BIG CHANGES
First and foremost, I want to thank you, truly. Since I sent out the original email about the crossroads Sugar and Spite is facing, the response has been overwhelming in the best possible way. The sudden wave of support, love, and orders caught me a little off guard (in the best way). I’m putting extra love and gratitude into every package.
In the midst of all this, I’ve worked with a business consultant to dig deep into what’s working, what’s not, and what the future of Sugar and Spite could look like. The good news? There’s a path forward. It involves some big changes, but they’re changes I feel really good about—and I hope you will too.
Packaging Upgrades, Updates & Supplier Swaps
You’ll start to notice some updates to the packaging. I’ve been hunting down suppliers that are either based in the USA or haven’t hiked their prices yet (a small miracle). I’m happy to report that body sprays will now come in super cute, sustainable glass bottles. Our eau de parfum bottles are getting a size upgrade too—they’ll be larger but remain close to the same price. The price increase will be $5 per bottle, but they’re almost double the size - 50ml instead of 30ml. If you’ve ordered EDP lately, you may have already noticed this change (without the price increase. That hasn’t happened yet). For now, we’ll be retiring drams for purchase, as well as the 4oz lotions. Until this tariff situation is resolved, the financial drain of offering many different sizes is too much. As I’ve said before, I want to do everything possible to not pass price increases on to you.
The Fragrance Vault Swings Open (and Shut)
Over the last few months, I’ve been quietly sending out sample vials to gauge interest in some new scents. Some of you noticed, and some of you REALLY noticed. Based on your feedback and the data, several of those experimental fragrances are officially joining the lineup. On the flip side, I’ve also had to take a hard look at what simply isn’t selling. As painful as it is, it doesn’t make sense to keep every fragrance on the shelf, especially with the rising costs and the pressure of new tariffs on small fragrance suppliers.
Some scents will be retired to the vault—possibly for good, possibly just for a while. I know that’s frustrating. I’ve received heartfelt (and sometimes angry lol) messages from some of you mourning the loss of your favorites, and believe me, I feel it too. But these changes are necessary if Sugar and Spite is going to survive and thrive in this new environment.
A New Kind of Magic:
Lately, I’ve been watching videos about something called “dopamine decorating,” which I think was meant to be cheeky, but nevertheless clicked for me in a big way. I realized that when I create products with a bit more color, a little more whimsy, I feel better. And it turns out you do too. The more colorful and playful products tend to get the warmest response. You may have already noticed something different in the new logo. :) But don’t freak out - S&S isn’t turning into a nickelodeon nightmare….. I’ve just come to realize that I’ve been swimming in a sea of brands that, frankly, all start to blur together. Expect more of a “Halloween all year” kind of energy…. a sort of mashup of Sugar and Spite and my old side project Spidercake. Because listen - growing up on Tales From the Crypt and Elvira gave me a leg up in the horror-pun perfume naming department. We wouldn’t want to waste that, would we? Also, this is what brings me joy—and if I’m not making magic I believe in, what’s the point?
I’ve been hard at work making bath bombs, bath dust, bubble scoops and so much more. I will be leaning much more heavily into bath treats. I’m even considering a “bomb of the month” situation.
Thank you for sticking around. I hope you’ll grow with me—and I promise to keep making strange and beautiful things for you to love.
Lysa