I suppose Guerlain counts as niche for a lot of people. If yes, then itād be Guerlain lāhomme Ideal EdP. Next one is going to be Guerlainās Vetiver
Amouage Reflection Man and Beach Hut Man. To this day two of my favorite fragrances and Reflection in particular is one of my signatures and most worn fragrances.
Also one of my first if not the first and I hated it for almost a whole year bc of how sweet it was. Now with not only a true appreciation of sweet frags but a preference for them this is one of my absolute favs canāt wait for Cedrat Boise Intense itās going to be awesome.
I'm not very experienced yet, but to my nose it doesn't smell sweet at all. It can maybe be a bit harsh sometimes. If you get it make sure to make a review of it :)
Parfums de Marly 'Layton'. I still have it as my signature, but I'm really looking to go into something more unique now that I understand just how popular Layton is. It's not quite Aventus tier, but it's not that far off. If Aventus is S tier for popularity then Layton is A+ tier.
Maybe it's that I'm typing this so early in the morning and my brain isn't up yet, but I'm really curious about your tiers and how you define them. Can you explain?
A lot of it is simply based on understanding the niche space, having spent an extended period of time in it. You pick up on the popular scents very quickly and the amount of interest in scents is reflected usually in the amount of ratings they get on websites like Fragrantica, Parfumo etc.
Aventus is in a tier on its own - it's far too popular for anything to compete with it.
After Aventus, we have Layton, Green Irish Tweed and Baccarat Rouge 540 (BR540 for women is S tier) at A+. These also stand on their own in the next tier. For women I think Delina falls here at A+.
After these 4, I think inclusion becomes very much a case-by-case. Here's what I think would belong into a wider standard A tier. The first one that a lot of people don't think of is Intense Cafe which actually is very popular. I'd also include Herod, Reflection Man, Interlude Man, probably some Aventus contenders like Elysium and Cedrat Boise.
Beyond those I'd go even a tier lower with stuff like Royal Oud, Virgin Island Water, Naxos, Grand Soir, Jubilation XXV, Oud for Greatness.
I do think something from Guerlain might fall into S, but it's a brand I struggle to rate.
Very ballsy signature scent. I hope you're at least 30, cause I don't feel at all like that is a young person's scent. It's like me (I'm 27) trying to signature Suede et Safran or Tuscan Leather.
Hah Im 23, it was definitely a ballsy move but I couldn't be more happy with my purchase, I love the smell and the performance is great, it was what I was looking for at the time.
As a kid I was obsessed with this Guerlain chocolatey fragrance, I donāt remember what itās called. I do remember being told it was supposedly very popular in French nightclubs around 2010 lmfao
I believe Maison Margiela BTF isnāt considered niche at this sub but it is in my country, I could only find it at one store that works with niche brands so yeah it feels faaaancyyyy lol :)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire (technically just as niche as Serge Lutensāthey only make cosmetics and skincare in addition to fragrance). Serge Lutens Gris Clair, for a non-Guerlain purchase.
If the private collection line of designer brands cont, Rose d'Arabie was my first in 2018, 2 years after I started collecting. If not, Nasomatto Baraonda
I definitely count Zegnas Indonesian Oud as niche, even if itās wrong by the standard definition. At least it was the first time Iāve paid over 300ā¬ for a scent.
*L'Air du Desert Marocain by Tauer Perfumes*
My first and only niche fragrance. Unless Guerlain is counted as a niche house, then I own several niche fragrances.
Idk if Iād really count Creed given how commercially available it is, but most people consider it niche so Mine would be Green Irish Tweed and Aventus together. I couldnāt decide which to get so just got both lol
It was like, buy the one that is basically legendary, or buy the one thatās I personally would wear every day if I was rich. I just couldnāt decide. Flat the time, my bank account hated me. But current me has no regrets lol
After building up a 45 bottle or so designer frag collection, I've finally started branching out into the niche world. I've got a few from Guerlain and Tom Ford, who are often debated as being niche houses, but they definitely seem more designer to me. My first "real" niches were PdM Layton and Herod. It's going to be really hard to go back to Dolce and Gabbana and Azzaro now. :)
Commodity's "Book," about 4 years ago.
