FAQs PRODUCTS AND ORDERS

Who makes FUME BY FH products?

All products are made to order by experienced facialist, qualified aromatherapist, anthropologist and passionate natural perfumer Fiona Harlowe next to the Pink Lake, Alicante, Spain.

Why are there only a limited number of FUME BY FH products?

Fiona is focused on creating a small number of tightly edited and impeccably curated artisanal products made from the highest quality raw ingredients all of which work together and compliment each other. Formulations are designed for greatest effect on the skin and exquisite scents in equal measure. Materials used are often some of the most expensive and elusive natural essences in the world which Fiona purchases in the tiniest of quantities to ensure that these are accessible to you and your skin.

How long does it take it process an order?

All orders placed between Monday to Friday are shipped the following week at the latest. This allows your order to be freshly made just for you.

How long do Bespoke orders take to process?

Depending on the product please allow approximately two - six weeks for personal Bespoke formulation after the consultation with Fiona and the short questionnaire is completed and received. Please allow approximately 14 days for Bespoke Face Oils and Balms (after Fiona has received your completed short questionnaire).

What to expect once you have placed your Bespoke order?

On placing your Bespoke order you will be contacted by Fiona who will be in direct contact with you to go through a short questionnaire either on the telephone, Zoom, Skype, Messenger, WhatsApp or email. Some products, for example Bespoke per[FUME]s, can take a minimum of six weeks to create and cultivate. For all Bespoke orders Fiona will be in clear and direct communication with you during the entirety of the exciting and thrilling process of having your own natural product and scent made for you.

Why are the size options for FUME Face Oils 10ml or 50ml for the oils and 5ml and 30ml for the balms?

Unusually for a concentrated face oil the standard size of FUME BY FH Face Oils is the larger 50ml (generally face oils are sold in 30ml bottles). Choosing an increased size of 50ml as the standard size for the FUME BY FH Face Oils in an intentional and considered decision - a direct reflection of Fiona’s experience as a facialist and an aromatherapist retailing oils to an international client base over many years. Fiona believes that not only does the 50ml offer best immediate value for money for you as the customer but that the 50ml size also both reduces the personal cost to the client over the period of a year, as well as minimising the overall environmental impact to the planet, that more frequent ordering and subsequent postage and delivery can have.  With the 50ml offerings it means that you only need to order your FUME BY FH Face Oils three or four times a year as each bottle will last three months when using correctly twice a day, morning and evening. 

The 10ml options for liquids and 5ml for balms enables you to try smaller versions of some FUME BY FH products first – think of these as samples (see below). They are also perfect for travel.

Do you offer samples?

Yes! Where appropriate the products are offered in smaller versions; 10ml for oils and 5ml for balms.  These can be purchased and used as samples.  Limited Edition and Oud FUME BY FH products are not offered as samples as the nature and price of the prized and often extremely rare materials means they are only sold in the smaller sizes in order to ensure they are accessible to all.

It could be considered that FUME BY FH products priced at the higher end of the market, why is this?

FUME BY FH products are best value for money given that all the raw materials are meticulously researched and sourced by Fiona. Some are the most extraordinary and costly in the world. This makes them difficult access in the mainstream skincare as they are simply too pricey to justify in larger quantities. This is where small, artisan production enables these very expensive, scare and sought-after ingredients to be accessible.

FUME BY FH products do not contain synthetics, dyes, parabens, phthalates, glycols or chemical fixatives, isolated fragrances or bulking ingredients.  FUME BY FH products are made from 100% natural, raw plant materials. As expected by the discerning customer who will be drawn to this unique product range the entirety of every FUME BY FH product you receive is only made up of beautiful raw, active ingredients; you can be assured there are absolutely no fillers or cheaper oils to pad out or water down. Naturally this is reflected in the price.

Are FUME products certified organic?

Organic ingredients are sourced wherever possible.  All carrier oils are certified organic. Aromatics and plant essences are either organic, wildcrafted and/or ethically farmed and harvested. Fiona choses the raw materials based on two main factors:

1.    The truly exceptional quality of their therapeutic value combined with fragrance.

2.    The ethics and sustainability of production from the ground up.

If you see that an ingredient in a FUME BY FH product is not certified organic, don’t panic! By definition it is not possible to certify a wildcrafted material as organic and ethically harvested means that the plants are consciously cultivated in their natural habitat and to ensure it is not depleted.

The essences and aromatics Fiona sources often come from small and remote farms producing crops and essences to a small yield.  It is the high administration costs for organic certification which mean that this kind of official documentation is simply out of reach for many/most of the local, sometimes isolated, small farmers in developing countries. These small hold, local farmers who chose not to use pesticides, and are specifically the producers Fiona seeks to support as their ethics are as high as their passion for their hand-tended, smallholding essence production by buying from small, ethical suppliers who have good relationships with these producers.

