Fifty-cent Head

Black Phoenix Trading Post gives me my one true love...

I am completely enamored of Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs and all related companies and products. I'm besotted and will tell anyone and everyone! And I thought I had found my One True Love before: Morocco. And I still love it! Then I thought I found my One True Love again: O. And that is a damn good scent. In fact, I love both of those oils so much I get stressed when they're running low. But now I need to add to the list. I have a new One True Love: TKO.

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TKO comes in an oil, available at BPAL, in the Pancea Collection. I can't wait to hit up the rest of that collection, man! But since we're focusing on Black Phoenix Trading Company products today, I thought I'd review TKO Pancea Massage Oil.

Sigh...

I don't even really know how to begin, because this is such a lovely blend I doubt I can do it justice (I faced the same problem launching my reviews of Morocco and O.

Basically, I haven't used this as a massage oil, as designed, instead putting it on generously before bed. It is, after all, called "TKO". The implication is that it's good for those headed to Dreamland. In fact, here is the Lab's description of the scent (note that there are no notes annotated):

Many things -- such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly -- are done worst when we try hardest to do them.

And it is true that this helps me sleep. And it helps me stay nice and calm. And I want a vat of it, and another of the perfume oil.

What does it smell like? A gigantic lavender marshmallow, actually. That's the best I can do. It's sweet and it's sugary and it's got a hint of lavender (really, only a hint - I don't love lavender, so I promise it's not much). It's not so foody that it makes me hungry, and not so sweet it makes me sick. It's perfect, actually, and it does exactly what I want it to do, while smelling good at the same time. (sometimes aromatherapy blends or "functional" scents tend to work, but aren't able to pull off a satisfying fragrance while doing it - not so at BPAL)

So, I guess what it boils down to is that I have Three True Loves and a bunch of slightly lesser loves queuing up just behind. Let's just say, I'm eagerly awaiting my next box of preciouses from BPAL, BPTP, or TAL (TAL is my next spree!).

[Editor's Note: I am not affiliated with Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs in any way. They have sent me items to test in the past, but I have also spent a good amount of money there, too. I just talk about them so much because I really do love them that much- not because someone's paying me to. The icons on my blog that lead you to BPAL are also my idea and are not a paid advertisement. I don't even know if anyone at the lab knows they're there, in fact.]"

Black Phoenix Trading Post: ATMOSPHERE (or why does a Drag Queen like the smell of a Cathouse?)

Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs Day here at FCH continues with this offering, technically from Black Phoenix Trading Post.

The first item I'm going to review from the Trading Post is one of the Atmosphere Room and Linen Sprays: Cathouse.

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No, not that kind of cat house. More like:

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What does a cathouse smell like? And why does one want to make a room or a linen smell like one? These are questions I asked myself when I unwrapped the package of Cathouse, but I trust Beth (creator and genius at BPAL) completely, so I decided to give it a chance.

(Note: I will give anything Beth sends a chance - if she sent me a baby diaper in a box and told me to try a sniff, I'd probably do it. That's how much I admire her mad fragrancing skills. This is not a far-off proposition, as she's expecting a baby probably this summer)

Apparently, a Cathouse smells delicious. Who knew!?  Here's the official scent description:

A nineteenth century Southern bordello: magnolia, jasmine, honey musk, tobacco, vanilla bean, bourbon vanilla, and Spanish moss.

I suppose that you have realized now that this is pure genius? OF COURSE a Cathouse smells of magnolia, jasmine, honey musk, tobacco, vanilla bean, bourbon vanilla, and Spanish moss. And if you're wondering what that smells like, it smells like Heaven. Who knew a Cathouse smelled like Heaven? BPAL did, naturally.

I actually spray my linens with this every night (lightly) before going to bed, and that paired with another Black Phoenix Trading Post item (to be reviewed later) has given me the best sleep I've had in ages.

