arabella

First Impression: Pomegranate sprinkled with lots of icing sugar.

 

Dries down to: There's something that tones down the sweet fruitiness - maybe, wine or brandy? There's also something floral. I'm thinking lily.

 

Additional Comments: This is nice, fresh yet rich scent but not a "wow" for me.

 

Lasted: About an hour.

 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

First Impression: Floral - but not one I'm familiar with.

 

Dries down to: Stays much the same but the floral now feels a bit abused, not as fresh and slightly wilted.

 

Additional Comments: This reminds me of used flowers - like the funeral bouquet that is donated to a shut-in. I have no idea why but this scent depresses me. Definitely a "no".

 

Lasted: A few hours.

 

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

First Impression: Cold, citrussy floral.

 

Dried down to: A softer, richer, cool floral with no citrus notes. The olive blossom is the primary note I can pick out once this dries down completely, along with a hint of the blood orange.

 

Additional Comments: This is quite pretty - not quite special enough to warrant a bottle but I'll definitely enjoy the imp I've got. Surprisingly, the honey hasn't amped on me as it usually does and that was a very nice surprise - honey usually makes me gag. Also, the gardenia is kept in check. This actually reminds me a lot of LUSH's Olive Branch.

 

Lasted: A few hours.

 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

First Impression: Exotic floral but unlike any other floral I've ever smelled.

 

Dries down to: Stays pretty much the same on me.

 

Additional Comments: This is definitely floral but so exotic. The way Beth has blended all the notes is exquisite. The balance is so perfect that I can't pick out any one note but was instantly addicted to the whole. Of the new Yules, this one is the hidden gem.

 

Lasted: 2-3 hours.

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

First Impression: Sweet dough batter loaded with glaceed fruits.

 

Dries down to: Burnt sweet dough batter loaded with glaceed fruits.

 

Additional Comments: I wish I got some of the other notes that are supposed to be in here - especially the violets and lilies - but there's not even a hint. I'm glad I only got an imp of this instead of a whole bottle.

 

Lasted: Several hours.

 

Rating: 1 out of 5

First Impression: Ozone. It's that blast of cold air you get when an unexpected gust blows the door open.

 

Dries down to: It takes a while, but tiny hints of grapes emerge eventually.

 

Additional Comments: This reminds me of the watered down wine I was given on special occasions as a young child. There's nothing here that interests me as an adult.

 

Lasted: An hour or two.

 

Rating: 2 out of 5.

First Impression: Mexican Hot Chocolate - definitely a drink for adults.

 

Dries down to: There's no discernible change.

 

Additional Comments: There's a chocolate shop in town that makes a killer Mexican Hot Chocolate and this smells exactly like it. This is going to be one of my all-time favourites. I can't see wearing it but as a room scent and a comfort scent, it can't be beat - especially, in winter. This smells exactly the way I had hoped it would.

 

Lasted: A long time - at least overnight.

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

First Impression: Slightly sweet green tea.

Dries down to: The flowers start emerging slowly, the sweetness fades and it cools down.

Additional Comments: This is a light and lovely, subtle floral blend. It's cool and quiet - perfect for summer evenings.

Lasted: 1-2 hours.

Rating: 4 out of 5

First Impression: A neutral, soft, outdoorsy scent - feels like an October evening.

 

Dries down to: Stays soft with hints of dry leaves and woodland animals.

 

Additional Comments. Thank goodness - no pickles on me. This feels like a walk in the forest in late October; the forest floor is covered in newly fallen leaves, you can sense the presence of small nocturnal animals, feel the warmth of a dying bonfire in the distance. After reading other reviews about the "pickle" smell, I was dreading this one but it's a lovely surprise. Musks can be tricky on me, as can woods, but this blend works - it's perfectly balanced and evokes a mood of autumn - calm and reflective. While it's not a "wow" scent for me, it's a nice everyday neutral for the fall.

 

Lasted: A few hours.

 

Rating: 3/5

First Impression: "In my face" rose, just as expected.

 

Dries down to: After about an hour or so, the rose is totally tamed down and the other notes blend in, but they're not individually discernible.

 

Additional Comments: When I first got this, I didn't really give it a fair trial because the rose amped up so much, as it normally does on me. For some reason, today, I put it on anyway and was pleasantly surprised by how nicely it developed. This will never be a favourite of mine, but I'll definitely wear it on the occasions I want a long-lasting, pretty scent.

 

Lasted: All day.

 

Rating: 3 out of 5

First Impression: Pine tar.

 

Dries down to: The tar-y note settles down rather quickly but it remains very pine-y on me.

