galahad

This is a frimp that I have put off testing as I wasn't sure about the scent from the bottle.

In The Bottle

Lemon and incense. Quite strong in the bottle.

On Application

Really stong lemon. Lemon just doesn't do it for me but this is quite nice. All of the elements seem to keep other pretty much in check. Still stong incense (the woods and patchouli) but not unpleasant.

The Drydown

This becomes really soft and nice. A lot of reviewers have mentioned the calming properties of this scent which I agree with. I won't be buying a bottle but I will use up the imp and perhaps get another one when that is gone.

Thanks.

BTW of the ones you have listed, I would go for Mag Mell. I think it might go interestingly with what you are planning on wearing as well - almost like a contradiction which is good.

Ross

6 hours? gaahh! hope it goes well for you, ross! tuesday is going to be a big day in this thread, i guess...

 

 

to the queries for me, here is what i have

 

ave maria gratia plena, baghdad, bastet, bien loin d'ici, brisingamen, cairo, dana o'shee, endymion, gomorrah, hermia, les bijoux, o, mag mell, nefertiti, no. 93 engine, penitence, queen mab, silk road, skuld, tamora

 

would consider for this - ave maria (pretty, classy, not that remarkable), mag mell (soft, citrusy, second-skin, sounds like vultureguy might pick this one for me) or nefertiti (more typical floral/perfumey). endymion and queen mab would probably also be appropriate but they're not as me...

Well, have just finished my 6 hour (!!!!) interview in Auckland. I am completely exhausted and looking forward to having a leisurely dinner. Coyote again for rhe first 2/3 and then changed to Bewitched (was forewarned about the interview perspective for the CEO - wanted to a go with something with a bit more of a quirky personality).

Will see where we land on Tuesday.

Ross

Thanks. As I suspected pretty casual and just an information download but went well. Expect I will be flown up to Auckland this weekend.

I ended up forgetting to take the imp with me to top up but Coyote seemd to last well on my first full day test with it. My review of it was so-so but I really like it now.

Yeah I was wondering how many BPALers are in NZ. Did a member search by country a while ago and I think there were about 10.

Ross

Good luck to you Ross, I hope it went/goes well, then you'll be on your way up here? We have another BPALer in Hamilton, she might be eventually shifting this way too and she comes up regularly. Glad to hear you went with Coyote, hope it kept you warm and focused! Let us know if you hear anything.

Hey, Alex. I'm in Christchurch. The job is in AKL but being interviewed down here. Hotel industry and the job is Executive Assistant Manager.Ross\

We are down by the Antarctic so generally the further south you go (and Christchurch is located on the east coast of the South Island), the colder it gets. There are lots of places to ski in both the North and South Island ski fields.Ahhhh, now what kind of scent would you wear to a job interview at a ski field?? Or even the international science station in the Anarctic (or would you take The Precious that far given the harsh environment???)?

I know it's my standard cry in this thread, but Coyote! It's a nice, warm scent that is natural enough that it could potentially just be how nice you smell. Otherwise, I kind of get a kick out of you wearing a scent called Perversian to a job interview. Also: I did not know that it snowed in New Zealand. I don't quite know why I thought it didn't but I am intellectually richer for this thread. The more you know...

Hi Paperrose

Funny you should say that because I decided on Coyote in the end

We don't get a lot of snow in Christchurch but it definitely does snow more further south. the best skiing in the world!

Ross

I know it's my standard cry in this thread, but Coyote! It's a nice, warm scent that is natural enough that it could potentially just be how nice you smell. Otherwise, I kind of get a kick out of you wearing a scent called Perversian to a job interview.

 

Also: I did not know that it snowed in New Zealand. I don't quite know why I thought it didn't but I am intellectually richer for this thread. The more you know...

Hey, Alex. I'm in Christchurch. The job is in AKL but being interviewed down here. Hotel industry and the job is Executive Assistant Manager.

Ross

Kia Ora Galahad! I'm a Dorian fan, maybe Coyote for the thoughts of warm fur and hot summer plains? I haven't smelled Perversion & can't remember No. 93 Engine (didn't like it for me, think it's hidden in my wife's Box o' Imps). What kind of general industry is your interview/chat in?

