Brianne

In the bottle: Bright yuzu On me: On my skin, Aizen-Myoo is mostly yuzu and it smells bright, crisp, clean and citrusy. It makes me think a lot of the scent Clean actually. Oddly enough it settles down into a fainter, slightly sweeter scent in only a few minutes. I can still smell mostly the yuzu, but now it's not so sharp. And there is something else behind it, which is... for lack of a better word... musky. It's not musk, but it has the same effect - soft, a little sweet, warm. This really melds nicely with my skin and it's one of those scents that just make your skin smell nice, rather than smelling like you put something on, if that makes sense. It's clean and a tiny little touch of sweet. Final note: I'm not sure if I'd need a bottle of this, but I just might. It is very light and feminine, and fades quickly however.

In the bottle: Woah anise On me: Not much to say about this one. Per usual, the lemon doesn't even show up on me, and this smells pretty much just like licorice and nothing else on my skin. Final note: Pretty eh in my book, but I never detected anything other than the anise really.

In the bottle: Vanilla yummy-ness On me: Oooh Zephyr! How I love Zephyr! It seems to be somewhat of a trend that the lemon in any of the BPAL scents really never shows up on me. I've only had it show up maybe twice and I've tried many blends that had it listed in the notes. This is another case of that, the lemon and lemon verbena seem to be totally missing. To be honest, this scent is mostly the musks, vanilla, and sandalwood coming together beautifully to create a warm, sexy, and almost playful smell. The bergamot shows up a bit later on, but it's very faint and only acts as a compliment to the musks. This is definitely gender neutral, I could see this working on a male or a female. Final note: Big bottle must in my opinion. Especially if you love musk!

In the bottle: Frankincense, but something comes off a little bitter in here too On me: At first, like someone else has said - this made me smell like bathroom cleaner. It was kind of odd and turned me off to this scent pretty much right away. I don't know if it's the frankincense, or the combonation of these scents but something smells pine like, which is part of the bathroom cleaner smell. A while later, it's clear to me that this is just the scent on me. It's not going to change. Final note: Bathroom cleaner. Yup.

In the bottle: Mildly sweet and floral On me: I can really see how fitting this is for the image of Alice. And I can also see why people would recommend this as a rather all purpose blend, because it's pretty mild. Not to be confused with bland. It's a really pretty scent - very soft, very feminine. It's like carnations dipped in honey. It's just a little bit sweet, a little bit floral, neither one are too overwhelming. The bergamot adds just a little bit of "oomph" to this scent. Very pretty! Final note: Very pretty, and I think this would be enjoyable for just about anyone. Though, I have to say it's very faint and fades quickly, so at least for me, this requires a lot of reapplying during the day, especially if I'm sweating.

In the bottle: tropical floral On me: Like a lot of other people, I don't usually find myself drawn to florals. This is really nice though - it's very light and airy, and even as florals go, it's rather understated. It's got such a feminine, tropical feel to it - I can definitely see this as being representative of Pele. This is, in my opinion, a perfect Spring or Summer scent. The kind of scent I'd wear to the beach, or to walk along The Strip to visit summer shops. It's mysterious and lovely. Final note: This is a surefire winner in my book, even for those of us who don't like florals.

In the bottle: Strong, perfumey, and sort of powdery On me: This isn't what I was expecting from the description, but it is what I was expecting from the reviews. People have pretty much gotten the same thing I did from it. It wasn't so much earthy - though I could smell that loamy smell behind the "perfume" smell. It was rich and moist, and mingles well with the main note of what I think is ginger. It's peppery and spicey, and a little bit sweet. There is something else in this blend that is very familiar to me, but I can't put my finger on it. I see this as the kind of blend that a mature, established woman would wear. It's confident, and feminine, and a little bit sultry, but also a little business like too. Final note: This is a nice blend, and it makes me think of a more commercial perfume, but without that "fake" sort of smell to it.

