Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Friday, June 19, 2015

Figure 5: Bois REVIEWS



This is the landing page for all Figure 5: Bois reviews, beginning with an exquisite piece by Einsof posted at CaFleureBon and Tom at Perfume Posse. I am feeling pretty darn fortunate on this Venus Day to have two reviews by two stellar guys. Here's a taste of the one my Einsof...

“Myth must be kept alive. The people who can keep it alive are the artists of one kind or another.”

"Myth speaks to the journey of the soul, of the evolutionary process of our lives; handed down by the great religious, psychological and spiritual traditions of the world. Joseph Campbell took great length to describe and collect these small stories containing the universe, and it is in this methodology Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume provides small vials of archetypal aromas- Figure 5: Bois being the latest rendition of the The World Tree."

Continue reading here CaFleureBon
and this one at Perfume Posse by Tom

Figure 5: Bois illumination by Greg Spalenka, his name for the image is Love Incense. 
Photos by Roxana Villa. All images © Greg Spalenka and Roxana Villa.

Friday, May 15, 2015

GreenWitch and the Shire

A customer yesterday sent me this message: "I discovered your perfumes through a two-page review in the weekend magazine of one of the Norwegian newspapers, written by a perfume connoiseurs. He claimed that your perfume, Greenwitch, is evocative of what Tolkien's Shire would smell like."


After an exhaustive search I found the author and article. It was published in January 2015 in D2 Magazine by Bjørn Brochmann a perfume columnist, and extraordinary illustrator. Bjørn had originally contacted me in 2010 about an article on organic perfumes. Although he did a full interview, the article was never published, instead he did a write up on GreenWitch with a lovely illustration.

According to Bjørn the article “discuss the pros and cons of synthetic and natural perfumery, talk about fantasy literature (and The Hobbit) and finish with the following lines: "While there are many perfumes I admire primarily as aesthetic achievements, there is something intimate about Roxana Villas perfumes. Not perfect, but personal - as if I’m allowed to smell through her nose. She defends her right to be unruly and imprecise, and this is where she shines; not as an ecologically correct "natural" nose, but as a nose with a gift for the natural.”

I'm not sure if its a positive review or not, none the less, it brought in customers and all press is good.
Here is the link, although full access is denied unless you are a subscriber.


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Twos Day


Two Impromptu reviews in one day! The first that I became aware of is over at Perfume Smellin' Things, written by Beth with all her fabulous story telling skills. Here's one of my favorite parts:

"This sounds silly perhaps, but I know that almost anyone like me with an unrestrained adoration of the art of perfumery and its alchemy should know exactly what I mean when I say this. 
I love Impromptu even more without clothes. When I'm sunbathing and my skin is warmed, the scent completely blossoms.  I love to stretch out as naked as possible on my sunny upper deck like a lazy desert cat and revel in Impromptu's sweet woodsy fire. I suppose that if I have have to appear dressed while I'm wearing it I'll break out the sexy Ralph Lauren maxi dress that I bought for it (Yes I buy clothes for perfumes not the other way around!) ... a swirling, sexy sheath of cat print with leather ties. I'll add a chunky gold necklace, some carved bone earrings and dance the night away because I've certainly got a lot to celebrate!"

The second review is over at EauMG by Victoria who deconstructs each variation of the scent with a wonderful comparison to the time of day.

Time to take a moment to savor the sweet, leathery balsamic notes of Impromptu and breath deep. Here's the link on the website with all the variations of Impromptu>

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Perfume Feature & Giveaway


Katie over at The Green Product Junkie has a little feature and giveaway happening on her new site. Please head on over if you'd like a chance to win one of my trio sampler sets. If you choose to accept this mission be sure to list three of your all time favorite plant scents.

Here is a link to a review Katie did last year when she first came across my work.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Impromptu Review and Giveaway at CFB


There is a review and giveaway for a trio sampler set of Impromptu over at the CaFleureBon blog. So grateful to John for taking the time to experience the fragrance and share his impressions with all of us. Intending a reader of this blog wins the set, good luck!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Impromptu Review at APJ


There's an Impromptu review and giveaway over at Australian Perfume Junkies happening right now. Entries Close Sunday 4th May 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Impromptu Reviews


This is the official landing page for reviews of Impromptu botanical perfume as a constant in the line. First up is a paragraph from Sam and review Tom write for Perfume Posse, where he picks up on carnation as the primary note.

