zazkea

Hm, I think this is different than what I thought after the previous reviews. The bottle has a lemon whiff. On my hair, it becomes something absoluuutely heavy and think, waaay too strong to wear this in the office, or anywhere with other people around. I live in a tropical country, so maybe the scents amp like crazy, I don't know. I don't really get marshmallow, but maybe thats the heavy stuff? For me, it would have been good if I had a bit more lemon and mint, and a bit less of the other notes. In fact, I can much better use this on linen than on my hair, because its less heavy there. It stays a really long time. I will let it age even more, cause theres something that doesn't fit... yet. It's... different. Edit It has aged 2 years now, ... sadly, I can't bear this scent, even not now that I'm not living in a tropical country but in a western country again .... Too bad

#37 (I think. It dripped a bit during a long transport and the handwritten ink was a bit gone) Initially, I didn't like the idea of Chaos, as I didn't like anyone to mess around with the original Samhain. But when I tried this HG, I was amazed. Since I don't have my original Samhain with me in the foreign exchange place where I am, I cannot compare to figure out their difference. I have to compare my "memory of Samhain" with Samhain Chaos # 37 (2018). It does have the nice Samhain notes that I adore - plus. But whats that plus? When applied Initially, it may be almond/marzipan and ... flower... faint tearose or gardenia? ... no, thats not fully accurate , but what is it? There was something pink for a moment, then it reminded me more of honey. Somehow it makes the red apple also come out a bit more than usual in Samhain. For a brief moment, it gave me a whiff of a magnolia feeling, although I can't smell magnolia straight when I elaborate further, so thats probably not in there, but my brain trying to solve a puzzle. Then there even was a whiff of tobacco, but that passed before I captured it, and it really doesn't linger. Then I was also thinking about fur, but I never had anything with fur from the lab, so I can't possibly know, and it was more an "image" the scent evoked: comfort. I was thinking about "Alice" but I am not sure. Then, when I had coloured my hair with henna, and when the henna smell was still in it, I got a note like leather with red berries. So, no conclusion. I don't know. I may get all notes wrong. At the end of the day, I guess it just is very, very comforting, and a bit sweeter and more positive than Samhain by its own. Later It remains ... something sweeter than the original. There also is something "deep", but that may be the original Samhain. It ALL reminds me of something. Something kind and un-evil. I can't put my finger on what that would be. In sum, this is a very comforting scent. It gives some hope in a damp forest. There is a breeze of "positive" in this scent, and it fits perfectly with Samhain. This is a really really good combo, thank you so much for creating it!

Oh, I love this. Colleague: "he?... did you... did you shower or so"? - "uhm...yes, every day, as needed in this tropical country?" - "but you smell cleaner". - "ahh...uhm" - "you know, you should be doing whatever you do more often, you seem very confident somehow now" Emotion The scent is bright indeed; very un-evil, very "hey HERE I AM", so I oversprayed the first time I used this. Scent Very floral, but indeed more the night notes I am acquainted with from "Anthe" Clean but there also is a very very thick, heavy sweet note to it... Maybe a bit musky coconut, mixed with the lab's sweet snow note. Maybe almond. Good aspects Office-worthy when using 1-2 sprays (otherwise you have a cloud hanging around you, as this scent stays a whole day). It stays a very, very long time, compared to other HGs. Impacts my behaviour to a "strong female who can decide quickly yet socially" role. Thats good in my competitive field. Downside: Have to sniff my hair to a degree colleagues start wondering what I am doing. In meetings thats kind of impractical. I love the artwork on the label very much (also in rose red). Thanks lab/tp! 2018 version.

