The last few months, we’ve found ourselves down a deep rabbit hole: scouring the internet for niche fragrances. After spending hours watching reviews and recommendations from influencers like Funmi Monet, Cammy Reviews and Scented Stories, our casual interest in perfume quickly turned into a full-fledged hobby. As we’re still newcomers to this world ourselves, we totally understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the sheer number of perfumes on the market.
If you’re curious about venturing into fragrances beyond the more mainstream offerings from brands like Chanel and YSL (although we’re still obsessed with Babycat), and want to be inspired by something outside the usual Sephora selection, we get it. Here’s our guide to niche fragrances to explore and, hopefully, discover something new.
Lubin
One of the oldest fragrance houses, founded in Paris in the 18th century, Lubin creates luxurious and refined perfumes. A staple for classic French elegance, their fragrances are sophisticated and often include rare, timeless ingredients. First created in 1955 as a tribute to Grace Kelly, their Gin Fizz bottle is chic, sparkling and fresh, with notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, juniper berry, iris, galbanum, orange blossom, rose absolute, jasmine, lily, benzoin, vetiver, oak moss and white musk.
Maison Mataha
A contemporary fragrance house offering evocative, sensory experiences through unique and luxurious scents. Maison Mataha focuses on elegance and refinement, crafting sophisticated yet intimate perfumes. Their known for their viral Escapade Gourmande, with notes of vanilla, black sugar, tonka bean and musk.
Maison Mataha Escapade Gourmande
Serge Lutens
As far as niche fragrances go, Serge Lutens is a pioneering force, known for his bold, artistic and sometimes unconventional scents. His creations evoke deep emotions and are often characterized by rich, complex compositions. We want to try their Ambre Sultan, Un Bois Vanille and Santal Majuscule.
Trudon
Trudon is one of the oldest candle makers in the world, but they also do perfumes. Inspired by history, tradition and French craftsmanship, these scents have a timeless elegance. Their scent Deux has notes of green leaf, pine and cedarwood, which smells like a forest.
Courrèges
A French fashion house that has entered the beauty space, Courrèges creates sleek perfumes. Inspired by the futuristic aesthetic of the 1960s, Courrèges perfumes focus on innovation and simplicity with a French flair.
The Harmonist
A brand that combines Eastern philosophy and Western perfumery, The Harmonist’s creations are based on the ancient concepts of Yin and Yang, offering harmonious blends designed to balance and uplift the wearer.
The Harmonist Hypnotizing Fire
Indult
A niche fragrance brand focusing on rare, high-quality ingredients and luxurious compositions. Known for their exclusivity, Indult’s perfumes are refined, delicate and often feature deep, complex, and exotic notes. Known as one of the best vanillas, their Tihota scent is one of the most talked about niche fragrances on Tiktok.
Gumamina
A modern niche fragrance house that creates bold and innovative scents with an emphasis on raw materials and artistic expressions. Their perfumes often experiment with unusual ingredients for a distinctive, avant-garde experience.
Vyrao
Founded by a former astrologer and energy healer, Vyrao’s scents draw inspiration from astrology, wellness and spirituality. Designed to have an emotional impact, the brand blends aromatherapy with perfumery to help transform your mood or energy. For example, Magnetic 70 is for attraction and protection, and Free 00 is for liberation and sensuality.
Mancera
A niche fragrance brand from France, Mancera is known for creating powerful, long-lasting perfumes that combine Eastern opulence with Western sensibilities. Their fragrances are bold, full-bodied, and often luxurious. We’ve seen a lot of praise for Roses Vanille and Instant Crush.
Fugazzi
A relatively new niche fragrances brand that focuses on artistic, playful, and avant-garde compositions. Fugazzi’s scents often incorporate bold, unorthodox notes and unique presentations that appeal to those seeking something different.
Stora Skuggan
A Swedish niche perfume house inspired by the nature and folklore of Scandinavia. Their scents explore the raw beauty of the landscape, with a focus on earthy, natural, and often smoky or woody compositions.
Matiere Premiere
A modern niche fragrance brand focused on using natural, high-quality raw materials to create clean, transparent scents. Matière Première’s perfumes are refined and simple, highlighting the beauty of individual ingredients. We’ve heard amazing things about Parisian Musc, Vanilla Powder and Santal Austral.
Matiere Premiere Santal Austral
Giardini di Toscana
Giardini di Toscana draws inspiration from the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Italy. The brand captures the essence of the Tuscan landscape through its elegant, refined perfumes that feature a blend of botanical, citrus, and floral notes. Each fragrance evokes the charm of the region’s gardens, rolling hills, and ancient traditions, with a focus on natural ingredients and artisanal craftsmanship. Ideal for those who appreciate fresh, sophisticated scents with a touch of Italian elegance, Giardini di Toscana offers perfumes that are both timeless and modern, embodying the beauty of one of Italy’s most iconic regions. A cult-favorite on TikTok, Bianco Latte is one of their standouts.
Giardini di Toscana Bianco Latte
Ex Nihilo
A Parisian luxury fragrance house that prides itself on creating bespoke, exclusive scents. Ex Nihilo makes sophisticated and modern perfumes, often featuring rare, high-quality ingredients and offering personalized fragrance experiences. The brand has become more popular since people found out Hailey Bieber wears Fleur Narcotique.
