terrenity

Sweet, black silt mingled with holy myrrh, melilot, hyssop, spikenard, balsam, cedar, and a hint of melting snow from the Abyssinian hills. In the imp: Silt and what I assume is myrrh, since it smells like the cola-ish element in The Magi and No. 93 Engine, backed by a touch of Beth's amazing snow note. On: The cedar gave this blend so much potential to go completely wrong on me, but instead it is completely wonderful! I love the Lab's dirt/earth notes, but feel a little weird walking around smelling like I just had a romp in the potting soil. However, the myrrh is a perfect slightly-sweet complement that makes this really wearable. I agree with Mezzo - this is the first "dirt" blend that I would actually wear as a perfume. This blend feels very bright to me, despite the resins and earth.. almost like it's up at a very high altitude where the sun is close and the air is clear. My family goes four-wheeling in the mountains sometimes, and we usually stop to eat lunch right up at the peak, where it's very bright and you can see all the green valleys below you, but you're sitting next to a patch of snow. That's what this smells like to me. Overall: I got a decant of this on impulse, but it's by far my favorite out of all the Nile scents! It's really gorgeous and unique; among my top twenty for sure. Guess I'll be needing a bottle of this gem. Similar scents: Graveyard Dirt, Zombi, Down the Rabbit Hole Spray, The Magi, and maaaybe Sundew?

51 smells like a (better) version of the laundry detergent aisle at the grocery store to me (I love that smell too!). It's very fresh and pretty without being overwhelmingly floral, IMO. Sundew is also a good "clean" scent, though it's hard to describe. It's a little soapy, a little ambery, a little lemony, and maybe a little aquatic? It was one of my first (and favorite) BPAL's, but I still can't pinpoint it for the life of me.

An incredibly stinky, swampy note that I can only assume is vetiver dominates from in the decant all the way through two hours of drydown. This is the first blend in my fairly extensive BPAL history that I've wanted to wash off. I didn't, because I really wanted to smell the orange-y tiger-y-ness that other people are getting, but alas. Vetiver ate the tiger for breakfast and didn't even leave the bones.

I got a decant of this because I LOVE coffee, even though Misk U. turned to caramel corn on me, woods are usually horrible on me, and I hate that cigarette smoke smell. ...despite all of that, this is actually pretty damn good on me! I believe the Irish coffee here is the same as in Misk U, but the smoke and woods seem to be doing a good job of making it smoky and not caramel corn-y. Phew! The woods are the dominant note on my skin (and they are definitely dark and polished), with the tobacco following in a thankfully non-cigarette sort of way. The coffee just sweetens things up a little bit. It smells like one of those old university libraries, where the chairs are all upholstered and the shelves are all wood. Substitute the tobacco for books, and it's what I wanted Misk U to be! Thinking that this smelled a touch too masculine for my personal tastes, I dabbed some on Giteone, who wears the wood notes in Frederic quite well. Not the case here! This blend went straight to gym socks on him, and hasn't improved much over the drydown. Verdict: Guh. Everytime I smell my hand I have to close my eyes, because this is THAT GOOD. That said, I'm not sure if it's really something I would wear often... while some girls can pull off masculine blends beautifully, I don't think I'm one of them. Buuut... since I'm sure this will age excellently, I might buy a bottle anyway and savor it slowly. Maybe I can get it to behave as a room scent? Similar blends: Misk U, Red Lantern (very similar on my skin)

