Eve

So, I’ve had this same spray bottle of UN Cougar for probably 4 years. I rarely reach for it. The original unscented PP was my go-to social pheromone and others that I owned languished unused in the drawer. Lately I’ve been making a point to wear Cougar just because I have it. I don’t respond much to the social pheromones. Sexy ones yes. I get a bit of a lift from Levitation and DHEAS, but I’ve not experienced any social pheros making me feel bolder, prettier, less or more confident—really anything at all. I get cues from how others react to me, and that’s the way I judge how congruent or effective a specific pheromone is for me. Plus, I’m usually so oblivious to how its effecting others that it takes an actual interaction with that person for me to take notice of “hits”. Nuances are basically wasted. Over the years I had so many impossible to ignore responses from others when I wore Popularity Potion that I knew this was “my” social phero hands down, I’m assuming that the new iteration of PP, Charisma for Women is the same, but I only have it as additive in fragrances, I’ve not yet tried the UN version.. Back to UN Cougar: I needed to buy cat food and went into PetSmart. It has been tough convincing myself to shop there after losing my beloved dog over two years ago now. He used to love going there, and as he always went everywhere with us, I have quite a few memories of him in that specific store, in the parking lot… peeing on the columns out front—gross, yeah, I know, but that’s what dogs do when they smell other dogs… him miserable while being groomed in their salon….Gradually though, I’ve been shopping there with more regularity for the cats. And today after I was done grabbing some cat food, and was headed out of the store, I deviated from what I normally do. ALWAYS since losing my Ernie, I steer clear of the dog section as best as I can. I keep my eyes averted, and try not to think much about anything. But on this day, what with all the Christmas stuff out, the dog sweaters, the giant chew bones…and one of my favorite Christmas songs playing over their sound system (John Lennon Happy Christmas, the War is Over) I decided to look at the dog toys. I was trying hard to keep the tears in, as I fondly remembered him shaking and eventually destroying the stuffed squirrel toys they have there. I made my way slowly down the aisle, telling myself how strong I was being, and connecting with the memories I had of him with several toys they still sell … Then my reverie was interrupted. This guy says ‘excuse me, can I ask you something?’. I turn around, expecting some sort of dog toy question, but he asks me how well I take a compliment. I say I guess fine (what kind of question is that?) So, he tells me he thinks I’m very good looking. I smile, thank him, and assume (hope) its the end of it. No oh no, not the end. He asked me if I’d like to get together sometime. (awkward). I smile (hopefully seemingly a smile with a tinge of regret) and explain that I’m in a relationship. Enough for him make his exit? No he still wanted to chat a bit. I finally got away from him, and beat it to the back of the store, and steered the cart down a few random aisles. When I was sure the coast was clear, I made a beeline to the register and checked out. This was not a seemly weird guy. He looked normal and nice. He was good looking enough, he was in the dog aisle, so probably wasn’t a terrible person. But I’m 67 for gods sake, and not expecting to be asked out by a random stranger. AND he intruded on the moment I was taking to remember my sweet dog. I was wearing UN Cougar. I guess it works for me.

I have exactly none of these. I thought I had one left of my PE, but if I do, it’s hiding. I have extra labels, but Mara can print those. What I do have is an almost full bottle of Ruthven (it’s to the label top) sealed bottles of Potion Bastet, Snoozle, Chakra Heart, Rose Fairy Cake, and first brew of Beewitched. At least I think it is the first brew. They were pretty much identical anyway. I also could definitely share a decant of Sticky Fingers (Universal Voodoo) I’d combined a couple of bottles into one larger one.

How thoughtful, Kayla 😊 I can’t even imagine how many Luna had in her collection. She was here from the start, or almost the very beginning anyway. I wish there were more members still active from years previous to when you and I joined. (I think we were the same year, right?) I remember Luna occasionally saying she had not tried a previous iteration of a perfume, but for the most part she had. That’s a lot of history to lose in a matter of just minutes.

This is devastating! My heart goes out to her and her son.

@luna65 very interesting. But it is clearly translucent (pun in play, of course haha). That’s what stood out to me the most.

@Kayla Yay! I’m so glad you didn’t miss out on it. (I don’t like anise either, and agree it definitely is not prominent). Something about the fragrance smells “clear” but to me. It smells like bright translucent lemony treat. Hard candy maybe? I dunno, but I can’t shake the impression.

@RosesArePink I converted one bottle to spray. It’s great! This fragrance stays on the skin a long time when applied from the rollerbottle. With a spray and alcohol added it isn’t going to last as long of course. I just made it into a spray this morning, so I don’t know yet how long it will linger. I’ve noticed the longer Red Rum is on my skin, the more it has a vanilla nuance to it. Vanilla isn’t listed on the ingredient list, but I thought it worth mentioning. First applied it leans toward masculine, only slightly though, and this stage only lasts a short while. (Would I like how it smelled on a guy? Of course!)

