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- Yesterday
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Fruit-Chouli, Vanilla-chouli, Candy-chouli, Sweet-chouli???
Vaudenilla replied to Vaudenilla's topic in Recommendations
I just want to say thank you for all of the incredible recommendations in this thread I have since hunted down some Imp's ears and am on the prowl for other decants, thanks to yall, and am living my best sweet-patchouli life. So far my favs are: -A savage veil, severe and strong. -Goblin -Vixen Thank you guys!!! -
A light honey blend, with a subtle hint of herbs behind it. Very pleasant, sweet, and golden smelling, maybe a hint medicinal, without being as foodie as many other honey blends. I like it and would love a bath oil that smells like this. It's very refreshing and smells like it could actually be one of those small-batch, wildflower honeys where you can smell the flowers the bees fed on. ETA: This was reminding me of something in the CG Apiary catalog, and yes, Elspethdixon got it! It is indeed reminding me of Chokecherry Honey. I like this blend better though, as I seem to remember Chokecherry going a bit bitter on me.
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bottle: anise-y licorice (some reviews here mention twizzlers so i wasn't sure what kind to expect. this is definitely black licorice.), the cotton candy & rum soup in the background. but really, LOTS of anise. wet: more of that anise, but it gives way to more candy smells- circus peanuts and marshmallows, but not scorched. the smoke is becoming very apparent, at this point it resembles woodsmoke more than anything tobacco. dry: very masculine booze, bootsoles, and what smells to me like the very same smoke from my modern-day Hellfire. still sweet on the edges, hazy. almost no licorice left, but some lingers. this lasted about 1 1/2 hours. overall: one of my very favorite poems is The Wild Party, by Joseph March. if you're familiar, this is exactly what Burrs must smell like to me (and now I need one for Queenie...) " A clown Of renown: Three-sheeted all over town. He was comical as sin; Comical as hell; A gesture—a grin, And the house would yell, Uproarious: He was glorious! So from the front. People in the wings Saw him and thought of other things Coldly— Most coldly: Many would say them boldly, Adding in language without much lace They’d like to break his god-damned face. "
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Wet: Immediate burst of patchouli that quickly dissipates. Dry: Bright pomegranate, herbs (I'm guessing that's the vermouth), and what I think is dragon's blood or red musk (sweet, earthy/woody). Clove tends to scream on me and it's MIA. Very dry: Pomegranate. I'd liken it to Pomegranate, Spicy Geranium, Black Musk, and Peach Pulp for the pomegranate and musk/musk-adjacent notes bit it's lacking sweetness or flower-based "spice." I feel like I can't smell it anymore, which usually means my skin is eating it or it's about to smack someone in the face 10 ft away from me. We'll find out.
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Similarities Between BPAL Scents - GC and general discussion
sudenmorsian replied to Shollin's topic in Recommendations
Thank you! ❤️ -
Oh, ice's post above reminded me that I never reviewed this (2024 version) - and I actually just put some on last week while reorganizing the stash! It's absolutely delightful - bright, sweet citrus + herbal lavender! It really does feel like an orange-lavender candy, as someone said above. I don't really get anise - wouldn't be mad about it as a note, but I can't pick it out - maybe mingling with the lavender? I love sweet citrus, so this is exactly my wheelhouse. I would've bought a backup but I have waaaaay too many bottles by now and need to finish some or rehome some!
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Similarities Between BPAL Scents - GC and general discussion
theredkilt replied to Shollin's topic in Recommendations
no they're not. Western on my skin is a strong melange of brown leather and mentholated sage, like crazy SAGE. Snake skin is a completely different ballpark, kind of a leathery gourmand. -
Similarities Between BPAL Scents - GC and general discussion
sudenmorsian replied to Shollin's topic in Recommendations
Can anyone tell if there's much similarities/ differences between Snake Skin and Western Diamondback? They both share Snake Oil and leather but are they alike? I've never tried the WD, I have a decant of Snake Skin and now I regret that I didn't buy a full bottle. -
2024 Version A friend raved about the Pere Noel she had from years prior -so when Black Phoenix released it again I had to try! I haven’t tested any other year of this. Freshly applied it’s half orange/tangerine and half lavender! The citrus is both sweet and tart, as if a barest hint of peel zest is in there. The lavender candy is hard to describe but this combo is really doing it for me, the lavender goes beautifully with the citrus! I ordered a backup bottle because I plan to wear this as a sleep scent occasionally. I’m curious to test prior years based on how much I’m enjoying the 2024 version!
