requieminblack

First sniff from the bottle- Wow! This smells just like Kama Sutra edible cherry vanilla massage oil! Or maybe strawberry lip gloss? After 10 minutes- I don't smell booze in this at all..I think there is supposed to be amaretto and burgundy wine in this? Oh wait..now I smell the Amaretto but it is very soft. If I didn't know better I would think this was a candied cherry/vanilla/rose blend. After 30 minutes- Ok, Bordello smells like candy mixed with Kama Sutra cherry vanilla massage oil and Punky Color hair dye all mixed together. I know that may not be completely helpful but that is what it smells like to me, Summery-Bordello is too candy sweet for me. I know a lot of people will just love this though!

First sniff from the bottle- OMGWTFBBQ? Buttery bread dough!? After 10 minutes- Wow. Just wow! Gluttony smells just like baking bread! I was expecting it to be much sweeter. It is a more of a warm fresh out of the oven loaf of bread that has just been slathered with butter. There is ginger in this...the same ginger from Gingerbread Poppet, just a lot less of it. After 30 minutes- I still smell hot buttered bread. This is amazing! A foody scent lovers dream come true! Summery- Gluttony is so much like my preciousssss Gingerbread Poppet, I can't help but love it. Must. Order. Vat. Now.

My review of Mid Winters Eve is short and to the point. It smells like cherry kool aid. I really wish I could smell plums and spices but on me all I get is cherry candy/kool aid.

First sniff from the bottle- Obsession? After 10 minutes- This smells like Obsession to me. A dark incensey amber musk. The amber is dominant. After 30 minutes- Ok, now I am detecting the citrus. The incense smell has died down and now it is a deep powdery amber citrus. Summery- Haunted is very sultry, dark and sexy. I don’t like how amber smells on me, but this is a gorgeous sexy scent. I would love to have candles that smell like this.

First sniff out of the bottle- This one is going to be tough. I am getting...herbal carnation? After 10 minutes- I am smelling a minty herbal with touches of carnation. this blend is complex. Is that clary sage and witch hazel I smell? This reminds me of what hospital bathrooms smell like. Very clean and sterile. Ok, now I am getting a faint soapy rose note. Very odd. After 30 minutes- This has to be the strangest smelling BPAL I have tested. It went from herbal carnations to hospital bathroom and now it is rose scented soap. Summery- This one is too weird for me. Not bad but not good...just weird. It's going in the swap pile.

First sniff from the bottle- Jasmine! After 10 minutes- Beth hit the nail on the head with this one. This is what New Orleans smells like at night...if you were standing right in front of a Garden District house covered in jasmine and honeysuckle. This is old and musty yet sweet and floral. I am not really detecting any lemon or spice, unless that is what is giving the slight 'decay' smell. After 30 minutes -This one is nice because it smells like fresh flowers instead of a chemical floral perfume like most jasmine scents do. It's very pretty but I just can't wear florals. I think I will send this one to my Mom who loves jasmine scents.

Swarthy and vibrant! An elegant, full-bodied scent that ignites all the darkest passions. Bold red wine, mimosa, and a trickle of clove. First sniff from the bottle- Blueberry? Spicy blueberry? After 10 minutes- I think wine scents really work well with my body chemistry because this is divine! It smells of clove mulled sweet white wine mixed with fresh blueberries. I am not sure where I am getting the blueberry smell from. Maybe that is the mimosa? After 30 minutes- OMG this is amazing. Clove, clove, clove and blueberry wine! Someone mentioned Sangria...yes, that's it! Except it is spiced with cloves. God, I could get high off of this! I am tempted to pour this over my head and roll around on the floor like a cat in catnip. Purrrrrrrr. Summery- Old Madrid is teh yum.

First sniff out of the bottle- Grapes! After 10 minutes- I want to say it has that Occult shop/ritual smells to it. Yes, that is what it is. Like fresh incense on charcoals being burned outside on a chilly night. I smell Juniper berries and fresh rosemary mixed with red wine. There is a smoky muskiness to it but it is very subtle. The grape/wine scent dominates. After 30 minutes- Wow. This is just...magical. I am still getting smoky grape and juniper. It is berry sweet yet slightly spicy, like mulled wine, as others have mentioned. I don't get anything animalistic in this at all. If there is a civet blend in it, either I don't smell it or I like it. All I can think of when sniffing this is 'Dionysus'. This is truly his scent. Summery- I want a big bottle of this. I just can't get enough. I didn't think I would like it based on the description and reviews but I am in love.

