BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse | 7- Dionysia

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

7 - DIONYSIA

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

Wild plum, pomegranate, raspberry, Siamese benzoin, plum blossom, patchouli, frankincense, and mahogany.

The background of the name:

Dionysia is actually the word used to represent the festivals celebrating the Greek god Dionysus, also known as Bacchus. Dionysus is the god of wine, and the festivals are thought to have originated to celebrate vine harvests.

Initial impressions:

Smells like Benadryl for kids.

More thoughts:

Still smells quite grape-y to me while wet and for a bit after. I don't dislike plum and berry scents, but prefer deeper and more spicy blends. I was hoping the patchouli, frankincense and mahogany would help me love this - but mostly I smell purple fruit.

After awhile, the vanilla dances in, trailed by the deeper and balancing scents, and this helps a good bit. Still...

If you like plums and purple fruits and wine, check this one out. You will probably love this lady! She's phenomenally well-blended and delicious - no slam to how she's made is intended! As for me, I'll pull her out from time to time - maybe when I go to wine festivals? I hope she'll mellow and age like a fine wine and I'll love her more in a few months... We shall see...

Other posts in this series:

INTRO

THE GRINDHOUSE

AERONWEN

AGRAT-BAT-MAHLAHT

ASHLULTUM

CLÉMENCE

CYTHEREA

DIONYSIA

DAIYU

EISHETH ZENUNIM

GWYNETH

INEZ

MARCILLA

MARGUERITE

MARIANNE

PARTHENOPE

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BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse | 6- Cytherea

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

6 - CYTHEREA

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

White sandalwood, patchouli, white amber, orris, bourbon vanilla, champaca flower, and kush.

The background of the name:

Cytherea is another name for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lust, beauty and sex. The image, I assume, is of Cytherea/Aphrodite lounging amidst the ruins of the Trojan War, but I had a hard time researching this one because Cytherea is also a name for a porn star and I just got pretty fed up reading about her exploits. :)

Initial impressions:

Sweet and herby floral with vanilla.

More thoughts:

I quite liked this one - it's not overtly herbal in a dry sense, which is what I feared. Instead, the sandalwood and patchouli and amber team up with the vanilla to flesh this scent out and keep it more dimensional and exciting. Though, "exciting" is possibly misleading - Cytherea is a subtle and quiet scent, but still quite lovely. She inspires softly, making you love her without a lot of strife, no matter what the image might tell you!

I liked this scent a lot, though it's not one I would have predicted I would like! It's not a cloying vanilla, and it's only vaguely foody. Mostly it's close to the skin and I like it that way! This is a quiet night in candlelight scent for me...

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

4 - CLEMÉNCE

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

Patchouli, Kashmiri tea, cardamom, black pepper, carnation, and clove.

The background of the name:

What I know is this: according to what I read on the BPAL boards, the source of insipiration for the image was Theresa Berkley, a 19th century dominatrix. ( <----The link is a fascinating read, actually, even if you're not into the infliction of pain on self or others).

Initial impressions:

Pepper. That's what I get. Almost pure pepper. And maybe a touch of what I identify as bay rum - a spicy blend (but not boozy).

More thoughts:

Oddly, I don't get a lot of patchouli from this one on my skin, and I usually can sniff out patchouli fairly quickly. Apparently for me the antidote to patchouli is black pepper!

This scent on me is almost pure spice the whole way through, though it does mellow a bit after it's been on awhile. I happen to love clove and carnation, and cardamom is a definite favorite! Once this softens (about 45 minutes or so into the wearing on my skin), it's a great big spice hug - but close up and tight. This lady doesn't like to get too far away! Looking forward to wearing this one on cold winter days when I'm snuggling in front of the fire...

Other posts in this series:

INTRO

THE GRINDHOUSE

AERONWEN

AGRAT-BAT-MAHLAHT

ASHLULTUM

CLÉMENCE

CYTHEREA

DIONYSIA

DAIYU

EISHETH ZENUNIM

GWYNETH

INEZ

MARCILLA

MARGUERITE

MARIANNE

PARTHENOPE

Continue reading "BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse | 5- Cleménce" »

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Today only - from Lancôme

Special Sneak Preview - TODAY ONLY (7.31.08)

The mascara revolution has begun! The newest trend is vibrating and spinning mascara wands, and Lancôme wants you to join the fun. If Lancôme is famous for one thing, I'd say it's mascara, right? Well, today only, they are giving us a fabulous opportunity to try their new mascara, Ôscillation!

Vibrating. Infinite. Powermascara.

The Brush

The battery-operated brush provides 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, wrapping lashes up to 360 degrees.

