BoneBone24

Wet: Sweet bay rum with something earthy and green.

Drydown: Spicier and not so sweet now. A deep and masculine mix of bay rum, bourbon, and dirt, spiked with woodsy moss. The floral notes aren’t terribly strong, but they do soften the blend and add a cologne-like element.

Dry: Woodsy, boozy, spicy, smoky, and floral, without being “too” any of those things. Well-balanced, attractive, and somewhat spooky. I like it!

7.5 out of 10 bones

Wet: Strong, sticky caramel over smoky musk. The overall effect smells like maple syrup.

Drydown/Dry: Gobs and gobs of maple syrup poured over burnt sage. Soft, fuzzy, sticky, sweet, dark, and buttery. It makes me want to eat burnt waffles.

6.5 out of 10 bones

Wet: Cypress over something dirty and sweet. Something smells “off” about it.

Drydown: Fresher and more natural-smelling now. Misty blue cypress over a base of soft brown notes. It smells sort of papery and thin.

Dry: There’s a slight sharpness that comes and goes, but mainly it’s airy cypress over muted and papery incense and a touch of oakmoss. The frankincense becomes stronger and more delicious as the day wears on, eventually taking over as the main note.

7 out of 10 bones

Wet: Sweet, musky, spicy, and floral.

Drydown: Opium smoke wafting over sweet wisteria and passion flower. A touch of sarsaparilla adding a bit of fizz in the background. Soft and grounded.

Dry: Sweet, gentle florals with touches of opium, greenery, and spice in the background. Soft and feminine yet complex enough for someone who’s not a big fan of feminine florals, like me. Definitely evocative of a Pisces persona.

7 out of 10 bones

Wet: This is exactly as simple and awesome as it sounds. Two parts deep, spicy incense to one part sheer, aquatic ozone.

Drydown/Dry: More ozone comes out as it dries until it hits about 60-40, in ozone’s favor. High-pitched, citrussy ozone pouring over crumbly, smoky incense. Fresh and deep at the same time. Beachy, dark, and gender-neutral. A beautifully versatile and attractive scent. It’s very similar to R’Lyeh, but a tad darker and less complex. I already know I’ll get a lot of use out of this!

8.5 out of 10 bones

Wet: Gentle and polite. Mainly sage and white musk with a bit of vetiver and what smells like a fougere lending support. Very light.

Drydown: More lavender now, overtaking the sage. There’s some citrus coming out too, although it’s not terribly obvious what kind it is. White musk rounds out the top three notes, giving the blend a touch of airiness and sophistication. The sage and vetiver are still in there too, but are considerably lighter at this point. All of a sudden a new note appears that I’m going to call Spicy Playdoh. At first, Spicy Playdoh seems to play sort-of-nice with the herbal components. But then, Spicy Playdoh starts to smell like something you left in your gym bag and then forgot about for several months. I sure hope Spicy Playdoh doesn’t stick around long.

Dry: It seems that Spicy Playdoh is playing nice again! I think it may have been a combination of the patchouli and vetiver because that’s what I’m starting to smell now. Vetiver-infused white musk over a bed of soft herbs, citrus, patchouli, and sandalwood. Pale, smooth, earthy, and slightly sinister. As it continues to dry, the citrus and sandalwood become more prominent, skewing the blend in more of a sexy direction.

Wet: This is more herbal/soapy than I expected. White, clean, and creamy.

Drydown: Mainly hyssop and tonka. A feint whisper of coconut, musk, and vanilla tea too. Slightly sharp. As it dries a glimpse of lilac peeks out, and perhaps a bit more of the vanilla tea too.


Dry: Too much hyssop dagnammit! Hyssop over pale, glossy white notes. There’s a touch of warmth from the vanilla, but it’s mainly a cool and feathery blend. It reminds me of an iridescent swirl of soap floating on top of water. Some of it spilled on the envelope it was sitting on and it actually smells much richer and delicious on there. Darn it, sharpness-enhancing skin chemistry!

Wet: Manly wood. Dark and dry.

Drydown: Rich, warm, and slightly sweet. I’m mostly getting the sandalwood, leather, and olibanum. There’s something golden to it, almost ambery. Deep and cozy, with a touch of brightness from the elemi.

Dry: A deep, woody cologne. Very sexy. Glowing wood over soft, shadowy leather.