Now, if you're wondering what the other part of this post's title means ("Why does a Drag Queen like the smell of a Cathouse?"), I can't really answer the question, but I can give you an explanation of why the question exists in the first place. I have taken to popping my bottle of Cathouse in my work bag, and spritzing my office with it from time to time. Every single time I do this, a gentleman I work with (who happens to spend some of his off-time as a very lovely Drag Queen) pops his head in and enthuses about the scent. Every single time. This tickles me to no end, because I figure the last person who should be interested in the smell of a Cathouse is a boy who likes to kiss other boys, though I guess since he likes to dress like a lady it all balances out in the end.

At any rate, check out Cathouse and the other Atmosphere Sprays at Black Phoenix Trading Post. You won't be disappointed!

PS: Atmosphere Sprays seem pricey, at $40 a bottle, but trust me: you'll get your money's worth!

Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs | Black Phoenix Trading Post

Falling into BPAL is like opening Pandora's Box - you never really know what you're going to get! If you're not familiar with Pandora, here's a brief: she was, according to the Greeks, the first woman. Blessed with curiosity, like most women are, she opened a jar* she was told not to open, unleashing evil** in the form of slander, vanity, greed, envy and pining.

*Yes, I said "jar". The phrase "Pandora's Box" is a hot mess, 'cause linguists tell us that it wasn't a box at all, instead a jar or jug. Blame Erasmus for the linguistic faux pas - it's his fault. 

 **Evil, eh? See how apropos "Pandora's Box" is for a discourse on BPAL? A quick walk through BPAL shows you the true meanings of vanity (want to smell good, attract a mate, look and feel gorgeous?), greed (ok, well maybe I'll just 6 more imps to this order!), envy (how did she get an aged bottle of Spooky 06!?), and pining (oh, I can't wait for my next order of the precious arrives! i can't sleep, I'm so excited!). I think the only thing BPAL didn't get from Pandora's box is slander, which is currently being monopolized by the presidential candidates.

Now look what you've done, you've distracted me, and I was attempting to explain something.

Ahem.

What I was saying was this: falling into BPAL is like opening Pandora's Jar. You never know what you're going to get. Just when you think you've gotten acclimated to the site - the general catalog and it's kazillion amazing oils, the poetry and prose, the art, the wit, the history lessons; just when you've picked your first imps and ordered your first bottle - BAM!: you discover The Forum! You dive in, hungrily reading review after review, delighting in the imagery (and the clever screen names). After some time, you come out of your self-imposed hibernation, feeling satisfied you've poked and prodded every little corner of the boards and learned everything you can about your fellow BPAL addicts, discontinued scents, and aging Snake Oil - BAM!: someone mentions The Trading Post.

SCREEEEECH!!!!

Back it up a second... what's that? "The Trading Post"!?

Yup. There's more. The Black Phoenix Trading Post. It's where you go to spend even more money experience even more BPALy goodness, of the non-perfume oil variety. There you will find:

• Lunacy t-shirts (and other clothing that pays tribute to your BPAL additction)
• Atmospheric Room and Linen Sprays
• BPAL soaps, bath goodies, massage oils and nail polish
• Scent lockets
• ID cases, cases for your imps, pouches for your precious
• Perfume oil bottle tops, shot glasses, notepads, keychains
• Gorgeous leather clutches, imp cases, and wrist gear
• And other creatures

And hopefully these other goodies, coming soon:

• Solid perfumes
• Boxes

NOTE: Black Phoenix Trading Post and Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs are not the same company, and so orders to one cannot be combined with orders to the other. Please make two separate orders!

I haven't even told you about TAL yet. That's for another day...
The savvy BPALer will find it,
but the rest of you can wait 'til that Pandora's Jug is opened for you! ;)

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is good for you and the earth!

poison ivy image courtesy of Comicvine.

This post is late, but to my defense I already told you my muse went missing for a little while. And I feel like this was fate, because now I can write this post and it's not going to get buried in the onslaught of information being thrown at your during Earth Week.

