Inspired Scents Etsy Store Perfume Review

So, it's been a while, huh. If you've noticed my absence I apologise; I have been tackling the beast that is the Japanese immigration and all of processes that come with trying to get a working visa in Japan. My beau decided that he wanted to camp out here in my little tin roof flat, so I spent my summer sweating my ass off on a bicycle seat and various governmental offices, yay!  Other than that, I have just been plain lazy, left my blog feeling a tad unloved. But that’s all changing, I promise.

Today I decided to write about a small business I stumbled across on Etsy this summer. Now, if you don’t already know about Etsy, I feel like I should warn you. Access this site only if you’re ready to be sucked into all the handmade awesomeness and be ready to part with your beloved savings account.

I discovered Shelley's Etsy store when I was searching online for a dupe of Elizabeth Arden’s Bronze Goddess perfume. I was desperate for a new summer perfume and Japan’s shops had nothing to offer in terms of summer fragrances. In Japan, their range is focused on citruses and fresh scents, and I was desperate for some coconut action in my perfume, and the Bronze Goddess perfume seemed right up my alley.

Bronze Goddess (TYPE) is a sensuous, sun-drenched blend of Bergamot and Mandarin, cooled with Tahitian Gardenia Petals and Coconut, warmed with Amber, Sandalwood, and Vetiver. All heat, all desire, all woman.

I lucked out because I found a couple of sellers who were selling their own versions of famous designer scents, and BG happened to be one of the ones they made. I was curious about how similar it would smell compared to the real thing, and I also ordered Miss Dior Cherie because that’s a perfume I had owned before and knew what it smelt like. My perfumes were sent lightning quick and I received my package in just less than 2 weeks. 

I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in my package that Shelley had also included a full sized solid perfume in her Coconut Mandarin scent as well! I was absolutely tickled pink.

Store description: This fragrance has notes of mandarin, strawberry leaf, violet, jasmine, caramel popcorn, wild strawberry sorbet, musk, and patchouli.

I was absolutely delighted to find that the Miss Dior Cherie smelt exactly like I remembered my bottle of it smelling! Sweet and slightly floral, it is gorgeous and I wear it almost every day now. My Bronze Goddess I wore almost every day since I received it, and I actually ended up being able to purchase an actual bottle of it through a friend who had gone back to the US for a visit, so I was able to compare the two and found that the likeness was pretty much 100%. Both the oil perfumes are very potent and last at least 4 hours on my skin during the summer, and around 5-6 hours during the winter.

I am so pleased with my perfumes, Shelley is super lovely and the shipping rate was decent! I am so envious of all those people in the US, there are so many awesome Etsy shops that I would be purchasing from if I lived in the States! Here is the link to Shelley's store, if you wish to take a gander.

Tell me, lovely readers, what is your favourite Etsy store? Hope y’all had a safe and fun Halloween/Samhain!

Magical May Favourites

I am so glad to see the end of May! The only reason being that my beau is due to arrive in a few days time and I have absolutely been suffering as I've been waiting for time to go past (over 5 months since I've seen him, yo). I actually have been using and lurving a lot of things in May, my birthday kind of included, and although not all of them are going to be featured this month, as I don't want to overwhelm you guys with the product awesomeness, they will probably pop up in my next month's favourites!

I bought a couple of nice things for my birthday, and one of these things is (don't judge) a fancy tea. It's rhubarb and strawberry flavoured and it is just such so gorgeous I make sure I brew myself a cuppa almost every day. Let me tell you how it tastes; it's strawberry heaven with a hint of bitterness kicking in from the rhubarb and after it glides down your throat this creamy strawberry taste is left in your mouth. Pretty delicious sounding, eh? It is. Oh, it really is. The tea is made by the Japanese company Lupicia, and whilst it is available in quite a few places around Japan, it is also available in the States, Tawian, and in Melbourne, Aus. The store is always fun to pop into to grab a small free sample of whatever tea they're promoting at the time and stick your schnoz into all the sample pots and have a sniff of the wonderful aromas. I didn't realise just how much I would fall in love with this tea, but it won me over when I was having birthday cake with my friend at a cafe.

Boil me, now! It screams.

My next favourites are, again, non-beauty related. I have been missing my Kiwi-a-gogo land, along with my lovely friends, and I happened to get an awesome package of them with these two very Kiwiana products which I am so happy to have in my life right now. I figuratively weep whenever I make my toast and swipe my Marmite across it, or douse whatever I'm eating with my Kaitaia Fire hot sauce. SO GOOD TO EAT IT. If you've not heard of Marmite, it's the same dealio as Vegemite. If you've not heard of either, they're both a yeast extract spread (the only kind of yeast you want near in you) which is a by-product of beer brewing. It's very good for you as it contains a lot of iron, niacin (vitamin B3), folic acid and thiamin, all essential to helping protect your nervous system, and kidney and liver function. The taste is very unique and salty. You want to have a light hand when spreading this on your toast. It tastes amazing accompanied with cheddar cheese, and this is my favourite way of eating it (though I've been having it sans the cheese as good cheese is hard to come by in Japan unless you pay in gold for it).

