Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance before purchase

Choosing a fragrance should feel considered, not overwhelming. Explore our guidance on scent profiles, notes, sillage, longevity, official samples, delivery and returns.

Choosing a fragrance

Start with the elements you already understand about your preferences: the fragrances you enjoy, notes you like or dislike, intended season or occasion, and the level of sillage and longevity you prefer. You can then refine the selection using our scent profile, note, season and occasion filters. Our editorial notes provide additional context on the fragrance’s character and wearability.

Yes. You can explore fragrances according to their overall olfactory profile, such as woody, floral, amber, citrus, aromatic, green, gourmand or leather.

Many fragrances combine several profiles, so these classifications are intended as a way to navigate the collection rather than as rigid categories.

Yes. You can explore fragrances containing notes or accords such as iris, rose, incense, leather, vanilla, tobacco, citrus or woods. The presence of a note does not necessarily mean that it dominates the composition. Its character depends on its concentration and the materials surrounding it.

The fragrance pyramid describes how a perfume develops. Top notes create the first impression. Heart notes emerge after the opening and define the central character. Base notes develop more slowly and provide depth and persistence. The pyramid is a guide and cannot fully predict how a fragrance will develop on every person.

Yes. Fresh, citrus and aromatic compositions are often easier to wear in warmer weather, while amber, leather, gourmand and deeper woody fragrances may feel particularly suitable during colder months. These are recommendations rather than rules.

Yes. Fragrances may be recommended for everyday wear, professional settings, evenings, formal occasions, travel, intimate settings or statement wear. The recommendation considers the fragrance’s character, sillage and overall presence.

Sillage describes how noticeably a fragrance radiates into the space around the wearer.

A fragrance with intimate sillage remains relatively close to the skin, while one with expansive sillage is more easily perceived by others around you.

Sillage may vary according to skin, climate, application and the stage of the fragrance’s development.

Longevity describes how long a fragrance remains perceptible after application.

Some fragrances become subtle after a few hours, while others remain noticeable for much longer.

Longevity varies according to the composition, skin, climate and quantity applied.

Sillage describes how noticeably a fragrance radiates around the wearer.

Longevity describes how long the fragrance remains perceptible.

A fragrance can last for many hours while remaining relatively close to the skin, or project strongly at first and become more discreet over time.

Fragrance has no fixed gender. Traditional classifications may be used as navigation tools, but any fragrance can be worn by anyone. We recommend choosing according to notes, mood, character and personal preference.

Unisex means that the fragrance is not positioned exclusively toward a traditional masculine or feminine audience.

It does not mean neutral or understated. A unisex fragrance may still be floral, smoky, sweet, dark, intense or highly distinctive.

Our editorial descriptions help distinguish accessible compositions from more experimental ones.

An accessible fragrance usually has a recognisable structure and can be worn easily in different situations.

A more experimental fragrance may feature unusual contrasts, animalic notes, smoke, leather, medicinal nuances or unconventional materials.

The right choice depends on how familiar or adventurous you want the experience to feel.

Consider exploring a different scent direction or dominant note.

For example, someone who normally wears fresh citrus fragrances may wish to explore iris, incense, leather, resins or dry woods.

Our editorial notes also identify fragrances that feel distinctive, unconventional or outside mainstream perfumery.

Our filters and editorial guidance are designed to narrow the selection.

Where personal guidance is available, we may ask about:

fragrances you already enjoy;
notes you like or dislike;
the intended season or occasion;
your preferred sillage and longevity;
your budget; and
whether you want something familiar or more adventurous.

Recommendations are based on the information provided, but fragrance remains subjective and should ideally be tested before purchasing a full bottle.

Samples and discovery

Where available, we offer official samples and discovery sets supplied by the fragrance house or authorised distributor.

Availability depends on the formats made available by each house.

No.

Sillage Dépôt does not decant perfume from retail bottles. We offer only official samples, discovery formats and approved sampling products supplied through authorised channels.

