puck_nc

Origin: Frimp from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I prefer berry to be a supporting player rather than center stage, so it never occurred to me to order this. In the Vial: A huge blast of sweet fruity berry, almost to the point of a fake-fruit scent on a candle or toy. Wet: It's a more natural scent on my skin, but still 100% huckleberry and currant. I often amp neroli, but I can't find it in here at this stage. Drydown: The neroli emerges, taking the edge off the sweet fruit, but the scent is turning somewhat candy-ish. It's reminding me a bit of Frumious Bandersnatch, which I love, in being a cheerful and bright scent. Verdict: And this is why frimps are good. I'm going to play with this some more and see if it grows on me.

Dew-covered berries and fresh green grasses with a faint breath of spring flowers. Origin: Fresh from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I don't see any deal-breaking notes, but neither do I see favorite notes. This will be a shot in the dark. In the Vial: Very fresh, spring-green and outdoorsy. I get the same shampoo impression that others have mentioned. Light and cheerful. Wet: Not much different on my skin at the moment. The berries are maybe a little stronger, but it's still a clean, airy, green scent. Drydown: Well darn. Apparently one of the spring flowers in the notes is one that likes to turn soapy on me. Yeah, it smells really clean...too clean Verdict: Not for my skin, but those who like springtime and grassy scents should give it a try.

Origin: Fresh from the Lab Initial Thoughts: This was one of those shot-in-the-dark choices to round out an imp pack. The descriptions of light musk and light sandalwood appealed as they don't tend to amp on me. In the Vial: Light and crystalline, shimmery and sparkly. My mental image is of a chilly mountain stream, with the moving water flashing beautifully in the sun. The fruit and fruit blossoms are there, but crisp rather than sweet. Wet: Lightly musky and more floral than in the vial. That sparkling stream is now in the woods thanks to the resins. Drydown: The lemon blossom turns more lemony and starts clashing a bit with the musks. It's not a horrible clash, but it's no longer as pretty as it was on me. Verdict: I'll probably try it in a scent locket, but I don't think I'll be buying a bottle.

Origin: Fresh from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I knew I was going to try this one as soon as I saw carnation and no deal-breaking notes beside it. In the Vial: Wow, it almost smells like bubblegum. Very candy-sweet with just a hint of floral and a dash of pepper. Wet: The carnation shows up, but the pink pepper and sugar are still combining for that bubblegum note. Drydown: The carnation is trying, but is being tamped down by the sugar and pepper and the daisy has shown up only to add an earthy edge that is clashing horribly with the bubblegum. Verdict: The Daisies are too High-Strung for my skin. *pouts*

Origin: Fresh from the Lab. Initial Thoughts: This one is a complete shot in the dark. The only note in it that I know I enjoy is the mint. In the Vial: MELON! With a dash of citrus from the lemon balm or lime rind and a slight herbal trace from somewhere. But it's definitely MELON! Wet: It's more just melon now, with the tea emerging to tone it down so it's not so MELON! The herbal impression is stronger right now. The citrus is almost nonexistent and I have yet to detect mint at all. Drydown: The melon fades and the citrus perks up, with the tea holding firm all the while. Someone's comment upthread of a selection of teas on the tray is apt, I think. Still no mint, though. Verdict: A playful, interesting scent. I wouldn't have thought I would like it after the initial MELON! start, but it's pretty. I'm not sure I'd get a bottle of it, though.

Origin: Fresh from the Lab Initial Thoughts: When rose works well on me I love it. But all too often rose turns green-stem skanky on me. Knowing that Rakshasa's sandalwood and rose work very well on me, I thought I'd give it a shot. In the Vial: I smell mostly sandalwood and plum. I can understand the impression of "snooty", but no rose yet. Wet: Again, the sandalwood is the primary note. I think the plum is making it a little sweet, the bergamot is making it a little airy. Drydown: Darn. The rose shows up and it's the skanky rose. It's not the overwhelming cooked-greens stench that my skin caused in The Peacock Queen, but it's present and persistent enough, possibly in combination with the oud, to turn unpleasant on me. Verdict: The Snooty Rose must go to someone who will make it behave.

