BPAL sniffing notes 54 - Yemaya, Vixen, Thorns, Green Tree Viper

Yemaya - Lady of the Ocean, Queen of Mothers, Mother of the Children of the Fishes. She is the River of Life, the ocean is her womb, and she is the mother of many of the Orishas. Yemaya shares the oceans with her lover/brother/son/brother-self, Olokun, and She governs the uppermost part of the waters where the sun's rays mingle with Her waters to promote life and growth. Yemaya is everlasting, She is motherhood, the universal drive for the survival of a species, the procreative urge, the instinct of a mother protecting her young, and She is the governess of all life on Earth. She is the Most Fruitful of Women, and both She and Olokun are the protectors and benefactors of those who wish to conceive. Yemaya, being the mother of Shango, also has jurisdiction over rain and snow. She has seven roads and seven manifestations, all corresponding to the Seven Seas. She is the blood that pumps through our veins, and the sound of our blood rushing through our bodies is Her lullaby. She is in constant motion, never resting, ever vigilant and though she may seem calm on the surface, there is always activity within Her waters. The Great Mother possesses breathtaking beauty, patience and a gentle hand, yet She is also fearsome, temperamental, moody and stern. She nurtures her children, but She is also a disciplinarian. She is symbolized by the fish, mermaid, seagull, wharf rat, ibis, vulture and duck, and She shares the beauty of the peacock feather with Oshun. Her ofrenda is a bounty of melons and grapes, strewn with the petals of the flowers of motherhood, draped with sea mosses.

In the vial, it reminds me of the melon flavored Air Heads taffy. Not a bad smell, but I don't know if I want to go around smelling like melon candy. Color, watermelon pink.

Wet on my skin, it's melon and grape juice and moss. Kinda like the sweet stuff you'd have at a picnic. Tasty, but not my idea of a perfume. Thankfully, the 'flowers of motherhood' aren't going haywire, either.

10-15 minute drydown - It's a candied floral now, but with a distinct melon note. Not unpleasant to say the least, but not really my thing.

30 minute drydown - Spoke too soon. Now I smell like flower-flavored jellybeans. Don't ask. I just do. It's not terribly pleasant.

*****

Vixen - Lascivious, flirtatious, and vampy as hell. A true heartbreaker's perfume. The innocence of orange blossom tainted by the beguiling scents of ginger and patchouli.

In the vial, it's almost all patchouli. It's also one of the more bitter patchoulis I've smelled - probably due, in part, to the ginger and neroli. Color, bronze.

Wet on my skin, here goes nothing. Orange blossom doesn't usually agree with me, but patchouli does, so we'll see how this behaves. So far, not bad. The patchouli is nice and dark on me, with the tanginess of the ginger. Unfortunately, I'm already starting to pick up that damn neroli.

10-15 minute drydown - It smells like patchouli scented play-doh. I don't know why. It just does. Not a fan.

*****

Thorns - `Ah, ah! you thought to find your lady love, but the pretty bird has flown and its song is dumb; the cat caught it, and will scratch out your eyes too. Rapunzel is lost to you for ever — you will never see her more.'

The Prince was beside himself with grief, and in his despair he jumped right down from the tower, and, though he escaped with his life, the thorns among which he fell pierced his eyes out. Then he wandered, blind and miserable, through the wood, eating nothing but roots and berries, and weeping and lamenting the loss of his lovely bride.

Thorn-spiked vines, blood, and tears.

In the vial, holy vetiver! Seriously, it smells like potting soil. Wow. Color, loam black.

Wet on my skin, I'm almost afraid to try it. I mean, I like vetiver, but the initial smell scared even me. Hrm.... vetiver, maybe some pine or juniper, and something salty. I can't say I'm liking it on myself, but it could prove very nice on Josh.

10 minute drydown - OMG. This smells like gin on me. Honestly, like I upended a bottle of Beefeater on myself. No thanks.

30 minute drydown - I wish the initial drydown didn't suck so bad because this smells awesome now. Woods and I think patchouli... probably be really nice for DH. I keep huffing my arm. ;-)

*****

Green Tree Viper - four mints, bergamot, and green tea.

In the vial, it smells like a mint cookie! I think that's because of the tea. Color, tan with a tinge of light green.

Wet on my skin, OH HAI MINT! I seriously smell like a mint Milano cookie! So far, this is the one Snake Pit scent I've really dug. It has a slightly medicinal scent, but sometimes you'll get that with mints and I don't mind at all. :-)

10-15 minute drydown - Very nice. Minty vanilla-y goodness. I can see a bottle of this being added to the list, too.

1 hour drydown - Most definitely getting a bottle of this. Very nice indeed.

