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BPAL Madness!

Neko

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Everything posted by Neko

  1. Neko

    Job Interview Recommendations

    I had to put my vote in for Black Cat. It sounds softer and fresher on you than most of your other options, and more importantly it sounds like one of the most subtle scents in your repertoire. As has been mentioned in several other "job interview" threads, any scent worn in this sort of situation should be extremely light (or practically non-existant). While you might love the scent, and while it might, indeed, smell absolutely lovely on you, you could wind up with an interviewer who is scent sensitive or allergic to one of the notes in the blend. It would truly be unfortunate if your perfume left a bad impression, and thus negatively influenced your chance of getting the job. The fact that you are going to have multiple interviewers only increases the risk that one of them might be unhappy (for whatever reason) with the scent you choose. Therefore, I would have to say that the safest option would be to wear no perfume at all. However, if you would prefer to be wearing something to calm your nerves, offer emotional/mental support, etc. then I would have to suggest choosing the lightest, softest scent you have and applying it with care.
  2. Hmm... I would recommend anything warm and/or comforting. The chocolatey oils ought to be good for that: Bliss Vice Velvet You might also want to check out snuggly, spicy-sweet scents like: Dragon's Milk Snake Oil Alice Or the just plain homey and calming blends: Dana O'Shee Water of Notre Dame If you are in need of a lift in spirits, check out: Tarot: The Star
  3. Neko

    King of Spades

    Wet: Fruity, very fruity... an extremely tangy blend tempered only so slightly by a faint, mildly sweet resin note (must be the opoponax, which I have heard described as "sweet myrrh"). This scent reminds me of heady tropical fruits, and warm beaches at night. This scent isn't nearly as dark as I expected from the description. Indeed, I would tend to agree that this blend is rather flashy and flamboyant. Dry (5 min): The coconut and the black plum have both come to the forefront, however the two alternate which one fills the lead role, causing the general feel of the scent to morph from moment to moment. The original fruity tang has died down some what, and a much softer, deeper, sweet odor is emerging. The musk, while in the background, has a definite anchoring presence in this blend, creating a velvety backdrop for the brighter notes. Dry (45 min): The scent of opoponax has begun to "throw", filling the air around me with a cloud of gorgeous murky sweetness (almost smoky in nature). The fruity notes have remained closer to my skin, and have begun to blend with the musk, rendering them darker and smoother then they were alone. In fact, I would describe the combination of plum and blackberry as wine-like at this point. The coconut has also remained fairly close to the skin, though I will catch an occasional whiff of it now and then. This scent is far more serious and reserved when dry than when wet. Overall: I love the opoponax, the musk, and the coconut, however fruity scents and I don't tend to get along very well. I am lucky that I can only smell the fruit notes if I directly sniff my wrists. However, if you enjoy the scent of plums and berries, the King of Spades is very much a scent you will enjoy. PS: This scent puts me in mind of some of Beth's other "dark and fruity" combos, namely Mabon and Hunter Moon.
  4. Neko

    When your favorite GC blends are discontinued

    As they both share a coconut note, I think that Black Pearl might smell very similar to Tarot: The Star. It's worth checking out!
  5. Neko

    Alice

    Wet: a well balanced blend of spicy florals and mild milky sweetness. At this point, I think the milk and carnation are the predominant notes. The honey in this is quite different from the other honeyed BPAL blends. Instead of an intense "honey" smell, there is a soft dash of warm sugar (as if a small dollop of honey had been stirred into milky tea). Dry (10 min): The milk has fallen into the background, causing the blend to lose something of its original sweetness. The carnation has stepped forward, increasing the floral spiciness of this scent. The blend has also started to take on a distinct powdery quality, which is most likely the rose beginning to make its appearance. It's as if the little girls have stopped having tea and have started playing dress up. Dry (45 min): The milk is all but gone, while the scent of carnations has gained stupendous strength. A powdery rose, vying for attention, also makes its presence known. From time to time, I think I can catch a whiff of the honey note, though it is quite light, well blended, and also rather powdery (making it difficult to distinguish from the rose). I imagine a room with a vase of carnations tipped over on a small white table, loose powder, play jewelry, and old dresses lay strewn about. In the end: If you enjoy powdery florals, you'll like this. If you enjoy the scent of carnations, you'll like this. As for me, I wish it had remained truer to its wet phase.
  6. I just discovered that my boyfriend really loves Bliss. It must be due to all that rich chocolatey goodness!
  7. In my opinion Tzadikim Nistarim smells quite a bit like Kuang Shi. They both are predominantly sweet fruit + wood. However, Tzadikim Nistarim has a much milder dry down.
  8. Neko

