BPAL: Twilight Alchemy Lab

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Depending on how many of these I do in the future, I might split this into separate categories.

• Concentration (Utility Blends), 16 October 2006
  On first sniff, this is a potent lemon and mint, reminiscent of the kind of cough drops that really work. Maybe there's a bit of eucalyptus? It's cool and a little sweet, and definitely clarifying. The blend wakes me right up! I'm not sure about the efficacy of the blend, but this is definitely something I could use as I try to focus on a big project.

• Determination (Utility Blends), 26 November 2006
  Yowza! This is definitely a strong scent, vetiver and patchouli, masculine and, yes, determined. It might be overpowering to some, but it's strengthening as well. Personally, I like these two dominant notes together, and they do keep me sharp and focused on what needs to be done. This is definitely something I'd want to have around for all-nighters.

• Lionheart (Joy & Inspiration), 05 May 2006
  I was expecting to have yet another grinding day of work, so I dabbed my wrists and throat with Lionheart.
  
  Scent-wise, this is a warm, outdoorsy scent. There's a lot of green in it, and a floral that reminds of lavender, but it isn't. Is it heliotrope? Like others have mentioned, it is reminiscent of a sunlit day, and there's a round amber-ish note that lends a cleansing aspect to the scent. It could easily turn to soap on some, but luckily my chemistry didn't turn on me here.
  
  In terms of effect, this blend helped me focus tremendously. The paperwork didn't get better, but I was able to dispatch it quickly enough, and with minimal grumpiness. Yay!

• Road Opener (Joy & Inspiration), 24 May 2006
  Scent: On me, this is a lovely, sweet mint on first application, but the sweetness fades away after a few minutes. It's quite bracing, a bit like peppermint, but not foody. After a while, the mint fades into...rose? Something that reminds me a little bit of Bess, actually, rose and mint and a bit of greenery. It's faint, but pleasant.
  
  Usage: I tested this out during a particularly hectic time of work, when a lot of projects were piling on, plus grading for my class. I felt stuck, no trapped in the rut of my predecessors, and I needed a new way to deal with everything. I don't know how to assess efficacy, but the ritual of using this blend to center, to focus my energies on my tasks, was extremely helpful.

• White Light (Purification, Protection, and Uncrossing), 05 February 2006
  This is a pungent yet clean scent on first application, fresh and herbal and a little sweet. It's very well blended--I can smell floral and herbal notes, but I can't identify any of them for certain. A couple of reviews mentioned gardenia, and I do think that might be one of the floral notes. There's a bit of a soapy note as well, but that's not a bad thing, in this case.
  
  Overall, this is a sweet and refreshing blend that I really like. I'd definitely consider a bottle.

Updated 29 December 2006.