Wow, this is perfect for me. First of all, I really like the idea of getting presents (a book and a PO). Second, this winter scent is not heavy on my skin, and I appreciate that very much. In the bottle: fresh, clean dark red berries (not listed) Wet on skin: mahogany, vanilla Dry on skin, initial: clean, stable scent, office-worthy it is extremely cozy and comforting (no smoke or fireplace, no cat (good, i don't like cats that much), no chai tea ) Throughout time, this changes in between these images, for me: - a library (the entire one, neither a single book, nor a single paper smell) - a clean place and light aquatic, with polished mahogany furniture, an androgyn silver alien with wet skin and red silk dress walks past (...huh...) - a more settled cottage with a woollen carpet (maybe thats the whole "cat" idea in this scent). Knowing there chai is supposed to be in this, ok yes, I can actually smell chai now. But. Not knowing this, i wouldn't have captured that and rather thought "something buttery with very slight and aquatic spice that warms up to be comforting yet fresh later on" Once stable a faint scent lasting for a long time that gives an extremely comforting feeling for a whole day; can be worn at the office Book My book was Photographing Fairies by Steve Szilagyi (1992), a plot happening in the 20's and having allures of Arthur Conan Doyles work, with a bit of weirdness, noir, but also interesting - felt like it suited me very much somehow. Interestingly I got a fairy garden sample with it. Thank you so much, that was heartwarming. Edited to state this: By the way, I really love the label as well.

Imp sharp lavender, laundry, child skin (the oil is colorless) On skin Uhum! *cough. Well... it is EXACTLY the scent of a very old/used plushie. BUT that plushie contains the tears, sweat, spit, and whatever the plushie has experienced in the company of a child. ... Many... many... many years of such. That is too realistic for me. I cannot cope with the whole tears, sweat, spit, child skin (musk) smell around me. The lavender was also too sharp on my skin; not the ones I am used to from the lab (and I really like lavender). As such, this smell is not at all warm and comforting, but very annoying on my skin. Thus, the first time, I washed it off. But for review purposes, I did it again and: Later Well luckily for me, this becomes laundry later on (finally a washed plushie, yey!). The lavender eventually becomes more sweet as well. The imp may work on the pillow for the night. But the scent takes too much time to get from the initial sweat/spit/tears/life smell to a cleaner laundry with sweet lavender mist smell. I am so glad that I could try from an imp first, cause the half bottle I ordered from my circle will have to go to the swaps. Thus This scent shows the perfume artistry bpal and Beth can evoke: images and associations. It again shows that the lab's oils are very unique. This specific one is intimate and personal. Thus, I am glad I tried, despite the spit experience. This scent is like a look into someone else's life. And as such it is very beautiful and artistic! Because how on earth do you get it to smell exactly like that old plushie... I wished it had worked for me, but I can't bear this scent:) Ageing (after 3 years and 3 months): ? Ehm... no. NO. Not for me.

This has been described a lot, and much of my review repeats what has already been said: Frimp: myrrh en frankincense. (golden brown oil color) Skin, wet: Only the frankincense, but myrrh usually tends to have no scent on my skin. However, myrrh likely makes it sweeter. The image is: A place: a general (not catholic church) sanctuary, with stone figures on both sides and some candles, but also colourful fabrics, and a bit deteriorated shelter around it. The religion is none I'd know, so it may be more the belief of the people holding this together; but if this place is deserted, then who has lightened up the incense and candles? Dry: This is a comforting mood-scent. It shifts a bit too much towards frankincense, and this is just tamed by resins. Unfortunately as usual, the myrrh vanishes upon skin contact. Hm - I can't wear this every day, but I like this scent very much.

In the imp (decant from an older bottle): floral, peach. (the color of the oil is orange) On skin, wet to dry down: I really like this. I am glad I get flowers and peach, because I like those. But there is something in the image, that is the opposite of kind; this is the image it evokes for my brain: It is indeed only a perfume for aristocrats. But, moreover, there is something witty, seductive and merciless / without soul in it. Something of high beauty and perfected costume and appearance, that would offer you to sit at a table (the table has a bouquet of big, french flowers on it). And in making polite conversations, you'd be reminded of your lower status -very politely indeed-, before some kind of wish would be expressed to you (the conversation tone would make sure that the beautiful being would likely kill your relatives if you didnt comply to that wish). In that sense: perfect for meetings in a hierarchical job. It provides some power (not the good power, more the decisive, overruling, egocentric, yet very polite power). The thing is, I see myself at the other side of that table with flowers. So: I can't really wear this, unless I am on stage in a similar role and acting, or in the mood for the scent, while reading a book at home that has a very polite but heartless villain in it. Dried-down, a bit later: Next to peach, floral, with a whiff of amber, it is now a bit powdery (in a good way). It is high status and beautiful. You may think it is kind and good, but it is not. The thing is; you can't see whether its kind or not, because you can't put your finger on it, but there is something in the back instinctively warning you that the flowers and peach are just a show.

