*Reviews composed in 2021 Like many others, I consider the brilliant scent artist of MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean/Mooscents to be the Willy Wonka of the Indie realm and forgive me if I make the comparison to feeling like little Charlie Bucket stepping behind the gates of a world of scent whimsy and imaginative confections as I was offered to explore perfumes from different releases. This was a dream opportunity as MoonaLisa was my introduction to heavenly gourmand fragrances with The Rumpkin! years ago and as I unwrapped every decorated vial I sampled this past month, I discovered new fantastic facets of different fruits, lush florals, seasonal specials and complex olfactory ingredients that continue to tantalize and mystify every time I wave my wrist. These oils were pure magic and I couldn't think of a better place that would be curious to follow along and relive a bit of childhood and captured olfactory alchemy. Let's step behind the gates and visit a real music-maker... *Full Disclosure: These vials were sent for honest reviews 🍰🥧🍭The Cake and Pie Room On entry, we are greeted by a vast sprawling landscape of whipped delights ranging from the traditional to the fanciful. Buttercream mountains reach the ceilings and moist sponge cake and piecrusts serve as the foundations we dance across and let our noses guide us to nuanced fruits and new candied obsessions with a bewitching quality... Bongo Poppy Cake (Delicious, lemon poppy seed cake, drowned in an unhealthy dose of lightly spiced cream cheese icing dripping all over it) Akin to cutting out a thick slice of moist lemon cake with a spread of cream cheese icing and taking that first heavenly sniff before devouring all in sight. The lemon is perfectly balanced with the vanilla cake (with a hint of cardamom and additional grated spice) and I get about 5 hours of waltzing about with uninterrupted baking divinity before it fades to a faint lemon peel with sweet cream cheese and a hidden marshmallow scent. I also own Bongo Poppy Cake in the hair detangler and I notice very little in scent difference, they both smell luscious although the hair detangler lasts a full day on me and I enjoy imagining I am swanning about with a tower of lemon cake balanced in my curled bouffant for the night. Where's My Pie (Scented over the top with everything but the kitchen sink! Buttery, flaky pie crust, cinnamon, pumpkin, carrot, caramel, clove, nutmeg, whipped cream and pecan just to name a few) Everyone may be running in the direction of the spring and summer treats but my nose could happily stay in the gooey spiced corner that is set up with Where's My Pie. As an avid baker, I can attest this smells like a spread of several pies and nutty delicacies with even a crusty buttery bread pudding rolled on the side. It may all sound tooth-achingly sweet but it's a brilliantly balanced blend and is a comforting mashup of autumnal, winter and even early spring pastries with a slice of cream cheese topped carrot cake peeking out. I'm marking Where's My Pie down for everything this upcoming fall. Lemon Curd and Coconut Cream (Lemon curd and coconut cream with graham crust) Being a recent convert to the taste of toasted coconut in both culinary and fragrance forms, I must say, I completely understand the myriad of positive reviews on this perfume and I want to gnaw on my wrists. This is the real deal of realistic dessert fragrances and out of all the oils I showed off at work, Lemon Curd and Coconut Cream was the winner with my coworkers as I had a most entertaining night sitting back and watching others with twirling eyes looking for a Tupperware container of lemon and coconut cream pie throughout the night when they walked past my desk and hearing "Who brought in dessert and is hiding it?" several times after midnight. Each note is perfectly balanced and hits the nose creating the ultimate compliment of making me want to bake up a storm on a sunny spring morning with a newfound ingredient. For longevity, this one went on to baffle and tantalize those around me (this oil has a huge throw) for 15 hours. I will be going after this blend this upcoming release in choice products for home and of course at work (hehe). Rosewater & Angel Food Cake (Fluffy white sponge cake with signature Almond extract and rich fragrant coconut with an added addition of a rose water syrup note.) Angel