Nothing brings me out of the shadows and into a shop's door more than a cleverly hidden-in-plain-view reference to a special topic of interest and Libertine Bath Haus had one delicious sounding siren call in the form of "Gardens of the Red Keep" which promised "lemon cake". If you aren't familiar with what this is ascribing to, please sit a spell with a tome from A Song of Ice and Fire (skip the show, there I said it). After becoming entranced by that simple description, I found myself continually visiting the extensive scent catalogue over the following days and recognizing other witty references (and applaudable research in regards to a few historical names/places). The notes sounded wonderful for several blends and I have been meaning to try a sugar scrub so I messaged the owner with quite a few questions about skin sensitivity, ingredients availability, fragrance transfer comparisons between items and of course commended her for use of the name of Gardens of the Red Keep (fingers crossed a Cersei creation appears someday in the catalogue) and I must say Libertine's customer service is phenomenal! I placed a small introductory order after that and was over the moon with the extras that unexpectedly appeared in my parcel (complete with a personalized thank you card; it's those little touches to be found in indie boxes that keep me returning). I don't know where to start as I fell hard for so many things, it's another collection in the making. This is a shop to watch and this is a long overdue review! *Please note: Gardens of the Red Keep and Wisteria Lane are no longer available in the General Catalogue and have been discontinued since I ordered in April 2019 Body Polish in Gardens of the Red Keep (Description: "Lemon Cake") So here it is, the jar that started a Lemon Cake Battle Royale in my bathtub and came out the new reigning queen of sweet and tart desserts in my book! This blend is addictive and brings to mind a heavenly marriage of Country Time Lemonade Cake and pretty pale-yellow Petit Fours you see displayed at certain gatherings in summer. It's sweet with just the right amount of tartness and I swear I can smell a squeezing of lime in this. In regards to the scrub formula, this was a first time experience for myself and I must say, I will never be without a jar of scrub again. I feel so pampered and my skin is even more moisturized after using this formula. My elbows and heels are petal-soft (especially after rubbing in the body butter) and I'm thrilled to jot down that the fragrance that so bewitched me lasts an hour on my skin. For those who still have never tried a sugar scrub the longer you leave the fragrance to soak into the sugar- the more you will fall in love in the end. Additional Notes: The try-it size of the jars may fit in your palm but are very generous and I have had several months of use out of the jar(s). A one-half scoop of scrub has been plenty for each bath. Would I repurchase?: Absolutely, yes and I plan to get jars of Persephone and Peppermint Marshmallows at the next release. I'm trying to conserve my precious jar of Gardens of the Red Keep but it's just too good. Body Butter in Gardens of the Red Keep (Description: "Lemon Cake") Up until my parcel from Libertine Bath Haus arrived I was using a collage of various lotions that ranged from thick goat's milk, shiitake mushroom extract with collagen and pure shea butter, these all pale in the results I have received from this body butter. I do believe I have found another holy grail self-care item for myself. Not one breakout to report, my rough hands from constant hand washing from my profession are now always soft, supple (the creases on my knuckles are gone- my hands look younger) and I get constant compliments when I shake hands with doctors (that's one way to get noticed and be remembered, haha). The only negative is the delectable magical fragrance of Gardens of the Red Keep doesn't stay true in this form, it morphs to buttery salty popcorn on my skin within 20 minutes with a light trace of cake in the background (my chemistry always amps butter in everything). I'm curious to see if Peppermint Marshmallows will change. Only one way to find out. Additional Notes: The try-it size of the jars may fit in your palm but are very generously filled and I have had several months of use out of the jar(s). Not very much body butter is needed to get full silky coverage of an area. Would I repurchase?: Yes. Another lifetime repurchase item for myself. The following appeared in my first order (Thank you so much for everything, Libertine Bath Haus!) Hair Glace in Gardens of the Red Keep (Description: "Lemon Cake") It will truly be a sad day when the bottle and jars run out of Gardens of the Red Keep because it has been discontinued. I haven't been able to find anything that compares to this ultra-realistic tart and sweet lemon cake aroma and Gardens of the Red Keep is a scent indulgence for myself. I'm hoping to find another kind of luscious uplifting dessert oil soon so I stop reaching for this gem and also racing off to the tub with the body polish then slathering my legs and arms with the body butter. I don't think any form of this confection is going to last throughout the summer. In regards to the hair glace, it can be a touch drying if I use it right after washing my hair with say soap fluff so I save it and only use a few spritzes at a time when the natural oils begin to build up too much. It seems to soak up the grease and adds incredible shine and lasting fragrance to my locks (if I left it I can still smell it for a half a week). Would I purchase a full bottle?: Yes to the Hair Glace. Come Black Friday