Optical Delusion Reviews: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Rose Leather (Valentines 2015)

Description: Rose Leather is a fresh, bright blend of rose and crisp leather.

In the Bottle: Roses and leather

Wet: Roses and leather

Drydown: Light rose scent with a base of sweet leather

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 2.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: A rose scent that I actually like! Usually the roses are overwhelmingly overpowering on me, but this one was really mellow. You could smell the sweet leather base, which I think is what helped mellow out the roses. However, while this scent was a huge change from the other rose scents I've tried so far, its just not my style.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Cherry Vanilla Ambrosia (Valentines 2015)

Description: Amber, Black Cherry, Maraschino Cherry, Deep Vanilla, Whipped Cream, Blood Orange EO & Sweet Orange EO.

In the Bottle: Cherry with a hint of orange on top of Amber

Wet: Amber with a hint of orange

Drydown: Amber with a hint of orange

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 1.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: This sounded like it could be delicious gourmand scent. On me like, the majority of amber scents, it just became full blown amber, with a sliver of orange.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Violet Mallow (Valentines 2015)

Description: Marshmallow Cream, Violet Flowers, Vanilla Bean, White Musk

In the Bottle: Sugared violets

Wet: Sugared violets

Drydown: Light white musk with a sliver of violet

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 1.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: It was such a light scent on me, and unfortunately it didn't last long either.I'd say delicate and feminine describe this scent, it was lovely. In the bottle this scent was exactly the scent of one of the Charmkins from the 1980s, a total blast from the past.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Heart of the Night (Valentines 2015)

Description: Moroccan Rose absolute, Bulgarian Rose absolute, Sugar, Chocolate, Vanilla, Edge of the Night Base.

In the Bottle: Chocolate with a hint of rose

Wet: Chocolate with a hint of chemical rose

Drydown: Chocolate

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: I was excited for this thinking that it would be another rose scent win on me for Solstice Scents, but surprisingly once this dried down it was only a light chocolate scent on me. Big wind up for a what turned out to be very simple. However, I think this could be a good scent for layering.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Cherry Cordial (Valentines 2015)

Description: Very fragrant and delicious blend of deep rich chocolate, a bit of raw cocoa and sweet juicy maraschino cherries. Contains cocoa absolute and fragrance oils

In the Bottle: Cherries and chocolate

Wet: Cherries and chocolate

Drydown: Cherries and chocolate

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 3 hours for a single application.

Verdict: This smells just like Cella's Cherry Cordial candy. I used to love them as a child, so this brings back memories. It also made me hungry which means they nailed it again with this gourmand scent, just like they did with Blueberry Muffin Batter. For sure a Valentine's scent.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Whispers in the Night (Valentines 2015)

Description: Jasmine, Tuberose, Vanilla Orchid, Coconut, White Amber, Sandalwood, Amber, Ylang Ylang, Edge of the Night Base

In the Bottle: Sandalwood and amber

Wet: Sandalwood and amber

Drydown: Sandalwood and amber

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: I wish the ylang ylang and jasmine had come out , but unfortunately it was all sandalwood and amber. It smelled like stale 1980's incense.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Violet White Leather (Valentines 2015)

Description: Soft powdery violets resting on a vanilla cloud float atop ripples of supple white leather.

In the Bottle: Leather with a hint of vanilla

Wet: Sweet leather

Drydown: Mild leather scent

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 1.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: This didn't last very long at all. The scent reminded me of a freshly cleaned leather saddle. I didn't pick up any of the vanilla I smelled while it was bottled, or any violet which I was hoping for. Sadly, another bust.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Review: Suplee Soap Company - Ethereal

Description: The aroma of this handmade perfume oil is floral, earthy and sweet with notes of berry and pomegranate.

In the Bottle: Smells like berries

Wet: Berries

Drydown: Berries with a under note of powder

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Was looking for the earthy note but it never came through which was okay with me. It smells like berries, sweet and delicious with an under-note of something powdery. It was alright but nothing I would wear every day. It was very sweet and feminine, just not for me.

Suplee Soap Company’s sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Review: Suplee Soap Company - Jade

Description: The aroma of this handmade perfume oil is leafy, green, earthy and petally with notes of green apple.

In the Bottle: Green and Earthy

Wet: Freshly picked green apples

Drydown: Apples and an earthy, almost musky under note

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: I think this is more of a unisex spring time scent. The apples only give a hint of sweetness in this perfume, just enough to take the edge away from the earthy, almost musky under note. Its very light and kind of complex, a hint of spice keeps peeking out but not long enough for me to pinpoint exactly what kind of spice.

Suplee Soap Company’s sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Cocoa Mallow (Valentines 2015)

Description: A combination of devilishly tempting rich dark chocolate and fresh sweet marshmallows that will leave you salivating. This perfume has a stronger chocolate start with a subtle hint of marshmallow.

In the Bottle: Cocoa

Wet: Cocoa with a note of sugar

Drydown: Hot cocoa

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 3.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: It's epically sad that this scent has been discontinued! I was super excited to snag one before Solstice Scents ended production. It's a delicious cocoa scent. Smells like a rich creamy cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows. May cause you to salivate. Wear with caution!

