Category: Q&As (Page 2 of 2)

If you’re into fragrances then you must have noticed a select few have mega high price tags. Like me, you’ve probably wondered why this is and if they are actually worth paying so much more for.

Are expensive fragrances worth it? Expensive perfumes and fragrances have better quality ingredients than their less expensive counterparts. They contain a higher percentage of fragrance oil meaning the perfume lingers a lot longer on your skin. It may cost more but expensive perfume is usually worth it.

The more expensive a fragrance is the more time and money has been spent developing and perfecting it. Its ingredients are often rare, more natural and often handpicked for guaranteed quality. The fragrance is tweaked and reformulated until perfection is achieved. The scent content is higher than in a cheaper fragrance to ensure it has staying power on the skin. All of the above contribute to a high price tag.

Here’s why those expensive fragrances have to have their high price tags:

• They contain rare and expensive ingredients
• Perfecting the required scent involves expert perfumers
• The bottle is carefully designed
• Luxurious packaging is chosen
• The perfect branding is created
• A huge marketing campaign promotes the new fragrance

Are Expensive Fragrances Worth the Price?

If you really like a fragrance and are happy to pay the expensive price on the tag then to you it is worth it. 100 ml of fragrance will last for about 1400 sprays. So you can work out how much it actually costs you to wear and how long it will last.

Here’s an example using my current favorite fragrance, Creed Aventus:

• 100 ml of Creed Aventus at the time of writing this is $435 from the official Creed online store
• 100 ml gives approximately 1400 sprays
• $435 / 1400 is approximately 31 cents per spray
• An average application uses 5 sprays, 5 x 31 = $1.55
• A 100 ml bottle will last 280 days if you apply 5 sprays per day

So the cost of using Creed Aventus is about $1.55 per day. And having recently tried a sample on the back of my hand, I can tell you its fragrance is still very noticeable after 12 hours and several hand washes.

Now, most people don’t bat an eyelid at paying $2.75 for a cup of coffee every day which might last 10 minutes. I think this more than justifies spending a mere $1.55 per day on an application of fragrance which lasts all day.

Now for comparison, let’s look at Eau de Cedrat by L’Occitane which is currently $65 for 75 ml. This is one my husband currently wears. The scent of this begins to fade after about 3 hours. If he applies it in the morning he needs to reapply it at lunch and again early evening. Therefore has to apply 15 sprays per day to be sure to smell it all day long.

Time for some more math to compare this to Creed Aventus:

• 100 ml of Eau de Cedrat equates to $87
• Per spray is 87 / 1400 which is just over 6 cents per spray
• 15 sprays cost about 93 cents

So yes, this does work out a little cheaper and could be considered better value for money but it is only better value if you also happen to prefer the cheaper of the two.

Are the above-mentioned fragrances worth their price tags? This is really a decision for you to make.

Be sure before you buy

It’s not worth getting into debt over a fragrance purchase so buy the nicest one you can afford, especially if you haven’t bought fragrance before. You don’t have to go straight in at the deep end with a high priced cologne.

If a fragrance is really expensive but you really like it and have the money to spare then go for it. It’s worth every cent if it makes you happy.

If you own a range of fragrances and are looking for something a little more niche to expand your collection, you’re probably going to go for something quite expensive and not worry about the expense.

There are some really fabulous fragrances to choose from ranging from bargain prices to ultra-expensive. It is more important to buy one you really love the scent of and if this happens to be a relatively cheap one that’s a bonus. You don’t have to spend a fortune to guarantee a great aroma.

If you do break the bank and buy an expensive fragrance, make it last longer by not using it every day and storing it carefully to prevent it from going bad.

Behind the Scenes Expenses

Earlier, I listed the reasons why some fragrances are so expensive. Let’s examine these in a bit more detail.

• They contain rare and expensive ingredients
• Perfecting the required scent involves expert perfumers
• The bottle is carefully designed
• Luxurious packaging is chosen
• The perfect branding is created
• A huge marketing campaign promotes the new fragrance

Rare ingredients

It seems the highest quality ingredients are rare and therefore expensive. Others are needed in such large quantities to produce minuscule amounts of perfume oil that they also cost the earth.

