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BPAL Madness!

MCS4096

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Everything posted by MCS4096

  1. MCS4096

    Flowering Chrysanthemums

    In the bottle: To me this smells mainly of amber incense and marigold. I don't have experience with the Lab's mum or marigold notes, but it really smells like actual marigolds being planted in the garden. A bit spicy, a bit moist, a lot amber and sandalwood. Wet: I thought this would smell a lot drier, but it's quite moist and a tad juicy. Cinnamon is hardly distinguishable here. Drying down: Wow.. I can't really compare this to any other lab blend I've tried! It's floral, but not in the overpowering sweet way that many of the lab florals are. Its not quite as spicy as a carnation note.. and it is somewhat green. I'd say its a rather realistic garden bed floral, with a background of powdery incense and sandalwood. This is my kinda floral
  2. MCS4096

    Lovers with Rutting Cats

    In the bottle: straight up cream cheese frosting surprisingly Wet: The ginger really comes out-- it's very dry. But this is still super yummy! Drying down: Dries down veeery quickly, and as others have said the foodie vanilla mostly goes away and it becomes dry woods, mosses and ginger. I wish a bit more of the wet stage remained, but the transformation is interesting! It ends up as a shea butter and subtle ginger smell (this is not harsh spicy ginger, don't worry!) Maybe the transformation represents the realization that comes over you when you realize your sexy time has been one upped by a couple of frisky felines Starts sweet, ends a bit.. odd ETA: It took me a little while to realize what this reminded me of (granted I've been ) but seriously, this smells a bit like a "parchment" note! Shea butter and the pages of a new book. ETA: So as I sat reading before bed last night I could barely get through a page without having to stop and huff my wrist. I'm not sure what it is about this blend, but it's grown on me super fast! I think I will buy a back up bottle with my last lupercallia order!
  3. MCS4096

    Tissue

    This started out so juicy in the bottle and on my skin that I thought "there has to be pear in here!" I love gardenia, and WAS hoping for an amazing, nearly single note gardenia. This is my first real experience with the Lab's gardenia, and it isn't exactly what I'm looking for-- although it is gorgeous. I agree with the review above mine; within a couple hours its fairly dry and a tad unpleasant, I assume this is the paper note sticking around because the gardenia is gone as the honey is pretty much gone as well. This honey doesn't amp on me like it does in some other blends. This one burns out fast and furious.. I wont expect all day wear from it.
  4. MCS4096

    Brown Jenkin

    In the Imp; Mostly sandalwood, very dry sandalwood. And I get the coconut husk and musk as well. I think the orris root is very very subtle. The incense isnt really coming across as a distinct note. Wet: I think this is the same musk that's in Ivanushka It actually smells quite a bit like Ivanushka, but with a very dry sandalwood (almost cedary) note. Drying Down: I really dont read coconut from this.. I get the dry, dirty husk, but no meat. This is mostly sandalwood and musk with some of the incense I smell in Midnight Mass. It's really lovely-- warm and dry. Like I said before, it smells similar to Ivanushka to me-- but I do like that one better, and it probably fills my "fuzzy animal" blend spot.. I'll probably put Brown Jenkins on my "maybe bottle" list-- for when I'm rich
  5. MCS4096

    Mouse's Long and Sad Tale

    Oh. My. Gosh. Instant bottle! This is SO awesome! It's very similar to a common fave-- Morocco. Where Morocco is a bit spicier this is a bit softer, but they are both creamy and sweet. This smells about the same on as in the imp, which is creamy, every so slightly resinous and the sweet pea adds a tad of floral. Morocco is pretty subtle, and so is this.. but they go hand in hand and as such I feel I certainly need a bottle of the Mouse's Tale!
  6. MCS4096

    Giant Vulva

    Skin musk, sugar cane, honey, beeswax, vanilla flower, and copal. In the bottle: mostly the skin musk and copal, with slight beeswax and far away florals. MUCH lighter than I thought it would be! Wet: Pretty sharp.. almost citrusy. Similar vibe to Hanerot Halalu, but not as strong of beeswax as with that one. Very clean and brisk. Drying down: almost a lemon Joy soap scent Its not as beeswaxy/musky as I'd hoped, but still lovely. it's sweet and tangy in the throw, and soapy citrusy up close. I think this is a nice fresh scrubbed clean scent Love the label!
  7. MCS4096

