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Showing results for tags 'Lupercalia 2016'.
Found 94 results
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Wild plum, blackcurrant, honeyed green tea, wisteria, and a flutter of cherry blossoms. Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: I will always pay attention when wisteria is in the mix. I love that scent and there are not nearly enough perfumes out there that feature it. There were no deal-breaker notes involved, though tea sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. I'm hoping for yet another distinctive oriental floral like other Shungas I've fallen for in past years. In the Bottle: Plum and blackcurrant are the strong notes here, with the other notes playing background. Almost juicy and fresh. Wet: I think I'm getting the wisteria and some tea, but the blackcurrant will not be budged from its place. It's a little darker and sexier now than in was in the bottle. Drydown: On the one hand, I'm getting more wisteria and cherry blossom as the fruits back down. On the other hand, something is smelling really musty all of a sudden and I can't figure out what. Verdict: I think I'm going to sit on this one a few days. I am getting over the flu and maybe the meds I'm taking are monkeying with my skin chemistry. I think it's got the potential to be a lovely spring scent heavy on the fruit and I want to love it.
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Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defy, Until I labour, I in labour lie. The foe oft-times having the foe in sight, Is tird with standing though he never fight. Off with that girdle, like heavens Zone glistering, But a far fairer world encompassing. Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear, That theyes of busy fools may be stopped there. Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime, Tells me from you, that now it is bed time. Off with that happy busk, which I envy, That still can be, and still can stand so nigh. Your gown going off, such beauteous state reveals, As when from flowery meads thhills shadow steals. Off with that wiry Coronet and shew The hairy Diadem which on you doth grow: Now off with those shoes, and then safely tread In this loves hallowd temple, this soft bed. In such white robes, heavens Angels used to be Received by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee A heaven like Mahomets Paradise; and though Ill spirits walk in white, we easily know, By this these Angels from an evil sprite, Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright. Licence my roving hands, and let them go, Before, behind, between, above, below. O my America! my new-found-land, My kingdom, safeliest when with one man mannd, My Mine of precious stones, My Empirie, How blest am I in this discovering thee! To enter in these bonds, is to be free; Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be. Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee, As souls unbodied, bodies unclothd must be, To taste whole joys. Gems which you women use Are like Atlantas balls, cast in mens views, That when a fools eye lighteth on a Gem, His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them. Like pictures, or like books gay coverings made For lay-men, are all women thus arrayd; Themselves are mystic books, which only we (Whom their imputed grace will dignify) Must see reveald. Then since that I may know; As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew Thy self: cast all, yea, this white linen hence, There is no penance due to innocence. To teach thee, I am naked first; why then What needst thou have more covering than a man. John Donne Licence my roving hands, and let them go, Before, behind, between, above, below. Skin like silk: bourbon vanilla, caramelized patchouli, Siamese red benzoin, and fig. Oh the pressures of being first to review. I will do my best. I absolutely adore this one simply for the fact it reminds me of A Measurement of the Soul from the 2014 Yules. I immediately recognize the same fig note and it does smell almost like a fig pudding, but not foodie per say. The bourbon vanilla is a note I barely smell here and I honestly do not mind either. The patchouli on the other hand is very present and very much caramelized. Honestly, people who fear patchouli might even want to give this a try because it's not too woody nor is it too smoky.... It's just there giving a backbone to the scent. But the fig is the star here, on me at least. I will very much enjoy my bottle.
