Monthly Archives: December 2009

My Blue Moon Review: Anya’s Garden MoonDance

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I’m writing this review on the eve of the blue moon and the new year. This is also the day I decided to try MoonDance from Anya’s Garden for the first time. Coincidence? If it was, it was a subconscious bleary-eyed one this morning. Reaching for my sample I thought I was going to experience a heady tuberose fragrance as I remembered reading on NowSmellThis that MoonDance is an homage to tuberose. Well, there’s tuberose in MoonDance, but not in the way I had expected.



After applying this 100% natural perfume, the scent of violets radiated from my skin. If you’re thinking gentle and sweet violets, then MoonDance will hasten you to rethink your violet notions. We’re talking violets on steriods! The tuberose and jasmine heart of MoonDance supplies our little purple pansies with a hallucinogenic quality, more vivid and intensely sweet than any other violet fragrance in my experience. On my skin, the violet completely took charge of this perfume leaving tuberose and jasmine to lend their indolic fullness in a supporting role. The blend is balanced so harmoniously that the larger-than-life violet doesn’t smell like a tuberosey-violet, rather an amplified version of its inherent components.




MoonDance is a vivacious floral no doubt, but there’s an earthy haylike quality present from chamomile that I adore. The dried grassy aroma tempers MoonDance enough so it doesn’t become cloying or overbearing. After many hours of wear, the violet and white florals settle into a delicate bouquet with just a suggestion of woods. Anya McCoy of Anya’s Flowers isn’t quite satisfied with the use of florals and woods though, even if some of them are rare and exotic. She’s added the peculiar ingredient hyraceum.


I had no idea what this was until I corresponded with her to find out more. I wasn’t expecting to find out that it’s the fosslized pee and poo of the Dr. Seuss-esque named hyrax, pictured here. Apparently tinctured hyraceum has a scent akin to ambergris or oud and can also have a grassy scent due to the hyrax diet. (Who knew fossilized poop as well as chamomile would add that hay note I love so much?) There’s a very informative discussion on Basenotes regarding hyraceum and I encourage you to read it if you have any interest in learning more about it. Since it is fossilized from thousands of years ago, there is no cruelty involved when sourcing these critters’ rock-hard excrement.

(Never did I think I’d end a review with the words “rock-hard excrement”).

Moondance is $125 for 15ml of EdP and $75 for 3.5mls of Parfum Extrait at Anya’s Garden.

Posted by ~Trish

Red Orange Tan and Purple by Mark Rothko

Disclosure: A sample of MoonDance was provided for this review by Anya’s Garden. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Highlights of 2009: A Joint Blogging Project

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I started blogging about natural and botanical perfumery in 2009, and this will always be the year I began discovering the depths of its beauty. Scent Hive grew out of my love for perfume, but this passion has become more profound since I have been fortunate enough to meet some of the gifted people behind the creations. 2009 gave me the opportunity to meet Ayala Sender of Ayala Moriel Parfums, Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfumes and Julie Elliott of In Fiore, all extraordinary women devoted to the world of naturals. Each of them are fascinating individuals of course, but have a common trait of serenity in the midst of their bustling, independently-owned businesses which provide some of the most sumptuous fragrances I have ever come across.

Other perfumers that I have not met face-to-face, but with whom I have corresponded via email and phone quite a bit are Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes, Laurie Stern of Velvet & Sweet Pea and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes. All of these women are some of the kindest people you will ever know, and their attention to detail in packaging their orders is exquisite. Opening a box from an artisan who has put much time and love into her creations takes on a deeper meaning in this tight economy and mass-produced society.



It’s challenging to make a “favorites list” as there are so many fabulous perfumes I discovered this year. Nevertheless, I would like share some fragrances, beauty products, and experiences that have made an impact on me in 2009.

1). Reading Mandy Aftel’s Essence and Alchemy was a very poignant experience. Her book allowed me to delve further into the realm of fragrance, and appreciate the power of natural essences as a medium to transform and transcend one’s material world. It also provides a thorough history of natural perfumery and is very informative regarding the essences as well. I know Mandy has inspired many persons to become perfumers after reading Essence and Alchemy, and for me, it allowed my understanding and appreciation of this art to deepen and evolve.


