Kikkervisje

Wet: I’ve had two experiences with this. First, I accidentally sloshed it on my thumb. (I’m clumsy.) The original scent was *cinnamon* to the point of being a bit… Christmas candle. Second, when I actually applied it on my wrists and collarbone, I started itching like mad and turned lobster red where I had applied the scent. Dry: The thumb application went to a delicious, somewhat foody cinnamon and cream. I was quite looking forward to actually wearing it in the typical places. But, it never got a chance to dry the second time, as I had to wash it off, because it was making me so physically uncomfortable. Wear Time: 4+ hours on my thumb… Fits Description?: The description is really only the ingredients, so I think it has to… Overall: …Yummy. Softer “feel” to it than expected. But, allergies are no good; so no can do on this one for me. Ouch.

My two allergy problems as of yet have been with Bordello and Chimera. Chimera turns my skin red, red, red; and I itch like nobody's business. Had to wash that one off as best I could. Assuming it's the cinnamon note, as that appears to be a pretty common response. Bordello gives me an intense headache. I really have no idea what note may cause that reaction.

Wet: My first thought is a glittering, brisk fruit scent with something deeper underneath: the musk or snakeskin. The lemon and herbs never really make their presence obvious on me. Dry: A nice... slightly dusty? musk. Wear Time: At least 12 hours. Fits Description?: Seems a very positive scent to me, but I suppose I could imagine a connection to avarice. Overall: Sharp, fruity, and very lively. A really great scent, I think; but not very "me." Recommended, though.

Wet: Originally, aquatic, yes, with something extremely dark, sharp, and rather… off. Dry: The off smell has leveled out to a sharp plant of some type. It no longer smells… dead. This is the first aquatic I’ve tried that actually does smell truly oceanic to me. Odd earthy tones with enough bite to make an oceanic setting believable. Ok, well, I thought it was done morphing. It wasn’t. Now, it’s a creamy… floral? Wear Time: At least 12 hours. Fits Description?: Yes, rather well. There’s just something… unsettling about this scent? And it’s definitely aquatic as noted before. At dry down, this isn’t the case; but as it morphs, I’m sticking with my guns. Overall: Intriguing. Goes from rather unpleasantly sharp to an interesting aquatic to a somewhat… edible floral. The middle phase is my favorite, although I don’t think this one’s likely to become a regular wear.

Wet: Herbal floral. Definitely getting the orange blossom, white rose, jonquil, and carrot seed. Dry: Less of the herbal scent, but otherwise largely unchanged. Wear Time: 5+ hours Fits Description?: Well, it doesn’t make me think of porn, but I can imagine reference to France. I also get the idea of pure feminine florals with an earthy tinge Overall: Well, this one was fine. A new combination for me: the herbals and florals. That said, it just didn’t feel terribly exciting to me. But then, I’m still not a great floral lover, so… that’s probably a decent part of it.

Wet: Smokey bubblegum? Strange. Dry: Smokey, heavy, sweet, soporific. Wear Time: 8+ hours Fits Description?: Doesn’t really make me think of a flower. Or blood. Or Egypt. Overall: This one was really bizarre for me. Just heavy and sleep-inducing. I actually think that it caused my day-long bout of dizziness, although I would need further proof of that. Nonetheless, the dizziness issue was so disturbing, I’m not really up to further testing.

Wet: Yum. Lemony tea with something ever-so-slightly peppery(?) behind it. The musk, I think. First time that a citrus seems to be staying with me, rather than being neutralized. Dry: I can *barely* smell anything. Wear Time: 2 hours maximum. Fits Description?: ...It doesn't make me think of death or embalming at all. Very spring and sunshine. Overall: Another really nice one. Who doesn't want to smell like green tea lemonade? Sadly, the scent lasts for all of 10 seconds.

Wet: Slightly sweet and herbal? Maybe the amber, mint, tea, and orchid? With a slight… sensation of grapefruit? Nothing overt, although I think the main notes I’m getting are probably orchid and leather. The leather seems a touch off on me, but it gives the otherwise fresh blend an animalic edge. Extremely light. I’m guessing wear time is going to be decidedly low. None of the strong citrus that others have reported, but that just lends strength to my theory that my body negates citrus notes. Hard to pick out distinctive notes on this one. Dry: My mind reads the combination as dry/herbal/grape. Wear Time: All day. Fits Description?: I would say initially it had a power and confidence, sort of… “See, I don’t even have to try and I’m better.” But that didn’t last. Overall: Subtle and complex. Something about it reminds me a bit of Bess, but I can’t put my finger on it. (Actually, very Bess-like at the end.) Doesn't do it for me.

