stillalive Report post Posted July 30, 2008 ... The scent is one of unadulterated spiritual purity, with a taste of the world's eternal pathos, and the joy of suffering with grace: frankincense, olive, spikenard, hyssop and galangal. I actually ordered this for the name more than any of the ingredients... but on, it smells so beautiful and makes me really nostalgic. It's sort of a sweet smelll... reminiscent of queen of sheba sans the almond. Very lovely and sacred and old, a hint of modern relavance. Not dusty or musty at all.And is it a coincidence that my Hebrew worship music popped up right as I sniffed my hand? I think not.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caffinatedangel Report post Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) I have no idea what any of the notes in this are -suppose- to smell like. I ordered this purely because of the name and the story. (I've been writing a story of my own that had strange ties to this tale, which I'd never heard before. So I felt drawn...) The scent is just lovely. It was sweet, but not sugary gross sweet (unlike other reviews, the sweetness didn't get syrupy or too intense on me. It was light, and felt like a very natural sweetness to me). It had a floral something but yet not quite floral. I couldn't pin down a single note (I felt quite hopeless) but I loved every note I found and wondered about. There was a sort of sweet, blooming smell that had a small bit of a spicy something to it that was most prominent. It was delicious and unique. As it aged on my skin, there was a resiny/incense-y feel that started to grow. But it never got to be TOO much for me (and "powder" smells make me gag ^^'). It was really unique and strange. It was also ancient and wise, but pure. Really unique emotions in the scents. If I use up the imp, I'll be buying a bottle (or coercing someone to buy one for me ). I really adored it, and could see it becoming an every-day scent that I make into "me". ETA: The throw of this isn't very strong at all. I felt it lasted, however. But only in wrist-sniffing. Then it was very much like an incense stick with a very natural syrup (Read that as a non-sugary disaster, just slightly sweet...) dribbled over it. Which I enjoyed. But this is a private scent. Not something those around you notice unless you stick a wrist in their face. Edited a year later: tried it again and fell in love with it. It's now sharper, fruitier, and really a win. Also with LOTS of throw and staying power. What changed, me or the imp? Who knows. But I'm in love now. Edited July 13, 2009 by CaffinatedAngel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hlinspjalda Report post Posted August 27, 2008 In the vial: Sharp herby yet with a sweet, slightly tangy top note. Wet: Hmm, it really does sort of smell like green olives to me, with some other herby notes too. But there's also a floral note, unfamiliar, that must be the spikenard. Half an hour: Sweet herb or wildflower. That interesting olive-scent is still there, and there's a pleasant warm resin-y base. One hour: This one is so frustrating! The spikenard is delightful, but there's that odd little tang of olive. It smells Biblical, in a way that I particularly enjoy, but it's so non-traditional a perfume that I'm not sure when and where I'd wear it. Perhaps to a kabbalah study session.... Two hours: The olive has fallen way back, leaving mostly the frankincense and that floral. There's a warm woodiness too, probably the galangal because it reads like a root. Three hours: Frankincense and light floral. This one haa a different quality from most, though; I think it's the spikenard. I like it, although it's kind of understated. Five hours: Mostly gone now. An interesting one, I'll probably keep it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heathercaley Report post Posted September 3, 2008 After reading the scent description, I was totally taken aback... how the heck does this work exactly??? I smell fruit! Like a ripe melon type of fruit. It's sooo juicy and delicious that I did the whole thing after reading the notes listed. Maybe there's a tad amount of incense, but it's so hidden by juicy nummy fruit. What's really the kicker is that I usually haaaate fruit and food scents.. but this is made of fantastic. As it dries down, I now get more of a slight fruit incense. It's got amazing staying power, and a nice throw!!! oh man.. this is a possible bottle purchase!