Origin: Fresh from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I needed something to round out an imp pack and "honey-sweet" caught my eye. In the Vial: Rich, sticky-sweet honey indeed. Lotus gives it just enough lift to avoid inducing cavities. Wet: A burst of honey and then the lotus comes out in a beautiful sun-sweet floral. Drydown: I am getting the full natural lotus made wonderfully sweet with the honey. It's not candy-like at all on me. The drydown has developed a spicy side that is fascinating. It's not quite anise, it's not quite carnation, but it's adding a very sexy feel to the scent. Verdict: I like it a lot. I'll see whether I need a bottle by how fast I go through the imp.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I love gardenia and it doesn't seem to get used enough. Sometimes lily is divine on me. I'm not sure about the mosses, but I hoped for a scent that evoked a soft summery night like a butterfly's gossamer wings. In the Bottle: Very woodsy and mossy orchid, chypre and lily. I get a faint touch of the gardenia. It's cool and evokes the night, but is much chillier than I was thinking. The chypre is strong enough to make it unisex or on the masculine side. Wet: Wow, very much a woodsy, patchouli scent. The florals are just the tiniest sliver of cool and white and airy. This is definitely not what I was thinking when I read the notes. There's a sweet edge to it, maybe from the benzoin or currant. Drydown: The currant gets stronger on me and the chypre is poking its nose in again. I can detect more of the florals now, but this is still a much earthier scent than I was imagining with the mosses being so strong on me. It still has that unisex feel to it all the way through. The scent does evoke "black" and "moon" for me, but I'm not getting the "butterfly" part at this point. Verdict: I think I'm going to have to let this one sit a day or two, get my preconceptions out of my head, and try it again so I can judge it on its own merits and not over how it didn't smell at all like I was hoping.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: There's lots of vanilla in there. I love vanilla. In the Bottle: Rich and sensual vanilla with an herbal edge from the chamomile keeping it from being too foody-sweet. Wet: The bourbon in the bourbon vanilla kicks in and the chamomile comes out stronger, almost minty. It's not as sweet as in the bottle at this stage. Drydown: The chamomile settles down, letting the vanillas emerge again. The throw is indeed low, staying close to the skin and simmering quietly. It's sweet and a bit come-hither, but not lush. Verdict: A beautiful, subtle scent.

Origin: partial bottle bought from a fellow BPALer Initial Thoughts: I hadn't planned to get this one originally since I didn't know its purpose, but someone else asked and when the seller answered, I was interested. I've used Sexual Energy with some success and thought I'd mix it up. Scent In the Bottle: Very spicy/musky/incensy with citrus overtones. It reminds me a bit of Mama-Ji with more depth and that shot of citrus. Wet: Strongly lemony-orangey with a heavy cinnamony-spicy musk to it. We'll see whether I amp the musk. My wrist feels warmer as it starts drying, so I bet there is some cinnamon in there. Drydown: The citrus calms down or (more likely) the musk is amping. They're balancing one another pretty well now. It's most definitely a sexy scent; I could see this as a perfume when the wearer is looking for some action. Effect: I'll come back and edit this with more detail, but my husband is currently on the other side of the room, trying to transcribe an interview for his podcast, and he keeps glancing my way...

Origin: Frimp from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I definitely would never have ordered this; I don't wear chocolate notes and there's an awful lot of citrus as well. In the Vial: Shockingly sweet and candy-like...very Jolly Rancher. Wet: The peppermint comes surging out, so strong it's almost like an antiseptic against the sweet candy fruit. And I think the lavender is tagging along. Drydown: All of the notes soften, but what's left is this sort of muddle that's almost baby-soft and almost sugary and almost minty. Verdict: Not with this skin chemistry.

