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Saturday Question: What Is Your Favorite Local Brick-and-Mortar Perfume Store?

Now that I know how many of my readers perceive the acronym B&M, I’m being cautious and spelling it out.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #179:

What Is Your Favorite Local Brick-and-Mortar Perfume Store?

The question is not about Harrods or Luckyscent (unless you live nearby and visit them at least a couple of times a year). I’m curious about your local “go-to” place. Where do you go to smell something new without paying for it? It doesn’t have to be a niche store, but just any place where you know you’ll try something you haven’t tried before.

Do you ever buy perfumes there?

My Answer

For many years, Barney’s San Francisco was that place for me. They carried many niche brands that weren’t available elsewhere – Serge Lutens, L’Artisan, Le Labo, Frederic Malle and many others. After its closing, Neiman Marcus in San Francisco became my favorite: they didn’t have that many niche brands, but they carried many “boutique” lines for Guerlain and Dior, as well as some other popular brands – Memo, Acqua di Parma, Perris Monte Carlo and others. These are not my favorite brands, so even though the Neiman Marcus store that is closer to me doesn’t carry the same variety of brands, a shorter trip combined with free parking made it a more appealing option.

But this week, I discovered a new favorite: ZGO Perfumery in San Francisco. I knew about that store for years and even bought some samples and Mariage Freres teas from them, but I’ve never visited it before. But earlier this week, I decided to investigate that store when I took a day off to run some errands in San Francisco that couldn’t be done over a weekend.

ZGO Perfumery

I loved it! A welcoming atmosphere, friendly salespeople and a wide selection of niche brands. It was a slow day, and I spent there more than an hour figuring out first what I wanted to smell on paper and then which samples I wanted to buy. I chatted with two sales assistants (not at the same time) – they were, as I said, friendly, knowledgeable and absolutely not pushy. I went through dozens (if not hundreds) of perfume bottles, carefully deciding which ones would get a nozzle sniff, which would make their way onto a paper strip, and which remain in place getting just a glance.

While from their website you can buy any number of samples, in the store they usually allow 3 samples ($5 for a 1 ml spray sample). But an above-mentioned slow day and all that, so I left with 5 samples of perfumes that I liked enough to want to try on my skin (and pay for it). I will do a separate post about them once I spend time wearing each one, but in general, I think it was a successful trip (and the parking, if you can find it, is free, which feels like a special treat when you visit San Francisco). The one that I decided to wear from the tester bottle instead of asking to buy one more sample was Atelier Materi Iris Ebene. It was a big mistake! I liked it a lot. So now I’ll have to get a sample of it anyway!

I rarely buy perfumes from brick-and-mortar stores because I rarely feel the urge to buy something on the spot. And when I know what I want, I usually try to find, if not a deal, then at least a GWP or some other incentive to spend money. But if I am ever on the market for a brand that doesn’t do sales, I will definitely go to ZGO Perfumery.

 

How about you?

What Is Your Favorite Local Brick-and-Mortar Perfume Store?

Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara
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Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara

Hey Crew, GOSH! It seems so long ago Jin and I were in South Korea. It’s only a couple of months. This year has already been jam packed. Sorry I didn’t get back to writing about Vetiver Pamplemousse EdP quicker. You may remember I wrote about the candle? Well, in Korea on our last night we wandered into a Zara at Seoul Station. coming across the fragrances I asked if they had Vetiver Pamplemousse. Yes, but only the 10ml. Then the SA looked into the computer and found one last 40ml bottle on the other side of town. The shop closes in 40 minutes. HA! Well, we jumped a train, changed trains and ran to the store (about 400m) and arrived with 7 minutes to closing. We were puffing and sweating and laughing. It was excellent fun and took us to a part of town I’d never seen. It had also been gentrified beyond Jin’s wildest dreams. Loads of shopping, eating and living. A really cool part of town.

Not being a new scent it’s probably going to be hard to track Vetiver Pamplemousse down but I promised a review and then never delivered so, um, SOZ. Here it is. Looking at ZARA Australia they still have stock so you might get lucky.

Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara 2019

Vetiver Pamplemousse Zara

Zara gives these featured accords:
Grapefruit, mandarin, vetiver

Tangy, tart, lip puckeringly bittersweet is man opening impression of the grapefruit/citrus opening. Though it’s sharp it isn’t crazy and the grapefruit settles nicely into a more generic, sweet citrus. The tart doesn’t leave entirely though, keeping it crisp and interesting. As we head into the heart there is also a pithy softness and furriness. So refreshing.

Further into the heart and that citrus becomes those hard boiled Cavendish and Harvey Mixed Fruit Drops. You remember, in the round tins? Just like some of those. It’s such a visceral memory. We used to get those in our Santa sacks and often on long journeys Mum would bring out a pack to shut us up.

My wear gives hardly any of the slightly oily, grassy vetiver that I expect, especially in the open and heart. In Vetiver Pamplemousse it is a support act. If I sniff hard and go really looking it appears but this fragrance is really a citrus affair for the most part.

Vetiver Pamplemousse Zara

As we head for dry down the vetiver does make a bit of a showing. Dry grasses and a little bit twig and torn leaf. An interesting, low key representation of vetiver but not terrible. That sweet citrus and grassiness carry the fragrance quietly after about an hour. If you told me basil was an ingredient and that vegetal musks were involved I’d say that smells about right. The sugariness makes it all feel very 21st century.

This is an easy wear gem. Don’t be expecting to be blown away by their inventiveness. While it’s not a very common fragrance it’s also not a far leap from existing products. The price though, that’s the difference. Longevity and projection are moderate to low but Vetiver Pamplemousse can and could be worn by just about anyone. Simple and smells good.

Do you have a Zara fragrance? Love grapefruit or vetiver?
Portia x

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Saturday Question: What Do You Think About Fragrant Functional Products?

When I recently got an email from Luckyscent that highlighted the new BDK‘s creation – a laundry detergent – I thought about doing a post about it. But as I started putting my thoughts “on paper,” I realized I didn’t have enough to stretch it to a full post, so I decided to discuss it with you as a Saturday Question.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #178:

What Do You Think About Fragrant Functional Products?

It’s not about unscented/scent-free products versus scented ones. I’m asking rather about products that smell like perfumes – either existing ones or abstract scents, as with this laundry detergent.

Do you like the idea? Have you used any? Would you like to try any?

A bonus question: What laundry detergent do you use?

My Answer

Almost a decade ago (time flies!) I published a post Know-how [not to]: Freshen up a linen closet, in which I told a story of how using a perfume-soaked envelope (an unfortunate mailing incident) as a linen closet freshener had almost put me off my favorite Le Labo Rose 31. So, from that time, I never even considered using any of my favorite scents for anything other than their direct purpose.

In the case of this laundry detergent by BDK, Eau de Lessive (Laundry Water?), they didn’t cannibalize any of their scents but instead created a unique composition for this product. Top: Lavender, Bergamot from Italy, Lemon from Italy, Yellow mandarin from Japan, Red Thyme, Cardamom from India, Pepper mint, Nutmeg, CO2 of pink berries; heart: Small grain of Paraguay, Blue Ginger, Cassis, White flowers; base: Ambroxan, Vetiver from Haiti, Benzoin of Siam and White Musks.

Not every perfume has that extensive list of notes; this product might smell great. But the idea of having all my laundry to smell of any specific aroma just doesn’t seem appealing. Additionally, a laundry detergent costing about half of what one might splurge on a high-end shampoo seems too extravagant. I could have considered a smaller bottle intended for hand wash (though, I’m not sure I have enough lingerie that I would be regularly washing manually), but a €35/$36 liter of a detergent intended for a washing machine… It makes me think of that DirecTV commercial “Opulence, I has it.”

But what do I know? It is sold out within less than a week and on backorder at Luckyscent. On the positive side, this is one of the perfume-related products that a perfumista will be able to use up.

