puck_nc

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: This is the one that screamed "BOTTLE!" at me when I first looked at the Weenie offerings. But I was a good girl and got everything in a decant circle first. Usually blue and white musk don't amp horribly on me and I was thrilled to find tiare in a potentially good scent minutes after seeing it in a scent with some of my death notes. In the vial: Bright and sparkling, sweet and floral, and very very apple. Wet: Very chilly and crisp apple with an undertone of the musks. So far so good, though I want more floral. Drydown: The flowers do indeed bloom and the vanilla sweetens it all up beautifully. It sparkles and glitters just like its name. Verdict: Bottle!!!!! Possibly two if I think I can justify the budget.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: I enjoy Día de los Muertos, but have yet to find a scent in the BPAL lineup that draws on this wonderful tradition yet plays well on my skin. Time to try again. In the vial: Dry and dusty autumn leaves with a sweet undertone deep in the background. Wet: Ooh! Bourbon vanilla and florals come crowding forward and the leaves are blending wonderfully with them in a nice balance. *dontmorphdontmorphdontmorph* Drydown: Hm. It's going in a rather herbal direction...apparently the chamomile likes my skin. The sweet florals are still there, though, and the dusty note in the vial is completely beaten into submission. Verdict: Well, at least I can wear a DDLM scent now. Not sure I need a bottle though. If only it had stayed in that gorgeous wet stage...

Origin: decant bought off eBay Initial Thoughts: Sandalwood at times has seemed to be similar to the musk family when it comes to my skin chemistry: the darker it is, the more strongly it amps on me and swallows other notes. I usually avoid blends that list sandalwood next to something like musk, myrrh, incense, and amber. So, the chance to try sandalwood all on its own will help me have a better idea of when a sandalwood scent might work. In the Vial: A bright woodsy scent. While I don't smell any actual lemon in it, I understand the citrusy impression. It's lighter than an evergreen scent, very golden. Wet: Now it smells more like wood. Much more like cedar, it loses that golden impression. It's still nice and sweet, but not quite as sparkly-warm. Drydown: Interesting! As it dries it's developed something of a floral quality on me. Something very sweet and subtle has really softened the edge, creating a gentle scent that hovers between spring and summer outdoors. Verdict: I will add this to my precious little store of single notes and I will be more likely to try blends with sandalwood when it's not paired with any of my usual death notes.

Origin: half-imp obtained in a swap Initial thoughts: I tried this one early on in my BPAL career and have been searching in vain for its perfect balance of wintry notes. Hollyberry & Mistletoe comes close, as does Mistletoe 2004. But every Yule I cross my fingers and say a prayer that Skadi will revisit us. In the Vial: Cold, cold pine with just a hint of sweet berry underneath. Wet: Strongly pine, which does not surprise me as some woods, mainly sandalwood, can amp on me. But it's a natural pine, like burying my nose in the tree. There is no candle impression, no Pine-sol. Drydown: Crisp, cool berries emerge to blend beautifully with the pine. The snow element from the vial is the only part that stays a suggestion rather than a full player. Verdict: I think I'll start sending my "bring Skadi back" vibes early this year...

2005 Version Origin: obtained in a swap Initial Thoughts: I remember mentioning at a BPAL Meet & Sniff several years ago that I love floral scents. Someone immediately pressed this into my hand with the insistence that I try it. And I swapped for that bottle because of the glorious spring floral that resulted. In the Bottle: A warm, slightly grassy floral that has this perfect balance between spring chill and summer heat. Wet: I get a burst of wonderful florals that make me think: jasmine, hyacinth, perhaps carnation. That grassy note underneath keeps it smelling like a flower garden rather than a florist. Drydown: The florals tip slightly toward something spicy-sweet. Perhaps there's more carnation than I thought. Perhaps there's a drop of something that amps on me, like musk or incense. Verdict: A wonderful celebration of spring in a bottle.

2007 edition Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: My 2004 Mistletoe is a treasured Yule scent for me. Hopefully the 2007 edition is the same, especially since I've let it age a few years before reviewing this bottle! In the Bottle: Strong, sharp pine with a hint of winter chill. I'd need to do a side-by-side to be sure, but this one carries an impression of pine cleaner at the end of the sniff compared to the fresh-cut pine tree of the 2004 bottle. Wet: Pine, but again, with some hint of chemical or something that makes it seem synthetic rather than fresh. Drydown: The pine is softened a great deal as the berry comes into play, along with an ozone hint that gives the impression of chill and snow. Verdict: I'll do a side-by-side to be sure, but this dries down nicely enough on me to use when I run out of the 2004 version.