2). Discovering DSH Perfumes’ 100% Botanical Perfume Collection was an olfactory highlight this year. Was I a kid in a candy store? Oh yeah. I wanted one of everything. Epices d’Hiver satisfied my need for a spicy, comfort fragrance this winter, and Yuzu will give me something to look forward to this spring when my citrus cravings ignite. Bancha is not available yet on the DSH website, but is here. I won’t reveal too much as my review is coming, but I will let you know that it’s Ayurvedic in inspiration, and entirely calming and beautiful.



3). Julie Elliott relaunched her body oils! In February 2009 I wrote about In Fiore’s Maia Body Oil, even though it had just been discontinued. Thankfully, Julie listened to the collective sigh of disappointment and has given us Jasmin Supérieur, the Body Oil formerly known as Maia. Julie reassured me that the formula has not changed, only the bottle which is more user friendly as it now has a pump. When I visited In Fiore this fall, I tested all of her Bath & Body Oils (there are seven, pictured above) and left with a bottle of Patchouli Royale which is made with the most gorgeous vintage patchouli from Grasse, France. I still have my bottle of Maia, or else I would have walked out the door with Jasmin Supérieur as well because it layers beautifully with Patchouli Royale.

4). Kahina Giving Beauty, is a line of skincare based on organic argan oil. Founder, Katherine L’Heureux, gives 25% of her company’s profits to educational and women’s rights programs for the women of the Moroccan argan cooperatives, an incredibly generous action. I have reviewed the line here, but wanted to let you all know that I have used this line almost everyday since I reviewed it, and will continue to use this lovely and efficacious skincare regimen.



5). I remain steadfast with Red Flower Guaiac as my favorite citrus fragrance. Its rich, zesty, citrus quality is unparalleled, and the more I wear it, the more I become attuned to its woody aspect. I have had the good fortune of visiting San Francisco three times in the last eight months, and Guaiac has been my fragrance choice for each trip. This uplifting perfume now speaks to me of California, warm citrus, and getting away.

6). Ajne’s Fleur Blanche is hands down, the most gorgeous gardenia fragrance…ever. And I’ll stand by that proclamation too. I’ve introduced enough perfume-lovin’ fiends friends who go gaga over it to know that I’m not the only one who drools over this beauty. It’s creamy and buttery, yet slightly smoky and woodsy, with a luscious hint of indoles. A common (and frequently undeserved) complaint with naturals is that they don’t last long enough. I have never found this to be the case with Fleur Blanche. It lasts from morning to night, and hints of its soft petals can be discovered on your scarf and blouse the following day.

7). I’ve already reviewed Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Body Frostings twice on Scent Hive, so you know I love them. I use them almost every night to soothe my dry hands and to fall asleep with their creamy floral redolence. It’s difficult to pick one that I like the best, since it seems to be whichever one I have on at the time. Kashmir Rose and Tuberose Gardenia usually compete for 1st place, but Orange Blossom edges in closely as I do adore neroli and have been enjoying using this as a neck cream at night.

8). Finally, becoming a part of the perfume blogging community has been most touching to me this year. As an avid reader of blogs such as NowSmellThis, Bois de Jasmin, PerfumeShrine, TheNonBlonde and IndiePerfumes, I feel very grateful to have been supported by them and anyone who has taken the time to read Scent Hive. The perfume-loving community is filled with the most generous, kind-hearted and intelligent group of people a gal could ever hope to engage with. Thanks to Lucy of IndiePerfumes and Jessica of NowSmellThis for meeting me this summer in NYC, you two are fantastic! And Angela, another NowSmellThis writer extraordinaire, thank you for swapping scents and stories over the past several months. And thanks also to Elena at PerfumeShrine for your advice and encouragement when I was getting this ball rolling. You all are awesome.


Please visit the following blogs for their 2009 highlights!

