mooncityminx

When I smell Treatsy, I think of sour apple jawbreakers and lemon drops. Except that there is something about the lemon that doesn't quite smell edible. I don't know, maybe there is some other mystery note in there that I can't put my finger on. It's definitely an appropriate fragrance for Halloween. I think when I read the description I was expecting the apple note from Snow Glass Apples, or Poisoned Apple with a bit more sweetness thrown in, but this is a sour apple, unlike any bpal apple I have smelled before. It's very pretty.

White rose and honeyed cream. In the bottle: Rose and something weird that I can't identify Wet: Rose! Sweet and clean. Drydown: The rose note is very nice. It's strong in a good way, not overpowering. After a little while, I can smell the honey, and the whole effect is softened. This is sort of like Hope, but more sophisticated and natural. Oh, this is so gorgeous and classy. I am on a rose kick right now, and I just can't get enough. I love how there are so many beautiful and unique variations of rose in the catalog. No wonder this blend is so popular! I keep huffing my wrist. Originally I passed on this, because I already had a few bottles of Hope, and I figured it wouldn't be very different. I'm really glad that I was wrong, and I'm so lucky to have scored a 5ml!

I tried this on when it came in the mail yesterday evening. I was hoping for something that really let the honeysuckle shine, and Joyful Moon really delivered. Honeysuckle is one of my favorite notes of all time. My first ever BPAL order included an imp's ear of honeysuckle single note. I have been kicking myself for not ordering a whole bottle ever since. Honeysuckle is a sweet floral, but not cloying. I would describe it as a white floral, but it is never harsh or soapy. It has it's own distinct character that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it firsthand. On to the review of Joyful Moon: In the bottle: sweet liquor and a hint of pipe tobacco Wet: sweet marshmallows, then honeysuckle and something else that is white floral in the background. The musk emerges and takes over for a while. It will stay very musky for a few minutes. This is the stage that has other people thinking "powder." I usually can't wear any ambers or resins except for white amber, so the ambrette had me worried. But this is not old lady powder, or baby powder. Thank goodness. After a few moments I can detect a faint whiff of rose. The florals, musk, and ambrette blend so well together. It reminds me of the musk in Pisces. I always thought Pisces smelled so expensive and sexy. The ambrette and florals make this musk more classy, and less overtly sexy. The honeysuckle finally comes through and floats above the other notes. I can't smell any of the other notes now, just a magical blend of everything with honeysuckle floating on the top. Drydown: As it dries, the vanilla comes out. It will go from honeysuckle on top, vanilla and musk, slowly to vanilla musk. The vanilla musk stage lasts for hours and hours on me. This is excellent vanilla. It reminds me of the vanilla in Antique Lace. It also reminds me of the vanilla in Midway, although this vanilla is not accompanied by anything buttery or smokey. I would love to have another bottle of this. It is one of the best BPALs I've ever smelled. I'll reach for it when I want the comfort of vanilla, but the lady-like sophistication of florals and musk.

I tried on this oil the moment it arrived in the mail, and was not impressed. But being a veteran BPALer, I knew not to rush to any conclusions. I'm so glad, because in one week, it has become everything I was hoping for. With a name like Roses, Pearls and Diamonds, I was hoping for something really special. In the bottle: some sort of liquor. I don't know what. Wet: Roses, really rich red roses, like the BPTP Red Rose oil. Really, it reminds me strongly of Red Rose and of the combination of Red Rose and White Rose. Rose-y, slightly spicy and alluring. As it settles I can start to smell some coconut, but only because I know it's there. It doesn't smell anything like sunscreen or tropical drinks. The coconut blends with the rose so well that I am only aware of it as something creamy. It has a texture rather than a scent. Don't misunderstand, it doesn't smell like Milk Moon. It smells a bit like a fresh glass of milk next to a vase overflowing with red roses in full bloom. Dry: Mostly the wonderful spicy roses. It's not dry rose like Maiden was for me. It's not green and dirty rose like a tomboy rose scent. It's not snooty or powdery or soapy like some other roses. And yet, it's not straight up fruity fresh rose, either. Still strongly spicy and creamy, radiant and spectacular. I like this slathered better than dabbed. (Why don't we have a "slather" smiley?) An instant favorite for me!

