Beekman 1802 Soap Review

Playing Netflix Roulette I found a show called The Fabulous Beekham Boys. It seemed right up my alley. I grew up loving James Herriot books and a cozy farm filled with bright, wonderful people was just my cup of tea on that day.

After watching the first season I was inspired to try out their soap made from the goats on the farm. I lucked in to a Year in the Country set that showcased a different scented goat milk soap for each month. Great descriptions such as "come along with us for a crisp, snowy day in the pine forest" and "Applewood in the fireplace and walks through crisp autumn leaves". I was sold!

First the price is pretty outrageous. Luckily I didn't have to pay for it since it was a gift. It is $70 dollars for 12 square bars of soap. They come in a cute little wooden tray with a sliding metal top (that doesn't slide in unless I tip the box upside down to try to get it in the end groove.. a little dissapointing).

Presentation wise they are cute and very Martha Stewart-ish.

However these are basically scentless. Every single bar smells exactly the same to me. Lathering up smells no different for any particular bar. Which means for 70 dollars you get 12 fairly small sized square bars of goats milk soap. To be fair, they do seem to moisturize. But truly, no scent.

I'm not really sure who Beekman 1802 is looking to sell their products to. Perhaps the ultra rich with money to burn? But I would think there would be some scent since they make a point of highlighting the lovely scent descriptions on their website.

Review Wrapup: The quality of the lather is silky. The soap is moisurizing. The embossed stamp on the top of the soap is adorable with grass and lambs/goats. The scent is non existant. I wouldn't recommend jumping in with both feet and buying one of the large packages. I don't feel they're anywhere near the price. If you're going to try out the soap make sure and pick up the 2 for 12 dollar deal.

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Nocturne Alchemy Reviews

Eternal Luxor
NA Amber, Golden Egyptian Fig, Creamy Coconut Milk and Toasted Coconut Oil.

Coconut tamped by the amber and milk. Not a tropical scent at all. It's actually beautiful and very wearable. Also on a totally different stratosphere than coconut moonstone so trying both would be wise!

Eternal Egypt
White Amber, Red Egyptian Musk, Egyptian Amber and the sands of Egypt. A beautiful enrapturing scent.

Liking this! I think the sand note goes much better in this for me than Eternal Ankh. Which is bizarre because I'm a vanilla addict. This smells so rich and smooth. Also another note.. BPAL's red musk note is a HUGE turnoff for me.. it smells like cherry musk or something. The red musk in this is totally (and I mean TOTALLY) different. I don't smell any red fruit at all in this. Just a very smooth beautiful scent. No wonder it's their Signature Scent. I'm so glad I picked this up even though I was so afraid of the red musk in the description. 

Vanilla Necropolis
Egyptian Red Amber, Black Rose, Egyptian Red Musk, Sweet Amber, Allspice, French Vanilla, Persian Vanilla, Vanilla Bean and Vanilla absolute. The complete aspect follows with the Purple Rose of Cairo, Egyptian Vanilla Absolute and a deeper Vanilla Necropolis resolution.

Rose! Pretty! *boots the musk out* No likely rose smells mixed with musty musk or patchouli. At least the musk isn't the biggest note. The rest of it is quite lovely and very wearable. It's not the loud in-your-face rose that a lot of scents have but a beautiful well-behaved jammy rose. The amber is very pretty mixed in. For all the vanilla notes in the description I can't smell any of them. My nose is broken or something!

Bassima
A soft coconut, butter and warm sugar scent enriched with subtle nutmeg and fig. 

I smell the coconut and nutmeg mostly. It's pretty. Close to the skin. Faint (my experience with Malban too.. how odd) Now I can smell the green of the fig. It's lovely. Doesn't really smell foody to me. 

Malban
Quite simply it is a luxurious caramel, vanilla, walnut and sugar delight.

I don't really smell the meat of the walnut but the shell (if that makes any sense). Also smell the caramel. It seems very faint to me. Very very faint. I wish it was stronger. Maybe this needs to age .. alot. Because what I can smell of it smells lovely. 

Bes
Vanilla Cream Vapour, Caramelized Egyptian Sugar Dust, Vanilla Musk, Cardamom, Sandalwood and Egyptian Black Clove Buds.

