ViolentKitten

Ochosi does share some of the lovely shea that Obatala has, but the herbs and an overriding fruitiness mostly covers it. It’s really strong and unexpectedly fruity sweet first on, and kinds of gets stuck in my throat. I can’t really pick the fruit or the herbs, except to say that the fruits have the barest tropical feel and the herbs are really soft, and not spicy or woody. The shea comes out a little more on the dry-down, and the fruity herbalness fades a little into the background. I prefer this stage, which is also a little aquatic and the watery aspect reminds me just a touch of Ulalume, but without the dirt and with creaminess. Final dry-down though, has a slight plasticky aspect. I agree with the some of the other reviewers that Ochosi is like/would be good as, a shampoo. Overall, it is nice, but doesn’t thrill me, and for the shea scent, Obatala with its coconut meat is the one for me.

I am dumbfounded by the deliciousness of Eat Me. It’s a most tasty treat, which I found myself ordering a 5ml of a week after trying it. I usually dither much longer, even when I love something, but something about this just grabbed me. The first time I tried it I was a little ho hum, it just seemed a general sweetness…but the second time, all the notes just went, “pow”! In the imp, I could smell fruity cupcakes, which was nice, but once on, mouthwatering goodness: rich vanilla cake, but in a dry, sweet way, with ultra tart and ripe currants, that have a touch of musk about them. It’s one of the truest vanilla cake scents I’ve smelt, albeit with a very healthy dose of currants! And the sillage is wonderful. I was walking about the office the day I first tried it, and I kept catching it, floating about me, the most gorgeous curranty vanilla: gourmand and very sweet, but it didn’t overwhelm me. Wonderful!

Oh…this is very good. When I first read the description for Obatala, I knew I had to try it. I’ve been searching for a lighter coconut scent and hoped that this would be the one. The “cool, refreshing water” note especially got me, water that I hoped would be captured by a feel of pureness and freshness and lightness, and I imagined a cool, trickling stream of water, somewhere on a remote, tropical island…and yes! Obatala has that note, the most beautiful fresh, watery note I’ve smelt, it really does smell of coconut meat, shea butter and water, like a stream of coconut water, clear and pure. I sometimes also get the barest hint of toffee and suntan oil, but it’s all very, very light. The coconut does go a little darker on the dry-down, but still, Obatala is just beautiful, so much so I had to order a 5ml, which I can’t wait to wear in the summer-time!

CDLXXXIII (483) Thought it was about time I reviewed the first Chaos Theory I ever tried: my Chaos Theory II: The Butterfly Effect, since I’ve had it just over a year now...! It’s just as lovely today as the day I received it, though when I first smelt it, I was a little put off as as I’d never smelt a perfume combination quite like it before and it smelt a hell of a lot like a something you’d clear your nose with if you had a cold! Not like what I’d associate with perfume at all. But after wearing it a few times I discovered it was quite refreshing, and beautiful in warmer and cooler weather. It took me a while to work out what might be in it, but it seems to be a mix of tea tree oil and/or eucalyptus, maybe rose geranium (just a hint of roseyness), and a big, gorgeous drop of Beth’s lovely lavender. These notes make it feel very fresh and herbal. As it dries down, a touch fruitiness comes out (which the man noted when he sniffed it), like a tropical fruit without being overly tropical, and a musk, that feels light pink, it might be white musk. All in all, this is uniquely light and refreshing mix of notes, a mix that I would never have imagined working on me, but it does!

There’s not much I can say about this one except that it got me hot and bothered. Very much so. Ok, I’ll try a bit harder, Salomé is an earthy jasmine incense with a hint of cherry almond. Lush and rich, the almond, oakmoss and jasmine make it feel all warm and loamy. And there’s something spicy, like very soft cinnamon bark and clove, but I’m not sure. Either way, it all amounts to very warm, spicy skin, which really tickles my fancy. After a half hour or so, a gorgeous musk starts to emerge, making it even tastier. Despite the reaction I had to this, I don’t find myself wearing it all that often, but I love my Imp and definitely pull it out for a little wearing from time to time.

