[Multi] Reviews
Here are some more BPAL reviews... enjoy. :)
Morella, 13, Jupiter, Eclipse, Tum, Lucy's Kiss, Nosferatu, Danube
MORELLA: It is a day of days, a day of all days either to live or die. It is a fair day for the sons of earth and life - ah! more fair for the daughters of heaven and death. Sage with orris, Florentine iris and a drop of civet.
In Bottle: Dry powdery floral
On Skin: Super potent floral. I get green and white from it, quite pungent and it makes my eyes water a bit. I smell sage, but it seems to be loghter than the floral iris note. I also seem to smell lavender or violet… hmm… The civet is very subtle which is nice. Civet is one of those notes that can go terribly wrong on me. It starts fading into a gentle feminine scent, clean and a bit soapy. It is also quite powdery. I said it was feminine, but as it continues to develop it becomes more unisex. Interesting, but not quite me.
13: Feb 2006 Edition In our paean to all the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic number, there are thirteen lucky and unlucky components, including white chocolate, tangerine, currant, mandarin, white tea and iris.
In Bottle: Orangy chocolate
On Skin: This smells more like milk chocolate than the original 13 which was clearly white chocolate. The tangerine/orange/mandarin also stands out. I’m getting chocolate covered orange peels from this… sweet but slightly sour and bitter. The tea note is light but you can smell it for sure. It makes the scent a little more formal, like a tea party with fresh fruit, chocolates and cookies. I’m not smelling the iris though… hmm… All in all, it smells quite similar to the original 13. I like it, but it’s not really a scent I’d wear.
JUPITER: Revisited 2/13/06 MAJESTY - EXPANSION - OPTIMISM-POLITICS - CIVIC & RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP - HEALTH-PROSPERITY - ADVANCEMENT - JUSTICE - BENEVOLENT POWER - RESPONSIBILITY
SAGACITY - SWORN OATHS
In Bottle: Smoky woods
On Skin: Eeek!! This is super strong, my eyes are tearing up already. It reminds me of Djinn and Brimstone, two of my least favorite BPAL scents. It also has a super pungent sour note, almost like pickles. As it dries down, some of the smokiness goes away, but it is still super woody. Wow, this is strong redwood. It’s not me in the slightest and actually seems quite masculine. This is one of the Celestials that didn’t really appeal to me by it’s intent and description so I’m not too heartbroken. It’s off to the swaps I’m pretty sure.
ECLIPSE: Bewitching Brews All the glory, warmth and majesty of the sun -- darkened. A delicious blend of bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense and heliotrope, with a drop of cinnamon.
In Bottle: Pure almond extract
On Skin: Another scent that reminds me of the icing I used to make as a child. It was basically powdered sugar and almond extract with a little water. This smells like I just opened the bottle of almond extract, super sweet. Yum. The vanilla intensifies the sweetness of course as does the heliotrope… two blends that turn into pure sugary delight on me. WOW! The frankincense is light but adds a slightly darker, smoky note far in the background, just enough to give it some oompf! The cinnamon also adds another layer, a slight spice playing with the extreme sweetness of the scent. Personally, I don’t like cinnamon and wish it didn’t have that note in it, but oh well. All in all it’s quite nice, but damn sweet. I like it a little more after drydown when it blends with my chemistry and becomes a more morphed form of itself. Sweet but sexy, smething that is nice to get a light whiff of, nothing you should breathe in deeply. After about 20 minutes, Big Red gum. Not my thing sadly. Moderate throw, but short wearing length, it faded super quick.
TUM: Excolo Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day!
In Bottle: Metalic herbal
On Skin: This has a sour metallic herbal note that just turns my nose the second I smell it. Eek. I smell something slightly woody/resin… maybe an incense. I also smell a berry or fruit that gives a slight seeet note, maybe grape? Yes grape, Grape Bubble-Yum. After about 5 minutes, clove comes through, spicy and a bit off to me. I get a bit of a cough medicine feel from it with the medicinal herbal note that shines through. There might be honey in this as well, because I get an additional syrupy note in the background. Normally I love honey, but with the odd mixture here, it just doesn’t work for me. This scent makes me a little ill sadly. It reminds me of Honey Moon (the honey and herbs) mixed with Kali (grape/wine) and maybe Three Witches (clove/spiciness). Very odd…
LUCY’S KISS: Love Potions Created to represent the essence of Bram Stoker,s tragic herione, Lucy Westenra. Seductive, wanton and deadly, but underscored with a soft, wistful innocense. The gentle scent of rose and a blend of Victorian spices
In Bottle: Sour rose
On Skin: Well, I’m trying this just for fun. I know I don’t like rose scents, but I’m trying to make my way through the entire BPAL catalog and I’m almost there. This is a strong powdery rose. I also smell another floral, maybe lily, that sweetens it slightly. There is also a slight spice which is a nice contrast to the sour rose and slightly sweet other floral note. It still is a rose scent though, and I think BPAL has plenty of those so this one doesn’t seem too special, but I do like the description. And as usual, rose scents make me think “old lady” right away. To me this is a grandmother scent.
