It’s been a while since I gave a Memo fragrance my undivided attention. Not that the quality of the Paris-based niche brand has changed in any way. It’s just that there are so many more olfactory distractions nowadays. Memo Inverness EDP brought the company back into focus for me. After being initially contacted by the...
Niche ain’t what it used to be. That will come as no surprise to you. No need to mention any names but so many brands are increasingly corporate in their approach. I’ve wanted to try Puredistance for a long time and got the opportunity when another blogger recommended me to the Dutch company (based in...
The British niche brand that takes its inspiration from precious gems and treasures had been under-performing for a while, despite the evident quality of their fragrances since launching in 2013. That’s all changing with the appointment of Cristopher Chong as creative director. He helped Amouage become the powerhouse it is today during his 12 years...
When you’re the heir to a sizeable fortune (in this case, the H in LVMH, as in Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), it’s understandable if you decide to join the ranks of the idle rich. If you’re Kilian Hennessy, however, you put the rarefied world at your disposal to good use by founding your own luxury brand, the...
What started out as a request for product info* (for some reason, I decided to send my email to the PR contact on the Ormonde Jayne website) turned into a fully-fledged Zoom interview the next day with Linda Pilkington. Good fortune! I’d put the founder of the London-based niche brand on my interview wish list...
What perfumes make you smell fresh? Whether you want a cooling scent for summer or something light for everyday wear, the fresh fragrance perfumes category has you covered – crisp, crowd-pleasing, and always refreshing. What scents smell fresh? Most fresh fragrance perfumes in this family feature notes from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants. Fresh...
Soft floral perfumes – sometimes called sweet floral perfumes – are a subgroup of the floral family. These scents typically have a “powdery” or “soapy” scent, a bit like baby powder or laundry detergent. They tend to lean feminine, though there are some unisex varieties. So what is a soft floral perfume? A soft floral...
What are aromatic perfumes? They’re a subgroup of the fresh family, which also includes citrus, watery, and green scents. They really are aromatic, meaning the spicier and more pungent side of fresh - think notes like coriander, rosemary, sage, or anise. This subgroup generally leans masculine, though there are plenty of great unisex and feminine...
Even if your idea of outdoorsy is picking a restaurant with a patio for brunch, there’s still a lot to love about mossy wood scents. This subgroup in the woods family focuses on the green, damp, and slightly funky aspects of the forest. You may also see this group listed as chypre - there’s some...
To help you find the perfect perfume subscription service, we asked professionals from various industries to share their top picks. From a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer's recommendation of Scent Box to an Operations Manager's endorsement of Luxury Scent Box, here are the top four perfume subscription services and why they stand out, according to industry experts....
Fragrance trends don’t come and go as quickly as, say, fashion, fortunately. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that pistachio is big on the perfume front this year. That’s partly due to the mega-success of a certain Kayali (more on that below). But what about other options? Well, that’s where we are ever(fumed) helpful with a selection...
Rich, warm, and grounding, tobacco is an enduringly popular note in masculine, feminine, and unisex fragrances. It belongs to the Woodsy fragrance family and blends well with a variety of scents, including earthy, spicy, sweet, and gourmand notes. Unlike more exotic aromas, tobacco perfume price varies widely, meaning you can find great value tobacco scents...
Cedar has been prized for its rich, soothing scent since the earliest days of humanity. In ancient Mesopotamian myth, the Cedar Forest was even the home of the gods. In perfumery, cedar is a common note in many woodsy fragrances. It is not mossy woods or dry woods – it is simply woody. It harmonizes...
A rolling stone may gather no moss, but I’ve gathered a selection of the best mossy fragrances for you. Urgh! Lame, I know. But you get the point, hopefully. Strictly speaking, when I refer to mossy, I’m talking about oakmoss (Evernia prunastri), the species of lichen that mainly grows on the trunk and branches of...
Seeking a solid perfume to perfectly capture the serene notes of nature, paired with citrus, spice, and everything nice? Here we will explore nine distinct dry woods scents. With options layered with incense for unisex, our favorite feminine florals, soft and sultry sandalwood perfume selections, plus hearty men's cedarwood fragrance families, rich with layers of...
Woodsy perfumes have a loyal following in the fragrance world. They have a reputation for being mostly for men, but this is far from the truth. There are many explicitly feminine woodsy scents and many others that are suitable for anyone to wear. The Woodsy fragrance family comprises of the Mossy Woods sub-family - with...
The amber perfume family (sometimes referred to as Oriental) is vast – it includes super-sweet vanillas and caramels, spicy cloves and gingers, and skin-hugging musk notes. Soft amber perfumes explore the gentler side of this large family. While looking for soft amber scents, keep an eye out for notes like incense, cloves, and tonka bean....
The amber family (sometimes referred to as Oriental) may be perfume's most versatile grouping. Scents that are amber woody, meaning the woody subgroup of the amber family, explore the more robust and pungent side of things with notes like myrrh, oud, guaiac wood, sandalwood, and frankincense. Amber woody fragrances are great for colder weather and...
