Kiss My Sass Soap Haul

I wanted to try out the soaps from Kiss My Sass so I placed a small order using my LLA coupon code from last month. I also wanted to try out some of her origin scents as she's making the respectful decision of moving towards her blends compared to offering mostly stock scents. 

The packaging was very cute! I actually ordered enough to go into two bags, and my second one had a coupon code. 

I ordered three mini soaps to try. I also want to see if the Olive Oil used in this soaps will bother me. If not, Kiss My Sass can go on my bath and body shopping list. Honey bunny looks cute, with a very faint smell. Lemon poppy seed is also faint. With the seeds, it's supposed to be a good exfoliator. I'll be putting this in the shower. Lastly, Fortunes and Funnel cakes was my "out there"choice and I'm digging the scent the most. 

This is the one I was most interested in and would have ordered more if I could. It's birthday wishes and it's a shea butter base. It smells faintly like buttercream icing. 

Showing the size difference between the regular size and the mini soaps.

I wanted to try some other beauty products, so I ordered a sample of the cream highlighter in Miami Glow. I was gifted a sample of shhh.... lip glaze. The glaze is very golden and applies as a sheer shine. It's best not to over apply as in large quanties the taste is not pleasant. 

I picked up two scents, and was gifted one.

I ordered in preparation for the fall:
Pumpkin cheesecake - this is sweet, pumpkiny and makes me hungry. I like it.
Haunted Hay Ride - First sniff I don't like this. I think it has tobacco, and that is what I'm picking up. The tube style is also harder to open leading to sore and sticky fingers.

I was given a sample of dreamsicle. This smell fits the name nicely, and first sniff leans very sweet.

Have you ordered from Kiss My Sass? Do you like the bath and body? Please let me know if you want me to update with what I think of these lovely products.

Solstice Scents - My review in a nutshell

Here's what I think of the summer box:

Are you going to be picking up anything in today's release?

Mail Day! Sixteen92 the circle, summer edition

I want(ed) to try more indie perfumes, and had narrowed my selections to a few stores. By great luck, sixteen92 was one, and once I heard about the circle, I waited to place my order. The circle is a four season subscription box that does not renew. Subscribers get to be first in line to try the new scents (and learn if sixteen92 is my stink pretty match). The total for this services was something around $100. 

The card is so pretty! I'm also impressed with how well wrapped the samples are and the braclet. An FYI two of my gems were loose. Not a big concern except I'm keeping a close eye to match sure no babies stick them in their mouth until I can find my jewelry pliers. 

Ziplock bag with logo.

Here are the five samples. It looks like a lot of product to test. I have only been using dabs on my wrists. Is there something more I should be doing?

I am so glad the scent descriptions are listed. So far, the beautiful and the damned is my favorite. I tested it first before going to bed, and I think it might have been lingering in the morning. It smells nice and not over powering. I am considering getting something in this scent if I can budget it in. 

Blood and Honey. I just get baby powder from this one. I actually get baby powder from all of these. The husband equivalent stumbled on my scents, and did not like this one. He could smell "Blood and Honey". 

Eternal Return. Nothing too strong yet. Need to try this (and update). 

Paper Moon. This one is okay. It's floral to me (maybe the tea?) and when I put it on at first I thought it might be one of those that you can't wear out as the scent is too strong. It's calmed down to something reasonable, and 12+ hours later is still on my wrists. 

Theda. I want to try this one. From the descriptions, I expected this to be my favorite. 

I think we also got a sample from the regular line (yey!!), mine was Illona. Again, I'll update once I get a chance to wear the scent. 

For my first Circle shipment, I'm very glad I signed up, and I'm looking forward to seeing a full year cycle of scents. I believe spots for the circle will open for everyone April next year. 