In the bottle: sweet and musky On me: My skin must be eating up some of these notes, because there are some notes that are very much missing in this on me. The lime and myrrh never show up at any point in this scent. I'm okay with that though, since what I got was very lovely anyways. I would call this a more masculine scent - it's got a very cologney vibe going on. The pine takes a backseat to the patchouli and vanilla - which is great, because you can smell it, but it's not so in your face like pine usually is. The patchouli and vanilla combine well together to make a musky, earthy, and slightly sweet blend. The clove is faint, but it definitely adds a little spice to this as well. Final note: Not quite what I was expecting, but still a lovely blend I think I will use my imp, but probably not go for a bottle. Though I'm thinking about gifting a guy in my life a bottle of Voodoo

In the bottle: Can definitely smell that sweet pea! On me: This is a fairly simple scent in my opinion, but in a good way. It makes me think of baby oil a bit, and smells to me like someone does when they first step out of the shower - like clean, fresh skin with the faint remnants of soap and powder. It's warm, but still lightly floral and feminine. The sage brings that sweet pea down a notch, but this still remains pleasantly sweet and light. Final note: I don't think I'd buy a bottle of this, it's a little too light for me, but I will definitely wear this when I want to feel fresh and clean and light

In the bottle: Dark maracchino cherry On me: This is a lot like Blood Kiss, only the sweet/sensual part of it is gone. This is earthy, raw, and sexual - but not smooth and creamy. The cherry is heavier in this, and it's a dark cherry, lacking all but a tiny little taste of it's normal sweetness. This cherry is backed by very dark wood, the smell of myrrh making this earthy and deep. Final note: I didn't catch the clove in this, but it was pretty much everything it said it would be. Definitely an interesting scent, very sexual in my opinion. Would work on a man or a woman.

In bottle: A bit like wood polish On me: Amaltheagray was right - R'lyeh is EVIL GRAPEFRUIT. The grapefruit of dark and murky waters lol. Despite the dark element of this scent, it's still refreshing and clean smelling. Definitely a spicey aquatic/citrus. The spice is kind of woodsy and deep, and the aquatic note is very similar to the one I smell in Jolly Roger. The citrus is more of a yuzu grapefruit - deep and tart. Final note: This is quite unique and refreshing - and I actually think this would smell great on a guy. Not that it wouldn't work on a girl, but it's not the type of scent I typically wear. It's still really nice though!

In the bottle: A rich, woodsy citrus On me: I'm not sure how well I'll be able to describe this, as I find this is a pretty complicated scent. In a good way The first thing that comes out is the citrus - it's not bright, sunshiney lemon though - it's deep, dark lemon. That phase quickly dies down though and Torture King becomes a very well rounded, woodsy/spicey masculine scent. The ambergris and clove are dominant on me it makes for such a comfortable, yet sexy scent. I can definitely get away with wearing this, but I can also say that this is masculine. This scent is just sweet enough to balance out that earthy musky part of it. Final note: I'm not sure what else to say about this one - it's very pleasant! I love it and my brother loved it. It's also long lasting and has a lot of throw.

In bottle: Oddly bitter/tangy deep note - makes me think of Queen of Clubs On me: That bergamot and rose is mixing to make an oddly citrusy floral note with a touch of powder. Despite that, this scent is rather dark I think and has a lot of depth. It's definitely got warmth and is a bit intoxicating I feel. This is overall very incensy in the vibe it gives off. After a while in the drydown phase, it's light and still like incense with a bite. I think a guy could definitely get away with wearing this. I have to say that this smells exactly like Queen of Clubs did on me. It's not unpleasant, it's just not really for me. Interesting though, no doubt. Final note: Very interesting, incensey scent

In bottle: Spicey floral On me: This is pretty straightforward and simple on me. It's a soft, slightly spicey and powdery floral with a touch of warmth. It's pretty girly and feminine. If Fire Eater had a color, it would be soft pink. There's really nothing about this scent that stands out too much to me, it's not bad at all, it's just not really my thing. Soft, girly floral. Final note: If you like soft florals, this would probably be your cup of tea. I have to say that this faded REAL fast on me too. EDIT: I actually wrote this review earlier before I hit submit, and at this time, the scent has grown on me a bit. It's more of a comfort scent than anything. I can see myself wearing this on a rainy day in the house, or on days when I'm feeling rather youthful and girly.

