spiralmissy

While I do like Loviatar for Faith, the first and only Faith sent in my mind is Alecto. Unceasing in anger, and one of the kindly ones, darkness used for good. Plus, I dunno, it just is her scent in my mind. ALECTO: Olive leaf, raspberry leaf, vetiver and cedarwood.

 

 

I had not seen this thread when I wrote the review, but the first thing I thought when I put VILF on was that it was what Faith would wear.

 

I read through and did not see suggestion for DOWNTON ABBEY, and I am in the mood to watch Season 1 again.

 

OH!, and ARCHER!

 

(Could I have picked two more different ones?)

Oh! I want to try this!

 

Let's see...my personality. First, I am a very typical Scorpio, with the exception of being secretive. In fact, I am overt about just about everything, no topic too taboo, nothing is shocking. Chinese sign = dragon...again, I find to be pretty accurate. For those familiar with the MBTI/Meyers-Briggs, I am an ENFP. Raised Irish-Catholic, but more of a "make your own religion" spiritualist.

 

When I was an undergraduate, I studied History and French, then went on to get my Masters in Education. I have also worked part-time/freelance jobs at a feminist bookstore, and a sex-postive sex toy store. After leaving a career in higher education, I am currently a stay at home mom to a brilliant and beautiful 7YO daughter who is on the autism spectrum. I did go back to school for a year towards my MLS, only to learn that my program was way more geared towards information infrastructure than learning how to pimp books to kids.

 

I am short (5ft), and plus-sized (16-18), big-busted 36 YO with auburn hair (well, right now it is teal) and blue eyes. Big boobs, big butt.

 

I am kind of a person of extremes. I am bi-polar - not only in official definition, but I tend to run hot or cold, never lukewarm. I am Bi, and a huge flirt. I alternate between being a hermit and being a performer. I dance burlesque, and can be almost naked in front of a crowd of people, but be shy in a different group. My dancing burlesque started as a kind of joke - in that I am TOTALLY not a glamourous person, at all. I would not call myself uber-feminine, but I never wear t-shirt or pants. I dress entirely for comfort, but enjoy getting fancied up in a corset and fishnets. Burlesque led to some modeling, and I also am involved in storytelling/poetry, etc.

 

I am passionate about issues of social justice.

Like lots of people here, I enjoy comics, Gaiman, and fantasy. I also like documentaries, history and travel shows. I love wine. A lot. I am a night person, and really am not a "let's go to the beach all day" kind of gal. I like the beach in the fall. Autumn is my favorite season, and some of my favorite smells are related to that - burning leaves, pumpkin, apple, cranberry - those scents do not often work on me. They turn to cookie.

 

I love water, but not aqua scents.Not unless it is more salt water than ozone.

While I am a very sexual person, most of the fragrances that are categorized as such do not (Siren almost choked me!).

 

ANY fragile flower - orchid, jasmine, gardenia, rose - is likely to kill me. Honey does not do well on me. Or too much Vanilla.

Angeronalia nearly killed me.

Scents that I have LOVED: Lady Una, Hunter Moon, Scorpio 2007, Ivanushka, Underpants, Fruit of Paradise, Count Dracula, Crypt Queen., VILF. Musks, cloves and spices that are warm but not foody. SAFFRON seems to be magic on my skin.

 

There are other BPAL smells I love, and that smell great on me, but are not "ME" - Candy Phoenix, Phoenix, Strawberry Moon, Red Fraggle, The Fairies, Fire Pg (I LOVE peony).

 

So, I would love to hear some other suggestion!

It is Red Kool-Aid and I LOVE IT!

 

When I tested this, my ass was dragging. As soon as the oil hit my skin, I felt my energy increase and my mood lift - I felt like I started channeling Red Fraggle. I felt my bounce increase. Mouth-watering fruit cocktail.

 

As it dried, it retained its fizziness, but also subdued a bit, so that I did not feel like I was wearing a "kiddie perfume." The musk and the pepper came out and softened it. It fades fast, but when it is around, it is effervescent.

 

Very much like its namesake, Red may not have a lot of depth, and be more about the "right now" than the long-term, but you have to admire its boldness, energy, and enthusiasm. She is that good friend who you can only take in small doses, but you always have a good time when you hang out with her. You have to be in the mood for her.

I should have known better. I am too common and loud to fit into Miss Addie's fancy boarding house, and the fragrance is too fancy for me.

