stellans

This blend is a long-standing favorite since my first days on the forum, so I don't know why it's taken me so long to review it, but I am remedying that oversight immediately!

 

In the bottle, the lemon is definitely there but so is the tea. I get little or no aloe and musk. However, once the oil is on my skin the lemon moves a bit more to the back, leaving the tea to dance gaily with the aloe and musk, which are more present now. This blend has a lot of throw; it doesn't take too much to keep getting whiffs of it as the day progresses, and I didn't need to reapply for more than 4 hours.

 

My rollerball bottle is full of carefully-collected imps, and will likely last quite a while, as for some reason this lovely scent gets forgotten when the weather goes from hot to cool.

The Hearth '04 I had was purchased from a forumite I trust implicitly, and unfortunately I sold it along without realizing it wasn't what it was supposed to be. I just thought it wasn't right for me.

I just bought a bottle of Hearth 2004. When it arrived it was in a cobalt bottle with a picture of a log blazing in a fireplace. It smells quite sweet and nutty, no cherry pipe tobacco at all. I've got the 2005 version haven't I?

That happened to me too. I heartily dislike Hearth 2005.

According to my spreadsheet notes, there are about 4 other blends which call Twisted Oak Tree to mind; unfortunately, they're LEs too (well, Erik is still available at Dark Delicacies, I think):

 

Crow Moon

Erik

Meditation in Autumn

Oborot: Therianthropic

 

I loooooooove Twisted Oak Tree. I'm searching the sales and swaps, but in the mean time - and if I just can't find it - I'm looking for scents that might be similar. Does anyone have recommendations?

 

While I'm at it, if anyone has recommendations for a GC that might be similar to Gypsy Queen that would be super helpful too.

 

Thanks!

I love TOT too...it's one of my Top 10, AAMOF, and I don't think I've ever found its equivalent. I hope someone else can help us both, LOL!

 

Hey stellans!

It might be a bit of wishful thinking on my part, but I just got a frimp of The Black Tower today and it's the closest thing in the GC I've found to Twisted Oak tree. I believe it's the same prominent english ivy note with similar-ish dark/woodsy companion notes.

I'm curious if anyone else smells a similarity here or if it's just me

unfortunately for me, the red wine note in Black Tower amps to such a pitch it messes up the whole blend for me.

random question...do some GC scents have unique labels? I just came across a pic of Schrodinger's Cat () and it made me ponder. I only have LE bottles so that's why I was wondering.

yes, they do! Rappaccini's Garden have a lovely 'herbal' looking label (see Miss Twilight's flickr account GC bottle pictures for example). Many (if not all, especially the later issues) of the Ars Draconis labels are also special, as are the Phoenix Steamworks, Doc Constantine's Pharmacopeia, A Picnic in Arkham, the Lab's signature scent Black Phoenix, Snake Oil, and the Panacea line. Oh, and of course, the Salon lines. If I missed any, I know someone will jump in...

 

I did forget the "Come and See" section of the Sin and Salvation line, D'oh! And I also see I am late to the answer party!

Any suggestions for a replacement for Brom Bones?

 

It is about the sexiest thing ever on my husband, and he slathers himself in it regularly. (He described it as "subtle," lord help him. Brom Bones is about as subtle as a monster truck.)

 

He won't heed my warnings about using it up too quickly. He looooves the leather in it. I've suggested Crowley, Krampus, Galvanic Goggles (all of which I already own) but he hasn't cared for them. The only other BPAL he's worn regularly was Odin, which he liked... until Brom Bones came around, and now that's all he'll touch. While, to be honest, he's not really the rugged masculine type, he clearly likes to pretend to be.

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. (A GC would be great, but even a potentially-reoccuring LE would be doable.) Thanks!

Try him on Bow & Crown of Conquest. The leather in it is so smoothly wonderful, and there's the lavender which isn't floral at all. He also might like Black Rider. At least with those 2 you can usually either find an imp for sale on the forum, or order it from the lab.

*timidly raising hand* There's also the platform-agnostic Perfoom.com, which could use some helping hands in entering all the scents. We're up to almost 1500 in the database, most BPAL but some other etailers, too.

:rofl:

I love the way you put that!

I got sick of losing data, major page loading delays, etc. After doing a little research, I settled on Bento as the program which would do what I wanted, plus it would import all my data, solving my major procrastination reason of not wanting to retype everything. Plus, Bento wasn't too spendy, which was another worry point.

 

That looks really nice!

 

If I were using a MAC I'd consider spending those 49 dollars, too.

D'OH! I'm so sorry; I'm so used to Macs being the 'ported to' platform I didn't realize Bento hadn't been released for PCs.

My spreadsheet is completely messed up... Ever since I switched to Open Office, it's been giving me problems, being slow and constantly getting hung up in order to save the data... Now I've noticed that many comment fields, which included the original scent descriptions and my review comments, have simply disappeared, and lots more have miraculously switched places, so that now the Eshe comment sticks to the Pit and the Pendulum, the comment of which is stuck with Tum, and so on.