Here are five of the most expensive ingredients used by the perfume industry:

• Orris: One of the rarest perfume ingredients created from the root of the iris.
• Bulgarian rose: About 625 pounds of petals produce a measly one ounce of oil.
• Jasmine: About 224,000 handpicked flowers produce just one ounce of essential oil.
• Ambergris: This is a waxy substance produced by the intestines of sperm whales.
• Oud: This requires an oil distilled from rare agarwood that’s been specifically infected with a mold to give its resin the required aroma.

Perfecting the scent

Fragrances are made by blending alcohol, water, and fragrance oils. There are four different strengths as follows:

• Perfume: 20 – 30% fragrance oil
• Eau de Parfum: 15 – 20% fragrance oil
• Eau de Toilette: 5 – 15% fragrance oil
• Eau de Cologne: 2 – 5% fragrance oil

An expensive fragrance is often developed over a long period of time by expert perfumers whose time costs money.

Designing the bottle

When people spend a lot of money on a fragrance the bottle is almost as important as the scent. It’s all part of the pleasure. In the first place, it’s often the bottle that makes one fragrance stand out from the crowd. The price of the bottle pushes up the price of purchasing the fragrance by a considerable amount and many expensive bottles are collectible.

Perfume companies invest a lot of time and money ensuring the bottle is exactly right for the fragrance. Crystal bottles are often used and these are expensive to manufacture.

Some of the most expensive fragrances have been sold in limited edition bottles adorned with gold and diamonds costing thousands of dollars.

Eye-catching packaging

A lot of thought goes into the box an expensive fragrance is packaged in so, of course, this bumps up the price.

Branding

If an established brand produces a new fragrance, the brand is already well-known which helps to sell the latest scent produced.

For a new company to be successful in selling its fragrance, branding is important. Developing a brand and designing a logo is an expensive process that is reflected in the retail price.

Marketing and advertising

Once a new fragrance has been created the company has to let the world know it exists. A marketing campaign is created to ensure people become aware that there’s a new scent on the block. A good campaign can cost millions of dollars.

Nothing sells a fragrance like a celebrity. Marilyn Monroe will be forever associated with Chanel No. 5 ever since she famously announced it was all she wore in bed.

Martin Scorcese directed the 2013 ad, ‘Street of Dreams’ featuring Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson advertising Dolce & Gabbana’s The One. You can only imagine how much that cost.

Actor Jared Leto starred in an advert set in Venice for the Gucci fragrance Guilty when it was first released. Obviously this would have cost a considerable amount.

There are times when expensive ads aren’t deemed necessary. Reputation and word of mouth are sometimes all it takes. Take Creed for example. Their fragrances are expensive yet popular but it’s rare to see them advertise. Can’t afford Creed? Try a great clone.

The Company’s Size and Costs

Large fragrance companies have huge overheads. As soon as a well-established brand decides to launch a new scent the costs begin to mount up. They cannot risk failure and so their new product’s price will be similar to others they sell and to those of their competitors. This is why many fragrances are similarly priced.

The smaller niche companies, however, can take more risks and be that bit more adventurous and experimental. They produce some of the more creative and unusual fragrances on sale today at higher prices than the big brand names. Their fragrances appeal to those who don’t mind spending a bit more on something that’s out of the ordinary.

Conclusion

High-priced fragrances have high-quality ingredients and their scents last longer on your skin. They come in fabulously designed bottles and packaging and feel good to own.

But are they worth it? I think so! And if buying and wearing one makes you happy then it’s definitely worth it!

Men’s fragrance is usually in the form of Eau de Cologne or Eau de Toilette. Cologne is the cheaper of the two as it’s not so concentrated. If you like to have several colognes for various occasions you might wonder if there’s an ideal number to own.

How many bottles of cologne should a man have? A man should have at least one bottle of cologne. Many guys own at least two and there’s no law against having multiple bottles of fragrance! An opened cologne usually keeps for at least 2 years, so a man can have several bottles in use at the same time.

Reasons why some men own just one bottle of cologne

1. It’s their signature scent

Some men own just one bottle of cologne and will use nothing else. They think of it as their signature scent. It defines them and they know it’s the one everyone associates with them.

It’s the one that everyone buys them at Christmas and birthdays making it hard to ever swap to another fragrance. They often have the shower gel, aftershave balm and deodorant to match.

When a man just one bottle of cologne it is usually very carefully chosen and often quite expensive. It is one that suits day and night use and works well in any season.

