Ina Garten Davita

I had a headache and a sneezing fit immediately after applying and sniffing Machu Picchu. I've never had such a full on reaction like that to any of the preciousss.

Melpomene is a very relaxing aromatherapy type blend. Nice for bedtime.

First Impression: Mata Hari, in the vial smells just like the taste of those little Italian candies...the coffee flavored ones with the soft creamy coffee center.

 

Second Impression: On my skin the creamy coffee center remains but it's blended with jasmine and roses in the most amazing, I can't flipping believe it ways. The tonka and vanilla are adding a warm sweetness. It's absolutely the most unusual, "who'd've thought" fragrances I've ever smelled. I can't stop sniffing it.

 

Final Analysis: I adore this, love the coffee, love the flowers...and she really seems to love me as well. Wow.

First Impression: Harvest Moon is all buttery, warm pumkin pie out of the bottle.

 

Second Impression: The buttery pumpkin goodness morphs rather quickly into a gorgeous autumn floral with a touch of apple wine blending in. I really enjoyed wearing this. It's rich and so very autumn-y.

 

Final Analysis: The whole experience of Harvest Moon lasted about four hours and I loved every minute of it. I put this in my scent locket as well and as I enjoyed the blanket of rich fall flowers and apple wine floating around me, I got the buttery pumpkin goodness wafting up the entire time. I will enjoy every last drop of this. Beautifully crafted.

I bought Horn of Plenty for the benefits, not the smell so I'm not going to do my usual review.

 

I've been dabbing it here and there and handling the imp a lot since I got it yesterday. This morning in Target I found a small pile of dollar bills on the floor just under a clothing rack as I leaned over to pick an article of clothing that had fallen down.

 

Coincidence...perhaps, excellent...most definitely. I'm keeping this baby and going to keep dabbing!

I wanted to know what Val San Retour meant so I googled it. I came up with "Le Val San Retour" is a song by Alan Stivell on an album called "The Mists of Avalon".

 

First Impression: Lovely pine with that eucalyptus vapor feeling.

 

Second Impression: Cold and crisp, snow on a beautiful Christmas pine.

 

Final Analysis: Very evocative of Christmastime.

Machu Picchu: A fortress city of the ancient Incas, in a high saddle between two peaks circa 50 miles (80 km) NW of Cuzco, Peru. The extraordinary pre-Columbian ruin, 5 sq. Miles (18 sq. Km.) of terraced stonework link by 3,000 steps; it was virtually intact when discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

 

First Impression: Tropical fruits, wet and sweet.

 

Second Impression: Where is the amber? I'm not getting it... everything else according to the description is spot on. This is very strong and is giving me the start of a headache.

 

Final Analysis: Nice, real nice...but it's headache and sneeze inducing. Very rare for me to have a reaction like this.

Melpomene was another generous extra today.

 

First Impression: Geranium, lavender, mint...in that order.

 

Second Impression: This is lovely, if a bit sharp. I'm finding it nicer than I thought I would given my history with lavender and mint.

 

Final Analysis: I would never had tried this, the lab did a good thing in adding her to my package. A very nice "aromatherapy" scent. Would make a lovely liquid hand soap. Far nicer than anything Bath and Bodyworks has. This also would be a relaxing sleep scent once the initial sharpness dries down.

First Impression: Sudha Sigara is quite ginger-y.

 

Second Impression: On the drydown it begins to bloom...creamy and soothing. Honeyed ginger cream. It's a very quiet scent, no throw from this beauty.

 

Final Analysis: I would love to see an entire line of posh spa products with this scent. Picture it...A warm steam room scented with this ambrosial fragrance, being slathered and rubbed with this honeyed ginger cream. The ultimate in pampering and relaxation.

This was a generous toss-in from the Lab lovelies.

 

First Impression: Bayou is green, most assuredly.

 

Second Impression: Green, damp, mossy, watery...the description suits the fragrance full on.

 

Final Analysis: The long drydown reminds me of the original Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo of old, which surprises and delights me. It's not a "me" scent, but I might just give this one another go.

Chaos Theory Fragrant Fractal LXXXVII (87) received in a swap with Vicious Mistress

 

First Impression: A spice blend...I smell cinnamon and clove.

 

Second Impression: Mulling spices and musk, possibly black musk. It's not dry, but I wouldn't call it sweet either. This is a perfect non-foody Thanksgiving-Christmas scent. It's even a bit sexy in that come and snuggle me way.

 

Final Analysis: The third time is the charm. This smells ever so nice on my skin and it's begging for cold weather. I'll be taking this lovely with me to Boston when we visit for Thanksgiving.

