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Sonoma Scent Studio Updates

A note on buying unsniffed

written by Laurie September 7, 2009

I’m the world’s biggest chicken for buying unsniffed; I rarely do it myself and encourage others to sample first when they place orders. Sometimes the notes can sound perfect but something just doesn’t work for you.

Three of the most popular scents on my list have been Tabac Aurea, Winter Woods, and Champagne de Bois, but the first two of those three have some musks in them that make a big difference to the scents and make them vary a lot to different people. Sample making isn’t my favorite thing, lol, but I would much rather people get samples first and then be happy with their full bottle choices. I do limit to ten samples or less per order because otherwise I spend all my time doing them, but that’s usually enough to find a few hits and get you started.

Most people need to sniff Fireside and Fireside Intense to choose between them (intense has some leather/animalic notes that regular does not have), and Winter Woods often ends up being the favorite of the three smoky woods scents for people who like a gentler, sweeter option.

Cameo was only on the list for a week before I had to take this break, so I hope some folks will sample that one. Jour Ensoleille is a bit different than before so it’s a good idea to sample first; the reformulated version has more prominent jasmine and sandalwood, and it has less prominent orange blossom and less of that little dirty hay note.

Just a few thoughts there before I open… 🙂

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Laurie

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6 comments

Ann C September 7, 2009 - 6:38 pm

Hi Laurie,

Excellent advice!

I hope you’re bracing yourself–there’s quite a bit of pent-up demand out there for your fragrances. In fact, there’s been quite a bit of chatter on MakeupAlley about your reopening.

Good luck!

Ann C

Reply
Laurie September 7, 2009 - 7:00 pm

Thanks Ann C! I truly want people to love what they get. 🙂 And yes, I expect I’ll need to play catch-up for a couple weeks. That’s why it’s really better for me to just stay open and spread orders out more over time, but this break couldn’t be helped. It’ll all get back to normal in a few weeks though!

Reply
ScentScelf September 8, 2009 - 3:44 pm

Good advice. 🙂

Wishing you fortitude as your happy fans celebrate your return…

Reply
Laurie September 8, 2009 - 4:08 pm

Thanks ScentScelf! So far so good — working on a stack of orders today but I stocked up ahead and am in good shape so far. Sniffing and pondering gardenia as I make packages…

Reply
MJ September 8, 2009 - 4:47 pm

Thank you for offering samples – I usually don’t buy them merely on a lark, but to see if I want to buy more (and when a sample confirms that something is right for me I do!). If my only recourse were to spend the FB amount, or nothing, and I could find no way to sample…I probably would hold off purchasing out of fear.

So – thank you!

Reply
Laurie September 8, 2009 - 5:27 pm

Hi MJ!

Glad you like the sample option! I think online samples are important for indie brands that aren’t sold at department stores. You can get SSS samples at The Perfumed Court and The Posh Peasant too when you happen to be ordering other samples from them at the same time.

I’m still looking for small spray sample vials I like. They all seem to squirt badly unless you get up to the 5 ml size. The dab sample vials work if you dab on enough though, and at least they are more controllable for the amount you apply. I may add a 5 ml purse spray size for the holidays.

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