@luna65 that is what sets LPMP apart from so many others. I love the fact that one’s own chemistry can make some of Mara’s fragrances their very own, unique to just them perhaps. It’s possible that for some, the pimento leaf (bay rum) would translate into a masculine scent, as in the very classic Old Spice, but on me it smells like cinnamon and cloves and nutmeg all rolled into one. This combined with the woody notes make this a full on oriental fragrance. Happily, the oak is not overpowering either. It is nice and balanced, and exactly like what I didn’t know I was looking for, until it turned out I was. Edited to add that I took a chance and boosted one of my bottles with cops, instead of ordering it that way. I have two (yes two!) bottles of Essence of Woman. One has never been opened, the other barely used. I figured it was high time I did it for myself

@Wanderlust I totally agree with the comparison to springerle cookies. It must be the anise peeping through. I think ( @Eastwood22 ) for those who long for another lemonscream buttercream, that this certainly can be layered with the Coconut Custard Flan and get something in the same neighborhood as Lemonscream. That said, the variations of skyclad body butter in this scent smelled different from each other. I don’t remember that much about how the LemonScream perfume itself smelled. Regardless, it would be a great combo if one wanted to add more creaminess to the crispy zing of the lemon in Sugar Skull.

This is not a full blown review, just an observation on how differently perfume can wear depending on the person. The first time I tried it, I was sure it was too masculine. I liked it, and normally very much enjoy scents that have palo santo combined with a fermented alcohol note. The next time I put it on, I may have had traces of Noco White on my skin, but either way the smell was incredible, and any fear that I wouldn’t wear it because of how masculine it smelled faded away. I’ve come to believe that an individual’s skin chemistry is the driving factor on how perfumes smell on us. I amp spices, and anything sweet can smell cloying. Don’t even get me started on patchouli and maple. They’re in their own special category for problem notes. I didn’t notice citrus, but I do plan to wear it again today after my shower, so I’ll pay more attention as to what individual notes I can identify. Anyway, all this to say, don’t rule it out until you try it a couple of times after it has had a chance to recover from travel shock. I bought two full sized bottles of it already, and I don’t plan to share with the bf either.

I had to chime in on the lantern vs pumpkin dulce. Lantern not sweet on me. No butterscotch. Not really baked good. Mostly just cinnamon. I had so wanted this to be perfect for me, but after a year now, it still just isn’t. I’m not home right now, but it seems like Pumpkin Dulce is more sweet, less spicy. It really did remind me of one version of G&L. The nutmeg is much more prominent in it than in Lantern. Again my skin chemistry… With Pumpkin Dulce I do get the gingerbread notes.

@Eastwood22 my pleasure. (Now its me who is out of town— but not Philly. I did watch the game last night tho) @greenappletart I ordered a Crème Cake boosted with cops…. Not here yet. And a couple of bottles of Red Rum. I’d like to buy ALL of the bottles of Red Rum, if truth be told. Next one of that I plan to have boosted with BI

Originally I was supposed to be out of town for most of the week, but the dates had to be pushed back a little. So, instead of letting my sampler rest undisturbed for a while, I’ve been getting into it. Part of the fun for me is seeing how some perfumes change after settling into their new home. Here’s where I’m at on placing my next order. I already placed an order for Crème Cake. It’s not that I think it is a particularly unique fragrance, but I like it enough to fill that spot for when I want to smell like an autumnal/winter baked goodie. I actually bake a lot, always have, and the aroma is something I quite enjoy. Last year’s Crème Cake sold out quickly even though it wasn’t talked about that much on the forum. So, I figured I’d better get it now or chance missing out again. Hungry Souls was a fail. I wrote a short review after applying it for a second try last night, but it just doesn’t agree with my skin chemistry. Initially I felt like Red Rum was too masculine, however I put it on first thing this morning and after resting for a few days it has moved into full bottle territory. Multiple full bottles most likely. I did have a smidge of NoCo White layered under it, so that possibly nudged it over into the more feminine side. Either way, layered or not, it’s a keeper and deserves its place at the top for me of this collection. I’m still undecided about Spike and Thorn. So far the patchouli has not done anything ugly with my skin chemistry, but it can be sneaky, devious even, so I’m withholding judgment for a while longer for it. It is a nice snuggly fall fragrance. Totally unisex. Earth and Urn is another I need more time to get to know. First time I tried it, right after it arrived, it was instantly dark coffee, then it was wood, and then it was dirt. Lots and lots of earth! I garden, don’t dislike the smell of earth, but it was so dominant and overpowering that I almost didn’t try it again. The next time I tested it, it was more balanced. The opening is great! But it still threatens to smell like an ashtray with some earth thrown in after its been on a while. The BF is a smoker, my granddaddy smoked cigars, Both men I love/loved dearly. I’m not opposed to the smell. But having it be the predominant note is not something that appeals to me. I’m not giving up on it yet though. Some of the stages it goes through I really really like. This one I will let rest a week or more before I attempt it again. EDITED TO ADD: This is crazy! After a shower, guess what Earth and Urn smells mostly like…coffee! Yum! ( As a side note, heated towel rack on cold mornings after a shower = 😊) Coconut Custard I like. I likely will wear my trial until it is empty. I don’t know that I’ll go for a full bottle. The same for Pumpkin Dulce. Catrina, Remembrance, and Shadow Dragon are just not “me” type scents, but I am glad I got them because trying them helps develop my nose’s education.

