Over the centuries, vampires have classified their own kind, and in the past, these classifications became the root of a rough caste system that some vampires still adhere to today...
There are two types of vampires that humans, and often other vampires, need to be wary of: the Interfectors and the Tombeur.
INTERFECTOR
Ruthless, unfeeling, and inhumanly violent: tobacco, sharp woods, frankincense, and bunn.
TOMBEUR
Deadly and seductive: vanilla-infused sandalwood, blood musk, antique patchouli, vetiver, lavender, bitter almond, amber, and a trickle of Snake Oil.
Keep reading for the reviews...
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The Interfectors' cousins in savagery, the Tombeur, are much more complex in their hunting habits and their perceptions. Like the Interfectors, they perceive their vampirism to be an initiation into a higher state of being and relegate humans to base foodstuffs. Unlike the Interfectors, however, the Tombeur are not straightforward predators, and there is a secondary purpose to their hunt: sexual gratification. They take full advantage of their saliva's hypnotic and psychotropic effects on humans, the mystique that surrounds vampires, the seemingly unnatural attraction some humans have toward vampires, and the potency of the Tombeurs' own sexual drive to lure humans into complex carnal relationships that culminate in feeding. They are consummate seducers, and some Tombeur feed, completely and terminally, on their conquests, while others create henchmen that are little more than sex slaves. Neither fate is something we would recommend to any of our readers.
Interfector
Immediate thoughts: Is it silly to say that this is someone I wish to avoid? Bad enough that in college I was in a sorority called Phi Mu, which naturally translated to "Phi Moo", but to be treated like livestock or cattle by a nasty vamp... no thanks. As for preconceived notions about the scent, let's just say I wasn't looking forward to this one. I dislike tobacco scents because they reek of old ashtray on my skin.
When wet: This vampire isn't subtle. He doesn't smack right into you, either, but I get the feeling you'd know he was there just long enough to feel the fear. Tobacco, certainly, with an acrid bite and a hint of something comforting and sweet.
Later: Here, the tobacco swells - at least on my skin. But now that I know what frankincense smells like (tada!), it's very apparent, as are the "sharp woods".
An Aside: "Bunn". As in... hot cross buns? As in... cinnamon bun? I'm not quite sure, as the two n's aren't typical, but BPAL scents often contain archaic spellings, so who can tell? My trusty Google was of no help. Do I smell bread and sweets? Maybe... a warm and homey scent is there when the fragrance is wet, but on me at least, it's o'ertaken by the tobacco later on.
Later still: Not treacley by any means, but there's a bit of a sweetness to the tobacco smell that lingers close to the skin. Is that the mysterious "bunn" or is it just a sweet variety of tobacco? Smarter minds than mine are required to figure out these mysteries. All I know is that after the "heart notes" mellow, the resultant scent that sticks around (for hours and hours, by the way) is reminiscent of a fresh pinch of fine tobacco ready for a pipe.
Reflections: This perfume immediately jumped to the upper levels of my "favorites" list simply because it is a wearable-for-me tobacco. I've always loved the smell of pipe tobacco, though can no longer stomach most other varieties (including cigars and especially the cigarettes that I never parted with for so long but quit 5 years ago). I almost get a headache from the middle notes (just as the scent dries and for about a half an hour afterward), which is what usually happens when I wear a scent with tobacco notes, but I'm pleased to say that Interfector backs down to a much more friendly scent (which is weird, isn't it, for a vampire who thinks I'm livestock?). If you're a fan of tobacco notes, I believe you'll love this one.
***
Tombeur
Immediate thoughts: Well, if I'm to be prey, I suppose I might as well succumb after some romping and fun, huh? I don't think I want to be a mindless sex slave, though.
When wet: OY! What is this?! I love it. I love you! I will follow you anywhere!
Later: Sandalwood and musk and patchouli, oh my! The bitter almond, the amber... depth and mystery and a sweet rollercoaster ride.
An aside: I confess to having committed the cardinal sin of BPAL. I have admitted out-loud that I do not care for Snake Oil. Only... I am addicted to Snake Charmer, a Snake Oil-based scent. And now Tombeur, with its splash of the Snake, is a Top Five Fave.
Later still: As close as a lover, Tombeur caresses the skin for hours and hours. I apply in the morning, and the next morning when I wake it's still there, snuggling and subtle.
Reflections: By the gods, if I have to go at the hand of a vampire, please let it be like this smells. Insane, this scent! I want to bathe in this scent. I want a zillion back-up bottles of this scent. I want to sleep next to this scent and wake up next to it every day. Complete seduction...
Thanks, BPAL, for sending me these bottles to review.
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