Fresh from the mailbox, so YMMV! In the bottle: Bright and syrupy strawberry. Definitely different from Beth's usual strawberry (which I'm happy about, because her usual strawberry note is one of the few fruits that doesn't work on me). On: The syrupy quality fades as it dries, mellowing into what I would call the exact scent of a whole strawberry. I can even smell the seeds and the green top! One of the most gorgeous blends I have ever smelled. -faints- 5 minutes later: I think maybe one of the components of this strawberry note, that makes it so fruity and juicy, is actually Beth's plum note. The longer this sits on my skin the more plum-y it smells. While Beth's plum note is my second favorite note (the first being melon!), I was actually kinda looking forward to another fruit I could love. For some reason sniffing this gives me a really strong scent memory with the Springmaid-Wamsutta store (a linens/towels/etc store) in my hometown. -scratches her head- I have no idea why, just like I have no idea why the L'Estate bath oil makes me want to go to Micheals. It's not a negative association.. just a weird one. Huh. Anyhow, I was beginning to wonder if I amp plum, and this blend seems to be confirming that (unless I'm crazy and imagining the resemblance to plum, which is very possible). That gorgeous strawberry is still there, her yells muffled by plum's hands over her mouth, but plum's got a pretty tight grip and I don't foresee strawberry making a comeback. Verdict: Since this is fresh from the mailbox, I'm going to give plum some time to settle down and see if she can't make amends with the other notes in this blend. There's definite top five potential here, so I'm not giving up. -shakes her finger- I'll be back in a week! You settle down and play nice, okay?

In addition to May being my birthday moon, I'm also a Soil and Crop Science major... so I had no choice but to order this one! In the bottle: The exact smell of a bean pod, just snapped in half. How DOES she do that? On: Much the same. Green and a little sweet and juicy. Ten minutes later: The tomato leaf peeks out, just the slightest bit, but this is still 95% green bean. Mmm. This is so unique and evocative! It's not an everyday blend (for me).. I'd almost call it a comfort scent. Something to wear when it's hot and you need to go touch the dirt and living things and just be. I love it.

Hugs to you! My Mom has fibro too, and I never realized that the Alpha/Delta anomaly had a name before! She dreams so vividly that she often talks to us with her eyes open while she is sleeping. My dad awoke one night to find her standing on the edge of the bed "cleaning the mold off the ceiling fan" and had to take a few minutes to talk her back into lying down again. I'll tenth the TKO rec for sleep! Lilith Victoria and Wulric (both LE's, but Wulric is still available) are scents that a lot of forumites find comforting as well (both have lavender). You might also check out the trading post; I've heard of some people having good success with the massage oils as well. Welcome to the forum! I hope you can find some blends that help you (or at the very least, some that smell wonderful)!

Preconceptions: I was hoping for something like the L'Estate bath oil with this one, because of the peach, amber, and florals. In the decant: Something sharp and white that hits me in that place in the back of my throat that makes me a little nauseous! Yikes! But, forging onward... On: Whatever that odd note is thankfully starts to fade immediately once it's applied. I can still catch it easily, particularly if I sniff too close to my hand, but I can also smell the peach coming out a little. Drydown: The odd note continues to fade, becoming sort of an aftertaste before finally disappearing... 15 min later: Mm, this is quite beautiful! The top note is a soft, juicy peach - very similar to the peach note in the L'Estate bath oil. It's underscored by clean white florals (I think I'm smelling mainly gardenia here), making this light and fresh. The amber, honey, and cream are just barely there, sweetening and warming this blend into a pretty skin-scent. The honeyed cream is behaving far better here than it did in Katrina van Tassel (where it went a little off). Overall: While I'd put this in the same category as the L'Estate bath oil, they are definitely different scents. Whereas L'Estate was sticky and golden, Gaoler's Daughter is clean and white. It reminds me of a young, beautiful woman in a crisp white dress, eating a bowl of fresh peaches with cream and honey on the back porch. However, getting through the initial drydown is tricky, and I definitely wouldn't wear this in a scent locket. I think I'll need to test this a few more times to see if it is a keeper. Color association: Cream