I prefer laundry detergents without any scent. For a long time, I used Seventh Generation Free & Clear. It didn’t smell of anything. But I had to stop using it because of the smell. The smell of my clothes 3-4 months after washing that was (e.g., if I were to launder something and put it away because of a season change). It seems that detergent stayed on the clothes and started disintegrated after a while. Now I wash my clothes with Tide Free & Gentle. It keeps my laundry scent-free and allows me to perfume my things with whatever scent I choose, whenever I choose.

BDK Eau De Lessive

What Do You Think About Fragrant Functional Products?

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Saturday Question: Which of Your Current Favorites Was Released In Your Back-to-School Years?

In the US, some schools are “back in session” already, which still feels slightly surprising to me, whose school years always started on September 1st (unless it fell on Sunday). But hearing all the back-to-school ads and conversations inspired this SQ.

 

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

 

Saturday Question #177:

Which of Your Current Favorites Was Released In Your Back-to-School Years?

Hopefully, a decade (plus-minus a year) is enough disguise for those who don’t feel comfortable disclosing their exact age.

Do you currently have a favorite perfume in your collection that was released between when you started the second grade and when you went back to school for the last time? It doesn’t have to be a perfume that back then you liked (or even knew about its existence). But the bonus question is: when did you get it first?

Hint: You can use Fragrantica search to set the From/To year criterion if you can’t easily think of any specific perfume.

My Answer

Surprisingly, my collection has more than one favorite perfume from that era But let’s go with one – Chanel Coco. I didn’t know it when I was going to school. I think I knew of Chanel No 5 (though I haven’t tried it before much later – and I still don’t like it on my skin), but no other names of perfumes from that brand were even mentioned when I was growing up.

After I moved to the US, I tried many of Chanel’s mainstream perfumes (one of my relatives had them all), but I didn’t like any of them… until about 14 years ago when, thanks to a generous SA at Nordstrom, I got samples of several Chanel perfumes and fell in love with Coco and No 19. In 2010, Coco was my first full bottle purchase from Chanel ever. And this is one of those perfumes that still wows me every time I wear it.

Rusty and Chanel Coco

How about you?

 

Which of Your Current Favorites Was Released In Your Back-to-School Years?

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora
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Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora

Hi there ULGers, Grandiflora is an Aussie brand coming from a very cool, world renowned flower shop in Sydney. Owned and operated by the gorgeous and so friendly Saskia Havekes. She is a florist to the smart set and large corporations, author and creative director/owner of a fragrance house. Some people are like being around a light filled vessel, Saskia is definitely one of them from the little I know and lot I’ve heard. Actually, she’s one of the very few icons that I’m yet to hear a bad word about. In my journey through samples and decants this year I came across an 8ml Madagascan Jasmine from Surrender To Chance. I remember using the first couple of ml and instantly buying a bottle, and later a backup when the bottles were being changed. So, I thought I’d share my love for it with you all today.

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora 2015

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora

Grandiflora gives these featured accords:
Top: Mango, Green Tropical Fruits
Heart: Jasmine (Madagascan), White Flowers, Green Foliage
Base: Musk, Smoky Accord, Roasted Cacao

Jasmine, jasmine, jasmine. Not the heady, breathy, creamy ylang and sweet version of so much perfumery but jasmine like the smell of putting your head in the flowering vine. Yes, it does have that fruity hit running through it and the greenery that jasmine so often holds. They make it seem alive and just bloomed in the evening but now it’s a cool spring morning. Chilled and super fragrant.

The heart remains all white flowers and a touch of greenery. That huge opening softens considerable after about 10 minutes and becomes an insistent, pretty white floral. Still fragrant but less over the top. The heart is my favourite part of Madagascan Jasmine. I’ve told this story before but when I was growing up there was a large jasmine growing over our side fence. In spring the scent would travel and I could smell it from the top of our driveway, getting stronger and stronger as I neared the house. The heart is like that scent as I’m walking down the drive. If I went to the vine the sound of bees buzzing would accompany the scent. Madagascan Jasmine is like reliving those days.

