Strange Invisible Perfumes

Array of Lovely, high quality botanical scents in small, classy perfume bar.
We randomly walked in from our stroll off Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, and were greeted by a rep in the store who told us the owner grows their own organic, aromatic plants. She offered us great customer service, greeting us upon entry and patient customer service, with good recommendations on popular scents and her preferences.
I really liked most of their scents… Very natural and pleasant, but with personality! Not sure if they have options for men also, but she did ask if the scent was for a man or woman. They also have ones made for your astrological sign, which for me is as irrelevant as buying jewelry with your birthstone, but hey, fun option.
The high prices might be worth it because of the high quality, unique scents they have. They have 3 different sizes: 15, 50, 100mL. And for the undecided… A minibar with 12 little samples for only 90. Definitely considering treating myself!!!

my experience was more like strange invisible vibes (bad ones) from the sales clerk. when i mentioned to him that i prefer sweeter scents like vanilla (cut with something spicy like ginger), he only replied ‘we have nothing vanilla here’. i made the mistake of not taking the hint and just walking out, and added that i’m not a fan of rose ‘wellll, we put rose in EVERYthing here sooo…’. the scents to me were just OK. on our way out, he left us with a ‘miss you already’!

glad i went with my first mind and purchased a sampler.
when i was in the store i thought that each fragrance smelled remarkably similar.
with the exception of prima ballerina, every single one smells exactly the same. with the exception of the bergamot scented lotion i purchased, i am dissatisfied with their fragrances BUT am very satisfied with the philosophy behind their creation.
i won’t be back.

I had fallen in love with Strange Invisible Perfumes last year, when I got samples of some perfumes from Spirit Beauty. I love them all, pretty much, but the one that had me swooning hardest was «Fair Verona» and last year I told Husband that all I wanted for Christmas was a bottle of this perfume.
We flew down to Santa Barbara (from Seattle) for a few days’ vacation and when we talked about driving up to Santa Monica for the day, I IMMEDIATELY decided I needed to go to the brick & mortar shop on Abbott Kinney. The store was great — I loved the simplicity of it and how the scents were displayed. (They had a few other items that I’ve used or currently use in the back area, but I already knew I’d be spending enough on perfume!)
The woman that was working there that day was lovely — very nice, helpful, and clearly knew all the scents well. I knew I wanted to take something home with me, but there was no way I could settle on one scent because really, I love them all. Bonus: Just walking in to a department store and getting a whiff of all the yucky synthetic perfumes gives me a headache. I spent a good half hour inhaling SI perfumes and felt fine afterward. Yes, Strange Invisible is pricey, but it’s GOOD STUFF. Nothing synthetic and they actually age all the perfumes for something like 6 months. I love the way their scents gently change and warm up over time and after a few hours, going through the different notes. I used to use a lot of luxury eco friendly, non toxic skincare (facial oils, moisturizer etc from the likes of Tata Harper, May Lindstrom, etc) but have cut back and now make my own facial oils and such. These perfumes are my one luxury and so well worth it. I’d never considered myself much of a perfume person, but I’ve been known to refresh my SI perfumes right as I’m going to bed. LOVE LOVE LOVE their products.
So I couldn’t decide this time around — I decided to get the sampler plus an extra sample of «Aquarius» to take home and see what leaves the biggest impression. I even love the packaging of a the sampler — a pretty, lined purple box with the most enticing descriptions of each scent. Their body washes and lotions are awesome, too.

I love this shop and everything in it! I walked into the shop and felt a sense of relief, finally some natural scents with a welcoming atmosphere. Shaun, the shop manager, is so sweet and very, very knowledgeable. She is a true hidden gem. We checked out some skin care products and hair care, as my hair gets really brittle in the summer months. I tried the finishing treatment on my horsey ends and viola, instant repair! Also love the toners, great selections.
Even my boyfriend tried some of the Zodiac fragrances and he actually liked his own sign (Capricorn). I am going to get this for him for a gift now that i know. (wink) Also, I love the descriptions on in the Zodiac fragrances, but they could be a little easier to read. I had to crouch down and read his description because he couldn’t see it.
All in all, amazing selection of skin care, hair care, and BOTANICAL scents, mmmmmm. Absolutely love the refreshing décor, reminds me of Hawaii. Shaun is such an amazing addition to this shop, I love her suggestions and the way she directed me to the specific thing I was needing! What a lady.
I will definitely recommend the shop to all friends that come to LA. Who doesn’t love smelling amazing? Cheers!