Parasolfringe: I think this is something you're probably going to have to take up with your roommate. You might ask if the BPAL you wear has ever bothered her, or make sure that her allergies are to all perfume and not just to whatever is in the department store stuff. It could be that she isn't so much allergic to scent as she has only ever been around girls who douse themselves in Chanel and choke people all day. Unfortunately it sounds like she may truly be pretty sensitive, and if that's the case I don't really think it's reasonable to try and pinpoint specific notes that she's allergic to. Even if you can figure out that roses, violets, and pine bother her, there's no telling if any of those notes are used in the bouquet that is used to assimilate civet, for example. I sympathize with you, because my dad and little sister are also really sensitive to scents, and although I don't live with them anymore they have asked me not to even bring my BPAL home because almost everything bothers their allergies. Also, since BPAL scents are so concentrated, I've found they have a tendency to saturate wherever they are stored (purse, drawer, etc) with fragrance, meaning that it could be a problem for your roomie to even come into your room or to have the scents leaking into the air system... plus you would still wear them (probably?), which means the scents would get all over the rest of the apartment too. I don't want to discourage you, but I know that there are some people that are THAT sensitive. I would definitely talk to her and see what the extent of her allergy is, but if she is truly allergic please understand that you may have to pack away your BPAL. I hope everything works out!

Imp age: A month? In the imp: Patchouli like whoa! I like patchouli when combined with other notes that reduce the hippie effect (not that I have anything against hippies, it's just not my scent style), but this might be too much for me. On: Very dark, gritty patchouli on the forefront. I can smell the myrrh sweetening this up a little, and I think it's the orris that's adding that dry, white tang. Overall very earthy patchouli. Drydown: Strangely enough, my skin eats up the patchouli, and I'm left with the dusty, tangy strangeness that I assume is the orris, with just a touch of myrrh (which is threatening to go baby powder on me, but is resisting for the moment). Dance of Death was wet and murky before, but now it's bone-dry tomb dust, with the slightly threatening edge of black musk. This is a long-forgotten tomb, silent for centuries but still dark with the promise of death. Overall: So completely not my style.. but I'm glad I have an imp! Dance of Death is incredibly evocative, and I'll wear it happily when I want something really different! Color association: Sand and shadows. Throw: Moderate

Disclaimer: I'm testing this with a head cold. Imp age: Two months? In the imp: Too stuffy. Can't smell it. On: Something in this reminds of Vampire Tears! It's got that fruity bubblegum vibe. Something is threatening to do something strange on my skin.. might be the honeysuckle. -crosses fingers- Dry: Amnerine, was right, this is like a softer Froot Loops sort of scent. Orange blossom is predominant, followed by the lemon and honeysuckle (which has decided to behave). Very pretty! I'm not getting much of the "poisonous sexuality" here... it's mainly very soft and innocent. Overall: Will have to test this again on a day when I can actually smell, but so far this is a winner! I can see this going into regular rotation in the spring and summer. The only problem is the throw.. Throw: Minimal. I have to huff my hand to smell it, though I DO have a cold, so don't take my word for it. Color association: Soft orange.

CTIV: CMXXXIV (934) In the bottle: This smells like... Dawn dish soap? Lemony and soapy and clean. There's something else here that makes me feel a bit ill, but I can't place it. On: Oh. Oh! This blossoms into the exact scent of a lemon bar! I can almost taste it, it's so perfect. Sunny lemon with powdered sugar and butter, all baked to warm, moist deliciousness! I wish I could say more, but "lemon bar" pretty much sums this one up! This bottle isn't going anywhere.. I love it! ETA... An hour later: The lemon has faded and now this has a sort of spicy vibe to it... a bit reminiscent of the spiced rum in Upa Upa. Still yummy! A few hours later: And now I'm getting the distinct aroma of baby wipes. Clean ones, mind, but it's that aloe-lemon-soap sort of scent. I think this is what I smelled earlier that was kind of off. How very strange! Lemon bars to spiced cake to baby wipes. Chaotic indeed! I think I'll give this one a few months to settle before I decide its fate.

