batling

While wet, it's a mix of bitter dark cacao and black musk. It's rich, earthy and a little sharp from the musk. I can easily see this read as herbal or medicinal to some people, especially due to the bitter almond and black musk, but the cacao does well in keeping it from veering off track. I noticed some interpreted the bitter almond as cherry-like, but it doesn't to me. It's not sweet enough. The dry down allows the black musk to slink into the background, still present but not as assertive. The black orchid, in my opinion, is the star once the scent is worn in. It isn't a screechy or powdery floral, more heady and perfume-y than anything else. This is a darkly romantic fragrance.

To my nose, this could be a cousin to Every Day is Halloween. The sandalwood in that blend hits similarly to me; resinous, woody, warm. It packs a punch. Melancholy Fire diverges with the citrus zest from the bergamot and it really pops through the heat of this fragrance. It dissipates just slightly, and as it dries down, settling on the skin, you get a rich amber incense that doesn't read as heavy or powdery. It makes me think of grubby, handmade incense cones that you burn on a charcoal disc--carefully rolled in oil of bergamot, dusted in finely ground cinnamon and clove. Or when something is so cold that it burns... You would think that this would be a prickly, fiery scent, but its not, not really. The warmth is there for ambiance, overshadowing the brightness from the citrus just slightly but not enough to snuff it out or in some cases irritate the skin. It's really balanced and just really beautiful.

Arcana Candy Cane LN (FS) Mongolian Death Worm (FS) Fantome Coyoacan (FS EDP) MoonaLisa Hocus Pocus (FS EDP) NAVA Peppermint Coffee Cat (any amount!) Vintage Witch (FS)

This is just a list of scents I'd like full sizes of or sample. FULL SIZE Mexican Long Tongued Bat (backup) The Hag HG (backup) DECANTS/SAMPLES Belonging to the Darkness II (Blood Milk Jewels) Planchette (Blood Milk Jewels) You Get What Anybody Gets - You Get A Lifetime

This rested about 9 or so hours before I skin tested, so please keep that in mind! I nabbed this because it screamed to me as a unique Halloween fragrance and living in desert-y Los Angeles, I don't get true "fall" weather until MAYBE late October to mid-November. I also thought I could wear this when Summer hits and Halloween decor gets dropped--peak halfway to Halloween goodness. In the bottle, its musky, dusty and petrichor-adjacent. Wet on the skin, you get that big, bombastic creosote note. It's something so distinctive that its hard to really miss. Slightly damp greenery initially then it becomes muskier as it settles. After a bit, it gets dustier, like kicked up sand, and woodier for sure. There is something warm underneath, kind of mineral-y but not coppery. Almost like rain dappled concrete or dirt. This isn't high noon desert fragrance but more like Autumn nightfall in Death Valley.

I want to preface this by saying that this rested from the mail for only like.. 9 hours or so but here we go! In the bottle, its clove and a perfumed incense-floral. Wet on the skin, the clove is very apparent. It's even kind of prickly on the skin. It kind of mellows out and blends into the incense note, giving it a headier quality than Constellation. Constellation, to my nose, is perfume-y clove because of the Egyptian musk but its "sweeter" than A Melancholy of Goths. AMoG is more incense and floral, less "bright" than its Haute Macabre sibling. The warm clove stands out again on the dry down, giving it a soft bite to the scent while retaining that sort of powdery hairspray note that isn't screechy thanks to the champaca I think. If you know, you know. It's a very strong. potent scent and I only needed one dab. If Constellation is a scent I'd wear during Summer and Thorns Clove Cigarette, which is a warmer, smokier clove, is a scent I'd wear during Winter, then A Melancholy of Goths would be something I'd choose for Spring and Fall-- before L.A. gets hit with sweater weather at least!

