BPAL Halloween 2007... it keeps scrolling, and scrolling...
I am having serious issues wrapping my head around this update. I think I'm gonna do a massive decant circle thing, then order bottles of everything I love. 'Cause I just can't do the pick and choose thing here. Too much.
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
Limited Edition
HUNTER MOON:: As the winter encroaches, the time comes to embark on the last Great Hunts of the year. The deer are fattened, the fields have been reaped, and the light of the full moon illuminates the wild creatures that have come out to glean. This scent is redolent of night skies, falling leaves, and the high-pitched tension and release associated with the Hunt. Dry leaves, autumn bonfires, blood red wine, feral, animalistic notes and the chill of approaching winter.
Want, but it sounds so much like an amalgam of the last Hunter Moon + Blood Moon that I wonder if I really need it.
AEAEA:: A dark ocean breeze, electric with adrenaline, magic, and fear, clashing with the thick scent of poisoned berries and spiny aloe, against a backdrop of snowdrop, cedar, and cypress.
Greens + aquatics. Probably not.
LIBRA 2007:: Cardinal air: the essence of balance. Rose, black cherry, carnation, fig, honey, plum, and black currant.
Sounds like it might be delish, despite my not being a Libra.
ALL SOULS 2007:: A day of remembrance and intercession. Without the prayers and sacrifices of their families and loved ones, the faithful departed may not be cleansed of their venal sins, and thereby cannot attain beatific vision. On November 2nd, prayers are sung and offerings are made to aid lost souls in transcending purgatory. An incense blend that invokes the higher qualities of mercy and compassion, mingled with the soft, sugared currant scent of offertory soul cakes.
I never did try this one, and at first misread it for All Saint's. Maybe!
BONFIRE NIGHT:: Beer, woodsmoke, tar, and treacle.
Beer. Tar. No.
THE DEATH OF AUTUMN:: Dark amber, dead leaves, khus, saffron, bitter clove, chrysanthemum, camellia, galangal, and a drop of oud.
Ooooh. Oooooh. Want the dark amber.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2007:: A joyous celebration of La Catarina, La Flaca, La Muerte… Glorious, Beautiful Death. In Mexico, death is not something to be feared or hated; She is embraced, loved, and adored. La Muerte is fêted, as the celebrant "…chases after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love." This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus.
This one always goes too dusty and dry on me.
OCTOBER:: Dry, cold autumn wind. A rustle of red leaves, a touch of smoke and sap in the air.
YESSSSSS.
SAMHAIN 2007:: Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
I still have most of my aged bottle. Won't need more unless this one seems markedly different.
SAMHAINOPHOBIA 2007:: The fear of Halloween. Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves.
This one was just too dark on my skin. I'm sad that I didn't think to test it on Sky before swapping it.
THE ATROCIOUS ATTIC:: A shadowy shrine filled with forgotten toys, broken dolls. The altar: a collapsing trunk distended by a rotted wedding gown. The air of the room is dusty, laced with the scent of a child's perfume and the remnants of a dried, crumbling bridal bouquet: tea rose, violet, white sandalwood, French lavender, and Calla lily.
This will be floral yuk on me.
THE CHILLING CELLAR:: Wine just turning to vinegar, crumbling mortar, red clay, and the coppery tang of old blood.
I would be interested in smelling it for an atmospheric thing, but I wouldn't wear this as a perfume.
THE FORBIDDING FOYER:: Thick shadows hang heavy across fungus-smeared, dilapidated wainscoting, cobwebs hang like fine lace across sagging mouldings, rats scuttle past gaping doorways. The faint scent of brimstone, ghostly breath laced with cognac, neglected mahogany panels, and rot.
Booze is not good on me.
THE GHASTLY GARDEN:: Overgrown oleander, marshy water hemlock, the sugared nectar of carnivorous blooms, putrefying wet greenery, oozing sap, crushed rosary peas, withered climbing roses, and nightshade berries.
...so, marsh and yuk? I don't want to smell oozy.
THE LURID LIBRARY:: The incense-tinged scent of forbidden tomes and the musk-laden remnants of infernal servants.
Oooh. In other words, eau de Giles? Maybe!
THE PERILOUS PARLOR:: A memory of pleasure passed. A ghostly rendezvous, delight beyond death. Faint echoes of laughter and the distorted music of a harp drift by, along with the scent of soft white pear and sweet vanilla.
I love BPAL's pear note. On the other hand, I feel like we've seen this before.
THE TWISTED OAK TREE:: Blackened, rotted oak wood blanketed in moss and choked by a cloak of grasping ivy.
