Welcome to the weekly Perfume Chat Room, perfumistas! I envision this chat room as a weekly drop-in spot online, where readers may ask questions, suggest fragrances, tell others their SOTD, comment on new releases or old favorites, and respond to each other. The perennial theme is fragrance, but we can interpret that broadly. This is meant to be a kind space, so please try not to give or take offense, and let’s all agree to disagree when opinions differ. In fragrance as in life, your mileage may vary! YMMV.
Today is Friday, November 27, and it is “Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving when traditionally American retailers offer special sales prices on all kinds of goods to kick off the holiday shopping season, hoping to get off to a strong start. This year is especially tricky for retailers, as the global pandemic has affected that sector so deeply. Brick-and-mortar stores have seen much of their business plunge; some online retails have thrived. In the middle of all this, small or independent businesses have struggled. So, if you’re doing any holiday shopping today or this week, here are a few suggestions to support such businesses:
4160 Tuesdays: Independent artisan perfumer Sarah McCartney is holding her annual special sales. “Current Collection perfumes. If you buy a 15ml we send you a 30ml. 30ml => 50. 50ml => 100. Today until 10th December 2020. Please write News in the delivery notes.” Today is also her “Hot Pink Friday” sale, which has many special buys on past bestsellers, special editions, etc. And finally, for the rest of November, with a minimum 50 GBP purchase of a single scent, you can ask her to add one ingredient to that scent to customize it for you. You pick the ingredient! Tell her in the Notes. And yes, US buyers can take part if you place an order soon; she is preparing a shipment to go to the US in another week or so.
Bookshop: Bookshop is an alternative to Amazon.com, where you can buy books and support local booksellers online, even when you can’t go to the bookstore!
DSH Perfumes: Perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz has an incredible range of fragrances, including many she has created as artistic collaborations with art museums. For 20% off now through December, use the code: “bright20.” Dawn’s discount codes often work on top of a listed sale price, so try it!
Indigo Perfumery: Today through Sunday, 11/29, Indigo is offering 10% off orders of in-stock full bottles totalling $75 or more, with the code: “blackfriday2020.”
Twisted Lily Perfumery: Sadly, this Brooklyn boutique closed its retail location this summer, but it is still open online! Today through November 30, take 20% off purchases of $100 or more with this code: “EARLY20LXG7DS5T.”
Have you come across any alluring Black Friday sales you’d like to share? Enjoy your holiday weekend!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
Thanks for sharing these! I find that “customizing” offer by Sarah McCartney very intriguing—what a creative idea!
Beautyhabit has some codes until Sunday at midnight Pacific time: 10% OFF $75+ purchase Code: BH10, 15% OFF $100+ purchase Code: BH15, 20% OFF $125+ Code: BH20
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Wanted to update that I used the Twisted Lily code and got myself a bottle of OJ Montabaco Intensivo, which I probably wouldn’t have bought otherwise at this time. I wouldn’t have known about the code if you hadn’t shared it, so thanks again!
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That sounds fabulous. I was tempted by the OJ White Gold, but it’s still quite pricey. Unfortunately, I bought too many candles and exhausted my “olfactory budget.” LOL I’m addicted to the Cire Trudon Christmas candles. My favorite is Gloria. It has rose, clove, cinnamon and resins. Divine!!!
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That Christmas candle sounds gorgeous. I haven’t really plunged into the world of scented candles, but my daughters love them — and I did trot over to IKEA to snag the candles they made with Byredo. I’ve only lit one so far but it is very nice.
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I was totally bummed when I looked online and saw that the Byredo IKEA candles were only sold in stores. Oh well.
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That candle sounds decadent! Perfect for staying cozy all winter.
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Thanks for the info. Luckyscent, unfortunately, has no deals. I know they lost $ with the lockdown, so I totally understand why they aren’t offering any discounts. I’m just glad they are still open!!
If anyone is familiar with beautyhabit.com, this store has many niche perfumes, Serge Lutens, Parfums de Rosine, Eau d’Italie, ALTAIA, Vilhelm Parfumerie, and others. I have ordered from them many times and their service and the quality of the products is first rate. They are having a sale this weekend also, 20% off all purchases of $100 or more, !5% of purchases of $75 or more and 10% off purchases $50 or more. The code is BH20 for 20% and BH15 for 15%, etc. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was quiet but we did get to see my son and his wife, so that was wonderful.
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LOVE Beauty Habit. Paula and her crew we’re so welcoming when I went and they made us feel really special and loved.
Glad your quiet Thanksgiving had some family time.
Portia x
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Also, for any who are intrigued by Clinique’s holiday fragrance, Wrappings. the Clinique website currently has a 30% off code, JOY30, and you will find the Wrappings set under “Holiday”.
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I’ll check that out!
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Happy Thanksgiving OH,
We even get Black Friday Sales here in Oz now. It makes no sense but I think the retail sector is starving. Yes, I caved and bought some perfumes. SHHH!
Also bought a set of the NEW Boujee Bougies candles to gift at Xmas. The Aussies will love having something so new and only available in the UK. I’m pretty sure there will be post Xmas bragging.
We had a C19 scare in the house this week. Jin came home with aching bones and cold symptoms. We had our tests and luckily ALL CLEAR! That’s his THIRD illness since Feb 2020 and our third round of C19 test lockdown.
We hit 42C today. Nearly 110F. Hottest November day on record. It was a scorcher. In the morning I wore L’Artisan Caligna and afternoon Guerlain Lys Soleia. Perfect heat beaters.
Portia xx
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So glad to know Jin and you are okay! Wow, that IS hot weather. Great fragrance choices for it! I’m into my colder weather scents nowadays, but “cold” is relative — it has been sunny and warm most of November here, and I’m about to go out to do more gardening while I can.
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Enjoy your garden. It’s the thing I miss most about living in a house.
Portia xx
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So glad to hear Jin’s test was negative! I had a test done earlier this month to rule out Covid19 and be able to see my physiotherapist and others without fear of infecting anyone. I’m getting colds even when staying primarily at home, so understand the frustration.
Hope you enjoy your purchases!
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Hi Ingeborg,
Jin works on the trains so his hands are constantly in contact with everyones germs and stuff. That he only gets three colds a year is testament to how healthy he is.
It’s so important to check and not be the centre of a C19 cluster. Annoying but imperative.
Can’t wait for them all to arrive.
Portia xx
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Oh dear, Portia, I’m so glad Jin is OK. That’s scary!! 4 people in my son’s hospital clinic have had Covid 19 (1 doctor, 1 nurse and 2 pharmacists) so he is wearing an N-95 mask and a face shield every day at work. So far he’s tested negative each time, but he’s had lots of tests also. I think all the people who tested positive in his clinic got the virus through traveling. That’s why I’m staying home!!!
I’m so looking forward to that vaccine!! Stay safe and take care of sweet Jin.
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Heya Ricky,
Anyone on the frozet line is going to be massively in danger. Dealing with people on the daily is a huge burden on your immune system in a normal day, let alone for medical clinics in C19 time. I hope your boy stays well and safe. You too.
The vaccine can’t come soon enough.
Portia xx
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Just found another great small fragrance business to support this weekend: Sixteen92, creator a few years ago of the award-winning Bruise Violet. This Texas-based fragrance house always has specials for Black Friday weekend, including fragrances that are only available to be ordered then. I’ve ordered their Holiday 2020 set and one of their two Holiday Layering sets which let you add notes to the originals, or just mix as you please. All orders save 10% with code MISTLETOE; $60 and up save 20% with code YULETIDE; $125 and up save 30% with code SNOWFALL. Good through today (Sunday, Nov. 29).
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