    Bliss

    When I first received my imp of Bliss, I was a little worried. I hadn't even opened it, and I could already smell the strange caramel popcorn scent others had described! However, as this arrived with my Halloween LEs (and I was just dying to try Samhain and Dia de los Muertos) I tucked it away with my other imps, and didn't pay any mind to it... until today. In the bottle: The first thing I noticed when I pulled this imp out of the box was that the caramel popcorn scent was mysteriously gone. I popped the top off, and was greeted with a delicious chocolate scent! Pure milk chocolate, creamy and sweet! Wet: Still that wonderful creamy milk chocolate, however now I can catch a hint of hazelnut in the blend as well. I feel like I've just slathered my wrist in Nutella. I love Nutella! Dry (10 min): Oh no!!! The chocolatey goodness is rapidly disappearing and is being replaced by the nutty scent. As for the hazelnut note, it's taken on a bizarre green tinge, as if the nut were a little underripe and still resting in a freshly cracked shell. The green odor clashes a little with the sweetness of the blend, and my nose can pick up the aromatic discord. Dry (1hr): Ah, the scent has morphed again. The scent of nut has all but faded completely, leaving behind only a mild, subtle version of its former self. The discordant green note is gone. The chocolate note is no longer reminiscent of a creamy milk chocolate bar. Now it has become a lovely powdery cocoa scent, like a freshly opened package of hot cocoa mix. Dry (4hr): This is still going strong! It has remained true to the scent it was at the one hour mark... still delicious hot cocoa mix. Wonderful for cold weather!
  9. I agree with those who have suggested Bon Vivant (I gave an imp of this to my 11 year old sister), The Hesperides, Jester, Glitter, Fae, Katharina, and the March Hare. Anything sweet and fruity usually seems to sit well with younger girls. I think scents like Dana O'Shee, The Unicorn, Sudha Segara, Pele and Alice would be good choices if you discover she doesn't particularly care for fruity scents (I know that I've never been a particular fan, even at that age). Now to show I can also add suggestions: You might also want to consider Bliss, Jack, Bewitched, Rosalind, Tamora, Imp, The Dormouse (very fruity to me), and Tarot: the Star. If you were willing to splurge on a 5ml I would suggest picking up something like Sugar Cookie or Gingerbread Poppet.
  10. In my opinion, Dissipation and Unseelie both seem very similar to Blue Moon (I think all three probably share a poppy note).
  11. One of the new oblation scents, Cerberus, lists chocolate as a note. It might be worth checking out! Edit: I thought I should also add Decadence to this list. While it might not qualify as a "chocolate scent" it definitely has chocolate in it. I compare it to Snake Oil with some holiday chocolates tossed in.
  12. Neko

    Temperature and BPAL

    Maybe you can install a mini-heater in your mailbox! *grin*
  13. Neko

    Dia de los Muertos

    In the bottle: When I sniff the bottle, I can catch the food nature of this scent. I smell rich chocolate and the lightest hint of something alcoholic. It's like those liquor filled chocolates that are sold around the winter holidays. Beneath the scent of chocolate wafts the odor of gentle florals. Wet: When wet I can still smell the chocolate and sweet liquor, but to a far lesser degree. Underneath, the florals are morphing and becoming more dominant, however I would refrain from calling them overpowering. Dry (10min): The scent of food is gone and I am now left with an intriguing floral boquet. The florals in this blend are not delicate, but they are gentle. They are light without the traditional piercing quality of white florals. They are exotic without being sterotypically tropical. In short, I love them! There is also something extremely fresh winding its way through this scent. It reminds me of cucumber, or the scent of a cactus split open. I get the image of cool water dripping from something pale green. Dry (30min): Somehow the florals have been pushed into the background once again. Rather than a return of the beloved chocolate, a new food scent has taken center stage. A warm caramel-like smell has appeared, which might possibly be the melted sweetness of sugar skulls or the creamy delight of dulce de leche. I am a little sad to see that wonder fresh greenish scent go, but perhaps it will reappear later. Dry (40 min): Ah wait... the florals are reappearing! All in all, this is a gorgeous blend. I didn't get any distinct incensy note, but that's alright by me. I was delighted to find nothing fruity in Dia de los Muertos (fruits and I don't tend to get along). What appeals to me most about this oil is its ever shifting nature. This is definitely one of the most complex scents I've received from the lab. Edit: The incense decided to appear on me after all, about 5 minutes after I posted my review. It's rather understated, but it has added just a touch of smoky charm to the whole blend. I feel complete!
  14. Neko

