Faerykin

Dragon’s Tears Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This goes on light, sweet, juicy and very red. I am imagining a waterfall in an enchanted forest, surrounded by burning bushes at the peak of their color, hawthorn and holly – with their bright red seeds. Very calming and cathartic. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This sweetens up a bit and gets progressively brighter. It is now juicy and red, and very sweet. It is also a tad warmer, like the sun at high noon, shining down through the trees, casting shadows upon the forest floor, next to this waterfall – with the burning bushes and hawthorn and holly. The sunlight glistening in a nearby pool … utterly enchanting. Throughout the Day (10am-3pm): Wow, this fades fast! I catch faint whiffs every now and then, but nothing like the potency of before. It is back to being juicy, sweet and light … very light. Nearly gone by 3pm – but definitely worth keeping the imp. Besides, the hubby likes Dragon’s Blood. *grin*

Seraglio Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This is a sweet, tangy citrus with an underlying dusty floral or a sweet, dusty floral with an underlying tangy citrus – as both notes are competing for the top. Indeed an invigorating scent, as it has definitely helped to wake me up. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This has settled down to a deep, musky floral. The sandalwood provides that muskiness, and I can detect some spices – and a bit of citrus – under the floral, but the floral is just this side of overpowering everything else. A very thick, potent blend. Throughout the Day (10am-on): Oooh, I like this. This is a scent for the darker months, when a bright, cheery floral just won’t do. This is a dark, dusty floral … very sensual. I am envisioning a comfy room full of bright colored pillows with tassels and silks, and incense and music. *sigh* … and it is still present as I leave for home … Definitely keeping the imp!

Has No Hanna Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This went on light and sweet – and almost perfume-y. Almost immediately, a thick earthiness began to surface. Then it settled to a sweet earthiness ... interesting. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): Oh, this is definitely a floral – almost cloying, then again I did slather it on. Hmmm … Jasmine? Ylang Ylang? How I wish I was good at identifying specific notes. The earthiness is still there, but this floral has shoved it back. Throughout the Day (10am-on): I am so happy to find that this has calmed down considerably. The floral is still there, as is the earthiness – but they have mingled in such a way that it is quite pleasing. This is unlike anything I have ever smelled, and I must admit that my mood has taken a turn for the better. I am very impressed. This has definite staying power, as even though it fades, it is still with me as I leave for home. I shall certainly keep this imp, and periodically test its capabilities.

Old New Orleans Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This goes on just like a cross between Bayou and Machu Picchu – big, wet, sweet, rainforest blossoms. After about 10 minutes or so and underlying spiciness comes forth. Very nice combination. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This mellows out a bit. It remains sweet and wet, while the underlying spiciness takes a back seat. Throughout the Day (10am-on): Certainly long-lasting and it also maintains its potency – hardly fading at all. This is a scent of spring and summer. This is a scent of a garden of bountiful blooms heavy after the rain, warming in the sun – with just a hint of spice. An aquatic scent that (like almost every other BPAL aquatic scent I have tried) I shall definitely have to keep around.

Cordelia Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Flowers! Oh yeah, definitely flowers. After about 15 minutes, something else began to surface, but that quickly dissipated. This is a scent very reminiscent of springtime. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): The strong flowers have subsided dramatically. I am enveloped in a cloud of sweetness. I can certainly see where this faint scent could be the essence of faith, love and devotion – as I cannot imagine such an essence to be overwhelmingly in-you-face. The notes have blended so well that I cannot detect any one above the others – what a lovely bouquet. Throughout the Day (10am-4pm): This slowly begins dissipating throughout the day – by 4pm, it was almost entirely gone. Thus far, I’m kinda wavering here as I wasn’t impressed – I shall have to give it another go.

