DEV #1: Foreplay

Thuja . . . . I needed that. We have what we call "incense cedar" here in Oregon that is actually called Giant Arborvitae elsewhere. It is one of the first cedar scents I think of. I used to burn the fronds wrap and dry them to make cedar smudge sticks. Thuja is the closest thing to my cedars. The first breath is thuja, than the oud and incense comes into play along with some By The Fireside style smoke and some cinnamon. Upon second wearing the cinnamon really stands out, and it is amazing. The combination does have a fun flirting with brimstone feel. Earthy green playing in the background while sweet smoke tempts you to think there's something wonderful in the no-so-safe place. The tasty cinnamon really adds to the allure. This could easily become a favorite. As it dries down the frankincence and beeswax comes out making it more sweet and comforting. The sillage is perfect. I applied it pretty heavily for a dauber sample and it would waft stronger when my wrist was raised near head level but wasn't strong enough to be obnoxious to folks nearby. A perfect level to wear for personal enjoyment.

Wow. Honestly, words almost fail me as to how incredible this scent is. It's now possibly the best frankincense note I've come across (and there have been many!). Smoky and yet also resinous olibanum, a dash of agar wood and a swirling labdanum all combine throughout with other elements such as cinnamon, lemongrass and honey intermittently raising their heads while incredible animalics and ambergris cut their way through to ground this thing with a beastly dose of skank. It's tempting to call this a liturgical incense in the vain of CdG Avignon or Progumum Olibanum, but there is so much hellishness going on here via the animalics and other balsams and resins, that it's more likely to suit a devilish alter than anywhere holy! To top it all off, this thing projects like a cloven heeled beast and lasts for all eternity. Dabble in this satanic foreplay only if you dare. I've officially offered up my soul, will you? PS: I have samples of the other four of this series also and when this one finally dies down (could be days!), I'll be eagerly moving on to Dev 2!

DEV #1: Foreplay is positively bewitching. With beautiful plumes of labdanum to open, the invitation to enter is easy. Beeswax and oud introduce some full bodied accords of deliciously salty skin. Then lemongrass, cypress-like thuja and the subtly sharp resin of olibanum makes you inhale deeply and throw your senses wide open. And then, the carnal qualities of civet--like a prick to the finger, and hyrax--a muffled bite of musk, delicately secrete their salacious essence, which turns you into a beast before you know it's even happening. Tolu envelops the fragrance in a malted amber glow like a reassuring lover. DEV #1 almost makes me want to say who needs sex when you have such entrancing Foreplay? But knowing that this is just the first act makes for a promise of even better things to come, and I'm truly looking forward to the rest of the Devil Scents series. Ellen Covey is truly masterful in her olfactory psychology and story-telling.

Dev #1: Foreplay is, to me, an incredible, sensual scent. I was looking for something to wear on date night and I popped this on and it hit everything I was going for. This is sexy. It opens with a resinous and woody blast (which stayed on me for quite a while as it died down to a skin scent as the night went on). It reminded me of a slutty church. I'm thinking The Thorn Birds kind of church. Next, the oud and the Labdanum came in and blended with the musk. On me, the musk isn't skanky and I didn't get any of the Beeswax or the cinnamon scent. I also didn't pick up on the bubblegum scent that a few other reviewers mentioned. It felt more "citrusy" on me, less spicy. This is a scent you'd put on your ankles and behind your knees on the way out the door *wink* *wink* - Truly enjoyed it. My date enjoyed it as well.

Finally in the database! YAY! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this fragrance! Just like something named after the devil, naturally, its very spicy. The main notes I pick up is cinnamon and smokeyness. I believe on the olympic orchids website it said something about the part of the book this is based on, is the part where the devil and a woman are getting "friendly." Thus, there is some sweetness in it too, maybe even a tad fruity. I only had samples of this and "reprise" which is also nice, but I hear this is the sweetest of the devil collection. As for the longevity, its the longest lasting fragrance I've ever used on my skin (and my skin eats fragrance). It is so potent that I accidentaly spilled less then half of my tiny tester vial in my office at work, and it reeked of sweet devilish goodness in there for a few weeks.