On my skin, it smells exactly like my first Singapore visit, and it fits the idea of intermingling of cultures and their religions. So when I went back to Singapore to work there for 10 months, I left this at my home, as to be reminded of the city, when I come back I like the idea of having SO many scents in it. It is very complex. I like how it combines on my skin, as playful scents (i.e. mandarin, bamboo), heavy scents (tangerine, plum blossom, orange), strange scents (i.e., kumquat), and familiar scents (i.e. sandalwood, pine resin). Plus, I just love peach in any form. I didnt smell patchouli, lychee, dragons blood, and lotus, even not when searching for them (the reason may be that it is very well-blended). Some moments in the drydown phase, orange came a bit too much for my taste, but then it went away again, to leave a perfectly balanced scent to wear, that equals out the individual notes. In sum, I like it mostly because it combines qualities I appreciate: a bit woody, flowerly, and fruity And I like the theory behind this scent (aka description) with wishing all the best for: flexibility, perseverance, courage, hope, wealth, purity, happiness, household peace, constancy, prosperity, fortune, longevity -- and then even bringing those concepts back down to earth, saying kiss my ass, NianNian (who however wasnt so rampaging when I was in Singapore ). This mindset very well captures some of the Chinese religious ideas that I encounter here, and it is just SO cool that all of this is in a perfume (if you believe in it). Although to me, earth dog is mainly 1 thing: fun

This is a cheerful, positive scent to wear in the office. On my hair, it is not overly sweet honey, sandalwood, rose; and a whiff of vanilla. So perfectly rounded that I am usually combining it with less straightforward or more evil or heavy wrist scents. Unfortunately, in warm weather, this vanishes extremely vast (subjective feeling: before I reach the door). So I may need to go back to just sniffing the bottle instead, because I really like this scent;)

This is one of the best lavender combinations I found so far. It is indeed quite innocent. It is so well-blended that I have to find a way towards individual notes. But since this is from three scents I really like, plus a mild (not sharp) lavender, this is a perfect hair gloss for me. To me, this is a perfect evening scent on the hair, because it unwinds me, and gives me peace. I really like the airy pear and the mild, here somewhat sweet lavender, and I love the whiff of bergamot. No mental images, just an imageless, thus perfect for sleeping mental state of mind. Thanks for creating this.

Very happy this exists! Berry come in mostly, background: grass and (non-alcoholic) wine... Not overly sweet...really well-blended - really, really nice! The image this evokes in me is: a landhouse in a forest (I dont smell these, this is just the mental association), tomorrow on a late summers day, there are two non-gendered people prosting their glasses without words, just looking in each others eyes, and thinking of older, more magical times. They look neither old or young, the fabrics they wear are of good quality, but at the same time not from the current time period. I see a clock ticking on a chimney, reminding the two persons of passing time, which they dont feel themselves.

I like dwarf very much stone is a scent i only recently discovered in bpal; and hops is cool. I am happy I don't smell metal like in robotic scarab, which I found tricky. to me, scents are often about associated images. this is not how I picture a dwarf smelling because this is so nice:) and a dwarf would be rougher in my imagination. in sum, on my skin, this is a bucket with hops in a rather sweet beer-factory (I have visited 2 in my life), and stone and far away brown leather and something floral if I am not imagining it. It's such a lovely idea. I'm happy that dwarfs smell so fresh.