Basically, since I love BPAL so much I decided to ask Beth (founder, perfumer, Nose, perfume czar, genius) how they were helping the earth. This was a challenge I was fairly certain BPAL was up to , but would have posted the answers regardless. So, on to the official answer from Beth Moriarty on BPAL's commitment to keeping it real:

We believe in compassionate consumerism, and in giving as much back to the community as we can through charitable contributions, volunteer work, and by supporting fair trade and self-sustaining growers whenever possible. We participate in the Green Power for a Green LA program at work and in our homes, and have participated in fundraisers for many fine organizations, including the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Orangutan Foundation UK, AIDS Project Los Angeles, the Animal Assistance League of Orange County, Bat Conservation International, Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, Midway City, United Hope For Animals, the International Bird Rescue Research Center, the Red Cross, the Humane Society, and local women’s shelters.

Our bath and massage oils are paraben and formaldehyde free, and do not contain sodium lauryl or sodium laureth sulfate. With the exception of any formula that contains honey or beeswax, they are vegan, and are blissfully lacking in harsh chemicals or unwholesome fillers.

Our soaps were created with the finest environmentally-responsible ingredients, including Palm Kernel oil farmed from organic, fair-trade farms in Brazil (on reclaimed, replanted mixed-use rainforest) and organic Jojoba Oil grown in Arizona. They are completely free of artificial colors or preservatives, and are blissfully lacking in petroleum, silicone, or other unwholesome fillers.

BPAL’s Atmosphere Blends are non-aerosol, and our nail polish formula is free of toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde.

With the exception of our honey-based products and our bath products that contain goat’s milk, everything that comes from Black Phoenix is vegan, and we abhor animal testing.

And last, but not least… Black Phoenix Trading Post’s labels are printed on an Earth-friendly corn biopolymer.

Beth has given us lots of food for thought- this is not new, as just browsing her site makes on want to educate oneself (and slather on great-smelling products!). Please follow the links below to fall in line behind Beth and the BPAL gang and make the world you live in just a little bit better...

Learn more about Green Power here.
Read about and support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Visit the Orangutan Foundation UK and learn - and make a donation!
Support AIDS Project LA.
Check into the Animal Assistance League of Orange County, here.
I adore bats, so encourage you to check out The Bat Conservation International site and learn more about these misunderstood mammals.
A cause many have not heard of, but still a wonderful cause nonetheless: Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land. Learn more here.
Donate to United Help for Animals.
Peep the International Bird Rescue Research Center (the images will break your heart!).
The Red Cross can always be found online here.
Everyone has heard of The Humane Society, but when did you last volunteer or donate?
Please, please check your local directories to find women's shelters in your area and figure out a way you can help! Donate clothes, old equipment, blankets, money, toys, cosmetics, suits... ask what they need and find a way to provide it!

Learn more about veganism here.
Find out what fair trade really is - and then seek out companies that use fair trade ingredients, please!

What does it mean to be paraben free? The debate rages on over this issue, but read up about the basics, here.
Formaldehyde is natural, but undesirable in high quantities. Read more here.
Depending on who you hear it from, sodium lauryl and sodium laureth sulfate aren't so good for you. For example, read this. My feeling on this and parabens is: if the jury is still out, I'll avoid these when I can!
Why avoid products with petroleum in them? Oil harvesting can be damaging to the earth and wildlife, it's clearly getting more expensive, and burning oil is probably contributing to global warming. Besides, the oil the earth has left to share is dwindling fast, so why use it up when there are alternatives?!
I happen to like a lot of topical makeup products with silicones, but many folks avoid them. Read why, here.
Most of us don't use aerosols the way we used to when I was a kid (walking through 8 feet of snow, barefoot, to get to school- but I digress). Learn why, here, and be glad BPAL doesn't use them.
BPAL polishes are "Big-Three Free" which means--- well, read about it here. I must admit, I only use "big-three free" polishes now.
Go on, investigate biopolymers. I did, and I feel so much smarter now - and I know what to look for when shopping, now, too!

Today is Black Phoenix Day at FCH!

