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I have a friend whom I am trying to addict to Bpal (hey its fun to share!) and he specifically said he likes the smell of Egyptian musk. So I got a list of five of the scents that specifically list Egyptian musk, but a noticed a lot of them just say dark, red, or white musk. Is there anyone who knows whether Egyptian is one of those kinds and or blends that would be similar muskily smelling? Thanks!

Bottle: not really salty, but a bit herbal and a bit flowery. Almost reminds me of Belladonna a little. Self wet: very herbal. Starts to get softer and more floral pretty quickly after applying. Soap edged, then it drops over into the abyss of soapness. After reading some reviews I change my mind, its more dryer sheets than soap. Still not really what I want to smell like. Later: there is the flowers, really strong floral, and they are white and a bit of salt on the edges of the blend. It does not make up for the long bit of time it was soapy though, since I am not really a flowers fan. Overall: I seem to have little luck with "light" florals and aquatic blends. They all have the soap syndrome on me. Ah well. I shall look elsewhere in the Tea Party for fun.

Bottle: dark, earthy, smoky. There is certainly patchouli in there. Self wet: the vanilla comes forward a bit and sweetens the earthy smell in a nice way. And there is floral that must be the rose. This really is going all yummy and earthy as it dries. Nicely balance on the sweet end unlike Ravenous (also sweet and earthy) on me. A slight creaminess from the vanilla which is really the star note on my skin, backed up perfectly by the patchouli and musk. Later: Hubby really likes it, says it smells good and does not make his eyes burn. Keeps the smoky vanilla smell pretty long (about four-five hours). This blend makes one feel sexy and sultry. Overall: this has gone on my buy list. It fits well into my preference for blends, with the balance of dark and sweet and earthy.

Bottle: roses is all I can smell from the imp. Maybe a bit of an aquatic background but the rose is overwhelming. Self wet: not so good, soapy roses layered with this sweeteness that is icky. In fact within minutes the rose goes away and its just soapy. Nice clean smell, but not what I’d want in perfume at all. Re-applied to see if gets better on chest versus wrists. Later: not really. Rose and soap, soap and rose. No violet ever peeps its head in for me in this scent. It just morphs back and forth. Next day: rose scented soap. The roses really came back and a good throw for the next morning. Still, so soapy. Overall: nope, this is very much not a me scent as interesting as the historical figure it is named for is.

Bottle: earthy citrus. You can certainly tell what two notes are in there. Oops, spilled a bit on the computer desk. Self wet: earthy smell of patchouli as it hits the skin. The sweetness and tang of citrus is still there too. They are both rather strong and almost fighting for being the strongest. Sadly it is not balancing very well. Hours later: I end up smelling like sweet dirt, with slight citrus to it. Then it fades pretty quickly. My computer desk still smells like it in the bottle. Next day: gone, except for on the desk. I do not really like the whole sweet earth thing so not really my kind of smell. It sounded good but alas, I shall pass on getting more of this.

Bottle: shampoo, with a flowery background. Alas, I can’t pick out the teas at all. Self wet: flowers jump to the front, more soapy than sweet. Strong throw and still no tea that I can tell. Slightly citrus as it dries, maybe that is what is making me think shampoo. And for some reason I just smelled fresh grass. It is certainly light, herbal and sweetish, but it is also pretty soapy on me. Not horrible but I just can’t justify putting this on when all it mimics is a good scrub. And then it becomes just this side of headache inducing. Late later: still smell like shampoo. The floral has mellowed some, but the soapiness has not left the skin. Reapplying to see if it gets better makes me smell like fresh cut grass and soap. This is now headache inducing, going to go wash with real soap. Next day: shampoooo Overall: I wanted to like this, after all I love tea. But it is far too soapy on me.

Bottle: pine and incense, which is the cypress and myrrh (I looked cypress’ fragrance up). Very strong. Self wet: It is different form the first time I tried it (like Lillith) in that the "heavy perfume" is now discernable notes. This must be my nose learning. Starts to go slightly musty as it dries (darn you myrrh). The pine in this reminds me of Jabberwocky (even though its not pine but cypress). After a bit there are some soft floral notes in there, hovering on the edges that soften it. But the green wood and incense notes are the strongest on me, thankfully the mustiness goes away after a minute or two. Hubby’s comment is that “it smells nice”. Half an hour later: hmmm, really nice dark and incense based scent. Makes me think of old cathedrals in forest clearings (cypress is still star of the blend). I could actually wear this seeing as myrrh is behaving itself. Next day: went kind of powder-ish but still the woods and incense hovers on my skin. Overall: I like. Maybe not a big bottle buy, but still a nice imp for myself to keep.