Interesting! I very definitely smell the clove but it's a sweet pretty almost dainty clove. The faint scent of something almost incensy and musty (maybe the musk?) I like this.. definiltely another of my comfy in jeans reading book by a window where it's raining outside. This is a really pretty smooth yet spicy scent. Feminine. I smell all of the notes. (not a huge musk/patchouli girl admittedly). I like this. I wouldn't consider this foody at all. 

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Nocturne Alchemy reviews

The bottles themselves feel really nice. The labels are shiney and gold which I thought I wouldn't like. I do. The cap feels nice and the top is nicely rounded just a touch. They have reducer caps but the scent flows through them well (I have to beat my bottles against my skin with Conjure caps for some reason). 

My favorites right off are Apricot Kobalt, Raspberry Kobalt/Egyptian Black Raspberry and Coco Nilla Bats. 

Eternal Ankh 

White Amber, Powdered and reconstructed oil of Egyptian Vanilla Husk, Vanilla fleck, African White Vanilla and the scent of soft Egyptian Sands.

Interesting. I don't smell the vanilla so much as this unidentifiable note. It smells airy and delicate. I have no idea how I can review this. lol It's pleasant and girly and almost smells like a flower I've never smelled before if that makes sense. It almost blooms. I'm probably going to have to come back and change this once I have some NA experience so I can try to explain what I'm smelling. In the meantime try it out. It's very unique. 

Apricot Kobalt

African Apricot, Apricot Cream, Vanilla Cream, Nokturne:Kobalt. A delicious way to spend an afternoon. Purrrrrrrrrr.

LOVE this! I associate apricots with Beatrix Potter so this scent reminds me of Miss Moppet, Ginger, Mrs. Tittlemouse, Timmy Tiptoes and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. It's so comforting and beautiful. I am madly in love with the underlying kobalt vanilla. It is the warm vanilla cakey vanilla of my dreams with just the slightest note of apricots. Not a bright sharp apricot but a smooooth almost earthy beautiful apricot. Big hit with me. I highly recommend. 

Raspberry Kobalt

Aromatic Egyptian Raspberry, rich Egyptian Vanilla (Nokturne:Kobalt). Simplicity.

How lovely! I smell the beautiful Kobalt vanilla (I haven't tried many of the vanillas yet but I am in love with this) and a very real raspberry which is juicy and ripe. No candy or strawberry shortcake smell-o-dolly on me. 

The vanilla balance makes this a wearable, beautiful raspberry scent. This is a happy scent and one I can see wearing often. The throw seems really nice as well!

Egyptian Black Raspberry

Egyptian Black Raspberry with the subtlety of vanilla and fig. Enrapturing to say the least. This mingled with the sweat of your skin could lead to a very very intoxicating night ahead.

A brighter and almost greener (fig?) raspberry than Raspberry Kobalt. I guess now I can smell the vanilla and how it smooths it out in the Raspberry Kobalt scent. This is super yummy though. I can't really name a favorite of the two because they both smell so beautiful and simliar. If I had to use one word to describe each Black Egyptian Raspberry would be bright. Raspberry Kobalt would be smooth.

This is not the fig of philosykos (which is the only fig scent I have ever smelled). It's a green bright fig. Quite yummy.  

Coconut Moonstone

Egyptian Coconut Husk, Nokturne:Moonstone (The true Husk, black and white Fleck, essence and whole of African White Vanilla with a kiss of Crystalline) and a drop of peach to nuance the natural sweetness of the blend; a perfume blend for summer days and summer nights.

Yep! Coconut. I happen to love coconut so it doesn't dissapoint. It hasn't gone plasticky on me at all and it smells smooth. My nose isn't attuned enough to the variations of basenotes in NA scents so I dont think I pick up the vanilla. It's nice though. 

Coco 'Nilla Bats

Warm Halloween Cocoa, little marshmallows floating around in there, Vanilla of Crystalline and Crystal Nokturne, a few drops of Nokturne: Aurora (imported from Paris, French Vanilla and aged to perfection) sleeping peacefully in a tree full of quiet and intoxicating Egyptian Musk and a drop of Amber. Oh and some candy corn...for good measure and a spoon full of chocolate cake batter.

