Vintage Fragrances: Where To Buy And What To Know

where to buy vintage fragrances

Vintage fragrances are a unique way to smell elegant and refined. Whether you're looking for a scent that's reminiscent of a bygone era or a modern take on a classic, there are many options to choose from. Some popular vintage fragrances include Shalimar by Guerlain, Amouage Jubilation 25, and Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours. These scents can be found at various online retailers such as Fragrance Vault, FragranceNet.com, and eBay, as well as at specialty shops like Quirky Finds and Rogue Perfumery.

Characteristics Values
Online stores Fragrance Vault, FragranceNet, Quirky Finds, eBay
In-person stores Fragrance Vault
Brands Guerlain, Floris, Caswell-Massey, 4711, Santa Maria Novella, Penhaligon's, Geo F. Trumper, Besame, Lancome, Amouage, Chanel, Jean Claude Ellena

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Online: Fragrance Vault, FragranceNet.com, Quirky Finds, eBay

There are many online retailers that offer vintage fragrances, and it is a great way to find rare and unique perfumes. Some of the online retailers include:

Fragrance Vault

This retailer offers a range of designer, niche, and vintage perfumes. They have a physical store where customers can try out fragrances with the help of knowledgeable staff. The staff are described as friendly and professional, with a passion for fragrances.

FragranceNet.com

FragranceNet.com has a specific section dedicated to vintage fragrances, acknowledging that old trends often come back into style.

Quirky Finds

This online retailer, as the name suggests, offers unique and quirky finds, including vintage perfumes. While they do not appear to have a specific vintage fragrance section, they do offer a range of vintage items, and it is worth checking if they have any fragrances in stock.

EBay

EBay is a great place to find vintage fragrances, often in their original packaging and sometimes even unopened. The site offers a wide range of vintage perfumes, including well-known brands such as Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Lancome. eBay also offers the option to buy vintage fragrances in lots, sets, or collections, which is perfect for those looking to acquire a variety of fragrances.

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In-store: Rogue Perfumery

Rogue Perfumery is a US-based niche perfumery brand founded by Manuel Cross. The brand's earliest fragrance edition was created in 2017, and its newest is from 2024. Rogue Perfumery has 22 perfumes in its fragrance base, all crafted by Cross himself, who describes his brand as "true fragrance art".

Rogue Perfumery's fragrances are unique and stand out from the crowd, as they are not IFRA-compliant and are free from EU restrictions. This allows the brand to push the boundaries of creativity and explore new, unconventional scents.

Some of the brand's most popular fragrances include Mousse Illuminee, Bon Monsieur, Chypre-Siam, and Targhee Forest. Each of these fragrances is affordably priced at $19.99, making Rogue Perfumery an excellent choice for those seeking unique, artisanal fragrances without breaking the bank.

Rogue Perfumery's physical store is likely to be a haven for fragrance enthusiasts, with a wide range of scents to explore and experience. The store's staff are expected to be highly knowledgeable about their products, offering guidance and insights into the world of niche perfumery. Visiting the Rogue Perfumery store promises an immersive and educational experience, where customers can discover new fragrances and perhaps even find their signature scent.

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Antique fragrances still in production: Guerlain, Floris, Caswell-Massey, 4711

Guerlain, Floris, Caswell-Massey, and 4711 are all brands with a rich history that have stood the test of time. These fragrance houses have continued to produce iconic scents, some of which have become antiques still in production today.

Guerlain, a French perfume house founded in 1828, has a long history of creating exquisite fragrances. Some of their vintage fragrances include Shalimar, Mitsouko, Samsara, Champs-Elysees, Chamade, and L'Heure Bleue, which are often sought-after by collectors.

Floris, a British perfumery founded in 1730, holds a Royal Warrant as perfume suppliers to Her Majesty the Queen. With a long history of creating unique fragrances, Floris has several antique fragrances like the classic cologne, Special No. 127, and the floral Lily of the Valley, which was created in 1847 and is still beloved today.