Maaaaate, dig in!

And now, finally onto the beauty stuff. From L-R, let's get on it!

1. MAC Margin Frost Blush - I was obsessed with reading Tali's blog (The Gloss Goss) from back in the days, and although she unfortunately stopped blogging completely and deleted her blog (why Tali, why? At least let us have your old posts to read and re-read!), and I was watching Zara's video of her favourite blushes (from the blog Mouldy Fruit)(she is so gorgeous!), and she mentioned that this is one of the blushes that Tali wears, so being the nerdo that I am, I bought one for myself. I was just hoping that it would transform me into a lush beauty, and whilst it did not do that, it did turn my cheeks lovely. You have to have a light hand with it as it is very pigmented. Review coming up soon!

2. Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water - This bottle I was gifted by the most wonderful friend of mine in prep of my trip to Serbia last year. Although I think these bottles of water are ridiculously overpriced, they are a wonder on a long-haul flight. I've also often been reaching for it now that the weather has warmed up and it's just such a lovely, refreshing thing to mist over your face in the morning when you're trying to get your game face on for the day. It's sadly almost run out and I'm debating with myself whether I should splurge on the big bottle. #firstworldproblems

3. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Perfume - I absolutely adore green tea in all its many forms: as the tea that you would just drink, the frappucino and latte from Starbucks, green tea in its ice cream form, green tea milk, green tea cookies, green tea cake, and obviously, green tea perfume. This is such a perfect spring/summer perfume as it's so fresh and light, it puts me in such a happy place when I spritz it on. It's also on the cheaper side of perfumes which makes me happy, and as you can see, I will need to repurchase it very soon!

4. Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in No. 21 - I've actually been in love with this BB cream for a while, but I kept forgetting to put it into a favourites list, goodness knows why. Again, it was a birthday present from one of my friends (gosh, my friends do certainly know what I like, don't they!). It's just pure magic, I just haphazardly slap it on my face over my moisturiser, and although at first it looks far too pale to be the right colour for my face, (this is where the magic kicks in) it changes colour over the course of 5-10 minutes and becomes like a second skin. It covers up the discolouration on my face and leaves it looking beautifully glow-y. I also love it because it stays put, and it's got SPF42 plus PA+++ which means it has you covered on both the UVA and UVB rays. Score!

Isn't my blush a beaut?

So, my lovely-lovely lovelies, tell me what was your favourite of May? How do you feel about my favourites (please tell me they're all wonderful)?

Loved and Used Up - Empties #1

I've been squirreling away my empties for a few months now, and finally I have a decent amount which is post worthy!

Let's work it from left to right, top to bottom!

1. スペインの匂い (Spain Bath Salts) - I had originally planned to do a review of this but as it was less than ordinary, I have shunned it to the one conglomerate product post. The smell is generic, promising to smell of "Spain", obviously roses are the theme. I found it overpowering and not that pleasant. I didn't have very high expectations as it was ¥100.

2. ハーバリズム Herbalism from LUSH - This is the 3rd pot of Herbalism that I have gone through and although I used to enjoy it, I didn't find it did anything note worthy to my skin. The reason I kept re-purchasing it was I couldn't make up my mind what else to buy, I was desperately in need of a cleanser, so I'd just end up re-purchasing what I knew wasn't bad. The scent is okay, very fresh smelling, it's difficult to describe! I found that the version they make in Japan is a lot smoother than the one in New Zealand. It's supposed to be a gentle exfoliant for sensitive skin, and I agree with that claim. It never left my skin feeling stripped or tight, and I loved the fact that it was vegan, cruelty-free and other crapola-free. Unfortunately, the search for a superduperspecialsparkly cleanser goes on!

3. Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe Blonde Brilliance Intense Treatment - And a century later the product name is finally typed out...So, this hair treatment I liked! He was nice, was there for me when I was in a state of distress, but unfortunately this is where we part. There was just something missing, the chemistry just wasn't there. I will look back at our times together with fondness. Girls, if you've got blondie locks, which also happen to be curly and fine, this may be the treatment to tide you over while you're looking for ~*the one*~. Think a review is in order.

4. Gucci Rush EDT - This is definitely a perfume that seems to be in the category of, you either love it to bits and want to bathe in it, or you hate it and stay away from it like it's petrol. I am most, most, most, most definitely in the former group. I just absolutely adore this smell, I think it's just so sexy and feminine and a total head turner. I love the stark red video cassette shaped box the perfume is housed in and I love wearing it to make myself feel "grown up" and "sexy". It's sweet, but in a sophisticated way, and the floral notes meld so well with the vanilla and patchouli, it's just divine (ooh, look at me just throwing out notes there). Needless to say, I repurchased as soon as I ran out, definitely would never be without it.