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Cardamom Rose Sugar (Valentines 2015)

Description: Brown Sugar, Cardamom EO, Moroccan Rose and Bulgarian Rose

In the Bottle: Cardamom and Roses

Wet: Cardamom and sugar

Drydown: Cardamom with a sliver of sweetness

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 1.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: On me this ends up being pure cardamom with a hint of sweetness. It smells spicy and soothing. Instead of being a scent I would associate with Valentine's Day, I'd say this is more Autumn due to the spiciness. I really like it though, I just wish it would have lasted longer on me.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Review: Solstice Scents - Black Leather, Red Lace (Valentines 2015)

Description: A blend of gorgeous amber, deep vanillas and deftly blended smooth black leather, this scent is cool, rich, a little sweet and utterly intoxicating.

In the Bottle: Black leather and vanilla

Wet: Black leather and vanilla

Drydown: Black leather and amber

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Started out so well. I was so excited for this but ultimate on me, the amber over powered the vanilla and leather notes. I really should know by now that amber doesn't work well with my body chemistry.

Solstice Scents’ sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Review: Madame Josephine - Scarlett Dragon

Description: Dragon's Blood, Spice, Cinnamon, Clove

In the Bottle: Cinnamon and Cloves

Wet: Cinnamon, Cloves and Spice

Drydown: Still Cinnamon, Cloves and Spice

Throw: Medium

Wear Time: 4 hours for a single application.

Verdict: This was a decent, long lasting spicy scent. I think I would have liked it better if it had been mellowed out a little bit with something else. After about 2 hours the potency started to give me a headache.

Madame Josephine's sample vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - A Countenance of Foreboding Evil

Description: Patchouli, ylang ylang, blood orange, and vetiver.

In the Bottle: Vetiver and Patchouli

Wet: Patchouli like woah

Drydown: Still Patchouli

Throw: High

Wear Time: 5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Ugh, I wish patchouli and vetiver didn't smell so disgusting on me. Both of these are together and are overpowering, and super masculine. My body chemistry just doesn't work with these two notes.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's sample “imp” vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font. It came from a decant circle, clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Review: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - 51

Description: Luminescent, glowing, and otherworldly: green mandarin, neroli, honeydew, white amber, guava, freesia, white and green musks hovering over desert scrub, smashed wood, and the dry, biting scent of night air over the Groom Lake salt flats.

In the Bottle: Smells fresh and sweet like guava with light musks

Wet: Guava and freesia with light musk

Drydown: Fresh, the guava note is still strong, with a hint of freesia on top of musks

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 3 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Nice. Not really my sort of scent but it was nice. If you like fresh floral and fruit mixed, mellowed by a bit of light musk this is a scent for you.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's sample “imp” vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Review: Alchimia Apothecary - Oasis

Description: Deep in this hidden blue lagoon are sparkling crisp pools of water cutting through the amazon mist that contains hints of sweet plumeria, exotic ginger, Hawaiian hibiscus, and just a touch of deep dark earth after the rain.

In the Bottle: Plumeria

Wet: Plumeria, with hints of ginger and water

Drydown: Plumeria and ginger

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: It was nice. Certainly reminded me of Hawaii. I had hoped it would have had more throw on me but it was low. It’s a nice tropical floral scent. I'd wear it again, in the summer.

The standard Alchimia Apothecary sample vial is a droplet top dram of 1.5ml. It came clearly labeled, though the fonts were not as clear as they could have been.

Review: Alchimia Apothecary - Jamocha

Description: The bold aroma of coffee swirls around the tantalizing hints of chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon.

In the Bottle: Coffee and chocolate

Wet: Coffee, chocolate, and the hint of cinnamon

Drydown: Mocha with whipped cream

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2.5 hours for a single application.

Verdict: One of the better coffee scents I've tried. If you like coffee scents, check this one out. It makes me long for a hot tall mocha with whipped cream, even in the middle of summer. Sadly, after drydown the cinnamon note was lost on me which I thought really made Jamoca unique.

The standard Alchimia Apothecary sample vial is a droplet top dram of 1.5ml. It came clearly labeled, though the fonts were not as clear as they could have been.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Review: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - #20 Love Oil

Description: A potent, enticing love formula, favored among Louisiana courtesans.

In the Bottle: Sort of floral and milky

Wet: Floral and plastic

Drydown: Plastic with a heavy floral

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 3 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Kind of gross. On me this smelled really nasty, like cheap plastic flowers with some low quality perfume sprayed on them. This scent just didn't work with my body chemistry at all. After 2 hours I washed it off. I was happy the throw was low, otherwise I'd have probably washed it off earlier

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's sample “imp” vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Review: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - 13

Description: This 13 contains thirteen flowers of good luck swirled in white chocolate and a touch of honey: white carnation, stephanotis, blood-flower, yellow rose, eggplant flower, tiare, chamomile blossom, champaca flower, pink heather, wild orchid, pink peony, sweet basil flower, and Bells of Ireland.

In the Bottle: Like dead flowers

Wet: Dead flowers and chocolate

Drydown: A light floral with an under note of chocolate

Throw: Low

Wear Time: 2 hours for a single application.

Verdict: Smelled awful in the bottle but once it dried down on me it wasn't bad. It’s a pretty, light floral. , only after dry down did the chocolate note come out making the whole thing really come together.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's sample “imp” vial is the standard stoppered 1 ml vial. It came from a decant circle, clearly labeled with an easily readable font.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Review - 15 March 2015 Update

Review List - 15 Mar 2015 Update

As you can see so many orders finally arrived!!! I suspect I will be reviewing a ton of BPALs soon since I have acquired so many. Don't despair though! I will mix it up with other labels. :)

All names are perfume oils unless otherwise noted.

If you would like one of these to move to the head of my testing list, please leave a comment with your request.