Pika

In imp: Butter, pineapple, and a bit of cherry jolly rancher. Wet on skin: I 100% second anyone who mentioned Jelly Belly buttered popcorn beans! It's a dead ringer. Plus a hint of fruitiness. And seriously, there's something smoky and meaty hiding in the background. (Is that my mind playing tricks because I read the word, or is that turkey??) After a bit: Fruity scents all but gone, all that's left is butter and sweet (maybe a hint of vanilla?) I find that *amazing* owing to the fact my skin amps red/fruit/candy like nobody's business. But, yes, the cherry is gone, I think. Later: Still butter and sweet. Fairly long lasting. Eh. I don't find this scent sexy, or refreshing, or empowering, or even appetizing; i.e. any of the things I'd hope for in a perfume. So, I think Pika's skin chemistry strikes out again.

A frimp from the lab... Wow, this one is complex. My first impression is "campfires!". Yummy, yummy, somehow edible (?) campfire smoke with almond, vanilla, and deeper, darker things lurking. As it dries, the sweeter vanilla is coming out more, and must be the vetiver/myrrh is still grounding it. I think the almond went bye-bye. I like this one though! What an interesting scent! I'll definitely keep it around for days I'm feeling "mysterious" because that's the vibe I get.

I've had my Blood Rose imp for quite a while, and remember it being a dark red, juicy, strong, sexy kind of scent. I tried it again today, however, and while I smelled lovely deep, grown-up rose in the imp, on me, it was quite different! The rose completely took over in a dry, soapy way. I lost the wine entirely (and I LOVE the BPAL wine note) and the dragon's blood kept sneaking out like "boo! mwahaha" then would hide behind the soap-rose. It had incredible staying power, I'll give it that. And great throw, as I kept smelling it for the next several hours. But I'm afraid I'm in a "purging" mode, and it's going into the swap pile, because I really don't want to smell like this again, even if it is some kind of funky chemistry day. From the other reviews, someone else will give it love, I'm sure. ETA: Did try it again, still stinky. Shoved it under boy's nose to make sure I wasn't completely off base, he also said it was stinky. Oh well.

In imp: Smells florally, herbally, and happy-ish. A bit refreshing, a bit cloying. On skin: WHOA FLORAL! Yikes, strong! Lily? Jasmine? Ylang-ylang? A few minutes later: Ok, this is NOT going to work, no matter how much I'd love to have the good vibes. I think it's the jasmine (?) that's amped to high heaven on me, and I think I can smell some ylang-ylang in there too, which for some reason I can't stand. (I've avoided a lot of blends because they have the ylang in them) I will say it's a very "round" scent, very "smooth", but no good for me. OK, I've tried to keep it on for a while now, and no, not going to work. I think I'm going to have to wash it off. I hope it works for others!

Aw, shucks. In the vial, and for the first 10 min or so on my skin, this was a lovely, happy, pomegranate with the sweetness of rose. After that, the rose took over completely, lasted for another 10 min or so, and then went powdery. Weird. I don't always have issues with BPAL rose blends, but this one appears to be an unlucky one. *sigh* Off to swaps, I guess. ETA: double click = funky formatting? Whatever, looks better now...

Just thought I'd put in a word for Kali and Fairy Wine seeming similar to me. I get the honey-wine-slight fruit element of Kali more than the chocolate/tobacco (though it's there...mmm) so the honey-wine-fruit smells in Fairy Wine are very similar. However, Fairy Wine's currant (I think) amps to the heavens on me, and turns it into very sweet, fruity, almost candyness. Ick. So for my part, I'm sticking with Kali, but I do think they're similar.

Wow, I was not expecting to like this one (v.2007)! It came as a traveling companion to some other imps, but oh is it good! It certainly smelled like sugar in the imp, but thankfully not like the cotton candy I was expecting. More depth, still girly-sweet, but not totally teeth-rotting. On me, I think it's positively addicting! And I'll add that I dislike foody smells, especially ones that smell like fake sugars, cakes, brownies, etc. This oil is deepened by something I want to describe as musk-like, but certainly much lighter. It's got a *slightly* caramelly smell, though I'm not getting the molasses or maple other people described. And I guess it's the "fruits" that liven things up (something in the top/mid note sparkles) but my skin usually amps fruit to death, and it's not going all crazy with this one. I applied 4 hours ago, and it's still going strong and lovely, which is also unusual for my skin. Overall, I love this scent! Too bad I had no idea back when it was readily available. I'll have to launch a search for more!