Bottle: roses, lots of them, maybe a hint of wood in the background. It is strong enough to perfume my finger after just barely opening the bottle. Self wet: Woods come right to front the moment I applied it, and they smell polished. With some very, very floral polish. And it gets a bit perfumery as it dries. Then it goes rose and wood, with this faded Victorian feel to it. Hour later: Woodsy rose, and in a nice old-fashioned kind of way. The description for this blend fits very well. Good throw but not overpowering. Little bit of spice in background of rose. Late later: still very rose and wood smelling, but also a bit too perfumed. It is not a bad smell, but also an old Victorian typical ladies perfume kind of smell. Not really my thing. Overall: if you like rose give this a try. My imp is going to swap.

Bottle: baby diaper stuff, sweet and sickly soapy. Self wet: still really diaper-ish. As it dries, there starts to be warmth behind it, maybe the musk. This is way too sickly though, and the musk is not coming out enough to matter. Flowers and baby diapers is what I smell like. Late later: the smell does not change. It stays far too sweet and odd. I think sweet pea reminds me of that cream you put on a baby’s bum to prevent rash, and it’s not what I want to smell like. Overall: what with all the positive reviews on this, it kind of sucks that on me it smells horrid. Alas, I have a friend who likes sweet florals so I'm gonna give it to her and see if I can infect more people with BPAL madness. Bwahaha.

Bottle: lots of woodsy patchouli, strong and smoky. I can smell it even before opening up the imp. Self wet: whew, woodsy and incense, reminds me of some vast cathedral in the woods. Big throw. I can also smell the nuttiness that some reviewers mention. It’s a kind of nice earthy smell. Rob Zombie popped up on my playlist as I was starting to test this and somehow that fits. The pounding music and gothish lyrics matched the deep dark dry wood smoke I was wearing. The only downside so far is that the hubby said I smell like an old person’s home and I don't think he meant that as a good thing. Half an hour: nutty turns into cinnamon. Still woodsy, earthy and smoky but now the cinnamon adds some sweetness. Not bad. Next day: still a slightly earthy smell, in a really nice smoky kind of way. This one lasted a long time on my skin, even after most of its throw was gone it was still there. Overall: I like it a lot. A dark and heavy smell to be sure, but I could wear out my imp soon.

Bottle: Spicy and dark, the ingredients do not seem to be the right ones from the description. The touch of herbs must be the rosemary though. Self wet: softens very, very quickly. And, because citrus loves my skin, turns orange-ish pretty quickly too. Rose provides sweet background. When not right next to my skin it has more of a rose and next to skin is more of a spiced orange. I can see this as a long ago woman’s scent. Half an hour: rosemary pops up and adds this nice herbal tang to the sweet rose and soft orange. This is a rose scent I could wear, still not quite my thing, but not bad and certainly different. Late later: only short to average wear length, and light throw, ah well still a scent that if I had a bottle to put a lot on I might wear.

Bottle: certainly pomegranate and kind of boozy. Crisp and seems to be a summery smell. Hopefully. Self wet: sweet and strong. Very tinged with booze. Kind of sour or tart, big surprise what with the pomengranite. Problem is I am not a fan of tart things. It really loses the crispness it has in the bottle quickly. Late later: goes from that clear sparkling tart smell to a powdery sweet tart kind of candy-ish smell. Not bad, a little girly and reminds one of nights out with girls in high school. I don't think I would wear though. Budd (my man) found it a bit strong when I was at his restaurant (though I admit I put quite a bit on when testing). Next morning: sour sweet tarts, very icky. A wash off scent (as opposed to one that will fade naturally). Overall: I admit I am not a fan of pomengranite to begin with, but I do try all imps I get cause you never know. This however is too tart and later too powdery for me. Ah well.

