russalka

Not good for those sensitive to strong smells as this one comes on super duper strong. And it stays strong for a good long while. No need to reapply during the day. Sugary, sweet pea, white and sharp blend. I'm afraid it's not my style.

I mean ... this scent. It's so. I don't know how to even begin. It's like opening an old wardrobe. It's wooden and there are my grandpa's clothes in there, as well as lots of old fleeting memories. Warm and cold. About to be forgotten ... I don't know if I like it or don't. I don't think it's a bottle scent for me, but the imp I may keep.

It is sweet thick cherry on me ... A cherry dripping in honey. The vanilla + amber deepen the smell. It can sometimes remind me a little of cherry cough syrup though, which is not great, but it's not horrible either. I might have reviewed this one already. But now it's been a couple of years since I bought it and ... well, see above. I still like it. It lasts, but I am not in love as I was with it when I first bought it and first became BPAL fan.

Oh my god, I think I may be in love ... It's gorgeous. Absolutely amazing. As sweet as the day is long, but that is the way I like it. It's all coconut and sugar cane on me with something very interesting and intriguing lurking behind. I NEED a bottle. I need a jug. What a stunner. 5/5

I had such high expectations for this one! I even ordered an imp of it from the lab ... so now I feel a little underwhelmed. First off, there was this bathroom freshener stage. The ylang ylang was way too strong on my skin and it took quite a long time for that stage to end. It was hurting my nose. Not pleasant at all. Then the oil dried properly, my skin warmed it up and finally it got more bearable. Now it's the myrrh taking over with its spiciness. I like that much better. It's still quite spiky and if I breathe it in deeply, it still hurts my nose. I don't get the comparison with O at all. This one is just not for me, unfortunately.

Got this as a frimp from fellow forumite (thank you so much!). It starts out rather strong with sweet pea in combination with the two ambers (methinks) taking over and giving me a bit of headache. After it dried down, it's mostly amber vanilla with barely a touch of white sandalwood somewhere in the background. However, my skin just devoured the oil - just an hour later, I can barely smell it on my wrist. I'll try it again later and see if my experience changes.

On my skin ... There is a bit of a burnt and 'acrid' smell to it too as one reviewer here noted already. As a matter of fact, when I first applied it, I got a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth upon smelling my wrist. I can tell you I didn't like that. It sure is warming up with time and getting a tad sweeter and more vanilla-y, but I don't think this one is moving anywhere from the 'no-go' zone for me. Too bad, I always get a little sad when a scent doesn't work out for me ...

Hello there! I'm absolutely new to BPAL (never tested a single scent) and even to scents/perfumes in general. I'm extremely curious and excited to get into it though and ultimately find my own couple of scents - something that will make me feel warm and fuzzy and happy during the day and sexy and confident when out and about in the evening hours. I'm also considering perhaps trying to suit both of my personalities (sometimes I'm the Taurus that I am and sometimes I'm a total crazy-a** Gemini, which I don't know where that comes from) - one of them the loud, chatty, outgoing one that is fine with making fun of herself and the other that is quiet, a bit insecure, introverted and just minds her own business. Now to my preferences ... I'm very sensitive to smells in general and it's easy for me to get a headache if something smells too intensely. I don't even use scented detergent for my laundry, not to mention fabric softener - a big no-no in our household. I have had a few perfumes during my life - Burberry's Weekend, Cacharel's Amor Amor and Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea and a few eau de toilette's whose names I can't recall now. I've been considering getting Marc Jacobs' Daisy for a while now, but the price is too high, not to mention that it would take me ages to use the bottle up. I still have Cacharel's Amor Amor - I bought it some 6 years ago I have simply never found a scent that I loved so much that I would wear it every single day. What more ... I don't like smells that are too overbearing and concentrated, but I still like them to be long-lasting. I tend to gravitate towards fruity smells. Sweet, fruity, crisp, mellow, clean, soft, however I am open to trying something deeper, more mysterious, dark and sexy. To be more specific, I love coconut (I have unrefined all natural coconut oil at home and I absolutely love its smell), vanilla and all sorts of berries ... and Earl Grey tea, mmm mmm mm do I love me some Earl Grey . I also like sugary-sweet smells, but again, they can't bee too much - too strong and overbearing or I'll just get a headache. So I have kind of a problem there. I've been reading descriptions of many scents on BPAL's website and my brain hurts right now even though I thoroughly enjoyed it I've also looked into other recommendation threads and so far, these scents made my first imp list: Black Pearl, Titania, Blood Countess, Shanghai (not too sure as I'm not in love with EA's Green Tea), Prunella and perhaps Belle Epoque. That said, I want to experiment a little and step outside of my 'comfort zone,' so I'd be willing to give a shot to, for example, Snake Oil or something like Ave Maria Gratia Plena, Desire, Brisingamen, Hunger, Siren or even Kubla Khan (the description sounds absolutely insane, haha), etc. Perhaps I should order two sets of 6-piece imps as I find it pretty much impossible to choose just 6 I'll be so grateful to anyone that takes this one on

