Reviews

1. 

   painted_reality – October 14, 2024

   Absolutely. Amazing. I find bpal incense scents can sometimes lean towards a more resiny, before the incense is burnt, scent (example: cathedral)– but I do not get that with this whatsoever. This is very much incense that’s burning, which I love. In the imp it smells a bit strange, like cucumbers? Which worried me initially but the light green cucumber smell disappears as soon as it goes onto my skin, replacing itself with that beautiful heavy smoky incense. I’m not sure if I get any overt leather from this, the incense is definitely the star of the show, but I think the tonka adds a bit of sweetness to the blend. As the fragrance settles in, the strong scent of smoke disappears a little and after awhile you’re left with a much more gentle remnant of incense. Very dapper, a bit woody, and overall very nice. Reminds me a bit of the Catholic church smell I grew up with, which I’ve been looking for with other BPAL scents but this is the first one where I feel like I’ve practically hit the mark. Will definitely have to get a full bottle sometime.

2. 

   nevaehtc04 – September 1, 2024

   This scent is definitely a darker masculine scent! In the bottle I was a little put off, but as I’ve learned, you have to try it on your skin to really decide if you like it. I do like it, and I agree with the reviews of it being leathery vanilla. In my opinion it’s very erotic, potentially good for date nights!

3. 

   sausage – September 26, 2023

   This smells like studying in a castle!! When I first put it on it was kind of like opening an old book – dry, sophisticated, and inexplicably comforting. If someone was wearing this next to me I would immediately feel more comfortable around them. When dried it becomes even better, it somehow gains more dimension the longer you pay attention to it, as opposed to scents that are flat or overbearing when you’re close to the skin.
   Its on the masculine side, but becomes more androgynous as it dries.

4. 

   libbiehawker – October 18, 2020

   I tried an Imp of this scent and absolutely loved it. In the bottle, the scent is difficult to describe–a little incense-y, a little leathery, but no distinctive notes to speak of. However, as soon as it went on my skin, it had a clear cedar note that dried down to a distinctive leather-vanilla/tonka. It kept alternating for me between leather, vanilla, and wood. Really intoxicating and lovely. I do think it’s a masculine scent, but although I’m a woman I’ve always loved wearing masculine fragrances. One of the nicest things about Dee is that it doesn’t have a very strong throw. You have to be fairly close to smell it, and I like that. I prefer not to overwhelm a room with my fragrance when I walk into it. This one will be going into my rotation of regularly worn fragrances! It’s a winner.

5. 

   beetle – January 7, 2019

   Dee is certainly one of my favorite scents so far (I ordered it with my first big batch of Imps). On me and wet, it is woody, warm and slightly sweet (tonka bean, probably?). As it dries, it sweetens a little more and becomes a leather-bound book and tobacco-scented parchment. It’s not too dusty – a clean and cozy atmosphere is created in this scent. I associate this with grounding energy and calm contemplation. It has a medium throw, and wisps of it remain on my skin near the end of the day.
   (As a disclaimer, I’ve observed that most scents on my skin sweeten, sometimes drastically, so this might be less sweet on someone else.)
   I will definitely be ordering a large bottle when they’re back in stock!

6. 

   thepotatogirlz – October 17, 2018

   On me this smells like a Lush store without actually smelling like a Lush store…if that makes sense.
   It’s like a fleshed out version of their Twilight + a smidge of BPAL’s Brimstone. I’m very into it.

7. 

   Jessica – August 7, 2018

   I LOVE this scent!! I bounce back and forth between this and Sherlock for daily wear.

   Bottle: I get the scent of polished wood, sweet incense and a hint of vanilla from the tonka bean. It’s a more masculine but well-balanced fragrance that oozes the feeling of a magician’s library study.

   Wet on skin: The scent of antique wood comes to the forefront, followed by English leather. There’s also a scent akin to the ‘sugared tea’ in Dorian mixed with a whiff of nag champa incense. It definitely does lean more towards a man’s cologne, but on me, there’s just enough of a sweetness that it leans more neutral. There’s a lot of depth to this blend and as others have said, it changes significantly over its drying period.

   Dry: After 1 – 2 hours, some of the stronger leather scents fade into the background but the vanilla tonka sticks around. It has a second-hand bookstore feel that I don’t find unpleasant at all. Again, I’ve worn this scent for several years and have received many compliments about it. I may be a little biased because it just clicks so perfectly with my skin chemistry, but I can’t get enough of it.

8. 

   April – November 29, 2016

   I received this as a frimp with my order. In the bottle it smells wet and woody. I have no idea what ingredients are in it as I put it on. Wet on skin it has an almost herb like scent, pulpy and hard to pin down. I can’t escape the thought that it reminds me of being at my Grandparents’ house. As it dries, a soft, smokey incense comes out, and something else that I can’t pin down but definitely reminds me of my Grandpa. At this point I go online and check the ingredients. Ah, leather! That’s the ingredient I couldn’t place. An hour of wearing it and it has a definitively masculine scent of leather and incense. It truly does remind me of my grandfather. It’s warm and comforting, but not something I will personally wear again.

9. 

   hotaru1301 – November 20, 2016

   In the bottle there is an almost sticky, resin like scent that could be the incense or the rosewood. The leather scent actually reminds me of doeskin leather. This scent is categorized as a universal scent. At first it seems too feminine for men’s wear. It seems to have strong staying power. I can still smell it in the air after opening and closing the bottle.

   Wet on skin: I can almost smell a soft musk. This scent reminds me of high quality men’s cologne. It is so different on skin! The change is instant. I get a very oiled leather sort of scent. This isn’t an overtly feminine scent anymore. I get thoughts of men’s briefcases and visions of businessmen. There’s something on the edge of the scent. It is a sharp note, like and old wooden book shelf.

   On the skin dry 30+ mins: Lots of leather! The leather is the strongest scent but in a very good way. I get a slight peppery scent off the skin.

   Worn 3+ hours: This has definitely mellowed out. There is a woody spicy scent. I really like this one, but not on me. It smells like a man’s cologne. It reminds me of cuddling close to a man. On my skin it’s really similar to Old Spice, but mellower. It really reminds me of a former lover. Unfortunately I won’t be wearing this one anymore, although it smells wonderful.

10. 

    Gloame – February 16, 2015

    This is a scent that smells best after it’s been on skin for an hour. The settling period takes longer than a lot of other blends and there’s a strong dirt note (to me) while it does which fades into the leather/incense that’s so lovely once it’s gotten comfortable on your skin.

    Masculine, dry, leather.

11. 

    kbrown92670@yahoo.com – December 2, 2014

    This is a lovely blend. On me, the leather and rosewood mingle pleasantly with parchment. It is soft, unisex and very calming.