Natural Perfumes?

Image: Chessalee

Question:
Hi Kate,

I'm beginning a search for some natural beauty products (specifically perfume and an exfoliating body scrub) for my wedding. I've found a bunch of great websites and looked at products through your site, but I don't want to buy a perfume without being able to smell it in person. Could you recommend any common stores that carry all-natural beauty products? Do any national chains such as Sephora or Origins have anything decent?

Thanks so much!
Regan

Answer:
Hi Regan,

Thank you so much for writing. Many perfumes contain nasty ingredients so I think it is great you are trying to find a natural alternative.

I agree with you that perfumes have to be tried in person! Almost everything I try turns sickeningly sweet on me after five minutes so I am very picky.

To answer your question, there are no chain stores that I know of that have a robust selection. I know origins (as a company) has a good environmental reputation and now carries an organic line of skin care products, but I am not sure what is in their perfumes. It is certainly worth a trip to their store to find out if there is one near you. The same goes for Sephora.

Personally, I am fond of Pacifica Perfumes -they have rich spicy scents and you can use their store locator to find a store near you.

However, my favorite natural perfumery is Aftelier. They are NOT cheap, but they have amazing floral solid perfumes which are sold in a refillable compact. Aftelier allows you to order samples online -which, if used sparingly, can last a long time and are much more affordable.

I am sorry I can't offer more advice. I am posting your question here with the hope some of the other readers will chime in with suggestions.

When you do find something you love I hope you will come back and share!

All the best,

Kate

P.s. On the exfoliant question my favorite (after lots of testing) is the JASON Apricot Scrubble - it does not leave an oily residue on your skin and has a great grit!