Saturday, February 28, 2015

Blackbird Cosmetics Haul

I had heard nothing but wonderful things about indie makeup brand Blackbird cosmetic's matte eyeshadow formula.  They recently started a new website blackbirdcosmetics.com and in celebration gave out a 30% off code.  I jumped at the opportunity and made my first purchase!


I bought a full size of their green Magic Trick Super Powder and matte eyeshadow in Vintage.  I also bought a sample of their matte eyeshadows in Imogen and Gravity.  Lucid and Dim Tradition were free!


I'll start my review with the green face powder.  I had bought NYX cosmetic's green concealer which is great for acne spots but when I tr to rub it on my face it gets in my pores and looks weird.  This powder is designed to be used all over the face under foundation or alone.  I was nervous to get a full size but the reviews I read were positive so I went for it!
And I'm so glad I did! I love it! I dusted it over half my face with a kabuki brush and instantly noticed my skin looked smoother and a bit less red.  You can build up the powder on areas that need extra coverage and it reduces the red even more.  I'm pretty sure I could wear this alone because I could not see any noticeable green, just reduced redness. So far I'm loving this!


It was kinda hard to get a good picture of this stuff in action.  The place I could see the most noticeable difference was on my nose.  The top image is my bare skin with moisturizer and primer.  The bottom is with the addition of the green powder.  Less red and more even skin tone! I'm so excited to use this every day! I put on my liquid foundation and usually I finish with a powder foundation but I had so little red showing through I didn't even feel that I needed to.


Next up are the eyeshadows!  I needed to have vintage as it looked like a super beautiful matte purple.  I also picked Imogen and Gravity because they also looked to have purple in them and I love cool toned mattes. I put a strip of eye primer down the middle so you can see the difference between the shadows over bare skin and primer.
I swear these are the most butter smooth easily blendable mattes I have ever used in my life.  Usually putting a matte shadow in my crease results in patchy blotchyness.  Nope. These are amazing and perfect. I'm so glad I finally understand what the hype is about.


This was a freebie.  I don't really have a use for a matte white as I already have two but oh well.  It is actually pretty light and barely shows up on my skin.  Maybe I'm too pale? I kind of like it as an under my eyebrow highlight as it isn't too obvious.



Imogen looked to be a nice matte pink, which it is.  On my eyes it looks much lighter than when  heavily swatched on my wrist. If I place another order I think I will be getting a full size of this. Its simple, cute, and pretty.



I got a sample of Gravity as it looked to be a taupy purple.  However once its on my skin it is mostly just taupe and loses the purple.  I was a bit bummed until I decided to try it as a contour.  Wouldn't you know it works pretty well with my skin tone.  I may experiment more with this and if I like it enough I might get a full size to use as a contour because it is so hard to find good colors for cool toned pale skin.


I bought Vintage in the full size and I have no regrets! It is a very beautiful deep matte purple.  It is half way between natural and vibrant.  I feel it could easily go both ways depending on what its paired with.  I love this color and can't wait to use it in more eye looks.


Finally, Lucid is a matte black and was another freebie.  Once again I already have two matte blacks so I didn't have a need for this. I may keep it at my parents house so I have an emergency matte black if I need to do my makeup back home.


And here is a quick look I threw together using all my eyeshadows!
On my lid is Imogen, in my crease is Gravity, under my eye and as a crease definer is Vintage, the liner is Gravity, and I used Dim Tradition as a highlight. Gravity is also being used under my cheekbone as a contour. 
I'm loving these shadows and I can't wait to use them some more!
I think next time I'm getting a sample of Ruca, that deep red looks gorgeous.

Where to buy: blackbirdcosmetics.com
Price:
Magic Trick Super Powder: $12
Matte Eyeshadows:  $6.50


Thursday, February 26, 2015

Ipsy Glam Bag February 2015


So last month's bag was a total drag so lucky for Ipsy they kicked it up quite a few notches for this month's bag.  I will be using everything in here except for one product, which given their recent track record is good enough for me. I hadn't checked my glam room so I had no idea what I was getting prior to opening my pink mailer.  My friend told me she loved her bag this month so my expectations were high....let's take a look! 


