slave1

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Agreed to have a battle! For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled his nice new rattle. Just then flew down a monstrous crow, As black as a tar-barrel! Which frightened both the heroes so, They quite forgot their quarrel.' Absurd! Green mango, fig, patchouli and green tea. In Bottle: Bright mango On Skin: This is so bright and refreshing! So fruity and sweet but also tart! The mango is top note which is very nice since I don’t know of another BPAL scent that has mango as the leader. The fig is there too, but lighter and not as juicy as the mango. The green tea takes the zing up a notch and makes it even brighter. But what is this about patchouli? I usually hate patchouli, and I don’t smell any in this at all. There is a very light incensey background, but the fruit covers it so it’s barely there, that must be the patchouli. This is a perfect summer scent, it smells like a fresh fruit salad. This really makes me want to lick it off my skin. This is an A++++++ fruit blend!! Average throw and short wear length.

MANHATTAN: Sexuality, power, confidence. A meeting of modern, sleek elegance and rich, passionate history: sheer amber, black leather, white mint, lemon peel, white tea, grapefruit, kush, teakwood and orchid. In Bottle: Lemon and tea On Skin: Weee!!! I get to write the first review!! The lemon jumps out at me right away. Lemon loves to amp itself on my skin. At first this reminds me of a less sweet White Rabbit. But it does have much heavier citrus tones whereas White Rabbit has the sweet creamy feel and the tea is more pronounced and is also a darker tea. Very sleek and attention getting, I like the boldness of this scent. The teakwood is very light but balances the tartness of this scent, and the orchid gives a beautiful bold kick as well. I don’t smell the amber at first and am also shocked the leather doesn’t shout out at me. Usually leather amps itself on my skin as well. The mint is a nice sparkle in this scent, just a dash but enough to give it even a fresher feel. The kush (which I’m assuming is Kush Incense) gives it a further exotic and slightly dark feel. As the scent develops, the tartness of the citrus fades and the darker notes come forward... ooohhh, sexy!! The scent is so very beautiful, but it doesn’t make me instantly think Manhattan. But of course I’ve only been there once so I’m not sure if I really know what I would picture a Manhattan scent to smell like. I think this would work for either men or women. It has a light to medium throw. but it fades pretty quickly on me. I may need to slather.

Itasô Kansei Nenkan Jorô No Fûzoku, Wada hori Yû. Osmanthus, white honey, ti leaf, hibiscus, and sugar cane. In Bottle: Soapy floral On Skin: Oh no, this scent didn't turn out on me like I was hoping. The florals are amping on my skin to an extreme. The ti and hibiscus are very fragrant and very cloying on me. The osmanthus is also a strong floral but with a tea note. Very sharp and when mixed with the other florals I get a very soapy scent from this blend. I can smell the honey, but it is light, too light to sweeten the scent even with the help of the sugarcane. All in all this scent makes my eyes water and is far too sharp and sour for me. It is very white in tone and has an Asian feel. For fans of BPALs most recent Asian themed Lunacy's this is a must try for you. Strong throw and long wearlength.

`How do you like the Queen?' said the Cat in a low voice. `Not at all,' said Alice: `she's so extremely--' Just then she noticed that the Queen was close behind her, listening: so she went on, `--likely to win, that it's hardly worth while finishing the game.' The Queen smiled and passed on. `Who ARE you talking to?' said the King, going up to Alice, and looking at the Cat's head with great curiosity. `It's a friend of mine--a Cheshire Cat,' said Alice: `allow me to introduce it.' `I don't like the look of it at all,' said the King: `however, it may kiss my hand if it likes.' `I'd rather not,' the Cat remarked. `Don't be impertinent,' said the King, `and don't look at me like that!' He got behind Alice as he spoke. `A cat may look at a king,' said Alice. `I've read that in some book, but I don't remember where.' `Well, it must be removed,' said the King very decidedly, and he called the Queen, who was passing at the moment, `My dear! I wish you would have this cat removed!' The Queen had only one way of settling all difficulties, great or small. `Off with his head!' she said, without even looking round. `I'll fetch the executioner myself,' said the King eagerly, and he hurried off. Rosewood and black cherry with white musk, red rose, red musk and a spark of lavender. In Bottle: Dark sharp rose. On Skin: This is the most unique rose scent I have ever smelled. It is dark and rich, so elegant and regal. The lavender gives a “spark” of a metalic note that helps break up the dominant red rose feel. The rosewood is warm and deep, the black cherry is dark and syrupy, the white musk is soft and helps blanket the scent, and the red musk is pure decadence. This is a very sexy scent and I normally don’t like rose so that is a pleasant change. I also feel this scent is gender neutral, I’d love this on anyone I think. The throw is light and the wear length is pretty short, I think you’d have to slather this one. I’m very curious to see what pthers think about this scent since I’m the first to review it….

