FAQ
Shipping & returns
How much is shipping?
Shipping is free in the US and UK.
I'm not currently shipping to other countries directly, but if you're outside the UK or US and would like to order, you can use a parcel forwarding service such as Forward2Me to create a UK address and have your order forwarded to you.
Unlike alcohol-based perfumes, Mariesme perfume oils are not classified as dangerous goods, so they can be shipped internationally without restrictions.
Please note I'm not affiliated with any forwarding service and cannot advise on their fees or timelines.
How long does shipping take?
All orders are packaged and shipped from London, UK within 2-3 business days of being placed. Please note I'm working solo, so unexpected delays may occur. Need something urgently? Drop me an email at hola@mariesme.com and I'll do my best to help.
UK delivery
Free tracked shipping via Royal Mail. Typically 1-3 business days once dispatched.
US delivery
Free tracked shipping via Royal Mail International Tracked. Typically 7-14 business days once dispatched.
Do you accept returns?
Unfortunately for hygiene reasons, I'm unable to accept returns.
If you're new to Mariesme or natural perfumery, and want to try it out, I suggest you start by ordering a sample.
What's the packaging made of?
The perfumes are in glass bottles with stainless steel rollers and black plastic caps.
All shipping materials are recyclable and/or compostable paper - you can see all shipping materials here.
Natural perfumes
Is it true natural perfumes don't last as long as conventional perfumes?
Yes and no - when people say this they are typically comparing alcohol-based natural perfumes and conventional alcohol perfumes. This doesn't apply to Mariesme as I make perfume oils - which by their nature last longer than alcohol.
Natural perfume oils are by nature individual - perfume oils bond to your skin and the scent varies by person, making them wonderfully personalised. The scent also evolves over time. Perfume oils last much longer than alcohol-based spray, because alcohol evaporates quickly while oil bonds to the skin. Natural perfume oils typically last 6 to 12+ hours, with the scent changing over the day.
How long it lasts depends on your skin (dry skin absorbs the oil and therefore scent fades faster, whereas oilier or well-moisturised skin holds the scent longer), your activity level, and even the weather and moisture in the air.
If you'd like to make it last longer, I suggest applying it to pulse points (e.g. wrists, sides and base of neck, inner elbows, behind ears) and then dabbing with your clothing (scarf, sleeves etc) - ONLY if you're wearing clothes that won't be damaged by oil - as natural scents can linger 24-48 hours or even longer on fabrics.
Do natural perfumes have good projection and sillage?
One of the beautiful parts of natural perfume is that it's a very "personal" scent - as well as adapting to your skin, it tends not to project as much as conventional synthetic perfumes (which can often overpower strangers in crowded places).
It's perfect for wearing in places where others might be bothered by overpowering perfumes - flights, public transport, crowded areas, offices, schools, and conferences.
Rather than "shouting" at everyone around you, it's meant to be smelled just by you, and anyone lucky enough to get close to you.
How long will a bottle last?
Perfume oils are potent and the same amount of liquid tends to last double or triple the same amount of alcohol perfume spray.
A Pocket Perfume typically lasts around 5-7 months of daily use. A Full Size Bottle (30ml / 1oz) will last many months or years.
How do I apply?
Apply to pulse points. Do not apply to broken skin. For best results, apply to moisturised skin (do not rub), and let it sink in.
Natural perfume invites a different relationship with scent: it evolves throughout the day and with you.
Roll onto pulse points and take a moment to inhale. Re-apply throughout the day as desired.
The Pocket Perfume is designed for exactly this moment; it's small enough to carry everywhere, so your scent becomes a ritual rather than an afterthought.
Wear alone or layer with your favourite perfume to create a unique scent.
How should I store my perfume? And how long will it last?
Because Mariesme perfumes contain rare essential oils and floral absolutes, they come in amber glass to block UV rays (which can damage fragile scent molecules).
I recommend storing your bottle in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep away from excessive heat and ensure the lid is tightly closed.
The perfumes are expected to last around 3 years with proper storage (after this the scents may fade).
