Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Jabberwocky
BerryDelicious 8/14/2006 8:28:00 AM
Mad Tea Party ~ An earthy yet buoyant scent: pine, eucalyptus and orange. (Gender neutral)
So bright and head-clearing! Just what you need when you have a cold or feeling washed out in general. This is not a perfume for me, but pure aromatherapy (though all perfume is kind of aromatherapy to me!) Jabberwocky is wonderful to just apply and rub between my hands and inhale, long and deep.
When applied as I would a perfume, to test it, my skin felt very cold and stayed that way, it feels very odd - another reason I think I’d just prefer to rub it between my palms. Eucalyptus is the strongest note by far: jumps up and smacks me in the face. Pine is not far behind. Fifteen minutes later, I’m wondering if I’ve spilt orange juice on myself. I sniff my hand and the orange is definitely coming out, the eucalypt has faded somewhat, but the chilling pine is still there, though softer now, and keeps the orange company as it starts to fade away.
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Shill
BerryDelicious 8/14/2006 7:44:00 AM
Limited Edition ~ Carnaval Noir ~ Gloriously innocent and guileless: pure buttered popcorn!
Shill has two moods on me:
1. Sweet, salty, melty, buttered popcorn. Fabulous!!! Amazingly true. How did Beth capture this? It’s SO. freaking. GOOD!!! Tongue tingly mouth watering…hand to nose de-freaking-licious!
2. Strong, bitter butter. As it dries down, a bit of slightly burnt caramel popcorn, and then... almost woody!
Interesting. I don’t really want to smell like popcorn, but it is so wonderful to have a decant of this, as it really is the closest thing I've smelt to popcorn, in either mood, and I especially like it when my nose takes me No. 1.
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Drink Me
BerryDelicious 8/14/2006 7:12:00 AM
Mad Tea Party ~ ... However, this bottle was not marked `poison,' so Alice ventured to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort of mixed flavour of cherry-tart, custard, pine-apple, roast turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast,) she very soon finished it off.
In the Imp: Cherry and pumpkin pie? Definitely edible. Hmmm, maybe some toffee.
On: Cherry gone bye bye and I’m getting a load of buttery liquid caramel and sweet apple/pumpkin pie, but no spices. As it dries down there’s a baked/toasted/pastry note, but not too baked…mmmm, oh yes, like, like…a sweet caramel custard soaked crust or sugared butter melted over toast, or…that’s it! Pineapple upside-down cake! Drizzled with caramel sauce and a couple of maraschino cherries plopped on top! It’s all that and it’s all good, with a soft caramel dry-down. yum
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Ochosi
BerryDelicious 8/14/2006 1:56:00 AM
Excolo ~ His ofrenda is the soft shea he shares with Obatala, forest herbs, and sprucewood arrow shafts.
Ochosi does share some of the lovely shea that Obatala has, but the herbs and an overriding fruitiness mostly covers it. It’s really strong and unexpectedly fruity sweet first on, and kinds of gets stuck in my throat. I can’t really pick the fruit or the herbs, except to say that the fruits have the barest tropical feel and the herbs are really soft, and not spicy or woody. The shea comes out a little more on the dry-down, and the fruity herbalness fades a little into the background. I prefer this stage, which is also a little aquatic and the watery aspect reminds me just a touch of Ulalume, but without the dirt and with creaminess. Final dry-down though, has a slight plasticky aspect. I agree with the some of the other reviewers on the BPAL forum that Ochosi is like/would be good as, a shampoo. Overall, it is nice, but doesn’t thrill me, and for the shea scent, Obatala with its coconut meat is the one for me.
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Eat Me
BerryDelicious 8/13/2006 6:48:00 AM
Mad Tea Party ~ Three white cakes, vanilla, and red and black currants.
I am dumbfounded by the deliciousness of Eat Me. It’s a most tasty treat, which I found myself ordering a 5ml of a week after trying it. I usually dither much longer, even when I love something, but something about this just grabbed me. The first time I tried it I was a little ho hum, it just seemed a general sweetness…but the second time, all the notes just went, “pow”!
In the imp, I could smell fruity cupcakes, which was nice, but once on, mouthwatering goodness: rich vanilla cake, but in a dry, sweet way, with ultra tart and ripe currants, that have a touch of musk about them. It’s one of the truest vanilla cake scents I’ve smelt, albeit with a very healthy dose of currants! And the sillage is wonderful. I was walking about the office the day I first tried it, and I kept catching it, floating about me, the most gorgeous curranty vanilla: gourmand and very sweet, but it didn’t overwhelm me. Wonderful!
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Obatala
BerryDelicious 8/13/2006 6:02:00 AM
Excolo ~ ...soft, white and pure: milk, coconut meat, shea butter and cool, refreshing water.
