This means luscious perfumes that are made by hand in small, carefully crafted batches, using exquisite ingredients, with everything organic or wildcrafted whenever possible. Organic alcohols infused in-house with delicious fresh vanilla, rose petals, and honey, just to name a few, add a luxurious layer to the alchemical mixture that has to be smelled to be believed. Flower essences, tinctured by Laurie for qualities like strength, peace, creativity, and protection, are blended into each perfume, resulting in a unique creation that not only makes you feel delicious and beautiful when you wear it but also supports your spirit. And Velvet and Sweet Pea perfumes never contain pthalates (a carcinogen found in most commercial perfumes) or any other synthetic ingredients, and never use any animal fixatives (perfume ingredients often used by even natural perfumers that are extracted from animals in cruel, species-endangering ways).

Sandalwood

Sandalwood, treasured all over the world for both its important role in perfumery and its religious significance, is currently in danger of being overharvested. Significant replanting is already taking place in the areas of the world where sandalwood is grown, and experts predict once these newly planted trees begin to mature the sandalwood tree will no longer be threatened, but there will be a delicate balance for the next thirty years or so. Because of these delicate conditions, Velvet and Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery ceased some time ago to purchase any new sandalwood. Some of the Velvet and Sweet Pea perfumes are made sparingly with the perfumery’s existing stock of sandalwood essence, but Laurie Stern, Velvet and Sweet Pea’s perfumer, is experimenting with ways to avoid the use of sandalwood altogether.