Getting to Know The Drydown Boutique Team pt. 3

Hello reader, My name is Samantha Flores, but I usually go by Sam. Aside from my fiance, best friend, and cats, perfume is the great love of my life. If I’m not smelling it, talking about it, or thinking about it, I’m writing about it - here on The Drydown Boutique Newsletter as well as my own publication, Sh*t Sam Likes. Over the course of the last couple of months, you have gotten to know the ever fabulous Drydown Boutique team through their answers to various perfume-related questions. Here are mine. I hope you enjoy!

What is your first perfume-related memory?

I don’t know that I have one specific perfume memory. It’s more like the first thing I can remember smelling and also having positive association with is my Mimi (grandmother) and her home. I associate her with the smell of candle wax and smoke as well as rich, resinous, amber perfumes.

What made you fall in love with perfume?

I think I fell in love with the way perfume allows a person to self-express beyond clothing or styling or accessorizing. I love the idea that my perfume can say a lot about me without me ever having to utter a single word. It’s the same way I feel about my tattoos. Who needs small talk when you have perfume?

Do you have a signature scent?

For a long time Honey by Marc Jacobs felt like it suited me more than anything. Though I still love it and will probably always own a full bottle, now I like to play around with what I smell like day to day. I need my perfume to match my outfit and my mood otherwise it throws off my day. Lately I’ve been wearing Fanghorn II by Pineward, Milk & Matcha by Obvious Parfums, Beltane by Maison des Animaux, and Spectral Grace by Heretic Parfum.

What is your perfume hot take?

This shouldn’t be a hot take, but here we are. There is no such thing as “chemical-free perfume” that just does not exist.

“Clean” perfume does not just mean 100% natural/plant derived materials. It means knowing how to use synthetics safely and not including known allergens. Often times in order for a perfume to be truly sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free, it will contain synthetics if it’s going to do its job right. The marketing of naturals as superior is frustrating! It might stop someone from exploring and finding a fragrance they truly love.

Also also, perfume is for EVERYONE! Regardless of gender or gender expression, if you like the way something smells, you should wear it. The only difference between perfume for women and perfume for men is marketing, and, in some annoying instances, price.

I’ll get off my soap box now.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which 5 perfumes are you bringing with you?

I reserve the right to change this list at a later date, but right this moment my list is: Fanghorn II by Pineward, Beltane by Maison des Animaux, Honey by Marc Jacobs, Kyoto by Comme des Garcons, and Not Dead, but Arisen by Fantome.

What is your favorite part about working at The Drydown?

All I ever want to do is smell perfume and talk to people who like to smell and talk about perfume. Working at The Drydown means that I get to spend all my time away from home doing just that.

The Drydown organizes perfumes by fragrance family. What fragrance style do you gravitate towards the most?

I adore our Earthy section. Anything that smells like it would be enjoyed by a forest witch is something I want to wear.

Which perfume stocked at The Drydown is your favorite?

Once again, I reserve the right to change my mind, and it is truly difficult to pick just one, but at this moment, Fanghorn II by Pineward reigns supreme in my heart. It smells like if you were running barefoot through a forest before stopping to dig into the damp earth with the intention of hiding a cursed object. I love it so much that I probably talk about it too much too.

Do you have a favorite perfume house stocked at The Drydown?

I really love Clue Perfumery. Their point of view is so distinct and well executed. I have yet to smell a scent from them that didn’t surpass my expectations or that I didn’t fall in love with upon first sniff. Laura Oberwetter is so talented and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

Do you have a fragrance white whale?

My fragrance white whale is something I hope to bring to life on my own one day. I need something that smells like rain on concrete, car exhaust, and a bit of charcoal smoke combined.

Is there anything else The Drydown Boutique Newsletter readers should know about you?

I mentioned it previously, but, in addition to working at The Drydown as a sales associate, I am also the writer of this newsletter and my own Substack newsletter called Sh*t Sam Likes! I write about perfume on both platforms and whatever else is tickling my fancy over on Sh*t Sam Likes.

I am also a hearing-aid user, if you can’t get my attention the first time, feel free to speak up. I promise I will not be offended. I want to make sure I can hear you and help you find a scent you’ll love!

Thank you so much for reading and getting to know all of us working at The Drydown. Getting to spend our days surrounded by perfume and perfume lovers is a true dream come true! Come and give us a visit when you’re in town! We can’t wait to meet you. Smell ya later!

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