I like oak blends. This has potential. Plus it reminds me of my favorite childhood book-- the Berenstein Bears one where they go into the haunted tree.
PUMPKIN I:: Pumpkin with pear, white wine grapes, and jasmine-laced tea.
I have no idea how this will work together, but I'm curious to find out.
PUMPKIN II:: Pumpkin with tobacco, champaca flower, carnation, and tonka.
Tobacco. Nope.
PUMPKIN III:: Pumpkin with white chocolate, caramel, pomegranate, and cream.
Caramel. Nope.
PUMPKIN IV:: Pumpkin with cactus blossom, sage, and sweetgrass.
Doesn't really jump at me.
PUMPKIN V:: Pumpkin with benzoin, bourbon vanilla, lemon peel, neroli, blood orange, and red ginger.
Sounds rather like Pumpkin Queen, of which I already have a bottle.
General Catelogue
EVENT HORIZON:: A disconcerting scent, heavy and oppressive, through which no light, no matter, and no spirit can escape. Black opium, labdanum, opoponax, black orchid, and benzoin.
Too dark for me, probably.
MARY READ:: Salt air, ocean mist, aged patchouli, sarsaparilla, watered-down rum, leather-tinged musk, and a spray of gunpowder.
Eeee. Okay, so, I'm not an ocean-y person, but COME ON. Mary Read!
SCHRODINGER'S CAT:: A paradoxical scent experiment! - tangerine, sugared lime, pink grapefruit, oakmoss, lavender, zdravetz, and chocolate peppermint.
Erm, chocolate peppermint is good in my belly, but not on my skin.
KUBLA KHAN:: Through sunlit caves of ice, roses unfurl amidst dancing waves of serpentine opium smoke and amber tobacco, golden sandalwood, champaca, tea leaf, sugared lily, ginger, rich hay absolute, leather, dark vanilla, mandarin, peru balsam, and Moroccan jasmine.
Ummmm. Yes. Wanty-fingers.
EPITAPH:: Roses and funeral lilies perceived, faintly, through an indistinct, ghostly mist.
Do we really need ANOTHER funeral lilies blend? I mean, COME ON.
THE PHANTOM WOOER:: A lifeless love song: stargazer lily, bone dust, tomb mosses, buttonweed, moonflower, and honey myrtle.
If this is sweet-ish, it has potential.
A COUNTENANCE FORBODING EVIL:: Patchouli, ylang ylang, blood orange, and vetiver.
The dreaded vetiver.
GOBLIN:: Dab a bit behind each ear, and you'll be instantly inspired to alter street signs, shake fruit from your neighbor's trees, and hide your roommate's car keys. Black coconut, gnarly patchouli, and sweet benzoin.
Eeeee! Mischievous in the extreme! A must have.
INCUBUS:: Spectral white musk and the heart-stopping chill of sheared mint, fanned by caramel-touched body heat, and the diabolical sensuality of black musk, nicotiana, and sage.
Caramel, nay.
TROLL:: A lurching, hateful, bitter scent. This is a gruesome blend of ghastly greens and blacks: vetiver, pine pitch, troll musk, black basil, clove smoke, and scorched cumin.
Vetiver, nay.
HAIRY TOAD LILY:: Spotty, hairy, purple, sweet!
Innnteresting.
HAVANA:: Date palm, dried tobacco, snakeroot, and leather.
Tobacco, nay.
HI'IAKA:: Sister to Pele, Patroness of Hula Dancers, she is a Lady of Hawa'ii, and is caretaker, mother, and beloved of the land itself. The heart of the forest beats along with Her dance, and the air is suffused with Her scent: mai'a, hibiscus, white ginger, akala, na'u, Hawaiian moon flower, yellow ilima, pink lokelani, jewel orchid, and fringed orchid.
Yay! I love Beth's Hawaiian blends!
Black Phoenix Trading Post
CRYPT QUEEN:: As sweet as death, as deep as the grave: pomegranate, raspberry, gardenia, plum, and rose with patchouli, black pepper, rose musk, and a hint of blood accord.
Gardenia. Maybe, if it gets good reviews.
TRICK I:: Sugar-slathered Candied Apple -- With a dollop of caramel!
The Hesperides is close enough to Candied Apple for me.
TRICK II:: Marshmallow Poof -- A gooey mound of white fluffiness! And yes, it is vegan!
Sounds promising, actually. If I can swap for an imp.
TRICK III:: Pumpkin Cheesecake -- Graham crackery and cream cheesy! Cinnamon brown sugary! Just a little carroty!
Ooooooh. Man, that just sounds so good.
TRICK I:: Egg'd Mailbox! -- Fresh egg, just starting to warm nicely in the sun!