Mata Hari Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This goes on incredibly faint – even though I slathered it on. This is much more faint that most of the other BPAL oils I have tried. After about 15 minutes though, the scent begins to waft. I can swear I smell cocoa – it must be the coffee bean and tonka bean. Even though it is faint, it is rich – like a cup of mocha. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): Yes, a thick, rich cup of mocha. I’m not really detecting the florals at all. What I smell is a deep, chocolatety coffee, sweetened by a touch of vanilla. Throughout the Day (10am-on): The florals are finally beginning to come forward. Now it is as if I am sipping my mocha in an outdoor café next to a garden in bloom. Beth never ceases to amaze me with her expert blends. I would have never thought I’d ever wear a perfume that conjured forth images of drinking a mocha in a garden. But, this scent brings me back to college when summers were wasted away at the downtown coffee shop – where frozen mochas were created with a cup of coffee and a scoop (or two) of chocolate ice cream, tossed in the blender and served with whipped cream and sprinkles – where the open doors allowed for the blossoms of the season to waft through the room and mingle with the flavored coffees … I can’t stop sniffing my wrists. Another bonus, this scent certainly has staying power – still as strong at 4:30pm as it was at 8:30am.

Blood Amber This was thrown in as an extra with my hubby’s last order, and he loves it. So, I figured I’d give it a try. Swiped across wrists and along collarbone … and a little in the cleavage. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This goes on sweet. The dragon’s blood and amber blend perfectly. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): There is something almost-floral, almost-fruity here. How odd. It is certainly a warm scent – golden-red, like a sunset. Throughout the Day (10am-on): This is a very pleasant scent – it has staying power (still here as I leave for home) and it helped center me when I got frustrated today. It is good to see a scent that works well for both myself and my hubby … there may have to be a big bottle in the future.

Melpomene Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This goes on very woodsy. I can detect a bit of mint beneath the woods – but that is about it. This is a very rich scent. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This tones down a bit. It is still a deep, woodsy scent, but I can now detect more than just the mint beneath the woods. I cannot distinguish individual notes – but I know they are there. Very well-blended. Throughout the Day (10am-3pm): This continues to fade quite a bit. A slight sweetness begins to come forth, but overall, the deep, woodsy, earthy, a-little-too-masculine-for-me scent reminds me of Eidolon. Off to the hubby’s pile – I’ll let him decide if we should find This Muse a better home.

Sudha Segara Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This is a sweet, light, airy floral. I can’t distinguish individual notes – it is blended so well. This scent seems to be promoting my morning sleepiness … mayhaps I shall have to test it as a sleep oil. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This continues to sweeten as the ginger and honey take a front seat. It is certainly warm and cozy … and I think I like Lab’s, “blend of Ambrosia.” *yawns* This is such a comfy scent – I can totally see myself wearing this for a lazy day, curled up on a couch (or in front of a fireplace), reading a book … very languid. Throughout the Day (10am-on): This is certainly a calming scent. It lasted pretty much throughout the day – and I still catch a faint whiff every so often, as I leave for home. I never got the milky or creamy that a lot of others have mentioned … crazy skin-chemistry. Definitely keeping the imp.

Jack II Swiped across wrists and along collarbone … and a little in the cleavage. I thought Mabon would be the perfect day to test this scent. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This initially goes on very buttery – very buttery. After several moments, the nutmeg and pumpkin begin to surface. This is a very rich and creamy scent. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This maintains itself as a rich, creamy scent. It is quite thick. I can barely detect the clove under the pumpkin, but I can smell it there, mixing with the nutmeg. This certainly conjured images of baking pumpkin cookies. Very warm. Throughout the Day (10am-on): I am surrounded by the warm, rich scent of autumn – the foody side of autumn. Thick, rich, creamy. Like walking out of the cool crisp air into a house where the cookies or cakes are being taken right out of the oven. The house if full of the scents from the kitchen – in this case, pumpkin, nutmeg, cloves – positively yummy. I can picture myself curled up on the couch, eating fresh baked goods and sipping on a cup of cinnamon tea – watching the leaves fall from the trees outside. Hmmm … I wonder if I could spice this up a bit by layering it with Three Witches. Ooohhh … sounds like a phenomenal autumn scent. Mmmm … This scent lasted all day – quite impressive. It is a little foodier than my tastes – so I’ll see how it works when I layer it. Definitely keeping the imp!