2. They can’t be bothered to choose more than one

‘One bottle of cologne guys’ stick with the fragrance they think suits them and can’t be bothered to choose another. It is often the one bought by their mother, spouse or partner. They’re quite happy with it and can’t see the point of having more than one bottle.

3. Financial restraints

Cologne is quite expensive and so having one bottle is the limit for some men. On average, a 100 ml bottle lasts about 6 months if applied twice daily and up to 2 years if not used so often.

Reasons why some men own multiple bottles of cologne

1. Daytime use

Men who own several different colognes often have one that they only use in the daytime. It’s usually quite light and fresh and often not the most expensive one in their collection.

3. Evening use

Many men like to have a second bottle of cologne in reserve for evenings out. This one is usually stronger and more expensive than their daytime fragrance.

3. Seasonal colognes

Men who truly understand colognes know it’s good to choose them to match the season.

Hot weather intensifies our sense of smell whilst cold weather dulls it. Therefore it makes sense to use less intense fragrances in the summer and stronger ones in the winter. There are some great examples further down.

4. Unable to resist a new one

Some men are just addicted to buying colognes. They like the smell and just have to buy it – which is fine if you can afford it.

5. Fragrance bought as a gift

Sometimes men own several bottles of cologne because they have been bought for them as gifts. The problem with choosing a cologne for someone else is you pick the one you like the smell of, not necessarily one the man it’s intended for would choose.

It’s difficult to choose a new fragrance for someone else to wear as everyone has completely different tastes. Scent can smell different on different people so it’s a bit of a risk to take.

6. They love collecting fragrances

Cologne can be quite addictive and with hundreds to choose from it’s no wonder men who love fragrances end up with many bottles of the stuff.

Keeping multiple fragrances fresh

If you own several bottles of cologne, the way you store them is key to keeping them smelling good for as long as possible.

Do:

• Keep caps on spray bottles.
• Screw the lids on tight on the bottles with screw tops.
• Keep them in the cardboard boxes they came in or in a dark place.
• Store them at a constant cool temperature.
• Keep them away from direct sunlight.

Don’t:

• Keep them in a very cold fridge.
• Freeze them.
• Keep them on a window ledge.
• Place them near a heater or radiator.
• Store them in the bathroom.

How to build the perfect cologne collection for every occasion

At Work

If you work in an office, choose a lighter cologne that won’t overpower the person at the other end of the room and leave them with a headache.

You may not be the boss but you can include Hugo Boss Bottled in your cologne collection. It’s the perfect workday fragrance and will last all day long without projecting itself into your colleague’s nostrils.

The apple, cinnamon, vanilla, and sandalwood notes are an impressive yet laid-back combination.

Not at work

This is the time to wear something without worrying about offending people you work with.

Versace Eau Fraiche is a popular, timeless fragrance that’s a must-have for any cologne lover’s collection. It combines cedar, amber, and lemon to give a quirky fragrance.

Date night

When you want to make an everlasting impression, you need just the right fragrance – one that your date won’t forget for the right reasons.

For this, I have to recommend Creed Aventus. I fell in love with it last weekend after sampling it in a department store. It is a little on the expensive side (this article explains why Creed fragrance is so expensive) but it really lasts on your skin and in your memory.

Buy this from the Creed Official Online Store or another reputable store.

Clubbing

Colognes with stronger scents are the ultimate choice for clubbing no matter what season it is. You want to stand out from the crowd, after all.

Calvin Klein’s Obsession is a must in any self-respecting man’s fragrance collection. With its fiery and unforgettable aroma, you’ll definitely make a memorable impression.

Spring

Spring calls for fragrances with a medium to lower projection and fresh, floral notes. There are many that fit this description. If you haven’t tested Dior Sauvage, I recommend you try it out as it is perfect for this time of year. It features pepper, mint, patchouli, and ambergris – you have to smell it to appreciate what I mean.

Summer

Fresh, zesty yet subtle fragrances are great for summer when our noses are extra sensitive to scents.

One of my all-time favorites is Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. It contains a combination of citrus fruits, jasmine, bergamot, and neroli which make it a fabulous daytime summer fragrance that also works in the evening.

Fall

As the temperatures begin to drop, you can start to wear those fragrances that have a stronger scent projection again.

If you haven’t come across Spice bomb by Viktor & Rolf, try it out! It has an irresistible oriental wood and spice aroma – perfect in the cooler Fall season.