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Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses, O thou, my pleasure, thou, all my desire, Thou shalt recall the beauty of caresses, The charm of evenings by the gentle fire, Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses! The eves illumined by the burning coal, The balcony where veiled rose-vapour clings— How soft your breast was then, how sweet your soul! Ah, and we said imperishable things, Those eves illumined by the burning coal. Lovely the suns were in those twilights warm, And space profound, and strong life’s pulsing flood, In bending o’er you, queen of every charm, I thought I breathed the perfume in your blood. The suns were beauteous in those twilights warm. The film of night flowed round and over us, And my eyes in the dark did your eyes meet; I drank your breath, ah! sweet and poisonous, And in my hands fraternal slept your feet— Night, like a film, flowed round and over us. I can recall those happy days forgot, And see, with head bowed on your knees, my past. Your languid beauties now would move me not Did not your gentle heart and body cast The old spell of those happy days forgot. Can vows and perfumes, kisses infinite, Be reborn from the gulf we cannot sound; As rise to heaven suns once again made bright After being plunged in deep seas and profound? Ah, vows and perfumes, kisses infinite! - Charles Baudelauire Voluptuous darkness: Bourbon vetiver, red patchouli, honey, helichrysum, and black rose. I bought this because of the reviews in the west coast will call thread. I had no idea what this would smell like, but I kept reading things about wood notes and they are some of my favorites, so I took a chance. The rose is deep, but it is not the starring player here. The dusty wood notes are dominant and when I look at the notes in the description, I'm not sure what is combining to form this. I suspect that it might be the helichrysum and the vetiver. I am not really smelling the red patchouli in this and the honey is helping to sweeten the rose which stays quietly in the background. This is very pretty and it is like smelling the dusty wood balcony with the rose in the garden beneath.
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Beeswax and hay absolute with sweet hops, pumpkin rind, and tobacco. This is definitely the same pumpkin/hay combination that I smell from my bottle of Pumpkin I from 2012 and I love it. There is a tiny tiny hint of beeswax lending a creaminess with the tobacco and the other Autumnal notes. I don't detect any hops at all and that's just fine. This is very much a Autumn scent and I think I will put it away until then. It is very stunning and definitely unisex.
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White sandalwood and white leather, bourbon vanilla and bourbon vetiver. Am I first? (apologies to the mods if I get the protocol wrong) In the bottle: Sinister vanilla. Wet on skin: The vanilla and vetiver predominate - I was curious about this combination, but I LOVE IT. The vetiver is more smoky than green/murky as it can sometimes be (maybe this is the difference with 'bourbon vetiver?) 15 minutes in: The sandalwood is coming out a little more; the leather is still sort of lurking in the background. The sandalwood is giving the scent a dry, powdery (not baby powder!) character now. I will update if it changes significantly with further wear. I'm hoping it doesn't go *too* powdery, because so far it's very sexy. I'm surprised I'm the first to review it! Update: It did not go any more powdery, I'm happy to report. It was interesting, because after several (10?) hours The Mark was quite faint if I deliberately tried to sniff my wrist, but it was still mysteriously hovering around me. This scent is not as in-your-face as one might expect with a leather/vetiver combo - very wearable and not 'too sexy for work'. It will be interesting to see how this one ages. I like it a lot!
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Blood orange, wood amber, and white tea. I put three squirts of this in my hair and it still smells strongly several hours later. next time I will use a little less. I LOVE this scent! The wood amber is lovely, no woody smell or pencil shavings. It somehow smells clear and not at all fuzzy or powdery if that makes sense. Blood orange blends with the amber, if you hate the creamsickle effect that orange plus vanilla can have you probably will not like this one, at least not in your hair. To me, the amber smells deeper and more complicated than vanilla and it adds up to something absolutely amazing. I can't really smell the tea but there is a brightness to the scent that could be from white tea. This is glorious and I could wear it anywhere. It smells very familiar, like a scent I've smelled before but I can't remember what. It is a bit similar to Tocca Stella (but richer, more complex and longer lasting) and in the same family as Chantecaille Frangipane although it has been a long time since I smelled that and I could be mis-remembering. On my wrist the amber comes out more. It smells less casual, sexier. I need at least another bottle of this, possibly two. I will not be spraying all the things because that would mean less to spray on me! Edited to add: I could still smell it on my hair the next morning. I love this but am thinking I might try some Ithe hair glosses before I decide which one to get backups of.
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Just yesterday, Licinius, at leisure, we played around for hours with my tablets writing erotic verse as we’d agreed to, each of us taking turns at improvising line after line in meter after meter, adjuncts to wine & witty conversation. And when I left you, I was so on fire with all your brilliant & ironic humor that after dinner I was still excited, and sleep refused to touch my eyes with quiet. In bed & totally unstrung by passion, tossing in agony, I prayed for sunrise, when I could be with you in conversation. But when my limbs, exhausted by their labor, lay on the bed in nearly fatal stillness, I made this poem for you, my beloved, so you could take the measure of my sorrow. I beg you to be kind to my petition, darling, for if you aren’t, if you’re cruel, then Nemesis will turn on you in outrage. Don’t rile her up, please – she’s a bitch, that goddess. – Catullus, translated by Charles Martin Olive leaf, osmanthus, bois de rose, and lemon verbena. I get mostly lemon verbena from this (not much of a morpher) A very fresh, rejuvenating fragrance. I don't think I'll need a full bottle of this, but I will enjoy the decant I have while it lasts.