The gourmand fragrance family is considered by some to be pretty divisive – you either love it or hate it. But this family has a lot more nuance and versatility than you might realize. Read on to learn about what we think are the best gourmand fragrances of all time, including ones appropriate for work...
Great for signature scents and special occasions alike, a soft caramel and vanilla perfume makes a sweetly satisfying addition to virtually any agenda. Sugary caramel and warm vanilla are used as a base with a variety of complementary notes for complex, compelling combos. Today, we will explore the best options for caramel scented perfumes and...
The smell of freshly brewed coffee is beloved the world over – even people who do not drink it tend to love its aroma. It is no surprise that coffee is a popular component of several bold and luxurious fragrances as well. We have created a detailed list of favorites for anyone interested in exploring...
Cinnamon is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, as at home in a spicy curry as it is in cakes and cookies. It is no different in the fragrance world – the scent is equally at home in spicy, gourmand, and woody scents. However, it can be an expensive ingredient. The steam distillation that's part...
Warm, sweet, and slightly floral, honey is a fragrance note that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. It's versatile enough to feel at home with several fragrance families and strong enough to stand out in a crowd. Read on to learn more about our 11 favorite honey scented perfumes. Our Top 11 Honey...
Chocolate, an ancient status symbol and aphrodisiac tempts men and women the world over with its rich, seductive scent. From luscious floral blends to decadent perfume that smells like chocolate and vanilla, here are our top contenders for the best chocolate perfumes on the market. Our Top 11 Chocolate Perfume Picks Best for Beginners Mancera's...
No, we’re not talking about the TV melodrama kind (that’s a completely different story). We’re talking about the other far more appealing variety: fragrances that have a soapy character. Some comments about this genre: Where known, the name of the perfumer is included in brackets after the name of the fragrance. While we don’t really...
Can a fragrance brand be both educational and enjoyable to wear? Not usually, but in the case of Escentric Molecules, we say a resounding “yes”. Niche brand founder and perfumer Geza Schoen created a cult following when he released a series of fragrance pairs from 2006 – one just with a well-known synthetic (a perfume...
For an ingredient as ubiquitous as bergamot, choosing just a few fragrances to feature is close to impossible. However, in these fragrances bergamot takes the mainstage and is not just a supporting role. Bergamot (and citrus in general) is usually considered a unisex scent appropriate for both men and women and is best worn in...
Jo Malone provides a well-acclaimed selection of bath, home, and body scents. Regardless of gender, age, or lifestyle, anyone can discover a Jo Malone fragrance that speaks to them. Whether searching for your next new perfume or a gift for someone close, Jo Malone’s quality and variety will not disappoint. Our Top 10 Picks We...
Le Labo was founded in 2006 in New York City, though it now ships and creates fragrances internationally. Some of its scents (City Exclusives) are unique to store locations, making them rare fragrances that are sure to appeal to travelers and discerning buyers. However, their definitive collection of tried-and-true scents (Classic Collection) is just as...
Byredo is one of those luxury brands that release showstopping perfumes easily. Their scents are typically clean, fresh, and occasionally quite oriental due to their founder and head perfumer, Ben Gorham. However, as there is so many creatively pleasing aroma it can be challenging to find the best Bryedo scent. Keep reading for our top...
Some designer brands are household names (Dior, Gucci, Chanel, et al), but Zadig & Voltaire doesn’t have that status. While lacking that immediate recognition, the Paris-based company more than makes up for it with accessible and affordable releases. Their youthful and optimistic vibe has appeal way beyond their primary demographic. The Paris-based company was founded...
The New York perfumery Le Labo has been crafting unique scents since 2006. This luxury brand has created over 18 perfumes for both men and women. Among those 18, Santal 33 stands out as their most popular creation. This perfume, which earned the label of "cult fragrance" at the time it came out, has undoubtedly...
Mojave Ghost is a rustic, wooded scent inspired by the Mojave Desert. Both lightweight and crisp, the Mojave Ghost is subtle and warm, a perfect scent for both women and men. By taking luxury to the next level, Byredo has created a fragrance that is graceful and luxurious, ignoring all gender expectations. Read on for a...
Before the phenomenal success of Nishane, Turkish perfumery was often more renowned for its fragrance dupes. While that industry continues unabated, the niche brand has put the country’s olfactory traditions on the scent stage for all the right reasons. Founded by Mert Guzel and Murat Katran in 2012, Nishane (meaning “mark”, “sign” or “symbol”, according...
It’s undeniable that perfumes and colognes are perfect gifts for your significant other on Valentine’s Day. Our Top Scent Picks for Your Special Someone There are many options out there, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but we can ensure that this guide will help lead you to a fragrance that’s perfect for your partner....
Musk fragrances have come a long way from the days when this perfume staple involved cruelty to animals. Before it was banned in the 1970s and protected by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the male musk deer was hunted almost to extinction for the natural musk...
From its founding in 1916 in Parma by Carlo Magnani, Acqua di Parma has been identifiable with all things elegantly and luxuriously Italian. Signor Magnani set the stylish tone by spraying a handkerchief with his debut fragrance Colonia and then slipping it into his pocket. It doesn’t get more “la dolce vita” than that. It...