If you’re an old-school fragrance lover, you’re probably familiar with classic brands with counters at department stores. However, some of the newest fragrance brands have a face and a name, and they have carved out their space on store shelves because their fans demanded the ability to spray and sniff these brands in person instead of just ordering online. They have a reputation for quality, a big buzz that began amongst fragrance-obsessed influencers on TikTok or Instagram, ads on social media, and rising sales to underscore that all those posts are well-earned.
Here are a few of the hottest scent brands out there, for those of us looking for new perfumes to add to our collections.
Moodeaux – Former investigative journalist Brianna “B.A” Arps brought her gift of storytelling to the fragrance world when she created Moodeaux in 2021. Her brand focuses on clean, unisex scents and has won awards, including Elle’s Future of Beauty Award 2022 and Essence Best in Black Beauty 2023. Available nationwide as the first Black-owned fragrance brand at Credo, you can discover your Moodeaux with their travel pen set or in full-size bottles. Their latest scent is Brand New, incorporating notes of yuzu, pink pepper, cardamom, neroli, and peony blossoms. For a longer-lasting fragrance, layer on the dry oil perfume in the same scent.
Forvr Mood – Created by pioneering Black beauty vlogger Jackie Aina, Forvr Mood candles and fragrances can be found online and at Sephora stores in the US and Canada. The scents are heady, long-lasting, and memorable, with names that speak to the experience. I Am Her gives a delicious red velvet, raspberry, pear, and oud combination, while Hard to Get is reminiscent of lemon cake with a touch of jasmine and the essence of whipped vanilla.
Phlur—Longtime influencer Chriselle Lim is the founder and creative director of Phlur, the fragrance brand best known for evocative scents with unexpected gourmand notes. Vanilla Skin, Caramel Skin, and Coconut Skin are among their best sellers, available as perfumes, body mists, body oil, candles, or deodorant. Other much-buzzed-about Phlur faves include Heavy Cream, Golden Rule, and Missing Person, which is meant to evoke the warm skin scent of your lost lovers.
Chris Collins—Founded by the internationally known model and luxury connoisseur Chris Collins, Chris Collins Fragrance is known for evocative, beautifully packaged creations intended to transport you to special times and places. His latest fragrance foray, Savant Manhattan Cherry, has a black cherry complex with warm, woody notes. His best sellers include African Rooibos and Harlem Nights. Sweet Taboo, Oud Galore, and Tokyo Blue are part of his Dark Romance Collection, available in full size or as a Voyageur Set for those who like to experience the range before committing to a larger bottle. Made with 24% perfume oil, these scents are intense and intentionally luxurious. Many of them are gender neutral; anyone can wear them.
Snif – the brand’s slogan of “smell expensive, spend less” speaks to its ethos: everyone can and should enjoy everyday indulgences to uplift the spirit. The brand offers fine fragrances, body mists, candles, and laundry products to elevate your day-to-day experience. They’re known for partnering with poetic influencer Alex Elle on intentionally uplifting scents. Her perfumes, Heal the Way, include pistachio, vanilla notes, and Gentle Reminder, which are scented with ube and milky lavender.
Dossier – The French brand known for “impressions” or dupes of more expensive elixirs, has some much-beloved faves in their arsenal. If your budget doesn’t currently allow for La Labo, Tom Ford, or Maison Margiela, you may want to consider Dossier’s Ambery Cherry, Woody Sandalwood, or Aquatic Coconut. Their original scents include a collection by the Color Factory and The Speakeasy Collection, with mezcal and rum scents for your pulse points.
Cera Sine Cera is steeped in portability. Founder Eva Zhang realized that so many fragrances just sat on the shelves and set out to make convenient scents to be reapplied as needed. Crisp Sheet, Creamy Dream, and I Don’t Go Out (with notes of nutmeg, iris, and cedar) are amongst their most popular offerings. Their perfume oils, candles, hand creams, and unique fragrance tags for your closet ensure that these delightful scents will linger with and around you throughout the day.
