Finding a fragrance that suits you can be a daunting task, especially if you're looking for something unique. With so many big-name brands and recognizable scents out there, where do you go to find something original and outstanding? My suggestion is to turn to the world of niche fragrances.
In the world of perfumery, these lesser-known fragrances stand out among mass-market scents with distinctive compositions, artistry, and creativity. Some use rare flowers and accords, while others combine familiar notes in unfamiliar ways. Trust me, they're intoxicating, complex, and alluring.
As a super fan of niche fragrances, I'm well-versed in the best brands and scents to try, and I've added many of them to my eccentric repertoire. I thought I'd share my favorites with you. From super-woody fragrances to light and flowery scents, here are 20 niche brands you need to have on your radar in 2024.
The composition of this perfume and its beautiful design have to be at the forefront of why this is one of my favorite niche fragrances. Made of sandalwood, turmeric, and amber, and topped with a note of fresh lemon, this scent is so uplifting.
This brand has left me awestruck. From its exquisite and complex formulations to its minimalist, luxe packaging, Perfumehead is a brand that takes me on a journey. It's spearheaded by beauty legend Daniel Giles and four noses (three of which are women), and it was born to be a love letter to the city of Los Angeles. This fragrance, called Moonflower, consists of blood orange, jasmine, musk, patchouli, and literal moonflower. It smells floral and earthy. To me, that's a dream combination.
Brooklyn-based husband-and-wife duo David Seth Moltz (DS) and Kavi Moltz (Durga) are well-known for their use of rare notes, and Bistro Waters is no exception. Meant to emulate��a hip New York bistro in the '90s, this fragrance is super fresh and utilizes lime flower and pear as top notes, mandarin and bell pepper at the heart, and basil, nutmeg, and moss as the base
Green fragrances are having a comeback moment. My top choice in this category comes from the expert perfumery, Frédéric Malle. The scent, Synthetic Jungle, is an ode to the 1970s. Basil, hyacinth, lily of the valley, jasmine, and ylang ylang perk me up while black currant rounds out this one-of-a-kind fragrance.
Did you know that Off-White has a perfume? Solution No. 1 is clean and earthy, a supposed reminder of different sand from all over the world. Its notes include ho wood, clary sage, bergamot, and lavandin at the top; seaweed and sand accord at the heart; and vetiver, patchouli, and sandalwood at the base.
The fragrance of cozy creatives everywhere, Liis's Studied is inspired by Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. If I had to describe its vibe with a specific scenario, it would be "stay in your studio, paint your canvas, and listen to music." With notes of pear, orris, cashmere, and ambrette, it evokes a sense of evolved coziness.
I'll admit that the design of the bottle is what first drew me in (it's stunning), but the inspiration behind the fragrance is what kept me entranced. Inspired by mysticism and folklore both new and old, the brand uses everything from Harry Potter to Freud to inspire its scents. Mistpouffer is a dream fragrance combination—both floral and citrusy—with notes of bergamot, fig leaf, smoke, and malt sugar.
I love that this brand set out to make designer-level fragrances accessible. I've been a huge fan of the brand for years, and I keep Way With Woods on me at all times. Crisp white tea, mandarin, sandalwood, amber woods, vetiver, and musk make for a seductive and modern scent that I can take with me everywhere I go (the size of the product is perfect for travel).
Ceremonia is best known for being a Lantinx and Swedish haircare brand, but don't sleep on its recently launched fragrance. It's called Perfume de la Tierra, and it's based on duality. It mixes citrusy notes (like peach) with earthy elements (like bergamot). It's a bold blend of the natural world and an ode to a solar-pink utopia.
This fragrance is an enchanting combination of jasmine, bergamot, mint, and maté absolute. To me, it's quite timeless with a hint of modernity, made obvious by its floral notes that are topped with a hint of freshness.
Even though Byredo has grown to become a household name, I had to throw in my favorite fragrance of all time: Velvet Haze. The brand is exceptionally skilled in weaving together perfume and storytelling, and this scent is no exception. It uses notes of coconut water and ambrette to seduce anyone who smells it. Seriously, every time I wear it, it stops people in their tracks.
This fragrance is an olfactory journey through the Wild West. It blends two different types of cedar with top notes of magnolia and cardamom for a rich, woody floral that'll wear well on anyone.
If you're looking for a clean and woody scent, I suggest this fragrance—Papier Carbone. The vegan, halal, and cruelty-free fragrance contains notes of coffee, star anise, and coriander with base notes of Haitian vetiver, ambrette, and patchouli.
With packaging akin to a modern-day apothecary, Nonfiction's Open Arms feels sensual and deep, yet far from overpowering. With top notes of neroli, orange bigarade, and bergamot, this vetiver- and patchouli-based fragrance is my go-to for a fancy night out.
Never has a list of perfume notes made me more intrigued. This spicy and gourmand fragrance has top notes of pimento berries, praline, patchouli, and cloves mixed in with Bulgarian rose. Finally, a warming and grounding note of vanilla is at the heart of this scent.
This scent is a bit spicy and warm, but floral at the same time. You'll detect top notes of cypress, black pepper, and tobacco leaves mixed with heart notes of cedarwood, atlas, and patchouli. Expect a kick from the smoked leather base.
Perfume oils tend to give you more bang for your buck; you use less of them and they linger on the skin all day long. This one from Maison Louis Marie is so dreamy. It mixes fresh zest and pepper basil with lily, lime, patchouli, and amber.
If you're looking for something full-bodied, you've got to go for this treasure from Folie à Plusieurs. Ambrosia is a keen blend of incense, bergamot, mimosa, and frankincense—it reminds me of the smell of an ancient church.
Michelle Pfeiffer's (yes, you read that correctly) fragrance company is genderless, paraben free, and cruelty free. This scent, called Windows Down, is so fresh and lovely. Notes of grapefruit, bergamot, and neroli intermingle with a creamy note of Earl Grey tea. It's the perfect daily perfume, and dare I say, it has the potential to become a signature scent.
This isn't a traditional perfume. It can actually calm your nervous system (yes, seriously). It's all thanks to the brand's olfactory chemistry and patented technology, which replicates natural forest compounds called phytoncides. Opt for this if you want to smell incredible and feel less stressed all at once.