First sniff out of the bottle- Sharp and boozy! Smells like brandy to me. After 10 minutes- Smells just like Eggnog! Mmmmmm, creamy, nutmeggy goodness. Wait a minute...where did it go? Now I smell nothing. ::sniff sniff:: The scent disappeared! Nooooo! I want my Eggnog back! After 30 minutes- Ok, that was weird. I went and made myself some coffee and as I was pouring the coffee creamer in I got a huge whiff of....Eggnog! Hey, it came back! Woo Hoo! Now I am getting a bit of the smell others are calling 'Playdoh'...but I like it, so it is not a bad thing. Call me crazy, but I like creamy nutmeg playdoh! Summery-

First sniff out of the bottle- Dry wood and lots of it. After 10 minutes Ok, now I smell the cinnamon but the wood scent is dominate. The mix of the dry wood and spice is quite nice. It’s like a cinnamon tree amongst a mossy forest. It sort of smells like men's 'Old Spice' cologne. After 30 minutes- It's still a warm and spicy wood at dry down. I don't detect any floral in it at all. Summery- Yum! This one is a keeper for sure!

Babykitty, don't feel bad. My husband *hates* 99.99% of all perfumes. If he smells perfume or cologne on another person he always makes comments on how horrible it is and how it burns his eyes and nose. If we go out to eat and there is someone sitting near us wearing a strong scent he will insist on switching tables because it bugs him so much. The only thing he tolerates on me is my signature scent which is either a 'pumpkin pie' type oil I make, or my favorite BPAL Gingerbread Poppet. I think he tolerates it just because he knows how much I love it and it makes me happy. I think that it being a foody scent makes it more acceptable to him as well. No BPAL oil no matter how fabulous it is would make him give me extra romantic attention. (A skimpy silk nighty does the trick though )

First sniff out of the bottle- MMmmm! Smells like my Hello Kitty and My Melody stuff! That tale-tale 'Sanrio' toy smell! After 10 minutes- This is unlike anything I have ever smelled before. I am smelling the Dragons Blood...and vanilla but there is something else there....I guess that is the honey I am smelling. ::sniff sniff:: Yep, it's honey. After 30 minutes- This still keeps making me flashback to childhood. It smells of Hello Kitty (the scented stuff) and new Barbie Dolls at Christmas. I think the Dragons Blood has an ever so slight hollyberry smell to it that is making me think of Christmas. For me this is a comforting happy scent. Summery- Dragons Milk is amazing. Hello Kitty toy smell in a jar. I must get a big bottle of this immediately!

First sniff out of the bottle- Spicy bubblegum! After 10 minutes- Oh wait, that's not bugglegum...maybe that is the Myrrh and Copal I am smelling? The cinnamon scent dominates with touches of Myrrh and Copal. It's like Mexican Catholic church incense that someone dumped a load of cinnamon sticks into. After 30 minutes- Seeing that I almost like anything with cinnamon in it, I am loving this. The spice has settled down and now the resins are really coming out. Sweet pure incense resin. I don't really detect any of the honeysuckle in this but maybe it is what is keeping the resins so light and ethereal. Summery-Yummy. Chimera is a Midnight Mass in Mexico followed by a big feast of Chicken Mole Tamales.

First sniff out of the bottle- Smells just like mint tea! After 10 minutes- Mmm, smells like fresh herbs in a herb garden. It reminds me of the English mint my Mom had growing in her garden. It's that green herbal minty scent of a freshly crushed mint sprig but it is not all that minty if that makes sense. After 30 minutes- Now it has gone all medicinal like Vicks Vaporub and Cloroseptic. Summery- If you like herbal scents then this one is for you. It is way to medicinal for me

First sniff out of the bottle- Mmmm, clean smelling and fruity! After 10 minutes-This smells kinda like Awaphui shampoo...with freshly snapped aloe vera, pear and cucumbers mixed in. It is very refreshing -clean sweet and 'wet'. After 30 minutes- Now I just smell a nice 'fresh out of the shower' clean scent. Like that Awaphui shampoo. Summery- Machu Picchu is a great scent if you want to smell like you just got out of the shower all day. Unlike the other scents that smell soapy, this one just smells 'clean'.

First sniff out of the bottle- Dry wood smell. Almost like a bamboo/vertiver scent. After 10 minutes- Now the sandalwood is coming out. It is very soft and powdery when blended with the other wood scent in this. I am not getting any dragons blood coming through...just a clean woody soap smell. In fact it smells just like the sandalwood soap they sell at Whole Foods. This is very masculine. After 30 minutes- All I smell is Sandalwood soap. Summery- Dragons Bone is a very clean soapy scent. Very masculine. Pleasant, but not for me. I think my brother would like this.

First sniff from the bottle- ::Sniff Sniff:: ......soft powdery flowers. Violets maybe? Lilac? After 10 minutes- This smells like....a baby. It is a very soft and pretty scent....it smells like violet scented powder or wet wipes for babies. ::Sniff:: Yep, 'Spring Bouquet' scented baby powder all the way. Is that what aquatics smell like? I am not smelling anything 'salty' here. After 30 minutes- I can't smell the Dragon's Blood in this one at all. All I get is babies dipped in violet powder. Hmmm..it kind of gives me a head rush when I sniff this. I wonder if there is clary sage in it? Summery- Dragon's Tears is a really mild powdery violet scent. It is nice if you want to smell like a babies bottom which I don't. It faded rather quickly as well.

