tinyvulture

the crisp, wintry scent of frozen slush and sharp eucalyptus. i love forest scents, but honestly, this doesn’t remind me of a forest. there’s really very little pine. it’s in there, along with light florals i can’t identify, but the snow and eucalyptus are definitely the stars. i’d say this is like a less sweet, more masculine version of Snow White’s chilly florals.

Monoi de Tahiti, vanilla, white coconut, tuberose, ylang ylang, white musk, red hibiscus, and neroli. the gardenia and hibiscus are most noticeable when i first apply it. these pretty tropical blooms are intensely sweetened by the vanilla and a touch of coconut (if you don’t like coconut, don’t worry, it’s very light). the orange-scented neroli adds vibrancy and cheer. a fun, energetic summertime scent – sweet, tart, floral and citrusy. and yes, agreeing with other reviewers, it does smell like Sweet Tarts!

now that i finally recognize the scent of gardenia, i can tell it’s strong here. the orchid is far more subdued. the vanilla is lovely and there’s just the slightest touch of exotic incense. breezy, floral, tropical and feminine. nice when you just want something subtle and light. a similar GC scent would be Euphrosyne, with its gardenia sweetened by vanilla.

a strong, powerful scent, loaded with cedar and vetiver. there’s also something spicy and medicinal – i would guess sassafras, although it’s not listed in the description. i don’t smell any tangerine. there’s nothing citrusy or sweet about this. it's one of those awesome scents that really captures the smell of being out in the woods, breathing in the trees and earth. perfect for lovers of vetiver and of dark, heavy, woodsy blends.

the strong vetiver scent of the khus is the first thing i smell. my, how vetiver has grown on me. i love it’s sweet earthiness. it’s like an olfactory symbol of autumn. the combination of vetiver and dried leaves makes this scent somewhat similar to Samhainophobia, but it’s more grassy and herbaceous. the oud and galangal contribute herbal qualities. it’s a masculine scent, but not such a strong “men’s cologne” as October. of the GC scents, i’d say this is most similar to Scarecrow -– the sun beating down on dried, scorched grass -- but with the addition of lots of vetiver.

i smell fruity wine combined with clay. the clay note is interesting. it really does smell of clay, freshly dug from the earth, with traces of dirt mixed in. there’s also the blood note, similar to that in my beloved Centzon Totochtin. it’s a difficult note to describe, but it’s resinous and slightly sweet. this is not a bold scent. there’s a dustiness to it, like it’s been aged for years and forgotten about. that seems appropriate, given the name. very pretty in a subdued way.

i confess…i’ve never had a martini! that said, Swank smells to me like a fizzy and slightly lemony soda pop -- a Sprite or 7-Up perhaps. crisp, refreshing, tart, sweet. the subtle fruitiness of the pomegranate is a nice addition. light, cheery, bubbly.

whoa, this is heavy. a heavy, dark, smoky fog of opium and various burning resins. it’s so strong, practically oppressive, and yet there’s so much beautiful sweetness from the benzoin and opoponax and of course the opium. the orchid isn’t noticeable at all for several minutes except as a vague soapy note in the background, but it becomes more recognizable over time. i’m having a conflicting emotional reaction to this. on one hand, i think it’s gorgeous in a ceremonial, somber, church incense kind of way. i’d love to attend a mass that smelled like this. on the other hand, i think it’s totally sexy in a powerful, masculine way, and i can’t wait to slather it on my husband! definitely one of the most unique bpal blends i’ve ever tried.

here is lotus at its boldest and fruitiest, perfectly balanced by a soft, true rose note. an enchanting combination. i think i smell cherries, too. like cherry cough syrup. in a good way. perhaps it’s just the fruitiness of the lotus. this is the ultimate in femininity. super sweet without being childlike or cloying. it’s definitely a grown-up woman’s perfume, perfect for a romantic date.

if you’ve ever used Lush’s ‘A Ring of Roses’ buttercream, this scent is quite similar. soft, romantic rose and invigorating, citrusy neroli combine in an unexpectedly lovely way. well, unexpected for me, because i often find neroli bitter. here, however, the rose accentuates it and it becomes a thing of beauty. i detect only a hint of almond and none of the clove or nutmeg. i think this is nice to put on fresh out of the shower in the morning -- the citrus wakes you up and the rose calms you down, and you’re ready for the day.

if you enjoyed the tobacco and vanilla combination in Black Lace, i would recommend this scent. i’d say it’s the male companion to Black Lace, really. the spicy tobacco and soft vanilla are seamlessly blended with teak and oak, two of my favorite woods. the oak reminds me of the strong oak note in the Hesperides, and the teak is dry and refined as usual. i agree with other reviewers that it has a Victorian feel -- proper on the surface, decadent underneath. there’s something cold and dark about it, too, like sniffing cold marble or metal.

my first impression is: “smells like minty leather.” as it dries, i can smell the leather blended with smoky opium, tobacco, jasmine, and sugared lily. i was excited to smell that sugared lily, since i love the lab’s other sugared florals. but it’s jumbled in with a lot of other notes and it’s sort of hard to pick out. still, it’s there, and it adds something. i have no idea why i’m smelling mint! there’s so much going on here, i think my nose is confused. i don’t think i care for the combination of the masculine leather and sweet, sugary lily and vanilla. off to swaps.

