cranberry

Aureus - Bewitching Brews (reviewed 6-5-05)

Notes: none listed

This is beautiful! Tried it for the first time this morning - so far I've been wearing it for about 3 hrs and it's going strong. As the day goes on I may come back and add a bit more to this.

In the bottle, I smelled pure cedar and patchouli. Not much else. A very dry woody scent.

On the skin:

Stayed pretty true to the initial sniff - very woody, dry, mainly cedar and patchouli. I do catch a whiff of salt - while I don't in Annie Bonnie - interesting. As it wears on and blends, I catch a bit of smoke - it does remind me of Diptyque's Essence of John Galliano Room Spray! Which I love and have 2 bottles of at home!

Baghdad - Wanderlust (reviewed 8-5-05)

Notes: Amber, saffron and bergamot with mandarin, nutmeg, Bulgar rose, musk and sandalwood

Baghdad is the first BPAL oil I've tried that's gone generic soapy, powdery floral on me.

In the imp it smells pretty good - warm, spicy, saffron but I still get a touch of powdery floral. Is that the amber doing that? I've always had a good relationship with amber so it must be the combination of ingredients and my perception that's doing it.

On the whole, it's pretty unremarkable on me and makes me think of doilies, big overdone floral prints on a cream colored background, and dry dusty skin. Not my kind of thing. Oh well.

Alice - Mad Tea Party (reviewed 9-2-05)

Notes: milk, rose, carnation, bergamot

Alice is sooo pretty.

I've had some so-so experiences with milk so I was a bit reluctant to try this but I'm so glad that I did. It's a softly spicy floral with touches of milk and maybe a tad of vanilla. The spicy floral is definitely carnation. Just looked at the notes - no vanilla listed, but I would swear there is just a hint.

Anyway - overall Alice is a very soft, pretty scent, bringing to mind petticoats, white dresses and soft pink ribbons tied around the waist. Very sweet and innocent - a perfect springtime scent - I love it!

Obatala - Excolo (reviewed 4-19-06)

Notes: milk, coconut meat, shea butter and cool, refreshing water

In the Imp: buttery rich milk. It jogs my memory of Milk Moon. Which didn’t work for me and I ended up passing it on. The smell in the imp is not promising.

On the skin: milk, hints of coconut, but with a twist. At first it is very similar to Milk Moon (or as I remember it).

As it wears, the coconut milkyness recedes and I get what I think is shea. It’s slightly sweet but it remains cool and refreshing thanks to the aquatic note. It’s almost a bit minty on me but not quite. Milk Moon was very heavy on me and turns a bit sour, this does not do that at all and I’m so thrilled. It’s a soothing creamy scent, it evokes feelings like those I get from Snow White, my ultimate soothing scent-wrap-yourself-in-fluffy-towels or a great big hug scent. It's completely different but just as soothing. Just beautiful. Yes, this is a very white, pure scent.

Love Me - Voodoo Oils (reviewed 1-16-06)

In the Imp: dry bubblegum-type scent. Its an orangy-red color which makes me think that there's dragon's blood in here.

On the Skin: Thank god, the bubblegum note vanishes once I put it on. Instead, I get an almost ylang-ylang scent plus cinnamon and an underlying note of musk or civet. I don't think it's jasmine as jasmine hates me, and this is pretty good so far. It's warm, spicy, and very sexy. When I first applied it the other day, immediately out of the shower, I had a wee bit of a reaction to it - my skin turned red where it was applied.

As it Drys: Vanilla comes out, wow - this reminds me a LOT of Dragon's Milk. This is just fabulous! There's definitely both dragon's blood and vanilla in here. It has an underlying musky edge to it. The cinnamon mellows out a lot and there's also a touch of incense here.

Overall Impression: Warm, spicy, sexy, sultry scent. I don't know that it works for it's intended purpose but it certainly makes me feel sexier, so from that alone it's being effective. I think it's fabulous! I have to get a bottle with my next order. Yum!

Santo Domingo - Wanderlust (reviewed 9-14-2005)

Notes: tobacco leaf, bay rum, Caribbean blossoms

Santo Domingo was a gift from the lab in one of my recent orders. I'm making an effort to go through my imps, review them and then decide whether to keep them or not.