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Wet: juicy, hypersweet apricot. You just cut the fruit and rivulets of juice pour out. Semidry: Tea tames the apricot a tiny bit. This is still apricot-forward on both wrists. It's more in your face than the apricot in Peach Vulva. Definitely drinkable summertime. Dry: The apricot stands alone. I think this is a wonderful waning summertime in to fall blend.
- Last week
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I had forgotten it was a TAL when I put it on, lol. But here I am, writing a review for the first time in literally years. So there's that. Reading the description, I realize I was really hoping for a good lemongrass & lavender hit from this. Not much of either so far. Right after I put it on, I started smelling like (my memories of) Play-doh (maybe the lavender?). Luckily, very soon after that, it became a slightly fruity (but red, berry-like fruits, or possibly plum, not lemongrass) Play-doh, and after about 20 minutes is settling into a sort of powdery musk, with a little bit of sexy. After a couple of hours, this is mostly musk on me, but a less powdery, warmer, almost woodsy kind of musk. Fruitiness is almost entirely gone, as is the smell of Play doh. It's pleasant enough, but probably won't become a go-to scent for me. That said, I won't mind having it on when I want to use it for communication vibes.
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Given the huge number of BPALs deliberately crafted to evoke the before, during, or after stages of coitus (plus the ones that accidentally conjure it *cough*DiscardedWeapons*cough*), I don't know why the name made me so nervous. But I was ... trepidatious ... to just open the bottle and get a raw facefull, as it were. Just exactly what kind of fucking were we talking about, here? How LONG had the fucking gone on? Were leather restraints involved? Had there been a pizza break at midnight, yes or no, and if yes, was Beth going to sneak in a complicated reference to Day-Old Ham...? Reader: I need not have worried. The answer to my questions, in order, were: 1. FEMME and FANCY FUCKING, INDEED 2. IT WAS A COITUS OROBUROS 3. NO 4. NO, THANK GOD, NO, THIS IS PORK-FREE PORKING 5. IBID The first impression is white musk and/or light skin musk, heavily juiced with soft tropical fruits and florals. I think I smell papaya, hibiscus, one of the softer tropical bark notes like coconut husk, and maybe orris or iris root. Nothing is individuated or obtrusive - I don't smell any one distinct note, just a soft sweet mélange. There's a U-turn into lotus root territory, anchored by a very tiny hint of bitter greenery in the back - tea leaf? Violet leaf? - and then it turns pale and powdery, like clean cotton sheets. So, depending on the stage of wear, this evokes either moist, heavy breathing and really juicy foreplay, or lying about in your juice-besmirched bedding and recovering your energy for a new wave of femme fucking. Very much in the vein of a lesbian Shunga, or one of the softer blends like Penetralia or Rose Milk Tea (while not smelling like either of those). Then - it just collapses into a heap. It's DONE FOR. It's gone, but it left its perfumed panties stuffed under your pillow. Hope this helps!
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This is a really beautiful spiced white floral, smooth and calm and definitely very appropriate to its inspiration. I can very much see this for the High Priestess of the tarot, and it definitely has a glowing, moonlike sensibility. On me it's predominantly jasmine and clove, but a luminous and smooth jasmine, not sharp or indolic. I get subtle hints of cardamom throughout wear, and when I look for them I can pick out some other indistinct floral notes, though the jasmine is definitely central. As I've been looking for a good night-blooming jasmine scent, this is a welcome delight. Something about the earthiness of the clove helps ground the ethereal paleness of the florals in this one and contributes to the olfactory depiction of a priestess, a woman who is very much human while also serving and in contact with the divine. It's lovely, and I feel very glad to have it. This has a reasonable throw and quite good wear length, fading around 7 hours in for me.
