VioletChaos

Thanks again so much to Glambie, my Con fairy for getting this for me! In the Bottle: A clean, fresh tea rose, with some green stem. the green stem reminds me of the "Dandelion sap" note from Strawberry Moon '09. Wet On Skin: The green is hanging back and the rose is becoming a bit more spicy. At this stage it's reminding me of a perfume my grandmother wore when I was a kid. So far, this doesn't have the strong almost-chemical under note that Peacock Queen had on me. Here's hoping it stays that way... Dry Down: I can see how someone might get citrus from this. I'm not, but there is a...tangy?...quality to this scent. At the same time, this certainly reads as a Single Note on me. Just as a fresh rose in a garden has depth and layers, so too does Cherokee Rose- but it's still just one thing, not a compilation of several. In All: Medium throw, this is a clean fresh "Rose's rose". I could certainly see mixing this with other rose scents, such as Victorian Rose Milk, when I want to amp the rose note for the day. I'm really glad that I have my one bottle and at the same time, I don't personally feel like I would ever need more than the one. However, if you're a really big Rose fan, this might be one you'll want to hoard.

I'm really seasonal in my BPAL-wearing anyway. I find Coxcomb, for instance, to be the most perfect Summer Blackberry scent ever and wore it liberally the last 3 months or so. I do tend to favor 'Weenie scents for Fall and around Hallowmas, especially stuff like Pumpkin Latte and Autumn Cider and the like. I wish Jack didn't have peach in it as that's a death note for me. If the Labbies hear my plea and resurrect Pumpkin King for their anniversary this year I SWEAR I will wear it to ALL Autumnal and Winter celebrations!

Spanish Carnation Single Note smells like a florist shop to me- that uber-fresh delicious floral that only comes out of a shop FILLED with flowers

As with the other Single Notes I've tried, the first thing I notice about Eight-Petaled Lotus is that it stay true from bottle to application through dry-down. In the BPAL universe it's one of the rare instances of "what you smell is what you get" from start to finish. I like that about the SNs. There's a security in that. I am in agreement with Mellifluous- there's something that reads as a 'lotion' smell to me in this. It's light and floral...I guess. I mean, I'm actually finding it hard to ascertain *where* this scent belongs, which is funny because it's a single note, so it *should* be really obvious! There's a softness to this scent. It's got a light to medium throw, but don't let that fool you- this Lotus holds it's own. You can slather it all you want, it's not going to become over-bearing. It's just not that kind of floral. That's why I hesitated to even call it as such. for me, I like the occasional floral, but there's nearly always a point where it'll become too cloying, too overwhelming. I don't see that happening with this. Unlike Siberian Musk and Spanish Red Carnation, I don't know that I can see myself wearing this one alone- unless I was in a really vulnerable head space, then it might be the only thing to console me. But no, mostly I can see layering this with another sweet or feminine scent to give me a softness (like mixing it with Smut, maybe!) or else adding a depth (Like with Mid Winter's Eve, perhaps.). In all, glad it's around, and really, really glad to be experimenting with all the new Single Notes!

I think I am falling more and more in love with Siberian Musk. In the bottle, it smelled very strongly of black or brown musk, the kind that usually turns to wet cardboard on me in a matter of moments. But shortly after I put a drop on my skin, I *got* it. Siberian Musk and I began to develop our understanding of one another. I can see what's being said about Snake Oil, but honestly, what I'm getting from SM much more is Snake Charmer. That heady, sweet dirty vibe, and the thing - I believe - that is aging so amazingly in Snake Charmer (and likely also what makes Snake Oil so much more fabulous when it's had a chance to sit around stewing in it's own juices for a year or so! ) So what started out as "Yeah, maybe, but..." Has now become "Um, I NEED this. NAO." in a matter of an hour. For every day? For me, probably not. But when I need something over-the-top rich in the middle of a dark, cold winter's day? You better believe I'll be reaching for this one. Like, a LOT.

