Parfumerie Nasreen

This is the only true perfume shop in town. She sells the finest fragrances and if you are unsure of what to get she can find the fragrance to perfectly fit you. Each fragrance I’ve tried from hers are very unique and have many layers. Everything I’ve purchased has proven to be a winner with myself and people who comment on it.

When my husband and I visited Seattle a couple years ago, we walked across the street from our hotel and into the greatest fragrance shop. Nasreen asked about what scents I currently was wearing, what direction I wanted to go in, and immediately made two spot-​on recommendations. With all of the exotic lines she carries, you are guaranteed to find a fragrance that no other man or woman you meet is wearing.
In the time between our next visit two years later, Valleri helped me with a cologne for my husband. And, of course, we found him a new one at the shop this past Spring. The level of service you get at this place – even over the phone – should make you ashamed to order perfume /​cologne on Amazon.

It is the best perfume shop I have ever been! The lady has a passion on perfume and she seems to know each single bottle inside the shop. I really love the store and I will definitely come here every time I am in Seattle!!!

As a perfume enthusiast, I was disappointed with the limited selection of niche perfumery. However, given the tiny size of the shop, it’s to be expected.
What mostly bothered me about my experience was the owner, Nasreen. As soon as I entered the shop, she and her assistant greeted me normally, we chit chatted for a while, and I turned to browse on my own, which as a perfume enthusiast, is what I enjoy doing.
This is where the tension got so thick that you could cut it with a knife. She and her assistant were both staring at me and I felt very uncomfortable asking to spray a few things on. She was so insistent on certain scents that I felt pressured to agree with her. And when I mentioned that I liked something she said «well you should buy it.»
I politely nodded acknowledged what she said with a nod and resumed by browsing. Again, the stares were penetrating, as there was silence in the tiny shop as I glanced around. I finally decided it was time to leave and asked her for a card and if I could make an online purchase because I knew I wasn’t ready to purchase anything that day, especially because I felt so rushed to get out of there. She again suggested that I should buy the perfume today if I liked it, to which I said, no, not ready to make a purchase that day.
This is without a doubt the worst experience in a perfume shop I’ve ever had, and I’ve been to plenty in the UK, Switzerland, Austria, France and in several US cities on both coasts.
I realize that this is the only, if not, one of the few fine fragrance shops in Seattle, and in the Pacific Northwest for that matter. However, if you’re new to the niche fragrance world, I would avoid it, as it may taint your perception of what could otherwise be a very pleasant experience. I recently moved to Portland and have found the staff at the Perfume House to be exceptional — very knowledgeable and let you browse and take your time, plus leave away with free samples.

Seems weird, doesn’t it? A guy like me reviewing a perfumerie. But even members of the unwashed (literally) like myself prefer to smell pretty sometimes. And Parfumerie Nasreen helped me get there.
A few years back I was staying at the Alexis for a wedding and had some time to kill. I wandered in to this store and Nasreen got me hooked on a scent. Now see, I’m averse to most colognes. They sting my nostrils and plenty of them straight up smell bad to me. Same goes for certain perfumes. But like a craft cocktailer taking my queues and divining a delicious drink, Nasreen listened to my tastes and pulled out a bottle of something that would even make my own panties drop. Sold. Not cheap, mind you, but good scents don’t come cheap.
I’ve since looked all over for the same scent but have only been able to find other, less pleasing varieties made by the same producer. So on a recent trip to Sea-​Town I stopped back in and, to my delight, they still stocked this hard-​to-​find eau. At the exact same price I paid over 3 years ago.
Now I can smell all pretty again. All thanks to Nasreen.
Seriously this place has one of the best and most carefully curated selections of scents I’ve ever seen. Time to quit the Drakkar and get your ass on over to find a real scent.

