BPAL Reviews - Limited Edition and Discontinued Scents
Category 1: Catalogue scents. These are perfume oil blends that you can order directly from the lab. You can also request samples of all of these scents, with the exception of the Panacea blends. [Click here for reviews.]
Category 2: Limited Edition and discontinued scents. These scents are no longer available from the lab site. Some of these scents have magical connotations (the Sabbat and Lunar blends, for instance), and may be used in ritual, but were sold primarily as perfumes. [See this page for reviews.]
Category 3: Oils to be used with magical intent. This category includes Celestials, Dream Formulas, Elementals, Orishas, Sepiroths, Twilight Alchemy Lab blends, Tarots, and Voodoo oils. The Sepiroths and Tarots are available from the site in bottle form. The Dream Formulas and the Voodoo blends are available from the lab in both bottles and samples. The rest are currently unavailable on the Lab's site, and may be purchased at the Black Broom in Los Angeles and Alternate Realities in Rhode Island. [Click here for reviews.]
Limited Editions and Discontinued Blends:: (These scents are no longer available from the lab site. Some of these scents have magical connotations (the Sabbat and Lunar blends, for instance), and may be used in ritual, but were sold primarily as perfumes.)
Bearded Lady:: A seductive and flowing exaltation of femininity: Turkish rose, stargazer lily, violet, honeysuckle, amber, star jasmine and vanilla.
Florals, florals, florals. I can hardly ever tell any individual notes in a floral blend. I was hoping for the One True Stargazer Lily scent, but I think it's destined not to be. For floral lovers, however, this is nice-- the vanilla sweetens the blend and makes this a creamy pink-and-white scent. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Bed of Nails:: Sharp, shining, metallic: rubbed iron with a dry wooden base.
Not metallic at all, actually. Very ozone-y, and I can faintly smell the eucalyptus and citrus that others have mentioned. I really like this, and I bet it'd smell wonderful on a man. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Blue Moon:: The spirit of the full moon is capricious, intense and passionate, yet still distant, aloof and cold. Luna herself governs glamours, bewitchments and dream-work, innocent wonder, transient pleasure and delight, the Moment, impulse, mystery and veils. The Blue Moon is one of her rarest manifestations, and this scent is formulated to encapsulate her most complex and profound nature: Mugwort and bay, for psychic sensitivity… Juniper, for divination through dreams… Orchid and galbanum, for complexity, wisdom and noscere…with a potent lunar-charged blend of poppy, calamus, orris, wood aloes, moonflower, cucumber, and pale creeping buttercup.
Clean, clear, crisp, and almost tangy. This is watery but faintly spicy-- my stress automatically evaporated the moment this touched my nose. I definitely smell the bay, aloe, and moonflower, and I honestly wish that this would come back to be part of the regular collection. It's not something I could see myself wearing out a lot, but this would be amazing for ritiual and stress-busting nights. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Carnivale:: Bright, intoxicating, hectic notes masking a twisted, corrupted core: sweet wild berry, spicy carnation and heliotrope layered over deep amber and musk.
Berries and carnation over white musk. Light and fun. I'll keep an imp because it's pretty, but I wouldn't wear it that often. *Limited Edition from Carnivale Noir / disconinued blend.
Cerberus:: Proceeds go to the Animal Assistance League of Orange County. Cerberus, the Three-Headed watchdog that guards the gate to Hades. Loyal, dutiful and ferocious to its master’s enemies, but possessed of a distracting fondness for honey cakes and the song of the lyre. A deep, rumbling scent, warm, soft and as cozy as a dog by a hearthfire, but with a fierce and feral soul: deep chocolate, deeper musks, with a dash of fig, bittersweet walnut, and the wild essences of juniper berry, cubeb and rum.
(Origin: Oblation caravan.) Bittersweet chocolate and lush maraschino cherry. This one was a bit too foodie for me, and chocolate scents have never fared well on my skin. This was not a scent that I would wear.*Limited Edition Oblation Blend.