Very interesting scent. Bottle Night-dark, but at the same time also moon-lit. Fresh. (this is how I wanted this to smell on my skin as well). Wet On my skin, I get Jasmine (usually, Jasmine is nice on my Skin and usually I like it, but this is a bitter Jasmine) and orchid (I typically dislike to stick my nose into orchids too deeply, as real flowers (which I have), because I find them "cold". So it may be that I dont really like it as perfume either, but i had to try). Dry I get a clear and bitter clove note now, and it is smoothened by something - I expect by moonflower, but I dont know the note yet. I dont get a vanilla tone from the orchird; only orchid. More vanilla would have smoothened this for me, but also would have made it less interesting. (And I would have liked a stronger Jasmine at this stage, but only because I would see a night garden, if I had more jasmine. Also, if cardamon is listed, I wish for more cardamon, because I think that some spice would help getting away from this garden-feeling that I have. Yes, I am sure now: actually, I would have put more spice in this, but maybe this comes back with aging. For the Image of a night priestess, low spice like it is, is, however, good). Overal This is a well-blended scent and its hard for me to capture the individual notes. I am probably not a real fan of either moonflower or the orchid, because to me, this has a too bittersweet note in it. Associations I wonder, why this is not a lunacy scent, because my first impression was moonlight White. In my mind, the Night Priestess is somehow the sister of Anthe, although they dont smell alike. I just imagine the two on the same mental Image somehow. I also have the feeling of something ritualistic or magical in this scent, which I only had by The Initiation so far, which also doesnt smell like this one. But those are my associations, and I dont know where they come from. Image: If I were a hero, I would definately NOT follow this scent or the white, shaky, and somewhat etheral apperance of a guiding-person that comes with this scent, because I would be very alert of this leading to a swamp of Magic, for me to either die or to being forced to procreate on a bed of moonflowers. Before you decide, where to go, I feel like the appearance is a swarm when you see it more closely; an Illusion of a moon-lit path behind it, an unreal smile and a welcoming hand. The appearance is not good or bad, it just exists to misguide heros, and make the journey more winding. In sum: This is not my scent, personally. but I will wear it now and then, to have this weird experience;) In 2026 after ageing: It now (only) feels like you're standing in a field of night-flowers, gazing at a full moon—and maybe even a woman with long white hair and a sheer, moon-like fabric (don't ask me, that's just the image I have in my head). There is no sharpness, no greenness and no magic anymore. I like it now because it is soft now, but it is less magical and "trickster-y."

In the bottle When I open it, there is a cloud of blueberry hanging in the air at around 1m radius from the bottle; thus, this is strong! Sniffing, I get blueberry and citrus. The blueberry is not real to me, and the scent is sweet. Image: a crépe wiith blueberries. Wet On my skin, this is a well-blended, sweet tangerine zest, with just a bit of citrus. Image: a pine tree with a blueberry cake in front of it. plus wasps. Dry This is cold flowers with a bit of citrus. Image of "White". After one hour I have a blueberry cloud around me; warm and sweet. The blueberry still isnt "real", but I suppose this is hard to create. Luckily it doesnt go "artificial" either. Its just not a real blueberry (blueberries, as real fruit, dont have a smell to me, but the taste the ripe and good ones have, interestingly, is similar to this scent). Image: night, something powerful and orange or sand-colored nearby Overall To me, this is a strong perfume: sweet, fruity, heavy, warm. In the future, I may want to experiment with layering this one; but on its own, I like it as well.

Initial (2018) Wow This is a true mood-scent, not perfume. As such, this is a total new direction than the bpal scents I am used to - and it is really good! It is grey, gravel, silk, and so well blended that I dont get single notes. Although yes, I can recognize myrrh and patchouli, maybe violet incense, but only if I am searching for them. I even got a short moment of almond. Stone, darkness, majestic. But its more the feeling / mood this expresses: I have the image of a roadtrip with no clear destination, asphalt, and something powerful nearby. Edit (2023) This is my favourite BPAL scent now, because it fits me very well somehow. So happy it exists! Edit (2026) Still my signature scent! Love it, still. But now I've got Laufeyson (my second signature scent) as well, I can tell that to my nose, they could be family scents. Wearing those at the same time is simple: odin's ravens win but laufeyson remains there, smiling, and eventually, the scents mix and are balanced.