In The Bottle: Dark, syrupy cacao with some nice deep vanilla playing at the edges. Wet On Skin: The bitter green of the hiba wood is showing up a tad in the background and there's a 4th player as well, but I honestly can't quite put my finger on it. It's maybe the opoponax, as there is some spice there that's reminding me of Pink Moon '07... Dry Down: Wow. This had changed *dramatically*. The Dragon's Blood is out and about, with some honey, but not in the sweet fae feminine combo we see in Dragon's Milk, because the sharp edge of the cacao is keeping it more adult, along with the patchouli making it a little more sexy, sultry. In All: Light to medium throw, this 13 is unlike any I've tried before. My (limited) experience with Brian's blends, however, leads me to believe this is right on par with his style- dark, sinister, sexy and always a surprise. It's apparent already that this is absolutely going to get better with age- I look forward to re-testing in the fall when the crisp weather and gathering gloom will make for the romantic bedfellows this scent so richly deserves.

It's funny, it's been so many years since I've used mainstream haircare products that, for me, my first reaction was NOT shampoo or hairspray but...candy? And...lipgloss? Hmmm That said, I can see how one would jump to body products upon initial investigation of this single note. As with Red Carnation, I notice right away that there's little difference between what I smell in the bottle and what blooms on my skin. So as I said in my other SN review, it certainly seems like these are of the "What you see (smell?) is what you get" variety. Which I like. Sometimes I want something straight forward with no surprises. All that said, I think what I'm realizing about myself is that it takes a LOT of finesse for me to like an Apple scent. Last autumn's Spiced Apple Cider was pretty much the be-all, end-all for me with Apples. Maybe it's the lightness of this one (it has a decent throw but it's a rather timid apple- less crisp than some others, less foodie.) The blossom aspect as opposed to being straight up fruit, perhaps. Maybe it's the thing that others find "soapy" or "shampoo-esque". Whatever the reason, it's a perfectly fine scent, and I'm honored I got to test it, but it's not one for me.

This? Is GLORIOUS. Now, anyone that knows me more than a few weeks learns quickly that my favorite of all flowers is the unsung hero, the Carnation. Oh, I obviously love violets and I like a good green tea rose and the like. But carnations have always held my heart. they are fresh and spicy and resilient (lasting several weeks in a vase!) when all others wilt. I love carnations. Growing up in New York City, I've, over many years, gone to every place I can think of to get a good carnation perfume. Aphrodrsia, Enfleurage, Fresh...all to no avail. Until now. I am immediately understanding the allure of Single Notes- this being my first. There's a purity to them. What you get in the bottle is largely what you'll get on the skin. For those that need complexity, in terms of layers that reveal themselves as the scent is worn- Single Notes probably aren't going to be your thing. You are meeting the scent on the scent's terms. In the case of this Red Carnation, it is everything I could have hoped for and MORE- because with this I get that rare, precious thing- a perfume that stays true from bottle to application to drydown. And what's more-and ever MORE rare-a scent that actually smells like THE THING IT'S REFERENCING. Yes, this doesn't come across so much as a Carnation Perfume/Fragrance so much as, were I to close my eyes and be lead to this scent, I would be very likely to believe I was actually smelling a bouquet of carnations. Medium throw and just beautiful beautiful beautiful. I WILL be getting a backup bottle for sure. A wonderful way to kick off the new Single Notes! I cannot sing enough praises! :wub: :wub: :wub:

I was excited about getting to try this scent because I am a fan of incense and orchid scents alike, and it seems like a fairly ideal pairing, so let's see if my theory is a solid one, shall we? In The Bottle: Yup. That's orchid alright! Was there an orchid note in Lady Lillith? Because I am very strongly associating the scent of that oil with this. Much more so than the Lune Noir I was sure I was going to get, actually. Wet On Skin: Much the same, but with an added edge of the violet/water/floral that showed up prominently in B340. I'm not much for the overtly "perfume-y" kinds of scents, but the two afore-mentioned are the exceptions to be sure, so my comparisons to this are very good indeed. Dry Down: Staying true. In All: Medium to high throw- I'm finding that a little will go quite a long way. Although GVB, as with all the other Bats this year, was not what I had thought it would be- I was expecting a smoky plum-ish affair, not like one or two offerings from the Carnivale. Instead it's this clean, breezy floral that I think will do quite well when it's hottest this summer. Very womanly, rather French in terms of it's sensibility and weight, I'm pleased to have GVB, though of all the bats, I think this one will be the most misunderstood.