Corazon:: Proceeds go to Safe Haven For Donkeys in the Holy Land. The scent of divine mercy, pulsating and throbbing through the heart of every living creature. Glorious red musk and a halo of golden amber with a touch of wet mango, lavender, and purple sage.
(Origin: Oblation caravan.) Honey, mango, and something juicy, lush, and red. This scent is so sweet and hopeful that smelling it brings a smile to my lips. I regret that I didn’t snatch this one up when I had the chance, because this really is a heart’s-ease kind of scent. *Limited Edition Oblation Blend.
Chiroptera:: Proceeds go to Bat Conservation International. A bat-friendly bouquet! Evening primrose, night-scented stock, moonflower, night phlox, lemon balm, lavender, honeysuckle, sweet sage, salvia and thyme.
(Origin: Oblation caravan.) Sweet white flowers... perhaps moonflower or phlox? This scent is distinctly nocturnal to me, like the fading lavender to sapphire of early evening. This reminds me quite a bit of Titania without the overlay of juice-dripping fae fruits. I like this, but perhaps not enough to wear very often. *Limited Edition Oblation Blend.
Dead Man's Hand:: To celebrate the opening of the Black Phoenix Trading Post, we are offering this rugged, visceral dark cowboy scent. Now widely considered a portent of doom, the Dead Man’s Hand is a term used in five-card poker when you have “aces over eights” or “aces backed with eights” – the hand allegedly held by Wild Bill Hickock when he was gunned down from behind by Jack McCall in Saloon No. 10, Deadwood. According to the saloon’s proprietor, Hickock was holding all black cards, aces and eights, and it is believed that he was about to draw at the time of his murder. Our Dead Man’s Hand is the quintessential western scent: dusty rawhide and oiled leather.
This shot to the top of my list on first sniff. Leather and rawhide, sweat and dust. This, to me, is like liquid pheromones. 'Scuse me. I need sex, like, now. *Limited Edition.
Dia De Los Muertos:: A joyous celebration of La Catarina, La Flaca, La Muerte… Glorious, Beautiful Death. In Mexico, death is not something to be feared or hated; She is embraced, loved, and adored. La Muerte is fêted, as the celebrant "…chases after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love." This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus.
On me, this is sweet dark chocolate and tobacco, very dark, very velvety. This was not a scent that changed very much on me, though the candy and incense did make a brief appearance. This oil is almost a mood oil, mysterious and comforting at the same time. I'm glad I got to sample it. *Limited Edition from Halloween 2004.
Erato::
But when Erato brushed her flowery lute,
What strains of sweetness whispered in the wind!
Soft as at evening when the shepherd's flute
To tones of melting love alone resigned,
Breathes through the windings of the silent vale;
Complaining accents tremble on the gale,
Or notes of ecstasy serenely roll.
So when the smiling muse of Cupid sung,
Her melody sighed out the sorrowing soul,
Or o'er her silken chords sweet notes of gladness rung.
The Lovely. She is the Muse of mimicry, and inspires both erotic and romantic poetry. She is crowned in roses, holding a lyre. Her scent inspires creative expressions of love and lust: a crush of roses with sweet pea, myrrh, ylang ylang, orris and stephanotis.
Roses. Lots of bright, pink, daytime roses with the sweetest breath of sweet pea. This is like sweet poetry that rhymes written in magenta ink and big, swooping letters. It's a bit too floral for me, but it is pretty in an innocent, girlie way. *Discontinued.
Fire Eater:: A glowing red and flickering scent: warm, lurid, seductive.
I was expecting cinnamon, and I got... jasmine? No, but something floral-- maybe carnation. Pretty, but I don't really do florals. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Freak Show:: A strange, disconcerting embrace… to some, alarming, and to some, intimately familiar: fig, pomegranate and cocoa bean with lemon, bergamot, vanilla, mellow honey musk, calamus and tonka.
Chocolatey! Whereas 13 had given me a sweets-overload headache, Freak Show is the perfect balance of foody and intriguing underpinnings... fig and honey, I think. I usually RUN from chocolatey scents, but this is really quite nice. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Frost Moon:: The chill, crystal-bright Full Moon that is harbinger to the death of the year, and a monument to the snowy, dead months to come. A blend of traditional lunar oils frozen with winter mints, shivering eucalyptus, clear lotus, a gust of wind, and a midnight aquatic note.
