A signature scent can make you feel like a special little snowflake… That is, until you catch a whiff of someone else, and realise she smells exactly like you. Not exactly a crisis of epic proportions, but still, a tad annoying. First world issues — go figure. Now, there’s nothing wrong loving the same fragrance as everyone else, but if you’re in search of a fragrance that isn’t your typical crowd-pleaser, the solution is simple. Niche perfumes. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few fresh, off-the-beaten-path scents that feel truly personal and unique.
Eclat by SIX
Jason Lee, founder of local artisanal fragrance brand SIX, was inspired by his two kids when created the limited edition Eclat, which translates to “brilliance” from French. Refreshing neroli and grapefruit open up the scent along with a splash of aquatic notes. You’ll pick up traces of apple in there too before it settles to a sweet, comforting base of cocoa and vanilla. We love how comfortably this elegant glass bottle sits in the palm of the hand to ease application, too.
$76 for 30ml, available exclusively at TANGS.
Tilda Swinton Like This by Etat Libre d’Orange
When you’re paying an homage to the surreal Tilda Swinton with a fragrance, there’s a lot to consider. Like the actress, the fragrance has to be unique yet welcoming, delicate yet strong, seductive without being distractive, and of course, full of radiance and grace (pardon the love letter to Tilda). We gotta say, Like This is unlike any other, and the brand has done a darn good job at capturing her essence. It starts with a hit of neroli and mandarin, balanced out by the earthiness of pumpkin, a note rarely found in fragrances. You’ll notice some powdered ginger in there as well, giving the overall scent a tinge of spice and warmth.
$220, available at escentials Paragon and escentials.com.
Mmmm… by Juliette Has a Gun
Who knew Nina Ricci’s great-grandson would become an award-winning perfumer? Romano Ricci’s irreverent fragrance project, Juliette Has a Gun, has crafted a scent that’s a little hard to share with those around you, simply because it sounds a bit wrong to say its name. For those with a sweet tooth, this fragrance is essentially a vanilla cream puff doused in orange-scented neroli (it’s trending, isn’t it?), dotted with raspberries. There’s also sandalwood and patchouli to ground the scent, topped off with flirty white florals.
$128 (50ml), $165 (100ml); available exclusively at Sephora ION.
Peng Lai by Berdoues
Berdoues loves guiding us across the world with their intoxicating fragrances. This one tells a tale of the island of longevity where the Goddess of Flowers, He Xiangu, sojourned. Peng Lai sought to capture the precious Osmanthus flower through a blend of benzoin from Laos and tonka bean from Brazil, harnessing its delicacy in a glass bottle we’re still swooning over. The perfumers over at Berdoues have seriously put time on hold with this aromatic interpretation.
$145, available at escentials Paragon and escentials.com from June.
Oud Silk Mood by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
The name Francis Kurkdjian might not sound familiar to you, but one of his bestselling creations, Narciso Rodriguez For Her, would definitely ring a bell. In fact, you might even be wearing it right now. Yup, the Armenian perfumer has his own fragrance line, and we’re particularly fond of the new Oud Silk Mood — a light, airy scent that bears notes of Bulgarian rose, blue chamomile, papyrus, and of course, oud to shroud it in a mysterious charm.
$500, available at escentials Paragon and escentials.com.
Tamarindo by MEMO Paris
Another niche favourite of ours is from French perfumery MEMO Paris, founded by husband and wife Clara and John Molloy. Drawing inspiration from the coastal town in Costa Rico, this tribute to the pineapple flower is a heady one that blossoms with notes of cardamom and bergamot, settling down to a light blend of sweet vanilla, fragrant jasmine, and earthy patchouli. If you seek a scent that’ll transport you to your next beach vacation in an instant, this is it.
$330, available at escentials Paragon.
You must be logged in to post a comment.