7.5 out of 10 bones

To HollyAnei-

For your Ethereal/Dollish/Fairy Tale-loving side:

Lady Amalthea: A luminous white winter musk with lilac, wisteria, white chocolate, white mint, and tuberose - - shimmery and ethereal

Elf: Pale golden musk, honeycomb, amber, parma violet, hawthorne bark, aspen leaf, forest lily, life everlasting, white moss, and a hint of wild berry - - woodsy and fae

Aeval: sage, sweet pea, bold pale musk and warm tonka - - pale, dainty, and fae

The Sluggard: Pious frankincense, angelic gardenia, unsoiled pear, and staunch ho wood conflict with prickly, overgrown thistle, idle labdanum, and lethargic lavender - - a peculiar garden

For your Gothic/Vampy/Ghostly side:

Tavern of Hell: White gardenia, ambergris bouquet, lavender fougere, orange blossom, melissa, tobacco flower, coriander, ebony wood, ylang ylang, absinthe and aged whiskey - - sophisticated, seductive, and wicked

Penny Dreadful: Soft perfume evocative of noir heroines over rich red grave loam - - dirty and spicy, yet soft

Dracul: Black musk, tobacco, fir, balsam of peru, cumin, bitter clove, crushed mint, and orange blossom - - smoky, cool, and dark

Haunted: Soft golden amber darkened with a touch of murky black musk - - Lighter and more beautiful than it sounds. I'd recommend giving it a shot despite the amber.

Wet: Sugared, earthy vetiver. Chocolatey almost.

Drydown: More vetiver, but the grassier kind now. The sweetness is becoming creamier and mixing with the patchouli and citrus notes. The vetiver dies down some and the coconut, amber, and patchouli amp up a bit. Warm and tropical with just a touch of grassiness.

Dry: This is a weird and complex one for sure, and it stays pretty consistent. It’s mainly a mix of grassy vetiver, creamy-cool coconut, smoky myrrh, and earthy patchouli. Plus a bit of sweetness, most likely from the quince. Essentially it smells like hiking in the tropics.

6.5 out of 10 bones

Wet: Fresh pine and some sort of peculiar fruit. Ignoring the note list, I’d guess starfruit.

Drydown: Robust evergreens with a hint of something tart. Very christmas-y, but with a sour undercurrent.

Dry: Sour pine. Aurelia and me just weren't meant to be.

4 out of 10 bones

Okay, I am now dying to find an oil like Doc Constantine's Medicine Show. LE, doesn't matter. Send recs quick, I adddddddddoooooooooooooore this scent!!!

 

Tzi

I don't know of anything that smells just like it on its own, but I would bet that Jolly Roger layered with Laudanum would be pretty darn close.

If Dorian is the proper Victorian gentleman who gives you a naughty dessert course during afternoon tea, then Elaphospyris is his working-class cousin stripping down for a quickie in the alley. He’s dark, rugged, and leaves you wanting more.

Wet: Sweet lemon candies. Somewhat licorice-y.

Drydown: Lemony absinthe poured over a sugary-sweet musk. It quickly becomes deeper and more complex on my skin. Smoky vetiver and fresh herbs join the lemon as it sits above a mix of dark wood and creeping musk. Smoky, grassy, tart, and intriguing.

Dry: Dirtier and more outdoorsy now. Vetiver, verbena, and white musk are at the forefront, followed by lemon, a slice of apple, and a handful of woody herbs. Clean; yet dirty, Bright; yet dark, Outdoorsy; yet sophisticated. This is a hard one to categorize, but it’s definitely one that I’ll wear again.

7.5 out of 10 bones

Wet: Sweet, stinging mint. If such a thing as super-toothpaste existed, this is what it would smell like.

Drydown: Bright peppermint, much like the very first bite of mint gum. Ultra-cool with a touch of sweetness and twinkliness. Oh! It smells just like Icebreakers mints! As it dries something smoother and softer becomes noticeable, matcha or the champaca I’d guess, and saddles up as a side-note. Icy-cool mint still claims centerstage.

Dry: Some last minute morphing goes down as it enters the dry stage. On one side, the mint, juniper, and matcha combine to make a snowy, slightly creamy slush. The lime might be adding some sparkliness to this mix too, but I don’t notice it outright. On the other side the khus and champaca team up to create a smoky, musky floral with a bit of a tropical vibe. The two sides dance together until finally they settle into a smoky, tropical mint. In other words, this smells like extra-minty Dracul on vacation.

8 out of 10 bones

Has anyone else read or watched Hemlock Grove? What do you think of my suggestions (below)? Any other ideas for them or other characters?

