Thursday, May 5, 2011

(Closed) Celebrate Mother's Day ~ Esscentual Alchemy Review and Giveaway Ends 5/14 {Extended!}

Every woman loves a beautiful perfume, right? Do you really know what's in your favorite fragrance? If we really knew what all the toxic chemicals were that we use everyday on our skin, I think we'd probably think twice. Well, I'm excited to introduce you to Esscentual Alchemy! Using only safe, raw perfumery materials and NO synthetics, chemicals, or preservatives, these handmade botanical perfumes are a natural alternative for every woman!

My botanical natural perfumes are made by blending pure essential oils and absolutes (derived from plants, flowers and resins, not synthetic fragrance oils) in a base of alcohol or jojoba. My ingredients are locally sourced from plantations that are organic, sustainable or wild, whenever possible.

Synthetic fragrances use chemicals and petroleum byproducts. Companies are not required by law, to list their components. They only appear on labels as ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’. There are no long term studies done on these compounds regarding the safety and effect of these chemicals on our bodies. Recently I learned that in the 1970’s, a synthetic musk was developed, and heavily used in main stream perfumes, which after a period of time, was discontinued due to photo-toxicity and neuro-toxicity issues, and the lack of breakdown in the environment. Who’s the test subject for safety? Human beings.

-Artisan Absinthe Dragonfly (Amanda)

Amanda uses detailed descriptions and photos to help convey each scent she creates. I found this to be extremely helpful in learning about each scent before choosing the ones I wished to try. Looking at them again after I received my samples, I found they were spot on and completely described what I was smelling! Here are my first thoughts on the 6 scents I sampled...

Orange Chocolate Roses - A warm, spicy orange surrounded by a floral chocolate mix.

The Delicate Ones - Reminds me of the creamy French-milled bar soap you find in hotel bathrooms but with a more floral scent.


Fleurs - An old fashioned vintage floral scent.


Gourmand Delight - Vanilla, chocolate, and fruity sweet aroma. A tiny bit of mint and floral undertones.


Brass and Bulldog - A spicy cinnamon stick with a bold, masculine character. Very "brassy" as the name suggests.


For the Love of Bees - A sweet honey with a waxy undertone. A light aroma overall.

Just taking a whiff out of each vial does not do them justice at all! I had to actually apply each scent to a piece of paper to get an accurate feel for each one. My favorite scents were For the Love of Bees, and Orange Chocolate Roses. I also enjoyed Brass and Bulldog for a "manly" scent. They were all very different, but I could tell the same artisan created them. Amanda has a very unique variety of scents, and you will enjoy trying them for sure!

Price: The Botanical Perfume Sample 6 Pack is $25.

The Verdict: Amanda at Esscentual Alchemy clearly takes great pride in her meticulous work in creating botanical perfumes. I'm impressed with what she creates and I love that I'm not adding toxic chemicals to my skin with her perfumes. The price is quite high for a full bottle of her perfumes, but then again we probably don't fully know the actual process, cost, and time involved in creating just one handmade-from-scratch, safe perfume!


Buy It!
Check out the entire selection of botanical perfumes at Esscentual Alchemy online.

Win It!
One winner receive a Botanical Perfume Sample 6 Pack of their own! Winner's choice! (ARV $25)


Rules:
-Leave 1 comment per entry
-Include your email address in each entry
-For complete giveaway rules and help entering, please click HERE


To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: (must be done first)

-Tell me what perfume you would love to try from Esscentual Alchemy! (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

-Follow The Reynolds Mom on GFC (1 entry)

-"Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

-"Like" Esscentual Alchemy on Facebook (1 entry)

-Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

-Follow Esscentual Alchemy on Twitter (1 entry)

-Tweet the following up to 2 times/day, at least one hour apart please. Please leave the URL of your tweets in separate entries.
#Win a #free Botanical Perfume Sample 6 Pack from Esscentual Alchemy @TheReynoldsMom #Giveaway #natural Ends 5/14 http://tinyurl.com/3fqntfb (1 entry/tweet)

-Subscribe to my blog by email (2 entries) or RSS feed (1 entry)

-Post my button or post about this giveaway on your blog using at least 4 sentences. Please leave a link to your post (2 entries each)

-Make a purchase at Esscentual Alchemy during this giveaway! (10 entries)



Thanks for entering and good luck!


Open to US residents only. This giveaway will end on May 13, 2011 at 10pm PST. Extended! Ends 5/14 Winner will be chosen by Random.org, emailed, and announced on my blog shortly after giveaway ends. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or I reserve the right to declare a new winner.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product(s) to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.

110 comments:

  1. lime in the coconut sounds great!
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

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  2. follow via gfc
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

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  3. subscribe via email
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

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  4. lime in the coconut sounds sweet!

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  5. I'd like Blushing Beauty
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  6. I -Follow The Reynolds Mom on GFC
    a perry
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  7. I Follow you on Twitter @aeperry
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  8. I "Like" Esscentual Alchemy on Facebook Anne E, Perry
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  9. I "Like" you on Facebook
    Anne E, Perry
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  10. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/66229904559181824
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  11. I'm not sure which one I'd pick. :)

    I'm Ginger from over on Ginger Snaps..I'm going to be one of the sponsors for your Made with Love event. I'm so excited. Thought I'd drop by & say hi. :)

    I'm following now.

