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In vial: This is the best apple I've ever smelled! My stomach actually growled when I opened the vial. I'll say it again- best apple ever.

Wet: Firm, smooth, tart apple skin. Delicious.

Dry: I am starting to get little shivers from the coolness that emerges- the snow note is light and minty, and the sweet sharpness of glass underneath is beautiful.

 

Verdict: My skin doesn't know whether to flush with pleasure or admit goosebumps... I am so glad I obtained an imp. It will be mine to the last drop!

 

ETA: Oh yeah, and (nobody kill me for saying this) I kind of get Stephenie Meyer's Twilight vibes from this too. Maybe it's just the cover art and thinking about icy, sparkly vamps...

In vial: This oil is the most lovely shade of pink! It smells fresh & softly of leather.

Wet on skin: Goes on light & warm before becoming a bit funky when the smoke begins to waft by. Burning tires?

Dry: Thankfully the smoke dissipates soon enough and the dragon's blood sneaks in underneath, and I can't decide if it seems more like a drop of pure, clear resin or the slightest hint of a floral. It's quite gorgeous either way.

 

Verdict: This is a much cleaner scent than I imagined- all shimmering scales & lithe, serpentine grace. Adding this one to my list of pleasant surprises

In vial: Hazy florals, actually quite a bit heavier than most other florals I've tried. Not necessarily strong mind you, just 'heavy'.

Wet on skin: The poppy distinguishes itself from the crowd, and my nose is tickling with the lovely cloudiness of tuberose.

Dry: Tuberose is a gorgeous note, but here it fades and the smoky poppy is king.

 

Verdict: I can't describe it more fully than the current description. It evokes a fascinating scene, but I am afraid it's a bit too edgy for me. The smokiness in the later stages bothered my allergies a tad.

In vial: Fresh, the eucalyptus is very prominent.

Wet on skin: There is a definite burst of pine in there... As it melds with the eucalyptus I am getting the distinct smell of wood chips. You know, the ones you use as bedding in a hamster cage.

Dry: Smells like a pet shop on me. That could go along with the Jabberwocky being a wild beast and all... I guess...

 

Verdict: I refuse to be hamster girl! Pass.

In vial: Weak lavender & even fainter sandalwood.

Wet on skin: Sharpens a bit with jasmine, though not bringing any imagery or memories to surface. Perhaps a little mugwort peeks through, I am not entirely sure.

Dry: Becomes clean and without direction, rather like a blank mind. It doesn't make me feel particularly restive, just empty. I suppose that could be good for sleeping.

 

Verdict: Oneiroi is not what I had hoped for- I expected it to be warmer and more of a drifting scent. It seemed abrupt and faint, fading very quickly on my skin. Within half an hour I couldn't smell it on my wrist at all.

In vial: Gorgeous bouquet of flowers. I can pick out the stephanotis and gardenia especially.

Wet on skin: Gets even lovelier as it goes on. Pure, beautiful, enchanting... The embodiment of a Southern wedding.

Dry: The gardenia really shines! This is almost ethereal, the way the florals blend.

 

Verdict: To me, this scent is like bottled hopes and dreams. It's serene, womanly... It rather makes me think of my mom. At times it does seem otherworldly- Galadriel from LOTR comes to mind. That light, sort of austere elven grace. It has good staying power on me as well. I am a light dabber & could still smell it hours later.

In vial: Now THAT is a rose. Unmistakeably so.
Wet: Sweet, warm, bold yet polite. Nothing demure about this one!
Dry: Rosy. From the lab's description what else would you expect? It has a tendency to shift rosiness, if that even makes sense. At times it is like a delicate green rosebud, others it is a bursting red bloom.

Verdict: More appealing than I envisioned. I will definitely keep an imp around for days I just want to glow.

In vial: A sunny mixture of lemon & apple. Rose can be detected in the background.

Wet on skin: The rose really comes out, with the lemon and apple cutting the sweetness often found in rose scents. It has sort of a brightness to it, especially when compared to a super-rosy oil such as Two, Five and Seven.

Dry: This is like the cool shade behind a rosebush. The lemon and apple have faded so that I cannot distinguish them individually- yet they are still present enough to keep the rose from becoming cloying.

 

Verdict: I expected this to be more foody, but it is definitely more like a living orchard than a bowl of fruit on your table. Perfect for spring!

