Donnababe

First Sniff

 

Sharp cool, greenery.

 

Drydown

 

Much the same but a tad sweeter.

 

After a While

 

I can smell the flowers now but it's impossible to pick out individual notes in this blend. This is still quite an aloof blend. I don't find this particularly inviting.

 

Final Verdict

 

This has grown on me a little, it's very pretty but I still don't find it warm enough if that makes sense. I will try again when perhaps my mood will be more forgiving.

 

(Staying power - excellent)

First Sniff

 

Sticky sweet fruit.

 

Drydown

 

Normally when there is jasmine in a blend it's the first thing I notice, at the moment I cannot find any whatsoever. This is a sweet scent of berries (I'm guessing from the Osmanthus) and a gentle candied rose.

 

After a While

 

Very little change from the drydown. Below average lasting power.

 

Final Verdict

 

I do like this but perhaps not quite enough for a big bottle. It's just a touch too sweet and the lastability of a scent is almost always a factor for me.

First Sniff

 

Lime fruit gums.

 

Drydown

 

The lime faded within a minute or so and the jasmine took over. It's a nice sweet jasmine but that's all I can smell now.

 

After a While

 

Very little change from the drydown. Poor lasting power.

 

Final Verdict

 

I was excited by this initially but it turned into a Nothing Special. Pity

First Sniff

 

Sticky, sweet lemon.

 

Drydown

 

This is a lot sweeter than I expected, at the moment it's a bit much. The lemon is dominant but there is a hint of tea.

 

After a While

 

This predictably faded very quickly, and all I got was a sickly lemon curd smell and no trace of leather.

 

Final Verdict

 

I'm really disappointed. I thought I would adore this one given all the glowing reviews. I may give it another go in the hope of detecting the leather but I fear it's destined to be swapped.

First Sniff

 

Sweet custard. This is going to be interesting...

 

Drydown

 

Much to my relief the custard smell disappears after a minute or two on my skin. The vanilla is not cloying or sickly. The spices are there, faint and lovely.

 

After a While

 

This is a warm and very inviting smell. I'm reminded of pie crusts or danish pastries yet bizarrely I don't find this overly foody on me.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

This has crazy lasting power. I applied this mid afternoon and I could still smell it when I awoke the next day. By that stage hubby said it was a tad Play Doh-ie but luckily I didn't get that association.

 

I'm so surprised by this one, I really didn't think I would like it. Vanilla is normally far too sickly but I find this so warm and beautiful.

 

Thank you to Femke for the imp! I'm seriously considering a 5ml.

First Sniff

 

Sage and lemon.

 

Drydown

 

Whilst I'm not too keen on the bitter sage, I love the Lemon Tea aroma this has. It's great for a sunny day like today.

 

After a While

 

Very much the same and a lovely 'Boiled sweet' lemon-ness but this fades far too quickly.

 

Final Verdict

 

Very nice, I'll certainly use the imp but probably won't get a bigger size.

First Sniff

 

Warm amber with a polished 'bite'. No, make that a nip!

 

Drydown

 

This is my beloved Haunted with a hint of wood.

 

After a While

 

It mellowed after a time but otherwise not much change.

 

Final Verdict

 

Very nice but probably too similiar to Haunted for a big bottle.

First Sniff

 

Greenery.

 

Drydown

 

More green than floral with a sharp aquatic feel.

 

After a While

 

The floral note does get stronger but I can't pick out the individual flowers and can't shake the aquatic element. It's weird how I don't smell any wood at all.

 

Final Verdict

 

Too harsh and sharp for me, I prefer warming, sensuous blends. Sadly, this does little for me.

First Sniff

 

Sweet almonds.

 

Drydown

 

Slightly fruity (like boiled sweets) and syrupy sweet.

 

After a While

 

The white wine comes through quite strongly but it's basically the same.

 

Final Verdict

 

It's OK, but not a favourite.

First Sniff

 

Sharp greens and a touch of lavender. Not as expected.

 

Drydown

 

This is much greener than I expected. It smells 'dry' and cold. No sign of rose or musk. Lots of frankincense.

 

After a While

 

Frankincense and at last, rose. It's warmed up a lot and feels so much more sensual now.