Old Kathmandu Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This initially goes on so thick it almost took my breath away - literally. Then after a few moments, a sweetness begins to grow under the spicy, smoky incense. Then I could swear I got a hint of coca-cola, and then the sweetness came back. Is that chocolate? A nearly-bitter, just sweet enough, rich baker’s chocolate. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): The scent certainly rounds itself out. I can detect the spices now, and they are divine. Spices with a woodsy undertone. Yes, I can definitely see where this would be a meditation blend – it is so calming, earthy, grounding and centering. Throughout the Day (10am-4pm): This is dissipating way too much way too fast. I still catch faint whiffs here and there, but it is just not enough. I want to tape my arm to my nose – this smells so positively brilliant. This was thrown in as a freebie with our last order – and it initially went to Kimberlyn. This last weekend, she passed it along to me at our little smelling party. I am glad she did, as I probably would have never ordered it on my own. This is such a gorgeous, spicy scent – made even more striking by the fact that the spices are not typical, get-anywhere spices – no, these spices are exotic, timeless, aligning the chi spices. So hard to explain, so wonderful to experience. Thank You Beth! This is a true testament on how an oil can smell one way in the vial and completely morph on the skin. This is going directly to the Big Bottle List!

Bon Vivant Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This initially went on a bit bitter, but quickly sweetened up – then turned a bit sour. If sweet and sour had a scent – this would be a good example. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This softens dramatically. The champagne is much less sour than when wet and the strawberry really begins to sweeten up. This only continues to sweeten, while the champagne takes a back seat. Throughout the Day (10am-Noon): This continues to soften and I can barely detect the champagne any longer. Slowly fading away is a slightly-spicy sweetness. By noon, the scent has dissipated in the air around me. Though, my wrists smell like my hands do after a day of strawberry picking. Overall: A little too boozy for me, and I really didn’t appreciate the initial tart bitterness of the champagne. The strawberry is nice … but, overall, the scent faded too quickly. An imp off to swap.

Snake Oil By far, our most popular scent! Magnetic, mysterious, and exceedingly sexual in nature. A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla. Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Mmmm … this is vanilla. This is so unlike the vanilla that you find in commercial perfumes or bath products. This is a warm vanilla with an underlying spiciness – there is something else there, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. This is truly divine. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): The vanilla has calmed a bit as it rounds out the scent. I can detect the other spices a bit more, but they are still unidentifiable – as exotic spices should be. This is a very pleasant, warm scent. Throughout the Day (10am on): This has really sweetened up, like sugar – though, it rests just under the ‘too sweet’ mark. The underlying spices keep it from being too foody or too sweet. It is still rather warm, and I feel as if I am basking in some sort of glow. I must try this on the hubby. He likes vanilla. Seeing as this is gender-neutral, we’ll have to see what it smells like on him. Mmmmm … This settles down to a warm, soft, spicy vanilla. I can understand how this would be a very popular scent, as vanilla is well known to be one of the top comfort scents. However, I’ve never really been a big fan of vanilla. I’ll certainly keep the imp though. I haven’t gotten any compliments yet (but I work in a very conservative office, and have yet to get a compliment on any BPAL scent), so we’ll see how this fares in the future, with the general public. Definite lasting power, as this is still present as I leave for home.

