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gogmagogOK, a set of BPAL imps I ordered like two weeks ago finally came yesterday - so, without further ado...
DEE
John Dee: master of science, alchemy and magic, Hermetic philosopher in the schools of Rosicrucian Christian Mysticism and Platonic-Pythagorean doctrine, and Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer, advisor, cryptologist and spy. With Edward Kelly, he created a field of study and work in Angelic Evocation, and isolated the Angelic language: Enochian. His scent is soft English leather, rosewood and tonka with a hint of incense, parchment and soft woods.
In the bottle: A vaguely minty musk with a tad of sweetness.
Wet: Wow, a leather scent that actually smells like leather on me! There's also a definite woody scent, but there's also a cool scent (that's not mint or eucalyptus, but shares a certain feel with them) that keeps it feeling fresh. (Now that I think about it, it just might be the cool scent from Jolly Roger.) It quickly all blends into a smell that's hard to describe - it's not really musky (though it is oh-so-slightly incensy), but though it's not ZOMG MANLY MAN it's definitely masculine, and very nice.
Dry: It turns a little spicy-sweet (like everything does on me), but still essentially the same very nice scent that I can't identify the exact notes to but still like very much. It really does kind of bring an English gentleman's library to mind, with a hint of sweet pipe smoke and big leather easy chairs and an old polished wood desk, but the incense gives it the faint hint of the occult that it needs to suit John Dee. (Which it does, very well - I certainly don't like the scent any less given that it's named after one of the more fascinating figures of the Elizabethan era. XD)
Verdict: Mmm, definitely a keeper (despite the fact that it turns to pure incense after a few hours, the time before is totally worth it). In fact, I had enough of a feeling that I was going to like this that I ordered a 5ml of it in my last order, and now I just hope my imp lasts me until I receive said order over Christmas Break. XD
VILLAIN
A classic Victorian men's cologne: a lavender fougere, with hints of lilac, lime, and citrus musk.
In the bottle: Kind of a spicy citrus.
Wet: Lavender with a hint of lilac, and a strong lime undercurrent which zings it up and makes it less floral and powdery. It smells very cultured and refined, kind of like it should be worn with full evening dress (including tailcoat, natch). It smells heavenly, and surprisingly gender neutral.
Dry: It warms up a bit, and I realize that before it seemed cold and slightly sterile, whereas now it smells wonderful and tartly sweet. It also gets a little less formal, which is good because I rarely wear black-tie. XD
Sadly, though, it fades very fast - like, in 2 hours it's pretty much gone. But it's easy to refresh it, and really those two hours are totally worth it.
Verdict: Holy crap, yes. This is definitely a 5ml purchase (or hell, 10ml even, given how often it may have to be reapplied) in my December order. (Well, technically it'll probably be the last few days of November, so that I can get some of the Limited Edition oils that are only up till December 1st.)
SNAKE OIL
By far, our most popular scent! Magnetic, mysterious, and exceedingly sexual in nature. A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.
In the bottle: Spices and vanilla. Also, not scent-related, but it's quite a bit thicker than any of the other BPAL oils I've tried.
Wet: A bit smoky, but the vanilla cuts the smoke's bitterness quite a bit. I think the smoke note is the same one that killed De Sade for me, but it's much more understated and bearable here. While it gets smokier for a while, then it kind of fades back.
Dry: It's nice, but that smoky undertone keeps fading in and out. When it ebbs, it's faint enough so that it doesn't really detract from the spicy-incense-and-vanilla scent, which I like. But then it comes in and while the bitter smoky scent doesn't completely overtake it, it does make it less pleasant.
Verdict: Nice, but not really a ZOMG MUST GET BOTTLE scent for me. I'll probably use up the rest of the imp eventually though.
ANTONY
The embodiment of Classic masculinity. A warrior's scent: the green hills and grasses of the battlefields, the resinous incense from the prayers to his Gods, and a touch of the musky leather of his armor. Ambergris and frankincense with sage, and basil.
In the bottle: Fresh and kind of floral-smelling, oddly enough. O_o
Wet: Ooh, a nice and cool scent not unlike Jolly Roger. It has a bit more minty or eucalyptus-y type of cool though. I swear to God, though, it smells basically like a slightly herbier Jolly Roger.
Dry: It warms up a bit - I think it's the "resinous incense" coming out. It still smells like seaspray, but there's kind of a warm golden undertone to it (maybe the ambergris?). It also has quite nice throw - I just dabbed a very little bit on the back of my hand and I'm still getting whiffs of it an hour later.
Verdict: Well, I already have a 5ml on order so I'm glad I like it. XD
But now I'm torn - which do I like better, Jolly Roger or Antony? They're so similar~~
BLACK OPAL
A play of geological darkness and jagged brilliance. Soft and luminescent with flashes of black fire.
In the bottle: Not much actually, maybe a bit of baby powder? It's very faint, actually.
Wet: It's hard to describe, but it kind of smells like when as a tiny kid I'd lie in bed with my mom and listen to classical music. Not sure why, exactly - it's still smelling a bit baby powder-ish, but there's a faint hint of floral and perhaps a bit of paper? It smells like a perfumed letter, actually, now that I think about it. It's still pretty faint.
