Hands up if you’re a huge fragrance fan like us! From aromatherapy candles to home scents, we’re all about smelling good – even more so if it’s in support of our homegrown makers and creators. In the mood to mix up your own distinctive scent or shop for a handmade blend? Check out these local perfume brands…
Mmerci Encore
A beauty brand that came into existence thanks to founder Alli Sim’s passion for handcrafted home remedies, Mmerci Encore loves using freshly sourced raw ingredients and 100% pure essential oils in its small-batch creations. Besides aromatherapy blends and skincare goodies, the brand also dabbles in scents made without alcohol, preservatives or colour. These roll-on perfumes double up as self-care tools and come in varieties like lavender with rosemary (for a boost of immunity) and rosewood with bergamot (to promote positivity).
Mmerci Encore, available online
Code Deco
A name that’s been around for years, Code Deco fuses luxe materials with immaculate craftsmanship. Perfume expert Gauri Garodia sits at the helm, showing off her decades of experience with polished scents, which boast a blend of complex notes. Browse online by gender, personality or collection, with concoctions that take you from fresh and sparkling to warm and sensual. If you’re the type to switch things up on occasion, opt for the discovery boxes. The bestsellers for men include signatures like Kokomo, a crisp, citrus whiff that turns into rum and creamy vanilla, while the female counterpart features Damasc, a glamorous blend of Bulgarian rose, plummy fruits and smoky patchouli.
Code Deco, available online and at Naiise Iconic
Bespoke Parfums
If you’re a frequent shopper at Naiise, you’ve probably seen the signature golden bottles of Bespoke Parfums on its shelves. We’re totally pledging our love for this brand. Why? Its scents have impeccable staying power and are a steal, considering the affordable price tag of $38 for a 50 ml bottle (or $35 on its Etsy site!). All perfumes are hand-blended with raw ingredients, and the range includes everything from woody, spicy male fragrances to fresh, feminine scents.
Bespoke Parfums, available online and at Naiise
Oo La Lab
The folks at Oo La Lab take the process of scent creation very seriously. Here, sustainably sourced ingredients are stored in small batches and hand-mixed to order. If you’d rather concoct your own personalised formula, splurge a little and gift yourself the mixology kit to experiment with 12 notes including rose, vanilla amber and dahlia. Otherwise, sign up for any of the regular sensorial perfumery workshops to learn from the pros.
Oo La Lab, available online and at #02-04, Delta House, 2 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159919
Sifr Aromatics
There’s no denying that Sifr Aromatics is a perfume institution; these folks are part of a family biz, which goes way back to 1933. Located at a shophouse on Arab Street, the local perfume brand religiously sources sustainable ingredients for its creations, which fuse old-world classics with modern aromatics. To customise a scent of your own, make an appointment to pop by the space and carve out one and a half hours for the consultation. Half-hour perfume demonstrations and group workshops are also available.
Sifr Aromatics, available at 42 Arab Street, Singapore 199741
Six
Started by Jason Lee, an alum of famed fragrance house Givaudan, Six aims to evoke specific memories through its fragrances. Blends are distilled in the UK and Singapore, using ingredients hand-picked across the globe in sustainable ways. Its 27°F Biei perfume is a combination of coriander, orange blossom, sandalwood and cedar, bringing to mind the shedding of autumn leaves on a mountainscape. Meanwhile, 123 Tribeca conjures images of NYC with its exciting blend of lemon, orange peel, rosemary and lily of the valley. Can’t make up your mind? Get the gift set of three vials to try the brand’s signatures.
Six, available at various locations including Funan and Bugis Junction
Candles of Light
As you can tell by its moniker, the brand is clearly an advocate of non-toxic, 100% soy and beeswax candles made aromatic with pure essential oils. But it’s also in the perfume game with all-natural, sweet-smelling roll-on treats like Dusk Botanical Perfume, an earthy blend of geranium bourbon, patchouli and spices. Not your cup of tea? Try the Dawn equivalent for a calm mix of French lavender, Italian citrus and peppermint. These tiny vials, made with a base of organic jojoba and coconut oils, are perfect for touch-ups while on-the-go.
Candles of Light, available online and at various locations including Gallery & Co and Plain Vanilla Tiong Bahru
Freda ‘D Parfum
The story behind this local perfume brand is as magical as its scents. Founder Freda grew up surrounded by vials upon vials of scents, thanks to her perfumer father. Made from the belief that every fragrance tells a story, all her products are hand-blended in small batches and catered to suit different personalities and styles. From romantic to delicate, each eau de parfum is a layered bouquet that you’ll love discovering. Better yet, if you’ve got a nose for this sort of thing, swing by the store to personalise your own at the perfume crafting workshop.
Freda ‘D Parfum, available online and at Westgate
Singapore Memories
What started with an interest in orchids, the national flower of Singapore, has since led to the creation of scents inspired by the country’s icons. Think Singapore Girl, a revival of the 1960s blend featuring lotus and water lily, and the unisex Peranakan Oud, a classic fragrance made with tonka bean, praline and green tobacco leaves.
Singapore Memories, available online and at various locations including Design Orchard and NomadX
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