azurephoenix

Ash, I'll pop a few extra caps into your Luper order when I send it out... so hang in there.

Basically.. its a socially acceptable way to stalk someone!

 

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks! That was helpful, I know a couple now that I can try(I'm afraid to get attached to something I'll never see again).

You'll be missing out on a lot of amazing scents! And just because a scent comes back doesn't mean that there aren't small changes to it... How long a bottle of oil, or even an imp lasts can depend on if you're a slatherer/dauber.. and if you have a lot of scents to rotate through. And the secondary market to find a unloved bottle isn't too bad, unless it's very popular with the masses. Be BRAVE!!!!

I'm not quite sure where else to put this, but seeing as everyone here is discussing scents appropriate to men and I'm a guy, I thought I'd share my experiences with BPAL scents as a guy with everyone. I'm recently having this MASSIVE confusion because for some weird inexplicable reason I've somehow fallen under the spell of Languor. I know. It's not by any stretch a masculine scent by description, and yes, there have been reviewers saying that it reminds them of old lady perfumes, which isn't wrong because just the other day there was an old lady sat next to me on the Tube and I swear that I smelt a vague hint of what smelt like Languor. It was very confusing.

 

And I'm even more confused now because I hated Languor when I first received it. I loved the description when I first discovered BPAL so I thought I'd order it the first time I ever ordered from BPAL (it was a very exciting moment in my life). For some reason, the initial rush of the scent to me vaguely reminded me of medicine, and it was a touch too acrid for my liking. Instead I started alternating between Tzadikim Nistarim and Yggdrasil, though the former would often get just a touch too sickly for my liking. Eventually I started leaning towards Yggdrasil more because I'm a massive fan of woody scents (though my mum doesn't like them much because apparently they smell like old men to her, lol), but the one scent I really fell in love eventually was Adam, which I ordered the moment it came out. I'd watched the film, fell in love with it, and simply had to have the scent. There's this beautiful woody scent that's elegantly muted with what I can only best describe as the smell of old plastic cassette tapes (it's mentioned in the description, of course). On the skin it develops into this wonderful multi-layered incense-y smell. Puts practically any Tom Ford scent (which I do like, even though I don't personally own any because £££) to shame. It's a pity Adam's out of stock, but I reckon it's perfect especially for men with a slightly Romantic/rock Gothic edge to them (or at least that's how I like to think of myself sometimes) — just like the character.

 

The past week, however, I started reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, and for some absolutely frustrating reason, I started thinking of Languor. I don't know why I made the association (it could be the poppy), but it having been a while since I last tried on the scent (it's been sitting in my drawer for a long time), it was inexplicable why I was thinking of the scent. I decided to try it on again, and I don't know if my body chemistry's changed or if it's a weird psychological effect, but for some bizarre reason I actually liked it. I probably need some help from friends to shake me out of it and remind me that I don't want to smell like an old lady but at the risk of sounding like a sad nutter, there's some weird, possibly evil part of my brain simply going, "NO, IAN, IT'S PERFECT."

 

Does anyone have any advice for dealing with that?

 

Also, has anyone tried Palmyra yet? I really want to get it, but the price (it's great that the proceeds are going to charity though!) is a touch more expensive than the usual scents and I'd like to make sure that it's at least vaguely workable before committing to it.

1. You are not going cuckoo!! It's de BPAL that brings de cuckoo! One of the reasons I love it, is because it's so complex!

2. BPAL ages - classic example is Snake Oil, a many year old SO is coveted by many here on the forums... As it gets older, the oil blends/ages and can get deeper and richer over time. Aging can also smooth out rough edges in scents.. like the acrid, mediciney feeling that you got from Langour originally.. There is a section HERE that talks about it.

3. You skin chemistry could have changed and thus the scent is changing on you.It's a normal thing, something as small as starting to eat garlic all the time can change how you smell.. or in a woman's case, her period can change how her skin reacts or how her nose perceives scent. (I know you're a guy.)

4. Also, don't forget that your specific skin chemistry will affect the oil. For example - just because a bunch of reviews mention smelling strong lemon... and you try it and get no lemon...it's not necessarily that your nose is blind to the lemon, it could be that your skin just sucks it in, and the lemon note doesn't show up. Another example in the opposite direction - I amp Cedar, like a mad bunny.. a scent can have a faint barely noticeable trace of cedar in it, and I will turn that perfume into one note pencil shavings... >.< So though some reviews say it smells like old lady - on you,it could just be sexay man scent!