 

When I read the scent description of Miss Addie, I had hope: clove, anise, sandalwood...maybe it could warm up the flowers (especially that prissy orchid) enough to let us get along? I had hoped those notes could dirty up the girls of the boarding house, let them let their hair down a little. Let them be a little naughty.

 

Nope. They are way too prim, proper, and well-behaved.

 

In the bottle, it was a little warmer, and the floral notes subdued enough to allow me to try it...but as soon as it hit my skin, all I got out of Miss Addie was orchid. FLOWER NOTE OF DEATH (see also: rose). And it just kept amping until I eventually had to wash it off (after it had already given me a headache)

 

Nope. I am more suited to a cheap hotel than a fancy boardinghouse.

Well, shit! Unfortunately, I LOVE this! Since it is so coveted and hard to find, I was really hoping that the patchouli and the florals would make this a less than stellar fragrances for me. No such luck, and now I have another addition to my "must have"s.

 

In the bottle - Leather and Musk. mmmm.

 

Wet on skin - oh, I smell the spices now! yummy - but a safe distance from foody. cloves, honey, vanilla, pepper combined with sandalwood and the leather completely fades into the background. Like, you are wearing a leather choker, not a leather jacket.

 

Dry - The musk comes back out to play and the pink pepper gives it extra bite - taking it from sexy and comforting to sultry and kinda dangerous. Faith from Buffy/Angel would wear VILF.

 

Between this and Madame Moriarty, I have learned that I do not need to eliminate a fragrance just because patchouli is a component - and that will make me 1) happier and 2) more poor.

 

Now, where can I find a bottle?

This is where imp swapping and selling comes in really handy. I am VERY fragrant sensitive - and a good number of scents do give me headaches (mostly florals like gardenia, magnolia, etc.). A lot of it is trial and error, but use the forum swap and sale threads to get rid of what does not work for you, and find things that might!

 

~ missy ~

 

I really wish I could "like" previous comments...

Anyway, Husband suffers a LOT of sinus issues (which is why he can never smell the differences between my perfumes!). I had my perfume drawer out while he was dealing with some and figured I would try Oof with him. As soon as I opened it, the memory of childhood colds and flus came rushing back, because this is - as many people have indicated - identical to Vick VapoRub without the overtly medicinal edge.

While it does smell like Vicks at first, it does not end up smelling like "sick people." It dried gentler and sweeter and herb-y.
While I would not want this to be an everyday scent for myself, I would be more willing to wear this to clear my sinuses than any other mentholated rub.

I cannot stop sniffing myself.

This is the first BPAL scent that I have applied, re-applied, and completely slathered over myself.

I really should stop, because the bottle will not last long if I keep it up.

 

My mouth *LITERALLY* waters when I wear this. I have never found a strawberry fragrance that has been natural smelling - they have all turned me into Strawberry Shortcake

 

No, this is not dessert. The green (dandelion?) in this makes it smell EXACTLY like picking strawberries in Texas in May. The warmth of the sun, the sweetness of the berries, the green of the strawberry leaves you pluck the berries from, and the bees buzzing around.

I *DO* have a decant of Phoenix in Summer - maybe I will try that!!

It is pouring here in Central Texas right now - sexy thunderstorms!

 

What would the best scent to wear be to really capture that gorgeous wild storm kind feeling?

This is heavenly....OK, maybe not the right world (underworldy?). Fruit smells tend to make me feel like I am wearing a fragrance that is way too "young" for me - but Fruit of Paradise is a mature, berry-like smell that will in no way be confused for a "teeny-bopper" perfume or generic B&B product.

 

I agree with the statement that this smells a little like Crypt Queen without the pepper and florals. I would not have made that connection, but it totally does.

 

I cannot really add anything new that has not been said about Fruit of Paradise, but it is velvet-y and sparkl-y at the same time. Deep and bright red at the same time. Tart and spicy at the same time.

 

This will definitely layer well, as others have said.

 

Good throw, especially for a fruit smell (my skin sucks up sweet smells) - and lasted me all day with no reapplication.

 

For me, this may merit another bottle - it is the perfect winter sexiness.

I grabbed Angeronalia to try in one of my "I need to try my perfumes and have no preference today" kind of moods. I couldn't think of the "perfect Christmas Eve last minute shopping scent, so I figured this was as good as any.