Origin: Frimp from the Lab Initial Thoughts: Not sure why I haven't tried this one before, since I love delphinium and star jasmine. Perhaps I feared that the soft musks wouldn't be soft enough not to amp. In the Vial: Nothing but spices, sharply sweet ones. I feel like sneezing from a noseful of nutmeg. Wet: Musk and spice. At the moment I can't find any of the floral notes. Drydown: The flowers are trying, but it's an uphill battle given how my skin loves to amp musk. Verdict: Definitely doesn't play well with me.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I've had the chance to sniff the original June Gloom and found it interesting but wasn't so in love with it that I had to go searching. So when it appeared again, I decided to try it. In the Bottle: Wow, I think this is one of the most "traditional perfume" perfumes I've ever smelled from BPAL. Richly floral and layered, just a touch aquatic, minus the alcohol of a commercial perfume. It's lovely and I keep picking up the bottle for another whiff. Wet: Some citrus comes out to play, adding an extra dimension to an already multifaceted scent. The aquatic is a little stronger, but it's still very much a floral scent with a lot of depth. I think I'm picking up some honeysuckle in there. Drydown: This one doesn't seem to morph much on me. It stays that sweet, heady floral with enough interesting things that possibly people who normally dislike florals will be intrigued. Verdict: I think I'll be hanging onto this one. Hopefully I have enough floral scents that I won't need to track down a second bottle.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I was lucky enough to have a decant of the original Strawberry Moon for a while, but swapped it away. I then found strawberry scents by other perfumers that I love. I though it was worth a shot again. In the Bottle: A strawberry patch with berries galore! A lot of lovely sweet, sun-kissed strawberry backed by a lovely green without a trace of earth. Wet: Okay, that's new...I know this smell, and it's not a good one. Of all things, it's turpentine!! Paint thinner! This bodes so ill...it's sharp and acrid and is drying my throat like smoke if I huff it trying to find the other notes. Drydown: The strawberry and the green are trying their best, but they aren't able to overcome the plasticky paint thinner. Verdict: Oh, cruel skin chemistry! I think I'll hang onto it for a few days in case (1) it's that time of the month and (2) I have a meet & sniff happening next weekend. But if it's as bad then as it is now, this will go to a better home and I may track down a decant for my scent lockets.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: The first Flower Moon is one of my favorite springtime scents. This one has some of my everlasting favorite notes like wisteria, daffodil, and honeysuckle. Honey is a problematic note for me, however. In the Bottle: Sweet and rich honey with floral overtones. Wet: The honey is lighter on me, sweet and innocent rather than sexy. I can pick up some of the wisteria and other floral notes. Drydown: The balance is holding. I was afraid the honey would take over everything and smother it but I have a lovely balance of warm honey-kissed flowers on my wrist. Verdict: I think I'll be hanging onto this bottle.

Origin: Generous freebie decant sent with another perfume I purchased from a fellow fragrance fan Initial Thoughts: The original Lick It is one of my favorite BPAL scents ever and I hoard the three bottles I have and use it sparingly when only mint will do. I tried decants of the next two versions, but Lick It Again went plastic-y on me and Lick It One More Time was OK but not as pretty as the first on my skin. I hadn't bothered ordering this one, but since it's dropped into my lap... In the Vial: Very cool, crisp mint with an undertone of sugar. Where Lick It reminds me of a pure candy cane, this one makes me think of a candy cane that's been frozen in an icicle. There's an extra chill to it. Wet: The "chill" factor goes away, leaving the very crisp sharp mint and the very sweet sugar to mingle happily. So far, so good. Drydown: Hmm. It calms down to a sweeter mint like the others tend to do on me, but I may be getting that plastic-y thing again. I'm not quite sure if I'm really smelling it or just imagining it; if it's happening, it's not happening as badly as in the Lick It Again. Verdict: Cautiously optimistic. I'll probably test it side-by-side with my Lick It to clear up whether the plastic thing is real or in my head.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I needed something to round out an imp pack and picked this pretty much at random. In the Vial: True to its name, the notes are very quiet and whispering their presence rather than blasting it. A very quiet floral, heavy on the ylang ylang and lilies. Wet: This develops quickly into a musky spice on me, enough so that I check the notes again because I am a notorious amper of musk/incense notes. But I guess the culprit is the calla lily. Drydown: It continues to hug my skin and it goes a little less musky and a little more floral with the spice. I don't get any plum from start to finish. Verdict: It has possibilities. Must play with the imp more.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I'm a serious florals fan. Reading these reviews, I see that this is supposed to be pansy, though I can't remember ever detecting a scent from one. In the Vial: A very sweet floral, with hints of spice. I think there's some carnation in there and maybe some hyacinth and honeysuckle. It's a very pretty spring-almost-summer floral. Wet: The spice is there, the soft florals are there. There's also a creaminess developing in the sweet notes. Drydown: Dammit. There's either rose or violet or both in this because the whole thing turns greener (rose) and develops a hard sour edge (violet). Rose and violet are two of my BPAL nemeses. Verdict: I think I'll use up the imp in a scent locket, but no bottle for me.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: Not quite sure about the lettuce, but I thought it was worth getting an imp and trying it. In the Vial: Salad. It smells like a salad. I have never had that experience before with a perfume. Wet: Okay, it's no longer pure salad, but it is extremely green. More floral-green than herby-green, but there is only the faintest whiff of blossoms in the floral. Drydown: The floral shifts a bit to rose behind the green notes, and eventually does the baby-powder thing on me. Verdict: Definitely not for my skin.