5. That lady probably smelled like one of the notes in Languor... and because she was an old lady you automatically associated that scent with an old lady...if that makes sense? But don't forget that sometimes an unexpected scent on someone can actually be considered EDGY! Kinda like when a guy wears pink.

 

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!!

Bottle Sniff: Floral with a slight sourness, that can either stay or disappear once it hits my skin.

On Skin: Yay! The sourness goes away and this turns into a very pretty innocent floral. I really love the moonflower, it reminds me a lot of those scented tube bracelets that had the liquid in them, that was so popular in the 80's. It stays that way for an hour or so.. but then my skin starts to "muskify" it??? What was light and pretty starts turning into a powdery deeper pez candy like scent... URghh!! Why skin? Why!? I blame the iris root and the moss.

Wow, I love love love this! I thought it would be a little more popular in my circle but only 3 of 5 spaces filled... I'm so glad it wasn't! I've claimed the rest of the bottle for myself!! Hahah!

 

Bottle Sniff: Lemony white tea

On Skin: It has a very sweet creamy feel to it. My skin loves amber and this one stays sweet and true without going powdery on me, it also can amp tea and rose, but in this case I can't really pick them out of the blend... the black orchid and musk is adding just a hint of edgy sexiness which makes this a winner for me!

 

Hmmmm, not sure where the contact form mail goes.. but I send Puddin' email to: tradingpost@papow.net

 

I emailed him on 11/4 regarding an order that landed on 11/12 and I received a follow up email from him to check that everything with my order was okay (it was), today 11/16. He just lost a goblin, so maybe, da poor Puddin' is going a lil' . But as you can see, he didn't need to check up on my order but he did, cause da Pud is awesome!

It took me a while to figure it out... but I think the cotton candy note is the same that was used in BPTP BO Spun Sugar Spectre a few Weenies back.

 

The core of the scent is definitely the creamy cotton candy note overlayed with a gentle brush of orange that's faintly kissed at the end with the pepper, if I wasn't searching for it, I wouldn't have noticed the pepper. After a bit I'm just left with the soft cotton candy scent. This is a gentler version of Spun Sugar Spectre, which had a stronger lemony sweet throw/presence.

 

Very pretty, but I'm not sure it's me... it will probably go into my work imp box to be pulled out once in blue moon.

Hey gals!! I have a question and need your wisdom and advice. I have someone who wants to buy some items I have for sale who lives in Italy. I have never shipped internationally before but I know she really wants one of the items so i'm willing to give it a go. Can someone who has shipped internationally before to Italy please tell me about how much it'd cost (how much i should charge shipping wise) and what I need to pack the items in for customs or anything I may need to know cost wise and packaging wise. It'd be very much appreciated!

 

The items I am trying to ship if you need an idea of big a package I might need if that helps is 1 hair gloss + 1 perfume bottle.

 

Edit: Found a food scale to weight items on. Without being bubble wrapped and not including any frimps they come to 5.7oz. I had guesstimated 6oz before i found the scale. So can someone just tell me what to charge to ship to italy for S&H and if i should use different packaging then we do in the U.S (the yellow 6x9 inch bubble wrap envelopes)?

Go ahead and use the USPS postal calculator, now that you have the weight, it's really easy.

 

http://postcalc.usps.com/

 

If you're going to frimp make sure the entire weight of the package is below 8oz otherwise you'll end up going into a higher shipping cost.

 

Factor in whether or not you will charge for the cost of the bubble env and bubble wrap...

 

Make sure to wrap each item separately with a nice cushion of bubble wrap before sticking into the bubble envelope (exception are imps, you can wrap a group of imps side by side in a line together). I'm not sure if you'll be able to get the HG with bubblewrap into a 6x9... I like to use the plastic bubble env. for int'l but the paper type should be fine. You'll have to fill out an Int'l form, and if you use the hard copy version from the post office, it has 4 lines and asks for item description, item weight and item cost per line.

 

Hope this helps!

In Bottle: Cherry and almond?

On Skin: Cherry almond and cream... not really liking it for the first 30 minutes, BUT then it softens up a lot and then I get a stronger slightly cherryish version of Love, not super surprising when I looked up Love's notes, but unexpected.

I placed my order on Feb 22nd, my very first order by the way, and I'm very excited to get it. It's still processing and that has me a little worried, because I'm moving at the end of March. Has anyone ordered around the same time, and their order has shipped? Or how long do you think it will take to ship? I live in Colorado, and while I'm not moving far, I would really hate to miss my order or have to stake out the place like a creeper waiting for it to show up… heh…

 

I have been stalking BPAL for years, and now I finally have the money to spend on this luxury, I am so impatient for it to get here! Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hiya, I think you'll get your order in time, but if not and since ummm mailbox stalking when it's not your mailbox is pretty creepy... you might want to think of contacting the post office and do one of those - just moved mail forwarding dealies.

This is one of the few scents that caught my nose while decanting...

 

cold sniff: light green tea with a sweet light fruity floral over it

on skin: the green tea is barely noticeable and doesn't scream out "I'm green tea!" which is nice, cause I don't really like green tea perfume. This reminds me alot of Perfumed Garden but more delicate and ethereal. Without looking at the notes, I was thinking I was smelling a very delicate jasmine, but it must be the plum that I'm getting and it is quite beautiful. Normally I'm wary of BPAL's honey note which can go cat pee on me... but even though the description says "heady honey", it's not out of control, it's there creating a nice demure honey sweet background. This is a gorgeous light fruity floral spring scent that seems to stick closer to the skin.

Wow!!! Just lurve this!!

 

cold sniff: It smells just like Big Red gum... sweet cinnamon

on skin: It's totally nommy sexy cinnamon over snake oil.. SWOON!!!

 

I rarely buy bottles but I need a bottle of this stuff!

Hell-Gate of Ireland - it's a very deep dark rich scent. Clove, musk and covered with smoke

Sooo my imp is from 2010?* Boy has this puppy aged well and it's pretty potent! I know I wasn't in love with it when I first got it but it had potential. Now that it's aged, it's quite yummy! I'm getting snake oil overlayed with vanilla cake and red vines... Very pretty and sexy sweet! Glad I kept this around!

 

*I have a note on the label purchased 5/2010 and to age. Apparently it's taken me this long to get back to this imp!

Uncle Brian

All the bright colors on the label comes through, this is a fruity fun scent! It makes me think of tropical jello or gumballs and on my skin Uncle Brian turns into red vines. It's very nommy.

SN Devil's Trumpet is a soft lemony floral and you might want to try 51 from Wanderlust. 51 is alot like Clinique's Happy.

 

You'ld prolly really like Rigorous Love is my guess, because it's light lemon over a deeper chocolate/wood scent.

Smut 2013

I've tried a couple of other Smuts and they all had an strong winey alcohol note to them that I really dislike. This year during decanting I noticed it smelled different.

I get a beautiful grapey sweet musk! I LOVE it! Not getting any cherry, amaretto or funky booze notes at all, just a purple grape juice type of scent. The odd thing is I normally don't like grape scents either, but this is nicely balanced with the sweet musk and is a win! I guess I'm a Smutty gal too!


eta: scent description

Does anyone have a bottle of this year's Smut (or any idea about the label art this time around)?

This year's Smut matches the rest of the 2013 Lupers - red and white stripes

I'm on a journey to Japan at the moment and have unfortunately had some leakage, even though I've not yet made the international portion of the trip. I think the wandcaps maybe don't seal as tightly... I lost a 1/4 bottle of Leather Phoenix (it was only a half bottle to begin with...) and it got the labels of several of my other bottles goopy enough that they have fallen off, competely saturated with oil. Hopefully upon arrival I can attempt repairs. I've mopped up as best as I could (I had 6 5mls per sandwich baggie, so the damage was more limited than it could have been, but still disappointing).

 

The bath oils and atmos are harder to manage; I taped them up as well as I could with limited supplies, and double bagged. Two of the BO's leaked enough to be quite messy inside the bags, and an atmo or two dripped a bit. At least my suitcase and everything in it smells amazing, and my hotel room is absolutely infused with Leather Phoenix!!

 

ETA: I am moving my entire stash of 30+ bottles, 50ish imps, 3 or 4 each of bath oils and atmos.

about all the leakage going on.

 

This tip might help with the bath oils:

 

Unscrew the cap and take off. Take a couple of layers saran wrap and lay it over the opening of the bottle and screw the cap back on. This should stop the leaking or reduce it alot. If you cant get saran wrap and you have an extra zip lock bag, you could could cut the bag and just use one layer to seal the top. Just make sure to have enough plastic to cover the opening and the neck of the bottle.. I'd guess at least a 3"x3" square.

I really like Chagrin for the 2 very different vibes I got from my first test.

 

Sniffed from the bottle it is very strong on the Lavender and Rose Geranium. I applied it to my skin at the end of my shower and was hit with both notes very strongly which makes it an invigorating, calming grounding scent. At this point the scent is great to help from a long stressful day. While I like scents like this, in the end I don't like to be perfumed this way.. so I stepped back under the hot water to see if I could soften it up... and BAM! I'm now covered with a really beautiful soft white rose scent which I ADORE! I feel like I'm getting two aromatherapy scents for the price of one! If Chagrin had stayed all Lavender/Geranium I doubt I would be using this bath oil very often, but the rose finish makes all the difference, love it! I'm very interested in seeing how this scent plays out in an actual bath.

this may be a fairly straightforward question, but do you get a cns with a paypal order? my bottle of samhain was the first order that i've made where i went paypal directly and not CnS. i mean, i would image you would but i'm not sure.

yups you will get a Paypal CnS.

I'm really glad I'd doing DC circles of the Carnaval, I'm finding scents that I absolutely love that I would never have picked for myself. This is one of them.

 

In the bottle: orangey vanilla mint

 

When I first apply it, it's whoa MINT! This lasts for about 5 minutes. Within 15 min. my skin devours the mint and it pretty much disappears, it might be there brightening the scent but I'm not smelling it. I get a lighter yummy version of Snake Oil - GTV takes away some of the powder and tosses in a scoop of vanilla icecream. I could sooo love GTV if it just stayed like this, but after a hour GTV morphs again and turns into a gorgeous medium weight vanilla musk. Pure win!

 

Bergamot and green tea don't show up as noticeable notes at all. Sometimes I just love my skin and the wonky things it does. It rocks with Green Tree Viper!

I'm not sure what cardamom smells like but I think this is probably what I'm amping at the beginning.

 

First impressions after application:

Dry, Spicy (very light cinnamon hints?) very Woody, faint Vanilla Mint

 

On me the dry spicy woodiness stick around for a couple of hours, I find it very unique and elegant. I don't tend to like straight wood scents, but the spiciness of this intrigues me, while the dry/dustiness keeps it balanced.

 

Slowly over time the cardamom starts to fade and I get more of the vanilla/egyptian musk. I would have thought the musk would be heavier but this is very nice, light, warm and barely there. I actually get more vanilla than musk. At this point it's a really nice cuddly vanilla - come close and sniff me!!

 

The scent fades away completely after about 4 hours.

 

I really like this, I tend to really like heavier scents like Snake Oil and Mircalla - but in really warm weather or in crowded hot spaces they can be too heavy to wear. I think this will slide nicely into my perfume rotation - Bottle!

While doing my recent CD circle I clumsily splashed perfume onto my desk and I mopped it up with a cotton square and plopped it by my computer monitor. It was late at night so I didn't lock in what scent it was and promptly forgot about the cotton.

 

A few days later I picked it up and sniffed and OH MY!! What is this heavenly clean/soft/snuggly/creamy/vanilla-ish/almost foody-but-not scent??? >.<

 

I still had the bottles so I opened and sniffed and not a single one smelled like my cotton square!!! Was I delirious? Where was this OMG scent?? Grrrr... obviously this was one of those morphers. I would have to test all 8 bottles. So off I went.

 

Well it's Daiyu. I was amazed to realize this. In the bottle and for the first 30 or so minutes on my skin I definitely smell the acai berry, that fruity almost apple-y scent. At this stage the scent is alright... but not bottle worthy. Then the acai berry leaves and I'm left with this gorgeous soft SNUGGLY warm musk, I get a faint impression of the jasmine, it adds a slight floral sweetness to the blend but to my nose doesn't overpower it. When I put this on I can't help but think that I'm wrapping myself in a fuzzy cuddly blanket of scent. I definitely get the comparison to Dorian as it has that smooth creamy soft feel, but I think this is better than Dorian. It has just a bit more oomph.

 

This is one of the scents I didn't really care to try but decided to decant and obviously I'm glad I did! It dries down to something I would never have expected to love. BPAL constantly amazes me and reminds me to keep an open mind to all of their blends, cause one can never know without trying them! This definitely takes a spot as one of my top 5 BPAL blends!