First class, all the way; an excellent experience of customer service and curation.
I walked in seven years later, to the day, of my first time at Parfumerie Nasreen. She has updated the shelves substantially, providing ample space for me to look around (and even navigate my stroller!) The shop assistant, who I had not met before, kept up the excellent customer service, and started gift wrapping my purchase before she even rung it up. Nasreen came in, and immediately fell in love with my toddler, who once let out of his stroller, was instantly seated on her lap, and amused for minutes while my bag was stuffed full of samples for myself and my husband.
Nasreen is a treasure. She has a particular aesthetic, and what you get at Parfumerie Nasreen is a specialty experience that is not for the timid, or those unwilling to be waltzed through her well-​curated world. You have other options in Seattle for perfume, but this is one where you must trust, and fall full into the experience. It is well worth it.

No perfumery ought to be in such close proximity to a place where one’s resistance might be chemically eroded by alcohol. A few months ago after a brief date at The Bookstore Bar in the Alexis Hotel, I spied-​upon leaving the bar with the good cheer of even better whisky in my belly-​this illuminated glass jewel case filled with the temptations of my past.
I’ve had some problems with the French sirens of sillage in the past, you see. Olfactory pleasures bring out something wistful but also gluttonous, and I don’t exercise much restraint. The beauty of one transcendent perfume makes me yearn for more of the notes that made up its particular symphony. A musky violet will make me crave a different, rosier musk, or a more debauched violet, or a violet with a subnote of leather… it’s like a corridor of dominos with financial ruin at the end.
So a person of this weakness shouldn’t fucking drink and spray.
But Nasreen was right there as I cheerfully breezed past and then did a cartoonish backpedal-​and-​buttonhook into her shop.
I see from the reviews below that Nasreen has polarized people. Pffft. I am amazed that grown men were bullied into buying $ 140 bell jars and are now grumbling about it here. I mean, that sounds like a bigger issue, but maybe Nasreen conducts herself differently with different people. I’ll just say that I loved her (but I like pushy and opinionated people). As soon as she saw that I knew my way around the niche brands she immediately brightened and seemed genuinely happy just to share stuff with me. I didn’t feel she was pushing a sale so much as sharing something about which she’s passionate. Here, try this! Oooh, and this. You like leather? WAIT – here! And she gave me a TON of samples.
She did whisk me down some sales funnels but it wasn’t anywhere I didn’t trot willingly. No regrets-​I had a blast being weak. And I smell so delicious you can barely make out the faint scent of whisky in the drydown.

I love Nasreen. She has a passion for high-​quality perfume with natural oils. She has a big personality, and you know she is taking care of you. I described the scent elements of a discontinued fragrance I loved, and she immediately found two fragrances that knocked my socks off. She is generous with samples, and time, and care with her customers. Some reviews call her domineering– but I call it passion and love for her customers.

I am a fan. I love Nasreen. Love her. I have been shopping here for decades, jeez I am getting old! Now, I completely understand some of the reviews that are not so great. My ex-​sister-​in-​law worked for a famous «nose» so I know a teensy bit vicariously, would never be accused of being knowledgeable but am more sophisticated than most. However, I love, love, love my Clive Christian X and would never have discovered it without Nasreen’s «bullying» tactics. Sometimes it works! And it definitely works for me. Perfume shopping here is always a warm experience that brightens ones day, even if making a nice little dent in ones pile of cash! I brought some information on a discontinued scent my brother wore to have her find something that might work. She gave me a half dozen samples. The samples are always generous. I do take offense at anybody going to a local store to decide what they want to buy on-​line. That is really disgraceful, frankly. It costs money to maintain a storefront, these businesses support our local economy. Sorry to get on this soapbox, but we need to be conscious of who we support. Running a small business is challenging at best. If you need to do this go to a big box retailer like Macy’s. Check out her signature perfume. It shouldn’t be something I would like, but it is very nice! Go Nasreen!

Wow! I hadn’t been in for a couple of months and the store was even more amazing which I didn’t think was possible! The selection is the best and the staff so knowledgeable they were able to help me pick gifts to match the personality of each of the hard to shop for men and women in my life. Add in free gift wrap and free shipping and I’m done with my holiday shopping — what’s not to love about that?!? Now I can just relax and enjoy the season.