Origin: half-decant purchased off-forum Initial Thoughts: I bought this very early in my BPAL career, before I had a handle on which notes smelled good on my skin and which ones didn't. At the time I think I only smelled this in the bottle and thought it was quite similar to Poison, one of the few commercial perfumes I ever thought was worthy of a bottle. Now we get to see what aged myrrh and black amber--normally two of my death notes--do to me. In the Vial: Amber, myrrh and dark fruits in a deep wood with just a hint of floral. Very complex and proud. Wet: For a brief moment I get lush and rich fruit, and then the myrrh begins amping as myrrh so often does. Drydown: The myrrh remains the dominant note, but in this particular blend it's not eating the other notes alive. I can detect plenty of wood notes, some hints of fruit and flower and I think of all things the pear blossom is standing out. Verdict: Well, this is possibly the one myrrh perfume I can wear in the BPAL calatog...just like Bathsheba is the one dark-musk blend I can wear.

Origin: half-bottle obtained in a swap Initial Thoughts: I got this early on, before I was fully aware of the Panacea & TKO. In the bottle: Very definite lavender, with extra herby. Wet: Gentle lavender. This doesn't have the bowl-you-over effect of TKO's lavender. Drydown: It stays very soft for me, adding some more floral. If there is rose in here, it's behaving itself miraculously and not going stinky on me. Verdict: It's pretty enough for me to wear as a perfume. We'll see how I sleep tonight after dabbing it on my temples and throat.

Origin: decant swap, then bottle from the Lab Initial Thoughts: Somehow never got around to reviewing this one. I sometimes have trouble sleeping well and have tried lavender blends now and then, but never one that was specifically intended for the purpose. In the Bottle: Intense lavender, very herbal, with the barest hint of sweetness underneath. Wet: On my skin it takes on an airy quality, almost like burying my nose in a fresh bunch of lavender. Extremely clean-smelling without being soapy. Drydown: This one doesn't morph much on me, other than the sweet suggestion coming back into play, suggesting sugar-laced lavender without being cloying. Verdict: I need to pay better attention, but the nights I have worn TKO to bed I think I've slept longer and more deeply. I certainly don't remember tossing and turning like I might. The only downside is that it doesn't seem to help the husband the same way and he has complained occasionally.

Origin: Bottle from the Lab Initial Thoughts: In catching up with my stash, I realized I didn't properly review this when I first bought it. If I remember correctly, there had been a series of Lunacies with deal-breaker notes and when Sleepy Moon arrived I bought it reflexively because it had no warning flags. In the Bottle: Very herby with a hint of sweet undertone. Definitely a lavender scent. Wet: Green and herby and soapy-clean. The lavender and ylang ylang and chamomile are front and center. Drydown: The sandalwood emerges to take the worst edge off the herbal notes. It's smoother and not quite so soapy, but still a predominantly herbal scent. Verdict: I have several lavender blends, including TKO and some sweet versions. This is a good nighttime scent for wanting a cool, relaxing lavender rather than a comfort-me lavender.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: This is for the 2006 version, and I still don't know how I managed not to review it at the time. It sounded like a cheerfully fruity autumn scent so I gave it a try. In the Bottle: Bright fruity goodness without being overly sweet. Wet: CIDER! Cider notes must have some variation of musk/incense/booze notes, which all tend to amp on me tremendously. I can still get some apple, but not much cranberry. Drydown: The cider backs off and lets the fruit come back a little more strongly. Its presence is now more like strongly spiced fruit. Verdict: I'm not sure I would have kept the bottle, except on a whim I tried layering it with Jack. Instant autumn classic.

Origin: frimp, then bottle from the Lab Initial Thoughts: When I first began exploring BPAL, I overlooked Jack for quite a while as I explored the florals I knew I loved as perfume. It took Harvest Moon 2005 to show me the beauty of autumn notes and scents, and then I got a frimp... In the Bottle: Rich, sweetly spicy pumpkin. Wet: I get a blast of spice and peach as the clove and nutmeg jump out. Drydown: The pumpkin edges back in while the spices begin to blend together into a more "spice cupboard" foody scent. Verdict: I wasn't so enamored of Jack compared to some other pumpkin-y scents, but then I just happened to layer it with Punkie Night. That required a bottle purchase to go with my bottle of Punkie Night and the combo is one of my favorite scents to wear in the fall.