Perfume Shrine

Mossy Loomings

1000fragrances

Ayala Smelly Blog

Bittergrace Notes

Shoes,cake,perfume

Eiderdown Press Journal

Olfactarama

Roxana’s Illuminated Journal

A Rose Beyond the Thames

The Non Blonde

Notes from the Ledge

Under the Cupola

All I am a Redhead

Perfume In Progress

Savvy Thinker

I Smell Therefore I Am


Happy New Year to the Scent Hive community and all of your friends and family.


Posted by ~Trish


Gather ye Rosebuds while ye may by John William Waterhouse at artmagick.com
Primavera detail by Sandro Botticelli at visualstatistics.net

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Aftelier Perfumes Fig EdP

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Mandy Aftel, creator of Aftelier Perfumes, is a true artist. Her fragrances are interesting, thought provoking, and ultimately beautiful, and each time I wear one I adore her fragrances just a little more. I’m certain Mandy’s Fig has more than the listed notes of fir absolute, jasmine sambac and yuzu in its blend, but knowing this triad provides the foundation for this stunning perfume gives me much to ponder, even without having the scent on my skin.


The juxtaposition of something so deeply green and reminiscent of winter festivities like fir against the intensely lush and heady floral quality of jasmine intrigued me greatly before I had the chance to sample Fig. I wasn’t expecting Fig would smell like figs, but rather Mandy’s interpretation of the fruit. And indeed, I’d liken it to an impressionist’s take on what figs smell like, but not the watery Monet’s that typically come to mind; more like a Manet where you see the image quite clearly, but with an edge, albeit a softened edge.


Fig speaks of contrary alliances. It’s musty yet sharp, balsamic yet sweet. It’s indolic and resinous, earthy and powdery. Mandy’s Vintage Patchouli essential oil might be in Fig because it possesses a rich, earthy base that resembles the aged patchouli. But the overriding beauty of this fragrance is the merging of fir and jasmine sambac. Somehow the two create a sap-filled and organic scent that is dark and jammy with a subtle spicy flourish only jasmine sambac can offer. The chewy aroma of Fig is so unique and alluring, I had to put it on my holiday wishlist.


And Yay! I received a bottle of the new Fig EdP as a Christmas gift from my husband, and what a thrill it was to find that treasure snuggled up inside Aftelier’s signature purple box with her orange and purple floral label. Both the parfum and EdP have the same formulation, yet I do prefer the EdP as it is lovely to spray Fig on your skin. I do love to dab, but it is exhilarating to spritz such a gorgeous perfume which fortunately lasts all day.


Posted by ~Trish

Aftelier Fig was picked as one of the top 9 natural perfumes for summer on Stylcaster.com! Check out their site for beauty and fashion tips.


Fig EdP is $150 for 30ml at Aftelier Perfumes. Aftelier products do not contain artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, or parabens. This is clearly stated on the website.

Figs by Serinissima on Etsy

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Happy Holidays Everyone.

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FIRST SNOW by Mary Oliver

The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an oracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended.
The silence
is immense,
and the heavens still hold
a million candles; nowhere
the familiar things:
stars, the moon,
the darkness we expect
and nightly turn from. Trees
glitter like castles
of ribbons, the broad fields
smolder with light, a passing
creekbed lies
heaped with shining hills;
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain-not a single
answer has been found-
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.


Posted by ~Trish

Snowy Winter Tree by lilacpopphotography on esty

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Laventine Facial Cleansing Oil

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Cleansing one’s face with oil takes a leap of faith if you have never tried it. It can seem a little odd at best, and scary at worst if you happen to have oily or acne prone skin. But fear not, it will not break you out and does a superb job at removing makeup and impurities. Now that I have gotten used to massaging cleansing oil into my skin as a regular part of my skincare routine, I can’t image doing without it.

The challenging part for me, has been finding a cleansing oil that is 100% natural. I really like Daybreak Lavender Farm’s By U 4 U Cleansing Oil, and have even reviewed it here, but have since discovered that their “wetting agent” used to make the oil water-soluble is Polysorbate-20, a chemical derived from petroleum. My bottle was empty about a month ago, so I went looking for something without petrochemicals. Laventine’s was recommended on the MUA Green Board and I have been thoroughly impressed with my experience of the two products I received, the Facial Cleansing Oil for Dry/Normal Skin and the Olive Forte for Sensitive Skin. Laventine also makes a formula for Oily/Combo Skin which according to their website is more astringent and lighter than the Dry/Normal Cleansing Oil.