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A honeyed lilac fougere with a drop of lime. Another epic win for me from the Purple Snails collection! I've had this bottle a week now, and after settling, it's become a little more complex - initially it was aaaaaall honey, and the best sort of honey there is, very similar to my coveted Pussy Moth (first comment on trying it, "Damn, this smells like pussy!", followed by much immature sniggering ), and also quite close to White Bees Swarming, minus the frostiness of the latter. Now it's settled though, I didn't think this would be possible but it's actually even frickin' better. EVEN FRICKIN' BETTER!! It has become a fougere now, there's a clean elegance to the honey, and just the teeniest smidge of lime - I would never say lime without seeing the notes, it's so subtle, but it just adds a hint of citrusy coolness to that gorgeous soft honey. For a fougere, I would still say this is 90% feminine, as a scent, it's not particularly gender neutral, but damn, is it gorgeous. As it dries down on me, the lime does become more prominent, but the honey is still centre-stage. At this point it edges a little closer to gender neutral, that citrusy cleanness coming out more. In the main though, it stays fairly true - softest, softest honey, snuggly and light and beautiful, that same cloud of angelic, radiant honey that floats around me when I wear White Bees in my extensions . In short, if you appreciate a bit of Pussy or you adore White Bees Swarming, you need dis scent!!
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White sandalwood, orris root, wood violet, sugared violet blossom, and violet leaf. Well hello orris root and sugared violet! Woohoo! The white sandalwood is incense-like (to me) next to the violet (sweet) and orris root (creamy)...there is a bit of bitter green from the violet leaf and it all combines to smell exactly as I had hoped from reading the notes and dreaming about a violet/iris perfume that I can actually wear! Just, yes.
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METRO I beg you, don’t lie, dear Coritto: Who was the Man who stitched for you this bright red dildo? CORITTO I don’t know if Cerdon is from Chios or Erythrae; bald, small – you’d call him a right ‘Mr. Tradesman’. You’ll think you’re seeing the handiwork of Athena herself not Cerdon’s. I – for he arrived bringing two, Metro – at the sight of them – well my eyes bulged; men can’t make their rods as rigid as this – we are alone and can be frank – and not only that, these are as soft as sleep; and the little leather straps are as soft as wool, not like leather straps at all. A kinder cobbler to a woman you’ll not find – even by putting-out. METRO Why then did you not take the other one as well? CORITTO What didn’t I do, Metro? What sort of means of persuasion did I not apply him? Kissing him, stroking his bald head, pouring out a sweet drink for him, calling him by a pet name, giving him all by my body to enjoy. METRO If he asked even that you ought to have given him it. Red leather and honey. I'm having one of those this is really complex for a scent with two notes moments This starts out as prominent leather. it's a new leather and has a sharp quality. There is also something Red about this ,but at first, I wasn't quite sure why. It didn't seem to be coming from the leather itself. As it morphs, the leather starts to smell musky and takes on a worn aspect. The honey starts to come out. Its there but minds its manners; for which I'm thankful. It's not until the drydown that I realize what's going on. There's red musk. Yep, red musk and I'm over the moon. I also believe that I'm smelling some other musk, a darker musk. I have this impression because the scent has a red quality to it but also something darker, murkier. It all comes together in a musky, raw, sweet, sexy scent. Absolutely love this!
