slave1

GWYNETH

 

In Bottle: Rose

 

On Skin: It seems almost 90% of scents with rose in them turn to completely rose on me. I had high hopes for this one since I LOVE coconut, skin musk, tonka, orchid, and calla lily. But nope… it is completely amped rose on me. Very sour, very sharp and very making me tear up. Darn it! The sage gives a bit of a green note, it’s herbal feel adding more sharpness. As the scent develops, the rose stays in the front, but I can smell some sweetness behind it, the tonka I think. I don’t smell the coconut at all, not even a hint of it. The skin musk is there, velvety and adding that beautiful “come hitherness” that it always does on me. The other florals are very light and overpowered by the rose on me. It’s pretty, but not me since rose is my mortal enemy. Strong throw and long wearlength.

KNUCKLEBONES

 

In Bottle: Sexy man

 

On Skin: This is a super masculine scent, but so damn sexy! I smell the lime, sort of a lemon-lime soda type feel. The gin gives it a nice boozy feel and the rum takes it even further and sweetens it with it’s dark yumminess. The black musk is soft, not harsh at all. The orange blossom water also helps sweeten the scent overall and adds to the citrus side. The tobacco is lovely and so very decadent and smoky. I think that it really adds to the more husky masculine vibe going on. I love this and really want to smell it on my husband. It has a medium throw and a long wearlength.

AERONWEN

 

In Bottle: Woody yum

 

On Skin: It was hard to give a first impression of this scent other than the word yum. The blend is so neat! I smell dark woods and resins, followed by the sweet fruitiness of the fig and orange. I don’t smell the tarragon. The nutmeg is warm and spicy, but doesn’t overpower the scent at all, just a nice little sprinkle. The musk is soft, but still carries some weight and gives the scent it’s depth. The amber is also soft and not too powdery, it blends in so well. I wouldn’t know how to label this scent… since none of the notes are really that dominant. It’s a very well blended scent that I love. I really like that it’s dark yet has some sweet brighter notes that peek through. It’s not overwhelming in any way, and I see it being a scent many people could wear. Light to medium throw, short to average wearlength.

MARIANNE

 

In Bottle: Musk and dark red murk

 

On Skin: This scent reminds me of murky water… you know something is there, you just are clouded and can’t see details. It’s very dark and musky, and red in tone for sure. It reminds me of Smut and Mme Moriarty, but not as sweet, which shocke sme since lotus is usually like bubblegum candy on me. The patchouli is very very earthy, a bit too much for me. I like it, but it doesn’t have the definition and instant YUM factor the other two scents I mentioned do. So for a vibe like this one creates, I’d reach for them instead. Still pretty, just not a jaw dropper like Smut and Mme Moriarty. Average throw and long wearlength.

STORMCLOUDS OVER THE MIDWAY

 

In Bottle: Dark smoky ozone

 

On Skin: What a contrasting scent! It has the bright ozone note which is instantly shadowed by a cloud of dark smoke. So the bright colors of the carnival still showing themselves while a raincloud passes overhead. I swear, this is so unique and beautiful! Not a scent I would normally try, but I am happy I got to! I want my husband to try it because he loves ozone scents, but sometimes they’re just too sharp. Here the sharpness is softened so well by the resins and darker notes. Beth did a great job! Light to medium throw, short wearlength.

MARGUERITE

 

In Bottle: Soft rose

 

On Skin: The rose amps on me right away. Sour and extreme, it’s the floral that really hates me. But, the gardenia is nice and creamy and helps smooth out the harshness of the rose on me. The myrrh is nice and resinous giving the perfect depth and the sandalwood rounds it out with a woody base. A floral scent for those of you who especially like rose. Strong throw, average wearlength.

THE NORNS' FARMHOUSE

 

In Bottle: Dry and planty

 

On Skin: This scent is very interesting… it is very dry and dusty but also the plants note rise out from the dead overgrowth above them. It’s like a mess of weeds, dried out and parched from the sun, but underneath them are fresh plants just starting to peek out. Dirt, plants, sun, and something sweet, that’s the story I get from this blend. I can smells the apple blossom and I’m pretty sure that’s the sweet note. The sage adds to the “green” note and the chamomile wraps it all up in a comforting bouquet. The ashes are light, it’s not a smoky scent… they just create a darker warmth overall. It has a light to average throw and short to medium wearlength.

THE IFRIT

 

In Bottle: Warm and resinous

 

On Skin: Soft warm red musk turned even more red in feel by the sweet sticky dragon’s blood. The black pepper adds heat from spice along with the cinnamon, which gives even more warmth. This scent is warm and sweet beyond any measure. The tobacco helps give a deep and dark base, with a bit of smoke that draws out the scent even further. The ginger adds another spicy dimension and is a very nice layer in this exciting blend. It has a light throw on me, even with the strong notes. Average wearlength.

