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Monday, January 14, 2013

Ermahgerd! Indie Perfume Collection!

Quick intro before I tackle this madness: I've been debating on posting my indie perfume collection for quite a while. One of the reasons I haven't done so is I didn't know the best way to organize it. Ultimately, I decided on posting about my perfume oils in this post, and I'll post about my solid scents another time. Oh, and perhaps someday I'll write about my sample vials too...They're a huge mess at the moment. It would be a fun mess to post about though! I wanted you guys to know that *you* are the inspiration behind this post. I got some awesome new readers out of nowhere, and a lot of you are pretty perfume ladies- so I thought this post would be fun for us all! :D I want to thank Dee from http://365daysofsmells.blogspot.com/?m=1 and http://yearofthetightarse.blogspot.com/?m=1 for inspiring me to finally get my butt in gear and do this collection post. She is so amazing, and I wish I would have found her blogs in the blogosphere sooner!

Also, before I get started, please note that from being clumsy (i.e. spilling perfume oil on said perfume oil label) and from bringing my little perfume oils along in my purse, some of them look a little worse for the wear. You'll notice that some of the labels have worn off, and that I have attempted to label some of them with a sharpie. So yeah, some of them look ghetto, and I apologize in advance ;)



*Solstice Scents*
 
Above from L to R: Library, Moonlight on the Grove, Shoikan Grove, Manor, Attic, Snowshoe Pass, and Lace Draped Spectre

My Solstice Scents collection contains some of my very favorite perfume oils. Manor and Library are my absolute favorite scents, and I always go to one of them when I cannot decide on a fragrance. I have raved about Solstice Scents many times, so I'm sure you guys don't need me to do any more gushing here :)

 
 
*Haus of Gloi*
 
Above from L to R: Ghost Puffs, Samhain, Spring Tonic 2, Selkie, and Spider Silk

Next, I have my Haus of Gloi perfume oils. One thing I love about my HoG perfume collection is that I have a scent for basically every season (sans winter). Spring Tonic 2 is the absolute perfect spring scent. It smells so fresh and lovely. I received it as a perfume sample last year with my Valentine order, and I absolutely *had* to purchase a full size because my boyfriend and I were obsessed with it. Selkie is an aquatic, oceany scent that is great for the summer. I don't even blink at any other ocean type of scents because Selkie is just perfect. Growing up, my dad taught me how to surf; so Selkie also makes me smile and brings back great memories of surfing in California. For instance, there was one time a seal poked its cute little head out of the water and looked at me with wonder. Another time, my dad and I rode the same wave! It was awesome and very precious to me, because he cannot surf anymore for medical reasons. Samhain is a perfect autumn fragrance. It is very dark and not for everyone, but I think it is beautiful and that it really evokes the image of a perfect fall afternoon with fallen leaves and dreary skies. Ghost Puffs is a great sweet, marshmallowy scent. Spider Silk is a good 'fresh' scent that I think could be worn all year.

 

*OHWTO- Halloween Scents*
 
Above from L to R: Down a Dark Path, Final Girl, Jack in Black, Hungry Ghost, Gracie, and Dudleyville

Okay, I really went overboard when the OHWTO Halloween collection came out in 2012. Embarrassingly enough, I even got a few solid scents along with these perfume oils. I'm just really, really obsessed with Halloween, and when you mix Halloween with indie collections, I'm all over that shit! Down a Dark Path is my favorite out of this selection. Since I am absolutely terrible at describing scents, I will provide the scent description!

Down a Dark Path: It's where many a good scary story starts. Fresh figs, Dried Leaves, Carnations, Oakmoss, Amber, Sage, Black Pepper, Pumpkin, Vanilla, Pomegranate, Beeswax, Rhubarb, Lavender, and the scent of an unidentifiable animal stalking you in the shadows between the trees.

I got that description here; and you can find the rest of the OHWTO Halloween scent descriptions there if you're curious! :)




*OHWTO- Other Perfume Oils*
 
 
Above from L to R: Finnegan's Folly, I Smell Like a Witch, and Maura
Mae

I think I like all three of these scents equally, if that's even possible. I already did a quick review on Finnegan's Folly here, so I will say no more about that. I Smell Like a Witch is absolutely amazing. It's a pretty unique scent that intrigued me when it first came out at the end of 2011. It was my first One Hand Washes the Other order, and I was very impressed! I love the little back story that goes along with it, and it smells just wonderful. I already did a post on this scent during the summer, so I will again provide the link if you guys are interested- Clicky Clicky!