My skin is normal in the summer and dry in the winter and prone to (ahem…cyclical) breakouts. Ultimately, I preferred the Dry/Normal formula for no other reason than its relaxing, but not overpowering, scent of lavender and geranium essential oils. You massage the oil on your dry skin and then rinse with lukewarm water. The result is clean skin with no tightness. The Olive Forte is made with only olive derived ingredients and Vitamin E, so it has a faint, fruity olive oil scent. Like the Dry/Normal formula, the scent is not strong, nor does it linger. Unlike the Dry/Normal formula, it is lighter weight and will be my preferred cleansing oil in the summer months.

I alternate using the Laventine Facial Oil with my Dr. Haushcka regimen. (I love that so much I will never give it up no matter how diligently I look for alternatives!) Sometimes I use the Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream after the Laventive Oil when I feel like my skin needs the exfoliation the “cream” provides. The two lines are very complementary and also work well with my beloved Kahina Facial Lotion andArgan Oil for moisturizing at night. Feel free to mix and match your skincare, there are no rules. And if you’ve never tried a cleansing facial oil, Laventine gets my highest recommendation.

Laventine Water Soluble Facial Oils $24.95 for 8oz at Laventine.com

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples from the company were provided for this review. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Revolution Organics: Gorgeous Glosses, Beautiful Blushes

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Finding a 100% natural lip gloss is more challenging than you might think. Many companies call themselves “green,” natural,” and “organic” but you’ll still find synthetic chemicals, dyes and petroleum products in their ingredient lists. Not so with Revolution Organics. They’re the real deal. Not only does their lipgloss not contain synthetics, chemicals, parabens, petrochemicals or artificial ingredients, at least 85% of the ingredients are certified organic.

There are 5 shades to choose from, and I have tested three of them. I bought “Integrity” (the one in the middle) at least six months ago and am due for a new tube as I wear it almost daily. It’s a lovely “your lips but better” (YLBB) rosy shade with the slightest suggestion of warm shimmer. The consistency is perfect as far as I’m concerned. It’s got a little bit of that thick texture you want from a gloss so that it clings and lasts on your lips, but it never becomes goopy or overly sticky. It glides on effortlessly, feels incredibly nourishing and has absolutely no scent. “Vibe” (on the far right) is also a YLBB gloss, but is a brownish peachy color that got a little swallowed up by the pigment of my lips. I prefer “Integrity,” but would love to see “Vibe” on someone with a lighter complexion.

Finally, “Truth,” (second from the left) the brightest and darkest of the three creates a stunning sheer-fuchsia lip. It looks much darker in the tube than on your lips, but compared to “Integrity” and “Vibe” it is more pigmented and also has a more noticeable sparkle. Since I am so inclined to love pink, “Truth’s” hot-pink cuteness is hard to pass-up.

If it wasn’t enough to nail it in the lipgloss arena, Revolution Organics also has put out a mighty fine blush. They call it a Beauty Balm since it can also be used on the lips, or anywhere you choose to put it on your face. As pictured above, the colors from left to right are: “Blushed”, “Sunkissed” and “Bronzed”. “Blushed” is like the stick version of the “Truth” gloss, a bright hot pink that is beautiful, but admittedly a little intimidating for me to put on my cheeks. I applied it very lightly with my fingertips which gave me that “just in from the cold look” and was very flattering on my olive toned skin. Any more than a light tapping and blending, and I would have swiftly moved into clown territory. On the lips, “Blushed” is gorgeous. I don’t normally go for such intensely bright pinks on my lips, but it’s easy to control “Blushed’s” color when applied with your fingertips. And when you swipe a little “Truth” lipgloss on top, it’s a knock-out!