 

Final Verdict

 

I was ready to throw this into the swap pile until the rose made it's beautiful appearance. It's so soft and gorgeous. I really like this but will need to go through my new rosy faves before I make a decision about big bottles. (I so want one though....)

First Sniff

 

Jasmine.

 

Drydown

 

I have no idea what magnolias smell like but I think I can smell them over the jasmine. It's a rich, smooth smell that banishes the initial sharpness that I usually hate before jasmine dries on my skin. I can catch a hint of rose, but only just. This is a light scent that reminds me of Pele.

 

After a While

 

Other than the fact that it faded quite quickly this hasn't changed at all.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

I really like this. I may have to compare this with Pele before I decide to buy a bigger quantity but it's a bottle of tranquil loveliness.

First Sniff

 

Melting butter and hazlenuts.

 

Drydown

 

More butter and a hint of praline... A burnt caramel smell and a bitter chocolate

hit......This one is very very strong and I only applied a little.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

Really not me. At all. I had to wash it off after half an hour, the sticky caramel/coco smell made me feel terrible (even my son said it was stinky. ). I wanted to like it but it's far too foody, smelling like a rich brownie is something that does not work for me. I've a feeling I'm going to have a similiar reaction to Bliss. I hope not.

First Sniff

 

Strong, cool florals.

 

Drydown

 

I don't have a cule about what these flowers are meant to smell like. It's not a warm, or sensual fragrance like jasmine can be, it's a sharper, crisper note. The aquatic feel is coming through strongly. At the moment it's bit overpowering, like the feeling you get in your nose if you sniff flowers a bit too closely.

 

After a While

 

Just the same but not quite so heady.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

Really not me. I'm afraid I 'do not do' aquatic scents at all, they're always sharp and brash on me.

First Sniff

 

Floral ginger! Not aggressive at all. Strangely alluring actually.

 

Drydown

 

Immediately on the skin it was delicious gingerbread, it's the bakery smell I was hoping for. After a few seconds the wet jasmine took over. I don't like wet jasmine.

 

After a While

 

Thankfully when the jasmine dries off Siren is lovely. The 'bite' from the ginger doesn't last long enough for me but it's still a bakery smell. The jasmine stops it from being overly foody. There maybe a touch of apricot and vanilla here but as it's such a smooth blend it's hard to pick out. Oddily though every now and again I get a hit of coconut!

 

Final Verdict

 

Very different. I like this a lot but I'm not sure I can pull it off. I look forward to trying it again.

 

PS The colour of this oil is wonderful!

First Sniff

 

Musty fruit - oranges. Next sniff, berries.

 

Drydown

 

It's like fermenting fruit. It's a lot darker than I expected it to be. The orange is

dominant.

 

After a While

 

The raspberry is here! It's sharp and juicy and gives the scent a much brighter feel.

 

Final Verdict

 

A little too dark and brooding at the beginning. I much prefer Jester.

First Sniff

 

Cucumbers!

 

Drydown

 

The cucumber/melon note is still the main note here. There is a sharp green smell which is possibly the ivy. I'm not familiar with any of the components here though.

 

After a While

 

It's a clean smell now. Not much greenery.

 

Final Verdict

 

Quiet and comforting. Maybe more imps in future.

First Sniff

Hard to pin down... it's like aniseed, but not quite. Very bitter and aggressive.

Drydown

I can't stop sniffing myself. But I don't like what I'm smelling... I'm getting a dust like smell (think that's bergamot) with a hint of orange. This is going to sound odd but I'm finding this scent quite unsettling, almost creepy.

I'm not sure how long I'll be wearing it.

After a While

The orange gets juicier as time goes on. The scent is more appealing now but I don't think I'll be able to wear this one because of how if feels early on.

Final Verdict

Not for me. The early stages freak me out too much. Pity.

First Sniff

 

Juicy, red, fruit pulp.

 

Drydown

 

When it hit my skin initially it was just rose. Now the fruit is gradually peeking through.

 

After a While

 

Sweet rose and dribbles of sharp fruit juice.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

Very nice, but not 'stunning' enough for a big bottle.

First Sniff

 

Very little aroma, it's very creamy.

 

Drydown

 

After applying this I panicked. I could hardly smell anything at all and I put lots on. From time to time I get clouds of a lovely sweet, clean smell. It's very light but it's there.