That being said, this is a very interesting scent. In the imp, it's sort of a neutral, slightly spicy scent. Not a lot of florals, no woods, a touch of spice. Reminds me of a medium brown color. Initially on, what I imagine to be the tobacco comes out. That, plus the bay rum. Maybe a touch of lemon. Initially on, it's as in the imp, just rather neutral for me, not evoking much reaction one way or the other.

But - once it dries, what a different story. It deepens and becomes rich and spicy. Not real sweet, but somehow it reminds me a bit of caramel. Don't know why as it's not really foody at all but that's what I get. I really get the bay rum, which I really like. Wow - the drydown is really nice. I find it very smooth and soothing despite the spice (which instinctively would get you going). We'll see how long the drydown lasts as I'm only a bit of the way through.

In closing, it's lovely - I don't know whether I'll get a bottle but I'll definately keep an imp on hand to enjoy when I want a deep, spicy yet soothing scent.

Santa Muerte - Excolo

Notes: rose, chrysanthemum, vetiver, cactus

In the imp: like cocoa but not quite. Ok, at second sniff I see that it’s rose, with darker smells. It’s strange how that first impression was so different from the second.

On the skin: this is a soft scent, gentle. Smells like honeyed roses tempered by something I can’t describe. Maybe it’s the cactus, it’s just so soft smelling. This is a quiet scent on me and it stays close. I may be getting a hint of the chrysanthemums but I’m surprised that vetivert hasn’t shown up.

Overall impression: I like this a lot but doubt that I’d ever reach for it. The cactus added such an interesting scent to this blend and I feel like I had a completely new olfactory experience because of it.

Whitechapel - Wanderlust

Notes: white musk, lime, lilac, citron

In the imp: citrus

On the skin: citrus initially, mainly lemon. This is a really light scent, and although I only applied a small bit to my skin, I have to sniff really hard, right next to my hand to smell anything. There’s a touch of fuzzy white musk. Now this is reminding me of Satan and Death with Sin Intervening or some of the older, discontinued scents that had lemongrass as a component. There’s a strange scent here that’s a combination of the citrus and musk I think that I just don’t care for. The citrus smells like lemongrass, which is never a good thing for me. This scent and I do not get along. And I don’t think we ever will. <0 stars.>

Laudanum - Sin and Salvation

Notes: nutmeg, sassafras, black poppy, myrrh

In the imp: mainly sassafras, spice and myrrh

On the skin: mmm. Sassafras. Spice. A touch of bitterness. The spice smells hot, like there could a touch of pepper in here with the nutmeg. The sassafras makes me think of gourmet root beer and makes this scent almost edible.

As it wears, this scent really become dry and dusty. Later, it become quite dark and sultry. It lasts a while too.

Nocturne - Funereal Oils

Notes: violet, lilac, tuberose

In the imp this smells most strongly of violet.

On the skin, the lilac comes out and joins the violet. As it dries, the tuberose is there too, providing a floral lushness that is just tiny bit sharp. I really like lilac so I do like this scent despite the sharpness. As it wears the sharpness diminished and it becomes softer and smoother. Now the violet comes back. This is a really pretty scent!

Ra - Excolo, Stations of the Sun

Notes: none listed

In the vial, this smells of heliotrope and frankincense.

On the skin, this smells sunny and warm. Heliotrope, frankincense, amber, a touch of citrus. There’s warmth here, some kind of spice. I think there’s a touch of lavender here, maybe hyssop too (if that’s a principal scent component of White Light and Anthelion, of which I smell some similarity). Yeah, this smells like a TAL. Maybe that’s not too surprising since it is an Excolo scent. I love Anthelion and White Light, but I only use them when I really need them. But I do enjoy their scent, so this is a good substitute when I only want to enjoy their scent but don’t need their other properties.

Anyway, this is a warm, spicy, soothing scent that is just beautiful. The oil I’m testing has a bit of age on it, probably 1.5 yrs or so, so that could be part of it. The citrus only lasted for couple minutes and it dried to this ambery-lavender-spicy-resiny scent. Wow, just wow.

