Day 1148 – BPAL’s Lenus Mars

Tags

Ambergris, BPAL, chamomile, In Memoriam, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2015, Lupercalia 2015: Ode to Mars, Musk, Ode to Mars, Roman chamomile, white musk

Since Lupercalia scents just dropped on Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, I thought I’d go through my older, un-reviewed Lupercalia scents while I wait for my new order to arrive.

Scent Name: Lenus Mars

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – In Memoriam: Lupercalia 2015: Ode to Mars

Scent Description and Notes: “Mars the Healer

Roman chamomile, white musk, and ambergris.” –bpal.org

Oil Color:  Colorless.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard imp from Absinthetics.  It features the name of the scent, the notes, and the decanting information on the back, and the image of the bottle on the front. The image of a decently muscular male posing in nude, his hands behind his lower back, thrusting forward his nether-regions.

• ITI: Soft yet forcefully quieting, the Roman chamomile dominates the scent while just a sliver of the sweet ambergris is allowed to beak from beneath chamomile’s folds.
• Wet: The chamomile has taken over, turning the scent on my skin to herbal lozenges. The white musk is sharp and attacks my nostrils – not pleasant, but I have hope that the ambergris will help settle all the hash herbal tones in the dry phase.
• Dry: As expected, the ambergris is this scent’s savior.  Now, it’s  a soft, almost floral amalgamation of ambergris and white musk (no longer sharp, but gentle and almost powdery).  There’s a touch of chamomile underneath, but not overly herbal or overpowering.  Much improved!

Other Impressions: None

Advertisements

Day 1018 – BPAL’s Prosperous Flowers of the Elegant Twelve Seasons

Tags

BPAL, honey, labdanum, Leather, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2015, patchouli, saffron, Shunga, vanilla, wood vanilla

Scent Name: Prosperous Flowers of the Elegant Twelve Seasons

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2015: Shunga

Scent Description and Notes: “Patchouli and honeyed saffron with labdanum, leather accord, and wood vanilla.” –  http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/lupercalia-2015/prosperous-flowers-elegant-twelve-seasons/

Oil Color: I used all the oil before I looked, so no review of color for this one either.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard vial / imp size (1/32 oz). This is a decant from Absinthetics.  On the back, she has the notes of the scent, the name of the scent in orange bold font, and her decanting information in green.  The font of the label features the same label art as the bottle, which is a shunga print of a woman engaged in coitus with a cat-masked man under the cover of kimono while another woman gazes down in surprise at them.

Scent: 

• ITI: Hmm, the scent is warmer, in a cozy cabin way, than I hand anticipated.  The spicy patchouli is softened by the vanilla, made rounder by the saffron.  The leather accord note is that of aged but well-tended brown leather, the likes of a grandparent’s beloved sofa.
• Wet: The leather is more pronounced once it hits my skin, but the combination of vanilla, saffron, honey, and patchouli is still gloriously warm and comforting.  I can detect the labdanum as well here, curling faintly between the leather and other notes, added depth and just a little intrigue.
• Dry:  Sweet, honeyed  saffron, delicious woodsy vanilla, and a touch of faint patchouli remain after 6 hours.  Oh, this is beautiful!

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1017 – BPAL’s Serving Tea After Coitus

Tags

Ambergris, ambergris accord, BPAL, green tea, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2015, plum, Shunga, tea, vanilla, vanilla flower, white plum

Scent Name: Serving Tea After Coitus

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2015: Shunga

Scent Description and Notes: “Green tea, heady honey, white plum, ambergris accord, and vanilla flower.” –  http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/lupercalia-2015/serving-tea-coitus/ 

Oil Color: I’m honestly not sure where my bottle went, so no impression of oil color will be had until I buy a bottle of this.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard vial / imp size (1/32 oz). This is a decant from Absinthetics.  On the back, she has the notes of the scent, the name of the scent in orange bold font, and her decanting information in green.  The font of the label features the same label art as the bottle, which is a shunga print of a man emerging from a shared bed to pour tea after coitus.

Scent: 

• ITI: Powdery, but pleasantly so like Lush’s Silky Underwear dusting powder.  There’s a slight soapiness to this from the plum, but the dusting of honey powder and green tea keep the scent well balanced and appealing.
• Wet: The green tea and white plum are a touch more evident when it touches my skin.  Strengthening as it dries, the vanilla flower and ambergris accord work together to create a faint lady-like musky perfume.
• Dry:  The Combination of vanilla and green tea take on a lotion tone as it tries.  It’s slightly sweetened with the soapy, clean plum.  I’m surprised I like this, honestly.  It’s pleasant, lady-like, and understated.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1016 – BPAL’s Comparisons of Celebrated Beauties

Tags

almond, almond blossom, BPAL, champagne, limited edition, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2015, mimosa, orange juice, Shunga, vanilla, vanilla cream

Scent Name:  Comparisons of Celebrated Beauties

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2015: Shunga

Scent Description and Notes: “Vanilla cream, mimosa, and almond blossom.”  –bpal.org

Oil Color: A goldenrod oil.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard vial / imp size (1/32 oz). This is a decant from Absinthetics.  On the back, she has the notes of the scent, the name of the scent in orange bold font, and her decanting information in green.  The font of the label features the same label art as the bottle, which is a shunga print of three women in kimono gathered around a scroll and a mirror.

Scent: 

• ITI: I get vanilla cream, that smells almost like marzipan to me (a note I loathe) when paired with the almond blossom. The mimosa is there, but it isn’t as strong or as vibrant as I’d like.  It’s like the impression of a mimosa smothered in creamy pastries.
• Wet: I’m a bit disappointed, honestly. The scent is  sickly sweet initially, almost like children’s medicine. I think it might be the mimosa paired with the clear almond blossom and ooey, gooey vanilla.  I hope it mellows out.
• Dry:  The vanilla goo note and almond marzipan-tinged note are still present over the faint mimosa some 6 hours later.  Sadly, it’s just too cloying for my taste.

Other Impressions: None.

Day 1006 – BPAL’s Startled Toad

Tags

aged patchouli, Amber, BPAL, carnation, coconut, Frankincense, golden amber, lemongrass, lupercalia, Lupercalia 2015, patchouli, Shunga, vanilla

Scent Name:  Startled Toad

Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Lupercalia 2015: Shunga

Scent Description and Notes: “Golden amber and coconut with frankincense, frothy vanilla, carnation, sweet aged patchouli, and lemongrass.“ –bpal.org

Oil Color: A Lovely tamarind color.

Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard vial / imp size (1/32 oz). This is a decant from Absinthetics.  On the back, she has the notes of the scent, the name of the scent in orange bold font, and her decanting information in green.  The font of the label features the same label art as the bottle, which is a spotted toad looking rather bemused at the phallic serpent descending from the tree near the toad.

Scent: 

• ITI: Ooh, it’s perfume-y and floral, with a pleasant baby oil undertone and slightly spiciness of carnation swaddled in frankincense.
• Wet: It’s warm and sweet on my skin – the notes of coconut, amber, full but slightly waxy vanilla, faint frankincense, and a touch of delightful lemongrass waft up to greet my nose. Very pleasant.
  
• Dry:  Thankfully, the waxiness of the vanilla dissipates completely under the pointed carnation, spicy patchouli, and warm sandalwood. While it doesn’t have much throw it it, it is rather provocative.  I’m tempted to add this to my buy list. 

Other Impressions: None.