WHAT? No.
TRICK II:: Pumpkin Smash! -- Pumpkin pulp, beeswax candles, smoke, asphalt, and beer!
Why must you ruin this with beer?
TRICK III:: TP'd Trees! -- Cypress, oak, and pine covered in 2-ply!
I'm sorry, eau de TP is just too weird for me.
TRICK AND TREAT:: Spiked Punch -- Chunky fruit punch with a generous splash of booze!
I don't like most fruits as a front note.
CAULDRON GUNK SOAP:: Green tea leaf, jasmine, coriander, sage, guava pulp, freesia, passion flower, lizard's leg, howlet's wing, scale of dragon, hemlock root, and eye of newt.
Eh.
PUMPKIN GUTS SOAP:: Oh! - fruit loved of boyhood! - the old days recalling, / When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling! / When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin / Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!
I had to choose one soap, and this was my second choice. Alas. I'm sure other places will offer Pumpkin soaps.
SAMHAIN SOAP:: Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
I had enough $$ for one, so this is what I went with, as it's probably more complex than a pumpkin soap.
SUGAR SKULL SOAP:: Vibrant with the joy and sweetness of life in death! A blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits.
Too sweet for me.
AERIS MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of air represents the movement of spirit and thought. Aeris uses a combination of lemon, verbena, orange blossom, cypress, sweetgrass, white grapefruit, and lavender to help stimulate mental acuity and inspire creativity.
Maybe a bit like LUSH's Each Peach? Hopefully. I'll wait for reviews.
AQUAE MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of water represents cleansing and purification, emotion and intuition. We express that essence here through our blend of Roman chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, helichrysum, davana, geranium, and lavender. This massage oil helps release emotional trauma, alleviates stress, and imparts a sense of tranquility and well-being.
This would put me to sleep, which is not generally what I want in a massage oil. *grin*
IGNIS MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of fire represents activity and transformation. Our blend of ylang ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh, palmarosa, and King mandarin personifies this classical element, and expresses itself through the stimulation of your sexual energy. This massage oil inspires passion, relaxes inhibitions, and instills you with a sense of power and magnetism.
This will be my second bottle, totally.
TERRAE MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of earth represents practicality, the manifestation of thought and will, and material creation. Our blend of patchouli, myrrh, spikenard, oakmoss, and clary sage grants a sense of stability, and will help keep you grounded.
I had enough $$ for one, and this is what I went with.
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
Limited Edition
HUNTER MOON:: As the winter encroaches, the time comes to embark on the last Great Hunts of the year. The deer are fattened, the fields have been reaped, and the light of the full moon illuminates the wild creatures that have come out to glean. This scent is redolent of night skies, falling leaves, and the high-pitched tension and release associated with the Hunt. Dry leaves, autumn bonfires, blood red wine, feral, animalistic notes and the chill of approaching winter.
Want, but it sounds so much like an amalgam of the last Hunter Moon + Blood Moon that I wonder if I really need it.
AEAEA:: A dark ocean breeze, electric with adrenaline, magic, and fear, clashing with the thick scent of poisoned berries and spiny aloe, against a backdrop of snowdrop, cedar, and cypress.
Greens + aquatics. Probably not.
LIBRA 2007:: Cardinal air: the essence of balance. Rose, black cherry, carnation, fig, honey, plum, and black currant.
Sounds like it might be delish, despite my not being a Libra.
ALL SOULS 2007:: A day of remembrance and intercession. Without the prayers and sacrifices of their families and loved ones, the faithful departed may not be cleansed of their venal sins, and thereby cannot attain beatific vision. On November 2nd, prayers are sung and offerings are made to aid lost souls in transcending purgatory. An incense blend that invokes the higher qualities of mercy and compassion, mingled with the soft, sugared currant scent of offertory soul cakes.
I never did try this one, and at first misread it for All Saint's. Maybe!
BONFIRE NIGHT:: Beer, woodsmoke, tar, and treacle.
Beer. Tar. No.
THE DEATH OF AUTUMN:: Dark amber, dead leaves, khus, saffron, bitter clove, chrysanthemum, camellia, galangal, and a drop of oud.
Ooooh. Oooooh. Want the dark amber.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2007:: A joyous celebration of La Catarina, La Flaca, La Muerte… Glorious, Beautiful Death. In Mexico, death is not something to be feared or hated; She is embraced, loved, and adored. La Muerte is fêted, as the celebrant "…chases after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love." This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus.
This one always goes too dusty and dry on me.
OCTOBER:: Dry, cold autumn wind. A rustle of red leaves, a touch of smoke and sap in the air.
YESSSSSS.