5. Vitacost Ultra Hair Formula - Forever seeking the perfect hair, you know what I'm talking about, long voluminous locks that cascade down your back like you're a mermaid, and when people touch it, it makes them want to recite poetry (what, this isn't what everyone aspires to?), I am constantly trying different things. I have always been very wary and suspicious of supplements, wishing that they'd work, but not really believing they'd do anything. In a desperate bid during the cooler months to help nourish my poor dying locks, I invested in these Ultra Hair Formula supplements. Probably should've continued taking them as they recommend taking any supplements for at least 3 months for results to be apparent, but the site Vitacost, jacked up international shipping prices so I found bigger and greener pastures in the form of another site. Conclusion: would not repurchase, did not really work for me.

6. Korres Japanese Rose Shower Gel - I desperately wish this was available in perfume form because it's absolutely divine. I loved, loved, loved using it during summer (did I mention I loved it?). It's a very sweet fruity rose smell and I look forward to using it during my happy shower times. I love Korres, and this smell is just amazing. Free of the nasties you don't want on your body or in your drain, and a beautiful product from Greece, can you say win?

7. Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil - Bought during winter time to soothe my chapped and dying lips, I am so proud of myself because I have actually used this all up without losing it first! Featured in my Feb faves.

8. Maybelline Baby Lips Soothing Cherry Lip Balm - Another lip balm that's been used and abused without being lost, woohoo! You go Glen Coco. It's a lovely fruity smell and taste, and whilst it doesn't give you baby soft lips, it does help relieve the chapped pain for a little bit.

Phew! So that's it, ladies and gentlemen, my first empties over and done with. What did you think? What's something you've used up recently that you're dying to repurchase? Share and care below!

Possets Perfumes: Ribbands Perfume Oil Review

Merry Christmas, everyone! I know I haven't posted anything for a while but the Christmas holidays have been busy and blogging is made even more difficult by my lack of internet at home. It's a long story, but hopefully I'll have it up and running in a week or so! Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely time with your family and friends and received a present or two which you've been hankering after!
As I am working abroad, it meant I spent my Christmas without family and friends, so it was very strange not having a big day filled with running around to different places and eating extraordinary amounts of food, giving and receiving presents, so there will be no photos of the presents I received as I didn't really get any...but don't feel sorry for me, Christmas isn't just about presents, and I am just happy that all my family and friends are happy and in good health! I did, however, buy a few small things for myself just so I didn't feel completely left out of the whole receiving presents at Baby Jesus' birthday.

I discovered Possets through my everlasting scouring of the Internets for BPAL perfumes (Black Phoenix Alchemy). Possets is owned by the lovely owner Fabienne (what a cool name, right?) who creates all the perfumes by hand, and works hard to use the best ingredients put there for her perfumes whilst still making sure that her perfumes remain affordable to all those wanting to smell prutty. I browsed through the whole site making a huge wishlist, then I went to the Yule collection (she has season limited edition perfumes, so you gotta get in quick if you want it!) and purchased for myself Ribbands. Now, to summarise it quickly, it's a perfume that is described as being foody, fruity and gourmand. She brings it back every year sue to its popularity. There wasn't much to go by in the actual description of the perfume on the site, but I came across a couple of people's reviews and I thought it sounded amazing so I took the leap and ordered just that to start with.

I placed my order and it arrived in my mail pretty darn fast considering it's international shipping and it was so close to Christmas (I was pretty chuffed!). I received my little bottle of perfume in a tie-up bag with 2 samples from her permanent collection! I was so happy with the little extras, especially since one of them was one of the ones on my wishlist! She obviously took into consideration that I'd ordered a foody type of scent, so she sent me a sample of Bear Lake Shake Utah and Cri de Coeur (Cry of the Heart) (the one on my wishlist!).

I excitedly opened Ribbands and from the bottle it smelt like chocolate and I could possibly make out a tiny bit of a coffee liqueur scent? I dabbed it onto myself, and wet on my skin it smelt just of milk chocolate with a possible hint of mint. There is supposed to be some kind of raspberry/berry element to it, but I was not getting any. But this perfume's notes change fast. Within minutes I smelt like the most deliciously ooey gooey super fudge deluxe chocolate cake! Yum! After another few minutes this fades and a sweet scent I could not for the life of me put my finger on, sets in. After about 15-20 minutes of having dabbed this on, the berry really kicks in and it's a delicious, predominantly raspberry scent nestled in chocolate. 20 mins + and it's a delicious mix of berry and chocolate that slowly fades away.
Unfortunately the lasting power of Ribbands on me is very short and I can't smell it on myself after half an hour (but other people can). I still absolutely adore this scent and I highly recommend you go and get yourself at least a sample because it's just the most gorgeous chocolate and berry scent I've ever smelt in my life. So go! Check it out! You'd be crazy not to!

What is your favourite memory from Christmas day 2012? Favourite present? Did I manage to entice you to at least have a gander at the Possets website? Wishing you all Happy Holidays!