I have no idea why I didn’t get this scent it was released... but hey, better late than never. Its gorgeous! Super dark and feral in the bottle. On the skin a dirt note comes to the surface but the base is still that deep, warm brown musk. It softens and loses some of the sharp feral ness. Now it’s more like a warm, fluffy puppy who just came in from a romp outside. I don’t feel anything “haggy “ or witchy about it. Much more beautiful and comforting.

Citrus incense elegance are the words this scent evokes. I feel very elegant and sophisticated when wearing it. Clean, bright and very heavy on the golden amber and mandarin. I smell no plum sadly... and that is always my favorite note. Still I love this scent and will wear it at social events and outings. Would also be a beautiful scent to use in a diffuser to lift your mood.

A cluster of wooden wagons stands off to the side of the Midway, removed from the bustle of the dirt-caked makeshift street. A bonfire burns in the center of the lot, shining its light on a tattoo-covered woman. The images embedded in her skin writhe like living things, and the sigils that mark her glow faintly. She is filing her nails and smoking a cheroot while chatting idly with an impassive naked blonde who has been hoisted into the air by thick, gleaming meathooks. The blonde is pinioned; the blackened metal cables that bind her hang tightly from the branches of a massive grey oak. Her skin seems strangely translucent, and her veins and arteries are boldly visible. Two painted signs are propped, sideways, against the side of the tree: THE ILLUSTRATED WOMAN THE TORTURE QUEEN The tattoo'd woman winks at you as you pass by. "Break time, honey," she growls, as she blows a smoke ring in your direction. THE ILLUSTRATED WOMAN Skin musk, smoky vanilla, pine pitch, patchouli, Indian resins, golden honey, and tobacco. In Bottle: Exotic pine On Skin: This scent is quite light… I thought it would be stronger. But damn, it’s beautiful. The skin musk is the definite base. The pine gives a perfect woody tone while the vanilla and honey sweeten it perfectly. This is not heavy honey, just a light trickle. The resins are dark and slightly spicy giving an exotic quality. The patchouli is also light to my relief… just enough to give it some depth and dirty it up a bit. The tobacco is smoky and adds to the seediness. A drop dead sexy, but very feminine scent. This is for a strong woman who isn’t afraid to show her girly side as well. Light throw and short to average wearlength.

Used to open up options in your life, overcome obstacles, and create opportunities. This blend increases your potential for success, inspires creativity and quick thinking, and helps you to be more flexible, adaptable and open to change. On Bottle: Smoky wood On Skin: I get a sharp woody note and a soft but strong smokey note. Also something minty. The smoke and wood are quite warm while the mint scent lends a cold tingly feel. Very interesting. It does wake me up and stir my senses. I could see this actually performing its intent, I do feel invigorated after smelling it just once. I think it's nice to use as aromatherapy in the bottle, to take quick sniffs of it, but it's not a scent I'd wear or want my room to smell like. It has a light throw and average wearing length (even though I know it's not supposed to be worn). NOTE: This thread is for the Twilight Alchemy Lab oil. If you're looking for the BPAL Bewitching Brew of the same name, those reviews are here. --Shollin

Bat-Woman, Albert Penot.Ratkirani, calla lily, moonflower, honeysuckle, night-blooming jasmine, French lavender, verbena, grey amber and nighttime air. In Bottle: Fresh light floral On Skin: This smells like a garden at night. I can actually see bats flocking to this beautiful floral. While the picture that inspired it is quite dark and grey, this scent captures the beauty and subtle power. The Cala Lily comes forward first… drool… I love it!! The ratkirani fits the scent perfect, here's the description of it: An Indian flower related to the jasmine and sacred to Ratri, Lady of the Night. I get jasmine but it isn't overwhelming like it usually can be on me. The honeysuckle is also quite light, not thick or syrupy at all. To me the lily, moonflower, verbena and nighttime air stand out the most. The "nighttime air" is slightly cold and crisp, stark and clean. The grey amber adds to the moodiness of the scent and also adds softness. The lavender gives a calming sleepy effect and I actually like it. This scent is so well blended, wow. I get a white grey tone from this scent. Absolutely gorgeous. It has a light throw but the wearlength seems to last quite nicely. I smelled it on my wrists the next morning after sleeping in it. By the way, it's a lovely sleeping scent. edited to add image - clover