Bunch of dry chocolate up in the bottle and on my skin initially. Not unpleasant but akin to sticking my nose in a can of hershey's chocolate milk powder. Minutes later it's becoming warmer.. almost as if it's being warmed into a hot chocolate sauce. Oh wow.. first impression was.. cool. powered chocolate. But only a few minutes it and it's blooming into a super sexy vanilly chocolate scent. My boyfriend across the room perked up and said "do you smell chocolate??" lol. It's stroooong.. *PERFECT*  You have to get this before it is gone! 

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Carnival Wax Reviews

10/20 Followup: I was dying to somehow get a bottle of Pearl but having worn it a few times since it almost changes on any given day. One or two days I had to scrub it off because it smelt off. Since it seemed so volatile I've scrubbed.. err scratched any of these off my to buy list. 

I managed to avoid getting samples of Carnival Wax oils for years because they're so expensive and I didn't want to fall in love with any of them. I love the marketing.

I've heard mixed reviews about the scents and the company. Most people love them but think they're overpriced. They think the company is very detached and snottish. There's been many reviews about what a small amount you receive in their fairly expensive sample packs ($15 for three scents).

Pearl
Wood Notes, White Coconut Musk, and Creamy Vanilla.

This smells so rich. I swear I smell vetiver in this mixed with a creamy vanilla. Also can smell the coconut musk. This is lovely and sexy. It almost makes me feel more confident wearing it. As it warms on my skin I can smell the complexity of the wood notes. Not a pencil shaving to be found. It smells like an old wooden desk in an abandoned mauseleum with a bubble pot of creamy vanilla mixed lightly with a musky coconut oil on a warm, breezy night.

 I think the throw and lasting power is on par with most other oils I've tried which means it's not strong enough nor lasts long enough. Which given the pricepoint I'm a bit dissapointed in. If I was rich I'd snap this up in a minute and slather to my hearts content. It's very pretty.

1 hour later: This has evolved into the most beautiful skin scent i've smelt in a long time. The wood notes are just heartbreaking but in a good way. Very romantic scent. I'm not even sure I mind it being close to the skin.

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Clowncake
Buttery Vanilla Frosted Birthday Cake. Boozy, Honey-Whipped Cream filling

Gahhhhh!! Another one I love. This is a foody's dream. Also I could even see non-foody people loving this. All the notes in the description I can smell in this glorious melange of yumminess. The boozy isn't what I thought it would be. There's no reason you couldn't wear this in a work enviroment. The honey-whipped cream is gorgeous.

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Sugarwitch
Top notes of Juicy Lemons and Tangerines followed by Sweet Sugary Cookies finished with a Sexy Woodsy bottom.

*LOVE*. Lemon iced cookies is what I smell straight off. This is something I would love to stick my nose in and smell forever. The wood mixed with the lemons grounds it so well. There is not a whiff of Pledge in this. Out of the three this is flirting for first place with Pearl. While Pearl is  sexy jeans with leather jacket and tall boots, Sugarwitch is jeans with velvet and laced boots.

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I received three other samples: Nadramia, Black Amber & Druglord but I'm going to stop here and review the three others later.

Of the three I've sampled so far I love them ALL. Clowncake is wonderful and what I thought would be my favorite but is firmly in third. I am torn between Sugarwitch and Pearl because both are equally gorgeous and for two different moods. I'm going to see how these wear and how long they last and I'll give it a mention in my followup review with the last three.

All in all I am now HEAVILY craving a bottle of Pearl and Sugarwitch. Has anyone else tried these? What are your favorites?

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Blooddrop Review

Annnnd another box came my way.

Astrid at Blooddrop is a sweetheart. She included as extras a free lipstick, and 2 adorable soaps in the scent " Pumpkin Pie at the Diner after Rocky". Also Hallowmas was sold out but she found one last bottle for me.

Hallowmas
Sacred season of visiting spirits, of nature closing down to sleep and the fleeting days of the long sun. Soft red musk, honey absolute, caramel covered apples, sweet orange, seasonal spices, butter CO2, marshmallow cream.

Ooo buttery and autumny with caramel apples strongly in the background but not taking over the top notes. This is a unique autumn scent. Very smooth, nothing sharp or loud. Well mixed. I like it.