Food Cake is a special scent in my household as my late grandparents whipped up a specific recipe every sunday family gathering and this is indeed a slice of traditional fluffy Angel Food Cake with a shaved coconut and rosewater syrup, it bouncy and light and surprisingly stays close to the skin. Out of all the vials, I tried Rosewater & Angel Food Cake was the softest even with the almond extract and coconut coming in contact with my skin chemistry that loves to amp those two notes. This would be a nice layering option with possibly something from "the strawberry waterfall" that we will visit in a bit. Chocolate Covered Cherries (aka Cherry Cordial: Just like the candy! Chocolate covered cherry candy with liquor in it) Speaking of nostalgic scents, here's a box of Queen Anne Chocolate Cordial Cherries bottled up to sweep me away to my great-grandmother's house! This is Moona's signature milk chocolate coating a candied cherry, it's delicious and comforting at the same time. For longevity, Chocolate Covered Cherries taps out at 8 hours and stays somewhat close but still manages to cast about a low noticeable throw. The inside of the candy with the cherry stands out to my nose hours later with the amazing chocolate fading to that distinct aroma of the bottom of an empty candy box sans the waxiness, it's the sweet ghostly kiss of cocoa! Befana (Warm crusty baked bread, doused with butter and dripping with honey and traditional spices of cinnamon and clove.) This ode to the benevolent old woman of Italian folklore who visits children with gifts and is said to have housed the three wise men is full of surprises as instead of listed bread, I smell the unmistakable aroma of lemon and orange peel madeleine cookies! The outside holds that slight buttery crispy crunch of waiting fruit then that fluffy inside shell wafts about, it's lovely and lasts several hours which is impressive with anything citrus on my skin. I always associate madeleine cookies with springtime tea-parties or mini pastel draped soirées and Befana is invited for those events. Sugar Rum Cherry (Sugared Vanilla Bourbon rummed Cherries) Mmm this is a marriage of Snow Ice to the inside of Chocolate Covered Cherries, it's warm fruit and buttery thick cream with a surprise boozy finish. This is elevated somehow from simply candy sweet to an elegant (even a bit naughty as it morphs on the skin) olfactory confection and I'm pleased to jot down, Sugar Rum Cherry loves my skin. I bet this one would be incredible in the hair conditioner as you dance and sing out of key to "Pour Some Sugar On Me" in the shower. Caramel Cardamon Affogato (Indulge in a deep Vanilla Bourbon Musk with hot, steamy cocoa, and Cafe Macchiato, drizzled in rich caramel, and Vanilla sugared milk, spiced perfectly with cardamon and nutmeg.) Just like the ultra-soothing and blanking effect Where's My Pie has upon my senses, Carmel Cardamom Affogato is one blend I could wrap myself in and forget the cold world with. This is a rich inviting vanilla and foamy macchiato and spiced cake aroma that beguiles the nose and amplifies the cosy factor of autumnal or winter selections then leaves you with an unexpected honeyed steamed milk note 6 hours later that then lasts an additional 8 hours and sees you off to dreamland. Mmm, I'm a shameless spice fiend and I don't care who knows it. Absolutely sublime! I must grab this fragrance in a bath option this next winter. 🍓🌠🌈The Strawberry WaterfallAs your eyes scan the horizon you notice a wonder of a crystal-faceted jar that catches the light ever so brilliantly be tilted on its side and pipped bright pink and red sweet jam spreads thickly across a bed of powdered fried dough, fluffy marshmallow and spangled rainbow spectrums of light bounce off to beckon you closer. I promise you no artificial aromas will offend, only pure homemade goodness... Jingle Jelly Donuts (The irresistible scent of sugary fried dough, sweet vanilla, and gobs of oozing strawberry jam) 2021 is shaping up to be the year of the scrumdiddlyumptious strawberry hunt for myself as when I first spritzed my locks with the hair detangler in Jingle Jelly Donuts, the insatiable pursuit was on and when asked what I would love to try from this enchanting house of fragrance, I wanted ALL the strawberries. This one is homemade strawberry jam inside a shell of dough and drizzled in warm vanilla glaze