Origin: frimp from the Lab Initial Thoughts: None really, other than I guess this is what Voldemort's wand would smell like. Looking at the reviews it seems I might like this, as I like some berry scents and some pine-woodsy scents. In the Vial: Woodsy, all right, but also a lot of damp/earthy tones that are more like walking through the woods after intense rainstorms, with soft rotten wood splitting under one's feet. Definitely a sense of foreboding. Wet: Dank and depressing cypress. Drydown: Not quite so depressing, but still strong cypress. Verdict: Definitely not for me.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I liked Pele and I like florals like hibiscus. In the Vial: Lush, white tropical florals with a zing to them that could be the ginger or a fruity note. Wet: Huh...this practically disappears into my skin. After a few minutes, notes start to emerge. I'm getting a banana-ish starchy fruit and a bit of warm spicy ginger. Drydown: A bit more in the way of hibiscus and orchid come out, but this is still predominantly starchy-banana-fruit and a dash of ginger. Verdict: It intrigues me. I must play with the imp some more.

Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I've had a bit of luck here and there with plum scents, though mostly of the Japanese variety. In the Vial: Plum, but a light and pretty plum thanks to the wildflowers, and sweet cream. Wet: The herby-green floral element is stronger, but still grounded by the cream. The plum is very quiet right now. Drydown: Ah, there's the plum! Dark and sweet fruit comes out to temper the herbal into a softer floral note. Verdict: I think I like it. I'll see if I go through the imp fast enough to warrant a bottle.

Origin: straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I love the flower choices--carnation and sweet pea-- and I love vanilla. I wasn't sure about the tonka or the fruit notes, though. Apple has been hit-or-miss on me. In the Bottle: Fruity-sweet! At the moment I think I'm smelling a candied apple, but one made in spring and not fall because of the floral notes or maybe the tonka. It's very cheerful, a friendly scent indeed. Wet: Apple and tonka, I think. Definitely apple and a sweet smoky note that starts amping like incense usually does on me. Drydown: Darn it. All the wrong notes seem to be coming out strong. I get a bit of the carnation that I want so much, but overall it's a dusky-sweet scent since the tonka isn't letting any of the other notes really speak. Verdict: I may try again in a week or two, but at the moment I'm thinking this should find a home with someone who would love it as it deserves.

Origin: decant from eviltemptressdq's circle Initial Thoughts: I see so few blends with delphinium, so I had to try it even though honey and labdanum are iffy notes for me. In the Vial: A very light, airy, somewhat green spring floral with a dash of ginger. I think I'm getting a full blast of the jasmine and delphinium. Wet: Lots of ginger, lots of floral, a hint of honey in the background. Drydown: This stays a very fresh floral on me. It reminds me of other spring floral blends like Poisson d'Avril. The honey is staying deep in the background. Verdict: I may need a bottle. I'm going to side-by-side test it with my other floral blends.

Origin: decant from eviltemptressdq's circle Initial Thoughts: This one was a shot in the dark. I have no reason to expect that honey, beeswax, or copal will behave on me. In the Vial: Salty-tangy incense. Absolutely nothing like I was expecting. Wet: Heh, I get barely anything at the moment. It's like my skin, only more so. Just the slightest hints of beeswax and maybe sugarcane. Drydown: There comes the copal, amping as it usually does on me. It's sweet copal, it's gentle copal, but it's still pretty much copal. Verdict: Oh well, I'll pass the decant to someone else.