain Canister (had a bubblegummy note that didn't mesh with me), Miskatonic University (so potent, and too sugary for me. I kept an imp), Shub Niggurath (the perfect gingerbread scent. My favorite by far). I'm swapping for imps of the rest, results forthcoming.
6. What's your favorite random LE? (Not a Halloween, Lunacy blend, Christmas blend, Kings & Queens, etc.)
Mabon. I think that'd be considered random, since there's not a full set of Sabbat blends. The ivy and blackberry wine mix is perfect for mid-Autumn. I'm also quite fond of Lughnasadh's mulled maraschino cherries and the childhood memories that June Gloom evokes (Lemonheads!). Also, Dead Man's Hand is so very, very sexy.
7. Kings and Queens - what's your favorite of the lot?
I've spent the least amount of time with these and so far, I've only not smelled King of Spades. I think I'd say King of Diamonds because of the odd, beachy feel I get from it. This might change as I try King of Clubs on my skin.
8. To Snake Oil or not to Snake Oil?
Give me aged Snake Oil or give me death.
9. Favorite dragon's blood blend (be it Ars Draconis or another blend)?
Tintagel. The dragon's blood and berry/wine notes blend so perfectly. Every time I wear it, I want a big, medieval-sized chunk of roast turkey leg. Sadly, I am not kidding.
10. What's your favorite aquatic blend?
Szepasszony, which I consider aquatic/ozoney. It's so off-kilter. Grass and slashing rain and wonderfully interesting.
11. What's your favorite note?
Amber. Spices. Sandalwood. Burbon Vanilla. Blackberry. Pomegranate. Lime. Coconut. Leather. I can't narrow it.
12. To floral or not to floral?
My chemistry makes 90% of all floral blends go headachy perfumey. I really have to like the rest of the notes to try something with flowers in it. Jasmine is the ultimate kiss of death.
13. Favorite discontinued blend?
Three Witches.
14. Favorite foody blend?
Midway was a delight. Shub Niggurath is wonderful. Jack, when it's not the evil pineapple of doom, is lovely.
15. Favorite spicy blend?
Sin, without a doubt. Hamadryad ranks a close second.
16. What was your most recent 'first time tried' blend?
I tried Blood Pearl last night. It was quite nice.
17. Bottles or imps?
Imps first, almost always, unless it's an LE I'm willing to chance.
18. Favorite way of enjoying Bpal besides wearing it?
I use some of the ritual oils. Other than that, sometimes I perfume my pillow so I have pleasant dreams.
19. Bpal first love?
Sin, I think. It was one of the first things I ever swapped for and has been a staple "I am a hot and sexy woman" scent ever since.
20. Is there a scent that you like that didn't hit so well with the masses?
Hmm. I don't know, really. I'm very fond of Titania, but I don't think it's disliked. I can't really think of anything off the top of my head.
21. Of the up and coming scents, what most piques your interest?
I have the Carnaval Noir scents on their way, and I can't wait to try Bearded Lady, Geek, and a few others. Some of the up-and-coming Lunars have my attention, like Hungry Ghost Moon. The as-yet un-announced Autumn blends have me all a-flutter with speculation. And then there's the Arthurian collection, as well.
22. Favorite unreleased scent (providing you've tried any)?
Pumpkin King. Delicious.
Also, to add, my own personal category favorites:
Favorite fruity blends:
1. The Hesperides - Golden, magic-hour apples.
2. Algaea - sweet, innocent peach blossom.
3. Persephone - Pomegranate and sweet tea rose.
4. Tarot: The Star - Lime! Mint! I smell like a mojito!
5. June Gloom (LE) - Lemonheads candy!
Sex in a bottle (on me):
1. Sin - amber, cinnamon, sandalwood.
2. The Lion - spiced amber
3. O - honey that smells like sex. I don't know why that makes sense, except it does.
4. All Night Long - One of Beth's voodoo blends. I use this in conjunction with other scents, and it works.
5. Snake Oil - a deep, sexual vanilla and spices.
Sex in a bottle (more masculine blends):
1. Dead Man's Hand - wear this, and I will jump you.
2. De Sade - slick, black leather.
3. Whitechapel - a sinister citrus. Hee.
4. Fenris Wolf - This is the masculine version of Sin, to my nose. I might have to get myself a bottle.
5. Oisin - fresh, clean, and still sexy.
*I'm expecting Golden Priapus to fall into this category; results forthcoming.
Favorite Voodoo/Ritual/TAL oils:
1. Yemaya - melon and saltwater. This was excellent for my Yemaya meditation.
2. Blue Moon - the ultimate circle-casting oil.
3. Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo - it smells like cotton candy! If this doesn't put you in a good mood, almost nothing will.