“Sunkissed” is a peach blush that has both brown and pink in it, creating a very natural look. I applied the stick directly to my skin, and then blended with my fingers. I did the same with “Bronzed” which is a brown toned bronzer…no orange to be found in there! I loved the warm, subtle glow it created. All of the Beauty Balms create a dewy look and feel very moisturizing. Like the lipglosses, the Beauty Balms have no scent, are 100% natural and are made with 85% certified organic ingredients.

I was also able to sample the All-Over Skin Creme, Lip Balm, and All-Over Body Balm. The Skin Creme is wonderful. It has a lovely citrus smell, moisturizes effectively and comes in a tube that fits easily into your handbag. I’m heading to San Francisco this weekend, and it’s coming with me! The Lip Balm didn’t impress me as much. The texture was too thin, and frankly, my holy grail is Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick and that’s hard to compete with. On the other hand, I did really like the All-Over Body Balm as a lip balm. Not quite as much as my Dr. H, but almost, and that’s saying a lot.

 

 

 

Freedom Lipgloss $25.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Freedom Glow Beauty Balm $33.95 at SaffronRouge.com

All Over Skin Creme $32.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Lip Balm $23.95 at SaffronRouge.com

All Over Body Balm $27.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples from the company’s PR agency were provided for this review. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Strange Invisible Perfumes: Limited Editions

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Alexandra Balahoutis has created two Limited Edition parfums this season, Flower Powder and Pure Violet. They truly are limited editions as only 6 bottles of both parfums are being offered, each one numbered. The fragrances are only available at the Strange Invisible Perfumes Boutique in Venice, Ca., but can be shipped if you want to buy one unsniffed.


You should know the notes are a guarded secret though, as Alexandra, the creator of Strange Invisible Perfumes, wants them to be mysterious. The press information I was sent consists of Flower Powder: “A powdery floral with an eccentric sense of innocence.” And, Pure Violet: “Despite the fact that violet blossoms cannot be extracted, Pure Violet will even trick the limbic system”.


Despite the hefty price tags of $440 for Pure Violet and $335 for Flower Powder, the 1/4oz bottles are selling, so if you are considering a special holiday purchase either get yourself to the boutique or call in your order quickly.


Posted by ~Trish


Tangled by  RigbyLane on etsy.com

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Head to Toe in Almond Deliciousness

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I‘m finding almond to be a seasonless comfort fragrance. As long as the scent is not too powdery, a hint of fresh almond can feel refreshing in the summer, and on a winter night it’s equally soothing and cozy. My most recent almond discovery has been Dr. Bronner’s Almond Liquid Soap, probably the biggest bargain I’ve written about yet! A tiny squirt on my shower scrunchie brings forth glorious suds and a delicious almond aroma. The scent is pure almond. There’s no hint of cherry, no powder or added vanilla, and it’s luscious. The 16 oz. bottle I purchased is going to last me many months. I also put a 50:50 ratio of the Almond Liquid Soap to water in my foam dispenser at the sink, which gives me another opportunity to enjoy its lovely almond lather.

Another gorgeous straight-up almond scent comes from 100% Pure. Their Honey Almond Body Scrub andBody Cream are must-haves for any self-respecting almond lover. Organic apricot oil, organic rosehip oil, and vitamin E give the body scrub a base of moisturizers that are so hydrating, no further moisturizing is needed once you’re out of the shower. As you smooth the scrub over your skin, the exfoliating granules dissolve without rinsing, and your skin is left with the perfect amount of oil. If you gently pat yourself dry and then rub the oil and any remaining water into your skin, you’ll feel thoroughly moisturized. As for the scent, it’s softer than Dr. Bronner’s, but it’s not a fussy almond fragrance despite the long list of fruit and herbal extracts labeled on the jar.


I adore 100% Pure’s Honey Almond Body Cream so much that it’s become a staple. To be honest, it was this cream that turned me into a crazed almond addict. About two years ago, I purchased my first bottle of 100% Pure’s Body Cream, and chose this one because its scent didn’t last as long as the others’ and I typically prefer that my lotions don’t compete with my perfume. But over time, the almond scent lured me in and I began to crave it, wishing the scent would last longer into the day. Where do you think this has lead me? You guessed it, the search for the perfect almond perfume.

