BPAL sniffing notes 38 - Ephemera, Penitence, and Sacred Whore of Babylon

Ephemera-

'Your eyes that once were never weary of mine
Are bowed in sorrow under pendulous lids,
Because our love is waning.'
And then She:
'Although our love is waning, let us stand
By the lone border of the lake once more,
Together in that hour of gentleness
When the poor tired child, passion, falls asleep.
How far away the stars seem, and how far
Is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart!'

Pensive they paced along the faded leaves,
While slowly he whose hand held hers replied:
'Passion has often worn our wandering hearts.'
The woods were round them, and the yellow leaves
Fell like faint meteors in the gloom, and once
A rabbit old and lame limped down the path;
Autumn was over him: and now they stood
On the lone border of the lake once more:
Turning, he saw that she had thrust dead leaves
Gathered in silence, dewy as her eyes,
In bosom and hair.
'Ah, do not mourn,' he said,
'That we are tired, for other loves await us;
Hate on and love through unrepining hours.
Before us lies eternity; our souls
Are love, and a continual farewell.'

The scent of loss, love and the echo of time without end: sorrowful violet and chamomile with muguet, white geranium, calla lily and tea rose with a hint of autumn leaves.

In the vial, all I smell is violet, chamomile, and leaves. Colorwise, I'm getting a dusty purple.

Wet on my skin, it's violet and lily. No thank you. I'll give it a chance, but I'm not caring for it initially.

10-15 minute drydown - Ugh. I just don't care for violet I don't think. It's not noisome like Ultraviolet was but I don't like it.

1 hour drydown - Rich, heavily perfumed violet and lily SOAP.

*****

Penitence - Smell sanctified! A blend of pure, pious frankincense and graceful myrrh.

In the vial, yup, that's church incense alright. Colorwise, smoky gold.

Wet on my skin, I'm almost afraid to try it. Actually, they blend quite nicely together. That was a surprise. I was concerned they would be too overpowering but they smell quite good.

10-15 minute drydown - Very pretty... but headache inducing. :-( And I only put a TINY drop on my skin.


*****

Sacred Whore of Babylon - And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth. An ancient formula that inspires unrepentant decadence, lechery and debauch.

In the vial, I'm getting sandalwood and maybe amber and maybe some dark fruits like pomegranate. I'm smelling something sweet similar to Hymn to Proserpine. Colorwise, I'm getting a wine red.

Wet on my skin, very nice. I'm smelling sweet myrrh and amber and maybe some plum or pomegranate. I like it. Resinous and rich.

10-15 minute drydown - I quite like this... it's unusual and sweet and rich.

1 hour drydown - A friend just said this smelled like cigarette smoke to her. LOL! But on that note, I *can* place the tobacco note in it. I think I might just have to order a bottle of this one.