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Hungry Ghost Moon: Hazelnut Spread and Mini Marshmallows
doomsday_disco replied to doomsday_disco's topic in Duets & Menage A Trois
This smells good, but it doesn't really remind me of Nutella. The hazelnut in this is nutty, but it also has a bit of a cherry aspect to it, although not as much as some scents with almond or pistachio notes. The marshmallow lurks behind the hazelnut at first, but quickly becomes the main player; it's a floofy marshmallow note, and it smells delicious. I only get a faint dusting of cocoa behind these notes, so if you go into this wanting something akin to Nutella, you might be disappointed, but if you're all about nutty hazelnut (with a slight cherry edge) and floofy marshmallow, then this will be right up your alley. I don't think I need a bottle of this one, but I think I'll hang onto the decant. -
Hungry Ghost Moon: Pineapple and Red Hot Honey
doomsday_disco replied to doomsday_disco's topic in Duets & Menage A Trois
I received a tester of this as a frimp in a decant circle. The pineapple note here is very realistic, but the hot honey note doesn't really remind me of hot honey (I can't imagine drizzling this on a piece of pizza). I'm getting a champaca-infused honey note from this, which doesn't go with the pineapple, to my nose. Although the pineapple note is in full force at first, it is the champaca honey that reigns after a few hours of wear. It was fun to get to try this, but this is definitely a scent for fans of heady honey notes. -
Well, there is no way to even come close to sunshinedaisybliss' epic review, but I'll post mine just because I like to review whatever I try (which helps me keep track of what I've tried). Neapolitan Goth is definitely an ice cream scent, but the strawberry is the star of the show on me. I haven't had freeze-dried ice cream before, but I've pulverized freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor to incorporate them into buttercreams and rice krispie treats (I've made strawberry ones and matcha strawberry ones), and I believe the strawberry in this has a freeze-dried quality to it. There's a creaminess along with the freeze-dried strawberry representing the ice cream. I can smell the vanilla part of the ice cream after the scent has been on the skin for a few hours, but the chocolate in this is really subdued. I get a hint of the cola-like labdanum and the clove in the background, but neither are main players on me. The strawberry is in full force throughout wear. I don't think that this is something I need a bottle of, but I'll probably hang onto my decant to wear during the summer months.
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Lightning Moon: Violet and Hay Absolute
Brianna Gemini replied to doomsday_disco's topic in Duets & Menage A Trois
Sister to Violet & Vanilla Chiffon but Drier, less sweet. 70% violet forward., very round, not screeching or powdery on me the way violets can often go. Medium throw & wear -
This is definitely predominantly a rose-sandalwood-frankincense on me, backed by pretty strong creamy coconut and faint vanilla. The rose note here feels like the same one in a number of the Ars Moriendi and Ars Amatoria GC blends, which reads on my skin as what I'd call a more dry, perfumey and less lush rose; it's a soft, pretty scent, but not my personal favorite type of rose that the Lab does. I get a sense of some light musk or perhaps the oud smoothing the blend out and holding it together, and some indistinct plumeria/frangipani, but I cannot pick out the other notes. Overall, this perfume gives me the impression of pale, veiled florals, which is something I also get from a number of the GCs classified in the 'soft floral' category. It's lovely, pleasant and inoffensive, but it doesn't grab me; I'm learning with time that I generally prefer my florals brighter and more intense. I'll keep my imp around for a while and see how often I feel drawn to wear it, but I don't think I'll be wanting a bottle of this one.
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Impressionistically: A wind blows over the desert. It is night, but the heat of the day lingers. Above, the stars shine, below the sand sparkles. You are a hermit, and you are French. The wind brings with it the scent of the formal garden in which you have ensconced yourself, turning a wild oasis into an ordered landscape of stiff hedges. More regular style: Puckery galbanum against a jet black yet somehow airy background. I get a weird peanut butter effect for about 5 minutes shortly after application (the woods and resins doing something weird?) but it dissipates without a trace. Further along in the drydown, the “airy” quality somehow reveals itself to be a play of amber and opoponax—how?! This is one of the lab’s lighter ambers, similar to some of the ambers that were deployed in this year’s Lupers (Lesbian Maidservants, Mars and Venus). And yes there is a subtle sparkly mineralic component, brightening the scent (along with the bright galbanum—black my foot). I would describe the overall mood of this as abstract, detached, meditative but with an active edge. Angular, architectural, but with an atmospheric quality. Slightly masculine, and I have been loving in hot weather. Definitely FB worthy for me, in part because it’s so unlike other BPALs I’ve smelled, almost in line with a CDG fragrance.