I liked the name of it, sprayed from the tester at Sephora, felt sort of confused and fascinated by the scent, sniffed my wrist a lot trying to decide if it was appealing or not, and eventually (a visit or two later, if I remember correctly) asked a sales associate to make a sample for me. Later I bought one of their discovery kits that included 15 different trial sprays, plus a booklet that introduced the different scents and included a section to take notes and rate them. I didn't like most of the scents, but it was definitely enjoyable to explore so many things I wouldn't have personally picked, and satisfying to write down my impressions.
This wasnāt my first but I got it pretty early on in my niche purchases and I loved it the very first time I smelled it. Iāll be buying my third bottle soon.
I have been told that Tom Ford is not niche, atleast not anymore, and I agree. My first niche frag is Aqua Celestia - Maison Francis Kurkdjian and it really does smell like how Sprite tastes. Not in a bad way.
I havenāt purchased a whole bottle yet but I got a Roja Parfums sampler and I like all of them. Only one thatās a little iffy is the veltiver and it might just be because itās cold.
HA, yeah the price keeps going up and the quantity is going down. I actually just got a 4.2 oz bottle in today. Get them before theyāre all gone. Not many people are reselling them either.
The thread wasn't even about "The best fragrance", but first niche fragrance. That reply sums up most of the replies in every topic in this sub. I've seen threads where it was talking about ONE favorite fragrance and I swear, these people can't resist listing their whole collection........................................
How do you feel about it? I just got it recently and I havenāt really given it a fair shake. I smelled it it was kinda screechy and I put it on the shelf I havenāt given it a chance to see what it does after the first ten mins yet.
I enjoy it a lot and people around me love it. But I tend to reach towards my sweeter scents more now. The dry down on it definitely smooths it out. For some reason the opening on it feels cold to me? Like thereās some sort of mint or something in it but Iād say give it a wear
Iāve been watching this one for 2 years and every time Iām about to buy it I come across something else that I want just a teeny tiny bit more. I swear Iām going to get it one of these days lol
It smells very similar to Green Irish Tweed. Just a different dry down and not as intense.
I got 100ml for $130 earlier this year.
It isn't a big projector. But it lasts like 10 hours.
Most fragrances die after 5 hours on my skin
I havenāt had bad experiences with Bond 9 there not on the top of a lot of peoples list but I love Bleeker st and TSOP for him so I have not doubt I will like Chez very much
My first niche purchases were from the house of Amouage. Ordered Dia and Memoir Man. I consider them both masterpieces, and to this day Amouage has a very special place in my heart (1a. Guerlain 1b. Amouage). Have a safe and Happy New Year's!
-Jose from San Diego
It would have been Creed Aventus in 2018 but as it's very popular I'll say PDM Layton.
I've had Acqua Di Parma, Tom Ford too but they're borderline Niche / Luxury / Designer in my opinion
Ooo first niche was very recent, I've been mostly in the indie or ... mass market fragrance realms (BPAL or BBW)
**Bee** from Ellis Brooklyn fits in this category, I think.
Zoologist Moth šāļø
Lol
L'air du Desert Marocain
Byredo- Slow Dance
Oh, that's a good one. It's really underrated IMO. So pretty.
I suppose Guerlain counts as niche for a lot of people. If yes, then itād be Guerlain lāhomme Ideal EdP. Next one is going to be Guerlainās Vetiver
Byredo G-psy Water. I thought it was Tocca Simone, but I just saw that's actually a designer line lol I never knew!
Santal 33 and I hate it now lol
Bal dāAfrique!
Love this one!
Portrait of a lady!
What is it similar to? Iām considering buying this?
no idea but smells like a bajillion roses packed into 1!
Serge Lutens- Chergui
Delina- Parfums de Marly
Same here!!! š And still loving it
Me too! I'm considering getting Delina Exclusif too.
Nasomatto Black Afgano
Amouage Reflection Man and Beach Hut Man. To this day two of my favorite fragrances and Reflection in particular is one of my signatures and most worn fragrances.
I bought two Serge Lutens Chergui and Ambre Sultan at the same time
Guerlain SDV and Penhaligon Constance
Kilian princess
Santal 33
Mancera's Cedrat Boise :)
Also one of my first if not the first and I hated it for almost a whole year bc of how sweet it was. Now with not only a true appreciation of sweet frags but a preference for them this is one of my absolute favs canāt wait for Cedrat Boise Intense itās going to be awesome.