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At the Diner After Rocky
The usual food trip after the RHPS brings a group of all sorts: some Goths, some SCA-ers and Gamers, the really odd old guy who still might live in his mom’s basement and that really hot guy you’re too shy to talk to. The selection of meals ordered was just as bizarre as the people, but one favorite was blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup and maple syrup!

OH WOW! I've only worn this for 30 minutes but I have to say that this zips into my top 25 for CERTAIN and possibly top 10 favorite perfume oils of all time. I *love* blueberry pancakes with waffles. My ass can attest to the fact that it's one of my favorite comfort foods. And this smells just like blueberry waffles covered in maple syrup. But.. it's also WEARABLE. I'm not sure on throw or lasting power. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it has both and will probably update this at some point. But you need to try this out if you like blueberries at all. I rarely, if ever, order backup bottles but this is going on my christmas list.

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Violette Market Diablo Canyon

Lori at Violette Market was wonderful to deal with. I was on the fence about which scents to purchase and she took the time to go back and forth with me a few times to narrow down my selection. Each of the bottles are wrapped in small different colored organza bags.

Fireflies
Lydia's golden fireflies glowing among raw agave sugar crystals, toasted marshmallow creme, and a pinch of golden amber dust.

I'm a little dissapointed in this oil. I was expecting a sugary vanilla marshmellow explosion and it smells like Pumpkin spiced. There's no question that to me (and a couple others) this smells exactly like Pumpkin both in the bottle and on all three of our wrists. For a pumpkin it's rather nice but I have many pumpkin oils and don't really need another.

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Lydia's Firefly Lanterns
White peach, warmed sandalwood, golden amber, honey sugar, cedar wood, white autumn rose, blond vetiver, and sparkling pink and gold fairy dust.

Interesting. I'm not really sure what I'm smelling. Smells perfumey again. Not foody at all. Maybe it's the rose that Im not liking in this scent.

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Letters on the Wind
Coconut water, cotton blossom, spiced rum, golden musk, raw Greek honey, bergamot peel, frankincense, and rose geranium.

This smells very perfumey to me. There's a note in here I know I don't like from past experiences but I can't put my finger on what it is. Maybe violet? Smells a bit like an old fashioned musty perfume to me.

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Two Samples: 

Pumpkin Coach

A shimmering, glistening display of sugared pear, frankincense, golden quince, gardenia buds, raspberry roses, vanilla orchid, pink jasmine, and the magic dust sprinkled on one unsuspecting orange pumpkin.

Ooo I love this. An almost watery floral. I adore gardenia and I can smell this very well. This definitely goes on my list for a full bottle.


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Grandmother
Warm hugs, and the comforts of home from oatmeal porridge, vanilla tea cakes, blueberry scones, creamed honey, and orange blossom marmalade.

Hmm.. I like this too. It smells creamy and comforting. I can smell the blueberry which makes me very happy and the bowl of oatmeal swirled with vanilla. I love this!! The marmalade seems tucked back in the first 10 minutes. I am so glad I have a bottle of this coming to me. I can see wearing this often.

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The three bottles I ordered were strike-outs with me and I fell in love with the two samples I received. Especially Grandmother. Just my luck!

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Blooddrop Autumn Scents Review

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Yep. The hype is real. This stuff is like liquid crack. I'm not usually a big fan of wearing appley scents. The apple notes is typically too sharp on me. But this is a very smooth apple. Smells like apple cider doughnuts. Make sure and pick up a bottle!

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Plymouth Pear

LOVE THIS. I love pear! This is a great pear. Smells juicy and fresh. I'm going to enjoy layering this with some of my other favorites. Restraining myself from grabbing another bottle.

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Soleil 

What a bright and happy scent. I smell champagne peaches. Not very complex but lovely for what it is. I'm going to store this until the spring.

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Delicieuse

I smell a musky peppermint and little else. I think this is the only fail with my body chemistry in the batch.

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I find the first samples I've received from Blooddrop to be strong with a nice throw. Astrid who owns Blooddrop is super nice and so accomodating. She also threw in a few really nice freebies.

 I'm looking forward to ordering more from Blooddrop!

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