Be Still My Darkened Heart!

At the time of year when spirits are stirring and things go bump in the night, it's difficult not to get caught up in the dark romanticism of it all. Independent perfumery Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab embraces that notion, and has stocked their online shop with potions and elixirs that, for the goth and the goth-at-heart, will make everyday feel like Halloween.

Browsing BPAL's online catacombs, it is easy to become enchanted by their sweeping array of themed scents that run the gamut from amour to the afterlife.  However, with befitting monikers such as Love Potions and Dark Elements, one can easily navigate the collections and find scents to tickle your senses with devilish delight.

Perfectly befitting autumn and its melancholy atmosphere, The Lab's Bewitching Brews collection is rife with perfumery fit for a Queen of the Night. Thirsting for something dark & ominous? The musky undertones of The Raven could be just what you are looking for. Looking for a signature scent with a little more bite? The bitter blackness of The Lab's Count Dracula scent promises to add a more sinister spice to your perfume repertoire.

My own gothic teeth were cut on The Cure, Bauhaus and Siouxsie & The Banshees, not to mention a steady diet of black hair dye, talcum powder and my trusty Kohl eyeliner. So, imagine my delight when taking a virtual stroll through the dizzying selection of tantalizing scents and aromatic oils found at BPAL.

Amongst the mythological and magickal concoctions, you will also find numerous limited edition scents, such as the Halloween-themed Pumpkin Patch collection.  With five "delightfully strange" variations, including #2, a combination of pumpkin with cocoa, hazelnut, & walnut, there is certainly one that will appeal to you.  And don't worry - a quick search on BPAL's user forums offers up customer reviews of each Pumpkin Patch scent so you can, indeed, find the one that appeal to your personal scent preference.

In fact, the forums are an endless source of ideas & inspiration from perfume enthusiasts who love to talk shop, experiment with and swap their BPAL stash.  Seriously, I can't think of another indie shop that has developed a cult following such as The Lab's, one that collectively thirsts for their aromatic blends, and will gladly wait the 21-30 days it can take to process, hand-blend, package and ship orders.

The funny thing is - with such a ravenous fan base, I have to admit my curiosity is piqued.  Now to whittle down my wishlist to one that won't break my budget.

From the antiqued labels, vintage cobalt & amber vessels, and spine-chilling artwork, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has found their niche in perfumes for the dark-at-heart, and delivers them with dead-on diabolical accuracy.

For others who are intrigued by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's extensive menu of intoxicating perfumery, visit their website, and be prepared to while away your witching hours browsing their virtual shelves laden with seductive scents sure to steal your heart.