If you know anything about perfume and like to browse, avoid this place like the plague. «Bullying», as mentioned in previous reviews, is the right word to describe their sales tactics. I would only recommend it if you know nothing about perfume or if you know from previous sampling that you want a specific perfume that she alone — and no online store — carries.
Here are my complaints:
1. Strong-​arm, aggressive, consistent sales tactics, with no browsing allowed. This only works if you know nothing about perfume or know exactly what you want (and she has it… which is rare). My three experiences in this store have been consistent. I’ve had Nasreen, I’ve had others. First they ask you what perfumes you like — not, as at other perfume stores, what notes. Then they take the most expensive brand you mention, and show you two bottles from a brand one step more expensive. Always two from the same brand. They cover each of your arms in one of the fragrances, spend the next minute asking you what you think and vociferously giving their opinion that one is «you» and the other definitely not (how would they know based on two minutes of acquaintance?), and they block your access to the rest of the store throughout so you can’t browse for something else. Ten minutes after you succumb and leave the store with the perfume, the drydown will turn to bug spray (yes, $ 200 niche perfumes can be awful, too).
2. No returns. After they’ve strong-​armed you into buying off of one minute of acquaintance with the perfume, and then it turns to bug spray on you, you can’t get your money back. Store credit /​exchange only. Caveat emptor.
3. Uncompetitive pricing. Everything here costs more than elsewhere. $ 275 for a bottle that’s $ 225 + $ 9 shipping on Luckyscent. Bulgari Black, which they claim to have on their website, costs 50% more than online or Sephora and they’ll tell you it’ll take a few weeks because they have to order it in. Seriously?
4. Boring selection. She only carries the most expensive (and often most ho-​hum, esp. given the price) niche lines (Bond No. 9, Clive Christian, M. Micallef, Amouage) — the rest of the store is department-​store fragrance. Essenza has a better line-​up of decent niche brands that cost less. And if you want Amouage, go online. You’ll save money even ordering it from the UK.
Yes, bad on me, since I know better than to buy off the opening of a perfume, but I don’t live in Seattle and I had a gift certificate to use while visiting. So I caved to their strong-​arm tactics. That GC has been a curse — the first perfume was bug spray in the drydown so I exchanged it, but the only perfume in the store that I wanted was half the price, so I ended up with another GC for the remainder. I tried to spend that GC with a toddler in the car waiting to get to a birthday party in town (no pressure from her or Nasreen…), so spent it on another obscure, expensive bottle that was interesting in the store but plagued me & everyone else throughout the party. Now I’m actually reluctant to return a very expensive bottle of perfume I will never wear because I am sick of dealing with this place.
Don’t bother. This is the worst perfume shop I’ve experienced, across many countries on two continents.

I have never been in the store as I don’t live in Seattle, but a friend told me I could find a scent I was searching for there. It was a very affordable scent (under $ 100 for 3.4oz) Nasreen took my order, I received the perfume the next day with free shipping, a hand written note and quite a few high end samples. I’ve never had such great customer service. Nasreen is a doll and part of the fun of the purchase is getting to talk to her. She’s an amazing business woman and in no way have I felt pressured to buy. In fact my last order I inquired about a scent for my daughter… I told her it was more than I wanted to spend so she suggest I purchase a travel bottle and she fill it with the scent for free!!! The traveler was only $ 20. Once I said it was more than I wanted to spend she never brought it up again. If you like parfume… skip the department stores and call Nasreen! I did purchase some Bond No. 9 from her and found her price was better than the Amazon price! Support a small business and be happy you did!