Well, I just got this bottle in the mail, and we all know that freshly mailed bottles are not accurate. But who can resist trying something as unique as Bread and Butterfly right away? Not me. I have been lusting for more butter bpals, so this is a big deal to me. In the bottle: butter, and that nutty-slightly-foodie fragrance that sometimes accompanies pumpkin blends and cake blends. Wet: sweet, like honey and amber and something that I am sure is the Earl Grey tea. It doesn't really smell like anything truly edible or drinkable at this stage. To clean and powdery to be food, but not in a bad overwhelming way. Drydown: I dabbed it in three different places, hoping to get a more accurate impression. I can see why some people says it reminds them of toast, but so far I have to put my nose right up to my wrist to detect that. I usually amp any ambers or resins to BABY POWDER ATTACK! It is looking like that might be the case this time as well. So far, it is not at all what I expected. I just put some on a Q-tip to make sure it is my chemistry eating the butter. LOL, did I just type that? My chemistry eats the butter. No the Q-tip went from buttery, to nice dry toast. Different, but not exactly what I was expecting either. I will be content to wear this in a scent locket, if I have to. It's still being a little baby powdery on my skin *is heartbroken* I'll have to let it age and hope for the best.

I just recently fell in love with Pacifica's Persian Rose, but alas it has been discontinued. So, in my next order I am planning on getting a rose centered imp pack in search of something equally wonderful. To me, Pacifica's rose is very fresh and slightly lemony. I don't know if you've ever smelled a rose that made you think of lemonade, but I have and it's the best rose smell, IMO. Even though I bought it in the form of a bar of soap, it doesn't smell soapy at all, just 100% fresh and real. I've tried, and have samples of Rose Moon, Black Rose, Rose Cross, Peacock Queen, Pink Snowballs, Hope, Rose Red, Maiden, The Rose, and several others that I am sure I am forgetting. So far I am considering samples of: London - tried before and loved it, but can't find my imp Roses, Pearls and Diamonds - doesn't sound anything like Persian Rose, but I want it anyway The Snooty Rose - for good measure Seance - already suggested from above Two, Five, and Seven - apparently a lot of types of rose all together EDIT: I found a sample of Two, Five, and Seven, bingo! This is almost identical to Persian Rose. Bottle x2! Any suggestions? Candidates needn't contain lemon, but ideally not have a dirt or stem note.

A very kind forumite gifted me a partial decant of this. I was thrilled, as I am always anxious to try anything with vanilla. Particularly bourbon vanilla. So far I have not detected vanilla from it. Mostly I am getting tea rose. It's a very nice tea rose, not too overbearing, not too sweet. Depending on where I apply it, I can pick up what I think is the pink pepper. There's something freshly sweet about it. It's not sugary, and it's not exactly fruity or powdery either. Oh, after several minutes, I can finally detect a bit of vanilla, but only in the background and close to the skin. At no point do I detect any patchouli of any kind, or the standard bpal jasmine. The best I can do is to compare it to other roses. Rose Red has a true rose floral and a green scent to it, like a pretty tomboy. This is more civilized and feminine, without the greenery. Peacock Queen is a clean rose that might belong to a very fine quality soap or a bottle of rosewater. This is less haughty, and more friendly. Hope is a candy rose, like a Rosepetal doll, sweet and vanilla, childlike. This is like Hope grew up, became more lady-like and poised, but stayed natural and friendly. I wear Hope a lot. I would wear this if I had a bottle. Most likely, I will give this fragrance as a gift to someone at some point. I think this is one of the best gateway bpals I've come across in a while, because it is so classic and simple, yet uniquely wonderful.

