Balame

In the Imp: Strange, something sort of smells like grapes? No... one of the florals coming out strongly with a background of clean sandalwood. Wet: Quite nice, something about these florals reminds me a bit of Sheol, so maybe there's some lily involved? Mainly I'm getting that, and a decent helping of warm musk. Thank you violet, for not rearing your nasty head. Everything else is currently getting knocked aside by those two notes. Dry: The sandalwood is more noticeable again now, but that's the biggest change. I can't pick out the vetiver, which makes me sad, and I think that would have helped to soothe the ultra richness this blend gives off anyway. Extremely indulgent, luxurious, and that sort of thing. I'd call this a rich, musky/floral smell. Verdict: I wouldn't consider this scent "desolate", regal yes, but not really giving off a loner vibe. If anything it's very warm and welcoming while still being "too good" for most of the masses. Unfortunately for me, this intense sweetness is a kiss of death in my book. Rating: 2/5

In the Imp: Strong cherry/almond smell. Wet: I can smell the spice of the saffron and an almost medicinal, but vaguely smoky scent which I take to be the cardamom. The lotus, which is usually too syrupy sweet for me, isn't horribly overwhelming and instead provides a good "base" for the other notes to play on. This is certainly feminine to me, and delicate - though it also seems to have a quiet strength about it. Dry: This got considerably fainter on me and yet getting close to it again the notes seem to have morphed into a deeper, fuller combination. The myrrh has gotten stronger, but oddly enough I haven't once noticed amber's presence since I put this on, and it's what I was looking forward to the most. Verdict: This is pretty and well done, but it's another case of "I would like it on someone else" syndrome. Decidedly feminine scents aren't normally my preference, and I think despite the notes being "nice", they're still too sweet overall for my taste. Rating: 2/5

In the Imp: Certainly fiery, even making my nose tingle a bit. Must be the pepper, but it's combined with a heady, sweet waft of incense. Wet: Holy smokes, it's like you just walked into an spice shop and got bowled over by the sheer smell power. It's not bad, just a little overwhelming right now, which I expect will chill slightly on the drydown. When I focus I can pick out the musk, which is blessedly soothing and not overtly "bloody" as described (not a fan of dragon's blood). Maybe I can appreciate it a bit more relaxed like this. Dry: This actually went on weirdly dry. Like, it took two seconds for my skin to eat it up. It's very "hot", simply put. I haven't tried any of the djinni inspired scents yet but I feel this one would be equally suitable. The leather and musk notes do a good job of calming everything down, while still allowing a lot of, "Why yes I'm a desert raider and I'd love to pillage your caravan". I feel like this has a sexy "Arabian Nights" vibe, lots of adventure mixed with exotic tastes and mysterious secrets. Verdict: Yummy, another winning Lovecraft scent. This is very empowering and unique, both traits I'm fond of. For those who have tried The Hell-Gate of Ireland this has a similar musky zest but without the (in my opinion) too harsh clove, instead replacing it with alluringly gentle chamomile and bringing the heat with all the spices. Rating: 4/5

In the Imp: Mm... a full, round woody scent - the sandalwood. And hints of ozone tingling around the edges. Wet: Somehow I get both a "parched" feeling from this and a wetness, as if you're staring at the cracking bones of the desolate warriors within the tower but it's pouring down rain outside, and the wind is streaking through the black sky. Ooh, this is really nice. You can pick out all the layered notes and yet they mix so well. There's just the slightest hint of sweetness from the ambergris, and yet it's deepened so yummily by the leather and wine. Dry: I think I can smell the ebony now, a rich note... and sticking my nose against my wrist (which is highly tempting with this scent) I can inhale and get the "burning" grasses, as if something is still smoldering under the surface of cool armor's plate. This does get a bit more welcoming as it dries, almost as if you were to get an image of what these knights were doing in the tower before their watch was forever ended, chuckling around a fire and telling tales about their past adventures. Verdict: Beautiful! I've been waiting to find something just like this. Intriguing and unknown yet possessing fragments of something vaguely warm and familiar. Totally in love with this blend. Rating: 5/5