I have come awfully close to finding it in Sexy Angelic by Honoré des Prés. I reviewed it this past summer around the time this line of organic perfumes launched. The big complaint with most of the Honoré des Prés perfumes is that they are far too ephemeral, and I agree. Sexy Angelic is short-lived and I remarked in my review that its lasting power was in the 1-2 hour range and that if I were to become the owner of a full bottle I’d be spraying it with wanton abandon before getting dressed. I’d like to amend my statement. I am now the owner of a full bottle (thanks to the November discount Beautyhabit.comwas running), and I have found it far more effective to spray Sexy Angelic with wanton abandon while clothed. Winter clothes to be more precise. Turtlenecks and scarves hold the scent much better than skin and allow me to smell the licorice and honey coated almonds until midday.


And where I found Sexy Angelic revitalizing and fresh this past summer, I am finding it tender and sweet this winter. It’s got a light touch, and in this season where things seem to be overdone and overblown, it’s delightful to be subtly nuzzled and caressed. Sexy Angelic is a gourmand with licorice (from angelica seeds) and almond featured prominently in the notes. Yet, Olivia Giacobetti, creator of Sexy Angelic, has rendered this fragrance with a subtle hand. She offers a lighthearted, yet cozy and sophisticated gourmand fragrance to those of us seeking respite from the onslaught of ordinary confections.


Please note: The above products are all-natural and do not contain artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, or parabens.



Dr. Bronner’s Almond Liquid Soap $8.50 for 16 oz at SaffronRouge.com

100% Pure Honey Almond Scrub $22 for 13 oz jar at SkinBotanica.com

100% Pure Honey Almond Body Cream $14 for 8 oz bottle at SkinBotanica.com

Sexy Angelic $145 for 1.7oz at Beautyhabit.com


Posted by ~Trish

Almonds by blackleafstudio at etsy.com

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Advent to Hanukkah

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Advent is usually associated with Christmas, but my husband and I have decided to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in our house so I thought a mixed title was quite appropriate for my contribution to this holiday blogging event. Yes, there’s the chance my boys will grow up to be very confused about their religious upbringing, but I figure life is confusing enough…why not make is more so? And since I’m not converting to Judaism, many Jews won’t regard my boys as “true Jews” so we’re really stacking the cards against them. But hey, their waspy-goyish mom can make a mean latke. Seriously, they’re beyond. Here’s my secret: you’ve got to hand-grate the potatoes. No food processors allowed. And keep the already grated potatoes in ice-cold water while you’re grating the others so they don’t turn pink and brown.


Friday is the first night of Hanukkah, and we’re having a small gathering on Saturday night. I’m in charge of the organizing and cooking, as I have been the last nine years of our tradition, and I love the smell of frying potatoes, apple sauce, melted wax, and chocolate wafting throughout the house. Kids playing dreidel and running around the house add to the festive scene and I especially like it when Hanukkah and Christmas don’t overlap, so Hanukkah can be the sole focus of the night. Lighting the menorah to commemorate the miracle that a single day’s worth of oil lasted for eight during the purification of the Temple’s rededication is my favorite Hanukkah moment. Bringing light into the dark is a ritual many people cherish, especially during the Winter Solstice. So while the lighting of the candles is on a menorah, it also feels very all-inclusive and transcendental.


I know I joked about religious confusion above, but the crux of this is a warm and loving home with traditions children can hold onto. Love transcends religion and my boys will feel that, regardless of what path they choose. Whether they have a menorah or a Christmas tree, or both (or neither) in their adult homes, they will always remember having playful and loving Hanukkah parties when they were kids. (Even if there was Christmas music playing in the background every now and then).



So what perfume will they remember me wearing this holiday season?  Probably a delicious mash-up since I’m constantly trying new scents, oils and body creams. DSH Perfume’s Epices d’Hiver is getting a lot of skintime this fall/winter. I reviewed it here, but I’ll reiterate that it’s a spicy gourmand, powdery-vanillic comfort perfume that will no doubt become a cold weather staple.


