lorajc

LURID - Shocking, horrific, fierce, savage, sensationalized, luminous and hazy: black currant, Bulgarian lavender and white musk with a dollop of thick resin and a voltaic charge of ozone notes. I don't know about shocking and horrifc, but this is one of those BPAL scents that drawns you in. When you first sniff it, you might find it odd and yet alluring in some way. You keep trying to think of a way to describe it or pull out a certain note and you can't but something in the scent makes you start liking it more and more. You're strangely intrigued and baffled at the same time and then the scent just starts becoming addicting to you and you must have it. This is what Lurid is to me. Now....if you pinned me down and forced me to pull out specific notes, I would probably say that the black currant is noticeable, although not prominment and not at all **too fruity**. It strangely mixes with the lavendar and other notes to make a very unique and mysterious blend. I think I'm going to have to purchase a 5 ml. It just keeps sucking at my brain and luring me in. Also, for those of you who are frightened by the OZONE word -- this is not aquatic at all. I think it is only ozone in the sense of the slight voltaic charge -- that must be the part that's sucking at my brain. I must go now before it eats up too many more brain cells. I need all I have left. LOL ETA: I really cannot say enough how truly unique this one is. If you want a signature scent that won't come close to anyone on the street. Get this. If you dare to be different, get this!! I'll shut up now (I'm rambling).

Considered a great honor, this is one of the most distinguished aspects of New Orleans culture. Its roots lie in the customs of the Dahomeans and Yoruba people, and is a celebration of both the person’s life and the beauty and solemnity of their death. The procession is lead by the Grand Marshal, resplendent in his black tuxedo, white gloves and black hat in hand; almost a vision of the great Baron Samedi himself. The music begins with solemn, tolling dirges, moves into hymns of sorrow, loss and redemption. When the burial site is reached, a two-note preparatory riff is sounded, and the drummers start the second-line beat, heralding the switch in music to joyous, upbeat songs, dancing, and the unfurling of richly decorated umbrellas by the “second line”: friends, family, loved ones and stray celebrants. Strutting, bouncing, and festive dance accompanies the upbeat ragtime music that sends the departed soul onto its next journey. Didn't he ramble ... he rambled Rambled all around ... in and out of town Didn't he ramble ... didn't he ramble He rambled till the butcher cut him down. His feet was in the market place ... his head was in the street Lady pass him by, said ... look at the market meat He grabbed her pocket book ... and said I wish you well She pulled out a forty-five ... said I'm head of personnel. Didn't he ramble ... he rambled Rambled all around ... in and out of town Didnâ't he ramble ... didn't he ramble He rambled till the butcher cut him down. He slipped into the cat house ... made love to the stable Madam caught him cold ... said I'll pay you when I be able Six months had passed ... and she stood all she could stand She said buddy when I'm through with you Ole groundhog gonna be shakin yo' hand. Didn't he ramble ... he rambled Rambled all around ... in and out of town Didn't he ramble ... didn't he ramble He rambled till the butcher cut him down. I said he rambled ... lord ... 'till the butcher shot him down. Bittersweet bay rum, bourbon, and a host of funeral flowers with a touch of graveyard dirt, magnolia and Spanish Moss. This is going to be short and sweet, as this scent did not work on me and I don't like to do negative reviews. In short, I cannot wear booze scents with more than a hint of booze in them and this is just a touch too much bourbon for me. I'm not really into dirt scents either and this is mainly bourbon and dirt on me with florals and moss in the background. ETA: Upon a 2nd and 3rd try of this, the booze is nowhere near as prominent. I may need to test this further. Actually last night after it dried down for an hour or so, it smelled really good.