Tamora and Fae are wonderfully candy sweet. They layer ever so well with my Pink Sugar body lotion.

Well Miss Manners, it seems you got lucky with a yet-to-be-released prototype.

 

How nice...be sure to do a review in the Up and Comings for us and let us know all about it!

A freebie from the lab that I would never have tried. Thanks

 

First Impression: Blow your head off cherries, that cherry note from Seraglio and Black Phoenix it seems to my nose.

 

Second Impression: For as loud as the cherries leap out of the imp, they don't stay long. As soon as the oil is dry, they're gone. Yay! A gorgeous, lush red musk/star anise blend remains. Sexy and creamy.

 

Final Analysis: So glad I got to try this, another keeper. Just beautiful.

King of Spades: Limited Edition 8/15 Available to Forum Members Only

 

 

First Impression:

 

Second Impression: Yes, this is flamboyant and flashy in the sexiest and most gorgeous of ways. Not overly masculine, King will work well on the ladies and gents. Lightly sweet, a touch fruity and darkly sexy. The notes are working a wonderful harmony of coconutty vanilla, mossy woods and fruity musk.

 

Final Analysis: Hard to explain, easy on the senses. Genius, divinity and I love the label.

First Impression: Sharp, soapy and strong.

Second Impression: It's all sharp, soapy juniper berry and orris on me and it's not changed in over an hour. I used a tiny dab and it's quite strong with real staying power.

Final Analysis: I'm gutted that the dragon's blood, red rose and woods did not develop on my skin. I'm going to give a couple more hours and see what changes it makes and then I'll update the review.

First Impression: Dragon's blood resin, sweet cloves and myrrh

 

Second Impression: Blood is an absolute must for anyone who likes dragon's blood resin. This is one of the best yet. It's sweet and spicy, dark and thick, juicy and dangerous.

 

Final Analysis: Keeper. Will be needing more.

First Impression: Oh neroli!

 

Second Impression: I wanted Masquerade because it's my favorite number from Phantom of the Opera and it does make me want to break into song. But I'll spare you, you know the words. It's bright and mysterious...like the treasure box you want to open but are afraid of what's inside. After the neroli steps aside slightly the carnation spice comes into play.

 

Final Analysis: I always use neroli in my oil burner, it's one of my favorite room scents. I like it as a perfume too.

First Impression: I want to say that I smell palmarosa. Crucible of Courage has a very "essential oil" smell about it.

 

Second Impression: Oh how lovely this blooms. The initial sharpness mellows out and sweetens to honeyed spices and roses.

 

Final Analysis: Rob and I are starting the green card process and I wanted this to wear to the final interview. Not only will I be brave under the questioning of the validity of our marriage but I'll also smell gorgeous. Thanks Beth

First Impression: Yes, indeed the holy grail of all Vanilla.

 

Second Impression: Thick, rich, sweet and creamy. All of those wonderful qualities but not overly foody or sickly at all.

 

Final Analysis: This alone or layered is a wonderful addition to any BPAL collection.

First Impression: This *is* the bride's bouquet in Disney's Haunted Mansion.

 

Second Impression: The heliotrope keep this from being a cloying white floral. It adds a brightness, a sense of hope to the sadness and longing.

 

Final Analysis: On me, it's very much like Veil without the sharp violet bite. I love it and when my Veil bottle runs out, I will replace it with Eternal.

Lovely ebonykawai threw this in with a swap!

 

First Impression: Oh, lush roses!

 

Second Impression: Another nice rose blend, but I much prefer Persephone. The rose notes are very similar but the narcissus just doesn't seem to work on my skin.

 

Final Analysis: A lovely rose blend that unfortunately doesn't like me.

First Impression: Aniseed and curry.

 

Second Impression: Pure spice without a trace of sweetness. Like being in a curry house waiting for your Tikka Masala.

 

Final Analysis: I really like the smell of this, but not on me as a perfume. It did layer really well with vanilla bean single note.

Egyptian Goddess has been my signature scent since the early 90's. I still keep a full bottle on hand at all times, even since finding BPAL. I've tried over 200 of Beth's blends and none of them smell like Goddess, not that I think they should mind you. I wear and enjoy all of my BPAL scents but I still wear and enjoy my Goddess too.

First Impression: Horehound candies.

 

Second Impression: Stop laughing, that's what it smells like. As it dries it smells a bit like witch hazel dribbled over horehound candies.

 

Final Analysis: I didn't want Has No Hanna as perfume but as it's intended as a bit of a good luck charm. I'll keep a dab of this on me here and there to keep the good times rolling.