Unreleased TAL oil FIRE OF PASSION: A glorious lust and attraction blend. Used to fan flagging passions, create an atmosphere of lusty wantonness and inspire sexual urges. In Bottle: Earthy On Skin: I smell patchouli right off... earthy, dirty and smoky. There is also a crisp herbal note and something extra smoky. I also think I smell the animalistic note of civet... civet is usually more cat pee on me but here it's very musky and hmm... ugh. Sadly, these are all notes that don't work on me, but I do get a feeling of wild sexual energy. Lust, passion, fire, sex, all terms I think of when I smell this. After about an hour, it is pure civet on me. Egads. I'm all about trying this scent with my husband as soon as I have a chance. I'd use it on a candle or in an oil burner and see what happens. Strong throw and long wearlength.

THE TELL-TALE HEART: No doubt I now grew very pale; --but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased --and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound --much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath --and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly --more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men --but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed --I raved --I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder --louder --louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! --no, no! They heard! --they suspected! --they knew! --they were making a mockery of my horror!-this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now --again! --hark! louder! louder! louder! louder! "Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! --tear up the planks! here, here! --It is the beating of his hideous heart!" This is a swollen, pulsating, thudding scent, heavy with dread; a steady, unceasing, throbbing harbinger of retribution and doom: blood musk, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, dragon's blood resin and vetiver. In Bottle: Dirt and cocoa On Skin: I have to admit, I got this scent purely for the name. I did a dramatic reading of this when I was a kid and it was first Poe favorite. The description did worry me though since the only note I was excited for was the blood musk. Well here we go... The cocoa is strongest followed by the vetiver which create a sweet, “dirty” and powdery blanket. The black pepper is slight but along with the allspice create a spicy and warm feel. The dragon's blood resin is shockingly mellow, very hidden in the background providing a nice base. The blood musk isn't too heavy either but does give a slightly red and animalistic tone to the scent. The description really fits this scent. I can feel the dread, smell the blood and the dirt under the floorboard which is where we're trapped. A very dark and morbid scent, something I'd wear as a conversation piece maybe but not as a normal fragrance.

Cupid Complaining to Venus, Lucas Cranach the Elder.Apple blossom, fig, white peach, honey absolute, red sandalwood, and wild thyme. In Bottle: Sweet and tart fruits On Skin: I smell the apple blossom right away, a sweet but also slightly tart floral. The peach is next, so delicious but not overly sticky sweet. The fig offers a darker fruit note that helps the scent from becoming too sharp and bright. The red sandalwood is another grounding note, giving a slightly woody earthy base for the other notes to cling to. The honey is very mellow, sweetening the scent but not making it cloying. Last the thyme adds a sharp green shot that balances the scent very well. Overall this scent is quite fruity and feminine in feel. Sadly it fades SUPER quick. It started out so strong but my skin just drank it up. I love this scent and just wish it lasted longer on me. Light to moderate throw and short wearlength. Edited to add image - clover

TO A WOMAN Thy fatal shafts unerring move,I bow before thine altar, Love. I feel thy soft resistless flame Glide swift through all my vital frame. For while I gaze my bosom glows, My blood in tides impetuous flows; Hope, fear, and joy alternate roll, And floods of transports whelm my soul. My faltering tongue attempts in vain In soothing murmurs to complain; My tongue some secret magic ties, My murmurs sink in broken sighs. Condemned to nurse eternal care, And ever drop the silent tear, Unheard I mourn, unknown I sigh, Unfriended live, unpitied die. Benzoin, cassis bud, patchouli, rose otto, and petitgrain. In Bottle: Sharp spice On Skin: The rose otto and patchouli are strongest on me. Sadly, this is not a good thing because both these notes tend to hate my skin with a passion. This scent is very sharp, very strong and very sour on me. The cassis bud is spicy, the benzoin is sticky and sweet, but gets run over but the stronger more dominant notes. The petitgrain is fruity and orange, it’s citrus note adding more to the sour tint. Overall the scent feels like a rose blend with a earthy citrus side. The throw is moderate to strong and seems to have a long wearlength on me.