Bottle: oh boy, there is myrrh in there. This may not bode well since that tends to go stale on my skin. I really hate smelling like an antique perfume bottle. Self wet: yes indeed, there is myrrh on me, however there is also some floral behind it. Not stale but I don’t hold much hope. On drying it goes a bit green, floral that is, especially the rose is coming through. And the throw drops very quickly. One hour later: no soap, for something with two flowers that’s good. And the myrrh is not going stale. Instead it has settled into this rose with an incense background, very light throw. Not bad, and I could wear it I think. I do have to put quite a bit on though to get smell. Overall: for a rose smell, not half bad. I still have quite a few rose blends to try but this is one I will keep in mind. And happy myrrh is a major plus.

Bottle: fruity, especially the peach, and I think I can smell the honey. Really, really sweet but not in a floral way. Self wet: peachy keen, a nice sweet summery smell, the fruit really comes out. No myrrh or frankincense that I can tell, musk is a nice balance to sweetness. Dries really sweet and pretty light. Rose shows itself after a bit and adds to the fruit rather nicely. I can't stop sniffing self. After work: had to come home and douse self with more. I really love this scent. This time wet smelled like crisp green apples and honey. Perfect summer smell. Next day: I still smell ever so slightly of honeyed musk in a really nice way. Yum. Overall: gonna get a bottle if I'm not too loaded up on LEs. Even in winter this smell will remind me of summer so I think I could wear it anytime.

Bottle: Certainly floral but not the pink or white light florals, no this smells purple, no kidding, the color is exactly what this smells like to me, sweet and dark. Self wet: a floral that does not go soapy on me; it is absolutely delightful in its sweetness. Dries quickly and softens in throw but that’s okay cause I still get whiffs as I move around. Reviewers have noted a plastic smell, and I think I do get kind of a waxiness but it only softens the sweetness so I don’t mind. Late later: stays sweet and right next to my skin. After awhile the scent disappears and it’s just the sweetness. Still....no soap is a big plus. Overall: I love this scent. It is pretty basic and straightfoward as far as not being a lot of notes, however it is a floral that has a bit of darkness and a bit of sweetness. They really work in balance on me and I could buy a bottle of this to wear more often.

Bottle: Kind of soapy but in a very sharp, spiced way. Not a light floral and the musk/vetiver really comes out. Self wet: soapy fades pretty quickly. The hubby says I smell like dish soap and flowers which says it is "alright". I think it is the vetiver that is making this woodsy. It’s a sharp scent but drifts into floral (not light but the dark blooming kind). Late later: soapy still, in a darker sort of way and not exactly unpleasant but not for me. I get less and less floral and more and more sharpness as it fades. Next morning: I noticed later in morning at work that my arms still smelled like soap, though it was tinged a little on the sour/sharp side. This one has to be washed off and not worn off. Overall: eh, it is so-so. It got a decent vote from the hubby who does not usually even comment on how I smell. But I personally am not fond of it so think I'm gonna look some more for a floral that suits me.

Bottle: boozy floral, which honestly makes my tummy feel icky. It might be the red wine cause I had a similar reaction to sniffing my Centzon Totochtin imp, which also has red wine. Self wet: really really sweet with a rose undertone and wine overtone. Still kind of makes me sick in head if I smell right next to wrist. Rose starts to come out a lot as the scent dries. Does smell better than the first time I tried it (a week ago). Twenty minutes later: this is why we try things twice. Rose popping out all over, with that booze undertone and the myrrh is behaving itself (no mustiness at all) to bring just a little smokiness to the party. Still a bit strong (kind of headachy) but I could put less on since I tend to wear a lot when testing an imp. Late later: I think it’s a bit headachy and too sweetly boozy for me. There are a lot of roses on me when I wear this. Overall: I can see why other reviewers like this for its darker rose smell, like a naughty woman in a slinky black dress. It just not me.

Bottle: sweet and floral, though there is a background that reminds me of permanent markers. Self wet: light scent, can barely smell even with a bit on. Sweet and just a tad soapy. I can see how this is an aquatic, but does not make me think of the outside kind. Drying: it fades really fast, like super fast and then is too light for me (I like throw on my scents, not overpowering but at least a little bit of push). Budd (the hubby) says he likes it but agrees it smells like soap. Late later: smells like expensive shampoo, too soapy for me. Plus its faded so I can only smell if I put my nose right up to wrist, no drifts of smell once in awhile as I move through house. Blech. Overall: I don't dig thsi soapiness the aquatics keep going on me. I am gonna have to look elsewhere to find one that stays pretty.

