Galen

ivyandpeony - thanks for the suggestion!

Given the similarity in names, that was my first thought too, but I've been following Possets since it started and they have never had anything with that name either...

Still a mystery (or a mis-labelled Snow on Bare Skin!)

Thanks!

I have a decant that is labelled "Snow On Bare Shoulders" - I've had it a while, so I can't remember the history of where I got it, etc. but I was pretty sure that it was BPAL (although it doesn't actually say so on the label).

However, I can't find a review page for "Snow on Bare Shoulders" - it the decant mis-labelled or is this not a BPAL blend at all?

Thanks for any help you can offer about my mystery imp!

I have both "One to Tie, Two to Win" and Roadhouse; One to Tie is more green and grassy, while Roadhouse is bright dandelions and one of my favourites!

kyaatje, I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but I think that Masquerade smells like a Lush shop (see my comment to that effect below!) although I associate the "lush smell" with orange blossom and neroli, so you could maybe try oils that are heavy on one or the other.

It's not a specific Lush product, but I think that Masquerade smells like the mingled scent of many Lush products together in one place - it's not exactly the smell of a Lush shop, but it certainly reminds me of one!

 

Patchouli, ambergris, carnation and orange blossom.

Does anyone know if there is a GC BPAL blend that smells sort of similar to L'Estate from the BPTP summer inquisition? i absolutely love that blend, but I only have one bottle...

 

So, is there a GC cousin of L'Estate? *hopes*

L'Estate is mostly a soft blend that's all about the Nepalese Amber on me - I can't remember if I've found/tried any other blends from BPAL containing nepalese amber, but I've tried a couple from other e-tailers, so I do recognise the note.

Yemaya has been mentioned above; I'd like to add the fresh juicy melon-ness that is Earth Rat!

In general there's probably some batch variation year on year for the blends that return more than once. Having said that, I don't find much difference between the two different decants of Midwinter's Eve that I have from different years.

Bordello is close but not exactly the same - it's also plummy but much warmer and deeper than Midwinter's Eve which I think is slightly cool and sparkling.

If you search for Midwinter or Bordello in this thread (and here) you'll see lots of other people's comparisons of the two.

And who knows, Midwinter's Eve could come back again for Yule 2008; it's been released more than one Christmas in the past.

Pickled Imp reminds me very much of Chimera - hot spicy vanilla!

To start with: Fresh and crisp with a slight undercurrent of a spring bouquet of herbal-smelling flowers. In fact, the smell association I get is juicy green apples

Continues to smell fresh, clean, and herbal - like the kind of scent that is put into shampoos to make you feel CLEAN! Although there's now a warmer darker scent underneath that I catch glimpses of if I smell my wrists closely.

A little later: Fresh herbal scent with woodiness underneath.

As it dries down, it becomes a soft, fresh yet powdery floral blend with a hint of woods.

Thanks, everyone for the advice.

In the end, I threw a few favourite imps in my film cannister last night and on the train en route to my driving test I just dabbed multiple things at random - Snow White, Australian Copperhead and Morocco in different spots on hands and wrists.

On the test itself my driving was fairly shambolic, although I did stay calm and collected even after I made stupid errors all along the way. I didn't really notice what perfume I was wearing because I was too focused on what was happening but I like to think that the nice smells helped me feel comfortable enough to not panic unduly. Well, that and the fact that this was my third attempt.

When my test was over, I had totted up 14 minor faults and no majors. Which is just enough to still count as a pass! The examiner said those stock words - "I'm glad to tell you that you've passed your test" - and I just looked at him and said "You're kidding, right?!" So yay for third time's the charm!

Thanks for your kind thoughts, heartlily and paperrose

Maybe Succor or Safari? Or perhaps your favorite scent, possibly it could work as a security blanket or something.

I don't have either of those Panaceas, but using a favourite scent to relax with is a good shout. I'm fickle enough that I don't have a clear favourite, but will go through my bottles and pick something that I love out. Maybe Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo or Morocco or Australian Copperhead. thanks!

Something with citurs or mint is supposed to keep you focused. Schrodinger's Cat contains both, but that blend really depends on your skin chemistry (as well it would). I find Ultraviolet very calming and orienting, the same with Cathode. Chesire Cat has the double benefit of calming chamomile and focusing grapefruit (I believe grapefruit is recommended as a study scent for students).