    The Knave of Hearts

    In the Imp: Smells exactly like I Fell in Love with a Floating Brain! With the tiniest hint of roses. Wet: Again, it's the almost citrusy white cake note from Floating Brain, but the currants here are definitely different, and yummy! The roses are almost spicy in the background. This is pretty much exactly as the description says. Drying down: The throw is incredibly sweet. It's super sweet cake and spices, juicy plump currants and crushed wet red roses. It's fairly nice, and pretty interesting, but since I have two bottles of Floating Brain I probably don't need this one too
  8. MCS4096

    Sloth

    In the Imp: Oh sweet Jesus Its that vetiver that's in Bloodlust and Malediction. My "blend of death" quartet has been completed: Malice, Bloodlust, Malediction and Sloth Not sure I can bear to put this on.. Wet: I agree with zankoku.. smoky bacon musk for sure. I can sense the nice myrrh in there, but this is way way smoky bacon. And my nose instantly stuffed up. Drying Down: I'm actually really amping the myrrh here, thank god. And it's making me glad I'd decided to try Priala.. but this one still isnt for me I dont think This is what I'm reminded of actually: When you go to a sauna made of wood inside, and you pour the water on the really hot rocks.. it's the scent of the steaming wood, hot rocks (seriously!) and a little hot human body. The myrrh in this is actually really nice... This is hot rocks!! I may have to downgrade to a "blend of death" trifecta.. because this is certainly better than the others listed!
  9. MCS4096

    Troll

    A lurching, hateful, bitter scent. This is a gruesome blend of ghastly greens and blacks: vetiver, pine pitch, troll musk, black basil, clove smoke, and scorched cumin. hehehe I sniffed this one at a meet 'n' sniff and we all had a giggle over it-- how it smelled like a nerdy guy's BO and such. Like it was the essence of 'nerd' Then I got frimped it from the lab That's alright, I'm game In the Imp: Mostly pine pitch and spices to me, although of course there's vetiver (which along with *some* patchouli notes are instant BO to my nose). Upon deep sniffing I may revise my initial description-- this is more like lumberjack essence Wet: This smells an awful lot like Hexennacht 08, which I really like. This is like Hexennacht's nerdy little brother that wants to tag along all the time. Amazingly I'm rather liking this, although I think it has potential to go very wrong.. it's one of those "unsure" blends.. each day could be different. Drying down: On me it's pine pitch, clove smoke and musk in that order. It does come out feeling a lot like Hexennacht and I think I might try adding a little Troll next time I wear it. Interestingly, I just accidentally bumped my face/lip with my wrist when I was sniffing at it, and I'm getting a distinct Irish Spring taste in the back of my mouth... and my lip went numb where the oil touched it Do not recommend. Anyhow! I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with this one-- I think it would work into a BO scent if I got too warm wearing it, but it'll be great for those "earthy" days I have sometimes
  10. MCS4096

    How do you apply your BPAL oils?

    No kidding! One drop from a reducer cap on each wrist is enough?! My skin really absorbs it too.. because I do not have a cloud of scent following me around-- even though I kinda wish I did. During my period especially the scent is gone in like 1 hr. I reapply a few times through the day. Average amount for me to use at one go during morning application is probably 1/2 to 3/4 of an imp. Am I a bad person??
  11. MCS4096

    Nyarlathotep

    In the Imp: Hmm.. I also get a very bright citrus cleaning fluid scent, with liquid smoke in the background I'm not a Lovecraft fan really.. so I can't comment on how evocative this is or not, but to me the effect is kinda musty, murky and brackish. And frankly nasty. Wet: Jesus.. what is this, lemon and vetiver? blah! I rather consider myself an "incense" blend connoisseur, but I get no incense from this The "lemon" bit is obviously the ozone note.. but while the vetiver is making it somewhat smoky, it's more of a recently burned down building kind of smell. And I'm sneezing a lot. Drying down: I'm now getting a distinct rubbing alcohol note.. This smells just like a hand sanitizing wipe! The kind they give out at like.. KFC in the little packets. Or it's a urinal cake. I'm sorry, this one just isn't working out for me!
  12. MCS4096

    Port Royal

    Was excited to receive this as a frimp from the lab since it was on my wishlist In the Imp: Mostly the warm spiced woods.. the rum is pretty tasty (I'm not a big rum drinker, but this smells tasty nonetheless) No prostitute in site yet. Not as salty as The Sea Foams Milk (which I tried last night) but it does have a vague saltiness. A little cologney, but warm/spicy enough I could wear it.. and I will presently Wet: Pretty much the same, just amped.. very yummy rum and spices. Hell, it's almost foody. I guess the prostitutes perfume is just a very very subtle floral waaaay in the background. Drying Down: I just really loled at the review above about being a man from the 70's haha! I actually find this very wearable for me.. maybe even bottle worthy. I'll have to try it again when I'm not about to get my period though, but really, this is super yummy! It smells a bit like a warm molasses cookie-- with lots of cloves, the rum is the right amount of booze, and that wood is warm and well worn smooth. Love it!
  13. MCS4096

