sassycheesehead

Versailles certainly lives up to its description: sparkling citrus announces the presence of majestic red roses in all their splendor. Amber underpins this heady entrance with softness that evokes velvet, brocade, and powdered wigs. The pomp and circumstance lasts for about half an hour before taking a turn toward aristocratic aloofness. The fragrances turns from warm to cool as the orris makes its presence known, giving a haughty bite to the soft amber/jasmine softness. Versailles smells very luxe -- like it should cost many times more than its $15 price tag -- but I personally find it a little too formal for everyday wear. It would be perfect, however, for a black-tie affair or special night on the town.

This was a frimp in a recent order. I wouldn't have picked it out on my own, but I am sooooo glad they sent it! In the imp, it smells of vanilla and powdery flowers. Upon application, the flowers become a little stronger. The "aged linen" note emerges, too, adding a subtle crispness to the scent. It smells ever so subtly of skin or sweat... not B.O., but of fabric that has been worn enough to carry a little of the owner's personal scent. (Don't let that scare you off! Think of your favorite t-shirt and how, even though you wash it after wearing, it still smells a little like you.) It is very evocative and nostalgic. The drydown is mostly all vanilla... but rather than candy sweet, this is a deep, dark bourbon vanilla. It reminds a lot of Il Profumo's Vanille Bourbon, but a little darker and more complex. There are not enough words to describe the many ways I love Antique Lace. I'm very new to BPAL right now, but it is the first truly crave-worthy scent I have found. Definitely getting a full bottle!

What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be! Wet: A clean fougere -- crisp, cool, and aloof like British gentleman. I smell the lavender and bergamot, but not the anise. Reminds me a little of Parfums Delrae Eau Illuminee. Drydown: The sharp, herbal notes give way to something earthier. I could swear I smelled mushrooms and damp earth for a minute there, but that was probably the patchouli coming through... that stage didn't last very long. Then the leather and tonka emerged. The leather is smooth and supple, like fine gloves or your favorite leather jacket that feels like buttah and molds to your body. Hours later: I can see how some people find this sexy, but to me it's more of a comfort scent. It finishes soft and warm, like sitting in a leather chair by the fireplace, drinking a cup of Earl Grey tea. I don't see wearing it in the summer, but it's perfect on a cold, snowy day like today. My husband was pretty indifferent to Casanova, but I might spring for a bottle anyway.

I have to admit that I didn't love this one at first sniff. That "barest hint of lemon" came through like Lemon Pledge in the imp, and I was a little afraid to put it on my skin. However, it was well worth the wait, because the drydown is dead on absinthe: the lemon fades into the background and the anise, wormwood, and herbs come out to play. Fabulous! I also pick up something slightly mineralic in the drydown... it calls to mind the absinthe fountains in the bars of Belle Epoque Paris. When I smell this, I can imagine tapping the yellow-green liquid from a marble fountain... then slowly pouring water over a sugar cube and into my glass... watching the liquid louche to a livid, cloudy green. It is intoxicating and lovely, exactly as I hoped it would be. This fragrance could easily work on both men and women. However, you still have to live through the Lemon Pledge phase... you might want to wait half an hour after application before going out in public. JMO. Lasting power seems to be great. I put some on two hours before I went to bed, and it was going strong when I went to sleep. It was gone from the crook of my elbow when I woke up, but my pajamas still smell of it some 10 hours later. Not sure whether I will purchase a full bottle just yet, but I will use every last drop of the imp.