NOSFERATU: Diabolus We’ve finally caved in to years of requests for vampiric scents. As soft as grave dust and as dry as a breath drawn within a long forgotten crypt, this is Nosferatu: desiccated herbs and gritty earth brought to life with a swell of robust and sanguineous red wines.
In Bottle: Dirt
On Skin: The dirt note jumps forward. It is so neat! It’s not exactly like Zombi, it’s more ozoney and lacks the obvious florals. This smells like dirt and laundry detergent. It’s very fresh and actually a bit seductive. The wines are not deep, more light and bright… not mulled or heavy. I love this!!! It is a scent people will notice and ask about, completely original! It has a spring feel, like I’ve been working in the garden. It has average throw but doesn’t last long sadly. I would love to have it last longer because this is a scent I will be wearing for sure.
DANUBE: Wanderlust Rhododendron and bellflower petals swirl through deep, cool, dark aquatic notes.
In Bottle: Sharp floral
On Skin: The Rhododendron is the key player here. I remember it strongly from planting it in our garden with my mom when I was younger. It’s very sharp and pungent. The aquatic notes are strong too. I get a strong spring feel from this… flowers, plants and crisp ozone. A very bright blue feel with a bit of bright white. I get something citrus, grapefruit I think? It’s sweet yet tart, beautiful. It also slightly reminds me of Pele, it wakes me right up. It is a pretty scent but florals and I aren’t the best of friends. I would love to use it as a linen or room spray in the spring.
Morella, 13, Jupiter, Eclipse, Tum, Lucy's Kiss, Nosferatu, Danube
MORELLA: It is a day of days, a day of all days either to live or die. It is a fair day for the sons of earth and life - ah! more fair for the daughters of heaven and death. Sage with orris, Florentine iris and a drop of civet.
In Bottle: Dry powdery floral
On Skin: Super potent floral. I get green and white from it, quite pungent and it makes my eyes water a bit. I smell sage, but it seems to be loghter than the floral iris note. I also seem to smell lavender or violet… hmm… The civet is very subtle which is nice. Civet is one of those notes that can go terribly wrong on me. It starts fading into a gentle feminine scent, clean and a bit soapy. It is also quite powdery. I said it was feminine, but as it continues to develop it becomes more unisex. Interesting, but not quite me.
13: Feb 2006 Edition In our paean to all the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic number, there are thirteen lucky and unlucky components, including white chocolate, tangerine, currant, mandarin, white tea and iris.
In Bottle: Orangy chocolate
On Skin: This smells more like milk chocolate than the original 13 which was clearly white chocolate. The tangerine/orange/mandarin also stands out. I’m getting chocolate covered orange peels from this… sweet but slightly sour and bitter. The tea note is light but you can smell it for sure. It makes the scent a little more formal, like a tea party with fresh fruit, chocolates and cookies. I’m not smelling the iris though… hmm… All in all, it smells quite similar to the original 13. I like it, but it’s not really a scent I’d wear.
JUPITER: Revisited 2/13/06 MAJESTY - EXPANSION - OPTIMISM-POLITICS - CIVIC & RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP - HEALTH-PROSPERITY - ADVANCEMENT - JUSTICE - BENEVOLENT POWER - RESPONSIBILITY
SAGACITY - SWORN OATHS
In Bottle: Smoky woods
On Skin: Eeek!! This is super strong, my eyes are tearing up already. It reminds me of Djinn and Brimstone, two of my least favorite BPAL scents. It also has a super pungent sour note, almost like pickles. As it dries down, some of the smokiness goes away, but it is still super woody. Wow, this is strong redwood. It’s not me in the slightest and actually seems quite masculine. This is one of the Celestials that didn’t really appeal to me by it’s intent and description so I’m not too heartbroken. It’s off to the swaps I’m pretty sure.