Take a look around this place and you'll see that here at FCH, we love us some BPAL (that's Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab in case you're new here). And I recently got some goodies from their affiliated site, Black Phoenix Trading Post, a great place to get non-perfume oil BPAL goodness. I want to tell you about them today, but I'll do so in separate posts. And I will probably get so in-the-mood for BPAL that I'll also post a review or two on some of my favorite oils.

So buckle yourself in, 'cause today is BLACK PHOENIX DAY here at Fifty-Cent Head!

Earth Week: GORGEOUSITY

I do not buy cosmetic products just to keep them and look at them. I do not. I can't afford it, nor do I think it's practical. However, if I won the lottery today (even a fairly small one), I'd buy these next two products in a heartbeat and never touch them: just display them somehow. They're so pretty I'm not shrinking these images for this post. Take a look:

Maybe it's the Pisces in me, but I love the imagery on these. Don't you!?

Chantecaille has made these gloriously delicious compacts for the upscale line that focuses on using healthy, natural and organic ingredients. In the words of the founder, Sylvie Chantecaille, "If you're going to have a luxury makeup line, the least you can do is to make it do something good for you."

5% of the proceeds go to the Pew Institute for Ocean Science - so you can have this gorgeous makeup and help support marine conservation efforts! (For those who really want the details: the money specifically goes to "five $150,000 awards to ocean experts around the world each year to develop solutions to critical ocean challenges." Who can't get behind that!?)

Both compacts are made with incredibly finely milled pigments supported with silk proteins and silicones that help it feel extra silky and sit nicely on the skin.

The green compact is for the eyes. The green you see is actually an overspray - the shadow is gray underneath. Chantecaille suggests using the Aqua fish to line the eyes and the coral one, Rose Gold, to highlight.

The pink compact is for the face. The main color is Pink Sand, perfect for lending a gentle and brightening glow. The small fish is Sunrise, and great for highlighting the cheeks, while the bigger fish is Coral, a lovely cheek color.

Each compact is $90 USD and can be purchased through Bliss or Neiman Marcus (the Chantecaille website is, as of this writing, not live, but may offer the products later-- who can tell?)

Don't have the desire to own these compacts? Or maybe the pricetag is more hefty than you can swing? Donate to the Pew Institute directly, here.

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Take a look at these amazing tips I found on the Pew Institute site. Learn how you can better take care of those glorious oceans we know so little about:

                  

Modern industrial fishing practices and other significant human activities are destroying ocean ecosystems at an alarming rate, depleting our fish populations and devastating coral reefs. Consumers can take several steps to help protect the marine environment, conserve ocean biodiversity, and give threatened fish species a better chance of long-term survival. Here are a few to consider:
               

1. Purchase a Protected Paradise compact from Chantecaille Beaute. Five percent of the proceeds from the sale of each eye and face makeup compact will be donated to support the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation program. The mission of the program, administered by the Pew Institute for Ocean Science, is to advance protections for the ocean environment by providing fellowships to outstanding individuals across the globe who are working to identify and implement solutions to critical challenges facing marine waters, wildlife, and habitats.
   
                                            
2. When eating out or purchasing fish, send a text message to FishPhone at 30644 with the message “fish” and the name of the fish you are ordering (i.e., fish sword). Within seconds, you will receive a reply affirming the sustainability of your choice or an alternate suggestion. The text message will let you know of any human health advisories against consuming the fish, and the extent of environmental concerns over the fish’s harvesting.
   
                                            
3. Support the creation of a network of marine reserves by writing to the Secretary General of the United Nations and demanding that 40 percent (and no less than 20 percent) of the high seas be designated as marine reserves in each ocean. These reserves are vital to ensure the preservation of our seas for generations to come.
   
                                            
4. Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change and coral reef destruction by considering alternative transportation options, such as public transportation, bicycling, and walking. You can also maximize the fuel-efficiency of your automobiles by keeping your tires inflated, which improves gas mileage.