Winter

In the winter when our noses are less sensitive, stronger scents can take center stage. Think evening by the fireside and rollneck sweaters. An unforgettable fragrance that goes hand in hand with colder weather is Paco Rabanne 1 Million.

Its notes include grapefruit, orange, mint, rose, cinnamon, patchouli, and amber. Once you’ve experienced this aroma you’ll never forget it and you’ll definitely want to wear it.

The optimum number of colognes a man should own

As colognes can be quite expensive, you might want to know the optimum amount to own so that they don’t go bad before you use them up.

Here comes some math – don’t worry, it’s not too complicated:

• 100 ml of fragrance holds approximately 1400 sprays.
• If you use 5 sprays per day, 100 ml will last 280 days.
• On average opened cologne stays for 2 to 3 years.

Using the above information, if you buy three different 100 ml bottles of fragrance, you will have a total of 4200 sprays – enough to last 840 days or about 2 years and 4 months.

Ok, so it seems if he doesn’t want to risk wasting any, a man should only own 3 bottles of cologne at any one time. That would be impossible for many people and would really limit their enjoyment of the many fragrances out there to experience.

What’s the alternative? Own more and waste it or try to purchase 50 ml bottles which would mean you could own six!

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cologne and don’t feel guilty if you waste a little!

Further information

If you’ve ever wondered about the different strengths of fragrance, Should I Buy Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette? has all the answers.

Nothing lasts forever, cologne included. Anything that contains natural ingredients will eventually deteriorate. The perfume oils used to scent cologne are crafted from flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, wood, and resins all of which decompose over time.

If you love buying new fragrances as much as I do, you may have several bottles opened at the same time and find yourself wondering if you’ll be able to use them up before they start to go bad.

As cologne contains natural ingredients, it will eventually go bad. Even though colognes don’t have expiry dates, as a general rule they start to go off after 24 months; you’ll probably notice a change in the smell. However, you can take some simple steps to make your cologne last a lot longer.

How to tell if cologne has gone bad

There are three tests that can help you to decide if your cologne is still OK or if it has gone off:

• If your cologne smells as it did the day you started using it, no matter how old it is, keep on using it. The exception to this rule is if you suddenly have an adverse reaction to it such as the appearance of a rash on your skin – then I would definitely throw it out.

• If the aroma of an older cologne has altered a little but you still like it, keep on wearing it. However, if it irritates your skin in any way, it’s time to stop using it.

• If an older cologne has changed from pleasant to pongy, it has well and truly gone bad and should be consigned straight to the trash can.

Any scented formulations can go bad

Cologne (or Eau de Cologne) is just one version of a scented formulation or fragrance. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just a fragrance for men but can be worn by anyone.

The most commonly used fragrances are:

• Perfume (parfum)
• Eau de Parfum (EDP)
• Eau de Toilette (EDT)
• Eau de Cologne (EDC)

What is the difference between them and which lasts the longest once opened?

Here’s an infographic to help you visualize their composition:

Though cologne can go bad, having a higher alcohol content helps it to last longer after being unsealed than perfume, EDP and EDT.

To give you an idea of how long a cologne is expected to last before it goes bad, many manufacturers print the length of time it is expected to stay fresh for once opened on the packaging. This is known as the Period After Opening (PAO) and is stated as a number of months on an image of an open container like this:

The icon example above indicates a cologne should stay fresh for 30 months once opened. The amount of time varies from one manufacturer to another.

A quick guide to the expected PAO of different fragrance types

What makes cologne go bad?

Cologne is a blend of fragrance oil, alcohol, and a little water. The alcohol helps to spread out the individual scents enabling you to distinguish between them. The fragrance oil contains natural and synthetic ingredients blended to give the cologne its specific aroma.

You’ll never see a complete list of ingredients listed on cologne as their recipes are closely guarded secrets. Successful brands don’t want their aromas easily reproduced by others!

As soon as you break the seal of a bottle of cologne it is exposed to oxygen and from this point on it will begin to deteriorate, albeit slowly. The cause of this gradual decline in quality is oxidation, which put simply occurs when oxygen combines with any element and alters it. What this means for a fragrance is a gradual change in smell.

If your bottle of cologne is stored in an area where temperatures vary from one extreme to the other, this will increase the rate of its decline.

