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Bengal! It's delicious and warm!

I'm so in love with this. I don't get soapy like some others have mentioned at all. I'm having trouble describing this. It's very soft and peaceful. By soft, I don't mean that it's a light scent that you have to apply a lot of or really sniff at, 'cause it's not that. I mean soft like a huge cozy pillow that you just want to stretch out and roll around in for a while, 'cause it just feels so damn good. I definitely pick up the amber and honeycomb, and what I think is the vanilla musk. There's a bit of spice to it, probably the carnation, but I very well could be wrong. The florals and lemon peel just round out amber/honey/vanilla goodness, really, and gah, I'm horrible at describing this, but it's amazing.

You're too organized, HennaFairy. Too damn organized!

Story time! When I first found BPAL (with no experience in perfume at all beforehand), I figured I would like earthy/forresty/naturey type scents, because I love the smell of the real thing. But I tried a few and never found a good match. I figured that the trees-y scents just weren't for me, wrote them off as such, and never bothered ordering any more. Then, on one magical misty morning (well, I don't remember if it was misty or not and it definitely wasn't a morning, but shhh, it sounds better that way), I got an order in from the lab, and lo and behold, in it was a frimp of Dublin. It was love at first sniff. This is the forrest scent I was looking for all along. The misty forrest description is spot on. Dublin is perfect.

Well, I've learned my lesson. Apple and I just don't get along. I had to try Shango anyway--I was really hoping that the apple wouldn't show itself and I'd get the rest of the notes. For some reason, chili and banana sounds like a great combo, and I like all the other notes. Alas, I put on Shango and got apple. Let it sit for a while and got a slightly calmed down apple, with maybe a hint of some other fruitiness behind it. But it stays mostly apple, and unfortunately apple is just one of those notes that doesn't agree with me, so that's that.

I must have a weird nose. I'm just getting flowers here. Sweet flowers, and if I had to give a color it would be more pink, yellow, and green than red. More fresh picked garden bouqet than devil.

My first reaction was "hellllllo almond!" even though almond isn't listed. A minute later I sniffed and it was suddenly floral (thar be the cherry blossom). The next moment it became anise and cherry blossom together, and still is. I'm not catching the sandlewood here. It's a pretty scent. I'm not sure if I want to smell this licoricy. Going to have to sit on this one a bit (not literally, though, we don't like squished imps).

I'm getting all sweet flowers here. Either the moss and earth is hiding or I'm just not recognizing it. It hasn't changed much, so far. Started sweet flowers, still sweet flowers.

Nope, those are the only sizes.

The berry in this really comes out on me! The cake is certainly there, but it's hiding behind the berry, and I can't find the booze at all. It's lucky that I like berries, because this is more of cake flavored berry than berry flavored cake. It's definitely yummy.

Do you like amber? 'Cause The Lion is very, er, lion colored. Gold/brown.

This is woodsy and smokey on me. None of the creaminess or citrus that others have mentioned. It smells a bit like a lighter Brimstone.

Black Opal is very soft and pretty. Soft in two ways--it has a soft feel to it, which I hope makes sense because I don't know how else to explain--but if something like pepper is sharp, this is the opposite feel, and soft in that it's definitely no screamer. In the bottle I could barely smell anything. When I first put it on I could barely smell anything. I added some more, and it was still pretty faint, but somehow got stronger over time. After a few hours the vanilla that others have mentioned is now apparent (at least I think it's vanilla, but could be something else). It smells creamy and mild but with something mysterious in the background. No idea what, but this is a very nice scent.

When this was wet I was sure there was anise in it (weird, huh?), but as it dried down it became a definite amber. This is a really nice sweet amber. I can't pick out the musk, but maybe that's what's giving the whole thing a deep, well rounded feeling.

'05 version: I looove the poppet! Easily one of my favorites. To be honest, I haven't had gingerbread recently enough to remember what it smells like. This is warm and spicy, with a soft kind of spice--much more calm/cozy than the sharp kind of spicy. And it makes me want to gnaw on my arm. For those who like layering, a dab of Bliss over this somehow makes it even more delicious than it already is.

This is gorgeous. It's like those chocolate oranges (orange flavored chocolate in the shape of... an orange), but deeper, fruitier (must be the cherry backing up the orange), and better smelling. Mmmm. Definitely sweet, and I like sweet, so it's wonderful.

I've only had this on for about half an hour, so I'll update it if it changes. I was hoping for sweet and foody with caramel and coconut really showing up. What I'm getting, so far, is mostly a dusty scent. The only thing this has in comon with Misk U is the dust, but with Misk U it's more of an afterthought, and here it's the prominent note. It's hovering over a slightly sweet incensey kind of scent. I'm really hoping this changes for the better over time, or that I'm just having a bad nose day. Edit for update after having it on longer and trying it out a few times: The dust smell does eventually fade away to a slightly sweet type of skin scent. It becomes very faint by the time this happens, however. If I want a sweet skin scent, I'll just wear O and not have an hour or so of dust before it gets nice, so, oh well, as much as I wanted this to work, it just ain't gonna happen.