 

And it was, at first. In the bottle and wet on my skin at first, the scent was crisp almost evergreeny with a soft floral background. I could not place the scent and was really confused as to whether I liked it or not?

 

After about a half hour, it morphed into a killer over-floral gardenia. I should have known better - gardenia hates me! I did not look at the notes though, before I put it on. Maybe I thought that the orange and lemongrass would mellow it out. Not a chance. Gardenia = headache, so it was not the scent to wear Christmas Eve shopping afterall.

 

The scent was anything but light on me - it was overwhelming - so much so, I had to change out of my shirt when I got home. And I do not slather my oils - I dab!

 

If you like strong, potent, florals with kick then you will like this. Not for me though

This one made me really nervous at first - partially due to the description (winter flowers? florals hate me). And because of my first whiff (holy sweetness, batman).

 

BUT: this smell is delectable. While at first whiff I thought this was too sugary for me to enjoy all day long (especially since I am usually a musky, smoky, amber kind of gal) it was simply divine.

 

The plum is very strong at first, but on dry down it mellows and becomes well rounded with what I assume is the winter flowers, but they are like no florals I have smelled before (florals and I do NOT get along). This smelled sweet and comforting, but not at all "foodie". Mouthwatering but not too "berry" or "sweet".

 

For being such a light subtle fragrance on dry-down, this had a good amount of stay around time and throw. I kept getting whiffs while working, and it made me just smile because it really is a cheery fragrance, but one that is really suited to the winter. Sparkling almost?

Ophelia smells in the imp, and at first on my skin nice and lightly floral, with the aquatic background blending in nicely with the flowers. It wa so light, it smelled like flower water rather than perfume oil.

After 15 minutes, it became the rose scent of doom - dusty, soapy, old lady rose scent.

 

It was as if the perfume took me from the sad watery depths of Ophelia's tragically beautiful (or beautifully tragic) death to her cheap funeral parlor burial in 15 minutes.

 

I an pretty devastated - Ophelia is one of my absolute favorite of Shakespeare's characters. I am surprised that her scent was not more representative of what flowers she was carrying when she was first going mad:

 

"There's fennel for you, and columbines: there's rue

for you; and here's some for me: we may call it

herb-grace o' Sundays: O you must wear your rue with a difference.

There's a daisy: I would give you

some violets, but they withered all when my father

died: they say he made a good end."

 

All in all, unfortunately for me, Ophelia needs to get herself to a nunnery -

Definitely yellow - my first thought was sunflowers. not sure if that is even accurate - but that is what it evoked in me. It is cheery, happy, sunny and airy. Fresh, but I do not get any "clean" smell. Something is sweet.

 

In the imp - pure yellow flowers with bright green leaves. a field of dandelions and other yellow wildflowers in the dew of the morning.

Wet on skin - there is something sweet in here - melon? honeydew. bright yellow fades to soft yellow/green.

Dry on skin - i swear i smelled snapdragons. i love that smell!

 

Sadly, this smell quickly dissappears on me. Within a half an hour, the smell was completely gone Maybe I will have to put this in some lotion or product to help it stay around longer.

 

I may have to buy some of this for the spring/summer. Another surprisingly great smelling floral on me.

 

8/10

If Antony were a real man - hell, even if a man were wearing Antony (maybe even a woman) I could be persuaded to do some very, very dirty things.

This smell was pure sexy - purely sexy and sexually pure - from beginning to end.

 

In the imp - verdant. outdoorsy and manly. herby with a touch of traditional cologne and clean man sweat. in a good way, really.

Wet on skin - the musk and leather is more evident and the herbs fade. yes, it is does smell like men's cologne. but, the best men's cologne.

dry on skin

the smell stays true to its notes, but mellows and warms. so that it smells like your man has spent the day hunting in the woods, in his flannel and leather, and has come home to rest in front of a fire. you snuggle up against him and just bask in this smell.

 

Conclusion:

I hope I can convince husband to wear this. it is sexy. i think it will have some benefits for him. for me, it may be a bit too masculine to wear in most situations, but i might just put it on when i am staying in the house. either way, i am keeping the imp. while a bottle might not be in the immediate future, i might try to track one down later.

