Perfume Snobbery

I see this question often on the frag-forums:

"Looking for a suggestion for something (insert adjective here). Niche only pls".

Cost should never be considered an indication of quality in fragrance, but there are still those who insist that if something is readily available, it musn't be as desirable as the rare and hard-to-find things sold on the luxury market. I myself have often been caught in this trap. Limited-edition, Paris-exclusive, and various other catchphrases make the buyer believe they're getting more for their money. Alas, they often are not.

You'll often read me, and many others, state a preference for "quality of ingredients". What does this mean exactly? Well, simply put, a better grown plant in an ideal atmosphere will yield a superior oil. This has nothing to do with price, however, so it should not necessarily be reflected in the price of the end-product. Things like patchouli, vetiver, and lavender are all relatively inexpensive ingredients, yet a superior plant will ultimately lead to a better and more refined smelling extract...yet still for not much money. It is the perfumer's responsibility to select the best/most appropriate, yet there are too many examples of decent compositions using the wrong ingredient that plague the market. Naturally, ingredients are not the only factor in creating a beautiful perfume, just as using better quality paint won't necessarily equate to a more beautiful painting. 

When it comes to access of ingredients, the big players have the upper hand. They have the budget to buy in large quantities, and in some cases, even own the field where the ingredients are grown. Your local uber-luxe niche company will no doubt have to pay more for the same ingredients, and thus create a higher end-price for the user. Now, I'm not saying that the latest Calvin Klein uses the same, or better, ingredients than the latest Delrae, but in essence, they could if it weren't for that pesky finance committee getting in the way.

There are a few examples of small/niche companies who partner up with large production companies for access to the best of the best at an accessible price, which is why companies like Etat Libre d'Orange remain an oft-suggested brand coming from my mouth. Not only do you get the brilliance of their creative direction, you get a higher quality product at a reasonable price.

I will admit, however, that I too am a perfume snob...but not because of cost. I scoff when I read someone ranting from one extreme to the other - uber-pricey Creed getting rave reviews will get the same reaction from me as someone fawning over Bath & Body Works, not because of their prices, but because they both create an inferior product. So I will henceforth continue to raise my nose in the air, but for different reasons than others. Perfume is not solely about art or about material...there is a fine balance that must be met to create something worth wearing.

/rant

All the best to you and yours for the upcoming holiday season!

Dane