Origin: can't remember, a decant bought on eBay or swapped Initial Thoughts: I remember reading reviews that spoke of a creamy floral and decided to try it. In the Vial: a soft and creamy floral, very mild and gentle. Wet: Heavily cream with a floral undertone. The florals make me think pale rather than wintry or chilly. Drydown: Staying creamy-sweet but not quite vanilla territory. The floral notes are now saying "chilly" a bit but remain in the background. Verdict: I'm glad I have the decant but also glad that I don't feel the need to quest for a bottle.

Origin: Straight from Pretty Indulgent Initial Thoughts: I love vanilla. I love florals. White musk is one of the few musks I can trust not to amp badly on my skin. In the bottle: As advertised. Vanilla-laced musk and florals. It does all meld together into a buttery-cakelike impression. Wet: My skin being my skin, I'm getting the musk first. On the plus side it's dragging the vanilla along with it. But a few of the florals are showing up very quickly even as I type and sniff. Drydown: The florals emerge to even out the musk in a remarkable return to the in-the-bottle stage. I think this is the first time I have ever had a perfume dry down to such a close approximation of the liquid plus my own skin scent. It's quite fun sniffing the bottle and my wrist side-by-side. Verdict: I think I like this. On my skin it strikes me as a more floral version of Antique Lace and a good daytime/work scent. If you're a fan of any combination of floral and vanilla and gentle musk, try it.

Origin: from the BPAL Etsy shop Initial Thoughts: I tried the official version of Hod when it was resurrected, looking for a better carnation experience. Alas, the musk amped on me as musk tends to do and drowned out most of the carnation. After seeing the first reviews of this version, I decided to give it a try. In the Bottle: Buttery-sweet vanilla with carnation lurking in the background. Wet: Spicy carnations sitting on top of a deliciously sugary cake. It's an odd juxtaposition at first, but I can't stop sniffing it. Drydown: Sandalwood emerges, which is often a bad sign. Sandalwood is one of those notes that will amp on me. At the moment it seems to be beating down the sugary vanilla note but the carnation is not giving up. Verdict: It mostly balances out to a trio of sandalwood, carnation and vanilla, but the sandalwood is the strongest of the three. I'll try it again in a couple of days, but I suspect this one will need a better home than mine.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: There were too many promising florals not to try this one...honeysuckle, hydrangea, lily...and I've had past success with fruit blossom vs. straight-up fruit, so I have hopes for the plum and apricot blossom. In the bottle: The first inhale is sweet, heady spring florals and then I get a zing of fresh greenery. There does seem to be a hint of Oriental to it that would make sense with some of the notes used. It's also a light scent in the bottle. Wet: The lily or something starts out a bit soapy, but it's combined with that fresh green zing and just a hint of some light musk underneath. *checks description for death notes* Hm. Perhaps the wood of the branches? Drydown: Fruit comes out to play and help sweeten away the soapiness and greenery. It's still very much a floral scent, but it warms up a bit on me. Verdict: I think I shall be wearing this often. It's pretty and gentle and I think it'll be a good work scent for me.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: Honeysuckle will always grab my attention. And ambrette seed is the only note that might be problematic, so it's worth a try. In the vial: Oh, poo. It's almost pure amber with a boozy undertone. This bodes ill; I can't make out any of the florals at all. Wet: Amber, amber, amber. And did I mention amber? There's the slightest dusty tinge in the background that could be the lily or iris, maybe. Drydown: It slowly develops into a floral amber. Verdict: Mental note - ambrette seed is indeed pretty much amber as far as my skin chemistry is concerned. And not a scent for me.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: A lot of different scents that I enjoy all rolled into one...had to try the wild experiment. In the vial: Sweet, sugary coconut warring with the lavender. I have a favorite perfume from a different company that is a sweet lavender, but the combo works there smoothly. It jars in this blend for some reason, but I can't pinpoint which note is misbehaving. Wet: A bit more of a medley than a cacophony on my skin. I'm getting the mango now and some apple blossom, turning it into a tropical scent. Whoever mentioned the Tikis, I agree that this one has the same feel. Drydown: Rose has more often been a problem on my skin, and it's trying to become a problem now. Underneath the coconut and mango it threatens to erupt in an ugly green stank. Verdict: For someone who has no trouble with rose, this would be a lovely light tropical scent. But it's just not quite there for me.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: I had an unexpected huge success with Peach Moon's peach blossom note. I can usually do pink musk without amping it up. I love gardenia. Enough good notes to roll the dice. In the vial: Peach-blossom-y, floral, soapy, and a very fresh breath of springtime. Wet: Gardenia and musk. At the moment it's not anywhere near as soapy as in the bottle. Perhaps the red currant, although I don't actually smell it, is tempering things. Drydown: Something has turned into a faint imitation of the icky-green stank I get with a lot of rose notes. I have a feeling the rose geranium is misbehaving. Verdict: No bottle for me, though I might use the rest of the decant in a scent locket.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: Coconut always makes me stop and read the rest of the notes. I'm hoping that like white sandalwood and white musk that white amber will play nicely on my skin. I'm not hugely fond of hazelnuts in my chocolate, but that's entirely different. Anise is a question mark. In the vial: Rich, deep and sexy coconut, and then the hazelnut or anise steps up and adds another level of sexy. Wet: Very coconut, with all the other notes working behind it to make it incredibly sultry and nuanced. Drydown: The anise rises to the top, and practically drowns the coconut. And I discover that I don't care so much for straight anise. Phooey. Verdict: I might use the rest of the decant in a scent locket, but this one isn't for me.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: "White" is the key: I can wear white musk and white sandalwood without them amping and taking over the scent. I love vanilla. I have had some success with rice/rice wine notes before. Worth a try. In the vial: An initial rush of rice wine and then a soft, sweet and gentle musk creeps in. If nothing else, it'll be great in my scent locket. Wet: Nice! I'm not getting an overpowering impression of any one note. It's sweet. It's mildly musky. It's got hints of the sandalwood and rice wine. But they're all playing together nicely in a beautifully understated skin scent. Drydown: The rice wine comes to the forefront a little as it dries, but it's not taking over. There's still plenty of vanilla musk to go around. But this one definitely doesn't have much throw - it's staying quite close to the skin. Verdict: It's quite lovely. I think I must do an inventory this weekend and see if I have room for another bottle.