Of all the bats this year, this is the one that I was coveting the most, and also dreading the most, based on the mix of notes. So...I don't really know what's going to happen here, but I know that so far not a single Bat has been what I thought it was going to be. Therefore, there is only one thing to do with this Wild Card- play it! In The Bottle: the cacao is definitely front and center. This reminds me of one of the more recent incarnations of 13, actually. From May of 2011, perhaps? My Wooden Box O' Doom is in another room, so I can't check at present, but...trust me- it's got that bittersweet chocolate edge to it that's foodie without being at all kid-like. Wet On Skin: Ah, hello, patchouli! How ARE you? It's been a minute! I'm getting a fabulous mix of a very dirty patchouli indeed, with the cacao holding it's own in the near background. This is the patchouli from Mme Moriarty. I'm sure of it. It's dirty, but it's also sweet, with a LOT of depth. I'm really liking what it's doing paired with the chocolate. Dry Down: Brown musks most frequently wind up smelling *exactly* like a huge bundle of wet cardboard. That is to say, not terribly pleasant. I am pleased to note that the brown musks have done no such thing in this blend- huzzah! Also pleased, actually, that I get NO trace of the sarsaparilla, and I'm so sorry to those who love it, but...I'm glad. Because that is a note that invariably turns to flat, sour root bear on me and that is a thing no one wants to smell like. And by no one, I mean me. In All: Low to medium throw. This scent has shaped up to be a fabulous alternative to Mme Moriarty. I'be often wanted another scent with that same patchouli note in it, and this is a great one. I have a feel, based on the notes, that, like Mme Moriarty and others that seems to fall in that same family (Snake Charmer, Snake Oil) that this is only going to get better with age. LOVE!

In The Bottle: I can see the "musky cotton candy" analogy. There's definitely a creaminess from the get go that is sort of front and center, with some underlying dirtiness that makes it less-than-innocent. Which, if you think about it, isn't too far off from what a bunch of Goths invading The Happiest Place On Earth is kinda like... Wet On Skin: the ambergris in this is GORGEOUS. Creamy and soft, without turning into a musk- this is shaping up to be rather fantastic. Dry Down: The copobiba and benzion are in collaboration with the ambergris making this so rich and yummy and sensual without being overtly sexual and without being inappropriate in any given environment. In All: A low throw, this scent clings to the skin like a silk camisole, hugging the body in all the right places and offering a surprising amount of comfort. This might be my favorite Bat this year! ETA: This is the second day I'm wearing this gorgeous scent. I realize that it seemed familiar somehow and now I know what it is: This fragrance smells very close to Tears of the Seraphim Bath Potion! Which is handy for me, because I'd been rather sad that I could only smell that deliciousness in a bath form. Not anymore! Bwah Ha Haaaa! :wub2:

Based entirely on notes alone, I had resolved to (moderately) hoard this one. But when I gave it an initial sniff at the Black Market, I was so overwhelmed by smellies that I actually couldn't pick out anything. not that that stopped me from obtaining two bottles Now, we shall see if one of these needs to be adopted into another family or if my foolhardy snap decision proved to be all the wiser... In The Bottle: Interestingly, I'm getting orange creamsicle. I can only assume it's the vanilla cream and the saffron doing a little dance. I've not objections, mind you- but it's not what I expected. Wet On Skin: Same! There's also a little Fruit Loop thing going on- I'd bet dollars to donuts that's the lime showing itself. I don't know if it's just me but if lime is added to most things, it makes that thing smells vaguely of Fruit Loops. Again, not a horrid discovery, just...unexpected. Dry Down: Holding steady as a vanilla-lime ricky of sorts. In the same way that Kingdom of Sweets is crystalline sugary orange- all bright sparkles and hard edges with a nice dollop of citrus- so too is Vespertillio a sparkling-sweet lime concoction. Ginger scents almost always amp the ginger on me, almost to frightening levels. but here it stays well put. Throughout this has remained rather solidly Vanilla-cream, Lime and Saffron. In All: Low throw, a sweet unassuming daytime scent. Fun and playful without being childish, I rather like it. I'm curious to see how it ages, but if it stays true, then I will probably keep my opened bottle and pass the backup off to someone who might really, really need it.

