Skylar Perfume Review: My Honest Thoughts on This Clean Fragrance Brand
Hey there, fragrance lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect signature scent. But as much as I adore perfume, I‘ve become increasingly concerned about the potentially harmful ingredients lurking in many conventional fragrances. That‘s why I was so excited to discover Skylar, a clean, natural, eco-conscious perfume brand that promises to deliver all the glamour of luxury perfume without any of the questionable chemicals.
In this post, I‘ll be sharing my honest review of Skylar perfumes, including:
- An overview of the brand and its key values
- My experience testing out Skylar‘s most popular scents
- A look inside the Skylar Scent Club subscription program
- Skylar‘s commitment to natural ingredients and sustainability
- How Skylar compares to other clean perfume brands
- And more!
So if you‘re curious about whether Skylar lives up to the hype, keep reading for my full rundown.
About Skylar
First, a bit of background on Skylar. The brand was founded in 2017 by Cat Chen, a former product developer who became passionate about clean beauty after becoming a mom. Frustrated by the lack of natural fragrance options that didn‘t compromise on sophistication or performance, Chen set out to create her own line of safe, sustainable, hypoallergenic perfumes.
Since then, Skylar has made a name for itself as a rising star in the clean fragrance space, winning over fans with its fresh, modern scents and impressive standards for natural ingredients. All of Skylar‘s perfumes are free from parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and other potentially harmful additives. Instead, they use a carefully curated palette of natural and organic oils, extracts, and absolutes to create scents that are as luxurious as they are safe.
But Skylar‘s commitment to being a conscious brand goes beyond its ingredient list. The brand is also cruelty-free, vegan, and uses recyclable and eco-friendly packaging materials. Plus, they donate a portion of their proceeds to Step Up, a non-profit that provides mentorship to girls in under-resourced communities.
Skylar Perfume Collections
One of the things I love most about Skylar is their gorgeous range of scents. The brand offers four main fragrance collections, each inspired by a different mood or moment:
| Collection | Vibe | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beachside | Fresh, aquatic, transportive | Salt air, bergamot, driftwood |
| Bloom | Soft, feminine, romantic | Rose, jasmine, peony |
| Wanderlust | Warm, spicy, exotic | Cardamom, vanilla, sandalwood |
| Gourmand | Sweet, mouthwatering, indulgent | Vanilla, caramel, citrus |
Within each collection, you‘ll find 3-5 unique scents that can be worn alone or layered together. Skylar‘s perfumes are designed to be easy to mix and match, so you can create your own bespoke fragrance wardrobe based on your mood or the occasion.
Each Skylar scent comes in a travel-friendly 10ml rollerball ($29) or a full 50ml bottle ($78). They also offer a Discovery Set ($20) that includes smaller samples of their bestselling fragrances, which is a great way to try before you buy.
My Skylar Perfume Reviews
Over the past few months, I‘ve had the chance to test drive several of Skylar‘s most popular perfumes. Here are my thoughts on each one:
Isle Eau de Toilette
Inspired by the easy breezy vibes of a perfect beach day, Isle is a fresh, sparkling scent that instantly transports me to the coast. It opens with a bright burst of citrus and bergamot, giving way to an aquatic heart of dewy freesia and water lotus. A base of driftwood and skin musk lends the scent a sunkissed, slightly salty finish.
To me, Isle perfectly bottles up the carefree feeling of a summer vacation. It‘s the perfect scent for hot days when you want to smell fresh and clean without being overpowering. I love throwing it in my beach bag or suitcase for an instant mood boost.
Willow Eau de Parfum
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Willow is a soft, ethereal fragrance that evokes the quiet magic of a secret garden. The scent opens with a lush bouquet of dewy green notes and delicate white florals, including muguet, jasmine, and orange blossom. A wisp of sheer amber and musk gives the fragrance a dreamy, skin-like finish.
Willow is one of those scents that just makes you feel pretty. It‘s perfect for days when you want to channel your inner romantic heroine, whether that means getting dolled up for a date night or lounging in a cottagecore dress with a good book. I especially love wearing this one in the spring and early fall.
