Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, also known as BPAL, is an online company selling perfume oils. BPAL is owned by Elizabeth Moriarty Barrial and Brian Constantine, and is based in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Ethics[link]

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is against animal testing, and tests its own products only on willing humans. The perfume oils sold by BPAL are blended by hand, using natural ingredients such as essential oils and absolutes with some synthetics. With the exception of those containing honey and beeswax, the oils are vegan-friendly.^[1]

Influences[link]

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is known for the gothic aesthetic of its website, framing product descriptions with snippets of poetry and category art (monochrome drawings or etchings) by Aubrey Beardsley and others.

While the initial impression may be one of catering to the pagan^[2] and gothic^[3][4] communities, the blends are inspired by works of art, mythology, folk superstitions, voodoo,^[5] classical literature, historical figures, pirates,^[6] carnivals, etc.^[7] Themes include aromatherapy, locations both real and fictional, devilish garden plantings, and deities and concepts from a variety of pantheons.

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett: perfumes to benefit charities[link]

In 2007 Black Phoenix announced and released a series of perfumes based on the works of Neil Gaiman. This series currently includes scents inspired by the novels American Gods and Anansi Boys. All profits from the Neil Gaiman-inspired scents go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.^[8] During the first three weeks, over $6,000 was raised for the CBLDF.^[9] A separate category for Stardust (which also benefits the CBLDF), was released in June 2007.

In June 2007, Black Phoenix also released a collection of perfumes based on Good Omens (co-authored by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett). Sales from this category of products benefit the CBLDF and the Orangutan Foundation UK.^[9] By the end of the first week of July 2007, Neil Gaiman announced on his blog that they had raised $1,500 for the Orangutan Foundation UK and the year-to-date fundraising for the CBLDF had raised over $15,000.^[10]

Products[link]

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab currently produces and sells perfume oils in two sizes: 1/32 oz sample vials, officially called Imp's Ears (or simply "Imps"), and 5-mL glass bottles. In 2006, it discontinued production and sale of oil available in 10-mL bottles; the same year, it began transitioned from cobalt bottles to amber ones for its 5-mL bottles.

BPAL also features monthly "lunacy" releases, which coincide with the full moon. These releases are different each month, following themes established by various mythological and lunar calendars. During this time, BPAL usually opens its storefront for one night during which customers can purchase oils and interact with the staff and owners.

Black Phoenix also has two sister sites: Twilight Alchemy Labs, for the production of oils for spiritual purposes called Twilight Alchemy Labs, and Black Phoenix Trading Post, which sells officially licensed BPAL-related garments, jewelry, statues, soaps and other bath and beauty products, as well as occasionally offering limited edition and special release oils.

Popularity[link]

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has a fairly sizable following through the Internet,^[11] including a fan-run internet forum^[12] with over 16,000 members and several fan-run LiveJournal communities,^[13][14] some with over 1,000 members. Customers cite the appeal of the seductive product descriptions, the wide variety of scents, and the tendency of certain oils to vary in scent based on the wearer's unique body chemistry.^[15][16]

The large number of scents produced, with upwards of 1300 blends released since the company's inception, has lent the product a 'collectibility' aspect. Several online communities have sprung up around buying, selling, and swapping BPAL products. Coveted products (such as unavailable limited edition, discontinued products, and unreleased prototypes) can sell for high amounts on eBay (where one 5mL bottle sold for over $800^[17] in early 2007).

In 2005, the Lab was named as The Village Voice's Best of New York: Best Scent Indulgence for Your Inner Goth.^[18]

In April 2007, Weird Tales published a piece of original fiction entitled "Six Scents" by Lisa Mantchev, which drew its inspiration from six BPAL fragrances.^[19]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
• BPAL Madness! The Official-Unofficial Forum
• BPAL Announcement LiveJournal Community
• Black Phoenix Trading Post
• Twilight Alchemy Lab
• 'Six Scents' by Lisa Mantchev, at Weird Tales.

Katie Puckrik is an American television presenter and newspaper columnist. Born in Virginia, USA, Puckrik is best known for her appearances in British shows such as The Word, The Sunday Show and The Krypton Factor. She created and hosted the British television talk show Pyjama Party and subsequently its American remake Pajama Party.^[1] She lived in London for sixteen years before moving to Hollywood in 2000.^[1]

She currently runs a fragrance-themed YouTube series and blog called "Katie Puckrik Smells" and is a columnist for magazines and newspapers including The Guardian.

Puckrik is also an accomplished dancer and in 1991 toured with the Pet Shop Boys on their "Performance" tour.^[2]. She also recorded the narration for the Divine Comedy song, Generation Sex.

Bibliography[link]

• Puckrik, Katie - Shooting from the Lip. Headline, 1999 ISBN 0-7472-6016-8 (Autobiography)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Katie Puckrik at the Internet Movie Database
• Celebrity Answers - Katie Puckrik interview at AQA 63336
• Katie Puckrik Smells Katie Puckrik's fragrance-themed Youtube series.
• An Interview with Katie Puckrik Basenotes, February 9, 2009
• The Queen of Mean - Katie Puckrik Interviews Sarah Silverman Guardian UK, October 6, 2007
• Meet Fragrance Guru, Katie Puckrik Beauty Encounter, March 16, 2009

This biographical article related to television in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e