BPAL reviews, cut for your pleasure...
LONDON and OLD LONDON:Venerable Victorian Tea Rose… twisted, blackened and emboldened with wickedness.
In Bottle: London: Pure rose. Old London: Also pure rose.
On Skin: I am not smelling and differences between the two… seriously. Very tea rose, and sadly… I’m not a fan of rose, it just screams old lady. But for those of you who love Rose, this is a perfect rose scent, very delicate and pretty. I wanted to love this since London is my favorite city… but oh well. I don’t think of roses when I think of London… England maybe but not London… so I would have made this scent differently but that’s just me. Probably something with tea... :)
PARIS:Sensual, decadent, and enigmatic. Lavender, softly underscored by lotus and spice.
In Bottle: Lotus.
On Skin: Yes, very bubblegummy due to the lotus with a soft powdery lavender background note. I’m not sure what the spice is in this scent, if it’s there it’s very light. This is the most pure lotus scent I’ve smelled, so if you’re a lotus fan, this is the one to get. Very pretty and womanly… I see the colors lilac and baby pink when I smell this one. Dainty and not as extreme as I would picture Paris.
FOLLOW ME BOY:A houdoun recipe dating back almost 150 years. This blend is favored by prostitutes, exotic dancers and others in the sex industry for its power to attract, seduce, and enthrall. Ensures financial gain and increased profits. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Play dough
On Skin: Yes, I am getting a major play-dough scent from this one. Plastic and Play-dough, artificial and thick. It also reminds me of Dragon’s Milk a bit… is there a blood resin in here? It’s sweet and creamy but a bit too cloying and fake. I’m not to fond of it… I don’t hate it either but I wouldn’t buy a bottle. My husband hated it though and wouldn't follow me anywhere if I was wearing it. LOL!
XIUHTECUHTLI: Patron of the Aztec pantheon, he is the personification of light within darkness, warmth in the cold, and life in, and after, death. He is a creative and destructive God of Fire and Light, and is appeased only by sacrifice, trial, and the slaughter of his people’s enemies. Copal, plumeria and sweet orange and the smoke of South American incense and crushed jungle blooms.
In Bottle: Orange and incense.
On Skin: Yum! Almost like a creamsicle with spice. So sweet and orange… The plumeria adds to the juicy fruitiness. Not sure where the creamy note is coming from... it seems like vanilla. The incense gives a smoky spicy edge and the jungle blooms actually give it a tribal note. The description suits it perfectly… It is very light, my skin drank it up quickly. A beautiful unique scent.
JAILBAIT:Innocence defiled. Sticky pink bubblegum and the thick, sweet scent of orange and cherry lollipops smeared over a breath of heady womanly perfume. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: BUBBLEGUM!
On Skin: Ok, this is bubblegum… bunches of it. I am instantly transported back to gradeschool and the Bonne Belle lipgloss that was Bubble Gum flavored. So sucking a lollipop while wearing that lip balm… yes, that is exactly what this smells like. It is sickly sweet, I can’t imagine anyone wearing this as a scent other than as a joke or with a costume or theme party. I’m hoping the drydown will redeem it. Drydown: Powdery and slightly floral… a bit spicy… cinnamon maybe?
MARCH HARE:A twisted teatime tart: apricot and sweet clove.
In Bottle: Um… apricot of course.
On Skin: I like this better than Depraved. Depraved is so sickly sweet and drippy, where as March Hare has the clove to make it deeper and prettier. This is beautiful! People may notice you’re quite fruity smelling, but it’s a nice comforting womanly smell. It would make me want to lean in closer to someone wearing it. As long as the clove stays in the background, I’d love to have more of this. It would also make a beautiful room scent.
THE GHOST:Softly as brown-eyed Angels rove
I will return to thy alcove,
And glide upon the night to thee,
Treading the shadows silently.
And I will give to thee, my own,
Kisses as icy as the moon,
And the caresses of a snake
Cold gliding in the thorny brake.