Roman: Tavern of Hell, or maybe Perversion or one of the Ars Draconis blends

Peter: Black Forest or Voodoo

Shelly: Alecto or Brusque Violet

Olivia: Debauchery

Letha: Thalia or Alice

Christina: Wings of Azrael

Norman: Dee perhaps? I don't have a good feel for his character. Maybe a book-reader would have something better to suggest.

Clementine: Jazz Funeral or Roadhouse - it's definitely gotta be something that's both boozy and outdoorsy!

I will read up on your suggestions. Thank you very much! I have tried Dragon's Milk and it's too cherry for me. It smells like cherry candy/cough drops on me. Unfortunately.

 

All in all, I like more warm/sweet yet airy smells. I can't handle overpowering florals and especially tropicals. There was one smell with Guava, I believe (can't remember the name of the scent) and I just couldn't handle it. It was literally horrible on me. I've also changed my opinion on coconut ... I don't think I like it anymore.

 

I know I have looooong ways to go before I really learn what notes I like and which one I dislike ... it almost feels like too much at the moment I'm putting together a list of 6 imps I want to order from BPAL as I can't find any of them on sale boards.

 

1. Fae

2. Van Van (I need me some of that positivity, plus I like the reviews)

3. Bewitched

4. Eat Me

5. Dana O'Shee

6. .... remains to be seen (now I'll be researching The Light of Men's Lives, La Petite Mort, La Traviata, Apothecary and Sed Non Satiata - even though the 'floral' in it scares me a little)

 

Do you think it's a good list?

Fae is AWEsome. I haven't tried Van Van or Bewitched yet, but they sound like good picks. #4 and #5 are too foody for me personally, but it seems like most other people like them. If you don't like how Dragon's Milk smelled like cherry, there's a possibility that Dana O'Shee might do that too (it did for me, anyway). If you're looking for something airy, you might want to consider something like Aeval (sage, tonka, pale musk, sweet pea).

Wet: A robust and golden flora. Very sunshine-y. It smells exactly like something from my childhood, but I can’t figure out what. (a fancy soap or bubble bath maybe?) It’s a good memory, yet I can’t pinpoint what it’s of, which is really frustrating!

Drydown/Dry: Gently spiced florals and lemon over sandalwood. It seems old-fashioned, but not in a bad way. Heady, golden, and slightly soapy.

5.5 out of 10 bones

Just thought I could update this thread a little ...

 

I ended up getting 20+ imps and so far, I like O the most ... I realized I can't take scents that are too strong because I do get a headache and start feeling almost sick to my stomach if the smell is overbearing (like Titania or Eve). I need something mellow, sweet, dreamy and a little tiny touch sexy.

 

I also liked Dorian before I got 'over him,' which was pretty fast.

 

Roses, Pearls and Diamonds was another scent that captivated me, but it's a little too cold for everyday wear - it's something I could wear from time to time, but not all the time.

 

I realized I don't like woody smells at all ... even though I do like sandalwood in theory, I don't like it in perfume form.

 

I realized I like honey.

 

Belle Epoque is a scent that nearly mesmerized me ... it's such a complex smell that keeps changing on me each time I sniff it, but some of the time I really don't like it - the times the sandalwood comes through strong.

 

So right now I only know I will be buying a bottle of O. Nothing else comes close to being lovely enough while not being too loud and has a certain amount of hidden sexiness in it. But I am not totally hundred percent in love with it either ...

 

I've simply not found THE scent for myself, but O is coming close for sure. It's also the only scent that I got a compliment for while wearing. By a male coworker.

 

PS: I really like Embalming Fluid as it reminds me a lot of Elizabeth Arden's Tea Tree scent, but I have a bottle of that, so there's no reason for me to buy a bottle of Embalming Fluid.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to move next?

If you like O, I'd suggest trying The Light of Men's Lives too. La Petite Mort would also be a good one to try. And if you don't mind some spice, Defututa and The Lion might also work for you.

Have you tried anything with Dragon's Blood in it yet? If not, I'd definitely recommend starting out with Dragon's Milk. It has Dragon's Blood, which should satisfy that complex, warm floral it sounds like you're into, plus honey and vanilla.

And, since you like Embalming Fluid, you might also like Phobos, Absinthe, Ehecatl, or Herbert West. All are lovely and refreshing citrus blends.

Edited to Add: I read your original post (prolly shoulda done that before) and wanted to add a few more:

Sed Non Satiata (sexy honeyed floral)

La Bella Donna Della Mia Mente (a warm aquatic w/ fruit and rose)

Apothecary (fig, tea, and greenery)

Shoggoth (a fruity, tropical floral-aquatic - with coconut!)

