Category Archives: Herbal Alchemy Apothecary

Garden Walk by Herbal Alchemy Apothecary

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First things first! The winner of Roxana Illuminated Perfume’s GreenWitch solid is Joy. Thanks to all who entered, I loved reading your comments and I know Roxana did too.

The soil here in the Northwest is saturated from months of rain and I am seriously hankering for scads of sundrenched flowers blooming in my garden. The mix of rich soil and petals basking in the sunshine will permeate the air here in Portland, but not until July rolls around. Today the sun was shining beautifully and has me anticipating the warmth of summer. And you know what that means, it’s time to bring out a sunny, feel-good perfume for the interim.

I have been wearing Garden Walk a lot these past few weeks, yet it’s more than a feel-good floral. It certainly has its fair share of flowers as osmanthus and neroli fill its heart, but it also has a woody depth that simultaneously plays with a flirtatious effervescence. Garden Walk begins with petitgrain’s citrusy topnotes and some earthiness from orris root, then shifts into the aforementioned floral heart. The grounded earth tones recede briefly in the middle, only to present themselves again in the form of hay, ambrette and a hint of honey absolute. This triad forms the foundation of Garden Walk which gives it that sunbaked sweetness of dried grass in a meadow full of wildflowers.

Julianne Zaleta, the creator of Herbal Alchemy, credits the Brownstone Brooklyn Garden District’s Annual Garden Walk as her inspiration for this lovely perfume. I imagine friends strolling through vibrant gardens on a warm summer day, taking in the gorgeous blossoms as wooden fences teeming with the sun’s heat emit their balsamic scent. Ideally, the Garden Walk ends with lunch at an outdoor cafe over tall glasses of iced tea and conversation dominated by what flowers they most admired.

Those leisurely days of summer will get here at some point, but until then, this all natural perfume made in Brooklyn will provide me with a lingering honeyed warmth.

Garden Walk is available at Herbal Alchemy’s etsy shop. $45 for a 20ml bottle. A sample trio set which includes Garden Walk and Tourmaline (see link for Scent Hive review) is also available. $9 for three samples.

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: A sample was sent to me for consideration by Herbal Alchemy. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Tourmaline by Herbal Alchemy Apothecary

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One of the most fulfilling aspects of creating Scent Hive has been discovering natural perfume lines that were previously unknown to me.  It’s even more fulfilling when these discoveries stem from readers’ recommendations. Michelle, a fellow lover of naturals that I have exchanged perfumes with more times than I can remember, has sent me some real beauties. I appreciate her generosity and knowledge of natural perfumers a great deal.


I might never have learned of Herbal Alchemy Apothecary if it weren’t for Michelle, which would have been a minor misfortune as their Tourmaline has quickly risen to the top of my preferred fragrances this spring. Julianne Zaleta, owner of Herbal Alchemy Apothecary, is a professional herbalist, aromatherapist, as well as a perfumer, and has created an exceptionally lovely scent with her Tourmaline.


At the most basic level, Tourmaline makes me happy because it’s a musky floral that I can wear. Back in the day, I wanted so badly to love China Rain, but just couldn’t due to its overwhelming muskiness. Tourmaline is what I wanted China Rain to be- a subtle floral with a suggestion of musk, and a lot more depth. Tourmaline‘s notes are listed as tobacco, bitter orange, honey and fern which on paper is enough to pique my interest. On the skin, they’re enough to make me love it.


Despite fern being present, I would not classify this as a fougère, or fern-like, perfume. Tourmaline is green, but it’s not herbal or woody or oakmossy. A hay back note seems to be provided by the tobacco which veers sweet and leafy rather than dark and earthy. As mentioned above, Tourmaline is delicately floral, and its light honey inflected, citrusy touch makes it a must-have in my collection.


Tourmaline is available at HerbalAlchemy.net for $45 for a 20ml bottle.

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: As stated above, Tourmaline was a gift from a friend. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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