Loi Krathong from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

How to describe Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab? The simple way would be to say they develop perfume oils for the home and body, but that doesn't quite capture it. You really must explore their web site to get a feel for them, but here are a few words that apply: gothic, mythological, Renaissance, magik, pagan and horror. The collection of scents run in the hundreds, with regular catalog collections such as the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland, Illyria the Shakespearean Collection, and A Picnic in Arkham inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos. Lovely artwork adorns the site - just check out the current drawing on the main page celebrating Lupercalia, an ancient pastoral festival held to avert evil spirits, purify the city, and release health and fertility. This festival was traditionally held between February 13-15 and was the forerunner of Valentines's Day. BPAL also releases limited edition scents for major holidays, with the Lupercalia collection currently available. I have to respect the creativity of a perfumery that released Christmas collections inspired by such diverse literary works as Frankenstein and The Little Match Girl. I just do.

So, having recently discovered BPAL, I have started a collection that consists of 6 full size bottles and numerous imp ears and frimps. Hmroo? Imp ears are sample size vials (1/32 oz) and can be purchased for $4.00 each or six for $22.00. Imp ears are not available for all the collections or for limited editions, but are a great way to try scents they are available for without committing to a full bottle. Frimps are free imp ears that BPAL includes with a purchase, and I must say they have been more than generous in this area. I discovered one of my favorite general catalog scents, Othello, when the lab sent it to me as a frimp.

The majority of the full size bottles I've purchased have been limited edition scents, which are available for only a specified time. Loi Krathong was a limited edition scent offered back in October of 2011:

The Festival of Lights! On the evening of the twelfth full moon of the Dai calendar, small lotus-shaped offering boats are released out to the rivers and canals of Thailand, carrying prayers and wishes out into the waters. It is a preparation for renewal, and a time for releasing and banishing the darker parts of ourselves.

Banana leaves, betel nuts, coconut bark, spider lilies, candle wax, and incense.

I love this scent inspired by the "festival of lights".

(Photo Source: http://www.loynava.com/loykrathong-bangkok.html)

It is smoothly blended and very well balanced, with the incense being the predominant note I smell. Yet, I can also smell the candle wax and picture the banana leaves and coconut bark floating down the streams and rivers. I admit I have no idea what banana leaves and betel nuts smell like, but part of the beauty of a scent is the imagery or feelings they can evoke. I purchased Loi Krathong for $20 and and now regret not getting more than one, as once the limited edition scents are gone, they're gone.

Look of the Day

I've loved makeup since I was a little girl. I can even remember what my first makeup item was - a Cover Girl blush in pale peach that my mother gave me for Christmas when I was around thirteen. I can also remember the first time I used some brown eyeliner and how surprised I was at how it made my eyes pop, or at least I thought it did. That's not to say I'm a wiz at applying makeup or even particularly creative, but it is definitely something I enjoy.

While I have standard colors I wear on a day to day basis, especially for work, often I let my outfit of the day determine what color eyeshadow, blush, or lip color to wear. Today it was an apricot colored wool sweater jacket, which made me think of Urban Decay's Cream Shadow in Whipped as a base shadow.



That led to an orange shadow that I love from Smashbox's Click You're It palette on the middle portion/crease of my eye, with the beige shadow on my brow bone and the brown shadow lining my upper and lower lashes.


Next was Fusion Beauty's cream to powder blush in Crave, which you can see resting on the sweater that inspired it all. I did top that off with a bit of Benefit's Coralista, as Crave is quite subtle.


The finished look:

Éminence Mandarin & Rooibos Antioxidant Masque

I have what I consider to be problematic skin. It's oily, congested, prone to breakouts, has under the skin bumps due to sebaceous hyperplasia, and is showing some tell tale signs of aging. Beyond the daily routine of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, I use masques to give my skin some extra lovin'. Éminence is a Hungarian skincare company that has an extensive line of certified organic products. I discovered them at a spa that I frequent and have now sampled quite a few of their products. As described on their web site, the Éminence tradition began in Hungary more than 50 years ago in a small village where family knowledge of using herbs, fruits and plants in natural remedies spanned generations. Today the ingredients are still hand-picked and hand-mixed in small batches and are combined with thermal hot spring water to create products that contain potent healing and beautifying properties.