Eucalyptus and sweet peppermint, with a drydown of lovely soft lotus. I am so so so sad-- especially since I started hearing the comparisons to Blue Moon, my favorite LE of all time. This is the first LE that didn't work on me. I do smell the Blue Moon comparisons-- the lotus is gorgeous. Aesthetically, this is a beautiful scent. It really is a chill, moonlit night in a bottle-- wonderfully evocative. But on my skin, the mints take over completely. You see, if I smell mint for a prolonged period, I get nauseous because I associate it with medicinal things and sickness. This was no different-- after about an hour, I had to wash it off because I began to feel sick. I wanted so much to love this because it does remind me of something from memory, a cold night beneath a frost-rimed full moon, but I just can't wear it. I swapped it, keeping only an imp for myself. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Fruit Moon:: The bountiful, bright and vivacious prelude to the Harvest. A horde of wet, ripe fruits: green apple, apricot, blackberry, black cherry, black and red currants, cantaloupe, English pear, guava, lemon and lime, orange, mandarin orange, kiwi and mango, passion fruit, papaya, Georgia peach, raspberry, plum, tangerine, pomegranate and strawberry over a luminous blend of lunar oils.
This, to me, is like my first sniff of Titania. Iced pears with sugar. However, where the florals and white musk kick in when Titania hits the skin, Fruit Moon just gets more lush and sweet. I smell honeydew melon, predominantly, with passionfruit and papaya in the background. It's a pale green scent, and a very optimistic one at that. I was expecting to not like this one very much, as I dislike "fruit punch" scents (Mi-Go and I did not play nice), but instead, I found this delicious and ripe. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Geek:: A snarling, feral scent, ever-so-slightly slightly deranged: hot leather, opoponax, cedar, pine needle, mosses, dry grass, patchouli and cinnamon bark.
Leather and forest and just a little simmering-hot cinnamon. Every last drop that I did not have to imp out will be promptly smeared upon Skyler's neck. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Gypsy Queen:: A heavy-lidded perfume, the quintessence of beauty and power shrouded in mystery, swathed in a deep, velvet-clad cloak of dark omens: Romany incense and candle smoke mingling with an alluring, body-warmed whiff of bergamot, neroli, Bulgar rose, carnation, and amber musk.
Finally, a floral I love. This is heavy incense with spicy carnation and lush rose in the background. It's a deep, dark purple color, in my mind. This is wonderful. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Harvest Moon 2004:: The autumnal blooms of clematis, chrysanthemum, narcissus, sunflower, sage and lily twined with Dionysus’ sacred grapes and ivy, a bounty of apple, pumpkin, and ripe berries, and the amaranth and lingum aloes of Janus, all touched by a gentle breath of festival woodsmoke and sweet wine.
Mmm. An awsome warm, foody scent. When I opened up the sample vial, all I could smell was melted butter! On, it warms up with autumn spices and some light pumpkin-- smells that made me want a big chunk of cornbread and other grain-y foods. In the drydown, a very yellow floral came through. I'm in love with this scent and hopefully I'll be able to swap for another imp of it. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Honey Moon::Honey Moon contains five different honeys, ranging from pale and sweet to deep and heady, with hints of jasmine, white gardenia, Hawaiian white ginger and thyme.
I have a mixed reaction to this one. Opening the bottle, I smell an herby, subdued honey that turns into a nice, warm skin scent once it's applied. However, as my skin tends to amp up flowers like no tomorrow, about 20 mins in, it'd still nice, sweet honey when I touch my nose to my wrist, but I have this aura of floaty jasmine about me. That'd be great, except for the fact that jasmine gives me a blinding headache in large doses, and I slathered. I may have to consider swapping this, which is a shame because I absolutely love the honey stage. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
House of Mirrors:: Antique amber frames a series of distorted, eternally warping clear crystal and glass notes.