Seraglio - Love Potions

Notes: sweet almond, mysor sandalwood, bulgarian rose, neroli, nutmet, clove, orange peel

In the imp: almonds

On the skin, a combination of almonds and soft roses. I don’t really care for rose scents, so I’m not liking this one. It reminds of a Voodoo Oil. It’s a powdery rose. I’m not getting any of the sandalwood, spices or orange peel.

After it’s been on an hour or so, the rose is very soft and gentle. There’s still not much more going on, just soft, powdery rose. This is not a scent for me.

(and I love mysor sandalwood - pity I'm not getting any in this scent).

the Ace of Swords - Tarot

Notes: none listed

This smells of lavender and white sandalwood. It’s a beautiful, airy scent that is slightly spicy and has a bit of heat to it (despite being airy). I love lavender and this blend is no exception, it’s beautiful and I’m so glad that I have a decant. I find it extremely soothing and calming. Wonderful.

The Devil - Tarot

Notes: none listed

Wow, I am having a really hard time placing the notes in this one. It’s musky, warm….

Hmmm, yeah, I think there’s civet in here – but I can’t say for sure. It could be just a very strong musk. Nope, it’s civet. It’s slightly sweet and the civet is getting stronger. There’s a slightly astringent scent here. Animalistic. It's a bit too strong for me to wear comfortably - I like some civet scents but not this one.

The Chariot - Tarot

Notes: none listed

In the imp: juicy, sweet fruit with a touch of anise. Some lotus too.

On the skin: ah yes, anise, sweet fruit, specifically a touch of pear, and the bubblegum sweetness of lotus. Oh - the anise is getting strong and taking over the sweet fruit. As it wears, the anise/fennel continues to dominate the scent and it reminds me of the digestives you see sometimes in Indian restaurants (fennel seeds with little licorice candies).

Overall: the anise is so strong in here. I don’t care to smell like a licorice candy so while it was good to try, I won’t be getting a bottle of this.

the Emperor- Tarot

Notes: none listed

In the imp: woody & green smelling.

On the skin: this smells really fresh & green. This is really pretty. There’s a touch of flowers in here – roses and other flowers I can’t identify. There’s got be dragon’s blood in here but I’m not getting the typical dragon’s blood smell. It smells like there could be lily in here. Yes, this is a fresh green garden with blooming flowers.

Overall: I was expecting dragon blood’s galore, instead I got fresh greens, soft florals and a lovely green garden.

This oil is quite beautiful.

The Magician - Tower

Notes: none listed

This is a slightly sweet, herbal scent. It smells like there could be a touch of anise in here. As it wears the anise gets stronger. After it’s been on a while, the herbal scent recedes and it becomes a bit spicy and slightly resinous. It’s familiar but I can’t place it at the moment. This scent really changes a lot.

The Empress - Tower

Notes: none listed

In the imp: roses.

On the skin: soft roses (i.e. not strong assertive roses such as in Rose Red). There’s a slightly powdery aspect to this scent. And it has a sweetness similar to that in Bearded Lady (which also has roses). It’s pretty but not a “knock-your-socks-off” type of rose scent. But it is a clear, sweet, soft rose. After it’s been on a while, I’m getting something underneath that I can’t identify, but it smells almost succulent to me.

Overall: this is really pretty, I more like it the longer it wears. However, I really feel that Rose Red is the ultimate rose scent and I don’t think this tops it. It’s quite lovely though.

The Tower - Tarot

Notes: none listed

In the imp: dragon’s blood, something herbal – lavender? Sage? I can’t say for sure.

On the skin: still dragon’s blood and herbs. Maybe it’s eucalyptus. Yeah, I think so. Ah, after it’s been on a few minutes, it’s getting a bit spicy and hot – so I’m thinking ginger or pepper. A touch of smoke. Wow – this scent is quite evocative and completely fits with it’s intent. As it wears, it become more spicy, and even hotter. Yep, ginger, pepper and dragon’s blood.

I’m liking this one quite a lot.

Euterpe

Notes: carnation and white poppy, honeysuckle, lemon, iris and white musk

Oh, I've been wanting to try this one for a long time. So I'm thrilled to finally be able to.

In the imp: Smells like carnation with a touch of sage to me (why sage I don't know).

