Frequently asked questions
Who is FRANK AND LAZULI?
FRANK AND LAZULI is an artisan perfume label of created by natural perfumer Allana Woodford. Allana curates the scents, and every single part of the perfume making process is done by Allana herself, She also does the sourcing, formula creations, marketing, packaging, websites & day to day running of the business.
Proud to be a locally made artisan business. Every single bottle is individually created with love and intent and our signature fragrances are produced in very small batches. Our perfumes are created with love and by supporting our business you are supporting an independently run family business and perfumer that is passionate about the trade of natural perfumery.
Where did the name come from?
The name FRANK AND LAZULI is derived from two of my favourite things and naturally they speak for the brand itself. My favourite essential oil is by far frankincense. I have incorporated frankincense into my daily rituals ever since I've had essential oils in my life. I adore it's scent and the wondrous benefits it provides my body.
Crystals have played a major part in my life over the last 10 years and I thought about which ones really spoke to me. Lapis Lazuli has played a big role in the last few years and has been with me for the journey of creating FRANK AND LAZULI.
The fact that Lapis Lazuli represents a symbol of royalty, is highly-prized and has flecks of gold flowing freely through it, it felt like the perfect combination representing the 24 carat gold floating freely through my perfume oils and the highly prized, luxurious vibe I envisioned for my perfumery label.
Where are you based?
FRANK AND LAZULI perfumery studio is based on the Surf Coast, Victoria. We stock online, and we are growing our number of retailers around Australia. We also like to meet our customers by doing local markets around Victoria and occasionally interstate. Its such an incredible way to meet our customers, gain feedback about our products and we love it dearly. Keep an eye out on our socials for updates on market dates!
What is natural perfume?
Natural perfumery is categorised as a trade where the perfumer is restricted to using only 100% natural raw materials found within nature. I love the way that it contains the essence of a living thing, created from raw materials from the earth. To create and synergise that energy with our own is incredible way to wear fragrance and to uplift our mood, and our vibrational energy.
Essential oils are usually steam distilled, cold pressed or processed via extracting methods from the raw materials of flower petals, fruit rinds, bark, roots & blossoms
At FRANK AND LAZULI we choose to create our perfumes from naturals only, because we are passionate about creating awareness about clean beauty and better beauty alternatives that aren't going to cause your body harm.
How is it different to 'normal' perfume?
Natural perfumes release natural pheromones providing you with a pure, untainted natural scent. They have therapeutic benefits too. Chemical-based artificial scents, like the ones found in department stores are far from what the natural smell is. They are usually created in a lab from synthetic materials such as petroleum.
Natural perfumes do not contain any toxic chemical such as phthalates, petrochemicals or parabens that are often found in these synthetic perfumes. A large number of scientific studies have found that these chemicals are harmful to the human body and environment.
Health conditions that are linked to these hormone disrupting chemicals include: hormonal imbalances, cancer, neurological issues, autism spectrum disorders, fertility problems, and various psychological and emotional disorders especially related to anxiety and depression just to name a few. If you suffer from any of these conditions, I encourage you to look to the root cause and to try eliminate products that have proven research linking them to toxic chemicals that are found in these mass-produced perfumes. It never hurts to get a second opinion or in this case do your own research. Ditching the chemicals is only going to be better for you. I wholeheartedly believe that.
How should I use my Natural Perfume Oil?
Our perfume oils can be re-applied as often as necessary as they fit conveniently in your handbag. They are also a great size for travelling. They go where you go, so you can have them with you at anytime as needed.
We suggest creating self rituals when using our perfume oils. It is a chance to connect with yourself and your breath as you deeply inhale the aroma and take a moment to appreciate the scent. We have created them in mind to be luxurious to smell, but for the wearer to also benefit from the amazing therapeutic qualities of these botanical oils produced from Mother Earth. They wear close to the skin, unlike alcohol based sprays that tend to 'throw' their fragrance in the air and evaporate quickly, our nourishing oils hydrate the skin, and bloom over time on the skin. They are an intimate experience. The key to a longer lasting scent is to have hydrated skin so your scents don't absorb into the skin too quickly. Take care when applying our oils around delicate fabrics and/or gold plated jewellery.