Smelling from the Imp, I felt the whoosh of a strong sea breeze, salt in the air, white foamy waves…this is ultra fresh, sea spray for sure! On: Whoa! I don’t need much, just a very wee dab. This is a very clean pirate. Mr Roger took a bath with a very strong, harsh soap, splashed on a little warm and spicy Bay Rum aftershave, and now he’s standing outside on the creaky wooden deck in his salt encrusted leather boots. The spray, leather, Bay Rum, salt and dry woods…I can smell them all. But don’t get too close to Mr Roger, he couldn’t get completely clean. All these notes combine after being on for 15 or so minutes into a scent that’s incredibly strong and just a little repulsive on me, it no longer smells fresh clean, but not dirty either, just kind of a masked clean with an odd rounded note…nup, I can’t do this one.

Mmmmm, caramel and rum. Tasty. On: Niiiiiice, but strong. It’s like sandalwood on a high, I think that’s the saffron adding its spice. A little creamy vanilla underneath. And oh yeah, much buttered rum – there’s a strong whiff of alcohol there, and it’s a lil’ sharp for a while. But overall, I think at the beginning, the sillage must be caramel to others, as my girlfriend came over and said, “Mmmmm, caramel…Oooh…caramel!!!” I guess that’s a good sign! As it dries down, it goes into a sort of woody caramel. It reminds me a bit of Dragonfly Blue Golden Oak’s sweet maple woodiness, but still with the saffron and sharp alcoholic tinge around the edges. It also reminds me of freshly perfumed underwear in wooden drawers! That boozy feel reminds me just a touch of the boozy twang in Smut, but it’s not really like Smut, which is more aggressive on me. I’m not in love with Underpants at this point, but I’m definitely liking it. After a couple of hours, it’s softened most beautifully! Hmmm, this is the business! I keep catching hints of it about me. Boy, this stuff lasts a long time. From noon to late evening. PS: This is wonderful in a locket. It doesn’t go through the woody stage like it does on my skin. I think I like both versions, but in the locket, it’s all sexy, spicy vanilla sandalwood with a boozy rush. I may not have found this out if I didn’t have to use a tissue to mop up what I couldn’t save after my horrible spill of almost half the bottle. Also discovered it’s nice in my hair too, so maybe the spill brought about a couple of good things. Heh.

First sniff from the bottle: I am overwhelmed by cassia. There’s a hint of coconut cake, but it’s hard to sniff around that cassia. On, with just a tiny dot on my hand: Cassia…Cassia…Cassia! I can smell vanilla cake crumbs round the edges, but mostly the cassia, all over the place - soft, spicy, rounded cinnamon – it’s even covering the coconut. The vanilla cake is just there, but buried underneath. More cake comes out the longer it wears, and barest of barest hint of coconut shavings. This is the foodiest cassia I’ve smelt so far and it is really good, though I don’t think it is one I’d wear often. Hmmm, different days, different reactions… The second sniff: I can smell a caramel coconut biscuit! And on: Light vanilla and coconut cake soaked in a cassia and caramel sauce. I still get that biscuity feel too, I guess that’s the cocoa. And there’s even a little sugar sprinkled on top. The cassia is definitely still there but doesn’t seem so strong now. And the sillage is wonderful! There’s a delicious cloud of yum around me. Towards the end, it’s still cassia, plus vanilla and caramel, and the coconut’s gone a touch like toasted coconut, but it doesn’t become overly coconutty. Goody. PS: I was nervous about trying Underbed on, the allergy factor could be high as the cassia seems to be a similar strength to that in Red Phoenix and RP broke me out in rather unattractive red welts. Funnily enough, not the first time I used it, but the third time. With Underbed, I’ve had just a pale hint of redness, but no burning redness like with RP. I’m still wary though…glad I’ve got my scent locket if I need it!

In the bottle: Blueberry cheesecake! On: More blueberry cheesecake!! but with a little sharpness from the bourbon. Closet is a mix of blueberries and blackberries to my nose: the sweet blueberries that burst in your mouth and the tart blackberries I used to pick and eat till my fingers turned red as a kid. Oh boy, do I feel like some cheesecake right now. The bourbon stays sharp for a wee while, but soon fades a little and suddenly I can smell blueberry muffins with cream cheese and maybe a hint of crumbly chocolate cake. Closet is really, really yummy. It’s foody for sure, but not sickly sweet. This is a giggly and fun scent. Me wants some cake!