The bag itself is pretty cute.  It's pink for Valentine's Day and has an interesting grey, white, and pink pattern.

City Color Cosmetics Creamy Lip Stain in Flirtini

"A hybrid between a lipstick and gloss, our Creamy Lip Stain is a new kind of lip product that applies smooth and creamy like a gloss and sets with a matte finish. This creamy lip stain gives your lips long lasting color while keeping lips moisturized. Available in 6 fun flirty shades. "

There was only one lip product offered this month that I would have hated so I'm really glad I didn't end up with that one.  City Color's lip stain was only offered in this color, which is a bummer because when they announced them I was super excited for the berry shade.  It is getting a 4 because it smells disgusting.

4/5


Overall the color of this is pretty neutral.  It's a flattering pink that would probably look good on almost anybody.  It goes on very opaque and as it fades it leaves behind a my lip but better pink stain.  It's a nice product and even though I wish they had offered it in the shade Blackberry Mojito.

Where to buy: citycolorcosmetics.com
Price: Its out of stock on the website but Amazon says $5


Emite Make Up Eye Lash Curler

"The EMITE MAKE UP Professional Eye Lash curler has a special curved design which angles to suit all eye shapes, without touching your makeup base. Its silicone rubber pad applies the appropriate amount of pressure to curl lashes naturally. Your eye lashes will remain in perfect shape all day!"

This was my first time getting a tool besides a brush in an Ipsy bag so I was pretty surprised to pull this out. I already have an eyelash curler but its a super cheap ELF one that I got in a kit. However because of this, its only the second eyelash curler I've ever used in my life so I do not really have much to base it on. I'm taking off a point because its a bit harder to get at my lashes compared to my ELF curler.

4/5


So as you can see it definitely does its job.  It closes easily and gives a nice noticeable curl with and without mascara.  The left eye is curled and the right eye is left natural.  It even came with replacement red pads, how nice! I think I'll be keeping this one at my apartment and taking my ELF one home to use when I visit my parents and doggies.

Where to buy: emitemakeup.com
Price: $25 + $3 for replacement pads

Eva NYC Up All Night Volumizing Spray

"Get the ultimate blowout with this multi-tasking spray! The light-weight formula adds volume and texture to hair, while protecting against heat for healthier styling. "

The last hair product I got was useless because it was only a heat protector and I don't use heat. However this one, while it does offer heat protection, is primarily a volumizer. Yay! I love volume! It can also be used to dry hair which is always a plus.  Its getting a 4 because I feel like it could have offered a bit more volume.

4/5


The spray is a pump nozzle, it comes out easily enough and doesn't smell bad.


Here is my hair fluffed up with no product and then fluffed up again after spraying it.  It definitely adds some extra volume however I don't think it was very long lasting.  However I think this products use lies more in the area of a refresher rather than a first line of styling product.  I can see myself reaching for this a lot when I need to re fluff my hair later in the day, but do not want to use my main hair molder as it will be too heavy.

Where to buy: eva-nyc.com, Ulta, Walgreens, Forever 21
Price: $24 ($3)


Mitchell and Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil

"The Mitchell and Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil is a highly effective face oil packed with powerful natural anti-oxidants and vitamins that are instantly absorbed to leave skin feeling plumper, firmer and glowing with radiance. "

Um...so I don't even know what this is supposed to be for.....when I first pulled it out I saw peach, flora, and oil.  I got super excited as I thought this was a flowery peach perfume oil.  Imagine my disappointment when it wasn't. I guess it goes on the face and makes it more radiant?  Not sure what that means.  I don't like putting oil on my face so I don't have a use for this.

1/5


Yeah I'm not sure what to say about this....its a face oil and it doesn't smell nice.

Where to buy: mitchellandpeach.com
Price: $34 ($17)

ModelCo Blush in Cosmopolitan

"ModelCo’s BLUSH Cheek Powder creates a beaming, rosy glow to brighten every complexion. The micronized color pigments and luxurious, pressed powder delivers a sheer, natural radiance that lasts all day. "

Everyone got a blush this month and while I'm not super crazy about blush I didn't mind adding a new one to my arsenal.  Looking at the product I was afraid it would be too hot pink but when applied lightly it looks very nice and natural.  Taking off a point, not because there is anything wrong with it, but because I don't absolutely love it and perfect scores are reserved for things I love.

