ziggystardust13

House of Unquenchable Fire opens up with a slightly bitter neroli. This is very soft with the exception of the neroli which is definitely front and center in the early stages, commanding one's full attention.  It takes a little time for the scent to round out with the help of the other notes, but I kind of enjoy scents that take me on an adventure like this. The champaca and frankincense lend a sort of regal feel, while the vanilla and amber nudge this into a more feminine territory.  Sometimes I associate perfumes with color and this is no doubt Gold. 

This is so well blended and true to it's description. No one note overtakes the other. The snake oil, amber and rose come together to create the most romantic incense-y rose scent that is quintessential BPAL. I really don't know what else to say other than it is beautiful and I am so happy to have this in my collection.

As previous reviewers mentioned, this is comes across as a softer, more vanilla leaning Dorian. (2023 Dorian that is).

I avoided this scent initially due to the fried dough aspect. I am not a fan of any of the previous Sufganiyots. However, this one is very pretty. I may prefer it just slightly over the 2023 Dorian, but they are similiar enough for me that I do not know that I need a bottle of each. If the lemon or musk was a little heavy for you in the recent iteration of Dorian though, I would definitely recommend going for this one. In summary: Pillowy, girlie Dorian. 

This is a cozy, honeyed oats scent. Its pretty realistic, like slow cooked oats prepared with milk and vanilla, sprinkled with cardamom. I normally don't go for a lot of gourmand fragrances but this one I reach for in the evenings because its so soothing. I've always loved milk and honey scents and black phoenix has created a truly elevated version in comparison to any I have tried in the past. So happy to have a bottle of this. 

Softer than expected, I mostly get an earthy fig sweetened by the almond. I don’t get any artificial or medicinal notes with this almond. The flutter  of leaves is just that and is very faint. It only lends to the Halloween feel but does not take over like most dead leaves can certainly do. Somehow this amber does seem buttery smooth and just ties everything together. Very pretty and easy to wear. Slightly atmospheric.

This is very pretty. It’s very mallow and violet forward and the opium pod note gives it a high end perfume vibe. The mallow adds a creamy softness that I definitely enjoy. I don’t get much plum at all but the scent still feels purple. I like this but don’t love it, only because violet is not something I enjoy. I was hoping for more of a plum forward scent.  That being said, I can see this being very popular, especially if you like violet. 

Thank you Luchessa! Looks so fun

51 minutes ago, Em- said:

So, I realize that with Switch Witch just starting folks may be overwhelmed,  but is there still interest in a 13 nights swap this year? 

 

We would need to get started this week, if so. I really shouldn't host, but I would be happy to assist if someone does want to take it on, because it is my absolute favorite swap of the year.

possibly! I haven't participated in this swap in the past but have in several others. Can you elaborate on what exactly it is? thx!

3 hours ago, VetchVesper said:

Have you tried "Please Scream Inside Your Snake Oil?"  Maybe a similar vibe but extra foody. "Sin in the Pumpkin Patch" is pretty great if you can find it. The sexy resins have just a touch of foodiness and I think the cinnamon is amped up a touch from the pumpkin spice. Lastly, I'll draw your attention to "The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat," - Sweet myrrh, saffron, red labdanum, ambrette seed, terebinth resin, Damascus rose, honey, cardamom, and cacao-infused patchouli. No cinnamon, but with the cardamom, myrrh, patchouli, and honey, there's a really gorgeous, slinky golden spiced vibe you might really dig. 

 

You're making me want to go wear cinnamon now. 😁 I like the note, it just tends to really drown out everything else. I find Ceylon cinnamon works a lot better for me though. Do you register any difference between cassia and Ceylon?

Thanks for the recs! You would think I would love cassia but I can't stand it usually and find it so different. Yes, in perfume oil anyway the cinnamon always takes over on me too. I've yet to really try any indie oil where it didn't. Maybe I just need to mostly stick to layering it. The Obsequies of Egyptian Cat sounds amazing except for the honey which would take over on me more than the cinnamon believe it or not and turn the whole thing into BO powdery funk. I've never loved something so much in reality yet detested it in perfume the way I do honey!

So far my favorite combo has been Snake Oil with a tiny bit of Chimera. The combination is out of this world!

bumping this for new recs! I adore cinnamon in my perfumes. I'm looking for something where its noticeable but isn't the main note. I think it adds such a sexy vibe. 

Snooty bat is a goth's dream. The leather is smooth and balanced by the other notes. It's not too patchouli forward but it does anchor the other notes, which all come together to create a sweet and softly incensed leather. Of course the hint of cloves are reminiscent of the djarum blacks I used to keep in my purse when I was just a baby goth. Dark. Sweet. Bold. Perfect for when I want to put on a little extra kohl liner and blast The Cure kind of days. 

This scent is beautifully executed and I can see being very popular. 