And when returns the livid morn
Thou shalt find all my place forlorn
And chilly, till the falling night.
Others would rule by tenderness
Over thy life and youthfulness,
But I would conquer thee by fright!
A thin, sinuous, creeping chill, the scent of glee-filled undeath: white iris, osmanthus, Calla lily, tomb-crawling ivy and a coffin spray of gladiolus, lisianthus and delphinium. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Clean ozone, florals.
On Skin: So clean and white! Soft and floral… I love the calla lily the best. This does remind me of a funeral, with all the flowers and a crisp starkness. Not depressing though, a celebration. I think it is very feminine and elegant… very formal. I see a ghost of a beautiful woman, haunting her lover, trying to remain close to him. Wispy and light, not a heavy scent at all.
DANA O’SHEE:In Irish folklore the Dana O'Shee are a fae, elven people that live in a realm of beauty, their nobility akin to our that own Age of Chivalry, eternally beautiful and eternally young. They surround themselves with the pleasures of the Arts, they live for the hunt, and to this day can be seen riding in procession through the Irish countryside at twilight, led by their King and Queen. However, the Dana O'Shee are not benevolent creatures, despite what their unearthly beauty may imply. They are vengeful and treacherous and possess a streak of mischievous malice, and many have whispered that their true home lies deep in the shadowed groves of the Realm of the Dead. Hearing even a single chord of their otherworldly music leaves one stunned and lost to the mortal realms for ever, finding themselves prey to the Dana O'Shee's hunt or enslaved in their Court as servants or playthings. Offerings of milk, honey and sweet grains were made to placate these creatures, and it is that the basis of the scent created in their name.
In Bottle: Honey and almond.
On Skin: There seems to be a sweet scent that I thought was almond… Oh this is DELICIOUS! I’m ordering a big bottle in my next order without a doubt. It’s a sweeter more innocent version of “O”. I haven’t loved a scent from first whiff this much in a long time! Instant favorite! So warm… the milk isn’t sour at all. I’m not sure which grains are in it, but the combination is so lovely. I now have 2 bottles and wear this scent whenever I need comfort. Another scent I'd label as a "scent-hug".
DRAGON’S EYE:A piercing, radiant perfume: dragon's blood resin, lily of the valley, lilac and galbanum.
In Bottle: Lilac
On Skin: This scent seems like it should be a violet color but it has the telltale red Dragon’s Blood resin tint. The lilac is strongest by far. Wow. But the Dragon’s Blood is right behind it… very resiny and powdery. The lily of the valley adds to the floral body, and the galbanum has a soft woody undertone. Very pretty and feminine, not cloying like most Dragon's Blood scents turn on me.
THE HANGING GARDENS:This perfume is an interpretation of the Hanging Gardens by night, based on further accounts of its fruit and flora: date palm, ebony, fir, pomegranate, plum, two pears, quince, fig, and grapevine with plumeria, three gardenias and dry rose. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Fruit yumminess!!!
On Skin: I have been waiting for a scent like this… Oh my.. the pear, the plum, the pomegranate… I can smell them right away. I’m not smelling the fir or florals yet. Slowly the florals make themselves known, but I’m happy the fruity notes stay prominent. I would love this as a candle scent, it is so warming and juicy. It is one of those scents that actually transports you to another place, very well done Beth!!!
HOUSE OF NIGHT:A sorrowful graveyard bouquet of somber blooms, funereal boughs, dismal green and laden with grief. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Floral and earthy.
On Skin: I like the dark woody smokiness that accompanies the greens. Very somber… The florals smell, dried not fresh… kind of powdery. This scent speaks of things that are old and hidden away… like going through an attic and finding flowers from long ago. Very pretty and original… It is a sad scent, full of memories... but also a comfort in finding them.
RAVENOUS:An utterly feral, thoroughly rousing perfume. Red patchouli sweetened by orange blossom.