The Formula

The Ôscillation formula is designed to work specifically with the Ôscillation brush. Creamy, fluid and supple in texture, it results in a glossy look and a smooth application.

Want to try one? Keep reading and find out how...

Continue reading "Today only - from Lancôme" »

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FACE OF THE DAY - 7.30

Hola, amigas (and the stray amigo).

Here's today's FOTD. If you want the details and some more pics, click through the jump.

Continue reading "FACE OF THE DAY - 7.30" »

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BPAL NEWNESS

Snow, Glass, Apples @ Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs

Ahhh... BPAL...

Ahhh... Neil Gaiman...

And when the two meet, what you get is a wonderful tale and a wonderful scent - wonderment for all of your senses!

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is thrilled to present a numbered, limited edition chapbook of Neil Gaiman's acclaimed short story, Snow, Glass, Apples, beautifully illustrated by Julie Dillon.

Each package includes a 5ml bottle of perfume, created by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, that was inspired by the tale.

In Neil's words, 'It smells like green apples and like sex and vampires, all at the same time. (Actually, it smells like sexy vampire apples.)'

This set is a limited run of 1000. 250 were sold by CBLDF at San Diego Comic Con 2008, and the remainder are available through the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab web site. Snow, Glass, Apples will be available on the BPAL site as long as supplies last. This is a charitable, not-for-profit venture: proceeds from every single set go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which works to preserve and protect the First Amendment rights of the comics community.

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Oops!

Recovering from technical difficulties... and a little break.

First: Happy Monday! *groan*
2nd: Comments are now back. I don't know what happened, but comments were still coming in but were invisible for awhile. They're back.
C: Sorry it was quiet around here this weekend, but my daughter turned two and I was otherwise occupied. Yay! She's two!!!! What a big girl...

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The ladies of Total Beauty hit it out of the park this week. Take a look!

(image source)

Elke asks "are you on twitter?" Post in her comments and let her know!

Beckie and Jamie atGirl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog helps you spot fake Tiffany.

Fabulous Over Forty discusses whether beautiful jewlery should be used for cosmetics or not.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine SPF 20 Bronzing Powder.

The Muse shares her haul from MAC Colour Forms! Check out product photos, swatches, and an FOTD from this Nordstrom Exclusive Collection!

Beauty Tyrant has discovered her Mommy's beauty secret - facial massage. She's sharing her new found 7-step facial massage especially for those who doesn't have the time for a monthly facial treat.

Viva Woman wants to know if you prefer eyebrow pencil or eyebrow powder to shape your eyebrows.

The Makeup Divas tells you what one of the most important items in a woman's beauty arsenal should be.

TR-TR-TR-TRIA! Learn about the TRIA - the 1st at-home laser hair removal sytstem. Visit Fifty-Cent Head and see if it works!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has tried and tested the new Marini Lash! Find out if it worked!

The Beauty of Life is giving away products from Bliss and Farfalla, worth over $80!

Beauty's SPOT has discovered the most amazing eye revolution in Elizabeth Grant's Caviar Eye Pads. Enjoy!

What beauty product put Beauty411's glow on? Check out her review of Kate Somerville Deep Tissue Repair!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has identified her holy grail concealer. Find out what it is here.

How To Get Natalie Portman's Smoky Eyes With Nars Black Eye Kit-Talking Makeup.

Frappelattes has reviewed and found an effective cellulite solution!

Spoiled Pretty is enamored with ModelCo's Shimmer Airbrush Luminizer. The light-reflecting particles impart the most unbelieveable glow...it's so sexy, it's mist-ifying!

The girls from Beauty in Real Life, deliver the hottest hair trends for Fall 2008 from Guido Palau for Redken!

The Beauty Alchemist finds the hardest holding hairspray out there .

Glossypink has found a body scrub that will keep your skin glowing and smelling sweet!

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Bobbi Brown- Fall | Chic Shimmer Metallics

I really can't comment on these, due to the drooling. Take a look...

The Promo:

The Eyes:

Availability: In August '08

The scoop: Richly pigmented, silky, long-wearing, crease-proof; fits in the new palettes; 17 shades; $20.

The Lips:

Availability: In September '08

The scoop: New formula: high-shine emollients, light-reflective pearl; medium coverage; 15 shades; $22.

The Lemmings:

I dunno... I have to see the shades of the shadows to know, but I LOVE this texture and the color payoff. This could be disastrous to my wallet. Let's err on the safe side and say "all". :)

I will also wait to see what the lippies are like, but it's a safe bet I'll try one of the darker and/or plummish ones at least!

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BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse | 4- Ashultum

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

4 - ASHLULTUM

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

Babylonian musk, vanilla tea, tonka, tobacco, coconut, hyssop, and lilac.