In the bottle: Strawberry Pop Rocks Wet: Juicy strawberry, maybe a tiny twinge of artificial watermelon, aiding the juiciness. Juicy, juicy juicy strawberry candy! The powdered sugar note emerges, and now I am reminded of the strawberry hard candies that come in round tins. A teeny tiny hint of the mimosa hovers in the background, peeking out intermittently, only enough to make things more interesting. Drydown: Strawberry candy with powdered sugar coating, and a tad of mimosa in the background. For the record, Madrid did horrible medicinal mimosa things on me, whereas this is not medicinal at all. There is just enough mimosa in this to be more than strawberry, more than candy. It really does remind me of a doll. Maybe because I was such a collector of scented dolls (and ponies) as a child. I love love love this, and I am SO happy that I did Inquisition this year! I would be crying right now if I hadn't!

In the vial: Floral and mint and leather? Wet: Soapy mint. It is reminding me of some shampoo I used to have. Drydown: OOoo. Now the smell is reminding me of money. How did it do that? It's still kind of soapy and minty, but there is a little bit of new money smell, like crisp bills straight from the atm. I think this reminds me a bit of Doc Constantine's fragrance in the Carnival. I think the soapy floral note is similar.

In the vial: Orange and strong spice like cinnamon Wet: Sweet orange with a spicy edge, too spicy to be clove, or maybe clove with some kind of super-charged kick. ZOMG, Yum! I would have to buy this if it were available in a bottle. I think the super-charge is ginger, because it is reminding me strongly of Count Dracula. Drydown: Fiery spices surrounding a more subtle orange oil. I would just slather myself in this, if I had more. Since I only have the one vial, I will likely love it, and pet it, and name it George. I never want to wash my hand again, or until it wears off.

In the vial: Melted butter. No, really. I could almost lick this, but I won't. Wet: Melted butter and something else, which passes for warm popcorn. I love this! How strange and wonderful. Drydown: After a while it starts to smell faintly of coconut. It still smells like buttered popcorn as well. I can slather this and it stays subtle, which is nice, because as much as I love this, I don't want anyone to think I bathed in butter today. I only just learned of this oil a few weeks ago, of course I had to get my hands on it right away. It was before my time. I didn't really expect I would wear it often, but so far I have worn it at least five different days. Maybe I'm just a weirdo like that, but I have a special place in my heart for the most unusual bpals. I'd love to see Shill come back someday, even for just a little while.

It sounds like you are looking for something "musty"? I don't really know what that means. Musky? Dusty? A tip though, that the black currant and red currant notes sometimes smell like blackberry to me. For instance, I wear Victoria's Secret Amber Blackberry with The East. The East The scent of the winds beyond the wall: bluebonnet, passion flower, freesia, jasmine tea, mint, thyme, and redcurrant. The East isn't musky or dusty to me. I'm sorry I couldn't narrow it down more.

Do you think we'll get to see the Halloween pics that people sent to the Lab? I was Lady Gaga and I wore Vixen. I did feel like I should be wearing something more naughty, but there is no Disco Stick bpal.

So far, I've only gotten compliments from the uninitiated on: The East Schwarzer Mond and Cupid Complaining to Venus I point out these in particular, because people will actually stop me to ask what that perfume is I am wearing, and gush about how great it is. I personally love a lot of bpals, but I've noticed that bpal virgins do not always have appreciation for the more eccentric bpals that I love. Snake Oil is wonderful, and some people who are bpal virgins love it at first sniff, but many people are not ready for how bold and sexy it is. Oh well, more for me.

I second the suggestion of Vixen. She is sophisticated and sexy as hell. Reminds me somewhat of Coco, but not in a clone type way. Ozymandias was too powdery for me, personally. But my chemistry tends to amp powdery smells.

