UltraViolet

BPAl blends which use Juniper Berry as one of it's ingredients: Allegory, Arkham, Black Forest, Blue Moon, Burial, Cerberus, Golden Priapus, Himerus, Ligeia, Loup Garou, Oberon, Omen, Puck, Rome, Sepulcher, Thanatopsis, Tintagel, Undertow, Whippoorwill, Wildfire, Wings of Azrael.

In the bottle

This is a pale green/gold colored liquid.

Juniper berries are used in the distillation of gin.

Surprisingly, it smells beautiful, it's sweeter than I thought it would be. Almost minty.

On

OMG I love this. And yes, I do recognize this scent in Blue Moon.

It's smells like fresh outdoors, fir trees and a bit of sweetness. This is another blend that I can feel when I breathe, it's vapors go into my body and it's a nice warm feeling.

30 minutes

Doesn't morph at all. It stays exactly the same when dry as it smells when wet.

Throw:

A bit

Scent category:

Green

Summary

I used to get looks from my Grandma alot when I was young for picking these from my Grandma's juniper bush and squishing them between my fingers (what a mess) because I liked the smell.

These smells exactly like that memory but a bit sweeter, more something I would actually wear alone than I remember. Reminds me of Lush's "Jingle Spells" ballistic as it has juniper in it also.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4 or 4.5

BPAl blends which use Sweet Pea as one of it's ingredients: Aeval, Annabel Lee, Desdemona, Erato, Juliet, Pink Phoenix, Titania.

In the bottle

This is a clear blend. Oh my, it's so lovely and "fresh" is the one word I'd use to describe this. Like flowers and fresh air.

On

It's almost citrussy and fresh. Like Amsterdam meets plumeria or something.

God this is even better than Daffodil.

30 minutes

It gets a bit sweeter as it dries which is okay but I like it best when it's wet because it's less sweet and more fresh air smelling. It really lasts too for such an airy floral.

Throw:

Yes, a bit.

Scent category:

Floral single note

Summary

If you like "fresh florals" this is your blend.

Has a bit of lovely throw.

Has better than average lasting power.

Turns sweeter when dry.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4 or 4.5

BPAl blends which use Hazelnut as one of it's ingredients: Black Pearl, Gluttony, Hellcat, Pumpkin Patch 2.

In the bottle

This is a clear blend. Wow, I don't know why I' surprised but it's really nutty smelling.

On

Oh it has lovely throw. Warm and foody and slightly sweet.

30 minutes

Upon drying it takes on almost a burnt sugar/caramel smell.

Gosh I'd swear Sugar Skull has hazelnut in it from the smell of this.

Throw:

Yes

Scent category:

Foody

Summary

It's better one me wet than dry as it get's a bit too darkened smelling for me. Also it's papery/woody smelling, like toasted coconut was to me.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

3

Imp Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/121665863.jpg

BPAL blends which use Pink Grapefruit (vs White Grapefruit) as one of it's ingredients:

None that I can find.

In the bottle

This is a golden yellow blend. It smells heavenly of sweet grapefruit.

On

Yum. Really good. It smell slike verything that's good abot grapefruit. It's not bitter in the least just sweet and lushious. And yes, it does make my mouth water too.

30 minutes

Stays the same and the scent hasn't diminished yet as of 45 minutes.

Throw:

A bit

Scent category:

Citrus

Summary

I can't find one thing negative about this review. It's long lasting, it doesn't morph it has a bit of throw, it's great.

Purchase again?

Yes. A bottle if I could ever sell a kidney for one.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

BPAl blends which use Tomato Leaf as one of it's ingredients:

None

In the bottle

This is a clear liquid.

Smells just like tomato leaves, as naturally it would.

I am so grateful to be able to smell tomato leaf, my mom had a tomato garden and I always liked the way my hands smelled after picking them, it's a comforting "memory" type of smell.