4/5



I applied it a bit heavy here so I could get the color in the picture but applied normally it creates a very natural light pink blush.  I won't be wearing this now but I could see reaching for it come spring and summer.

Where to buy: modelcocosmetics.com
Price: Um, the website said I don't have permission to shop on my server? What. Boxycharm says its $18.

Compared to what I've been getting recently this bag was a nice surprise.  While I didn't absolutely love any of the products I can use 4/5 of them which is definitely good.
The total price of this month's bag comes out to $71. Whoa. But because two of them items I couldn't get an official price for, this may vary.  I've never had a bag come out to more than $60.  They really went all out with this month!
Good job Ipsy, I'm satisfied!





Tuesday, February 24, 2015

A Break From Makeup: Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza

I've been sharing a lot of food lately.....I know this is a makeup blog but oh my gosh I keep cooking these delicious meals and after eating them I feel a strong desire to share them with everyone! Today I want to share the amazing, delicious, low calorie, vegetarian breakfast pizza I made.  Its so easy and so yummy!


Like holy crap just look at how amazing it looks! The best part about this is it is so easy to customize toppings based on what is in your fridge.


So I wasn't going to share the My Fitness Pal ingredient list because its kind of confusing and all over the place but I decided to anyway.  Let me walk you through how I made this.

1. Lay out a small tortilla on some foil
2. Spread your choice of sauce evenly over top.  I had some leftover diced tomatoes so I added a bit less than 1/4 of those then filled up the remaining 1/4 cup with Ragu spaghetti sauce for thickness.  You could of course just use diced tomatoes or just spaghetti sauce.
3. I then placed some fresh spinach on top. Next time I'm definitely adding more! Frozen spinach would also work.
4.  I followed the spinach with some bits of avocado.  I used a bit less than 1/8 of an avocado....which I just realized I calculated incorrectly.  I input 1/4 of an entire avocado instead of 1/4 of a half of one....oops. I would probably also add more avocado next time.
5.  I then cracked an egg in the center of the pizza, taking care not to let it run off the sides. Next you can sprinkle with your desired type and amount of cheese and spices.
6. Finally I stuck it in the toaster oven at 350 for....I wish I would have counted.  I just watched until the whites were set but this also meant my yolk was hard which was a huuuuge disappointment. I read that letting the egg come to room temp helps the whites cook before the yolk so next time I'll be trying that.

The way I made my pizza came out to about 250 calories.  This is a great and healthy way to kick start your morning.  It is filling, has a bit of everything, is low calorie, and contains about 12g of protein!

I hope you enjoy your pizza!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Valentine's Day Nails

Ok yeah I know Valentine's Day was a while ago but with my camera dying I kind of have a backlog of posts. Oops! So even though its past here are my nails that I did for Valentine's Day!


For the base I used Formula X in Voodoo which is a absolutely gorgeous light metallic pink.  Then I took Demi by Zoya which is a dark berry shade and tipped each of my nails except for my ring finger where I instead drew a cute little heart.  I couldn't take this picture until a few days after Valentine's Day so I had to do a bit of touching up, that's why they look a little less than perfect.  Regardless I love my nails and I love these two polishes. Combined they make the perfect cute girly nail design.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Spirited Away Inspired FOTD

For Valentine's Day one of my presents from my boyfriend was a Miyazaki shirt from Teefury.  It features Haku and Chihiro from Spirited Away in a cute heart shaped design. Upon wearing it for the first time I of course had to match my makeup to it.  That wasn't even a question.


Here is a close up of the shirt.  So adorable! :3


I am first off going to apologize for the lack of blending but I don't know if it was the eye shadow or my eye lid or even my eye primer but whenever I tried to blend the red it just disappeared and left a bald spot on my eye.  I was so frustrated I just patted it on and left it.  This did not happen the last time I used Hisster Prynne so I have no idea what went wrong.