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French lavender, red patchouli, saffron, dried wildflowers, agarwood, and oudh. First, there's a big blast of lavender, grounded by oudh. The patchouli lays close to the skin and I can only tell that it is there by huffing my skin. Wildflowers are not noticeable but hang out with the patch. As this dries, The Dream reminds me of The First Love Fades, Too, but that is only because of the lavender and oudh (or agarwood). It's not as sweet as First Love (because I had to test them side by side; my scent memory had these similar, but not really).. The patch, only for a moment, leans towards earthy, but is them absorbed into the whole. There must be a little vanilla (bourbon vanilla? tonka?) as it sweetens up, reminding me of Lush's Twilight or A Moment in Time. Lavender and oudh on the drydown, wafting downy softness, like snuggling in bed with big pillows and fluffy blankets to chase the cold away, and drifting off to sleep on a lilac-colored cloud.
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Cherry blossoms falling into folds of red musk, bourbon vanilla, and strawberry cream. I'm going to sound like a broken record but the Lupers this year are so expertly and perfectly blended and the Instructional Manual is no different. The first things I smell are strawberry and red musk. All 4 components of this perfume are equal though...I can smell all of them but no one stands out to me. I think lovers of Hollywood Babylon, Mania and Smut will be really happy with this one...I know I am. It verges on being a tad foody but never gets there. I feel like this is the same strawberry from Strawberry Sufganiyot. A very beautiful blend, and the cherry blossom doesn't fight with the strawberry. If you think you might love this, you're probably right. Eta: The cherry blossoms seem to come forward more in the dry down...this one morphs! :-)
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White gardenia, frangipani, rose peony, plumeria, and vanilla orchid. On first whiff, straight from the bottle, this was VERY perfumey, in an "Avon fragrance" way. I think it's the peony and plumeria, combined with gardenia that gives it a very feminine, floral edge. Almost old fashioned, and a bit unexpected for BPAL--almost a commercial, traditional fragrance, although with most fashion houses today going to either very aquatic stuff or gourmand fantasies, this harkens back to an earlier age, like that of Elizabeth Arden or Estee Lauder fragrances. Very feminine and dainty. Dry down is a creamy, refined white floral. Overall, a nice scent, but not one I'm blown away by. A solid 3 out of 5.
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White juniper, Italian cypress, and yew bush brushed by a veil of white rose, oudh, armoise, lavender, and vanilla sandalwood. the invitation is a bright and pretty juniper blend. juniper is the the only note that sticks out on its own. everything else just swirls together perfectly. this reminds me of the bptp hg, sleeping at the feet of the snow queen, only this is is clean and bright, lacking the smokey tobacco from the other. it's not a scent that I think of as being sexy or seductive, but I can't deny as I huff my wrist that it is inviting. intriguing and beautiful.
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You meaner beauties of the night, That poorly satisfy our eyes More by your number than your light, You common people of the skies; What are you when the moon shall rise? You curious chanters of the wood, That warble forth Dame Nature’s lays, Thinking your passions understood By your weak accents; what’s your praise When Philomel her voice shall raise? You violets that first appear, By your purple mantles known Like the proud virgins of the year, As if the spring were all your own; What are you when the rose is blown? So, when my mistress shall be seen In form and beauty of her mind, By virtue first, then choice, a Queen, Tell me, if she were not design’d Th’eclipse and glory of her kind? - Sir Henry Wotton Incomparable loveliness: the perfect rose oude. Elizabeth of Bohemia is kind of what I was wanting out of The Rose -- it's a little dark, a little playful, and pure rose beauty. It stays close to the skin (at least on me) and smells so amazingly like both dried and fresh roses at the same time. Wet is where it's really a playful, dewy scent, and as it dries the more mature, slightly dark air emerges. Three hours and it's still just as gorgeous as when I first put it on. I really adore this and could see it being worn any time of the year. While I still like The Rose very much, this one makes me think of red and white roses all woven into Elizabeth's hair like a queen's crown. If you're a rose lover, this one really delivers.
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Minted green tea and cucumber. Rendezvous at the Bath smells exactly like the scent description, and I'm so happy with it! It is a sophisticated green tea and cucumber scent that is fresh, soothing, and gently invigorating. I was also pleasantly surprised by its longevity because I generally have lower expectations in this regard to these kinds of light/ fresh scents.
