VioletChaos

I have this special tea that I spent far, far too much on, called Milk Oolong. the reason- the whole reason - that I purchased an entire tin of this loose tea, is that the first time I opened the glass jar in the store to smell it, this glorious and surprising and delicious scent wafted out. It indeed smelled like milk, as well as like a good, lightly aged oolong. I knew instantly that this tea would be tasty and magical and so I threw caution to the wind and purchased the 8 ounce tin. This perfume is the equivalent, in scent, in feeling, in essence. I keep sniffing my skin where I placed a drop of this scent, this oil that somehow missed me in spite of my obsessive involvement for nearly 9 years, and I find that every time I bring my hand up to my nose to smell again, it has the uncanny ability to be a surprise each and every time. I'm so glad I finally procured a bottle!

in the bottle: yummy, yummy YUMMY coffe and creamy eggnog! wet on skin: same, with the coffee smelling more and more like those coffee candies we ate as kids! dry down: the cream and spice of last year's eggnog, combined with the subtle, beautiful coffee of Pinched With Four Aces, this is a total winner. in all: i predict this to be one of the most coveted BPAL scents of the year, if not all time! :wub2:

Okay, this is wonderful. I ordered a decant of this on a lark, and I think I'm going to have to get a bottle of my own. The rose and the wine kyphi are combining to make something sweet and juicy and beautiful. It's like if roses made edible berries, this is what that berry juice would smell like! Nomnomnom. I will use this as a skin gloss for sure, as well as in my hair. I only request that it comes back later as a perfume so I can slather it all the time, everywhere! LOVE!

I love these three notes individually. There are three of my favorite notes. And yet... And yet, I can't place exactly why this doesn't seem to be working out for me. The red musk is not doing the Smut-like thing I thought it was going to do. Instead, it seems to be mixing with the saffron to do a startling impression of powdery myrrh. There's, strangely, a little bit of nag champ that seems to be bringing up the rear. No honey anywhere in sight. I'm truly baffled. I'll re-test in a few days- maybe shipping got it all in a tangle, and I hope that's the case. But I admit I don't have much hope for this one. *Sigh*

In the vial, I get a deep, murky velvety red rose. Once massaged into the skin, it stays pretty true. I expected the wine to be a bit more present, but on me it's more like a whisper, which is surprising- usually wine comes on strong with me. But it's a gorgeous, gorgeous rose. I could see using this as a skin gloss- it seems too good to pour into a bath!

I have waited long- too long- and patiently for this. I cannot wait a moment longer. In The Bottle: Boozy. Chocolate. Frosting. Again, I say Wet On Skin: Oh my. Oh my oh my ohmyohmyohmyohmy. Same as above, but somehow warmer. The warmth of the skin is making it bloom into extra chocolate booze deliciousness. Dry Down: Rich chocolate icing loaded onto a sliver of flourless bittersweet chocolate cake, served with a glass of rich, dry wine. In All: There are hardly words, except: Thank the gods I ordered two bottles.

2015 Version But you know, Red Lantern, like beloved Smut, is one of those scents that changes little from year to year. I used to have a 2006 bottle and I (foolishly!) traded it away. I've waited for several years to get it again and, as before, it doesn't disappoint. Red Lantern is rich and sweet without being foodie. It's a heady, decadent scent, perfect for long winter nights in the arms of lovers or as a finishing touch to being wrapped in heavy silk velvet. Red Lantern lasts. It's strong and warm and a little chewy. It's as thick and captivating as ever. SO glad to welcome it back into my collection.

In the Bottle: It's like a coconut spiced chai steamed milk drink. I die. Wet On Skin: The macadamia is coming out to play, adding a buttery aspect to the scent that's just yummy. Dry Down: I get no amber, which is fine with me. All the rest of the notes come into play and it's seriously delicious. In All: Low throw- I might need to slather this next time. It reminds me of the butter-cream-salt quality that Shill has, and I really, truly adore it. This is what I had hoped Mitzvah would be on me, and sadly was not. I may need backup bottles!!!

In the Bottle: Oh. Holy. Moly. There's apricot and vanilla and and and... Wet On Skin: This is just so incredible. It's sweet without being cloying or candy-like and it's got a little nip of spice at the end, which must be the cardamom. It's soft and just sooooo goooood. Dry Down: Vanilla-apricot ice-cream with a tiny dash of white musk. A little odd, but it WORKS. In All: A close-to-the-skin scent, I could see this being worn for sweet seduction early in a courting. SO glad I got a bottle!