In the Imp: Whoa, GREEN. Like "let me slap you in the nose with a palm tree" green. It reminds me of tropical shampoo somewhat. Which is not necessarily bad or good for the time being. Wet: This is sooo light. I mean, quite nice, but not at all like I expected it to be from the description. I can imagine fresh cut grass and bright ferns, the cool breeze on a sunny day... we are talking about Caliban, the sort of dingy fish monster traitorous slave creature, right? Because. Yeah. This is NOT him. Dry: I feel like I can smell a hint of a pale floral - maybe gardenia? Refreshing. But seriously people, what the heck? Smelling this I think of little girls in white dresses dancing through the sands of a perfect beach, not a schizophrenic Shakespeare beast. And don't get me wrong, I really like Caliban, he rocks. I think I'm still just stunned at how different this is than what I thought it would be. Verdict: Uhm. Think of lovely, vibrant plants with dewy leaves and cheery buds sprouting on a picturesque summer's day. It's very lovely, but for a darkish, unorthodox non-girly girl me, it's sort of like, "RAAH, WHY?? THE LIGHT!!" Rating: 3/5

In the Imp: Very flowery, but in a mature, "ladies perfume" sort of way. I suppose this is the narcissus, I'm just not too familiar with the scent. The myrrh is definitely apparent with its resinous smell too. Wet: This is so very familiar. I feel like I could go grab a number of the commercial perfumes out right now that are "higher end" and get ten different variations of what I'm picking up. Kind of alcoholic, mixed with a very heavy sweet floral. Dry: Still more of the same. It's very classy I guess you could say, but again, in a more mainstream "this cost me $500 and it's made by only the greatest perfumers" sort of way. The reason I love BPAL so much is because they provide beautiful, unconventional scents and I feel this is more like a namebrand copy. At least that's one upside, good alternative to pricey smells you could find at the mall? Verdict: Not the sort of thing I like, and I was expecting so much more... to me, Darkness should have been a bit more similar to Sheol. You can still have florals and a pinch of sweetness but then "bitter it up" (for lack of better expression) and make it into something edgier. To me this would be the powdered darkness of a wealthy merchant's den rather than the creeping darkness of a true night. Rating: 1/5

Sweet tropical fruits burst through deep, wet rainforest boughs, enormous steamy blossoms, over thin mountaintop breezes, mingled with the soft, rich golden scent of Peruvian amber. In the Imp: Delicate and juicy, green and fresh. Wet: This literally does smell "wet", as the rainforest imagery would suggest. I can't place any specific fruits but it would smell like something you wanted to drink if it weren't for the sweeter floral scents that make these seem more like... some sort of relaxing tropical bath oil, to me. Not bad, somehow evokes both a cool and warm feeling at the same time. Like walking through a misty clearing in the early morning but the air is still humid from the night before. Dry: Still has a pleasant watery feel, but getting more of the dew-laden plant vibe now as well as vibrant flowers. To be honest this is more of an "aquatic" to me than a decent amount of others I've tried have been. (*coughDanubecough*) Keeps a clean, bright feeling through its wear. I'm also really enjoying that amber hanging in the background. I am afraid the longer I wear this that it's getting a liiittle bit laundry-ish on me though. Verdict: I'm viewing this more as that piece of jewelry that's nice, you might wear, but it's sort of just "meh" overall to you. My chemistry is pumping up the sugary flowers, I can tell, as on the testing rod it's still a nice green/citrus scent. Sad, since I'm not a fan of very sweet smells. Something about this isn't exactly what I wanted, I think it's too "prettily" feminine and didn't push the "wild" tropical feel enough for me. Rating: 2/5

The sublimely beautiful, fiercely independent, impeccably cultured, fascinatingly worldly and witty courtesans of ancient Greece. A seductive and dazzling blend of golden honey, fiery patchouli, sweet fig and clove, and a blushing touch of ylang ylang. In the Imp: Very light, perhaps a vague sense of the patchouli and some sweet fig. Wet: Haha, patchouli...I used to think it was just a natural thing for patchouli to read off as strong on everyone but I think my chemistry amps it up to ridiculous proportions. Since it's not one of my favorite notes, this is kind of "eh" so far. It's spicy, and I can smell a bit of the softer ylang ylang hidden in there somewhere, but I get no honey at all. Which is quite a shame really, since I enjoy it. Dry: A bit more of a fresh green scent? The clove is showing itself now as well, giving off that warm, nearly bitter smell. In fact, this has become a veritable clove party. Hm. It's not overwhelming, but it's as if my skin just erased all the other notes. I will say that this is lighter than it was before, which is a bit of relief since the earlier woodsy smell was such a knockout (not so much in a good way). Gah, I detect a bit of baby powder sweetness too, and I am in no way aligned with those sort of scents. Even if they try to mask it with freaking patchouli and clove! Verdict: Not my thing at all, I guess I'd consider this too "messy" somehow in that I feel it doesn't come across as focused enough in portraying the attitude I might have hoped for. Stronger and less cloyingly sweet, please. I admit though that I don't really blame the scent, as it's obvious this has worked for a number of others and I like a portion of the notes listed. But alas, my skin does not agree. Rating: 1/5