What is the concentration of the perfume oils?
Our perfume oils are very concentrated and vary between each blend but contain between 15-30% of natural concentrate combined in a natural oil base.
There is some sediment in my perfume oil - is this normal?
Some oils have a high viscosity and because of this some sediment can occur. Although because our perfumes are in clear bottles we like them blend seamlessly. But if for some reason you find a slight sediment in your perfume it will not harm the use. Just gently shake to disperse the ingredients.
Is it real 24K Gold?
Sure is! Our 24 Carat Gold flakes are of the highest quality and are made in Germany. They are recommended for skincare use due to their natural antioxidants and fantastic anti-aging benefits. The 24 carat Gold occasionally comes off on the roller and onto the skin. This is also completely normal and safe to do so. The flakes will melt easily into your skin.
What are the benefits of crystals and why are they in the perfume?
Crystals are known to have incredible healing benefits. Crystals are natural rocks or minerals that are believed to have special powers. These powers can be used for healing, protection, and other purposes. Some people believe that crystals have an energy field that can interact with the human body’s own energy field, providing a range of benefits. Others simply enjoy the beauty and decoration of these colorful stones.
I have always loved crystals from a very young age and have always been drawn to their energies. When I got into perfumery, the idea to use and incorporate crystals into my brand was a no brainer. I love holistic healing and I love that I can incorporate their benefits into my signature scents.
Disclaimer:
All information about the metaphysical properties of the crystals is for reference only. It is a combination of research on how the gemstones have been used by different cultures today and throughout history, and my own personal experience. FRANK AND LAZULI do not recommend using crystals as a substitute for conventional medical treatments and do not claim they cure or heal medical conditions. Please always listen to the advice of your medical professional and only use crystals as a complimentary therapy in addition to medical treatment & spiritual practises.
Why are some batches of the same perfume oil a different colour?
Working with natural materials is different to having a scent created in the lab. It can be replicated. When using natural ingredients found in nature, there can be a number of factors that can affect the colour of the perfume. Our concentrates are made from essential oils & absolutes and depending on the conditions in which these oils were harvested or their growing conditions, i.e. weather, this can affect the end result.. For this reason no two batches of essential oils are exactly the same. There is always some variance. Although you won't usually notice a difference in the scent in our perfumes, sometimes it can happen. This is the beauty of working with raw materials and why I love it so much.
Are all your perfumes 100% natural?
Yes! All our perfumes are made using 100% natural ingredients. They are FREE from synthetic fragrances, phthalates, and parabens. The natural perfume oils are blended into an all natural base of fractionated coconut oil.
Recommended storage?
To ensure a long life for your FRANK AND LAZULI natural perfume oil please store in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and from children. Always keep your perfume away from water to prevent any entering the bottle. Perfume oils age gracefully, so we suggest our oils to be used within 12 - 18 months.
We doubt it will last that long! They are addictive!
Precautions
We recommend doing a patch test prior to using our natural perfumes. Even though they are created from natural ingredients, everyones skin is different and how one person reacts to something is different to another. Always best to err on the side of caution.
In the rare event of any irritation, wash the skin to remove any of the fragrance and discontinue immediately. We limit the use of citrus oils that cause phototoxicity. We use Lime Distilled oil and Bergamot (Bergapten-free) Essential oil, which do not cause phototoxicity. Grapefruit oil is the only one in our blends that can cause skin sensitivity so please limit use when in the direct sun.
Due the the high concentrate of oils in our products, we do not suggest using during pregnancy or breastfeeding or if you have any major health concerns. Though we recommend it is always best to consult your health professional before use.
Do you use animal-derived or synthetic musk?
Never! When we talk about musk, we are referring to natures musk, which comes from Ambrette Seed. We use it in our NIGHTFALL perfume. We have also formulated our own musk accord from essential oils and absolutes. Our products are always vegan friendly and cruelty free.
Synthetic 'musks' are more commonly used today in perfumery and they are created in a lab, using chemicals and there is much debate regarding their safety.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
Yes, they most certainly are. We never test our products on animals, only humans!
Got a question not answered here?
Email us at hello@frankandlazuli.com