For a little over a year and a half now I have been in the process of making the switch over to clean beauty products. Products that aren't harmful to myself or the environment. I was not and am still not prepared for the level of frustration making the switch has entailed. While most the time I love being the guinea pig for all my readers, I have reached the ultimate frustration point, specifically with one product, that I just can't seem to find - non toxic perfume.
It's true, in the past I have recommended plenty of non toxic perfumes. I have either personally tested them or dug through mountains of reviews and chemical makeup data to determine which brands are the best. But here's my problem when it comes to non toxic perfumes: their staying power, accessibility, and overall fragrance profiles.
About three months ago I got the idea in my head that I was going to start making my own perfumes (frustration can actually lead to some pretty incredible things) so I started researching. I learned about fragrance notes: top, middle, and base - how they should be weighted, what fragrances made for the best combinations and so on. I learned about how fragrances are either extracted from natural products such as roses and vanilla or produced synthetically. And finally how they are mixed to hold their smell depending on your base - oil, water, or alcohol. All very fascinating stuff and I would highly recommend checking out Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume if you want to learn more about the process and history. Overall this doesn't sound all too terrifying to put on your skin but the reality in the perfume world is a heavy dose of synthetics and stabilizers which give mainstream perfumes their gorgeous, seductive smells but also lead to some pretty nasty chemical ingestion. Thanks but no thanks.
So what's the problem with natural perfumes? Absolutely nothing when it comes to their chemical compositions but I haven't been able to find one that I truly enjoy the smell of and/or that stay longer than an hour or two on my skin. I don't want to smell like straight cedar wood or a vanilla bean. You can call it whatever fancy name you want such as Tropical Vacation but the simplicity of smelling like a coconut just isn't doing it for me. The complexity of those top, middle, and base notes just isn't there - at least not that I can find.
Hold on though - you might say there are natural perfume companies out there that offer complex fragrances with staying power and you would be right. This is not a unicorn. I know they exist but accessibility is a problem plaguing the sustainable industry across several platforms. Unlike traditional perfumes I can't walk into my nearest department store and give them a try. I have to take the gamble after reading the descriptions online and pay a pretty penny for something I might never like. Thanks but no thanks. I don't know about you but I don't have money to just throw away on a trial when I have perfectly good perfumes (horribly toxic as they may be) already in my house.
What's the point of posting about non toxic perfumes if I have no more suggestions?
I don't really know to be honest. Maybe just to tell you that turning your vanity into a clean, green space can and will be frustrating. That you will hit snags along the road and throw up your hands wanting to tear out your hair. Maybe just to let you know you're not alone and if you tell me "you can pry my Chanel perfume or lipstick or foundation out of my cold dead hands" I get it. Oh really, I get it more than you know! Sustainability isn't about perfection. It isn't about going for it 100% of the time. It's about being human and realizing it's not a goal but a lifestyle of choosing to be a little bit better each day. It's not an all or nothing attitude.
The one thing that I think social media has done is to make it appear as if finding the perfect product be is perfume, culottes, a chunky knit sweater, or perfect shade of red lipstick is easy. But it's not. I know what does and does not work for me and I love sharing that advice with each and everyone of you but it's a game of trial and error - like I mentioned I don't mind being the guinea pig. But know you are not alone in your frustration and that's perfectly, imperfectly okay!
So back to the natural perfume hunt while I sit here perfectly happy, imperfectly pursuing the goals of sustainability while wearing my Dolce and Gabbana perfume.
I believe you don’t have to give up style to dress sustainably, dogs make everything better, travel is the best therapy, global living wage is achievable, flower gardens are essential, and without a healthy planet none of these things would be possible. 
Normally I bristle at the kind of thing I’m abot to say, but this is one thing I truly believe: I used to wear synthetic perfumes, and when I started wearing natural perfumes, my nose adjusted. Now when I smell a synthetic perfume, it’s a shock to the senses. It’s so harsh and powerful! Yes, it’s annoying that you have to reapply natural perfumes, but it’s also part of their beauty, that you have this lovely little ritual to partake in, to pause as you dab a bit more on your temples and breathe in. As to your other point, I wonder if natural perfume companies offer tester tubes? I’m still working through mine from Lurk, actually. It’s worth reaching out to ask!
I love that fresh perspective – that it becomes a little ritual and a moment of selfcare and reflection throughout the day. I’ve heard so many amazing things about Lurk but haven’t have the chance to personally test it. The idea of testers would be great!
I know just what you mean! I used to have a serious collection of the traditional, high-end perfumes, one to suit each mood I may be in. Then I switched to L’Occitane perfumes, but after a couple years I started to find even those too harsh/fake smelling. Now I’m into essential oils, and I mix and match my own in roller bottles with fractionated coconut oil (a scentless carrier oil) as perfumes. I do have to reapply a few times throughout the day, but I embrace it as a kind of freshening up (after a shower. after lunch, mid-afternoon coffee/tea, before bed, etc). Or I’ll roll some on at my desk for a calming effect, or perking up. I’m also a big fan of Fragonard perfumes, though they do contain alcohol, for special occasions. Hope this helps on your scent journey!
This is so helpful and like both you and Alden mentioned the idea of reapplying throughout the day is something I definitely overlooked. It’s the perfect moment for self reflection and a moment of calm. I’ll have to check out Fragonard perfume. Thanks for the recommendation!