A discovery set is a curated selection of official fragrance samples designed to help you explore several compositions before choosing a full bottle.

A set may be organised around:

one fragrance house;
an olfactory family;
a season;
a mood;
a particular style; or
an editorial theme.

The contents and sample sizes are shown on the product page.

This depends on the individual set.

Some sets have fixed contents selected by Sillage Dépôt or the fragrance house. Others may allow a limited choice from the available official samples.

The product page will clearly indicate whether the set can be customised.

Samples and discovery sets cannot normally be returned for a change of mind because they are intended for testing and cannot be resold once supplied.

This does not affect your rights if the product is defective, damaged during delivery or incorrectly supplied.

Testing and wearing fragrance

Apply a small amount to clean skin and allow it to develop naturally.

Avoid judging the fragrance only from the opening. The heart and base may be significantly different.

For a more accurate impression:

test one or two fragrances at a time;
avoid rubbing your wrists together;
allow several hours of development;
test the fragrance under normal wearing conditions; and
repeat the test on another day before deciding.

Paper is useful for an initial impression and for comparing several fragrances.

Skin gives a more realistic understanding of development, projection and longevity because perfume interacts with body temperature and skin chemistry.

Testing on skin is preferable before purchasing a full bottle.

Fragrance can develop differently according to:

skin chemistry;
skin hydration;
body temperature;
climate;
humidity;
medication;
personal sensitivity; and
the quantity applied.

A fragrance may therefore smell different on your skin than on another person or on a paper blotter.

The nose can temporarily adapt to a fragrance after continuous exposure. This is known as olfactory fatigue.

Other people may still perceive the fragrance even when you notice it less.

Applying more immediately may therefore lead to overapplication.

There is no universal number.

Start conservatively, particularly with an unfamiliar or highly concentrated fragrance, and adjust after understanding its performance.

The setting also matters. A strong evening fragrance may be excessive in a small office or enclosed space.

Common application points include the wrists, neck and upper chest.

Perfume may last longer on clothing, but some compositions can mark delicate or light-coloured fabrics. Test carefully before spraying directly onto clothing.

Avoid applying fragrance to irritated or damaged skin.

Store perfume:

away from direct sunlight;
away from heat sources;
at a stable temperature;
in a dry place;
with the bottle properly closed; and
out of reach of children.

Bathrooms, windowsills and cars are generally poor storage locations because of humidity, heat and temperature changes.

Authenticity and sourcing

Yes.

We sell original products sourced from fragrance houses, authorised distributors and other legitimate, traceable supply channels.

We do not source products from unknown marketplaces or unauthorised grey-market sellers.

Fragrance houses occasionally update bottles, boxes, labels or regulatory information.

You may therefore receive the most recent authorised packaging even when the product image shows an earlier version.

A legitimate packaging update does not make the product defective.

Natural materials, ageing and production batches can produce minor differences in colour.

Some perfumes may also darken gradually over time, particularly those containing vanilla, resins or natural extracts.

A change in colour does not necessarily indicate deterioration.

Our collection is intentionally selective.

We prioritise identity, artistic direction, quality and the role each fragrance house plays within the overall portfolio rather than offering the largest possible catalogue.

Sillage Dépôt is a focused retail channel, not a marketplace.

Orders and payments

All prices are displayed in Swiss francs, CHF.

Applicable delivery charges are shown before the order is submitted.

The first automatic email confirms that we have received your order.

The purchase contract is concluded when Sillage Dépôt sends the dispatch confirmation or otherwise expressly accepts the order, as described in our General Terms and Conditions.

Contact us immediately.

We will try to assist, but cancellation cannot be guaranteed once the order has entered preparation or has been handed over to Swiss Post.

Contact us immediately if you notice an error.

An address change may be possible before preparation begins, but cannot be guaranteed once the parcel has entered the shipping process.