1. I just have to start this ....Cellar Door just posted their Halloween goodies - I love their scents, soaps and candles - which of these might you fancy? https://cellardoorbathsupply.com/collections/halloween-fall-collection?_kx=wJHWHTN2OASY0k5c5ZR301X0_-q-0iaglCjL2XDqO-E%3D.SE8AhX ANSWER I'd be happy with any of soaps of the following: Lavender Pumpkin (I'd take this as a candle too surprisingly!), Once Bitten, Pumpkin Chai Latte, Sanderson Spice, and Zombie Repellent. --- 2. If you'd like handmade knit items, are you good with soft wools or do you prefer acrylic only? Are there any items you'd love for fall/halloweenie? (Ie mittens, hat, fingerless mitts, cowl, legwarmers) ANSWER I prefer vegan fabrics! I don't live in an area where knitted items are a go-to (sunny Los Angeles), but mittens sound so cute for rainy days. --- 3. Anyone fancying the new Paintbox Soapworks or Witch Baby Soap Halloween launches? ANSWER I want to try so many of the pumpkin scents, so I'd be content with either! Lotions, scrubs, and soaps from PBSW and scrubs and soaps from WBS! --- 4. Would you be interested in an adult Halloween coloring book? I recently backed on kickstarter for one by a local gothic art market near me and it's due in during the swap period. ANSWER I love them in concept but I honestly would not use it. 😥 --- 5. What are some OCYL brands you've been wanting to dabble in? ANSWER To answer my own question, other than BPAL: - For scents I enjoy Alkemia, Arcana, Fantome, MoonaLisa, and NAVA! - For bath & body, I am open to most brands (as long as the product isn't oil-based)! - For wax melts, I'm a big Moonbeams Scent Emporium fan! --- 6. I am working on making bath bombs. Would you be willing to try my creations? How about wax tarts? What type of scents do you favor? ANSWER Ohh, exciting! Unfortunately I don't use bath bombs but I love wax melts! I love autumnal scents, so apple, pumpkin etc. atmospherics! I also enjoy aquatics and cologne-tyoe scents. --- 7. What kinds of home smell good things do you like? (I.e. incense, candles, wax melts, felt scent balls, essential oils, linen spray) ANSWER I mostly use wax melts and linen sprays, but use stick incense and candles on occasion! --- 8. I know a lot of us are witchy and have deeply held beliefs about the materials we use as part of our practice. If you're one of those individuals, are there certain herbs, crystals, etc that you do not want to receive? ANSWER Ohh, what an excellent question! I do not use herbs truthfully, I use my own poison garden. ❤️ At the moment, the only crystals I work with hypersthene, silver or gold sheen obsidian, and black moonstone. I hope that helps. --- 9. When you have a disti nct preference for one holiday over another, What are some cross over items that actually work for both? ANSWER Bats are all year for me, you cannot go wrong with bats for me no matter the time of year. Pumpkin, gingerbread, and peppermint coffee/mocha are good for fall and winter for me. So many Halloween-related things are also year-round for me, I'm just a spook for life kind of gal. --- 10. One question (that is actually several questions) -- Local honey? Infused/flavored honey? Local infused/flavored honey with Southwest notes (jalapeno, other pepper, mesquite, acacia)? ANSWER I cannot eat honey. Spikes my blood sugar alas. Such a lovely gift idea though! --- 11. Any spooky/weenie DVD's you're missing and would like in your collection? NMBC? the Crow? An old Hammer film? Dark Shadows? The Omen? Sleepy Hallow?...? ANSWER I watch all my films online! --- 12. Shampoo and/or conditioner bars and if so, for what type of hair (dry, fine, oily, curly, normal)? ANSWER I don't use them because my hair is a pain in the butt, so I stick to the products I know work. ❤️ --- 13. Also another question! I just got the email that the Ectogasm Halloween Collection is live. Does anything interest you? https://www.ectogasm.net/collections/halloween ANSWER I love the Lucifer pin and the "Boobs!" ghost socks are hilariously adorable. --- 14. On a scale from Paprika Is a Heatwave to Let Me Eat a Peck of Pickled Ghost Chiles, how spicy is too spicy, and how spicy is just right? ANSWER I love spice! In every day snacking, I'm very much a Tapatio/Cholula and jalapenos go with everything kind of gal. I love Hot Cheetos, Takis, and Mexican candy but I haven't had much of any of that in the past 2 years. I'm pretty much open to whatever as long as its low in sugar or sugar-free since I'm diabetic. --- 15. If I wanted to get a lotion for my pumpkin that I think they would really like, but it isn't specifically Fall or Fall Holiday related, is it still OK to include, because Fall is when the humidity goes away and everyone's skin gets dry? If all the other things are thematically appropriate? ANSWER If my person thinks I will love a thing, regardless if its Fall or Halloween themed, I'll be thrilled. ❤️ Its the thought that counts. --- 16. If I were to make you a set of arm warmers/ fingerless mitts, what color(s) & style would you like? Options- Long or short? Solid - one fabric Stripes- bands of colors sewn together- like fun black & red, black & purple etc. I currently have some nice cashmeres. ANSWER I do not live in an area that requires arm warmers or mittens truthfully! The gesture is kind but they wouldn't be used. 😥 --- 17. Homemade canned and baked and concocted goodies? Any aversions? If I could make you some of my fudge, what would you prefer? ANSWER I am totally on board with homemade treats! My only request is that it be sugar-free as I'm diabetic and I am not a fan of coconut or licorice flavors. --- 18. Another question! Are you open to trying different indie perfume houses if I find a scent that I think you'd enjoy? ANSWER Abso-dingdangdiddly-lutely! There are plenty of non-BPAL brands I am a big fan of. --- 19. NEW QUESTION: I love making stickers!! If I could design you some stickers, what would you love to have? It could be halloween themed or not! My art style is a bit simplistic, cartoony, and cutesy, I usually draw fairies but last year I did a swap on reddit and made someone a bunch of halloween dog stickers lol. (Sidenote: They probably won't be waterproof, but they're glossy vinyl!) ANOTHER NEW QUESTION: I've got a bunch of small round labels perfect for bpal 5ml label lid art! Name your top 5-10 scents that you'd love to have lid art made for! Just as a fun little extra in your package if desired (Could also work for other companies with lids just like the BPAL bottles) ANSWER A. I'm a simple gal with simple tastes! I love anything Satanic, batty, or bimbo-esque. Goats, bats, and big tiddy goths all day. B. Oh, hmmm. It's hard to pick favorites and I go through my favorites quickly so I wouldn't want the art to go to waste. That is such a sweet and generous idea though! --- 20. MY NEW QUESTION! I'm going to Disneyworld in late September! I'll be going to all four