Arrow Eau de Parfum
For something a bit sexier and more statement-making, there‘s Arrow. This warm, resinous scent features a spicy melange of cardamom, pimento berry, and nutmeg, balanced by a creamy blend of vanilla and tonka bean. To my nose, it has an addictive, almost chocolate-y quality that feels both cozy and seductive.
Arrow is the perfect date-night scent in my book. It‘s sultry and inviting without being too heavy or cloying. I also love layering it with some of Skylar‘s brighter, airier scents to add a bit of warmth and depth. If you‘re a fan of gourmand or spicy fragrances, definitely give this one a try.
Salt Air Eau de Toilette
Another beachy favorite of mine is Salt Air, a mineral-fresh scent that captures the essence of a windswept coastline. It has a slightly brinier, more ozonic quality compared to Isle, with notes of sea salt, neroli, and ambergris set against a sheer woody base.
Salt Air is a great choice for hot summer days or any time you want to mentally transport yourself to the shore. It‘s clean, invigorating, and effortlessly unisex. I‘ve found that it layers beautifully with Skylar‘s Vanilla Sky fragrance for a sweet and salty effect.
Meadow Eau de Parfum
Last but not least is Meadow, a bright, uplifting scent that‘s like sunshine in a bottle. It features a juicy blend of bergamot, neroli, and crisp apple, grounded by a soft floral heart of jasmine and tuberose. To me, it smells like biting into a perfectly ripe pear on a warm spring day.
I reach for Meadow whenever I need a little mood boost or pick-me-up. It‘s such a happy, easygoing scent that always makes me smile. I think it would make a great signature fragrance for someone who loves fresh, optimistic scents with a bit of youthful charm.
Across the board, I‘ve been consistently impressed by the quality and performance of Skylar‘s perfumes. They wear beautifully on my skin, lasting a good 4-6 hours depending on the specific scent. I also appreciate how gentle and non-irritating they feel, even on my sensitive skin. No headaches or sneezing here!
The Skylar Scent Club
If you‘re someone who loves to switch up your scent on a regular basis, you might want to check out Skylar‘s monthly fragrance subscription, the Scent Club. For $20 a month, you‘ll receive a 10ml rollerball of your choice delivered straight to your doorstep. You can choose from Skylar‘s entire collection of scents and switch them out whenever you want. Plus, you‘ll get free shipping, early access to new launches, and special discounts on full-size bottles.
Since launching in 2018, the Scent Club has grown to over 10,000 active subscribers, with a retention rate of 85% after 12 months. Considering that the Scent Club offers a $9 savings on each rollerball and lets you try the entire Skylar line at your own pace, I can see why it‘s such a hit. If you‘re new to Skylar or just love a good perfume deal, the Scent Club is definitely worth considering.
Clean Ingredients & Sustainability
One of my favorite things about Skylar, besides their beautiful scents, is their commitment to natural ingredients and eco-ethical business practices. The brand has some of the strictest standards for safety and transparency in the industry, going above and beyond to avoid any potentially harmful additives in their formulas.
Here are some of the ingredients you won‘t find in Skylar‘s perfumes:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Synthetic dyes
- SLS
- Mineral oils
- Petroleum
- Formaldehyde
- Animal-derived ingredients
Instead, Skylar uses a carefully vetted palette of natural and organic ingredients, including:
- Pure essential oils
- Plant extracts and absolutes
- Fruit and vegetable oils
- Isolates from natural raw materials
What‘s more, Skylar is committed to sourcing their ingredients ethically and sustainably. They prioritize renewable resources, biodegradable ingredients, and fair trade partnerships with their suppliers. All of their perfumes are also cruelty-free and vegan.
When it comes to packaging, Skylar uses 100% recyclable materials like glass bottles and FSC-certified paper. They‘re also in the process of transitioning to biodegradable packing peanuts and more minimal packaging in general.
It‘s clear that sustainability is more than just a buzzword for this brand—it‘s a core part of their DNA. As someone who‘s trying to make more conscious consumer choices, I really appreciate Skylar‘s holistic approach to being an ethical business.