 

Additional Comments: I was hoping for more of the florals to come out of hiding or for it to feel more wintry, but, it's not at all outdoorsy smelling - just medicinal. I do, however, get a hint of currant after a while. I'll leave it to age and see if it improves with time.

 

Lasted: Several hours.

 

Rating: 2 out of 5

First Impression: Musk.

 

Dries down to: Hints of sandalwood appear around the edges, followed by the wine notes.

 

Additional Comments: I don't pick up on any cocoa or floral notes at all. There is a softness like a blanket of cotton over the whole blend which must be from the amber. It reminds me of wine spilled on a picnic bench. It's okay but I'll stick with Bordello which works so much better with my skin chemistry.

 

Lasted: Several hours.

 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

First Impression: A citrus smack in the face.

 

Dries down to: A soft floral on a base of citrus with creamy accents.

 

Additional Comments: This is absolutely gorgeous. The neroli is first out of the starting gate but quickly fades and joins the white grapefruit to form a base for the soft florals (I mostly pick up on the wisteria and iris). The tea and ginger give it a hint of intrigue and keep the florals in line. The honeysuckle and tonka give it just a pinch of creamy sweetness. I usually amp jasmine horribly but I can't really detect it in this blend at all. This is one of the nicest surprises I've encountered from BPAL in a while.

 

Lasted: A couple of hours.

 

Rating: 4 out of 5.

First Impression: An exotic floral bathing in tea.

 

Dries down to: An absolutely perfectly balanced blend of cherry blossom and bamboo with the rest of the notes as supporting players.

 

Additional Comments: I'm amazed that the dragon's blood isn't dominating this scent. Although I love dragon's blood, it knows its place here. The tea and sandalwood also provide a lovely depth to this delicate blend without being obvious. This is absolutely gorgeous and with its longevity as an extra bonus jumps to my top ten list.

 

Lasted: Overnight.

 

Rating: 5 out of 5

October 2006 version

 

First Impression: Chocolate and spice

Dries down to: Deeptens and gets richer

Additional Comments: This verison os more adult than the original. I like both, however.

Lasted: 3-4 hours

Rating: 4 out of 5

First Impression: Citrus-sy wood

Dries down to: A wood note - evergree - really amps up.

Additional Comments: Now, I think it's the juniper that's amping up on me. This one is quite herby and woody - an outdoors scent. It's not bad as a room scent but I wouldn't wear it.

Lasted: Several hours

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

First Impression: Flowers and pine

Dries down to: An oily, smoky sheen settles over it

Additional Comments: This is a cacophony of Christmas notes yet somehow it all works. I can't pinpoint any one note but the whole feel like the Christmas spirit.

Lasted: 1-2 hours

Rating: 3 out of 5

2006 version

 

First Impression: A shiny, bright floral

Dries down to: Tones down a bit

Additional Comments: I don't like this version nearly as much as last year's. I get no champagne, the sandalwood is a tad too strong and the florals are insipid. Too bad.

Lasted: Less than an hour

Rating: 2 out of 5

First Impression: A sweet, lemon-tinged floral

Dries down to: It stays much the same on me

Additional comments: This is a cool, sweet and crisp floral. I'll probably enjoy this more in hot weather.

Lasted: 3-4 hours

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

First Impression: A creamy floral

Dries down to: Becomes softer and smokier and, finally, soapy.

Additional Comments: This is an intriguing blend. The amber softens it, the saffron and frankincense give it punch and the florals tend to the orange family. It's nice except for the soapiness and I don't know where it's coming from.

Lasted: 2-3 hours

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

First Impression: Cool and bland

Dries down to: Not much changes

Additional Comments: This is the smell of sunshine on winter snowbanks. I love Snow White but this, to me, isn't even close. It's nice but boring; whereas, Snow White is one of my top BPAL blends.

Lasted: Just a couple of hours

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

First Impression: Sweet and icy mint
Dries down to: No change
Additional Comments: Pure mint - very fresh. Reminds me of candy cane ice cream.
Lasted: A few hours
Rating: 3 out of 5

First Impression: Musk, bitters

Dries down to: It gets quite smoky

Additional Comments: This is a very dry scent. I'd never wear anything that smells like a garage or storage shed but I appreicate the skill involved here.

Lasted: Overnight

Rating: 2 out of 5

2006 Version

 

First Impression: Soft incense

Dries down to: The incense gets stronger

Additional comments: I thnk I prefer last year's version. It's straightforward incense - okay for a room scent.

Lasted: Overnight

Rating: 2 out of 5

First Impression: Light woods

Dries down to: It gets sweeter

Additional Comments: I can't really distinguish apple or almond. It's a unique blend and it's growing on me.

Lasted: A few hours:

Rating: 3 out of 5