Minh Scent

Wow, wow, wow. It starts out medicinal (perhaps a more herbal vetivier) but then goes into a deep sexy blend. I get a touch of the fruit at the beginning, but the dry-down features the rose embedded in a rich resinous, almost incense-like blend. The patch and vetivier are exquisite and make the final statement in Black Moths. Dark and fitting of the name. A fascinating morpher and the dry-down is stunning and long lasting. It is the kind of blend that should age beautifully.

Oh, my goodness this is beautiful! It is sexy and comforting at the same time. The cedar is a lush wood and the central player on my skin, backed with the fir, leather, musk and a wisp of smoke. The notes say "cedar smoke" rather than "cedar", but I am definitely getting the lush wood as well. Perhaps that is supported by the chaparral which is defined as a tangle of bush and thorny shrub. Occasionally when I sniff, I get a wisp of citrus which is not listed. To me it is unisex. I was going to gift it to my man, but I like it too much!

This is a beautiful pine scent. I do get cranberry, cedar and black berry leaf interplay. The cranberry actually smells more like blackberry to my nose. Sadly no tomato leaf. As it dries down, the interplay of notes is more and more pronounced, but pine remains center stage. Very natural to me, no pinsol as others mentioned. I love this and it is a full bottle candidate.

Sprout, I have a bottle of the essential oil from Nature's Gift. It's lovely, but it is neither perfume nor my blossoms! So picky, I know The EO has a bit of wood element. It is funny how some EOs are EXACTLY the scent, but others are not.

So curious, which of all the bpal scents scream Osmanthus the most? Of all the ones I have tried, I cant even detect its there. I have Blacker Than the Raven Wings at Midnight and The Trappings of the Tea House on the way to try. I just want a Single Note so badly!

Hi Ziggystardust! Looks like we are both continuing on the quest! I have not yet found the osmanthus of my dreams (but remember, both you and I have our noses in the real thing, so we are pretty hard to please.) I do like the osmanthus in Blacker Than Raven Wings at Midnight. It is the only floral in that blend and so can be identified. Actually, I love this perfume overall. But still...not enough of the magic O!

I did see the two Luper blends with osmanthus (including the one you mentioned, Trappings of a Tea House). I am waiting for reviews before I take the plunge.

Have you tried Bell Vinu? I do like this immensely, although the peach can overshow the osmanthus.

Yes, a single note would be to die for!!!

ETA My best osmanthus is in Pouring the Strains of Sacred Song, Anniversary Phoenix 2014.

Wow. Hats off to Beth. First sniff on wrist, I get something eerie, just like a spooky shadow! However, after that initial chill, I am in patch heaven, a sophisticated patch with a woody background. The plum is not sweet at all on me, but adds to the depth of the scent. On further drydown, I swear I smell something floral (glad Katkastrophe noted that as well!) Lovely perfume!

Saw the notes on this and couldn't resist. Lizzie mentions this starts as chemical and I think I smell what she means. For me, it is that strong blast of wood oil, amost turpentine. But I love that and guess it to be the rosewood. It is a massive morpher and drydown is the most stunning beeswax musk, with a nod to the tea. It is that perfect BPAL wax (Lights of Men's Lives, Mini Mag, Loved to Death), but with a soft musk. Just gorgeous!!!

Absolutely love this one! It indeed smells just like weed and cozies into a light patch/vanilla eventually. This magical patch/vanilla combo is not as strong as it is in Revenant Rhythm, but it is a good substitute while waiting for that oil. Cannabis is a beautiful note- so earthy and huffable!

Funny I haven't reviewed this. It was one of my first imps I bought a bottle of. It is perfect- patch, frank and sandal. Definitely better after bottle aged 6 months. Rich, grounding and sexy. You will need to like these notes to be as gaga over it as I am. The patch hits first, but then settles (but happily never goes away!)and blends with the frankincense and sandalwood. Someone mentioned it reminded them if a stronger Midnight Mass and I see where they get that. Perhaps the same frankincense compound. I actually like it better than Midnight Mass (which I love) because it packs a bigger punch. Hey, she is a pirate after all!

Oh, such a cuddly leather scent! Love the almond beginning which quickly exits to suede/leather softened with vanilla. I have quite a few leather scents, and funnily enough this little Lilith is most heavy on that note!!

Oh, this is my surprise hit from the Liliths. The lilac orris root combo is beautiful and lilts through touches of moss and leaves. I barely catch the sandalwood. It has incredible staying power, lasting the night and floating up to me when I got up in the morning.

I just love this...honey, carnation, quiet Snake Oil, a hint of Dorian. It makes me smile. As does the exquisite label.

This is a stunning. It is a rich, sexy red musk perfume. I can't stop huffing my wrist. Big bottle list.

Ah, Ziggystardust, so your trees are blooming there now...ours are earlier here...didn't know that was one of your city's smells.

I do like Belle Vinu. It does have peach in it, so there is a bit of competition.

Anne, I was eyeing that atmosphere spray, but again, the peach. I have nothing against peach and it seems companies frequently use it or apricot to enhance the fruitiness of the osmanthus. However, I am always on the lookout for it being showcased in a blend.

Put this on without reading the notes and was shocked to see there is no jasmine listed. That was the first top note I got and rather strong. I do not remember iris (oris root I am assuming) smelling like this! It dries down into a gorgeous floral incense. I still cannot pick up the sandalwood 30 minutes into dry down, but do get something green. This smells like an expensive oriental perfume. Well worthy of its name. Bottle candidate.

OLLA Diamond Star. Last time I looked, it is still available.

Montes Harbinger, a lunacy, is ethereal to me and I have sen it a few times recently on the sales thread.

Well, Ava with that note list is nothing like I expected, which was a parade of tuberose. Instead, after starting off with a sophisticated vanilla musk, she settles into a veil of very light tuberose and a fruitiness against the vanilla. I cannot smell the mandarin or citrus at all, but get more of an apricot vibe, certainly not listed. This lasts long and is drop dead gorgeous. I do not think of it as such for a young girl, but for an experienced woman who has been around the world.Ah, but it isn't our Ava 200 years old? A drop in a bucket compared to Eve, but still, not an innocent school girl.

Thanks, Elbow! I am gobsmacked by you lovely techies and appreciate the generous sharing of spreadsheets. Also, Elbow, I enjoyed your summary of tech history on the previous page!

(Hanging Head Emoticon)I just use a Table on Word and a notebook (hand written) for frimps.

Thanks, Sprout. You know, I think you skin might very well amp the osmanthus (lucky you!)because so many of the reviews focus on the mint element. Did you think it might be foody because of the raspberry?

What did you like better, Fairy Bites or Sanctus?

This weekend I went to a perfume workshop and one of the exercises the perfumer had us do is smell different scents and label them with colors, shapes, textures and seasons. Everyone came up with different answers for the scents, which was the perfumers' point: people associate colors etc differently.

That being said...electric blue for me would be Lear with white cedar, blue sage and bay leaf.

Thanks for your thumbs up RE Cordelia, Sprout! She is on my want list. I agree with you so much that the GC is full of favorites-both sleepers and leapers!

Oh, thank you for your input,Sqwook! Noted!

Stellamaris, I really wish I could send you an osmanthus bush. You would immediately write congress to have them planted in every lobby of every building in the northeast to keep people happy and high. Next time you are at a nursery, please go sniff one out.

Yesterday I had on my beloved Blacker Than Raven Wings at Midnight which boast of osmanthus. Could not detect it at all, but am sure it added to the perfection of that scent.

Yes, I did go to the reviews (there were only two when I looked) and saw that comment! Thank you!!!!!