Bayou A lazy, warm deep green scent with a thick aquatic undertone: Spanish moss, evergreen and cypress with watery blue-green notes and an eddy of hothouse flowers and swamp blooms. Swiped across wrists and along collarbone … and a little in the cleavage. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): I am surrounded by the scent of a garden in full bloom. The sun warming the blossoms after a quick bout of rain. Very sweet … very warm. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This doesn’t really change much from initial wet to initial dry. It is still a warm, sweet floral – mayhaps a bit more subdued. Throughout the Day (10am-4pm): Warm, lazy, humid, sweet, blue-green aquatic, yeah – this is it. Definitely a summer scent. I’m not familiar with the swamps of the South – but from all I can gather from movies and books; this is what it smells like. I Love It! I feel a slight headache forming at the back of my head. I hope Bayou isn’t the culprit, as I love the calming, serene affect it has on me. This slowly weakened throughout the afternoon and almost turned a bit powdery. By 4pm, I catch faint whiffs of it now and then. It has lost its water undertone, so all that is left is sweet flowers. Definitely keeping the imp!

Succubus Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Initially, this is a very pungent earthy/woodsy scent. I can’t really detect anything other than that. After the first 15 minutes, a slight sweetness begins to come forth. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): I am glad to see the sweetness finally take over. This actually rounds and morphs quite a bit from its wet stage – I’m not turning my nose up anymore. The mimosa makes an entrance, and I can just barely detect the clove under it. Throughout the Day (10am-3pm): Here comes the powdery dry-down. Completely unexpected, as this started out so sharp. At least it isn’t a headache-inducing powder, but powder is never a scent I look forward to smelling like. It is a sweet floral with an underlying earthiness – hard to describe. By noon, this has morphed yet again. It is now a sweet, mimosa with an underlying ... deepness – and it is slowly losing its staying power. I am saddened by the fact that the cloves have taken a back seat (like with Old Madrid). Earlier, I was only able to detect the barest hint – that didn’t last nearly long enough. I want cloves! By 3pm, this is nearly gone. This morphs and changes so much as to be complicated. It can’t decide if it wants to be earthy, flowery, spicy or powdery. If it wasn’t for the fact that two of these stages don’t really work for me, I might consider ordering an imp of my own. This is an imp I borrowed from my friend Julie (Kimberlyn) and she is very much looking forward to its return. I am glad it works out for her – and it also happened to be a very good (hopefully signature) scent for our friend Kim. *shrugs* Two out of three isn’t bad.

Ouija Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): I must admit that this is a unique scent that I cannot say I have ever smelled before. At first I could have sworn I smelled smoke, then it transformed into an old wood scent – like walking through an ancient forest, then I swear the scent of chocolate came whisking by (very short-lived), then it mellowed into a soft, powdery, rose scent. Unique indeed. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This maintains it’s soft, powdery/incense, rose manifestation. It sweetens a little from the wet stage. It is still quite a unique scent – like none I have ever experienced. Hmm … roses in an old library? Throughout the Day (10am-on): Okay, the roses have mixed with the lilac to create a very nice bouquet – but it is the scent of dried flowers. There is so much more to this scent than what I can describe – it is truly complex. A dusty old library filled with dusty old books – and vases of dried flowers placed here and there to give the illusion of freshness. Incense wafting through the room … and shadows dancing in the candlelight. Wow – Beth has outdone herself here. I can totally envision a séance or spirit contact taking place in the image this scent conjures forth in my head. This is a scent for the long nights between Samhain and Yule – when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. A scent for ghost-hunting at haunted places, for walking through moonlit cemeteries, for communicating with those who have passed over. The morphing continues throughout the day; little whiffs of old wood, then a whiff of dry flowers, a whiff of incense and a whiff of something else … finally settling on a powdery darkness, and it lasted all day (still with me as I get ready to leave for home). A definite mystery scent – ethereal is right. This is the third scent I borrowed from my friend, Kim (she’s such a sweetie). Though I like it – and am so glad I had the opportunity to try it - I won’t be ordering an imp of my own, as I can’t see myself wearing it that often.

Today I'm wearing Ouija, and I can attest that it is certainly mysterious. Kind of incensey/musky - and the florals are so subdued by the smokey incense that they are nearly undetectable.