I bought Maura Mae (with Finnegan's Folly) when OHWTO re-opened their etsy to sell limited quantities of a previous spring collection. Here is the scent description- Maura Mae: With her curls of copper, her twinkling eyes, her sweet smile- this is what they mean when they refer to "The luck of the Irish". A sweet and fruity scent, Maura Mae is strongly apricot, with supporting notes of green clover, tea, cut grass, a sprinkling of field flowers- lily of the valley, violet, lavender, as well as a dash of berries, vanilla bean, and the faintest, tiniest, entirely lady-like nip of whiskey. Source- OHWTO blog

 
*Cocoa Pink*
 
Above from L to R: Fear of Cemetaries, Fear of Halloween, Fear of Pumpkins, Black Cat in the Pumpkin Patch, Fear of Witches, and Fear of Ghosts.

As you can see, Fear of Cemetaries is the only bottle that has gotten any love, and that makes me really sad. I adore the scent, so that's not what makes me sad. The fact that none of the other scents worked for me (and they're all full sizes because I'm a noob) is the saddening factor. Black Cat in the Pumpkin Patch is probably one I'd keep, but the other four were just meh. I really want to find good homes for these guys where they will be loved and not neglected! :( Someday, I will. Someday. Here's the Fear of Cemetaries description from cocoapink.net because I LOVE IT LOTS-
Fear Of Cemeteries (Coimetrophobia) - Cool damp graveyard dirt with a single white carnation placed cautiously against an old granite headstone, covered by dying crimson and yellow autumn leaves with a soft whisper of wood smoke carried in a crisp breeze.



*The Morbid the Merrier*
 
 
Above from L to R: Horseman, Morton, and Paramour.

This collection also makes me look like grumpy cat because of all the dramz that went down with TMTM. I won't get into it because there's plenty of places that explain the situation. It just made me sad to see a greatly loved indie company crumble before my eyes. The scent I've worn most is Paramour, because it has notes of blood, red wine,  roses, and gunsmoke (how awesome!) and is very uniquely beautiful. Horseman is my second favorite, though I don't recall the notes. I remember there was something leathery about it that my boyfriend absolutely loved. Morton wasn't bad at all, I was just on the fence about it. I need to whip it out soon to see if age has done it well!

 


*Smell Bent and VApothecary*
 
 
Above from L to R: Ice Station Zebra by Smell Bent, Cemetary Snow by VApothecary

And finally, I have two miscellaneous scents from two different companies. I have already done a post for each of them.  The Ice Station Zebra review can be found right here, while the Cemetary Snow review is over here.

If you are still here, thank you so very much for tagging along with me! I hope this post will be sufficient for the next few days (or until next week) because I have a full week ahead. I'm working nonstop, am attending my boyfriend's nephew's 5th birthday this Thursday, and am going to my boyfriend's family reunion-ish type thing on Saturday! My next couple posts will be on the new Solstice Scents Smoky Mountain Mallow perfume and my Bath and Body Works SAS haul. I'm not sure what day I'll get those up, but let me know what you guys would like to read about first! :)

DISCLAIMER - Every single thang I mentioned in this post was purchased by me for my own personal usage. I am not affiliated with or compensated by any of the companies mentioned. My opinions are always my own and always honest!

27 comments:

  1. Ermahgerd it is! LOVE your collection <3
    I keep stalling an order from SS, that smoky scent may very well give the push I need. Can't wait to hear your thoughts :) x

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    1. Thank you so much, Su! I will be sure to do a review once it arrives in the mail :) I really do love Solstice Scents. They have really nice perfumes and the TAT is phenomenal.

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    2. Oh yes, do review that smoky scent(perhaps it should be renamed "That Smoky Scent" it is what we all seem to be calling it)! I´m also very interested in it!

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    3. I'll be sure to do that review for you guys! And yes, it should be re-named 'That Smoky Scent," haha! I can't wait to get it in the mail!

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  2. I love all the things! I should do a post like this too :)
    I like HoG's Selkie, but for an ocean scent, have you tried Solstice Scent's Tenebrous Mist? That is the most unique ocean scent I've ever smelled, salty, musky, just brilliant! A little dark and tumultuous, but soooo gorgeous and complex!

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    1. Thank you sweetie! You should definitely do a post like this- I would love to see what you have! :) It was fun to make too, I think you'd enjoy it!

      I have not tried Tenebrous Mist yet, though it sounds stunning. I will be sure to add it to my 'want' list. It sounds right up my ally!

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    2. Oh yes, do a post! I love nosing around in people's collections. :-)

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  3. Awesome collection! I haven´t tried any of these but I´d love to have most of them! My own collection is rather small still... I only have 5 full size bottles and two soilds as of yet.

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    1. Thank you, darling! You are lucky you have a smaller collection- because you don't have to feel guilty for buying more perfume, and you have so many possibilities of pretty perfumes to add! I feel like I'm being a hoarder if I buy more perfume, haha.