I’ve been a customer of Parfums Nasreen for maybe 20 – 25 years? I have come to count on them for help buying a gift fragrance or suggesting something new for me. I don’t wear much cologne anymore — or very often — not like when I was younger going out, etc. But here’s the thing. Everyone in this store is dreamy nice. For such a small little store, they sure utilize space very efficiently because they have everything just about: new colognes that department stores don’t necessarily carry and older, rare perfumes that aren’t available anywhere else as well as many of the classics. I’ve amazed friends by being able to get their favorite colognes and perfumes that they thought were no longer available. This is a terrific store and I am so grateful for not only the class of Nasreen’s employees, but the unbelievable help provided through the years. Every trip there has been a joy. Even their gift wrapping is way above average. Thank you, my dears, for everything.

I don’t like perfume stores, I avoid the perfume section of department stores like a plague, and I despise any shops that are so strongly scented they instantly give me a headache. But Parfumerie Nasreen converted me completely to a lover of scents. Before, I’d only known the synthetic American varieties that shouldn’t be allowed to touch human skin. This store only stocks the finest natural scents with no harsh alcohols. It is one of a rare breed — an independtly owned small shop stocked with treasures that represent the true passion of Nasreen, the owner. I was lucky enough to spy it from Hotel 1000 when I was staying there across the street and got the sense it was a gem, so stumbled on in. Nasreen asked what I wear normally and instantly set about selecting a few scents she knew would fit me. She absolutely glows with joy and knowledge. A highlight for me was when, while her helper Nina was packing up our purchases, Nasreen called over to her with a list of small samples that she thought we must absolutely try as well but gave strict guidance on which should be saved until it was cooler out, which will «drive us crazy,» etc. This woman, and her store, are a treasure. Evidently her husbard owns a drug store up the street and got her started decades ago with her own little shop. I left wishing I could return again soon despite living in San Francisco.

I love Parfumerie Nasreen. Nasreen and all her ladies are just wonderful, knowledgable and friendly. They have tons of great and rare scents.
About 20 years ago while I lived in Seattle I bought a Gianni Versace perfume at Nasreen’s and I loved it. Now living in San Francisco I was in Seattle on business and decided to go to the store and see if I can still get this perfume. It is not produced anymore but Nasreen suggested Jubilation 25 by Amouage and told me that I would love it. Having been stopped by stranges asking me what scent I am wearing has led me to keep bying if for the last few years; it is the best perfume ever. Nasreen just knew it would fit me.
I get it shipped to me, free of charge, and always receive a little sample of something else.
Thank you Nasreen and all your staff.
Gabriele, San Francisco.

I’m going to have to go with Seth on this one. I didn’t enjoy my experience there and it was because of the owner. Some people really like this kind of shopping experience. I guess I just don’t.
Obviously, I should’ve been stronger and the fault lies with me for being a wuss, but I ended feeling bullied into an extremely expensive perfume that I didn’t really want to buy because, well, it was extremely expensive and though I really liked it, it wasn’t at all what I wanted. She asked what perfumes I already like, then found several that are really similar to ones I have and like but apparently twice as expensive. I’d gone in there thinking I might find something different.
There was one I liked and she rang it up without even telling me how much it cost or asking if I wanted to buy it, I’d just said I really liked it. She just stood there looking at me. The price was exorbitant but like a sheep, I handed over my card (again, my own fault) because, I don’t know, I just felt «afraid» to tell her I didn’t feel like spending that much. (I don’t usually have any problem telling people that kind of thing. I just didn’t feel comfortable telling Nasreen.) After a couple of days of thinking about it and being annoyed, I still hadn’t opened it and I really wanted to return it.
I finally opened the perfume today and sprayed it on because I just don’t want to call her, I’ve accepted that I’m stuck with it now. I like it but it’s not at all what I wanted, I didn’t get to browse at all, and got browbeaten into a ridiculously overpriced perfume. And it’s not even a fun souvenir of my trip to Seattle. When I smell it or look at the bottle, it just makes me annoyed at her and at myself so I can’t enjoy it and I’ll probably end up selling it for a fraction of what I paid on ebay. Great.