On

It's perfect. It's stronger than I thought which is so good in this case. A tad peppery smelling but with none of a pepper's heated spicy bite, just the scent of it only, kind of like a green pepper smells but more, well, red tomato-y.

It smells green and really exactly like tomato leaves. Kind of acidic smelling, green and warm.

30 minutes

Hasn't changed at all. I love this.

Throw:

Yes this does, the throw smells like a red tomato, not like the peppery green earthy smell of it on my skin.

Scent category:

Green

Summary

It smells perfect wet or dry. If you like the smell of fresh tomato leaves you will not be disappointed. This is very good.

Purchase again?

Yes. For the scent and the comfort factor.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

BPAl blends which use Daffodil as one of it's ingredients: Flower moon, Kitsune-tsuki, Pink Moon.

In the bottle

This is a clear liquid.

Oh love it, so fresh. Daffodil is one of my favorite flowers, not only because I love the way it looks but I also love it's scent.

On

So light and sweet, I realize now that I have smelled this scent in Pink Moon.

It's almost not floral, I dunno how to describe this. It has this light fresh yellow scent like sunshine.

30 minutes

The scent hasn't changed at all on my skin. It's soft and pretty.

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Floral

Summary

This smells so nice yet so different for a floral. On my wrist BPAL's Daffodil sn smells like clothes when you dry them on the line outside, just sunshine mixed with a fresh cut green grass smell and something that smells like a dab of soft powdery vanilla. And even though it's a light scent it does have pretty good lasting power.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

BPAl blends which use Sweet Almond (vs. Bitter Almond, Almond, etc.) as one of it's ingredients:

Seraglio

In the bottle

This is almost a perfectly clear liquid.

The most perfect sweet foody, and God help me, almost sensual scent. *swoon*

On

Wow it's really strong, another "bang for your buck" single note in which a little goes a long way. It's so sweet and strong of an almond as to be almost piercing, but I did unwittingly put a bigger glob on my wrist so....

30 minutes

I like the sweet almond sn better when it's dry, it's certainly not as powerful, and also the sweetness tends to diminish on my skin after about 20 minutes which makes it smell even nicer (subtler) imo.

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Foody

Summary

This is beautiful, feminine and foody all at once.

It smells absolutely divine on my skin when dry.

I'd totally wear this alone but I can imagine this sn being perfect to blend with so many things.

Many of my top 20 favorite bpal blends have almond in them; Seraglio, Snow White (maybe), Bastet, Inferno, Queen of Sheba, Salome so I think my skin likes Almond in general, and Beth has such perfect almond blends apparently how could this not be a 5 rating.

Purchase again?

Yes. I'd walk through some hot coals for more.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

Imp: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/121080117.jpg

BPAL blends which use Toasted Coconut (vs. Coconut, Black Coconut) as one of it's ingredients:

Eden

In the bottle

Surprisingly nice and foody with maybe a vague soapiness in the background.

This is my first sniff/review of any coconut single note, and it's also kind of an experiment for me. I've historically hated coconut and I've often wondered if I've hated it because it's paired with Vetiver typically. I hate Vetiver. I thought I'd start with the toasted coconut as it smelled better in the vial and alot less soapy than the regular BPAL coconut.

On

Smells good sort of....whoops and now I'm discovering toasted coconut smells like "Spooky". That's not a good thing to me.

I'm guessing I hate coconut.

It smells coconutty but this toasted coconut smells more nutty, papery and woody if that makes sense.

30 minutes

Thank goodness it gets sweeter on my skin as it dries so it's not so dry and papery to my nose now and it's warmer now almost, I dunno good I suppose.

Throw:

Actually , this would be considered some good throw.

Scent category:

Foody

Summary

Well, it smells like the BPAL blend "Spooky".

Purchase again?

No but I'm very glad (and grateful) that I had a chance to try this.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

2.5 (I'm pretty sure I'd be in the minority with this rating however)

BPAL blends which use Sweet Clove as one of it's ingredients:

March Hare, Succubus, Sybaris, Torture King.