LOVE'S TORMENTS Love's torments sought a place of rest,Where all might drear and lonely be; They found ere long my desert breast, And nestled in its vacancy. White sandalwood, neroli, and vetiver. In Bottle: Vetiver On Skin: The vetiver screams out at me. Earthy, dark green and slightly feral. The neroli is also planty with a citrus edge. The sandalwood is soft and doesn’t come forward much, it’s more of a woody base. The vetiver really controls this scent. The planty notes are quite sharp and a bit minty. This scent is pretty harsh on me and gives a feeling of pain and isolation. It’s not really something I’d wear, but the scent does fit the description very well. This blend has a decent throw and the wearlength is quite long on me.

In Imp: Sharp veggies On Skin: Wow, this is something I thought I'd never like. But it is gorgeous!! It is very alive and green, springtime to the fullest! I even get some white florals that give it a very "perfumey" quality. I don't smell any of the individual vegetables at all, to me it's more floral than anything. This would be an amazing room scent as well since it's so fresh and clean, it has a bit of a right out of the laundry feel. it has a good throw and lasts quite a while. I wish I could have a bottle!

In bottle: Floral bakery On skin: When I smell this in the bottle and then also on my skin, the last thing I would say it smells like is peonies and cream. It does have a floral note, which eventually does smell of peonies, but it takes a while to morph to that. What I smell when I first put it on is menthol and nuts... and that is not a good thing. I want to wash it off actually. But I decided to be patient and I'm glad I did. The creme note starts to seep through and sweetens the scent. The peonies start to come through giving a beautiful colorful floral that morphs the scent completely. The nutty note subsides and remains a little echo in the background. The menthol also subsides a bit, but doesn't go away completely... it gives a nice cool tone to the scent. All in all it's a pretty scent. It's not exactly what I was looking forward to, I was hoping for a very creamy floral, almost along the lines of Chaste Moon which it was not. If you get this scent, make sure to be patient to wait for it to develop and become it's full bloomed glory. It has a medium throw and average wearlength.

This is my favorite of this years series. In Bottle: Juicy honeydew On Skin: The honeydew is the front runner for sure. It's in your face ripe yummy sticky fruit!!! BPAL's honey note is my favorite note ever and it sweetens this scent even more but gives it a delicious warm depth. The green musk gives it a softness that makes me watch to constantly sniff my wrist. After a few minutes the scent becomes very dry and powdery... not ripe or juicy anymore at all. It still is divine but I wish it didn't become so dry smelling. When scents do that they make my whole body feel dry and parched for some reason... Over all I love it and the sweet green fabulousness that is is. I may try and make a body spray with it too. It's such a pick me up! It has a long staying power and is very strong. People will be coming up to you and asking to lick your wrists.

In Bottle: Dark, sweet incense On Skin: At first I am scared... beside the obvious strong incense note from the Frankincense, I get a very dark animalistic feel from the bois de cade and Laotian oud, that is almost overwhelming. But the myrrh tames the beast and grounds it for me. Then the sweet beeswax wins me over as it balances the darkness and bathes me in a warm blanket. Overall this is a decadent, deep and gorgeous resinous scent... not something I would normally wear, but wow, it smells AMAZING on me. My husband has been exclaiming how much he loves it every time I move or walk near him and he gets a whiff of it. I would agree it is in the family of Schwarzer Mond and Midnight Mass (which also actually work on me). It has a very strong throw and wears for quite a long time. Thinking I may need a second bottle. Love it!!

Bend Over: One of the most notorious Voodoo oils. An astonishingly powerful commanding and compelling blend. Am I the first to review this? Wow! In Bottle: Woody incense On Skin: This is a very dark and earthy blend. I smell wood, sweet and deep... not pine... maybe cedar? I also smell incense maybe patchouli since I get that dirt note from it. I also catch a bit of leather... and smoke. This scent feels very masculine to me. I love the name, and it actually pretty sexy and I get a S&M feel from this... dark, leather, control. It actually would be interesting to wear to a club. I haven't tried annointing a candle with this yet, since I don't have anyone I really want to command... but it may be sexy to try out with my husband. I'd say this is a must for the dominatrix types... As it dries down, the wood sweetens up even more and I catch a bit of an elegant floral but it's very light, but enough to give the scent another level. I actually like this scent and wouldn't mind smelling it on my husband (I know, these aren't meant for wearing...). Anyway, I am going to try annointing a candle with this one of these nights...

