FAQs

Does it actually last 12 hours?

Yes — and the reason is concentration, not marketing. Ascent uses an extrait de parfum formula with up to 40% perfume oil. A standard Eau de Toilette contains 5–15%; the rest is alcohol that evaporates fast and takes the scent with it.

More oil means the fragrance stays bonded to your skin and releases slowly throughout the day. Longevity varies by skin type, but the chemistry is real.

How long does one refill last?

Each refill is 20 ml. At 2–3 sprays per wear, that works out to roughly 200 uses — about 2–3 months of daily wear.

Because the concentration is extrait level, you need fewer sprays than you would with a regular perfume, so the bottle goes further than the size suggests.

How does the cashback on the Discovery Set work?

How does the cashback on the Discovery Set work?

Are returns free?

Yes. If you've tried the scent and it's not for you, returns are free within 30 days. That said, we'd always recommend starting with the Discovery Set — it's the lower-risk way to find your scent before committing to a full refill.

Why buy a 20 ml refill instead of a regular 150 ml bottle?

Because concentration is what matters, not volume. A 20 ml Ascent refill contains the same amount of pure fragrance oil as a 100 ml Eau de Toilette — it's just not diluted with alcohol. You also avoid paying for heavy glass, a box, and a brand's marketing budget.

Discovery Set

What do I get in the Discovery Set?

The Discovery Set includes six 2ml spray vials — one of each of our signature extraits de parfum: Purple, Brown, Orange, Blue, Teal and Red

Each vial is crafted with an organic ethanol base and up to 40% perfume oil, giving you enough sprays to wear each scent for a full day and experience how it evolves on your skin — from the first spray to 12 hours later.

Together they cover the full range: woody, fresh citrus, spicy, musky amber, and everything in between. Every scent we make, in one box.

What if I can’t decide which perfume to choose?

Can't decide? Start with your favourite and use your cashback credit on that Starter Pack. You can always order a second refill later — the case fits any scent, so switching is easy.

Still unsure? Reach out and we'll help you choose based on what you liked in the samples.

How do I redeem my cashback?

When you purchase a Discovery Set, you receive 100% cashback toward your first Starter Pack. Simply add a Starter Pack to your cart and enter code START25 at checkout.

The full cost of your Discovery Set will be deducted automatically — making it essentially free when you upgrade. The code applies once per customer, and can only be used on your first Starter Pack.

Starter Pack

Can I use the same case for different perfumes (refills)?

Absolutely yes – the refillable case is designed to be universal for all Ascent perfume refills. You invest in one case and can then insert any of our 20ml refill vials into it, no matter which scent.

This means you can build a collection of refills and swap them in and out of the case to the scent that matches your mood. The process of switching is quick and easy (just pull out the old vial and insert the new). Invest once, Refill endlessly.

Do I need the Starter Pack (case) to start, or can I use a refill alone?

You can use a refill without the case — just select the "with spray" option and it works as a simple travel spray. But the aluminium case protects the perfume, makes it more portable, and is a much better experience overall.

It's a one-time purchase, so we recommend starting with the Starter Pack. After that, refills alone is fine.

Parfum Refills

How long does one refill last?

It depends on how often you wear it, but expect 2–4 months per refill. Daily wear (a few sprays a day) = around 2 months. A few times a week = closer to 3–4 months.

Because our formula is extrait level, you'll likely need fewer sprays than you're used to, which helps it last longer. Our subscription intervals are built around this: every 2, 3, or 4 months depending on your usage.

Do the perfumes expire or have a shelf life?

Unopened, they last many years. Once opened, expect 3–5 years if stored properly. The aluminium case helps — it shields the vial from light and air, which are the main causes of degradation. When not in use, keep it somewhere cool and dark.

Subscription

How does the Ascent subscription work?

Ascent’s subscription is a flexible auto‑refill program for its refillable perfumes at a 15% discount. You start by buying an Ascent Starter Pack – a durable aerospace-grade aluminum case plus your first 20ml fragrance.

During checkout, you choose a delivery interval (every 4 months for light use, every 3 months for regular use, or every 2 months for daily use). After the initial Starter Pack, Ascent will automatically ship you a new 20ml refill of the same scent on your scheduled delivery date, also at a 15% discount.

You manage the subscription online: you can update your fragrance choice or delivery frequency at any time, reschedule shipments, or cancel altogether. In short, it’s a recurring delivery service – you “set it and forget it” but retain full control over timing and scent.

In case you already have a case, you can also start a subscription with a refill of your choice.

Can I choose which perfume I get each time?

Yes. Your subscription will, by default, send you the same scent you initially signed up with, but you can change it whenever you like. You simply log in to your Ascent account and go to your Orders. F

rom there, you can Manage your Subscriptions. Choose the subscription you want to change the scent for, choose “Swap for a Different Product”, and select a different scent for future shipments.

If you don’t change it, it will continue sending the original fragrance (the “default”) on schedule.

Can I reschedule or skip a delivery?

Yes. Your Ascent subscription is very flexible. In your account, you have full control – skip a delivery or cancel your subscription anytime. In other words, if you have enough fragrance and don’t want a refill this cycle, you can skip that shipment and it will automatically push the next refill out to the following interval.

Likewise, you can pause or adjust the delivery frequency at any time via your subscription settings. You can find these settings when you log into your account and go to Orders.

Choose “Manage My Subscription” option to make changes to your subscription.

Is there a minimum subscription period?

No. There is no fixed commitment. You can cancel at any time with no penalty.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Cancellation is handled through your account as well. Go to Orders -> My Subscriptions -> Manage Subscriptions -> Cancel Subscription  (If you’re unsure, you can always contact Ascent customer support to make adjustments).