 

Coyote might thaw some of the snow. Are you in the SI? We're in Auckland.

 

Good luck!

Alex

 

Hi all

 

Have an "interview" tomorrow for a position which could see me doubling my salary (+) I have put interview in quotes as it appears it's going to be very casual (GM wants a chat over coffee and they are already making plans to fly me up to see the property)

 

I am a guy being interviewed by a male so I have been agonising over what to wear (and yes, I would prefer not to be scent-naked). Don't want to do anything floral or too heavy or foody and have pretty much settled on Shrunken Heads which is fresh and doesn't turn bitter on me.

 

Was considering going with Perversion, No. 93 Engine, Coyote, Wilde or Dorian.

 

It's freezing here at the moment with some snow so have considered that something warmer than Shrunken Heads might be better.

 

Hmm...

Hi all

Have an "interview" tomorrow for a position which could see me doubling my salary (+) I have put interview in quotes as it appears it's going to be very casual (GM wants a chat over coffee and they are already making plans to fly me up to see the property)

I am a guy being interviewed by a male so I have been agonising over what to wear (and yes, I would prefer not to be scent-naked). Don't want to do anything floral or too heavy or foody and have pretty much settled on Shrunken Heads which is fresh and doesn't turn bitter on me.

Was considering going with Perversion, No. 93 Engine, Coyote, Wilde or Dorian.

It's freezing here at the moment with some snow so have considered that something warmer than Shrunken Heads might be better.

Hmm...

In The Bottle

Another rose frimp.

On Application

Unashamedly rose

Dry Down

The BPAL rose scents are great but one of my least favourite notes. The frankincense gives this a depth which is lovely. Will pass on though.

Rating (0-5)

2

In The Bottle

A nice bouquet of wild flowers

On Application

As above. Jasmine, lily, stephanotis, narcissus. Quite beautiful

Dry Down

After the initial floral blast this really softens out to an airy floral scent. This blend goes through stages of almost going to air freshener floral but pulls back. Nice but not me

Rating (0-5)

3

In The Bottle

Almond plus

On Application

Almond and rose. This was a frimp with 2 of my least favourite elements

Dry Down

The drydown isn't too bad. The rose is not the most prominent note initially. Almost dirty and dusty rose and sandalwood after 5 minutes. This is actually quite nice at times and then the rose amps up. Nice but not me

Rating (0-5)

2

In The Bottle

Scorching and smokey

On Application

Piney and very smokey harsh

Dry Down

5 minutes in I can pick ginger over the pine. This is a very pungent scent totally evocative of the concept. I am really liking this 20 minutes into the drydown. It has actually got a lot drier and smokier. I was tempted to say that I wouldn't wear this but at this stage I can absolutely imagine using this on a regular basis.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Menthol/eucalyptus wet and dewy

On Application

Wow. Leather and fresh broken green stems

Dry Down

The leather is really beautiful and accompanied by sappy wetness, not pine sap but green ferny sap. This gradually turns sweeter while still retaining it's fresh qualities. This is a really delicate and masterful blend. I'm glad I got a bottle before the carnival leaves town.

Rating (0-5)

5

In The Bottle

Really strong almond and leather

On Application

Overall this smells like very strong anise (yum) with leaher beneath (similar to when I layered De Sade with Black Annis).

Dry Down

Burn-your-nostrils-out strong. 5 minutes into the drydown I get the spiced rum reference. This is becoming very nice as it softens. 20 minutes on it's.....Bay Rum occasionally with a strong clove kick. I will enjoy the imp but don't think this is bottle-worthy.

Rating (0-5)

3.5

In The Bottle

Buttercream and toffee

On Application

Buttercream and hazelnut

Dry Down

As I have mentioned in previous reviews, the caramels and toffees tend to smell rancid on my skin so I was wary of trying this. The hazelnut is really prominent initially with the buttery toffee and caramel. 5 minutes in there is a spiciness that I can't pick from the list of notes, perhaps the dark chocolate? The buttery elements are being kept from going rancid which is a blessing however this is a too sweet and foody for me.

