MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean It's not every day I'm presented with the whole package of beautiful vintage aesthetic, fantastic scent artistry and a touch of unexplainable magic from a house of fragrance but sometimes the stars align and good things enter into your life at the perfect time and so it goes with MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean. From dream gourmands in gorgeous themed bottles, nostalgic scents that sweep me away to happier times and even to bath products that just melt away my stiff tired joints and muscles this shop is one I have been waiting for when it comes to the ultimate pampering delights for myself. Who knew this was the year of such wonderful kinds of self-care treats to discover and MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean shoots to the top of the list of favourite orders/releases of 2018 and shops to share. As I said, it's not every day you stumble across something so special or rare for yourself and for me it all started with one simple curious purchase during a favoured time of the year... One Note at a Time: *The Rumpkin! (Gathered Notes/Description: Delicious pumpkin goodies with a twist of fresh sweet lavender essential oil) In the bottle: Exactly as it says on the tin, SPICED PUMPKIN and SWEET LAVENDER. I have been searching for over a decade for this combination of notes in one bottle that isn't sharp or candle-like on the first impression. Is it possible The Rumpkin! is THE ONE? Applied: ...How do I truly describe heaven or the crown jewels of both pumpkin and lavender oils in my collection? I don't feel I can fully do this fragrance justice and all I'll do is end up rambling but here we go: I can only call The Rumpkin! pure elegant long-lasting magic (it is still detectable well into the next afternoon on me). THIS [holds up diamond-studded bottle] gorgeous scent potion is what I have been searching and waiting for years to find when it comes to the otherworldly marriage of lavender and pumpkin. It's a sweet herbal delight with some serious morphing elements as my wrists project the lavender and the crooks of my arms and neck amp the creamy almost buttery pumpkin with spice. As the hours roll on, this perfume is still captivating to my senses and gentlemen wink and fall to their knees to propose undying love as I sweep past while the other ladies seem jealous tonight...Haha no nothing that exaggerated but still The Rumpkin! garners the compliments and my coworkers keep asking me what I'm wearing that smells so good as they yank my arm and I must admit I can't stop smelling my wrists and stealing sniffs on my locks when no one is looking (but then again let them look); this is everything I've ever desired in a perfume. It's sweet, herbal, spicy and creamy plus I swear The Rumpkin! holds some unseen magic as I smell tempered white chocolate at 8 hours into the wear time. How very curious and spectacular because the chocolate is staying with my finicky chemistry, I'm seriously over the moon right now! I must have more and want EVERYTHING MoonaLisa makes now. One more holy grail fragrance off the list. *Pumpkin Batter (Gathered Notes/Description: Scrumptious, toasty bread, pumpkin puree, warm Autumn spices, vanilla frosting, creamy caramel, and juicy raisins) In the bottle: TOASTED SPICED BREAD and PUMPKIN. The wrong scent to wear when you are hungry, it's delectable and so realistic in the bottle alone. Pumpkin Batter almost smells like cinnamon homemade pretzels, now that's something. Applied: Oh yum! What a delight to find this type of combination of butter, pumpkin, bread and spice in a bottle. Right away the buttery toasted bread amps with spiced pumpkin that still carries a slightly unique pretzel aroma to it but as it warms on my skin more toasted buttery bread comes forward and a hidden honey note appears. I must admit I was expecting Pumpkin Batter to be a cake heavy fragrance like others were commenting about but this dark tinted bottle is proving it holds many delicious surprises in store and I'm falling hard for the realistic homemade bread note with honey and spiced pumpkin. Here is another fragrance that lasts into the next day and a little goes a long way. Another unique scent confection for my collection and I think I want Pumpkin Batter in the bubbling bath brews next Halloween. Forager's Grove (Gathered Notes/Description: "Blended with deep, rich notes of dank woods, sweet balsamic aromas of resinous leaves and twigs, intoxicating toasted sugared wild blackberries and hints of comforting roasted coffee") A sample vial that appeared in my first order, thank you MoonaLisa! In the vial: ROASTED COFFEE, FRESH BLACKBERRIES and something like CEDAR. It's sweet and acidic but warm. I'm a little leery as coffee can turn skunky on me but I've been having such unbelievable good luck with unique fragrances lately. Fingers crossed my chemistry plays nice. Applied: There is nothing to fear with Forager's Grove as this oil is warm, inviting and isn't turning skunky on me at all! The coffee, in fact, is very subtle and the sugar-tossed blackberries smell like they are from a cobbler and there is a measured cup near at hand of gooey buttery caramel ready to drizzle on top. I also detect the balsamic woods (even a little realistic pine resin after a few hours) and a curious note akin to fresh pencil shavings which I love and immediately reminds me of long past school days and simple innocence. I am so thankful this was a free sample I found nestled in my first order. I'll be reaching for Forager's Grove when I'm seeking cosy comforts at different times of the year. This perfume is a definite keeper in my book. *above order purchased at full price When asked about all the boxes arriving at my home at different hours in the following weeks after my first order from MoonaLisa I told those that asked: "Blame The Rumpkin!, here smell me". 