One question often leaves me puzzled: “What are the best Black-owned perfume brands?”
It’s not that these brands don’t exist—they do, and they’re exceptional, as you’ll see below. Unfortunately, the list is rather short, suggesting that the fragrance industry has lagged behind in diversity efforts that other sectors have embraced. The perfume industry is firmly anchored in Grasse, France, and dominated by major scent-producing companies like Givaudan, DSM-Firmenich, Symrise, and IFF. This makes the scene very European, very white, and hard to break into without fitting those categories.
Should the ethnic background of a perfume creator matter? Technically, fragrance creation isn’t influenced by ethnicity, skin tone, or hair texture. However, I believe it does matter if the perfumes you love are crafted by people of color. Scent is deeply connected to memory, and memories are shaped by our unique personal stories. If our fragrances are only reflecting one community’s perspective, then we are missing out on rich, diverse narratives that could be captured and bottled.
Here are some outstanding Black-owned perfume brands that you should definitely explore:
Ourside Dusk Eau de Parfum
Keta Burke-Williams has disrupted the fine fragrance space with unisex creations crafted from natural ingredients. Inspired by unique narratives, Ourside Dusk features notes of patchouli, bergamot, vetiver, and musk.
Harlem Perfume Co. Speakeasy Eau de Parfum
Teri Johnson transports you to a world of glamour with this vanilla and chocolate-infused, spicy scent, reflecting Harlem's rich culture.
Moodeaux PunkStar Eau de Parfum
Brianna Arps blends notes of vanilla, apple, blackcurrant, tonka bean, and leather to create a fragrance that exudes confidence and fearlessness.
World of Chris Collins Vide Cor Meum Eau de Parfum
Chris Collins offers a masterpiece with Vide Cor Meum, combining bergamot incense, rose, vanilla, and amber to create a luxurious fragrance.
Brown Girl Jane CAROUSEL Eau de Parfum
Malaika Jones crafts scents designed to uplift and delight. CAROUSEL combines caramel, cotton candy, and juicy berry notes with creamy sandalwood for an enchanting aroma.
Relevant 13 Stems Eau de Parfum
Thirteen Lune presents 13 Stems, an earthy floral fragrance with notes of freesia, green peppercorn, amber, and white leather. This scent is chic and classic.
Maya Njie Tropica Eau de Parfum
Maya Njie offers an island escape with Tropica, featuring juicy pineapple, white florals, Mediterranean fig, sandalwood, and coconut.
Savoir Faire Soul Cafe Eau de Parfum
Chris Classic describes Soul Cafe as “intensely personal and intimate,” blending tobacco, patchouli, blood orange, coffee, lavender, and oud.
FORVR Mood I Am Her Eau de Parfum
Jackie Aina strikes gold with I Am Her, a rich gourmand fragrance featuring notes of red velvet, raspberry, and pear.
Your sense of smell is intimately tied to memory, making it important that the fragrances we use are diverse and inclusive, representing a multitude of stories waiting to be told. Embrace these Black-owned perfume brands and enrich your olfactory experiences with their unique, captivating scents.