April Fools update

ok, THESE are the ones I want to try:

The Aurora Spaceship Takes A Dive
The Committee of 300: Meeting Minutes
The Montauk Project
Phantom Time Hypothesis
Reptoid Dominion
Skytyping With Chemtrails
Teatime in Roswell
Traipsing Through The Crop Circles

out of 11, I want to try 8. *sigh* Beth is trying to Kill Me.

BPAL sniffing notes 53 - Parthenope, Dragon's Tears

Parthenope - Honeysuckle, orris, moss, musk, benzoin, oakmoss, and star jasmine.

In the imp, it's very sharp, almost bitter. Not at all what I was expecting. Must be the benzoin and oakmoss. Color, green-brown.

Wet on my skin, there's the honeysuckle and a bit of the jasmine. Hopefully, the orris doesn't turn this into soap on me.

10-15 minute drydown - Ugh. This is Worm Moon, without all of the good parts.

30 minute drydown - Hi, Old Lady Powder/Perfume/Soap. On me, this smells almost dead on like Evening in Paris - you know, the one in the big blue glass bottle that sat on grandma's dresser.

*****

Dragon's Tears - Bittersweet yet powerful: salty aquatic notes and bursting with dragon's blood.


In the vial, it smells like dragon's blood and sea spray. Not a bad combo. Color, that muddy green you see when there's blood in sea water.

Wet on my skin, this reminds me somewhat of Calico Jack with dragon's blood added, I think. Not sure how this will react to my body chemistry, but it could be promising. Very tangy, though.

10-15 minute drydown - Weird. This smells almost like burnt hair.

20 minute drydown - Ok, no more burnt hair smell. Thank god. LOL. Now it's slightly salty dragon's blood, like good skin musk. Nice.

1 hour drydown - This almost smells like there's myrrh in it, but I don't see where there would be any by the notes. I'm not complaining, though. It's very nice.

BPAL sniffing notes 52 - Aeronwen, The Parliament of Monsters

Aeronwen - Fig, dark myrrh, amber, redwood, nutmeg, tarragon, black musk, and sweet orange.

In the vial, I really get nothing beyond good, polished wood and herbs. Not a bad scent, but I don't know how it will react to my body chemistry. Color, honey gold.

Wet on my skin, that tarragon is really strong. The redwood and amber are a nice combo, though. The fig lends it a nice earthy sweetness, though. Surprisingly enough, I can't smell any of the myrrh, musk, or orange at all.

10-15 minute drydown - I am just not digging this one. I think the tarragon is killing it for me. Oh well. That's why we have imps, no?

*****

The Parliament of Monsters - You pass through the golden mouth, and find yourself inside a narrow, cramped corridor. Large wooden paintings of skeletal hands crook their bony fingers, leading you forwards. At the first turn, you hear a bizarre jumble of sounds: the high-pitched sound of gears grinding, metal on metal, the sound of sultry, low-pitched laughter, a clattering, wings flapping, soft hissing. Suddenly, a sharp howl pierces the darkness. As you make your way around the corner you are momentarily blinded as floodlights flicker to life, and thirteen gold-gilded stages are illuminated, bathed from beneath in sinister, caramel-colored light.

Dust, incense, wet tobacco, and a curl of opium smoke.

In the imp, Oooh that smells nice. Dusty, smoky, and slightly sweet/sharp from the tobacco. Here's hoping it plays nice with my body chemistry. Color, parchment.

Wet on my skin, wow. I hope this one stays just like it is. OMG. I really can't describe it other than *guh*.

10-15 minute drydown - It's strong, but this smells sooooo good. This another 'I NEED A BOTTLE NOW' scent!

BPAL sniffing notes 51 - The Illustrated Woman, The Torture Queen

A cluster of wooden wagons stands off to the side of the Midway, removed from the bustle of the dirt-caked makeshift street. A bonfire burns in the center of the lot, shining its light on a tattoo-covered woman. The images embedded in her skin writhe like living things, and the sigils that mark her glow faintly. She is filing her nails and smoking a cheroot while chatting idly with an impassive naked blonde who has been hoisted into the air by thick, gleaming meathooks. The blonde is pinioned; the blackened metal cables that bind her hang tightly from the branches of a massive grey oak. Her skin seems strangely translucent, and her veins and arteries are boldly visible. Two painted signs are propped, sideways, against the side of the tree:

THE ILLUSTRATED WOMAN
THE TORTURE QUEEN

The tattoo'd woman winks at you as you pass by. "Break time, honey," she growls, as she blows a smoke ring in your direction.

*****

THE ILLUSTRATED WOMAN
Skin musk, smoky vanilla, pine pitch, patchouli, Indian resins, golden honey, and tobacco.