As respected aromatherapist Robert Tisserand notes many just can’t afford to “make it official”. There are also some instances in which is not possible to product essential oils organically. It is interesting to note that Robert Tisserand states that indeed there may be no difference at all between organic and non-organic essential oils given the insignificant amount of pesticides typically found in non-organic essential oils. Fiona reassures you of the quality and potency of all the raw materials she sources and FUME by FH products she formulates and creates.

Why are the small differences in colour and scent between batches?

The products you receive will vary in colour, aroma and texture. Fiona encourages you to embrace these nuances and subtle variations between batches and products as a mark of the artisanal uniqueness of each product.

These differences are expected to occur because not only is each product formulated and blended to order but also because individual ingredients may vary in supplier and country of origin between batches. This is to be expected given the nature of the rare, ethical and often seasonal ingredients carefully sourced by Fiona. However, the terrain and climate in which plants are grown will determine the nuances of their scent and complexities of therapeutic action; this is often likened to the ‘terroir’ of a wine (regional effect of climate, soil and variety of grape). It is also expected because Fiona uses expensive natural ingredients which she buys in small quantities.

The scent narratives are Fiona’s personal interpretations.

How is it best to store FUME BY FH products?

Please store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Although the best Miron violet glass is used to protect both the therapeutic activity and precious scent of the essences and ingredients, it is recommended that you keep all products away from direct light and heat. At higher temperatures balms, salves and solid products will melt. This is normal; if this happens to your product, please do not worry at all as the therapeutic qualities of your product are not impacted. Simply return to room temperature by placing in a cool, dry place and allow to it to return to its solid state. If you are in a hot climate it is advised that you keep products in the fridge but do warm them between your fingers or palms before applying to your skin as your body temperature will gently activate the ingredients.

What is the shelf life of FUME BY FH products?

Over many years of being a facialist and aromatherapist working closely with people looking for optimum skin health Fiona recognises that there is a common tendency for people to purchase products and then not use them for many months, or even years!  This comes from being used to the highly preserved, synthetically loaded mainstream skincare. However, when it comes to this type of raw, artisanal, small batch skin care this is absolutely not the recommended approach. Instead, products are to be used when bought and it is recommended that you please stick to the use by dates accompanying the products and use your products within the stated time period. FUME BY FH products have a usual time frame of needing to be used within three months of opening and within 12 months of manufacture date.

Are FUME BY FH products vegan?

All liquids are vegan. Solids contain carefully sourced beeswax. The packaging of the face oils comes with a beautiful, black silk cord. This can be easily changed to a velvet ribbon for a fully vegan preference if you prefer - please choose the vegan velvet ribbon option at point of purchase. Fiona would like to suggest that you to wear the silk cord, or velvet ribbon, wrapping it around the wrist, tying it in a bow in your hair and thus continuing its life in another way, bringing additional, small pleasures and deliberate luxury to your daily living.

Are FUME BY FH products tested on animals?

Absolutely not. All FUME BY FH products are tested on human skin not animals. Fiona’s products are never tested on animals. 

Fiona is a life-long animal lover and against all animal testing in all settings. Although scientific studies are cited by Fiona to substantiate and authenticate evidence of plant ingredient therapeutic effect, most specifically in relation to the skin, and there is a long history of plants and skincare being tested on animals in laboratory settings to generate this kind of research and Fiona is strongly against all animal testing. Despite it being extremely personally challenging at times Fiona volunteered herself to be a part of a cancer research programme after her first encounter with an uncommon form of cancer in her early twenties. She was part of the research programme for nearly ten years. Fully consensual, ethically sound human testing in all scientific and cosmetic settings must be our collective future and put an end to all animal testing for good.

The whole picture

As a facialist and aromatherapist who has dedicated almost two decades to specialising in treating maturing, environmentally damaged and challenging, complex skin Fiona understands that the products we use on our skin are absolutely critical and they undeniably make a huge difference to its health and how it looks and feels. This is precisely why she has drawn all her experience and knowledge together to create the FUME BY FH skincare range. However, please remember that skincare products are only one part of the whole picture which is essential for a clear, healthy and glowing skin. We must always keep a balanced perspective and equally consider the importance of eating and moving well - and in ways which nourish and benefit our own individual constitutions. How we live our lives, and how we care for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, is in held and shown in our body and is thus directly reflected in our face.

Above all else Fiona encourages you to fully embrace and celebrate the passing of time and the opportunities for change, growth, exploration and delight it brings.

Fiona says “I have come to understand that softening into a true self-acceptance is just as important as all the other factors involved in living a balanced and nourished life, all of which are reflected in a radiantly healthy skin. In fact, gentle acceptance of ourselves can be profound and it is often the key to finding an easy and happy balance in life, love and prosperity.”

Feedback and questions

Do you have any feedback about FUME BY FH products? Or perhaps you simply want to share your experience of a using a FUME oil or balm?

If so, please get in touch by sending an email to info@fionaharlowe.com with the word FEEDBACK in the subject line.

If you have a question for Fiona which is not answered here then please send an email with the word QUESTION in the subject line.

Fiona genuinely loves to stay in touch. She can’t wait to hear from you!