Balame

Aah, the cream, the cream. I absolutely love BPAL's cream but no blend except Glowing Vulva have really given it time to shine for me. The same is true here... While it's very noticeable on first application, the jasmine (blegh) quickly takes over. It mostly turns into a STRONG, almost candy-ish jasmine with white florals and peach. Not my thing!

Heavy on the ambrette: sharp and a bit cinnamon-y. The oudh is doing that ashy thing I don't like. It reminds me of a less boozy, less sweet Ginny (The Reaper of Vengeance). Overall this is making me a bit sneezy. Something of a clean scent but it's mostly dry cinnamon spice on me, and I'm not getting any patch or cedar. The ambergris is barely there on my skin which is a shame.

Huh, this smells like a good commercial cologne. Fresh green pine and just-showered skin, a vanilla-ish tonka. As time goes by the oakmoss does that thing where you can smell something dusty and dry. The labdanum gives it a slightly darker, incense-y edge. It gets more powdery and sweet as it dries... verging on musky baby powder but not quite. Makes me think of a cuddly cowboy? Pretty good.

I get the Silence comparison. Silence is actually stronger than this which is saying something, because it's pretty light. This is less sweet and floral. Peach VI is incredibly light and airy. I was expecting something stronger with the patch, but it's just barely there. It smells like wet, cool blue musk, an almost bone-like benzoin, a whisper of woods and a trickle of peach. Very nice but super light. There's something just barely spicy at the edges which must be the blackcurrant. I'm hardly getting any patchouli here, so maybe my skin chemistry ate it. I like this, but it's so delicate I can barely smell it even inches way from my skin. It smells like fresh air with just a hint of peach and sandalwood in the breeze. I would want more it the sillage wasn't nonexistent... *later* Gave it a bit more time and realized this is one of the unusual blends where it actually gets stronger as it dries. Not a whole lot, but enough that the woods are more apparent and the blackcurrant comes out fully. Even better now.

Uugh, get yourself some Battle of Vigridr (Salt and sinew, venom and flame, and bone shards scattered across the gore-soaked soil of Óskópnir) if you want bloody decay and bone with weird unnerving incense. It suits SH perfecty. Some people think it's actually wearable because it has that perfumey backdrop, but it is so *wrong* to me. I think Tears of Lilith might also fit the bill for SH in general (Hemlock and hydromel and gall, honey and aconite and wine, lavishly poured over a blend of deep red musk, velvet-red rose, and silvery ambergris). It's not the most unsettling scent, but it's quite sad and ethereal, which I suppose suits its namesake. It smells like wet, velvety tears with a few sweet florals and herbs. Makes me think of sad ghosts... Pain (A sharp, cruel blend of lavender and pennyroyal) is good if you want something sharp and creepy. I always describe it as the dentist office from hell. Somehow it smells metallic and chemical. This would be perfect for a hospital scent. Smokestack (Creosote, coal, and industrial waste) might be a bit powerful for "fog" but I could see it working. There is a Fog Machine Juice in the new weenies but I have no idea how it will smell. Maybe When I? (Flue gas, smoke, oil, and tears). Haven't tried it but it sounds airy and weird. And yes, I concur with Goreshock for Pyramid Head. Maybe Blood Moon if you want something a bit less intense. I actually think the linen in it is fitting since he's always wearing that sack robe thing.

No need for apologies, I'm glad you're open to friendships with everyone! I figured you might have meant that the women in your "circle" weren't the right type but wasn't sure, so I appreciate the clarification. I know it can be tough to find people (heck, of any gender) you jive with, but it's nice to know you don't prejudge. Heh, I thought you might appreciate the Embalming Fluid reference. For some reason you give me sort of a modern day explorer vibe, with the interest in history and anthropology, plus the bonus of an intellectual side. Those blends (to me at least) convey strength with femininity and a bit of adventure.

