Why does it seem like almost every perfume seller on Etsy is “witchy”? Do only witches like to smell good? We get the whole “perfume = magic potion” thing, but c’mon! Are perfumes that are dressed up in dark packaging with names like “Coffin Nail” really witchy or magical? Or is it just a trite exploitation of symbology and powers that really shouldn’t be messed with?
At Exuma Fragrance Co., we didn’t come here to play pretend. We came to make real perfume. But on a platform like Etsy, that’s easier said than done.
The “Witchy” Niche: Magic or Marketing?
Don’t get us wrong—ritual, intention, and nature are part of what make perfumery beautiful. In fact, we ritualize our own creative process in hopes that our fragrances will help empower you with light (not darkness). Scent is powerful. It’s personal. And yes, it can be sacred. But let’s be honest: on Etsy, you can’t swing a pendulum without hitting a dozen shops selling “Witch’s Moon Elixir” or “Hex-Breaker Perfume” made from—let’s be real—fragrance oil from a bulk overseas supplier and a sprinkle of glitter.
The result? A marketplace where spiritual symbolism is too often reduced to aesthetic, and real artistry gets buried beneath attractive buzzwords.
We’re not here to shame people’s beliefs. But we are here to raise a brow at those who exploit those beliefs to sell what is, at the end of the day, a bottle of diluted soap oil.
The Problem with Perfume Oils on Etsy
A lot of what’s sold as “perfume” on Etsy isn’t perfume at all. It’s pre-made fragrance oil—designed for candles or soaps—poured into a roller bottle with some dried flowers, maybe a crystal chip or two, and a cutesy name.
These products require no skill in perfumery. None. Zero. Nada.
And yet, they dominate the marketplace, often undercutting legitimate artisan perfumers with their ultra-low prices and ultra-high margins. Meanwhile, those of us crafting real perfumes—using essential oils, absolutes, isolates, and carefully balanced accords—are stuck trying to explain why our prices aren’t $9.99 with free shipping.
The truth? Because real perfume takes work.
The Exuma Difference
At Exuma, every scent we make is constructed from scratch. No shortcuts. No bulk fragrance oils. No “amber vanilla patchouli” that smells like a dollar store incense stick.
We blend with intention. We measure, test, reformulate, and age. We study raw materials and their interactions. We care about how our perfume wears on your skin—not just how it smells in the bottle. That’s the difference between a fragrance and a fantasy.
And yes, we do all that while competing against shops selling “handmade” perfumes made with ingredients that took 30 seconds to mix.
Why We Stay
You might ask: why even stay on Etsy? The answer is simple—because real perfumery deserves to exist there, too. Because among the noise, there are still people who are looking for something genuine. And when they find Exuma, they know. They smell the difference.
We’re not here to cast spells or summon goddesses (unless that goddess is Iso E Super). We’re here to make perfume. Real perfume. And if you’re tired of gimmicks, we think you’ll find something honest in our bottles.