Bottle: strong and heavily perfumed, like a little old lady. I can smell the myrrh, since I am getting used to finding that note in things (I am a bit worried about it since I've found myrrh does not like me). Self wet: Myrrh…lots and lots of it. No floral at all. A bit later (I think about fifteen-twenty minutes): Myrrh went stale so now I smell like old perfume that got dusty. I can kind of smell this nice background that I assume is the opium and narcissus but it can’t compete. I refreshed to keep scent for a while and lets see if it mellows. Late later: Nope, still stale perfume. Budd (my hubby) said it is strong and flowery. He shrugged and added that it was "okay". To me that is not a positive vote. Overall: Myrrh I do not like you either. You keep making blends smell musty and heavily incensed on me.

Bottle: certainly smells watery, kind of like a bath oil. It is pretty though does not really scream rain at me. Self wet: reminds me of shampoo but not in a bad way. Kind of a light scent so put a bit more on, then a bit more. Later: soapy, still very clean and watery. Does not quite put me off but makes it more something too close to bath oils or lotions than my idea of perfume. The citrus did come out a bit but could not override the soap and I did not get any salt like some reviewers said (I guess mine is freshwater). Overall: I was raving to mother about Bpal so we discussed what she likes in smells. She mentioned liking clean and fresh, this imp will like her better than me I think. Edit: sure enough, it smelled clean and fresh on her without the soap. Heh, body chemistry.

Bottle: pretty, sweet, and there is a hint of some spice (opium or sandalwood most likely since I am still slow about picking out individual notes). I can’t smell vanilla or mandarin. Self wet: soft orange and soft flowers, with a slight powdery tinge. Spice disappeared. Later: powdered vanilla orange. Citrus I am beginning to think likes my skin. There is something else I can’t place, probably the sandalwood in the background that makes it not quite too powdery. Late later: well, it lasted almost all through work and you could smell it even when not next to skin (I did put a lot on though). It was about nine hours before I got home and its now down right next to skin. David (a coworker I shoved my wrist in front of) said vanilla immediately, then he thought of lilies too. I thought powdery orange and flowers every time I smelled it. Overall: a wonderful "good girl" scent for when out with folks or fiance's boss. I'm not normally into sweet girly scents but this one is really nice without being too painfully sweet on me. I might even wear pink with it.

Bottle: odd kind of root beerish smell. Must be the sassafras; but it does smell quite like a soda. Self wet: Still really odd, and now nutmeg pops out. After just a minute or two, I smell so strongly of root beer. I am now a soda! Well, a spiced sort of soda. About ten minutes later: I might be kidding my self but now its darkly spiced root beer. Some other reviewers point out the spiced/smoky note and I certainly get that. No myrrh that I can tell but I think that is a good thing since myrrh seems to dislike me (turns oils stale smelling). Later later: root beer, spiced with nutmeg. It has stayed that way since just a bit after applying the oil. Still no myrrh and that is fine. Next morning: I still smell faintly of root beer after about seven hours. Overall: certainly a different sort. I like root beer a lot more than colas but not sure its something I want to smell like. I am not really a (seen this term around here) foodie I guess when it comes to smells; as of now I'm not thinking of getting more of this one.

Bottle: smells a bit like Sand and Sable was my first thought when opening the imp. My grandmother always wore that and to me its a really good smell (I realize smelling like one's grandmother is not always desirable but I find it comforting I guess). On me: still smells like Sand and Sable, yay! It really reminds me of Grandma. I can certainly tell its floral, but not overpoweringly sweet and the sandalwood is a nice harmony. After work: about eight hours and its still very there are the skin. Not much beyond just next to skin but that’s still a nice amount of staying power for me. Woodsy floral, apparently the sandalwood really likes me. Verdict: my imp is getting a new home just so I can addict a friend but I'm thinking I could use a wee bottle for myself in the future.

Oh how I wish I'd gotten a second bottle. Caramel right off the bat that mellows into exotic.....I don't know but just exotic...and now I go find fiancee for some loving. Edit: upon reading the above review I have to say I agree with most of what was said. On me it finished more towards caramel than tobacco but the notes were all still there.

Very very soapy in the bottle, and sadly stays that way on me. My scent journal (yes I keep one so I know what scents to buy after the imps run out or what to try again in case it was the weather and what makes me really not happy) says "I smell like I just washed my hair with floral shampoo twenty times". *sigh*