The promise of a perfume is predicated upon a deeply personal synergy: a commingling of a composed scent and the living-breathing human wearing it. An idea and a reality. A fantasy and a practicality. Not unlike a wardrobe investment piece: the choice of perfume must be personal, aspirational, and an invocation of finding something so profoundly yours, that was lost but now is found.
Fragrance has the power to pull someone’s attention. The power to transfix, if only momentarily, by something ineffable yet definitely, palpably there. Its impact on the body can be akin to “tailoring” - how well it amplifies or subdues parts of itself and the wearer.
My skillset lies in finding the scents to enhance and redefine one’s memorableness to the world and to one’s self.
I have a knowledge of raw materials and seek high and low for perfumes that honor their integrity and showcase their ingredients. My styling experience gives me the intuition to recognize the right fit and my literary background allows me to communicate why and passionately share the experiential knowledge.
Description of Services
I. Phone Consultation
This is where we start. In the consultation, you should be prepared to share with me your preferences, scent memories, and any specific goals or ideas you have for the selection process. If you don’t have a clue where to start with your likes and dislikes, I can assist in narrowing them down and teach you to identify specific ingredients, even if you don’t have a background. This can be done via phone or skype. 20 minutes. ......$60.
II. Scent Exploration
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III. Follow up Scent Explorations
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Frequently Asked Questions
For PERSONAL Consultation, shopping trips or household guided scent flights.
Where are one-on-one services offered?
Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York subject to advance scheduling. If you are not in one of these cities and would still like to work with me, please inquire.
Where would we be shopping?
I work with high end specialty perfume boutiques which provide the most incredible atmosphere and selection: Scent Bar (Los Angeles), Tiger Lily Perfumery (San Francisco), Aedes (New York) and Twisted Lily (Brooklyn). I also work with Barneys in all three cities.
What should the client be prepared to do?
In the consultation, you should be prepared to share with me your preferences, scent memories, and any specific goals or ideas you have for the selection process. If you don’t have a clue where to start with your likes and dislikes, I can assist in narrowing them down and teach you to identify specific ingredients, even if you don’t have a background. Please reference my Raw Material Guide for a primer on recognizing and celebrating common perfume ingredients.
During the shopping portion, come ready to smell. This means: alert, having eaten, mentally ready to smell a lot of things not all of which you may like, and not wearing any competing perfume or scented products.
After the scouting trip you will leave with samples - your work is to wear and explore these samples and jot down your (and others’) reactions to them. Spending time clued in, thoughtfully observing what you are wearing is a really lovely experience, and no doubt you will suddenly be dramatically more attuned to what others are wearing as well!
How much should the client expect to spend?
The cost of fine fragrance ranges from $75 at the lower end (travel sizes around .3 oz, or fragrance in other carriers such as solids, balms or oils) to $350 (generally 3.4 oz) on the higher end. Most full sized fragrances are in the $200 range. The price of fragrance is based on ingredients, packaging, branding, and size of perfume. Some specialty fragrances can be priced at $700 and higher, according to their superfine and rare ingredients or elaborate packaging. Unlike other consumer goods, luxury fragrances tend to not get discounted and are usually excluded from larger storewide sales. Because of this, it is not advantageous to price compare or purchase online.
The client is responsible for the ultimate selection and fragrance purchase. If it is a business or restaurant with a resale license, we may be able to broker a wholesale cost depending on the selection and circumstance.
I am very particular...should we work together?
Parameters can be liberating and exhilarating. For example: “I hate perfumey perfumes” “I hate patchouli” “I hate anything that scratches my nose.” Another common concern in certain clients is their commitment to only natural ingredients or essential oil based blends. I am very familiar with this category, and love to source from completely all natural lines at different levels of stability.
How long does a fragrance last?
Generally, fragrance lasts 3-5 years and it is advisable to keep them out of the sun and store in a cool place. If your purchase is a natural fragrance (free of stabilizers, alcohol, and synthetic ingredients) it will last 6 months.
Is Natalie affiliated with any fragrance brand or store?
No, not at all. I am completely impartial and not receiving incentives to steer you towards a fragrance houses, brand or perfumer. I am completely guided by my own tastes - and not biased in favor of any one category. I like my dark, unctuous Ouds as much as my springy poetic florals. In my experience in getting to know whole lines of fragrance offerings, I find one or two scents are standout in each collection. Our work together will be spent exploring a pre-curated selection.
The client is quite busy and cannot free up time to shop, is there a more personalized offering?
Yes. I can come to you with a customized set up and fragrance testers organized in flights. See rate card for more details.
For BUSINESS services
Where are scent profiling/ installation / retail curation services offered?
Anywhere, U.S.A.