donnatron

Imp: Mild, pleasant peach with some florals and a touch of that blindspot scent that seems to hit me with amber--I know there's a scent there, I just can't smell it. Wet: Huh. Peachy. Quite peachy. It's one of the strongest peaches I've tried in BPAL that doesn't go ungodly sweet on me. Faint, faint, FAINT hint of vetiver. Like I was wearing vetiver yesterday and put this over top. Dry: When I put this on, I could smell a strange, familiar scent sort of wafting around. Then I realized it was shampoo. Then I realized I wasn't alone: Not just me! Up close I can smell the sweet peach and a touch of floral over a remarkably behaving amber. The throw? Entirely shampoo. Throw: Remarkably strong. Overall: I buy unscented shampoo and conditioner because I don't want to smell like shampoo and conditioner. So I'm not exactly into a perfume that makes me smell like shampoo. It's pretty, just not my style.

Imp: Strong pine. Reminds me a lot of how my 4+ year old Thanatopsis smells right now. Wet: On right away this is glorious. Musky and pine and a touch of vetiver. Warm and fuzzy yet a little dangerous. Dry: This dries down to... well, Thanatopsis. The two could be dead ringers for each other. However, this smells like heavily aged Thanatopsis so this is a bonus because this imp is probably under a year old. But it is a true musk/pine scent. A little refreshing and chilly but ultimately quite cozy. It's a little sexy in an assassin posing as a ski bunny sort of way. Throw: Quite mild, actually. Overall: This is nice. I don't need a bottle right now but may when I finish my Thanatopsis. Quite lovely and surprisingly tame considering the ingredients.

Imp: Vetiver, almonds and a bit of rum. Wet: Uh... carrot peelings? Yeah, carrot peelings. Weird. And a bit of vetiver. Almond goes on strong then burns off. Dry: Ugh. Vetiver and carrot peelings. Touch of honey sweetness. It's... odd. Carroty. Weird. Like making dinner while wearing single note vetiver. Not really having a good time here. Throw: Moderate. Overall: I don't mind the smell of carrots but don't want to smell like them. Interesting chemistry experience.

Imp: Definitely dragon's blood and a secondary scent that is sort of creamy and floral. Touch of musk. Wet: Straight up dragon's blood. A secondary creamy floral--might be gardenia? Also think I smell a hint of civet but I just assume that civet is in every Voodoo oil. Dry: This isn't particularly complex. Lots and lots of dragon's blood. Maybe a bit of lilac on top of the dragon's blood--smells like blue lilac, maybe? This is very sweet and alluring. A warm, late summer skin close sort of scent. It very effectively reminds me of the heat and culture and humidity of New Orleans. Very sexy and a little dangerous. Throw: Mild. Overall: I don't even care if this doesn't work from an intent standpoint. It's gorgeous.

Imp: Dark patchouli and cinnamon. Wet: A little syrupy. I think there's some red musk hidden in here. Definitely reminds me a LOT of Lust. Dry: Dark, dirty patchouli, a touch of cinnamon, a bit of warm amber and just a touch of red musk. It's incredibly sexy but I think falls a little short in my book because it's so similar to Lust and Bloodlust, two scents I already have 5 mls of. It's very pretty but just one of those fleeting "Another place, another time" sort of blends. Definitely in that dark, resinous Lust/Bloodlust/Vixen sort of vein of scents. Throw: Strong. Overall: Sin sits on my skin for a long time before it dries down. It's kind of a here nor there thing but it took a really, really long time to dry down. At least it's a lovely scent from wet phase to dry down and doesn't morph a lot. Had I tried it earlier I'd probably be gaga for it but as it is I have enough scents in this category to keep me smelling like a smutty headshop for a good long while. Maybe if I feel like changing it up after my next bottle of Lust.

Imp: Myrrh over a bit of jasmine. Wet: The rose comes out and sort of pushes out the jasmine for awhile. This reminds me A LOT of The Obsidian Widow. Just a bit more reserved and definitely more elegant (I love The Obsidian Widow but there's definitely something a little rough around the edges there). Dry: This is lovely. It's predominantly jasmine with a hint of rose and warm myrrh. It smells ungodly expensive and very classical. A close, skin warm sort of floral made very sensual by the jasmine. This is more of a nighttime/elegant night on the town sort of scent but you could probably pull it off in an office with the right kind of dress code. Throw: Surprisingly moderate. Overall: God that's good. I can't believe it's taken me so long to review this. It's a gorgeous, dark, womanly floral and I will definitely be thinking about a 5 ml. Really, really lovely blend.