In the vial, it's musky, resinous, and a little sweet. I'm actually pretty excited about this one. Here's hoping the honey doesn't take over and ruin the whole thing. Color, pick one. :-)

Wet on my skin, musk, patchouli, vanilla, and pine pitch. Interesting combo. It's got an interesting sweetness on the underside. I like it so far.

10-15 minute drydown - I could see buying a bottle of this one. :-) I really like this one. I think Josh will too. Very musky, but sweet at the same time. The pine pitch dies off and I get mostly patchouli, vanilla, tobacco, musk, and honey. Nice.

---

THE TORTURE QUEEN
White amber, vanilla musk, white tea, ambergris, gardenia, and chrome.

In the vial, it's very sweet, almost innocent. I have a feeling there's something more to this one. Question is - what? Color, chrome.

Wet on my skin, amber, white tea, and gardenia with a little bit of a tang - the 'chrome' note. Smells almost like citrus to me. I'm just hoping the gardenia doesn't amp to painful levels.

10-15 minute drydown - Very nice. Not too floral at all. This is a very light, feminine musk with a bit of a bite. I wouldn't mind a bottle of this, either.

BPAL sniffing notes 50 - Dragon's Milk, Psychological Horror

Dragon's Milk - A truly fae nectar! Dragon's blood resin and honeyed vanilla.

In the vial, Holy Sugared Incense, Batman! Wow, that's sweet. Color, RED.

Wet on my skin, certainly sweet, but not cloyingly so. I can see actually wearing this. I'll have to see how the honey develops in this one because I tend not to care much for the heavier BPAL honey scents.

10-15 minute drydown - Eh, the honey seems to have taken over. I can't smell much of anything other than that. A pity, really.

*****

Psychological Horror - This is not the Monstrous Other; this is the fiend next door. Examples: Psycho, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the Collector, and Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte It smells perfectly normal: a lovely, unassuming, traditional mid-20th century musk with something not quite right lying underneath.

In the vial, it smells like celery and coffee?! WTF?! I'm almost afraid to try this one. Color, light green.

Wet on my skin, it's a crisp musky aquatic. *Almost* smells like celery, but not quite, thankfully. Man, that threw me for a minute.

10-15 minute drydown - Ech. There's some weird aquatic floral in here that smells like celery and I don't like it. No thanks.

BPAL sniffing notes 49 - Anactoria, Penis Admiration, Unveiled, Needlework, Al-Shairan

Anactoria - I feel thy blood against my blood; my pain
Pains thee, and lips bruise lips, and vein stings vein.
Let fruit be crushed on fruit, let flower on flower
Breast kindle breast, and either burn one hour.
Why wilt thou follow lesser loves? are thine
Too weak to bear these hands and lips of mine?

The scent of the throes of violent passion: entangled limbs, teeth on flesh, furiously grasping hands, the taste of blood and sweat. Golden amber, white honey, red currant, daemonorops, kush, and Arabian musk.

In the vial, it's rich and sweet without being sickening. Color, red gold.

Wet on my skin, it's musky, sweet, and golden. Almost soporific.

10-15 minute drydown - It's musky-sweet, with an incense-y edge. Heaven.

6 hour drydown - This is a definite Pennsic Party Night scent. ;-)

*****

Penis Admiration - Lilac, ho wood, smoky vanilla, galbanum, and tonka.

In the vial, it smells like movie popcorn butter. WTF?! Color, cream yellow.

Wet on my skin, kettle corn. Huh? This is, by far, the weirdest smelling perfume I've ever found.

10-15 minute drydown - Creamy vanilla lilac. Ok, that's better. That initial scent was something else...

1 hour drydown - There's something kinda addictive about this one... I keep sniffing my arm.

6 hour drydown - There's just something inherently comforting about this one... I think it's the vanilla/tonka combination - it's very warm.

*****

Unveiled - Red bush tea, vanilla, white peach, golden amber, mandarin, lotus root, and myrrh.

In the vial, it's peach and lotus root and myrrh. Color, red gold.

Wet on my skin, this is the myrrh I like. The tea, amber, and peach temper it to the point that it doesn't give me a headache. This I could see going well with my garb (Ottoman Turkish), but I don't know if I could wear it to summer events or if it would be too heavy for War. Maybe at night?

10-15 minute drydown - Very nice. Feminine without the florals. I like this a lot.

*****

Needlework - Oolong tea, lilac, sheer musk, crushed ginger, wisteria, delphinium, and lavender.

In the vial, this is a *very* herbal, green scent. Color, light purple-green.

Wet on my skin, it smells like fresh cut herbs - the ginger, lilac, and lavender are prominent with my chemistry. The herbs are very appropriate - it's a very spring-ish scent.