4. All Night Long - ahem. French Love has similar results.
5. Somnus - you will sleep like someone whacked you with a lead pipe, minus the splitting headache when you wake up.
Favorite foody scents:
1. Dana O'Shee - grains and almonds and creamy milk. Yum.
2. Shub Niggurath - gingerbread cake.
3. Chimera - If Dana and Shub mated.
4. Midway - Funnel cake and cotton candy and buttered popcorn. Just like being in the middle of a fair.
5. Sudha Segara - creamy ginger, so much lighter than the rest of the group, but just as edible.
I didn't expect to like:
1. Iambe - the Sudanese amber combined with tea makes this positively glow.
2. Spellbound - this is a deep, dark black rose, sluggish and incensey and so mysterious. I rarely have the opportunity to wear it, but it's special nonetheless.
3. Tempest - ozone zing! This is so ozoney that it feels potently charged, which is why I like it.
4. Eden - I didn't expect this to be so fresh and lovely.
5. Hexxennacht (LE): I figured the pine would do me in, but instead, I got a lovely bonfire scent.
Favorite Limited Editions:
1. Blue Moon
2. Dead Man's Hand
3. Mabon
4. Snow White
5. Samhain
... and, to be fair...
Blegh! No thanks!
1. Voodoo
2. Lust
3. Lear
4. Magus
5. Vice
1. What's your favorite Lunacy oil thus far?
Blue Moon, by far. Not only is it one of the most unique, beautiful perfumes I've ever worn, but it's an amazingly effective ritual oil, as well. When this comes out again in 2007, I will be ordering several bottles.
My next favorite would probably be Harvest Moon, for its beautiful and uncommon yellowness-- butter, hay, and autumnal blooms. I would have loved Frost Moon to bits because it's so evocative, but the prolonged scent of mints makes me somewhat queasy.
2. Rank the four 2004 Halloween blends according to preference.
I adore Samhain so much, and if this is an annual scent, I will buy it every year without fail. It's a daily scent for me in the autumn-- rich pumpkin infused with mullein over a damp, hallowed bed of fir.
Dia De Los Muertos would be next-- it smells completely different on me each time I wear it, alternating between cocoa and tobacco leaf.
Sugar Skull, while completely delightful in its brightness and uniqueness, is not necessarily I want to smell *like.* I wear it every now and again, though, when I'm feeling strange and disarming.
All Saint's came in last, but only by default because my skin chemistry and heavy florals are generally non-mixy things. This is surprisingly wearable and evocative, however, which is rare for me.
3. What was your biggest surprise oil, the one that you were amazed to find that you loved?
Eden, probably. I only ordered an imp because I figured that fig was an odd thing to smell like. Then I smelled it-- smooth waxy leaves and freshness, completely unexpected. The first thing I thought was "Caddy Compson smelled like leaves." I had a total English Major moment. I'm wearing Eden right now. There was also Iambe, which I expected to be too floral, but it's warm and glowy tea most of the time. I love it.
4. Of the 2004 Christmas LE blends that you tried, which was your favorite? Which was your least favorite?
I love Snow White because it's delicious and it always gets comments. It's one of those scents where you never quite know just exactly what it is you're smelling, but it evokes a memory, fuzzy and treasured. For me, that memory was curling up under a comforter with tea and a good book as the first snow begins to fall. I also loved Rose Red, though I rarely wear it. It's a fresh-cut, dew-dripping red rose, thorns and all. It smells completely different from most rose perfumes/notes because it's so true to the actual intent.
I disliked Yuletide on my skin because it smelled of generic potpourri. I might use my imp in my oil burner this year, though. I avoided Egg Nog like the plague because I was sure it'd turn my stomach.
5. Which of the Springtime in Arkham blends did you order? Which have you recieved? Favorite so far?
Ordered: Mi-Go Brain Canister (had a bubblegummy note that didn't mesh with me), Miskatonic University (so potent, and too sugary for me. I kept an imp), Shub Niggurath (the perfect gingerbread scent. My favorite by far). I'm swapping for imps of the rest, results forthcoming.
6. What's your favorite random LE? (Not a Halloween, Lunacy blend, Christmas blend, Kings & Queens, etc.)
Mabon. I think that'd be considered random, since there's not a full set of Sabbat blends. The ivy and blackberry wine mix is perfect for mid-Autumn. I'm also quite fond of Lughnasadh's mulled maraschino cherries and the childhood memories that June Gloom evokes (Lemonheads!). Also, Dead Man's Hand is so very, very sexy.
7. Kings and Queens - what's your favorite of the lot?
I've spent the least amount of time with these and so far, I've only not smelled King of Spades. I think I'd say King of Diamonds because of the odd, beachy feel I get from it. This might change as I try King of Clubs on my skin.
8. To Snake Oil or not to Snake Oil?
Give me aged Snake Oil or give me death.
9. Favorite dragon's blood blend (be it Ars Draconis or another blend)?
Tintagel. The dragon's blood and berry/wine notes blend so perfectly. Every time I wear it, I want a big, medieval-sized chunk of roast turkey leg. Sadly, I am not kidding.