Ayala Moriel Parfum’s Fête d’Hiver has become another winter favorite, and is spicy in a completely different way. It’s richly floral as gardenia, rose maroc absolute and rose otto lavishly glisten throughout Fête d’Hiver’s structure. Just a pinch of allspice and nutmeg impart the piquant edge, while Ayala’s amber accord adds a delicious and cozy, powdery vanilla. A resinous woody base of frankincense and sandalwood, gilded by the winterized gardenia allows us to leave our fête with perfumed snowflakes lingering on our skin as the night comes to a close.


Much thanks to Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume for organizing this Holiday Blogging Event. Please visit the links below to read the other participants’ contributions.


Sunday – November 29th: Guest blogger Jane Sibbett opens the Circle

Monday – November 30th: Guest blogger Wendel Meldrum

Tuesday – December 1st: Roxana Villa

Wednesday – December 2nd: Guest blogger Ida Meister

Thursday – December 3rd: Memory and Desire, Heather Ettlinger

Friday – December 4th: Memory and Desire, Jason Ettlinger

Saturday – December 5th: Guest blogger Jade Shutes

Sunday, December 6th, Eve and Roxana

Monday – December 7th: Indie Perfumes, Lucy Raubertas

Tuesday – December 8th: Scent Hive, Trish

Wednesday – December 9th: Olive Bites, Catherine Ivins

Thursday – December 10th: Perfume Smellin’ Things, Tom

Friday – December 11th: Lillyella, Nicole

Saturday – December 12th: The Non-Blonde, Gaia

Sunday – December 13th: Portland Examiner, Donna Hathaway

Monday – December 14th: Xenotees, Noelle

Tuesday – December 15th: The Beauty You Love, Lee

Wednesday – December 16th: Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, Mrs. B

Thursday – December 17th: The Artful Gypsy, Wendy Amdahl

Friday – December 18th: Perfume Shrine, Helg

Saturday – December 19th: Notes on Shoes, Cake & Perfume, Wendy

Sunday – December 20th: Grindstone Girl’s Daily, Kathi Roussel

Monday – December 21st WINTER SOLSTICE: Perfume Smellin’ Things, Beth

Tuesday – December 22nd: Guest blogger Davis Alexander

Wednesday – December 23rd: Guest blogger Greg Spalenka, Artist as Brand

Thursday – December 24th: Fringe, Dennice Mankarious

Friday – December 25th: Asking Leah, Leah

Photograph by my husband

Posted by ~Trish

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A review of natural mascaras.

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For well over a year now, I’ve been using Dr. Hauschka Mascara and Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara. Occasionally I venture into new territory and try other brands, only to come back to my beloved Dr. H. I reviewed Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear Mascara here, and at the time was pretty impressed with it save for its funny smell. Ultimately I couldn’t get past that and never ended up wanting to put it on my lashes.

Real Purity’s Mascara was another one I experimented with as it receives many positive reviews on other green blogs and has the simplest ingredient list I have seen: purified water, beeswax, glycerin, candelilia wax, cellulose, pure plant extracts (sage and ivy), and iron oxide. The price point is reasonable as well, $12.99 a tube as compared to over $25 for both Dr. H’s. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as impressed with Real Purity as some of my fellow bloggers. It took at least 2-3 coats to notice that I had on any mascara, and even then, the results were minimal (or very natural depending on your taste). Having said that, there are many people who have not been able to tolerate mascara of any kind until discovering Real Purity, so thank goodness this option is available as it does create darker lashes and comes in black, brown, and navy.

Tarte’s Lash Hugger, which is touted as their “natural” mascara, was also another one I bought. I have natural in quotes because some of the ingredients are questionable, most notably, phenoxyethanol. The gals over at Fig & Sage and Marta at TruthInAging looked closely at this ubiquitous synthetic presevative and have rightly questioned its use in products labeled “natural”. If someone is educated about the other chemicals in Lash Hugger like cyclopentasiloxane, triethanolamine, aminomethyl propanediol, and chlorophenesin, I’d love to know if they are truly natural. (Google searches didn’t lead to much definitive info). Until I know for sure, I won’t be buying another tube even though I did like this mascara’s ability to thicken and separate my lashes.