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora July 23

Though I fully support everyone wearing whatever they love, this feels like a feminine leaning fragrance. If you are a guy who either loves jasmine or is confident enough to go against modern traditional type then Madagascan Jasmine will smell so fabulous on you. PLUS you will fragrantly stand head and shoulders above most others. Longevity is good and after the first half hour or so projection is low to moderate.

Do you know Madagascan Jasmine or the Grandiflora fragrance house?
Portia x

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Saturday Question: Do You Have Any Perfumes on Your “To Try” List?

I’m calling all your lemmings!

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #176:

Do You Have Any Perfumes on Your “To Try” List?

Let’s be realistic: it’s not a hypothetical question that calls for something like “original Daim Blond” or “pre-reformulation EL Private Collection.” But are there any currently available perfumes that you haven’t tried yet but would like to?

My Answer

In the last couple of years, I rarely feel an urge to try anything specific. I do still enjoy trying new (for me) things, but I rarely care for anything specific – and even less so if I’d need to pay for a sample.

So, I don’t have a formal “to try” list now. But if I think about it, I can come up with several perfumes I am curious about: several recent releases from Amouage – Guidance, Lineage, Purpose and Search (though, I’m not sure I like the names), Armani Magenta Tanzanite (though I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous “stones” in the collection) and Ormonde Jayne Sakura and Fearless (and while I am at it, any other new perfumes OJ released in the last 2 years).

 

How about you?

Do You Have Any Perfumes on Your “To Try” List?

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Saturday Question: What Was the Last Perfume in Your Collection that Wowed You?

Do you know how hard it is to put some questions in a short form? Something simple like “What is Your Favorite Beach Scent?” or “Name Your Top 10 Birch Tar Perfumes” is easy. But every time I try to ask something more complex (in form), I risk either running a 3-line question or to confusing you all. I just hope you read my explanations and do not rush to answer based on the first impression.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #175:

What Was the Last Perfume in Your Collection that Wowed You?

So, I’m not asking about the last perfume that you loved and bought. We have great collections, and I assume we like most of the fragrances we own. I’m asking about the case when you sprayed on one of your favorites from your fragrant wardrobe and thought to yourself: “Wow! It is so beautiful!” (or something along the line).

What was that perfume? When?

My Answer

This year isn’t the easiest for my family, and I noticed that my perception of perfume is slightly skewed: more often than I’d like it to, I put on a scent I own and think: “It is nice, but I remember liking/loving it much more.” It doesn’t go into the territory where I dislike those perfumes, but I can’t help feeling slightly disappointed by not being enamored of it as I used to be. So, these days, when I do admire perfume I’m wearing, I feel especially grateful to it.

The last time it happened was a couple of days ago when I reached out to Atelier Cologne Clémentine California. I always liked and enjoyed wearing it, but when I bought it six years ago, I thought it was in the same category as the other two citrus perfumes that I liked from the brand (When Life Gives You Clementines, Enjoy Them). Since then, it grew on me, becoming my favorite Atelier Cologne perfume. But that last time, as I put it on, it was that “Wow” reaction that I hope for every time I spray on my SOTD but don’t get often.

Rusty and Atelier Cologne Clementine California

How about you?

 

What Was the Last Perfume in Your Collection that Wowed You?

Gilded by Boujee Bougies NEW! NEW! NEW!
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Gilded by Boujee Bougies NEW! NEW! NEW!

Hi Crew, If you are a regular reader then you’ll know I hit London in April to celebrate a couple of important birthdays with friends. It was a whirlwind trip of 11 days from my doorstep to arriving home. That meant 7 full days on the ground. One of those days I jumped a train or two from Green Square to Leighton Buzzard and met my buddies of the Olfiction crew, Nick and Pia. They are the masterminds behind the Boujee Bougies candle range that has now also become a perfume range. Seeing their headquarters and then having dinner at their home was so exciting and yet curiously mundane. It was as if we did it all the time and had lived next door for years and this was a regular catch up. They and their crew were so easy to be with, plus I got to smell the new perfume range. Gilded is the one that the scentbloggosphere has been going ape shit over so I thought I’d give it some wears and write you all a post.