Of course, any liquid exposed to air will eventually evaporate – cologne included – and this is another contributing factor when it comes to a fragrance changing from its originally intended aroma. You’ll notice the liquid looks darker if this is the case.

How to delay opened cologne from going bad

When it comes to how long a cologne lasts there are many variables that come in to play:

• Screw top vs spray – Each time you open a screw-top bottle to apply cologne, it comes into contact with air which causes a gradual deterioration of the contents. With a spray bottle, this doesn’t happen therefore the cologne should stay fresher for longer.

• Keep the lid or cap on tight – Only open your cologne to use it then immediately replace the lid or cap tightly. This limits its exposure to the air.

• Exposing cologne to changing temperatures – if you sometimes store your cologne in a refrigerator and at others keep it in your bathroom, the fluctuations in temperature will cause changes to its structure and decrease its lifespan.

• Displaying cologne – if you place your cologne on a dressing table or shelf where it is exposed to sunlight it will not last as long as if you keep it in its original box and store it in a drawer or cupboard.

• Freezing – Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can save some of your favorite cologne in the freezer. It will not fair well as deep freezing changes the chemical structure and spoils its fragrance.

• No shaking! – It’s tempting to give cologne a shake before applying it. Don’t! Every time you do you mix air into it and speed up the oxidation process.

How to store opened cologne

From the day you break the seal of a bottle of cologne you begin the countdown of its life. You can lengthen the time it stays fresh by storing it upright in its original box in a dark place where the temperature is cool and stable. Always keep any screw-tops tightly closed or any caps on top of spray bottles.

Can you revive a cologne that has started to go bad?

Unfortunately not. If it has changed slightly and is still wearable, you can try to slow down its deterioration by storing it as suggested above, otherwise, there’s not a lot you can do.

How to store unopened cologne

The best way to store unopened cologne is in its original packaging in a place where the temperature is cool and stable.

How long does unopened cologne last?

The lifespan of unopened cologne varies wildly depending on a number of variables: the ingredients, the quality, its packaging to mention but a few. The on;y way you will truly know is by keeping one for so long and then testing it out.

You will read that some are still perfectly fine when opened 3 to 5 years after being bottled and sealed. Some have still been good after many more years. Again, there is no way of really knowing if a cologne lasts, say, 10 years unopened unless you store one this long and then use it.

Is there an optimum number of bottles you should own?

If you like to have several different fragrances in use at once, Eau de Cologne is the ideal choice. It is usually the least expensive and the high alcohol content – along with correct storage – means it should stay smelling great for a few years.

It’s not unusual for a person to own half a dozen fragrances at any one time. Often they tire of the scent before it runs out or goes bad.

How long does cologne last?

If you use the same cologne daily, it will run out before it has a chance to go bad. However, it will last a lot longer if it is one of many bottles you own and use.

On average, a 100 ml bottle of cologne holds 1400 to 1500 sprays. If you use 5 sprays per day it will last for 280 to 300 days. Taking the average as 100 ml lasting 290 days, you would use approximately 125 ml in a year.

If you own 5 different 100 ml bottles of cologne, you have enough to keep you going for four years and as long as you store them as suggested they should not go bad before you’ve used them up.

However, if you have 10 bottles you feasibly have an 8 year supply and could find some don’t stand the test of time and have to be thrown away.

Bearing the above in mind, it makes sense for one person to have no more than 5 bottles of cologne at any one time unless of course, you have money to burn or you regularly use more than 5 sprays per day!

At the end of the day, you are the best judge of how many bottles of cologne you should own.

Is there an ideal number of fragrances to own? I’ve answered this precise question in How many bottles of fragrance should a man have.

Here are 10 tips to remove fragrance smells from clothes without having to wash them.

The Origins of Cologne

Eau de Cologne means Cologne water. In 1709, a designer in Cologne in Germany formulated a light fragrance and named it Eau de Cologne, after the city. Since then that name has been given to any fragrance of similar strength.

Another cologne launched in Germany in 1792, is known as 4711 Original Eau de Cologne. Many brands of cologne have since come and gone but 4711 is still available today. Its success is contributed to high-quality ingredients and essential oils.

I come from a large family and distinctly remember my aunts as wearers of expensive perfumes. This is why I developed a love of fragrances. Now, nothing evokes memories of my youth as much as the waft of a certain scent. Feeling nostalgic, I recently tried to buy my grandma’s favorite fragrance, Tweed by Lentheric, only to find it has been discontinued. I was surprised as it was so popular once-upon-a-time! So I’ve been on a mission to discover why this happens.