Hey there, I know this is a slight diversion from the thread's aim, but I wanted to comment on the "women are catty and manipulative" angle. I find that this is really no better than saying that "all men are stupid and gross," etc. I understand that in your experience the women you've met may have acted that way - but I really feel that generalizing an entire gender based on those you've been around is very unfair and damaging. Not just for other women, but for yourself. Because for every gossipy type you've met, there's another laid-back, drama-free person like yourself that simply enjoys gaming and sports. You'll find that the majority of people on the BPAL forums are women... and they are intelligent, fun, chill and overall awesome people. I myself am a gamer geek that would rather watch kung fu movies over "chick flicks" anyday, but I've known plenty of guys that give my female friends a run for their money when it comes to emotional drama. So... I guess my point in all this is just that I hope you'll consider looking at your preconceptions again. You seem like a fun person and I would be bummed if you were to make assumptions about others just because of their gender. As women we're already dealing with the short end of the stick when it comes to everyday sexism, rape culture, internalized misogyny and crap like that, so while I'm not saying you should get along with every women because SISTERHOOD, I just hope you'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Anyway! Let's get on to some recs. Tombstone - A rugged, warm blend of vanilla, balsam and sassafras layered over Virginia cedar. Ginny, the Reaper of Vengeance - Sharp tobacco flower and white cognac, a thin layer of smoke, and dusty black pepper pierced by the amber of her eyes. Mr. Ibis - Papyrus, vanilla flower, Egyptian musk, African musk, aloe ferox, white sandalwood. Hunter - Leonine amber, tanned hides, clove, and clary sage. Tristran - Dust on your trousers, mud on your boots, and stars in your eyes: redwood, tonka bean, white sandalwood, lemon peel, patchouli, rosewood, coriander, and crushed mint. Embalming Fluid - A light, pure scent: white musk, green tea, aloe and lemon. Katharina - A strong, willful blend with a soft, utterly lovely soul: white musk with a trickle of bright, sharp apricot and orange blossom. Dorian - A Victorian fougere with three pale musks and dark, sugared vanilla tea. No. 93 Engine - Balm of Gilead, benzoin, frankincense, balsam of peru, beeswax, saffron, galbanum, calamus, hyssop, mastic, lemon balm, and white sage. The Antikythera Mechanism - Teakwood, oak, black vanilla, and tobacco. Anne Bonny - A blend of Indonesian red patchouli, red sandalwood, and frankincense.

Wow, I've never heard of an institution being so strict that you couldn't even use scented shampoo. I understand that some people have perfume sensitivities, but the vast majority of allergic reactions caused by fragrances are due to chemicals hidden in more mainstream blends. I think for the most part BPAL uses natural oils with some synthetics. On the plus side there are plenty of BPAL blends that have low sillage and are considered "skin scents." I can't imagine you'd get in trouble for that when people wouldn't even be able to smell it unless they were pressed up against you. So, I'd use your best judgment in avoiding strong scents that include incense, heavy florals, musks, etc. As far as which scents in particular you could use - Delight and Consternation (Luper LE) is one of my favorites and has been mistaken for my natural scent (if only). Dorian is really light and pleasant, Mouse's Long and Sad Tale, Croquet, Squirting Cucumber, Y'ha-nthlei, Velvet Nudie.

Oh, good! I was feeling the sweet honey and vanilla for you due to your loving/emotional nature, introversion and passion for the outdoors. The cooler blends like Snow White and White Rabbit seemed gentle but intriguing enough to suit your adventurous side.

Half-Elf (I'd go with V5) - White sandalwood, beeswax, white tea leaf, oud, and a hint of sophisticated urban musk. Morocco - Arabian spices wind through a blend of warm musk, carnation, red sandalwood and cassia. Mouse's Long and Sad Tale - Vanilla, two ambers, sweet pea and white sandalwood. White Rabbit - Strong black tea and milk with white pepper, ginger, honey and vanilla, spilled over the crisp scent of clean linen. Honey Moon - Five different honeys, ranging from pale and sweet to deep and heady, with hints of jasmine, white gardenia, Hawaiian white ginger and thyme. Feed Me and Fill Me With Pleasure - Black patchouli, honey, and thick vanilla amber. Snow White - Flurries of virgin snow, crisp winter wind and the faintest breath of night-blooming flowers. Contemplating the Moon Through an Open Window - Milk accord, tuberose, oakmoss, Asian pear, opoponax, and carrot seed. Loosening of the Obi - Rice wine, white sandalwood, vanilla bean, and white musk. Lamia - Pale orchid, vanilla amber, black currant, white peach, champaca, coconut, Arabian myrrh, Burmese vetiver, and oude. Love and Sleep - Fig milk, vanilla, orchid, and ylang ylang. Hal - Saffron-infused bourbon vanilla, blackened honey, Kashmir wood, Atlas cedar, ambrette seed, hay, and Egyptian jasmine absolute.

