Throughts of a confessed scent whore
Many people I know have discussed BPAL having a very particular accumulated smell-- the scent that forms when imps congregate, leaking their fumes together until they form that hazy, dreamy, slightly off-putting cloud that the lab absolutely must smell like. It's complex, unfamiliar, potent, and magical, because Beth's blends trick and tease the nose, creating glorious scents that you never knew existed in the first place.
I've found that Femaledictions has its own smell, as well. It's a rich, warm, spicy smell. It smells so familiar, but you can't exactly put your finger on it. The best I can come up with is that opening a box from Femaledictions smells like everything that is so romanticized about Autumn-- the warm spices, the dry herbs, the intoxicating ambers, and the decaying leaves. It makes me want to curl up with a thick, cable-knit sweater, some tea, and a good book. It's a bit mysterious and comforting at the same time. For that, I reach for these blends as the weather cools and I want something that just smells delicious, familiar, and me.
Abraxas:: Rich & Creamy Vanilla, West Indian Sandalwood - Fe/Male.
An old standard done well. This is creamy vanilla bean softened by the earthiness of sandalwood. This is overwhelmingly feminine, though, and it lacks intrigue. Pretty, but I'll probably pass it along.
Ashes:: Very Soft, Rose & Sandalwood - Female.
This was much muskier than expected-- the rose is a softand white, the sandalwood very dry. I definitely smell a white musk note, though-- this is appropriately an ashy-white scent. I'm almost certain that there is another type of flower in this blend, though, because this oil is almost completely floral on me-- but less like a rose and more like something nocturnal and dewy-- perhaps moonflower? There's also a definite ozone tang to it that is strong out of the vial, then fades to the background. A very nice scent, overall, even floral as it is, and remarkably familiar. OH! I know! It reminds me quite a bit of BPAL's Szepasszony oil! I like that oil quite a bit, so I'm bound to use this sampler up. I bet the Mane Mist would be awesome in this scent, especially chilled.
Carnality:: Sandalwood - Fe/Male.
Like it says, pure, straight-up sandalwood. I bought this for layering purposes, because I love me some sandalwood.
Eat Me:: Cinnamon, Clove, Almond & Creamy Sweet Vanilla Butter - Fe/Male.
This reminds me of being 12 and sitting in my basement, listening to Savage Garden. No, I don't know why. This is innocent and sugar-sweet, with a round, creamy almond note. Again, not as unisex as the site would have you believe. This isn't something I'd wear a lot because it is so foody, but damn if it isn't weirdly nostalgic for me for some odd reason. Neat. (As a side note-- Darren Hayes, please marry me. I don't care if you're gay. We can both have boyfriends and share eyeliner, okay?)
Fury:: Saffron, Allspice, Nutmeg, Clove & Vanilla - Fe/Male.
Exotic and very spicy! It's a firey russet scent that would make any woman an enigma and would smell equally as sexy on a man. I get a strong blend of saffron and nutmeg that's almost searing at first, but the sweetness of the vanilla tempered by the smoke of the clove on the drydown is what makes this one a total keeper.
Persephone:: Pomegranate, Bergamot, Cranberry, Apple & Peach - Female.
Watery pomegranate and apple with... a slight hint of soap. It's a very clean scent, like expensive shampoo. I was expecting something tangier, but with my chemistry, this one was not meant to be.
The Sin Eater:: Asian & Indian Patchouli, Sweet Raspberries, Strawberry, Plum, Bergamot & Vanilla - Fe/Male.
A decadently sweet berry/plum fusion that lingers right at the border between ripe, juicy fruit and sugary candy. My skin usually amps patchouli, but in this blend, it stays close to the skin and faint-- the only note that tips a hat to the ominous connotations of its namesake. I expected, from the name alone, that this would be much darker and woodier, but was surprised to sniff such a bright scent. I'm curious as to why this particular blend was named as it was. Also, this doesn't strike me as unisex at all.
Tryst:: Sweet Musk touched by Various Spices, Sweet Vanilla, White Cedar & notes of fresh Orange Oil - Female.