Imp: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/121063780.jpg

In the bottle

This is almost a totally clear blend.

Good God, this is great smelling.

On

Pure, sweet, spicy clove.

30 minutes

No change.

Throw:

Yes

Scent category:

Spicy

Summary

It's perfect. Smells like sweet clove hehe.

What an addictive scent. This is one you can wear alone or to blend.

Purchase again?

Yes! Boat loads.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

BPAL blends which use Florentine Iris (vs. Vesper, Egptian, White Iris, etc.) as one of it's ingredients:

Morella

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/121047583.jpg

In the bottle

This is a pale gold colored blend.

Stronger than I imagined, has throw. Irises sometimes remind me of Kool-Aid. It's different than many of the florals I've tried, this is heavier but not too strong at all. I guess a thicker floral is the right word, it's slightly sweet and gorgeous. It's more of an earthier floral on my skin.

On

Florentine Iris smells like an earthier form of candied violets but not quite as sweet.

30 minutes

Doesn't change on me at all 30 minutes. It gets a little less sweet as it dries.

Throw:

great throw

Scent category:

Floral

Summary

Smells like candied violets, sweet and heady but a bit more green.

Purchase again?

Yes

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

In the bottle

It's a pale orange liquid.

Mmm. Warm musk, sensual and quite beautiful. I couldn't believe how wonderful it smelled when I sniffed the imp.

On

Oh man this is a 5 star blend, I can tell already.

The Tuberose, Honey and Musk act as this sexy sweet warm sensuality over the dark myrrh, cognac and patchouli. This is absolutely fabulous on my skin.

30 minutes

The dark musk is not primary now but still there, the thick myrrh and light floral are present now with the warmth of the other scents.

Throw:

Some

Scent category:

foody/incensy/floral

Summary

Initially it's warm and sensual and a tad sweet, just right.

Then it becomes a bit less romantically playful and darker as it dries with the myrrh, patchouli and cognac , all the while a wee floral soapiness springs up from the tuberose and geranium. It all goes together so well.

Purchase again?

Yes, a 10ml.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4.5

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120671005.jpg

Ha! I love it. I had no idea this blend was meant to be camp until I saw the bottle than read the lab description on QS's post.

In the bottle

Good God. It's cheesecake. Just like the pin-ups were called in my Dad's day. Too funny. But really it's yummy smelling.

On

It smells like cheesecake ony my skin too.

30 minutes

It gets more cheesy as it dries I also smell a nice spice underneath.

Now I smell graham crust, golden crust. A definite bit of buttery crust such as in Sugar Cookie.

Throw:

A teeny bit more than average

Scent category:

Foody

Summary

At first it's more of a cheesecake icing, than it gets warmer and actually more cheesy as it gets drier and I even smell golden brown butter like when it's sizzzling in a pan. Mmm.

Purchase again?

Yes a 10 ml if there were such a thing, for now it's a hunt for another 5ml.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4 Bravo.

Bottle pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120643295.jpg

In the bottle

The sweetest thing ever, it's a beautiful perfume of resin and something else.

On

Oh my God, it's foody goodness, like some subtle sweet almond?

I've always loved Lush bath products which have benzoin, and galbanum and this BPAL blend is no exception. It's incensey and warm, and coupled with the further sweet loveliness of the Tonka and rockrose it's just stunning.

30 minutes

It hasn't changed thank the heavens.

It's warm and it's hard to describe this one, get some, you won't be sorry.

Throw:

No, but the fact that you have to cozy up to smell this lends to the "Ohhh" quality about this scent.

Scent category:

Resin

Summary

This is like no BPAL blend I've tried. It stand alone in that "this is another BPAL 5 star, classic beauty" scent like Black Opal, Horus, etc.

It's subtle, it wants you to come closer to it so it can tell you it's beautiful secret.

Purchase again?