with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. No guilt, no calories just an addictive series of ingredients that is hard to stop spritzing and slathering. Between the hair detangler and the perfume oil, the vanilla glaze is more prominent in my curls with the dark strawberry jam while my skin amps the powdered sugared dough with the photo-realistic jam as a middle note. No matter where I huff, I'm in love. Strawberry Marshmallow (Bursting fruity strawberry goodness married with ooey marshmallow cream, a match made in heaven) And now we come to admittedly one of my favourite vials from the whole tour, as this is exactly like holding a fresh strawberry by the green stem and dipping it into a bowl of marshmallow cream, taking a bite letting the juice run down your chin with childish glee then going directly back for a more full dunk. As with Jingle Jelly Donuts, Strawberry Marshmallow has changed everything I thought about strawberry perfumes. No artificial candy here or recollections of cupcake dolls, just pure indulgence and temptation that lasts into the next day and a new fragrance to hoard away at the next release. *flops back and inhales wrists and hair* I wish to reside by the delicious Strawberry Waterfall feature all day, however, there is still so much to see... but wait a second I see a few kicking their heels and hear grumbles in the back that they don't like gourmands, ah no worries, you may love the next collection of scents, come along... 🍷🌹🎨As much as I love comparing Moona to Willy Wonka she can also transform and transport the senses to different eras and scenes from novels, legends and treasured memories with a palette of rich florals, warm resins and nifty atmospheric effects. Here's a gallery that may interest you. Hygge (The Danish word, pronounced "hoo-ga", is usually translated into English as "coziness". Picture sitting by a fireplace, wearing your softest cozy slipper-socks, surrounded by the warm glow of candles, soft music playing, drinking mulled wine and hot coffees, while eating hot Danish pastries! That is definitely Hygge! Notes include: Gently spiced wine and coffees, wafting of warm Beeswax with subtle smokiness with a background of Danish pastry!) This is the scent that started the atmospheric gallery for me as I was able to try the Potion Lotion (thank you so much, Samantha!) in Hygge last year and with one thick lotion application I was in awe and love and I knew if given the chance I must sample the oil. What a difference between the two formats! The lotion is all heavenly vanilla cheese danish on me with a backing of equally realistic beeswax candles and the perfume is a whole storybook scene of warmth, peace and security with familiar black coffee opening then gently giving way to the barest aroma of a freshly trimmed Christmas tree all aglow and then the delectable vanilla drizzled cheese danish dessert is sliced and the textbook buttery flakiness and the barest sprinkle of homey spice and mulled fruit fully catches my attention and a swirl of holiday memories dances about in the glow of a traditional Christmas Eve candle that I fondly remember lighting and then blowing out to predict the future with my pappy as the first visible star of the night twinkled above such a lovely scene. Isn't it wonderful how indie perfumes can sweep us back to happier times? I know it's a splendid blessing for me and I have Hygge down for everything next Yule. Amber Rose (A beautifully rich and inciting Amber blended with real Bulgarian Rose essential oil makes for a heavenly blend.) Amber Rose is an ostentatious deep rose scent with a warm amber base and hints of hidden violet and frankincense (perhaps even a drop of spikenard?) I have been looking for a perfume that brings to mind Empress Elisabeth of Austria and by gum, I believe I have found it with Amber Rose. Legend has it that Empress Sisi would splash Bulgarian Rose oil in her infamous locks and that's what I plan to do when it returns. For those that missed out on Moona's The Coven, here is that blend's sister-scent with a vintage edge and missing the romantic vanilla from The Coven. Peches Melba (Juicy ripe peaches with a teeny squeeze of lemon, and fresh raspberry topped vanilla bean ice cream) Absolute scent sorcery, the peaches stay true and fresh without morphing into cat urine on my skin and I swear I smell COLD vanilla ice cream. The raspberries