SAMHAIN 2007:: Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
I still have most of my aged bottle. Won't need more unless this one seems markedly different.
SAMHAINOPHOBIA 2007:: The fear of Halloween. Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves.
This one was just too dark on my skin. I'm sad that I didn't think to test it on Sky before swapping it.
THE ATROCIOUS ATTIC:: A shadowy shrine filled with forgotten toys, broken dolls. The altar: a collapsing trunk distended by a rotted wedding gown. The air of the room is dusty, laced with the scent of a child's perfume and the remnants of a dried, crumbling bridal bouquet: tea rose, violet, white sandalwood, French lavender, and Calla lily.
This will be floral yuk on me.
THE CHILLING CELLAR:: Wine just turning to vinegar, crumbling mortar, red clay, and the coppery tang of old blood.
I would be interested in smelling it for an atmospheric thing, but I wouldn't wear this as a perfume.
THE FORBIDDING FOYER:: Thick shadows hang heavy across fungus-smeared, dilapidated wainscoting, cobwebs hang like fine lace across sagging mouldings, rats scuttle past gaping doorways. The faint scent of brimstone, ghostly breath laced with cognac, neglected mahogany panels, and rot.
Booze is not good on me.
THE GHASTLY GARDEN:: Overgrown oleander, marshy water hemlock, the sugared nectar of carnivorous blooms, putrefying wet greenery, oozing sap, crushed rosary peas, withered climbing roses, and nightshade berries.
...so, marsh and yuk? I don't want to smell oozy.
THE LURID LIBRARY:: The incense-tinged scent of forbidden tomes and the musk-laden remnants of infernal servants.
Oooh. In other words, eau de Giles? Maybe!
THE PERILOUS PARLOR:: A memory of pleasure passed. A ghostly rendezvous, delight beyond death. Faint echoes of laughter and the distorted music of a harp drift by, along with the scent of soft white pear and sweet vanilla.
I love BPAL's pear note. On the other hand, I feel like we've seen this before.
THE TWISTED OAK TREE:: Blackened, rotted oak wood blanketed in moss and choked by a cloak of grasping ivy.
I like oak blends. This has potential. Plus it reminds me of my favorite childhood book-- the Berenstein Bears one where they go into the haunted tree.
PUMPKIN I:: Pumpkin with pear, white wine grapes, and jasmine-laced tea.
I have no idea how this will work together, but I'm curious to find out.
PUMPKIN II:: Pumpkin with tobacco, champaca flower, carnation, and tonka.
Tobacco. Nope.
PUMPKIN III:: Pumpkin with white chocolate, caramel, pomegranate, and cream.
Caramel. Nope.
PUMPKIN IV:: Pumpkin with cactus blossom, sage, and sweetgrass.
Doesn't really jump at me.
PUMPKIN V:: Pumpkin with benzoin, bourbon vanilla, lemon peel, neroli, blood orange, and red ginger.
Sounds rather like Pumpkin Queen, of which I already have a bottle.
General Catelogue
EVENT HORIZON:: A disconcerting scent, heavy and oppressive, through which no light, no matter, and no spirit can escape. Black opium, labdanum, opoponax, black orchid, and benzoin.
Too dark for me, probably.
MARY READ:: Salt air, ocean mist, aged patchouli, sarsaparilla, watered-down rum, leather-tinged musk, and a spray of gunpowder.
Eeee. Okay, so, I'm not an ocean-y person, but COME ON. Mary Read!
SCHRODINGER'S CAT:: A paradoxical scent experiment! - tangerine, sugared lime, pink grapefruit, oakmoss, lavender, zdravetz, and chocolate peppermint.
Erm, chocolate peppermint is good in my belly, but not on my skin.
KUBLA KHAN:: Through sunlit caves of ice, roses unfurl amidst dancing waves of serpentine opium smoke and amber tobacco, golden sandalwood, champaca, tea leaf, sugared lily, ginger, rich hay absolute, leather, dark vanilla, mandarin, peru balsam, and Moroccan jasmine.
Ummmm. Yes. Wanty-fingers.
EPITAPH:: Roses and funeral lilies perceived, faintly, through an indistinct, ghostly mist.
Do we really need ANOTHER funeral lilies blend? I mean, COME ON.
THE PHANTOM WOOER:: A lifeless love song: stargazer lily, bone dust, tomb mosses, buttonweed, moonflower, and honey myrtle.
If this is sweet-ish, it has potential.
A COUNTENANCE FORBODING EVIL:: Patchouli, ylang ylang, blood orange, and vetiver.
The dreaded vetiver.