A heady, musky floral perfume, a spark of champagne and a little cigarette smoke mingling with hairspray…I can’t believe how spot on Stardust is! It was a bit too heady when I first tried it, but after having it for a few months, I found myself reaching for it again. I only need a touch, as this mix of florals spells BIG! And mixed with hairspray…whoa! But they do soften quickly, soothed by a gentle sparkle of champagne, white musk, white sandalwood and a touch of dry tobacco. These notes are the star players now. I imagine my older sisters scented just like this in the late 70’s…at the height of a big night out on the town. While I’m at home tucked up in bed cuddling the dog, they’re discoing the night away to Michael Jackson, The Bay City Rollers, Sister Sledge and CHIC Le Freak. What a night.

I’ve tried Euterpe about ten times since I got it back in January and from the first time to the tenth, I’m craving Butter Chicken. Why? Because it smells like Butter Chicken. The man thinks I’m mad, all he smells is a nice floral. And to be truthful - and grateful - there are no chicken, garlic or onion notes, but overall, Euterpe smells like that beautifully rich and fragrant BC sauce. There are all sorts of recipes for this tasty dish, but the one I’m smelling, is like the ones I’ve eaten: tangy tomato, cream and/or yoghurt, butter, lemon juice, spices, like garam masala, ground ginger and maybe some others. Completely bizarre. Even more bizarre, is that I kinda like it! It might not be one I’ll wear often, as it’s quite strong and can make me a lil’ sneezy. But I like that zing. The floral aroma is different from others I’ve sniffed. The combination of carnation, white poppy, honeysuckle and iris, creates an unusual tanginess which I think, mixed with the zesty lemon creates that BC. As it starts to soften, it smells a little less like BC and more like the creamy, zippy yoghurt drink, lassi, or if I can move myself away from the food theme, a creamy, piquant floral with a lovely musky background, which is a stronger smelling white musk than I’ve smelt before.

Oh, heavens! This is the most beautiful soft leather! It’s the smoothest, most seductive suede and the softest and finest leather, which has been permeated by a musky carnation and lavender perfume over the years. The sage, carnation, lavender and musk meld into the leather so perfectly. The vanilla adds the barest of a sweet note. The cedar isn’t making itself obvious like it has in some other scents for me. The leather is predominant. As time goes on, it just gets more and more beautiful, the other notes in the background, pushing the leather up and out. This is a captivating, yet comforting leather. One that smells wonderful on me, but would also be amazing to nuzzle into on the man. To me, it’s a combination of the exquisite leather and musk notes from Serge Lutens’ Chergui, Cuir Mauresque, a touch of Penhaligons’ Endymion Cologne, and the suede of Serge Lutens’ Daim Blonde. But it’s not fully like any of them. The Bow and Crown is gorgeous…just gorgeous!

Very bright and zingy first on! A little lemon/lime fizz and a touch of the herbal mint from Envy too. Not long after, in comes zippy mandarin zest, but also some of the juice, trailed by a hint of cocoa and tonka, which makes it a little creamy, but the tea and saffron are also there adding some dryness. It’s an unusual, but lovely combination. On the drydown I get mostly red musk and tangy mandarin. It’s gorgeous. All soft and fuzzy. The parting sweet and musky notes remind me vaguely of Lust, but more herbal. I like this one very much. It doesn’t remind me of Thirteen. A kind of chocolate orange, yes, but in a different way. 13 goes more chocolate powder on me, the orange force is stronger and no powder in The Great Sword. The Come and See are all beautiful, but The Great Sword and Bow and Crown are my favourites of the four.