are crushed and cold as well. This blend has more throw with the gentle lemon raspberries and peach catching the attention first drawing the nose in then the creamy vanilla ice cream swirls around. This paints one passage from a treasured novel (The House of Mirth) and I will dab then slather and let Peches Melba take me away to the classy restaurant of Old New York and indulge in a bit of extravagance with the lovely Lily Bart in attendance (but I outshine her of course). Georgina (Creamy white Chocolate, fresh juicy Strawberries and Rose *created by Moona's young son) This is a creamy dreamy mélange of rose petals, fresh strawberries and distinct white chocolate that intensifies as the hours tick by. On application, the roses shower over the strawberries and the white chocolate serves as a nice sweet buttery afternote and some Easter basket memories. Mmm, it's been a long time since I found a pure white chocolate note without a distracting woody finish and Georgina is simply ace. I'm marking this delectable fruity-floral-gourmand for a hair conditioner option. A Discovery of Witches (Moona's rendition of the romantic description of Matthew de Clermont to his beloved Diana as to the scent of her skin~ Willow Sap, Chamomile, Golden Honey, Frankincense, Lady's Mantle, and *ancient things I thought I'd forgotten. * which includes in Moona's interpretation as Sacred Spikenard, Labdanum and Frankincense, among other beautiful components. Hmmm, sigh.....) A hodgepodge of morphing notes from nature and fantasy that all equals a mysterious vanilla-honey cream scent on the skin with a sprinkling of ritual spring herbs on top that hold some coolness and yet warmth somehow at the same inhale. A Discovery of Witches is one of those "your skin but better" romantic collages I adore that has some unexpected twists. I never read the books but I can easily imagine this character's personality, her hidden powers and understand why she is so irresistible to all those she encounters. Poetry (Romance is in the air with this balance of scent between floral, citrus, spice, and resin. Orange blossom cream with an English Toffee swirl and a touch of Frankincense and Ginger) This is a stunning work of scent art with an uplifting orange blossom opening, a creamy toffee swirl with a hint of resins and spicy ending*.* It contains elegant depth and morphing elements and has joined Nui Cobalt's LOVE (and Ambre Doré- to be rambled about shortly) as fragrances that transport me into a Pre-Raphaelite painting or a stained glass window. Poetry is perfectly named and there are subtle differences noticed between the hair detangler and perfume oil, if anything my curls amp the romantic orange blossoms with buttery toffee while my skin slightly amplifies the frankincense and ginger spice. Both exceedingly lovely and a starred favourite. Haunted Home (Haunt your halls with this bewitching blend of woods, herbs, resins and a touch of spice. Even an Addams would be envious of this brew! Reminiscent of the feeling and aroma of Moona's FAVORITE ride in the whole wide world, Haunted Mansion!) I dabbed and slathered and sniffed and huffed dozens of times and I honestly can't completely unravel this blend, it's just one of those rare atmospherics that you truly just go along the ride with and changes every time you try it! I know I smell Moona's trademark dulcet and dreamy lavender, various soft spices with dusty wood and I think some hidden gingerbread and a sprinkle of refined pipe tobacco; it's mysterious and somehow sweetly comforting. I love to wear Haunted Home to bed and let the notes drift me off to pleasant restive dreams. I need Haunted Home for my bath and in a dusting powder this year. Krampus Night! (Out of the German Black Forest to punish and drag away the naughty and not nice comes Krampus! Various dry woods including birch, blended with a touch of silken white wool and suede, sweet smoldering resinous embers, with a touch of wet blackened earth) Ah, Krampus Night! I first fell hard for this fragrance when a cleverly designed soap sample was included in my Yule order a few years back and I'm excited to note that the highly anticipated perfume carries the same intoxicating lump of coal-shaped soap's scent and my skin amps the seductive factors of Krampus Night!. In the soap, it was a collage of sweet nostalgic resins with a drop of suede and patchouli