New to Niche? Start here.
Wearing fragrances is a way of expressing yourself, just as the right outfit, your music playlist, or your most recent Instagram post would. Today, when self-expression is so embraced and treasured, more and more people are moving away from mainstream brands and are looking for more unique fragrances to complement their image or moods. If you don’t want to smell like everybody else, niche fragrances are the way to go.
Niche fragrance brands offer a wide range of scents to suit complex, multi-faceted personas. They are made by creators with unique perspectives, composed using only the finest ingredients -- and with such a strong focus on quality, have limited availability.
If you’re new to the world of niche brands, it can seem daunting, so here are a few tips to give you a push:
EXPLORE
The best place to get started is to visit a specialty perfume shop. Browse everything! Most niche fragrance are unisex so keep an open mind. Don’t hesitate to chat up the fragrance consultants – they are highly knowledgeable and especially trained to help you navigate the plethora of choices.
TEST
Spritz on the scents on the paper strips while browsing. Once you have two or three fragrances shortlisted, try the scent on your skin. The inside of your wrist is perfect as the heat from your blood circulation helps diffuse the perfume oils.
If the scents start to confuse or overwhelm you, you can take a sniff from the jar of coffee beans provided by the shop to “reset” your nose.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Choosing a scent can’t be rushed. Fragrances are composed of different fragrance notes, so the scent “develops” over time. Wait at least an hour for a certain fragrance to fully reveal itself; allow yourself some time before making up your mind.
Still undecided? Here are a few of our favourites at AMARIS to get you started:
- Miller Harris Tea Tonique – A very wearable unisex pick. An instantly uplifting tea fragrance, Tea Tonique has the refreshing quality of an iced jasmine tea and the steamy swirl of black tea. Fresh, earthy, and with smoky facets, this is a chameleon-like perfume.
- Juliette Has A Gun Not a Perfume – Clean, pure, and unique. This fragrance is made out of a single element called Cetalox. Usually used in perfumery as a base note, here it plays the lead role. Like magic, how the molecules develop on your skin is unique to you. Layer it on with other fragrances for additional depth and a truly original scent.
- Parfums de Marly Pegasus – An addictive, vibrant, masculine fragrance. Fit for a gentleman, this scent is made up of a stimulating blend of bergamot and almond which dries down into a Vanilla, Sandalwood and Amber base.
- Micallef Ananda - Ananda means serenity in Sanskrit, and this fragrance envelopes with that feeling of well-being. An exquisitely refined floral fragrance that opens with fruity notes of plum and pear, with violet and rose at its heart, and a dry down of white musks and mimosa.
- Perris Monte Carlo Cacao Azteque – For those seeking something exotic, this is a blend that surely leaves one desiring for more. With its mythic origins, the Cocoa Absolute is a precious and rare essence used in perfumery. Here it creates a dense, rich liqueur and penetrating aroma that is undeniably addicting.