I get almost ZERO amber from this-- it's almost completely ozone to my nose. It's a summery kind of scent, vaguely citrusy. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
June Gloom:: Teddy's gloriously dismal creation. As a lover of rainy days, grey skies and chill air, summer is his antithesis. A spell of June Gloom is always welcome in our household. A bouquet of bright summer flowers dampened by the scent of morning mist and rain.
Lemonhead candies! This is crisp, crisp lemon that only slightly borders on Pledge-clean. :) I don't get a whole lot of floral from this, but there is somewhat of a green overtone that adds a nice warmth to it. This is a very summery scent, but one that I'd wear year-round because it just makes me happy. It's almost a giddy, childlike scent, and I really enjoy it. *Limited Edition.
Kunstkammer:: A sensory jumble, a true cacophony of odors: black pepper, benzoin, blood orange and olibanum.
At first, this is all blood-orange and bubblegum. But then, just as you're about to re-cap the vial, BLAM! Pepper and benzoin. Interesting and confusing, just as intended. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Lughnasadh:: The first of the year's Harvest Festivals. Lughnasadh represents a rest from toil and a time of reflection. Fertility magick is practised, as is agricultural magick used to ensure a bountiful Autumn harvest. The holy day is named after the Celtic deity Lugh, God of Skill in All Things, Patron of the Arts and Sciences. Though he and Rosmerta, his consort and the Goddess of Nature, are venerated at this time, the holy day was created out of respect for his foster mother Tailtiu, one of the Earth-Goddesses. Though she was a Lady of the Fir Bolg, she was a good, loving and honorable being, and cared for Lugh well. After her people were defeated by the Tuatha Dé Danann she was forced to clear a vast forest for the purpose of planting grain, and sadly, she perished from exhaustion in the process. The Hill of Tailte in Ireland was named in her honor, and legend states it was there that the first festival of Lughnasadh took place. To some outside of the Celtic mythos, this holy day also marks the annual death of the Sun God or the God of the Grain. The holiday is celebrated with contests of skill and cunning, feasting, oath-making, and agricultural competitions.
Cherries and candied fruit sweetness. My nose was plastered to my wrist! This is so lovely, I wish I'd had the chance to get a bottle. There is some spice as the scent warms up, and then some very light floral, an autumnal bouquet. I loved this one and will cherish my sample. *Limited Edition.
Mabon:: The Autumnal Equinox. The Second Harvest of the witches: a celebration of rest after labor, and repose after the rigors of Initiation. This is the mark of the completion of the Harvest and giving thanks for the previous season's abundance. In ceremonial magick, this is a time to begin the search for one's Higher Self anew, to celebrate rebirth and new life, and to revitalize the spirit. It is an Osirian time, contractive and catabolic. At this time, the Eleusinian mysteries were observed, celebrating the drama of Kore and Demeter. Blackberry wine and apple cider with hops, apple blossom, English ivy, hazel, sage, oak bark and myrrh.
This is a very complex scent. Wet, I sense very purple fruits, a very deep color that is almost burgundy in my mind. It's kind of over-ripe blackberry in a way that is sweet, but not cloying. Then, the sage and the ivy really pokes through, winding the burgundy with deep forest green. This is a very earthy scent, calming. And of course, I want more! *Limited Edition.
Medicine Show:: A veritable miracle, I tell you! A scent that soothes the spirit and stimulates both the libido and the mind: tobacco, balsam, ginger, elemi and rosewood, with a touch of opium to fuddle your senses.
Tobacco notes have not been agreeing with me lately. This is tobacco and woods. It would probably smell better on a man. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Midway:: A bombardment of edible carnival indulgences. Funnel cake, caramel apple, cotton candy, salt water taffy and sugar tart.
OMFG. Just... OMFG. This is a butter-drenched funnel cake topped in confectioner's sugar. This is salty air coming in from the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, heralding the annual Little League carnival. This is a big, swirly, sticky lollypop in a three year old's hands, red sugar staining her chin. This is me craving fries with vinegar and Old Bay. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Milk Moon:: May marks the apex of the year’s fertility, expresses the reawakening of the sexuality of the Earth and her inhabitants, and May’s full moon celebrates both the fecundity of the creatures and flora of this world and the vibrancy, rejuvenation and life-affirming energy of Spring. Milk Moon is Flower Moon's warmer, gentler cousin; it is a scent that emulates the closeness of child and mother. In it, cream and warm honey soften our traditional blend of lunar oils.