 

general scent: 10/10 - one of the sexiest i have tried

for me?: 6/10 - too masculine for my every day use (and i like gender-neutral/masc. smells)

tested and reviewed 11/14/07

I got this imp in a forum sale, and I was excited because although I detest most floral smells, I have been doing OK with some BPAL florals. Unfortunately, this was not one of them.

 

In the imp - flowers with a light, light touch of cherries as an afterthought.

Wet on skin - flower bouquet of death. Lilies take over and there are no cherries.

Dry on skin - turns into a generic powdery floral blend for me, immediately threatening the "perfume headache"

 

Conclusion

Does not capture the bossiness, silliness and extravagance of the Queen of Hearts. Like others have said, not a "red" scent for me but white, white, white. Pretty smell - too girly, flowery for me to wear, or use.

 

"Off with your head"= to the swaps for you!

2/10

I just put this on, since I am needing to retire to bed and I just got this today, so I figured I would try it.

In the bottle
Whoa. Sharp, bitter herbs. I am scared to put this on - the smell is very strong and not one I like. I get no lemon or lavender.

Wet on skin
Still bitter and biting - rosemary and some potent lavender.

Dry on skin
It does soften after some time, even though I did not think it would. It is not what I would call a pretty scent, yet, by any means. A little pine-like. And, well, it burns a little.

Conclusion:
I guess I will have to tell you in the morning. Let's see if this can unlock the mysteries of my sub/unconcious mind.
ETA: They should really place a warning on this like sleep medications do "Do not use this scent unless you can commit to a full night of sleep" and "Please be prepared with pen and paper to write down bizarre dreams"

Now, I am usually a cynic when it comes to new age-y stuff like aromatherapy and stones and chakras, etc. However, I am turning into a believer and this only further enhanced that belief. I usually sleep 4-5 hours, wake up for an hour, then sleep again for 2 hours. I put this on at midnight. Woke up at 10am with only one interruption @ 5 b/c DD was crying. And I had several vivid, intricate dreams.

This worked so well, I am actually kind of spooked. The cynic in me wants to blame the "psychosomatic" effect. But.....

Tested and reviewed 11/13/07

In bottle

Cherries and licorice. But NOT cherry licorice (like Twizzlers)

 

Wet on skin

Sweet and spicy plum - wierd since that is not a note in the blend.

 

Dry on skin

Sweet fruit smell settles down and softer musk tones come out. The more I smell this the more intoxicating it becomes.

 

Conclusion

The word that comes to my mind is sumptuous. This is a lovely smell, but it is not one that I see myself wearing often. My scents have moods, and mostly I wear them to cheer me up, sex me up, clean me up, or calm me down. But the smell is beautiful - the scent remains a dark red/plum color for me. I may not buy a bottle, but I think I will use the entire imp.

(8/10)

Tested and reviewed on 11/13/07

 

In the bottle

Ripe, green grapes hanging off the vine at night with sparkling dew drops hanging from them.

 

Wet on skin

Peach, pear and sweet pea. Gorgeous and ripe - not too sweet on me.

 

Dry on skin

Lovely. Gorgeous summer scent! Light, airy, bubbly without being a silly little girl smell. I adore it!

 

Conclusion

I will definitely need at least a bottle of this. I want it in lotion, shower gel, and body spray. I want to bath in it - I imagine that if I did, I would be followed by a trail of pixies, spreading glitter everywhere. OK, clearly I need to get some sleep

 

9/10

Tested and reviewed on 11/13/07
I would define this scent as orange - not just the flavor/scent of citrus orange, but it evokes in me a golden orange feeling of summer.

In the bottle
Sweet honey orange amber

Wet on skin
The chamomile comes out to soften the mouthwatering citrus.

Dry on skin
The complexity in this grows, so that I can feel the warmth of the saffron and franckincense. It reminded me of trips to the beach in high school, not the oceans, waves, sand and surf, but the smell of shopping at the beach.

Not being a Leo, and not knowing many, this is still what I think of when I think of Leo. In bottle is a young Leo child, playful and fearless. As the smell grows, and as a Leo grows, they start being more and more complex, but still proud and bold.

Good throw on me, and pretty long lasting. I love it! Almost makes this Scorpio want to be a Leo. Almost. But I might be interested in another bottle.
(9/10)

tested and reviewed 11/12/07

I will heartily admit that I purchased this only because I am a proud Scorpio and indentify with anything having to do with the sign. Including this wonderful, orgasmic blend!