This is for the 2015 version. I just re-read my old review, so I'm curious to see how it compares! In The Bottle: I'm getting a LOT of citrus in this year's version, with a little rosemary tossed in almost as an afterthought. Wet On Skin: Wow. This is really pretty. Whereas the version from 3 years ago was herbal and green-y, this is far more fruity. It reminds me a little of a delicious snack I learned about several years ago, which is basically fresh orange slices with olive oil and seat salt sprinkles over the top. The citrus definitely has the strongest presence, but this isn't foodie or childlike. This is a rather adult interpretation. I hope it stays this way! Dry Down: A beautiful, slightly bitter orange, with some depth. I get no violet or anything else. It's not at all like King Mandarin. This is it's own, beautiful thing. In All: Low to medium throw with a strong citrus presence- this is perfect for welcoming the sun back after a long, cold winter!

In The Bottle: Booze-soaked sponge cake and frosting. NOMNOMNOM Wet On Skin: There's something...lemony in here. It's actually reminding me of the italian sponge cake my family used to get on special occasions when I was a kid. I wasn't a fan then (I just wanted Duncan Hines box cakes!) but the smell now is really rather incredible. Dry Down: Strangely, I get no apple from this. Zero. None. But it *does* smell like delicious sponge cake with delicious, ever-so-slightly booze-laced frosting. In All: Very low throw and a hint of holiday spice, this scent is a lovely day-time foodie treat. Glad I have a bottle!

In The Bottle: Holy moly, that's some serious strawberries and cream! Wet On Skin: Oh. Holy. Cheeses. Yes- this is all donuts, all the time. It's really...it's really just...oh man. Dry Down: Yes. This is fried dough and this is homemade, chunky, strawberry jam. And, for only the second time in BPAL personal history, this is *literally* making my mouth water. I am actually drooling a little. In All: Low throw and it's just as well because with a scent this delectable, it's a slather situation to be sure. On a different note, I just want to say that I normally amp sugar notes like CRAZY put the sweet aspect of this beautiful, yummy fragrance is staying put. Hoard-worthy! Stock up!!!

In The Bottle: YUM. I wasn't sure what to expect from the suet note, but having grown up with a bird-watching grandmother, I have plenty of background in the scent, owing to the frequency with which it's mixed with birdseed. Here, in the bottle, there's a smoky/fatty thing going on that adds something singularly rich and delicious to the sweeter, lighter, somehow fruity notes of the rest. Wet On Skin: Yup, still lots o' suet and, though not specifically listed in the notes, there's quite a bit of fruit going on round these parts. Again, there's a lovely balance here, I don't object in the least! Dry Down: Ahhh, *there's* the baked-sweets aspect I was waiting for! Like the Puddins of Trading Post yesteryear, there's a rather specific...'pudding' note that's present in here. I get no custard, sadly, but it's sugary and a bit buttery and, with the mystery fruits and the suet, it's making me incredibly sad that I can't eat my own hand. In All: Low throw, a nice, spicy-sweet food scent, for all the foodie-lovers out there. If you liked the TP's Puddin scents, get this- you won't be disappointed.

Apples and ale stewed with orange and lemon rind, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, maple syrup, and dark rum. I am a long-time fan of BPTP's candles. Back when I was a retailer, I fawned over the display of said candles in my shop all the time- I wanted them all for meeeeeeee! But, because they were so adored by our customers, I selflessly gave them pick of the litter. So, interestingly, this here Mulled Cider is my very first Trading Post candle that I get to have all to myself. Yay! And boy, am I NOT disappointed! As hoped, this candle brings the holiday season right down into a tangible container full of yumminess. Take the best orange pomander you made as a kid, mix with the best spiked hot cider you've had as an adult, et voila! You have seasonal perfection! Sara does a simply incredible job with these candles, which burn cleanly and are super long-lasting. I purchased this one for the specific purpose of having it to scent my home on the Solstice, which is when I'm having my birthday / holiday party this year, but in the interim, I'll leave it out in my living room because it's fragrant enough that it'll impart a mild scent to the air just with it's mere presence. If I get birthday money this year, I know what I'm spending it on- more candles from the Trading Post!

In the Bottle: Gingerbread and leather. Definitely the same gingerbread note as from last's year's Gingerbread Snake. Wet On Skin: Gingerbread, leather and sea salt. I know it's the ocean note from Jolly Rodger, but I think it's the same note that was in Mother Shub's Squamous Sea Salt Caramel Cookies last year as well. Dry Down: Yup, this is a pretty straight-forward scent on me. I get no morphing, no real changes. It's all sweet gingerbread with leather and sea salt. If that sounds like a yummy mix to you, you will not be disappointed. Sadly, for me, I think I'll need to go swap this out...

