FAQ

What is Iso E Super?

Iso E Super is an aroma-molecule (not a natural extract) discovered in the early 1970s by chemists at International Flavors & Fragrances while researching synthetic vetiver substitutes. It's a mix of isomers with a soft, velvety, cedarwood-and-amber character, and it's one of the most widely used ingredients in modern perfumery — you've almost certainly smelled it in dozens of fragrances without knowing it, usually as a background "fixative." What made it famous as a standalone scent was Escentric Molecules' Molecule 01 in 2006, which put it in a bottle on its own for the first time. Our Elementic Scent 01 (formerly Molecule Scent 01) is our proprietary take on that same idea.

Why can't I smell it as strongly as other fragrances?

This is normal, and it's genetic rather than a flaw in the fragrance. Iso E Super has very low volatility — it clings to skin instead of projecting into the air the way a traditional perfume does, so it fades in and out rather than sitting at a constant strength. On top of that, a meaningful share of people have a documented specific anosmia to woody-musky molecules like this one — the same way some people can't smell asparagus metabolites, or find musk ketone completely odorless. If it seems faint on you, you're not imagining it and the bottle isn't at fault; you may simply be less sensitive to that particular molecule than the person standing next to you, who might catch it easily.

How do I wear an Iso E Super fragrance properly?

Less is more, and patience matters. Two to three sprays on pulse points (wrists, neck) is usually plenty — oversaturating doesn't make a subtle fragrance louder, it just uses more product. Give it a few minutes to warm up on skin before deciding how strong it is; the scent develops rather than announcing itself immediately. Moisturized skin holds fragrance longer than dry skin, so a fragrance-free lotion underneath can extend wear time. And don't judge it against a traditional loud perfume in the first ten seconds — the whole point of this family of scents is that they behave differently.

Why is my bottle lighter than a traditional glass perfume bottle?

Most of our line uses lightweight, shatter-resistant bottles rather than heavy glass, mainly to keep shipping costs (and breakage risk in transit) down — a lighter bottle means fewer bottles arrive cracked and shipping stays affordable. It doesn't affect what's inside; the fragrance itself is unaffected by the bottle material. A few of our releases, like TS Timbersilk, are presented in heavier glass bottles by design, so bottle weight does vary across the catalog.

Are your "Hommage" and Master Blend fragrances the same as the designer originals?

No, and we don't claim they are. Our Hommage line and molecule-based Master Blends are our own original formulations, created as an interpretation of — or a tribute to — fragrances and molecules we admire. We aren't affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the designer houses referenced by name, and no fragrance on this site is sold as a 1:1 replica.

How long does a 100ml bottle last?

At 2–3 sprays per wear, most customers get 300+ wears from a 100ml bottle. Iso E Super-based fragrances in particular tend to be used more sparingly than traditional perfumes, since more product doesn't translate to more projection.

Do you ship from the US or the EU?

All TRiBUTE8 fragrances ship from our EU warehouse. For customers in the EU and UK, that means no US customs delays and no import duties added at checkout. For US and international customers, it means your order is shipped from Europe rather than the US — delivery times vary by destination but pricing at checkout is always final.

Can I return an opened bottle?

Fragrances are sealed for hygiene reasons, and like most cosmetic products, the right of return applies only to unopened, unused bottles in original packaging. Once the seal is broken, we're not able to accept a return for health and hygiene reasons. If a bottle arrives damaged or isn't what you ordered, contact us before opening it and we'll sort it out.

Is TRiBUTE8 a big brand or a small operation?

Small, on purpose. TRiBUTE8 is a project of master perfumer Etienne Astier and a small team, founded in 2013. Every formula is his, every batch is made in small runs at our EU lab, and headquartered out of Miami. We're not a large fragrance house, and we don't try to look like one.