my shopping

[kindkit]

Here's what I bought at BPAL, as I'm sure you've all been following this adventure with bated breath:

No. 93 Engine
(Balm of Gilead, benzoin, frankincense, balsam of peru, beeswax, saffron, galbanum, calamus, hyssop, mastic, lemon balm, and white sage)

Golden Priapus
(vanilla and amber with juniper, rosewood and white pine)

Vicomte de Valmont
(Based on an 18th century gentlemen's cologne: ambergris, white musk, white sandalwood, Spanish Moss, orange blossom, three mints, jasmine, rose geranium and a spike of rosemary.)

Plunder
(tea leaf, cassia, cinnamon bark, clove, allspice, sandalwood, tobacco, peppercorn, and nutmeg.)

Envy
(Green herbs slithering through mint, lime and lavender)

Jolly Roger
Sea spray with an undercurrent of leather, Bay Rum, and salty, dry woods)


No. 93 Engine is the most experimental one and I had to have something steampunky; Golden Priapus I got largely for the name and the promise of incredible sexiness; with Valmont I wanted something old-fashioned; Plunder's to try something spicy; Envy I'm fairly sure I'll like because I like herbal scents; and Jolly Roger has an awesome name, makes me think of gay pirates, and sounds sort of classically masculine with a twist, like an improved version of Old Spice with added gay.

Comments

[ellen_fremedon]

I got an imp of Golden Priapus a couple of years ago and really liked it; it's (on me, at least) very bright-smelling and crisp.

[kindkit]

Hopefully it'll be similar on me; the prominence of vanilla in the description made me worry that it might be too sweet.

[glim]

Ooh, these all look really good. I'm looking forward to your reviews, as I think I'd like to try most of these at some point. (Except for Vicomte de Valmont, as orange blossom = terrible on me.)

[kindkit]

It was so hard deciding what I wanted; I made a shortlist of about twelve and then had to cut down painfully from there. So unless I absolutely hate all of these, I may end up ordering another sample pack when I can afford it.

[brewsternorth]

Out of interest, how much did that particular bunch of samples cost? I mention it because I know of another perfume-maker that makes very interesting scents including not-too-sweet ones, but they're rather expensive even as small 'absolutes'.

[kindkit]

A pack of six "imps' ears" (1/32 ounce samples) is $22 plus shipping. Individually I think they're $4 or $4.50 each.