This was very reminiscent of Chaste Moon on me-- creamy milk with a smidge of mint. It's not a scent that I would wear all the time, but it is certainly very comforting. It sweetens considerably on the drydown, and has kept me in a great mood all day. I don't know if I'd wear it enough to merit a bottle, but I could do with another imp or so to keep onhand for vegging out!*Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Noir:: Our olfactory tribute to the film genre: a dark, moody, brooding scent that embodies moral ambiguity, alienation, and soul-wrenching cynicism. A complex, seamy blend of Lily of the Valley, opoponax, myrrh, black rose and plum with a slithering twist of clove, deep plum and star jasmine.
I have smelled two imps of this, and their scents did not match, as though they'd aged differently. One was overwhelmingly dark herbs and powder, like a 40's boudoir. The one I am currently smelling is much less powdery. I smell something velvet-soft but bittersweet, like myrrh or other incense. There are also notes that I'd associate with an expensive mens' cologne (this would smell fantastic on a man). This strikes me as a very atmospheric scent-- something you'd wear only on special occasions if you were planning to vamp it up in all black and your best poisoned lipstick. I like this quite a lot, and I'd purchase some if ever it became available again. *Discontinued.
Oisin:: A legendary warrior bard from Irish lore and a renowned member of the Fianna. His saga is detailed in two of the four great Cycles of Celtic legend: the Fenian and Ossianic Cycles. A lyric, wistful blend of summertime Irish blossoms and herbs, glistening with vibrant white musk.
Sweet, fresh and clean. Truly unisex. I smell soft green herbs and mosses over light white musk. This is a bright, optimistic scent to my nose, outdoorsy without being overpoweringly earthy. It smells like a forest clearing after a rain. This is an excellent rainy-day scent for snuggling in with a big sweater and a book. I like this one quite a lot. *Limited Edition Oblation Blend
Pumpkin King::
Oh my. This is really, really nice. It's the foody side of Autumn, very creamy and lovely. It smells like pumpkin cheesecake in the vial, rich and smooth without being overly buttery. It even has a bit of a boozy note to it. On, it's very spicy over the creamy base-- I smell cinnamon and other pumpkin pie spices. Cardamom and ginger, maybe. Wow. Thanks so much to Belladonnastrap for the decanted imp. This one will be treasured. *Unreleased.
Queen of Clubs::A modern incarnation of the Queen of Pentacles, or Disks, the Queen of the Thrones of Earth. Nurturing, warm and kind, she is practical, quiet and domesticated, and yet still ambitious, and possessed of the sensual lushness of Mother Earth. Soft, deep earth notes with myrrh, amber, pomegranate, dark incense, red currant, rose and vanilla.
Oh wow. So earthy and nice in the bottle. I smell rich, fertile earth and juicy pomegranate. On my skin, I get some berryish goodness and lots of currant. I would like to say I got to the ambery stage, but alas, this one faded quite quickly on me. It's a shame, though, as I really do like it. I'll decant some out so others may try it, and keep the rest for ritual purposes. It'll be amazing to get in touch with the Earth element-- I can use it in an oil diffuser. *Limited Edition.
Queen of Spades::A contemporary incarnation of the tarot’s Queen of Swords. A card of decisive action, strength of Will, progressive action, justice, and, sometimes, revenge. The scent is a sophisticated, deep, and smoky floral with a decidedly exotic spice. Moroccan myrrh and black amber, with muguet, opoponax, deep black plum, cyclamen, galbanum, and wild blackberry softened by pear blossom and a swirl of exotic wood notes.
This blend is a sophisticated fruit blend. It's all pinky-purple plum and berry, very sweet and juicy. I didn't think that this was a particularly dark scent, as it is so smooth and velvety, but it definitely has layers. I smell a nice base of interesting spices, but none of the florals or incense notes. Just as well, I love how this one works with my skin chemistry-- it lasts quite a while. Lovely. *Limited Edition.
