grrrlennyl

When, as by glaciers ground, the spate Swells hissing from beneath, The water of your mouth, elate, Rises between your teeth -- It seems some old Bohemian vintage Triumphant, fierce, and tart, A liquid heaven that showers a mintage Of stars across my heart. A sinister, darkly seductive scent inspired by poetry of Charles Baudelaire. Violet entwined with vanilla and gardenia. at first: violet, but with something else. i can't quite pick it out yet... on: wow. i thought this would be really sweet (violet and vanilla), but it isn't. i can really smell the gardenia. the other two scents are in the background. it's different from anything i've ever smelled, but i like it. 1/2 hour later: i can smell the sweetness of the vanilla and the violet coming through. very nice. actually, more than very nice: lovely. an hour and a half later: this is balanced so beautifully. none of the scents overpower the other two, but they are all distinct. it smells very feminine, in a floral with a bit of sweetness sort of a way. 7 hours later: it lightened up quite a bit, but i can still pick out the violet, the vanilla, and the gardenia. wonderful. overall: while i probably won't buy this again, i also won't be getting rid of the sample i have, since i'll be finishing it up.

Yikes! A spurt of wet, grassy greenness. at first: sweet, wet grass. on: still sweet, wet grass. this is really lovely. half an hour later: this is really smooth. it reminds me a little of aloe, but a lot greener and more grassy. 1 hour later: sweeter, but still smooth and green. 2 hours later: sweet, smooth, and green. i realize that i'm repeating myself, but this has been pretty consistent on me. 3.5 hours later: this smells of very sweet cucumber. there's a hint of that grassy scent, too. overall: i love this. it had a few minutes of smelling almost-but-not-quite-sour, but that passed quickly. this is the perfect scent for welcoming spring.

Used to open up options in your life, overcome obstacles, and create opportunities. This blend increases your potential for success, inspires creativity and quick thinking, and helps you to be more flexible, adaptable and open to change. at first: sweet, but also...uh-oh. i smell cinnamon. i'll have to be very, very careful with this one. on: sweet, but with a tinge of something herbal. i think the sweetness may be from some sort of fruit, but i can't place it. 1.5 hours later: still that fruit. there's still the herbal scent underneath. for some reason, i can't place the notes in this one. 4.5 hours later: it's much, much lighter now, but i didn't put a lot on to begin with. the scent hasn't really changed besides that, though. overall: wonderful. it does "what it says on the tin", so i'm happy. note: i just have to say that this really helped me focus at 2 important time. first, i was able to concentrate pretty well while writing the essays for my gre, which tends to be a struggle, since the topics are usually quite boring. most recently, i helped me complete a draft of something for work that i was feeling really scattered and muddled about. it's fabulous! NOTE: This review thread is for BPAL's Bewitching Brew. If you're looking for the Twilight Alchemy Lab oil of the same name, those reviews are here. --Shollin

A Sanskrit blessing and word of greeting that bears a powerful symbolism. It represents the Oneness of all of existence, the union of matter and spirit, perfect wholeness. It is accompanied by a gesture: Anjali -- hands pressed together, fingertips heavenward, pressed together over the heart's chakra. This oil blend is a serene, soothing Indian blend, created to bring calm and joy to the heart and peace to the spirit. Sandalwood, jasmine, rose, patchouli, cedarwood and lemongrass. at first: not sure. smells a bit like generic perfume. i think it's because there are so many things in it. i'll need to wear this one to figure it out. on: hmmm...very strong. i'm smelling just straight-up perfume, kind of masculine. i can't really pick out any individual notes. i'm hoping this was calms down A LOT (like vice and three jacks did on me) because it's a bit too in-your-face right now. 2 hours later: not strong anymore, which is cool. definitely more subtle. smells a bit masculine still...i think it's the sandalwood and the cedarwood. i don't think i like this one. i'll give it another hour... 4 hours later: not strong at all. overall: i probably wouldn't buy this again. i didn't like how this developed on my skin. i bought it more for the name than the ingredients, which was a definite mistake.

As if the name didn't spell it out for you. This blend relieves all sexual inhibitions by simultaneously relaxing and arousing. at first: sweet, but not heavy. a bit minty? do i smell celery? on: a bit cinnamony. and...AH! IT BURNS... later: i washed it off. yeah, allergic to somethin' in this one. lush's dream cream is a life saver, i tell ya! overall: i'm allergic. this will be posted for swaps.

Voluptuous and indulgent! A deep chocolate scent, with black cherry and orange blossom. at first: holy chocolate, batman. seriously, i just put this on and it is sooo strong. i think i can smell a bit of the black cherry underneath. it's a pretty sexy smell so far. 2 hours later: ok, so all i can smell right now is...sweetness. like buttercream frosting. too sweet, even for me. i'll have to ask my girlfriend what she thinks. i may be swapping this one. 4.5 hours later: not as sweet or heavy anymore. i can pick up a cocoa powder kind of a smell. i may like this one after all. i'll just need to let it sit for a (long) while before going out with it. overall: in the end, i like it. however, in the end, my girlfriend loves it. i probably won't by this in a full size, but i'll try to keep it on hand.

