When I stepped into Tulip, a small yet luxurious feeling shop in Eureka’s Old Town, I immediately felt calmer. The aroma was pleasant and floral. Warm lights bounced off little glass fragrance bottles. I took a moment to admire the golden rain-style chandelier fixed above me in the center of the ceiling.
Owner Victoria England gave me a bit of history about Tulip and gestured to a closed door next to a shelf of Tulip’s signature perfumes. Behind it, she tells me, lies the factory where all the magic happens.
“Everything is small batch, handmade, hand labeled, hand poured,” England says.
England launched Tulip 17 years ago as a wholesale company with just a small line of fragrances and worked her way up to selling a spectrum of beauty goods across the country. Now she is focusing on building up her new brick-and-mortar which opened in November of last year.
Conscientious shoppers will be pleased to find natural, vegan and cruelty-free skincare and bath products, including ones infused with CBD. England tells me her favorite product of the moment is the Cell Remedy Rosehip Healing Balm, a rich cream that helps her dry skin. I rubbed some on the back of my hand, letting the oils soak in, and could easily see how the balm could help protect against the chapping Humboldt winter.
“It’s just a nice, deeper moisturizer,” England gushed. “I have one by my bed, and then I have two minis: one in my car and one in my purse, if that tells you anything. Throughout the day I apply it and it’s not heavy. It’s not greasy.”
England is clearly proud of her creations, but was also excited to announce she’s added other natural skincare and makeup brands, such as Minori Beauty and Rituel de Fille, to her inventory.
Perhaps the most exciting and unique addition to Tulip is its scent bar, featuring 32 new scents that stand alone or can be mixed and matched. England says the store recently started hosting private after-hours “scent parties,” which can be booked on Tulip’s website. Guests can bring in wine, coffee or tea and can take the opportunity to privately shop.
“With the scent bar, it’s really about spending a little extra time to create something special,” she says. “And you can also get a lotion scented, or a bath and body oil, or we even do little car diffusers now.”
After my talk with England, I toured the rows of sweet scents and landed upon a favorite from Tulip’s original line: Neroli Wood. It’s a cozy scent that I’ve decided I must have for the coming cold season. Earthy, musky, with the combined scents of Neroli, Himalayan Blue Pine and Amber Resin, I was transported to the forest.
This article appears in Fall / Winter 2024.