Red Moon:: August is a month of reflection. It is the month of rest before the harvest, and it holds for us a time between toils, a brief period of relaxation before we take up the burden of our work again. It is the Time of the Phoenix, a season of celebrating health, vitality, warmth and joy, but it is also the time at which the Corn God dies for the sake of the land, his blood soaking the earth to ensure a bountiful harvest in the fall.
The Full Red Moon of August was named thus by some Native American tribes because as the moon rises, it dons a reddish veil, visible through the hot, sweltering summer evening haze. Our blend for this Moon mixes traditional lunar oils with the warmth of amber and heliotrope, the russet haze of dragon's blood resin and crushed orange peel, and a swirl of summertime herbs: chamomile, rue, elder flower and marigold.
This scent is so complex that I couldn't pick out the individual nots. It's so enigmatic, kind of floral, but spicy. It's a mystery. I like it, not as much as the other LE's, but I have the feeling that this is an oil that needs to be appreciated in its own time. I'll try it again some other time. *Limited Edition Lunacy Blend.
Samhain:: Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
Straight out of the bottle, I smell candied apples, but they vanish just as soon as this oil touches my skin. The wet phase is very woodsy, smoky, with fir and and a very deep brown feel. When it dries, I smell mulled spices, but this is not overly foody on me. A few hours later, I smell a very smooth, sweet note that I can't quite place. Overall, this is a shapeshifter, and a lovely one! It has the crispness of autumn winds with the earthiness of fallen leaves. As one person who sniffed me put it, "this smells like fall in a bottle!" ETA:: On second wear, the pumpkin really jumps out, making this a very smooth scent, much smoother than the first try. This is so unique and delicious! *Limited Edition from Halloween 2004.
Shill:: Gloriously innocent and guileless: pure buttered popcorn!
Dude, she wasn't kidding. This is pure popcorn butter. Weird. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Shub Niggurath:: Truly Iä! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young, the All-Mother and wife of the Not-to-Be-Named-One. The lust incense of a corrupted Astarte. A blend of ritual herbs and dark resins, shot through with three gingers and aphrodisiacal spices.
All day long, I've smelled this wonderful, spicy, warm scent. My nose wanders to my wrist-- that smell is me!
Shubby and I were meant to be. It's a divine gingery scent-- everything I wanted Gingerbread Poppet to be and found it lacking. It's not too cakey that it distracts from the purity of the spice. This is going in full rotation for the fall, so I may need to acquire a second bottle. What a hit. I bet it'd layer beautifully with Milk Moon. Who knew unbridled lust could be so cozy?*Limited Edition from Springtime in Arkham.
Snake Charmer:: Sensual, sibilant, sexual and hypnotic: Arabian musk and exotic spices slinking through Egyptian amber, enticing vanilla, and a serpentine blend of black plum, labdanum, ambrette, benzoin and black coconut.
The hands-down, knockout winner of CN. This is Snake Oil that doesn't go powdery with sweet juicy plum and thick amber. I have a bottle on the way, because this is just not to be believed. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Snow White:: A chilly, bright perfume: flurries of virgin snow, crisp winter wind and the faintest breath of night-blooming flowers.
Ohhhh. That's the best way I can describe this scent. I have found my "curl up with a book and a mug of hot chocolate as it begins to flurry outside" scent. I'm picturing an overcast sky heavy with snowclouds, the hush that falls over the street right as the flurries begin to descend. This is indescribably wonderful. It is a softly candied white scent, very buttery and smooth. I find it strange that I can't pick out any individual notes. It's not floral on me at all, as it has been on others. On me, this smells like ice cream made with fresh snow and buttercream. It is both warm and delightfully frosty at the same time. I'm in love with this amazing scent, so sad that I only got one bottle. Lucky for me, one application seems to last forever-- for as light as it is, this scent sticks around. I've never smelled anything like this, and I find myself reaching for it more than I'd have thought. If it comes out again next year, I'm buying multiple bottles. *Limited Edition from Yule 2004.