The background of the name:

All I could find on her was this: "A queen of Sargon. Her name is an abbreviation of the sentence, 'I took you/her as spoil'." Sargon was a leader of ancient Mesopotamia, who ruled for 56 years, creating quite an empire.

Initial impressions:

Herbal lilac, which is really really nice! I happen to LOVE lilac (though am violently allergic).

More thoughts:

Once on and given time to settle down, this is much more than a lilac scent on me. In fact, the lilac is nicely balanced by the other scents. Babylonian musk, vanilla tea and tonka help make the scent full and lovely, balancing the lilac (which in other scents can be heady and o'erbearing). I don't really smell the tobacco, but for me that's good as I often turn that into a nasty sweaty mess. The coconut is either wiley, or I just don't wear coconut well. Not sure which, but I don't get a sense of it here.

Here's another scent that I smelled the morning after I put it on. Not too shabby!

Other scents have a tendency to slowly die down. Not Ashultum! She picks up power as she goes, which keeps her mysterious and unpredictable. I'd assume taking her as a spoil may have not ended exactly the way Sargon may have originaly expected.

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

3 - AGRAT-BAT-MAHLAHT

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

Amber, cream accord, white honey, apple blossom, skin musk, caramel, and teak.

The background of the name:

Agrat-Bat-Mahlaht is one of the four wives of Satan, and the demoness of whores. In other words, she's like the Arch-Angel of Prostitutes. Her name could also be interpreted as "daughter of illusions."

Initial impressions:

The name "Agrat-Bat-Mahlaht" sounds green and cold to me, but the notes in this scent did not. I wasn't sure what to expect. My initial thought was "CARAMEL."

More thoughts:

Actually, this scent gives off a distinct caramel-apple scent to me. It's greenish but with this heavy, sweet, treacly power around it. The longer I wear it, the more the musk and caramel and amber balance the sharpness of the apple blossom. But, that said, it's not completely a food scent, somehow. It's like food on a big heavy wooden table in a sketchy centuries-old pub, if that makes sense.

This is very strong and it sticks around - but it's a very lovely scent, so I surely don't mind! This is quite delectable. Agrat-Bat-Mahlaht is a dangerous demon, indeed, because she smells like sweet candy... with a dark, dark secret lurking behind her. And judging by the headless body behind her on the label, I'd say it's a secret no one's going to ask her more about!

BPAL Review: The Grindhouse and The Ladies of the Grindhouse |

2 - AERONWEN

Folks - if you aren't clicking on the images in this series to take an up-close look, you're missing out! Jennifer Williamson is A-MA-ZING.

The description of the scent:

Fig, dark myrrh, amber, redwood, nutmeg, tarragon, black musk, and sweet orange.

The background of the name:

Aeronwen, a Welsh name for "carnage" and "slaughter", thought by some to be a form of the Celtic goddess of war and death.

Initial impressions:

This is the one that made me need to try the series! Fig...myrrh...amber...redwood...nutmeg...musk... What's not to like!? However, when I first sniffed the bottle, this scent wasn't as deep as I thought it would be. Apparently fig is more "green" than I knew. Hmmm....

More thoughts:

Yes, this is a green and wet scent. Not usually my cup of tea (ha! green... wet... cup of tea! er...) But the more I smell it, the more I love it. The green top, which smells almost like the green of a tomato vine to me, dies back a bit and the oil gets a bit more round. The musk and the other deeper scents move up a bit to intertwine with the fig. It's a good mix!

The scent is close-to-the-skin on me - not one that wafts around and pulls people in close. This one is for folks who are already close! It has a very nice wear on me, though, despite it all. I put this on in the afternoon and could smell it still when I woke up the next morning (and that's after many, many handwashings and sanitzings both at work and at home!).

Do I smell carnage and slaughter, here? No, not so much, unless they smell like figs and musk!

I will say it's not my favorite in the collection, but it's not a swap-it-away-er, either. I will definitely wear this and I can't wait to see how it ages, too!

Tr-tr-tr-TRIA! Laser hair removal at home!?!?

Part one of the FCH TRIA Trials.

Everyone remembers the Chia Pet, right? You get a little clay vessel shaped like an animal or a head, sprinkle some seeds on, keep it watered and watch it grow! No problemo, right?

Well, some folks have no trouble growing the hair. In fact, some folks have the opposite problem - getting rid of unwanted hair. And it's not as easy as tossing a wayward Chia Pet in the garbage, is it?

I haven't previously given a lot of thought to unwanted hair, to be honest with you. I'm a brunette, but am blessed with only fine blond hairs on my arms and most of my legs*, so I don't spend tons of time worrying about this issue. I do shave certain areas and wax others, but again - if I am behind schedule it's not the big deal for me that it is for other men and women. But many people really struggle with this problem, and some suffer social stigma from unwanted hair. What to do?!