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porcelina Report post Posted September 9, 2008 i didn't think i'd like tzadikim, but it is surprisingly pleasant- earthy and slightly sweet. the olive is really nice and i like the frankincense. i like it, but i don't think i will wear it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mylogicsaysburnsendmeaway Report post Posted September 28, 2008 On me, this was very citrus, fruity. Pretty, but not astounding and not really me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iceblink Report post Posted October 17, 2008 Very sweet. An undertone of olive and a slight herbal scent. I don't think I've smelled anything else quite like this--the olive is definitely an interesting note! A bit fruity. I'm not nuts about this but it certainly is unique. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ouch! Report post Posted November 11, 2008 This smells like Blackberries on me when it's wet. Like.. resinous blackberries, or some sort of dark fruit. It's really quite nice in the wet stage. But....true to BPAL history...the morph happens on drydown and this becomes more green, earthy and sort of woody. It's almost like there's pine in here somewhere even though it's not listed as an ingredient. It doesn't really change much after this, I would say that there's not much throw to this oil. Onlt the intital burst of when it's first applied. Not really a stand out scent for me though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cymbeline Report post Posted November 16, 2008 One of my frimps! Smell alike: It’s quite close of the powdery scent I smelled in some antiquarian shops (in particular clothes one) Color impression: Fading orange and verdigris On me: I also got the melon-like note others have stressed. But this fruity scent isn’t really strong or overwhelming. Soon, it shifted to a rounder and softer fragrance with frankincense and olive standing out strongly. Wearing: A comforting, sweet scent. I don’t see myself wearing it as a perfume (even if it’s light -yet smart- enough for an everyday use) but it’s gonna be a nice room/linen fragrance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crebbsgirl Report post Posted November 20, 2008 I was going to blame skin chemistry here but after looking at the reviews, I'm not so sure. I can't for the life of me figure out what's causing this but on me, this blend smells EXACTLY like Fuzzy Peach Slices. That gummy peach flavoured candy. I know what frankincense smells like on me, and when I googled spikenard all I could get was "warm and earthy". Not very descriptive, but definitely not the cause of the peach smell. So I'm stumped. Its a warm, golden blend. Bright and friendly. Sweet, but not sugary. Nice, but not my cup of tea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toomuch Report post Posted December 6, 2008 Someone posted that this smells like uplifting pineapple. It doesn't list that in the ingredients, but it's a great description. This one really made me want to get moving in the morning and get things accomplished. If it lasted longer on me and was stronger, I'd buy a bottle. I'll definitely use the imp. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zankoku_zen Report post Posted December 8, 2008 I go get a sort of pineapple vibe from it. It's bright and citrusy at the beginning, but as it dries, I get more of the frankincense and olive combination. It's still bright, and shiny, and a very golden scent. It has a light floral overtone to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milica Report post Posted December 8, 2008 this is some kind of tropic fruit scent on me, like pineapple/banana/mango hard candy, with a touch of pine, or maybe cedar. a bit like cough siryp. nothing like frankincense or anything like olive on me. and it isn't light and comforting to me, it's very strong and very very sweet. swap pile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saya Report post Posted January 9, 2009 In the Imp I have no idea what these notes are this should be fun. Passion fruit and Sprite. LOL...wut? On My Skin Passion fruit with a bit of zip on it. The ‘zip’ is a sharp scent almost like a touch of citrus. After a Bit It hasn’t really changed much, it’s still a fresh passion fruit/citrus scent. Rating 1-5 (5 being best) Scent - 3 Throw - 2 Longevity - 3 Overall (not an average) - 2.9 Final Thoughts This is an interesting blend, I’ll keep wearing the imp to see if I’ll need a bottle or if the imp will be enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