Imp: Camphor. Freakin' cypress. Wet: This goes on predominantly cypress with something that smells a little like dark musk. Dry: Cleaning fluid. I don't have much to say about this one--you'd think by now I'd be prepared for this because I know I am not a cypress fan (okay, I wasn't prepared because in my head this was Dance of Death and I was mostly hella confused). The longer it dries down the more the cypress dies down but none of the notes are really interesting on my skin. Eventually it fades to a faint frankincense note. A touch sweet--could be the hazelnut. Throw: Average. Overall: I'm not a fan but I'm glad to have tried it. This is probably great on someone who can wear cypress--it might also be a nice home fragrance during the fall and winter months.

Imp: Even if I didn't already know the ingredients for Van Van I would know that thar be vetiver and lemongrass here. They are pretty strong and I get a faint citronella-like scent. Wet: Vetiver. Same vetiver as in Queen. Sort of a dry, grassy, golden sort of vetiver. Also lemongrass and a general golden, grassy feel. Strong. Dry: As a scent, I don't think I like it. It dries down to pretty much a single note grassy vetiver. There's a hint of smoke in here too so it's too uncomfortably like fall grass fires. Also a bit like... unwashed skin. Just when you get all up close and personal but there is definitely a funky element to this. It's a shame because Van Van is like the Get out of Jail Free card of Voodoo oils. Throw: Uncomfortably strong. Overall: I can deal with stinking something fierce if it works.

THIS! Oneiroi gives me such bizarre and crazy dreams that I got a 5 ml just for the sheer madness packed within this potent little oil. Bottle: Jasmine, lavender and a bit of sandalwood. Wet: This is a really, really potent oil. I don't know if the Somnium blends are more potent than the rest of the GC (excluding the Panaceas) but all my Somnium blends are really, super strong. In the wet phase I get a bit of sharp bergamot along with the jasmine and lavender. The sandalwood is there but a little overpowered. Dry: Some of the sandalwood peeks out again and the whole thing settles into a very pretty lavender/jasmine with sandalwood. It reminds me a lot of Twilight. It's also very relaxing. It's a great scent for sleeping but it's also nice ot just put on at the end of a rough day and just luxuriate in the calming scent. I bet it would be a great massage oil or pre-bedtime lotion. There's a dark, slightly herbal quality that I can cross-reference from Blue Moon which is probably the mugwort. It's a bit feral but overall it's a pretty, if potent, scent. Throw: Strong. Overall: The fact that this smells nice is just a great bonus. The thing that makes this scent so amazing is the wingnut dreams it gives me. Buying slurpies because they come with a free pack of Tarot cards! Super jumping powers that allow me to jump kilometres at a time! Trying to escape a diabolical mansion with my business partner who then turns into Matthew Grey Gubler! My subconscious brain is Oneiroi's playground and it makes for hilarity/insanity.

Maybe layered with Doc Constantine from the Carnaval? It's got that smoky/sweaty/crazy thing going on. You could also try something with a metal or blood note. Blood Moon (05 or 08) would be good?

There are a lot of great vanillas in the BPAL catalogue. From the GC you might want to try: Tombstone Wanderlust vanilla, balsam and sassafras layered over Virginia cedar. This is a luscious, thick vanilla and sassafras over a touch of grounding wood notes. It has a rootbeer-y quality. Defututa Ars Amatoria Olive blossom, honey, smoky vanilla, cinnamon, jasmine, sandalwood, and champaca flower. A sticky smoky vanilla/honey scent with cinnamon. Other than the champaca I don't smell a lot of floral in this. O Ars Amatoria Amber and honey with a touch of vanilla. Depending on how much you amp each of the components this is a very sweet vanilla honey grounded by the amber. It's a favourite around the forums. Belle Vinu Marchen Red sandalwood, vanilla, rosewood, osmanthus, and white peach. I get a really true vanilla from this one--it reminds me of the vanilla in Snake Charmer, a popular limited edition around here. Velvet Bewitching Brews sandalwood warmed by cocoa vanilla and a veil of deep myrrh. Soft chocolate and vanilla. The myrrh and sandalwood are really supporting elements, not the stars of the show. Eclipse Bewitching Brews bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense and heliotrope, with a drop of cinnamon. This may be closest to your candle--a sort of foody/cream/spicy vanilla. Good luck finding blends! My advice is to try something completely out of your comfort zone (a resin or a light floral or citrus or something) and you might be surprised at what your chemistry makes sing.