In vial: Strong red wine, I feel a bit woozy just smelling it!

Wet on skin: The edge of the wine dulls, and the spicy myrrh emerges.

Dry: The wine hangs around for awhile but on me this is all myrrh. At the end of the day I'm left with pure honey.

 

Verdict: I tend to be leery of myrrh because it so easily overpowers everything else- here it's done in one. I liked the idea of Athens- but it just doesn't thrill me the way so many other BPAL scents do.

I will start out by saying that this is not a scent I would have chosen for myself based on the description. I was surprised with the experience I had wearing it!

 

*In vial: Masculine, sharp and almost tingling. This may be the straight up lavender others are mentioning.

*Wet on skin: Amber, with an intense patchouli underlay. I'm not crazy about patch usually, so I was a little skeptic at this point.

*Dry: Lavender slowly takes center stage. The harsher patchouli note recedes at rosewood's request. Almost reminiscent of baby powder at first, but more complex. The tonka sneaks in gradually, lending a sweeter, alluring middle layer.

 

Verdict: l I was so much more pleased with Old Scratch than I expected to be, especially on me! The first, more macho stage drifted off pretty soon, leaving the smoldering, smooth feel to linger. It just melds into this entwining and very attractive scent. Definitely worth having an imp of, I don't see myself wearing it often enough to justify a bottle. That could change if I convince hubby to wear it...

Thank you so much for taking the time to share some recs... I have only tried a few of BPAL's scents but I am already addicted! Your suggestions sound wonderful

This thread is a great idea! Where to start?...

 

I suppose you'd say I had a certain detachment about me in my younger years, but I tried my best to hide it. I knew what I wanted from life, which was to see it all. Go to the places I had dreamed of. It didn't matter if anyone else was involved, or if I was to achieve it alone.

 

I worked as a floral designer, then a librarian. I began college but ended up leaving soon after to volunteer as an English teacher in Ukraine. It was a pivotal time for me, being away from home, on my own in a cold, strange place. I'll be the first to admit, my life has overall been an easy one. This experience was utterly foreign to me, whose soul had up until then been protected by my own withdrawn state or by actions by others for my welfare, which I honestly didn't deserve. It was a hard time, but a good one. Adjusting to life when I came home was brutal - I felt very out of place among my old friends, just stagnant and unhappy. I was rescued by falling in love with my best friend, almost at the last possible moment.

 

I'd consider myself to be quite religious. It tends to show more by my everyday actions than by me informing people of the fact, unless they inquire directly. I am married to my aforementioned best friend & we have a darling baby girl. I consider motherhood to be a divine role, & I am so grateful that even on my worst days I am able to see so clearly that I mean something very important to at least one tiny being.

 

A few random traits of mine:

 

I was a tomboy as a kid, but getting older I have gained a real appreciation for my femininity, and I feel fulfilled when I am able to embrace it.

 

I love old-fashioned things, & old-fashioned ways, sincerely.

 

I love reading, writing & words in all forms.

 

In a group conversation, most people would say I am the quiet one but I feel as if I get more out of the exchange when I am observant & participating by listening. But I have my talkative moments as well.

 

I am an optimist. My blackest days are only gray.

 

ETA: Still haven't tried the blends recommended, I really should get on that!

In vial: Sharply poignant, reminiscent of a late spring afternoon, shining with ambient sweetness.

Wet on skin: Drifting waves of pollen, fuzzy hyssop stalks, warmed tree branches.

Dry: A delicious pale wild honey and a deeper sense of pollen- not in a sneezy way, but more a smooth, powdery way.

 

Verdict: Sweet & reliably lovely for the days I need to feel that way. The way it fades into simply honey & pollen is wonderful.

In vial: An immediate coppery sensation. Not sharp like a new penny is, but rather like a finely burnished copper kettle.

Wet: Delicate white sage with the barest hint of saffron, a seamless background of resins. Pleasantly metallic, smooth and charged with power.

Dry: Lovely warm and low base of frankincense with the lemon balm sparking every so often. Fascinatingly deep.

 

Verdict: Fresher and more feminine than I had envisioned, though it would be splendid on a man as well. This would be the scent Amelia Earhart would wear. Classic, free, pretty without being frilly, & with just enough spunk to liven things up.

 

As it's aged, it has gotten hotter by degrees. Sexily scalding, positively hissing with spices & herbed resins. This Engine is worth warming up.