The Fragrance Shop — Local services in Carrboro

I decided to visit The Fragrance Shop based on their glowing reviews and the amount of variety they offered. I have been rotating the same body oils for decades because I am familiar and comfortable with them, they smell lovely, and I frequently receive compliments on how nice I smell (yup, I'm one of those people). However, I was feeling adventurous and finally willing to try something new and went there. When I walked in, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the options available, and I felt really idiotic as I stuttered and stumbled trying to explain to the sales associate what I was hoping to find. She was insanely sweet and patient with me, and together we sniffed and pleasantly chatted over what she recommended for me. There were some hits, misses, and maybes, but I was unconditionally satisfied with my purchase and so grateful that I went there. I also left with a sample of a body oil that is very rare and quite exotic that I'm very excited to trial. If you are like me and prefer more unconventional and eccentric oils, I would absolutely 100% recommend this shop. I not only found the perfect oil for me, I had a pleasant chat and good laughs with the sales associate that I truly valued. I will be a lifelong customer of this shop...

The service was phenomenal, and the staff were genuinely pleasant to talk to. Based on their in-depth notes, thoughtful recommendations, and how they adapted to my preferences, it was clear they had a real passion for fragrances. The store’s decor evokes a sense of calm and elegance, thanks to the soothing color palette and slightly dimmed lighting.

During the 80 or so minutes I spent in the store, the staff remained just as attentive as they were in the first minute, which I truly appreciated. Over the course of my visit, I also discovered that patchouli is a note I’m particularly drawn to, which is an important realization for my future fragrance exploration. My personal favorites from their collection were YSL Tuxedo, Givenchy Gentleman, and the Parfums de Marly lineup, all of which stood out for their depth and distinctive character.

The store carries a wide range of brands and flankers that aren’t typically found in Sephora or other mainstream retailers, making it a unique destination, and a must-visit for fragrance enthusiasts looking to explore or refine their scent...

I am not a fan of their dupe process for what I paid and especially after speaking to a rep for so long on the phone about it being a family owned business; everything is done in house, yadda, yadda, yadda. My order was not even remotely similar to what I sent and the fragrances were very mild. I expected accuracy because the process needs some work. I felt there was no attention to detail, no resemblance to what I originally requested—just a disappointing and frustrating experience from start to finish. Do your research more diligent than what I’ve done. I also purchased a couple of fragrances and even the well known name brand did...