i really thought there was red musk in this. maybe arabian musk is similar? it’s a warm, red, sexy scent, but it’s also surprisingly light and mild. not much throw. besides the musk, i can smell the dragon’s blood and fruity red currant. i’m not picking up the amber or honey, and i’m not sure what kush smells like. as musky blends go, i like it, but it’s not one of my favorites. maybe if it were a little stronger.

a bold, wintry, sinus-clearing blend of evergreen needles and that unique BPAL “slush” note found in many yule blends. sweet, tart berries and a touch of minty eucalyptus round out the perfume. i’ve always longed to try skadi, so i’m happy to see all the reviews which point out the similarities between the two scents. personally, it reminds me of talvikuu from yule ’05. this will help me cope with the hottest summer days.

a warming, spicy potpourri blend. the dragon’s blood and cinnamony cassia are the strongest notes, backed by dirty patchouli and smoke. i’m not sure if i’ve smelled blood musk before, but how could it be bad? i’m sure it contributes to the heat of this blend. i’m not smelling anything fruity, no pomegranate or mimosa. just lots of spice and a bit of smoke. it’s not overwhelmingly smoky like, say, brimstone. and cassia seems mellower than pure cinnamon, which can sometimes make my eyes water. an enjoyable autumn scent.

if you missed out on hexennacht ’08, i’d recommend yew trees as a GC equivalent. this is a soft, powdery pine. there’s a sweet note, but nothing fruity. personally, i’m not smelling any berries. it’s more like a dusting of powdered sugar. there’s also something fizzy and hoppy, like beer. like drinking a beer out in the woods. i like it, but i’ve got a bottle of the hex so i’m all set for pine, for now.

lotus on me is usually exuberantly sweet and fruity, leading me to describe most lotus blends as “kool-aid scented” or “something a child would wear.” but that’s not the case here! this lotus is soft, understated, dare i say sophisticated. the strong and smoky opium is the real star of the show, supported by crisp pine resin. i don’t notice the rose or amber. this reminds me of a commercial perfume i’ve smelled before, only much better done, of course. mysterious, exotic, grown-up. it has a nice throw, too.

I’m not really familiar with osmanthus, but it seems like a slightly tart and fruity floral. It combines nicely with the sweet honey and warm musk. I agree with reviewers who call this the Japanese O, or the floral O. I’m not noticing the ginger at all. Harikata is playful, but also sensual. Very feminine. I wish it was a bit heavier, but it’s nice when you just want something light and pretty.

the figs jump out at me right away. i enjoy the lab’s many fig scents, but for me, there’s only one – eden . so while i appreciate the fruity, tropical, floral goodness of the hanging gardens, it’s never going to be one of my top scents. i just say that so you'll know i'm biased. the pears and various flowers are the most noticeable notes after the figs. i’m sad i don’t smell the lab’s luscious plum note. it’s all very light and airy... it’s like a fairy garden, enchanted, ethereal. so light. too light.

right off the bat, this smells like a blend of craft store potpourri and pancake syrup. i thought it might get too treacly or cloying, but it actually stays at the right level of sweetness, wavering between foody and floral. it soon takes on more of a burnt sugar note, which combines nicely with the whirlwind of various florals and fruits. the strawberry and red currant are noticeable and quite nice. the mahogany and teak aren’t immediately identifiable but they add a definite woodsiness. i’d love candles in this scent. a homey, comforting blend, recommended for fans of kill-devil or channukiyah.

Golden rum, apricot liquor, pineapple, pomegranate, ginger, brandy, grapefruit, and pink lime. BPAL’s pineapple note is really mouthwatering! It’s so much like the real thing, I love it! This is a refreshing and fun scent – tart, sweet, and boozy. I smell the pineapple and grapefruit first and foremost, soaked in plenty of rum and apricot liquor. Not really noticing the pomegranate or ginger. It’s juicy and citrusy, like a big cold glass of spiked fruit punch on a hot summer day.

When I first apply this, it’s all wine. Grapey, syrupy and sweet, yet tart. Then the powdery notes of myrrh, jasmine and rose come out. I’m not picking up the patchouli and sandalwood. The jasmine is quite strong, and the spicy floral blends well with the wine and myrrh. A dark, sexy, womanly perfume. Reminds me of something nice my grandmother used to wear.

it’s Baron Samedi by the sea... there’s that same warm, sexy spiced rum note, but this time enhanced by aquatic notes. aquatics are sometimes too sweet on my skin, but this really does smell “salty,” as the description notes. and it’s not a strong aquatic – just a light mist of sea spray cooling your skin. after it dries completely, the wood notes come out. they combine perfectly with the spices. this is a great summer scent.

i’m just now trying a decant of this halloween blend, and i certainly do hope it makes a comeback in ’08 so i can snag a bottle. i love the corny joke of the name (“pear-ilous,” ha). i can’t recall trying any other bpal pear blends, but i hope they’re forthcoming because this note is awesome. baked pears in syrup, covered in sweet vanilla cream. a light, playful food-y scent. great throw and long-lasting, too.

Compared to the original Hexennacht, what I first notice about the 2008 version is the absence of the juicy berries. This incarnation is warmer, softer, and less sweet. The scents of fir and pine are enhanced and heightened by the powdery amber and heated musk. The fir is stronger in this version, and it combines so beautifully with the bonfire smoke, creating an image of the springtime forest after sunset as a mysterious yet comforting environment.