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An oil of prosperity poured under the auspices of Venus in Taurus, this blend draws in abundance to nurture joy, ease, and pleasure. It attracts and multiplies the funds for creature comforts: soft sheets, warm blankets, exquisite meals, sparkling trinkets, and playful delights — the things that make life sweeter, softer, and brighter. Pillow Fort and Petit Fours was crafted to invite comforts that delight the senses, a talisman for life’s little luxuries. An oil of indulgence and ease–but not of indolence or waste — it invites and sustains pleasure, encouraging abundance that enriches rather than clutters. Utilize it to draw in the resources that make life sweeter, cozier, and brighter, not merely to accumulate, but to savor. Pillow Fort and Petit Fours celebrates life’s delights, reminding the wearer that ease, joy, and comfort are worthy pursuits. This is Venus smiling upon the joy of living well. Ground allspice and allspice essential oil (Pimenta dioica), cacao nibs, shells, and absolute (Theobroma cacao), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), ground nutmeg and essential oil (Myristica fragrans), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), honey absolute (Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.
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Crafted to cultivate loving warmth when the world grows bitter and cold, this oil offers stability where chaos reigns, a steady center in tumultuous times. It is the scent of sanctuary, the gentle embrace of soft light and velveted comfort when sorrow weighs upon the chest. Born for these dark, challenging days, it brings solace, relief, and a grounding presence amid uncertainty. Deeply nurturing and tender, it is an oil of safety and succor, a refuge from the storms of the world. Hearth and heart in perfect alignment, Dulcedo summons love that nourishes, support that steadies, and kindness that soothes. Wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), chamomile essential oil and flowers from the TAL garden (Matricaria chamomilla), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), hops flowers and essential oil (Humulus lupulus), jasmine buds absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), Bulgarian rose absolute (Rosa damascena), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.
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I got this as part of my search for a plumeria/frangipani-focused blend - I tend to be a little wary of coconut notes, but was encouraged by reviews here describing this as floral-forward, with the coconut working more to smooth out the blend. Having now tested it a few times, that description seems accurate to me. The coconut is moderately strong at first, but is creamy and smooth rather than aggressively sunscreen-like, and as it dries down the coconut recedes into the background and I get very gentle, subtle florals, primarily frangipani but with hints of gardenia and orchid. The ginger also definitely comes through for me, and has a gently fruity sense rather than being spicy. This is a very calm floral, not at all sharp or indolic, and would probably be a good entry point for people who are wary of florals. I enjoy it, but would also be happy for the flowers to be louder and brighter! It's also quite faint on me, with notably low throw. Now about five hours into wear I still get some soft lovely frangipani when I smell extremely close to my wrist, but I have to really search for it. I'll have to try applying more than I'm accustomed to, but in general I think this is going to be one I keep for times when I want a very subtle low sillage perfume, probably more than something to get me through my whole day.
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A ritual perfume enlivened under the auspices of Venus exalted in Taurus, her throne of verdant abundance. This perfume oil is both adornment and offering, ensuring that your vessel shall remain replenished, that beauty and sustenance may move toward you with effortless grace. A spell of nourishment and provision, crafted so that the needs of your spirit, body, heart, and bank account alike are fulfilled and sustained. Wear to magnetize support —financial, emotional, mental, material, and sensual — so that your needs are not only met, but met abundantly. An ally for those seeking stability, comfort, and a steady inflow of resources without strain. Angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), feverfew from the TAL garden (Tanacetum parthenium), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), lemon balm flowers and essential oil from the TAL garden (Melissa officinalis), meadowsweet flowers front he TAL garden (Filipendula ulmaria), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), Moroccan orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), rosehips from the TAL garden (Rosa rubiginosa), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), lemon verbena from the TAL garden (Aloysia citriodora), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.
