THE PURE ESSENCE JOURNAL

Notes on a fragrant life.

Explore the stories, rituals and small discoveries behind the way you wear fragrance.
How to make your perfume last longer: 10 things that actually work
Most fragrance doesn't fade because it's weak. It fades because of where it went on, what it went on to and how much fragrance was in the bottle. Ten fixes, in order of impact. Read more...
How to buy perfume online without smelling it first
Buying fragrance you can't smell is less of a gamble than it looks. How to read families and notes, why you should judge a scent by its base, and how to test one properly. Read more...
Alcohol-free perfume: who it's for, and how to wear it
Most perfume is mostly alcohol. Alcohol-free perfume swaps it for oil, and that changes everything about how it wears. Who it suits, how to apply it, and the honest downsides. Read more...