Beauty Store Has Alternatives to 'Toxic Perfumes'

"" is a Santa Monica Patch series that spotlights new businesses in our city. In the latest edition, we focus on , a beauty-products store that opened in July.

We interviewed owner and Santa Monica resident Paula Naples, who spoke about and why she relocated the store to SM after nine years in Studio City; how she intends for the business to stay green; and why visiting Pure Sense by Paula can be a fun, hands-on experience.

Santa Monica Patch: Why did you decide to open your business in Santa Monica in particular?

Paula Naples: My business was originally located in Studio City. After nine years, and commuting six and sometimes seven days a week, I decided to open it here, since I am a Santa Monica resident and thought what I had to offer would be perfect for this area.

Patch: Please provide a brief history of your business.

Naples: I founded the business in 2002 in response to solving a problem of fragrance allergies I have to many toxic perfumes on the market. I found natural perfume oils and pure essential oils that I could wear without getting crashing headaches. I wanted to find scents that people would enjoy without the negative side effects.

Our products are made in small batches to ensure freshness, and they include organic shower gel and bubble bath, lotions, perfume roll-ons and bottles, shea butter body soufflé, sugar scrubs, room and pillow sprays, massage and bath oil, and hand-poured soy candles and reed diffusers. We also do refills and replacement reeds.

Patch: What makes your business unique?

Naples: When you come into the store, it is a hands-on experience. We have ready-made items, but also we have a scent bar where you can choose your scent, product and, in some cases, color, if that is desired. There are many test tubes that one can smell and dab on themselves or on paper, to make their own combinations. We do parties, both in-store and on-site, and also do wholesale and private label.

Patch: What contribution(s) do you believe your business will make to the city?

Naples: I believe that we benefit the community, since we try to stay as green as possible by using local suppliers. We also allow clean glass bottles to be re-used, and we take off $1 on the next round.

Patch: Why should Santa Monicans frequent your business?

Naples: It’s fun! We have a quality product at a fair price.

Do you plan to check out Pure Sense by Paula? Tell us in the comments box below.

Check out these past installments of "Open for Business":

• Hotel Aims to Alleviate Parking Woes on Ocean Ave.

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