Yes. I'm the hindsighted one who got only one bottle.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120641038.jpg

In the bottle

Mmm. Warm and almost foody with the golden resin. Less myrrh than I thought it might have. In fact I don't smell any myrrh.

On

This is the one blend I couldn't wait to try. I smell Frankincense. (glad I reviewed that sn or I wouldn't know this) I smell smoke and their might indeed be myrrh. It's so damn lovely. I thought this blend might be kind of strong or not easy to wear to all places but it's not quite like that. It's a meditational blend for me moving forward let's just put it that way. Absolutely soothing and warm.

30 minutes

lol, memories of my knees aching from the kneeling and the getting up and down.

Throw:

Yes, a bit.

Scent category:

Incense

Summary

I smell the sweet dill quality that Frankincense has in places. And then a greyish Myrrh in the middle and Sandalwood (or a light wood like cedar) and something else I can't quite place wafting on top.

It's solemn but not "yeesh" smelling. Just enough sweetness to make it even sensual dare I say.

Purchase again?

Yes. This is right up there with "Horus", "Tushnamatay" or "White Light" for tehe just right meditational vibe.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4.5

Bottle Pic: I agree this gets my vote for best bottle art. http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120639643.jpg

In the bottle

Oh lord, I don't know if I can take more goodness! It smells clean and crisp like snow.

On

Oh it's so pretty. I smell a real light scent of pine and then underneath it's a bit berry/fruity like Skadi but it has a wee bit more spiciness to it.

It's much cleaner smelling in the bottle than on my arm. On my skin the crisp freshness is now underneath and the more warm berry is spicy on my arm.

30 minutes

It's not morphing at all. It's got a bright note that I wasn't aware of earlier. It's like a brighter fruit?

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Aqua/Green/Fruity

Summary

It's so similar to Skadi but not as berryish and a bit more green I think.

Of all the Yule 2005 blends this is the one that smells like you're on a mountain top skiing down, with the snow and the tree smell. I much prefer a pine like this to something warmer like Hearth for instance.

Purchase again?

Maybe.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120636829.jpg

In the bottle

Whoa. It's freakin' cherry pipe tobacco. How does she do that?

On

Oh my, this is so different and real. I smell sweet cherry or green apple tobacco and soft, warm leather primarily and I never knew how good these two would go together. I only smell a bit of "woods" and linen...I dunno....Yes...I smell that crisp clean linen smell.

Unfreakinbelievable.

30 minutes

It gets quite sweet on the dry down. Now it's a sweet fruity tobacco. Medium strong, nothing eye tearing or anything like that. It almost smells like some kind of East Indian passion fruit with cardomom and clove.

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Spicy/Animalistic/Woody

Summary

It's a men's scent for sure but it's also an anyone's scent if you're looking for something that reminds you of cherry or sour apple pipe tobacco, leather and linen. It smells almost like a spiced currant pie for the holidays. The fact that this is not a scent I would wear at all is so overthrown by the fact that this blend smells so insanely real. It stirs up good memories for me I guess.

Purchase again?

Yes. I don't know why but yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120633965.jpg

In the bottle

Peppermint candy.

On

Exactly like peppermint candy. It's reall minty, sweet goodness.

30 minutes

It keeps it's minty scent and doesn't fade right away. It's still got that cool "ahh" feeling when I sniff it on my wrist even at 20min.

Throw:

Yes, because of the mint.

Scent category:

Herbal (mint)/Foody

Summary

It smells exactly like yummy peppermint Christmas candy canes.

Purchase again?

Yes!

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120632767.jpg

In the bottle

Mmm. Incensey, and...a mint and lime tang?

What a strange yet familar smell. Not strange "yuk" but strange "I haven't smelled this in awhile, what is it". It's comforting. Now I'm getting the smokiness.

It's really good in a sweet incensey lime kind of way. I thought it would be smokey or something from the description not lime. I do smell the sweet fading incense though. I think the smell is Frankincense.