You could try the muses! From the lab: THE MUSES Sing in me, O Muse, and through me tell the tale. CALLIOPE But when, Calliope, thy loud harp rang -- In Epic grandeur rose the lofty strain; The clash of arms, the trumpet's awful clang Mixed with the roar of conflict on the plain; The ardent warrior bade his coursers wheel, Trampling in dust the feeble and the brave, Destruction flashed upon his glittering steel, While round his brow encrimsoned laurels waved, And o'er him shrilly shrieked the demon of the grave. The eldest of the Muses, she is Eloquence, and thus, governs heroic and epic poetry, and her eloquence has served to calm quarrels even amongst the surliest of Gods. She is crowned in gold, and holds a roll of parchment or stylus and tablet. Hers is the scent of creative inspiration, and it is a boon to writers, poets and arbitrators: lavender and bright mint with bergamot, verbena, thyme and a touch of sweet orange and warm almond. CLIO Majestic Clio touched her silver wire, And through time's lengthened vista moved a train, In dignity sublime; -- the patriot's fire Kindled its torch in heaven's resplendent ray, And 'mid contention rose to Heaven again. The Proclaimer is the Muse of Historic and Heroic Poetry. Clio holds a scroll or set of tablets in her hands, and is surrounded by a veritable wall of books. She is credited with introducing the Phonecian alphabet to the Greeks. As a consequence of her teasing, barbed sense of humor, she was cursed by Aphrodite: she fell in love with a mortal, Pierus, the King of Macedonia. Clio bore two sons, one by Bacchus and one by Pierus: Hymenaeus, the God of Marriage Ceremonies and Wedding Feasts, and the doomed Hyacinth. She is the patron of historians, epic poets, biographers and all those who wish for fame, reknown, and celebrity status. Her scent is the warm, dry parchment of scrolls, lavender for critical thought and analysis, the solidity of heavy woods, ornery patchouli and glib benzoin, and superstar-splashed orange and amber. ERATO But when Erato brushed her flowery lute, What strains of sweetness whispered in the wind! Soft as at evening when the shepherd's flute To tones of melting love alone resigned, Breathes through the windings of the silent vale; Complaining accents tremble on the gale, Or notes of ecstasy serenely roll. So when the smiling muse of Cupid sung, Her melody sighed out the sorrowing soul, Or o'er her silken chords sweet notes of gladness rung. She is the Muse of mimicry, and inspires both erotic and romantic poetry. She is crowned in roses, holding a lyre. Her scent inspires creative expressions of love and lust: a crush of roses with sweet pea, myrrh, ylang ylang, orris and stephanotis. EUTERPE Euterpe glanced her fingers o'er her lute, And lightly waked it to a cheerful strain, Then laid it by, and took the mellow flute, Whose softly flowing warble filled the plain: It was a lay that roused the drooping soul, And bade the tear of sorrow cease to flow; From shady woods the Nymphs enchanted stole, While laughing Cupids bent the silver bow, Fluttering like fays that flit in Luna's softened glow. The Giver of Pleasure, Euterpe is the Muse of Music and Lyric Poetry. She is Delight, and her name means “Rejoicing Well”. She is credited with inventing the aulos, and is most often depicted playing that double-flute. Her scent is the joy of performing, the euphoria in song, and the passion inspired by all music: carnation and white poppy, honeysuckle, lemon, iris and white musk. MELPOMENE But oh Melpomene! thy lyre of wo -- To what a mournful pitch its keys were strung, And when thou badest its tones of sorrow flow, Each weeping Muse, enamoured, o'er thee hung: How sweet--how heavenly sweet, when faintly rose The song of grief, and at its dying close The soul seemed melting in the trembling breast; The eye in dews of pity flowed away, And every heart, by sorrow's load opprest, To infant softness sunk, as breathed thy mournful lay. Melpomene is Tragedy, and the sound of Her voice is filled with beauty, power and strength. She is crowned in cypress branches, holds the mask of tragedy, wears the cothurnus and wields a knife or club. Her scent is rife with pathos, and inspires us with the ability to express our grief, loss, and the pain in our souls in a cathartic, creative fashion: dark cypress with mint, geranium, Bulgar lavender, orange blossom and passion flower. POLYHYMNIA The rage of Pindar filled the sounding air, As Polyhymnia tried her skill divine; The shaggy lion roused him from his lair, And bade his blood-stained eyes in fury shine; The famished eagle poised his waving wings, Whetting his thirsty beak--while murder rose, With hand that grasps a dirk, with eye that glows. She of Many Hymns governs Sacred Poetry and the Gift of Eloquence, and brought the gift of Geometry to the world. The most introspective one of the Sisters, she is contemplative, withdrawn and brooding. The Solemn One is veiled, garbed in long, somber robes, and is shown either resting her arm upon a pillar, or with her finger to her mouth in a gesture of silence. Polyhymnia grants fame and glory to writers, brings inspiration and immortality through one’s written work. Orris root, white sage, rowan bark and red sandalwood, with myrrh, rosemary, lemon balm and honeysuckle. TERPSICHORE And when Terpsichore, with iris-plume, Bade o'er her lute her rosy fingers fly; 'T was pleasure all -- the fawns in mingled choirs, Glanced on the willing nymphs their wanton fires, Joy shook his glittering pinions as he flew; The shout of rapture and the song of bliss, The sportive titter and the melting kiss, All blended with the smile, that shone like early dew. The Whirler! She is the Muse of Dance and the Dramatic Chorus. She holds both a lyre and a plectrum. Terpsichore is the mother of the Sirens by Achelous, the River God. Bright, joyful and expressive, her scent is kinetically charged, graceful, and an inspiration to all dancers: vanilla and carnation with neroli, iris, stephanotis, sweet pea, apple blossom and palmarosa. THALEIA How light the strain when, decked in vernal bloom, Thalia tuned her lyre of melody. Thaleia the Flourishing is the Muse of Comedy and Pastoral Poetry, and shares the same name as one of the Gratiæ. She is a very down-to-Earth Goddess, and has a special fondness for rural folk. She wears a crown of ivy leaves and carries the Mask of Comedy and a shepherd’s crook. The Blooming One is the Goddess of Comedians and inspires creativity in wit and the joy and release we have in laughter. A vivacious, dazzling, merry scent: honey, ylang ylang, apricot, ciste, blood orange and gardenia with earthy, warm tonka. URANIA Urania, o'er her star-bespangled lyre, With touch of majesty diffused her soul; A thousand tones, that in the breast inspire, Exalted feelings, o er the wires 'gan roll -- She sang of night that clothed the infant world, In strains as solemn as its dark profound -- How at the call of Jove the mist unfurled, And o'er the swelling vault -- the glowing sky, The new-born stars hung out their lamps on high, And rolled their mighty orbs to music's sweetest sound. The Heavenly One is the Muse of Astrology and Astronomy, and guides all those who look to the stars for knowledge. She wears a flowing cloak embroidered with her beloved stars, holds a staff and a globe, and her eyes are skyward. Her scent is that of endless, star-clad space: glittering, cool, vast. Moonflower, Moroccan jasmine, benzoin, white musk, iris, moss and a flash of ozone.