Another update. I've ordered more imps in the meantime from a fellow forumite from the sale forum. These are the impies: Bruised Violet Compound, The Lion, Sed Non Satiata, Sin and Xiuhtecuhtli I've also retested Tamora and I LOVE it! Really lovely. I can't understand how I could've missed her before because I do believe I've tested her before ... hmm, oh well. I think golden sandalwood really works on me unlike the other kinds of sandalwood (I really don't like overbearing sandalwood scents). About Dragon's Milk ... too cherry for me. Too overly-sweet candy-like. Plus don't really like cherry overall. If I reach in a bag of candies, cherry is on the last place ... together with banana. So I'm not really into even retesting Dragon's Milk again.

Drying down: Very strong, fresh, spiky. It's the flowers (violet and lily) closely followed by the cypress/juniper with the sweetness of the myrrh on the last place. Dry: Now it's going powdery on me, however the flowers stay strong. My skin seems to amp them ... a whole lot. I feel a little right now, that's how strong they are. Not good for sensitive people. Might have to wash this one off. Nothing for me.

I All the notes in the description are present while on my skin. I get mostly roses and sandalwood with honey drip-dropping around. The orange blossom is in the background and one really has to take the smell in - breathe it in deeply - to really find it. Alas ... it gets powdery on me as soon as it dries. I keep thinking .... plastic baby dolls .... Not something I'll be purchasing a bottle of, unfortunately.

You just reminded me that I wanted to try Xiutecuhtli ... I already tried 51, but it didn't work for me There was something strange 'swampy'/'rotten' that came out in combination with my skin Oh well ... But thank you! I've just made my first EVER and pretty huge order from BPAL. I ended up ordering a full 5ml bottle of O because I know I want to have that around and then a sixpack of imps of: Fae, Van Van, Bewitched, Eat Me, Dana O'Shee and La Petite Mort I also ordered the Relief pack since I've been suffering from headaches, etc. I'll also be trolling the sale boards to see if some of the other imps I'd like to try become available. I should probably sell off my imp stash too

I will read up on your suggestions. Thank you very much! I have tried Dragon's Milk and it's too cherry for me. It smells like cherry candy/cough drops on me. Unfortunately. All in all, I like more warm/sweet yet airy smells. I can't handle overpowering florals and especially tropicals. There was one smell with Guava, I believe (can't remember the name of the scent) and I just couldn't handle it. It was literally horrible on me. I've also changed my opinion on coconut ... I don't think I like it anymore. I know I have looooong ways to go before I really learn what notes I like and which one I dislike ... it almost feels like too much at the moment I'm putting together a list of 6 imps I want to order from BPAL as I can't find any of them on sale boards. 1. Fae 2. Van Van (I need me some of that positivity, plus I like the reviews) 3. Bewitched 4. Eat Me 5. Dana O'Shee 6. .... remains to be seen (now I'll be researching The Light of Men's Lives, La Petite Mort, La Traviata, Apothecary and Sed Non Satiata - even though the 'floral' in it scares me a little) Do you think it's a good list?