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Naked she lay, clasped in my longing arms, I filled with love, and she all over charms; Both equally inspired with eager fire, Melting through kindness, flaming in desire. With arms, legs, lips close clinging to embrace, She clips me to her breast, and sucks me to her face. Her nimble tongue, loves lesser lightning, played Within my mouth, and to my thoughts conveyed Swift orders that I should prepare to throw The all-dissolving thunderbolt below. My fluttering soul, sprung with the pointed kiss, Hangs hovering oer her balmy brinks of bliss. But whilst her busy hand would guide that part Which should convey my soul up to her heart, In liquid raptures I dissolve all oer, Melt into sperm, and spend at every pore. A touch from any part of her had done t: Her hand, her foot, her very looks a cunt. Smiling, she chides in a kind murmuring noise, And from her body wipes the clammy joys, When, with a thousand kisses wandering oer My panting bosom, Is there then no more? She cries. All this to love and raptures due; Must we not pay a debt to pleasure too? But I, the most forlorn, lost man alive, To show my wished obedience vainly strive: I sigh, alas! and kiss, but cannot swive. Eager desires confound my first intent, Succeeding shame does more success prevent, And rage at last confirms me impotent. Evn her fair hand, which might bid heat return To frozen age, and make cold hermits burn, Applied to my dear cinder, warms no more Than fire to ashes could past flames restore. Trembling, confused, despairing, limber, dry, A wishing, weak, unmoving lump I lie. This dart of love, whose piercing point, oft tried, With virgin blood ten thousand maids has dyed, Which nature still directed with such art That it through every cunt reached every heart- Stiffly resolved, twould carelessly invade Woman or man, nor ought its fury stayed: Whereer it pierced, a cunt it found or made- Now languid lies in this unhappy hour, Shrunk up and sapless like a withered flower. Thou treacherous, base deserter of my flame, False to my passion, fatal to my fame, Through what mistaken magic dost thou prove So true to lewdness, so untrue to love? What oyster-cinder-beggar-common whore Didst thou eer fail in all thy life before? When vice, disease, and scandal lead the way, With what officious haste doest thou obey! Like a rude, roaring hector in the streets Who scuffles, cuffs, and justles all he meets, But if his king or country claim his aid, The rakehell villain shrinks and hides his head; Evn so thy brutal valor is displayed, Breaks every stew, does each small whore invade, But when great Love the onset does command, Base recreant to thy prince, thou darst not stand. Worst part of me, and henceforth hated most, Through all the town a common fucking post, On whom each whore relieves her tingling cunt As hogs on gates do rub themselves and grunt, Mayst thou to ravenous chancres be a prey, Or in consuming weepings waste away; May strangury and stone thy days attend; Mayst thou never piss, who didst refuse to spend When all my joys did on false thee depend. And may ten thousand abler pricks agree To do the wronged Corinna right for thee. John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester Filthy: myrrh, guiacwood, scorched clove, black musk, pitch, and 13-year aged patchouli. This was one of the Lupers I was most excited for, and it does not disappoint. A great woody, earthy scent. The aged patchouli really shines here, and blends wonderfully with the myrrh. It's not too musky, but it's there. A really well blended scent with great throw. On my first day wearing it, I got a compliment from a lab tech saying I smelled 'great, but different.' Definitely a keeper! Edit: make that two separate compliments on the same day! What a blend.
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Tuberose absolute, red carnation, white gardenia, jasmine sambac, Siamese benzoin, and sweet oudh. Origin: Straight from the Lab Initial Thoughts: Tuberose - sometimes. Red carnation - absolutely! White gardenia - yes! jasmine sambac - usually. Siamese benzoin - well, it doesn't seem to amp like crazy compared to other resiny/incense things. Oudh - well, it's sweet. In the Bottle: White floral. Strong enough to be that almost astringent level. I think I'm getting lots of jasmine and some gardenia with a trace of benzoin or oudh in the background. Wet: GARDENIA! An explosion of sweet gardenia. Since I love gardenia, I have no issues at this point. Drydown: The jasmine comes back, but this time it's that airy white-floral jasmine rather than the sharp jasmine from the bottle. But I'm getting very little carnation and very little benzoin or oudh. This is staying a very gentle, light and white spring floral on me. Verdict: If you are a jasmine lover or gardenia lover, definitely try this. If you are hoping for more of the spicy/incense notes, it may depend on your skin chemistry.