 

I cannot stop sniffing myself!

 

Hmmm.. I applied along my wrists and arms and placed a dash on my upper wrist (where you'd wear a watch.) I get the sweeter smell along my wrist and arms and a gingery note from my upper wrist!

 

After a While

 

Fading fast but still wonderful.

 

Final Verdict

 

I didn't know what to expect here as I was unaware of any of the notes but was eager to try it due to the reviews. As luck would have it Beth kindly included this as a freebie.

 

Please forgive me for rambling but this is now my favourite BPAL! It's strange because it fades very quickly on me but I simply must have more and it's going to be 10ml!

 

Gothabillywench has it exactly right, it's vintage lingerie. Or perhaps a really good quality expensive soap. I can smell rich, luxurious, silken lather.

 

I love, love, LOVE it. Thank you Beth!

First Sniff

 

Slightly sharp incense and resin.

 

Drydown

 

Well well...it maybe my screwed body chemistry but I can't smell the sweetness of Dragon's Blood Resin at all here. At the moment it's just musk and a 'dust on wood' feel.

 

After a While

 

There's a slight creaminess now but it's basically the same.

 

Final Verdict

 

Nice enough but no hints of fig or blackcurrant. As I suspect my hormones might be playing games I shall try it again in a few days.

First Sniff

 

Lavender and grapefruit. Interesting....

 

 

Drydown

 

A sharpness of citrus again, (but no redcurrant yet) and a whirl of sweet flowers that are too

 

well blended to name. Liking it so far.

 

After a While

 

A touch of redcurrant, but only if I really sniff my wrists. Still floral and citrussy.

 

Final Verdict

 

Lasting power on this one is poor. The scent is nice but not nice enough for a big bottle.

First Sniff

 

Almonds? Curse my stupid nose.

 

After Application

 

Creamy milk and spicy carnation. There is a touch of honey but it isn't overpowering.

 

 

Drydown

 

Aaaah, here come the roses!

 

 

After a While

 

It's a bunch of pink roses with a dash of white carnations swooning nearby.

 

Final Verdict

 

The scent has almost gone now but the final stage of Alice for me is a beautiful

milky rose. I do find the middle stage a bit overpowering but it's nowhere near

unpleasant.

 

It's the palest, prettiest pink, it makes me smile and I need more......

First Sniff

 

White grapes.

 

Drydown

 

On application it's joyous sweet grape juice, not dry champagne. In a matter of seconds the mints come to the fore although the grapes haven't disappeared totally.

 

After a While

 

A salty feel is coming in but overall it fades in less than two hours.

 

Final Verdict

 

If I sniff my wrists directly I can still detect the sweet grape. I have had little luck with the aquatic blends I've tried (Ingenue and Water of Notre Dame) and sadly this is no different. I love the grape note I get but I don't think it suits me as a whole. Probably will swap.

First Sniff

 

Dare I say orangey cola? Perhaps this means there's almonds here as I get cola from Hellcat and Black Phoenix.

 

Drydown

 

It's very hard for me to select individual notes here. Although it's odd because I can smell a beautifully tart orange even though it is not in the description.

 

After a While

 

I've come to the conclusion that perhaps the myrrh and mimosa are combining to make the 'orange' that I'm getting. Probably not. Still can't detect the blackcurrant!

 

Final Verdict

 

A beautifully warm and smooth scent. It's a bit fruity, quite incensey, a touch spicy and although it's dark it doesn't make me feel that way. It would be a perfect autumnal scent for me.

 

It's only drawback is it's lack of staying power. More imps for definite.

First Sniff

 

Nutty chocolate. I've only sniffed Bliss so far but Velvet seems very similar.

 

Drydown

 

Mellow vanilla 'wood shavings' with a hint of cocoa. Lovely. Even hubby is impressed!

 

 

After a While

 

Virtually no change five plus hours later.

 

 

Final Verdict

 

This stuff has amazing staying power. I have to sniff my wrists now to get the cocoa but it's 13 hours on and Velvet is still around! For anyone who is nervous about foody scents, I don't find this foody at all.

 

I'll be getting more imps for sure - testing Bliss might help me decide whether I buy Velvet in larger quantities.