Just thought I could update this thread a little ... I ended up getting 20+ imps and so far, I like O the most ... I realized I can't take scents that are too strong because I do get a headache and start feeling almost sick to my stomach if the smell is overbearing (like Titania or Eve). I need something mellow, sweet, dreamy and a little tiny touch sexy. I also liked Dorian before I got 'over him,' which was pretty fast. Roses, Pearls and Diamonds was another scent that captivated me, but it's a little too cold for everyday wear - it's something I could wear from time to time, but not all the time. I realized I don't like woody smells at all ... even though I do like sandalwood in theory, I don't like it in perfume form. I realized I like honey. Belle Epoque is a scent that nearly mesmerized me ... it's such a complex smell that keeps changing on me each time I sniff it, but some of the time I really don't like it - the times the sandalwood comes through strong. So right now I only know I will be buying a bottle of O. Nothing else comes close to being lovely enough while not being too loud and has a certain amount of hidden sexiness in it. But I am not totally hundred percent in love with it either ... I've simply not found THE scent for myself, but O is coming close for sure. It's also the only scent that I got a compliment for while wearing. By a male coworker. PS: I really like Embalming Fluid as it reminds me a lot of Elizabeth Arden's Tea Tree scent, but I have a bottle of that, so there's no reason for me to buy a bottle of Embalming Fluid. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to move next?

A sparkly, batty little scent: green tea, melon, mint, lime rind, and champagne grape with lemon balm, mullein, and toadflax. In the bottle, the scent is just pure guava and it's strong. It jumps out on you and punches you in the nose. While wet on the skin, it is still strong and smells like soapy sugary guava + ... can't figure the plus out. While dry, it is still way too strong and smells mostly like some sort of insane soap concentrate. All in all, this is not my smell. It's not me. I could see this potentially giving me a headache in the long run. I'm a little disappointed as I had high hopes for it - many folks have recommended it to me.

I've tried some 30 BPAL imps so far and this one is standing out the most out of all of them. I think the word ELEGANT describes it the best. Also soft, feminine, fresh and opulent. I imagine Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast in Tiffany's while wearing it. Yup, a bottle it is.

This is my very first review as Dorian is my very first 'favorite' BPAL scent. Bear in mind my knowledge of scents, different notes and perfumes in general is pretty much non-existent and I've just embarked on my journey into the vast world of BPAL. I feel a little like Harry Potter that just made it to Diagon Alley Now on to the review ... I have to say that I simply love this scent. Dry and a couple of hours in it's tea sweetened with milk and honey and vanilla wafers - lots of vanilla wafers as this one is for those with a sweet tooth. One just wants to recline in a loveseat, with a cup of tea in a fine china cup and nibble on some wafers while swooning over a hot mysterious man that's at the other end of the room, looking out of the window, with his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed ... Oh yeah, there is some soft, almost imaginary, sexiness in this scent as well - something what longing and daytime sexual fantasies might smell-like. I know there is a bottle of Dorian waiting for me in the Lab ...

Usagi - Thank you so much darling! Both of those sound great and are surely making my list!

Wow, great recommendations, folks! ReallyZeb ... Yeah, it is too bad I wish I had told you, but I didn't want to confuse you further or make it more work for you. If you have any of the mentioned scents, let me know! I'll gladly get them, even though I should probably wait a bit Both of the ones that you mentioned sound amazing! Wren - I have Hollywood Babylon coming soon, so I'm really looking forward to trying on that scent!! Yay I can't wait sunshinedaisybliss - Thanks for great recs again!

Thanks ladymeag! I will create one ASAP. By the way. Yesterday, I made someone at work black currant tea and I totally fell in love with that smell. It was sweet, warm and just gorgeous, so now I'm looking for scents with that sweet black currant smell I find the description of Eat Me perfect, but can't find it on the Sale Boards. Do you know of any other scents with black currant and other sweet smells?