In Bottle: Patchouli and orange
On Skin: Interesting combination… I love the orange blossom, but as many people who read my reviews know, I hate patchouli. I get kind of a playdough note from this one… a little artificial smelling. I thought I would love it, Ravenous is one of my favorite words in the world. But the patchouli is too strong and the orange blossom isn't enough to sweeten to the point I'd like it. This one isn’t for me.
IAMBE:Daughter of Pan and Echo and dear friend to Demeter. When Demeter was mourning the abduction of her daughter, Iambe was the only creature in heaven and earth that was able to lend cheer and laughter to the grieving mother. Her scent is one of comfort, beauty and joy: Sudanese amber, patchouli, rose, gardenia, gladiola and white tea. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Sweet floral.
On Skin: Very sweet almost watermelon scent, not sure why since melon isn't listed as a note, but that's what it reminds me of. The florals are delicious! I actually love a scent with patcholui… probably because the florals drown it out. The amber is soft and quietly in the back ground forming a nice solid base. The tea gives a fresh crisp note. This scent is comforting and gentle… graceful and elegant. This is a floral I will keep and love for sure.
QUEEN MAB:Warrior, Trickster and Goddess of Magic and Poets, she is one of the Tuatha De Danaan and the Queen of the Faeries. A very complex scent, both shadowy and fierce: black orchid, sandalwood, night-blooming jasmine, osmanthus, Somalian rose, and Chinese musk.
In Bottle: Wood and florals.
On Skin: The sandalwood is strongest followed by the flowers… jasmine and orchid especially. The rose is light… and the musk is sweet and spicy. A beautiful but slightly wicked scent. I like the contradiction. Darker and less sweet than Iambe… like a wicked step-sister. I love the visuals it conjures up. I would love to wear this out somewhere formal or to a party. It makes you known, that's for sure... no hiding in this scent.
BLACK CAT:A very tricky kitty, indeed. Used most often as a key to bringing back the joy one needs to have in life in order for living to feel worthwhile. Brings back a sense of delight in simple pleasures, and creates a surge of childlike curiosity and a youthful sense of fun. This blend can also be used to reverse troublesome lesser crossings, create a playful air of catlike sexuality, and, because cats will be cats, it can also be used to throw minor, irritating or bothersome hexes, causing small amounts of chaos and disruption to your foes. (Gender neutral)
On Bottle: Soap and rose.
On Skin: It smells like a rose scented dish soap on me at first. Very clean and fresh. While I don’t like rose or soap scents… part of me wants to keep it and try again and see if it really does all it says. I’m a Leo so I’m half feline and they name appealed to me right away. Now there is a mint note showing through… interesting but not quite me. I do like that it wakes me up and causes my senses to stir... it's probably great for motivation.
CENTZON TOTOCHTIN: The Four Hundred divine rabbits of the Aztec pantheon that preside over parties and drunkenness. Bittersweet Mexican cocoa with rum, red wine, and a scent redolent of sacrificial blood. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Cocoa and wine.
On Skin: This is decadent. Dark cocoa and boozy rum and wine. This smells evil and sinister but sickly sweet. This would be a great scent for a club or fetish night… very naughty. The cocoa also gives a little of a smoky scent. I love the description of this scent… it goes perfect with this amazing blend by Beth. This is a one of a kind scent that would be quite a nice conversation starter. I think I will keep it just for a special occasion.
ENVY:Green herbs slithering through mint, lime and lavender. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Mint and plants.
On Skin: *Very* green scent that fits the name Envy well. The mint is strong with a pretty bed of lavender to lay upon. The lime gives a tart sour tint that adds to the greeness of this scent. A light, clean, refreshing scent that screams outdoorsy. I’d also love to use this as a linen spray. I love the feelings it creates and how the sour note does feel like envy. Another amazing creation!!!!
LANGUOR:An opiate torpor, soporific, trancelike, and sublimely languid. A poet’s morphine dream, a listless journey into a gentle dream and the precipice of intoxicated madness. Paperwhite and black narcissus, three lilies, black poppy and tuberose and a hint of hypnotic opium den haze. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Lillies and resin.