I’m sniffing from a large decant because at the time they weren’t ready for sale and I couldn’t buy the whole range. This was a gift. Fortunately Jin and I are back in the UK in November so hopefully I can remedy the situation and properly shop.

Gilded by Boujee Bougies 2023

Boujee Bougies give these featured accords:
Top: Lemon, Saffron, Gold accord
Heart: Frankincense oil, Frankincense resin, Carnation, Cedar Leaf, Beeswax absolute
Base: Myrrh, Cedarwood, Labdanum, Leather, Civet, Musk

The opening citrus/metallic is something I’ve never smelled before. It doesn’t stay more than a couple of minutes but it is eye popping. The heart takes over and incense reigns supreme. It says cedar leaf in the notes but for me the scent is very bay leaf, I wonder if it’s the carnation clove-iness giving me cooking throwbacks. I can understand why everyone is going mad for Gilded. It smells like early niche, those gorgeous, mind-blowing, quilted layers of a richly furnished middle eastern dream.

Further into the heart my Roman Catholic upbringing is being revisited in the smoky prayers of Benediction, which always seemed like such a pagan rite to me. A man, led by acolytes, wearing a sumptuous sequinned gown and hat with a smoke stack pouring out scented fumes that forgive all our sins.

As we head towards dry down Gilded becomes a little darker and more feral. Animalic but not a tiger pit. More like a bear cave used for hibernation but now it’s summer and you are just getting some scented remnants of the winter/spring inhabitants. The incenses stay till the very last gasp, overlaying all other parts with a soft smoky patina.

Gilded Boujee Bougies

Gilded it gorgeous. Totally unisex. Fragrant but not overbearing. After the initial hour of spectacular it calms to a quiet, introverted beauty that would be wearable even to dinner, films or work. Obviously, the more you spritz the bigger it will be. I’m hard pressed to think of a perfumista who would not love this.

Have I piqued your interest?
Portia xx

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Saturday Question: How Many Chances do You Give Perfumes You didn’t Like?

I’m running late this week, so it’s more like a Sunday Question, but I decided to keep the title.

Saturday Question on Undina's Looking Glass

Saturday Question #174:

How Many Chances do You Give Perfumes You didn’t Like?

If you have a sample in your possession, tried it and didn’t like – what do you do? Do you try it again? How many times? What do you do with those samples after that?

My Answer

I’m a sample hoarder. Which wouldn’t have been that bad on its own since most of my samples are tiny (so, I don’t waste too much of perfumes), but unfortunately, I keep testing them again and again. There are two scenarios, and I don’t even know which one is more frustrating.

In some cases, I can’t believe that I didn’t like that perfume (on the previous dozen of occasions!) and think that maybe this time… But even more often I just don’t remember what I thought about that sample and instead of checking my database (as any sane person would do), I decide to try it again. Only recently, I started setting aside those samples that I decided I shouldn’t test any longer – if I don’t forget, of course. I need to learn to be more ruthless and save my testing time for those perfumes that have any potential either for wearing or at least for becoming a part of a story.

 

How about you?

How Many Chances do You Give Perfumes You didn’t Like?

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ScentBird, Royalty Scents, ScentBox, LUXSB, Purpl Lux and Other Perfume Subscriptions

Nearly 8 years ago, I delved into the world of perfume subscription services and compared Olfactif, Scentbird and Scenttrunk.

Back then, I thought that Scentbird was the most useful of the three, even though they dismissed me as a blogger when I requested a free trial (details in the original post). Interestingly, it proved to be a single most popular post on my blog up-to-date – not that it matters since I do not monetize my hobby.

At the time of that post, I thought that it wasn’t a good strategy to subscribe to a sample program with unknown perfumes sent to you every month. I realize that mine might be a minority opinion since both Olfactif and Scenttrunk are still in business (though, the latter had changed the business model slightly). And I came across at least a couple more businesses with a similar model. But since still don’t like that idea, in this follow-up post I decided to focus only on services that allow users to choose the perfumes they will get.