'Tis true that enchanting scent launched me on a journey that took me across the threshold of a whole new collection of pampering gifts for my senses and I sorely wish I found MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean years ago, this shop has been around since 1996 and I just learned about its talented scent artist through a very helpful forum on Reddit this past autumn. Well, 2018 was the year I finally arrived at the party and I don't want to leave especially after falling hard for the next order I'm about to share starring The Rumpkin! of course (and this time I attempted to capture all of the magnificent presentation and wrapping but failed, it's not an unboxing it's honestly an event). Bubbling Bath Brew in The Rumpkin! Every time I open the bag of these salts I'm reminded of the vintage York Peppermint Pattie commercials where someone opens the wrapper and is instantly transported far away to something amazing and relaxing; the perfect "me time" indulgence. The same happens to me and is true about these soaks as I'm greeted not by cool mint and chocolate (that comes later with Snuggler *review to follow in early 2019) but by the beguiling wafts of sweet lavender and spiced pumpkin. The heavenly fragrance of The Rumpkin! fills my whole bathroom and when sprinkled into the tub and hot water hits, it's truly a sensation as these salts just take my imagination away along with my stiff muscles, dry skin (it's insane my skin, especially on my feet is noticeably softer in winter than it ever was in summer) and this bath brew just melts deep into my joints like buttah to ease pain. Easily the Bubbling Bath Brew/Bath Salt Soaks are one of my favourite purchases of this year and I want to stock up on every gourmand scented bag and stay in my sweet smelling sanctuary for as long as possible. Highly recommend. Witch's Brew Leave In De-Tangler in The Rumpkin! Unleashing my locks in the morning from being carefully pinned after applying this magic hair brew the night before just makes me smile and I can't recommend the spray-in-hair detangler enough. I can definitely notice less splitting and my ends are clearly quenched by something that has been missing from all the other formulas I have been using for my extremely long fine hair that delights in painfully knotting at the drop of a hat or gust of wind. Every strand is touchable (not crunchy or greasy) and expensive salon worthy. From start to finish this formula is impressive and very simple to use: shake the bottle, spray in damp hair (enjoy and lose yourself in the fragrance, imagine happily drowning in it), let sit for 5 minutes and then my brush goes right through my pile of hair as promised with nary a snag. Nothing compares with the results such as the bouncy soft voluminous (and fragrant) mane that greets me after using Witch's Brew Leave In De-Tangler and my search is over. I'm purchasing this product for life and stocking up. Highly recommend. Carpet Fresh in The Rumpkin! *a surprise product in my order, thank you Moona! To the outside world (and especially to those at my workplace), I may seem organized, polished and extremely tidy but I'm harbouring a dirty little secret: I loathe house cleaning and avoid it when I can. Seriously there isn't anything wrong with an extra speck of dust on the mantel, a bed you can't bounce a quarter off of, a few fuzzballs in the corners and a little chaotic organization (haha I definitely wasn't a maid or housekeeper in any past life). So you could only imagine my thoughts when I unwrapped this beautifully packaged product. I just had to use this though as it smelled divine so out of curiosity I called a truce against the hate I have for extra seasonal cleaning and tested this mixture against the distinct funk my loveable pack can emit in the air and the autumnal muck they manage to bring in (especially near my front door) and wouldn't you know it this stuff made my kitchen smell flipping amazing and dare I say it, I enjoyed running the sweeper. In fact, I cried "good boys!" when my dogs tracked in the grime and mud because I got to use the sweeper as my dogs just stared at me heads tilted in confusion probably wondering who this crazy lady was that danced and skipped about sniffing the air while the loud annoying machine rumbled away. Oh wait, I'm not saying I love cleaning or am turning over a new leaf, far from it but this Carpet Fresh mixture does make the chore a tad less unpleasant and the ultimate reward is my whole room is filled with a fragrance I want to roll around in. I dare say, as long as I have this Carpet Fresh stocked under my sink, my home may be a little tidier in ways. If anything I'm hanging this powder and