FAQ
I RECEIVED A TRACKING NUMBER BUT USPS HAS NO TRACKING INFORMATION. WHEN WILL MY ORDER SHIP?
If you have received an email notification with your tracking number but USPS has yet to scan it in, this means I am still preparing your order. The shipping platform I use will automatically email you when the shipping label has been created however I print labels in batches to assist in my production schedule. As a small business, I package everything by hand to ensure quality and safety of your items. Please give me time to do so before tracking is available, which is usually about 1-4 days after you receive your tracking notification (sometimes a bit longer during peak seasons). Sit tight, I haven't forgotten about you!
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG BEFORE MY ORDER IS READY FOR SHIPPING?
As a "slow-made" company this means I'm spending significantly more time on the manufacturing process than that of large corporations who mass produce products by way of machines in large warehouses. That is not The Parlor Company and this is not Amazon. Most of my products are MADE-TO-ORDER, by hand, by one person (that's me!). While I understand that customers have learned to expect a quick turnaround time, this is just not possible.
MY ORDER TRACKING IS NOT UPDATING. I THINK MY ORDER IS LOST. HELP!
Does your order's tracking state it's been delivered and it has not? Has the post office stopped scanning your order? In most cases, your package is still in transit and it will be delivered to you. It is fairly common for the postal service to scan packages early without delivering them yet. In this case packages will usually show up within a couple of days. You may need to contact your local post and give them your tracking number. In the USA, sometimes your package may be held for pickup but USPS will fail to leave a notice (I know, so annoying). For international orders, sometimes the postal service will hold onto packages until duty fees are paid. The Parlor Company is not responsible for duty fees, and I will not alter your customs forms to avoid them.
I RECEIVED THE WRONG PRODUCTS AND/OR SOMETHING WAS MISSING OR DAMAGED FROM MY ORDER. HELP!
Since I am only human, mistakes do happen! Fear not! Send me an email with a photo of the item(s) you received and I will be happy to send out the correct item or replace the missing/damaged items.
ARE YOUR PERFUMES CRUELTY FREE AND VEGAN?
Yes & ethically sourced. I purchase directly from manufacturers in the USA.
ARE YOUR PERFUMES ALL NATURAL?
Because I use synthetic fragrance oils in my formulations, I cannot make that claim. This does not mean they are toxic or unsafe. Now let's talk a bit about the difference between essential (natural) vs. fragrance oils (synthetic) to explain any common misconceptions.
• Essential Oils are extracted from herbs, flowers, and plants, most often through steam distillation. That involves heating the components until a gas is released, then condensing the gas back into a liquid. It’s a gentle process that ensures the sensitive compounds don’t break down.
• Fragrance oils are manmade and created with a mix of aroma chemicals and natural ingredients like essential oils, extracts, and resins. Just one fragrance oil can be made up of 40-80 materials. People usually think that because it is made in a lab that it must be harmful and this is certainly not true. Both, yes I said both, can be potentially dangerous if used incorrectly. It comes down to where the fragrance oils come from and the standards and practices that are used in each lab to ensure there are no harmful chemicals.
• Why do I use synthetic fragrance oils in our perfumes? Because I want to make more unusual and complex fragrances! Not everything in nature produces an essential oil – for example you won’t find pear or vanilla. That means there are fewer options to choose from. Using both essential and fragrance oils makes the options endless. If you make an effort to avoid synthetic cosmetics for personal reasons, that's great! There are plenty of fantastic "all natural" perfumeries out there.
WHY DOES MY PERFUME SMELL DIFFERENT ON ME THAN IT DOES ON SOMEONE ELSE?
Handmade perfumes are so very unique! They will mix with your own body chemistry in a special way, making it a scent just for you.
HOW LONG DOES HANDMADE PERFUME LAST WHEN WEARING?
Honestly every person is different- it depends on your body chemistry. So this is a bit difficult to answer. Usually, it's about 2-4 hours.
DO PERFUMES EXPIRE?
Sort of. This often depends on a few variables including the way it is stored. To prolong the shelf life, store our products in a cool (nothing over 70 degrees F), dry place away from sunlight. With that being said, spray perfumes can last for many years however their scent may shift or lose potency. Usually you can expect at least 1 year but it may be suitable for use for quite a bit longer. For safety reasons, if you notice that the product scent turns rancid, do not use it. You will likely know when it is time to say goodbye to your beloved fragrance even if you have not used the entire bottle.
ALL MY PERFUMES SMELL THE SAME? WHY?
There's actually a sort of scientific reason for this phenomenon. It has to do with your olfactory senses. While I am no scientist, I know it means that your nose needs a little break. Try sniffing some coffee and try again in a bit.
CAN YOU REPLICATE MY FAVORITE PERFUME MADE BY ANOTHER BRAND?
I can not and will not attempt to replicate a commercial fragrance. Private label and custom orders are not available.
ARE YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS VEGAN?
Many are 100% vegan. I do use beeswax in a few and that is something you can determine to be vegan or not based on your opinions on the subject. Others- like the soaps- contain glycerin making them not so vegan friendly. Should you need a complete ingredients list for a specific product please ask! I use vegan ingredients whenever possible.
WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
I would say about 6 months on average. As it continues to make contact with air and moisture it will begin to degrade. Again, store these as you would your perfumes. In a cool, dry place away from sunlight and high temperatures.
• Avoid eye area and do not consume any of our products. Even if they smell delicious they are for external use only, my darlings.
• Test a small amount on your skin to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
• Consult your physician if you want to use the products while pregnant or nursing.
• I use both synthetic and natural oils and they can react adversely in some humans. Are you one of the lucky ones?
• If you experience a reaction to any of the products discontinue use. Don't keep using it! Duh.
***** OUR PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE *****
ALLERGIES:
• Some Parlor co products contain nut allergens such as Shea, Coconut & Sweet Almond oils.
• Some products contain other plant oils that may cause an adverse reaction if you have such an allergy. An allergic reaction may result in a rash on the skin that fades after a day or so.
I CANNOT FIND A PRODUCT I WANT TO BUY AGAIN
If you're searching the website and you cannot find your long lost perfume this may mean one of two things. Sometimes it's just out of stock due to a supply issue. Most of the time it's been discontinued. This is usually the case with the perfumes as I often eliminate less popular scents and introduce new scents. In terms of the jewelry and other curiosities, if you cannot find it in the shop it is probably backordered and will be restocked within a few weeks. Feel free to send me a message to ask.
HOW ARE PARLOR CO PERFUMES MADE?
All of my fragrances are blended in our studio in very small batches. I use a combination of both synthetic and natural oils mixed with perfumers alcohol. What is perfumers alcohol? Perfumers Alcohol is a special formulation which contains:
- Ethanol (denatured) –Alcohol which is the main carrier for the fragrance oils. This evaporates quickly as it is warmed by skin temperature releasing the fragrances evenly over the surface.
- Isopropyl myristate – used in preparations where good absorption is desired.
- Monopropylene glycol – a co-solvent which allows the fragrance oils to be solubilised in the alcohol carrier. This helps to control the evaporation of the alcohol so that it does not flash off too quickly
If you've read through this FAQ page I love you. Let's be friends.
