Fifty-cent Head

FCH Review Round-up: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Twelve hours of moisturization - that's what they say when they talk about this product from the wonderful labs of Clinique. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief keeps your skin soft and hydrated through anything: extreme temperatures, changes in environment, heaters and air conditioners. It stands up to them all! By pushing skin to retain a stable moisture balance, this product enables skin to defend itself better against environmental aggressions. This is a good thing. You may be familiar with this product already ... or are you? It's been tweaked and now has ingredients that help lock in the intense-but-not-overwhelming hydration. It's got the same color (peachy) and consistency (gel-like cream) it always has, and still won't clog your pores or break you out.

The Verdict: I love this stuff. I love the lightweight feel but heavy-hitting hydration. I don't really notice a scent and the way it makes my skin feel is DIVINE. You can also use this moisturizer as a mask - layer it up on the skin and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off. This is a new permanent fixture for me. FCH-Approved!

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

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.

(image source)

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.

(image source)

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

(image source)

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!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Our motto here at Fifty-Cent Head is "we search for beauty news so you don't have to" and whilst surfing yesterday I came across a wonderful treat for you. Ya ready!? I'm about to jingle your bells, ladies and gentlemen!

What's everyone's favorite thing about Thanksgiving, besides the pumpkin pie? Well, it's the Black Friday releases at MAC, isn't it???

 

Take a look at this bad boy- one of the bags from the 2008 MAC Holiday Collection. It's got square edges, and appears to be shiny... like pleather, maybe? And it's the amazing, dazzling, spectacularific shade of red...

Introducing:

RED SHE SAID














 

More after the jump!

Question of the day: What could make a MAC girl switch lipglosses!?

I only tag a few products as Obsessions (usually they are from Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs!). I've got a new one that falls into this category now, and I'm about to tell you about it. But first, did you find the subject line compelling? I mean, how many die-hard MAC girls walk away from Lipglass? I never thought I would - I tried Chanel Glossimers, and found them too weakly pigmented. I tried Bobbi Brown lipgloss, but thought the color selection was too poor. I even tried "the other artist line", Make Up For Ever, and returned the glosses to Sephora because they were so pale and transient (disappeared WAY to quickly!). So what could make me ignore my beloved Lipglasses for the last few weeks!?

Clinique, you have really been stepping it up lately! Now, with these Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 lip glosses, you have a new permanent customer. (Imagine me walking past MAC to Clinique! I still can't get over it!)

Let me tell you about the Long Last Glosswears...

It's that time of the month!

No, not that time of the month! Geez! We're tight, but we're not tight like that! Pull it together, girl! I mean it's time for A Little Lunacy!

Every full moon brings special tricks and treats to Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs (BPAL), and this month is no exception. Until April 22nd and not a second later, get your Dragon Moon swag...

A LITTLE LUNACY
DRAGON MOON 2008
 
In some cultures, the Dragon is benevolent, bestowing blessings and granting wishes. In others, the Dragon is an icon of destruction and harbinger of catastrophe. In all its incarnations, both baneful and benign, the Dragon is a symbol of strength, authority, and the raw power of nature. Our Dragon Moon represents the forces of rebirth and the vigor that springtime brings: dragon's blood resin, galbanum, blue sage, lavender, peppermint, sweetgrass, frankincense, moonglow magnolia, bergamot, and green cedar.

$17.50 and available online or at the Lunacy events.

Dragon Moon is also live at Black Phoenix Trading Post! Get the t-shirt so everyone knows you were there!

Artwork by Jennifer Williamson. If you haven't checked her out yet, you're foolish.

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Please note: The Atomic Luau Lounge collection hits the road on April 22nd, too, so if you've been dilly-dallying about those scents you need to jump now!

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

Fantastical news from BPAL!

I have a few (glowing) reviews coming up - items I was sent from Black Phoenix Trading Post! But while I'm busy sniffing myself and composing the posts, I thought you'd want to know what's up right now at Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs. Please refer to the info below, from an email I received from them, then go check out BPAL immediately, if not sooner.

The Miskatonic Valley Junior Baseball Association is proud to announce the opening of the 2008 MVJBA season!

We would like to thank all the parents, cultists, Deep Ones, and other volunteers who have given their time to umpire, work the snack shacks, maintain the fields, and coach.

Many thanks, also, to the people of Leng for coordinating special events and acting as scorekeepers! Thanks for always lending a hand!

Due to the unforeseen consequences of last winter's Rite of the Black Goat, we have been temporarily downsized to two teams. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the Kingsport Moonbeasts and the Aylesbury Zoogs who are currently resting in Arkham Sanitarium. We'll see you guys next season!


The Miskatonic Valley Junior Baseball Association would like to offer a special heartfelt thanks to our Platinum sponsors, Black Phoenix Bail Bonds and Trading Post Salvage Yard (and Pizzeria) for almost ninety years of continuous support! A special thanks also goes out to Miskatonic University, whose auction of the original Pnakotic Manuscripts provided all of our teams with new batting helmets, bats, and a new lawnmower for the field!

LEAGUE PRESIDENT: Elizabeth Moriarty
COACH - INNSMOUTH GUPPIES: Brian Constantine
COACH - DUNWICH WHIPPOORWILLS: Ted Barrial


Best of luck to the Guppies and Whippoorwills!

Don't forget! The Spring Pancake Breakfast and Summoning is coming up!

PLAY BALL!

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Visit BPAL to learn more about BPAL and the MVJBA playoffs - and to order your Limited Edition MVJBA shirts and scent. See ya in the stands!

Southern BPAL addicts - take note!

Here's some copy from an email I just received:

Roswell, GA Whole Foods M&S Will Call!, Sunday March 9th 6pm-8pm

Calling all Southern BPALers! Mark your calenders and pack up your stash! Harry's/Whole Foods in Roswell will be throwing our very first Meet n Sniff /Will Call type party and everyone's invited! We will have all of our current offerings for sale (20 GC's, 4 Love Poems, and all the Retail Only Salons) as well as some wonderful BPAL and BPTP swag to give away (including a locket! ). You are more than welcome to bring in your own collections to share; please just make sure they are marked as such to avoid confusion.

The Details:
Date: Sunday March 9th from 6pm-8pm
Location: The Salud Cooking School (inside Harry's) 1180 Upper Hembree Rd Roswell, GA 30076 770-664-6300 x133 (Whole Body- ask for Lisa or Tony)
Call us with any questions!
Please email (lisa.dunham@wholefoods.com -please put BPAL in the subject field)if you can make it; I'd love to have an idea of how many folks are coming so I can prepare goody bags and food!

REVIEW: BPAL's O

O.

It means exactly what you're thinking it means. An O. The Big O. Oh, oh, oh! Oh, yeah...

This fragrance from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - who I adore, as you know - is simply incredible.

O
The scent of sexual obsession, slavery to sensual pleasure, and the undercurrent of innocence defiled utterly. Amber and honey with a touch of vanilla.

Could I have told you that the scent of sexual obsession was amber, honey and a dash of vanilla? Nope.

Could I have told you that those three scents would mix together in the most amazing way, leading one to name it something so spectacular as "O"? (For that's really a big name to live up to, now isn't it?) Nope.

Could I have told you that this would be my new obsession, my signature scent, the perfume I have been waiting for my whole life? Nope. But I'm telling you now.

This scent opens with a rich, poignant blast of amber - and a pure and lovely amber it is. The honey supports it in the nicest way, like an elegant dance partner or considerate lover. The vanilla winds through, tickling the two main scents but not taking over by any means, in fact it's hard to pin down.

If you don't like foody scents, don't worry- on me at least, the vanilla doesn't make this foody. It makes it rich. The honey doesn't make it treacle-y, it makes it deep.

O is something that woodland fairies drink. O is what Eden smelled like. O is the scent in the nape of a baby's neck. O is the way you feel after a long weekend in bed with your favorite bedtime playmate. O is a must-have scent...

You can buy O from BPAL - only $15 USD for a vial.

Fafi Swatches

OK, I've been posting about Fafi because I know everyone's so interested in it, but frankly I didn't know how this collection was going to work for my real life. I can't wear crazy colors to work (it's a conservative spa), and I certainly don't choose them for a wild and crazy day of taking my toddler to the library before heading to the grocery store. So, while I still appreciate off-the-wall colors and I LOVE Fafi herself, I was really certain I wasn't going to find a totally large haul at MAC come Valentine's Day.

WRONG.

I haven't purchased, yet, but did madly swatch...

To see more swatches and to learn what I simply must have from this collection, keep reading...

OMG - MAC News Abounds! Specktra Scoops Revealed...

Specktra always has the latest and greatest MAC news, and as I always promise: I scour the web, the magazines, and the beauty world so you don't have to!

Here's what Specktra has for us:

• Details on the Heatherette and MAC collaboration
• Information on the new MAC mineral-based foundation
• News about the new Strobe Collection
• Breaking details about the Beauty Powder Blush Collection

Keep reading for details...