In imp: A strange, tangy kind of bittersweet smell. Coffee, chocolate plus something really *sharp*. On skin: Wow, complex! Coffee, and the more I sniff the more cinnamon I get, oddly enough. A bit wine-y, kind of dry, and "ominous"... something like the effects of ozone; there's a spark in it, puts me on edge. Drying: A very dry cocoa scent, kind of earthy/dusty/dirty smelling too. Still sweet though. Very interesting scent! I really like the gut-level reaction it pulls from me, very edgy, kind of a rush, with the grounding elegance of chocolate and coffee. The dry down is nice too, even though I can best describe it as "old chocolate dust with a drop of dried-up wine"! Not your average, comfortable scent. But I like it all the same, maybe more, because of that.

In imp: Whoa! Dark and lovely, very incensy and spicy, with a hint of flowers. Wet on skin: Darkly spicy - love that nutmeg! - florals are very subtle but there, tempering the incense. Very "exotic" smell to me. Drying: Stays subtle and mysterious. Smelling the rose poking out now, but that's all right in this case. Very feminine and seductive feeling, with an edge thanks to the cardamom, I think. Definitely not an everyday type perfume for me, but I could see it for a late night date or something similar. Makes me feel sexy in a powerful way. Keeps an incensy feel throughout, which is something I'm not always in the mood for, but when I am, this will be a great scent! ETA: Drat! Hours later, I'm looking around for a powdery smell... yup, it's my wrist. Were the first hours worth it? Hmm...

In imp: Strong! Fruity-sweet, but good dose of yummy wine. Mmm Wet on skin: It's much sweeter than I had hoped, and not with just the honey (which I like) but also with that amped candy-ness my skin does to most "red/purple" fruits. Wine/dandelions are overwhelmed and in hiding. I had such hopes for this one... Drying: It tones down a lot, smells a lot better dry, and I think the wine and dandelions are poking out. But it's still super sweet. Kind of reminds me of what Bordello does on me, though a little subtler. Overall, not bad, but I wish the dandelions held their own against the fruit on my skin. Kali is still my fave for a honey/wine scent.

In the vial: As I would expect from the notes, a deep, needle-y, earthy scent. Fairly masculine. Like thick conifers. Wet on skin: Delicious, dark and deep! Beautiful, mysterious. More unisex than I thought. A while later... It got kind of "hollow", maybe that stuff of “half-remembered nightmares”…I think the cypress might have hijacked the whole thing? Not quite as nice, but OK. Much later... It lingers nicely, but the cypress hangs on for a long time. Definitely still feels foresty at least. Well, it’s dark and definitely not a scent for me to wear to the workplace or playtime, very earthy. I think I will keep my imp for home wear or for meditative work, though. Makes me picture a deep forest god, peering out from shadows. I don't really like that hollow, haunting middle ground (I have icky nightmares!) but it starts and ends well!

In the vial: Light, sweet, but definitely a cling-y pear. I’m not a huge pear/fruit fan, but it is intriguing me, nonetheless… Wet on skin: Delightful! Definite pear, but toned down so that it's not screaming "fruit"! I love lily of the valley, and I can smell that one in the mix now. Very light, and fresh and flirty. I hope this stays, it’d be great for summery days. A while later... This is a light scent, I'll probably need to apply more in the future. It’s already kind of fading. But it's still deliciously sweet, and I do like it! The pear makes it sparkly. It’s seeming to stay well blended. Much later... Gone. It faded away pretty fast. I’m left with a faint, faint musk. I’m glad I risked trying a pear scent, this one’s nice! But it faded sooo fast… I guess I could try it in a lotion. Maybe as a spritz or in a diffuser, to liven up my attitude occasionally, rather than my aroma.

In the vial: Holy lemongrass, Batman! Not one of my favorite scents, but I think there's enough complexity, it might have potential. Wet on skin: Um, still lemongrassy. Doesn't really smell like a perfume on me so far, but like a meditative oil I acidentally got on myself. A while later... I guess it is kind of uplifting, and somehow calming at the same time. I love sandalwood-and-rose scents, but the lemongrass won't quit, and is distracting. Much later... So the lemongrass finally faded, and now I could see wearing this, but all that's left is a kind of a generic, leftover, light incense smell. Not very interesting. Eh. I'll probably keep my imp, but I might try it for ritual or meditative use rather than perfume. Maybe that lemongrass can keep me from dozing off as I'm counting my breaths...

