26 Comments
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Nour Malaeb's avatar

I gifted the rest of the Xinú bottle to a friend who loved the scent. Since then I haven’t had any fragrances to wear… should I try the discovery set?

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

which one

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Nour Malaeb's avatar

The ESAS one from your letter

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Eliel Lucero's avatar

I love seeing you two write each other on here. It's super cute.

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Margaret Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you for sharing this important information. The poll didn’t include a “no perfume” option. That’s me, alas. People who wear perfume need to understand that, even if they are not themselves reacting to what they are wearing, the people around them may be. I have had to leave concerts, leave plays, and ask friends to wash their perfume off because I was having a severe neurological reaction to their scent. Petroleum-based perfumes seem to be the worst, but even natural scents can sometimes cause a reaction. And men’s colognes can be as bad, or worse, than perfumes marketed for women. I appreciate it so much that people are wearing less perfume these days than in the past!

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

I just added the "no perfume" option to the poll, but accidentally erased all the votes so far, so please vote!

You make a really good point. Until I was researching this series I didn't realize how stressful strong scents can be for folks who are sensitive! I've definitely smelled some flowers that were too powerful, natural scents can be rough too.

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Margaret Tomlinson's avatar

Thanks--I voted!

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oliverkhobbs's avatar

I really enjoy fragrances but have always been so nervous to wear it myself. Always so afraid of being in a tight elevator and having too much on, or wearing something that doesn’t hit right with others, etc. Def prob over thinking it but I’ve hilariously found myself wearing small dabs on days when I’m wfh haha. Love this list and def interested in the low-to-no synthetic brands!

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

Omg you’re so considerate! Lol love that you’re enjoying fragrance at home by yourself 😂

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Brittney Martin's avatar

Incredible— the attention to detail. I’m literally only halfway done reading, but needed to comment. Everyone needs to read this, especially with how much fragrance we both knowingly and unknowingly have around are spaces at all times. Thank you 🙏

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

You're so sweet!! Thank you!

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Joscelyne Mei's avatar

I stopped wearing perfume when I got pregnant, I became sensitive to fragrance. And it wasn't until late last year when my daughter was about to turn 1, when I came across this Flamingo Estate jasmien and rose fragrance oil. I had no idea who they were but this tiny roller has become my go to. I'm about to run out and I'm kinda bummed because they don't make it anymore. Glad I came across your post because now I have a ton to explore.

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

jasmine and rose sound beautiful! Maybe they'll bring it back? So glad you're here.

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Ariana's avatar

We just got back from cdmx and I meant to go to xinú! I'm generally fine with fragrance all i only wear it for special occasions. My mom hatess fragrance though so i wonder if that's due to it being synthetic!

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Janey S's avatar

What’s your opinion on the brand Pacifica? I had such a fragrance phase until I realized how bad it was making my allergies… fortunately my husband hated everything I tried except Pacifica’s Gardenia body mist. It has like 0 staying power but I love the smell

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

Looks like a low-synthetic option: “Formulated without phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, polycyclic musks, nitromusks and our extensive No List.” Thanks for sharing!

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Madison's avatar

I would love to learn more about perfumes that are better for me/ the environment, but I sadly don't have the extra room in my budget to get something too high quality. Ded Milk might be my next option, or Maison Louis Marie. Currently I am working through my essential oil perfume, Ambre and while it doesn't boast well known clean certs, I enjoy the scents too much to give it up yet.

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

Looks like Ambre is organic essential oils without synthetic ingredients! https://ambreblends.com/pages/about

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Eliel Lucero's avatar

For years I stopped wearing scents all together, but last Autumn I went to the Brooklyn Brujeria Festival and picked up an oil from Everything Soulful. I don't wear it every day, but when I do I feel powerful and rejuvenated https://www.everythingsoulfulshop.com/

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

which one? also there's a brujeria festival?! that delights me.

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Eliel Lucero's avatar

I use the Healing one. https://www.everythingsoulfulshop.com/collections/healing/products/healing-infused-with-unakite

The Brujeria Festival is wonderful. I went to one of their free events under the Manhattan Bridge arch in Dumbo. I'll let you know when the next one comes around.

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Maria Polansky's avatar

It is disappointing to learn about all of the harmful ingredients in synthetic fragrances. It's funny, I've been using natural skincare and home cleaning products for years, but designer fragrances are my Achilles heel. I guess it's the one way for me to connect with those legendary designers since I can't afford the clothes lol. I don't wear perfume super often so I have two almost full bottles, but once I'm finished with them I think I have some unlearning to do too.

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Valerie LeComte DO's avatar

I have gotten very scent sensitive in the past few years. Went down the rabbit hole of non toxic fragrances a few months ago & found two companies that I love-For Strange Women and Lvnea!

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S. Jane Kim's avatar

Ooh I like how witchy both of these brands look! And the For Strange Women solid perfumes 👀 Which specific scents have you tried?

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Valerie LeComte DO's avatar

Oh they are perfectly witchy and I’m obsessed!! I have Siren and Astral Projection from FSW and Les Lunatiques from LVNEA. Love all of them!!! FSW has minis you can order to try out which I really liked! And I happened to find LVNEA at a store near me. I find purchasing perfume online SO hard.

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Caroline Osella's avatar

Thanks for this.

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