In the Bottle: Holy crap, caramel apples and butterscotch exactly. I ordered this as part of a swap and thought to test it before moving it along, and so I hadn't even read the description before unscrewing the lid... and now comparing to what's listed it's definitely spot on. Though I get little of the booze note, my mother smelled this and immediately thought of a liqueur, so I guess we're both partially scent-dead. Wet: Oh. There's the rum. And wow, the apples smell incredibly wet and fresh. Just like being at a Halloween party and indulging in all the sweet treats. Often you breathe in something that reminds you of a certain scenario, but wearing this stuff is really like getting transported. Dry: I get more of the buttery/creamy vibe now, very much the "candied" aspect of this scent though if I focus enough I can still pick up traces of that delicious apple. Verdict: I didn't get this for myself and for good reason considering I'm neither a fan of very sweet smells or foodiness, which is no doubt what this turned out to be, but having such a Halloween specific presence in itself still made this a pleasant surprise. Not only that, but I was taken aback by the ripe apple scent in its wet stage, and since I am addicted to fruits this was a nice addition before the sugar took over. Rating: 3/5

In the Imp: This almost smells like a very tangy, sharp... rootbeer. Ha! Like something sweet with an edge. Wet: The labdanum is definitely bitter but it's not overpowering, and it contributes a "smooth" resiny scent as well. The clove is mixing well with everything else to a large extent because I wouldn't say it's easy to pick out on its lonesome. But the notes work wonderfully together and on a deep inhale I get the seething sensation that this scent's name evokes. Overall I can notice a more rounded, sweeter effect every now and then, which is probably a good thing. It strikes a nice balance between harshness and a gentle, though dark, allure. Dry: The labdanum's sweeter side is more pronounced now which is decent, but I was enjoying how every note had an equal share in the spotlight earlier. I also tend to amp up musks to a point even stronger than they usually are, and this is no exception. It's all right but I'm generally not a big syrupy/clingy scent fan. Verdict: Started out with a powerful kick and everything played nicely together, but then I ended up with too much sweetness. Nice, but not my preference. Rating: 2/3

In the Imp: Sharp patchouli and fir, woodsiness all the way for the moment. Wet: Very much like being outside on a wet autumn day. The crisp smell of trees, heavy spices from the rich foods lying on a nearby picnic table... this is extremely strong though, and even though I know there are a bunch of different notes in there but I'm mainly getting the nutmeg/fir. Dry: Hmm. Instead of toning down and becoming more complex I still only get the same combo from before. While it's not entirely unpleasant I do consider it rather harsh and I would've liked being able to smell more "layers" in a scent with so many different things going for it. Verdict: Wish I had more to say, but this ended up being such a simple scent for me, and fairly astringent at that. I know other people are getting a wider variety of notes so I'm just blaming my skin chemistry and hoping that eventually I can send it off to someone who will be able to appreciate it more. Rating: 2/5

In the Imp: Sticky sweet alcohol and incense? Getting some of the cactus blossom. I can't describe it too well because this certainly appears to be a new array of notes for me, but it seems yummy! Wet: I see you've joined the party, tobacco, though you're not giving me an overwhelming sense of lung cancer so you're all right by me. I must say this is perfectly evocative of what it's trying to replicate, if I close my eyes I can just imagine a bunch of people living it up on a dusty road, the scents of nature melding with the treats created by the celebrators. I like the autumnal presence of the "crackling leaves" which keeps this from being overloaded with too many candy-ish and floral smells. Dry: As warm and welcoming as I think this is, I believe it could work for either gender with the balance struck between robust sweetness and the strength of the tobacco with leaves. Amazingly I don't consider this cloying despite how many full-bodied, rich aspects it's tossing together. And by the way, it has an awesome throw even after a few hours. Verdict: I'd still consider this too sugary for my usual fair, but I would looove it emanating off of someone else. In fact, I may have to hold onto the imp for a while to see whether I could stand it in my hair or such, because it's so incredibly luscious without being too syrupy. Caught between a 3 and a 4 for the final score but for now I'm saying... Rating: 3/5