In the vial: Delicious, mysteriously fruity. Proud and regal, though, not like frivolous fruity. The mixed florals smell lightly pretty. Wet on skin: Uhoh, candy-like, (I think that's the violets) Why does my skin make things so sweet?! Mostly fruity, but more of the floral notes coming out now too. It's pretty in your face; a little goes a long way. A while later... Settled down some. Once the candy passes (thank goodness!) it’s actually flirty and nice. Not so regal anymore, but not totally flippant either. Actually, it’s quite a "grown up" smell, for lady-days, not girly-days. Much later... Nice and sweet. A very nice, incensy linger, not dry, like many others are on me. Yes, I like this one! My skin didn't hijack it for once. It’s actually a fruity option I can wear without smelling like a jolly rancher candy or cough syrup, and it’s dignified at the same time it’s flirty! I think I'll have to get more of this!

Pre: I’m not sure what smelling like golden light is supposed to mean, but how could it be a bad thing? In the vial: Golden light = Dark!? A bit biting, very brown, piney… like the ponderosa understory I played in as a kid. Is that the amber being so resinous? A little worried about the patchouli I smell lurking. Wet on skin: A deep, woody smell, not as light as I would have expected. Quite masculine. Mysterious in its depth, but dark with heavy patchouli. A while later... Pleasant, but not outstanding. Somehow smells like an old library, too, which is kind of comforting. Much later... Fades to a nice, soft scent. Lightens up on me...*now* I smell the “goldeness”. I like the dry down in this one, which is what you get to enjoy the longest anyway, I guess. Not too crazy about it, but OK. Maybe a good study scent due to the serenity of it and my associating it with libraries. Not what I’d pick on its own for any kind of casual wear, but I think I could see it layered with something to add some depth and mystery, maybe.

In the vial: oooh, this smells very good! Complex, spicy, brightened by orange. It does seem a bit masculine. Wet on skin: mmm, sweet, smooth, and spicy. My skin doesn't seem to be bumping up the citrus in this one the way it sometimes does. A little while later... Sexy! A bit mysterious, intriguing, and definitely opulent. Where are my silk cushions and fan-boys? The citrus has actually faded, and now rose has come out! Much later... aww, it faded pretty fast after that last entry. The dry, incensy sandalwood is the last bit to hang on. But it was beautiful while it lasted! I really like this one. Doesn't seem masculine after it hits my skin, although it's obviously not candy or pale white floral. Dramatic and sexy. I wonder how I can make it last longer...

In bottle: interesting, a sweet, airy floral, with something else… must be the myrrh? Wet on skin: dark! heavy and jasminey - don't really smell the rose at all. A little while later... very jasmine, a cold, hollow, white, full moon kind of smell, against a dark background. I do think it lives up to its name. Much later... fades, but the jasmine lingers on... and it's still heavy somehow I think this scent is accurate to its description, but it's just too dark and too jasmine for me. I find it kind of "clunky" and too heavy for my tastes... maybe the myrrh? I haven't tried many blends with myrrh yet. I might keep my imp for now, but it's not an instant favorite.

This was an imp I got from the lab, not sure I would have picked it out myself with all those seemingly unmatched ingredients! But (see below) sure glad I tried it! In the bottle: Complex! Bright. The wine is bright and fruity-sour, and I think there's honey in there too. Wet on skin: Still intricate! A bit darker, muskier, but a little floral, and still a spark of brightness. I'll second or third the very "grown-up" impression. I'm not really getting the chocolate others have, but I'm not really into overly foody scents anyway. A little while later… Definitely sexy. More florals coming out now, very nice. The honey scent is lingering as well, yummy! Much later… Still manages to be sexy! Actually very long lasting on me, and I smelled it on the sheets the next morning. The honey, especially, seems to be long lasting on my skin. Delicious all the way through, even as it morphs! I love it! This is a lovely, feminine, powerful, and sexy scent. A night scent for sure, but something that could probably go for either a night out on the town or maybe even a formal dinner. Prolly gonna have to order more of this...