10-15 minute drydown - It's very pretty, but I don't see myself wearing it much. Something just doesn't seem 'me' about it.

*****

Al-Shairan - The enemy of God, also named Iblis, He Who Despaired of the Mercy of God. Al-Shairan is the leader of the Jinn, a tempter who whispers false suggestions to men enticing them into evil and perfidious acts, and is the sworn enemy of all of Adam's children. His scent is fiery, bright and thick with sweet sinfulness: clove, peach and orange with cinnamon, patchouli and dark incense notes.

In the vial, Oh, My. It's spices and patchouli and orange. I think I'm in love. :-)

Wet on my skin, :-( I am teh sad. It's cinnamon, clove, and incense on me. I seem to have eaten the oranges and patchouli. It's a plainer, darker version of Plunder on me.

10-15 minute drydown - Unfortunately, I think the only way I would be able to wear this one would be in a locket... However, this may be my excuse to buy one. Heh.

BPAL sniffing notes 48 - Ronin, Luperci, Olisbos, Inganok Jewelers, Smut, Okayaki

Ronin - White sandalwood, rice flower, honey, black pepper, and oakmoss.
-
Peppery honey. No thanks.

*****

Luperci - Piss off, Saint Valentine! Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration, held on February 15th, that kicked in the advent of Spring with a very, very festive purification, fertility and sexuality ritual. The ritual began near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine, an area sacred to Faunus, as well as Ruminia, Romulus and Remus. During Lupercalia, Vestal Virgins first made offerings of sacred cakes to the fig tree under which the she-wolf suckled the Sacred Twins. A dog and two goats were then offered in sacrifice to Faunus. The blood of the sacrifice was smeared onto two naked patrician youths, who were assisted by the Virgins, and the blood was wiped clean with sacred wool dipped in milk. The youths donned the skins of the sacrificial goats, wielding whips made from the goat skins, and then led the priests and the Virgins around the pomarium, and around the base hills of Rome. This was a ceremony of great happiness and merriment, and was of particular interest to young women: being touched by the goat-whips young men that led the procession ensured their fertility in the coming year. It is believed that, after the initial rite, male participants would draw the name of an available maiden, with whom he spent the rest of the night. This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
-
Department store men's cologne. Expensive department store men's cologne, but department store cologne nonetheless.

*****

Olisbos - As for old flames and lovers-they're none left.
And since Milesians went against us,
I've not seen a decent eight-fingered dildo.
Yes, it's just leather, but it helps us out.

The ancient Greeks sure weren't shy about taking care of business. The port city of Miletus was once famed throughout the Mediterranean as a source of excellent stone, wood, and padded leather dildos. This scent is the celebration of an age-old pastime: polished wood, well-loved leather, and olive oil.
-
You know how there's a distinct difference between the scent of black and yellow leather? This is definitely tanned *yellow* leather and it doesn't agree with my body chemistry. It's far too sweet for me. Also, it kinda reminds me of a hospital, for some odd reason. No thanks.

*****

Inganok Jewelers - Arkham, MA
Are you looking for the perfect ring to express your everlasting love? How about an amulet representing your sweetheart's devotion to Zo-Kalar, Hargag Ryonis, Tamash, or Nyarlathotep? Inganok Jewelers carries a vast selection of onyx jewelry, mined in Inganok, designed by the natives of Y'Pawfrm e'din Leng, and crafted by the skilled artisans of Celephaïs! Each piece is as unique as your last psychotic break!

Gleaming stone and silver.
-
While not unpleasant, I can't say I particularly care for the *very* minerally smell of this one. It is definitely the scent of wet semiprecious stones. Bravo, Beth.

*****

Smut - After all these years, BPAL is smuttier than ever.

Three swarthy, smutty musks sweetened with sugar and woozy with dark booze notes.

In the vial, sugary musk. Color, leathery brown.

Wet on my skin, sugar and vanilla-y musk. This is, so far, one of the few red musk blends that hasn't made me physically ill. I <3 it bunches.

10-15 drydown - Whoo, mama is this strong! But I like it. And I have to say, Smut is an appropriate name for this one... It just makes ya feel kinda naughty. ;-)

*****

Okayaki - Olive blossom, cardamom pod, amber, morning star lily, bergamot, and a well-aimed snowball.

In the vial, it's very clean and almost green smelling. Pretty appropriate, given the notes. Color, very light green.

Wet on my skin, I quite like this. It's feminine without being cloying and overly floral. Josh actually asked what this one was before I had a chance to ask his opinion of it! Good sign. It has a nice citrus note to it that's not overpowering - enough to lift the whole thing up but not enough to bowl you over. I think I like the olive blossom, too.