This may be a strange pairing, that has sprouted in my mind, but here it is: What Red Lantern Atmo Spray is for Winter? THAT is what Pyriphlegethonian Pomegranite Atmo Spray is for summer. Now, don't get me wrong- these two smell almost nothing at all alike. But! In the same way that spraying a bit of Red Lantern causes a distinct feeling of the actual atmosphere, the mood, the vibe of a place, changing utterly, so too does Pyriphlegethonian do that as we get into warmer climbs. Having not had the good fortune to yet get my hot little hands on some Crypt King, I cannot speak to the comparison made by the previous poster. But I absolutely agree that the fruit is balanced nicely by the addition of the tobacco. Further, in the past I've not had very good luck in finding a pomegranate scent that really worked for me, though I really, really wanted them to. but I think now that the solution to my problem is to have it be a room and linen spray instead, because this is so very lovely. Rich and decadent without being *too* heavy for the warm months, and packing quite a bit of punch, so you needn't spray more than a squirt or two in a room, this gem, which it's fantastic note list, promises to only get better with age.

At the Bat's Day gathering, this was the first event item I needed to sniff. It did NOT disappoint. In the bottle, the cream is rather heavy and rich, but without reading as foody. I've tested a small amount on the back of my hand, now, and the rose is much more of a prominent feature than in the bottle. This scent reminds me *very* strongly of the Victorian Rose Milk proto, which is the rose scent- apart from Hope- that is nearest to my heart. If you missed out on that, you might be lucky enough to find someone that is willing to supply you with a sample of this lovely concoction. Now, for those who've not read my other bath oil reviews, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll say that I do not frequently use BPTP bath oils actually *in* the bath. (I'll do it once in a while, but not with any regularity). Mostly how I use these oils is in my hair, as a sort of "leave in conditioner"- especially on the ends, which are all fried from bleaching and dying- and I will sometimes just rubs some into my arms and legs, as you would do with a light to medium body moisturizer. both suit my purposes just fine and obviously that will help make the precious last a little bit longer besides. I mention all this because I know for many folks this is not the time of year one associates with baths. But do NOT let that deter you! If you have the opportunity to check this lovely substance out, by all means do so- use one of my above methods or think up a brand new one. but if you are a lover of sweet roses and Victorian-era perfumes and creams, trust me- this will in no way leave you wanting.

Because the note list was so similar to SM 2009 (apart from the addition of honey in this version), I wore that one a few days ago in preparation for doing a comparison with this one. Let's see how they match up! In the Bottle: There's definitely the same juicy-tartness of the strawberry from '09, but there's powdered sugar sweetness that's toning down the tart a bit. I'm also getting the first hints of honey too. Wet On Skin: I am *really* liking this. At this point, wet but warmed, it's like a cross between SM '09 and Pink Moon '12. It *smells* Pink. It's sweet and luscious and makes me wanna wear about 6 pounds of berry-red lipgloss and flippy skirts. Dry Down: The honey has transformed the strawberry and the whole scent has become soft and round and almost musky. A pale musk. No sharp edges here. Yes, a sweet, berry-tinged pink musk. In All: Low throw- this scent stays close to the skin for sure. This would be fine to wear to a summer picnic or work, but I would also wear it on a Summer evening when I know a date is going to end in something passionate. This is a grownup scent to be sure. Sweet but rather sophisticated. I am SO glad I picked up 2 bottles- I think I'll be wearing this a LOT in the coming months. :wub:

Based on the notes, I knew I had to take a chance and get a bottle asap, figuring that even if it's not my favorite, I'll love it enough to warrant a whole bottle- and if it's as good as I anticipate, I'll have enough time to get a backup or two! That said, let's see how it all came out: In the Bottle: the first thing I pick out is the ebony, the same variety from both Antikethyra Mechanism as well as Glowing Vulva. Immediately following that resinous wood, I get the cacao and the orange in equal measure. This is heady from word go. Wet On Skin: the sweetness of the ebony is still most prevalent, but now the coffee and the tobacco are having their say. the orange is there in the background, adding a roundness to the feel. Interesting, in spite of all the food notes, this isn't reading as foodie at ALL. Very grown up. Very serious so far. Dry Down: The orange has become more dominant- and far more bitter. I don't have any prior experience with osage orange and how that might differ from standard varietals, but if I had to take a stab, I bet it's a kind that's far more bitter than what we generally get from the grocery store. The ebony and cacao (also a dark/bitter type- NOT the yummy-sweet Bliss kinda chocolate to be sure) are still here, and the coffee/tobacco has become the combo that they were in Pinched With Four Aces! In All: low to medium throw- far less than I had anticipated based on the note list. the way the various notes weave in and out in this intricate dance, this scent goes beyond being a morpher- and I think will absolutely improve with aging. Ruddy Daggerwing winds up being a walk down BPAL memory lane, a chance to visit all my favorite scents from yesteryear, and yet be it's own thing as well. A keeper, but I think I'll wait a month or two before I decide to stock up on more.

So is it just me or has anyone else had the great fortune of having Morocco smell nearly identical to Antique Lace on their skin??? I sniffed it at a Will Call a few months back and did a test and ZOMG, it's really, really close! I'm relieved because I adore Antique Lace so very much and don't have nearly as much on hand as I'd like, so I'm just thrilled that Morocco is an almost dead ringer for it!

Oh thanks for the tip. I will be on the lookout for both. When I do I will let you know how I made out with them. I need some absolute favorites. Luck and Laughter,Tricia I have Hollywood Babylon. I really like it a lot. It was one of my first purchases. Thanks,Tricia I too am a red musk junkie, so don't forget about Lust, in the Sin & Salvation section. Love it a lot! I also am a fan of the red musk. While it's another LE, getting any year of Smut should be relatively easy to find- BPAL is good about re-releasing it nearly every Lupercalia, so folks are usually willing to trade them. For a red musk fan, it's worth hoarding. At the latest, you should be able to stock up next January when the next set of Lupers go live

I agree that this incarnation of Pink Moon is quite different from other versions but retains a "pinkness" to it. In the bottle, all I get is the white chocolate, maybe, *maybe* a hint of carnation in the background, but it's really about the cocoa butter for sure at this point. Wet on the skin as well as dry, the chocolate remains the dominant note, but the familiar spicy florals have a definite presence too. In the end, it came across on my skin as Pink Moon '07, with white chocolate. Which isn't bad, but I *had* been hoping that the honey and bourbon vanilla would have more of a presence, but for me they seemed to be absent. Medium throw, and with a surprisingly long duration, it's possible that Pink Moon 2012 just needs some age time for those others notes to come into their own in the mix. And since I was going to say that because of it's relative lightness, to save this scent for late Spring, that just might give it the time it needs to go from a sweet week-day scent to something truly monumental. Glad I got it, but I might swap the backup away, depending on what happens between now and June.

In The Bottle: Strawberries and cream! Nomnomnom Wet On Skin: It's still got those two notes in the forefront, but there's definitely the incense-y undernote of champaca in the mix now. It's subtle, though- at least at this point. Dry Down: Okay, I'm getting the tobacco and a tiny hint of the cognac now. They toned down and softened the sugary sweetness of the star berries and cream. This scent has become like Antique Lace's sweet and wistful little sister. Whereas AL gives a feeling of heartbreaking nostalgia, Pink Lace has a gentleness, an innocence that is just gorgeous. In All: Low throw, this is definitely a "skin" scent. There's a possibility for seduction with this scent, but it's not bawdy or raunchy in the least. I can't yet tell if this is something I'd wear for Valentine's or Lupercalia, but it's something I'm *definitely* going to slather once the weather turns warm. Thrilled I got 3 bottles!

