Powell's Unisex Fragrance

What Our Readers Are Saying

Share your thoughts on this title!

Average customer rating 3.4 (33 comments)

---

`

Purchased this fragrance for my daughter several years ago. I am constantly using hers, so felt it was time to step up to the plate and get my own! Love it's unusual scent; not overpowering. Makes me happy.

`

I really wanted to like this perfume, after all of the wait and a special pick-up trip to Portland. Unisex and neutralized indeed, but a little bit boring dry. Plus, its fuzziness makes me want to sneeze. Unfortunately, it only makes a thoughtful gift to booklovers, and I will not use it on me.

`

I picked my order up in store, it only took a day longer than the stated pre-order release date for my order to be ready for pickup. The smell is a musky slightly sweet scent. It smells like damp old paper, vanilla, with a light scent of violets and vintage cosmetic powder not quite baby powder. Definitely brings to mind the old book room at the downtown Powells. I think this scent may be the same Paperback perfume that Demeter, the manufacturer, has been making for many years, it has the same scent notes. This scent is very unisexy, not too sweet not too musky. It's definitely a vintage scent and it mixes well with either tobacco or leather scents if that's part of your personal perfume. I sprayed it on my leather jacket from the 80's that somebody sprayed heavy florals on and it made the scent much more palatable.

`

I love the fragrance! Old books w a hint of vanilla. My wife does not love it, but, married 45 years, I don't care. I'm thinking about gifting it to my son, son-in-law, and brothers. But, is it too presumptuous to buy a fragrance for someone else?

`

The scent of books? Not so much. Notes of vanilla and talcum powder. It reminds me of my grandmother.

`

Everyone is complaining about how long it took but I don’t think that is fair due to the circumstances (pandemic) and also the fact that Powell’s was completely overrun by orders for this and it must have been hard to get them all out. It took around two months for me to get mine. I’m not really into fragrances but I like this one. It smells like vanilla, grandma, and library. Of course it doesn’t smell EXACTLY like a book but it reminds me of old libraries. It is a little on the vanilla/sweet side so it also reminds me of grandmas (not that that is bad).

`

I'm not sure why everyone is upset about the delays and lack of updates, I mean, extenuating circumstances much? The only thing worth getting a little worked up over was the shipping cost. I feel this was worth the wait, a nice reward after getting through a couple of the worst months (KNOCK WOOD) of CovidWinter. This is a fantastic comforting scent and I am ready to buy another to stock up! I was happy to see it's a Demeter fragrance because they are very good at unique yet wearable scents. I don't know that I sense the violets as much but it is definitely vanilla-heavy, smoky and antique without being fusty. It is also a scent word I hate to use but it's true: creamy. The scent evokes not so much an actual bookstore, but a feeling of being at a bookstore like Powell's, as opposed to a bookstore like Brahms & Nerbles. The packaging and ad copy are also witty and charming. Thank you for this fun souvenir!

`

Today I finally received it! I love the scent:) It's so cozy. I'd rather use it as a room fragrance in my home office. As people mentioned, it would be far better if they could give me any updates about my order, since I ordered it in November and waited two months.

`

My scent just arrived in the mail today and out of sheer excitement I had to immediately put it on. To my surprise it actually smells AMAZING. I got instant nostalgic memories of going to Powell’s old book room with my mother when I was an aspiring book fanatic. To anyone who hasn’t visited the room specifically, another reference would be like what an old Egyptian tomb just opened that was full of parchment and incense may smell like.

`

Will never buy from Powell's again. From the order being delayed three times with no communication from the seller to being charged $15 for shipping and not getting a tracking number, this is easily the worst online shopping experience I've ever had.

`

Where is my order? Why is Powell's not communicating with people about this? Should you just cancel and refund us?

`

So again the date is pushed back. Hey Powell's, how about some customer service and let your customers know what is going on? You have all our e-mail addresses from our pre-orders. Let us know what is up! I should not have to check back to see that there is another delay in shipping.