Machu Picchu I received this as a bonus in my last order – thank you BPAL! Swiped across wrists and along collarbone ... and a little in the cleavage. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Mmmm … sweet, fruity, warm … yum. This scent reminds me of the botanical garden up at Central Michigan University. The main room was a tropical rainforest; complete with waterfalls, streams, bridges, and huge tropical fruit trees and blooms. This is the scent of that room going on for miles and miles with no rooftop to keep it all enclosed. *breathes deeply* Ah, paradise. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This gets a little sweeter (yeah, I didn’t think it was possible either). Definitely tropical fruity ... mangos, bananas, coconuts … mmm … it’s making me hungry, I can almost taste it. Throughout the Day (10am-3pm): This slowly began to dissipate, and by 3pm it was undetectable in the air around me – though still present on my skin. I am definitely keeping the imp, and shall have to remember to carry it with me for little touch-ups. Oh yeah, this is a scent for when I wanna feel spunky!

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This is incredible! Beth never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful creations. This is the perfect combination of air and water, with a familiar underlying sweetness that I just can’t seem to identify. Gorgeous! This is the scent of that fresh cleansing that comes after the storm has washed all negativity away – cool, crisp, untouched. Simply Stunning! Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This doesn’t change much from wet to dry. It is still a wonderful blend of air and water, with an underlying sweetness. It actually has a rather calming/peaceful effect. Throughout the Day (10am-1pm): Okay, I was mistaken. The calming effect was only temporary. This is now making me restless (much like Titania did). I want to be outside – the breeze tousling my hair and the rain on my face. Interesting how it morphs from calming to energetic without the scent noticeably changing at all. It still brings on a sense of peace. I can see where this could be described as a perfect summer scent. Just sitting here with it wafting around me makes me a bit chilly. By 1pm, the scent has all but dissipated. I can vaguely smell it on my wrist, but it is no longer present in the air around me – so, rather short-lived. I’ll definitely keep the imp though!

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Lilies! This is definitely the scent of lilies. It reminds me a bit of the initial wet stage of Ulalume – only, without the watery overtone. There is certainly an underlying sweetness … more than likely the cherry. Overall, a very nice beginning to a clean, sweet, feminine scent – very white. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): There isn’t much change from wet to dry. It is still a fresh, sweet, flowery scent. I am unfamiliar with stephanotis (but a google search gave a common name of Madagascar Jasmine) so, it may be hidden among the lilies. Either way, this is a very definite floral scent. I like how the cherry sweetens it. I can see this as being a scent of spring. Throughout the Day (10am on): Conjuring images of little girls in pretty sundresses frolicking barefoot (or sandaled) through a field of white flowers. With the sun high overhead, in a clear blue sky peppered with wispy white clouds. Yeah, this is a scent of childhood innocence; this is a scent of spring. This scent lasted all the way up until I left for home at 5pm (and beyond), leaving wispy reminders of fields of flowers in the springtime. Incredible staying power! This is another imp that I borrowed from The Kim. If she doesn’t let me keep it, I shall have to order an imp of my own … maybe even a big bottle. EDIT: At home, I subjected my hubby to the daily scent test. His verdict: it smells soapy. Hmmm … maybe I won’t ask to keep the imp.

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This is a very powerful rose scent, more potent than I’m used to with BPAL (Harlot, Les Fleur Du Mal, Nyx). At first, there was a slight tangy, fruity, semi-sour note. But, that quickly dissipated, and now all I smell is rose. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): Thankfully, the potency of the rose calmed down. That is still all I smell, though … rose. Throughout the Day (10am-4pm): Finally, there is something juicy popping up behind the rose. Of course, the rose is still the most prominent scent, but at least the pomegranate is finally starting to show. The only way I can really describe it is by using the same words quite a few others have used – fruity floral. The pomegranate blends so well with the rose to make for a very nice feminine, without being overly feminine, scent. 4pm and I still catch faint whiffs of sweet, fruity rose. So, this is another long-lasting scent. I think Persephone is going to replace Nyx as my ‘when I wanna feel feminine’ scent (so placing Nyx in my Find a New Home Pile). Definitely keeping the imp, with the possibility of adding this to my Big Bottle List.