On

Hasn't morphed in anyway.

30 minutes

I smell smokey lime.

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Incense/Citrus?

Summary

The pungent sweet Frankincense is all I smell initially and then this familar twngy scent that smells like limes comes through ever so subtley.

Purchase again?

Maybe. I'm leaning towards "yes".

1-5 rating (5 being best)

3

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120631125.jpg

In the bottle

It smells like Blue Moon (sort of) with Amsterdam and with a lovely minty throw.

On

OMG, this is what I wanted Numb to smell like.

30 minutes

I smell minty ice. How is that possible?

Throw:

Scent category:

Herbal/Aqua

Summary

Beth. God love ya, you did it again.

It's minty but not sweet, it also smells like water and ice and snow.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

Bottle Pic: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120630175.jpg

In the bottle

I can't get over how lovely the bottle art is.

It's a rose blend like The Empress meets Kurkulla.

On

I love rose...but it doesn't love me...so I'm preparing for this fact.

It is turning green smelling as rose usually does on me, but, this isn't getting too bad with that "greening up" that happens, in fact this is nice. If it was going to turn bad it would've done so already.

30 minutes

It's got great staying power, longer than the average blend for sure.

I can't wait to try Rose Red 2005 now.

Throw:

Yes, a bit.

Scent category:

Floral

Summary

It's a heady fresh red rose smell the likes of The Empress and Rose Red but it's not as sweet as those two. I actually like a bit of sweetness to my rose as it helps to make the green smell not be so astringent on my skin.

Purchase again?

I think I would.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

Bottle picture: http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120629230.jpg

In the bottle

Like...fruity alcohol.

On

Let me say that white musk in here is exquisite. Yep, there's the ylang ylang but it's not too twangy with the ylang ylang. The tuberose is so lovely... ohh. I don't smell the sandalwood nor the tobacco flower but I'm sure they're working their magick on me.

Oooh, here comes the tobacco flower.

It almost smells like carnation at this point, milky creamy carnation.

I smell the hairspray now.

30 minutes

Now it's a floral that's warm and golden. Mmm. It's long lasting, i'd say it's even on the strong side so a little goes a long way.

Throw:

a bit more than average because of the musk, and champagne.

Scent category:

Fruity/Floral/Incense/Animalistic

Summary

It's much fruitier and bubblier when wet. As it dries it takes on a warmer, golden, scrumptious floral scent because of the tobacco flower, getting stronger on me as it dries.

It is a scent which is indicitive of that time.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4.5

BPAL blends which use blood orange as one of it's ingredients:

Akuma, Haunted Palace, Kuntzkammer.

In the bottle

Smells like sex and an orange.

It's interesting that the blend is a pale gold color. I have to preface that I love oranges. Their one of my favorite scents, so consider this when reading on.

On

This is so scrummy smelling it just sends me.

30 minutes

Ohhh. After about an hour it's faded alot which is a pity because I need to smell something this good all the time.

Throw:

Yes

Scent category:

Fruity

Summary

It's dark, orange, and sweet.

Great in the bottle.

Great wet on skin.

Great dry.

Great dark orange smell.

Great throw.

Lasts only a bit longer than most blends. I wish it would last longer.

It's interesting that this smells almost similar to raspberry.

Purchase again?

I'd give one of my critical organs (and anything else I own) for a bottle of BPAL Blood Orange. Just throwing that out there.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

BPAL blends which use cherry blossom as one of it's ingredients:

Aizen-myoo, Kyoto, Neo-Tokyo.

In the bottle

*swoon* Light, airy, vaguely cherry scented floral.

On

It's sweet but not too sweet, the flower is more of a beautiful smell than the fruit.

At 30-60 seconds it is getting quite strong. It's more than vaguely cherry scented now. It seems that cherry anything is going to amp up on my skin. Only a dab will do me in the future but do me it does. I thank the heavens I have an imp of this.