I just wanted to update you lovely folks that I've finally bought my first set of imps off the sale board! I bought imps of 51, Brisimgamen, Croquet, Dragon's Milk and Opium Poppy. I'm waiting for the answer of the other seller from whom I want to buy all of 16 imps: Belle Epoque, Embalming Fluid, Euphrosyne, Eve, Hunger, Jezebel, Lorelei, Kumiho, Obatala, Phantasm, Prague, Roses Pears and Diamonds, Rapture, Tamora, Titania and Vasilissa. I really hope she contacts me soon so that I can get my hands on these There are still many that I want to try - all of the ones that you all have recommended, but I'll have to wait a bit before purchasing more of them

Oh wow folks! You are all so amazingly helpful! Thanks so much for all of these recommendations! Sunshinedaisybliss - Wow, what a well researched and elaborate post! I'm humbled and so grateful that you took the time to write this! I found a lot of the scents you mentioned on the Sale board and hopefully the potential seller contacts me back very soon, so I can get my first batch of imps asap! Meaganola - I'm definitely getting Dorian, Morocco and Dragon's Milk and I'm quite curious about O as well. So far, I've only been able to find Dragon's Milk on the Sale board - out of that list. Viridian - It also seems to me (even though I've never tested it) that Snake Oil might be too much from what I've read about it. Ladymeag - Elegba sounds exciting! I will definitely see if I can find it on the Sale board.

Oooh!!! So many replies already! Thank you so much folks! All of your suggestions sound yummy! Rosymaplemoth - Thank you! I also love Rusalka. Song to the Moon is one of my favorites - I get all choked up when listening to it. About pepper ... I don't know, really. I tend to sneeze a lot when handling loose finely ground pepper, but I think most people do, but I have no idea how I'd react to it in perfume form. I'll go and read up about your suggestion

Oooh! This is so up my alley as I'm also a total newbie in search of my first 6 or perhaps even 12 imps! I'm turning the big 3-0 this year, but I'm barely 22 in my mind and most likely in my demeanor as well. People tend to think I'm in my early 20's. I was very 'mature' as a teen, but the older I got, the more I realized how much I missed by always being so serious and so I seem to grow 'younger' in my attitude as I grow older in my body Or maybe it's just the realization that life is here to be enjoyed/lived and not just survived, haha. I'm short - 5'2", petite/slim, I have what others have called 'porcelain' skin that is nearly translucent (I keep joking about looking like a vampire - think Interview with a Vampire with their visible veins, not Twilight, lol). My hair is naturally dirty blond, but color my hair with henna, so it's amber/coppery now and has been for the past 10 years - it's hip length right now. My eyes are hazel and turn green in the sun. I keep joking about having two personalities, but it is actually kind of true ... but I guess others would just call it being a bit moody. I can be very outgoing, fun, funny, weird and up to all sorts of 'no-goods,' and the next day I'm quiet, introverted and back to my 'serious' and a bit insecure self. I've had a rather tough childhood and I consider myself the 'eternal immigrant' as I've left my homecountry at 16 and I'm still 'out in the world' and who knows where I'll be in the next 5 years. English is my second language and in total I speak three languages and understand perfectly two more ... and get freckles in the spring, lol. My train of thought is very wild and all over the place - I say the most non-sequitur things in the world that leaves some folks just dumb-founded and confused if they don't know me I've studied International Affairs, think Politics, have always loved discussing and arguing about them. I always wanted to go non-profit and 'fix the world,' but that has just never happened ... yet ... unfortunately. Now, my hobbies are mostly taking care of my sweet little daughter, spending time with my dear husband, reading fantasy novels, listening to music and creating with my hands (fibre arts most of all). I still have that crazy party girl in me, but she gets to come out and play only once in a long while - most of the time it's just mellow family life, school and work for me. I love spending time in the country and in the nature and my favorite time of year is autumn/fall. I do not really have a favorite color, but at the moment it is turquoise - green/blue, blue and orange. I wear mostly jeans and a plethora of various tops or dresses. I do not follow fashion and I never have. There is nothing better than an awesome second hand store find when it comes to clothes I do not get off on buying over-priced brand name clothes as I think it's a waste of resources. I recycle everything that can be recycled, I'm a proud user of cloth menstrual pads and try to eat only locally grown organic food. But I am not a hippie, lol. Not that I have anything against hippies I'm looking forward to your suggestions, folks. I'll be so grateful