Why are fragrances discontinued? There are three main reasons why fragrances are discontinued: key ingredients become unavailable or scarce, particular ingredients are declared prohibited, or the fragrance isn’t selling enough meaning its production is no longer profitable.

Ingredient shortages and discontinued fragrances

Fragrances that use natural rather than synthetic ingredients can become impossible to produce if an ingredient suddenly becomes unavailable. An ingredient goes up in price once it becomes scarce making it difficult to produce that fragrance without hiking its price to a level that would make it unlikely to sell.

Many plants used in fragrances are cultivated especially for that purpose in order to meet consumer demand. However, if a particular brand happens to target rare plants for their unique scents, overexploitation often leads to a severe shortage or even extinction which in turn leads to discontinuation of that fragrance.

Prohibited ingredients and discontinued fragrances

The use of materials derived from animals – such as ambergris from Sperm Whales – causes ethical and moral concerns. It is now illegal to use natural ambergris in the US because Sperm Whales are an endangered species. Many manufacturers now use synthetic ambergris for this reason. Ambergris was once referred to as whale’s vomit but is actually a solid, waxy, substance produced by the digestive system of sperm whales and then excreted.

In 2017 The European Commission prohibited the use of three fragrance allergens: HICC, Atranol, and Chloroatranol. Atranol and Chloroatranol are extracted from tree moss and HICC is a synthetic fragrance.

Fragrance producers must phase out these ingredients by 2021. The big fragrance houses have already found suitable alternatives but those that haven’t may have to discontinue fragrances that use them.

Why less popular fragrances are discontinued

New fragrances are developed all the time as producers strive to stay ahead of the game. Developing a ‘new classic’ is always the aim – one that the world will go crazy for.

Every fragrance developer wants to be the one to produce a new iconic perfume. Of course, this means there are many casualties along the way. If a new fragrance doesn’t sell as well as was hoped, production will cease. If it has become someone’s new favorite go-to scent, they will be disappointed.

Why fragrance houses discontinue popular fragrances

There are two main reasons why what were once popular fragrances are suddenly discontinued:

To update the outdated

The fragrance your mother or father used, let alone one your grandparents used, is probably not one you’d choose to wear. Fragrance fashions can be as fickle as clothing fashion. As new fragrances are formulated, old ones often fall by the wayside.

A perfume house is likely to decide not to keep up the production of a non-profitable fragrance. It may choose to lose fragrance ranges it considers outdated and replace them with fresh new scents.

It can be heartbreaking if your favorite fragrance is discontinued but it’s just one of those things. A fragrance must make a profit if it’s to stay in production. With so many to choose from you’re bound to eventually find another fragrance to love.

Unavailable or prohibited ingredients

If an ingredient is exploited to the extent that it becomes difficult to buy, the fragrance that uses it may be discontinued. Even if that ingredient made up just a tiny percentage of the fragrance, its absence can completely change the scent. If a fragrance can’t be exactly reproduced with alternative ingredients it has to be discontinued.

Sudden prohibition of ingredients for health and safety reasons is another problem faced by fragrance producers. They will endeavor to use alternative ingredients in place of the banned substances so as to continue making the fragrances that use them. If this proves impossible, the affected fragrances are discontinued.

Should you stop using your fragrance if it is discontinued?

Unless there is a recall for safety reasons, it’s fine to continue using any fragrance you own after finding out you can no longer buy it. It is rare for a fragrance to be discontinued for safety reasons so there’s no need to stop using one you own just because it is no longer produced.

If you are unable to find out why a fragrance has gone out of production you could try contacting the company via their website to see if they will give you a reason. They are duty-bound to tell you if it is because of health risks but they may not admit the fragrance just wasn’t popular enough or if an ingredient shortage or ban is the cause.

What to do if your favorite fragrance is discontinued

1. Buy a supply from the store

If you are lucky enough to discover your fragrance ha been discontinued before stores sell out of it you could buy yourself a good supply. Unopened fragrances can last three to five years if stored correctly.

2. Buy decants or samples

You may be able to get your hands on some decants or samples. These won’t be sealed and you won’t know how old they are either. But if you know the scent well enough you will be able to smell them to ensure you are happy they are OK.