As soon as I opened the bottle, I knew that I would need several bottles of this scent.

In the bottle

Deep, dark velvety resin with a crisp undertone of pine? herbs? Take another whiff - sweet then bitter, but not bittersweet, if that makes any sense.

 

Wet on skin

Smoky - but not in a way that smells like smoke. Hazy blend of warm fragrances with no note dominating, but all blending nicely. Threatens to start smelling like "hippie" with a scent reminiscent of patchouli, which I can barely tolerate, but it subsides and develops into a painfully beautiful kiss of incense.

 

Dry

Deep musky, dark and solemn on my skin. Stunning. This blend has staying power - I can put it on in the morning and smell wafts of it throughout the day. I have to be really careful not to overdo it - a little goes a long way and a lot increases the chances of smelling like a head shop - which is fine if that is what you want.

 

Conclusion

This scent reminds me of everthing that I know about Scorpio personalities:

Intense/Dominant - not at all coy or subtle

Passionate - this is a sexy smell, oozing sensuality - the Scorpio IS ruled by the genitals, you know

Dualistic - either you love it or you hate it (or rather, the Scorpio loves you or hates you) there is little in between

Interested in the Occult - with the hint of incense and smoky resins, you can imagine yourself getting your tarot cards read to you in a dim room by a toothless old woman (OK, so that is not particularly sexy, but definitely mysterious)

Mysterious/secretive - keeps you guessing - what is THAT smell? What is coming next?

 

10/10 for me. I have 2 bottles and definitely want to hoard some more! This scent was so perfect for Scorpio, I am committed to getting each Sun Sign oil - I have a few and love them all so far!

In the bottle

F5 is the definition of clean and crisp smelling. I can't really differentiate any notes - just adjectives come to mind - sunny, breezy, aquatic, crisp sheets and sunlight with french doors open to a sunny overlook of the Pacific Ocean - with clothes drying on the line. Northern California or Oregon in summer.

 

Wet on skin

Smells precisely like Irish Spring without any associated false soapy smell. Like, what a bathroom smells like after someone has taken a long shower using Irish Spring. OR sundried laundry - but not the FAKE bottled detergent smell of fresh linen, etc. but what clothes REALLY smell like after drying on the line in the early summer sun.

 

Dry

Still fresh. I got no musk, mint or aloe and just a touch of green tea. Mostly the verbana and seaspray, with a little lime.

 

Conclusion

While the smell is lovely, I do not think it is one for me. I might break it out when I simply want to smell clean all day long. This would be a great product to use to freshen a room or linens I think.

 

For general usage/likeability of scent: 8/10

For personal usage: 6/10

In the bottle

bubble gum/cotton candy and white wine. actually, it kind of smells like wine cooler.

Bartles & James fruit punch, the kind that you snuck into gatorade bottles, or fruit juice bottles before going to high school football games so nobody would know you and your friends were drinking ( oh, was I the only one that did that ? ) Delicious to smell, and dangerously sweet to drink as a teen, but not appealling as a "grown-up" (whatever that means).

 

Wet on skin

More complex. Sugary smells fades and light apple blossom comes out. Fresh and light smell. I do not get much fruit - surprisingly since it was so strong in bottle and for others.

 

Dry on skin:

Quiet whisper of sweetness. Slight dash of the white pepper. Very light and airy.

 

I love how this smelled on me, even though in the bottle I feared it! Luckily, I bought a half bottle (I love the art on the bottles!) because unfortunately, fades way too fast on me to buy another bottle.

 

Final Grade: B.

Loved the smell, and think my body chemistry interacted well, but it also just soaked it all up. I might try to layer this over a stronger single note, but I do not think I will be in the market for another bottle (although, for the right price/swap, I might consider it)

I am not really sure what Dragon's Blood is supposed to smell like, but in the bottle Dragon's Musk is spicy and fiery, which makes sense.

 

Wet on the skin, it is a bit strong and aggressive for me - a little definitely goes a long way. For some reason, I get an undertone of patchouli, even thought it is not listed as a note in the description.

 

I feel like Dragon's Musk is wafting around me in a warm, fragrant cloud. As it dries down, it softens and the musks become more prominent. I wore this on an evening out and felt like it gave me an air of confidence and sexiness.

 

Not sure if this merits a bottle for me, given the multitude of choices, but I am definitely glad I have an imp to use when I need a little boost in my confidence.