Ethics
Are Mariesme's products vegan?
YES! Absolutely everything is vegan. As a vegan since 2008, it was important to me to make sure everything is vegan - from the materials I use to make the perfume, to the label adhesive on the perfume labels.
Are they cruelty-free?
Of course! As a long-term vegan since 2008, I'm committed to building a vegan, cruelty-free brand. None of Mariesme's products are tested on animals, and I source all materials from suppliers who state they do not test their products on animals.
Is it zero waste?
Everything is low waste by design. While I haven't achieved perfection and full zero waste status, my aim is to reduce waste as low as possible by designing everything as low waste from the start.
Traditional perfumery spends up to 10x more on packaging than ingredients. I flipped that on its head and put the money where it matters - the perfume itself. I use a minimum of packaging to keep the perfume safe.
All perfumes are in recyclable glass bottles and I run a bottle reuse scheme in the UK. All shipping materials are made of recyclable or compostable materials and are mainly recycled paper.
I don't use any single-use materials; I clean my workspace with reusable cloths and I don't use paper or plastic perfume tester strips.
Is it ocean-safe/reef-safe/biodegradable?
Unlike most commercial brands of perfume, which use synthetic fragrance (95% of which are petroleum-derived and which are as damaging for coral reefs as sunscreen), I use only 100% natural, plant ingredients. No synthetics and no petroleum-derived fragrance, ever.
Since I use only plant materials, the perfume's ingredients are ocean-safe and naturally biodegradable.
Is it petroleum-derivative free?
While up to 95% of synthetic fragrance is petroleum-derived, I use only natural plant materials in my perfumes - meaning there are zero petrochemicals.
Ingredients
Does it contain synthetic fragrance?
No, never. I don't use any synthetic fragrance. Unlike some natural brands which hide behind phrases like "nature-identical molecules" or "harmonising molecules" (just another way of saying synthetic fragrance), I don't use any synthetics whatsoever.
My perfumes are made solely of plant ingredients: the only thing you'll find in them is organic jojoba oil, absolutes, essential oils and plant resins. And next to every perfume, you'll find a full list of ingredients, in plain English - because I believe you deserve to know what you're putting on your skin (and washing into the ocean).
Does is contain alcohol?
No, my perfumes are entirely alcohol-free. The base is organic jojoba oil, which is high in vitamin E and similar to sebum, so it's good for your skin.
Does it contain allergens?
I started making perfumes because of my own allergens, which is why I provide a full INCI list of ingredients, including all naturally-occurring components that the EU has identified as potential allergens in the EU Commission of the Cosmetics Regulation 2023/1545. If you have allergies, I recommend you consult the INCI list and of course do a patch test.
How do I know what's in it?
I've committed to radical honesty. While many skincare brands hide behind "parfum" and "fragrance" in the ingredients label (since fragrance is considered a trade secret, they're not legally obligated to disclose what's inside), I decided to be transparent about what's inside. After all, you deserve to know what you're putting on your skin. So, I list all the ingredients in every perfume in full, and in plain English, with every perfume.
What's an absolute? What's hexane-free?
Absolutes are extractions, often of florals, using solvents rather than heat. Unlike essential oils, which are usually steam-distilled, absolutes are more suited to delicate scents like florals which are damaged by heat.
The industry standard is to use hexane - a petroleum-derived chemical.
All my absolutes, on the other hand, are hexane-free.
Does it contain phthalates?
Absolutely not! Phthalates are commonly found in conventional fragrance (a study showed 75% of conventional perfume contained phthalates), where it's added to make perfumes last longer. However, studies have shown phthalates to be hormone disruptors. You'll never know if a conventional perfume contains phthalates, either - because fragrance is considered a trade secret, brands are allowed to list phthalates - and any number of synthetic fragrance molecules - under "parfum" or "fragrance" on the ingredients label.
Because my perfumes contain only essential oils, floral absolutes, plant resins and organic jojoba oil, they do not contain any phthalates. You can read every single one of my ingredients on every label.