3. Stores may sell off their testers

Once a fragrance is no longer for sale you may be able to purchase the tester bottles from fragrances counters. These can also be found in certain online stores. They usually come in plain not branded packaging as they were not intended to be resold and as long as you purchase from a reputable seller you should be safe.

4. You may find online sellers

Online discount perfume sellers sometimes buy up the end of lines and so they often have stocks of discontinued fragrances for a while after the stores have sold out.

Storing your discontinued fragrance supply correctly

Keep unopened fragrances in their boxes (or in a box of some description) to ensure they are not exposed to sunlight as this causes rapid deterioration. It’s best to place them in a cool area of your home where the temperature is as constant as possible but be aware of how the temperature in that place might change with the different seasons.

Some people store their fragrances in a fridge but I wouldn’t recommend this as the temperature is usually too cold and will spoil the scent. If you have always done this and are happy that your fragrance doesn’t suffer, be aware that some fridges do occasionally develop very cold spots, usually right at the back and on the lowest shelves and you definitely don’t want your fragrance becoming a block of ice.

A freezer is definitely not a good option when it comes to storing your discontinued fragrance. Freezing and then defrosting breaks down the components and changes the whole composition and aroma.

Of course, all you’re really doing is delaying the inevitable for a few years – eventually, you will run out of your discontinued fragrance and have to choose a new one. Perhaps you could start your search straight away and hopefully, you’ll find one well before your stash runs out.

Cloning a fragrance

If you really can’t bear to choose another fragrance, there are companies online who produce matches for discontinued fragrances at reasonable prices. For example, Scent Matchers has been doing just this for 10 years now.

Beware of fakes

If you see your favorite discontinued fragrance for sale on auction websites think carefully before you buy as it may not be genuine – especially if it’s been out of circulation for a long time. Even if it is the real deal, it may not be in fantastic condition. You have no way of knowing how old it is or how it’s been stored.

Finding the perfect alternative to a discontinued fragrance

In order to find a replacement for your favorite discontinued fragrance, it’s a good idea to establish what its fragrance notes are, as it is these that determine the overall scent. A fragrance with similar notes will probably suit you well as you probably like the way these smell on your skin.

A fragrance has three different layers referred to as the base, top, and middle notes. Together these create the specific smell. For example, determine if yours is classed as citrus, musk, floral, or oriental and test other fragrances with these base notes to see if they suit you.

To wrap up

Many classic fragrances have been around for years and years and are likely to go on and on forever (hopefully). Occasionally, fragrances are discontinued for the reasons you’ve seen above – and there’s not much you can do about this. There are so many classic and new fragrances available that if you search long enough, you’re bound to find an excellent alternative to fall in love with.

Homes with pets are sometimes a little pongy and we owners often become acclimatized to the point where we can’t smell the smells anymore! You can bet our visitors notice them though and unless they are very honest they often don’t mention it! How can we safely keep the unsavory scents that go hand-in-hand with pet ownership at bay? How about using Lampe Berger?

I’ve been a fan of Lampe Berger fragrances for 20 years but before I used any in my home I had to know, “Is Lampe Berger safe for pets?”

As Lamp Berger fragrances contain diluted essential oils, they are considered safe to use around pets. If you have reservations because you’ve heard essential oils pose a danger to pets, use Lampe Berger So Neutral fragrance which banishes odors yet contains no essential oils. We explain how to use Lampe Berger safely near pets.

The Lampe Berger System

Lampe Berger is a diffusion lamp filled with fragranced alcohol and topped with a catalytic burner. The alcohol soaks into a wick and is drawn up through the burner to diffuse a wonderful aroma into the air. It removes unsavory odors from the air better than any other method I have ever tried and leaves a lingering scent of whichever fragrance you’ve chosen.

As a user of Lampe Berger for 20 years, I thoroughly recommend it for eradicating the tell-tale odors that announce to any visitor pets reside in your home.

No odor will survive this little lamp including cat litter box smell, pet urine, feces, vomit, pet food, wet dog, not to mention any odors that might reside even if you don’t have pets.

It only takes 20 minutes to purify the air in one room and the fragrance scent lingers for the rest of the day. It doesn’t mask bad odors it literally destroys all traces of them

There are many fragrances – often referred to as fragrance oils – to choose from. Before you use any near your pets, take the time to read the following information.