THE BUGGRE ALLE THIS BIBLE

 

In Bottle: Dark smoky leather

 

On Skin: I usually love leather notes, but this one is a bit too dark for me. The tobacco leaf is dominant, followed by the incense. It’s almost pure smoke and ash on me, along the lines of Brimstone and Djinn. After it mellows out a bit, I catch the paper note and it does smell like when you leaf through a thick book quickly and the scent of the breeze it creates wafts up to you. A bit dusty, aged for sure. An interesting scent, and perfect for someone looking for an anti-perfumey scent. It has a very strong throw and long wearlength on me.

JASMINE COTTAGE

 

In Bottle: Light sweet floral

 

On Skin: The jasmine in this is actually very tame, a nice soft violet feel. The English Wildflowers sum up the scent for me, I smell florals in a cool English field in the countryside after a short spell of rain. Very clean, pretty and fresh. I love how these florals blend so well and are kept under control. The thyme adds just the perfect amount of “greenery” to the scent. Overall, I get a violet feel with a light green sprinkle. It has a light throw and short to average wearlength.

THE COIL

 

In Bottle: Medicinal

 

On Skin: It starts very “Numb” like to me, which I think smells like anti-fungal foot cream. Not the best thing… but as the scent develops the florals come out more and it becomes a bit more like soap. The ozone is clean, the eucalyptus is sharp. The florals aren’t heavy, just a light perfumey feel. The white ginger is an interesting spicy feel… a cool spice as opposed to a warm spice. It has a light throw and is a pretty subtle. Scent. It fades pretty quickly on me so I’d say short wearlength.

EISHETH ZENUNIM

 

In Bottle: Light peach

 

On Skin: This is one of the lightest BPAL scents I have ever smelled. In the bottle I just sniff and sniff and can’t really smell anything but a light peach. As it develops on my skin I smell a subtle dusting of cocoa powder. I don’t think it comes across as an absolute I thought would. It seems like that sprinkle of cocoa powder on your whipped cream in a cup of hot cocoa. I don’t smell the patchouli in the slightest, which is good because I’m not fond of patchouli and it usually amps on me. The neroli is a nice velvet note that together with the peach give this scent a delightful peach fuzz feel. The honey, my favorite note, is very tame. Nothing overly sticky, sweet or cloying here. It’s just a drizzle to subdue any tartness the peach might have. The ambergris gives depth to the base and keeps the scent from being too fluffy or fruity. Overall it is a very pretty scent, one I’d wear all the time if it was stronger. The only complaint I have is how light it is. From the beginning it has the throw of how a normal BPAL scent smells after 4 hours or so… so faint. Very light throw and short wearlength.

In Bottle: Exotic pine

On Skin: This scent is quite light… I thought it would be stronger. But damn, it’s beautiful. The skin musk is the definite base. The pine gives a perfect woody tone while the vanilla and honey sweeten it perfectly. This is not heavy honey, just a light trickle. The resins are dark and slightly spicy giving an exotic quality. The patchouli is also light to my relief… just enough to give it some depth and dirty it up a bit. The tobacco is smoky and adds to the seediness. A drop dead sexy, but very feminine scent. This is for a strong woman who isn’t afraid to show her girly side as well. Light throw and short to average wearlength.

WENSLEYDALE

 

In Bottle: Clean and sweet

 

On Skin: This is so pretty! It has a very sharp soap note, but under that there is the sweetest creamy note that really balances it and helps the sharpness not overpower the scent. This smells like bathing a baby and wrapping then in the softest cotton blanket you have. Clean, sweet, tender and soft. Innocence and purity. I think this might be the best scent for a linen spray ever and I plan on getting a bottle just for that. It has an average to strong throw and a moderate wearlength.

STORMHOLD

 

In Bottle: Rain on the rocks

 

On Skin: LOVE THIS! I made my husband the moment I smelled it. It is divine on him, so yeah, bottle worthy for sure. It smells like clean rain, falling on the rocks and washing all the murk away. Meaning you can smell the murky vetiver, but it fades as it is “washed” away… so there’s just a hint of it. The ozone is beautiful and even a little sweet. While I think this scent is masculine, I love it on myself as well. It evokes such a gorgeous mood, since I love rain and thunderstorms. It has a light throw and short to average wearlength.

SMOKESTACK

 

In Bottle: Masculine smoke

 

On Skin: I’m just putting a dab on, because this scent scares me. I really dislike smoke scents and they always amp like crazy on me. So one little dribble… It’s actually not bad. There is an obvious smoke note of course, but then I smell a very masculine soapy note. It’s cold and a bit medicinal, like Numb in a way… I smell a bit of earthy vetiver and that trademark smokey ash note in scents like Djinn and Brimstone. Sadly, those are 2 of my least favorite BPAL scents. This scent didn’t kill me like I thought it would, but I don’t really like it either… But it fits it’s name perfectly and sets a mood like no other. It has a moderate throw and fairly long wearlength.

