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Just some of the brands they sell: Beauty Blender, China Glaze, Color Club, Creative Nail, Demeter, DuWop, Essie, Moroccan Oil, NailTek, Nailtiques, OPI, Orly, Qtica, Rene Furterer, Rosebud Perfume Company, Seche,Tend Skin, We Live Like This, Zoya
PS: they have the Zoya Truth or Dare collections, Essie Matte Finisher, and OPI's mini Halloween polishes: OPI Tattoo Taboo!
Just some of the brands they sell: Beauty Blender, China Glaze, Color Club, Creative Nail, Demeter, DuWop, Essie, Moroccan Oil, NailTek, Nailtiques, OPI, Orly, Qtica, Rene Furterer, Rosebud Perfume Company, Seche,Tend Skin, We Live Like This, Zoya
Part of my BPAL and TAL stash.
This isn't all of it.
My room spray, my TKO massage oil, and quite a few bottles and imps aren't shown.
(My stash is in disarray due to home improvements. Again.)
Ah, The Inquisition - not really the best of times, huh? Yet why, when mentioned by a BPALer, is it talked about in such excited tones!?
Rather ironic that a term that brings up images of out-of-control Catholics persecuting other religions, sending books up in flame, and burning witches should now be celebrated by a perfumer, huh? Well, that's BPAL for you. Beth has quite a sense of humor.
In the world of BPAL "Inquisition" happens periodically (one may anticipate its approach but is never certain until it is announced!).
Let me be more accurate: Inquisition is actually sponsored by BPAL's sister site: Black Phoenix Trading Post. Read more about BPTP here.
Anyway, approximately once a year BPTP announces their Inquisition. It's themed (previous themes have included "Agony and Ecstasy," "Warrior Queens," Naughty or Nice," "Four Seasons", and "Trick or Treat") and generally includes several choices of scent and t-shirt combos.
To get the scents, one submits to the Inquisition. This usually means creating some sort of plea to obtain the scent of one's choice. Pleas take the form of poetry, prose - something to explain why you are worthy of your choice. Pleas are always to be in keeping with the theme.
Just because you make your plea for a certain scent doesn't mean you're going to get it. The Inquisitors have full and complete discretion over what you receive dependent upon whether your offering is pleasing to them.
Sound fun? It is! Sadly, there was an Inquisition this Spring (Warrior Queens) so one is not expected soon. Though one never knows with Inquisitions...
You can read more about BPTP Inquisitions here.
This post is part of our BPAL Appreciation Week --- read more here!
What is it?
It's another place to spend your time and money on BPAL goodies!
BPTP Claw Polish - I think that's Lady MacBeth
Visit the fab Black Phoenix Trading Post (BPTP) to find non-oil goodies related to (often) the BPAL yumminess. This is a place to find gorgeous scent lockets (for those scents that contain notes you amp, or those that irritate your skin, or just because!). Here also you can find awesome nail polish (called "Claw Polish") with great names like Embalming Fluid, Opium Poppy, and Destroying Angel. So addicted to BPAL that you wish to bathe in their scents? Check the Thermae section of (BPTP) for bath oils; also available: scrubs and massage oils. Buy your Lunacy shirts here, too, as well as cases for your Imps! There's more, too. Lots more! Go. GO! GO TO BPTP and check it out!
image above is the Baron Samedi hoodie
My reccs: aside from those gorgeous pendants and scent lockets (I don't have one, but covet them madly!), I highly recommend the nail polishes (look for a review SOON - I ported old posts from earlier versions of this blog, but my nail polish reviews seem to have been lost!). I also really suggest you pick up a room spray! They're in the Atmosphere section, and you can read my review of one of them here. I'll be frank: they're pricey, but worth it, as a little goes a long way. I suggest they go on your next gift wishlist!
But as much as I recommend the things above, and vouch for them, I have one last thing to share: my one true love was found at BPTP!
This is the scent locket I most desire!
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Our
signature oil. A dark, languid scent. Promotes hedonistic tendencies
and extreme self-love. You won’t stop kissing mirrors for a month. |
What better place to start BPAL Appreciation Week reviews than with their signature fragrance, Black Phoenix?
This is one of those BPAL's with no listed scent breakdown. This is when it's critical to go by the reviews or jump blindly with complete faith in Beth!
It's also a scent I really like! I'm not a studied "nose", so I'm terrible at picking out notes, but I would describe this one to smell fruity with a touch of almond in the bottle. Once on, it's even more fruity on me, but gets a bit deeper than what it smelled like contained. I later am able to pick out some florals dancing around (maybe rose?) but I wouldn't describe this as "a floral" by any means. This also has just the right touch of spice in it, which comes and goes as the scent morphs.
As for how it carries, its throw is, on me at least, fairly close to the skin. Wet (when just applied) it's something more noticeable, but once it dries down it's one you notice if you're fairly close.
It's definitely well-blended, which is one of the things I can say about a lot of the BPAL scents. Often the notes swirl and dance so nicely that nothing seems to overpower anything else (unless you "amp" a note).
Note: Some people report a slight burning sensation when applying this one to sensitive skin, so go carefully. This is possibly the spice note (cinnamon?) Also, multiple reports of this scent turning to a Coca-Cola smell with their skin chemistry. Them's the breaks. :(
BLACK PHOENIX
Our signature oil. A dark,
languid scent. Promotes hedonistic tendencies and extreme self-love.
You won't stop kissing mirrors for a month.
.purchase 5ml.
.view cart / check out.
VISIT THE REST OF OUR BPAL APPRECIATION WEEK ARTICLES BY CLICKING THE IMAGE TO THE RIGHT. --------------->
READ OUR OTHER BPAL POSTS HERE.
I love InStyle magazine, and their spinoff rags! Currently on the magazine rack is InStyle Makeover (you can grab it 'til Oct 9, 2009) in which I found this pretty lady:
That's Ji Baek, who is the founder of Rescue Beauty Lounge. She's clearly gorgeous, and definitely a genius entrepreneur. But how's her diet? InStyle's "Wellness Diaries" checks her out and gives her advice. The verdict: eating organic = good; champagne as main source of fluids = not so good.
Anyone who drinks champagne daily is OK in my book. Yet another reason to love Ji Baek!
If you want to subscribe to InStyle, you can do so here!
Fans of BPAL will often use jargon unique to them - or at least not words you'll hear every day. I thought I'd share some so you can speckle your BPAL ravings with them...
It's not uncommon for BPALers to say they don't like a scent because they "amp" a certain fragrance note. This refers to a phenomenon in which one's particular skin chemistry can really amplify a scent. In some cases, the note isn't a major player in the oil, or even noticed by other wearers, but on those who amp it it can take over the whole experience (usually ruining it).
I amp rose like there's no tomorrow, so while I love the scent of a fresh rose on the vine I am VERY cautious with any fragrance (not just BPAL) that has rose as a note. Often, but not always, Beth's rose blends are quite doable for me. Quite rarely does a mainstream fragrance manage to include rose without it being intolerable on me.
Commonly amp'd notes: almond, rose, vanilla.
Are there fragrance notes you amp? Share with the class!
This post is part of our BPAL Appreciation Week --- read more here!
PERFUME OIL BLENDS |
|
SACHS VIOLENS |
The Hero Initiative: The Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Since inception, the Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to benefit over 40 creators and their families with over $400,000 worth of much-needed aid, fueled by your contributions! It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. Donate to The Hero Initiative by clicking here!
I, personally, am not a big comic book fan, but my hubby sure is! In fact, we're going to put our kids through college on the backs of his comic trading. Nifty! He's told me some stories about comic writers and artists (like the creators of Superman) who have been close to penniless, who have lost the rights to their work even though multimillion-dollar empires have been built upon them, who struggle daily to make ends meet -- that's why I love the idea of supporting The Hero Initiative. While comics aren't up my alley, supporting starving artists is- and their work brings so much to so many people, it's a shame to see working folk suffering so greatly!
I adore that BPAL has so many charitable sides. Is there anything better than buying something you love and having that money go to a good cause?
It's for that reason that I'll be buying Sachs, for sure. I'm still considering Violens (neither my hubby or I like leather scents). I'll have to check the reviews and give it a think.
To Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe
on Dark Delicacies please contact 
(818) 556-6660
or via e-mail at [email protected]
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Interested in buying this book? If you use our link, you help us out.
Just thought we'd mention it. :)
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Bait and switch techniques ---where you promise one thing and deliver another--- are illegal.
And we all know it's just not cool to lie.
So how come cosmetics companies can get away with
layering false eyelashes on their models and pretending all you see is their mascara?
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What's on your mind this Monday?
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS | EXPIRES MONDAY, 8.17.09 PM
"Five new pink and nude Nail Lacquers. Five new shades that coordinate with our newest Lip Tars. To celebrate their launch, we're offering free ground shipping on all domestic orders over $50.00 USD, now through Monday, August 17th. Simply type the code 'FPBH 'in the Special Instructions section at checkout, and we'll take care of the rest. Please note that your shipping discount will not be noted at checkout, or in the confirmation email you'll receive afterwards. Rest assured that it will be deducted before your credit card is charged."
THREE CUSTOM COLOR SPECIALISTS | TUESDAY, 8.18.09 on QVC (10:00 PM EST)
"We’re thrilled to announce Three Custom Color Specialists’ Debut on QVC!
Tune in and join us as Trae Bodge, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Three Custom Color Specialists, debuts the brand’s signature CRÈME CONCEALER/FOUNDATION formula on “Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face” on QVC, Tuesday, August 18th from 10-11PM "
Click here to take see the new fragrances at Sephora.com.
The following new items are currently shipping for free courtesy of Sephora.com:
And check here to see what's on sale this week.
Free Shipping over $50
Check here to see their current ad.
As I mentioned, I'm dedicating this week to Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (BPAL), my favorite perfumer. I thought I'd lead with a little bit about why I love them. Here's our love story...
When I first started getting into the beauty scene, of course I found Makeup Alley, the quintessential resource for makeup junkies - and a great place to chat. Unfortunately, I don't spend enough time there now, but that's another subject all together (when I'm there, my screen name is vivaglamorous). When I was able to be there more, I talked on the makeup boards (I never did understand what was happening on the fragrance board - they have their own language!). From time to time someone would mention these perfume oils from a place called "BPAL" -- and whenever it came up it was clear this was a fragrance line that was quite beloved. Being the Dutchess of Google (my "bff" is the Queen), I naturally searched out info.
At the time, I was bit intimidated by what I found. I'd only been exposed to traditional-style perfumes, mostly those found at department stores. I didn't know what a niche fragrance* was, I didn't know a top note from a heart note from a bottom note**, and I couldn't tell you what sillage*** or throw**** was.
Not only did I not know those things (and don't worry - you don't need to know them to enjoy BPAL!), I didn't even realize perfumes came as oils. I thought all perfumes were alcohol-based and in fancy bottles... and that they all smelled fairly similar.
The fact that BPAL products are oils and came in mysterious little vials wasn't the only thing that I found intimidating. The BPAL site is actually a huge one - quite broad in scope and somewhat challenging to navigate if you're a newbie. The home page gives a lot of info in tiny print, and there's these odd categories running down the left-hand side that mean nothing to someone unfamiliar with the brand.
Delve into one of those - for example Wanderlust - and you're faced with long list of items, some just a description of the scent (Danube), and others with a bit of prose, too (The Hanging Garden). Usually scents accompanied by prose (or poetry) (or pictures, in the case of The Salon) include a description of the scent--- but not always. Sometimes what the oil will smell like can be gleaned from the story --- or sometimes not.
And the language - the types of poetry, prose... the imagery... at times the subject matter: well, those aren't always what one would consider "mainstream". Those fancying a bit of the darkside may automatically take to the site; for others it may take a little cajoling.
And so it was with me. I don't hedge from the occult or the mysterious, but I still found the site to be incredibly complex and intimidating.
I admit it: I browsed a bit, felt overwhelmed, and left.
Months later, I thought BPAL would be something cool to write up on my blog and decided to man up and figure it out. It has such a cult following, I just had to figure out why! I spent some time on the site (like three nights straight) and really warmed up to the idea. Actually, I was hooked!
Bottles and Imps courtesy of LaceAndStars
I tried the scent considered to be the "signature" of the brand by some: Snake Oil. I tried some Limited Edition items (these usually quickly become collector's items and are heavily valued by swap). I tried other popular favorites from the "General Catalog" like Mdme. Moriarty, Misfortune Teller. I tried some scents from themed collections, like Alice, from The Mad Hatter section. Seasonal scents are heavily coveted, especially those released for Yule (winter holiday) and Halloween, and I tried a few of those. (They change from year-to-year, by the way, so just because you have Gingerbread Poppet from one year doesn't mean this year's Gingerbread Poppet smells exactly the same... nor does it even guarantee it will be offered this year!)
And one of the first scents I tried was the one that really made my relationship with BPAL true love: Morocco. I wrote about it here, and my love hasn't waned. This perfume oil is, to me, the best scent I've ever smelled. It's heaven in a bottle. It's sex, packaged! Part of the Wanderlust collection, Morocco is described as "The intoxicating perfume of exotic incenses wafting on warm desert breezes.
Arabian spices wind through a blend of warm musk, carnation, red
sandalwood and cassia."
To make a long story, well... still very long... I am completely and utterly in love with BPAL. The scents are all natural - no chemically created nonsense. You may notice when you first sniff your oils that the smells are richer... deeper... more full than you're used to if you've only used mainstream perfumes. This ain't your Britney Spears celebrity perfume chemical soup! BPAL layers usually blossom and develop. They morph from one thing to another, and if you're of an open mind they take you on a journey with them. You'll notice that BPAL has a uncanny knack for physically representing esoteric concepts, for making poetic imagery become a concrete experience, and even for nailing down such things as the scent of candy corn.
I hope that if you've never BPAL'd before you enjoy this trip into the line this week, and if you're already a fan please contact us and let us know what you'd like covered, what your favorite scents are, why you love the brand --- anything you'd like to contribute!
BPAL Founder/perfumer/"Nose"/genius, Beth Moriarty
More about BPAL:*****You can check out the works of Neil Gaiman here.
BPAL APPRECIATION WEEK POSTS:
Here are all of our other posts about BPAL. Please enjoy!
Got a little sumpin' sumpin' going on next week, but before I get to that...
Let's talk Vampires! I'm completely on-board with the whole Vampire addiction that's going on right now. I have always loved Vampire stories and Bella & Edward, Sookie & her guy/creature du jour, and all of the hype around the two empires make it even easier to get involved in the stuff that goes bump in the night! I'm a Buffy-and-Angel-Forever gal. I've read tons of vampire books (not just Anne Rice - there are others, ya know). I'm completely plotting in order to obtain a Merlotte's t-shirt (well, I'm Team Sam, quite frankly, regardless of his lack o' fangs). I will be hopping in line for the Twilight makeup line, and I will definitely buy a souvenir bottle of True Blood. In fact, I think I'm about to order a bottle of vino from Vampire Vineyards!
But all that aside, there's probably nothing cooler than the fact that Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has a Vampire line of perfume oils.
I know: SHUT UP! Right?
If you're in the LA area, check them out at Vampire Con today and tomorrow (Sat and Sunday, Aug. 15 & 16, 2009) . If not, don't fret... read on past the jump to hear what's up for next week!
Continue reading "Vampires. Plus: next week - a twist! (it involves Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab)" »
Jessica is going burlesque. No... I don't mean she's getting all dressed up and doing a striptease. I mean she's giving us a collection called Burlesque Beauty. As of this writing, it's not on the Jessica website, but this is the Fall collection, so look for it soon! Oh, and quite a deal, too: $7 a bottle.
636: Gorgeous Garter Belt – Magenta
637: Ruffled Bottoms –Violet
638: Fishnets and Fringe – Hunter Green
639: For Your Eyes Only - Grape
640: Feather Boa - Mauve
641: Sexy Siren - Plum
All JESSICA Custom Colors are:
* Formulated with Vitamins A for maximum conditioning
* Contain UVA/UVB protection from sun’s damaging rays
* Eco-friendly: Toluene-, Formaldehyde-and Phalate-Free
* Quick-drying
So what do you think? Are you a Jessica fan? Do these colors intrigue you? I'd like to see the green for sure, and all of the rest look pretty (plum, magenta - you know I like purples, too!), though the frosted-looking bottle hides some of the color, no?
When I originally saw the info about China Glaze's new collection, Retro Diva, I was really excited. OK, I get excited every time China Glaze releases a collection, I admit it. I fell in love with the line about 2 years ago when I first tried Coconut Kiss (my fave!). But this was a flower child-inspired collection, and as someone who grew up in the 70s, well, let's just say there was no way I was going to miss it!
The first color that really drew me in was Cords, a shade I'm going to call "molten taupe". It looked dreamy in swatches I saw, and... it is!
Isn't that the hawtness?
And I also picked up Let's Groove, a yummy dark grape with teensy red shimmer. I like to think of this as Coconut Kiss' older, sultry sister.
Delish! It's a bit more vampy indoors, and simply glows outside!
The caveat: the Big 3-Free formula really rears it's gloppy head in these, especially Let's Groove. I tried to put this on last night and made a ginormous mess because I was rushing. Today I got great application by going slowly and using the thinnest coats I could muster. On the upside, these swatches are two coats only, no need for a third.
You may ask yourself why I didn't get all of those luscious oranges, right? You know I'm a fool for orange and purple. Well, I was a tiny bit cash poor, so I selected what I suspected were the standouts.... but now that I'm seeing how luminous these are I'll be going back! Street Racing almost came home with me before, and it will be mine. And I also have my eye on Free Love, Skate Night, Stella and Stroll. I may as well direct-deposit to China Glaze!
PS: Ulta had made a nail wheel, but it was only labeled with the #'s for each color. I should have taken notes, but didn't, so I can't label these with 100% confidence. However, I wanted to show you how glowy and gorgeous this collection is. Click the pics to enlarge:
By the way, if you aren't already doing so, follow @ChinaGlaze on Twitter. We're there, too: @fiftycenthead.