On Skin: The lillies stand out in this scent along with the other florals. The opium, or whatever resin note that is emulating it, is secondary but gives a nice fluid depth. The flowers meld togther perfectly so it’s hard to pick out each note other than the obvious lilles. Beautiful but a bit too floral for me. I still want to try it again because of the mood it inspires. This is the exact opposite of a "Take me away Calgon" scent... this is more dark and naughty. I love that!
MADRID:Swarthy and vibrant! An elegant, full-bodied scent that ignites all the darkest passions. Bold red wine, mimosa, and a trickle of clove.
In Bottle: Sweet wine.
On Skin: Wow! I’ve never smelled a wine scent this sweet, almost bubblegummy. The mimosa blended with the wine must be the reason. The clove is soft, warm and spicy. This scent is very delicious… foody and comforting. It feels like curling up in front of the fireplace after a good meal. Another scent I’d rather use as a room spray than wear.
After 10 minutes, the clove becomes a bit overpowering and this scent turns yucky on me. Clove is not my friend... :(
FLORENCE:The pearl of the Italian Renaissance. Elegant iris, bright berries, gilded amber and velvety spices. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Spicy berries.
On Skin: The amber is strongest on my skin… followed by the juicy berries. The iris seems lost in the sea of spices… I love amber scents so this one is quite pretty. The scent remains the same on my skin after quite some time. I like it… So exotic, I wish I could be in Florence right now!!! A rich scent that reminds me of the fuzzy warmth of velvet. Colors I feel are dark purple, wine red and gold.
PINK MOON:Only available for purchase on 25 March 2005 The name of this moon refers to the color of wild ground phlox, a primary component of this Lunacy Blend, which is one of the most widespread floral signposts of springtime in North America. This Lunar blend is soft with phlox, tulip, daffodil, dogwood and muscari, dusted with pink sugar and honey, and a touch of the first strawberries of the season.
In Bottle: Sweet flowers.
On Skin: Pink! Floral, strawberry and sugar. I don’t smell the dogwood yet… The pink sugar and honey sweeten this deliciously. The scent smells edible. I expected it to be more cotton candyish, but the florals make it more springlike, pretty and adult. I’m hoping it will sweeten up with time because I was wanting more of the pink sugar note… It stays on the fruity side, almost like strawberry Kool-Aid. It reminds me of Pink Phoenix but fruitier. A very girly scent for sure.
JEZEBEL:Biblical witch, priestess of Astarte, and general troublemaker. A true role model for today's upwardly mobile Modern Woman. A gloriously decadent blend of honey, roses, orange blossom and sandalwood.
In Bottle: Honey and orange blossom.
On Skin: Beautiful! So sweet yet elegant. This is a perfect scent… The honey is so sweet, yet the rose and orange blossom provide a floral tartness. The sandalwood adds woody depth that counters the sweetness of the scent and makes it more adult and sexy. As usual, I'm a sucker for Beth's honey blends. Funny, the description fits it pretty well, in the sexy sense, but I also feel a child-like innocence from it. I want a larger bottle of this.
NEFERTITI:“The Beautiful One Is Come”. Egyptian iris and olibanum with red and white sandalwood, soft myrrh and a breath of North African herbs. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Floral woody elegance.
On Skin: Nefertiti is one of my goddesses so I have high hopes with this scent. This is so elegant… the iris is top note. The sandalwood and nyrrh give a husky, confident note. Feminine yet strong. I love this! I could picture Nefertiti wearing this… I just expected it to be a bit more spicy. This is a scent a queen would wear and people would love bowing to her. Nobody will boss you around while wearing this. A perfect confidence building scent.
HELL’S BELLE:Sweet, smoky and sensually wicked. A thick, steamy scent, truly sinister in its voluptuous sexuality. The perfume of a demon's favored consort, or of the devil herself. Oleander with wet, sweet mandarin, lush magnolia, a rush of deep musk and a touch of spice. (Gender neutral)
In Bottle: Musk and spice.
