When it comes to perfume, we’re used to a few familiar formats: sprays or dabs for alcohol-based perfumes, oils and solids. Hair perfumes came in later and earned their place in many brands’ line-up. Perfume balm, however, is a relatively new format, at least to me.

Saturday Question #304:

What Do You Think Of Perfume Balms?

Have you tried any? Do you consider wearing perfumes in this format? On its own or as a layering base?

My Answer

As I mentioned, perfume balms are a relatively new discovery for me. Last year, at Sephora, I noticed a perfume display for Rare Beauty‘s new perfume, Rare. I hadn’t tried their original perfume, Rare Beginnings, and wouldn’t have tried this one either, but four small tubes captured my attention. They were introduced as a new Fragrance Layering Balm. Four initially released scents were AMBER (vanilla), FLORAL (peony blossom), FRESH (bergamot) and WOODY (oak).

It wasn’t just a curiosity for a new format. Rare Beauty products hold a special place in my beauty universe because of Selena Gomez, whom I like because of Only Murders in the Building (I can’t wait to watch season six!).

Don’t ask me how it happened that until then (hmm… since then as well) I had ignored her perfumes. I will give them some skin time the next time I visit Sephora. But in general, when it comes to most perfumes one can find at my local Sephora stores, I stopped expecting much a long time ago, and I usually skip trying them. But the combination of the brand, a new medium and layering (yeah, one more aspect that has theoretically attracted me for the last 20 years) was irresistible. So, all four balms immediately went on different sections of my wrists. By the time I got home, I liked them all – some more, some less, but none of them was unpleasant. But.

First, I couldn’t remember which one I applied where. Second, even at $19 per tube (currently $20), I couldn’t justify buying all four of them, especially knowing myself: I wouldn’t be doing any “layering.” And finally, after the launch, these were so popular that both the brand’s site and Sephora were sold out.

After a while, new batches were produced. I tried all of them at a store again and decided to buy the one I wouldn’t have guessed to be my favorite if I were going by the name alone – FRESH. It’s lovely. It’s bright, uplifting and extremely long-lasting on my skin – though quite intimate, without strong projection. I think it will make a nice new plane scent for my future trips.

Also, I wouldn’t mind having a couple of my favorite perfumes in that format.

How about you?

What Do You Think Of Perfume Balms?