Tamora - Illyria - Amber, heliotrope, golden sandalwood, peach blossom and vanilla bean. I got a sample of this in a swap and again it's not a surprise that I like it, as I love all of the notes in it. It is yet another well blended work of art by Elizabeth. It is a lighter fragrance even though it has the amber and sandalwood in it. This would be a scent I would wear in the spring and summer, as I tend to like heavier ones in the cold weather (actually all year round). I only tested this on my wrist so far and have not actually worn it all day long, so I'll have to update this after wearing it, but I don't recall any particular notes standing out. They all blend together well and I don't think the sandalwood or amber were particularly heavy in this one. It was a very slightly woody peach vanilla scent. I will update this after wearing.

A poisonous fruit-bearing member of the buttercup family. The scent, like the plant, is dark green, herbal, and plump with bulging black fruit. I've only tested this so this is subject to change. This is a very different berry scent. I don't really know how to explain it. It's not too tart nor too sweet. It is an herbaly type of berry scent that is slightly sweet and slightly green. It is not overtly strong, but rather soft. I think I like this and may purchase a bottle. I've got to wear it first.

The sticky sweet scent of candy corn! (I only tested this on my arm - have not yet worn it - so I may update this) This oil smells kind of "corny" out of the bottle. I don't know how else to explain it, but when applied it smells more like sugar skull without the brushed fruits (for those of you that aren't familiar with Sugar Skull, it was basically a sugar scent brushed with fruits). It has a very slight buttery/honeyish tinge to it. I also get a tiny bit of that "burnt sugar" scent that also came thru on me with Sugar Skull but it passes thru that phase. I was unable to wear last year's Sugar Skull due to a skin reaction, so hopefully I'll be able to wear this. This is a fun Halloween Scent. Thanks Beth!

Devil's Eve, Devil's Night, Gate Night, Trick Night, Mischief Night; whatever your name for it might be, the chaos is still the same. Contrary to popular belief, this festival of pandemonium isn't unique to Detroit. Falling on October 30th, it is an evening of mayhem and destruction. On the gentler side, it may be celebrated by practical jokes, an egging, Ding-Dong-Ditch, or enthusiastic TP'ing of your most hated neighbor's trees, and on the more violent side, arson and vandalism. This is the scent of autumn night, fires in the distance, with a touch of boozy swoon, playful sugar and thuggish musk. Well, this is nothing like I expected. I expected it to be heavier and it's actually very light wearing on me. Beth nailed it with "autumn night" as that's what this smells like with a ever so slight hint of sugary/booziness. It is not at all too sweet or too boozy though. They are just very soft in the background. I do smell the note that I smell whenever Beth has a scent with the description "Autumn Winds". I have no idea what it is but it is very evocative of just that. When I was walking outside yesterday, it was chilly and the leaves were falling and I inhaled deeply and thought to myself "now that's an autumn air" and now I've got that in an oil but it's made even yummier with the sugar. This is really lovely and I am glad I bought more than one bottle. I don't think it resembles the Hex (can't spell it) LE at all, so I think those who speculated that this would be close may be disappointed. Although, I can smell just a tiny comparison to it. ETA: I'm noticing something spicy (almost gingerish) in this now. I don't know what it could be but this stage is really yummy. I just touched it up about an hour ago.

Goddess of Strife and Discord, constant companion and sometime consort to Ares. She is a fickle, chaotic Goddess of Bedlam whose greatest passion is the sowing of dissention and turmoil. A suitably disjointed scent, bursting with gleeful mayhem: wet fruits and sharp mimosa with Martial spices and a deceptive flash of floral. This is slightly fruity (berries?) with a bit of spiciness and floral undertone. I don't know what mimosa smells like so I can't pinpoint it. This scent is blended very well and smells really good, although I don't think it's me. It doesn't change much on the drydown, although I've only had it on a few hours.

Orchid tubers have been used extensively by witches in their love philtres, both to promote amorous attention and the attainment of true love, and, conversely, to wither misplaced passions and sever romantic bonds. This perfume is a dusky orchid, subdued and ethereal. This again is a very unique plant/floral blend that is very hard to describe. I've only tested on a small area and my sinuses are acting up, so this will be very brief. This is indeed very subdued. I really like it but it may be a little too light for me. I will need to slather this one to be sure. If you like unique, subdued, ethereal scents and like orchids, but you're looking for an orchid scent done "Beth" style this may be exactly what you want! I find it to be strangely fruity, but just ever so slightly. I don't actually think it has fruit in it....but I think the blend is tricking me into smelling something slightly different. This is a very mysterious and intriguing scent. I didn't think I'd like the Garden scents too much, as I'm totally ignorant to plants and flora, but I rather like this and Baneberry so far.