While the other pieces of the L'Estate set feel like basking in the afternoon sunlight, the spray reminds me distinctly of a summer sunset. This smells like sitting on the porch after a long, hot day, a glass of iced tea in hand, watching the sun sink into the horizon. Mmm. I get the same licorice vibe as savage_rose, with dry orange over the top. I can see the clove-studded orange associations also... I think this will also be beautiful in fall, for those golden afternoons. Beautiful job on this set! The three components are gorgeous separately and also complement eachother perfectly. I spritzed my shirt, wore the oil, and rubbed some of the bath oil in my skin the other day, and I couldn't stop huffing myself.

Imp age: A few weeks. Ish. In the imp: Huh. This is very purple and very sweet... like it's on the brink of rotting. On: "Spotty, hairy, purple, sweet" pretty much sums things up! That strange sickly sweetness remains, along with a medley of other notes that I don't recognize. Violets and grape, maybe? Whatever it is, it's definitely purple and hairy. I don't really know what to make of this one. After a half hour or so my chemistry starts pointing this more in the rotting direction. Overall: I really wanted to love this one, just because it sounded so unusual! Unfortunately it's just a little TOO unusual for me.. particularly combined with my skin chemistry. However, I'm really glad I got to try it (thanks for the frimp labbies!) and will pass the hairiness on to someone who might like it better. Color association: Deep purple, almost black

Vanilla, amber, and lilies are some of my very favorite notes, so this one is a pretty obvious win for me. In the bottle: I can't pick much of anything out, oddly. Maybe a little sunflower? Wet: Mmhm, there's the sunflower, with amber close behind. It's still fairly subtle. Dry: Oh my god. This is EXACTLY what I hoped it would be - all golden amber and vanilla and sun-soaked lilies. While the L'Estate bath oil is the complete summer picture, the perfume oil is pure bottled sunshine. I want to curl up in this and take a nap. Overall: WIN. That is all. Color association: Golden, of course.

Like Aerinha, my bath oil also leaked a bit, so I'm also cussing at the cardboard for taking some of the precious. First impressions (from sniffing the box!): Fruit! Reminded me of plum, because my nose fails. There's also something sweet and spicy.. I'm guessing that's the carnation. On skin: Mm, NOW it smells like peach. A warm peach.. not cooked, but just picked in the heat of the day. Carnation also makes a strong appearance. The beeswax and amber are in the background, giving the scent a warm golden haze. This is so beautiful and evocative I can also feel the sun on my shoulders. 15 mins later: Most of the top notes have burned off, leaving a subtle golden scent that is primarily beeswax. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to identify beeswax in a perfume, but it's absolutely unmistakable here. I smell like I've been making candles, in a completely good way. Overall: This is sitting out on the porch, basking lazily in the heat of the day. The wildflowers growing around (and through) the porch are blooming, bobbing gently as they turn toward the sun. This is walking in a huge orchard, finding the perfect peach, soaked with sunshine... it's the feeling of the fuzz under your fingers and the first bite, juice running down your chin. Dear Beth: Please make more of this! I want to smell like this every summer day for the rest of my life.

Lab frimp. Approximately three weeks old. In the imp: Jasmine! Now that I finally know what that smells like, it really jumps out. Can't pick out much else, though. On: It takes a minute for the jasmine to calm down, and then this is a very light (but deep) floral. I'm getting a note that reminds me strongly of Dorian or Theodosius... I thought it was tea, but maybe it's white musk? It hits me right at the end of the inhale. My GOD this is beautiful! I've found that most florals smell relatively similar on my skin (I amp both jasmine and rose), but something here is keeping everything in check. This is walking in the moonlight, wearing an ethereal shift that flutters in the slightest breeze; sitting in an abandoned castle garden in the dark of night. It's beautiful and at once dark and light and a little bit wild. Verdict: LOVE this one. It's perfect for summer nights. I'll definitely use my imp, and may need some more in the future! I bet it'll be awesome layered with Dorian. Color association: Deep purple