Wet: Sparkling fruit and light musk (The fruit never results in smelling like a lollipop or otherwise fake.). I definitely get the white peach and red apple, as well as what I think must be the skin musk? Sort of a full-bodied, oddly sexy just out of the shower smell. The musk is strongest. Dry: Similar, but the fruit tones down. I get the honey and rose when I sniff for it as well. Wear Time: All day. Fits Description?: Sure? Overall: I never would have thought I would like this one, but I really enjoy it. Fruit without sickly sweetness, and enough oomph from the musk to keep it slightly earthy. Another potential favorite.

Wet: Spicy wood with a very pronounced cinnamon scent. No rum or prostitute. Dry: Subtle spice (clove?) and wood with maybe a touch of saltiness? Very warm. More a sensation than a scent. Prior to this stage the cinnamon scent kicked in even more strongly than its initial appearance where it was about even with the wood. Still no rum or prostitute. Wear Time: Barely there at 7.5 hours Fits Description?: It doesn’t necessarily seem as sinful as Port Royal might, but it does seem… adventurous? Overall: Nice, bold, spicy, woody. Nothing girly about this one. The cinnamon/wood combination seems unique to me. This one might grow on me and become a favorite. We shall see.

Wet: Lily. A bit spicy and very warm, though, which I think must be a combination of the rosewood and pale musk. Not getting the lemon peel at all, but I think my skin more or less negates citrus scents. Dry: A touch of sweetness and the incense/powder smell of sandalwood. But *not* the baby powder scent that most sandalwood seems to dry down to on me. Red Mysore sandalwood may prevent my giving up on sandalwood bases. Wear Time: 11+ hours on the collarbone Fits Description?: Hmm… Well, I wouldn’t describe this as pale, delicate, or angelic. If the lemon, jasmine, and pale musk had been the major players on me, I could imagine it might be, though. Overall: A warm, masculine floral. Quite liking this. Goes into my “short list.”

Wet: A toasted, dry coconut scent. *Very* sweet. I… smell like a donut shop. Am getting some of the rum, but I can’t pick out the tobacco (although others seem to). Dry: A pleasant smokiness with a bit of sugar. Wear Time: 5.5+ hours Fits Description?: I love donuts, but they don’t remind me of a divine messenger. Overall: Too foody for me. I actually don’t mind the sweetness so much in this, but I smell edible which is not so much my thing. I do really enjoy the dry down. If it smelled more like that start to finish, I’d be all for it.

Wet: Everything’s coming up roses. Actually, not quite. Rose is the most pronounced, but I am getting the lily and jasmine as well. As for the other notes, I’m not sure, as I doubt I could pick them out. We are talking floral here, though. With a bit of warmth–rose amber? The throw is very rose-y. Dry: Essentially the same. Fits Description?: Sure, why not. Helena can be floral. Overall: I would call this a pretty normal rose floral. Being not-so-fond of rose (which is decidedly fond of me), it's not for me.

Wet: Ok, I can’t describe this one. The musk gives it warmth, and the floral gives it a softness. …It’s a very intriguing scent, but I process it as an ethereal… combination of sensations rather than a given smell (aka warm, soft, etc.). A tiny bit of creaminess coming in from the hazelnut and coconut. Dry: Doesn’t morph much. Fits Description?: It does remind me of a black pearl. A very mysterious, very soft scent–even pale or ghostly. (It does *not* remind me of the Black Pearl, which I think is a good thing.) Overall: I love this, but it’s so faint on me that I don’t plan to purchase a bottle. If it were stronger, it would be full speed ahead love.