LOVE the label art!!!!! This is super lavender out of the bottle. Sadly that's a note that really hates me. It is very sharp and a but metallic. After about 5 minutes the violet musk sweetens it up some and the scent starts to warm up to me. The musks give it a lovely soft feel, while the other notes darken it and give it a earthy fruity twist. I'm liking it more and more and am happy that the purple feel it portrays amps on me since purple is my favorite color. It has a medium throw and short to average wearlength.

I don't have time to do a full review, but I had to chime in that I LOVE this scent! I wish I had ordered multiples! And wow does my husband love it on me. I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face when he sniffed my wrist. The notes are so well blended and I can't stop smelling my own wrist! Oh yeah, this is a gorgeous scent and I love that it celebrates such a good memory for the King and Queen of BPAL! Happy anniversary you guys!!!

This is lovely! I was scared because I thought it would smell dirty and mucky like a swamp... but in reality it is a gorgeous aquatic with clean green notes. There is a bit of a dark dirt note, but it is embedded very deep in the scent as a base, and the other notes swim around it giving it a brighter feel. There is a bit of a floral note that adds to the "clean" feel and adds just the sharpness this scent needs to make it so well balanced. I actually think it has a bit of an elegant feel and I'd love for my living room to smell like this all the time! Wish it was available to purchase!

LADY LUCK BLUES Bad luck has come to stayTrouble never end My man has gone away With a girl I thought was my friend I'm worried down with care Lordy, can't you hear my prayer Lady Luck, Lady Luck Won't you please smile down on me There's the time, friend of mine I need your sympathy I've got a horseshoe on my door I've knocked on wood till my hands are sore Since my man's done turned me loose I've got those Lady Luck blues, I mean I've got those Lady Luck blues Lady Luck, Lady Luck Won't you please smile down on me There's the time, friend of mine I need your sympathy I've got his picture turned upside down I've sprinkled goofer dust all around Since my man is gone I'm all confused I've got those Lady Luck blues Find my good man I've got those Lady Luck blues Lady Luck, please smile down on me. A melancholy scent, aching with longing, created to appease Fickle Fortune. Honeyed Bulgarian rose, vanilla flower, benzoin, tonka, black plum, peony, and iris. In Bottle: Sweet rose and florals On Skin: Wow, a rose I like! It must be the honey because its not a dry sour rose, its sweet and alive. The other florals add to the beautiful feminine feel of this scent. So pretty!! This is beauty in a bottle. Seriously, I wear this and feel like I am woman hear me roar! The benzoin and tonka sweeten it up further and have a gorgeous resinous depth. Very perfumey and elegant. I dont feel this scent is melancholy really maybe a little wistful but still not negative at all. A bit of yearning. As far as florals go, I really like this scent. Light to medium throw and short wearlength.

LOLI.GOTH In Bottle: Sweet pink candy On Skin: Nom nom nom... I want to eat my wrist. This is so feminine, pink and mouthwatering sweet!!! This is a candy scent for sure... these notes aren't "fresh fruit" but more their candy equivalent. The strawberry is much stronger than the peach... but they dance beautifully together. The pink musk note gives it depth and a soft velvet feel while the green note cuts through the scent keeping it from being too cutesy or cloying. The wood also gives it more dimension and stability. The iris gives it a very light perfumey quality which again keeps it from being too sweet. This is one of my favorites from the collection and bottle art is drop dead ADORABLE!! Makes me miss making me EGL outfits and head pieces. The scent does fade pretty quick so it looks like I'll be slathering and reapplying often. I will make a small spray of this too. Beth hit it out of the park for this years Bat's Day scents. Thank you Beth!!!! Light to moderate throw, short wear length.

GEEK.GOTH In Bottle: Sprite On Skin: I feel like I just opened a can of Sprite or Slice. it's that very fresh effervescent lemon lime soda... i can almost feel the little bubbles popping out and hitting my face. It's not a flat soda at all... I am an uber geek, so I had to have this scent on principal alone. It is quite the novelty, but also yummy and bright. I like that it wakes me up with the sweet yet sour citrus notes that are quite playful. It's a nice scent for a warm day since it is cool and refreshing. The effervescent feeling is so extreme and it actually stays that way for a long while.... i thought it would fade but the staying power of this scent is quite impressive! Strong throw and and long wearlength.