The last time I got samples from Beth, I got a sample of Viola. I wore it and loved it...........so I ordered it. When I rec'd it, it is different than what I remember. Do you guys think the sample could have been mislabeled? I distinctly remember a really different top note that was unfamiliar to my nose. I smell something similar to it in Lear which has bay, cedarwod and sage. Can anyone help me? Am I going crazy? Or maybe a different batch could smell that much different? What are other scents with bay, cedarwood and sage?

No description from the Lab: I am new to trying the Tarot blends and I find the notes to be somewhat herbal and unfamiliar to my nose in this particular blend. I know it has cinnamon in it and an herbal note (no idea what it is). The cinnamon is most noticeable on the initial application, but fades into the background of the herbal smell on the dry down. This wore very light on me and I touched up often, as I tend to love cinnamon. This is somewhat reminscent of Harlot...slightly. I'll be very interested to see the contents of this when the notes are added to the site. I also loved this one. I do think the Tarots take a little time for your nose to adjust, as is the case with the voodoo blends for me. I ended up really liking The Lovers.

In the greenest of our valleys By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace - Radiant palace - reared its head. In the monarch Thought's dominion - It stood there! Never seraph spread a pinion Over fabric half so fair! Banners yellow, glorious, golden, On its roof did float and flow, (This - all this - was in the olden Time long ago,) And every gentle air that dallied, In that sweet day, Along the ramparts plumed and pallid, A winged odor went away. Wanderers in that happy valley, Through two luminous windows, saw Spirits moving musically, To a lute's well-tuned law, Round about a throne where, sitting (Porphyrogene!) In state his glory well-befitting, The ruler of the realm was seen. And all with pearl and ruby glowing Was the fair palace door, Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing, And sparkling evermore, A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty Was but to sing, In voices of surpassing beauty, The wit and wisdom of their king. But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate. (Ah, let us mourn! - for never morrow Shall dawn upon him desolate!) And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed. And travellers, now, within that valley, Through the red-litten windows see Vast forms, that move fantastically To a discordant melody, While, like a ghastly rapid river, Through the pale door A hideous throng rush out forever And laugh - but smile no more. The moment before the ruin, frozen. The scent of captured glory, of glowing pearls and rubies, of golden sunlit joy and regal grandeur: red rose, Tunisian amber, blood orange, toasted vanilla, heliotrope, gardenia and red musk. This is another one I just tested and have not worn, so this is subject to change. I expected this to be heavier, but it is fairly lightweight. The blood orange is apparent when wet. After it starts drying down, I get a melange of amber and gardenia with a slight vanilla tinge in the background. This is very well blended. It's not heavy on the red musk either, as I sometimes can't wear Red Musk and it's too heavy on me but this scent must not have that much in it, as I don't get that heavy feeling. I really like this. I may need to purchase a 2nd bottle of this one.

I want to try one of these and I need help deciding. I realize the Saturnalia is violet and vetiver and the Le Serpent has vanilla, gardenia and violet. The Fautus has frankincense, cinnamon and violet. I don't know which one I should try. Can anyone compare these for me? Also, I usually like deeper scents/woody/spicy ones. I also like vanilla. I'm not sure about vetivert. I've never smelled it as a single note. I would appreciate any thoughts. The only violet products I have used are Lush's Bathos and Skinny Dip which has mainly clove, white chocolate and violet. Thanks in advance everyone.