 

I think I'll completely abandon my spreadsheet now. It doesn't seem to get along with the amount of data that is in it. I'll copy paste the reviews I can save to ScentBase and try to manage using only that.

 

Alternatively I've thought about splitting my spreadsheet into several smaller sheets. One for TAL, one for BPTP, one for BPAL LEs, one for stuff already tested, disliked and swapped... But I'd hate to have to jump between files.

 

Anybody else having problems with spreadsheets breaking down from too much data?

I had most of the problems you had when I was using Appleworks. I resisted changing for the longest time because I really did like the integrated DB/WP/SS aspect of Appleworks, and didn't feel like starting all over again with some other program.

 

BUT...

 

I got sick of losing data, major page loading delays, etc. After doing a little research, I settled on Bento as the program which would do what I wanted, plus it would import all my data, solving my major procrastination reason of not wanting to retype everything. Plus, Bento wasn't too spendy, which was another worry point.

 

If I hadn't been able to find another program I could use without retyping, I would have used ScentBase, because it really is a great resource and if I was going to retype everything, why not do it there? But it's a moot point; Bento works for me, and it holds all the data I want + the icons I create to boot (Appleworks didn't do that!).

My scent tastes tend to more resins, more incenses, things of that sort. There are some floral blends I love, and Gossamer has joined that list.

 

This is a lovely, ethereal, light-but-staying blend, and to my nose, lily-of-the-valley, white musk, and maybe moonflower notes. I smell no jasmine whatsoever (thank goodness), and this scent only gets better as it warms with my body heat. Unlike many white floral blends, this does not go soapy on me, and doesn't fade away quickly either, but lasts with a crystalline quality which is amazing.

 

Lovely, just lovely. The icon I made with the Loony Tunes character really doesn't do this pretty scent justice, but it makes me smile so I'm keeping it. 3 of 5 stars.

This is by far the best nag champa blend I've smelled so far from BPAL. I love how it blends so seamlessly with the musk and champaca, and how the star anise doesn't stand out but I know it's there. I'm a huge fan of resinous, incense-y blends, and Panther Moon is certainly one of those. As others have mentioned, the notes might put one in mind of Raven Moon, but it's really quite a different blend. This is what I really expected from Velvet Panther, but more. So much more. Rawr! Mr. Stellans was quite impressed with this scent as well, commenting on how good it smelled. It's not often a scent will elicit a comment from him, so when it happens I take notice!

 

It only took a drop on either wrist to last me all night; the deep, luscious scent accompanied me deep into sleep, and the dreams which came were wild and feral. There was still just enough left to remind me of a good night's sleep when I woke up this morning. I love this Lunacy, and so very happy to add it to my monthly Lunacy rotation. 5 of 5 stars!

I loooooooove Twisted Oak Tree. I'm searching the sales and swaps, but in the mean time - and if I just can't find it - I'm looking for scents that might be similar. Does anyone have recommendations?

 

While I'm at it, if anyone has recommendations for a GC that might be similar to Gypsy Queen that would be super helpful too.

 

Thanks!

I love TOT too...it's one of my Top 10, AAMOF, and I don't think I've ever found its equivalent. I hope someone else can help us both, LOL!

When this arrived, it didn't impress me right out of the box, but after reading the reviews, I let it rest before giving it a true test. And it certainly paid to let it 'settle' before a real test!

 

Cinnamon, and something slightly medicinal was how it struck me upon first application. It seemed to have quite a good bit of throw as well, so I didn't put on but just a bit. I was slightly nervous about applying more anyway, since cinnamon and cassia both tend to irritate my skin if overly used. I like many other blends containing either which I just can't wear due to painful welts, etc.

 

Luckily for me, no welts nor even any redness developed at all! And the slight medicinal smell quickly melted away, leaving behind one of the loveliest rich spicy frankincense blends I've smelled to date. This is really quite amazing, and the only thing is it faded away a little less than 2 hours after application. That actually isn't a problem, because I wear Lunacies at night, at bedtime, and as long as the scent lasts at least until I fall asleep, it's all good.

 

The cinnamon and cassia are still there, but it's the frankincense which is the star of this show on my skin, and that makes me smile... hopefully, it will make my dreams rich as well. Four of 5 stars.

oh, those are darling labels! Well done, Alicia! And thanks for posting the picture, Midnight Aeval!

Strong vetiver right out of the bottle, but this quickly settles down into a truly lovely deep smoky patchouli with a bit of musk and sandalwood hiding in the corners. I would wear this blend when I want to feel powerfully sexy, and when wearing my leather boots. It's the sort of scent which makes me feel like striding through the world and taking no prisoners.