Dry: Pretty much unchanged from wet. Interestingly enough, though, I get different whiffs depending on where I sniff - around the edges of where I dabbed it's much more vanilla-y, while in the center I got powder-scented letter.
Verdict: Eh, the scent's really not me but it's barely smellable anyway - I may take it home and give it to my mom over the break. (Opal is her birthstone, so she may like it.)
Yay, this was totally the response I wanted. XD
Why were the Millennium Falcon and Bebop crews so low though? And why in God's name did the Nebuchadnezzar crew tie with the Serenity crew for first? I'M NOT PRETENTIOUSLY PHILOSOPHICAL ENOUGH FOR TEH MATRIX
Let's Positive Linking!
- Wax On Wax Hoff. If you've ever wanted to wax David Hasselhoff, now's your chance. XD
- Village People policeman on America's Most Wanted. Ouch, this lends itself to so many cracks about "Y.M.C.A."... XD
- The George W. Bush version of the infamous "falling woman" Internet phenomenon. I thought some of you might find it cathartic. (Be aware you can drag him around using the mouse as well.)
- Britney does Broadway. Okay, and I thought Christina Applegate was a low point for the role... >_<
- The Wizard of Oz as Illuminati mind control. Okay, some folks need to take off the tinfoil Tin Woodsman hat and get a serious dose of reality.
Edit: Oh, and this is probably my last LJ post till I get home, so...I'll be getting into KC late tonight (like, 11:15 at night). So, see you KC-folk soon! :D
DEE
John Dee: master of science, alchemy and magic, Hermetic philosopher in the schools of Rosicrucian Christian Mysticism and Platonic-Pythagorean doctrine, and Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer, advisor, cryptologist and spy. With Edward Kelly, he created a field of study and work in Angelic Evocation, and isolated the Angelic language: Enochian. His scent is soft English leather, rosewood and tonka with a hint of incense, parchment and soft woods.
In the bottle: A vaguely minty musk with a tad of sweetness.
Wet: Wow, a leather scent that actually smells like leather on me! There's also a definite woody scent, but there's also a cool scent (that's not mint or eucalyptus, but shares a certain feel with them) that keeps it feeling fresh. (Now that I think about it, it just might be the cool scent from Jolly Roger.) It quickly all blends into a smell that's hard to describe - it's not really musky (though it is oh-so-slightly incensy), but though it's not ZOMG MANLY MAN it's definitely masculine, and very nice.
Dry: It turns a little spicy-sweet (like everything does on me), but still essentially the same very nice scent that I can't identify the exact notes to but still like very much. It really does kind of bring an English gentleman's library to mind, with a hint of sweet pipe smoke and big leather easy chairs and an old polished wood desk, but the incense gives it the faint hint of the occult that it needs to suit John Dee. (Which it does, very well - I certainly don't like the scent any less given that it's named after one of the more fascinating figures of the Elizabethan era. XD)
Verdict: Mmm, definitely a keeper (despite the fact that it turns to pure incense after a few hours, the time before is totally worth it). In fact, I had enough of a feeling that I was going to like this that I ordered a 5ml of it in my last order, and now I just hope my imp lasts me until I receive said order over Christmas Break. XD
VILLAIN
A classic Victorian men's cologne: a lavender fougere, with hints of lilac, lime, and citrus musk.
In the bottle: Kind of a spicy citrus.
Wet: Lavender with a hint of lilac, and a strong lime undercurrent which zings it up and makes it less floral and powdery. It smells very cultured and refined, kind of like it should be worn with full evening dress (including tailcoat, natch). It smells heavenly, and surprisingly gender neutral.
Dry: It warms up a bit, and I realize that before it seemed cold and slightly sterile, whereas now it smells wonderful and tartly sweet. It also gets a little less formal, which is good because I rarely wear black-tie. XD
Sadly, though, it fades very fast - like, in 2 hours it's pretty much gone. But it's easy to refresh it, and really those two hours are totally worth it.
Verdict: Holy crap, yes. This is definitely a 5ml purchase (or hell, 10ml even, given how often it may have to be reapplied) in my December order. (Well, technically it'll probably be the last few days of November, so that I can get some of the Limited Edition oils that are only up till December 1st.)
SNAKE OIL
By far, our most popular scent! Magnetic, mysterious, and exceedingly sexual in nature. A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.
In the bottle: Spices and vanilla. Also, not scent-related, but it's quite a bit thicker than any of the other BPAL oils I've tried.
Wet: A bit smoky, but the vanilla cuts the smoke's bitterness quite a bit. I think the smoke note is the same one that killed De Sade for me, but it's much more understated and bearable here. While it gets smokier for a while, then it kind of fades back.
Dry: It's nice, but that smoky undertone keeps fading in and out. When it ebbs, it's faint enough so that it doesn't really detract from the spicy-incense-and-vanilla scent, which I like. But then it comes in and while the bitter smoky scent doesn't completely overtake it, it does make it less pleasant.