DREAMLAND By a route obscure and lonely, Haunted by ill angels only, Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT, On a black throne reigns upright, I have reached these lands but newly From an ultimate dim Thule - From a wild clime that lieth, sublime, Out of SPACE - out of TIME. Bottomless vales and boundless floods, And chasms, and caves, and Titan woods, With forms that no man can discover For the tears that drip all over; Mountains toppling evermore Into seas without a shore; Seas that restlessly aspire, Surging, unto skies of fire; Lakes that endlessly outspread Their lone waters - lone and dead, - Their still waters - still and chilly With the snows of the lolling lily. By the lakes that thus outspread Their lone waters, lone and dead, - Their sad waters, sad and chilly With the snows of the lolling lily, - By the mountains- near the river Murmuring lowly, murmuring ever, - By the grey woods,- by the swamp Where the toad and the newt encamp - By the dismal tarns and pools Where dwell the Ghouls, - By each spot the most unholy - In each nook most melancholy - There the traveller meets aghast Sheeted Memories of the Past - Shrouded forms that start and sigh As they pass the wanderer by - White-robed forms of friends long given, In agony, to the Earth - and Heaven. For the heart whose woes are legion 'Tis a peaceful, soothing region - For the spirit that walks in shadow 'Tis - oh, 'tis an Eldorado! But the traveller, travelling through it, May not - dare not openly view it! Never its mysteries are exposed To the weak human eye unclosed; So wills its King, who hath forbid The uplifting of the fringed lid; And thus the sad Soul that here passes Beholds it but through darkened glasses. By a route obscure and lonely, Haunted by ill angels only, Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT, On a black throne reigns upright, I have wandered home but newly From this ultimate dim Thule. The shadowy, fitful scent of nightmare, rife with ill-omen: osmanthus and tuberose over pulsating, heated skin musk, spiked carnation, night phlox and vesper iris. I will attempt a short reveiw, however, this is very light on me and my sinuses are not cooperating very well. I put this on my wrist an hour or so ago and it is so faint that I can barely detect it (another scent I hope will strengthen with aging). Maybe after slathering this on, I'll have a different opinion though. I can only detect a very tiny bit of carnation in this in a tiny base of *very light* musk. I'm totally ignorant to vesper iris and tuberrose. I've smelled osmanthus and night phlox before in blends and I can slightly detect them blending in with the musk and carnation, but again it is faint. There is not one signle note that is loud in this blend and no one single note takes the lead. It is very smooth and well blended. This is very understated. If you don't like wearing "perfumey" blends, this is your blend. If you want to wear perfume and don't want to make a statement, this is your blend.

No description from the Lab: This is a light spicy, warm scent that is light enough to wear in the summer which makes it perfect for those people who don't like florals. It did have an odd top note...either an herbal or eucalyptus note that was bitter at first (you really have to let it get thru that stage before you judge it). However, when I rec'd my 5 ml bottle, this top note is not as noticeable. This ended up being a fav of mine.

will someone kindly point me in the direction of the Vampire collection? I can't find the descriptions on the website (BPAL's). I don't see it as a sub-category. Pleae help.

Okay everyone...I need some help with jasmine and honeysuckle scents. I usually don't do floral (mostly only spicy florals and certain ones). I'm ordering a 2nd bottle of Harlot, (which I absolutely love - and I usually dont like rose scents, but love the cinnamon/rose combo) cuz I want to make lotion an bath salts, so I want to get a couple different blends with either jasmine, honeysuckle or another spicy rose like Harlot. Can anyone compare Harlot to Lucy's Kiss? I'm trying to see if maybe I'll like that one. Also, is New Orleans "hint of spiciness" noticeable. I think the blend sounds good, but I'd want it a little spicy. How about Muse?? Has anyone got an opinion, or about any jasmine scents. Beth's jasmine took a little while for me to get used to, as my previous perfumer used a much sweeter and softer jasmine. Now that I am getting used to Beth's jasmine, I'm ready to try some jasmine blends, as I love jasmine. I know this post is kinda "all over the place", but I would appreciate input. Thanks all of my fellow enablers.