`

I understand that they didn’t prepare for the amount of people ordering, but the lack of transparency is frustrating. They should have put out communication, as delay after delay without notice is disrespectful.

`

Too sweet for me. I was hoping it would smell more like a bookstore. On my skin, it presents as mostly vanilla.

`

Pre-ordered this one Nov 10th for a Christmas gift. Dec 22nd and it still hasn’t processed or shipped. No email updates or anything from Powell’s. So disappointing. I will say one star for ease of cancelling the order. Come on Powell’s! This would have been so cool.

`

$15 shipping...from Portland to Seattle?!

`

I LOVE THIS FRAGRANCE! It truly captures the smell of a bookstore! Please bring it on as a regular item we will continue to purchase for years to come we promise!

`

I LOVE this scent! It is truly unisex, as it has the woodiness for men and the violets for women. I think (and wish) that they would offer it all the time instead of as a limited edition. I would make it my signiture scent. I bought a second bottle to send to my cousin, who is both a bibliophile and a "cognoScenti". Please, Powell's! Make it available all the time!

`

I have no idea how this is going to smell nor fo I care! This is a gift for a very 'ready' friend and I think this will be a fun gift. I'm sure my friend will receive it in the light-fragranced and light-hearted way that it is meant. Tony

`

I will be interested to see if this actually smells like a bookstore. That being said, THIS IS BRILLIANT! Books hold everything concerning human history and the human condition plus are an outlet for millions of imaginations that can be shared world-wide. I have been in love with books since I was 4; in love with libraries since grade 5; worked in a library for over 20 years-don't even get me started on bookstores! The heady aroma of all that knowledge/imagination makes me swoon!

`

Does this product ship internationally? Can I pre-order for UK delivery? Thank you.

`

You can spray it in an essential oil diffuser. A few spritzes in the water in the diffuser and your space will smell just like the classics.

`

Do you think you would ever offer a candle version? I don't know that I personally want to smell like a bookshop but i would love for my home to smell like it!

`

For everybody wondering like I was about the once November release date, now January 6th, I called customer service and the really nice and helpful associate had an answer. He told me apparently the company and everyone there was caught off guard how popular this was going to end up being. When they announced it, many local media outlets reported on it and of course that led to a large amount of people going to the site and ordering it thinking it would be great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift like I thought. It is not available at any of the physical stores, only on the website. The original stock amount that Powell's ordered quickly ran out and of course what they received was filled on a first come order basis. So even if you pre-ordered like I did, they ended up running out before they could fill all the pre-orders. Powell's did order more and will get them, unfortunately now they are not going to arrive until after Christmas. So if you're like me, you'll have to print out the picture with the website description and that'll have to go in the stocking for now. :) Hope this helps for those checking out the page here. I'm sure customer service will gladly answer any questions anyone might have about it.

`

This sounds like a great Product idea. But why does it's release date keep moving back? When I placed my order it was due out 12/10/2020. Early enough for the Xmas presents it was meant to be. Now it says 1/6/2021? What gives?

`

I love this.

`

My drawback is the shipping costs for this item. It doubles the price. Not cool.

`

I think this is a fun and smart idea. People who are complaining can take a hike. I love the smell of books, and I too miss going to bookstores. I bought one for my husband, and another for my mother the writer/publisher. This is a unique way to keep the store financially viable at the same time. Bravo!

`

The Home & Garden store was ruined by "potpourri" neurotoxins. Now I expect this asthma- and migraine-triggering synthetic stench will be scent-brand-piped into all the stores. It's respiratorily irresponsible to the general public, especially during this pandemic, and downright criminal toward people with respiratory and neurological illness. You don't have to be this desperate, Powells. Just be a great bookstore again.

`

I think this is an incredible idea. What a unique and imaginative gift for any "book person". Perhaps it would work as essential oil in my bubbler and make my reading room smell like Powell's. I cannot wait! Bravo!

`

April Fools?

`

How much will this cost?

`

Why...? Why does this exist?