parks and attending both the Not-So-Scary Halloween Bash and Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. Is there ANYTHING from Disney that you would like? Is there something you collect that perhaps you'd enjoy a Disney version of (tea, socks, enamel pins, plushies etc etc etc)??? ANSWER I had not even thought of that. Hocus Pocus is my beloved nostalgia movie, not just Halloween related. So anything relating to that film, I would adore! --- 21. Okay my first question: would you like any decor from Say Target, Homewood, or William and Sonoma? ANSWER I don't have a ton of room BUT I love witchy (think occult-y) kitchen items like small bowls or a good batty blanket! --- 22. I am going to Dragon Con for the first time! Which of these BPALs do you want? ANSWER Oh man, I am not a fan of peaches unfortunately. --- 23. I am going to Dragon Con this weekend. Is there anything you would like? Lab wise or just general geekery. ANSWER I have never been and no idea who will be there BUT I'm Eddie Munson obsessed, so I'd be happy with any related merch! --- 24. a. Would you be interested in a bag like we sell in our etsy shop? b. f you are a yarnie, are you interested in a ceramic yarn bowl? c. If you are a yarnie, I'd love to gift some yarn from my stash so give me an idea of colors / weight / material / yardage you'd like. d. Are you interested in trying some of our "thunder butter"? e. I need to inventory our canned goods but do you like things like peach jam, cardamom plum jam, peach butter, plum butter, pickles, applesauce with nothing added, applesauce with red hots, dried apples or pears, bread and butter pickles, dill pickles, blackberry jam, huckleberry jam, candied jalapenos? f. Any interest in things from our garden like dried mint, catnip, lavender, rose petals, dill weed or dill seeds, sage, rue, mugwort, rosemary? g. How about alcoholic things like rose petal liqueur, lavender vanilla bean liqueur, various flavors of mead (chocolate orange, strawberry mango, whatever my son is making)? h. Pumpkin bread or zucchini bread? How about blueberry zucchini bread with a lemon glaze? ANSWER a. Your bags are SO cute, and I'd be content with any of the batty patterns as a cosmetics bag or something along those lines! b & c. I am not a yarnie, alas. d. I do not think I would have a use for thunder butter, but I'd be happy to try it none the less! c. I LOVE pickles, I just can't do much sugar so jams or candied things would be out for me. d. No thank you on the herbs! e. I do not drink much alcohol unfortunately. f. Pumpkin bread sounds delightful! --- 25. I make specialty simple syrups. You can use them in teas or cocktails (and desserts). How do you feel about a Hibiscus simple syrup? I use 2 ounce bottles for these so its just a fun amount. ANSWER That sounds SO delightful but I don't think I can consume that without it spiking my blood sugar. I bet it tastes AMAZING though ! --- 26. a. Format for tea? e.g. teabag vs loose b. Do you like spooky themed tights? If so, what are your measurements? c. Pls post your book wishlist! ANSWER a. I love loose tea but I'm perfectly content with tea bags! b. No tights please! c. The only three books I am currently coveting right now are The Plants of the Devil by Corrine Boyer, Veneficium by Daniel A. Shulke, and The Poison Path Herbal by Coby Michael. --- 27. a. Would you like to receive a 2D collage art piece? What overall vibe would you be into? (spooky, autumnal, whimsical, eerie, lovely, occult, bizarre, smutty etc.?) b. Do you like rocks/gemstone jewelry? Prefer polished/smooth rocks or raw/rough? Any favorite stones, rocks, colors that you'd like? ANSWER a. I love dark, ominous, occult art! That would fit in my decor very easily. b. The only jewelry I wear is sterling silver or beaded strands, but my favorite stones (in order) are Hypersthene, silver sheen Obsidian, and black moonstone if we're talking polished! I also collect specimens of toxic minerals like Cinnabar. I also collect Sulfur specimens and some unique quartz specimens. --- 28. Any interest in the August releases that got announced today? ANSWER I am mostly eyeing the Coffee Bean, Cacao, and Khus trio as well as the cherry Lunacy scent. --- 29. Luvmilks seasonal goodies are out! What scents and formats appeal to you, my little pumpkin? ANSWER I enjoy their bubble wash! I think Ghost Girlfriend, Goblin Girlfriend, and Pegasus Girlfriend would be lovely. --- 30. Would you like a Pyrex 4-cup Nightmare Before Christmas bowl with lid? (Can also get Starwars and various Disney ones.) ANSWER The Nightmare Before Christmas ones would be very cute! Sure. --- 31. August Tea's fall sale starts tomorrow, 20% off everything on the site with code FALL20. Is there anything you would like to try, my Pumpkin? ANSWER Roasted Pumpkin Caramel Rooibos, Chocolate Chili Black Tea, Violet Elderberry Black Tea! --- 32. I'm going to the farmer's market tomorrow, and there are lots of great vendors. Would you be interested in soap or chapstick or bath/body products? ANSWER I am incredibly late, so this likely doesn't apply to me. However, soap is always appreciated! --- 33. Would you be interested in a tumbler like these? If so, what theme would you like it to be? Glitter or no glitter? What color do you want the liquid to be or would you prefer the blood drip look? ANSWER No thank you! --- 34. How do you feel about ribbons? Is there anything in particular you are looking for if you'd want some? What about ribbon remnants? Colors/textures? ANSWER No thank you! --- 35. Would you be interested in any skincare items? Anything you would not want? ANSWER No thank you! --- 36. Is anyone else interested in the latest Sphere & Sundry release? https://sphereandsundry.com/offerings/bpals-of-exalted-venus-ii/ Or other S&S offerings? ANSWER The Goat's Horns has always been one I've eyed. --- 37. Do you have any interest in trying my infused moonshine whiskey? I've been thinking of experimenting with autumn spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) and maybe a chocolate chai. ANSWER No thank you! I don't drink much alcohol. --- 38. Any interest in spooky shape wax melts in your favorite candle scents? (What are your favorite candle scents?) ANSWER Sure! I don't have "favorite" candle scents off the top of my head, besides seasonal atmospherics and seasonal gourmands that have spices, apple. pumpkin, etc. --- 39. How about lotion bars? ANSWER No thank you! --- 40. Bird and Blend tea just did their Autumn drop! Anything look good to you? https://www.birdandblendtea.us (Also, if you're not a pumpkin person, I invite you to check out the rest of their offerings, which are always exceptional!) ANSWER I LOVE THEIR TEA! It's my favorite! My all-time favorite flavor is Mulled Cider, I haven't been able to buy any because I've been budgeting hardcore. I'd also love to try their Spiced Pumpkin Pie, Dark Choc Chilli Chai, Gingerbread Chai!