    Lust

    In the Imp: Very strong red musk, although upon further inhalation the patchouli is second, followed by ylang ylang, and the myrrh isn't really distinguishable to me.. perhaps it's just blending all the notes together. Wet: Pretty much the same, though the myrrh comes out more making it slightly smokey. Drying down: This is really lovely! I'm not usually a big patchouli fan (no real prejudice, it just tends to smell like a B.O. note on me) but in this blend the ylang ylang blends sooo nice with it. I get absolutely no dirty hippie vibe from it. It's a red musk/ sweet smokey floral blend.
  14. MCS4096

    The Sea Foams Milk

    In the imp: There's a twinge of "generic cleaning product" but with the intended image in mind it is pretty darn spot on-- salty yet creamy and slightly sweet. This is not one I'd buy for myself, but I'm excited to try this frimp from the lab. Wet: ( I just spilled the damned thing all over my desk... time to slather I guess!) There's definitely coconut in here for the "milk" note.. so to me it's smelling a bit like rubbing suntan lotion on at the beach. Drying down: I'm surrounded by a cloud of veeery strong soap fumes. The creamy note is very intriguing, but that salty aquatic note (which I liked salty, but is less so now) is quite overpowering. This is a really fascinating scent to try, but I can't imagine wearing it often. ETA: After dowsing myself with this last night I was laying in bed reading and noticed that the milky note had indeed begun to go sour. Interesting effect overall though.. A+ for interesting conceptual blend!
  15. MCS4096

    How do you apply your BPAL oils?

    I used to decant into imps so as not to corrupt my bottles... but I've turned into a slatherer, and now just invert the bottle onto wrists and apply to inside elbows, neck etc... and wind up doing that at least 5 times for an application So I kinda fly through bottles before they have a chance to get corrupted. I'm also "over" the idea of screwing up my LEs... I'd rather just enjoy them
  16. MCS4096

    Snake Charmer

    So I'm doing a test with Snake Oil on one wrist and this on the other In the bottle: Smells like Snake Oil except that Snake Oil has a dry sweet vanilla bent, and this is a juicy sweetness, more moist. I get the coconut, but it's VERY subtle. Wet: Snake oil is more vanilla creaminess, this is more resinous. Snake oil is golden, Snake Charmer is reds and purples-- it's much deeper and plusher, although the same patchouli/musk base is obvious in each. Drying down: I finally get more a fruity, almost floral aspect here. Mmmm so good though, and very distinct (like Snake Oil) Dry the two smells nearly indistinguishable on me, with Snake Charmer retaining the slightly drier sweetness from the, I assume, coconut. This has fairly good throw on me, and I'm glad I picked up a bottle Now I just need to pick up a bottle of Snake Oil and get that baby aging! This imp I have is a couple months old and it's mm mm good!
  17. MCS4096

    Black Hellebore

    In the Imp: Mmmm juicy and green, almost pear-like and sweet. Wet: mmmmm There is a slight soapy edge, but mostly its a delicious sweet, powdery but also sharp green floral. Multidimensional! Dry: It is a bit like a "traditional" perfume, but also pretty different than any BPAL blend I've tried thus far. I get basically no rose from it, mostly the peony I guess (I don't have a lot of experience with peony), juicy greenery and a slight earthiness, but I wouldn't call it rooty (that would have been nice though). The juicy green sharpness definitely keeps the soapiness of the floral in check. It will require a couple full day wears, but I could imagine this going on my "bottle list"
  18. MCS4096

    Séance

    In the Imp: Yep.. a bouquet of dried roses, leaves included. Wet: I get a dirt component as others have said.. this is beautiful! This is a long dead bouquet of roses literally crushed into a musty dirt ground. Dry: The throw, as expected, is pretty much straight up rose. But for myself as the wearer, I do get the other components that were initially present. That rose though.. so damn strong!
  19. MCS4096

