3 Top Fragrances From 12 Niche Brands
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LE LABO
Launched in New York in 2006, Le Labo is a go-to for fragrance fanatics, thanks to their range of heady, lingering scents that still feel completely unique. Santal 33 is their most iconic, offering a spicy blend of cardamom, iris, violet and ambrox, while both Lys 41 and Ylang 49 are also brand best-sellers, thanks to their warming floral undertones.
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LABORATORY PERFUMES
Launched five years ago, Laboratory Perfumes has a curated edit of five fragrances and five candles – all inspired by the British countryside. The whole line comes highly recommended, but Tonka, Amber and Samphire remain best-sellers. Warm and distinctive, all three are unisex, with Amber often described as one to buy for your partner – although you’re likely to end up stealing it yourself.
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JULIETTE HAS A GUN
Founded by Romano Ricci, Juliette Has A Gun uses minimal, but impactful ingredients to ensure each perfume is long-lasting and full-bodied. Their cult ‘Not A Perfume’ is made from one ingredient: cetalox, which works for men, too. Meanwhile, Sunny Side Up is a warm, woody blend of white flowers, vanilla and coconut that settles into a creamy, almond musk. Finally, look for White Spirit if you’re a floral-lover – laced with jasmine, sambac and tuberose, it’s just sweet enough without being sickly.
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BYREDO
This Swedish fragrance house sources its ingredients from all over the world, offering scents to suit every personality. Their range is vast, but these three best-sellers really stand out. Gypsy Water is for those who enjoy something fresh, with pine needle and citrus, while Bal D'Afrique and La Tulipe are both stronger – the latter being more of a floral and the former more unisex – think warm and smokey with cedarwood.
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D.S. & DURGA
Created by Brookyln-based husband and wife team, David Seth Moltz and Kavi Ahuja, D.S. & Durga offers multifaceted fragrances guaranteed to set you apart from the crowd. White Peacock Lily is clean and uplifting, with jasmine, vanilla and fog, while Debaser (their best-seller) is aromatic and woody, with coconut milk, tonka and fig. Look to Italian Citrus if you prefer your perfume more on the feminine side, but still with a musky edge.
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ESCENTRIC MOLECULE
Their best-selling 01 has long been an industry hit. Composed entirely of one aroma chemical, it adapts to your own pheromones for a unique scent that’s musky, warm and guaranteed to earn you compliments. The range has since expanded with 04 – composed of synthetic sandalwood and citrus – and 05, their latest launch for summer, which smells of pine, bark, leaves and bergamot. Tasteful with an expensive feel, you can’t go wrong.
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FREDERIC MALLE
The Parisian fragrance house first hit the beauty scene twenty years ago. Prioritising substance over style, Malle’s cult fragrances are artfully curated with some of the highest quality ingredients. All three of these are guaranteed to turn heads, with Portrait of A Lady famed for its heady rose and patchouli blend – not one for the fainthearted.
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SANTA EULALIA
Starting life as a Barcelona-based fashion boutique, Santa Eulalia recently launched their first fragrance collection - and it doesn’t disappoint. You can find each of these in Liberty, but look out for Albis especially – it’s vanilla base is perfectly balanced with sandalwood for a fresh, feminine scent that has a musky edge we love.
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MAISON MARGIELA
The brand started back in 1994 and now offers some of the most-loved fragrances by industry insiders, alongside these three consistent best-sellers. Despite being EDTs, they linger on the skin for a surprisingly long time, notably Jazz Club, which has an oriental, sweet base. For something lighter, look to Lazy Sunday Morning - dubbed ‘clean sheets in a bottle’ - or Beach Walk for the true scent of summer.
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L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR
Using natural essences and artisanal notes, L’Artisan Parfumeur is another industry favourite. With off-beat blends, their line-up is expensive, but the unique scents are so worth the price tag. Bana Banana is creamier and more summer appropriate, while the other two are more seductive and sensual, but still suitable for daytime, too.
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SANA JARDIN
The first socially-conscious luxury fragrance house, Sana Jardin showcases nature’s most exotic aromas. The eight fragrances in its line-up are truly unique, but these three are all SL favourites. Tiger By Her Side and Sandalwood are both warm, heady and sweetly seductive, while Berber Blonde is uplifting and drenched in orange blossom and neroli oil – in fact, it’s so well-loved at SL HQ, that our Wellness Editor chose it as her wedding day fragrance.
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JO LOVES
Created by English perfumer Jo Malone, Jo Loves is instantly recognisable for its crisp, clean and innovative scents. Each of these fragrances sinks into the skin, leaving long-lasting traces on your wrists and skin. Our favourite is Green Orange & Coriander for its herbal and spicy edge, although Mango Thai Lime and White Rose & Lemon Leaves are equally ideal for citrus lovers.
INSPIRATION CREDITS: Instagram.com/juliettehasagun, Instagram.com/sanajardin & Instagram.com/fredericmalle
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