I am SO putting that FishPhone number in my phone and using it when I'm ordering fish. And I'm telling everyone I know to do the same! What will you commit to doing to conserve our marine resources!?

                  

Make sure Mother's Day is Lush-ious.

 

Soothing care for MUM's hardworking hands Make your loving, nurturing MUM feel extra special with this fragrant duo. Lily Savon soap gently lathers away gardening dirt while Lemony Flutter cuticle butter helps repair roughed up hands leaving them smooth and fresh. Perfect gift for a MUM with a green thumb (or who works with her hands). $18.95 USD

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and

Calming head to toe indulgence for your SuperMUM Thank your MUM for being your personal taxi service, chef, confidant and domestic engineer with this thoughtful bath and body gift. Convince her to take a load off and soak in the tub with The Comforter bubble bar and Sakura bath bomb, lather with fragrant Lily Savon handmade soap, relax with an Each Peach massage bar and moisturize with Dream Cream body lotion. The gift tag is made with recycled paper containing wildflower seeds that you can plant together for a fun, family bonding experience. Also available with yellow wrapping. $47.95 USD

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And be sure to pick up a few of these, so you and Mom can make the earth a bit greener...

Bag the plastic and choose to be greener Be eco-chic with this roomy, custom-made LUSH bag printed with the environmentally friendly message: What's Your Carbon Footprint? Ideal for all your shopping and toting needs, this cotton eco-bag is manufactured by a women's cooperative in India. Inside it has a large pocket and a smaller pocket great for a cell phone or other small object. It's 12" high by 12" wide and 5" deep (30cm x 30cm x 13cm).   $8.95 US

Love Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer?

If you love one of the moisturizers in the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer line, you're going to love what I'm about to tell you! Kiehl's is expanding the line - which already includes a moisturizer, an SPF 15 moisturizer, an SPF 15 tinted moisturizer, and moisturizing cream - and it's going to be great. As we know, these products are softening and moisturizing and the effects are lasting.

Welcome these two nifty products to that Ultra family:

The Ultra Facial Cleanser and Ultra Facial Toner promise to be tough on undesirables but gentle on your skin -which is always a nice promise.

Like the moisturizing products, the Ultra Facial Cleanser and Ultra Facial Toner are both great for all skin types.  And all of the products in this line contain Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil and Vitamins C and E and are pH-balanced.

Ultra Facial Cleanser

           Ultra-mild, non-stripping cleanser

• Gentle, yet effective   gel formula
• Made with a unique,   non-stripping, sugar-derived foaming agent
• Cleanses without   drying
• Dissolves excess   oil, dirt and debris without over-drying or stripping
• pH-balanced to maintain   skin’s natural protective barrier

         

Size: 5 oz./150 ml              Suggested Retail Price: $17.50

Ultra Facial Toner

        Ultra-mild toner to hydrate and comfort skin

• Non-astringent,   unique milky texture
• Emulsified formula   with moisturizing properties
• Alcohol-free toner   hydrates and refines skin
• Removes surface   debris and any remaining residue
• Does not strip skin   of natural oils
• pH-balanced for   optimal comfort

        Size: 8.4 oz./250 ml              Suggested Retail Price: $15.00

 

 

As always, Kiehl's is not tested on animals. YAY!

Susan Brown's Baby: Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

The pleasant scent... the fact that it doesn't dry out my hands... the nifty little blue and pink beads... the way the product dispenses...these are things that are going to have me going back to Susan Brown's Baby for Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer. The cute pictures on the packaging are just icing on a sweet little cake.

Read on to find out why I'm reviewing a hand sanitizer on Fifty-CentHead. :)

Urban Decay wins award

 

While I agree with their philosophy and believe in treating animals with the care and concern you would a human, I sometimes don't like how People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) approaches their cause. However, I fully support them in their praise for Urban Decay, who they recently gave an award for their commitment to not testing on animals. Urban Decay products are marked with the motto "We DON'T do animal testing. How could anyone?" Congrats on being PETA's Best Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Line, Urban Decay!