Our Materials & Process
Our Materials & Process
At Stardust & Stems, we blend perfumes in the old-world tradition—by hand, in small batches, using real plants and resins. Since our founding in 2022, we’ve remained committed to creating perfumes and botanical products that are rooted in nature, crafted with care, and made for those who seek both enchantment and transparency.
Our Ingredients
- We use essential oils, absolutes, CO₂ extracts, natural isolates, and handmade tinctures crafted from real plant material.
- Our perfumes are made with 80–100% (on average 96%-100%) natural fragrance.
- A few of our newer perfumes (beginning May 2025) include less than 20% (on average 4%) lab-created aroma molecules, always IFRA-compliant and chosen for environmental or safety reasons.
- All products are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free.
- Most are 100% vegan—with the exception of select perfumes that contain butter CO₂. We’re actively working to reformulate those using a vegan substitute with a similar rich scent profile.
We only work with trusted suppliers who provide full transparency about the origin, safety, and ethics of the ingredients they offer.
On Natural vs. Synthetic Molecules
Natural and lab-synthesized aroma molecules like linalool or geraniol are chemically identical—the only difference is how they’re sourced. In rare cases, synthetic versions are more sustainable, safer for skin, or necessary due to the ethical or ecological impact of harvesting certain plants.
Learn more about natural vs. synthetic aroma molecules
Perfume Appearance & Filtration
Mainstream perfumes appear crystal-clear because they're created using purified synthetic fragrance oils. At Stardust & Stems, we do not filter our perfumes (though we do filter our tinctures). Why? Because:
- Sediment and cloudiness are a sign of real plant materials—resins, roots, fruits, and flowers infused in oils and alcohols.
- This natural variation adds depth and richness to the scent and evolves beautifully over time.
Some of our perfumes even feature hand-blended tinctures, like:
- London Fog, carried in a tincture of real black tea
- Strawberry Moon, carried in a tincture of fresh strawberries
We believe in celebrating the organic beauty of natural perfume—even if it’s a little cloudy. Just give it a gentle shake and enjoy the infusion.