I just can't.

[lavenderfrost]

So I just placed another BPAL order.

After a year and a half of gazing longingly at the website and sniffing my favorite imps, I worked up the courage to order a 5ml of Danube and 3 more imps.  Juliet and Titania will be next on the bottle!wish list, along with anything I may like from future imp orders.

Comments

[bluetooth16]

What is it with BPAL that everyone gets in a tizzy over? IDGI.

[lavenderfrost]

The product is seriously that amazing. If you like wearing perfumes or body sprays or whatever (or just smelling good) then you'll love BPAL.

They make their perfume oils for more geeky discerning customers - it's nothing like your average department store designer perfume counter. They don't just throw things together that would smell pretty and say O HAI LOOK NEW PERFUME I CAN HAZ PROFITS NAO???

Every scent they do has a specific theme. They have collections of scents inspired by literature/literary characters, history, mythology, folklore, religious figures/symbols (good and evil), aromatherapy, steampunk, Vodoun, comic books, paintings, different famous (and some fictional) places throughout the world, etc. Not all of them are even meant to smell perfume-y (or even good) by traditional standards, they're meant to capture the essence of what it is that inspired them.

I read an article somewhere (can't remember where, exactly) where the author described BPAL as 'perfume for smart people.' That's probably the best summary

[bluetooth16]

Now I'm intrigued, even though I love Juicy Coutoure's perfume. How do I go about testing scents?

[lavenderfrost]

You can order samples - single imps' ears (the official name for the tiny sample-size bottles of oils - unofficially, people call them imps) sell for $4.00 each, or a 6-pack of your choice of samples for $22. If you find something you like, you can order a 5ml bottle for about $18 plus shipping. A randomly-selected free imp is also added with every order you place.

They're a bit on the pricey side because everything is hand-mixed with fresh ingredients after you order. From what I've heard, the wait used to be 4-6 months between placing your order and getting your product because the internet following has always been SO huge and enthusiastic, and they didn't have enough help. Now? I'm probably looking at about a month (give or take a week) to wait.

Cruise the website - every single section is worth perusing, but I'd recommend starting with Illyria (Shakespeare collection), Wanderlust (scents inspired by places), Excolo (gods & mythology) and Ars Amatoria & Bewitching Brews (vixen!perfumes ftw, though BB is a rather eclectic

[bluetooth16]

Cool, I might start with the travel or Shakespeare stuff.

[lavenderfrost]

When it comes to the Shakespeare, along with Juliet & Titania, I also bought/reviewed Ophelia. It was nice, and if I have the extra money someday I might order a full bottle, but for now there are others that I was personally more enthusiastic about. (Like Danube. *cough*)

My other reviews:
Veil
Eos

One thing to keep in mind is that the oils will react differently to different people. The same scent will smell different on 2 people due to differences in body chemistry (and timing on menstrual cycles for women), so don't get discouraged if you order and don't find something that grabs you right away.