In the bottle: Woah salt. On me: Wow. I gotta say, I ordered this more out of curiousity than desire. I'm drawn to all things piratey, and so this was a given. I didn't expect to like it though. But this has turned into such an amazing scent. At first, it was strongly aquatic - like a blast of salty seaspray. It settles down after a while though and the woody scent comes out pretty and soft. The leather is definitely there, just like the scent of raw leather is wafting on the ocean wind. I cannot put my finger on why, but this scent is powerfully nostalgic for me. It brings about a sense of comfort and calm, and joy. And I couldn't tell you why, but it draws me into this scent even more. Final note: It IS a little masculine, but I could see myself wearing this now and then. I mostly want to keep it to sniff and feel comforted by. Probably use it as a room scent as well. This is one lovely blend, it's just so unique.

In the bottle: Slightly citrusy/spicey On me: This is very much like Snake Oil. Pretty much exactly alike. The only difference is that there is something slightly clean and crisp behind it - kind of citrusy, kind of linen like. This is definitely lighter than Snake Oil though, kind of like Snake Oil's little sister. It still has that warm, slightly sweet, and slinky quality though. Final note: I love this, but it is too much like Snake Oil in my opinion and I feel a little disappointed about that. I LOVE Snake Oil, but I'd just as soon wear actual Snake Oil lol. I will definitely use this bottle as my back up though. It's a great scent, I was just expecting it to be a little different! ETA: 2|13|06 - okay so I wore Snake Charmer for the first time since testing it today and I am significantly more impressed than I was the first time. For some reason, the first time I tried it, I never got that plum note. Now the plum note is there in full force and it adds a really nice angle on this. It's like a light Snake Oil + a clean fruity kick of plum. Just lovely! I will definitely wear this more now!

In the bottle: Warm, smooth - definitely smell that cocoa! On me: This is really interesting - the cocoa bean, and vanilla come out the strongest on me - makes this slightly foody but not too much so. It's mostly just warm and comforting. But there are other notes in there that contrast with those - not clash, but definitely contrst - like the bergamot and fig. They both make a lovely compliment to this. The lemon doesn't come out on me really, the slightly citrusy note I'm smelling is the bergamot. There is also a slightly woody scent underneath this - I'm wondering if that isn't the calamus, because that's the only note listed I don't recognize. Final note: This is slightly masculine in my opinion, but I will definitely still wear it. After wearing this a while, it's less the warm, silky scent that it starts as, and is more a woodsy scent with warm and sweet depths. Very interesting! ETA: Jan. 28th, 2006 - Believe it or not, I haven't worn Freak Show since I tested it! And now I kind of regret that, because I put it on today and I really enjoyed it. I do have to say though that I think if you crossed Intrigue and Vice, you would get something very much like Freak Show to my nose. It smells very similar to both of them! Very figgy cocoa.

In the bottle: Soft honey and almonds On me: This is so sensual and soft. The honey and almonds are not too sweet or cloying, and the spices are beautiful. I did notice that when I wore it during my monthly cycle, it turned a bit powdery and tangy, but any other time I wear it, it's absolutely gorgeous. This is the perfect scent for the woman it honors - it's sexy, sensual, powerful, and yet strong and willful. It is one of those scents that melts perfectly into my skin and makes me feel sexy all day long. Final note: Next order I make, will definitely have a bottle of this in it.

In the bottle: Dragon's Blood with a big kick of pepper On me: This is everything is promises to be - Dragon's Blood, pepper, cinnamon and a tiny hint of clove. It's interesting to expect a more fiery scent (I was expecting more cinnamon to be honest) and to not get it, and yet still feel that this is a perfect representation of a fiery scent without being so obviously so. I have to say that the pepper threw me off at first, it wasn't mingling well with the other scents. But after a while it settles down and this is really more Dragon's Blood than anything. Which, I should mention that Dragon's Blood DOES have a tendency to smell kind of lilac-y I've noticed. Not that I'm complaining, I love that smell. I can definitely see where people are making comparisons to Big Red chewing gum, because it does sort of come off that way. However, the longer it settles, the less like that it becomes, and the more it starts to come off like a spicey floral. Final note: This is a hard to describe scent, and yet, it's exactly what the description says it is. It's a unique combonation of notes, and though I don't like it enough to get a full bottle, I'll definitely be keeping my imp.