Wet: My initial impression is evergreen and rich, wet, recently turned soil (very like that in Destroying Angel). Dry: Oddly sweet. The soil and fir are less pronounced. There may be a floral of some sort in here (to approximate the night air accord?). Pleasant, though. The remaining forest scents with said floral? create a gentle spicy-sweetness. Lightly masculine or an earthier feminine. Fits Description?: It does remind me of a forest at night, rain-dampened. Overall: A darker scent, but comforting. The fir and moss balance well with the soil. That is, the soil is a welcome note; but, unlike with Destroying Angel, I don't feel like I smell like I've been gardening. Instead, in this case, it adds another layer to the overall composition.

Wet: Ok… This smells like lavender and… menstrual blood. I didn’t know that was possible from a perfume oil. I’ve tried it twice on separate days, because I didn’t really believe that it could smell like that. It does. This is the first BPAL scent I’ve tried that it is just… utterly repellent to me. (My other 2 problem scents have been the overpowering honey note in Jezebel and the overall scent of Bordello, which is headache inducing for me.) Dry: Moves down to an herbal scent. The throw is medicinal, but not unpleasant. I definitely think eucalyptus, fennel, and lavender are all quite likely notes. Soft. I can see how this could potentially be used as a sleep aid. Wear Time: Maximum 4 hours on collarbone. Overall: A bit more herbal than I like. That said, it is pleasant, if slightly astringent, after the disturbing “blood” phase. I’m not sure what note caused that on me (maybe the eucalyptus since it’s the most likely top note and that phase ends quickly?), and I highly doubt that’s a typical body chemistry response to the perfume oil. I can’t see myself going through that a third time, though, even if it dried down to the most spectacular scent in the world. In summary: Probably better on nearly anyone else.

Wet: Sandalwood (which is a sort of dry, powdery, woody scent) and a licorice scent from the star anise. A tiiiiiny bit of floral in the background. Has a bit of bite to it. Dry: Primarily sandalwood. The star anise tones down, and the scent is very soft. On my wrists, it goes to baby powder very quickly (I don’t know why sandalwood does that on me…) On my collarbone, it’s just getting there at 11 hours. Wear Time: 11+ on collarbone Fits Description?: …I don’t picture Japan here. Or Asia at all. That said, the closest I’ve been to Kyoto is probably Beijing; and the cultural difference is steep. Overall: I like the idea. I think the anise notes are intriguing. I actually wish the floral were stronger for once. But, sandalwood takes the driver’s seat for me in most scents that it’s in; and I don’t like the strange dry down that sandalwood has on me. So… I don’t feel that I can really adequately comment on this one.

Wet: Smoke and a smell reminiscent of pine tar. I can pick out a bit of cardamom and a general spicy background. Quick to dry down. Dry: Ash left over after a wood fire. The various spices, etc. are noticeable but more as an undercurrent which lends the ash smell its believability, rather than as additional notes. Wear Time: 8+ on collarbone Overall: I find it pleasant, but I’m not sure how many people would. The initial scent is strong and a bit acrid, but the tar-ish bit makes me think of rigging and shipyards, which have positive associations for me. On the other hand, I can’t say that many people enjoy that smell. On dry down, it has a much wider appeal, I would think. However, this is not an appropriate choice for anyone looking for a light, feminine scent. So, if that’s your style, look elsewhere.

Wet: For the first second or so, GRAPE. But this either goes away or is subdued by other scents quickly. Next short stage is lemon and mint, with some other herbal, which I assume must be the rosemary. It doesn’t really smell like rosemary to me, but I assume that’s what rosemary smells like in combination with other scents? After that, it goes to a primarily minty scent with the grape and a hint of lemon (rather than the lemon dominating, as before). The throw seems a bit like grape bubblegum. The rose is slowly coming out as well. Dry: A musky herbal grape scent. Wear Time: 3-4 hours Fits Description?: n/a Overall: Complex and unlike anything else I’ve tried. Not really for me though, the grape scent. I loved the mint, lemon, rosemary phase. Very little throw.

One of the deadliest mushrooms to ever pop through Gaia’s soil. Papery white notes evoke the grace of this fungi, grounded by thin, crisp soil. Wet: An amazingly accurate rendition of wet soil. It smells like I’ve been gardening. With a gentle floral. Not too sweet or feminine. Dry: Dies down to a gentle floral very quickly on my wrists. On my collarbone, it still has the soil scent with only a tiny bit of floral. Odd. Wear Time: 6+ hours Fits Description?: Yes. Wow. Overall: I’m amazed by this scent. It really does make me feel like I should have been rooting around to plant some bulbs or find earthworms. Damp, fresh, recently turned soil. On the other hand, I can’t decide how I feel about it as a perfume. Do I want to smell like earth? Haven’t decided yet. But it is very intriguing. Something to ponder. Kudos BPAL.