In the vial: vanilla Wet: spiced vanilla musk Beautiful! This is so lovely. Reminds me of a lot of things. Warm and womanly. Mmmmm. All I have is a sniffie and it is empty now. *despair*

I am so amazed at how much this smells like a glass of milk. How does Beth do that? The fig is so subtle, slightly sweet, but not sugary. This fragrance makes me think of babies. It has no resemblance to any other bpal I have ever smelled. I tried the last Milk Moon and that one didn't agree with me. This one is unique and beautiful. I am very impressed and so glad that I got to try it.

ZOMG! Yes! Sorry about that, I am overcome with glee. At first this is exactly like Marshmallow Poof, which is exactly what I had been hoping for (marshmallows and pinkberry), then some vanilla comes out, then a hint of bubblegum, then it is sweet pink vanilla. This may as well have been formulated with me in mind, as it is exactly what I have been hoping for. Ever since I scored a bottle of Marshmallow Poof, I've wanted something I could stock up on and slather. This is even better than the Poof, I know, I blaspheme, but seriously, the vanilla is so perfect and I just can not shut up about how much I love this! I just wish I had been saving up so I could have a hu-uge stockpile. I would seriously love to have this in lotion, and bath oil, and bubble bath, and shampoo, can my whole world smell like this please? *is using the unicorn skin in celebration*

Okay, so I've actually had a decant of Aegis for a while. Someone gave me one in a trade and although it smells good, at the time I was in the middle of a LOT of negative energy and I already had a bottle of Fiery Wall of Protection, so I hadn't used Aegis very much. Fiery Wall is powerful against bad intentions, in my experience, and when it has my back, I feel a little better, but it's not protective in the same way as Aegis. Aegis, to me, is more of an energy cleanser, preventative of shenanigans by making some kind of truce with the energies that could become more negative, and makes me feel much more at ease. It's more of a filter than a barrier, if that makes sense. I got out the vial remembering how nice it smelled and hoping it might do the trick for me lately, as I've been getting a vague creepy feeling quite frequently and need to clear my head. Aegis has a wonderful smell. I don't quite know how to explain it, but I can always tell at a meet-n-sniff when I'm smelling a TAL versus a BPAL oil. With a TAL there is always an energetic effect. I'm really sensitive to that type of thing, so I need some Aegis on my side. Aegis smells like something citrus and lavender at first. To me lavender and citrus seem to have a cleansing effect, energetically. It's almost like Arcana, if you've tried it, from the BPAL website. But, as it dries it becomes more herbal, more spicy and a little smokey and whatever those fragrances are from, that is the true power of this oil. It's like you get a cleansing effect, and then a foundation underneath of protection. I can feel how serious it is when it gets to this stage. Bonus, I slathered this on myself a few days ago, and when my husband came home he began smelling my arms. I thought he would complain, because he usually does when I wear a fragrance that he notices. He doesn't tend to like any fragrances on me. But he really loves Aegis. He said it smelled like I had been cooking something ethnic, and he encouraged me to hurry up and order a bottle of Aegis and to wear it regularly.

OMG beautiful! The strawberry is sweetish but more realistic than usual. There is the green smell, that part is subtle, something only very slightly floral. OMG! Did I say OMG? This smells so real. And yet so much better than real. It is similar in a way to One to Tie, Two to Win from the Dogs Playing Poker series. I love that one but don't wear it very often, just occasionally in the summer. This one is so perfect because it is sweet/foody enough for my sweet tooth, but not too foody or sweet. I could see wearing this everyday in any season. It's the best of everything. At the same time the strawberry note is totally different than any other strawberry bpal I've ever tried before. I think this is my new favorite of all time! I'm so glad I bought two bottles (and the t-shirt) but sad that I don't have even more, and won't be able to order more next month like a typical LE. *rapture/despair*