Wow, this is very soft. Intriguing. Warm smelling with a hint of freshness, and cool on my skin. There’s something in here that I’m really digging. Mmmm, oh yes...I think it’s the lavender. I never thought I’d like lavender starring in a perfume, always thought it would overpower, be too sharp and herbal. But I’ve been swayed by some of Beth’s blends, a few I can think of: Envy, Gaueko, the Bow and Crown of Conquest and now this one. The lavender is gentle here, mixing in with the frankincense, white sage, sandalwood and the barest touch of lemon peel. All the other notes combine to create a soft, smooth feel. It becomes just a little sweetly sharp, but not too much so. Unlike the description, I find The Scales of Deprivation comforting. I would not have thought I would like it so much! It reminds me of something though. Something else from BPAL? Thirty minutes later into the drydown…that’s it! The (sadly now closed) Green Lady Soap Skadi! There’s hints of it in the beginning, but the drydown really reminds me of Skadi. The notes are completely different and side by side, Skadi is much more sweet and foody with vanilla and nutmeg and Scales more herbal and dry, but they definitely have a similar feel.

Cool mint, cut grass and a cold floral, all pulled together beautifully by white musk and white sandalwood. I can smell just a touch of yuzu and lime. It’s a very cooling scent, softly brushed by freshly crushed herbs. As it starts to dry down, a sort of toothpastey/light powder smell comes out from the mint and white musk, with just a little earthy patchouli and a dry leathery note underneath it all. I really like it! It reminds me a little of a Comme des Garcons scent, but I can’t think of which one. Possibly No. 2 mixed with a bit of CdG White. The final drydown is the softest powder, dusted over warm, musky skin. Unexpectedly lovely!

In the Imp, I could smell patchouli and some kind of sweetness, but on my skin, I got a very dry cedar or some other type of wood, like old wooden drawers that have been left in the sun all day, and now the moon is gleaming upon them and you can smell mostly cool wood, but you know that the warmth has been on them, getting into the fibres. The patchouli doesn’t jump out quite as much, but it’s there, kind of like in Urd, but dryer. And a little wood smoke, as if coming from a cozy cabin far away. There’s also the barest hint of a dark, dry cocoa and a sweetness, lingering in the background. It could be a touch of dark musk maybe, though possibly not black, as I usually find it too powdery. Once it’s fully dry, it’s crackling sticks and a sweetish musk. It doesn’t strike me as overtly feminine or masculine, but I guess it would be classified as a little more on the masculine side. The Coiled Serpent induces an odd reaction in me. I just want to breathe it in; breathe it in and through me. It feels like I could trip out on it, but it’s grounding and very calming at the same time. On the other hand, it’s also very sexual. I won’t go into details, but shall I just say it helped make some good lovin’ some very good lovin’. The woody/musky combination made me feel like we were in a cedar cabin in the middle of a lake in Japan. In fact, there's a particular scene in Yimou Zhang's “Hero” where they’re fighting on the water. That's where this cabin is. We are at one with the lake and the cabin. That sounds weird I know, but this scent can so incredibly enveloping. The Lab frimps me with things I'd never think of for myself. Thank you!! PS: I gave the man a sniff and it sparked something in him. He was suddenly reminded of how when he was a little boy he used to get a tingling feeling up his spine which started as a watery feeling in his mouth. He used to get it when he saw people working out complex things. Now he’s wondering if it was his chakras being stimulated because that’s what was sparked in him when he smelt The Coiled Serpent. I’m not sure if that’s classified as a spiritual awakening, but he definitely felt something wake up!

In the Imp, Blood Amber reminded me of another BPAL blend, but I couldn’t place it. Then a particular antique feel hit me that I haven’t had since People of the Labyrinths Luctor et Emergo. Must get this on my skin. Applying Blood Amber is like dabbing on a spot of pale blood. And just that small dab packs a powerful punch! I can smell it all around me. And on, I’m not getting the POTL feel so much. It reminds me of the dragon’s blood in Dragon’s Milk, but it’s most definitely NOT sweet and girly like Dragon’s Milk. Blood Amber is commanding, yet not overwhelming. I smell Dragon’s blood with a definite blood tang, spice, incense, but not a dry incense, this is full and wet. Opulent. As it further dries, it does evolve into a dryer incense with a spicy amber resin, and it’s still gorgeous. Thank you Lab, for this glorious Frimp! It’s a thick, dark orange oil with good staying power, so I only need a touch, and wouldn’t need a full size, but I do like this one.