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. – Oscar Wilde Pink roses, sugared pomegranate, apple blossom, white ginger, and velvet-white vanilla. The pink roses, sugared pomegranate, and vanilla notes are the most prominent notes in the jar. In use, I get all of those notes, as well as the apple blossom. I didn't really smell the white ginger when I used it. It's a rather scrubby scrub, as it is comprised of sugar and actual pomegranate seeds. The scent does linger after use, but it stays really close to the skin. it is mostly the vanilla, pink roses, and sugared pomegranate. I'm glad I bought it!
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White tea, neroli, and slivered ginger. In the bottle: I'm immediately reminded of Kumiho. Wet on skin: Yes, it's in the same family as Kumiho but this is definitely different. The neroli adds a pretty punch of floral brightness here! The white tea is crisp and the ginger is sharp but not overly so. This is refreshing! Dry down: This is sparkly. It's crisp, clean, bright, just as I imagined it would be. This will wear well for me in hotter temps. If you like Kumiho, you should give this a try! The neroli sets it apart and adds a very pretty dimension to the tea and ginger. I love this!!
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Opulent gilded red musk and ivory-encrusted vanilla with orris root, smoked amber, red patchouli, and red oudh. Lady in Black is opulent and rich, seductive and decadent. This smells red and black with glints of ivory. There's a great balance in the notes here, so much so that it smells sanded down with no one note taking deep prominence. The red musk is warm and husky and sensual, the orris root adds a touch of violets, and the red patchouli and red oudh ground it and bring the equivalent of a raised eyebrow. And the smoked amber...oh my goodness, the smoked amber. I get the smoke mostly right after I spray, and it lifts quickly but remains an influencer. What a gorgeous note. I would absolutely wear this as a perfume, and will likely use up my bottle spraying clothes so that I can wear this on my person.
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3-year aged patchouli, tree moss, rose thorn, leather, and vanilla oudh. The Thorny Path is mostly leather to my nose, but's a sophisticated leather with the other notes giving it a lot of dimension. The tree moss and rose thorn smell like oakmoss, a touch of rose, and a bit of some wood—and they make the leather smell outdoorsy and refined. The vanilla oudh gives a tang and warp to the blend, and I swear I can't detect the patchouli at all! I think I might be coming down with a cold, so it's entirely possible that my nose is broken right now. I sprayed our front hallway and it smells like a clean leather, upscale and rounded out by the other notes. Very nice!
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Tangerine, red musk, ti leaf, vanilla orchid, and white honey. Secrets of the Hanamachi smells like citrusy musk, a touch of honey, and orchids. It's a contrast of pleasant florals with a very sexy background. Definitely asian in vibe.
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Lemon peel and white sandalwood with sweet amber and black tea. This one is a bit of an odd duck. From the tester, it smells like an oily paper umbrella to the point that I was questioning whether to spritz or not. I ended up using a tiny bit, and the strongest note you get is lemon, sandalwood and then amber. It actually smells pretty clean and fresh. Very spring-like. If you simply went with what it smelled like at first sniff from the spritzer, you probably wouldn't spray it!
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Iris root, gleaming orris, pearlescent white vanilla, sweet coconut milk, and pear stem. I'm very into creamy white scents so I jumped on bottle! The pear stem and coconut milk were what I was looking most forward to about this scent. In the bottle: Very light and sweet. The orris root gives it a soft violet-like vibe. There's a little green from the pear steam. It's creamy but I can't detect the coconut or vanilla specifically. On wet: The orris develops, and is strongly iris. The vanilla is floating around but it's not super sweet either. The testing patch on my chest has apparent coconut where my wrist does not. Dry: Creamy, and delicate. The orris root is the star but it's subdued, soft and reminiscent of candy. The coconut milk and vanilla creates a creamy base, and the pear stem adds a freshness. It's just the tiniest bit of green tartness. So perfect for spring. Overall: Very beautiful, and if I didn't have so many creamy scents already I'd definitely keep it! If the pear stem was more prominent it'd be no question. Since orris is similar to violet I think those fans will be into this, it's definitely an interesting variation on that tune. This could also be for people who want to like violet but find it too bold.