A travel blend. Calms nerves, alleviates tension, soothes jetlag. at first: lavender. on: yup. lavender. fresh, gorgeous lavender. 1 hour later: this is definitely calming. there's an underlying sweetness to it, too. 2 hours later: this isn't the knock-you-out sort of scent that somnus is; it's more in the background, calming you softly. overall: i can't wait to take this along with me when i travel from now on. i'll definitely be decanting an imp of it to keep in my purse.

A strong, willful blend with a soft, utterly lovely soul: white musk with a trickle of bright, sharp apricot and orange blossom. at first: apricot. it smells light and...bubbly, like it's carbonated. on: it smells sweeter than in the bottle, but in a light, fruity way. i can smell the musk and apricot and something lightly floral, which must be the orange blossom. elizabeth sent me this one as a sample and i'm loving it so far. 2 hours later: fabulous. a light, but full, scent. i can smell all three of the components (apricot, orange blossom, white musk) without a problem. they are each equally strong. i'm still loving it. elizabeth knows me better than i know myself. 2.5 hours later: it's too light. i can barely smell it. i guess this will be one i'll have to reapply. overall: i'm tempted to buy 5ml of this, but i'm going to try a few more "light and fruity" ones out first.

MIDNIGHT MASS I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord: That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands are iniquities: their right hand is filled with gifts. But as for me, I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord. In Roman Catholic tradition, the Christmas season begins liturgically on Christmas Eve, though it is forbidden to celebrate the Christmas Mass before midnight. The most devout attend Midnight Mass, celebrating both the Eucharist and the drama of the Nativity. This perfume is a traditional Roman Catholic sacramental incense, most often used during a Solemn Mass. Traditionally, five tears of this incense, each encased individually in wax that has been fashioned into the shape of a nail, are inserted into the paschal candle. This is, of course, represents the Five Wounds of Our Risen Savior. Symbolically, the burning of the incense signifies spiritual fervor, the fragrance itself inspires virtue, and the rising smoke carries our prayers to God. Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen. at first: soft resins and incense. on: sharper than in the bottle, but still softer than i thought it would be. very lovely. exactly like church incense. half an hour later: this is still pretty much the same, maybe a tiny bit sweeter. 1.5 hours later: still the same. amazing! the sweetness is pretty much gone. 2.5 hours later: yeah, i don't know what else to say. overall: lovely stuff. this was the only yule LE i ordered and i'm glad i chose it.

Simply cool, the essence of Lounge: the scent of a crisp pomegranate martini. at first: exactly as advertised - "a crisp pomegranate martini". on: smells wonderful. going back to the "crisp pomegranate martini" description. i love it. then again, i love pomegranates, so...that makes sense. it smells like it has alcohol in it, too. some clear alcohol, like gin or vodka. 1.5 hours later: still loving it. and i mean loving it. it's still pretty strong, which is surprising, since more fruity smells seem to disappear quickly on me. i have a feeling i'll be getting a 5ml bottle of this once i'm done with my imp's ear. 6.5 hours later: i can still smell it. it's wonderful. the pomegranate is becoming more subtle, but it's definitely still there. overall: i'm definitely going to be getting a 5ml bottle of this. more to come...

at first: beth included this as an extra, since i'm a pisces, too, and it is beautiful. watery and sensual, with just a touch of sweetness in the background. unbelievable. on: unbelievably beautiful. a watery and sweet flower. i love it! half an hour later: very pure and very sweet. almost like pure sugar cane. lovely. 1 hour later: really, really nice. it's still sweet. i like this. 2 hours later: this is even sweeter now, but it smells a bit fuller. wonderful. overall: i love this! thank you so much, beth! this is definitely a favorite.

A sweet and silly compliment to the first breath of Spring! Sugared carnation and phlox! at first: fresh carnations and a hint of sugar. on: the carnations are dustier now and the sugar is stronger. lovely. half an hour later: sweet, but musty carnations. 1.5 hours later: gorgeous sweet carnations. i love this. 3 hours later: warm carnations with a little bit of sugar. 4.5 hours later: sweet, but with an odd vegetable note. i wonder if it's the phlox. overall: this started going sort of odd at the end, but i loved it up until then. i'm a sucker for sugared flowers. update: i'm a dork. the vegetable-y note was from something else that i was wearing. this is good all-around. hehe...