I really love this blend, but it's kind of on and off with my skin chemistry. I'm happy that today is an 'on' day, because this is a perfect blend to wear on a spring day. The citrus effect (lime and grapefruit) in this blend is very light, just enough to keep the sweeter notes from being cloying. I don't really get a lot of rose or patchouli while wet, but the nectarine is evident, and luscious. As the oil dries, there's maybe a touch of patchouli, perhaps a whisper of rose, but so fleeting as to be hardly recognizable. Still, this is a very nice light blend, and in my opinion, bottle-worthy. The throw is mild, but the scent hangs on for a good 3-4 hours. 2 of 5 stars

If there's cinnamon in this blend, it's the barest whisp of scent and no fire on my skin...thank goodness. What is immediately apparent upon application is the amazingly attractive combination of heliotrope and frankincense. The somewhat somber frankincense is wonderfully lightened and sweetened by the lovely heliotrope. This blend makes me think of rich purple with gold trimmings, and I love wearing it. It is the perfect scent for the day named for the Sun. My only concern with this blend is its lightness; there is very little throw and it doesn't last very long on my skin. I give this scent 3 of 5 stars.

First off, I must confess that Chaste Moon 2005 is the only (so far!) BPAL with a cream or milk note which I can bear to sniff without inducing nausea. I love the earlier release so much, and was so happy to see its re-release, especially since the notes were exactly the same!

 

Woe.

 

It is nowhere near the same; instead of the delicately smooth creamy florals, there are only florals. Pretty florals, admittedly, but still only florals. This Lunacy reminds me very much of White Moon, which was also a very pleasant, pretty blend, but...

 

Sigh.

 

This is a nice white blend, and maybe it will age into a smooth creaminess. I am hoping -- no, counting on it, because I've stockpiled several bottles of it.

I'm not sure what I expected of this blend but after reading the listed notes, my experience was very unexpected. This reminds me very much of stepping into a local landmark called "The Old Country Store" at the Casey Jones Memorial. Old wood, fresh citrus, and lots of merchandise both old and new are what come to mind upon sniffing this.

 

Basically, this is much lighter and sweeter than I would have thought. I get no patchouli whatsoever, and must admit this is a grave disappointment. It's not that I don't like this blend (it's very pleasant), but it is definitely not what I was expecting nor wanting.

Dentist's office. That's what this smells like to me.

 

ETA:

WOW. What a difference a year makes! This scent is now a smooth, wooden leathery mix that practically sings on my skin. I cannot tell you how happy I am not to have swapped this one away! It is a dryer blend than I normally like, but there's something intoxicating about that very dryness. The leather is also a much different scent than I normally love, but still...leather! I am also thrilled at how the olive oil lends a touch of sweet smoothness to this blend. 3 of 5 stars, easily.

Unfortunately, because I do love me some rose scent, my nose picks up no rose at all, but the damp tree smell is spot-on. Vaguely evergreen, vaguely grass, vaguely rain. Just a vague scent. LOL. It's like wandering around a misty faeryland, in a fogged mind-state, so that you feel like what you see just might not be real. I wonder if this is how it felt to be taken 'under the hill?'

In any event, the throw is very light, though it does seem to hang on for a while; I applied it first thing this morning (around 6:30 am) and I can still get whiffs of it when I move my arm around. It is a light, lovely scent that is probably more appropriate for a warm day rather than the 39 degrees we have outside just now.

But I do like it, and it's nice wearing this today. I feel fortunate to have the half-bottle but I won't be angsting over finding more. What I have will last me for quite a while, and that's wonderful. I give this discontinued GC blend 1 of a possible 5 stars.

Beeswax and a hint of cinnamon are what jump to my nose from the bottle, but when it's lightly applied to my skin, I get the hint of cold wind and the barest breath of a blackberry note. Only as the application warms and starts to dry down is there a bit of a milky note in evidence, thought the bit of cold vanishes utterly. The blackberry becomes a little more prominent as it the oil warms and dries, but the spice and wax notes still dominate. This is a lovely, lovely homage to Bride --to Brigid-- the Goddess of the Forge, and I am going to love using this in my 30-day Lunar Nightly rotation.

First off, how cute is the idea behind this blend? And the bottle art? Total love!

 

OK, to the scent: chocolate at first, both in the bottle and on my arm -- and this is the scent which dominates in my scent locket as well -- but once the oil has a chance to warm on my skin, I get first the incense note mentioned by others in this review thread, and then the salt water scent. As the oil dries down, the chocolate totally disappears from my skin as if eaten (mmmm, chocolate!), as does the incense burn away, leaving only the watery rather herbal scent behind.

 

I like this blend very much, mainly because of the so very interesting way it morphs. It reminds me of how the 13 blends morph away from their initial cocoa or white chocolate scent to the accompanying notes. I find this an interesting companion bottle to the Tentacled 13 of November 2009, in fact.

 

This is definitely an asexual blend, good for either gender who likes these notes. I give this oil 3 of 5 stars, because while the initial throw is nice and strong, it dies away to almost nothing within an hour of application. The scent locket remains strong for hours, but only the chocolate note comes through.

I looked at the Museum's web site and could never find it (they do have Shrunken Heads!) and since I didn't CALL them to get any perfume.... no, I didn't get any. *weep*

 

My original Black Lace label is a different color, darker blue. The new Black Lace label is the same design but more of a teal blue.

Somebody on LJ said (after talking on the phone to the museum shop) that they will be getting a new stock in soon! w00t! Evidently, they'd never experienced such a rush of interest in anything they sell, LOL! Welcome to BPAL fandom!