Disclaimer

I want to start by stating that not only is this post not sponsored or compensated in any form, but it doesn’t even contain any affiliated or referral-type links. Also, all of these are US-based, though some ship to other countries.

* * *

Scentbird

I use Scentbird on and off: I reactivate my subscription when they add something that I want to buy and then put it on hold again. I’ve never had any issues with them. And even though I don’t find there too many perfumes that I want, in general, I think I like Scentbird as a business the most: they keep coming up with more interesting ideas every year.

Scentbird

Subscriptions

  • Size: 8 ml
  • Details: A travel case is provided with the first purchase; after that, only a spray vial is sent.
  • Base plan: $16.95/month for 1 regular decant (50% discount offered).
  • Premium product surcharge: $5, $10 or $15.
    Upgrades:

    • 2 regular decants per month for $27 ($13.50 per product)
    • 3 regular decants per month for $36.99 ($12.33 per product)Several prepaid plans and bulk purchases offered, but those do not make sense compared to these 2 or 3 items per month discounts.
      For example, the best, 12-month plan is $153 ($12.75 per product), which is $5 more expensive than to do the 3 products per month plan for 4 months.
      Bulk purchases that offer 5%/10%/15% off for buying 3/6/9 products at the same time are even stranger. For example, if you were to subscribe to the 3 products per month plan and cancel after the first month, you’d save $11.32 compared to the bulk purchase of the same 3 decants. It is possible that the bulk purchase of 6 or 9 would include travel cases for each of the decants or maybe they are trying different price models at the same time to see what attracts customers better.
  • Shipping: free in the US; US$4.99 to Canada

Brands

(here and for other services, it’s not the complete list but those brands that attracted my attention)

Acqua di Parma, Amouage, Arquiste, Carner Barcelona, DS Durga, ELdO, EX NIHILO, Goutal, Initio, Jo Loves, JHAG, Le Jardin Retrouvé, Memo, Mind Games, Ormonde Jayne, Parfums de Marly, Scents of Wood.

What Else

Scentbird also offers 1.5 ml samples of some of their perfumes for $4.95-$5.95; candle subscription for $25/month; additional travel cases for $10/month; full bottles, fragrant gifts and car fresheners.

Scentbird

Scenbird has recently changed their travel holders and decant vials. I’m not sure if I like them more, and since the holders are magnetic, I’m not sure how safe they will be when traveling. I guess, I’ll check it the next time I fly.

Royalty Scents

I learned about Royalty Scents service from Old Herbaceous. Out of all the services, for me, it is the most useful. My subscription is on hold for now, but I know that eventually, I’ll be buying more from them. Noteworthy: they have a huge selection of Tom Ford (38) and Dior La Collection Privée (18) perfumes.

Royalty Scents

Subscriptions

  • Size: 8 ml
  • Details: A travel twist-to-open case is provided with each decant.
  • Base plan: $19.95/month for 1 decant or $36.95/month for 2. No introductory price, but also no surcharges for “premium” perfumes, all decants cost the same.
  • Shipping: free in the US; $9.95–$12.95 international shipping (dependent on the destination)

Brands

Acqua di Parma, Amouage, By Kilian, Creed, Dior, Floris, Goldfield & Banks, Liquides Imaginaires, Mancera, Memo, Montale, Tom Ford.

Scentbox

I’ve never bought anything from Scentbox, but judging by the mainstream coverage online, it’s a legitimate business.

ScentBox

Subscriptions

  • Size: 8 ml
  • Details: A travel case is provided with each decant.
  • Basic Plans: 1 decant per month $16.95/month for the Standard Plan (a first-month discount might be offered), $21.95 for the Premium Plan (choice of 250+ perfumes) or $30.95 for the Platinum Plan (choice of 150+ perfumes).
    Upgrades: 2 or 3 decants per month with a discount (e.g., Premium Plan for 2 items is $56.95).
  • Shipping: free in the US; also delivers to Australia,  Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom.