I was not onboard with the idea of a peanut scented perfume. But curiosity about several offerings in this collection convinced me to go for the sampler. Otherwise I don’t *think* I would have tried Hungry Souls. I might have, but it would have been after the reviews were in. So far no peanuts at all on my skin. On day one there was a nut impression, but a tree nut kind of nuance. The eventual dry down did go kind of plastic-y though. Now it is three days after it first arrived, and tonight I tried it again, and the nuts are all gone. If it stays like it is now, only 30 minutes or so after applying it, I will be a happy soul, evenif not currently a hungry one. (keeping my fingers crossed). I meant to add that there is chocolate present, and I agree it is a nice deep dark variety.😊

This year’s version seems to wear differently on me than the one from 2021. I decided to get a couple of bottles while there is still plenty of stock. I’m going to let it be my “Lantern” (seeing as Lantern ultimately did not work out for me). I ordered one boosted with cops, and one virgin. Eventually I plan to have one boosted with BI too. The rebrew seems buttery, and I’d swear there is some almond in it, even though no mention as an ingredient. I think it would layer nicely with some of the other foodie fragrances from this collection. I’m going to try it with the Coconut Custard.

A year later, and sadly my skin chemistry continues to amp the spices and mute any butterscotch. I’ve tried and tried and all I get is spice. Predominantly cinnamon. In the beginning the pumpkin was more present than it is now. It may be that the different notes have blended together—mellowed as it were. But even this didn’t coax out the butterscotch. Of the entire collection, the label is my favorite. And BI is my number one sexy phero. I thought we were made for each other.. Just goes to show that there are times when we want love to happen, and we will it to happen, but it just doesn’t 😐 Knowing we don’t have a future together (plus it has been sold out almost from the start) I decided to move on in my search for a spicy autumn fragrance.

I got my shipping notice earlier this week but the tracking never updated. I didn’t know if it truly wasn’t in the possession of USPS or it just wasn’t scanned in. And honestly, it has been a very busy week for me and I didn’t even think to check the mail until this evening. And…. there the box was!!! Trying to restrain myself until they’ve had a chance to rest, but I did sniff most, and apply a couple. I’m out of town next week so it may be a while before I get a chance to give them a true test run.

@citrine Pumpkin Dulce smells very much how I remember Garland and Lace, however I no longer have G&L to compare it to, (I do have the Latte but not the same of course). @Eastwood22 I don’t smell peanuts in Hungry Souls—none at all so far. A slight resemblance to Warm N Toasty though. I may actually like it a lot once it has rested from its journey a few days. I’ve jumped to conclusions too quickly in the past to trust what my nose is telling me when its only been delivered today. There is also something about it that reminds me of Snoozle but less sweet which is a good thing actually. In fact I couldn’t say whether it is more like Snoozle or W&T right now.

I ordered the sampler. Some I should like, and there are an equal number that I probably won’t. But, because Mara really does work magic, it was impossible with this collection to rule anything out. Hungry Souls I’m pretty sure isn’t going to be a “me” fragrance (sorry @Eastwood22) But, if it turns out Eve really does like smelling like peanuts then I will own up to it. Flan de coco has maple, so it likely won’t play nicely with my skin chemistry, however, if the maple doesn’t take over, I should really like it. And on and on it goes: notes that past experience tells me are a no go, and yet Mara can prove that to be wrong. Sometimes anyway. I’m betting that Spike and Thorn will work so long as the patchouli is only a hint. Earth and Urn is another that’s promising. I remember that I liked the previous Crème Cake, but I also gave my trial away to a newbie, so obviously it wasn’t one I couldn’t part with. I’m curious now that time has passed if it will move from like into love territory.

@luna65 that’s one of the main reasons I felt compelled to go with the sampler. Sometimes dragons blood is good on me, and sometimes it’s not…

( Sitting back waiting for my shipping notice!!!!! ) Thank you Mara! I took a chance and ordered the sampler. There were too many that were “maybes” to just get a handful, which is what I fully intended to do. @citrine in the description notes it compares Pumpkin Dulce to Garland and Lace.

One last best guess before I turn in for the night. Could Red Rum have something to do with blood? There was a Blud in an autumn release a couple of years back (I didn’t try it tho). Blood is red… Red Rum is murder spelled backwards. Good night all 🛌 💤

Me too! It’s only 9pm here, but I’ve been up since a little after 3 this morning. I’m dying

Oooooh! If Hungry Souls is a foodie scent, could it be something like Weenie Roast? I’m dangerously close to being out of it. However, I don’t remember @Eastwood22talking about this one.🤔