The spray comes as fine mist from the bottle. On my long, thick hair, the main thing I get is ginger, then sandalwood. Fruit is on the background. Initially, I thought I dont get amber. But I do - only very far away and after a while. (I have to see what happens with a little aging.) I dont know, I always have to sneeze once after the application. When applied on dry hair, I dont see a benefit; it actually seems to become a bit "rougher" when combing. The scent, especially the ginger, fits me though. Thus, I like it for the smell. Springtime education seems complex, as if there is more to come... slightly curious. Yet, around me, it vanishes fairly quickly. Conclusions Its probably good for all genders, and its good for in the office. I like to combine it with rose bouquet or amber scents. Its nice.

Douze is light, balanced, pink rose and a bit of orchid and hay in the background, not sweet or girly. Apologies, I think this is my shortest review so far, as this doesnt change a lot or create images, when applied on my skin. "Nice". Straight.

Wet Orange-BAM! (not neccessarily blood orange) Dry Sandalwood(?) + bitter orange (still not neccessarily blood orange) + red rose. Background: + subtle resins + citrus + sugar and/or fruit (?). ... somehow this reminds me of sitting in the garden of my childhood with my grandmother (who was then younger) serving gooseberry cake (though I dont consciously smell these notes, this is just the image I get from this scent). I dont know why the image contains sun-burned, yellow flowers after a long summer day (I dont actively smell related scents, but the image is clear). Edit: Woa, 1.5 hours after applying this, its is a strong cloud of the scent around me. Conclusions It doesnt "fascinate" me like other scents, but its really nice on my skin (its great that this doesnt become "artificial" or "clean"). Summer evening. Easy scent; subtle red rose and orange (but not "in your face"). Can easily be worn in the office.

Decant, 1ml, tested on my wrist, one month after it arrived. Wet Once applied, I mainly get a pink rose. BUT this is not overly sweet or girly on my skin. The cotton candy en vanilla are more subtle and more in the background. In the first 10min, all notes fly by individually. Dry I can relate why others think this is comparable with Lush's Rose Jam. But I think that they differ. When I put them side to side, they seem related like siblings, but they are not smelling similarly. Also, these handcuffs have somthing "fuzzy"; there is something that feels unbalanced when it's on my skin (in a good, light way): .... image: maybe a pixie that annoyed you in the last days, who is flying again and again against a lightsource, while you watch this from your couch, without feeling anything for this happening nearby... After 10min Once it warms up, it's warmer with more, but still not "sweet", cotton candy and warm vanilla. Also, on my skin this is now more balanced now - and it remains a sugared rose for the entire wearing time. The smell is not strong and it vanishes a bit. Conclusions You can easily wear this at work, because people probably wont even notice it. I would have loved to have a bath in this or spray my hair with ithis scent (BPTP, if you read this, please go ahead!!!). Edit: In 2020... I absolutely adore this and wish I had more. There is nothing unbalanced anymore now, and it also doesn't smell like Rose Jam to me, which is a good thing. Lovely subtle rose with a topping of sugar dust. Lovely lovely lovely...and the pixie is still alive and hitting the light bulb.

Bottle nice, florals! No snake oil (I like SO very much, but I also like flowers very much, so no problem so far). Wet on skin no florals - at all --> huge question mark in my brain, *what I smell... but it isnt good. Dry on skin ... narcissssssssssssssssssssssssssss....... after 30 min: large bowl with piss... (both on my and on my mother's skin, same effect) the flowers all seem very ... dead, with dead water (you know, what happes to the water if you leave dead flowers in it for a longer time). --> *wash off Conclusions I never had amps, and *all oils I have worked very easily so far, and all were well-blended and interesting, in their own ways - some more my desire, some less, but all were good so far - and I like bpal soo much, usually. With this one, I cannot cope - I only got narciss, so maybe this is the first that my skin screams at. No snake oil, maybe good to mention. --> Not.for.me.at.all.

After 3 months Wet Sharp cinnamon, literally white cognac, winter season Dry golden incense is the fitting woord, but the other notes are also there. Conclusions I'm not sure I personally like the clove frankincense combi in this one, and I do get a slight headache. Luckily the fieryness vanishes; what remains is nice, but I prefer other scents.