Which brings me to Dr. Hauschka Mascara, a great one for a natural look. It gets your lashes dark and glossy, and gives an amped up version of your own lashes with one or two coats. It also makes them longer, and fuller with more. And since it doesn’t clump, adding layers is a cinch. One warning, it does take a minute for the mascara to dry, so no vigorous batting of the eyes immediately after applying! But this is the only negative, aside from the price tag, that I can report. I love the blue color option, and have taken a liking to it as of late. The color pictured at the right shows a real royal color, but on my lashes it’s more of a navy and creates a deep blue tinge that is appropriate for work and daytime errands.

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara in black is my personal favorite. Pearl Anthracite and Aubergine are the other colors I have tried, Pearl Anthracite ranking as my least favorite. It’s nice enough, but unlike the Black and Aubergine, Pearl Anthracite didn’t go on as smoothly and seemed to clump easily. I don’t know if it was just the tube I got, or if it’s the formula of the mineral pigment, but it was not as impressive as the others, especially the Black. The Black Volume Mascara is very smooth, glossy, and easy to apply. I love its ability to create full lush lashes with one coat, and then a really dramatic look with two to four. I wear Dr. H’s Volume Mascara almost everyday. The Aubergine gives a subtle flash of burgundy on my lashes, but it’s not that noticeable. I think black is the best bet as it’s the richest, most lustrous of the colors I have tried.


Posted by ~Trish

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Aromaleigh Natural Fragrances: Madeleine and Dulcinea

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Aromaleigh is well known among the make-up aficionado crowd as a creator of beautiful mineral makeup. Personally, I have never tried Aromaleigh’s makeup, but if you scan the reviews over at MUA you’ll find rave reviews for the majority of their products. I have however, had the opportunity to experience two of their all-natural fragrances thanks to a lovely friend who so generously sent me samples to try.


It feels quite serendipitous that I decided to open up my sample vials this past week after having them for a couple months now, as both Madeleine and Dulcinea capture aspects of the holiday season. I had not read the notes of either perfume before applying them on my skin, so I had no preconceived notions about coziness, warmth, or holiday gatherings. Yet while wearing the scents on each wrist, Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was humming through my mind.


Of the two, Madeleine is the most holiday-ish. Mulled spices, with nutmeg at the helm, opened the fragrance and a citrusy mix of lime and pink grapefruit imparted a zesty lift so as to not let the spices become too excessive. The topnotes ushered in a festive, sparkly mood, and since lime is the key citrus player rather than pink graperfruit, it was vibrant without being too sweet or cloying. Once the fruity part of Madeleine dissipated, the soft warmth of benzoin and shades of cocoa were allowed to emerge. Nutmeg remained, so they all mingled in a cocoa-vanilla-spice filled aroma that was just downright pretty.


The drydown afforded a smidge of woods, sandalwood, as is listed on the website. The woodiness was so subtle to my nose that it did not read as sandalwood, or any wood in particular. The suggestive tone was quite nice though, and I enjoyed how it too melded with the creamy and spicy coziness of Madeleine.


Cocoa is like a velvety backdrop in Madeleine, but in Dulcinea, it’s a major player. Blood orange and cocoa mixed to create a liqueur vibe; simultaneously sensual and convivial. Tonka bean and vanilla edged out the blood orange soon enough and became a warm and comforting trio with cocoa guiding Duclinea’s evolution. Tonka’s almondy accents and cocoa’s richness satisfied my gourmand hankering that rears it head this time of year. I’ll be on the look-out for others as well, but Dulcinea will certainly sate that desire for now.


Madeliene and Dulcinea are $50 for 1oz. (Madeliene is on sale for $37.50 until 10am EST 12/9/09) and are available at Aromaleigh.com. Sample packs of all six Aromaleigh fragrances are available for $14.


Posted by ~Trish


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