Bottle: THAT honey. There is one honey accord that I just cannot stand the scent of in the bottle. Depending on its companions it sometimes works on my skin, sometimes not. There is also myrtle here. Distinct, green myrtle. Wet: The wet phase of this is weird. There's something here--maybe a blood musk?--that makes this smell like... well, the coroner's office. The florals and the amber are there, not exactly awesome, but present. This is actually truly unfortunate on the drydown. Dry: The drydown is worth it. A sweet, honeyed myrtle and rose drift over a touch of smoky tobacco and patchouli with a bit of a blood musk tinge. It's very faint and fades quickly but is worth it while it's dry. Throw: Minimal. Overall: It's too bad the drydown is so repulsive. I'd be slathering this like crazy all day long to sustain the short but beautiful dry phase.

Lady Una reminds me a lot of Freak Show--it's the honey musk. Maybe layered with Velvet?

Bottle: Weird. I can't really distinguish any of the notes beyond the sandalwood but I would say that this is a grey scent. Wet: Very soapy and almost stinging to the nose. Not gentle. Sharp. Extraordinarily sharp. But I can also smell something very lovely in this. It's overwhelmingly orris and sandalwood with a touch of tobacco dustiness. Dry: This is awesome. Silvery rather than grey. The musks warm to my skin and lend this a soft, crystaline sort of base. This feels very cold and still to me. A little sweet, probably from the stephanotis and then a touch of powdery violet scent from the orris and a sandalwood/tobacco blend from the nicotiana. Very light and clean but a little brooding and sensual. Throw: Average. Overall: This is really lovely. It's sexy and a little sensual without being work inappropriate and well rounded. Amazing.

Dragon's Hide. Leather, smoke, dragon's blood. It is drop dead sexy and definitely in that smoky/gritty/vetivier-y range of scents. Absolutely glorious.

You'd probably want to be reaching more for the florals and light musks because they're more traditional and sort of give that classic "if it ain't broke why fix it" aura. Besides which most of the truly top line perfumes (Joy, Creed, etc...) are floral musks. So some suggestions: Twilight Ars Moriendi Lavender and jasmine, with a touch of glowing honeysuckle. This is my go to scent for when I want to smell professional and unattainable. The drydown reminds me a lot of Joy despite the lack of rose. Wicked Diabolus rich myrrh and jasmine draped in the subtlest rose. A lot of classic women's perfume ingredients. It's a very elegant scent but not warm and cosy. Definitely an edge there. If you can't do jasmine, Pride from Sin and Salvation (rose and narcissus) might also work. Lilith Excolo Red wine, myrrh, black musk, and attar of rose. This is the sort of scent you'd wear if you were an assassin. Very exotic and unusual but also sort of classic in a way. The Obsidian Widow Steamworks Pinot noir, dark myrrh, red sandalwood, black patchouli, night-blooming jasmine, and attar of rose. This one reminds me a lot of Lilith but is a little drier and more reserved. Like a grown up Lilith. Morgause Bewitching Brews five night-blooming flowers deepened by dusky violet, purple fruits and the barest breath of medieval incenses. Despite the incense note this is just downright haughty. Veil Bewitching Brews White sandalwood, lilac, gardenia, violet, orris, lavender and ylang ylang. This is a beautiful blend. It's a soft, slightly powdery icy blue sort of scent. It smells expensive.

Because I'm a creepy mofo thorough researcher I looked at your bottle list. I & D Crawdad Dream is a great choice as would be Cheshire Moon (crazy, cakey fruit!) or Lunar Eclipse (I love this scent but it is definitely kind of insane). You could also try Worm Moon because it also has that sort of classic/crazy Of Montreal vibe. Either way, enjoy the concert! Of Montreal is awesome even if they have one of the most awkward band names for when people ask what sort of music you like.

Imp: Lavender and a mystery scent that I never would have identified as anise without the assistance of y'all. There's another sharp, herbal scent in here. I wonder if it might be valerian? There's something kind of unpleasant about this blend and valerian is pretty rank but effective. Wet: Strong lavender and something mentholated. Eucalyptus or a mild sort of mint. Dry: Zonks. I put this on with a batch of test imps just to see how they smelled and I've been nodding off at the computer. This might have something to do with the fact I haven't been getting enough sleep for the last few weeks but this just came out of the blue. Will have to do a full test tonight to see. The scent isn't great--strong lavender with that unpleasant herbal edge but if it knocks me out properly, I'll suffer through it. Throw: Strong. Overall: I think this is a terrible perfume oil but an excellent aromatherapy oil. Will use up the imp.