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This scent goes on sweet – like liquid candy. It is a familiar scent, but I can’t quite seem to place it. Cherry … Strawberry … definitely foody-sweet. I can’t distinguish separate scents. A couple of times it tried to turn sour, but then it snapped right back to that familiar foody-sweet. Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This dries to a sweet, fruity, semi-floral scent. Less foody with a touch of floral, but still awful sweet – more than likely the mimosa and the red wine – since I don’t detect the cloves at all. *shrugs* It is still a pleasant scent. Throughout the Day (10am-4:30pm): This really doesn’t morph much from its initial dry-down. Around me, I still smell a sweet, semi-foody, fruity, semi-floral. On my skin, however, I can smell spiced mimosa – I suppose the clove isn’t completely absent on my skin, it just likes to take a back seat in this particular instance. This is so different from the clove I’m familiar with at BPAL (Three Witches). It is still present after 4:30pm – so a nice long-lasting scent as far as my experience. Not a scent I would wear often. Won’t be ordering a big bottle, but I may keep the imp … that is, if I can’t find someone to give it a better home.

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): Finally, a scent where the cinnamon takes prominence. This is amazingly blended – Beth never ceases to amaze me. It is as if someone took a bouquet of roses and used cinnamon sticks in place of the baby’s breath and greenery – or, should I say took a bouquet of cinnamon sticks and used roses in place of the baby’s breath and greenery. Truly amazing! Initial Dry (8:30-10am): This really warms up to a wonderful spicy rose scent. The cinnamon is fabulous and with the rose under it … ooohhh, I like it a lot. I just cannot believe how nummy I smell. If The Kim (my lovely friend who allowed me to borrow this) doesn’t let me keep the imp, I’ll have to order at least an imp of my own. If this continues to bring nummy, happy thoughts and mindset, I shall have to add it to my Big Bottle List. We’ll see what the hubby thinks. Throughout the Day (10am-Noon): This delectable scent has virtually dissipated in the air around me. My skin holds a spicy incense, but the cinnamony goodness has all but left. I shall have to remember to keep the imp with me for reapplication.

Swiped across wrists and along collarbone. Initial Wet (8-8:30am): This really is exactly what it says it is … rose, lilac and wisteria. The lilac and wisteria are competing for the top note, and I think the wisteria is winning – barely. Meanwhile, the rose softly brings the scent together. Very feminine. Initial Dry (8:30-11am): This really didn’t change or morph at all. The wisteria has certainly won the battle and moved to the front, with the lilac and rose lying underneath. Throughout the Day (11am- 4 pm): The rose slowly begins making its way to the surface, while the wisteria and lilac begin to take a back seat. All are still present, which makes for a very beautiful bouquet. The scent nearly dissipated by 3:30-4pm. I still catch very fait whiffs, as it is still present on my collar. I fear I have not given this scent its due review, what-with my allergies going haywire lately. But, I just couldn’t resist. Even though I’m stuffed up a bit, I can still appreciate its loveliness – I can only imagine what my experience will be once my nose is working at 100%. Definitely keeping the imp … though this may win a place on my Big Bottle List.

I've only had one order to sample (12 oils), and I noticed that a few of them gave me headaches. Chimera, Fae, Glitter, Unseelie - and to a small degree, Nyx. I'm trying to narrow it down. Chimera and Nyx both contain myrrh, while Fae and Glitter both contain heliotrope. There aren't any specific notes listed for Unseelie, so that doesn't help. I can tell you one thing, there is nothing more disappointing than having a wonderful scent give you a headache.