This is pretty great. I know that some purists will argue, but I'd go so far as to say that this is *better* than the original Silkybat. I know! That seems somehow slanderous! But really, after a time, I felt totally okay about trading my bottle of Silkybat away and I can already tell you, this will NOT go into some random swap pile, no. Perhaps because it's for the hair, the frost note, first of all, stays put, and doesn't amp to the heavens as they do in all perfumes on me. Second of all, there's this beautiful internally between the frost and the sugar with the patchouli that makes some moments almost seem...chocolately. I am strangely reminded, just a bit, go Therry Mugler's perfume Angel. This, too, has that sweet, deep sexiness that that scent has. But Frosty Silkbat is it's own thing, don't get me wrong. Also, although my hair is shorter since the last time I procured a hair gloss, the second I put this on my chemically damaged ends I was reminded that even with shorter hair, it's quite nice to have some gloss around to smooth out all the rough edges. I anticipate this being quite popular.

Oh my groodness, I love this SO. HARD. I am already a huge fan of the Lab's Sugar Plum note, and this is just...wonderful. It's sweet and twee and yes, adorable. I want to dress this scent up in fluffy pink bows, that's how cute it is. And now, the TMI Review: I do this thing that I've been secretly referring to as the "Cat Poop Test", which, as you may have guessed, involves sprayed a scent near a freshly pooped litter box. (I use sprays to manage those odors pretty regularly, actually) and so I took tis opportunity to test out Sugar Plum and Vanilla Bean. And behold! Like magic, the poop smell has VANISHED! Huzzah! So, not only delicious and cute and cuddly, but a serious defense against certain varieties of chemical warfare

In The Bottle: I'm reminded heavily of the sweet juniper note in 21 when I put the bottle up to my nose. Nothing but juniper. It's very holiday-like, don't get me wrong. Just not what I was expecting the 'frost' note would be like. Wet On Skin: I'm still getting nothing but the snow note at this wet stage. I like it, but I hope to see the vanilla and sandalwood soon... Dry Down: Oh, you pesky water and ozone notes. I thought for sure it would be held in check by greater forces but...nope. There is nothing but frost on me. Forever and ever. If the Lab decides to do a vanilla-sandalwood scent on their own, I will be very, very happy. But with my skin chemistry, those more subtle notes simply can't fight their way through the total amping of frost. Sigh. Off to swaps you go...

In The Bottle: Yummy hazelnut softened by some vanilla. (In the bottle there's something reminiscent of Banshee Beat. The warm sweetness, I'd guess.) Wet On Skin: The sandalwood immediately begins to take this scent out of the realm of foody and into something more musk-and-wood oriented. Still warm and sweet, but the 'food' vibe I got from the bottle is already gone. Dry Down: The myrrh has done it's annoying powder-thing on me, which makes me a not-happy camper. I am having an extremely vague memory of trying this many years ago and having the same thing happen. *However* that was before I know about the importance of aging resins, and there's enough good in this bottle, with enough promise, that I'm completely willing to age this puppy for 6 months to a year, as that's usually what's required for myrrh to play nice with me In All: Medium to high throw- use sparingly!- with little morph once dry. A promising array of notes keeps me anticipating what will happen when this ages.

I haven't gotten a Lunacy scent in quite a while, but the notes in this sounded too hard to stay away! In The Bottle: I get vanilla-honey-almond-rose all in a rush. It's sweet, light and very "pink". Wet On Skin: The tangerine and rose are doing something kind of ghastly at this stage, one pretending to be floor cleaner, the other insisting on becoming nail polish remover. I hope this stops right away! Dry Down: Hmmm. That mugwort-and-musk combo might be the culprit behind the above cleaner/acetone mashup on my skin. But the longer it sits, the more the unpleasantness seems to move away, leaving behind a rosewater/almond combo that reminds me of Victorian Rose Milk. In All: Medium to High throw- go easy in application with this, and expect changes. I don't know that this scent is 'me', but I'll hold onto it, at least to test another few times before I toss in the towel.

In The Bottle: This is a first- a scent that morphs just while I'm *sniffing* it in the bottle. First I got the black licorice thing for a few seconds. Then I keep sniffing and something sweet and vaguely fruity emerged. Then it changed AGAIN and became creamy and dusty (the vanilla and incense?). Wet On Skin: The black tea is prevalent now. I recognize this tea note as the one from Time's Infliction Of Eternity. Dry Down: The tea is still the dominant note, but it's lost it's acrid edge, which is great. It's also gained a lemon-y aspect so that, yes, this smells something like tea with lemon. I'm bewildered as to where all those other notes went, though! In All: Low throw. I'm truly perplexed. Those other notes are hiding in there somewhere. I'll let this age and re-test later. I won't object to a "black tea single note". However, given the amazing note-list for this scent, I have to say I'll be more than a bit disappointed if those other elements don't eventually come out to play.