Damn, I have no idea what's happening with this blend. It should've been a winner for me based on the notes, but it's nothing like I expected. I get a huge wave of nauseating white florals with super candy-sweet fruit, which I can only assume is supposed to be the Lab's hibiscus. This happens to me sometimes with the Lab's fruit notes, but it's kind of a bummer since I love hibiscus juice and tea, which are usually sweet and refreshing. Here it's more like a sugar-laden Jolly Rancher version of itself. I literally get NO vetiver or sandalwood, both of which I like. This kind of smells like a perfumey, sugary bubblegum, as Catseyes mentioned in the OP. There are whiffs of pleasant white tea here and there, but unfortunately that's not enough to save this from the floral/candy avalanche. Boo on you Yurei, you let me down! For people that like Tamamo-no-Mae though, I think this is somewhat similar.

There's a well-defined silvery, chemical aspect to this scent... with a hint of herbs. No doubt the laudanum and "mercury." It's very interesting. It makes me think of being inside an art studio where people are painting but there are also fresh vases of flowers scattered around. Really heady and hazy, yet the "silver" aspect makes it sharp as well. While I'm not usually a floral lover, the rose and carnation are pretty here. They're muted in a way that I'm not picking out one over the other, so it's like someone smeared a bunch of red petals around and this was the resulting mix. Definitely not for me, but as it dries it becomes less sharp and more... almost cozy. The opium makes a bigger appearance and turns the flowers almost fruity. I think it suits its namesake very well. Romantic but a little dangerous and unsettling.

Wow, I can't believe so many people aren't liking this one. I guess my skin chemistry saved the day? I mean, I loathe white florals, but the flower component here is very light to me. Mostly I get a slightly sweet, fresh, crystalline water. It reminds me of Sea of Glass, but honestly SoG got far more soapy/flowery on me than this. The description from the Lab is very apt; it's peaceful but somehow a bit melancholy. Makes me think of unicorns and sparkles in the moonlight and other such dainty, pretty things. Quite the delicate scent, and inoffensive to me, the High Queen of Floral Hating. Not my style, but certainly not something I'd recoil from on someone else.

This is another LE, which kind of defeats the purpose of this thread, BUT it wasn't a number-limited run like Ava so you can find it floating around at times: Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending. Similar heady, feminine and flirty mix. Looking at the GC - have you given Dorian a shot? Someone in the Ava thread said they were like two sides of the same coin, where Ava is warmer and hazier and Dorian is more cool. But I can smell the resemblence: both give a sense of vanilla musk with some dainty florals and citrus.

This is way more relaxed and light than I was expecting considering so many of the notes are usually very "rawr" (pepper, clove, vetiver, frankincense)... Surprisingly (and thankfully) it's not super spicy at all. Instead I get a sense of wispy incense with the softest hints of honey and earthy vetiver. For those who are scared of vetiver, don't fret - like all the other notes, it's very subtle here. Duskywing is very "sheer" like Black Swallowtail was to me, but this is more my style. It makes me think of a belly dancer or a veil. All translucent, fluttery silks and a comfortable sensuality. A hazy but soft sort of blend.

A lot of people seem to be digging this one. To me, it’s a very “lady-like” blend. The tonka and sandalwood make for a very smooth, dignified base of resins, while the ambrette adds a touch of sharpness making it smell more typically “perfumey.” I can’t pick out the orange blossom specifically, but I think without it Goatweed wouldn’t be as warm and (fairly) sweet. Contrasted with the lushness of Eastern Comma this is a good bet if you want something less overtly sensual but still alluring. I’m kind of on the fence about this one. Every time I think I can pass I give it another sniff and think, “Well maybe not!” Something about the resins almost remind me of the Lab’s “paper/book” blends like Aziraphale, but where some of those are dusty or dry, this is smooth and warm. It’s understated but attractive. *edit* No longer on the fence. After retesting a few times, I'm getting an offputting baby powder smell on the drydown (as have a few others, it seems). Pass.

I have a severe deficit of bright, happy scents in my collection. They tend to be dark and somber or rich and seductive. Which is great, but sometimes you just want a fruity, flighty sort of scent, you know? Especially for warmer weather. Most of BPAL’s fruits are either way too sweet or turn plastic-y on me. But not here! This is the exact sort of fresh fruit scent I’ve wanted. Better yet, it has *yuzu* of all things. It’s both bright and sweet and utterly yummy. This is a blast of super juicy, freshly squeezed fruit. The “lime-tinted” musk makes it brighter still, but the cool bit is that I’m not overwhelmed by citrus. I can just barely make out the plum and cedar, which give this the level of grounding it needs to be energetic but mature. And the thyme lends a sweetly herbal touch that provides more complexity. I'm glad to add it to my more permanent rotation.