10. What's your favorite aquatic blend?
Szepasszony, which I consider aquatic/ozoney. It's so off-kilter. Grass and slashing rain and wonderfully interesting.
11. What's your favorite note?
Amber. Spices. Sandalwood. Burbon Vanilla. Blackberry. Pomegranate. Lime. Coconut. Leather. I can't narrow it.
12. To floral or not to floral?
My chemistry makes 90% of all floral blends go headachy perfumey. I really have to like the rest of the notes to try something with flowers in it. Jasmine is the ultimate kiss of death.
13. Favorite discontinued blend?
Three Witches.
14. Favorite foody blend?
Midway was a delight. Shub Niggurath is wonderful. Jack, when it's not the evil pineapple of doom, is lovely.
15. Favorite spicy blend?
Sin, without a doubt. Hamadryad ranks a close second.
16. What was your most recent 'first time tried' blend?
I tried Blood Pearl last night. It was quite nice.
17. Bottles or imps?
Imps first, almost always, unless it's an LE I'm willing to chance.
18. Favorite way of enjoying Bpal besides wearing it?
I use some of the ritual oils. Other than that, sometimes I perfume my pillow so I have pleasant dreams.
19. Bpal first love?
Sin, I think. It was one of the first things I ever swapped for and has been a staple "I am a hot and sexy woman" scent ever since.
20. Is there a scent that you like that didn't hit so well with the masses?
Hmm. I don't know, really. I'm very fond of Titania, but I don't think it's disliked. I can't really think of anything off the top of my head.
21. Of the up and coming scents, what most piques your interest?
I have the Carnaval Noir scents on their way, and I can't wait to try Bearded Lady, Geek, and a few others. Some of the up-and-coming Lunars have my attention, like Hungry Ghost Moon. The as-yet un-announced Autumn blends have me all a-flutter with speculation. And then there's the Arthurian collection, as well.
22. Favorite unreleased scent (providing you've tried any)?
Pumpkin King. Delicious.
Also, to add, my own personal category favorites:
Favorite fruity blends:
1. The Hesperides - Golden, magic-hour apples.
2. Algaea - sweet, innocent peach blossom.
3. Persephone - Pomegranate and sweet tea rose.
4. Tarot: The Star - Lime! Mint! I smell like a mojito!
5. June Gloom (LE) - Lemonheads candy!
Sex in a bottle (on me):
1. Sin - amber, cinnamon, sandalwood.
2. The Lion - spiced amber
3. O - honey that smells like sex. I don't know why that makes sense, except it does.
4. All Night Long - One of Beth's voodoo blends. I use this in conjunction with other scents, and it works.
5. Snake Oil - a deep, sexual vanilla and spices.
Sex in a bottle (more masculine blends):
1. Dead Man's Hand - wear this, and I will jump you.
2. De Sade - slick, black leather.
3. Whitechapel - a sinister citrus. Hee.
4. Fenris Wolf - This is the masculine version of Sin, to my nose. I might have to get myself a bottle.
5. Oisin - fresh, clean, and still sexy.
*I'm expecting Golden Priapus to fall into this category; results forthcoming.
Favorite Voodoo/Ritual/TAL oils:
1. Yemaya - melon and saltwater. This was excellent for my Yemaya meditation.
2. Blue Moon - the ultimate circle-casting oil.
3. Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo - it smells like cotton candy! If this doesn't put you in a good mood, almost nothing will.
4. All Night Long - ahem. French Love has similar results.
5. Somnus - you will sleep like someone whacked you with a lead pipe, minus the splitting headache when you wake up.
Favorite foody scents:
1. Dana O'Shee - grains and almonds and creamy milk. Yum.
2. Shub Niggurath - gingerbread cake.
3. Chimera - If Dana and Shub mated.
4. Midway - Funnel cake and cotton candy and buttered popcorn. Just like being in the middle of a fair.
5. Sudha Segara - creamy ginger, so much lighter than the rest of the group, but just as edible.
I didn't expect to like:
1. Iambe - the Sudanese amber combined with tea makes this positively glow.
2. Spellbound - this is a deep, dark black rose, sluggish and incensey and so mysterious. I rarely have the opportunity to wear it, but it's special nonetheless.
3. Tempest - ozone zing! This is so ozoney that it feels potently charged, which is why I like it.
4. Eden - I didn't expect this to be so fresh and lovely.
5. Hexxennacht (LE): I figured the pine would do me in, but instead, I got a lovely bonfire scent.
Favorite Limited Editions:
1. Blue Moon
2. Dead Man's Hand
3. Mabon
4. Snow White
5. Samhain
... and, to be fair...
Blegh! No thanks!
1. Voodoo
2. Lust
3. Lear
4. Magus
5. Vice