In the bottle: WHOA! Caramel fudge smothered in desiccated coconut! On my skin, it's really boozy caramel liqueur at first. Very gourmand, almost a little too strong. In fact, I was sniffing it while drinking coffee and I felt like I was drinking a liqueur coffee! About a half hour later - wow, such a drastic change in this one - a delicious muskiness and sweet tobacco dryness comes out. The un-foody amber, delphinium, blonde tobacco and opium mixing together and coming to the fore. It has wonderful throw, but I still keep going in for little up-close sniffs, it's so good. There's other scents that mix gourmand and perfumey musky tobacco notes, though I don't think I've known one with such a sharp contrast as with Red Lantern; but it works, in a deliciously good way. PS. Red Lantern reminds me of Elegba, but less black coconut and there's more of that liqueur and a musky note in Red Lantern. The black coconut doesn't bother me by becoming an odd woodiness like it sometimes can, it's just softly there.

Hi paris_elk, I answered your question last time too, and for what it's worth, will try again. I love Mostly Musk too and can't believe they discontinued it! . I agreed with the others that Fenris Wolf and Scherezade would be worthy Imps to try and am trying them again today along with MM to compare... Fenris Wolf ~ Diabolus: Rosewood, amber, red musk and a dribble of red sandalwood ~ Lots of rosewood, a hint of spicy resinous amber and sweet red musk and soft woody sandalwood. Drydown is slightly dusty and animalistic. Has a similar feel to MM, but not quite it seems slightly more rosy wood. *My Fenris is very rich in scent, as my Imp is about 3 years old. Not sure if a new one would be the same. Scherezade ~ Bewitching Brews ~ Saffron and Middle Eastern spices swirled through sensual red musk ~ Not as woody as MM, but Scherezade is gorgeously incensey sweet (not too sweet, it's sweet in the way that MM is on my skin, maybe a touch sweeter though) slightly spiced musk. There is a rose feel to it, but it's not overtly floral. A touch of woods come out on the drydown. And one more... The Bow & Crown Of Conquest ~ Sin & Salvation ~ Sage, carnation and cedar with lavender, vanilla, white musk and leather. ~ It says white musk and vanilla in the notes, but the other notes mix in so beautifully in this one. It's the most beautiful soft musky leather with a bit of carnation and lavender. I don't notice the vanilla all that much (it's not edible vanilla). When it dries down, it's got a very similar feel to MM. It's worth it for the leather note in this one...you might be able to mix it with something else. Of course, your skin may differ, as to being closer or further away from Mostly Musk, but these BPAL musks are definitely worth trying in any case. They're delish...and you might find a new fave! PS: In addition to parrot_suspect's beyond BPAL rec: http://www.dragonflyblue.com/perfumeoils.html has Nile Musk. It's one of my favourite musks ever - slightly woodsy, heavenly musk and very inexpensive to give a sample a whirl.

First on, Luperci is beeswax. Oh, YES! I've never smelt beeswax on my skin like this before, it's so true, so beautiful. Supporting it is the softest, lightest of light patchouli which fades into the background very quickly. There's also a very light peanut note, which reminds me a touch of Sed Non Satiata, but much, much softer. I wonder if that's coming from the Gurjam balsam as I've not smelt it before but read somewhere that it has a slightly nutty aroma. The other notes? I don’t know. I can’t pick them. They're all subdued. I just know they’re combining to make this the beauty that it is. I can’t believe how soft it is, how nothing jumps out like I thought it would. I imagined Luperci to be a bit rough and ready, that it might be better on the man than me, that the Gurjam balsam or Sampson root might be too herbal or strong, the juniper too stark, and especially that the patchouli (which I love anyway) might be trying to have its dirty way with me, but they’re not. They're all just softly playing about. Luperci doesn’t just sit on me. Scent and skin rise to meet one another; they meld, become one, become part of me. Warm, beautiful and extremely sensual. As it dries down further, the beeswax becomes a little more waxy, like a pure beeswax candle, but the other notes are all around it: a light, golden coloured honey and a delicate, sweet musk among them. Overall, Luperci is just stunning. I've loved many BPAL's lately, but I haven't fallen like I have for Luperci. It's incredibly gorgeously heavenly and if you haven't guessed by now, I'm pretty much taken by it. And to think I almost didn’t get this one! It's definitely the standout of the Lupercalia scents I've tried.