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    2. I love six of my seven, and I want to keep it like that and only buy full sizes that I adore and know that I will use! The one that I´m not in love with was a full size freebie(!!, and I got two full size freebies with that order one of which I loved!!), but I´m not expecting to get many full size surprises in the future... I am going to hoard samples though! Lots and lots of samples!!

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    3. Oh that's awesome! What brand gave you the free ones? I remember OHWTO gave me a free full size solid scent, and it was so exciting!

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    4. It was during the Christmas rush at DarlingClandestine... I had to wait a couple of weeks before my order could be shipped, but Evonne (the owner) made it up to me big time!! I ordered two solids, but I also got two full size perfume oils, two large samples and a bunch of candy! It was crazy!! XD Probably a one time event only, but really great customer service anyway!

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    5. That's really neat! I've heard nothing but great things about Darling Clandestine. I've never read a negative review about her products. I must give it a try one of these days!

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    6. I second that...Darling Clandestine is awesome! The bitsy vials are so reasonably priced and last a really long time. I would say my favorites that I've tried from her are Inked and Vardogr.

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    7. Thanks so much for the recommendations! The bitsy vials sound awesome!

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    8. My favorites are Vardogr and Fisticuffs! I have reviews of them both on my blog, I highly recommend them! The next time there are bitsy vials on offer I´m definitely buying some!

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    9. You turds are such enablers! <3 heh! *Runs to your blog to read the reviews*

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  4. Amazing perfume collection! I love that you took pictures outside. This pics look awesome!
    Next Halloween I am definitely trying OHWTO. These scents sound interesting! Especially Down a Dark Path and I Smell Like a Witch( just for the name alone!)

    I love Manor from SS too,I have a bottle of it and the body cream. I think I have to try Library next. Can't wait to read what you think of "the Smoky scent".

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    1. Thank you Amanda! You are too kind! I like taking pictures outside, it's fun for me and I like the atmosphere :) My boyfriend and I got really lucky and are renting my mom's friend's house and it has a pretty yard :) I'm very thankful! The apartment I used to live in went downhill when our economy took a crap, and people tried to break in 3 times and my car got stolen. So it's nice to be in a better community! I definitely recommend Down a Dark Path and I Smell like a Witch. I'm wearing Down a Dark Path to work today, and it's just heavenly!
      That's awesome that you like Manor too! It's so beautiful. You should try Library sometime! It is so amazing and beautiful. It's like being put under a spell, haha!

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  5. What an awesome collection! Man, I really have to try some OWTHO one of these days. I'm not so much into a lot of Halloween scents, as I'm not keen on those pumpkin kind of things, though there's almost always a carnival sort of scent included in those collections and I'm all over that! I am a sucker for Valentine collections - lush florals and chocolates. :-)

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    1. Thank you Dee <3 I am 99% sure OHWTO does have a carnival scent in the general catalogue! The Valentine collection last year was lovely. And you have plenty of time to decide because the shop is currently closed so the owner can get everyone's orders caught up. I do love OHWTO, but the TAT isn't so great. It usually takes like 3 weeks to a month. It's worth it to me though, because I use her Black Magic face soap that has done absolute wonders for my skin. Thanks for your sweet comment <3

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    2. Yes, I went to check out a few days ago and found it was closed. I don't mind long TAT as long as people are upfront about it. I get that a lot of these shops are one person shows. :-)

      What does the Black Magic soap do? I've heard people speak glowingly about it often - is it a solid bar or a liquid soap?

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    3. I agree with you about TAT, I don't mind waiting either as long as it's not a secret. Black Magic soap comes in bar, scrub, and regular cleanser form. I just use the bar and cut it into pieces. It has a lot of really benificial ingredients that really cleared up my skin. I have tried EVERYTHING but still had acne, and black magic was the only thing that's worked for me. I really love it, and it's like 5 dollars for a huge bar :) the scrubs and cleansers are a bit more though, 6 to 10 dollars I think.

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    4. Hmmm, my teenage daughter gets a bit of an acne problem sometimes - I might have to finally delve into this store and add some of the Black Magic soap to my order for her to try.

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    5. Ugh, I so wish I wasn't almost out of it, because I usually buy it in the sharing cubes and I would have just sent it to you guys since the shop is closed :( I don't know what's going on, I tried to email the owner to see when it would reopen, but no response.

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  6. WOW, you have quite a collection! I've been trying out some Solstice Scents perfumes lately, I really like their masculine scents for men.

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    1. That's awesome! I like masculine scents too, I think they can be sexy for a woman! My boyfriend and I both wear Library by Solstice Scents :)

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I know I sound like a cheeseball, but I really do appreciate you guys being here and reading my blog. It's nice to know that I'm not just talking to myself, haha. Your comments are just an added bonus. Please know that your comments are always welcomed and greatly appreciated.