Origin: decant from a circle Initial Thoughts: It's been three years. Surely my skin chemistry has aged enough to tame the lurking incense? In the Imp: Rich and dark and so sweetly floral that it's almost like wine-soaked currants. Wet: Dusty incense and lush florals. I don't remember the incense announcing itself so early before. Perhaps it'll peak and move off? Drydown: Drat. The florals have faded to a mere impression under the weight of the incense. Verdict: Still not for my skin, though now I have scent lockets...

Origin: decant from a circle Initial Thoughts: I'm always looking for that absolutely perfect snow/forest scent to substitute for Skadi. I know this one doesn't advertise the evergreen side of the equation, but I was curious about a pure snow scent. In the imp: A sweet ozone-y floral, with just a hint of mint. This is a cool scent, but definitely not cold. Wet: Mintier and much chillier on the skin. Where the impression in the bottle was of spring leaving winter behind, it's now winter with the barest hint of spring. Very little throw. Drydown: The mint backs off and the sweet vanilla-y floral returns. The ozone does as well, but it's not as strong as it was in the vial. After a while I get that hint of smoke that someone else mentioned, as if there's the barest hint of musk underneath. Verdict: While it's not the snow scent I had imagined, it is quite lovely and delicate. A great work scent, I think, since the throw is so minimal. If I use the imp up fast enough I may have to go looking for a bottle.

Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: I adore carnation and will always at least try most blends that have it. However, with all the other florals, some iffy on me, and the honey dusting powder, I don't have high hopes. In the Vial: Very honey and very floral and definitely powdery. It makes me think of a child sitting at Mommy's makeup mirror, wearing pink frills and sitting in front of many open perfume bottles. Wet: I get mostly honey, but the carnation is stronger than I expected. Drydown: I'm almost afraid to believe it, but the carnation is turning out to be the strongest note! It's a sweet carnation, with the dusty honey in the background, but this is actually working very well on me. Verdict: I have a couple of other carnation-heavy perfumes. I think I'll do some side-by-side testing before I go looking for more, but I will definitely wear this again.

The Snow Queen and Snow King greet Klara and the Nutcracker Prince as they journey through the Enchanted Forest: vanilla-laced snow, graceful and sweet, with fir needle and black pine bark. Origin: decant circle Initial Thoughts: I will almost always try a snowy scent if there are no notes of doom involved. The vanilla is an added bonus, but I worry about the pine bark. In the vial: A very creamy vanilla with a lovely chill in the background that peeks out and then skips forward. I detect scent-locket potential, especially if it doesn't like my skin. Wet: Gorgeous crystal-chilly vanilla with a backdrop of lovely evergreens. For the moment, that creamy sweet impression is not present. Drydown: This is staying gorgeous on me...the sweet creamy note has slipped back in to strengthen the vanilla while the evergreens and chilly notes work together to be one of the most realistic "snowy woods" scents I can remember. It comes close to Yankee Candle territory, but never strays into "cloying" territory. Verdict: I think I'm going to have to track down a bottle of this...