    The Dodo

    In the imp: cassia and the woods are strongest, with the slightest hint of mango and lemon in the background. The red musk rounds it all out. A very strange combo in my opinion! Wet: The cinnamon/wood combo makes me think of these cinnamon oil soaked toothpicks I used to make in grade school and sell on the playground Dry: Still get mostly cassia. Tiny tiny bit of red musk and mango (similar vibe to Spawn of the She-Demon) It's fairly pleasant, if a little one dimensional on me. ETA: If you can believe it, as I was closing the imp it splattered a bit and a itsy bitsy drop went in my eye! YOWSA!!
  20. MCS4096

    #20 Love Oil

    In the imp: ahaha I totally agree with the review above mine Really, I get roses mainly, and bitter almond and herbs. Wet: Peppery and green, roses in the background. Dry: Hmmmm smells really familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe another blend it smells similar to? I dunno. It's greenery and roses with a peppery kick. Not unpleasant, but not something I'd wear as perfume. I will however, attempt to test it's... other benefits
  21. MCS4096

    Hanerot Halalu

    In the Bottle: The most amazing sweet beeswax! There is a slight sharp citrusy note that I think might actually be the honey. Wet: I dont get any smoke yet, but certainly sweet (and yes, orange blossomy) beeswax. YUM! Dry: Sweet sweet sweet beeswax that fades to a lovely skin scent. The smoke is barely evident on me. This is a really lovely blend that would be perfect for layering, or days when you don't need something exotic. ETA: I've never had this happen before with a blend.. but I put this on shortly after getting out the shower the other day and it burned like hell! I had huge red welts on my writs and inside elbows. I have no idea which note did that.. but be warned.
  22. MCS4096

    Le Père Fouettard

    In the Bottle: Licorice and sugar cookies with coal dust (just smells smokey and kinda dry) and the slightest hint of leather. Wet: Mmmm it's like a not to sweet foodie scent. You definitely get sweet buttery cookies, but this is perfectly tempered with the licorice and coal/leather note. Dry: the leather DEFINITELY comes out on me. But I like the leather, and it blends really nice with the licorice. This is a truly unique blend. The licorice just explodes, and the cookie is perfectly balanced. This is like smelling the inside of a bookish gentleman's leather briefcase where he's hidden his stash of licorice cookies I really like it!
  23. MCS4096

    Fire Phoenix

    In the Bottle: Smells cinnamony to me actually. It's like smoldering wood and red musk. Wet: Hmmm I'm getting some lemon here too as others have mentioned.. I'm wondering if maybe the Chinese musk is lemony smelling, because I get the same vibe from my Metal Phoenix. It's definitely peppery too. Dry: Wow, well it's certainly different that any other scent I have! The throw is nice and spicey-- I really only get that weird citrusy cologney bit up close. I'm not sure though.. I'll have to wear it a few times before I decide if I could really make my way through this whole bottle ETA: About 30 minutes later this turned sooo nasty.. like bitter and sour like these stinky weeds that grow in my mom's back yard. Ick! I think this will be the first bottle I put up for sale!
  24. MCS4096

    Metal Phoenix

    In the bottle: I don't really know what rose mallow smells like, but this is a nice, sweet (and almost citrusy.. the verbena I guess) honeysuckle. Actually smells a bit like candy. Wet: Lemon fizzy candy! I'm really trying to pick out individual notes, but I cant. It doesn't really smells like metal to me (I have a lot of experience with TRUE metal smells, and no "metal" blend I've tried is really there.. it just a stylized note I guess, but very nice all the same) . I guess mostly on me this is the verbena and carnation (it's the carnation in Zarita..) Dry: Hate to say it, but it's a bit like citrus toilet cleaner. I can dig it though I believe it's that metal note that's just a bit cologney. It's a lot sweeter than I thought it would be, and unfortunately it's not the honeysuckle blend I was hoping it'd be. I still like it though, and will wear it quite a bit I'm sure. ETA: After wearing this a few more times.. and properly "heating" it up on my skin I definitely get a more sweet cream vibe from it. The carnation in it is still Zarita, and in fact they smell similar to me, but it's nice and light and the "metal" note makes it just interesting enough
  25. MCS4096

    Jacob's Ladder

    2008 Version In the bottle: Yes it's a bit cologney.. I believe that's the rockrose, costus etc.. whereas underneath that you can smell this amazing spicy resinous scent. I'm cheating here.. because I've already tried this and know it turns out good Wet: Slightly sharp, but deep and dark as well. Smells crumbly. Dry: Mmmm... AND this will be even more amazing with aging I'm sure. This is a very straight up resin scent, and I love it!
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