Rose otto, tonka, orchid, Calla lily, skin musk, coconut, and Spanish sage. I just wanted to take a minute to thank the Lab for letting me take part in this. I adore the portrait Jenn did (Yes, that is my hair, but not my boobs.) and the scent that Beth cooked up is just lovely. At first: A fresh, springtime floral. Rose is dominant, but I can catch a bit of sweet tonka, too. On: Mostly rose. Very pretty. 5 minutes later: This smells light and sweet on me now. Lovely. Half an hour later: A gorgeous floral. This is more fo a green, Spring floral than anything heady or even potpourri-ish. Very nice. 3 hours later: A nice combination of lily and sage, with a base of rose. 4 hours later: A smooth, slightly powdery rose scent. I'm getting a tiny bit of coconut and a nice hint of musk. Overall: Just lovely. If Spring would decide to come and actually stay this year, this would be the perfect scent for it. I guess I'll just have to keep wearing it until that happens.

at first: very interesting. i'm not sure how to describe it. a bit watery, but mostly sweet with an herbal edge. on: a very fresh, very green flower. sweet, too. very lovely and light. half an hour later: still very pure. a single flower. very nice. 1 hour later: this is such a beautiful, simple scent. 2 hours later: this is a tiny bit powdery now. still lovely. 4 hours later: this is just too wonderful. i'm so glad i tried this! overall: i LOVE this. it's perfect on its own, but i think it could really help lighten and sweeten some other scents, too.

Gentleman At first: A sweet "masculine" cologne with a bit of something powdery. I think I smell a bit of anise, but I might be imagining it. 2.5 hours in: Powdery and lovely. 3.5 hours in: Still a powdery, sweet cologne. There's a hint of rosemary and tobacco leaf. 6.5 hours in: Still about the same, but a little sweeter. Overall: What a winner! This just hits all the right notes on me: powdery, a bit masculine, a tiny bit sweet. Love it!

All Souls' Night 1917 On: Sharp incense. 3.5 hours later: Sandalwood incense. 7 hours later: Still about the same. A little more powdery. Overall: This is nice on me, but nothing amazing. I could see layering it with some other BPAL, though.

On: Lots of fruits with powdered sugar and a slightly sour note. 3.5 hours later: The musk is definitely coming forward more now. It still has a hint of fruit to it. 7 hours later: Lovely. This is a light honey with white musk on me. There's a hint of pineapple and mint, but nothing much. Overall: I really like this on me. Honey blends love me.

Blue Pumpkin Floss: This tastes like cotton candy and something boozy to me. I don't get pumpkin at all. It's very interesting. Ghoulish: So boozy. I'm getting tons of amaretto. There's definitely cherry there, too. It's really dark. I can get some saffron, which is very interesting. Autumn Cider: Super spicy cider. Definitely nutmeg in there somewhere. There's a lighter citrus note, but it's pretty faint.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a BPAL (LE, discontinued, or anything, really) that has a banana note that lasts. Splatter Comedy just broke my heart today because the banana disappeared once it dried. The same pretty much happened with Manila. I know that I should probably test out Pahoehoe and Banana Peel in a Graveyard from the currently available oils, but I was thinking someone may have tried something else that isn't currently available that would fit the bill. The only one I've ever tried that has maintained a banana note has been Shango, so maybe that'll have to be my go-to banana scent. I don't mind candyish banana. I'm pretty flexible. Thanks!

Senelion Note: This oil has some of the notes that smell worst on me (Cedar? Lotus Root? Two red musks?!?) and some that smell the best (amber, black musk, Roman chamomile), so we'll see how this goes. On: Musky, but light. A bit sweet, and I can definitely pick up the star anise. 1 hour in: I keep getting hints of anise wafting up at me. It's nice. 6 hours in: Still mostly anise with a base of black musk. Much nicer than I thought it would be on me. Overall: I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but I'm going to keep it around for a while.

Sangria Champagne On: Wow. Heady red wine and bubbly champagne. This may be too much for me. 6.5 hours in: Pretty. A light, slightly sweet, red wine scent. A bit candyish, actually. Overall: This is too much for me, especially at first.

On: This smells like someone dropped one of those peach ring candies into a glass of champagne. I like it. Overall: I didn't really keep track of how this one developed, but it is honestly one of the only champagne scents that have every worked on me. The sweetness from the peach seems to tone down the bubbliness of the champagne and it's just lovely on me.

Pallas Athene On: Spices and wood with incense. Really lovely and not as "hot" (from the cinnamon bark) as I feared. 1 hour in: Mostly cedar. Boo. 11.5 hours: This is just a soft, sweet scent on me. Overall: This is nice on me, but nothing spectacular.

On: Red candy at first, if that makes sense. However, I can pick out the red musk (which usually goes bad on me) and some sweet, candy-like notes coupled with incense. It's pretty now, but I'm wary as to how it will develop on me. 5 hours in: Musky and sweet. There's also a bit of incense. Nothing in particular is standing out. Overall: This isn't really "me".

Hot Buttered Rum On: This totally smells like butterscotch hard candies...doused in rum. Overall: This made me feel woozy when wearing it. I think it is just too boozy for me.