The Playbook (FAQs)

We should really call this section HIAQ or “Helpful Information and Anticipated Questions” because, well…we are new and very few people have actually asked us anything. But we do love interacting with our fellow Hawks fans and are happy to answer any questions you may have. You may find the information you are looking for below but if not, please write to us at hello@12scents.com and we will gladly get back to you!

FAQ - COMPANY

Q.  Is 12 Scents affiliated with the Seattle Seahawks?

No. Although inspired by our love for the Seahawks, 12 Scents is a unique and independent brand created to genuinely honor and celebrate the team and fans, from the perspective of a fan. 

12 Scents is not licensed, endorsed or otherwise affiliated with the Seahawks or National Football League.

Q.  Do you have any fragrances for men?

Yes! “The Berm” is our masculine fragrance (but women love it too!).

Q.  Can I buy your products at any retail store? 

Not currently.  However, retail businesses interested in purchasing 12 Scents products wholesale are invited to email us at wholesale@12scents.com or send us a message here: Wholesale Inquiries

FAQ – OUR PRODUCTS

Q.  Are your products all natural & organic?

Our perfumes are mostly natural, but we have found that using only natural essential oils greatly limits what we can offer to you in terms of price and variety. We have therefore invited natural isolates and aroma molecules into our palette to give us a full range of scents to use in our sophisticated blends. 

Our perfumes are made with a base of organic perfumer's grade alcohol and the aromatic properties are made with a high concentration of natural essential oils. However, if we are looking for a fragrance ingredient that is unavailable in nature or is too costly to use, we will source lab-made natural isolates and aroma molecules for our formulas. Without this minimal use of these synthesized ingredients, we wouldn't have any creuelty-free musk scents or many of the fresh & clean or juicy & tropical fruit notes.

None of our products contain phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, petrochemicals, dyes or coloring.

Q.  Are your products animal cruelty-free?

Yes. We do not use any natural animal scents, like musk or civet, or animal by-products. These are actually outlawed and we are only allowed to use the synthetic versions.  We do not test our products on animals nor do we buy from suppliers that do. 

Q.  What is your perfume base?

We use an organic grade of denatured perfumer's alcohol made from organic corn. Denaturing of perfumer's alcohol is required by law in the US and around the globe.  It means that the alcohol is not suitable for consumption, i.e., if you drink it, it will make you sick.  So please don't drink your perfume! The use of denatured alcohol in perfumes and other products actually has to do with certain industries creative way to avoid the high “sin tax” placed on alcoholic beverages. There is an interesting history behind it. Look it up!

Q.  Where do your ingredients come from?

Q.   What's the difference between Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and Parfum?

Perfumes are generally made from a blend of alcohol, water and scented oils. The terms above refer to the strength or concentration of the highly valued oils within the blend. The concentrations are expressed as percentages of the volume. 

 
Generally, the higher the concentration, the longer the fragrance will last on the skin and the more expensive the price tag will be. 

All of our fragrances are Eau de Parfum strength and beyond (ranging 20-30%). Although we sometimes refer to “The Berm” as a cologne, we do so because most people refer to men’s fragrances as “cologne.” However by definition, our men’s “colognes” are actually Eau de Parfums.  

Q.  I’ve been hearing a lot about “niche,” “independent” and “artisanal” fragrances. What the heck do those terms mean and why should I care?

Perfumistas speak highly of “niche,” “indie” and “artisanal” fragrances, but there seems to be some debate about what the descriptions actually mean, which perfumes fit in each category and even whether we are supposed to pronounce “niche” to sound like “nitch’ or “neesh.” Unfortunately, the surrounding conversation typically comes across sounding snobby to an outsider. However, what I’ve learned is that people in the know, use the terms to describe positive and desired qualities in a fragrance line worthy of the higher prices that typically accompany them.
 
Generally, “niche” fragrances are those created by companies that focus solely on perfume as opposed to “designer” fragrances that are created to support an existing clothing brand or other established product line. (i.e. many of the name brand perfumes at the department store). “Indie” fragrances are a subcategory of “niche” that are created and distributed by an individual or a small team. Finally, “artisanal” refers to the method of creating a fragrance with attention to detail and creativity, using high quality and primarily natural ingredients, carefully blending and maturing in small batches, and pouring and bottling by hand.
 
