Last time I tried to copy an Aesop fragrance for myself, it didn't go well. While shopping at Target, I examined the Dossier bottles and realized an entire secondary industry of copycat fragrances exists. I can buy instead of make copycats!

I first considered buying samples from The Essence Vault, though a legitimate review describes

None of them smelled anything like the originals, not even remotely close. … The projection is poor and they do not last very long, maybe 2-3 hours, not that you would want them to last any longer or have better projection.

It seems like The Essence Vault makes worse copycats than me! I could've guessed the copycat fragrances industry includes soft scams.

Element Brooklyn seems closer, and they have an additional selling point of reducing waste. Also (mostly facetiously), I live close enough that I can take up issues with them directly.

I might've referred myself for my first order 😉. However, my order really went off the rails when I noticed the option to pay by bank deposit. As a fInAnCiAl tEcHnOlOgIeS pRoFeSsIoNaL, I thought I could easily conduct an ACH or wire transfer. I found out after I placed the order with bank deposit that my personal bank account doesn't support transfers like that. And now I find myself politely begging to pay for my copycat soap!