30 minutes

The dry down is heavenly. It's at this stage when I give this a 5. It blends so well with my skin chemistry, so fresh and subtley sweet. It's a scent that could be worn alone.

Throw:

a bit more than average

Scent category:

Floral

Summary

It smells like you'd think. It smells pink, sweet, cherryish when wet, then pink fresh and floral when dry.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

5

BPAL blends which use white sandalwood (vs. Red Mysor, Blackened) as one of it's ingredients:

Damnation, Dragon's Bone, Fallen, Hakkotsu, Kuang-Shi, Kyoto, Ode on Meloncholy, Nefertiti, Oneiroi, Seraphim, Shroud, Spectre, Stardust, Thanatos, The Black Tower, The Raven, Veil, Zephyr, Vicomt De Valmont, Utrennyaya.

In the bottle Here's what the bottle looks like, http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL202/154131...8/120520732.jpg

It's that lovely familiar smell. Sandalwood always reminds me of these lovely carved sandalwood fans that my uncle brought my mom while he was stationed in Japan when I was a girl. It's a woody and dry smell of course but there's that totally warm and addictive part about Sandalwood, that seductive presence it has. It's a serene smell and all that because of the connection with incense, meditation, temples that Sandalwood has, but it so sensual to me because of that musk-like twinge of scent which lies on top of the dry wood odor.

*swoon*

On

This White Sandalwood single note blend is lightly cedar-ish when initially wet on my skin, then after about 5 seconds the cedar quality fades and the dry scent of sandalwood takes over luckily and I smell that sort of nutty qualioty too now after a few seconds. That is what I like about white sandalwood that subtle nutty quality that doesn't turn too rubbery smelling.

One of the most precious things I own is a sandalwood pencil given to me by a forum member once. Apparently all the smell cannot be sniffed out with freakishly repetitive sniffing, but maybe now I can give the pencil a break.

30 minutes

It just gets better in that it gets drier and mellower smelling. The strength of scent is diminshed more than I'd like in a single note dangit but that's the unfortunate thing with most single note sandalwood in general on my skin, not just bpal.

Throw:

average

Scent category:

Woody/Incense

Summary

Subtle, serene yet sensual. An dry, airy, nutty, wood scent. I have to compare once again but I think I like the white sandalwood more than the red Mysor sandalwood.

Purchase again?

Yes.

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4

4.5

BPAL blends that include Cherry (vs. Black Cherry or Cherry Blossom) as one of it's ingredients:

Blood, Kabuki, The Queen of Hearts.

In the bottle

I like this better than the black cherry single note, I thought it would be the other way around. This Cherry single note is more of a "real" cherry smell to me. It's a bit tarter, not as cloying. It's actually making me salivate. But I like berries and cherries and that kind of fruit anyway.

On

Wow, this is almost too strong. It smells like cherry candy after awhile though, really strongly.

(15 minutes) I'm thinkin' it's just that a little of this goes a long way because it's so concentrated (as naturally a single note would be I guess). I'm impressed and cherry single note gives bang for the buck that's for sure.

30 minutes

Wow this is like the longest lasting, strongest bpal blend I believe I've ever tried.

Throw:

Yep, more than the average blend but nothing record breaking or anything.

Scent category:

Fruity

Summary

Dayum that's some strong, long lasting cherry goodness.

Purchase again?

Yes

1-5 rating (5 being best)

4.5 I tried not to give this a 5 as I try to take this a bit too seriously and thus don't hand out 5's willy nilly. But it almost fits all the requirements; It's a perfect representation of what's it's supposed to be (in this case Cherry) it's long lasting, a little goes a long way, it smells good, etc.

What's really good about this particular blend for me though is not what it is like wearing it but how it would be the perfect one for, well blending. Maybe a drop with a drop of vanilla bean just to change the vividness of the cherry alone. By the way I do love the cherry goodness of BPAL's "Queen of Hearts".