Wet: Honey with a strong orange bite. Dry: The honey scent remains, but it’s mixed with a heavy dose of rose and the nice smokey scent of sandalwood. A bit too much sweetness for me. The bitter of the orange was gone in minutes. Later on, the sandalwood goes to baby powder on me–and combines with the strong honey scent. Wear Time: 3+ hours Fits Description?: It does feel “upwardly mobile.” However, my mind pictures a steely dowager. All of the listed notes are noticeable. Overall: Immediately after application, it’s intriguing–the orange and honey, bitter and sweet. Dry, it’s cloying. I had two people tell me it was a very “normal” seeming scent. Pass. Really not feeling this one.

Wet: Exactly the smell of a cucumber. Complete with the crispness. I’m starving, and I feel like I should put my wrist on some buttered bread and enjoy… Dry: Very green with a definite floral of some sort (the green is the stronger impression). Wear Time: Very subtle after 2-3 hours. Fits Description?: Smells crisp/wet? Check. Grassy? Arguable. Green? Definitely. Overall: Extremely pleasant. Very accurate freshly cut cucumber scent when wet. The wear time is low, though. (Also, the squirting cucumber is a specific type of plant. I got this as a frimp and originally thought the name seemed rather… phallic. Still does, really.)

Wet: Bitter and herbal. I can definitely pick out the carrot and parsley. Not particularly pleasant. Dry: Drying down, this eventually became a soft floral with a green background (and some light herbal spice). However, along the way, it went through phases of almost cloying morning glory. Wear Time: 5 + hours (on the collarbone) Fits Description?: When wet, it does indeed have a garden smell, and the herbal bitterness suits the idea of a malevolent character. However, once dry it smells more generic than the other BPAL scents I’ve tried. I feel like I could find something fairly similar commercially. (Others smelling it on me had the same conclusion.) Overall: Overly bitter to an overly soft and generic floral. Goes through decidedly cloying phases. Not for me.

Wet: Violets, quite sharp. With another floral undercurrent, which I assume is the tea rose. There’s also a bit of a peppery scent on me. Definitely noticeable to the people around me, who seem to like it. Dry: The pepper smell deepened, but then eventually faded. Sadness, I thought it was rather intriguing. At this point, the tea rose is predominant. Wear Time: 5.5 + hours (on the collarbone) Fits Description?: Well, I don’t see how it couldn’t. All things considered the smell actually reminds of the visuals in the recent Marie Antionette film. Overall: Another nice floral. I really like the peppery scent mixed with violet. If I ever go floral, this would be a contender. Enough bite to it that it doesn’t seem overly old-fashioned or too womanly.

Wet: It actually smells like flowers. Not some strange, flower-like chemical. Having started trying natural florals… I may not hate the category so much after all. You can definitely smell rose as a sort of deep undercurrent. It’s layered with another scent, and has a soft wispy overtone which softens everything. (Apparently, a strong lilac with wispy wisteria according to one who actually knows something about flowers. I am pretty clueless at picking out floral notes with the exception of rose and lily accord. Something to work on. Based on said other person’s comments, I must amp lilac?) The scent also has somehow… a bit of warmth to it? Not sure. Also a dryness. Unfortunately, there’s baking going on in the house; and, at this point, it’s making this a bit difficult to review. Dry: Soft, but with good throw. The scents tone down a bit, and I think it’s gone largely to wisteria on me. Drier. It does smell a bit like one might imagine an old bouquet would–-dry, aged, soft, a bit lonely somehow. Not soapy at all on me. Wear Time: 7.5 + hours (not on the wrists, but on the collarbone) Fits Description?: I think so. Although, I get darkness more as a… seclusion. Or a dried bouquet left in a mausoleum. Overall: Actually quite nice. I don’t think I’m going to take to wearing florals on a regular basis, as they’re still just too feminine for my taste. But this is quite pleasant, and I think it would be great on the right person.