grashopper8

Coolly minty, lightly musky, walk-in-the-icy-woods scent.

 

This is hard to describe, but it is very pretty. It's delicate, and I think I can pick up on the pine and the florals - but then again, it's so well balanced and blended that it really just creates a wintery atmosphere.

 

It is serene and calming. I think this could be magnificent when used as aromatherapy.

 

I will keep my decant. : -)

 

4.3 out of 5

The lotus is gorgeous for the first 10 seconds, and then it completely disappears as myrrh overpowers even the sandalwood and amber.

 

Seriously, it's single-note myrrh here.

 

I must note that my imp is at least a few years old because of the label style, so I bet this is one of those BPALs that is much nicer fresh (florals sometimes go that way).

 

As I've experienced it, I'd give it a 3 out of 5, although it would likely score higher brand new.

The lotus note in my decant is very faint and powdery, I'm not sure how age has affected this floral.

 

There is an overall fresh sweetness to this scent, with a woody undertone.

 

It's a classically blended perfume, and as such, isn't doing much to stand out to me.

 

I will pass it along to a more loving home.

 

3.2 out of 5

In the decant, this is mostly lime/citrus.

 

On the skin, the lime note softens into an almost blossom-like note. Also, the sugar note comes out. Later, the dry musk moves into the realm of sniff.

 

It's fresh and crisp but soft and round at the same time. I can see why it has so many fans, although personally it's a bit crisp at the outset to be a major winner for me. Lovers of fresh, citrus, clean, and effervescent scents would be impressed, for sure : -)

 

4.1 out of 5

This starts out strong with the petitgrain, which is like neroli but greener. Then the musk comes out, and it is deeply powdery.

 

This scent is kind of masculine, but I don't know how I feel about the powder....

 

My chemistry is not loving this so much!

 

2 out of 5

MMmmmmm wow.....Rose and incense!

 

This is a sexy deep rose, and it takes a little while for the incense to show up.

 

When it does, it's just a lovely combination!

 

I could use this to get-it-on ; -)

 

4.2 out of 5

In contrast to the description, this smells fresh and clean on me!

 

It's a lovely, soft, soapy scent, along the lines of Wensleydale and Dirty.

 

Quite nice, I'm a fan!

 

4.4 out of 5

I don't know what is going on in my nose, but this smells sooo familiar to me! It's a sweet leather with....something....else....Is this the 'bamboo pulp' note from Sleepy Moon?

 

I like it!

 

3.9 out of 5

This is like a love child of Chimera, Shub-Niggurath, and Gingerbread Poppet.

I have bottles of all 3, so I'm not tempted to nab a 4th blend of this type (trying to keep my hoarding to a minimum!), but if I didn't have a cinnamon/spice blend yet I'd be all over this.

Yummy!

4.3 out of 5

At first, this is all orange. After a little drydown, the orange calms down a lot as it is joined by frankincense, lilac, and amber.

 

It's an interesting combination that ends up smelling like powdery, orangey incense.

 

3.4 out of 5

WEIRD!!!!!

 

Star anise. WEIRD!

 

This is definitely the most unique *ahem* weird BPAL scent I've ever tried.

 

The exotic anise note fades after a few minutes, and I can smell the papery note, a hint of lavender, and....and....Hell, I don't know what the hell I'm smelling!

 

Worth a try, just to experience the craziness in this one!

 

I could never pull it off, though

 

2.4 out of 5

Honeyed beeswax, leather, nutmeg, and sandalwood. The beeswax starts out dominant, but is soon overshadowed by the leather.

 

lilacea mentioned the movie Hostel, and that does it for me - Too Scary! Ack!

 

Honestly though, this blend is very appealing on my skin, albeit a little flat, somehow.

 

4.1 out of 5

Vetiver is hit or miss for me (more miss than hit, to be honest) and this blend is a slightly sweetened vetiver. It's still dry and smoky and intense, and I wouldn't wear it, but I can appreciate it as one of the more palatable vetiver BPALs.

 

3.1 out of 5

In the decant, this is a dry paper scent, and although it's evocative, I was hesitant to put it on my skin.

 

It warms up a lot, though - the main notes that I can pick out during the drydown are the red musk, myrrh, and dragon's blood.

 

It's very nice, but it's also similar to other resinous scents that I own.

 

4.2 out of 5

All I can smell is fruity cucumber, which is definitely not what I was expecting!

 

It's fresh, sweet, and bright. It's sweeter than Gibbous Moon, Blue Moon, and Sturgeon Moon, but there are resounding similarities to each (with my chemistry, anyways).

 

I like this, but I wouldn't wear it often, so I'm going to pass.

 

3.8 out of 5

The incense and resins in this scent are just a bit too smoky and dark for me to be drawn to. It's a little like Sapphics, a lovely scent but maybe one notch drier and darker than the types of scents I tend to wear.

 

A well-executed blend, but it doesn't appeal to me personally.

 

3.4 out of 5

The balsam notes in this blend are not pine-fresh at ALL, they're golden and resinous - I am mostly reminded of the pinion salve that you can find in trading posts all over Navajo Nation.

 

There is also a very strong amber note, which is mingling with the hay so much that they are indistinguishable from one another.

 

This is a deeply golden scent, and it's fascinating.

 

4.3 out of 5

Blood Garden is okaaay on me, not a 5mL'er though. It's pleasant enough, with the grape/red currant and fresh lily and hint of leather....for some reason, it's just not captivating my attention.

 

Nice, just not memorable.

 

3.6 out of 5

Oh wow I love this scent!!

It really reminds me of China Musk - a clean, white musk scent.

The white tea and ambergris are so pretty together, I love the contrasting soft smoothness of the amber and musk with the fresh tea.

I think this is another winner for me! Yumsies!

4.7 out of 5

I've put this on twice, and both times I could hardly smell it. : -(

 

Am I going nose-deaf? I'll give it a try tomorrow....

This is a strong jasmine scent, with a powdery feel to it.

 

On me, it's really just jasmine and baby powder. It's kind of pretty, but at the same time, it's not my style. Soft and understated, for pale girls in pink sweaters.

 

3.5 out of 5

I agree that this smells like Smut, a darkly sweet musk.

 

The florals give Marianne a slightly lighter feel than Smut, but this is most certainly not a 'light' scent.

 

I especially like the black currant note, it glides into this blend perfectly!

 

I love Marianne. It's my favorite of the Carnaval Acts IV & V so far (I'm about halfway through), and the only one that I will buy 5mL of.

 

Gorgeous! Super-sexy, too!

 

4.8 out of 5

This is a very pretty blend! The gardenia and tuberose are sweet, soft complements to the fresh rose notes.

 

A simple, endearing, fresh floral perfume.

 

4.3 out of 5

Smells almost exactly like Tamamo-no-Mae to me, maybe a touch more citrus but just about the same. Which is to say, GORGEOUS!!!!!!

 

Anyone who wishes they could get more Tamamo, get Marcilla while you can.

 

4.5 out of 5

I like everything except the cedar in Inez. The amber is luxurious, the vanilla musk is soothing and soft, the myrrh is deep and sexy, and the cedar is like wood-chips-soaking-up-puke-in-a-school-hallway.

 

: -(

 

I just can't get past it, it smells like pencil shavings and BO, ruining what would otherwise be one of my favorites.

 

Oh well, more for everyone else whose chemistry agrees with Inez!

 

2 out of 5