Anyway to do this look I put Hisster Prynne by Hello Waffle Cosmetics on my lid.  Then I blended Skinny Dip by NYX cosmetics into my crease. Under my eyes I used Comet from BH Cosmetic's Galaxy Chic palette as a liner. I then finished with a wing and mascara!  On my lips is Wine Room by Wet and Wild.


And here is my face with the shirt! I love it so much.  I only wish Teefury shirts weren't so tight around the neck.  :(
I get a women's medium and they just barely fit around my head, shoulders, and bust, but then have tons of baggyness around my waist.  A large would probably fit better up top but then it would be so baggy around my middle I might as well just have gotten a men's shirt.  Oh well. 

Oh also notice my custom made Kamelot earrings from Artscow!  I just ordered a custom Kamelot dress and Nightwish tank top as well.  I'm really really hoping they come out ok! I'm so excited!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Probelle Nail Polish in Into The Blue

So you may or may not have noticed that I did not do an Ipsy glam bag review for January.  Well the reason for that is that I was severely disappointed in everything I got except for this little blue nail polish.  I about flipped when they sent me yet another bronze eyeshadow.  I didn't even open it.  I looked at it in disgust and gave it to my mother.  I really really really hope I get off the wish list for Notoriously Morbid's monthly Vanishing Cabinet subscription.  As soon as I do I might cancel Ipsy.  the products are too neutral and boring to suit my tastes.

(I will not get my February bag until March because it always comes so late.  I'm hoping I'll like enough products from that bag to write a full review so look forward to that in March!)

Anyway I did like the nail polish that came in last month's bag so I will share it with you!


This nail polish is a brand I had never heard of before, Probelle.  I actually went to Ulta shortly after receiving this and saw it on the shelves so either I've been previously blind or this is a new product (however it does not seem that Ulta sells this online so now I'm questioning what I saw).  In my bag I got the shade Into The Blue.  Let me tell you, this blue is freaking gorgeous!  It is the perfect bright sky blue and I can see myself wearing this a lot in spring.  It is so fun and flashy!
The quality of this picture isn't the greatest as I took it with my phone while my camera was still dead but I think they came out fairly true to color.   The longevity of this polish isn't wonderful but it is still fairly decent.  I needed 3 light coats to get a fully opaque color.  One will definitely not be enough.  
Would I buy anymore polishes by this brand? Probably not unless they had something super unique.  I still prefer Zoya.
Speaking of Zoya the little bit of nail art was done using Zoya's Belinda.

Where to buy: Pro-belle.com
Price: $6.00





Monday, February 16, 2015

A Break From Makeup: Crab Stuffed Avocado

I'm so so sorry for the lack of updates.  I accidentally left my camera charger at my parents house so my Canon has been dead. :(
However I went home for the weekend and was able to retrieve it so hopefully I can start posting again!
To tide you over I wanted to share a recipe with you that I absolutely love.  Crab stuffed avocado!!


If you like avocado and crab then this is a must.  Its so delicious and tastes like a comfort food while being low calorie and healthy for you! Plus its super quick  and easy to make!

Calorie info thanks to My Fitness Pal


So here is my process:
1. Cut open an avocado and remove the pit
2. Mix 2 oz of crab, 2 Tbsp of cream cheese, and as many cut up cherry tomatoes as you desire.  I only used one because I didn't want the tomato flavor to be too strong.  I think I may have also added a tad bit of lemon juice. You can also add salt, pepper, cayenne, or your favorite seasoning to taste.
3. Plop half of the mixture into each avocado and sprinkle with your desired kind and amount of cheese.  
4. Stick it in a toaster oven for 10 minutes at 350-375 degrees.

These are so delicious, I've done this for three separate meals now.  For dinner I usually use a whole avocado but if I'm having it for lunch I cut the recipe in half.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Possets Perfume Sample Haul

So here is something new!! I have finally delved into the world of Indie perfumes and holy crap was it the best idea ever!
I chose to start with Possets Perfumes because they have an insanely huge selection and received great reviews from the Indie community.
I've learned from this that I'm not the greatest at picking up on scent notes so I don't think my reviews are going to be as great as the perfume connoisseurs out there.  However I'm going to try my best and will attempt to use pictures and imagery as much as possible to help with my inability to describe what I smell. 