two impressions! 1. fresh out of the mail & 2. 24 hr rested. 1. this one did not come to play. the pine pitch is kind of green and bitter and camphorous, like it has that same menthol like quality when it tickles the back of your throat when you smell it? i can get whiffs of clove and something else, but in the vial and wet on the skin, its just a pine pitch party in my nostrils. the dry down.. is still mostly pine pitch. jfc. pine pitch PLEASE, i wanna smell the other notes! after a little, the clove becomes more noticeable to my nose and i'm getting whispery little hints of powdery dragons blood. i mean, in the end the pine pitch does chill out but unfortunately, the dry down isn't worthwhile for me atm. update: the drydown isnt bad! i like that its.. spicy dragons blood, but the opening made me contemplate my life choices. do i want to sit through that for the drydown??? i don't know! i dig the experience even if it mollywhopped me. 2. in the vial, the pine pitch isn't as aggressive or acrid as it was the other day. wet on the skin, i still get that bitter green quality but i think its actually mellowed out quite a bit thanks to the warmth of the clove here. clove can be biting and it works well at telling the pine pitch to calm the fuck down a little maybe? i get some whiffs of the dragons blood as it wears longer and the pine pitch is now marrying and seamlessly blending in with the clove. the dry down is intense dragons blood which is leaning a little bit powdery on me but not as powdery as other dragons blood fragrances i've tried. i think this will be a polarizing scent for a lot of people but right now, i'm somewhere in the middle. it makes me curious about what this will age into. update: the dragons blood isn't as powdery as it initially was which i'm thankful for. the warm clove has some lovely staying power which i'm vibing with. my only issue is that the dragons blood is doing that thing where it becomes overwhelming to the senses when i sniff too deeply, giving me a minor headache. i'm not sure how to feel on this, but i'm going to hold onto my decant and see what happens. update #2: i tried this again and i.. really enjoy it now? perhaps its the power of suggestion, i'm not sure, but a friend said it smelled like "resin cola". i /love/ cola fragrances so curiously, i retested my decant. and.. yes, i get it. i actually get it. the pine pitch isn't nearly as assertive as the first two times i tried it. the pine pitch and the clove, interestingly, give it an effervescent, kind of bubbly quality which gives me that quintessential "cola" vibe. the dragons blood gives it that sweetness, a touch powdery, on the dry down. its more floral than fruity to my nose. i cannot stop myself from sniffing my wrists, which i think says a lot. i can see this aging into something spectacular, and right now, its certainly a very unique fragrance. i think this is an upsize for me.