    Ouija

    Wet: This is predominantly floral, with the various wood notes hiding in the background. I can smell both of the roses, and strangely enough lily (that might be the osmanthus). The lilac doesn't really make itself apparent to me, which is fairly unusual (my skin chemistry loves lilacs). This definitely becomes a pale, cool floral scent on me, with only a breath of wood weaving its way through the blend. This stage reminds me of Kostnice. I can imagine sitting in a bright drawing room, the windows wide open, and a cool breeze blowing in the scent of the garden outside. Dry (15 min): Within ten mintues the first rush of florals has faded and the scent of wood begins to emerge. The once fresh flowers become powdery, and a very mild floral-spicy scent emerges. I am reminded more of a lady's perfumed powder then true flowers at this point. I can imagine the same room, thick curtains drawn over closed windows, the traditional heavy wooden furniture looking a bit more imposing under the dimmed lights. Women are gathered, the scent of their powdered skin filling the now close and crowded room. Dry (30 min): The wood notes are fading and fast. If I really try, I can still pick them out, but at this point they are almost blended beyond distinction. Dry (1hr 30min): Dry, powdery florals tempered slightly by something that once was wood (I can no longer distinguish the wood notes with any certainty). This scent had become incredibly light, and it alternates between mildly spicy and mildy fresh (I keep smelling a green note peeking through). I can see the exhausted individuals returning for their seance, riding home in chilly carriage.
  15. Neko

    Job Interview Recommendations

    I would say that anything in your collection that is light and floral ought to be fairly safe. However, I do stress light... nothing is more irritating that heavy, overdone perfume! Embalming Fluid might also be a good bet. It smells fairly fresh and clean, and I know for a fact that its a very light scent. It's not likely to bother many people. Still, as with any perfume, go easy!
  16. Decadence is just like Snake Oil with a little chocolate-orange and rum tossed in.
  17. Neko

    Decadence

    When I first put this blend on I was struck by the powerful scent of almonds. The same sort of almonds used in Snake Oil and Tarot: The High Priestess. The sort of almonds one can almost confuse with cherries (as opposed to the almonds in Queen of Sheba and Hecate, which I could never confuse with cherries, even if I tried). Upon inhaling more deeply, I was left with the impression of chocolate oranges... the sort you get in your stocking at Christmas time. The chocolate-citrus scent was faint, but detectable, and utterly lovely. There was a distinct spicy note in this blend as well, but it didn't seem hot enough to be cinnamon, so clove seems a more likely culprit. Rounding out the blend was a rich, boozy note that reminded me of the rum in Old Port au Prince. After several hours of wear the rum, spice and chocolate notes have disappeared and I am left with a much softer, powdery, mildly sweet scent that seems almost floral in nature. I am left imagining a flowering almond tree. This smells very different from the first hour or two. All in all, this is a very christmasy blend. Cloves, chocolate oranges, rum and nuts? Sounds like the holiday season at my parent's house. Comparing this blend to other BPAL oils, I would have to say that Decadence reminded me strongly of Snake Oil. The two are definitely close sisters. However, to keep it in that stage, I would need to reapply every couple of hours.
  18. Neko

    Scents with almonds?

    I don't know if you've had a chance to smell Snake Oil (a favorite of this forum), but I just tried Decadence this morning and it smelled like Snake Oil's chocolate loving little sister. Definitely a strong almond note in them both.
  19. Dana O'Shee O Le Petit Mort If you mixed amber into Dana O'Shee you'd have O. If you mixed tuberose into O you'd have Le Petit Mort. They all smell extremely similar to my nose. I think they all must have a dominant honey note.
  20. Neko

    Scent for Halloween?