"Impromptu is a morpher; a changeling. A fragrance with layers upon layers. A beginning of herbs, wood, and a lemony and astringent quality that eventually warms and morphs into something astounding. Worn leather, sweet balsamic notes, woods and resin mingle together and create this beautiful antique quality and feeling. This isn't a perfume to become weak and subtle with wear, but instead, Impromptu only gets better the longer it is worn - and it lasts an impressively long time."
    ~ Sam, in reference to the liquid perfume extract




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Figure 1: Noir and Hedera helix


Singing over the Bones is the title of a new review of Figure 1: Noir by Beth Schreibman Gehring, so beautifully written I can see the words form into images. No surprise, since Beth is a bit of a witch and definitely knows a few charms. If Hogwarts existed, she'd be the potions teacher, no doubt.


In the post she mentions Hedera helix, how synchronistic because I have great news! After searching and searching and searching I have found and ordered the missing essences for Hedera helix and Gracing the Dawn. I was so happy that jumping up and down resulted. Not only did I find them but they are extremely high quality essences. Thus, expect Hedera helix and Gracing the Dawn to be back in both formats soon.

In the meantime, take a deep breath, get out Figure 1: Noir and Hedera helix (if you have any) and go check out the wonderful review. If inspired leave a comment, Beth tends to like to chat and respond to comments.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Feature on Hollywood Noir MakeUp


Divinely beautiful Ashley of Hollywood Noir MakeUp has written up a product review sharing her impressions on a few of samples of natural, botanical fragrances from the line. I choose the samples based on her favorite notes.

I feel so deeply grateful to bloggers like Ashley who write such luminous, in depth reviews. Please head over and chime in if you feel inspired! I'm sure she and her audience would love to hear your about your favorite fumes.

Photo by HollywoodNoirMakeup

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Bits and Pieces


It's Tuesday, a MARS ruled day, almost Wednesday which is governed by MERCURY. Here's a fun little review that came in while I was watching a documentary about the City of Alexandria:

"WELL NOW. Oookay. Here's the thing, darlings. these Samples? Impossibly elegant. Let me explain. Firstly, they came in a velvet pouch. I don't mean some cheap plastic velvet..I mean the yummy stuff. The tiny containers have a small amount in each, but plenty to wear multiple times, and that's a GOOD dang thing...because the fragrances are gorgeous...and I write this as a person who cant handle cloying stuff or fake stuff without getting a wicked headache. Each little top is stamped with a bee, and then you get color coded cards to match the tiny box to the scent...gorgeous small scale business cards and such in a small envelope sealed in wax..oh, and by the way..it gets to you FAST. I will be back for full sizes shortly...and I am a BIG new fan. (whew...biggest damn review I have ever left..)"



and on Friday, I received this note:

Part 1
"The 20 something year old taking my lunch order got so excited about the smell of Noir liquid that he had to ask me what it was and also got my order wrong. :-) He loves patchouli ...

Part 2
"It just happened again. This time the head of our IT department, also male but mid forties."
Conclusion and suggestion by the wearer: "Drives men to distraction!"

That little bottle of Figure 1: Noir, pictured above, holds 4 grams of pure fume by weight. All the perfumes are available in this size but not all of them currently have the fancy labels. Inching along.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Feature on The Green Product Junkie


Hey team, Katie of The Green Product Junkie has written a very mindful post about Roxana Illuminated Perfume with her thoughts on a few of her favorites natural, botanical fragrances from the line.

Please head over and chime in if you feel inspired, it's important to give some love to those thoughtful bloggers who so graciously write reviews. I'm sure she and her audience would love to hear your about your favorite fumes.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Figure 1: Noir REVIEWS


This is the landing page for all Figure 1: Noir reviews.

Perfume Posse #2

The Non-Blonde

Beauty Huile

Examiner

Perfume Shrine

Perfume Posse

CaFleureBon

Té de Violeta




Figure 1: Noir illumination by Greg Spalenka.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

With a little help from my friends


Product testimonials can be found at a dedicated page here. If you would like to e-mail me a quote or testimonial to include that would be fabulous.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Handled With Kid Gloves


Donna has written a very eloquent review of Impromptu over at Perfume Smellin' Things. Please find your broom stick and head on over. Her impressions, as always, come from a refined olfactory terrain and I am so flattered by her words.


If you have experienced Impromptu I would love for you to share your impressions as a comment. Its so helpful for others to read all the different points of view about a fragrance. Thank you!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Impromptu Review and a Draw


A second review of Impromptu is over at ÇaFleureBon written by John Reasinger. When Michelyn advised me to send a sample of the fragrance to John I had reservations, since I didn't know who he was, nor ever read a review. Well, I am so happy that I did! After a brief conversation with John over the phone I had the feeling that we would be great friends.

John has written a very mindful, entertaining and thorough review. It's an incredible pleasure for an artist to have someone really "get" their work. Please head on over and enter for your chance to win a glass vial filled with 1 gram, by weight, of the precious and limited edition of Impromptu.

Monday, September 10, 2012

IMPROMPTU Reviews


I've been sending out a few samples of Impromptu to members of the perfume blogging arena. Reviews are now starting to trickle in, the first from Lucy of IndiePerfumes. As each one appears I will post them here for easy access. My deepest gratitude for these kind folks taking the time to write about my new fragrance. Consider showing them some love and support by visiting their blog and posting a comment about Impromptu or my work.


Image is of Aragorn, portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings. To me this particular character portrayal is the embodiment of the dualistic masculine and feminine side of Impromptu.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Questions, Answers and the GreenWitch


A customer asked:

 "I realize it is not an exact science, but for daily wear approximately how long will 5 g of solid perfume last?  How long will 7 g of liquid perfume last?

I loved Q in the solid form and have not tried it in the liquid form and I am debating which to purchase and trying to estimate if I’m purchasing a couple months’ supply or a year or what.

Thanks!"

I asked a few devoted customers how they would answer this question, here is what they said...

From Linda:

"Actually, most everything lasts a fairly long time  --  especially compared to other scents on the market.  I do have more than several Illuminated scents to choose from though, so I alternate, which probably adds to their longevity.  However, with that said, the compacts last quite a long time, which surprises me, since I tend to use these the most.  Because I feel that I have more product, I tend to apply them more liberally.  I know I'm fooling myself, but still, the compacts do seem to last.  Of course, it depends on the scent and how often I reapply it. 

The smaller pots seem to go down faster though -- and the vials' longevity depends totally on the scent and how often I wear it.  Impromptu is very long-lasting, so I still have some in the little sample you sent out earlier.  And I reach for that one a lot.  Some other scents that I have in vials I've totally used up, like Vera and Sierra, because I reapply them more often.

I also feel that your solids retain the scent much longer that those of some other perfumers I've tried.  I have compact-type solids from other makers that are not all that old, but the scent has already changed to the point that I smell the base waxes more than the original scent.  Not so good.  My original Q compact, which was the first one I purchased from you, although nearly gone, still smells just as fragrant as when it was new.  I love that . . . "

From Ginger:

"Very approximate rough guestimate: I had a look at my honeypot (5 g), which I've used almost every day (some days it's been Q or Green Witch) and fairly generously, on several pulse points.

Based on when it arrived and how much is left, I reckon I'm using it at a rate of 1 honeypot / 5 g in 5-6 weeks.

Green Witch I've used for longer and more lightly (and mainly at work). That's in a compact (which I topped up from a 5 g honeypot); I use it about half that rate, so call that 1 compact / honeypot / 5 g in 3 months.

So: depending on lighter or heavier use... 5 weeks to 3 months?'

and from Grace:

"The 7ml seems bottomless - I use Green Witch once a week at least, still have loads left after a year.
1ml lasts about a month or so used every day (sometimes twice a day) - I wore the heck out of 1ml of Sierra one December :)
The honey pots last for heaps longer than that. Months. At least three or more, even used every day."

I'll leave you with this sentence from the book The GreenWitch by Susan Cooper, it describes Janes room after having been visited by the GreenWitch...

"there was a great mess of little twigs and leaves, hawthorn leaves and rowan. 
And everywhere the great smell of the sea."

If you would like to read more about longevity and perfume here is another post on the topic: Immortal.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring has Sprung!


Green is the color of the day on this blessed Vernal Equinox. In celebration I have two special items to share with you all. First, a review of Hedera helix by the very articulate Elena Vosnaki author at Perfume Shrine. Sometimes I feel like much of the artistry and subtleties that go into my work go unnoticed, not today, Elena sees it all. Hop onto a dandelion seed and transport yourself over to her blog for a delightful read and a giveaway.




Chaparral® has been selected as one for the featured perfumes in a special "Scent Dinner" taking place at the Woodward Garden in San Francisco. Chef Dana Tommasino and author Alyssa Harad will present a series of "scent courses" inspired by the artistry of California perfumers designed to wake up your nose, your palate and your imagination.


When Alyssa first contacted me she shared that her initial concept of only showcasing SF perfumers was stretched to include my work because she is such a fan. In the beginning phases it wasn't determined if they would select Chaparral® or GreenWitch. In one of the notes from Alyssa she mentioned, "Greenwitch is such an incredible green/savory/briny perfume that it lends itself to food. I've been writing "translations" for Dana and the one for Greenwitch involved black forbidden rice, seaweed, a raw oyster on the half shell and flying fish roe (all of this will get blogged about eventually). No idea what she'll come up with in the end but she did say she loves forbidden rice (me too!)." In the end Chaparral® won out over GreenWitch for the magical evening, just as well me thinks since this event does transpire within the aromatic landscape that inspired Chaparral®.

I'm thrilled to be part of this very creative exchange and look forward to reading more. Alyssa was very generous and sent me an advanced copy of her upcoming book Coming to My Sense: A Story of Perfume, Pleasure and an Unlikely Bride. Every night before bed I savor a chapter of this delicious book. The release is scheduled for July 2, 2012.


GreenWitch was begun way back in 2006 along with several chords that are featured within her framework. The fragrance took many twists and turns along the road to completion to ultimately launch on March 20, 2010. Find links about her construction here. Watch for the Greenwitch!


Now, lets take the Jasmin sambac hydrosol out of the fridge, pour it into a crystal goblet and welcome Flora in her beautiful new emerald cape and entourage of flowers. Cheers!

IMAGES
Opening painting
Le Printemps (Springtime) by Pierre Auguste Cot French, 1837 - 1883, Perfume photos ©Roxana Villa, GreenWitch illumination ©Greg Spalenka, Closing image: Flora: Spring in the Gardens of the Villa Borghese by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema Dutch, 1836 - 1912

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

To Bee Reviews


I've collected some reviews and related prose of the natural botanical perfume To Bee, created in homage to the European honey bee. If you happen to know of one that I missed please chime in.

Jessica at Now Smell This
Lucy at Indie Perfume
Trish at Scent Hive
Donna at Perfume Smellin' Things
Elena at Perfume Shrine
Margi MacDonald at Perfume Pharmer
Beth at Perfume Smellin'
Tom at Perfume Posse
Jade Shutes at the IDA blog

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Eau Natural in the LA Times


Monday morning on October 3rd Denise Hamilton, critically acclaimed author and perfume contributor to the LA Times Magazine, stopped in for an interview. She was gathering data for her monthly column which would focus on natural perfume.


As of late Denise has been promoting her latest novel Damage Control at local book stores here in Los Angeles and beyond. While visiting at the house she mentioned that she has come across a large contingent of people who love perfume but can no longer wear them due to allergies. As an alternative for this chemically sensitive tribe, which includes myself, she decided to focus the November column of the times on natural perfume.

The perfume community has embraced Denise and her new book wholeheartedly. Here is a snippet I found written by Angela over at Now Smell This:

"When I cracked open the novel Damage Control, I knew I’d have some good reading ahead. The dedication began, “This one’s for the perfumistas.” Add that the book’s author, Denise Hamilton (shown above right), is the Los Angeles Times’ fragrance columnist as well as a bestselling crime writer, and I was ready to call in sick and spend the day on the couch, book in hand."

Although I had "friended" Denise on facebook prior to her visit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Upon opening the front door I felt an immediate kinship and offered her some water botanically enhanced with her choice of jasmine, frankincense, or agarwood hydrosol. After spritzing her with each one she settled on jasmine.

We sat down to chat with our jasmine elixirs and a tray freshly made cara sucias (a type of Argentina scone). I told her my story beginning with graduating from Otis when it was in dowtown up to the present. I showed her the oak grove, which with the help the local community, we managed to save. We walked out among the oaks onto the hillside to observe both thriving hives of rescued bees, one of which was from the LA Times building.

I then brought her into the studio where we began an olfactory exploration with a collection of vintage fragrances, many of which Denise was intimately familiar with. Since her most recent article for the times had focused on precious oud I had her sniff a few different varieties my my stash. She also experienced a sneak peek (sniff) of the new perfume I've been working on which will be released shortly.


By mid afternoon Denise was completely satiated. As she left I took her into the front garden pointing out the different plants which had been tinctured and infused for perfume.
I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to spend some time with Denise and been included in the article, which you can read in it's entirety by following this link.

Images: LATimes Sunday Magazine cover and page 32 full size and segment, Damage Control book cover and photo via Denise Hamilton's website, photo of the author by Blake Little.