Frequently Asked Questions
Any lingering questions? See below for some of your most pressing fragrance FAQs
Body
I notice some fragrances are labeled “natural” while others are not. What does this mean and should I be using a natural fragrance?
Natural fragrances do not contain synthetics, and all the ingredients are naturally-derived as opposed to synthetically created in a lab. Natural fragrances are different categorically from other natural CPG products because they don’t necessarily signify "clean beauty” but rather the source of formulation. However, this doesn’t mean that natural fragrances are necessarily better, it’s simply a preference of lifestyle values. A comparable analogy would be someone’s choice to live a vegan lifestyle. While someone could go vegan for health reasons, many vegans opt for a plant-based lifestyle as a protest of animal rights. Through that same vein, the choice to “go natural” with a fragrance would be a choice for using all natural products as a lifestyle. However, synthetic fragrances are completely safe and non-toxic. In my opinion, synthetics offer stronger, longer lasting, and more unique scent profiles (because you can concoct scents that don’t occur easily in nature), but the stylistic choice is ultimately up to you.
Does perfume expire?
This is going to be somewhat of an elusive answer as shelf life varies across fragrances. The average shelf life is roughly 2-5 years, however, some may expire before based on the water-to-alcohol ratio, oil content, the ingredients used (e.g. natural vs. synthetic), frequency of use, and how the fragrance is being stored.
How can I prolong my perfume’s life?
As previously mentioned, a fragrance with more synthetic notes will outlast a fully natural fragrance. Furthermore, fragrances with than lean more into heavier base notes (e.g. woods, ouds, ambers, etc.) will often outlast those with stronger emphasis on fresher, citrus, or floral top notes, as these tend to be more fragile in composition ergo easier to break down.
The more frequently you use the fragrance, the more oxidation occurs in the bottle as air replaces the liquid portion. This oxidation process will inevitably change how the perfume wears, and the longer you have a higher ratio of oxygen to liquid, the faster your fragrance will expire.
Lastly and arguably the element most in your control is how you store your fragrance. Rapid changes in temperature, humidity, and direct sunlight will all initiate a faster degradation process. Subsequently, a dark, cool, and dry place is the best place for your fragrance, avoiding placement in bathrooms, near heating/cooling units, and windows.
Home
Aren’t all candles made the same? If so, why are candles prices so variable?
Simply put, no. Not all candles are made equally. Many cheaper candles are made with a paraffin wax base, a byproduct of petroleum. This means that they burn similarly to gasoline, which releases carcinogens like benzene that you then easily breathe. As a result, I highly recommend looking for candles that are derived fully from natural or plant-based waxes such as coconut, soy, or beeswax. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to break the bank for a candle, but you should be cognizant of what kind of candle you are buying and opt for a naturally-derived one in this case or an oil-based diffuser.
My candle burns unevenly, what should I be doing differently?
To get your candle to burn evenly, you’ll always need to start with cutting the wick down to .25 inch/.64cm. Then when you burn your candle for the first time let the candle burn until you have a full liquid layer. Do not blow out your candle before a full liquid layer has formed on the top, otherwise the candle will continue to burn unevenly. You should continue to follow the wick-cutting and liquifying pattern each time you light your candle to ensure it burns evenly to the bottom.
