Carnaval Noir
Bearded Lady
I was apprehensive about Bearded Lady - florals tend to scare me (now I’m thinking that it’s white florals and jasmine). I was pleasantly surprised by this oil. It reminds me of the sharp, sweet incense in Al Azif - rather piercing and quite strong. On, the sharp piercing floral incense remains. It’s extremely sweet and definitely floral yet none of the notes really stand out to me - it’s very well blended. I think that the vanilla and amber must ground the florals and are helping to create that incense vibe I get from this. Overall, quite beautiful and I’ll enjoy my bottle.
Midway
Damn! Beth is amazing!! Despite all the rave reviews, I really didn't think I'd like Midway. I just didn't see myself in a sweet, foody scent. I was so wrong.
Midway is wonderful! It totally evokes all the glorious treats to be found only at a fair. Funnel cake, sweet candy, touch of butter and vanilla. I've worn it a few times now, and sometimes (but not always) I would initially get a slightly plastic note but then it would burn off quickly and just leave a wonderful sweetness that makes me want to knaw my arm off. Everyone I've shared it with (sharing the love) just adores it! I still have yet to try a few of the CN line, but overall CN is an amazing series!
Shill
In the Bottle: popcorn jellybellies
On the Skin: Shill smells like sweet, buttered popcorn jelly beans. These are among my favorite jelly beans. As it dries, the sweetness goes away and I'm left with butter and popcorn. A yummy smell and Beth captured it perfectly.
Shill didn’t' stick around for long - it vanished pretty quick, under 2 hrs. Not sure what I'll do with the bottle as I don't see myself ever wanting to smell like popcorn and reaching for it. Maybe a room scent or laying with other scents?
Snake Charmer
Yum - Snake Charmer is amazing. I have to agree that SC is Snake Oil's younger, more innocent sister. When I first smelled this I thought Snake Oil lite and there was no difference. Wearing them side-by-side, you really get the fruity aspect of this as compared to Snake Oil's deep incense. Whiff of coconut and lots of amber.
Great throw, very long lasting.
I made 1 ml into a spay and it brings out the patchouli - which in the oil form is covered by the vanilla, amber and spices. In any form I love it and I'm so glad that I got a few extra bottles. I think it's going to age REALLY well.
Torture King
In the vial: vetivert, grass, maybe leather
On the Skin: Wow - this is so much better on the skin than in the vial.
Initially I get amber and clove, maybe a touch of resin and leather. Once it dries down, I get smoke, clove, and a leathery, resiny incense (that doesn't bring up good images - when I read that, for some reason I think turtle eggs but it's really quite wonderful). Touches of lime and a squidge of lemon peek through every so often. The citrus provides a lift to the scent and melds beautifully with the clove, smoke and resins. I'm not sure where the musk is in here but it has a really good base - I think that the ambergris, leather and musk combine to form an almost incense like base for the clove.
Overall impression: I LOVE Torture King. I can't stop smelling my arm - it's intoxicating! Another CN winner for me!
I was apprehensive about Bearded Lady - florals tend to scare me (now I’m thinking that it’s white florals and jasmine). I was pleasantly surprised by this oil. It reminds me of the sharp, sweet incense in Al Azif - rather piercing and quite strong. On, the sharp piercing floral incense remains. It’s extremely sweet and definitely floral yet none of the notes really stand out to me - it’s very well blended. I think that the vanilla and amber must ground the florals and are helping to create that incense vibe I get from this. Overall, quite beautiful and I’ll enjoy my bottle.
Midway
Damn! Beth is amazing!! Despite all the rave reviews, I really didn't think I'd like Midway. I just didn't see myself in a sweet, foody scent. I was so wrong.
Midway is wonderful! It totally evokes all the glorious treats to be found only at a fair. Funnel cake, sweet candy, touch of butter and vanilla. I've worn it a few times now, and sometimes (but not always) I would initially get a slightly plastic note but then it would burn off quickly and just leave a wonderful sweetness that makes me want to knaw my arm off. Everyone I've shared it with (sharing the love) just adores it! I still have yet to try a few of the CN line, but overall CN is an amazing series!
Shill
In the Bottle: popcorn jellybellies
On the Skin: Shill smells like sweet, buttered popcorn jelly beans. These are among my favorite jelly beans. As it dries, the sweetness goes away and I'm left with butter and popcorn. A yummy smell and Beth captured it perfectly.
Shill didn’t' stick around for long - it vanished pretty quick, under 2 hrs. Not sure what I'll do with the bottle as I don't see myself ever wanting to smell like popcorn and reaching for it. Maybe a room scent or laying with other scents?
Snake Charmer
Yum - Snake Charmer is amazing. I have to agree that SC is Snake Oil's younger, more innocent sister. When I first smelled this I thought Snake Oil lite and there was no difference. Wearing them side-by-side, you really get the fruity aspect of this as compared to Snake Oil's deep incense. Whiff of coconut and lots of amber.
Great throw, very long lasting.
I made 1 ml into a spay and it brings out the patchouli - which in the oil form is covered by the vanilla, amber and spices. In any form I love it and I'm so glad that I got a few extra bottles. I think it's going to age REALLY well.
Torture King
In the vial: vetivert, grass, maybe leather
On the Skin: Wow - this is so much better on the skin than in the vial.
Initially I get amber and clove, maybe a touch of resin and leather. Once it dries down, I get smoke, clove, and a leathery, resiny incense (that doesn't bring up good images - when I read that, for some reason I think turtle eggs but it's really quite wonderful). Touches of lime and a squidge of lemon peek through every so often. The citrus provides a lift to the scent and melds beautifully with the clove, smoke and resins. I'm not sure where the musk is in here but it has a really good base - I think that the ambergris, leather and musk combine to form an almost incense like base for the clove.
Overall impression: I LOVE Torture King. I can't stop smelling my arm - it's intoxicating! Another CN winner for me!