Oof, I’m not a licorice fan, and this is definitely a licorice-heavy blend. Despite that, “sheer” is a good word for it, as patina said. It smells like airy licorice soap bubbles, and for once the florals aren’t making a strong appearance. It has a silvery-black color association in my head and something of a sparkly quality. But it’s not much more complex than that (on me at least). I’m glad I’m not getting beat down by the florals, but can’t say it suits my taste.

Blergh! Nope, not for me. For some strange reason I was reminded of black olives upon first sniff, but then it got worse. Very medicinal smelling, almost like cough syrup. It’s clearly the cardamom tea, but I guess I’m used to richer blends that use it like chai. This is plain, watery cardamom spiked with dry oakmoss and cedar. Clearly this is meant for those who love cardamom in all forms!

This is nice. I don’t what it is, maybe because I’ve tried so many of the Lab’s patchouli blends at this point, but it’s not bowling me over. If I had to compare it with something it actually reminds me a bit of another butterfly, White Peacock. Here the patchouli is calm with a slightly sweet edge, where Peacock is more in your face with both the patch and vanilla. All, “LOOK AT ME, I’M BEAUTIFUL DAMMIT.” (Which I like when I want to feel pretty, oh so pretty. ) In contrast there’s almost something grassy/earthy here in Yucca… probably the balsam and oudh? I like the resins here, but I think I already have resin blends that out-resin it, and patch/vanilla blends that out-patch/vanilla it.

So good. Very horde-worthy. I got a big smile on my face as soon as I smelled this. It’s nostalgic for some reason, like when you were little and playing in a sunny field without a care in the world. At first it’s a great big blast of sweet orange, literally like you just squeezed some. The juice is sticky and yummy and dribbling down your hands. Then as it dries you get wafts of beautiful, rich tobacco deepening everything and making it more grown up. Finally the hay peaks out as a sort of wispy, sun-warmed grass. It’s lazy and indulgent and so, so beautiful. If you like French Tobacco and are even sorta’ okay with oranges, you must try this. Gold, warm and bright, it’s a perfect summer scent. I’m getting another bottle (or 3).

This is soothing. It kind of smells like the desert after it rains. Like damp sand and all the little herbs and hardy plants suddenly getting reinvigorated. Not to completely contradict Alaeidrel, maybe our skin chemistry is different, but for me this smells nothing like Atlas (and it's my favorite BPAL blend). It's not very smoky to me at all and instead has a sort of hazy, almost leathery tinge like others have described. I’ve only smelled nagarmotha in Molly before, and here it’s just as nice. It’s an herbal and woodsy scent, kind of like a soft cedar bark combined with something sweeter like thyme. The musk is subdued and makes it gentle, but at the same time this blend gives a sense of anticipation. I guess it’s not quite the desert after a rain, but the wetness in the air you smell right before the storm. Quite evocative.

The cinnamon is strong with this one! It’s all I get at first, very spicy and dry. Thankfully it calms down fairly quickly and takes a seat amid the other notes. I mostly get myrrh, orange blossom and cinnamon. Funny how others are getting more vanilla and tobacco, which is what I would’ve enjoyed. It isn’t bad, just too dry and powdery for me. It’s like spicy incense with a little bit of orange peel for flavor.

Ooh, Lacus. I had high hopes for you but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would you have beautiful resins with glimmers of delicate herbs? Or would you be sharp and medicinal and overwhelming? Thankfully… it’s the former! Sandalwood lovers rejoice because this is white sandalwood at its finest. Delicate, creamy woods with a smoothness only sandalwood can provide. The cedar is present but it “oversees” the rest of the notes. It’s just quietly standing in the back, herding all the other notes together. Then come the herbs. So soft and lovely! There are hints of dainty rosewood, soothingly sweet lavender, a flash of brighter chamomile. Definitely makes a great sleep scent or for days when you need centering. Meditative is also right. I imagine this smells like the silver forest of my dreams. The bark of the trees is smooth and ethereal, the moonlight reflects off of everything to provide a pale glow. Then in the middle of a clearing, under the midnight black sky, is Lacus Solitudinis. Where its serene, reflective surface allows you to see into the depths of your soul. Lovely. Also, my husband adores this one! Pretty amazing since he only has a few BPALs that he really likes… and he’s not liked any others to this extent. This is one of the few Lunacies I’ve really loved. Must obtain back-up bottles!

Since you like vanilla you should definitely try Loosening of the Obi. It's smooth like silk and has a nice but subtle rice wine note in it. It's an LE but in my experience not too difficult to find if you search around.