AELOPILE

 

In Bottle: Sweet, smokey and citrus

 

On Skin: This is a scent full of contrasts. I smell the sweet woody cedar right away, followed by the tart citrus and verbena. The amber is very soft, slightly sweet and powdery. The labdanum and oud offer dark and resinous contrasts… so pretty. A gorgeous light smoke base. This scent would be beautiful on anyone I think. Very gender neutral. A unique scent that makes a statement without being loud or heavy. It has an average throw and long wearlength.

NO. 93 ENGINE

 

In Bottle: Beeswax, herbs and resin

 

On Skin: Number 93 is just a good number, so of course I was drawn to this. Plus I *heart* the scent of beeswax more than I can explain. I smell it right away here, there’s no hiding it. The resins and incense are lovely, very mellow and just enough… just a nice spicy haze like the scent of a room about 15 minutes after the incense has burnt itself out. It started herbal but the herbs fade quickly as does the lemon. Overall on me it is soft, velvety, exotic and warm… entirely gorgeous. Fans of incense need to try this blend. It really comforts me and blankets me with it’s softness. This is bottleworthy for sure! It has a light throw and average wearlength.

ETHER

 

In Bottle: Green, clean and planty

 

On Skin: This scent remind me of the green on flowers, and plantlife. I smell a greenhouse before the flowers actually start to bloom and release their sweetness. This is crisp, clean yet also dirty with a bit of soil. It’s very light and I have to lean in to really experience it. I like it, but it’s not really a scent I’m drawn to. I like that it is different and really does evoke a mood. It has a light throw and fairly short wearlength on me.

THE OBSIDIAN WIDOW

 

In Bottle: Sweet, floral and lightly smokey

 

On Skin: This is a dark red scent in feel, very sweet and deep at first. The patchouli and sandalwood create an earthy base and give the scent it’s grit. The wine is dark and sweet while the jasmine adds to the sticky ripe feel. The rose cuts through all of that with a very sharp and sour note. It’s quite pretty, and feminine to me… but overall the rose just amps far too much. It has a moderate throw and average wearlength.

GALVANIC GOGGLES

 

In Bottle: Clean and masculine

 

On Skin: This is gorgeous. So very clean with a nice masculine edge, although I love wearing it myself. It starts with a very strong metallic ozone feel and as it develops the Indian musk comes forward and really warms up the scent with a nice spice. The tobacco flower also helps soften the harsh metallic edge. The balsam adds to the sharp feel and is quite pretty. This is one of my favorite scents of the series for sure! This scent has a very strong throw and long wearlength.

VIOLET RAY

 

In Bottle: Light purple floral

 

On Skin: Lots of florals today! This one is very unique though. It has a very sweet overall effect. I small all the purple florals… the violet, lilac, lavender… and without a doubt this is a purple scent. It’s a nice light violet, not deep purple. It’s soft and velvety thanks to the purple musk. The mint gives it a very nice clean feel and the sandalwood is the perfect base which also adds to the softness. This isn’t candy sweet like Faith, it’s much more fresh and adult.To me this is a nice fluffy purple towel at a spa. Relaxing, comforting and clean. It is a bit cloying if I breathe in too hard so apply sparingly. I’d also love to use it as a room scent. Average throw and long wearlength.

SLIPPERY POPPY TINCTURE

 

In Bottle: Sweet poppies

 

On Skin: Ooo… I love poppies! And this is a very realistic poppy scent. I feel like I have a bouquet of them!!! The acai is sweet with just the right amount of tartness and the honey is sticky but not overwhelming. This is a very pretty scent and warm in feel… a nice spring day! It has the perfect throw and is a nice mellow floral. It is a little dry and powdery, acai and berries tend to go that way on me. Overall a scent that I can see almost anyone wearing. It has a light throw and short to average wearlength.

BRUISED VIOLET COMPOUND

In Bottle: Dirt and violets

On Skin: This scent is very dark and dirt based. I normally love violets but here they are overwhelmed by patchouli which is a note that doesn’t love me all that well. The currant is not fruity, just red in tone. The moss adds to the dirt and earthy feel of the patchouli. If violets are normally too innocent for you, check this scent out. It’s violets that have been corrupted by the dark side. Very unique and quite interesting, but not a scent for me. And eek!!! After about 20 minutes I get a "pee" note! No!! Currant does not like me in the slightest... Average throw and average to long wearlength on me.

NOSTRUM REMEDIUM

 

In Bottle: Sweet tea

 

On Skin: This scent is very relaxing on me. I’m not usually one for tea scents, but something about this is so pretty and comforting that it grows on me right away. The tea is the strongest note and it is sweetened nicely by the honey. I don’t really smell the wasabi… and I get a floral I think… almost like a soft violet. A very pretty warm scent. After about 10 minutes it’s almost all tea and a little bit of lemon. For fans of tea scents, check this out for sure. Light throw and short to average wearlength.