From a secondhand bottle (2013 I think). Bottle Love! Orange, flour, christmasbaking-kitchen. Wet Same as above. But now with ginger and tea --> foody scent (doesnt reach the sweetness of other bpal cake/cookie scents and I like it that way). Dry Loads of white flour. Tea now. Sugar. Orange (bitter and sweet). Spices like maybe cardamon and a lemon... cant say, because I am distracted by more white (not deep/complex, but plain shallow white) sugar. I wish for more ginger tea, but it shifts between flour, butter, tea and baked stuff. It is a bit simple and superficial in its own nice way now and I like that, because it doesnt want much from me, I can just enjoy it. Conclusions I guess its christmas every day with this scent? Though really more the pre-fun of baking. Baking... American cookies, to be clear. (I am not American or living there - I wish for European pastries/baked stuff/cake/cookies now. In fact, I would like glutenfree German cookies now, please I am sure the glutenfree can be a scent, because I am very confident in the lab's skills). I feel this is a slightly nerdy scent. I like it! Yes, even in March.

Bottle Fresh! Wet What I get is a bit sour wine, bitter mead, a very green something, plus apple. Dry The notes blend now, so I cannot identify them individually anymore. What I get is fantastic On my skin, this is rather fresh, mild-sour. Fresh linen, tendency to (not bad) powdery, but without becoming powder. Reading the description now, I can say that I do not get much snake oil (and not knowing Dorian, i cant identify him). Not "woody" at all on my skin, but a bit salt may be there (but only from the description this is what I get, so the salt may be imagined/primed). Also, getting warmer on the skin, it gets more depth and warmth, less freshness and not sour anymore - now balanced and remains like this. Though I am afraid this may not linger for a long time. Conclusions Not a typical snake oil variant, in fact I do not get much snake oil. I like it because it is fresh, a bit like autumn. Compared to Fruit and Cotton Phoenix, this is a tad to clean on my skin, but that makes it a scent that can be worn in the office. Edit after 2.5 years: I adore this! Its more wood now and I could wear this every day if the oil weren't decreasing in the bottle.

Wet Lovely, creamy snake oil, sweetened by snow white, sweet, milky almond, warm almost foody musk, almost gourmand. Marshmellow very much in the back. Dry Excellent blend. PS: Oh now, after 45min, there is a weird stage where it smells animalistic. Hopefully that vanishes. Edit: Yes. Good! Back to the nice scent.

First snif Initially, this was shrimp + sharpness on my skin! So I put this into the box and waited, because in my experience, bpal scents get better after some time. In the bottle (re-opened after 3 months) I get mainly pomegranate (not, per se, black) and only a bit of snake oil (the latter, I really like) and maaabye citrus. Unfortunately, I do not know Schwarzer Mond and Krampus, so I cannot get these individually, but what I do get is a feeling of a bit of darkness, which I, in this case, like. I do get a bit of dark amber and maybe myrrh (?) - very much in the background though. Wet The black currant comes, now also more snake oil. So not really spicy, not really fruity. Not bad either. My opinion so far is neutral... Dry I find this is too balanced to identify individual notes, so I cannot really tell a good story of "first this comes, than that", because its all there at the same time. Certainly, it becomes a bit deeper when developing/warming-up on the skin. What I do get when this has been on the skin for a while, is: a feeling of brownish-red, honeyed-myrrh, carribbean (?) snake-oil in the far back (by that i mean not too sweet or too bitter, and somehow I get an impression of a very far away non-sweet but maybe woody rum (?)), warm amber, maaabye sweetened patchouli (?). And I only get black currant or pomegranate if I imagine them, so I am not sure they are really there. Again, this is all simultaneously and hard to tell. Conclusions Fruit Phoenix is slightly sweet AND bitter on my skin at the same time; warm and nicely accompanying. There is fruit, but I would not call this fruity. Not per se snake-oily. Well-balanced. Good for all seasons. I clearly like it, but it doesnt make me go "wow". Can be worn in the office.