while with the oil format my skin unleashes the gentle spices with orange peel, suede, Moona's signature fir note and dark patchouli. In many ways, Krampus Night! reminds me of Kris Kringle but there are more clove, cinnamon and a naughty thack of birch and suede, which all makes sense as Krampus is said to be the opposite of Kris Kringle in the legends. Very clever interpretation. Marking another down for a bath option when the icy winds begin to howl. Ambre Doré (An Amber years in the making! Tenacious & rich with a sweet bourbon vanilla & resinous balsam base. The dry down is slightly woody with a touch of leather & a creamy hay like sensuous subtly) In the vial, I get inspiring vanilla extract with a kick and once it touches my skin it morphs completely to this stunning cold crystalline non-gourmand vanilla that I recognize from one point in A Discovery of Witches. It's romantic, boozy and meditative but also holds some seductive properties to the nose. It brings to mind Waterhouse's The Lady of Shalott classic painting and as a water sign and hopeless romantic I'm here for it all! For longevity, this one goes on for 14 hours and I do believe I need Ambre Doré in a dusting powder and argan oil option if funds permit. Halloween Hayride (Harvest hay, bonfires and dried leaves mix with amber, smoky sandalwood, and musk. In the distance, you are anxious to get to back to the circle with the promise of roasted marshmallows, and other sugary seasonal treats) Another realistic atmospheric to recommend as this is indeed a bouncing ride behind a puttering tractor with the vibrant blaze of autumnal leaves swishing in the chilled winds. There are apple orchards off in the near distance and someone is waving a blackened gooey marshmallow up at you as you pass a cosy bonfire. Halloween Hayride conjures the idyllic tableau that I would love to escape into at the moment. I'll just tuck this vial away when summer begins or bring it out when I'm fed up with any sticky humid days. Abigail (Sweet Vanilla Sugared Violets in Marshmallow cream, on a bed of golden sandalwood and a peak of tantalizing dark cocoa) The listed notes say strictly gourmand but Abigail is another surprise atmospheric taking those to the 18th and 19th centuries with ribbons and frothy lace and delicacies in gold caskets. Out of all the perfumes I sampled on this tour, this one carries the most "perfume" identity with the violets and sandalwood but it somehow works creating a rich scene of ladies of leisure with lace fans and perfumed love letters under candied violets and the last remnants of dark coco-dusted truffles. Sweet Smoke & Wood (Sweet smoldering Yule bonfires of Sandalwood and sweet aromas of the season) If you love relaxing meditative fragrances, come closer, no not that close. Stand back about 6 feet and tell me what you smell because Sweet Smoke & Wood has one impressive throw. I get the inside of a lush fir tree then creamy sandalwood amplifies along with a touch of spiced woodsmoke. It's one of those medleys you inhale and go back for another then flop back and let the winter musings aroma surround you and ease tension and negative thoughts blocking a better outlook for the day. For longevity, this blend was one of the longest-lasting out of the bunch clocking in at 18 hours and then still noticeable after a bath (thank goodness I love this Sweet Smoke & Wood and don't mind it lingering). ____________________________________ The Perfect 10: Strawberry Marshmallow, Jingle Jelly Donuts, Hygge, Lemon Curd & Coconut Cream, Ambre Doré, Bongo Poppy Cake, Poetry, Peches Melba, Where's My Pie and Haunted Home Thank you for reading and allowing me to share one of the greatest scent experiences I have ever had. Comments are closed.
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In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I disclose how I obtained every title for review at As The Final Page Turns (whether that be by ARC, purchased (on nook, kindle or specially ordered hardbacks) Audible version or simply borrowed at my local library). Please note: titles reviewed that are ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) are free review copies of books that are given by publishers (these ARCS can be found at NetGalley or Edelweiss). Categories
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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