About Us — The Clarens Parfumerie

We’re an independent perfume workshop rooted in the heart of Clarens, the beautiful mountain town of the Eastern Free State, just a few kilometres from the Lesotho border.

At The Clarens Parfumerie, we craft original, proudly South African fragrances — no knock-offs, “inspired-bys,” or mass-market dupes. Every scent is designed, blended, and bottled by hand, using carefully chosen ingredients to achieve true quality and character.

With us, you'll discover a collection that’s both authentic and distinctive — from timeless perfumes and colognes to our exclusive line of 100% natural fragrances. Whether you’re finding your next signature scent or the perfect gift, you’ll experience the artistry and soul of small-batch perfumery at its finest.

Visit our flagship store in Clarens or shop online!

Our story

Under the Free State sky, where sandstone bluffs keep watch and summer storms roll in like theatre, The Clarens Parfumerie took shape from a simple, steady dream: to make beautiful, ethical perfume—by hand, in small batches—that feels like it belongs to this landscape.

We’re a studio, not a factory. We work slowly. We listen to materials, to seasons, and to the people who will wear what we make. Every bottle that leaves our bench carries the same promise: craft first, kindness always.

The perfumery began as a lifelong fascination with scent and place. Notes jotted in margins; early experiments with botanicals; the first time a blend “clicked” and felt like light in a bottle. That feeling never left us. We set up a small studio a stroll away from galleries and cafés, and we started blending. Today, we ship nationwide—but our approach is unchanged: tiny batches, careful hands, and patient methods.

What we make (and how)

We create eau de parfum and eau de cologne signed to wear elegantly. Our perfumes are hand-blended, rested, filtered, and bottled in Clarens. We work in micro-batches so we can watch how a formula evolves from day one to day sixty and beyond—how the citrus softens, how the heart opens, how the base settles on warm skin. Time is an ingredient here. So is restraint. We don’t chase volume; we cultivate balance, clarity, and a dry-down that feels intimately yours.

Our standards (what we leave out)

People who care about perfume often care about what isn’t in it. Our formulas follow clear rules:

• No chemical fixatives — We do not add synthetic fixatives. Longevity comes from composition, concentration, maturation, and the natural tenacity of resins, woods, and balsamic notes.
• No dyes — We let botanicals determine colour. Hue varies from pale straw to amber—evidence of life, not a flaw.
• Paraben- and phthalate-free — We do not use parabens, and we avoid phthalates including DEP.
• Free of BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) — We leave out this synthetic antioxidant.
• Cruelty-free — Never tested on animals.
• Vegan — No animal-derived ingredients such as natural musk, civet, castoreum, ambergris, hyraceum, or beeswax.

These choices ask more of the perfumer. Without fixatives or dyes, we rely on good materials, thoughtful architecture, and patience. The reward is a scent that unfolds rather than shouts—present to those you invite close, never louder than the room.

Our place (why Clarens)

Clarens shapes our palette. Mornings that smell of sun on stone; a breeze through dry grasses; the hush after rain when the earth goes dark and fragrant. We study these textures and translate them into wearable accords—sparkling citrus for bright air, petal-soft florals for weightless afternoons, woods and ambers for the long gold of evening. When we say “made in Clarens,” we mean more than a location. We mean a conversation with the land: quiet, attentive, and deeply grateful.

Our process (from idea to bottle)

A new perfume begins as a sketch: a mood, a memory, a scene. We build accords—green fig leaf, rose tea, warm cedar—then weave them into a draft composition. The blend rests (weeks, not days). During maceration we test on skin, in different temperatures and light, making micro-adjustments until the perfume moves with ease from top to heart to base. We filter gently to preserve character, then decant and label by hand. A final sniff check before the box closes; a note slipped in with care. It’s slow work, and that’s why we trust it.

Sustainability in practice

Sustainability is a chain of decisions, not a single badge. We produce in right-sized runs to reduce waste. We avoid materials that are ethically or environmentally fraught. Packaging is minimal and recyclable; bottles are designed to be kept and recycled at end-of-life. We’re not perfect, but we’re honest—and we keep refining the small things that add up: fewer components, shorter routes, clearer information for our customers.

How our perfumes perform (without fixatives)

A frequent question: Will it last? Yes—when built with intention. We compose with a well-structured pyramid, choosing concentrations that suit each formula, and giving the blend time to settle. Natural resins (benzoin, labdanum), woods, and balsamic tones lend quiet endurance. For wearers, a few simple tips help: apply to moisturised skin, target pulse points, and consider one light mist on clothing (test fabric first). Our aim isn’t maximal volume; it’s elegant presence that becomes part of your day rather than competing with it.

Why choose us

• Small-batch craftsmanship: Every bottle is blended, rested, filtered, and filled by hand in Clarens.
• Skin-kind formulas: No synthetic fixatives or dyes; paraben- and phthalate-free (including DEP); BHA-free; cruelty-free and vegan.
• Sense of place: Compositions shaped by South African light, weather, and mood.
• Honest sustainability: Right-sized production, thoughtful materials, transparent decisions
• Real support: Personal recommendations, sample guidance, and responsive help if you need it.

Visit us (or shop from anywhere)

If you’re passing through the Free State, make a morning of it: wander the village, have coffee, then visit the studio for a slow, guided test. We’ll share the stories behind the notes and decant your chosen bottle fresh from the batch. Can’t make the trip? Our online shop is open 24/7 with nationwide delivery and careful packing. 

Our promise

In a world of fast everything, we choose the long way: better materials over shortcuts, time over haste, feeling over noise. If you value objects made with care and principles you can name, we think you’ll feel at home here. We’ll keep learning, refining, and listening—to our ingredients, to our environment, and to you—so that each new batch carries forward the same quiet conviction: beauty, made by hand, is worth the time.

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Say hello → [Contact]
Explore perfumes → [Shop Collection]

The Clarens Parfumerie—small-batch fragrance with a South African heart, crafted for people who believe the things we wear closest to us should be kind, considered, and beautiful.