I’m ashamed it’s taken my 6 months to get round to writing this blog! Six months like no other we’ve known. Who would have thought the world would have changed as much as it has this last year.
These current issues have meant I’ve had to make huge alterations to my business model and the way I trade. I’ve always prided myself on the fact that I’ve sold direct to the customer and to stockists, giving me the opportunity to build up a relationship with them and I’ve become known as the face of my business. Still, to this day, face-to-face selling is my favourite way to operate – you simply can’t beat a market where you get to chat to people, suss out what is popular and what isn’t….people’s faces don’t often lie! That said, having my website built, has opened me up to a greater audience from further afield, many of whom are buying time and time again, which can only be a good thing – and to you, I say welcome!
I wasn’t really sure what to write about for my first blog. I’ve kind of done the introduction thing many times over via Social Media, so I thought maybe we could look at fragrance trends of the last year.
Fragrances, like most things, follow a fashion, led, primarily by the season, but also, interestingly, this year, by the events going on in the world.
For the first quarter of last year, the usual Spring, floral fragrances were very popular, particularly Honeysuckle & Jasmine and Sweet Pea. Then, lockdown happened, and I noticed a change in the items people were ordering. Comforting fragrances, perhaps more in-line with what I’d term Autumnal scents, started to make an appearance.
Black Plum & Rhubarb, Pomegranate Nero and Bergamot, Frankincense & Lemon (to be fair, a fragrance that is popular all year round), were increasingly being put into people’s baskets, as was Laundry Day and Fresh Linen. I guess the time we spent at home, meant a degree of familiarity was called for – something to wrap us up like a cocoon and make us feel safe…..that’s the power of fragrance!
As we came out of lockdown and the summer sun beat down on us, it was back to the florals – Peony & Blush Suede was a knockout favourite, as a candle and diffuser, but also as a handwash and lotion, as was the always popular, Lime, Basil & Mandarin. On the subject of diffusers, my sales of these tripled over the summer and on into Autumn, compared to a “normal” year. Maybe more time spent at home meant an awareness of safety, perhaps being around clumsy pets – or maybe it was the more subtle, but prolonged release of fragrance, that people were after.
As we headed into September, the long awaited Winter fragrance was re-released. We used something ridiculous like 65kg of fragrance oil in this scent alone. It’s a huge hit, and will probably be reintroduced again in Christmas 2021. A newbie on the block, was Frankincense & Myrrh. For those that don’t like the powerful clove that comes through in Winter, this was an alternative. For me, it’s a love it or loath it – fortunately, I love it, but it is a manly smell, and not for everyone.
Leaping into the New Year as always, brings changes. New fragrances will be hitting the shelves in February, including the most stunning Vetiver, Cedarwood & Tonka – again, maybe a little more on the masculine side, but definitely with a floral undertone. I’ve been burning a small 100g tin in my cottage and it literally fills the house. The second introduction is Wild Frangipani. A delicate floral fragrance that really screams SPRING/SUMMER and embodies the “hopefulness” of new beginnings.
I’m always interested in suggestions for new fragrances, so please don’t ever be shy! Do pop me an E Mail and have your say! I read each and everyone of the. Take care, and stay safe, Jo x