In the Imp: Very delicate and nice. I can barely smell what seems to be vanilla, but I'm guessing it must be the amber mixing with one of the other notes. Can pick up light musk and the slightest suggestion of woodsiness from the birch as well. Wet: This is flat out cool! I just put the stuff on and it's easy to tell how well all the different scents mingle. Very creamy smooth but not overly sweet. Musks tend to be a hit or miss with me and this paler variety works perfectly with the flowery/exotic ylang ylang. I would not consider this a casual scent in that it's definitely a deviation from the norm of "pretty". I had to look up what immortelle smelled like because I couldn't put my finger on what was giving this such an unusually pure yet... tainted, sort of effect? I believe it's the culprit, in a good way. It's as if you took a sheet of white silk and then let a swirl of gray watercolors slowly seep into the material, giving something innocent a quiet yet unnerving edge. Dry: Gosh, I don't know what to think of this one. I love how unusual it is but at the same time that's its biggest "detriment" because it doesn't easily fit into a particular mood I could associate it with, which is usually the deciding factor for what I decide to apply day by day. I could call it detached, but at the same time it feels as if a heady mist is clinging to your skin. Verdict: Okay. I know this is going to sound crazy, but the final connection I came up with for this is "Voldemort". HA. I know, ironic that one of the most famous villains around could be related to a perfume oil called "The Girl", but I seriously find the similarities to be spot on. This scent is eerie in its difference, but there are traces of what used to be human in the background. A whiff of natural skin musk, a primal slithering intelligence. I think this is awesome but for me it doesn't have that "emotional" link I can draw between the scent and myself. Rating: 3/5

In the Imp: My first LE decant, woo! Getting woodsy patchouli mixed with the warm tonka and a bit of frankincense. Pretty. Wet: Hello patchouli, it usually amps up on me like it's no one's business. Then again, it tends to be strong on most people. Not unpleasant, but I'm not its biggest fan... the most prominent secondary note is probably the clove now. At the moment it's sharper than I imagined, not insanely so, just more attention grabbing than I would have guessed. Yet it's accomplished in an understated manner, like a proper Victorian lady gazing seductively at her object of desire from across a dimly lit castle hall betwixt the crowd. Dry: I would definitely agree with this being called languid. It's more delicate now in terms of throw, but still very distinct. Mostly I'm left with clove, tonka, and musk for a spicy but sweet mix. It's comforting, perhaps a bit sensual, and gives off a definite "warm" feeling. Verdict: Feminine, smooth, hazy. I do like this but it's not a complete winner in my book. While it's quite lovely and I would wear it again, I think for me it's a bit too "indulgent" compared to the more vivacious scents I generally use. Rating: 3/5

Would anyone be so kind as to suggest a BPAL similar to Norell? My mother loved that perfume and recently I've started enabling her (another devotee for the precious), but she was curious if I could find anything reminiscent of her favorite commercial blend. Looking online apparently Norell's makeup consists of "a blend of green florals, oakmoss, amber, musk, jasmine and rose". Thank you for any suggestions!

In the Imp: Resinous and dry, like the orris was in Dance of Death, though not that extreme. Certainly woody. Wet: I have to admit, I thought this would end up like some of the earthen scents I’ve come across which only made me feel like I’d been left in a desiccated, parched forest to die. This has more going for it. It’s warm and spicy, which again reminds me of DoD, but it also has more of a subdued effect. As if you were to grab a handful of very fine soil and then mix it with a helping of sandalwood. Dry: I smell more delicate spices and the unusual sweetness some of the other members have described. It’s a unisex blend, doesn’t lean toward being either overwhelming or "pretty". Though it is more soothing now that the initial blast of TREE has died down. Sadly it’s hardly been forty minutes and the scent has practically disappeared. Verdict: It’s all right. Didn’t have the wow factor in my opinion, but I don’t hate it, and I think anyone that enjoys earthy notes but prefers not to feel like they’ve been kicked in the pants by the patchouli wagon will like this. Rating: 2/5