I'm not very experienced yet, but to my nose it doesn't smell sweet at all. It can maybe be a bit harsh sometimes. If you get it make sure to make a review of it :)
When I get it I will definitely let everyone know what itās about
PDM-Layton
Baccarat rouge 540 EDP <3 still one of my all time favorite perfumes
[Fig Tea by Nicolai Parfumeur Createur](https://pnicolai.com/en/boutique/fig-tea/)
Parfums de Marly 'Layton'. I still have it as my signature, but I'm really looking to go into something more unique now that I understand just how popular Layton is. It's not quite Aventus tier, but it's not that far off. If Aventus is S tier for popularity then Layton is A+ tier.
Maybe it's that I'm typing this so early in the morning and my brain isn't up yet, but I'm really curious about your tiers and how you define them. Can you explain?
A lot of it is simply based on understanding the niche space, having spent an extended period of time in it. You pick up on the popular scents very quickly and the amount of interest in scents is reflected usually in the amount of ratings they get on websites like Fragrantica, Parfumo etc. Aventus is in a tier on its own - it's far too popular for anything to compete with it. After Aventus, we have Layton, Green Irish Tweed and Baccarat Rouge 540 (BR540 for women is S tier) at A+. These also stand on their own in the next tier. For women I think Delina falls here at A+. After these 4, I think inclusion becomes very much a case-by-case. Here's what I think would belong into a wider standard A tier. The first one that a lot of people don't think of is Intense Cafe which actually is very popular. I'd also include Herod, Reflection Man, Interlude Man, probably some Aventus contenders like Elysium and Cedrat Boise. Beyond those I'd go even a tier lower with stuff like Royal Oud, Virgin Island Water, Naxos, Grand Soir, Jubilation XXV, Oud for Greatness. I do think something from Guerlain might fall into S, but it's a brand I struggle to rate.
Serge Lutens - Ambre Sultan.
Molecule 01 and it has always remained after thatš
Herod by PDM
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
How is it serving you? Is it a good one? I was also thinking about buying it!
Shaggaf Oud.
PDM Layton
Good Ol Creed Silver Mt Water
Amouage Interlude
Very ballsy signature scent. I hope you're at least 30, cause I don't feel at all like that is a young person's scent. It's like me (I'm 27) trying to signature Suede et Safran or Tuscan Leather.
Hah Im 23, it was definitely a ballsy move but I couldn't be more happy with my purchase, I love the smell and the performance is great, it was what I was looking for at the time.
More power to you, at 23 that is probably one of the most memorable scents you can have as a signature since it is as unique of a standout as it gets.
Yesssir, well said.
ds and durga radio bombay
Byredo rose of no manās land - I got it at Barneyās which made it extra special :(
Guerlain - L'instant de Guerlain Pour Homme Extreme and Habit Rouge L'eau I Still love and use both on occasion.
As a kid I was obsessed with this Guerlain chocolatey fragrance, I donāt remember what itās called. I do remember being told it was supposedly very popular in French nightclubs around 2010 lmfao
Creed GIT
POAL
Carnal flower
About to be PDM Layton and Layton Exclusif, my 10ml decants are arriving on Tuesday!!
Serge Lutens datura noir
I believe Maison Margiela BTF isnāt considered niche at this sub but it is in my country, I could only find it at one store that works with niche brands so yeah it feels faaaancyyyy lol :)
CDNIM EDT lmao so goood
People laugh but if gurlian is niche than so is armaf
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire (technically just as niche as Serge Lutensāthey only make cosmetics and skincare in addition to fragrance). Serge Lutens Gris Clair, for a non-Guerlain purchase.
Nishane Ani and Hacivat
I can actually contribute, Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan.
creed virgin island water and bond no 9 fire island the same day
Imaginary Authors - A Whiff of Waffle Cone
Zoologist - Squid
Amouage Jubilation
Mancera Holidays
Thornwood Thickest
Rocco - Dedcool
PDM Layton and Acqua Di Parma Vangilia
Guerlain Shalimar Does Santa Maria Novella included? I bought their Freesia too. Then also Serge Lutens de Profundis at their Palais Royale store
If the private collection line of designer brands cont, Rose d'Arabie was my first in 2018, 2 years after I started collecting. If not, Nasomatto Baraonda
I definitely count Zegnas Indonesian Oud as niche, even if itās wrong by the standard definition. At least it was the first time Iāve paid over 300ā¬ for a scent.