The masque I will be reviewing today is the Mandarin & Rooibos Antioxidant Masque, which is described as an immunity supporting and rejuvenating masque for all skin types, with:

• Rooibos: high in antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acid and zinc for healthy, smooth skin; useful when applied to skin irritations like itchy skin, eczema, sunburns, diaper rash and acne
• Mandarin Juice: stimulant; high in Vitamin C, it helps to clear impurities from the skin
• Orange Juice: antioxidant, nutrient; delivers high levels of Vitamin C, nourishes and enriches the skin
• Grapefruit Juice: antioxidant, antiseptic; gentle cleanser
• Biocomplex™: an antioxidant booster of Vitamins A, Ester C, E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid; delivers a balanced mix of essential antioxidants and effectively combats free radicals

One of Éminence's strengths, in my opinion, is the use of whole fruits and vegetables in their products. You can see and smell them, right down to the pulp. Each container comes with it's own spatula so that you do not have to stick your fingers in them and potentially contaminate the product. This particular masque has a citrus smell and the consistency of a jam. You scoop some of the masque into your palm and mix with a few drops of water prior to spreading on your face and then let sit for 5 minutes or longer. I usually leave the masques on for 30 minutes or so, as I tend to use them while watching TV in the evenings. To remove, soak a wash clothe in warm water and rub your face, as the ingredients will have dried a bit by this point. I then rinse thoroughly and proceed with the rest of my nightly routine.

My skin always feels extra soft and more refined after an Éminence masque. I view using masques much like exercise - a one time session will not get you in shape, although you will feel invigorated and more motivated to get moving again. By dosing my skin with concentrated ingredients like those found in Eminence masques, I'm providing my skin with a boost that contributes to its health, and over time, has led to better looking skin. Éminence products are priced more towards the higher end of the spectrum and the Mandarin & Rooibos Antioxidant Masque retails for $52.00 for 2 ounces.

Éminence products can be purchased online from various retailers, including Skin 1 and Dermstore or from spas that carry the line.


Ingredients: Rooibos Tea Extract, Mandarin Juice, Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Honey, Natural Moisturizing Factor, Tara Tea Extract, Biocomplex (Vitamin A, Vitamin C Ester, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid), Vegetable Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sweet Orange Oil, Mandarin Oil, Lemon Oil, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

January Birchbox: Clarity

My January Birchbox arrived yesterday! For those not familiar with Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription service where for $10 you get 4-5 deluxe size samples of beauty products and a lifestyle "extra". The idea behind services like these (and there are a few out there right now) is that trying new products via samples will lead some to purchase the full size product later on. All of the samples sent are available for purchase in full size at Birchbox, and members can accumulate points (100 points=$10). This is my third month receiving a box and I'm enjoying them - it's nice to come home to a surprise. It's my present to myself.


In the past I've received samples of products that I've used before, but this month's box contained products that were all new me. There was a generous sized sample of Algenist's Firming & Lifting Cream, a small container of serum from FIX Malibu, a small spray vial of Juicy Couture, and a full size of Zoya nail polish in the color Kendal. The "lifestyle extra" was a very small sample of 'witchcraft granola (not shown in the box as I ate it while opening the other samples). Also included but not listed on the card were a Birchbox logo magnet and a card with suggestions for mind, body, and soul detoxes, as the theme for this month was "clarity".

I've already tried the Zoya polish (see previous Nail of the Day post) and look forward to trying out the serum and moisturizer. Not sure if I'll wear the perfume as I've developed a distaste for most commercial perfumes, but the spritz I did on the tissue paper smelled decent. Overall though, the value of this box was quite high for the $10 I spent and I can see myself using and enjoying these samples!

Do you subscribe to Birchbox or a similar service? If so, is it worth it to you? What do you like or dislike about it?

Nail of the Day: Zoya Kendal with Strobe Light

I received the Zoya polish Kendal as part of my January Birchbox. I've read great things about Zoya but had not tried any, so was excited to see this in my box! The color was not one I probably would have bought on my own, but it's actually quite nice - described as a light periwinkle, but to my eye it's a light grayed out lilac cream. The formula was very nice - great consistency and opaque in 2 coats. I decided to top Kendal with Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Stobe Light for a little bling, and I really like this look.



Here is a magnified shot to show the holographic glitter detail in Strobe Light. I did get a bit distracted driving in to work looking at these, which is one mark of a pretty polish in my book.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24-Hour Cream Gel Shadow in Bold Gold

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24-Hour Cream Gel Shadow has been making some waves on the beauty blogs. Available in 10 shades, I snagged Bold Gold to give them a whirl. According to Maybelline, these beauties use Ink technology to create 24HR wear shadow in a cream formula that glides on without creasing, keeps color vibrant, and is safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. There are some interesting (read bold) shades here, but also a few neutrals. Most of the neutrals had already been snapped up from the display I saw, but Bold Gold was still available so home it went with me. These apply quite well with your fingertips, although I used a liner brush along my lower lash line.

The staying power is quite nice, although the one time I wore it without eyeshadow primer it did crease after 8 hours. I have extremely oily lids, however, so that did not surprise me. With primer, it's good to go for at least 12 hours. I've seen these compared to MAC Paint Pots and Make Up Forever's Aqua Creams, both of which are much more expensive. These retail for around $7 and I was able to get mine in a buy one get 50% off the second item, so even cheaper! I'd like to see some more neutral colors in the mix, but overall, great product!

Have you tried these yet and if so, did they work for you? What other colors do you hope Maybelline will release?