In the Imp: Super juicy pear on top of a slightly green, refreshing background – probably a contribution from the sage. Wet: Dang, this is good. I don’t normally like the idea of mixing spicy things with fruit, usually it bothers me and I end up thinking scents should be one way or the other. Either ripe and succulent or flavorful with a bit of pizzazz. But this is a fun union. I’m getting more of the hyssop’s bite but it’s still mixing with the sweet pear, and there’s even something of a floral in here. I’m guessing the tulip? Even with all that’s going on, it’s not overwhelming. To the contrary this is light and conjures a carefree feeling. Like you’re in the desert and yet you’re sitting on a beach chair with all these servants attending you and serving yummy drinks! Dry: Pretty much the same, the throw isn’t as strong of course but the notes haven’t morphed or lost their prominence. It’s a soft smell, and to me, a “vacation” smell. It almost reminds me of an island due to the fruitiness and gentle suggestion of wildflowers. Verdict: Very nice. It would’ve been interesting to pick up more of the herbal notes such as coriander, but overall I enjoyed this a lot. It’s gorgeous, and yet I feel it isn’t me… a bit too delicate, and dessert-like? Be great to get a sniff on someone else though. Rating: 3/5

In the Imp: Very soft rose, almost difficult to detect anything, then the dry, lingering scent of moss. Wet: This is still a light and gentle rose, I think it’s the moss that’s throwing me for a loop. It feels like it’s sucking away the moisture the floral overture brings. I initially thought I smelled the dirt, but what I was hoping for was along the lines of a very damp, rain saturated loam smell. Instead this is more like a dried up pile of petals and moss. Perhaps the particular dirt note here is intended to be a bit “dusty” in which case it’s unusual but not what I was looking for. Dry: Maybe I’m sounding unfavorable, let me say that this scent is interesting – just not for me. As stated before I was looking for something “wetter” that would evoke the feeling of lying in a sunken grave, after a rush of water and wind had upturned the soil. The combination of a too sweet rose soap and wry moss is not along similar lines, which is a shame because I really wanted to like this. Verdict: Not enough soggy dirt, a bit cloying! Does win points for originality though, it’s a unique mix and stays close to the skin with just enough throw. Rating: 2/5

Name: Tempest In the Imp: Definitely lots of ozone. I like that so hopefully it lasts on skin. Something’s slightly green about this, like it’s the smell of rain mixed with grass growing along a dirt road. Wet: Whoa, it’s definitely green somehow. Not sure what it is but there’s sort of a slick forest-y smell mixed with citrus and water. Reminds me of a misty rain (exactly like description) falling across a swathe of trees and trickling down into the wet earth below. It’s interesting that there’s a slightly muddy scent, but it’s not unpleasant, just refreshing. Sort of wild, like you woke up in the middle of a spring shower and you’re lying on the ground, clothes all mussed up. Yet everything smells so real it’s as if you’re just awakening to the world for the first time. Dry: It’s very crisp. I usually like sharp scents and this is certainly that, but it’s almost like detergent now… lost a lot of the liquid “fullness” it had earlier on so that it doesn’t feel as complex. It’s got a nice throw at least. Verdict: I like it, but not feeling much else. Was sort of expecting the scent’s natural beginnings to stick around but this isn’t as wet and stormy as I was hoping. Instead it pretty much turned into laundry on me, and while that clean smell is nice it’s not my thing. Rating: 2/5

Not sure this is the best place to ask, but I'm curious if anyone else has heard this - quite a few sources I've seen have mentioned that direct exposure to air for oils is not a good thing. This isn't the most in depth site I've found but if you go here it mentions this near the very bottom. I wouldn't want to harm the quality of my BPAL oils in the least and since up till now I've just been applying from the bottle, I'm considering decanting into one of my imps at this point. Does anyone else do this? How much does the oil quality suffer if you do apply directly from bottles (thus exposing them to air more often)?

