So after imagining a baroque fairytale world (“Beauty and the Beast”, perhaps?) I was dissapointed to discover a fairly common fragrance upon first sniff–although, it does have it's own fruity loveliness–with a disconcertingly grungy drydown. It's sort of like a combination between “Lolita Lempicka”, “Pure Turquoise” and “Spring Flower”, with considerably more anise and musk.

I understand the notion of “marble, baroque art and dust” but Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen evoked that same vision brilliantly in a candle series–of all things. His “Black” candle was meant to evoke ebony, marble and dust (a imaginitive combo that might seem a bit austere and domineering) and it delivered a wonderful image of old wooden estates and marble halls–with a magical hint of perfume that feels both old-world, yet charming. Moral of the story: Evoking magical darkness in a comforting way, can be accomplished. Houses don't have to impregnate scents with excess plums and licorices, to do it. I have to say I was more impressed with that candle over “Cast a Spell”. I'll try Lulu Guiness's “Fairytales”, just the same.