Imp: Red musk and strawberry with a hint of the dirty feet smell of grapefruit. Wet: The grapefruit burns off really quickly leaving me with a gummy strawberry and red musk scent. In the wet phase it smells more like the fruit rather than the leaf. Similar to Hollywood Babylon but without the plastic-y note I sometimes get from HB. Dry: The strawberry leaf comes out more and adds a gentle herbal quality to this. It's a bit sharp and adds an interesting edge to an otherwise average red musk/fruit scent. Almost a touch dirty. Throw: Moderate. Overall: I don't overly like red musk/fruit blends. As in I like them but already have the Lampades and don't really need to collect them all. Will ruminate on this one as I age it and see how I feel later on.

Imp: Sandalwood and frankincense. I'm actually not a fan of sandalwood. It's a take it or leave it sort of thing. Wet: This is like, "WHOA! FRANKINCENSE!" There's a good long frankincense drydown with a little bit of the patchouli and sandalwood in the background. It reminds me strongly of Faustus. Dry: Sandalwood and frankincense. It's a relatively simple blend, very dry and not sweet at all. It's a handsome scent. I don't find it feminine or soft at all. It's alluring and there's something sexy about it, but it's definitely something more suited to the descriptor "handsome" rather than "pretty." The longer it sits on my skin and has a chance to really mingle with my chemistry, the better it smells. It seems to sit on top of the skin for a very long time before melding into a skin close sort of scent. Throw: Strong. Overall: I like this. It projects a certain sort of dragon lady image and it's a simple, interesting scent. It's so similar to Faustus, however, that I simply can't justify a bottle.

Imp: Light, clean florals. Orchid dominates with a very faint hint of vetiver. It's a suggestion of vetiver it's so faint. Wet: Bright florals and a slightly dusky orchid. It's really a floral explosion. Very sweet and clean--reminds me a little of The Isle of Demons without the violet edge. Dry: Well, to start with it's a really incredibly light and skin close sort of scent. And then... it kind of has a hint of BO in it. I don't know which ingredient is causing it but there is something that definitely smells like unwashed skin here. And it's covered by floral perfume. It's not totally icky but it's not working wonders with my chemistry. Overall: I like to shower and don't want to project the image that I do otherwise. I think I'll pass on this one.

Imp: Light citrus with a hint of creaminess to it. Slightly metallic smell. Wet: This goes on super faint. It's mainly citrus and tea on me--sort of like an urbane Embalming Fluid. It hits my skin and nearly disappears. Dry: A light hint of orchid with citrus and tea. No leather or wood. Despite the faintness and the lack of complexity this seems to have fairly decent wearlength. The more I smell it the more I'm like, "I bet Tom Hanks smelled like this when he filmed Bonfire of the Vanities!" Why? I don't know. That's the association I get and it's probably largely influenced by the name. It does evoke urban elegance and there's a certain androgynous edge to it. Throw: Mild. Overall: I actually really like this. I might consider a bottle for next summer. It's refreshing and cooling with a bit more of an edge than I get from a lot of the lighter citrus scents.

I would say Ozymandius or Sunbird. Dry, resinous, desert scents with a bit of sex appeal. The Ifrit might work as well.

Bottle: Almost sour milky iris and a hint of vanilla. Wet: Peppery red musk and a hint of floral, rosy sweetness. Dry: Red musk warmed with vanilla with rose floating over top. I get a hint of that sharper, greener scent from the iris and then a bit of bloody spice (bloody spice as in it kind of smells literally like blood) from the clove. A really interesting and odd scent. It's gorgeous, sensual and highly feminine, but also a little threatening. I wouldn't wear this on a first date because it kind of seems like I'm going to take him home and ether him or something. It really walks the line between sensual and threatening. Throw: Skin close. Overall: I really like this. I kind of enjoy smelling like something you should be scared of and this has two, weird levels to it. There's a sweet, sexy side and then just a kick ass and take names sort of element. Exactly what I like.

That would be O. I've heard that said of a lot of the honey blends--I think Sed Non Satiata is another common culprit. ETA: Jinx, Apple!