Anna-Marina

2020 version This is the same wet rose of Rose Red, but mintier. It doesn't have the greenness of RR, but it's still almost as loud. I don't get the furry musk until the dry down, but I agree with other reviews that the fur element seems to have coconut. This is a youthful and vibrant rose, definitely glad I picked this up.

2016 version - I found this packed away and my notes when I bought it in 2016. I noted there was no clove. And today I'm still not getting any clove unfortunately. On me, it's a pine SN. I have to be honest and say this is smelling like a very expensive cleaner. Despite that I'm really enjoying wearing this. I see others noted this being dark, but it's quite bright for me and really perked me up today. I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing this around others, but I'll use it instead as a pick-me-up when I'm working at home.

I'm not sure what is going on, but this is going sharp and dry on me. 😭 Oddly enough, I'm also getting tobacco, so I'm not sure if it's an unlisted note or it's a combo of the vetiver and sandalwood. Its dried down to a really nice men's cologne, but it's entirely different from what I thought it would be. This is going back in the rest drawer for now.

This is so comforting to me! The patchouli here is more aged and woody, than green so it's like wearing a warm blanket. It took a few weeks to rest, but it was well worth it. This is a lovely cloud of the three notes, that never battle for the spotlight. I've worn this while exercising too and the grapefruit keeps the patchouli from being too dank while sweating. I think this would also be a great evening scent during Arizona summers. My skin normally eats oils so I wanted to throw out that disclaimer, so the only negative to this blend is that it only lasts for 2-3 hours on me. The throw is very low, but this is a blend I wear more for myself.

Review of the 2020 version. In the bottle this is exactly like smelling a rose bush that's been recently rained on. I'm not getting ozone or dirt, but there is still cold water pooling on the petals. Definitely dewy as the description notes. This was the rare BPAL that I only needed to rest for a day too. I won't do a breakdown of wet versus dry down as it never morphs on my skin. But it's much greener on my skin, than rosy. It's as if someone has been slapping me with the wet stems and I've gotten sap on myself. I adore rose, but unfortunately this is too loud, sharp, and green for my tastes. But it's a very realistic take and its amazing that the Lab can create so many types of roses for all tastes.

Mine is also from the 2021 Bloodmilk restock. This is a lovely patch gourmand. Aged patchouli must be used in this as it doesn't read "green" like most patch does on my skin. It manages to be cozy and lewd at the same time. The only downside for me is that my skin eats this up. Hopefully aging will fix that issue.

On paper, this should have worked; however I'm amping the myrrh and this is a thick, sharp, and spicy beast. Unfortunately the rosewater is coming across powdery on me. So this rose lover finally came across a rose/rosewater scent they can't play with. I was imagining this would be soft and delicate, but it's quite loud. I'll have to find something with frankincense to try layering and tame the myrrh. I don't pay attention to gender labels with scents, but I'd say this is actually quite masculine. Funny enough its reminding me of an attar I've forgotten the brand/name of, so if you also like attars you may want to sample this. ETA: I let this rest an additional two weeks and the myrrh has really calmed down. It's very distinct, but now it's playing very nicely with the rosewater. The rosewater is still going powdery, but it's wearable for me now. I still agree with my original thoughts that it's masculine forward, but I definitely see this as gender-bending sophisticated and spicy beast. This would be perfect for evenings. For sure, let this one rest longer.

Hi! A fellow forum newbie chiming in, but I've tried a lot of the general catalogue. I think you are in luck as those notes are used heavily. One thing I've found with BPAL in regards to their florals, is that so many varieties of even the same flower are used so there may be floral notes, but it won't necessarily be a "screaming" floral (I'm also a non-floral person, but I'm learning to tolerate more with heavier notes). I just wanted to throw that out there. Here are a few of my faves that share some of those notes. Alisz - Spun sugar, frankincense, white rose, mallow root, red currant, and vanilla mint. (this is a lovely vanilla, marshmallow, sugar cloud that is tempered by the frankincense) Dracul (GC) - Black musk, tobacco, fir, balsam of peru, cumin, bitter clove, crushed mint, and orange blossom. (I'd definitely suggest getting an imp first, but this is clove and mint on me. Much brighter than I expected) Queen Alice (GC) - Carnation, posies, and white amber with a hint of inky treacle. (I really amp the carnation in this, so I don't detect the posies. It's nearly a carnation single note) Bathsheba (GC) - carnation, sensual plum, and Arabian musk. (I second trying Morocco, this is her younger sister)

This is my surprise favorite of the 2020 Winter release. This was a chance blind-buy, because jasmine is usually headache inducing and I don't generally like mallow and cream notes as they turn sour. Oh, but I am so happy to have proven wrong with Poinsettia Gown. I completely agree with the other reviews that this is heavy on florals. I've been testing this for a few weeks now and my hormones impact whether the jasmine or rose is more pronounced. But thankfully, while the jasmine has been sharp at times, the other notes have kept any headaches at bay. The first 40-50 minutes of wear is loud florals and the beauty comes afterwards when this morphs into the most delicious creamy aura. I've not been able to pick out the vanilla, but I know its adding to the softness. There are two images that come to mind...one is I'm lounging in a milk bath with petals floating on top of the water and the second is of a beautiful portrait by John Singer Sargent (not MadameX though). I'm just envisioning the caress of lush, rich fabrics and lace. Ultimately, Poinsettia Gown makes me feel safe and cozy. I thought this faded completely after a few hours of wear, but I put this on last night and woke up to a beautiful cloud of creamy rose so I'll have to remember to not continuously slather this on. I can't wait to see how this ages.

In the bottle: juicy berries and iris. Wet: same berry and iris combo, which is quite dark and still juicy. Has a sharpness to it. Drydown: this has really morphed and I can detect the amber and benzoin now. Iris usually goes powdery on me, but I believe the other notes are preventing that. Unfortunately there isn't much throw, but for me it's a slightly berry/musky "sweater" scent. I'm wearing it during the day, but it's almost too soothing dried down so I will try it at night. I think once it dries down it would layer beautifully with lavender. I initially tested this during shark week and I really amped the fenugreek, which I think is the note coming across as berries.