In the bottle: Oh, yes! A beautiful rosy, but complex, floral smell. Wet on skin: Lovely, like a spring garden, I think of lilacs, daffodils, hyacinth... a good antidote for the snow outside right now... Very light, springy, feminine, but not too cloying. A little while later... Stays light and pleasant, feels livelier than a classic floral, but still very elegant. Much later... Does fade considerably, but never got unpleasant, and felt so classy and refreshing to wear. I like this one a LOT! It must be the other ingredients that lend the flowers depth, the earthiness, sandalwood, mandarin and such. A great perfume for work and day wear. I think I'll make a light spray out of it too, so I can get a light spritz when I need it. ETA 6/2/08: I have a bottle of this now, and love it. It's the only true "floral" from BPAL that I've fallen in love with. Some days the rose gets pretty heavy, but unlike other rose-blends, Viola is never in danger of going soapy or powdery on me. The balance of bright mandarin, the golden amber, and grounding woods is so perfect on my skin. I get sad when I read other reviews of how this went so bad on people, because I love it and am afraid of the day it might go away!

Got as a free sample from the lab... In the bottle: Whoa, that'll clear your sinuses! Minty and medicinal. Should I really put this on my skin? Wet on skin: Ok, I did it. Very herbal and medicinally. Not sure I like smelling like vapor rub. A little while later... I may have judged harshly at first, the lavender is poking out and I do like lavender... the mintiness is OK, I guess... "invigorating"? Much later... Faded away pretty quickly, but the lavender held on softly. Not too bad at the end, but is it worth the "pain" of the first part? I could see this as an energizing morning bath wash, but not something to have around regularly. Probably a swap contender...

I got this as a free sample from the lab, but the list of ingredients makes me think I would have gotten around to trying it sooner or later. In the bottle: A confusing scent, definitely orange and spicy, but not too "bright" like some citrus. Wet on skin: Orangey and almondy, bitter, still complex, and sharp. A little while later... Fading down to a toned down, but still complex, spicy scent. Still a bit bitter, and confusing to my nose. Much later... Fades away to a subtle incensy smell (maybe the sandalwood hanging on?) but not as nice on me as some other scents. Eh. It's not terrible, but definitely not one of my favorites. I found the blend a bit odd on me, and my nose is not particularly fond of being constantly puzzled over what is going on in a scent. Not the sexy scent I had hoped for, and I'll probably end up swapping it. More for someone else to love!

In the bottle: Very woody, hint of cedar? strong and masculine smelling. Wet on skin: Wow, I can't stop sniffing! I love it, maybe the rosewood? It's not so sharply woody anymore, more blended and sweet. Love it! A little while later... Still wonderful, blended, but more woody-incensy. Still masculine, but not so much I can't pull it off on the right kind of day. A touch drier, and becoming a *bit* powdery-incensy. Much later... The tail end on me tends to be very drily incensy, with tremendous staying power. But it's a sweet, woody incense, and I happen to like it. I LOVE this scent. Will definitely reorder. Yes, it's a bit manly, but it smells so good, who cares? I bet I'd love it if a guy wore this, too. Wonderful!

In bottle: Whoa, lemon! Kind of light and sweet, though, like a yummy lemon drop. Thinking it might be a good summery scent. Wet on skin: Yeah, lemon. A lotta lemon, with a little florally touch. Still sweet. A little while later... um, yes, still lemony, but fading... Much later... Gone. Faded pretty quickly. Never really did anything too interesting, just lemon! Did I mention this one's lemony? Yeah, I like lemon drops, but not so much smelling like a lemon, and then fading away to nothing. I could see using the rest of my imp to make a nice, cool, summery lotion, but I probably won't wear it as a perfume. A shame, I'm really in search of light, fresh scents...

I was afraid of this one because, while I love to *eat* berries, I'm not really the type to wear them all the time. But Bewitched has enough green/herby notes in it that I thought I'd give it a try... In bottle: Berries, but sagey and with a bit of bitter tea. A deep scent, and interesting! Wet on skin: Much more "berry", almost candy-sweet. Smells too much like fake-o BBW or department store bath products. Aw shucks, I'm thinking... A little while later... Settles down. The sweetness seems to become much more balanced by the deeper, greener, and muskier notes, but the fading berry still manages to keep it light and flirty. Much later... Faded away quite a bit on me, although the last half of the life of the fragrance was the most pleasant, I found. Overall, I don't think I'll wear this often as a perfume, but I'll keep my imp around for when the mood strikes. I do think it'd be nice, in moderation, as a room scent! I'll have to give that a try next!