In The Bottle: Mostly cloves and vanilla, but there's an under note that makes me think "Christmas!" instantly- I'm bet tin it's the frankincense and myrrh. Wet On Skin: There's a softness to this clove that I didn't get from, say, The Smiling Spider, but I find that I'm liking it, it's a nice counterpoint to the sharper clove from that scent that I'm used to. Dry Down: I feel like this reminds me of one of BPAL's baked confection or cookie scents, but with added clove to make it less foodie, more refined. I like it! In All: Low throw, this scent stays close to the body. It's a good scent for those that find the pastry scents to be too overpowering in their foodiness. It's definitely lighter than I had anticipated it being, given the list of notes. I shall wear this in later spring, through summer, on evenings when I want both elegance and femininity. Glad I got it!

In The Bottle: Carnation honey. All carnation honey, all the time. Wet On Skin: WOW- the carnation is REALLY strong. This smells like fresh cut actual carnations, not like a spicy perfume note as I experienced in Pink Moon, for instance. I sure hope it stays! *Fingers crossed* Dry Down: The carnation in this is AWESOME. I have been waiting literally for YEARS to find a real carnation, as they are my favorite flower. and this is IT. Yes, there's some honey in the mix, and maybe a touch of the myrrh. I get NO red musk, strangely, as I usually amp that. But I'm okay with it, because the carnation is just so so so good. In All: Medium throw, rich, husky and sensual, this is a great floral for those that don't like florals. I am positive it's only going to get better with age. Woo Hoo!

In The Bottle: Sweet yummy pink strawberry sugar! Nomnomnom Wet On Skin: Yup. That's strawberry candy alright! Dry Down: Yeah, I see how the vanilla is hiding there. This is like strawberry pixie stix if you ever had those. I'm not usually much for "candy" scents (I like my foodie oils a bit more grown up) but this one is really, really good. In All: Low throw, a sweet daytime scent for you and also a perfect scent for children that want to feel special by wearing "grown up perfume". Glad I got a bottle!

In The Bottle: Vanilla, chocolate, pomegranite, all very strong. Like chocolate covered fruit. Wet On Skin: What?! where'd all those notes go??? NOW I'm getting all the roses and maybe some of the champaca- nothing else. All those sweet foodie notes have vanished! Dry Down: Ahhhh, NOW it's coming together. I get vanilla, rose (both kinds), benzoin and myrrh. So, lost some and regained a few. In All: This scent is a real morpher, and whenever I encounter a scent with so many notes, I always think that it's better to let it sit a while and age, give all those notes a chance to better get to know each other. So that's what I'm going to do, then I'll check back in with this bottle in a few months. Jury Is OUT!

In The Bottle: The clove, a tiny bit of the myrrh and a dollop of the Daemonorops combine right away to give the impression of a dark, sweet cherry scent. Normally I find anything resembling a cherry note to be too much for me, but I'm liking this...so far. Wet On Skin: The peppers are starting to come out, warming up the aforementioned notes. At this point, I detect no chocolate or labdanum. Dry Down: I can see where the prior reviewer got the "bubblegum" equation from. It doesn't read that way to me, but I can see why it would come across that way. The clove and myrrh mix in this way that makes it seem sweeter and more "fruity" than either separately. But there's a deep quality to this- this is not a teenybopper scent in the least, and my instincts say that this is one of those that has the potential to be unbeatable, after it's had about 6 month to age. In All: Low throw with lots of spicy resin undertones, this will be favored by some as a seduction scent. for me, I can relate to the madness aspect of this perfume's message, and so may wear it on days when I feel more inclined to embrace my "Girl, Interrupted" moments- perhaps even revel in them.