GOBLIN:: Dab a bit behind each ear, and you'll be instantly inspired to alter street signs, shake fruit from your neighbor's trees, and hide your roommate's car keys. Black coconut, gnarly patchouli, and sweet benzoin.
Eeeee! Mischievous in the extreme! A must have.
INCUBUS:: Spectral white musk and the heart-stopping chill of sheared mint, fanned by caramel-touched body heat, and the diabolical sensuality of black musk, nicotiana, and sage.
Caramel, nay.
TROLL:: A lurching, hateful, bitter scent. This is a gruesome blend of ghastly greens and blacks: vetiver, pine pitch, troll musk, black basil, clove smoke, and scorched cumin.
Vetiver, nay.
HAIRY TOAD LILY:: Spotty, hairy, purple, sweet!
Innnteresting.
HAVANA:: Date palm, dried tobacco, snakeroot, and leather.
Tobacco, nay.
HI'IAKA:: Sister to Pele, Patroness of Hula Dancers, she is a Lady of Hawa'ii, and is caretaker, mother, and beloved of the land itself. The heart of the forest beats along with Her dance, and the air is suffused with Her scent: mai'a, hibiscus, white ginger, akala, na'u, Hawaiian moon flower, yellow ilima, pink lokelani, jewel orchid, and fringed orchid.
Yay! I love Beth's Hawaiian blends!
Black Phoenix Trading Post
CRYPT QUEEN:: As sweet as death, as deep as the grave: pomegranate, raspberry, gardenia, plum, and rose with patchouli, black pepper, rose musk, and a hint of blood accord.
Gardenia. Maybe, if it gets good reviews.
TRICK I:: Sugar-slathered Candied Apple -- With a dollop of caramel!
The Hesperides is close enough to Candied Apple for me.
TRICK II:: Marshmallow Poof -- A gooey mound of white fluffiness! And yes, it is vegan!
Sounds promising, actually. If I can swap for an imp.
TRICK III:: Pumpkin Cheesecake -- Graham crackery and cream cheesy! Cinnamon brown sugary! Just a little carroty!
Ooooooh. Man, that just sounds so good.
TRICK I:: Egg'd Mailbox! -- Fresh egg, just starting to warm nicely in the sun!
WHAT? No.
TRICK II:: Pumpkin Smash! -- Pumpkin pulp, beeswax candles, smoke, asphalt, and beer!
Why must you ruin this with beer?
TRICK III:: TP'd Trees! -- Cypress, oak, and pine covered in 2-ply!
I'm sorry, eau de TP is just too weird for me.
TRICK AND TREAT:: Spiked Punch -- Chunky fruit punch with a generous splash of booze!
I don't like most fruits as a front note.
CAULDRON GUNK SOAP:: Green tea leaf, jasmine, coriander, sage, guava pulp, freesia, passion flower, lizard's leg, howlet's wing, scale of dragon, hemlock root, and eye of newt.
Eh.
PUMPKIN GUTS SOAP:: Oh! - fruit loved of boyhood! - the old days recalling, / When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling! / When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin / Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!
I had to choose one soap, and this was my second choice. Alas. I'm sure other places will offer Pumpkin soaps.
SAMHAIN SOAP:: Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
I had enough $$ for one, so this is what I went with, as it's probably more complex than a pumpkin soap.
SUGAR SKULL SOAP:: Vibrant with the joy and sweetness of life in death! A blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits.
Too sweet for me.
AERIS MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of air represents the movement of spirit and thought. Aeris uses a combination of lemon, verbena, orange blossom, cypress, sweetgrass, white grapefruit, and lavender to help stimulate mental acuity and inspire creativity.
Maybe a bit like LUSH's Each Peach? Hopefully. I'll wait for reviews.
AQUAE MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of water represents cleansing and purification, emotion and intuition. We express that essence here through our blend of Roman chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, helichrysum, davana, geranium, and lavender. This massage oil helps release emotional trauma, alleviates stress, and imparts a sense of tranquility and well-being.
This would put me to sleep, which is not generally what I want in a massage oil. *grin*
IGNIS MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of fire represents activity and transformation. Our blend of ylang ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh, palmarosa, and King mandarin personifies this classical element, and expresses itself through the stimulation of your sexual energy. This massage oil inspires passion, relaxes inhibitions, and instills you with a sense of power and magnetism.
This will be my second bottle, totally.
TERRAE MASSAGE OIL:: In alchemy, the archetype of earth represents practicality, the manifestation of thought and will, and material creation. Our blend of patchouli, myrrh, spikenard, oakmoss, and clary sage grants a sense of stability, and will help keep you grounded.
I had enough $$ for one, and this is what I went with.