Hello, I am going under the alias «Evan C. «on Unilocal!but the ladies at Parfumerie Nasreen know me by name, I am a great client of theirs and know them very well. I have never actually stepped foot inside of Nasreen’s store in the Alexis Hotel in Seattle, Washington but Nasreen, Katrina, Sherin, Marinella and a few of the other girls at Parfumerie Nasreen have helped me pick out great men’s and women’s fragrances over the years for myself and as gifts for my friends and loved ones. I admit I am a fragrance addict, and I rarely go for anything that is inexpensive, I have bought many, many bottles of Creed, Amouage and a few other high-​end fragrances from Nasreen and company and I am very satisfied, ALWAYS, with the friendliness of the staff, the quality of the merchandise, the packaging of the merchandise, the time delivered, and the description overall of what I am recieving. Quite literally you get what you pay for at Parfumerie Nasreen, and I paid quite a lot but have received so much more in return. Nasreen Rehmat is a great businesswoman and her staff is very friendly and knowledgable about the fragrances they sell. A few weeks ago they sent me a few samples, 2 samples of the latest men’s fragrance from Amouage, and a sample of Armand Basi, and liked them both but have decided to save my money for a bottle of Clive Christian X for Men. Come to think of it, if you shop at Parfumerie Nasreen and ask for Clive Christian, Creed, Amouage or any other of the greatest perfume makers in the world you have a better chance of getting a bottle of your favorite juice here then you would anywhere else. If I need frags I only come here. Thanks again Nasreen for being such a great, corteous and respectful businesswoman and I appreciate your business and what I can always expect from you and your staff, and I will continue to shop there for years to come.
— Gonzalo in Campbell, California

Parfumerie Nasreen serves one purpose for me: the opportunity to test a scent on my skin before I buy it online. It’s true that the little shop does carry an impressive collection of hard to find scents, but why does she also stock mainstream department store perfumes that can be bought all over Seattle?
My real issue with this boutique is the owner. Some people seem to like being taken in hand and dominated. I don’t happen to be one them.
I’ve also noticed that she belongs to that tribe of people who become annoyed and dismissive when someone else knows something about their area of expertise before they know it themselves. I asked her over the phone recently if she stocked Amouage’s Homage. She obviously hadn’t heard of it (who can possibly know every scent in production?), but her response was to abruptly tell me there is no such thing and then hang up. A simple Google search demonstrates her ignorance… No doubt she will have it in stock in a few months and really lord it over anyone else who hasn’t heard of it.

Finally broke down and decided we’d put a line-​item in the budget for a Creed fragrance for Russell. I have beloved family members who would spin madly in their frugal graves if they knew I’d authorized spending $ 235 on a bottle of «toilet water,» but… yeah, it’s gross, we’re DINKs, and so I said, «Okay, honey, let’s buy you a bottle of Creed.»
Had to get up my nerve to walk in. I hate shopping and am reasonably scared of places whether there might be pressure. Shouldn’t have worried. Katrina, the owner (?), is delightful! She’s chatty, but in just the right way. She’s intensely glamorous, and very beautiful, but somehow I didn’t feel like a squat, sweaty toad in her presence. Now that’s charm. Not everyone can do it.
We shopped, she sprayed things at Russell, made EXCELLENT recommendations, told disarming and funny stories about her celebrity clients, and he settled on Creed’s Green Irish Tweed. It smells divine. He smells divine when he wears it. She loaded him up with (expensive) samples when we left.
We’ve been back since, for another bottle. She didn’t remember his name, but she remembered his fragrance! She was warm, welcoming, friendly, and again, loaded him up with samples.
We’ll be back. It’s a class operation.

Hands down the best perfumery in the city, but alas, my mother the self proclaimed Sand Dollar Queen of Ocean Shores, will be without her «My Queen» by Alexander McQueen this year! I know this for a fact, because when I called every other store in the city (Nordstrom, Neimen Marcus, Saks, Mario’s… and so on), they pointed me back to Nasreen! Proof is in the pudding! If Parfumerie Nasreen doesn’t have it, you’re not going to find it.