Haunted (amber and black musk)

Wet: Sweet and very smoky, like Malediction with syrup added.

Drydown: Mesquite drizzled with maple syrup. A bit of soot too. A touch of hops begins to lift the blend as it approaches the dry stage.

Dry: Smoky clouds of woodsmoke and soot mixed with frothy wheat beer. Sweetened by a touch of charred toffee. Gloriously dark, dirty, and burnt. Yummmm.

Wet: Smoky, earthy, and sweet leather.

Drydown: Sweet, comforting leather backed by slightly resinous balsam. It’s smooth and rugged, and not anywhere near as dirty/rough as I was expecting it to be. I can see where the musty books comparison is coming from (which is a good thing in my, er, book).

Dry: It smells sturdy yet soft, and, well, really darn good. It reminds me of the Robotic Scarab with the leather amped up a bit. Slightly outdoorsy, sort of sweet (like apples?), and very, very cozy.

This is one of those ones that completely exceeds expectations. It was a frimp from a lovely forumite (thanks, OctoberGwen!) who is much wiser than me, because I had this one way down on my list of GC imps to eventually try. But thankfully, it came into my life earlier than expected and will be eagerly welcomed into my frequently worn pile.

Wet: Dragon’s blood. It’s fruity and a touch angry.

Drydown: Fresh, happy lilacs over dragon’s blood. I’m not sure I’m sold on the combination, but that’s okay because within a few minutes the lily comes out and subdues any trace of the lilac. This is probably the boldest lily note I’ve come across so far in BPAL. Something about the combination of lily and dragon’s blood makes me think of a mixture of violets and soap. Violets and soap with sharp, spicy red notes simmering just beneath the surface actually. The visual is actually quite appropriate for a dragon’s eye.

Dry: More morphing. The sharper aspects of the last phase have vanished and something soft and creamy has entered the picture. Benzoin or tonka maybe? For a moment it smells like fruity hyacinth and then it takes a turn towards velvety resins. Soft, smooth, and comforting, with whispers of sweet lilacs along the edge. A bit potpourri-ish.

Wet: Sweet and creamy. It smells exactly like boiled frosting.

Drydown: A pool of melty marshmallow goop with gentle white flowers along its edge. It’s quite foody, yet dainty and innocent at the same time.

Dry: Cleaner now. It smells like cotton, milk and honey. There is a musky floral component that reminds me of jasmine. Sweet, clean, and soft. Very white.

Similar to: Good (but this is better, imo)

6 out of 10 bones

Wet: Smokey and gnarly. Ash, earthy, grassy, and a touch metallic.

Drydown: Oh, that's definitely vetiver. Smokey, green, and earthy. There's definitely a sweet menthol quality mixed in with the grittier notes. It smells like the color slate. Surprisingly comforting

Dry: Stone and soot and cool earth. A stunningly dark vetiver tempered by sweet and chilly menthol. Maybe a touch of clove too?

It conjures a visual of glittery green ash and blue metallic stone.

8 out of 10 bones

Citrus scents are always a smart choice for office jobs, since they tend to be inoffensive and gender-neutral. As a receptionist you may want to also consider teas, light vanillas, and light herbs and spices to give more of a warm and inviting vibe, whilst staying inoffensive to a variety of noses. Here are a few I think would work:

Shanghai: The crisp, clean scent of green tea touched with lemon verbena and honeysuckle.

Baobhan Sith: Grapefruit, white tea, apple blossom and ginger.

Dorian: A Victorian fougere with three pale musks and dark, sugared vanilla tea.

The Apothecary: Tea leaf with three mosses, green grass, a medley of herbal notes, and a drop of ginger and fig.

White Rabbit: Strong black tea and milk with white pepper, ginger, honey and vanilla, spilled over the crisp scent of clean linen.

Manhattan: Sheer amber, black leather, white mint, lemon peel, white tea, grapefruit, kush, teakwood and orchid.

I did a google search and couldn't find any notes listed anywhere, but based on the reviews and your comparison to 51 I'd suggest Shoggoth from the Picnic in Arkham line.

Shoggoth: An amorphous, radiant, incandescent scent. Ever changing, protoplasmic and primordial: white amber, green coconut meat, iris, palmarosa, Chinese peony, lime, water lily, snowdrop, muguet, lemongrass, osmanthus, wisteria, glassy musk, and hinoki.