Verdict: Nice, but not really a ZOMG MUST GET BOTTLE scent for me. I'll probably use up the rest of the imp eventually though.
ANTONY
The embodiment of Classic masculinity. A warrior's scent: the green hills and grasses of the battlefields, the resinous incense from the prayers to his Gods, and a touch of the musky leather of his armor. Ambergris and frankincense with sage, and basil.
In the bottle: Fresh and kind of floral-smelling, oddly enough. O_o
Wet: Ooh, a nice and cool scent not unlike Jolly Roger. It has a bit more minty or eucalyptus-y type of cool though. I swear to God, though, it smells basically like a slightly herbier Jolly Roger.
Dry: It warms up a bit - I think it's the "resinous incense" coming out. It still smells like seaspray, but there's kind of a warm golden undertone to it (maybe the ambergris?). It also has quite nice throw - I just dabbed a very little bit on the back of my hand and I'm still getting whiffs of it an hour later.
Verdict: Well, I already have a 5ml on order so I'm glad I like it. XD
But now I'm torn - which do I like better, Jolly Roger or Antony? They're so similar~~
BLACK OPAL
A play of geological darkness and jagged brilliance. Soft and luminescent with flashes of black fire.
In the bottle: Not much actually, maybe a bit of baby powder? It's very faint, actually.
Wet: It's hard to describe, but it kind of smells like when as a tiny kid I'd lie in bed with my mom and listen to classical music. Not sure why, exactly - it's still smelling a bit baby powder-ish, but there's a faint hint of floral and perhaps a bit of paper? It smells like a perfumed letter, actually, now that I think about it. It's still pretty faint.
Dry: Pretty much unchanged from wet. Interestingly enough, though, I get different whiffs depending on where I sniff - around the edges of where I dabbed it's much more vanilla-y, while in the center I got powder-scented letter.
Verdict: Eh, the scent's really not me but it's barely smellable anyway - I may take it home and give it to my mom over the break. (Opal is her birthstone, so she may like it.)
 | You scored as Serenity (from Firefly). You like to live your own way and do not enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you that you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you.
Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com |
Yay, this was totally the response I wanted. XD
Why were the Millennium Falcon and Bebop crews so low though? And why in God's name did the Nebuchadnezzar crew tie with the Serenity crew for first? I'M NOT PRETENTIOUSLY PHILOSOPHICAL ENOUGH FOR TEH MATRIX
Let's Positive Linking!
- Wax On Wax Hoff. If you've ever wanted to wax David Hasselhoff, now's your chance. XD
- Village People policeman on America's Most Wanted. Ouch, this lends itself to so many cracks about "Y.M.C.A."... XD
- The George W. Bush version of the infamous "falling woman" Internet phenomenon. I thought some of you might find it cathartic. (Be aware you can drag him around using the mouse as well.)
- Britney does Broadway. Okay, and I thought Christina Applegate was a low point for the role... >_<
- The Wizard of Oz as Illuminati mind control. Okay, some folks need to take off the tinfoil Tin Woodsman hat and get a serious dose of reality.
Edit: Oh, and this is probably my last LJ post till I get home, so...I'll be getting into KC late tonight (like, 11:15 at night). So, see you KC-folk soon! :D
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-19 05:53 pm (UTC)Snake Oil's one of my faves. I guess it really likes my body chemistry, because it doesn't go bitter-smoky on me at all.
Man, I want to try half of the ones you reviewed now~ speaking of which, I had this stupid dream the other night that I got an invitation to a BPAL "sniffing party." I wish that were possible. :O
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-19 06:03 pm (UTC)But I think ~2 months is standard for BPAL orders.
Oh, and there totally are BPAL sniffing parties, I hear - maybe there's one up in your neck of the woods? (They'd probably have it listed on the forums (http://www.bpal.org).)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-20 01:11 am (UTC)Oh, and you're probably right about the sniff parties... but I wasn't too clear there. I really meant "wish that were possible" in a "wish I weren't in advanced social phobia mode 24/7" way. XD;; If that makes sense. (I'd go to a sniff-party with LJ friends though!
If you sedated me first!)(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-19 06:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-19 10:40 pm (UTC)While you're home for break, we should meet somewhere and I'll let you sniff everything I've got at the moment. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-21 10:17 pm (UTC)And I'd love to meet you for a meet-and-sniff! ...except that most of my week is already spoken for by family, friends, etc. :( But maybe we can do it when I come home for Christmas vacation, since I'll be here for much longer then (because aside from my CO trip over New Year's, I'll be here in KC for a good three weeks).
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-20 01:21 pm (UTC)Granted, I don't like Britney's music and think she's a VERY weak vocalist, she is an excellent stage performer who knows how to work a crowd, and when doing theater/theatre that's important.
On the other hand, yes, it does suck for legitimate stage actors who are barely scraping by that some celeb gets a break like this and they're given squat, but Broadway is like that. It's all about the glitz, glamour, money, and crowd draw and popular celebs draw all those things. Hence why many theater/theatre actors and fans prefer off-Broadway stuff since that's the heart of the scene.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-21 10:13 pm (UTC)