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I must confess, I bought this only because of it's name and description. I'm not psychodynamically oriented but as a professional of psychology I had to respect the roots of my field, and I could not pass this, even I had no idea what it would be like. Freud's ghost was whispering on my ear and I could not resist. When I got this I sniffed it and rapidly buried it hiding in chamber, it felt too intensive and uncontrollable, and I thought it must wait for the colder months (it was the last minutes of the Yules when I bought this and spring sun was beginning to feel warm). Now I got it out and let's see what's coming there. Wet on skin this is heavy with red musk and black leather, the red musk is really screaming for attention. Or maybe the repressed anger just got released and seen. But yes, it's fierce burst at first. About ten minutes after the red musk and leather softens a bit and I can find the pepper, vetiver and ginger, and I do like the way this is turning. This isn't yelling patchouli but it's definitely grounding that all. I don't know if there's any rose? Maybe there is but it's not flagrant at all. I was already worried I couldn't get any coconut but it seems it only needed some time to show up! And the coconut was just what this needed, bringing some softness beneath. I like this one more and more as minutes pass by. I was very hesitant when this was still wet but now completely dry this is more rich, spicy and dark. Unique. I guess this is still developing with aging.
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Three new talismanic perfume oils have been released by Sphere + Sundry, as part of their magnificent Venus In Taurus launch. Might as well include their full descriptions here, because why not?? ✤ MELLIORA A ritual perfume enlivened under the auspices of Venus exalted in Taurus, her throne of verdant abundance. This perfume oil is both adornment and offering, ensuring that your vessel shall remain replenished, that beauty and sustenance may move toward you with effortless grace. A spell of nourishment and provision, crafted so that the needs of your spirit, body, heart, and bank account alike are fulfilled and sustained. Wear to magnetize support —financial, emotional, mental, material, and sensual — so that your needs are not only met, but met abundantly. An ally for those seeking stability, comfort, and a steady inflow of resources without strain. Angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), feverfew from the TAL garden (Tanacetum parthenium), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), lemon balm flowers and essential oil from the TAL garden (Melissa officinalis), meadowsweet flowers front he TAL garden (Filipendula ulmaria), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), Moroccan orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), rosehips from the TAL garden (Rosa rubiginosa), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), lemon verbena from the TAL garden (Aloysia citriodora), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan. ✤ DULCELDO Crafted to cultivate loving warmth when the world grows bitter and cold, this oil offers stability where chaos reigns, a steady center in tumultuous times. It is the scent of sanctuary, the gentle embrace of soft light and velveted comfort when sorrow weighs upon the chest. Born for these dark, challenging days, it brings solace, relief, and a grounding presence amid uncertainty. Deeply nurturing and tender, it is an oil of safety and succor, a refuge from the storms of the world. Hearth and heart in perfect alignment, Dulcedo summons love that nourishes, support that steadies, and kindness that soothes. Wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), chamomile essential oil and flowers from the TAL garden (Matricaria chamomilla), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), hops flowers and essential oil (Humulus lupulus), jasmine buds absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), Bulgarian rose absolute (Rosa damascena), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan. ✤ PILLOW FORT AND PETIT FOURS An oil of prosperity poured under the auspices of Venus in Taurus, this blend draws in abundance to nurture joy, ease, and pleasure. It attracts and multiplies the funds for creature comforts: soft sheets, warm blankets, exquisite meals, sparkling trinkets, and playful delights — the things that make life sweeter, softer, and brighter. Pillow Fort and Petit Fours was crafted to invite comforts that delight the senses, a talisman for life’s little luxuries. An oil of indulgence and ease–but not of indolence or waste — it invites and sustains pleasure, encouraging abundance that enriches rather than clutters. Utilize it to draw in the resources that make life sweeter, cozier, and brighter, not merely to accumulate, but to savor. Pillow Fort and Petit Fours celebrates life’s delights, reminding the wearer that ease, joy, and comfort are worthy pursuits. This is Venus smiling upon the joy of living well. Ground allspice and allspice essential oil (Pimenta dioica), cacao nibs, shells, and absolute (Theobroma cacao), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), ground nutmeg and essential oil (Myristica fragrans), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), honey absolute (Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata). This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.
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