    This morning fate caused me to wear Chaos Theory LXXII (good thing to, as it is now my favorite BPAL scent). I found the imp (which I had never before opened) leaking, and as I cleaned it off, I absolutely fell in love with the scent! Now the scent is essentially gone, and I am left with a choice for tonight. I think I may go with Jack (I wish I had a copy of The Nightmare Before Christmas to watch). I am craving something warm and foody... particularly after my long, exhausting shift at work.
  21. Neko

    Chaos Theory

    Fragrant Fractal LXXII The lovely roisnoir scent me a decanted imp of this beauty on a whim, and let me tell you, I've never considered myself so lucky (BPAL wise, anyway). When wet, I could smell the mildly sweet, fruity-but-not-a-fruit scent of raspberry leaves. This was blended with a spicy herbal bite that I could have sworn was oregano, or perhaps sage (maybe even bay leaf or pepper). Swirling throughout the blend was the distinctive scent of olive leaves. All in all, this scent could be the spunky younger sister of Alecto. When dry the spicy herbal quality fades and I am left with a delicate, soft scent perfect for warm weather (which we get a lot of here in Los Angeles). I am reminded of an Italian kitchen garden in summer... green and fresh and spicy sweet. This is now my favorite BPAL blend!
  22. Neko

    PURPLE!

    Mabon was definitely a rich reddish purple. Harvest Moon was a dusty purple. The BPAL blends containing lilac are tinged with a soft, creamy purple. The BPAL blends containing violet are usually a dark, vibrant purple. When I searched for all blends containing lilac there were 14 results. When I searched for all blends containing violet there were 21 results. So if you're looking for something purple scented, you've got a fairly broad selection based on those two florals alone!
  23. Neko

    The search for "Clean" scents - general discussion

    I absolutely adore the pure, fresh feeling I get after I take a long shower; to prolong that feeling, I usually avoid putting on any sort of cosmetics or perfumes. Still, I love my BPAL, and if any person could find the perfect scent to acompany that squeaky clean, fresh from the shower feeling, I am sure it would be Beth. So, what are some good post-shower BPAL oils?
  24. My boyfriend adores Gluttony and Old Port Au Prince, unfortunately I had to swap both of these away. Gluttony gave me a nasty rash anytime I got any of the oil (even the smallest smidgen) on my skin, and Old Port Au Prince smelled a bit too much like rootbeer and rum for me... still, the boy practically jumped on me when I wore either of these, and he almost cried when I got rid of Gluttony. He couldn't stop talking about how great I smelled! My guyfriend Chris from back home loved Hellfire so damn much that I just wound up giving it to him. I just couldn't bear the thought of seperating him from that scent when I had to return to Los Angeles. Edited to add that girls have complimented me on Bayou, Pele, and Lust.
  25. Neko

    Chaos Theory

    Fragrant Fractal LXXVII In the bottle: Upon first opening the bottle, there is a wood note that is definitely drawing my attention. It is both powerful and elusive; this isn't a wood note that I've encountered before, and thus it strikes my nose as unusual. The more deeply I sniff, the more it seems to disappear, and I am left with the fresh fragrance of green herbs covering something pleasantly, almost intriguingly, sweet. At times, I am also able to catch the pungent silver-green scent of eucalyptus! Strangely, after inhaling quite deeply I am left with a taste in the back of my throat that is reminiscent of jello parfait. I wonder what note is causing that. On my skin: The scent remains quite herbal with that sweet-but-not-too-sweet note lingering in the background. The wood note is playing a game of hide and go seek with me. When I sniff my wrists directly it is no where to be found, but as I type this review, it wafts up to tantalize my nose. The eucalyptus remains fairly strong for a minute or two, but soon settles in with the rest of the blend, losing its sharp, penetrating edge. The herbal notes, which clearly form the solid core of this blend, are absolutely wonderful: green without being bitter, fresh without being startling. In the end: The sweet note has finally begun to move forward, and I believe it to be vanilla, but this is no sugary, candied vanilla. Instead it is a rich, creamy scent that is eager to blend with the deep, smooth wood, serving to enhance the best qualities of each. The herbs have begun to dry and fade, giving me the image of a small, isolated meadow near the end of autumn, with a dark evergreen forest encroaching on one side. All in all, this is a strikingly (and unusually) beautiful scent. Mild, subtle, and mysterious. This is what I had hoped to find in the various other "green" scents I had purchased. While I did enjoy Belladonna and Alecto, this blend comes closest to what I was searching for... a perfect combination of dark and light.
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