Jenjin

FRIMP from the Lab IN THE IMP: Wet, bitter orange muskiness with a yellow pink cherry note WET: The strong orange is muscling out the patchouli at this point. Is that patchouli??? A spicy, metallic background is lurking behind the flowers. Has a bit of an "artificial" quality to it-these orange blossoms might not be real after all. Not sure about this one. DRY: The orange and patchouli notes settle down together in an equal way, resulting in a someone flat finish. Reminds me of drinking orange soda after it's been sitting around for a day-where's the fizz? NOTES: I can definitely see this on the right person. It has a tangy, pink-orange quality, but my thoughts turned to baby aspirin while wearing it. RATING: 6.0

This is another long-time favorite of mine. i have gone through so many bottles of Alice over the years, she is a definite partner in crime. IN THE BOTTLE: Lots of stuff!!!! Fresh, fat Pansy, Carnation, Pink Rose Buds, Bergamot, White Tea, Sugar Cookies, Cinnamon, Honey drip, melted vanilla ice cream. WET: Spicy, fresh carnation and a certain Bergamot Fizz. The spiciness sizzles your senses and ignites the imagination, while the milk cream swirls around and through to soften and subdue. DRY: The lovely part of wearing Alice, is that she stays fresh and consistent throughout the day. The florals never seem to get tired, just softer and dreamier. NOTES: Many of the Mad Tea Party oils have a certain complexity and multi-layered quality to them which I love. Each one is like examining a sparkling gem with it's dazzling facets and inner smokiness and power. Sparkle on Pink Diamond! Alice is the definite winner for me out of all of them-maybe because she has been with me for so long. As I am getting older, I'm not certain I will be able to wear her much longer. She is a more youthful scent I'm afraid, and might not be so pleasurable on a middle aged lady. Plus, I have many other BPAL scents now that have taken me deeper into the rabbit hole. Alice will always have a place within my spirit box, but perhaps for my daughters to explore. RATING: 9.0

Started out with a Dorian imp and recently graduated to a bottle. It is one of BPAL's luxury stars. IN THE BOTTLE: Raw sugar, tea, lemon squirt, subtle musk and very slight vanilla folded down. WET: I would say this one "explodes" after application. When the oil touches the skin, the heat causes a certain reaction that amps sultry Dorian, in the days after he sells his soul. DRY: Dorian's beauty is dazzling, and the underlying sugary muskiness, grinding with dark, sticky vanilla envelopes me and makes my toes curl. Pleasure!!! The sweetness amps during dry down and the lemon fizzles out. NOTES: It seems to have a "memory" when you wear it. I keep catching little whiffs of it throughout the day--even into the next day, I can "remember" what it smells like. It's definitely "alive". Dorian demands a certain type of activity while wearing. It's not something I can wear daily-its more of a bedtime, sex smell in the way it invokes pleasure and musk. . RATING: 8.0

I have purchased many bottles of Kumiho over the years. After spending a lot of time obsessing over "O", "Snake Oil" and then on to "Alice", I discovered Kumiho. It was unlike anything I had smelled before, even though it has familiar notes. I wouldn't really say its a morpher, but it does tell a story while you wear it. IN THE BOTTLE: Juicy tartness that makes my mouth water and my head float. Ceremonial. WET: Crisp white tea folding into a lemon flower notes. I am in the midst of a magical, blooming lemon grove with silver, sparkling blossoms and a ginger kiss. DRY: Oh Spirit Fox! Kumiho takes me on a journey through the sun and deep into golden streams, lined with snapping ginger root and floating lemon blossoms. Gorgeous! NOTES: As others have noted, Kumiho has similar notes with Embalming Fluid, Sudha Segra and Baobhan Sith. Embalming Fluid is very nice and clean, but very single note compared to Kumiho. Sudha Segra has a powdery backdrop while Kumiho is bright, shiny and crystalline. Kumiho has brightened many of my dark days and lightened my heart. It's beautiful. Thank you a million times Elizabeth for this one. It has changed my life. RATING: 10+

Blind Bottle Purchase. Decided to dive into the Lupers this year. Several had notes I love in other oils and I am intrigued by their fleeting existence. With Volcano in Springtime, I had read reviews, seen FB posts proclaiming obsession, and the racy cover art turned me on. IN THE BOTTLE: Vanilla, Cream and Candy WET: On my skin, the Vanilla deepens into a spicer experience while the sugary cream levels it out. DRY: I can't stop smelling my arm-I can't stop smelling my arm-I can't stop smelling my arm-I can't stop smelling my arm-I can't stop smelling my arm-I can't stop smelling my arm. My husband keeps smelling my neck and then you know how it goes. This is delicious stuff. It softens into a something with a very slight muskiness and the sandalwood keeps the vanilla cream from being overly sweet. It is rare to find a sweet oil that works for a woman and doesn't make her smell like a baby. NOTES: Soooooooo Goooooood! My only Luper back up bottle. Volcano is an orgasmic treasure. RATING: 10

Blind Bottle Purchase. I love BPAL's tea scents and the addition of cucumber makes it different from other bottles I already have. IN THE BOTTLE: Green, Herbal Cucumber Fresh. Crisp and Fresh! WET: Strong, Sudsy Clean Notes with a green tea base note DRY: BEAUTIFUL! Takes me to the spa with my feet up, soft music, water running, bubbles dancing. NOTES: Ahhahahhaa Gorgeous! This is really beautiful! It has softened into a lovely, sweet fragrance that makes me feel fresh and clean even without a bath. I might be able to go a few days without showering if I keep applying this oil--it's just that fresh. Rendezvous at the Bath strikes a different note with the green tea / cucumber combo. It will be a great fragrance for the sultry, southern heat headed this way. I wish I had a backup bottle. RATING: 9.0