The Perfume House — Attraction in Portland

If you like perfume, it may seem like a great spot. If you're a person of color, be prepared to be ignored, dismissed, and “educated” by staff more interested in preaching than providing service.

My partner and I visited for our anniversary, hoping to find a scent she would love. She has a particular fragrance profile, and we simply wanted help identifying it. Instead, we were met with indifference the moment we walked in. Despite two staff members present, we were not acknowledged as we waited and walked around for nearly 10 minutes. Only after I spoke up were we finally addressed.

Unfortunately, the interaction quickly shifted from customer service to a personal lecture. The staff member took it upon themselves to educate us on their gender fluidity and explain why my simple question about men's colognes was “misguided.” They doubled down by stating they “don’t want to be a douche” and continued the unsolicited identity discussion before presenting several strong, overpowering perfumes—none of which aligned with what we requested. Before we could even request alternatives, the associate abandoned us mid-interaction to assist someone else, never returning or acknowledging us again.

As two people of color, we couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast in how attentively other customers were assisted compared to how we were treated. This behavior felt dismissive, patronizing, and laced with a subtle but undeniable racial undertone.

To make matters worse, the staff member repeatedly emphasized the high price of the products they showed us—insinuating, without saying it outright, that we might not be able to afford them. This added an unnecessary layer of condescension to an already offensive experience.

We came here simply to enjoy a special moment together. Instead, we left feeling insulted, unwelcome, and judged — not only for our questions but, it seems, for who we are. We won’t be returning, and we sincerely hope this feedback encourages meaningful reflection on how customers, regardless of background,...

This place has gone from being bad, to being amazing, to being awful. When you-know-who was around it was great, but since she's left and started her perfume place in Portland, the staff that have come on in her stead are just incompetent. Worst is the somewhat tall older woman (not the owner's wife) who honestly just seems like an inexperienced family friend who said "sure, I'll help out." The anxiousness leaks off of her and makes your experience as a customer really unpleasant. She's highly unattentive and scatter-brained. Recently I asked to sample a new fragrance that they had apparently yet to receive testers of. They did, however, have sample spray vials that she made very clear they could not give to me (who does that?) but allowed me to smell a single spray from one onto a cotton ball. Actually, her lack of experience became very apparent here: she sprayed the women's version when I had asked for the men's version and scurried into the back room before I could smell it and tell her she'd made an error. I can't bear to come back to this place again for fear of having to deal with her.

Aside from the staff, it's really disappointing how they hijack the prices of discontinued or limited distribution scents (for example, Serge Lutens) when the price they paid to acquire the fragrance in the first place was still the same as it was old stock. For a while it was amazing, but it's clear now that The Perfume House and its outdated stocking policies will soon disappear into irrelevance in an ever-changing modern landscape of...

Walking into this Portland perfume house feels like stepping into another era the golden glow of the 70s hangs in the air, not as kitsch or costume, but as an atmosphere of unapologetic elegance. There’s a sense of ease and daring sophistication, like the kind of place where velvet armchairs and vinyl records might accompany the fragrance bottles on display.

The catalog here is nothing short of excellence. Each fragrance feels carefully chosen, a love letter to perfume history as well as to innovation. It’s not a cluttered or overwhelming selection, but a curated library that invites exploration whether you’re searching for the comfort of a classic chypre, the playful spark of aldehydes, or the mystery of resins and smoke. Every bottle tells a story, and the house itself feels like a storyteller, keeping perfume’s past alive while celebrating its modern artistry.

It’s rare to find a space where both seasoned fragrance lovers and curious newcomers feel equally at home. The staff welcomes you into conversation, not salesmanship there’s no rush, only the slow unfolding of scent as you discover what resonates with you.

This review is long overdue, but perhaps that’s fitting because like the best perfumes, this place lingers. It’s not about instant gratification but about memory, mood, and the way a well crafted scent can carry you through time. If Portland has a fragrant heartbeat, this house is...