How Skylar Compares to Other Clean Perfume Brands
Of course, Skylar isn‘t the only natural perfume brand on the block these days. Some of their biggest competitors include the likes of PHLUR, Henry Rose, and By Rosie Jane, all of which offer their own collections of safe, sustainable fragrances.
So how does Skylar stack up? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Brand | Price Range | Ingredient Standards | Give-Back | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylar | $29 – $78 | No parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes | 1% to Step Up | Free over $50 |
| PHLUR | $28 – $96 | No parabens, phthalates, BHT | 1% to International Trans Fund | Free over $50 |
| Henry Rose | $120 – $165 | EWG-verified, Cradle to Cradle certified | N/A | Free over $49 |
| By Rosie Jane | $28 – $65 | No parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde | N/A | Free over $50 |
As you can see, Skylar falls somewhere in the middle of the pack price-wise. They‘re more affordable than super-luxe brands like Henry Rose, but a bit pricier than PHLUR and By Rosie Jane.
In terms of ingredient standards, Skylar is on par with most other clean fragrance brands. They all avoid the biggest no-no ingredients like parabens and phthalates, although some brands go a step further with third-party certifications.
One area where Skylar stands out is in their give-back program. PHLUR is the only other brand I found that donates a portion of sales to charity, and Skylar‘s 1% donation is slightly higher.
Shipping-wise, all of these brands offer free shipping on orders over $50ish. Skylar also offers a small discount for signing up for their email list, which isn‘t something I saw from the other brands.
At the end of the day, which clean perfume brand you choose will likely come down to personal preference. If you tend to like fresh, citrusy, or beachy scents, Skylar is a great option. If you prefer more exotic or and musky fragrances, you might have better luck with PHLUR or Henry Rose.
How to Save Money on Skylar Perfumes
Skylar‘s perfumes are definitely a bit of an investment, but there are a few ways to save money on your purchase. First, if you‘re a new customer, you can get 15% off your first order just by signing up for their email list. They‘ll send you a code to use at checkout.
If you‘re planning on buying more than one bottle, it‘s also worth checking out Skylar‘s Gift Sets. These bundles let you mix and match different fragrances at a slight discount compared to buying them individually. For example, their Bestsellers Set includes full sizes of their three most popular scents (Capri, Arrow, and Isle) for $210, which is a savings of $24.
As I mentioned earlier, joining the Skylar Scent Club is another great way to save money in the long run, especially if you go through perfume quickly. For $20 a month, you‘ll get a rollerball of your choice delivered to your door, which is a $9 savings off the regular price. You can cancel or skip a delivery at any time, so there‘s really no risk in trying it out.
Finally, it pays to keep an eye out for Skylar‘s seasonal sales and promotions. In the past, they‘ve offered tiered discounts for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Mother‘s Day, and more. You can stay in the loop by following them on Instagram or subscribing to their email list.
The Bottom Line
So, is Skylar worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. This brand ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to clean, sustainable, and ethically-made perfume. Their scents are stunningly beautiful and unique, but still easy to wear and layer. I love that they use only safe, natural ingredients and prioritize eco-friendly packaging and charitable giving.
Of course, Skylar‘s perfumes are a bit of a splurge compared to drugstore fragrances. But I think they‘re absolutely worth it for the quality, performance, and peace of mind you get. If you‘re someone who values clean beauty and wants to invest in a signature scent (or three), I highly recommend giving Skylar a try.
And if you‘re not ready to commit to a full bottle just yet, the Skylar Scent Club is a great way to dip your toes in and discover your new favorite fragrance. For just $20 a month, you can try out their entire collection at your own pace and switch scents whenever you want.
The bottom line? Skylar is a brand that truly lives up to its promise of "fragrance, evolved." From their gorgeous scents to their impeccable ingredient standards to their commitment to sustainability and social impact, they‘re setting a new standard for what it means to be a conscious perfume brand. I know I‘ll be reaching for my Skylar bottles again and again.
