Chances are, when you think of perfume brands, you think of big-name fragrance houses like Chanel, Byredo, Diptyque, or Le Labo. While these perfumes will always have a place on our vanities, Black-owned perfume brands have long deserved the spotlight, and many of them are still mostly unknown.
The Black-owned fragrance brands that are catching our attention are making truly exciting scents—picture the smell of drinking a mojito by the beach, a refreshing dip in the pool, or the electricity you feel after a long kiss. They’re a breath of fresh air in the fragrance industry, which has long been a bit stuffy.
Below, I’ve rounded up some of the most exciting Black-owned fragrance brands that need to be on your radar. The scents range from sweet and fruity to deep and woodsy, so there’s truly something here for everyone, regardless of your typical scent profile. Keep reading to find your next signature scent.
1. Mair
Created by Mair Emenogu, these fragrances are meant to "express your emotions in the absence of words." She wanted to create scents that make you feel confident, and that's exactly what these perfumes do.
Key notes: pear, orange blossom, white melon, pink peony, jasmine, rose
Calling all floral lovers—this fragrance is very peony-forward, which is rare and welcome when flowers like roses typically take center-stage. It smells like a fresh bouquet of flowers.
Key notes: jasmine, neroli flower, pear, bergamot, orange blossom, jasmine, amber, warm musk, guaic wood
If the feeling of putting on a cashmere sweater could be bottled, you’d wind up with this fragrance. It’s soft, light, and airy, with sharp citrus notes that cut through amber and jasmine.
2. Pink MahogHany
Founded by Chavalia, a self-taught niche perfumer in Texas, Pink MahogHany creates truly exciting and different scents. Chavalia uses top-notch ingredients to create beautiful and intriguing skin scents.
Key notes: lime, mint, flowered rice, orange blossom, woods
This is one of the most unexpected scents I’ve ever tried. It smells salty and citrusy, like drinking a mojito on a beach. You can smell the rice notes, which round out the fragrance and make it smell truly delectable.
Key notes: pineapple, malted sugar, vanilla
It’s not often that pineapple notes are done right in a perfume, but this one manages. It’s sweet without being cloying, and sugar and vanilla round it out.
Key notes: Pepper, musk, spearmint, peach, damask rose
Somehow this perfume manages to smell like a warm hug. It’s inviting and fresh, thanks to notes of mint and peach, while musks keep it grounded.
3. Chris Collins
Chris Collins's fragrances stem from his love of luxury and travel. Each of his perfumes tells a story, whether it's going back in time to the Harlem Renaissance or grounding you in modern romance.
Key notes: coffee beans, centifolia rose, pink peony
This perfume definitely leaves an impression, just like a lingering kiss after a really good date. Passion fruit and coffee bean seem like an unexpected pair, but they complement each other perfectly in this fragrance.
Key notes: rum, orris, sandalwood
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with mysterious, smoky perfumes. This one smells like a nice cigar and a stiff drink—you’ll be instantly transported to a 1920s speakeasy.
Key notes: coconut water, peach skin, salted musk
This fragrance is calming and fresh. It smells like salty skin and a freshly cracked coconut, guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on vacation after one spray.
4. Maya Njie
Maya Njie was born in Sweden and has a background in design and photography. She started dipping her toe into the world of fragrance after discovering an old family photo album. She wanted to re-create the moments through scent.
Key notes: tobacco leaf, vetiver, cinnamon, tonka, musk, leather
This deep, smoky fragrance will be your new favorite if you live for warm and spicy scents. "Unique” is an understatement—this heady blend is downright hypnotic. Fans of Le Labo's Santal 33 might decide this is their new favorite scent.
Key notes: cardamom, patchouli, cedar
When it comes to woodsy notes in fragrances, cedar will always be my favorite. It’s warm and not too heavy. Cardamom helps give this scent a spicy quality.
Key notes: floral musk, magnolia, bergamot, neroli, fig, wood
Don’t let the name fool you—this may be a floral perfume, but it’s anything but one-note. Floral musks blend with magnolia, bergamot, neroli, and fig to make this fragrance truly special and different.
5. Kimberly New York
Kimberly New York is a niche sustainable fragrance brand that makes undeniably exciting and creative scents. Founded by Kimberly Walker, the fragrance house is a celebration of art, culture, and love.
Key notes: violet, sandalwood, candied apple, marshmallow fluff
Artsy should be a staple for cool girls everywhere. This unique scent is sweet in an approachable way, with candy apple and marshmallow notes grounded by violet and sandalwood.
Key notes: Asian pear, Fuji apple, Jamaican rose apple, champagne
The best way I can describe this scent is effervescent—it smells impossibly refreshing and crisp, like drinking a glass of really, really good champagne.
Key notes: peach, magnolia blossom, sandalwood
Poetry is soft and woodsy, with peach notes shining through. It’s a delicate skin scent that anyone can wear.
6. Travertine
Travertine's fragrances are all hand-bottled and hand-blended. They're all unisex and inspired by traveling.
Key notes: South American neroli, tart citrus, Bulgarian lavender
This unexpected fragrance smells botanical and fresh, with neroli and sharp citrus notes leading the charge.
Key notes: terroir, stone fruit, balsam, orchid, rose, spice
Earthy scents are tough to nail, but this perfume has it down. This perfume is perfect for anyone hoping to smell captivating and unique.
Key notes: green gourd, bright citrus, petigrain, sandalwood, German blue chamomile
This bright perfume was inspired by a day lounging by the water in Antibes with a cold drink. It delivers—the fragrance is like a dip in the pool.
Can't decide? Try a discovery set:
