HKB

I was toying with the idea of a "spring cleaning" swap (which was admittedly inspired by a query that came to me earlier this year, but was never posted). The idea would be that we would each send at least 10 little things that we didn't not buy specifically for the swap, but that we think that our swap partner would like. Product samples would be a good start in almost any package, but we could include other things too, so long as anything included was new or only gently used (e.g. books, and the like).

 

Interest?

I like this idea, I would participate.

Any interest in a circular swap involving beauty subscription box unwanted goodies or sample packets? I'm in one over on another board, and I'm getting ready to send my contributions on this afternoon, but I still have a whole bunch of sample packets that won't fit in here, and I think it would be fun to have one happening on the BPAL board as well.

That sounds like a good idea, but I'd be afraid that I don't have enough samples.

The notes for this sound amazing, so why is it just this vaguely fruity, powdery blah scent? Sad.

I was lovin' this until I read "hospital bandages". Yup, now that's what it smells like to me.

I think Hunger is my favorite BPAL ever. Sadly, it turns into a flat peanut-y smell on my skin because of the narcissus. It's a whole different scent on my boyfriend though, and it really is amazing. I wish I could wear it.

The only thing that's come close is Snake Oil. Unfortunately, Snake Oil also turns into something awful on me after one minute. I think they share the same rich vanilla note that I love.

Any ideas?

Oh wow, this makes me nauseous. I realized why, it smells JUST LIKE Pepto Bismol. The name is fitting. Worst!

Argh. I recently ordered The Phantom Wooer from the lab and it smells very different from the imp I had. The imp had a sweet lemony-floral that I loved, and this one smells mostly of lilies. It's nice but it's not what I became attached to! I don't think I should just order it again, because maybe it's a recent batch thing. Poop. Anyone else experience variations on this blend?

I usually love vetiver, but in this blend it smells slightly off, a little like burned peanut butter, and that's all I smell.

This is a weird scent association, but this smells just like Disneyland to me. It's that recycled water smell from the Pirate's of the Caribbean. I love it.

I thought I would love this, and in the wet stage the vanilla is quite nice. It reminds me of Hunger. On the dry down it smells like total baby's ass. A little urine-y and covered in baby powder, with a hint of vanilla. Yuck!

How does this relate to the admonitions in other threads not to vigorously shake bottles of BPAL? (similar reasons are given - breakdown of molecules)

 

I was thinking that...I'm also sceptical about the 'not shaking' idea. But maybe it quickens oxidisation because by shaking, you're introducing more air into the scent?

 

Shameless wrist-smasher here too!

From experience I can say DO NOT SHAKE or vigorously roll your blends. It CAN alter them totally and permanently. I do not know why.

I like some patchouli and vetiver has really grown on me and become one of my favorite notes in the right context. However, together, this is just too much. It smells like burning peanuts. It smells like charcoal.

Usually berries including raspberries go too sweet and Kool-Aid smelling on me, but in this blend its balanced by the woody notes. The olive leaf is subtle and interesting. I can pick out everything but the vetiver.

The raspberry leaf note gets stronger on me as it dries, I think I amp berries and that's the problem. I wish it would step aside and smell more woodsy like it did initially.

I actually really like this even though I'm usually not a fan of lavender. I didn't realize pennyroyal was so minty. It's not as strong as spearmint, and more herbal. Initially its very sharp and I can definitely see where it was going with the concept. It softens up a lot. It's a good "clean" scent that doesn't smell like laundry detergent or a cleaning product. It smells like a minty, lavender-y tea.

I must have poured half the imp in my hand and slathered it on me just so I could smell this. I can still barely smell it. Vaguely aquatic, flowery, apple, mint. It's all there and would be really nice, but it is so so so faint.

Every note blends perfectly, nothing overpowers or stands out on its own. It doesn't morph much. It's creamy and floral, sweet in a milky way, not in a sugary way. It suits its name/concept nicely. It might be my favorite bpal ever, definitely in the top five at least.

For some reason this smells a lot like Rose Cross to me, only the rose has gone bitter. Rose works on me most of the time but sometimes it ends up kind of bitter, sour and pungent. Smells bad in a similar way to Snooty Rose.

Something smells rancid in this. This confirms it, I hate "boozy" blends.

Cocoa and pear. Seriously, that's what it smells like to me.

Then after a few minutes it just smells like super sweet sugary BERRIES for some reason. ???

Immediately I think of generic man cologne, but soon it turns into a sharp apple. The apple gets sweeter and softer but it's dry, not juicy. Powdery and blah for a while. Something a bit richer comes around, but I have no idea what it is. Overall it's too weak.

Immediately it smells like fenris wolf, but something spicy, clove or something is in there, maybe even cinnamon. It burns my nose a little bit.

I don't smell civet in this (a good thing).

To me it smells like red musk and cinnamon. Not sure how much I like it yet. I'm still wary that civet might come in any moment and smell like old man pee.

Very fruity- berries and honey. I'm not a fan of berries, and 'wine' notes smell like extra sugary berries to me. Too sweet.

After a few minutes there's a vague smokeyness.

On me this is surprisingly foody, edible and delicious. Chocolate cake and a little citrus. I can just barely sense the red musk in the background, which is a nice balance so it's not totally foody.

Sweet, tart almond. Unfortunately it's very weak on me and my nose has to be in contact with my skin to smell it. It also fades completely after about three minutes.