my first actual review on the forum! i broke this down to two impressions. 1. fresh out of the mail & 2. 24 hours rested. 1. in the vial, its dry and chocolate-y. wet on the skin, its not as cacao forward as I initially expected it to be. sure, you get that whiff of dry chocolate but it has a pretty, smooth slightly amber-y quality? the sweetness seems tempered on the skin. the dry down is lovely. the tonka bean really works well here, and truthfully, right now, i don't pick up much patchouli. the sandalwood is probably somewhere in here, adding to the tonka bean. i can see this aging into something really beautiful. update: after a bit, its all tonka bean, sandalwood, and a hint of something woody because its not powdery but it smells more like a lux designer fragrance. the kind that probably lingers on fur coats. 2. second time around! still chocolate-y in the vial. wet on the skin, nowhere near as cacao forward so that tracks from the first test. i get more of the sandalwood and its tickling my nose in a warm, peppery kind of way. the tonka bean and sandalwood give this scent a vintage perfume kind of vibe. perhaps something you'd sniff at a boutique of some sort. timeless, elegant. the patchouli is not very noticeable, if at all, to my nose. its possible that it might become more apparent with some aging but i'm not quite sure. the dry down has more of a woody, dry quality with the same classic perfume aura as before. the cacao is here and its noticeable, but its more of a delicate velvety sweetness than anything particularly gourmand. update: glowing, sexy tonka bean and sandalwood with a soft woody note. vaguely sweet cacao fluttering in the background. all tied together seamlessly. gorgeous.