Just got a frimp in my order also. I'll need to have several bottles of this on hand. I am a lover of blends with red musk in them, but I don't like it as a single note. Someone above referred to this as Mme Moriarty's little sister and mentioned Bordello and after reading the above.....I'd have to say this is like Mme Moriarty without the patchouli leaf/peppery vibe it gives off but instead of going that direction in goes in the direction of a Smut/Bordello scent. It's downright ravishing (as I knew it would be) and it's going to be in my top 10 BPAL for sure. I adore it and can't wait to slather myself in it. It's sexy and sweet (just like me.....LOL).

Wow -- I knew I was going to love this (glad I went with my gut instinct and bought multiple bottles), but I had no idea that I would love it more than I thought possible!!! This is my favorite BPAL scent for the moment. I can't believe how gorgeous this is. This smelled very perfumey to me at first but that quality fades in the drydown (my favorite part) I've had it on for about 2 hours now and it's amazing. I'm not sure what mums smell like but I get a faint floral that smells similar to a carnation with a creamy spice intermingled with the red musk. I have this in the crook of my elbow right now and I'm only testing it. I can only imagine how lovely this will morph when I slather it on tomorrow morning. This is one that will really help me get thru the rough work day. It is very comforting, alluring and sensual. It really fits my Libra personality. I love it!! BETH -- You've outdone yourself. I may have to search for 1 more bottle. I will cry when I use this up.

I've only tested this and I can barely smell it. I need to slather myself in this and review it afterwards. I do notice a slightly sharp note in the top note and it is not nearly as sweet as I expected. I will update after my sniffing overload ends and I can properly wear it.

I've only tested this so far. Yesterday, I could barely smell it but today testing it, it is a bit stronger. It doesn't really remind me of Midway. It's floraly and incensy and sweet. This is very unique. I think this will wear a lot differently than testing. I'm looking forward to wearing this. I'll update this afterwards.....but right now it's sugared incense with a slight soft floral tinge. Very nice.

This is truly a unique BPAL. I am not familar with Sarsaparilla and I don't really care for pine bark....but this grows on you and pulls you in! At first sniff (both in the bottle and on the skin) it has a bitter/sour note that I don't care for, but it fades on the dry down. It then gets smoky and milky with a very unique smell in the background that is foreign to my nose. This keeps growing on me......and I find it oddly alluring.

This is another good one.....although since it's so unique, it did take a few hours for my nose to adjust and for it to really grow on me. Today, when I put my hoodie on that I was wearing yesterday when wearing this, it smelled sooooooo good. If you can't wear patchouli, you can wear this cuz the leaf smells nothing like real patchouli (to me at least). It does have a strange musty smell that is oddly alluring and grows on you. The plum is not strong at all, nor is the red musk (as I've noticed in some other blends). I don't know how Beth does it....but this is perfection in a bottle. I love this one, as I knew I would.

Another well blended LE, although not quite my cup of tea. I knew I wouldn't be able to wear this, as I can't wear Beth's Jasmine blends....however, this one isn't bad, but since I don't like Mimosa....I probably won't wear it. I can smell the mimosa and jasmine (not that strongly though) and it's quite lovely but not really my taste. I bought the whole Al-Gazam and I'm glad I got the chance to try it. Maybe I'll set it aside and try it in a few days to make sure I want to get rid of it.

This one's another surprise winner in the series for me. I love this. It's nice and strong (just the way I like my BPAL). A little will go a long way. This is resinous and slightly rosey and sexy as hell!!! The rose is not dominating the scent which is a good thing (does come out a bit more on the drydown), as I usually can't wear rose blends. Again.......great job Beth. I'll be wearing this a lot.

This smells so good, but is sort of light wearing on me, so I've been reapplying all day and I love it. The opium smoke in the description scared me...as did the tuberose...but again this is well blended with no notes taking the lead. Wow....this is yummy. Black musk, vanilla, coconut, apricot flower, heliotrope..........what a great combination. This is a great one to be named after the entire Carnivale. I love this one and this is gonna cost me a lot in multiples also!!