On the skin: Oh, this is lovely. Flowers, slightly spicy, a touch of poppy and musk. This is a wonderful floral blend. But not super floral, not super sweet. It's a bit on the dry side, and for some reason reminds of the spiciness in Youth Dew.

Yes, this is all poppy, musk and carnation. This is great.

It’s not particularly longlasting but I only put a smidge on – perhaps it would last longer with heavier application. As it dried, it stayed true as it dried, poppy, musk and carnation. Lovely. It reminds me of a scent that would be especially suitable to wear to work; it’s rather low-key but lovely just the same. Slightly sexy but not overtly so, and somewhat comforting. I could see this would be a scent that would inspire the spilling of secrets.

Ave Maria Gratia Plena - Love Potions

Notes: rosewood, sicilian lemon peel, red mysore sandalwood, pale musks, sweet mountain sage, lily, jasmine, orris

In the imp: light smelling, herbal

On the skin: this oil is still light smelling. It has a bit of a bite, a touch of bitterness. There are flowers here but they are subdued, light, almost translucent. Yes– this is a scent that is light, airy, translucent.

There’s an underlying base of wood and a touch of clear musk. Nice. It smells like a crystalline, nighttime scent. With a clear sky. Flowers in the background.

Has no Hanna - Voodoo Oils

Notes: no notes listed

In the imp: flowers – jasmine and gardenia. Strong, strong flowers!

On the skin, this smells of strong, vibrant flowers. Aggressive. Jasmine, gardenia. Is that a touch of ylang ylang? This oil makes my eyes water a bit it’s so strong. There could be a touch of pepper in here and maybe some ginger.

This is a hot, dry scent.

This is indeed a happy scent. I can’t say if this brings me luck, but I’ll keep the imp and hang on to any that come my way.

Dublin - Wanderlust

Notes: misty forests, alder leaf, white rose

In the imp, this smells of forest (evergreen) with a touch of flowers.

On the skin, this smells of pine, maybe a touch of mint, with flowers and wee bit of musk. This is very sweet and pretty. There’s similarities to the cool, wintery, forest Yule scents of last year as well as to Snow Moon. It smells like there could be a touch of spice in here. After it’s been on a while, it gets this soft scent (it all melds together) and for some reason I almost think of it as cottony. Velvety.

I’ve got bottles of Snow Moon, Talvikuu, and Snow Bunny so I don’t need any more scents of this genre, but I like this one quite a lot. I’m glad that it’s GC because I may have to pick up a bottle at some point.

Absinthe - Bewitching Brews

Notes: wormwood, mints, cardamom, anise, hyssop, lemon

I’ve always been curious about absinthe ever since reading about it, but Pernod is the closest I’ve come. I’m familiar with wormwood as it grows here in the woods, and it’s used as a medicinal, but I’ve never smelled it in anything. So, on to the review.

In the imp, this smells herbal, bitter and a touch lemony.

On the skin, it’s still herbal and bitter, with a fresh lemony tang. It’s fresh, lemony, clean. As it wears, the bitterness wanes and it’s slightly sweet and lemony. After about 15-20 minutes, I smell anise with only a touch of lemon. The licorice smell is really strong now – it reminds me of going to Indian restaurants and the digestives at the end of the meal.

Overall, this was an interesting scent to test and I’ve enjoyed it as it goes through all the stages. I think I enjoyed the earlier stages more than the latter. There are similarities to White Light – the anise overpowers it at the end and the lemon at the beginning. So yeah, maybe the hyssop.

Eclipse - Bewitching Brews

Notes: bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense, heliotrope, cinnamon

Motivated to try my imp by the GC Swap.

In the imp: mainly almond with a bit of spice far in the background.

On the skin, wet: whoa! Almond! Overpowering almond. Cherry-type almond.

On the skin, dry: after it’s been on a bit, the almond tempers and other scents come out. I think that’s heliotrope, plus a bit of spice. This stage of the scent is wonderful. Its slightly sweet, creamy with a bit of spice. My skin has turned a bit red where I applied this. It could be because I just did the dishes and the heat has my pores open.

Overall: I really like this scent, or as it dries that is. The beginning is strong, but the drydown is glorious. Warm and creamy, It does have a similarity with Morocco but I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been pointed out. I don't know about a bottle but I'll definitely keep all the imps that come my way.