I just had an odd reaction... first of all, I've never had any allergies in my life (unless they're ones I've yet to discover), so that makes it a bit weirder. The second thing is that I had an itchy rashy reaction to Baghdad--the second time I tried it. The first time there were no problems at all, but today it brought on a rash. I tested it in a different spot to be sure. Luckily the itchiness and rash went away soon after I washed off my arm. Hopefully this was some kind of fluke, 'cause I love the smell! I'm thinking it must be the saffron, 'cause out of "Amber, saffron and bergamot with mandarin, nutmeg, Bulgar rose, musk and sandalwood" I've worn all the rest with no problems (I don't know aobut Bulgar rose specifically, but rose has never been a problem). Weirdness.

You can always look for it in the swap forum.

You may want to pounce on Red Lantern while you can!

Snake Oil was grossly powdery on me too, but aside from that I have no idea how similar our chemistry is... with that in mind, a reply to your list: Dorian, Black Pearl, and Jack are all wonderful on me. Definite favorites. Kali didn't do anything weird, it's just not my kind of scent. Scherezade did the same gross powdery thing as Snake Oil. I haven't tried the rest. Good luck!

This smells just like pine trees to me. Real ones, not cleaners/air fresheners. It's what those cardboard trees hanging in cars want to smell like.

I don't know why I thought the cocoa stood out most in PP2, because it's definitely the pumpkin. I haven't tried Jack and Bliss yet, but plan to, and will report back on it when it happens... I'm also going to try making a solid perfume of Jack using some cocoa butter, so we'll see how that turns out as well. I'll have to get ahold of some velvet to see how that works in it, too. As for Tezcatlipoca, I'm scared of patchouli.

All the depth, beauty and darkness of All Hallows Eve. Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein. I get the dreaded Vick's VapoRub smell from Samhain '05. There is a bit of something sweet (I think the apple, but I'm not sure) and woodsy behind it, but the VapoRub is so strong that it just kills it. The people in the recommendations who said I'd probably like Jack better were so right. I don't get any pumpkin here, and the sweet is so sharpened by the VapoRub scent that it's not enjoyable. Jack is really what I was looking for, and Samhain is on its way to the swaps.