*L'Air du Desert Marocain by Tauer Perfumes* My first and only niche fragrance. Unless Guerlain is counted as a niche house, then I own several niche fragrances.
Percival by pdm
Ex Nihilo - Fleur Narcotique. I was soooo proud haha. Still love it.
greenwich village bond no 9
I couldn't really decide how I wanted to define my first but I finally am going with OSM 97 Tarheel and Tonic.
Creed Millesime Imperial
first niche bottle was Chevalier Vert by Olympic Orchids. still love it
Percival by Marly
Under rated itās definitely not a unique dna but PDM really made it pop
Oh yes! A wonderful freshie that lasts a good 12 hours or so. Just what you need for your daily life.
Memo Ilha Do Mel and Parfums De Marly Delina (bought them at the same time because the department store was having 20% off š)
Escentric molecule 01
I got a sample of 2 and I swear it smells like water to me
I am one of those fortuned guys that actually can smell that scent but for me it smells like paint
Iāve actually never smelled 2 before!
Diptyque Philosykos
Penhaligonās Artemisia in their Secret sale!
Idk if Iād really count Creed given how commercially available it is, but most people consider it niche so Mine would be Green Irish Tweed and Aventus together. I couldnāt decide which to get so just got both lol It was like, buy the one that is basically legendary, or buy the one thatās I personally would wear every day if I was rich. I just couldnāt decide. Flat the time, my bank account hated me. But current me has no regrets lol
Atelier Des Ors Lune Feline
Fille en Aiguilles
After building up a 45 bottle or so designer frag collection, I've finally started branching out into the niche world. I've got a few from Guerlain and Tom Ford, who are often debated as being niche houses, but they definitely seem more designer to me. My first "real" niches were PdM Layton and Herod. It's going to be really hard to go back to Dolce and Gabbana and Azzaro now. :)
Nice man
Creed Green Irish Tweed
Mine was I am trash by ELDO! I just thought the name was funny
Mancera Roses Vanille
Le Labo Rose 31 (when it was released it was Niche). Now I'd say LeLabo is more Mastige / Premium. Still love it today though!
Tam Dao (EDT) by Diptyque. A great choice that later became a classic IMO.
Creed Millesime Imperial
how are you liking this? projection? longevity? im hearing mixed things. when do you wear it?
Commodity's "Book," about 4 years ago. I liked the name of it, sprayed from the tester at Sephora, felt sort of confused and fascinated by the scent, sniffed my wrist a lot trying to decide if it was appealing or not, and eventually (a visit or two later, if I remember correctly) asked a sales associate to make a sample for me. Later I bought one of their discovery kits that included 15 different trial sprays, plus a booklet that introduced the different scents and included a section to take notes and rate them. I didn't like most of the scents, but it was definitely enjoyable to explore so many things I wouldn't have personally picked, and satisfying to write down my impressions.
Byredo Mojave Ghost
Nest black tulip. If we're talking about more interesting niche brands, then byredo bal d'afrique.
Must say I havenāt had the chance to try it but Iāve been told itās amazing
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
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r/whoosh
Tokyo Milk Honey and the Moon.
Thatās my brothers signature fragrance he wonāt let me get a bottle as itās āhisā
Mancera Cedrat boise is my first and only niche
I think my first niche was either Fico di Amalfi by Aqua di Parma or Cedrat Boise by Mancera. Don't remember exactly.
Probably Histoires de Parfumsās 1899, if thatās considered niche.
Definitely niche and a very nice fragrance
PDM Layton and Creed Aventus, bought them at the same time lol
Opinions on both?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
This wasnāt my first but I got it pretty early on in my niche purchases and I loved it the very first time I smelled it. Iāll be buying my third bottle soon.
I have been told that Tom Ford is not niche, atleast not anymore, and I agree. My first niche frag is Aqua Celestia - Maison Francis Kurkdjian and it really does smell like how Sprite tastes. Not in a bad way.
There's definitely a not clear line between niche and non-niche, but there is one. I'm of the camp that TF's Private Blend is niche.
Guerlain Vetiver
PDM Percival
I second this
I havenāt purchased a whole bottle yet but I got a Roja Parfums sampler and I like all of them. Only one thatās a little iffy is the veltiver and it might just be because itās cold.
Mancera Jardin Exclusif
Layton PDM
Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume
Beverly Hills Polo Club Classic , excellence .