10-15 minute drydown - Wow. Morning star lily and olive blossom have been added to the list of flowers that don't make me want to cringe in terror and I have confirmed that I <3 snow notes.

garb for munchkins

Well... At some point I'm going to have to figure out at least two sets of garb for Lily, especially if she's coming to Blackstone, even for just one day. I'd probably better have 3 or 4 - she *is* two, after all. So, I figured I'd at least put her measurements here for reference.

Chest - 23
Nape of neck to back of knee - 23
Arm, bent, from middle of back - 14
Head - 20
Mid-back to heel - 19
Inseam - 13
Waist - 21

I'm thinking, at very least, t-tunic and pants. I don't think I want to put her in anything much longer than that because, to be honest, she's not much more coordinated than I am and I don't feel like having to nurse bruises and knots all day.

I *think* that's everything I need to make basic garb for a toddler. I should probably make her a doll and a pouch or something too. She'd like that. :-)

BPAL sniffing notes 47 - Mme. Moriarty, Misfortune Teller, Western Diamondback, Temple Viper, Champagne bath oil

Mme. Moriarty, Misfortune Teller - A colorless woman bursts from an elaborate gold and ruby tent and faints dead at your feet. Soft laughter emits from the dark entrance to the tent, and the scent of musk, black fruits and incense touches your senses. Looking up, you see that the sign hovering above the unconscious woman is adorned with images of the Major Arcana"s Tower and reads:

"Mme. Moriarty, Misfortune Teller.
No fate too grim, no future too bleak."

A tiny woman with floor-length black dreadlocks walks out of the tent, stepping over the prone body. She is clothed in deep red wrappings, and is bedecked in golden ornaments bearing alchemical symbols and charms representing eternity, chance, and wisdom. She pauses, looks you over slowly, and then flicks a tarot card at your feet.

Red musk, vanilla bean, pomegranate, patchouli leaf and wild plum.

In the vial, sweet and musky and just slightly medicinal. Color, dusty black.

Wet on my skin, I'm anxious to see if aged red musk plays any more nicely than fresh. Oh, my. Mme. Moriarty is very persuasive. I like this... Now to see if the red musk agrees with me.

10-15 minute drydown - Holy Patchouli! It's sweet and resinous and I love it. It reminds me of these black patchouli scented candles I used to buy that I adored.

1 hour drydown - Hrmm... I dunno if I'll be able to wear this. The red musk is starting to amp. I quite like it, but it's starting to take on an overly heavy medicinal quality I've started to associate with red musk and my body chemistry. We'll see how this goes.

2 hour drydown - Ok, I think Mme. Moriarty has won me over. I need a bottle of this one. The notes are playing well, which is what I was worried about, and I think after some aging, she'll work quite well.

*****

Western Diamondback - Snake Oil with leather, tonka bean, red sandalwood, and sage.

In the vial, it smells clean. Like leather polish. I think that's the sage and the tonka. Color, butter yellow, like leather.

Wet on my skin, it's *very* sweet. Gotta be the tonka. This reminds me of yellow tanned leather - that sweet, slightly acrid leathery smell.

10-15 minute drydown - This smells EXACTLY like brand new yellow leather work boots boots on me, right down to the slight oily acridity of the rubber lug soles. Crazy.

*****

Temple Viper - Snake Oil with with sugar cane, frankincense, champaca, opoponax, labdanum, and hyssop.

In the vial, it smells almost like an herbal brown sugar, oddly enough. Colorwise, red gold.

Wet on my skin, ack. I was hoping that age would temper Frank a little... Not so. It smells beautiful, but I can already feel a headache coming on. It's gotta go.

*****

Champagne bath oil - Unreleased prototype bath oil from the Black Phoenix Trunk Show at Dark Delicacies on Sunday, November 29th, 2009.

In the vial, sparkly! It kinda reminds me faintly of ginger ale. I like it! Color, ginger cream.

Wet on my skin, it smells like ginger and limes, with a sparkliness in your nose! OMG I NEED LIKE A GALLON OF THIS as long as it doesn't go to lily of the valley on me, which I suspect it might.

10-15 minute drydown - It's still sparkly and clean and I <3 it.

BPAL sniffing notes 46 - Lick It Till It's Sticky

Lick It Till It's Sticky - The stickiest thing you shouldn't lick this winter. Peppermint candy cane with an extra jolt of sugar.

In the vial, it smells like the guts of a Peppermint Patty! I like that. Color, WHITE!

Wet on my skin, it smells like I've got a candy cane stuck to one arm! HEHE! This would work for Christmas with my daughter or something. It's very *cute*. But seriously, I'm getting nothing but straight peppermint.

10-15 minute drydown - No change. Still straight peppermint. Not bad, but I would have liked a little more depth. Maybe I need to search out some of the other Lick Its and see how they compare.