This will be very text and image heavy!


Out of this sample haul I was hoping to find my holy grail lavender and/or  lilac and vanilla scent.  I threw in some outliers as well just to try something different.  I decided on Arcturus, The Great Psychiatrist of Babylon, Lavender Corset, Silver Lavender, Dance With Me, and The Temptress.  The two free samples I will also be reviewing include 301 and Gelato: Vaniglia.  I'll review them in alphabetical order just for organizations sake. Here we go!

301

301

This was one of the  free samples chosen for me!  I received 4 total but because I split the order with my friend we each took two. This is the one I chose to keep.  I let my friend pick two from the remaining 3.

"Named for the number which has been following me around my entire life, 301 combines a multiplicity of my favorite musks and cashmeran, and It turns out to be a bright light and insidious mix with great staying power and insinuates itself very easily. It will not knock the room over when you walk in, even if you are drenched in it. Lovely and slightly melancholy because it suggests the passage of time to me."

Initial sniff:  It invokes the feeling of fresh clean linen.  Very mild and pleasant.  I really wanted this one as it is starkly different from all the others I chose in my sample six pack.

After a few hours:  This scent is still very subtle.  The musk notes come out a bit more as it wears.  I do not know what cashmeran smells like so I can't comment on the strength of that part. This is still very light and pleasant to smell, a good anytime perfume.

Wear Time: 3-4 hours




Invoked Imagery: Playing under the warm fresh from the dryer sheets while my mom and dad take extra long to fold them above my head.

Verdict: While this is quite nice and pleasant I do not think it appeals to me enough to warrant a full size purchase.

Arcturus

Arcturus

I picked this one up because I am currently on the hunt for my holy grail vanilla scent. I love vanilla, I'm obsessed with it.  I love the smell the taste...just everything.  I add vanilla extract to everything I can.

" Arc to Arcturus is a common saying in the astrological world. In this case Arcturus is a blend of the blackest of all vanillas in a swirl in dead space. It's a beautiful dark foodie blend which is a true hybrid between the wearable vanillas and those which you just wish to put your tongue on. Madagascar, two Mexican vanilla, and a dry and almost earthy Tahitian vanilla blend together to make a superb concoction for seduction. Intensely sophisticated and very up to date."

Initial sniff:  Sweet dessert.  Unfortunately not quite what I was hoping for.  I think I am still on my quest for the perfect vanilla.  I'm looking for pure vanilla extract, no sugary cakey sweetness. Honestly it doesn't really smell like vanilla to me.  Do I just not know what vanilla smells like? I bought all these vanilla perfumes and nothing smells as I thought it would.

After a few hours:  The scent definitely mellows down to more of a pleasant sweetness. It is comforting and nice, not overpowering, but still when I smell it vanilla is still not what comes to mind.  At the very end of its life however the pure vanilla minus the sweet starts to come out.  I wish it was like that from the start because its exactly what I'm looking for!

Wear Time: 3-4 hours




Invoked Image:  Eagerly awaiting my grandmother's sugar cookies to come out of the oven so that I can begin the icing process and eventually devour them.

Verdict: This isn't bad but it isn't outstanding to me either because it wasn't quite what I was expecting.  I don't think I'll be ordering a full size.


Dance With Me

Dance With Me

I almost didn't get this one because I was afraid the grapefruit notes would make it too girly.  However I was convinced otherwise by a /r/indiemakeupandmore user who swore to me that this scent would be amazing.  I decided to go with her recommendation because I thought worst case scenario it would be fun to go dancing wearing this if only because of the name.

" A classy variation of everyone's favorite lavender vanilla but substituting grapefruit for lavender and under-girding it with white musk. Enchantingly innocent but with loads of guile."

Initial Sniff: Fun, fruity, feminine.   That is definitely what I get from this perfume. Right from the bottle the fruit scent is very strong and honestly pretty overwhelming.  Fortunately I love grapefruit so that doesn't really bother me at all. I think it smells divine. 

