The Postmark Perfume: The Name, the Notes, and How to Wear It
The Postmark is our new signature fragrance, and first exploration into the world of perfume. I started experimenting with perfume back in February, working with different fragrances and testing what would help a scent last longer on the skin. This fragrance is an extrait de parfum, and it's very much a reflection of what I personally love to wear right now.
This blog post covers where the name came from, what the fragrance smells like and how it changes over time, and how to wear it.
Where the Name Comes From
Much of what we make at Mainland Vintage is inspired by the regions people love to travel to in the US, like desert landscapes of the southwest, the crisp air of the Rocky Mountains, or iconic New York City, the city that never sleeps. When I started thinking about which region could encapsulate what "Mainland Vintage smells like" I realized I wanted it to be a signature scent instead of something more regional. I looked to what has always inspired my branding, vintage postcards, love letters, and nostalgia. Nothing more perfectly sums this up than a postmark, which shows a location, date, and covers the stamp of a letter. It was also the inspiration for the original Mainland Vintage logo I created back in 2020.
There's something romantic about a time when people had to write to each other to stay in touch.
I've always loved the look of airmail letters, and there's something romantic about a time when people had to write to each other to stay in touch. I found a series of letters at a vintage store near my apartment in Brooklyn that captures all of that for me. They were written between a couple in 1951, while the husband was deployed and writing home reminding his wife of all the love he had for her.
The Notes
I blended The Postmark to have bright floral notes on top and warm, longer-lasting fragrance notes underneath.
Top Notes: Mandarin and Freesia
Mandarin is the first thing you'll notice, a sweet citrus. Freesia sits alongside it as a fresh, light floral.
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom and Vanilla
As the top notes fade, orange blossom comes forward, a sweet white floral that carries the citrus into something rounder. Rich vanilla adds warmth underneath the bright scents.
Base Notes: Labdanum and Sandalwood
Labdanum is a warm, amber-like resin, and sandalwood is woody and soft. Together they add a depth and complexity that stays on your skin the longest.
What Is an Extrait de Parfum?
When I was developing The Postmark, I knew I wanted a fragrance that was rich and bold, something that would last. That's what led me to make it an extrait de parfum.
The French names on perfume bottles are really describing how much fragrance oil is in the blend.
| Eau de cologne | 2 to 5% |
| Eau de toilette | 5 to 15% |
| Eau de parfum | 15 to 20% |
| Extrait de parfum, the most concentrated | 20 to 40% |
Percentage of fragrance oil in the blend.
The higher the concentration, the longer the fragrance tends to last on your skin and the less you need to apply. The Postmark also includes coconut oil, which helps extend how long it wears by helping to keep your skin hydrated and preventing the fragrance oils from drying too quickly.
How to Wear It
The Postmark comes in a fine mist sprayer, so you can spray it and leave it. There's no need to rub your wrists together. Hold the bottle a few inches from your skin and spray the wrists, and the base of your throat. Three sprays is a good starting point, but if you like a stronger scent, you can also spray your hair.
The mist is fine enough that you can also spray it on your clothes or in your hair without worrying about larger droplets that might stain.
Your Skin Makes The Scent Unique
Perfume smells a little different on everyone. Your skin chemistry affects which notes come forward, so The Postmark on you might smell a little different than it does on a friend. Moisturizing your skin before you spray can also help a fragrance last longer, since hydrated skin holds scent better than dry skin.
What You'll Smell, and When
In the first few minutes, you'll notice a bright, floral sweetness. As that softens, the fragrance moves into something warmer and rounder. What stays on your skin hours later is all depth and soft warmth.
Give it a few minutes before you decide how you feel about it, because the complex scent will change as it settles.
Thank you for reading, and for being part of the Mainland Vintage community. We are so excited to share our signature scent, and hope you love The Postmark as much as we do. Like everything we make, it's handmade in our Brooklyn studio and available now.
Thanks,
Sara