I don't think Schrodinger's Cat or Cathode worked particularly well on me, so I don't have either around. I don't have Ultraviolet to hand either, but I might be able to dig out an imp of Cheshire Cat - need to check!

Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo verges on citrussy and always cheers me up, so that's looking like an option. I also have some citrussy Aizen Myoo, or Lick It One More Time for the mint. Thanks for the suggestions!

Nope - tis all BPAL, no TALs

Is a driving test the same as sitting any other exam?

I don't know, but I certainly fail far more driving tests than I've ever failed written exams! The first time I was too nervous and my driving was slightly erratic as a result, with my playing it too safe leading to a fail, and the second time I was too confident and sat chatting to the examiner instead of focussing on the road, as well as blowing my nerves to small pieces when things went slightly wobbly...

I have attempt number 3 at a driving test coming up next week, and one (hopefully) final lesson tomorrow afternoon...

Can you recommend scents to inspire cool, calm, collected focus?? I have a fairly large choice of LE/GC bottles 'n' imps so I hope that I already have something appropriate in my collection. It's a little late to ask now, but should I wear the scent I intend to wear for my test on my lesson tomorrow?

Thanks in advance!

What Delirium 1009 said

ooh, and the Ars Draconis collection also have a different label.

Links from forum gallery :

General Catalogue : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...=si&img=291 & http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...=si&img=625

Ars Draconis : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...=si&img=538

Rapaccini's Garden : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...=si&img=623

Chakras : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...si&img=1273

A Picnic in Arkham : ...

Salons & Carnaval Diabolique : look like the paintings on the site

Snake Oil : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...=si&img=540

Schrodinger's Cat : http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...si&img=1630

Jolly Roger : ...

Tamora is peachy and very sweet.

Jack is spicy sweet pumpkins.

What do the Novel Ideas For Secret Amusements bottles look like? Is it the full picture as linked to on the Salon page, or a section of the images?

 

 

I uploaded a group pick of the whole series into the community gallery

 

http://www.bpal.org/index.php?autocom=gall...si&img=1941

wow! Thank you very much

What do the Novel Ideas For Secret Amusements bottles look like? Is it the full picture as linked to on the Salon page, or a section of the images?

I'd love something Jungle-like too, but haven't really found any good matches.

From the one you suggest, I do love One to Tie, Two to Win, and Pontarlier is on my wishlist at the moment. From the thread you reference, Tenochtitlan is a great suggestion, and Eden's a good choice too. I love Bayou but it's a heavy humid floral on me, rather than a green scent.

Not strictly grassy scents, but I love them for being very fresh are Roadhouse (dandelions) and Rosalind (sweet berries but I get a very green vibe from this).

It's not a specific Lush product, but I think that Masquerade smells like the mingled scent of many Lush products together in one place - it's not exactly the smell of a Lush shop, but it certainly reminds me of one!

Patchouli, ambergris, carnation and orange blossom.

I find Bordello VERY similar to Midwinter's Eve - they're both sweet (but not over-ripe) plummy goodness. If anything, Midwinter's Eve is a touch lighter

On application: honeyed humid sweetness with the barest touch of almond

Floral? Yes. Big blooming exotic white blossoms with a touch of openness about them. But mostly sweet and deep and slightly spicy.

This is one of my favourites, and reminds me a lot of another favourite, Hell's Belle - also a sweet, exuberant, strong floral - I hadn't connected these two scents together before, but today the similarity feels unmistakable. I may have to try them side-by-side to confirm how similar or disparate they are.

* adds mental note to add Belle Epoque to the comparisons...

Sharp, refreshing grapefruit-style citrus with little sweetness on me (although I have a pretty sweet tooth, so I may be underestimating how sweet it is!).

This has some depth to it that prevents it being too light or disappearing fast - it's still going strong 6 hours after light application, albeit a much chewier (but still bright!) scent than in the initial stages.

I really like this!

Christmas Rose, which smells of hellebore flowers, reminds me of something and I can't remember what. Does it feel familiar to someone else?

Yes! The first few minutes of wearing it I get the sharp/green/floral vibe that I classify as similar to the green Chanel one. And there was a BPAL that had the exact same initial burst, but I can't be sure which one it was - my memory is suggesting Destroying Angel but I'd have to check

Smells sweet, deep and slightly 'fizzy'/effervescent (a similar quality to Schwarzer Mond)

The smell also really reminds me of my collection of sweet and resiny Incense Guru sticks.