ECLIPSE: Bewitching Brews All the glory, warmth and majesty of the sun -- darkened. A delicious blend of bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense and heliotrope, with a drop of cinnamon.
In Bottle: Pure almond extract
On Skin: Another scent that reminds me of the icing I used to make as a child. It was basically powdered sugar and almond extract with a little water. This smells like I just opened the bottle of almond extract, super sweet. Yum. The vanilla intensifies the sweetness of course as does the heliotrope… two blends that turn into pure sugary delight on me. WOW! The frankincense is light but adds a slightly darker, smoky note far in the background, just enough to give it some oompf! The cinnamon also adds another layer, a slight spice playing with the extreme sweetness of the scent. Personally, I don’t like cinnamon and wish it didn’t have that note in it, but oh well. All in all it’s quite nice, but damn sweet. I like it a little more after drydown when it blends with my chemistry and becomes a more morphed form of itself. Sweet but sexy, smething that is nice to get a light whiff of, nothing you should breathe in deeply. After about 20 minutes, Big Red gum. Not my thing sadly. Moderate throw, but short wearing length, it faded super quick.
TUM: Excolo Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day!
In Bottle: Metalic herbal
On Skin: This has a sour metallic herbal note that just turns my nose the second I smell it. Eek. I smell something slightly woody/resin… maybe an incense. I also smell a berry or fruit that gives a slight seeet note, maybe grape? Yes grape, Grape Bubble-Yum. After about 5 minutes, clove comes through, spicy and a bit off to me. I get a bit of a cough medicine feel from it with the medicinal herbal note that shines through. There might be honey in this as well, because I get an additional syrupy note in the background. Normally I love honey, but with the odd mixture here, it just doesn’t work for me. This scent makes me a little ill sadly. It reminds me of Honey Moon (the honey and herbs) mixed with Kali (grape/wine) and maybe Three Witches (clove/spiciness). Very odd…
LUCY’S KISS: Love Potions Created to represent the essence of Bram Stoker,s tragic herione, Lucy Westenra. Seductive, wanton and deadly, but underscored with a soft, wistful innocense. The gentle scent of rose and a blend of Victorian spices
In Bottle: Sour rose
On Skin: Well, I’m trying this just for fun. I know I don’t like rose scents, but I’m trying to make my way through the entire BPAL catalog and I’m almost there. This is a strong powdery rose. I also smell another floral, maybe lily, that sweetens it slightly. There is also a slight spice which is a nice contrast to the sour rose and slightly sweet other floral note. It still is a rose scent though, and I think BPAL has plenty of those so this one doesn’t seem too special, but I do like the description. And as usual, rose scents make me think “old lady” right away. To me this is a grandmother scent.
NOSFERATU: Diabolus We’ve finally caved in to years of requests for vampiric scents. As soft as grave dust and as dry as a breath drawn within a long forgotten crypt, this is Nosferatu: desiccated herbs and gritty earth brought to life with a swell of robust and sanguineous red wines.
In Bottle: Dirt
On Skin: The dirt note jumps forward. It is so neat! It’s not exactly like Zombi, it’s more ozoney and lacks the obvious florals. This smells like dirt and laundry detergent. It’s very fresh and actually a bit seductive. The wines are not deep, more light and bright… not mulled or heavy. I love this!!! It is a scent people will notice and ask about, completely original! It has a spring feel, like I’ve been working in the garden. It has average throw but doesn’t last long sadly. I would love to have it last longer because this is a scent I will be wearing for sure.
DANUBE: Wanderlust Rhododendron and bellflower petals swirl through deep, cool, dark aquatic notes.
In Bottle: Sharp floral
On Skin: The Rhododendron is the key player here. I remember it strongly from planting it in our garden with my mom when I was younger. It’s very sharp and pungent. The aquatic notes are strong too. I get a strong spring feel from this… flowers, plants and crisp ozone. A very bright blue feel with a bit of bright white. I get something citrus, grapefruit I think? It’s sweet yet tart, beautiful. It also slightly reminds me of Pele, it wakes me right up. It is a pretty scent but florals and I aren’t the best of friends. I would love to use it as a linen or room spray in the spring.