herbs in all pretty organza bags and placing them in my closets, my vanity drawers, in my car (that is oddly spotless and uncluttered, go figure) and when my dogs and cats aren't looking hiding them high above their pens and boxes. This stuff works! One Note at a Time (Perfumes) -For how large my perfume collection is now, I rarely need to purchase backup oils but I did order another bottle of The Rumpkin! because honestly one bottle is not going to last until next Halloween (it's half gone already and it's only December). Note to self: GET A BOX LOAD NEXT YEAR and hoard and tuck them away in my purse, drawer at work and my car compartment like an Easter Egg hiding Gollum. The Coven (Notes: Bergamot, Bulgarian Rose, Champaca, Spikenard, Vanilla and Frankincense) In the bottle: BERGAMOT, SPICE and RESIN. It's an intoxicating fragrance combination and I could sit here and sniff the jewelled bottle all day. Applied: Each time I wear this special oil, I smell something new and different that catches my attention and today I smell sweet citrus with nuances of powdery rose and frankincense when I take my time. I can clearly detect the rose that has been hiding in The Coven for over a month and as I sit here typing a romantic vanilla is also appearing that swirls with the bergamot and the hints of spice that begin to amp as the hours pass then the scent fades to lovely warm vanilla with resins again (it lasts 12 hours on me). This blend is described as: "rich, sultry and velvety" and that is exactly what I'm receiving. There is something sparkling and magnetic about The Coven but also mysterious and fascinating underneath. It makes me think of an elegant alluring Masquerade Mask and I believe I just found the ideal perfume to ring in the new year with. Extra Samples included with the order, thank you so much Moona! Cauldron Cakes (Gathered Notes/Description: Deliciously sinful Cauldron Cakes oozing with melted Butter, Cinnamon, and Maple and Vanilla glaze, with a crushed nutting topping, and served with piping hot cappuccino and a tiny, tiny touch of Witching mischief!) In the vial: Mmm...FRENCH VANILLA CAPPUCCINO and a drizzle of MAPLE SYRUP. I think we have another gourmand favourite oil here. Applied: Cauldron Cakes is a fragrance that the longer I let the blend meld with my skin the happier I become and by an hour in, I have coworkers yanking at my arm to smell the most realistic cappuccino aroma I have yet to come across from any house of fragrance. It's so cosy and brings to mind a little autumnal coffeehouse next to a European speciality bakery. I must remember that even though I place more on than I can smell at first, Cauldron Cakes amps with time and I was told I could be smelled from across a crowded room at a workplace celebration (this oil upstaged 2 homemade birthday cakes, a row of creamed desserts and cookie tray, in fact, everyone was wondering what smelled so delicious and where it was on the table hehe). I never knew how much I amp maple, butter and vanilla until I placed Cauldron Cakes on my skin. This sublime scent potion is on the list to purchase in the bubbling bath brew and hair de-tangler next year (even though I find my coworkers drooling and searching all over the room with a crazed hungry look in their eyes quite entertaining when I wear the oil form, I want to keep this special delight at home for me to enjoy alone like a good cup of relaxing sweet cappuccino). Maniacal Mamie, Art of Poisoning Oil - (Notes: Hyacinths, Deadly nightshade (belladonna), Atamasco lily, Purple Periwinkle mixed with Oaks and a touch of Opponax & Helichrysum essential oil. (Poisonous flower oils are synthetic fragrances, not real poisonous essential oils) In the vial: A waterside ceremony with deep purple HYACINTHS and LILIES floating in the water. It's a beautiful and slightly unsettling blend. I love it already! Applied: I know this oil is listed under the Halloween collection but this perfume is perfect for spring and I'll be reaching for Maniacal Mamie, Art of Poisoning Oil when the first robin lands in my yard next year. I may any other day curse my chemistry for ruining certain florals but this blend found a devious accomplice with my wonky skin chemistry, together they create a truly wicked scene (think if poor Ophelia returned from the depths of the brook and had her revenge by the light of a full moon). It's hauntingly beautiful (there is even a glint of metal somehow present) and arcane. I want this unique fragrance in a jewelled 3ml bottle, the hair de-tangler and argan oil. Broom Brittle (Gathered Notes/Description: Be the talk of the next Coven meeting with notes of smoldering woods, blended into a toasted Coconut and Pumpkin Pie crumble, magically transformed into a rich buttery toffee brittle! Only a Good Witch would think of that!) In the vial: BUTTER, PUMPKIN and SWEET COCONUT. Applied: I knew my skin chemistry would get me with one of these vials sooner or later for I am a tropical pumpkin slathered in butter with Broom Brittle. I wasn't expecting the coconut to amp like this, it sadly gives me a headache and lasts well into the next day even after a shower. The toffee tries valiantly to come through but it's no match for the ripe coconut (almost smokey sweet) and butter. Perhaps it needs some more careful aging. In any