On Skin: The musk is strongest… the oleander and magnolia second. Ooohhh… a musky floral that is beautiful. The mandarin is showing itself now… yum! This is sexy… the spices are even sweet. It’s such a contradiction, sweet yet wicked. It’s very dark and intriguing, you can’t ignore this scent. After about 10 minutes I smell somthing a bit tropical... almost like coconut. Hmm... still sexy though. Another one I want a bottle of.
PHANTOM QUEEN:An epithet of the Morrigan, crow-winged Celtic goddess of war, strife and fertility. Adoration of this Goddess is expressed both through the ecstasy of battle lust and the ecstasy of sexual regeneration. Black orchid, apple blossom, meadowsweet, and rue over Irish moss, hawthorn and red clover.
In Bottle: Sweet Floral
On Skin: The clover and orchid are in the front… elegant and feminine. The apple blossom is very sweet and fruity. The moss and hawthorn give a nice outdoorsy feel. This smells like a meadow in full bloom. Very pretty… I think florals are starting to grow on me. I don't really get "lust or ecstasy" from it though, the florals are more innocent and sweet. Still, I am in love with this scent.
WANDA:“And yet a restless, always unsatisfied craving for the nudity of paganism," she interrupted, "but that love, which is the highest joy, which is divine simplicity itself, is not for you moderns, you children of reflection. It works only evil in you. As soon as you wish to be natural, you become common. To you nature seems something hostile; you have made devils out of the smiling gods of Greece, and out of me a demon. You can only exorcise and curse me, or slay yourselves in bacchantic madness before my altar. And if ever one of you has had the courage to kiss my red mouth, he makes a barefoot pilgrimage to Rome in penitential robes and expects flowers to grow from his withered staff, while under my feet roses, violets, and myrtles spring up every hour, but their fragrance does not agree with you. Stay among your northern fogs and Christian incense; let us pagans remain under the debris, beneath the lava; do not disinter us. Pompeii was not built for you, nor our villas, our baths, our temples. You do not require gods. We are chilled in your world."
Along with Loviatar, she has become something of a 21st century Patron Goddess of all Dominatrixes. While Loviatar is the Goddess of Pain, Wanda govens Control. She is the breathtakingly beautiful sable-wrapped marble queen of Sacher-Masoch’s fantasies. Her scent is a deep red merlot with a faint hint of leather, sexual musk and body heat over crushed roses, violets and myrtle.
In Bottle: Rose! And something sweet… almost fruity, must be the merlot.
On Skin: Wow, I usually dilike rose but the levels in this scent are very impressive. The leather and musk make this scent stand out and scream: Get down on your knees! I love the berry scent of the merlot, nice and fruity but not too boozy. The violets and myrtle are quiety residing in the background. This is a sexy scent that projects a strong confident woman. I love it! It does fade very quickly though…
WHITECHAPEL:A gentlemen's blend, possessed of dignity, charm and refinement, but in truth masking a corrupted, hideous, soulless core. White musk, lime, lilac and citron. (Traditionally masculine)
In Bottle: Lime and citron.
On Skin: This is very tart, the lime and citron own this scent. Almost too much… I’m getting the Lemon Pledge thing from this scent. It reminds me of Severin a little since it’s a nice citrus masculine scent. The musk is nice and I’m not actually smelling the lilac yet. I wonder if I could get my husband to try this one… No, too tart for him. He prefers darker musks and sandalwood.
MEGAERA:The Unwilling, The Jealous One
Orris, black amber, bergamot, plum and grapefruit.
In Bottle: Hello grapefruit!!!
On Skin: Hmmm… spicy and citrus. The grapefruit is obviously the strongest note. The orris and black amber give a dark spicy background with the amber playing as a soft base for the fruits. The bergamot and plum compliment the grapefruit nicely and help sweeten it, an amazing fruit scent. Light, fresh and juicy, not too tart or bitter as I feared from the grapefruit. Yes, I feel like I could drink this.