bottles of Peppermint Marshmallows and The Ascension are coming home to me (and if my friend loves the jar of Nannerbean I'm getting her soon then she will be receiving a bottle in her stocking). Hair Glace in Wisteria Lane (Description and Notes: (heavily flowering wisteria trees, intermingled with soft, almost indistinguishable rose petals, and spicy jasmine) With all the above successes, there are always those creations that end up unfortunate cases to report and I'm very sad to say Wisteria Lane hit all the wrong notes with my nose and Jasmine has officially joined the list of notes to watch for myself as my chemistry turned this lovely sounding blend into something very unpleasant and triggered my head. [Sigh] I know that happens but I was very excited about Wisteria Lane joining my vanity (curse you skin chemistry). Hair Glace in The Ascension (Description and Notes: Bergamot and sparkling orange, lilac and primrose, violet petals and snowdrops, perched atop three musks and small bundles of twigs.) This fragrance is an enigma that I'm gladly still trying to decipher as the notes are so well blended creating an airy, ethereal but yet earthy floral quality that has fully caught my attention and found a place on my list of "must haves" before the end of this year. My nose isn't as trained as I thought as The Ascension is unlike anything in my extensive collection and I can't single out a single note (when I think I'm smelling orange blossom it switches to apple skin and garden fresh roses). Even though it's a hair glace, I admit I have been spraying it all over, haha. Would I purchase a full bottle?: Yes and in as many different formats as I can get (I never tried a linen spray but this and Peppermint Marshmallows would be divine for my house). Soap Bar in Salty Betch (Scent Description: This black soap is scented with a santal Shea blend, that comes across as a soft coconut milk with almonds and vanilla) I know it sounds strange but Salty Betch smells like Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Disney World. I don't even remember that much about that trip but this bar resurfaced that salty coconut and water scent that stayed on my skin when I flew home. I like it but sadly my skin doesn't exactly embrace the formula as it dries out fast on my arms and legs. I guess I can only use this bar on my feet. Would I purchase a full sized bar?: Unfortunately no, as my skin is too sensitive for this soap blend. It smells lovely though. Soap Bar in Fresh Strawberry and Poppyseeds As it says on the tin, this bar contains actual strawberries and poppyseeds that adds a light gentle exfoliation to a delicate fruit fragrance. The soap bar formula has been wonderful on my sensitive skin and indeed smells like sugar dusted strawberries and a kiss of coconut and shea. Would I purchase a full bar?: Yes, not only does it lather nicely and rinse away with no residue but it also works on my face and removed my mascara. Lip Scrub in Huckleberry Buttercreme So here's another first for me as I can't believe I have gone this long in my life without any kind of sugar scrub for my body before. This one goes on my lips and yes there is a level of learning how to apply but I find using over a sink works best or in the bath tub as the wet sugar crystals get everywhere. I do admit I have taken a more than proper taste of the berry scented scrub and it is indeed yummy. As for the results my lips (that have taken a hit since I started using lip stains) they are more smooth feeling, moisturized and I haven't broken out once with this scrub around my mouth. One final thing to admit, I have used this as an experimental mini body scrub and yes it works wonderfully (is there anything sugar can't do?) Would I purchase a jar?: Yes and no surprise it would be pumpkin or peppermint Silky Body Spritz in Blueberry Spritzer (Description and Notes: Fresh blueberries, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, and a sparkling cocktail) I was expecting a dark herbal fruit laced fragrance but have been surprised by this charming shop once again as this is playful and effervescent with a clear refreshing thyme note, a hint of rosemary (along with seltzer water) and the blueberry smells more like sugar-dusted berries ready for jam or pie. It's lovely for the hot summer months and the scent lasts until the next day on my legs (I use this as an after shaving moisturizing spray). I have also been using the silky body spritz on my hair ends. Would I purchase a full bottle?: Not at this time, I'm content with the extremely generous sized sample bottle. Silky Body Spritz in Peppermint Marshmallows (Description and Notes: Squishy and sweet, with a bright punch of peppermint and creamy mallowy puffs) Peppermint Marshmallows is more than a gourmand, it's soothing, creamy and awakening all at the same time. Simply put, this is sweet peppermint aromatherapy for me and I want this fragrance in everything. The peppermint is strong but not overwhelming and isn't like candy or exactly a true peppermint extract scent either- it somehow finds a divine balance and gets even better when the realistic powdery marshmallow and underlying vanilla appears about an hour later. I love this. Must note about the impressive performance of the spray that adds a lovely light layer of moisture and this fragrance lasts 10 hours on my skin and into the next night in my hair. Would I purchase a full bottle?: Yes, here's my pocketbook. Send it all. Libertine Bath Haus Comments are closed.
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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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