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

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  12. button on blog
    http://modernhippy-aperry.blogspot.com/

    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  13. i would like to try the vanilla citron
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  14. i follow on GFC as becca scott
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  15. AAF of Reynold's Mom on FB as becca scott
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  16. i like esscentual alchemy on FB as becca scott
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  17. i subscribe to your blog via email #1
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  18. i subscribe to your blog via email #2
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

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  19. tweet2
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/66291617631440896
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  20. Blue Lemonade!!!!! Wow...I would pick that for all six!
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  21. I follow Reynolds via GFC
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  22. I like Reynolds Mom on FB
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  23. I liked Esscentual Alchemy on FB
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  24. I subscribe to emails. Entry #1.
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  25. I subscribe to emails. Entry #2.
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

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  26. tweet1
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/66575884592758784
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  27. I love the Blue Lemonade Botanical Perfume

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  28. Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  29. I like Esscentual Alchemy on facebook (Louis Here)

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  30. following you on twitter @left_the_stars

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  31. following @Absinthe_Dragon on twitter @left_the_stars

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  32. I'd love to try the Little Black Dress!

    kelli at pfrog dot net

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  33. I'd love to have Blushing Beauty!
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  34. GFC follower~jdm2551
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  35. Like you on FB~Fluffy Bums
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  36. Like Esscentual Alchemy on FB
    Fluffy Bums
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  37. Follow Esscentual Alchemy on twitter as @jdm2551
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  38. Email subscriber~lovemyhnk@yahoo.com
    #1

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  39. Email subscriber~lovemyhnk@yahoo.com
    #2

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  40. tweet~http://twitter.com/#!/jdm2551/status/67675297281089536
    lovemyhnk@yahoo.com

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  41. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/67691789603184640
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  42. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/68006544293363712
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  43. follow u on twitter (gram122)

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  44. "Like" Esscentual Alchemy on Facebook (Melanie Morin)
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  45. email subscriber #1
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  46. GFC follower (melanie morin)
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  47. I'd love to try vanilla citron
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  48. email subscriber #2
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  49. Like you on FB (melanie morin)
    meltheplux at gmail dot com

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  50. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/aeperry/status/68493499267432448
    missanneperry at gmail.com

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  51. I would love to try Blushing Beauty. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Follow you on Twitter. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Follow on GFC. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Like you on Facebook. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Follow Essentual Alchemy on Twitter. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Like Essentual Alchemy on Facebook. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Fave: For the Love of Bees
    allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com

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  58. Follow sponsor on Twitter (allnaturalkatie)
    allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/allnaturalkatie/status/69092627835912194)
    allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Subscribe to your email with kmogilevski at HOTMAIL - 1
    allnaturalkatie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Blushing beauty sounds great!
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow you via GFC
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like you on FB
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I like esscentual alchemy on FB
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I follow EA on twitter (@suhodgepodge)
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I tweeted about the giveaway! (@suhodgepodge)
    jenakaye(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I like Esscentual Alchemy on Facebook. (Anja M. Anjathisandthat).

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow Esscentual Alchemy on Twitter. (@anjathisandthat)

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I subscribed to your emails.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I subscribed to your emails. #2

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

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  71. I subscribed to your RSS feed via Google Reader.

    anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

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  72. Fleurs sounds nice! erinnsluka@gmail.com

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  73. GFC: esluka
    erinnsluka@gmail.com

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  74. Essecntual Alchemy FB follower @ erinn arena Sluka erinnsluka@gmail.com

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  75. Twitter follower @3sonshavei erinnsluka@gmail.com

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  76. EA Twitter follower @3sonshavei erinnsluka@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'd love to try Kama
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

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  78. I'm a GFC follower
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I like Esscentual Alchemy on FB
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I follow you on Twitter
    amccrenshaw
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I follow Esscentual Alchemy on Twitter
    amccrenshaw
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. What interesting names and scents!
    I would like to smell "For The Love of Bees"
    Karen Dorris
    kpintn/at/hotmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Follow you blog via GFC
    kpintn
    Karen Dorris
    kpintn/at/hotmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Follow Essential Alchemy on FB
    Karen Dorris
    kpintn/at/hotmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Follow you on FB
    Karen Dorris
    kpintn/at/hotmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  86. Subscribe to feed in Google Reader
    Karen Dorris
    kpintn/at/hotmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  87. orange chocolate roses
    gingeroo616 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. essentual alchemy fb fan
    oursafehaven

    ReplyDelete
  89. follow you on twitter
    @searching4

    ReplyDelete
  90. I would Love to try Little Black Dress! Thanks for the giveaway!
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. essentual twitter follower
    @searching4

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow via GFC
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I like you on FB
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. I like Esscentual Alchemy on FB
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I follow you on Twitter
    @SETexasMama
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I follow Esscentual Alchemy on Twitter
    @SETexasMama
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. Tweeted!
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    http://twitter.com/#!/SETexasMama/status/69201130491613184

    ReplyDelete
  98. I subscribe via google reader
    Dana West
    dana10879@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. I subscribe via email
    dana10879@yahoo.com
    1

    ReplyDelete
  100. I subscribe via email
    dana10879@yahoo.com
    2

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  101. I would chose blue lemonade.
    mary@cire.com

    ReplyDelete
  102. I Like" Esscentual Alchemy on Facebook-mary jaco
    mary@cire.com

    ReplyDelete