awesomeoverlord Report post Posted January 10, 2009 Mmmm this is nice - I got it as a frimp and I have to say, it's not something I would have opted to try on my own. In the imp its a rich, fruity herbal scent. On application, it mellows out very nicely...I'm thinking herbaceous melons. Not my usual fare, but lovely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondstars Report post Posted January 11, 2009 This is a very lively one! Fruity, something else I can't quite pick up and some coconut in there too. It's nice but not for me. Off to the swap box for someone else to love! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reedsong Report post Posted February 1, 2009 I love every individual note in this blend, so I'm very puzzled that it not only doesn't work on me, but really doesn't work. Instead of the lovely fruitiness that the other reviewers are getting, I smell...penicillin. Yep, goopy pink penicillin, or maybe those chewable aspirins. I put it on my skin, hoping it would work better there, but...penicillin. A very generous frimp from the Lab, but a disappointing failure on me. :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpsoda Report post Posted February 8, 2009 In the imp this smells sweet. I don't know which of the notes that would be. On my skin, it's very herbal. I smell the frankincense and galangal, which smell a bit dusty to me. There's some sweetness hanging around in the back, and it makes me think of rosemary for some reason. Not because there's any in this blend, but because it's sweet + herbs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ajila Report post Posted February 17, 2009 In the bottle – Peaches? And a slight olive bitterness Wet on me – Again with the peaches (is spikenard something to do with peaches?) This smells incredibly resonant of something from my childhood, but I can’t quite place it Dry on me – It becomes very faint, but keeps the peach sweetness although now it’s tinged with the bitterness of the olives and the herbs Overall – I like it more than I anticipated, but it is very faint Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kjirstiben Report post Posted February 27, 2009 Upon first putting this on, I'm struck by its interestingly pungent character--fruity, spicy (that's the frankincense), floral-herbal all together in one aromatic swirl. Upon drydown, the olive comes out smelling like fruit (but not like candy, which is what fruit scents tend to smell like on me). Over time, this develops into a peppery olive and herb scent, then the peppery edge of the frankincense gradually wears away. The end stages of this scent are simply gorgeous… a lovely herbal-resiny subtlety that hovers just above skin level. The late stages of this were definitely my favorite, but the whole process is delightful. Very different than anything else I've smelled yet, though at a certain level I'm reminded of Hanerot Halalu (the olive oil?), without the beeswax. Recaplet: Pungent olive-herbal that softens into a resin-herbal skin scent. My rating: 4 of 5 (I really like this!) Color impression: Olive green. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CynicalPink Report post Posted March 24, 2009 Imp: Clean. Maybe a bit of olive and resin Wet: Wow. This is *nothing* like what I expected. It's very clean and sweet Drydown: LOLmango. Seriously what the heck is going on with this scent. It's pretty nice, but seriously throwing my nose for a loop with the listed notes Overall: A very calm, smooth fruit scent with resin to brighten it up. It's nice, and kinda tropical, just not something I'm going to be reaching for Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aquazoo Report post Posted March 29, 2009 This starts a little sour. Maybe that's the olive? I can smell a number of lovely things in there, and hopefully the sour will fade. It ddn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melrose Report post Posted April 16, 2009 In imp and on, wet: Sharp herbal softened by a little bit of sweet. I'm having an extremely difficult time identifying any of the components of this. Drydown: Apricot candy. Not so much me, but it really lasts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
levelek Report post Posted May 16, 2009 I received an imp of this as a gift. In the imp: perfumey. I don't like it much. Upon further sniffing, an osmanthus-like note emerges strongly. Must be the olive. Left wrist: pale melon. Too sweet and fruity for my taste. Right wrist: Melony osmanthus blended with frankincense, with a very faint sharp echo from the hyssop. Very interesting. As I strongly dislike both melon and osmanthus type scents, however, this one is not for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liquidtrance Report post Posted May 28, 2009 Ooo, strangely peachy. Slightly, ever so slightly, spicey. The peach begins to fade off and gets replaced with something a bit more herby. Green, but more of a dry green than living, juicy green. It might be the olive coming out, actually. I couldn't name frankincense, spikenard, or hyssop, so who knows otherwise. Overall, a keeper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites