If you are like me you joined the perfume oil party late and you have a frustrating list of indie releases you missed out on by a length of days, a few months, one single misclick of the mouse or even one year and you constantly refer or think back to that "one perfume you lost the opportunity to experience" after you find "I really love this one note and only wish I joined or looked here sooner...". Sound familiar? Don't give up my fellow perfume oil seekers because there is always one more door to look to before admitting defeat and there is something to learn new about the world of handcrafted fragrance every day it seems. Today let me introduce those discouraged and determined explorers of scent to The Soap Box Company (http://thesoapboxco.com/) because all thanks to them I can finally mark one elusive bottle off my personal list and this is only the beginning. Leave it to a place called North Pole (Alaska) to harbour such a stellar secret collection of hard to find indie scents from an extensive list of different houses of fragrances but this site also carries other brands and products that range from handmade soaps, nail polish, bath scrubs and so much more (and they add to that inventory all the time). They also display state pride by supporting their local shops of interest in the bath, body and perfume realm. When I stumbled across this excellent site I bit my lip and out of curiosity typed in Alkemia in the search feature and I was greeted by a vast listing that had me racing for a pencil and paper to jot down the limited edition bottles that have been marked "sold out" on ETSY (and from everywhere else), from Bealtaine, Faerie Queene, Yule Rose, Tryst of Grey, Hexennacht, Sea Goddess and Le Fruit Défendu they were all listed and I couldn't believe my luck. There were also many names I didn't recognize between the familiar and that led to an afternoon of exploration to find what notes certain releases contained. I admit that one afternoon of curiosity turned easily into a 2-week research project (between work and play) to decide what perfume or perfumes needed to come home to me and in the end, a perfectly timed 20% off discount on Bealtaine decided it all. Before I completed my cart transaction though I also added the "Bloggers' Sampler" (because who doesn't love a little random mystery?) Overall, I was very pleased with my first purchasing experience (and extra surprises thank you so much Jo!) from The Soap Box Company and highly recommend anyone to have a look and see if they can finally cross off that limited edition from your favourite house of olfactory art you have been driving yourself mad over. Or find a little something extra to look forward to and some future temptations for a bargain. Hard to find Alkemia bottles Bealtaine (Listed Notes: Wild Quince Fruits, Wild Pears, Apple Blossoms, Heliotrope, Hawthorn Accord, Rowan Berries, Gorse Flowers, Vanilla Musk, and White Amber) What called to me and what I was looking for: Somewhere in my many pages of reading, I saw that someone compared this limited edition to Les Courtisanes and as it is one of my all-time favourite perfumes from Alkemia (and I have been craving something bright, but amber noted and green for spring) this needed to be found (I still can't believe my luck of finding this at a discount). All the notes call to me and I'm hoping for the ultimate spring treasure that I don't want to take off (like Les Courtisanes for the end of summer into early winter). When this arrived: *First off this is NOT a knockoff as from the label, the familiar base note- this IS a genuine Alkemia brand/bottle of perfume and an absolutely lucky find. The bottle travelled a great distance and kudos to The Soap Box Company for getting this shipped out to me in such a timely manner (one of the fastest times I have encountered in fact when ordering online and it even arrived pristine through a wicked storm). It did arrive nearly frozen (yes these oils can freeze and that was my fault as being on night shift I don't usually look at the upcoming weather reports and maybe I should have waited another couple weeks but I didn't want to lose out on the discount) so I did have to age this one a little longer than I usually would before testing but this one is well worth it. In the bottle: APPLES, PEARS with a back creaminess I have come to associate with Alkemia's gorgeous VANILLA note. I can't wait to try this on. Applied: The apple and pear greet my nose first and it is like someone has sliced a pile of fruit and placed it in front of me. The amber with vanilla are there as well but faded at the moment. Perhaps the sweet apple amps a tad too much on me (as I was hoping for more verdant notes to shine through the fruit) but I really like this and am looking forward to wearing this more in the coming months. It definitely is a light spring-like perfume but sorry it is not like Les Courtisanes right now. *BONUS GIFT: Lis Noir (Face, Shampoo & Body Bar) APPLE PIE *this was a generous bonus sample that was added to my order (I could choose one of 5 different choices ranging from soap to perfume samples to my order and I picked this as I can always use soap to wash the night away in the morning) *I also researched the companies that were included in my box and also emailed to ask if they were cruelty-free (Lis Noir definitely is and proud of it, the others are far as I could tell and read from their FAQ sections are as well) Lis Noir Thoughts: The sample may look small in the picture but this bar lasts and smells delightful and has just enough spice and apple that gives me a little wake up in the morning. It has fared well with the sub-zero temperatures outside and adds a decent amount of moisture back into my skin (I still put some extra special lotion on top because my face is chapped from the wind in places). The bar hasn't cracked yet either or dried out which is a good sign this will last awhile. I do have very sensitive skin and so far so good (I have been using this soap for over a week) and no breakouts, itchiness or redness to report (the cinnamon acts as a light abrasive which works for me but I still watch around my eyes). It says it can also be used in the hair but I haven't tried that as mine is extremely long and I'm sure I would use the whole bar in one go to get every strand. Overall, yes I would purchase from Lis Noir (that Citrus and Basil or Lavender and Amber soap bars looks like something I would like). Bloggers' Sampler: *5 different products: Villainess Soaps (Whipped! Body Creme) PINK TEA Villainess Soaps (1ml perfume extrait) FIRST FROST Meadow Creek Boutique (Body Lotion) POMEGRANATE ORANGE Epically Epic Soap Co. (Hydrating Mist For Hair & Body) BLOOD ORANGE DREAMSICLE Haus Of Gloi (perfume oil sample) THREE TREASURES Villainess Soaps (Whipped! Body Creme) PINK TEA (Listed Notes: Crisp green tea infused with raspberry, peach, and blueberry, sweetened with tonka and a light breath of neroli. A seasonal offering, created especially for The Soap Box Company to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.) Villainess Soaps Thoughts: I admit I let out a joyful sound and did a little dance when I saw Villainess was included in my blogger's sampler as I have been reading quite a bit about that uniquely branded company for months. It shouldn't matter and forgive me but the packaging is so impressive and I love all the tiny hidden details that scream Old West poster cathouse with twisted Victorian glam. In regards to the body creme, first of all, it survived the trip and the unbelievable cold outside. The consistency is just as its name implies "whipped" almost mimicking marshmallow fluff or meringue and when applied it stays "peaked" until rubbed into the skin. The scent is delicate summer fruits with a hint of tea and yes this did a decent job combating the hand chapping from sub-zero wind chills. Even with my sensitive skin this ended up light and absorbing quickly leaving a silky feeling but unfortunately, it didn't last past a few hours (perhaps it will work better in summer when it's not so cold and incredibly damaging with the winds on unprotected hands). Still, I may try another Whipped! from Villainess Soaps and am very thankful for the opportunity to sample this creme. Villainess Soaps (1ml perfume extrait) FIRST FROST (Listed Notes: The last blooms of summer, sweet gardenia and vanilla, arrested by an icy touch of eucalyptus and peppermint.) In the vial: EUCALYPTUS and has a distinct medicinal quality to it but I like this. Applied: The eucalyptus, peppermint and vanilla greet and stay with me. I wish the floral would come out a bit but I don't hate this, it is a nice cool transitioning scent to cozy noted perfumes for the season. I see myself using this in November after the haunted themed fragrances and right before the evergreen noted bottles I have stored and aging at the moment. I can't say I have anything that smells like First Frost and yes I like the oil as it isn't drying and lasts for a good bit, so I may look further into this brand (especially their perfume oils and I believe Miss Edith would make a fine addition to my collection with the lavender, tea, dust and rose notes.) Meadow Creek Boutique (Body Lotion) POMEGRANATE ORANGE Meadow Creek Boutique Thoughts: I don't want to compare as each product is different with ingredients but this lotion leaves my skin nicely hydrated when applied and has more of a buttery texture. The scent is strong of generic citrus and I still like this but at the same time, it also doesn't seem to last past a few hours (I think it's just the weather, so ignore that last part). In regards to my skin type, no redness and my hands don't feel tight. Overall, yes I would try another lotion from Meadow Creek Boutique (the foaming sugar scrub also sounds interesting) Epically Epic Soap Co. (Hydrating Mist For Hair & Body) BLOOD ORANGE DREAMSICLE (Listed Notes: Vanilla ice cream, orange sherbet, and a drop of Dragon’s Blood) Epically Epic Soap Co. Thoughts: Where has Hair Mist/Serum been all my life? I mean really who knew your hair could smell so amazing and it can come from a small bottle and not cost an arm and leg to find the best. This hydrating mist for hair and body is particularly delicious smelling and leaves the ends of my hair quenched but not sticky (it seemed to bind to the one split end I singled out and sealed it very well). I accidentally sprayed myself on my upper neck but it turned out to not that bad of a mistake, the vanilla notes amped and the orange creamsicle scent lasted half a day. Overall, I'm happy to add this mist to my collection and will be reaching for this in summer or when I get a craving for something sweet and nostalgic. I will be looking more into Epically Epic Soap Co. as they have many gourmand noted creations that are calling out to me. Haus Of Gloi (perfume oil sample) THREE TREASURES (Listed Notes and mini description: Sacred gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold. Smoldering with warmth and brightened with a touch of mandarin rind. A Soap Box Company exclusive. Yule 2017 limited edition Haus Of Gloi In the vial: RESINS and CITRUS. I'm excited about this one as I heard nothing but good things about Haus Of Gloi. Applied: Perhaps it's just me but this perfume is extremely masculine smelling but I won't lie if I smelled this on a man, I would find a reason to stay awhile longer and learn anything I could about him. Oh who am kidding, I would be discreetly looking for a ring on his hand. This is one for the books as this is charming, expressive and unique. It also has a vintage quality to it that commands attention and is hard to forget. Not at all what I was thinking was in the vial but I will definitely be looking more into Haus Of Gloi and trying other scents and their infamous Pumpkin Butter. thesoapboxco.com/ |
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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