1 hour drydown - Hah! Now, for some odd reason, it smells like Ben-Gay. Now, go ahead, think I'm weird... I actually like the smell of Ben-Gay. But perfume, it is not.

BPAL sniffing notes 45 - Troll, Dragon's Musk, Belle Vinu, Loup Garou, Clemence, Cytherea

Troll - They call me Troll;
Gnawer of the Moon,
Giant of the Gale-blasts,
Curse of the rain-hall,
Companion of the Sibyl,
Nightroaming hag,
Swallower of the loaf of heaven.
What is a Troll but that?

A lurching, hateful, bitter scent. This is a gruesome blend of ghastly greens and blacks: vetiver, pine pitch, troll musk, black basil, clove smoke, and scorched cumin.

In the vial, a little dry and acrid. Reminds me of dried leaves. Color, dark brown.

Wet on my skin, it's vetiver and clove and pine and I'm in love. All I can think of is early fall days at an SCA event when it's warm enough not to freeze but cool enough to have a good fire and not burn up.

10-15 minute drydown - Wow... it's very... pungent. I love the way it smells, but it's very strong. I don't know that I'd wear it as a perfume but it's one hell of a mood piece.

1 hour drydown - It's fall leaves and woodsmoke. I dunno that I'll wear it because it's a little heavy on the pine, but it's definitely getting a trial run on the hubby. :-)

*****

Dragon's Musk - Dominant, passionate, devastating. Dragon's blood and five deep musks.

In the vial, rich and sweet. Almost reminiscent of good leather. Color, dark red.

Wet on my skin, I'm hoping either there's no red musk in this or that it plays nicely. So far, so good.

10-15 minute drydown - Hmm. I seem to have eaten all of the dragon's blood. All I can smell is musk. Not unpleasant, but not something I particularly *want*.

1 hour drydown - Red musk. Ugh. My head hurts.

*****

Belle Vinu - There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three boys and three girls. As he was himself a man of great sense, he spared no expense for their education. The three daughters were all handsome, but particularly the youngest; indeed, she was so very beautiful, that in her childhood every one called her the Little Beauty; and being equally lovely when she was grown up, nobody called her by any other name, which made her sisters very jealous of her. This youngest daughter was not only more handsome than her sisters, but also was better tempered. The two eldest were vain of their wealth and position. They gave themselves a thousand airs, and refused to visit other merchants' daughters; nor would they condescend to be seen except with persons of quality. They went every day to balls, plays, and public walks, and always made game of their youngest sister for spending her time in reading or other useful employments. As it was well known that these young ladies would have large fortunes, many great merchants wished to get them for wives; but the two eldest always answered, that, for their parts, they had no thoughts of marrying any one below a duke or an earl at least. Beauty had quite as many offers as her sisters, but she always answered, with the greatest civility, that though she was much obliged to her lovers, she would rather live some years longer with her father, as she thought herself too young to marry.

It happened that, by some unlucky accident, the merchant suddenly lost all his fortune, and had nothing left but a small cottage in the country. Upon this he said to his daughters, while the tears ran down his cheeks, "My children, we must now go and dwell in the cottage, and try to get a living by labour, for we have no other means of support." The two eldest replied that they did not know how to work, and would not leave town; for they had lovers enough who would be glad to marry them, though they had no longer any fortune. But in this they were mistaken; for when the lovers heard what had happened, they said, "The girls were so proud and ill-tempered, that all we wanted was their fortune: we are not sorry at all to see their pride brought down: let them show off their airs to their cows and sheep." But everybody pitied poor Beauty, because she was so sweet-tempered and kind to all, and several gentlemen offered to marry her, though she had not a penny; but Beauty still refused, and said she could not think of leaving her poor father in this trouble. At first Beauty could not help sometimes crying in secret for the hardships she was now obliged to suffer; but in a very short time she said to herself, "All the crying in the world will do me no good, so I will try to be happy without a fortune."

Red sandalwood, vanilla, rosewood, osmanthus, and white peach.

In the vial, I can actually smell some of the slight bitterness I usually associate with fresh roses, for some reason. Probably from the peach. Color, peach!

Wet on my skin, it's very light. Vanilla, peach, and rosewood come out most. I quite like this. It's a lot more feminine than I would normally go for, but has a depth that makes it not too girly.

10-15 minute drydown - Odd. Now it's smells very *green*, like freshly cut greenery or flowers. Almost like ivy or muguet, but without the cloying quality.

1 hour drydown - I'm not sure if I like this one or not... It's got a very *perfumey* quality that I'm having a hard time dealing with. Might have to try this one more than once.