I am detecting a white floral (maybe lily? I guess this is gardenia since that is what is listed) and maybe honeysuckle, or at least something that smells like honeysuckle single note to me. I love honeysuckle single note. This is very clean, but not exactly soapy. It reminds me of Hanami in that they both resemble a really really great smelling shampoo. Don't get me wrong, this smells awesome, but the notes together remind me of the types of fragrances used in expensive shampoos only much better. It is sweet and floral, but classy and not cloying or stuffy. This is starting to grow on me actually. I'm usually too terrified of "clean" fragrances to even try them, but I'm really glad to have tried Tissue, because it's much more beautiful than I was expecting. Next I'm going to try this in my hair

Honestly, clowns freak me out, so it wasn't until I read the reviews that I seriously considered even trying this. But I'm so glad that I did! In the vial: It's when the oil is wet and contained that it really embodies the concept. It smells just like what I would imagine it would, a clown between acts guzzling some kind of booze, I can make out the grease paint and something sweet. The circus peanuts candy. Wet: Boozey, fermented fruits, and bubblegum swirl around. I was already impressed at this stage, but not really looking forward to being mistaken for someone with a drinking problem. However as it dries the scent begins to change. It becomes fresh bright cherry, liquor, and I still think I am smelling the face paint. If you're wondering the face paint is kind of a background scent. So, don't be afraid. If you've never smelled halloween face paint, then you may not even recognize it here. Dry: On drydown this starts to smell like a relative to Teenage Cannibal but more complex. It seems to keep the bubblegum and spiced fruits of Cannibal, but there are other smells here as well making this much more interesting. It's still a little boozy, but not too much. I wouldn't be mistaken for someone with a drinking problem anymore, thankfully. There seems to be a lot of cherry, and other sweet smells that are tart and interesting. I've heard a lot of other people compare this to Sugar Skull, but to my nose they are nothing alike. To me this is like the Teenage Cannibal got into some Marshmallow Poof and rum. I'm a huge fan of Teenage Cannibal (3 bottles,) Marshmallow Poof, and rum. So, the only question for me is how many bottles? I'll try the other Velvets I'm interested in before I can decide. If you like Velvet Clown try: Diary of a Lovestruck Teenage Cannibal, Marshmallow Poof, Midway, TAL: Perpetuum Bonuum.

I find that 5mls usually age into the imp I fell in love with. Right now I'm waiting on Morocco. It's getting there. But for years I thought Shub smelled like a super gingery version I got in my first imp. It was in one of my very first orders, and I was like, "Wow this is why everyone goes on and on about it," but then I got another imp of it this year and it was not all red or super ginger like the other one. Turns out I have an oddball imp. They're both very nice though. ETA: Lyonesse in the aged imp I have is not aquatic at all. But the bottles I bought are getting less aquatic. I'm looking forward to when they ripen to ambery goodness.

I only just recently got to try Mouse's Long Sad Tale and wow, it really is the vanilla I've been searching for. On my chemistry Lyonesse is easily the best oriental spiced vanilla, but I put it on my mom and it was slightly aquatic on her. I smell wintergreen in Love's Philosophy, and Antique Lace is way too clean smelling for me, but Sassafrass Strengthener is the perfect rootbeer float. Hod to me was always carnations above all else. I never detected any cardamom or vanilla in it at all, although it was sometimes woodsy. I'm just saying that because I'd hate for anyone to start pining away for something so difficult to obtain. It's worth a try, but not worth stressing about My current 10mls worth of Snake Oil decanted into a roller bottle has just hit that age when it starts to smell like vanilla incense(about a year I think.) I must buy more to hide away for when I finish this decant.

Okay, I'm not going to lie, the first few minutes for me were terrible. I mean, burnt pencil shavings and rotten fruits. I don't know why. I almost washed it off. BUT... After the first few minutes this turned into strawberry milk. No kidding. You know that strawberry syrup you can buy I think it's Quick or something and you mix it into milk like you would chocolate syrup? That's this exactly. Sooooo goooood! I think I like it even more than the violet chocolate. I looooove it!