In The Bottle: I get almost nothing but tobacco, with some of the honeyed black currant adding a little top note to the proceedings. Wet On Skin: Things start to shift here. This 'dark, sweet' musk has actually barreled over the tobacco (virtually unheard of with my skin chemistry!) and made a little nest with that black currant note. The tobacco is now in a grounding, supportive role. It's different than what I'm used to, though I don't object in the least. Dry Down: The tobacco has stepped back to the forefront, bringing a warm, caramel quality with it and melding with the musk. I get none of the patchouli or currant now. In All: Medium throw and there's potential with this scent. Because of the richness of the notes, it's one of those scents that I think (for me, at least) needs to age a bit before the spark really happens. So I'm going to hold on to my bottle, and retest in a month or two. I anticipate it being worth the wait.

In The Bottle: How to explain such a strange experience? For upon opening the bottle, I got, inexplicably, a nose full of fruity scent, yet without the fruit. I can only assume that's the pink pepper working it's magic. Wet On Skin: The scent has morphed, pretty dramatically. Honestly, at this wet stage, I'm a little worried, because mostly it's smelling like nail polish remover on me Dry Down: Morphed again! Whew! And not a moment too soon, for this has become something rather beautiful. The oudh and the saffron have joined with a drop of labdanum to create a sweet, resin-y bit of gloriousness. Many years ago, there was a little mystical shop that carried the most wonderful traditional Kyphi incense and it had actual raisins in it (which made me want to eat it!) and other sweet, heady bits- and that's what Some Strangeness In The Proportion reminds me of. There's an incense-y feel to this, and it's sacred, but not in such a manner that it feels like I need to only wear this on rare occasion. On the contrary, I anticipate wearing this all the time, everywhere. In All: Low throw and just exquisite, I anticipate this scent achieving the kind of greatness in aging generally reserved for something like Snake Charmer.

In The Bottle: It's rather strong, just from first sniff. My initial impression is one of BPALs passed: A mash-up of Crypt Queen and Mme Moriarty with some Haitian Vetiver tossed in for good measure. (This is somewhat typical for me, when a scent has a number of notes. The first impression winds up being something of a cacophony of impressions. It'll sort out, I'm sure.) Wet On Skin: The sorting has begun. As the scent warms up on me, the vetiver mellows considerably and the plum and lily both make their presence a bit more obvious from their companions. Dry Down: This has become what I had so wished Crypt Queen would be on me. It's basically taken the best part of CQ - the Plum and the Patchouli- and mingled them with resins to ground them and musks to sweeten them and created a stunning all-winter scent. Yes! In All: Surprisingly low throw for such a heady scent. Still, I wouldn't slather until you see how it mixes their your own chemistry. Given the abundance of low-base notes in here, I'd say this is likely to age *very* well. I anticipate having this in heavy rotation throughout the winter, especially when I'm feeling all broody, like tromping around in the cold, grey world whilst listening to The Cure. Stern Passion shall be a perfect companion for such an outing, I feel certain.

In The Bottle: The sweet dustiness of the ambergris and sandalwood in combination give an immediate early association with Tombstone for me, with the vanilla cream and patchouli mixing together for what I agree someone else in this thread called a "chewy" patch. It's almost got a fudge-like quality- though not in a foodie way. Wet On Skin: Initially the sandalwood/ambergris dominated making it just seem like Tombstone v2. However, after about 90 seconds, it really starts to bloom and the benzoin comes out to play. There's a surprising warmth to this scent. I knew there'd be sweet resin involved but this "feels" really warm to me. Dry Down: There's a way this scent keeps trying to fight for it's right to go powdery on my skin (immortelle, is that you?) but is held in place by the surrounding notes. I get no tobacco from this, which feel miraculous, as normally I amp that note to the heavens. In All: Medium throw, though subtle- it can waft, but is more of a 'skin' scent, so resist the urge to slather, as you won't be doing yourself any favors. There are certain scents that for me are nearly the same as putting on a big comfy sweater and drinking a giant mug of tea while reading a good book. (Hod is one of those, for point of reference). This, too is such a scent. I think that given the notes, some real aging is required (patchouli, I'm looking at you.) But I feel strongly that give this a year and it'll be a covetable thing indeed.