Why does this smell so familiar? It's bothering me because I know I've smelled this before, though ages ago. This is bright and hopeful-- all white cedar (which I can wear without it going all funky on my skin!) and bubbly orange oil. Not the smell of fresh-peeled oranges, mind you, but that "wake up and get moving!" kick-in-the-ass that is orange essential oil. As it dries, the white musk kicks in to give this scent some layers, but it remains a real eye-opener. This is such a Sunday morning brunch smell. I like it quite a lot.
Simple Shea soap in Merry Hallowe'en:: This is a very smooth bar of soap, pretty moisturizing, too. I shaved with it, and things went well. The scent was just a little faint, but it did smell wonderful, of spiced oranges with the smokiness of clove. I can see this one melting fast, though, because it is so creamy. I might have to get a different dish and set this in a dry place, rather than keeping it in the shower.
Incense in Sandalwood Noir:: Smells like a Pagan shop. It's your typical sandalwood incense, albeit a little darker in body, as the name connotates. It didn't blow my mind, but it smells good, and I'll use up the whole pack.
Incense in Baby Bat Ohhh. 'Scuse me while my toes curl up in absolute delight. Deep, hunter-green, velvety, peppery, delicious clove. This is wonderful.
As yet untried:
Irate Jack O'Lantern soap. This is so adorable! I love it! My pumpkin had most of the seeds settle close to the face/mouth, which makes it look like it's decrepit and rotting. Totally perfect for Halloween, and it smells delicious! I was right when I said that Pumpkinhead was too strong as an oil, but I'd like it in other things.
Simple Honey Soap in Courtesan's Giallo (cat mold). This was a gift from
femaledictions for being a repeat customer-- three jewel-blue cats curled up, sleeping. Utterly adorable. The scent is an orchid-vanille that reminds me of BPAL's Regan, and pretty low-key for a floral blend. Maybe I can do flowers in soaps, but not in oils. I gave my mother one of the little cats, and she was tickled beyond belief. A neat gift-- I'll most likely buy soaps in this mold again to give as gifts.
Also? The customer service is absolutely wonderful. Like Candy from Skindazzles, sCara really tries to please the customer, and her wrapping/presentation OWNS.
PS-- My Carnivale Noir order came in, and I will spend the next two days madly decanting. I'll post my initial thoughts tonight, and then I'll probably post a small for-sale bit about blends that aren't working for me. No use in keeping something that's just kinda lying around.
I've found that Femaledictions has its own smell, as well. It's a rich, warm, spicy smell. It smells so familiar, but you can't exactly put your finger on it. The best I can come up with is that opening a box from Femaledictions smells like everything that is so romanticized about Autumn-- the warm spices, the dry herbs, the intoxicating ambers, and the decaying leaves. It makes me want to curl up with a thick, cable-knit sweater, some tea, and a good book. It's a bit mysterious and comforting at the same time. For that, I reach for these blends as the weather cools and I want something that just smells delicious, familiar, and me.
Abraxas:: Rich & Creamy Vanilla, West Indian Sandalwood - Fe/Male.
An old standard done well. This is creamy vanilla bean softened by the earthiness of sandalwood. This is overwhelmingly feminine, though, and it lacks intrigue. Pretty, but I'll probably pass it along.
Ashes:: Very Soft, Rose & Sandalwood - Female.
This was much muskier than expected-- the rose is a softand white, the sandalwood very dry. I definitely smell a white musk note, though-- this is appropriately an ashy-white scent. I'm almost certain that there is another type of flower in this blend, though, because this oil is almost completely floral on me-- but less like a rose and more like something nocturnal and dewy-- perhaps moonflower? There's also a definite ozone tang to it that is strong out of the vial, then fades to the background. A very nice scent, overall, even floral as it is, and remarkably familiar. OH! I know! It reminds me quite a bit of BPAL's Szepasszony oil! I like that oil quite a bit, so I'm bound to use this sampler up. I bet the Mane Mist would be awesome in this scent, especially chilled.
Carnality:: Sandalwood - Fe/Male.
Like it says, pure, straight-up sandalwood. I bought this for layering purposes, because I love me some sandalwood.
Eat Me:: Cinnamon, Clove, Almond & Creamy Sweet Vanilla Butter - Fe/Male.