I came to this place after it was featured in an article in a local magazine here in NZ
As soon as I walked in, Vishal who was a
wonderful and knowledgeable associate greeted me and worked with me to figure out the kind of scents i’m attracted to (without being pushy).
I finally walked out with a bottle of Musk Botanique and a couple of organic hand made soaps as pressies for my friends back home.
Money well spent I reckon.

Remember those Beverly Hills saleswomen in Pretty Woman who treated the pre-​makeover Julia Roberts with great disdain when she came in to look around the store? Well, the tres chic sales guy who works at this store made those women seem friendly.
«How much is this, Marie?»
«It’s very expensive.»
«Yes, it’s very expensive.»
He didn’t say any of these words, but the contempt hung thick in the air.
I worked very hard to get him to answer a couple of questions.
And when I said thank you as I was leaving, he didn’t utter a sound, but nodded at me like he was the Queen Mother.
I might also wager that he takes pride in exchanges like this, because in his mind that translates to exclusivity of some sort.

Lovely store with an eclectic selection of perfumes that you don’t really smell anywhere else. I really enjoyed their zodiac collection, esp the Aries scent, which I fall under. I was a bit disappointed with their black rosette though, because I couldn’t smell anything beyond the cognac that they used as their foundation. Perhaps my nose is not sensitive enough to pick up the delicate notes that were supposed to be their though. Definitely a luxury item to have though! I don’t know when I would be able to afford their stuff but it’s still fun to peruse when you are wandering Abbott Kinney.

I was so excited to have discovered this botanical perfumery! I came across Strange Invisible by accident, but oh how grateful I am for that accident!!!
I walked in and was kindly greeted by Betti. I told her that I was looking for something new and she proceeded by asking me a few questions. She then took me on a scent «tasting». After smelling about 6 – 8 scents, with her guidance, I was able to narrow my selection down to two. I tried them on my skin and within a few minutes I was a addicted! I have worn my select fragrance every day since. I am completely intoxicated by my scent and have received countless complements on it. The sillage is delicate which I find to be the most sensual and sexy kind of perfume. Betti couldn’t have been more gracious, conversational and open to sharing her knowledge. Thank you Betti!
I have recommended SI to friends and clients knowing that they will be just as happy as I am to have a gem of a boutique perfumery in the LA area.
This was truly an experience that I wont forget and I can’t wait to return!
Note: Just the other day I learned that there is another perfumery next door to Strange Invisible called Le Labo. I visited Le Labo two days ago and also found a remarkably unique fragrance to add to my growing collection.

The most unique and luxurious experience you can gift yourself.
SIP uses quality, organic, meticulously chosen ingredients to produce exquisite blends. Layer them together and your customization possibilities are endless.
I am a happy owner of both Essence of IX (Pure Perfume) and Vacances (Eau de Parfum).

The inside is beautiful, the perfumes are incredible, and the staff is helpful and friendly.
I tried one perfume on my skin and have not been able to stop thinking about it. I ordered a couple of samples of that perfume online, which were pricey, but you get what you pay for.
I’m planning on going into the store and trying some more scents on my skin (on different days) before making a purchase.
I’ve never been a big fan of perfume, but the products here are beyond what I’ve ever experienced.

I am a long time fan of Strange Invisible Perfumes. I visit LA periodically from Oakland, and I always make a point of stopping by this remarkable perfumery. I own several of their scents, have used the body washes, and generally been under their thrall since my first visit.
You will not find perfume like this anywhere else. The meticulous craftmanship and obsessive sourcing of only the highest quality raw materials shows in how the scents wear: they become more interesting as the day goes on. They never have that metallic/​alcoholic sting of commercial perfumes.
If you know about perfume, you know that quality of commercial perfume continues to plummet, as people are happy with a label on a bottle. The cheapest raw materials are used, the earth is ravaged in the process, and everything is mass-​produced.
Well, not here.
Allow the kind sales staff to take you on a journey, and as you scent your way through the collection, you may find your senses tingling, memories and emotions rushing forward. One of these scents has made me cry.
That’s what perfume is supposed to do. Not evoke some name connected to long-​lost glamour. This is an art form, not a consumer sport.
Give yourself extra time and really enjoy the experience; you will find it rejuvenating and replenishing like a nice massage or meditation.

I’m in love… seriously though. A beautiful boutique stocked with their own line of fragrances. All are natural, most are organic, and some are biodynamic. Unique scents, some classic, some exotic, all thoughtful and beautiful.
The ladies who helped me were friendly, patient, and lead me right to what I was looking for… and although I smelled several of their perfumes and tried one I didn’t get it. Which I am now totally regretting, because I can’t stop thinking about it. And really isn’t that what fragrance is all about?
They also carry some natural skincare lines. Some delicious smelling and cutely packaged soaps were a great find, as was a refreshing eye gel.