A generous lab frimp! Approximately 2 weeks old. In the imp: I don't smell.. anything. Wet: Nothing, still. Weird. Dry: There it is! A soft, but fresh, ginger. Maybe some lemon too? It reminds me of this chewy ginger candy I get at the Asian market. Comforting. I can't detect the milk at all, and the honey seems to just be softening the ginger's sharpness. Overall: Mm.. not an all-time favorite, but definitely pretty a cozy. I'll happily use up my imp! Color association: Golden

Generous lab frimp. Approximately 2 weeks old. In vial: Something.. fruity? Wet: Definitely fruity, a little candy-ish. Dry: I still get fruit.. either apple or lemon, I think... and also a floral that really smells like rose to me. It's lovely, whatever it is. It reminds me of the floral department at Micheals for some reason, even though there are only fake flowers there. -shrugs- Overall: Well, I really thought I had the rose pinned.. until I looked at the notes. Maybe the floral I'm smelling is jasmine? I've only experienced jasmine before in Mata Hari, and I assumed that was what went sour and awful on me.... At any rate, Siren is very feminine and beautiful, though not really my type of scent. I'll probably keep the imp, for days when I want to smell a little more floral and traditional. Color association: Deep orange-red

Bottle age: Two weeks? Ish. In the bottle: Whew! I like pine, but this pine means BUSINESS! I can actually see where schackjj got the menthol comparison. On: Pine continues to thrash about for a little bit before calming down, and then... Dry: Baby powder. Nice baby powder, but baby powder nonetheless. I'm heartbroken. I ordered a 5mL unsniffed because I was SURE it would be lovely, but it turns out I'm in the 5% of BPALers with skin chemistry that hates this blend. I'll try it again in a locket, and age it if that doesn't help, but at the moment this looks like The Illustrated Woman is sadly destined for the swaps.

Since I discovered diluting into rollerballs, I've been diluting every BPAL that comes my way, and so far it was worked great. But the other day I tried making a rollerball of Boomslang, and I can't get the Boomslang to come out of the roller! I had a lot of trouble getting them to mix, so I performed the great BPAL sin and shook it. It looked like the oils mixed, but all I could get out of the rollerball was lightly-scented jojoba. Has anyone else had trouble with Boomslang or other very very thick BPAL's in rollerballs?

In the imp: Leather? Something somewhat acrid. On: It blossoms out into a nice floral with a hint of leather underneath... innocent-looking, but dark. Dry: And here comes the rose. Rose always amps and drowns out the other notes on me, and it happens here too. Fortunately it is willing to share the spotlight with some of the other florals, making this a very pleasant ladies' perfume. I'd classify this as a white or pink floral. Overall: This will be great for days when I feel like something spring-y and flower-y, but I can't imagine getting too much wear out of it. I'll keep the imp, but don't need a bottle. Color association: Pale pink.

Good points, ivyandpeony! I'll have to go read that bit about Snow White; I've always wondered what's in there.

Dana O' Shee doesn't have almond in it, does it? I know a lot of people mention it in the reviews, but I got the impression from Bill's email that if almond was in the blend they would have listed it in the notes? Unless "sweet grains" includes almonds? I was taken aback when Bill said they never use carrier oils too. If the other 15% or so in their perfume oils isn't a carrier, then what is it? Maybe he isn't including oils taken to properly dilute the irritating ones as carriers? At any rate, I imagine that if the Lab had oils that weren't safe to use undiluted, they would have a disclaimer about it. They're pretty good about taking care of our safety. Anyone notice the new disclaimer on the front page?:

Hope is... exactly what it claims to be. It's a pale pink rose, dipped in crystalline sugar. Really beautiful! Normally my chemistry amps rose like no tomorrow, but I love the note, so I thought this time I'd run with it instead of fighting it. And woot, it worked! Hope is a definite bottle purchase! Throw: Average Wearlength: Average Color assocation: Pale pink