After a few hours: The vanilla undertone definitely starts to show once its been sitting on the skin.  The fruityness is cut by a nice relaxing and not too sweet vanilla.  I actually like this even more on my skin as it smells much more sophisticated and classy than the initial fruit overload. This is a great summer time scent.

Wear Time: 3-4 hours 



Invoked Image:  This brings me back to spending my childhood vacations in the Bahamas sitting on a beach and drinking a ridiculously colorful fruit drink. Interestingly enough as the scent wears on the image goes from sunlit beach to moonlit beach as the vanilla and musk strengthens and the fruit fades.  It makes me really miss that place....

Verdict: I don't really think of dancing when I smell this but I'll still wear it dancing just for the name.  I'm not 100% sure if I'm getting a full size of this but I'm seriously considering it.

Gelato Vaniglia

Gelato: Vaniglia

This is my other free sample, the one my friend didn't want and unfortunately for good reason....

" ...as only Possets can do it. It is possible to have vanilla as a top, middle, and bottom note. I just did it. It is just a halo of vanilla as I have tasted it among the best of gelatos. Mmmmm. Vanilla was never so concentrated and so pure."

Initial Sniff: Sweet. Way too sweet. I can't smell this without cringing. It doesn't smell like vanilla at all to me.  I'm smelling sweet cinnamon cake dessert with lots of syrup.

After a few hours: The bakery sticky bun smell of this perfume becomes even more pronounced with wear. This is nothing like any vanilla I've ever encountered and its supposed to be pure, I'm so confused.

Wear Time: 5-6 hours




Invoked Image: This makes me think of standing in line at the airport when I was little anxiously waiting to get a Cinnabon as that's the only time I was ever able to have one.

Verdict: While I do like cinnamon buns I've never had a desire to smell like one.  Definitely not for me.

The Great Psychiatrist of Babylon

The Great Psychiatrist of Babylon

I bought this one because basically everyone on the internet is raving about it so even though the ingredients didn't appeal to me I almost had no choice but to give it a go.  Plus the name is just really awesome. 

" Back in the day, before a formal id, ego, and super-ego early psychiatrists roamed the land looking for loonies upon whom they could practice their trade. Babylon was a veritable hot bed of psychiatric investigation, and practiced by the female inhabitants of the city. The hypnotic base of the finest Bourbon vanilla shot through with incense smoke and the auxillary smoke from "punk" fire, caramel, incense, and a small shot of whiskey on the side (for medicinal purposes only). There, now don't you feel better?"

Initial sniff: This is pretty overpowering to me. It is hard for me to smell anything but super sweet caramel but when I really concentrate I can definitely pick up the whiskey as well. I was hoping the vanilla would be a bit stronger. Not really feeling this and can't see myself reaching for it often.

A few hours later: The smell definitely improves with time!  The sweetness dies down and now the caramel is pleasant rather than obnoxious. Overall the smell becomes much more sophisticated making it easy to pick up on the whiskey and incense notes, I'm still not getting the vanilla. Maybe my nose is weird.

Wear time: 4-5 hours


Invoked Image:  A warm and comfy day inside with my family eating caramel cookies while it snows mercilessly outside. 

Verdict:  The smell is definitely unique and I can see why it appeals to others but I don't really feel that it fits with my personality. While I'll enjoy the sample this will not be a full size purchase for me.



Lavender Corset


Lavender Corset

Lavender and lilac are my two favorite floral scents so I was really excited when I came across this one as it sounded like it would be a very pure and feminine lavender perfume.

" Such a pretty and old fashioned yet bleeding edge modern scent! Lavender Corset is more lilac than lavender, very feminine, long lasting and a persistent whisper of a fragrance. Like a corset it creates a perception about you but one about which others are barely conscious. It is magical, though. Perfect as a day perfume but not prim, perfect as an evening perfume but not brash. Characteristics: Lilac, musk, versatile, feminine, clean, sophisticated, long lasting, cooling, summer scent.."

Initial sniff: AMAZING.  100%.  So lovely and so nice.  If you want to literally smell like a lavender and lilac flower you need this.

A few hours later: STILL AMAZING.  Seriously, after some time the smell doesn't change it sticks to its guns and stays pure and amazing and feminine and sophisticated. I love it!