Lampe Berger Fragrance vs Pet Safety

If you have pets, particularly cats, you may have read recommendations to avoid using essential oils with high salicylates or phenol content anywhere near them and any others that you do use should be well diluted.

Lampe Berger fragrances are ideal as they are well diluted by an alcohol base. I have used many different fragrances over the past 20 years and have never had a cat suffer any adverse reaction or health issues. I always place the lamp out of their reach and never burn it for much more than 20 minutes in any room.

If you are still not sure you can really dilute any Lampe Berger fragrance with a neutral base called So Neutral – there’s more about this coming up.

When a lamp is first lit, a small flame burns so obviously this should be placed well away from pets. After a couple of minutes, the flame is extinguished by gently blowing it out as you would a candle.

The catalytic burner remains hot until capped. A decorative guard is provided for safety (see the photo above) but it is still best to place a lamp where it can’t be knocked over.

For more information regarding the safety of fragrances containing essential oils when you have cats, I recommend you read Essential Oil and Cats over at petsKB.com (opens in a new tab).

Let’s look at a few select fragrances in more detail.

1. Lampe Berger So Neutral Fragrance

If you’re looking for a way to neutralize odors but don’t want the smell of a fragrance in the air, this is the ideal choice for you. As no essential oils are included in this particular refill, obviously, no essential oils are diffused whilst using. This one is perfectly safe to use near pets. You will be amazed at how efficiently So Neutral clears unwanted smells. Burn it for a maximum of half an hour in each room to remove all unsavory odors.

So Neutral is also the ideal choice for those who have fragrance sensitivities, allergies, and asthma because of its lack of essential oils.

You can also use this refill to dilute any of the other fragrances if you find the strength of their scent over-powering. You could even add a few drops of your own preferred essential oils.

2. Lampe Berger Lavender Fragrance

If you are concerned about your pet’s safety, Lavender is an essential oil that is considered safe to use around them in a diluted form. This fragrance is ideal to refresh bedrooms as it is known for its relaxing qualities. In colder weather, you will no longer have to throw your windows open and let the heat out. If you find it a bit strong for your liking, dilute it with So Neutral.

3. Lampe Berger By The Fireside Fragrance

By The Fireside is a calming and relaxing fragrance to diffuse on a chilly evening. It has warm undertones of orange blossom, smoky cedar, and vanilla which. Twenty minutes of diffusing is all you’ll need to banish any lingering dog farts or stale pet food.

4. Lampe Berger Cotton Caress Fragrance

Cotton Caress is an ideal daytime fragrance. It has floral notes of orange blossom and rose, with undertones of cedar, vanilla, and white musk. Twenty minutes of diffusing will banish the odors of a cat’s tray or a damp dog and replace them with a cotton-fresh scent.

5. Lampe Berger Fresh Eucalyptus Fragrance

Fresh Eucalyptus is a wonderful fragrance for those who prefer subtle scents. It’s a mix of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and mint and after 20 minutes of diffusing bad smells will be banished and the fresh hint of this fragrance will remain.

The Perfect First Lamp

If you’re new to the world of Lampe Berger, here’s a perfect first lamp to purchase. It’s a great price, simple and stylish and will blend perfectly into any home. Being clear, it enables you to see when you need to add more fragrance which is a good idea until you get used to using this type of diffuser.

Essential oils some people avoid using near cats

These essential oils are ones that some cat owners avoid using as they contain high levels of phenols which are believed to pose a particular danger to cats:

• Basil
• Cinnamon Bark
• Clove
• Laurus Nobilis
• Oregano
• Tea Tree
• Thyme

Conclusion

Many pets create smells in our homes. Indoor cats are often the worst offenders because they have to use litter boxes. Of course, not all cats smell bad!

Certain essential oils are thought to be safer than others if you have pets but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Avoid those that are thought to be harmful to cats if you prefer to and stick to using those said to be safe.

Diffusing is the safest way to use essential oils around cats and as Lampe Berger fragrances are so dilute they pose the lowest risk possible.

If you notice your pet doesn’t look comfortable or leaves the room when you diffuse any Lampe Berger fragrance, try diluting the fragrance with So Neutral or enticing your pet from the room for 20 minutes while you treat the area.

Once you’ve experienced the success of removing odors from your home using Lampe Berger, I’m sure you’ll be a fan for life. Nothing beats it when it comes to freshening the air.