LA VALSE

How to Use & Safety Considerations

• How to Use/Spray Samples & Bottles: We do not “pre-spray” our samples or full-size bottles prior to shipping them to you (think of any other cosmetic or personal care products with pumps or seals; they do not arrive pre-opened or pre-pumped, you must remove a seal or set the pump to “open” and then pump several times when using for the first time). We choose not to do this to ensure you not only have the freshest product possible, but also because if we did pre-spray the samples/bottles that would be like sending you a product that had already been used/opened. Because we don’t pre-spray any of our products, this means that you’ll need to press the pumps several times to get it going.
• Here's some tips when spraying our samples/bottles for the first time:
• Press the pump all the way down, then allow it to return to its original position.
• Press the pump a few times if needed.
• DO NOT press too quickly or too slowly or it won’t work correctly.
• DO NOT attempt to remove the sprayer/atomizer. Not only is this not possible without the correct tools, but the bottles/samples are glass so you could end up breaking the atomizer and/or the bottle itself.

• How to Wear: Natural perfumes made from 100% all-natural ingredients tend to last between 2-6 hours depending on the perfume as well as the person wearing the perfume. Ensure you have well-moisturized skin and apply perfume liberally on your pulse-points. For added longevity try spritzing in your hair. Dark colored perfumes may potentially stain clothing. Spray directly on skin to avoid any clothing stain mishaps.

• How to Store: Keep your perfume bottle away from extreme temperatures and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

• Ingredients & Potential Allergen Information: Under each product description, we list our botanical ingredients (e.g., rose absolute as the common name, and rosa damascena as the botanical name) as well as the fragrance allergens that are naturally occurring within those botanicals using the INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) standardized name. Allergens include those that have been identified as potential allergens (i.e., they may be irritating to some individuals) by the EU Commission of the Cosmetics Regulation 2023/1545 and must be disclosed when the allergen contained within the finished product has a concentration of 0.001% or higher. While not all individuals may experience allergic reactions to a particular ingredient defined as a potential allergen, we include this information for transparency purposes and to allow you to make the best choice for yourself.

• Safety Considerations: As with any perfume, you should always conduct an allergy patch-test prior to use. Our perfumes contain natural ingredients such as citrus essential oils, floral absolutes, resins, etc. that some may find irritating to their skin. Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash occur.

• Photosensitivity: Citrus oils used in some of our perfumes can cause photosensitivity, do not apply to the skin before direct sun exposure.

• Common Sense Reminder: For external use only. Do not ingest. Avoid contact with eyes.

Why Natural Perfume?

Perfume and the world of perfumery is thousands of years old with its origin being rooted in the burning of incense. The first use of perfume can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Cyprus where the first perfumes were blended with aromatics and rare raw materials such as resins, oils and fragrant herbs. Perfume usage and the art and craft of perfume-making has evolved over 5,000 years – with the decline of natural perfumes beginning in the 20th century as synthetics entered the market. Synthetics allowed both the perfumer and perfume-wearer increased accessibility to the world of perfume through the use of less expensive ingredients. As a result, since the early 1920s synthetics have dominated the perfume world with most mainstream perfumes being comprised of very few (if any) natural ingredients.

While certainly having a purpose and place in mainstream and indie perfumery, we believe that synthetics alone do not represent what scent and perfume should be – inimitable, luxurious and natural – an olfactory interpretation of an essence in its true form that elicits emotion, connects us to the natural world, and ties memories to the moments in our lives.

We believe perfume is an olfactive and experiential art for the senses, akin to music or visual arts. Different tastes point people toward an affinity for different genres and the same is true in perfumery. Our perfume genre is artisan natural perfumery with a perfumer’s palette comprised of all-natural botanical ingredients. Our approach is based on a commitment to creating thoughtfully handcrafted all-natural botanical perfumes and colognes in small batches that are beautifully opulent, multi-layered, unique, and never boring.

To learn more about natural perfume, check out our blog post: What is Natural Perfume?.

Our Small-Batch Artisanal Process

Perfume can't truly be experienced if treated as disposable, uninspired fast fashion. We believe perfume is an experiential art, both for the perfume wearer and the perfumer. Our approach is based on a commitment to creating authentic, handcrafted perfumes developed with 100% natural whole botanicals and naturally derived ingredients that are unique and never boring. At Wit & West there is no corporate structure or shareholders who tell us what our brand is or should be, no scent of the month gimmicks and no outsourcing of our perfume creation or fulfillment. All perfumes are designed, formulated, bottled and packaged in small batches completely in-house in our studio in Littleton, CO. Fragrance by Wit, Design by West.

Ingredients

Our perfumes are made with 100% natural botanicals and naturally derived ingredients (as defined by ISO9235 - Natural Aromatic Raw Materials Vocabulary). These ingredients include wildcrafted and organic essential oils, CO2 extracts, absolutes, natural isolates as well as custom handmade tinctures and enfleurage extraits carefully selected and sourced from raw materials including those from our very own garden. We do not use fragrance oils or any other ingredients that are not intended for safe use on skin / use in perfumery and we consult guidance and standards set for the safe use of fragrance ingredients as defined by the IFRA (International Fragrance Association). In addition to being 100% all-natural, our perfumes and colognes are vegan and cruelty-free, phthalate and paraben free. For additional information including frequently asked questions around ingredient related topics such as allergens please visit our FAQs page.

Sustainability

As a small-batch indie natural perfumery and as co-owners of Wit & West Perfumes, West and I are always looking at our business operations and practices including ways to improve upon them. We strive as much as possible to maintain that our small-batch process, ingredients, packaging and shipping processes have a focus on sustainability, minimalism and recyclable materials. In addition, we are committed to sustainability through partnerships and annual giving to nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to environmental causes and protecting our planet.

About Wit & West Perfumes

Wit & West Perfumes is a 100% all-natural botanical perfumery with a focus on rare ingredients and unique scents for those who don't want to smell like everyone else. Based in Colorado, our small-batch artisanal perfumery is solely owned and operated by myself (Wit) and my husband (West). All fragrances are designed, formulated and bottled in-house by me, with creative content designed by West. Our perfumes and colognes are handcrafted in small batches using only the finest, high-quality 100% natural whole botanicals and naturally derived ingredients including wildcrafted and organic essential oils, CO2 extracts, absolutes, naturally derived isolates, and custom handmade tinctures and enfleurage extraits carefully selected and sourced from raw materials including from our very own garden. Our perfumes and colognes are genderless, vegan, and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. We strive as much as possible to maintain that our small-batch process, ingredients, packaging and shipping processes have a focus on sustainability, minimalism and recyclable materials. In addition, we are committed to sustainability through annual giving to nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental causes and protecting our planet. Wit & West is proud to be a 1% for the Planet Business Partner, donating 1% of our profits each year to help protect our planet. Wit & West has been recognized by ÇaFleureBon through their Top 10 Perfumes of 2023 (selected 2X) and by Skincare Anarchy as a Top Pick in 2022 & 2023, and has been featured in Sierra Club Mag, 303 Magazine, ÇaFleureBon, Fragrantica, Basenotes, Olfactif, I Sniff Before I Sleep Blog, Organic Beauty Lover, The Editorialist, and more.