Solstice Scents - my first samples

I decided to take my first plunge into independent perfume with Solstice Scents. I actually decided shortly after my mom's birthday I wanted to get her a present and I had decided to wait until christmas. But.. when I thought about Mother's Day being right around the corner, I added the scent for her to my bag, a scent for gift (or maybe me) and a sample for me. Shipping was reasonable and fast. Don't ask me more details, I have a wee little baby ;)

I must say that Solstice makes incredibly beautiful labels, packaging and art. My order included a free bookmark (not pictured) and some lovely cards. I had one that included descriptions of the scent sieries I had ordered as a gift, and I'm glad I was able to include it. I think that helped make my gift a little classier and not like I was just handing stuff I had laying around. I don't mind when I order for myself, but I have had some persons react ... unfavorable to indie-like products. 

The scents for me! A free sample was included and I request one with great reviews online. Read on to hear what I think about White Fox, Violet Truffle, and Gardenia Enfieurage 2013.

In multiple places I read that this scent is a must have. Used Daily. Loved. 

...

This scent drives us insane! It's from the woodland collection and is composed of: Vanilla Musk, White Fur, Wood Blend, Snow Laced With Veins of Frozen Dirt 

When I get close, I can smell something nice. However, and this is probably a regional difference from someone who does not live somewhere damp, all I can smell from this sample is mold. Or rot. Or something awful. And I am no where near as bothered as my partner. Seriously, I know where this sample is (sealed) from about three feet away. I've tested by moving it around the house. My nose always finds it. I've also taken to playing games to see how much it annoys my boyfriend. It's a lot. It's so off putting for us that clothes I wore when I first tested the scent days before were left on the couch (a sweater) and the two of us frantically cleaned and cleaned. Until I thought it might be White Fox scent lingering. Even the smell that remains on my skin hours later leaves one or both of us to think we have mold. 

TD;DR Uber glad I got a sample, this does not work for us. 

A full size roll-on of Violet Truffle. I was impressed this not only came in a beautiful box, it was also sealed with plastic wrap. Nicely done, Solstice! However, I really wanted to smell it so it became a present for me rather than a gift. 

Violet Truffle - Dark Chocolate, Violet, Violet Leaf & Vanilla Absolute

On me: I smell the chocolate a first, and then the scent has a soft violet. The boy does not care for this, although it is a less knee-jerk push-away than White Fox. I think it's nice, but I'm not wowed. I'm also worried this might have the same moldy smell lingering. I've been trying it a few times to see. The chocolate/violet smell lasts about three hours on my skin. 

TL;DR It's an odd slightly musky Chocolate and Floral. I think I might like Violet Mallow more.

The sample for me was a totally splurge! It's $9 for 0.25 mL. You read that right, it's $36 per mL. But for a good reason, Gardenia Enfieurage requires thousands upon thousands of gardenia petals to be infused in fat (vegetable source). Each tray takes multiple infusions and the petals must be replaced frequently. It is a very laborious process and this first step mandates a minimum of 6 weeks of dedication during the gardenia blooming season, which occurs mid-April to the beginning of June. The flowers are hand-harvested each morning for maximum potency.  This premium essence is crafted from our 2013 batch of flowers.


I'm really digging this scent (although worried about a musk that us in a desert-like climate are not familiar with, and instinctively dislike). I put about 10 uL into my hair oil, and I'm hoping it's able to stay pretty without reacting with those oils. Honestly, I'm not too sure how to use it, which may be my deciding factor against a fully size bottle. I might try placing in onto of cream to assist the length of the scent, or placing on my clothes where a stain (from the fats) would not be notice (or already exists thank you kidlets). If I do find I can use it everyday, I might order the full size for my Birthday with the intention of panning the bottle,

TL;DR Try this one! Let me know how you use it. 

I'm pleased with my order, and I've learned a very valuable lesson. Always order the samples! I think once I know the style of Solstice Scents I'll be better able to predict what I like. I dodged a bullet by selected the sample of White Fox. Prices seems reasonable ranging from $12-20 for most scents. I did not price compare, but I'm sure the exclusive, labor intensive scents are also reasonable. I have to decide what to do with White Fox - I want to toss it, but I think I'll check in for a couple months to see if the scent mellows or otherwise ages well. 

I would suggest ordering the sample packs, or checking out the newly announced summer line. If the rest of the scent line is as detailed as the art, you will be able to find something amazing for your tastes. 

Seriously, I am not a fan of White Fox.