In the bottle: An odd floral note, not one I recognize On me: Cordelia was pretty much all the notes I was wanting to stay in the background, and none of the notes I bought it for. I love lilac and any tea note, and sadly - neither ever showed up on my skin. Neither did the lemon for that matter. However, there was another floral clearly present there that I didn't recognize at all, which could have been the wisteria or the osmanthus. It wasn't pleasant or unpleasant, either one - just kind of there. The musk was quite strong in this on me, and I was okay with that, because I do so love musk. The thing that ruined this scent for me though, was the cedarwood note. It was just too much. It gave the musk this bitter, odd, and slightly spicey quality that I didn't enjoy. Obviously, cedarwood isn't for me (first blend I've tried with it). Final note: For whatever reason, my skin just ate the notes I really wanted to smell (like the green tea) and amped all the wrong things. I will say though that this is one long lasting scent. I didn't really put that much on, and a whole day and about 4 hand washings later, I can STILL smell it on my hand.

I can only say this after hearing things about it, because I've never tried this blend myself yet. But I've heard that Cathedral smells like just burned out candles. So, smokey. Don't take my word for it though!

In the bottle: Very potent floral, slightly creamy quality to it On me: For a floral, I think this comes off pretty nice on me. And it's got lily in it... which I can smell... and it only smells like soap a *little bit*, which is somewhat of a miracle. The sweet pea and honeysuckle are the strongest on me, and though I smelled a little tiny bit of pear at first, I don't anymore. If this floral had a color, it would be pale pink. It's soft and feminine, and not overbearing, but definitely floral. The longer it's on, the more the musk warms it up, but the overall floral effect never goes away. Final note: Very pretty floral, and very long lasting with a lot of throw too!

I was very lucky to get a frimp of this in my last order, I'm very grateful In the bottle: Very strong mint and what smells like a touch of eucalyptus On me: This is WAY minty, which is a big yay from me, because I love love love mint scents. I swear I'm smelling a touch of eucalyptus too, because there is just the faintest breath of something herbally and earthy and medicinal that is grounding this mint and keeping it from becoming candy like. I think I'm smelling a little bit of lotus in there too, because there is a very slight bubblegummy note in the background, and I don't like lotus, but this is so barely there that I don't mind. There is something else here, a little bitter, musky and sweet at the same time. It's very hard to tell, I can't really describe this scent aside from that unfortunately, but I do like it. Final note: Mint is definitely the main note in this, so if you don't like mint - you're probably not going to like this. But it is a very refreshing, and yet dark scent. Lovely!

In the bottle: juicy juicy juicy apricot On me: I was really eager to try this scent. Before I got into BPAL, if someone had asked me if I would wear something that smelled like apricot I would have said no. But since then I have realized that I love it. There is something about Beth's apricot blends that I just adore. They're fun and sweet, but not too sweet, and kind of playful and even sexy in a way. This is no exception. The clove is wonderful, it's pretty mellow but in a nice, dark way. It's gorgeous. Final note: Love love love this.

In the bottle: Almond rum - VERY boozey On me: This is everything it says it is. It's boozey, and warm, and a little sweet. The rum note is probably strongest on me. I think this other boozey note I'm smelling is the honey mead, it's really not familiar to me at all, but is distinctly alcoholic. After about 5 minutes, this becomes primarily buttercream and hazelnut. It makes me think about Yankee Candle Company candles actually - if you were standing near the hazelnut coffee candles, it kind of smells like this lol. It's pleasant, and a little sweet, though on me it's surprisingly faint. Final note: This is nice, but not for me. I imagine people who enjoy boozey or foody scents will really like this