*****

Loup Garou - The wild, untamed essence of lycanthropy. Primeval in its raw power and insatiable hunger: juniper, cypress and galangal with the barest touch of eucalyptus.

In the vial, it smells like freshly cut wood. Very pleasant smell, in my opinion. Color, very light yellow-white.

Wet on my skin, I think there's a little more juniper than I'd like in this blend. All I can smell is GIN. Maybe that will calm down on the drydown.

10-15 minute drydown - Lol... I smell like I rubbed against a pine tree. Very faint, but quite pleasant. Kinda like I've been on a hike or something.

*****

Clemence - Patchouli, Kashmiri tea, cardamom, black pepper, carnation, and clove.

In the vial, it smells oddly almost edible. Must be the spices. It reminds me of something I'd find on a plate at an SCA feast. Color, carnation red.

Wet on my skin, I'm taking a chance. I didn't realize this one had carnation in it until just now. Here goes nothing. At first I'm getting nothing but a faintly spiced tea. Not unpleasant, but not really what I'm looking for in a perfume.

10-15 minute drydown - Now it smells like bittersweet chocolate that's gone somewhat *off* and it's kind of making my head hurt.

*****

Cytherea - White sandalwood, patchouli, white amber, orris, bourbon vanilla, champaca flower, and kush.

In the vial, it smells like dishwashing liquid! Color, for some reason, day glow orange.

Wet on my skin, I'm getting a lot of amber, orris, and bourbon vanilla. Not bad, so far.

10-15 minute drydown - *gag* Flowers... too many flowers.... I would have thought the patchouli and sandalwood would have toned down the flowers but noooooo. The kush, vanilla orchid, champaca flower, and orris(iris) just overpower. Erk.

Random Smellies Notes

Good Judy - B - In the vial, sweet and fruity. Maybe lotus or plum, something like that. Almost bubblegummy.

Wet on my skin, well there's a floral in there of some sort, but I can't place it. Smells just generically 'perfumey'.


*****


Arcana - Holy Terror - There are utterly somber and fearsome spirits which are known to haunt certain long-deserted chapels, monasteries and abbeys. An unsettling, austere blend of burning frankincense, sandalwood, deep myrrh, and dusty beeswax candles.

In the vial, it's nice but I don't know that Arcana's frankincense and myrrh notes are going to play any nicer than BPAL's... Color - gold.

Wet on my skin, mmm. Very nice. Actually, I quite like this. It's a sweet myrrh, so it doesn't overpower and the frankincense is a little less strong. I can see actually buying a bottle of this one.


*****


Possets - Lamp Black - A sophisticated but lilting interpretation of the sable hue. Lamp black is the most dark type of black and yet it is easy to use as a mixer for other colors. Somber and bit volatile, black tea haunts the other members of the mix, some surprising and some expected. I would classify this one as spicy and somewhat perfumy, like air which has been annealed by heat. Very sexy.

In the vial, it smells like nothing so much as extremely strong black tea. Color, black!

Wet on my skin, I'm smelling black tea and cinnamon. This would be really nice to layer with BPAL's Plunder, I'm thinking.

1 hour drydown - Still smells like tea and cinnamon... I'm liking this a lot. I might have to order a bottle.

*****

Aquolina - Pink Sugar - Stylish and lively, with a distinctive personality, Pink Sugar takes you on a journey through the pleasures and flavors of childhood with a playful blend of vanilla and caramel.

Notes:
Bergamot, Sicilian Orange, Raspberry, Fig Leaves, Lily of the Valley, Licorice, Strawberry, Red Fruit, Cotton Candy, Vanilla, Caramel, Musk, Wood, Powder.

AAAAck. Hork. Ok, no. No lily and vanilla and licorice and caramel and nasty. GET. IT. OFF. OF. ME. NOW.

BPAL sniffing notes 44 - Arcana, Ded Moroz, Mr. Ibis

Ded Moroz - Grandfather Frost! Accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, he bestows gifts to virtuous and hard-working people, rewarding their decency and integrity, and punishes those who are lazy, shiftless, and unkind, killing their fields with frost, cracking the trunks of their trees, and destroying their homes.

The first incarnation of Father Frost was not at all benevolent. He was the personification of the darkest aspects of winter, winter's destruction incarnate. He kidnapped unruly children, and slew people capriciously by freezing them to death.

Light, darkness, kindness, and malice: golden amber, white amber, redwood, teak, bois du rose, sage, tree moss, and snow.

In the vial, amber and mint... very cold mint. Reminds me of a refresher spray I have that makes my skin tingle when I use it. Color, white.

Wet on my skin, tee hee! It tingles, just like the spray! Very minty. Smells nice, but I don't see where I'd wear it as a perfume. Although, Ded Moroz is the mint that I was looking for in Nuclear Winter.