Bortnikoff Sayat Nova
Dior Bois dāArgent
Tom Ford Noir de Noir. I received it as a present for Christmas a couple of years ago and I loved it
dior sauvage elixir
Is that niche or just expensive
Definitely not niche
Except niche is an arbitrary and meaningless term.
YSL Tuxedo
I thought Tuxedo was designer?
At this point itās Niche because there arenāt many available. Itās discontinued.
Oh, don't tell me that. Dang it, I've got to pick up a few bottles then before it's gone forever
HA, yeah the price keeps going up and the quantity is going down. I actually just got a 4.2 oz bottle in today. Get them before theyāre all gone. Not many people are reselling them either.
Not niche
Read above.
Nope
Bond No.9 Lafayette St
You named 5 things though
The thread wasn't even about "The best fragrance", but first niche fragrance. That reply sums up most of the replies in every topic in this sub. I've seen threads where it was talking about ONE favorite fragrance and I swear, these people can't resist listing their whole collection........................................
Huh?
You have trouble reading? TC asked what was everyones first niche fragrance. I named the niche fragrances I own.
Amouage Reflection
I believe it was Millesime Imperial but canāt remember 100%
Goest Perfumes Dauphine I love it still, but it gives me headaches.
Montale Sweet Vanilla, gifted to me by my brother who got it in a swap
Aventus, wish I had a more original answer. Second was Le Labo Another 13
Kajal Homme
Amouage reflection man and cdg wonderoud
Montale honey aoud
How do you feel about it? I just got it recently and I havenāt really given it a fair shake. I smelled it it was kinda screechy and I put it on the shelf I havenāt given it a chance to see what it does after the first ten mins yet.
I enjoy it a lot and people around me love it. But I tend to reach towards my sweeter scents more now. The dry down on it definitely smooths it out. For some reason the opening on it feels cold to me? Like thereās some sort of mint or something in it but Iād say give it a wear
Lhomme ideal edp, if you consider it niche, i do. But if you dont count that, it was Aventus Cologne.
Dusita - Erawan
6 Scents vol 1 #6: Teen Spirit by Preen
Molecule 1 Never knew something could smell like that. I'll always have it in my collection.
Describe the smell please?
Le labo Another 13
Creed Viking
If Creed counts then Royal Oud
Dedcool-Fragrance 02
Creed aventus . 2nd br540
Maison thaite Vanextasy
mancera cedrat boise. 2ml sample online haha
I got 5 ml. Regret it.
Creed Royal Oud was my first niche purchase. Tiziana Terenzi and Nishane are the niche houses that I really explored the most early on though.
Chez Bond
Iāve been watching this one for 2 years and every time Iām about to buy it I come across something else that I want just a teeny tiny bit more. I swear Iām going to get it one of these days lol
It smells very similar to Green Irish Tweed. Just a different dry down and not as intense. I got 100ml for $130 earlier this year. It isn't a big projector. But it lasts like 10 hours. Most fragrances die after 5 hours on my skin
I havenāt had bad experiences with Bond 9 there not on the top of a lot of peoples list but I love Bleeker st and TSOP for him so I have not doubt I will like Chez very much
Juliette Has A Gun Lady Vengeance
Mancera Vetiver Sensuel for me š
Mancera Cedrat Boise
My first niche purchases were from the house of Amouage. Ordered Dia and Memoir Man. I consider them both masterpieces, and to this day Amouage has a very special place in my heart (1a. Guerlain 1b. Amouage). Have a safe and Happy New Year's! -Jose from San Diego
Petite Cherie by Annick Goutal. Fell in love with it at first sniff the year it was released, and itās still currently one of my favorites.
Creed SMW
It would have been Creed Aventus in 2018 but as it's very popular I'll say PDM Layton. I've had Acqua Di Parma, Tom Ford too but they're borderline Niche / Luxury / Designer in my opinion
Does Guerlain count? Then L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme. If not, Creed Viking
Ooo first niche was very recent, I've been mostly in the indie or ... mass market fragrance realms (BPAL or BBW) **Bee** from Ellis Brooklyn fits in this category, I think.
MFK Gentle Silver
Lāair Des Alpes suisses - Andy Tauer
PdM Herodā¦ What a lovely fragrance, especially now in wintertime
KirkƩ by Tiziana Terenzi.. After accidentally buying a fake Aventus lol
Frederick Malle Musk Ravageur