Not to discount any other posters' opinions, but Danube was NOT aquatic on me at all. It turned into a pure floral disaster, so I recommend that you at least really really enjoy flowers if you want to try that one. I'm going to cast my vote in for Y'ha-nthlei. I'm not the most experienced BPALer but it's very refreshing and has a wonderful, tangy sea spray feel to it. Yet it's not pure "water", it reminds me of a tropical island almost.

In the Imp: A pretty gardenia, with lilac and violet wavering in and out of my smell detection abilities. A “garden fresh” scent. Wet: My gosh, what is it about my chemistry that amps up certain florals to such an insane level? It’s not as horribly overpowering as Danube was, I would say greener and more breathable. But, I still think it’s going to be an overload for me. Note to self – I believe violet is the main culprit that has issues cooperating, it sometimes gets a bit rotten on my skin and this is no exception. It’s sort of wavering between understated and a kick in the behind. Mainly it’s a delicate scent, but I’m not the person to appreciate this combo. Dry: Became more powdery, and no less sweet. I’m mostly left with lilac, which is too foofy for my taste. This does sort of have a “baby” vibe, haha, and now I’m going to sound even more terrible for not liking it, but this is definitely for people into sweeter scents. Verdict: Strong florals don’t do anything for me, and the only possible savior in this was sandalwood, which I never picked up. Lovers of innocent and small child smells should enjoy. Rating: 1/5 (^--- Another BPALer that violet dislikes! As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend... we should unite against it! )

In the Imp: Kind of like soap. High quality, yes, but pretty Dove-esque. Clean and dainty. Wet: I love aquatics but I’m really not getting much of a watery feeling. Everyone’s talking about “deep blues” and so on but all I smell is flowers and more flowers. The rhododendrons are like whoa. If I had to ascribe a color to this it would actually be a girly pink scent. Pretty strong though, making my nose twitchy. Dry: No changes. I guess my skin ate the aqua, which is a shame. In the imp it had more of the tangy zest that I like in these sort of scents, but I’m not feeling any of it at this point. Just overly sweet, powdery flower power. And soap. Making me kind of nauseous, actually. Verdict: Didn’t work at all, I’ll have to check out some of the edgier aquatics like Caliban or Undertow. I will mention that this has a crazy throw for me, and if you like super feminine blends then this will do the trick. Rating: 1/5

In the Imp: Aah, so much grape and juiciness. Just what I was looking for, and all the notes in this are huge wins for me. Wet: Great stuff! There’s a small but noticeable herbal feel from the thyme swirling around in all the berries. This would certainly be a full-bodied, lip-licking good wine. And speaking of licking lips, it’s quite sexy. Almost a dripping sensuality (but not overly sweet), a noblewoman all the men go wild for, but understand that they’d better respect her strength. Dry: This makes me so sad… I’m now getting the grape bubblegum/synthetic scent some of the other members have talked about. I originally tried this during so maybe that was helping to amp up the greener notes, but now it just smells fake. I’d rather have something that’s consistent the majority of the time, and I don’t think I can deal with the candy feel whenever my skin isn’t working things out. Verdict: Started out promising, the initial stage is wonderful, then it went goopy. If only I didn’t absorb the herbal scent this would’ve been more grounded and really nice. Rating: 1/5 *edit - Ugh, I'm so sorry to change this on you gals but this one really had a complete turn around for me. I tried it again today and, well... read from "Dry" on. What a shame.

In the Imp: Yes, this is dry. Getting the orris and patchouli. To quote Baudelaire’s poem, “musk scented skeletons” is perfect. Wet: Exactly like parchment on the brink of death. Like, if you so much as breathed on it, it would crumple into a million pieces because it’s so old and dried out. I feel like I’ve been wrung of all humanly liquids. And yet, oddly, I kind of like this. Probably because I have thing for musty old libraries, and this is relatively evocative of such a setting. It’s rather spicy too, which makes this more complex. Dry: Quite woodsy now, but still oh so dry. Like a cedar log that’s been sapped of its moisture. I feel like this is more unisex than feminine, because it’s pretty, “You’d better listen to me,” though in an understated way. If that makes any sense. Verdict: Very unusual scent, a little too much like a forest got transported to the Sahara Desert for me. If you’re into that sort of thing, though, go for it. Personally I think I would’ve liked this if it was more graveyard, less treeland, so I’ll keep exploring the Moriendi scents. Rating: 2/5