Spooky:: A maddeningly festive blend of warm, buttery rum, cocoa, coconut, vanilla and a jolt of peppermint. It’s a sweet, decadent, slightly silly scent, reminicent of rum-laced holiday cookies.
Spooky is a scent that it took me a few wearings to fall in love with. It’s a bit of an anomaly for me, as scents featuring mints or chocolate generally send me straight to headache city. Still, this is remarkably soft and luscious, almost velvety. It reminds me of Helping Hand with peppermint-patty mint and coconut, and for that, I have very calm associations with it. This is a wintertime scent to me, because I think of mint hot chocolate and buttermint candies. This has become a favorite. *Limited Edition.
Sugar Skull:: Vibrant with the joy and sweetness of life in death! A blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits.
Maple syrup or brown sugar, but not as dark. I completely expected this to be sickly, my least favorite of the Halloween LE's. Boy, was I wrong. This is lovely, and has a gorgeous bright candied sparkle to it. It's a pick-me-up scent, and I'm truly marvelling at it's uniqueness. *Limited Edition from Halloween 2004.
Thunderbird:: Proceeds go to The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program. Wakinyan, Hohoq, Kw-Uhnx-Wa. With eyes of fire, its glance is lightning, and thunder erupts as the great, sacred bird claps its mighty wings. A willing guardian and protector of mankind, a wise and benevolent teacher, and the creator of life-giving storms. The sharp tang of ozone and the deep bass growl of thunder over mountain trees.
Ozone zing! This smells like charged air right before a storm-- a strong, potent aquatic. Skyler said he smelled some citrus flower in here, and after a little wear, there is a little pit of a perfumey citrus tone. Still, this is really an unforgettable scent. Wow. *Limited Edition Oblation Blend.
Torture King:: The King of Pain, the Famed Fakir. Frankincense and sweet clove, mandarin and bourbon, lemon peel and leather, grasses and smoke, lime and vetiver, ambergris and deep musk.
The name really makes me think of Angel. :) Okay, that aside-- lemon! Tart lemon, with just a little leather and smoke. I like it, and this would smell great on a guy. Particularly a guy with a caveman brow and a penchant for brooding. *Limited Edition from Carnaval Noir.
Tulzscha:: A belching column of sick greenish flame... spouting volcanically from depths profound and inconceivable, casting no shadows as healthy flame should, and coating the nitrous stone with a nasty, venomous verdigris. For in all that seething combustion no warmth lay, but only the clamminess of death and corruption. A crystalline, cold green fire: six mints with white pepper and cucumber.
As much as I was intrigued by the cucumber in this blend, I passed on ordering a bottle because of the mints. Never before has a mint blend worked on my skin-- I get five minutes of bliss, then nausea until I wash it off. I was apprehensive, and only recently did I swap for an imp of Tulzcha. What a mistake. Tulzcha is absolutely wonderful. The mint is something like spearmint, which is refreshing without being nauseating. The cucumber soothes it out, and it's a lovely blue-green scent that cools the skin. This is perfect for sticky summer days, and if I get the chance to swap for a bottle, I certainly will. *Limited Edition from Springtime in Arkham.
Unseelie::The wicked, malicious dark side of the Court of Faerie, Unseelie literally translates to 'Unholy'. The Unseelie Court is ruled by Titania's corrupted twin sister, the Queen of Air and Darkness. The Court rides the nighttime winds spreading chaos and miscief; woe be to any mortal that crosses its path. A misty, otherworldly scent laced with ethereal florals, crushed herbs and soft, dew-covered grasses.
There is nothing wicked about this scent. In fact, on first sniff, all I smelled was soap! On my skin, this turned into a mixture of baby powder and soft aquatic notes, with maybe some light greenery winding through all the pale wetness. It's not a very "me" scent, and not a strong one at all. I liked it, but not enough to wear it very often. ETA: I liked it better the second time around. It's still very soft and delicate, but the greenery came out stronger this time, making it much more of an uncanny scent. *Disconued.