A review of a Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab product.
I've been really thinking this over carefully... I'm not sure where to begin. I introduced you to this company a few days ago, with great response by all of the BPALers out there. (hi!)
I feel like my first review of a BPAL product should be inspired and relevant and ingenious and insightful - but it's probably not going to be any of those things. I want to do BPAL justice, but I'm afraid that the bar is set so damn high by this company, that I'm not going to be able to reach it even on my tippy toes. But here goes... my review of Morocco.
[rockyou id=95226883]
Morocco is part of the Wanderlust collection at BPAL. This is a set of fragrances designed to conjure the image of a particular location... and naturally this scent is meant to bring to mind Morocco.
Are you familiar with Morocco? I thought I was, but double-checked my info, just to flesh out the fragrance experience. I won't go into a long discourse, but the highlights are thus: Morocco is an African country with an Arabic bent. Much of it is in the Sahara, so picture desert when you think of this area. But also keep in mind the Northern-most border, which is the Mediterranean - so Morocco also has strong Spanish and Portuguese influences. Oh, and there are quite a few mountains in Morocco, too. You may not have heard of Rabat (you should have, but you may not have), which is the capital city, but you've probably heard of Casablanca, Morocco's main port and largest city. Other things that come to mind when you think of Morocco: beautiful arching doors and passageways, elegant and weightless silks, a wonderful ambrosia of spices from all over the world, the lilting and haunting tunes of Arabic music, the strong smell of camel dung. Um... forget about that last one, ok?
The scent:
When I open my vial, I am hit immediately with a sweet, rich smell of undetermined origin. (Keep in mind I do not have, at this time, a trained nose) I like the smell, but worry it might be too sweet.
Applied and wet, Morocco broadens into a bouquet that reminds me of incense paired with something a bit like sweet, subdued cinnamon.
Later, a bit of vanilla dances by, holding hands firmly with sandalwood -which I do recognize- and the happy end of my spice rack (not the hot and peppery spices- the mellow and deep and sensual ones).
Lasting power: on me, sadly fairly short. I think it goes about 3 hours or so, but I will happily reapply whenever. It's better when I avoid my wrists which seem to rub against everything. Sillage / throw: decent, but not overwhelming. I catch a whiff of myself from time to time, but no one else is complaining but me, 'cause I'd like to smell it all of the time! put some on my throat and in my hair at the nape of my neck - that helps a good deal.
BeautyBlitz Rating: Definitively 
! If I could only wear one fragrance for the rest of my life, this would be it. I will repurchase this with bells on. (Moroccan bells).