Natural perfumery refers to fragrances made exclusively from ingredients derived from natural sources such as plants, resins, and other botanicals. Compared to conventional fragrance, it is less common due to the higher cost, limited availability, and seasonal variability of many natural materials.

Most widely available perfumes rely partly or entirely on synthetic ingredients; laboratory-created molecules designed to replicate or enhance familiar scents. In contrast, natural perfumery works with materials extracted from nature, which still contain complex aromatic compounds.

Some natural perfumers also work with individual aromatic molecules  that have been separated from a natural source. Although these isolates originate from plants and are completely natural, they are no longer whole botanical extracts; they are single compounds which have names like linalool or pinene.

As a whole botanical perfumer, I work within natural perfumery but take this approach further, using only complete botanical extracts rather than isolating individual aromatic molecules.

Whole botanical perfumery is a specialised category within natural perfumery. It is a very rare practice (I’d say the rarest) that uses ingredients which retain their botanical identity and remain as close as possible to the plant’s full molecular composition after extraction.

Unlike other forms of perfumery, whole botanical perfumery does not use isolated or single-molecule ingredients (even when those molecules are derived from natural sources). Instead, each material contains the hundreds of naturally occurring compounds found in the original plant.

It’s important to note that whole botanical perfumery is not inherently safer than other types of perfumery. Rather, it offers a different and complex aromatic palette for the perfumer to work with.

Yes. Natural Perfumes smell and wear differently to synthetic perfumes. Natural perfumes tend to have a more subtle, earthy and often unpredictable character, which is why we adore working with them at Archer Farrar! They tend to smell more organic with layers that shift quickly over time revealing different nuances of the fragrance. They also tend to fade more quickly than synthetics as they lack strong chemical fixatives. Synthetic perfumes tend to be more bold, consistent fragrances that project more strongly and are engineered to last longer.

It depends on the fragrance, lighter citrus dominant colognes will need to be refreshed regularly while heavier, woody or muskier scents will last longer. Natural fragrances generally do not stay on your skin or clothing for as long as synthetic fragrances. As a general rule I say natural fragrances need to be reapplied every two hours.

Yes. No animal by-products are used in the production of our signature range of perfumes. Butter absolute and choya nakh are occasionally used in bespoke formulations but only upon your approval.

Yes. Natural fragrances will keep changing subtly for the first six to eight weeks before becoming the final stable scent that meets your brief. At Archer Farrar we mature your perfume before we send it to you, or in the case of bespoke fragrances, before your appointments. We can use simple techniques to fast track the maturation process and age the fragrance within two weeks rather than six.
After around a year to 18 months in the bottle, top and middle notes will start to change again, fading or changing scent profile.

Again this depends on the fragrance but we suggest using your fragrance within a year of purchase; buy something you love, wear it regularly and this should not be an issue at all!

Yes. Unfortunately it is possible to have a reaction to anything including natural perfumes due their complex chemical makeup. If you have any known allergens, please check the full list of ingredients available on the product page to ensure they are not present in the perfume. Please patch test perfumes before use and avoid broken or sensitive skin. Cease use immediately if you experience any irritation and consult a doctor if necessary.

Yes Archer Farrar incense is 100% natural. The incense is made from wood powder on a bamboo stick free from all synthetics, perfumes, resins or chemicals. We hand dip each stick in a blend of essential oils and absolutes, nothing more.

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We ship all orders using Australia Post. All orders are processed and dispatched within 1 to 3 business days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Should we anticipate any delay, we will notify you via email as soon as possible.
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We want you to love your purchase. However, if something isn’t right, we offer refunds, repairs, and replacements. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for change of mind. For our full refund terms and how to return, please click here.