Brands

Acqua di Parma, Amouage, BDK Parfums, Byredo, Creed, Frapin, Initio, Mancera, Montale, Ormonde Jayne, Parfums de Marly, Profumun Roma, Xerjoff.

What Else

A unique feature of this service is that they allow exchanges of 1 perfume per month but not more than 5 per year. I don’t know if that includes the shipping as well, but even if not, it might be the best chance to try something you are not sure you’ll want to wear and if not, exchange it for something you know and like.

Also, they offer over 200 full-size fragrance products such as bath & body, candles, skincare, CBD and more.

LUXSB

I’ve never used LUXSB (Luxury Scent Box) as well, but they are also listed in several perfume boxes coverage, so I assume they are legit.

LuxSB

Subscriptions

  • Size: 9 ml
  • Details: A travel case once every 3 months or with a Premium fragrance purchase.
  • Basic Plan: 1 decant per month for $15.95. The first month they offer 35% off.
    Upgrades:
    • Premium fragrances are an additional $5.00 upgrade fee.
    • Ultra-premium fragrances are an additional $10.00 upgrade fee.
    • Gold Premium fragrances are an additional $15.00 upgrade fee
    • Platinum Premium fragrances are an additional $30.00 upgrade fee
    • Prepay and get a 10% bonus ($10 for $100, $20 for $200).
  • Shipping: free in the US.

Brands

Amouage, Atelier Cologne, Carner Barcelona, EldO, Floraiku, Gallivant, JHAG, Keiko Mecheri, Mancera, Montale, Memo, Olfactive Studio, Ormonde Jayne, Parfums de Marly, Ramon Monega, Shay & Blue, Thameen.

Purpl Lux

Purpl Lux is a subscription club by Fragrancenet. I have never tried their decant service, but over the years I bought multiple bottles.

PurplLux

Subscriptions

  • Size: 8 ml
  • Basic Plans: $14.95 for 1 decant monthly (the first month is $6.95, two-month subscription required) or $9.95 for 1 decant with a yearly subscription. This seems to be the only subscription that also charges tax (US).
    Upgrades: $5-$10-$15-$20 surcharge for premium perfumes.
  • Shipping: free in the US.

Brands

Acqua di Parma, Amouage, Annick Goutal, Creed, Escentric Molecules, Guerlain, Hermes, Jo Malone, JHAG, Memo, Serge Lutens, Tom Ford, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Other Services

I came across a couple more services, but I don’t think they can offer anything better than those mentioned above.

Perfume.com offers mainstream designer fragrances for $14.95 per month. It’s not clear which brands are included until you start the subscription.

Scentmagic does not accept new customers.

The Fragrance Club has an $8.99 intro subscription with $14.99 afterward for 10 ml decants (a travel case the first month; refills afterward); $12.49 per decant with a prepaid yearly subscription. But they have a tiny selection of designer fragrances.

Conclusion

First, I think that all the services that I chose for this post are good for getting perfumes you previously tried, liked and want to wear but either do not love enough to go for a full bottle or don’t want to spend money for a full bottle in addition to the already two-lifetime-worth perfume wardrobe you own.

Next, if you decide to use any of these sites, be organized: select perfumes that you want to get from that service, then figure out the most economical way to get them (intro offer, 2-3 decants at a time, prepaid/multi-months plans, etc.), and once you receive everything you want, either cancel your account or at least put it on hold/skip months.

Finally, keep in mind that some perfumes can be found on more than one site. Don’t be misled by the base price: different sites might charge an additional “upcharge” of $5-$30 per decant for “premium” perfumes. Each service defines rules for what is premium and how much to add based on their own rules, not necessarily based on the full bottle price. So always check. Also, remember that those perfumes might not be available permanently, so even if you preset your queue on the site, before each delivery make sure you won’t get something you don’t need.

 

Are there any other similar services that you used and can recommend? Maybe something in the UK, Europe or Australia?

 

Images: the first three – my own; the rest – from the companies’ websites.