ladybug: sorry but I haven't tried any of those you listed, I'm quite new to it all myself and there are so many to try... I just went for it with my first order, and got what I thought sounded like the right thing for me. But reading the scent reviews on the forum
bpal.org really helps (although it is quite addictive and time-consuming
) Regarding the ebay question, I'm not sure I can be of much help there either, because I still haven't bought any off ebay. I do know however, that alot of bpal collectors do buy/sell opened bottles and imps, not only from ebay, but also by arranging swaps, sales etc. via the bpal forum. So I suppose it's not much of a problem if so many people do it... (although, yeah, that's not an entirely reassuring argument. I thought the same as you, and still haven't tried buying anything opened
)
Umm Zain: have you tried doing a search on the website? you can search the notes you like the best, and it will give a list of scents containing that note. Also, there is a Recommendations section on the bpal forum
bpal.org, which might be helpful, if you haven't already tried checking that out. Of the limited amount that I have tried, I would personally recommend Dorian (amazing), Harlot, Penthus (the last two if you like rose), Eden, Sea of Glass, Veil, Scherezade (red musk)... Dragon's Blood smelled like lilacs on me, which was very pretty. Embalming Fluid might be a light clean musk scent that you'd like, although I have yet to try it myself too
I guess it's all trial and error, because some things really don't work on some people. The same goes for the lasting and "throw" of the scent. Some fade really quickly on me, or can only be smelt up close, while I've read on the forum that they are long lasting on others... I guess that also has something to do with your skin type/chemistry.
hmm... that's the best I can do to help you guys...
I think I'm going to get Smut 2007 in my next order, because I've learned to
really love red musk, and it sounds soo good! and then I 'need' to try some more General Catalogue scents, because I still don't know how alot of things smell like (for example myrrh? orris? poppy? orchid?
) and I figure knowing better what works for me will also help me chose which Limited Editions and Carnivale Diabolique bottles I should get in the future