Rating (0-5)

2

In The Bottle

Cranberry, pine and occasional bursts of tomato leaf

On Application

Tart cranberry with a background of pine.

Dry Down

The cedar comes out to play not long into the drydown to tone down the cranberry a little. I think the tomato leaf, which can be detected just at the edges of this scent, and the pine give this a wildness that is invigorating and prevents this from becoming fruity candy. Kind of goes scented eraser on me after 20 minutes or so (which is a pleasant fragrance) but occasionally the cranberry rears it's head. I like it!

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Mint and tobacco with a touch of caramel

On Application

Caramel and mint. I was afraid to put this on as the caramel, butterscotch scents turn rancid on my skin.

Dry Down

I can catch the sage as it dries down on top of the carmel and mint. Unusual. 5 minutes in the mint is really amping which is a good thing. The caramel is smelling rancid and almost like maple syrup. 20 minutes in and the whole thing becomes drier with the nicotiana taking centre stage. At the moment not a keeper but will give it another go.

Rating (0-5)

2.5

In The Bottle

Spicey and musky

On Application

Very resinous and potent. Not a lot of sweetness.

Dry Down

The earthy fig pokes through in the early stages and the blend starts to sweeten as it settles and warms. This may a bit too strong for me. Will have to give it another go but at this stage ths isn't for me.

Rating (0-5)

3

In The Bottle

Fir, musk and orange

On Application

The fir is at the forefront with a little minty kick and orange.

Dry Down

This gets quite a lot spicier as it dries down. The fir and the orange is a strange mix, but one that I quite like. What originally started off as warm and spicey gets all cool mint and fir after 10 minutes and then the clove and cumin kick in to heat things up a bit. Very complex and a great morpher for me. I like very much.

Rating (0-5)

4

In The Bottle

Rich, herby and woody

On Application

As above. Definitely "feels" wet to me. Complex and disturbing.

Dry Down

Quite minty to me. This has such a cool, dark quality to it. Starts to sweeten up 5 minutes into the drydown. The winey note comes though about 10 minutes into the progression. Man, this is cold - I am getting goosebumps! I am seriously getting very cold here. I keep looking to see where the hell that cold draught is coming from. Very spicy, woodsy, minty, winey. Complex as hell. I love it!

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Soft sandalwood

On Application

I think there is some jasmine in this blend and something rounder and sweet. I am a bit suprised as had no clue from the vial.

Dry Down

This is so unusual and soft. Definitely woods - cedar and sandalwood - and something keeping it sweet. Minilux mentioned in her review that she was getting conflicting images of a woodshaop and a banana split - I so get that. I like it but it is so soft and elusive.

Rating (0-5)

3

In The Bottle

Cold! Sweet and very slightly floral.

On Application

Ozone and saltwater but sweetish. Doesn't have the bitterness of some of the pirate scents....yet

Dry Down

Aaahh....reallly perfumey fresh floral. Very disappointed but I can't win them all. I will give it another go but don't think this will work for me.

Rating (0-5)

1

In The Bottle

Soft dry amber and musk. Warm and gentle

On Application

Strange. Seems to play hide and seek. When it's there it is very nice, if a little too powder sweet.

Dry Down

There is a sharp dryness to this which is totally evocative of the concept. This started off seeming a fairly feminine blend to me but as it dries becomes more masculine (all subjective, I know). The powder sweet amber gives way to the woods, making this drier and dustier. What started off as being somwhat disappointing has now rocketed to one of my favourites.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Thick aromatic herbs and clove

On Application

Wow...sweetens up but is dry and dusty which I like

Dry Down

Gets very, very spicey and musty. At no stage do I get the black currant. This is a very mysterious blend to me - from a distance so spicey (cinnamon, clove, etc) but closer sniff aromatic herbs (sage, rosemary, etc). I like it.

Rating (0-5)

4

In The Bottle

Lavender and lime

On Application

Quite sharp and astringent. Quite strongly lavender with a sweetness beneath.

Dry Down

I almost get anise in the initial stages of drydown. 10 minutes in and I am really starting to like this more. It was initially a bit fragmented but has now blended to a sweet colgney floral - not startling but pleasant.

Rating (0-5)

3.5