*"most of my legs" means portions of my legs, not most of my multiple legs. I only have 2 legs.

I just may have the solution for those folks!Take a look:

No, it's not a hair dryer or a new taser! It's a TRIA - the world's first personal home laser hair removal system.

Intrigued? Keep reading...

Continue reading "Tr-tr-tr-TRIA! Laser hair removal at home!?!? Part one of the FCH Tria Trials" »

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90210 Nails

90210 Nails!

Back in the day, who didn't want to look like the gang from 90210!? Maybe not Andrea, and certainly Donna had her own group of haters, but for sure Kelly and Brenda were worth a second look. Whatever it took to catch a guy like Brandon or Dillon, right!?

If this all sounds like a trip right down your own personal Memory Lane, and you haven't heard that they're bring Beverly Hills 90210 back - I've got news for you!

To celebrate the return of that particular zip code, OPI is launching a collection of shades inspired by the gang! Do we think a black, orange, and white- the colors of Beverly High? "Peach Pit"? Ocean blue?

The news of the collection was broken by Nylon magazine, and more details about the shades and names will be featured in an upcoming article in that very same mag.

What do you think of this retro collection?!

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We've nailed it! FCH tracked down the newest nail collections and we have it all for you here!

Here we go!

Rescue Beauty Lounge goes deep. Real deep! Under-the-sea-deep, with Sponge Bob Square Pants.

This is labeled a "Pre-Fall Collection", so don't think this is all we'll see from Ji Baek in the next few months.

square pants is a lovely, buttery yellow; bikini bottom is a soft robin's egg blue; starfish-patrick is a gorgeous shell peach.

Lemming them all.... how 'bout you?

The fabulous nail gals Scrangie and Ballz & Thinner have featured the newest collection from Misa. It's called Poisoned Passion. Ooh! It sounds and looks great!

I'm in such an Autumn mood right now (it's my favorite season and Summer is my least favorite, so about this time of year my tolerance for Summer is toast and I start yearning for crisp air and dark colors and lovely sweaters!

I will need to track down this collection, ya'll, 'cause they all look good to me, especially love bite, dying love, toxic seduction and fatal affair.

Love this collection name and the products names, too!

I can't wait to wear a dark and vampy color like love bite...but really i'm most drawn to that toxic seduction. Is it green? Is it teal? Whatever it is, I think I like it!

By the way, the images are courtesy of Ms. Scrangie.

Wow. All Lacquered Up is a tease (which some of us already knew!). She got to go dine with the creative gurus of China Glaze (I HEART CHINA GLAZE!) and heard some of the scoop about the line and upcoming collections. In fact, she got a peek at some of CG's holiday gifts to us polish lovers.

Take a look at Emerald Sparkle! It will be paired with Tinsel, a silver of some sort.

I know I'm waiting for Michelle to post more about these polishes... aren't you!?

Please don't copy this image or share this info without crediting All Lacquered Up --- this is her image and her scoop.

Not to be out-scooped, The Polish Addict has let us all know about Color Club's newest collections, including a more "green" line. Take a look at The Polish Addict's pics, below, but please don't reproduce them without giving her proper credit!

OK, I'm sure you've guessed, but I will NEED the orange one...

I'm not a big glitter gal,but if you are, you'll probably like Glitter Vixen:

And here's what the all-natural line will look like:

I see a few possible lemmings here and I will wait with bated breath for more info on these collections!

We all know Essie only has shades of white, off-white, blush pink and beige, right?

Right?

Whoops! Not so much!

And because they're so cute, here are the packs for you to oogle:

Scrangie and The Polish Addict have swatched and reviewed these polishes. Take a look! Scrangie's Swatches & Review / The Polish Addict's Swatches & Review.

Lemming Tomboy No More, No Boundaries, and Lacy Not Racy. And you?

Here are the swatches of the three in the order named above, first from Scrangie, then The Polish Addict:

They look different in each set of images, no? Frankly, I think something happened with No Boundaries and I like Scrangie's version better.

Keep and eye out at Sephora - coming soon Sephora for OPI! Beauty and the Blog is running a review of some of the initial polishes for us, and so far I have quite a shopping list. Grr....

$9 will get you one of the 54 shades exclusive to Sephora. Even the packaging is unique to Sephora! The line will have a base coat, a top coat, nail drying drops, and remover and the shades will be au currant. The polishes will be 3-free (no DBP, no formaldahyde, no touluene), of course.

Beauty and the Blog s featuring some highlights from the colors for us. Wanna peek?