Wear time: 4-5 hours


Invoked Image:  Because it is so pure sniffing a lilac is the only thing in my mind when smelling this.

Verdict: I need this in my life forever.



Silver Lavender

Silver Lavender

I chose this one because it is literally a vanilla lavender so I didn't think I could possibly go wrong!

" An instant classic, the unbelievable wonder of a vanilla like lavender such as this beauty I have found, paired up with the Silver accord we all love, with a drop or two of sandalwood to mellow it all out and you have a perfection of fragrance fit for any occasion from seduction to a family dinner to a tax audit to a declaration of true love. Yes, this is one of the few really 100% versatile fragrances out there. Always correct, always beautiful, can be icy and can be hot. I think the secret ingredient is you, the perfume just conforms to what you want to be."

Initial sniff: Not gonna lie right out of the bottle this smells gross.  I was a bit put off because it almost seems bitter.  Luckily as soon as it comes in contact with the skin the smell transforms to something a bit nicer.  Right on the skin it is kind of a powdery flower scent. I still can't smell any vanilla.  Apparently my nose sucks at picking it up when it is an undertone.

After a few hours:  It actually makes my throat burn a little bit and my eyes sting.  I'm wondering if I'm just overly sensitive to something in this formula but it is not improving with time for me at all.  I'm really not a fan of this.

Wear time: 5-6 hours


Invoked Image: It makes me think of an old couple sitting in a flower field while watching the sun set. 

Verdict: I've never met the queen but this is how I'd imagine she would smell.  The powdery smell is too strong for me.  I think I'm a bit too young to pull this scent off so I won't be buying this in the full size. I want to make it clear that this isn't a bad scent overall, just not a scent that I could ever see myself wearing. However, I'm quite nervous to try any of the other silver scents now....

The Temptress

The Temptress

So this scent purchase was a shot in the dark.  The description sounded cool and the idea of a feminine musk appealed to me even though I've never tried such a thing before.  Plus who doesn't want to feel like a temptress every now and again?

" This is a dark sparkle like a true temptress. A pink musk provides the fizz and there is an overlay of sweet musk, a brush of lavender (Bulgarian), a bit of fern, and finally a slight bit of amber musk to keep it all going in the desired direction. Very tempting and ripe for falling. Like getting caught with someone you are slightly ashamed of...emboldening."

Initial sniff:  Very strong, can tell it is musky but at the same time there is a certain light and pleasantness to it.  I was nervous at first to put it on as I had never worn something like this before but my worries were soon cleared.  I'm not going to do a good job of describing this as my nose isn't that great at picking apart ingredients.

A few hours later: I am obsessed with this perfume!  Its dark, feminine, mysterious, sweet, but yet slightly masculine all at the same time.  Perfect for evening time, I felt and smelled amazing all through dinner.  I swear I even smelled it ever so slightly the next morning. My boyfriend was laughing at me because I kept sniffing my wrists at the table. I just can't get enough of this scent!

Wear time: 5-6 hours


Invoked Image: The name might be leading this vision but I imagine a sexy powerful but dark woman when I smell this. So naturally, Simone Simons (why isn't Epica doing a Quantum Enigma America Tour!?).

Verdict:  This is a definite must buy for me.  My mom who hates cute girly scents really liked it as well so I may be getting two full sizes of this!

It is probably because the olfactory system is so closely tied to the limbic system and hippocampus, but I feel like many of these scents invoked a personal memory, which is pretty awesome.

I've also learned I despise sweet food perfumes.

Overall, I am so glad I chose to delve into the world of Indie perfumes!  I have always loved perfumes but could never find any I could really get excited about, so I rarely wore them.  Every time I walk by a perfume counter I sniff as many as I can and they never make me smile.  But now I am excited to put on a perfume every single morning and there are so many more on the Possets site that I want to try...I'm looking at you Cygnus the Swan! I am so glad that for the first time ever I can get excited about perfumes! :D


A word of caution...do not store your sample vials on their side! I had a bit of leaking occur after a few days.  Oops! At least my window sill smells fabulous now....

Where to buy: Possets.com
Price: $12.50 for a full size or six samples