With that being said, I personally am a fan of tuberose and other white florals, but don't get much tuberose at all. Black Silk Orchid is mostly black musk and amber on me (very much like Haunted from the GC line) with just a hint of floral peeking through. Its beautiful, but just doesn't feel like me. This is definitely one of those scents that wears you and will probably help you slip into a bad bitch persona if you desire. Very femme fatale. Its not too sweet nor overly strong, but it is unabashed. 

Sniffing out of the bottle I get a lot of vanilla bean. (yum). 

Wet, the astringent/fruity aspect of the tea comes forward. Is that you bergamot? Ah yes.... this is starting to dry down to a sweetened cup of earl grey. I barely get a hint of incense smoke, and really it reminds me more of what I recognize as bpal's laudanum note. This, like the vanilla bean, also begins to dissipate on my skin. We are left with earl grey with a drop of vanilla.  I happen to love tea scents so this is a keeper for me. Overall impression: Very calming and perfect for a rainy fall day. Average throw and wear. I want to layer this with vanilla/tobacco heavy scents and see what happens!

X-Rayed Candy Bag is glowing, effervescent candy (I get mostly citrus, which I love). Its uplifting, happy and strange. Makes me of think of candy necklaces, smarties dust, lemon heads and all the sour candies I loved as a kid. Description is dead on. Love 

So far this is my favorite of the Yules that I had the pleasure of testing! This is (to my nose) the literal love child of TKO and Snow White. I love this! The lavender opens the scent and dries down to a sweet, soft finish. On it's own Snow White was always a little too youthful and girlie for me. The TKO balances the coconutty/almond-esque snow note beautifully with an herbal edge while the marshmallow blends seamlessly with the snow note.  I can see myself adding this to my bedtime bpal rotation. Perfection!

Philologus for sure!

Can anyone recommend a scent (or a few scents layered together) for Dior's Addict? Preferably the older version.

I ordered a tester of this and after the first sniff, I put in an order for a bottle. I love it THAT much.

I enjoy scents that are sweet but balanced by other notes, in this case an almost soporific spice from the poppy.  I was wary of the red currant. It doesn't work for me in Eat Me and fruity notes can be iffy. But the currant is subdued and just blends seamlessly with the other notes.

I'm not big on commercial fragrances and there are very few that I enjoy, but this is almost identical on my skin to Juliette Has a Gun MMMMM..., except it has more depth and I love it more.

My favorite of all the trios I've tried so far, it stands on its own and doesn't seem too linear or lacking (even though its only comprised of three notes). This sweet poppy concotion is highly addictive.

55 minutes ago, VetchVesper said:

@ziggystardust13 Did you ever get a chance to try Kneel Down, Fair Love, and Fill Thyself with Tears?  (gossamer orris root and silken white magnolia over a sheer dove-grey musk.) It's a really beautiful, misty magnolia.  The Snipe's Beak also has a prominent magnolia, but it's much more straight up floral.

 

Sugar Cookie Satyr is super tasty for that sort of Snake Oil meets something rich and almost-foodie vibe. Zipline 2 is rummy and autumnal foodiness balanced by Ren Fest incense. 😊 

😂 I've smelled way too much BPAL.

Seriously adding all of those to my wishlist. They sound divine!

Ok here are my current top 5!

Snake Smut

Urd

Hell's Belle

Mme. Moriarty

Solstice Lace

Runner up or tied with my top 5 😆: The Other Miss Forcible

As you can probably tell, I love a good sugared incense and sweet notes paired with deeper notes like patchouli and resins. I don't do bpal honey though.

I am so glad I was able to test this beauty. She is dark yet subdued. Earthy yet refined. Amber and hay give way to warmth while the sugarcane adds just the right amount of sweetness. I want to roll around in this! The hazelnut lends a decadent richness to this shadowy, earthy blend. 

If sweet+earth is your jam, BroodX is for you. I for one love this. 

True rose (that doesn't go powdery) backed by Palo Santo. It's a very straightforward scent. While its very pretty but I do wish the palo was just a bit stronger, but thats because I love the scent of palo! Rose lovers will love this one. I could see this layering beautifully with incensey blends.

Hell's Belle is the most magnolia forward scent I own in bpal. Its got a spicey edge but its beautiful. Absolutely recommend that one.

If I could curate the ultimate starter pack:

1. Snake Oil (must have)

2. Dorian (the other must have)

3. Spellbound or Scherezade (sexy incense)

4. Zombi (earthy)

5. Vixen or Hell's Belle (unique florals)

6. No. 93 Engine or Tavern of Hell (unique/complex GC favorites)

7. Mme. Moriarty (I associate this with Beth and to me its quintessential bpal)

8. Alice, The Caterpillar, The Mad Hatter, or White Rabbit (Gotta have the Mad Tea Party!)

9. Elf (RPG fave)

10. Bewitched or The Apothecary (something green and fresh)