Oh…this is very good. When I first read the description for Obatala, I knew I had to try it. I’ve been searching for a lighter coconut scent and hoped that this would be the one. The “cool, refreshing water” note especially got me, water that I hoped would be captured by a feel of pureness and freshness and lightness, and I imagined a cool, trickling stream of water, somewhere on a remote, tropical island…and yes! Obatala has that note, the most beautiful fresh, watery note I’ve smelt, it really does smell of coconut meat, shea butter and water, like a stream of coconut water, clear and pure. I sometimes also get the barest hint of toffee and suntan oil, but it’s all very, very light. The coconut does go a little darker on the dry-down, but still, Obatala is just beautiful, so much so I had to order a 5ml, which I can’t wait to wear in the summer-time!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Salome
BerryDelicious 6/23/2006 9:43:00 AM
Love Potions ~ A scent that is both coquettish and sinister. Exotic and lush, brimming with grace and viciousness: almond with star jasmine, oakmoss, red sandalwood and Egyptian musk.
There’s not much I can say about this one except that it got me hot and bothered. Very much so.
Ok, I’ll try a bit harder, Salomé is an earthy jasmine incense with a hint of cherry almond. Lush and rich, the almond, oakmoss and jasmine make it feel all warm and loamy. And there’s something spicy, like very soft cinnamon bark and clove, but I’m not sure. Either way, it all amounts to very warm, spicy skin, which really tickles my fancy. After a half hour or so, a gorgeous musk starts to emerge, making it even tastier.
Despite the reaction I had to this, I don’t find myself wearing it all that often, but I love my Imp and definitely pull it out for a little wearing from time to time.
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Jolly Roger
BerryDelicious 6/23/2006 9:01:00 AM
Bewitching Brews ~ Sea spray with an undercurrent of leather, Bay Rum, and salty, dry woods.
Smelling from the Imp, I felt the whoosh of a strong sea breeze, salt in the air, white foamy waves…this is ultra fresh, sea spray for sure!
On: Whoa! I don’t need much, just a very wee dab. This is a very clean pirate. Mr Roger took a bath with a very strong, harsh soap, splashed on a little warm and spicy Bay Rum aftershave, and now he’s standing outside on the creaky wooden deck in his salt encrusted leather boots. The spray, leather, Bay Rum, salt and dry woods…I can smell them all. But don’t get too close to Mr Roger, he couldn’t get completely clean. All these notes combine after being on for 15 or so minutes into a scent that’s incredibly strong and just a little repulsive on me, it no longer smells fresh clean, but not dirty either, just kind of a masked clean with an odd rounded note…nup, I can’t do this one.
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Fragrances -Dawn Spencer Hurwitz - Strawberry
BerryDelicious 6/23/2006 7:58:00 AM
A very syrupy, sweet strawberry, like the ones you get in the can, but as it dries down, there’s a hint of green from the vine which makes it a little fresher and more like super-ripe fresh berries that are ready to eat. I agree with lilacterp below, this is a lovely, straight, sweet strawberry note to wear on its own or, and I prefer it this way: it’s divine with vanilla or milk notes, like DSH Au Lait or Arcana Soap’s single notes of Sweet Milk or even Apricot.
From Essence Oils ~ A ripe, sweet berry note that is lighter than raspberry and richer than blueberry.
Top, Middle & Base notes: Strawberry
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Fragrances -Dawn Spencer Hurwitz - Heliotrope No 1
BerryDelicious 6/23/2006 7:40:00 AM
Creamy soft, airy and powdery vanilla (like a mix of Dawn’s French and Bourbon Vanillas) with a slight floral touch. There is a dry sweetness about it which makes the middle go a bit too sweet and a touch woody on me, but once it dries down, it’s lovely and soft, and a kind of sweet clean. Not one I'd buy full size, but a very nice note.
From Essence Oils ~ A sweet and powdery vanilla-like floral note
Top, Middle and Base notes: Heliotrope
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Fragrances -Dawn Spencer Hurwitz - Heliotrope No 2
BerryDelicious 6/23/2006 7:25:00 AM
A soft floral almond, with a hint of cherry to start, then it quickly becomes wheaty, raw rice and Perkins paste! A very pale scent, but it is nice; a soft, cozy, cuddly, warm skin note, lovely as a note in a fragrance, but I don't think I'd wear it alone. Reminds me a little of L'Artisan Jour de Fete and a little of BPAL Dana O'Shee. Very different from Heliotrope No. 1 which is a powdery floral vanilla.
From Essence Oils ~ Sometimes this flower is referred to as "cherry pie" due to it's light and sweet character. Our Heliotrope no.2 is the lighter and fruitier side of this flower scent, with a shyly powdery / gourmand nuance in the drydown.
Top notes: Apricot, Bitter Almond, Heliotrope
Middle notes: Heliotrope
Base notes: Heliotrope, Sandalwood, Vanilla
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Fragrances -Van Cleef & Arpels - First
BerryDelicious 6/18/2006 10:51:00 PM
A richly warm and complex floral, First is such a hidden gem for me. It evoked many images: old world French perfumeries, an older, sophisticated woman dressed in a beautiful suit, or the smell of one’s skin after emerging from a warm bath, having washed with an exquisitely scented, finely milled soap and the lightest dusting of powder. This last image was what surprised me the most. I do not like soapy fragrances. Or powdery ones for that matter. The ones I do like with those notes are few. They have to be soft notes which complement the other notes, whether they be gourmand or floral. And this is how it works in First, and exceptionally so. It has a creamy clean sort of soapiness. And it’s just so, so smooth, which makes it wonderful to wear in winter.