Fancy industry words aside, 12 Scents knows that most people buy their perfume because they like the way it smells regardless of who made it, how it was made or where it is sold. However, let’s just say… the 12 Scents products should satisfy those with even the highest standards in perfume. Our fragrances are carefully made in small batches with high quality ingredients but offered in an assortment of products and sizes with different price points to ensure that people of all ages and incomes will be able to afford the 12 Scents experience.

Q.  How do I choose the right fragrance for me?

The first step in selecting the right perfume for you is to think about how you want it to make you feel when you put it on.  Perfume is personal in nature.  It expresses your personality without you saying a word.  So take your time, think about what you want it to say about you and how you want to feel.  Make that connection in your mind, imagine yourself in the situation and then smell the different perfumes to see which ones evoke that emotion inside of you.  OR… you can always buy them all and alternate or layer them!!! We are happy to offer free samples of our fragrances with paid shipping handling.

Q.  How long should a fragrance last on my skin and what is the best way to apply it?

The longevity or tenacity of a perfume on the skin is the result of many factors; primarily it is in the formula and aroma molecules of the fragrance.  Fragrances with deep and rich base notes will last the longest on the skin (4-12 hours) while light and airy citrus, fresh and some fruity top notes will last the least amount of time (2-4 hours).  

Where and how you apply your fragrance is also important.  For the best results, apply your fragrance directly to your wrists (without rubbing them together as that will break down the aroma molecules) and both sides of your neck.  Don't spray and walk through your perfume!  By the time you walk through it, many of the scent molecules have missed you as they fall quickly to the ground.

We recommend that before you purchase any perfume, you first do a patch test. To do so, dab a little perfume on your skin and wait at least an hour. After the hour, if you do not experience any irritation at the point of application, you should be good to go! However, if you later develop any sensitivity, then discontinue use immediately.

Q. Are there any tricks to making a perfume last longer on the skin?

Yes!  Hair is a great holder of scent.  The proteins in our hair attract and hold the fragrance molecules, so give yourself a spritz on the back of your hair or nape of the neck for great scent tenacity.  Also, applying a layer of unscented body lotion to your skin and then spraying your perfume is a great way to extend the life of a spritz.  The aroma molecules will cling to the lotion and stay on the surface of your skin.   

Q.  Why do perfumes smell different on different people or different on my skin than on the blotter? 

There is much debate over these questions amongst professionals. Some believe it is just a perception of difference because we all typically have the same pH levels on our skin. Others believe our body chemistry and hormones alter the scent on our skin. And others believe it is the combination of your perfume mixing with the other scents you may have on your body, from your laundry detergent to your scented soaps and lotions. We have not found conclusive evidence to support any claim individually and most likely it is a combination of all of the above. So we believe that you really should only be concerned with how it smells on your own skin, don't worry about others!  

Q. What is the shelf life of a perfume and where is the best place to store my perfume?

The shelf life of a perfume is typically between 2-4 years. After the shelf life of a perfume is reached, it doesn’t necessarily turn “bad.” Rather, the fragrance begins to lose its strength.

The best way to extend the life of your perfume is to store it away from heat and light. These two elements will break down the molecular structure of the perfume and cause it to degrade faster than normal.  Also, do not keep your perfume in your bathroom! That is the worst place to store them because of the constant temperature change and humidity in that environment. 

*Tip: If you are a seasonal perfume wearer, put your out-of-season bottles in the refrigerator during the off season to extend their shelf life. Put them in a zip-lock bag and stick them in the crisper. You can also store your perfumes in their original boxes to protect from light.

FAQ – EXPANSION TEAMS

Q.  Do you have fragrances for any other teams?  

Yes! Research and development is underway for fragrances inspired by and for additional teams. 

Products for expansion teams will be sold under the trade name The Fragrance League^TM. Launch dates will be announced soon.