First sniff out of the bottle- Bitter lemons. After 10 minutes- This smells like a men's cologne I have smelled before...something my Dad wears. Yep. Smells just like Aramis. Like a lemon that has been left out to dry in a box made of bamboo. After 30 minutes- Blech. Now it smells like cheap lemon scented furniture polish. Summery- Now I know why this one was discontinued. I had to wash it off my hand it was so nasty. Furniture polish city.

First sniff out of the bottle- Warm and masculine. I smell patchouli but it is not over powering and 'dirty hippy' as patchoili usually is. After 10 minutes- Definitely a man's scent. The heliotrope and copal are coming through which compliments the patchoili well. ...and this is coming from a person who hates patchouli. After 30 minutes- I swear to the Goddess this smells just like money. Take dollar bill or whatever paper money your country uses and take a big whiff. That is what Greed smells like. I shit you not. Summery- Masculine earthy money. That about sums it up.

Wow, the description of this one decribes it perfectly. It smells just like antique furniture! First sniff out of the bottle- Wood! Smells vetiver to me. Maybe that is teak I am smelling... After 10 minutes- I have now been transpoted to an antique shop filled with lots of old wood furniture and random 100 year old bric a brac. The wood is polished and clean but the mustyness still comes through. After an hour- the wood smells have faded and the rose and lilac have taken over. It is still an old and musty scent but now it smells soapy.... like a Victorian bathroom. Summery- I really like Ouija because it captures the scent of antiques perfectly. I can't however see myself wearing this on my body. It would make a better room spray or candle scent.

I bought this from someone on the forum randomly, just to try. I am so glad I did because Sacred Whore of Babylon is amazing! First sniff out of the bottle- MMmmmm, yummy! Juicy, spicy fruit! Smells like Spiced figs cooked in cherry brandy. After 10 minutes- OMG I never would have thought this would be so good. I am smelling the gardenia coming through...mixed with a Spiced Fig/Pear fruit scent. There is something else though....I can't quit out my finger on it. After 30 Minutes- As it settles the spices come out more. Do I detect a hint of black pepper mixed with the cinnamon? Maybe a touch of vanilla? Summery- Spiced Figs and Pears cooked in Brandy and Vanilla served to you by a half naked sexy man while lounging in a 1001 Nights style boudoir draped in layers of flimsy sheer chiffon. I am getting a big bottle for sure.

I have been *really* excited to test Mata Hari because I love coffee scents. I just got my little imp in the mail, so here we go! First sniff from the bottle- Woh! Strong Jasmine! After 10 minutes- The roses are coming out now. Very pretty. Jasmine swirling around a rose garden. I am not getting any coffee coming through which is disappointing. Smells just like my Mom's perfume. After 30 Minutes- Ok, it is getting softer now. I can smell a slight hint if vanilla now. Mmmm, yummy. No wait...is that the coffee? It must be. Ok, this really is starting to smell like my Mom who is never seen without a cup of coffee in her hand. Summery- Mata Hari smells just like my Mom. She wears Jasmine/Rose perfume and drinks about 2 pots of coffee a day. It is a very soft and comforting grown up scent. I don't get stale coffee at all. More of a deep warm vanilla floral. Simply stunning.

I knew I would love this one just from the name alone. I finally got my grubby little hands on a bottle and low and behold it is at first sniff! Out of the bottle- OMGHOLYCRAPPYUMMYYUMYUM!! Smells exactly like my favorite Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin!! After 10 Minutes Squeeeeee!!! Baking Gingerbread, fresh out of the oven! After an hour As it settles I can smell vanilla mixed in with the ginger and spices. It smells just like Starbucks Gingerbread. Summery Why is this a limited edition? WHY WHY WHY??!!! I think this and Jack may end up being my favorite BPAL scents of all time. Beth, pleeeeease bring this back! Edited to add- After all the BPAL scents I have sniffed, nothing compares to Gingerbread Poppet. This is my signature scent.

First sniff from the bottle - OMG this is so strong it almost blew my head off! Smells like the perfume department at Macys! After 15 minutes - Strong old lady perfume smell. I smell lemon and white musk but no vanilla. After an hour - I am still just getting lemon and white musk but not as strong as before. I mostly smell musk. I still can't smell the vanilla, which is a disappointment because I love vanilla scents. Summery -Yuck. Based on the description this one sounded delicious. I really wanted to like Zephyr but I think the white musk is what blew it for me. My skin seems to soak up the musk, which doesn't work for me at all.

Spellbound reminds me of the way my favorite Occult shop in Houston smells. ::sniff sniff:: Yep, it smells just like the Magic Cauldron! Ok on with the real review: First sniff - Smells like Nag Champa to me. After 15 minutes - Smells like Nag Champa and Rose incense had a baby. After an hour - Now that it has settled down it smells just like this Rose perfume oil from India I have. Not my favorite.... It smells way too much like synthetic rose incense for my taste. Sorry Beth!