I love Sage Onyx! Perversion (rum, black tobacco, leather, chardonnay & tonka) reminds me of Onyx (dark coconut, oakmoss, tobacco, vanilla nectar). They smell similar on me (though your skin may differ), except Perversion that fruity crystalline note, and soft leather - it's in my top 10. I like wearing them on different arms - they complement each other Either way, if you like Onyx, you gotta get yourself an Imp of Perversion if you haven't already!

Funny, the day I got my Naughty and Nice scents, I bought a Radox Melon & Cucumber shower gel because I'd been craving honeydew and rockmelon. I really wanted Fée because of the melon and lychee, but wouldn’t have minded Snow Angel or Mitzvah either Anywho, I was so happy to get Fée! As soon as I opened the bottle, I suddenly found myself smiling. Mouthwatering fizzy melon! But it wasn’t just the melon that made me smile, it just smelt so happy. Bottled joy! This was more than what I was hoping for, and on my skin it’s just about the same: the deliciously zippy honeydew being what I can smell the most, with the other fruity notes mixed in. I don’t notice the florals too much, but there is a light dryness there. I’m guessing that comes from the tea (it's like the taste of black tea), sunflower and carnation, but it's not obvious as carnation. The fizzy aspect remains right through to the drydown, when it becomes a softened version of all the above with a little vanilla drifting about in the background. The staying power and sillage isn’t too bad, I get a lovely summery feel around me for a while until it dries down about an hour later. This is one cheerful, joyful scent. Very nice indeed! PS: Ooh, and the Radox shower gel smells yummy, very bright and melony with a hint of cucumber. Goes just dandy with Fée!

Peppermint delight! This is the truest candy cane or mint lolly (like Bullseyes or Lifesavers), I can ever imagine smelling. Starts with a bright zap of peppermint which clears my head - very cooling, mentally and physically. It’s not overpowering though, as the light sugary note evens it out. As it dries down, there’s a creaminess behind the peppermint and then a lovely sort of perfumey note comes out on the drydown - could be a light musk as others have mentioned - so that it’s not just like wearing candy. Final drydown is a very soft vanilla peppermint, heavier on the vanilla. It doesn’t last too long on me, about an hour, but I just apply again for that lovely peppermint hit!

Wow. This is just beautiful. I too, was worried about the blood note in The Cracked Bell, but Sarada’s review convinced me, especially the “dusty incense-soaked tapestry” part. There is a definite metallic tang, but it’s not scary on my skin at all. I can’t pick the notes, but I do get a feel of maybe some nag champa, frankincense, myrrh, amber, sweet dark musks and a touch of dragons blood. No matter, whatever they are, they all add up to the most gorgeous, soft incense. It does smell a little faded, but not at all stale. Side by side they’d be quite different, but I also get a similar feel to Loviatar, though it’s much softer and without the strong leather note. It lasts for good few hours on me, even though I can’t smell it close up on my skin, there’s an airy incense note floating around me that is just divine.

A very pretty vanilla with some extra bits and bobs to make it all light and airy. It doesn’t smell aged to me at all: as well as the vanilla, I get crisp linens, pale carnation (or some other gently spiced floral which gives it a little depth), white musk and a touch of baby powder. It reminded me at first of Morocco and the vanilla in Regan and Dorian, but also the floaty off the skin vanilla feel that Black Opal has on me. The longer it wears on me though, the more I’m reminded of its similarity to Morocco. But where Morocco makes me swoon, Antique Lace does not. I think it’s because Morocco has the addition of those lovely spices, extra carnation and a hint of cassia. And as Antique Lace dries down, though not horrible (and it does fade), I get an odd sort of ‘oily powder’ note. Having said that, the sillage between the two is very similar (and beautiful), though Morocco has more warmth, and I can definitely notice the differences between them close up. It lasts a long while on my skin; I put it on at 8.30am one day and five hours later it was still going strong. Overall, I like it, but it’s not a love.