hackess

Slightly sour red fruit, tinge of the green and herbaceous vermouth!. Patchouli is very demure here, which surprised me because a) I usually amp it, and b) I figured the clove would have made it louder. As it dries, it becomes very rose-like, which is either my skin chemistry wreaking havoc or a nod to Beth’s brilliance. Definitely atmospheric!

Red fruit enrobed in patchouli gives way to resin and just a hint of clove. It starts out very sweet and then gets much drier, thankfully. I don’t know that I’d say “rot” but it does inspire many goth feelings -- like an academic version of Crypt Queen, if that makes sense?

I, like many others, find it deeply unpleasant in the bottle. It’s heady and sharp and overwhelming. Once applied, I’m guessing the mandarin, musk, and white sandalwood (which goes crazy on my skin) are merging to make this smell like orange blossom for a very, very, long time. The mango finally starts making a background appearance during dry down, but it’s never a fruity scent for me. It takes a while to get to the stage where I think it’s both pretty and tolerable, but it doesn’t even stay there long before it goes utterly soapy and I need to wash it off. Sadly, not for me.

Vial: Alllll oakmoss and patchouli, which comes across as very cologne-y to me. I am dubious. Wet: Yes, definitely lots of patchouli (which I amp) and that cologne note from the oakmoss, which is likely mixing with the subtle sweetness of the fig, but also a nice dirt earthiness Dry: The oakmoss flounces off, thankfully, and it turns into a beautiful dark earthy scent that's somehow like leather. I do actually really like this but I don't see myself wearing it often enough as I have other leather and/or patchouli scents I adore. I'll be sending it to a friend who wears these kind of scents; I think it'd smell great on a guy.

[2023 version] Hey, Beth remade Plunder! It's as advertised: all the spices you'd expect out of a pumpkin spice blend - nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, maybe a dash of cardamom. It's a dry scent, which I love, and there's no chance of it going cloying.

I haven't been the first to review something in quite some time - eek! Bottle: This is when it's most redolent, for me. The crumble topping is much more apparent and balanced with the fruit. Skin: I really, really wish the strength of the bottle-smell would last but rosewater lightens it up quite a bit and the gooseberry lends a nice tartness. The crumble hangs out for a little while but it's eventually taken over by rosewater (I amp anything rose so YMMV) and currant. Not much throw but it's a such a soft comforting scent. Really beautiful, and I can see why it was the surprise favorite at the DragonCon booth. Verdict: I ordered this because I had a suspicion it would be reminiscent of Crumpet Rebellion, and it is - sort of. It's nowhere near as strong as CR, but the currant+pastry combo is there. I think if I layered this on heavy with something more pastryish, I could reasonably reproduce CR.

Out of the imp, I'm struck by how quickly the throw on this could overwhelm - if your skin is anything like mine, a little goes a long way. It's well-balanced, but I'm not sure I love it on me. I'll give it a public test to see how others react to it before I add it to the swap box.

Starts out soft and fluffy, with lots of honey and sugar. The sandalwood and orris add a lovely backbone - a pillar of strength, like a warm supportive hug. It's intoxicating and comforting.

TBH, I didn't expect to enjoy this; none of the listed notes are things I typically love -- but it's gorgeous. The resiny benzoin only comes out in the vial, for me. On my skin, the amber is in the forefront: bright and warm, then the vanilla kicks in and prevents it from overwhelming (whew - apparently I amp amber?). Cypress is a soft lemony green note on drydown. It's a confidence-booster of a scent.

The keeper of the secrets that are hidden [AB3] at the moment that life begins. Her light is the veil that cloaks the spirit; she is the mediator between the supplicant and the word of the gods. White carnation, cardamom pod, and honey milk. WOW. Bottle: Heady. Sticky honey and floral, just a hint of a green sharp or spicy edge. Wet: A blast of cardamom milk, liquid carnations. Dry: A little sweet, a little creamy. The carnation hangs out for a long time, on me. It's so comforting, I want to wrap myself in it. This is honestly one of the most well-blended scents I've ever gotten, from BPAL or anywhere else, so complex and beautiful and evocative it's bringing me to tears.

Thank you for the frimp, Labbies! I giggled when I saw the name. This is SO refreshing after the heatwave my region's been experiencing: a cooling green aloe with mint and a tinge of ozone.

In the bottle, it's...y'know the caramel flavoring syrup for coffee? It's that, the second it hits your cup. Sweet, but not saccharine. It rolls around in the back of my nose and makes me crave a macchiato. No spice, no dry or dusty here, just a sticky coffee I want to slurp. Wet: Right away, it's dry, sweet tobacco leaves & warm spices. There's a hint of something creamy in the background, as though I'm drinking Kahula in the study while appreciating unlit cigars. It's rich and warm and makes me think of sitting on a leather armchair commandingly...seductively. Dry: I licked my arm, it's that sexy. It reminds me so strongly of the sandalwood lotion an old flame used. I've been using a drop at a time, so the throw isn't huge, but this doesn't feel like a scent to be broadcast. It's intimate, for dark deeds in dark corners. You know exactly what you're doing, and you're annoyed by interruptions. ...It's going to be hard to resist wearing this all the time.

This is amazing. I put the tiniest drop on my wrist to test and I cannot stop smelling the gorgeous, intoxicating spiciness. It's true to the flower. No comment on throw, since I put so little on, but it's lasting for at least a hour so far.

Bottle: Pumpkin spice syrup drizzled over an extra-strong latte. I want to lick the bottle. Skin: I want to lick my wrist. This is Spanked Lite. It's sex with a handsome doctoral candidate on an hardwood table, surrounded by old volumes with illegible spines and yellowing pages, until the shocked librarian ventures into the stacks to shush you for making too much noise. You've lost a shoe and half the buttons are missing from his shirt, having rolled into dusty dark corners after you pulled it open rather forcefully in your haste. In sum, on the right guy, this would be absolutely irresistible. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the college library.

Hey all, just a heads up - I've been super busy with work and will be traveling out of the country for a few days starting tomorrow, but I'll get the spreadsheet updated by the end of next week.