case, if anyone out there loves coconut or is looking for a curious pumpkin blend definitely give Broom Brittle a wave of a wrist I don't think you will be disappointed. For me, oh well can't win them all. UPDATE (June 2019): After several months I re-tried this oil and aging and patience has triumphed again as Broom Brittle has morphed into a crave-worthy scent confectionary reminding me of a crunchy spice sprinkled Samoa cookie with a kiss of pumpkin. The coconut has been tempered with the warm spice and buttery toffee and this blend works perfectly for the summer but also easily transitions my mind away to my favourite season. Mmm another winner in my book and I think another bath time treat come October 2019 Cinnamon Blackberry Crunch (Gathered Notes/Description: A delicious blend of cinnamon sugared blackberries topping an irresistible confectionery crunch!) In the vial: FRESHLY PICKED JUICY BLACKBERRIES tossed in SUGAR and CINNAMON. I want a full bottle now. Please oh please let my chemistry behave because I seriously want to drink the vial. Applied: Mmm YISS! It's buttery, toothsome fruit with spice sprinkled on top and even has realistic crunchy crumbles and squeeze of lemon present. How does this scent crafter create such realistic fragrance confections?! Ah! Reading the About Us section on her site it says she is a certified pastry chef and she certainly does her field proud with creations such as Cinnamon Blackberry Crunch and Cauldron Cakes (plus many others which I will ramble about in 2019). They're scent perfection. I do wish this fantastic blend would last longer on my skin (this perfume and Bonfire were the ones that disappeared the fastest out of this order) so I need to remember that slight disappointment caused solely by my chemistry and to get the bubbling bath brew, hair de-tangler and argan oil in this delectable mixture as soon as those options become available next fall. Bonfire (Gathered Notes/Description: A bonfire is a large controlled outdoor fire, the word comes from "bone fire." The practice is believed to derive from the Celtic festival of Samhain, when animal bones were burnt to ward off evil spirits! Eweoooo, spooky! This scent is a smoky fiery brew, with faint hints of fields of sweet hay and a slight aroma of harvest picked fruits and mulled wine) In the vial: DARK HARVEST FRUITS, SMOKE and SWEET HAY. It's screaming fall to me and "you need this in your hair now!" Applied: We have another lovely mysterious morphing fragrance in Bonfire as it opens with fruit, wine, smoke and the most realistic "up in the hay loft" sweet hay accord I have come across from any house of fragrance yet. It takes me right back to the horse barn of my youth but there are spiced drinks waiting outside and fruit in my hands that are changing all to sliced apples as I sit here typing. Wow, this is nice and as the hours turn this perfume fades slowly and lasts only about 3 to 4 hours. I definitely need Bonfire for my hair in you guessed it, the hair de-tangler (I'm going to have a huge collection of bottles next year from all the releases from this enchanting shop). Another keeper and one to recommend for those that love scents which embody autumn. Yuletide Grove (Gathered Notes/Description: "Talk a walk under the starlight winter sky, where evergreen patches of enchanted winter forests meet exotic far East Sandalwood accords, mingled with soft, woody, smoky, sensual Amber, and wafts of sacred incense, with a touch of spice. This blend is a marriage made in heaven of two heavenly scents (Starlight Woods with Yule Wood)") In the vial: Glorious realistic sticky PINE and WOOD (almost like sawdust or the bottom of a cut off Christmas tree). Could it be I finally found a darker version of one of my favourite perfumes (Falling Stars at Winter Solstice from Alkemia Perfumes)? Applied: Alas, not this time and I'm really beginning to think my skin eats evergreen and balsam notes because here is another oil that once applied the incredible pine transitions immediately to sandalwood, amber and hints of spice in about 7 to 10 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I still really like Yuletide Grove it's definitely a cosy "wrap yourself up and read by the fire" type of meditative fragrance versus a pure atmospheric. I do love the powdery drydown with spice and creamy sandalwood that lasts hours on me and out of pure curiosity, I did dabble in some layering with Yuletide Grove after becoming inspired by others on Reddit. I never attempted deliberately layering fragrances before so it was complete surprise my first scent mashup was a success as Yuletide Grove paired marvellously well with Der Hölle Rache from Sixteen92, my friend even commented saying "not to sound weird but you smell so good tonight". Nothing like leaving with a positive note for the night. Another keeper and I would love to see how Yuletide Grove plays with something dark fruit noted but I'll leave that to another day. *With many thanks to MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean for kindly sending me these different scent creations at a discount for sharing my honest thoughts. MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean 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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