Shipping and Delivery

How long does delivery take?

We strive to get your order to you as quickly as possible. For the Netherlands, delivery is very fast – if you place your order by 17:00 on a weekday, we ship it out the same day via DHL, and typically it arrives within 1–2 business days (often the next day in NL). For neighboring countries like Belgium , you can usually expect about 1-3 business days for delivery.

Where do you ship from?

All orders are shipped from the Netherlands.

Returns

What is your return policy?

Not happy with your purchase? You can return any product within 14 days of receiving it for a full refund — including gently used perfumes. Contact our support team, ship the item back in its original packaging, and we'll refund you once it arrives. Simple as that.

Are returns free?

We offer hassle-free returns, but not completely “free” returns in terms of shipping cost. What that means is: you can send back any eligible product within 14 days for a full product refund (we don’t charge restocking fees or any penalties). However, the customer is generally responsible for the return shipping postage.

Ingredients and Quality

What’s the difference between Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum?

The main difference lies in the concentration of perfume oil, which determines how intense and long-lasting the scent is:

  • Eau de Cologne (2–5% perfume oil) – very light and fresh, lasting 1–2 hours.
  • Eau de Toilette (5–15% perfume oil) – light daily wear, lasting 3–4 hours.
  • Eau de Parfum (15–20% perfume oil) – richer, longer lasting, around 6–8 hours.
  • Extrait de Parfum (20–40% perfume oil) – the most concentrated and luxurious form, lasting 12+ hours.

At Ascent, we create Extrait de Parfum with up to 40% perfume oil, giving you lasting power and depth far beyond standard perfumes.

What ingredients or perfume oil concentration do these scents have?

Our perfumes are formulated as high-strength perfume extracts (extraits). Each fragrance contains between about 35% to 40% pure perfume oils– which is far higher than a typical Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette.

This means you’re getting a very rich concentration of aromatic compounds, resulting in long-lasting scent (12+ hours on the skin). We use premium ingredients sourced from Grasse, France (the world’s historical perfume capital) in our blends.

These include both natural extracts and safe, high-quality aroma molecules, chosen to create unique niche-quality scents. The remainder of the formula is an organic alcohol base (ethanol) and a touch of water – we do not use unnecessary fillers.

In essence, the “ingredients” list for each perfume includes the denatured alcohol, the fragrance oils (like essential oils, absolutes, and aroma molecules), and trace stabilizers.

Where does Ascent source its ingredients from?

We source our perfume ingredients from Grasse, France – known as the perfume capital of the world. Grasse, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage site, has a long tradition of producing fine fragrance ingredients such as jasmine, tuberose, citrus oils, and many luxury aroma compounds, and we tap into that heritage and quality. By working with suppliers and perfumers in Grasse, we ensure we’re getting some of the best raw materials available for our scents. This is part of our philosophy: instead of spending money on flashy packaging, we invest in the finest ingredients.

Sustainability

How sustainable is Ascent?

Our refill system saves up to 95% plastic waste compared to traditional perfume bottles. Instead of single-use packaging, we create cases designed to last, reducing waste and CO₂ emissions from transport. We also plant trees to compensate for remaining manufacturing and transport emissions.

Is Ascent CO₂ neutral?

Ascent ensures CO₂-neutral manufacturing and transport by actively reducing emissions through our refill system and offsetting the remainder with tree planting and reforestation projects.

Why organic ethanol instead of denatured alcohol?

Many perfumes use denatured alcohol, which contains added synthetic chemicals. Ascent uses organic ethanol, a renewable alternative derived from natural sources. According to the European Commission, bioethanol is a sustainable fuel and solvent option that reduces reliance on petrochemicals — making it better for both skin and the environment.

Gender and Usage

Are the perfumes unisex?

Yes – all Ascent fragrances are unisex (gender-neutral). We purposely formulate and market our scents to be worn and loved by everyone.

How long do the scents last on the skin?

Our perfumes are long-lasting, thanks to their high concentration of oils. You can generally expect each fragrance to last 12 hours or more on your skin. Many of our users report still smelling the scent on themselves even the next day on clothing or faintly on skin.

We use extrait de parfum level concentrations (up to 40% perfume oil) and quality fixatives, which means the fragrance has excellent persistence.

Of course, longevity can vary slightly depending on your skin type, where you apply it (pulse points like neck and wrists are best), and environmental factors.

Cost and Value

Are there any discounts or loyalty benefits for refills?

We don’t have a traditional points-based loyalty program at the moment, but we do offer some great built-in discounts and incentives for repeat customers.

Firstly, our subscription option for refills comes with a 15% discount on each refill delivery. Subscribers automatically pay less than the one-time price, as a thank-you for your loyalty and for helping us plan our production.

This is a significant savings if you plan to use our perfumes continuously. Secondly, as mentioned earlier, we have the Discovery Set cashback – that’s essentially a discount on your first full purchase (100% credit of the sample kit cost).

Are the perfumes unisex?

Yes – all Ascent fragrances are unisex (gender-neutral). We purposely formulate and market our scents to be worn and loved by everyone.

Sampling and Trying In-Store

Can I try Ascent perfumes in a store or in person?

Yes, we do have opportunities for you to smell and try our perfumes in person. Ascent partners with select physical retail locations where our products are available to test and purchase.

We also participate in pop-up events, markets, or exhibitions from time to time – these are great chances to experience the scents and talk to us directly.

If you check our site or subscribe to our newsletter, we announce any new retail partners or events.