I find First’s notes a little difficult to define and describe, besides the words: rich, opulent, and sumptuous. Initially, it reminded me of Arpege and Chanel No. 5, but not as overpowering as those two can be on my skin. First is not overpowering on me, as long as I only spray it once. Within the top notes, I mainly notice the bergamot and a tartish blackcurrant bud. The florals are a wonderful meld, pure and light with that gently soapy and powderiness, due to being mixed with the aldehydes. I detect jasmine and a touch of dry carnation. The base notes provide the most beautiful warmth.
First gets into me…I can smell it when I turn my head, a lovely soft haze around me, like being wrapped in soft, warm cashmere.
PS: I’m guessing I must have gotten an older bottle, I fortunately note no stale or buttery smell in mine.
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Monster Bait - Underpants
BerryDelicious 4/27/2006 1:34:00 AM
Limited Edition April Fools 2006 ~ Sexy sugar-smeared saffron sandalwood over lickable vanilla cream with a splash of butter rum.
Mmmmm, caramel and rum. Tasty.
On: Niiiiiice, but strong. It’s like sandalwood on a high, I think that’s the saffron adding its spice. A little creamy vanilla underneath. And oh yeah, much buttered rum – there’s a strong whiff of alcohol there, and it’s a lil’ sharp for a while. But overall, I think at the beginning, the sillage must be caramel to others, as my girlfriend came over and said, “Mmmmm, caramel…Oooh…caramel!!!” I guess that’s a good sign!
As it dries down, it goes into a sort of woody caramel. It reminds me a bit of Dragonfly Blue Golden Oak’s sweet maple woodiness, but still with the saffron and sharp alcoholic tinge around the edges. It also reminds me of freshly perfumed underwear in wooden drawers! That boozy feel reminds me just a touch of the boozy twang in Smut, but it’s not really like Smut, which is more aggressive on me. I’m not in love with Underpants at this point, but I’m definitely liking it.
After a couple of hours, it’s softened most beautifully! Hmmm, this is the business! I keep catching hints of it about me. Boy, this stuff lasts a long time. From noon to late evening.
PS: This is wonderful in a locket. It doesn’t go through the woody stage like it does on my skin. I think I like both versions, but in the locket, it’s all sexy, spicy vanilla sandalwood with a boozy rush. I may not have found this out if I didn’t have to use a tissue to mop up what I couldn’t save after my horrible spill of almost half the bottle. :/ Also discovered it’s nice in my hair too, so maybe the spill brought about a couple of good things. Heh. :)
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Monsterbait - Underbed
BerryDelicious 4/27/2006 12:38:00 AM
Limited Edition 2006 ~ Cassia-caked cocoa coconut over angel food cake.
First sniff from the bottle: I am overwhelmed by cassia. There’s a hint of coconut cake, but it’s hard to sniff around that cassia.
On, with just a tiny dot on my hand: Cassia…Cassia…Cassia! I can smell vanilla cake crumbs round the edges, but mostly the cassia, all over the place - soft, spicy, rounded cinnamon – it’s even covering the coconut. The vanilla cake is just there, but buried underneath. More cake comes out the longer it wears, and barest of barest hint of coconut shavings. This is the foodiest cassia I’ve smelt so far and it is really good, though I don’t think it is one I’d wear often.
Hmmm, different days, different reactions… The second sniff: I can smell a caramel coconut biscuit! And on: Light vanilla and coconut cake soaked in a cassia and caramel sauce. I still get that biscuity feel too, I guess that’s the cocoa. And there’s even a little sugar sprinkled on top. The cassia is definitely still there but doesn’t seem so strong now. And the sillage is wonderful! There’s a delicious cloud of yum around me. Towards the end, it’s still cassia, plus vanilla and caramel, and the coconut’s gone a touch like toasted coconut, but it doesn’t become overly coconutty. Goody.
PS: I was nervous about trying Underbed on, the allergy factor could be high as the cassia seems to be a similar strength to that in Red Phoenix and RP broke me out in rather unattractive red welts. Funnily enough, not the first time I used it, but the third time. With Underbed, I’ve had just a pale hint of redness, but no burning redness like with RP. I’m still wary though…glad I’ve got my scent locket if I need it!
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Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Monster Bait - Closet
BerryDelicious 4/23/2006 7:44:00 PM
In the bottle: Blueberry cheesecake!
On: More blueberry cheesecake!! but with a little sharpness from the bourbon. Closet is a mix of blueberries and blackberries to my nose: the sweet blueberries that burst in your mouth and the tart blackberries I used to pick and eat till my fingers turned red as a kid. Oh boy, do I feel like some cheesecake right now. :yum: The bourbon stays sharp for a wee while, but soon fades a little and suddenly I can smell blueberry muffins with cream cheese and maybe a hint of crumbly chocolate cake. Closet is really, really yummy. It’s foody for sure, but not sickly sweet. This is a giggly and fun scent. Me wants some cake!
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