lilirose

I hoped this would be a favourite, because Lilith is my patron goddess.

In the imp: very fruity and immensely sweet.

Wet on skin: so gorgeous that, after dotting a tiny amount on to try, I slathered it very liberally. I smelled honeyed fruit and wine. I didn't smell roses at all, which was a surprise.

After slathering and thinking how much I loved it, my son asked "Did you put on perfume?" I said "Yes, just like I have been for every day for the last three weeks. Do you like it?"

Fatal question. He said that it smelled like oranges, to which I responded "I smell something citrusy too". He then said "You know that smell when oranges are rotting?" That's the last time I ever ask my son if he likes my BPAL.

Drydown- fades a lot quicker than I'd like, down to a powdery/fruity scent that is just about gone four hours later despite the huge amount I applied.

I'd give it about a 3.5/5 total. I'll keep the imp, and probably will buy another when it's gone, but won't be buying a 5ml.

Van Van: another one to add to the list of "scents I like".

Wet, I could have sworn I was smelling sharp, overwhelming lavender (this just goes to show how bad I am at picking out notes!). It gave me no hint of its true scent until fully dry.

A much mellower smell rose up during drydown. First I thought it was honeysuckle, then sugar. My husband said "butter and sugar, like when you walk into a bakery and they've been making fondant icing."

Fully dry, I'm still smelling sugar, along with a very edible (not sharp) lemon. I also get vetiver, definitely.

Excellent staying power on this one- five hours after applying, it's still going strong, and only has the faintest powdery note.

I just got back from a trip to Scotland. I was a bit anxious about the trip, and found Dragon's Heart both gave me courage and fit in very well with my surroundings. I'm a huge fan of dragon's blood, though.

Wow. Just...wow. This was the first imp I tried from a recent six-imp Voodoo purchase, and I am suitably impressed.

It's hard to say exactly how it smelled in the bottle, as I'd just received an order with 14 imps and was sniffing all of them. My nose was a but overwhelmed! But something- not sure what- persuaded me to pick Queen to wear today.

Wet, it seemed very quiet. Both my husband and I thought it was almost...timid. A soft, slightly powdery floral, with very little throw.

Upon drydown, Queen changed completely. "Quiet" is the last word I would use- the throw is incredible! I didn't get the peppery scent others have mentioned, or any other foody-type scent. On me, Queen is more of a spicy, musky, heady floral. The only note I can pick out specifically is sandalwood, but I'm not a good "note-finder".

Queen is strong, regal...the sort of scent that makes you walk with your back straight and your head high. Seven hours after applying it, I'm still catching strong whiffs of it, and I still love it. I may buy a big bottle, but I have the feeling the imp is going to last a looong time.

Edited, 18th of October: I got a chance to wear this again (I have waaay too many imps, people!) and I still adore it. However, after spending the whole day thinking to myself "You smell fabulous", I shoved my wrist at my husband, who went "Ew", and when I mentioned that I was thinking of buying a big bottle, he said: "Don't."

I nearly cried. Seriously. I love it, he hates it. I can't understand how it could smell totally different to him than it does to me.

I like this one. I'm not good at picking out notes at all, but it is a sweet, very feminine floral. It smells like young love...that's the best way I can describe it.

I liked it in the imp, and love it on me- my only complaint is that it doesn't have as much throw or staying power as I'd like, but maybe I just need to apply a bit more.

I really, really wanted this one to work for me.

But it didn't.

On me, it smelled exactly like pipe tobacco. It was very, very strong and masculine. My husband even said "That smells like it should be on an old man". I mentioned that it reminded me of pipe tobacco and he said "Yes, that's it exactly!"

I tried to leave it on for a while to see if it would fade to something more tolerable. I lasted about an hour before I had to go wash it off because I was getting nauseated. It wouldn't wash off entirely, even with scrubbing- I was stuck with it until I showered the next morning.

I must have very odd body chemistry- I'm surprised that nobody else got "tobacco" from it at all. I guess this will be my first swap.

In the imp: I wasn't sure this would work for me. It just seemed overwhelmingly strong, and just a little masculine. But I was heading out on a long journey, and thought it might give me some courage, so I tried it.

On me: I'm so glad I did try it! Yum! People kept asking "What is that wonderful smell?!" It was definitely dragon's blood-y, but also rich and sweet, and a bit like red wine (but not alcoholic at all). It also did seem to keep my spirits up on a long trip with a lot of delays.

I think this may be among my first 5ml BPALs, and I'm anxious to try some of the other Ars Draconis.

I've been raving about this oil everywhere else, so I thought I might as well make it my first review.

I was a BPAL virgin- White Light is my first, and what a wonderful first time it is!

Even though I've used it several times now, I still can't pick out any specific notes. It's sweet, floral. When I first sniffed it in the bottle, I thought "Granny perfume"...but that first impression was oh, so very wrong. On my skin, it is sweet and...is it possible to be "delicate" and "strong" at the same time? It also has incredible staying power. If I put it on right after a shower, I can still smell it the next time I shower.

I apply it (as directed) on my chakras. The first time I pretty much slathered it on, and used it specifically in a Tantric Chakra-opening meditation followed by a ritual. "OMG" doesn't even begin to cover it. I usually have trouble with meditations because it's hard for me to focus and clear my mind. However, this time all the negative thoughts swept away, and as we moved through the chakras one by one, I could actually visualize them opening like bright, white flower-lights. I know that sounds a bit fluffy, but it's true.

I ended up with a migraine the next day- which often happens after a particularly effective ritual- but I came to the conclusion that I had used a bit too much of the oil. I've used it a few times since, and now apply it by dipping the tip of a (new) wooden chopstick in the oil, then touching the chopstick to each chakra point. The scent is still powerful and lasts a full day or more. I use White Light as a self-blessing when I'm feeling down or anxious. It really does sweep negative thoughts right out of my head.

On one occasion, my husband and I were having a conversation that was getting heated, so (without saying anything) I applied a bit of White Light to my wrists. The atmosphere in the room cooled and calmed within a matter of seconds and we ended up having a very productive discussion rather than a fight.

I love this blend with all my heart and will be certain to always have a bottle in my collection. I recommend it highly.