Caswell-Massey, an American fragrance brand founded in 1752, is known for its historical men's colognes and floral women's perfumes. Their fragrances carry a rich history, with many customers adopting them as their signature scents. Caswell-Massey's Rose Perfume, inspired by Beatrix Farrand, a pioneering woman in landscape architecture, is a timeless fragrance with a captivating story.

Lastly, 4711 is a German fragrance brand that created the original Eau de Cologne in 1792. This iconic scent is a citrus aromatic fragrance for women and men, featuring notes of lemon, bergamot, orange, lavender, rosemary, neroli, and petitgrain. 4711 has become a timeless classic, evoking joy and freshness, and is often associated with fond memories.

These fragrance brands showcase the enduring appeal of antique fragrances that continue to captivate and enchant, linking the past to the present with their timeless scents.

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Antique-inspired fashion: Besame cosmetics

For those who love vintage-inspired clothing, jewellery, and accessories, Besame Cosmetics is a dream come true. The Los Angeles-based company was founded by Gabriela Hernandez, an Argentine woman with a passion for vintage beauty. With a Fine Arts degree, she worked as a photographer and art director before starting Besame Cosmetics, even publishing a book along the way.

The cosmetics line creates timeless, quality makeup and beauty products inspired by icons of the past, from the golden age of cinema to the retro vibes of the 20th century. Their best-selling Cake Mascara 1930, for example, is a water-activated, natural lash enhancer, eyeliner, and brow definer based on a 100-year-old formula. It was regularly used on film sets, where it didn't even smudge under hot lights!

Besame also offers iconic, long-lasting lipsticks in classic satin shades, from Cherry Red 1935 to purple and pink. These lipsticks are buttery smooth, with a pleasant smell, and are made in the USA. Their products are perfect for anyone who wants to rock a bold red lip or any other colour that suits their style.

In addition to mascara and lipstick, Besame Cosmetics provides a range of other products to complete your retro makeup look, including liner pencils, brow definer, and more. Their products are available online and through select retailers, bringing vintage-inspired glamour to anyone who desires it.

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Pre-1940s fragrances: Chypre Mousse, Pour un Homme de Caron, Shalimar

Chypre Mousse, launched in 1914, is a fresh yet balsamic scent that is said to be fascinating. With notes of wild mint, clary sage, wild fennel, green shoots, oakmoss, galbanum, angelica, fern, wild clover, violet leaves, vetiver, pine needles, oak moss, mushroom, humus, roasted chestnut leather, and labdanum, this fragrance evokes the smell of the forest floor after the first rainfall in September. Chypre Mousse can be purchased from Luckyscent as an eau de parfum.

Pour un Homme de Caron, created in 1934, is a timelessly elegant fragrance that combines the freshness of exceptional French lavender with the smooth depth of vanilla, accented by Turkish rose essence. This scent is available for purchase from the Parfums Caron website, where you can also personalise your bottle with engravings or decorative ornaments.

Shalimar by Guerlain is a mythic fragrance with notes of bergamot, iris, and vanilla, embodying skin-caressing sensuality. Inspired by the love story between an emperor and an Indian princess, Shalimar, meaning "temple of love" in Sanskrit, symbolises the promise of eternal love. Shalimar can be purchased from Macy's as an eau de parfum.

Frequently asked questions

You can buy vintage fragrances from online stores such as Fragrance Vault, FragranceNet.com, and eBay. You can also find them in physical stores, such as Fragrance Vault, which has been praised for its knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Yes, several fragrance houses have been around for a long time and continue to produce the same fragrances. Some examples include 4711, Santa Maria Novella, Penhaligon's, Floris, Caswell-Massey, and Guerlain.

Yes, Besame cosmetics has recreated fragrances from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The founder conducted extensive research to create authentic fragrances representative of those eras. Guerlain is also known for its vintage pre-1940 fragrances, such as Jicky, Apres L'Ondee, L'Heure Bleue, Mitsouko, Vol de Nuit, and Shalimar.

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