10-15 minute drydown - Most of the mint has dried off so I'm getting amber, moss, and sage with a hint of the coldness from the snow. Very nice.

Note - I can't really see myself wearing this as a perfume because I can't get the thought of FEET! out of my head long enough to really enjoy it. :-)

*****

Arcana - The essence of magickal enigmas and long-forgotten esoteric mysteries. Frankincense, rosemary, lavender, neroli, and verbena.

Note - after yesterday's debacle with Titus Andronicus, I'm not even going to take the tape off of this imp, much less try and put it on my skin, no matter how much I love verbena, lavender, and rosemary. Frankincense and neroli together on my skin equal rancid feet.

*****

Mr. Ibis - The smoke stung Shadow's eyes. He wiped the tears away with his hand, and, through the smoke, he thought he saw a tall man in a suit, with gold-rimmed spectacles. The smoke cleared and the boatman was once more a half-human creature with the head of a river bird.

Papyrus, vanilla flower, Egyptian musk, African musk, aloe ferox, white sandalwood.

In the vial, unf. That's all I need say. I'm in love. I'd forgotten how much I adore Egyptian musk until someone sent me this empty. Color, cream.

Wet on my skin, it's Egyptian musk and papyrus and sharp, clean aloe. I could *bathe* in this. As a matter of fact, if I had more, I would.

10-15 minute drydown - It's all beautiful Egyptian musk and reeds and that slightly sharp aloe and I love it.

1 hour drydown - No change, I still can't stop huffing my wrists. :-)

Note - this has an insanely long wear on me... 12 hours later, I can still smell it.

BPAL sniffing notes 43 - Roux-Ga-Roux, Titus Andronicus, Libertine, Faunalia

Roux-Ga-Roux - Just in time for Lent, cher! A native of Louisiana, this Cajun lycanthrope stalks the swamps, forests, and fields of Acadiana and New Orleans in search of prey. It is believed that if one breaks Lent by failing to give alms, fast, or pray for seven years in a row, she will be God-cursed, and will transform into this snarling beast at every sunset, a slave to her desperate, mindless hunger until dawn. Spanish moss, swamp jessamine, bog water, cypress, hickory wood, lobelia, sweet flag, wisteria, and marsh milkweed.

In the vial, it's a bit bitter but it's a floral bitter. Not what I expected. Color wise, it's very green. Mossy green.

Wet on my skin, cypress and wisteria jump out. It's much more floral than I'd thought. It's almost got a cologne-ish smell to it, too. Very pleasant, but I don't know that it's *me*.

10-15 minute drydown - Much softer now... almost musky. The aquatic quality it had wet is all but gone now. If this one wasn't so hard to find, I might actually consider looking for a bottle. Definitely keeping the imp, though.

1 hour drydown - I spoke too soon. Something smells like violets. Violets and myrrh. Overpowering and it's making my head hurt.

*****

Faunalia - Held on December 5th, this is the festival of the Horned God of the Forest, one of the di indigetes of Rome, god of cattle, fertility, wild, untamed nature, and prophecy through dreams. The scent of a thick, starlit, unspoiled forest, with a burst of wild musk, opobalsamum, black bryony, mandragora, and hemlock.

In the vial, it's very musky and resinous, even sharp. Color, maple syrup brown.

Wet on my skin, that'll clear your sinuses! Smells more like Vicks Vaporub than perfume. Maybe a few minutes to calm down will work.

10-15 minute drydown - Mmmm... It's that resinous smell that you get from a real christmas tree when it's been up for a few days... green, but not too sharp. Reminds me of rosemary. I could happily curl up in this one. It's an 'all by myself' scent, though.

Note - I think I like Temple of Dreams better, though.


*****

Titus Andronicus - Dark musk and black amber with frankincense, red sandalwood, neroli and bergamot.

In the vial, bergamot and frankincense are in the forefront, with a little of the sandalwood noticeable and some of the musk on the underside. Colorwise, it's a distinct gold.

Wet on my skin, frankincense and neroli... uhoh. I'll give it 10 minutes and then it's coming off.

10 minute drydown - It smells like rancid feet.

*****

Libertine - Like a puffed and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads.

Rosewood and chamomile with bergamot, violet, red sandalwood, primrose and Arabian musk.

In the vial, I'm getting chamomile, bergamot, and rosewood. Not unpleasant. Colorwise, I'm getting blonde wood.

Wet on my skin, here's hoping the violet doesn't go haywire. Chamomile and violet with a little bit of rosewood and bergamot... not a good sign.

10-15 minute drydown - VIOLET, chamomile, and rosewood are a very pretty combination. However, I won't be wearing them. They make my head hurt.