GREAT EXPERIENCE!
Went here this week for my anniversary gift. The staff is helpful, friendly, and very informative about the components of each fragrance. I enjoy knowing that I got something very unique, as this hidden gem is on the West Coast, and I am on the East. Will definitely be a repeat customer.

I love this place. They’re all organic and natural perfumes. Not EDTs but Parfum!
I have magazine street and it’s very unique and exotic smelling. But beware, it’s pricey!

The name alone tempted me into coming here. The shop is lovely and the salesgirl was pretty cool. I think a lot of people come in here and try on perfume without buying, so she is to be considered VERY patient. She allowed me to sample the exclusive summer scent. They only made 40 bottles of it. It smelled REALLY good but faded within 2 hours. BUT, they wouldn’t dissuade me from trying something else next time.

First I was lured in by the name, then the sight of pretty little fragrance bottles and pretty ladies ;)
This place is a god-​send if you are looking for a fragrance that is A) unique and B) not created from synthetics.
A wonderful girl named Sharon assisted me and I am in love with the scent titled, Magazine St.

Strange Invisible Perfumes is a relatively new fragrance house which focuses on Botanical and Organic ingredients in its fragrances.
Upon entering the store you will notice a fragrance bar with testers and paper to smell and sample the different fragrances. The store is cozy and quaint with a cosmopolitan character. Its stylish, but not silly. The displays are modern, yet minimal. They even have a sink upstairs where you can try some of their bath and body products.
I met Amanda who was very friendly, welcoming and genuine. She took the time to tell me about the products and the history of the company.
The fragrances themselves come in beautiful bottles. They are decorated with a contemporary feel, but they are very classic with their round shape and tiny atomizer.
I was recovering from the flu and after spraying about 20 different scents, I did not sneeze once! These scents are truly organic and botanical! They have a very high concentration of oil and what separates boutique scents such as Strange Invisible Perfumes from the rest is that there are no synthetics.
The fragrances themselves have a lot of depth and character. Their «Aquarian Roses» scent takes rose to a new level, you may think its an overtly sweet floral, yet it remains earthy and somewhat grassy. Their «Urban Lily» scent has notes of lily flower, but it manages to make a white floral «gothic» and somewhat oriental. My personal favorite was the «L’Invisible» which blends Sicilian lemon, vanilla, blood orange and ylang ylang. SIperfumes manages to make patchouli sweet, cardamom refreshing, and tuberose warm. The art of combining completely different top, middle and base notes is very tricky. The ability for a fragrance house to manipulate your perception of perfume is an exceptionally admirable quality.
Strange Invisible Perfumes manages to shatter all the pretenses you may have about perfumery. It takes depth to a whole new level.
The 1.7 eau de parfum sprays sell for around $ 135 dollars. While they are a bit pricey, if you are on a budget they also have some more affordable items. They have wonderful body washes (Wild orange, Lavender vetivyer, egyptian rose, etc.) for $ 35 dollars.
Strange Invisible Perfumes is a one of a kind fragrance house with great products and a wonderful staff! If you are an apothecary junkie like me, I highly suggest you visit this boutique! A hidden gem in Venice beach!

Well, I had heard about the perfume, seen the strangely unattractive website, then finally decided to visit the store and sniff for myself as I had heard, since the perfumes were organic, they would not affect me the way the synthetic crap at the department store does — sort of like snorting vinegar.
The store is lovely, the perfumes are really wonderful, warm and lush. No acrid chemical aftersmell. Fantastic non pushy staff let me try every single thing in the store, I was there so long I tried my own patience. Leaving, I was torn between a bottle of Magazine Street and Narcotic, in fact I am still dipping into my samples to decide which bottle will be mine.
Now that I think about it, the place is very French. Lovely atmosphere, beautiful expensive perfumes, super fancy lotions and cleansers, shiny lovely jewelry. So, go there then have some bright pink macarons and café up the street (or is it down) at Jin. Ooh la la a perfectly faux Paris day.

The Strange Invisible Perfumes line is created by Alexandra Balahoutis. The fragrances are unique, hand-​crafted, and contain no synthetics. Esthetically, the packaging is simple but classy — as is the store.
I personally don’t love her fragrances, but I still would recommend you visit the store and have your own olfactory experience. The salepeople are extremely helpful and patient and will walk you through the myriad of fragrances.
I’m hoping they launch some new fragrances soon that are more to my liking. Although frankly, it’s just as well since they cost about $ 185 a bottle!