An order may be cancelled before acceptance because of:

product unavailability;
unsuccessful payment;
an obvious pricing error;
incomplete delivery information;
suspected fraud;
unusual quantities;
delivery restrictions; or
suspected unauthorised resale.

Where payment has already been collected, the corresponding amount will be refunded.

Shipping and delivery

Sillage Dépôt currently delivers only within Switzerland.

Available and successfully paid orders are dispatched no later than the end of the next business day after acceptance.

Business days are Monday to Friday, excluding applicable public holidays.

Orders are normally shipped with Swiss Post PostPac Priority or an equivalent tracked priority service.

Swiss Post normally schedules Priority parcels for delivery on the next working day after dispatch.

An available order should therefore normally arrive approximately two to three business days after acceptance.

Delivery times are estimates. We guarantee our dispatch commitment, but cannot guarantee the exact delivery time once the parcel has been handed over to Swiss Post.

Orders are delivered by Swiss Post on Saturdays where Saturday delivery is part of the selected service level (e.g. Priority) and the destination supports it. No separate Saturday option is normally required.

Yes, where tracking is available.

A tracking number or tracking link will be sent after dispatch. Tracking may require some time to become active.

Check the Swiss Post tracking information first.

If the tracking does not explain the delay or remains unchanged for an unreasonable period, contact us with your order number and tracking number.

If a parcel is returned because it was not collected, the original shipping, return transport and reasonable handling costs may be deducted from any refund.

A refund can be processed only after the parcel has been returned and inspected.

Contact us as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours after delivery.

Keep:

the shipping box;
the shipping label;
the protective packaging;
the product packaging; and
the affected product.

Send clear photographs showing the parcel and the damage.

Returns and refunds

Yes, provided that you request the return within 14 calendar days after delivery and the product remains:

unopened;
unused;
fully sealed;
undamaged;
in its original packaging; and
suitable for resale.

Prior return authorisation is required.

No, not for a change of mind.

Once the cellophane, protective wrapping, product seal or security label has been opened or damaged, the product cannot be resold as new.

An opened perfume cannot be returned because you dislike the fragrance, sillage, longevity or the way it develops on your skin.

Your statutory rights remain unaffected if the product is defective, damaged during delivery or incorrectly supplied.

For an accepted change-of-mind return, the customer pays the return shipping costs and bears the transport risk.

If the product is confirmed as defective, damaged during delivery or incorrectly supplied, Sillage Dépôt will arrange or reimburse an appropriate return method.

Do not return perfume before receiving instructions from Sillage Dépôt.

Perfume contains alcohol and may be subject to transport restrictions for flammable products. The approved packaging and shipping method must be followed.

Approved refunds are normally processed within 10 business days after the returned product has been received and inspected.

The time required for the amount to appear in your account depends on your bank or payment provider.

Original delivery charges are not normally refunded for a voluntary change-of-mind return.

Where the return results from a confirmed defect, delivery damage or fulfilment error, the appropriate shipping costs will be handled in accordance with our Returns & Refunds Policy and applicable Swiss law.

Product issues

Contact us promptly and do not open the product if the error is visible from the external packaging.

Send your order number and clear photographs of the product received.

Do not use or dispose of the product or packaging.

Contact us promptly and provide photographs of:

the shipping box;
the shipping label;
the internal packaging;
the product box; and
the damaged bottle.

The following do not normally constitute a product defect:

personal dislike of the fragrance;
differences caused by skin chemistry;
variations in sillage or longevity;
minor batch or colour variations;
authorised packaging updates;
normal artisanal imperfections; or
damage caused by heat, sunlight, freezing or improper storage after delivery.

Visible issues should be reported as soon as possible.

Statutory defect claims are generally subject to a two-year limitation period from delivery under Swiss law. Customers should notify Sillage Dépôt promptly after discovering a defect.

The voluntary 14-day return period is separate and applies only to eligible change-of-mind returns.