This reminds me of being 12 and sitting in my basement, listening to Savage Garden. No, I don't know why. This is innocent and sugar-sweet, with a round, creamy almond note. Again, not as unisex as the site would have you believe. This isn't something I'd wear a lot because it is so foody, but damn if it isn't weirdly nostalgic for me for some odd reason. Neat. (As a side note-- Darren Hayes, please marry me. I don't care if you're gay. We can both have boyfriends and share eyeliner, okay?)
Fury:: Saffron, Allspice, Nutmeg, Clove & Vanilla - Fe/Male.
Exotic and very spicy! It's a firey russet scent that would make any woman an enigma and would smell equally as sexy on a man. I get a strong blend of saffron and nutmeg that's almost searing at first, but the sweetness of the vanilla tempered by the smoke of the clove on the drydown is what makes this one a total keeper.
Persephone:: Pomegranate, Bergamot, Cranberry, Apple & Peach - Female.
Watery pomegranate and apple with... a slight hint of soap. It's a very clean scent, like expensive shampoo. I was expecting something tangier, but with my chemistry, this one was not meant to be.
The Sin Eater:: Asian & Indian Patchouli, Sweet Raspberries, Strawberry, Plum, Bergamot & Vanilla - Fe/Male.
A decadently sweet berry/plum fusion that lingers right at the border between ripe, juicy fruit and sugary candy. My skin usually amps patchouli, but in this blend, it stays close to the skin and faint-- the only note that tips a hat to the ominous connotations of its namesake. I expected, from the name alone, that this would be much darker and woodier, but was surprised to sniff such a bright scent. I'm curious as to why this particular blend was named as it was. Also, this doesn't strike me as unisex at all.
Tryst:: Sweet Musk touched by Various Spices, Sweet Vanilla, White Cedar & notes of fresh Orange Oil - Female.
Why does this smell so familiar? It's bothering me because I know I've smelled this before, though ages ago. This is bright and hopeful-- all white cedar (which I can wear without it going all funky on my skin!) and bubbly orange oil. Not the smell of fresh-peeled oranges, mind you, but that "wake up and get moving!" kick-in-the-ass that is orange essential oil. As it dries, the white musk kicks in to give this scent some layers, but it remains a real eye-opener. This is such a Sunday morning brunch smell. I like it quite a lot.
Simple Shea soap in Merry Hallowe'en:: This is a very smooth bar of soap, pretty moisturizing, too. I shaved with it, and things went well. The scent was just a little faint, but it did smell wonderful, of spiced oranges with the smokiness of clove. I can see this one melting fast, though, because it is so creamy. I might have to get a different dish and set this in a dry place, rather than keeping it in the shower.
Incense in Sandalwood Noir:: Smells like a Pagan shop. It's your typical sandalwood incense, albeit a little darker in body, as the name connotates. It didn't blow my mind, but it smells good, and I'll use up the whole pack.
Incense in Baby Bat Ohhh. 'Scuse me while my toes curl up in absolute delight. Deep, hunter-green, velvety, peppery, delicious clove. This is wonderful.
As yet untried:
Irate Jack O'Lantern soap. This is so adorable! I love it! My pumpkin had most of the seeds settle close to the face/mouth, which makes it look like it's decrepit and rotting. Totally perfect for Halloween, and it smells delicious! I was right when I said that Pumpkinhead was too strong as an oil, but I'd like it in other things.
Simple Honey Soap in Courtesan's Giallo (cat mold). This was a gift from
femaledictions for being a repeat customer-- three jewel-blue cats curled up, sleeping. Utterly adorable. The scent is an orchid-vanille that reminds me of BPAL's Regan, and pretty low-key for a floral blend. Maybe I can do flowers in soaps, but not in oils. I gave my mother one of the little cats, and she was tickled beyond belief. A neat gift-- I'll most likely buy soaps in this mold again to give as gifts. Also? The customer service is absolutely wonderful. Like Candy from Skindazzles, sCara really tries to please the customer, and her wrapping/presentation OWNS.
PS-- My Carnivale Noir order came in, and I will spend the next two days madly decanting. I'll post my initial thoughts tonight, and then I'll probably post a small for-sale bit about blends that aren't working for me. No use in keeping something that's just kinda lying around.