Ever wonder why some perfumes and fragrances stand out from the others? That is because they are likely made from special ingredients which help to elevate and enhance the perfume, making it more inviting and pleasant to the senses. Niche fragrances may have an assortment of these ingredients and others in just the right combination to create one-of-a-kind products that are highly sought after by customers. Let us take a look at some of them.
Myrrh – Found in niche fragrances such as Prada-Mirages Dark Light Eau de Parfum, this ingredient has been used for centuries especially for prayer. It was very popular with Roman and Greek perfumers and was commonly used to fumigate old Egyptian temples. Essentially, myrrh is a gum resin that originates from the Commiphora Myrrha, found in some regions of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Arabia. In Hebrew, it translates to the word ‘bitter’ as it gives off an earthy and resinous scent.
Dates– The House of Oud- Dates Delight Eau de Parfum features the humble date fruit which is known for its honey rich sweetness and timeless flavour. When added to niche fragrances, this ingredient helps enhance its scent with its warmth and lasting impression. Commonly associated with North Africa and regions in the Middle East this rich fruit with a brownish wrinkled exterior contains a wealth of scent and flavour. It is easy to incorporate into different blends, thus it is used by expert perfumers in their creations. Simply putting on this fragrance will transport the wearer to far off lands in the Middle East, filled with bustling souks and exotic spices.
Patchouli- Found in Memoire D’Amour- Mon Trésor Eau de Parfum, patchouli is not a root or wood but it is a plant with purple flowers and fragile-looking leaves from Pogostemon patchouli, which is a part of the mint family. It gives off a smoky, spicy, sweet, and somewhat cedar-like scent. In the 19th century, women in France would use shawls scented with Patchouli. However, the oldest origins date back to India, as the word comes from the Tamil word ‘patchai’ meaning the colour ‘green’ and the word ‘ellai’, which means leaf. From India, it spread to Indonesia and Malaysia and then the Middle East through the famous Silk Route. When Patchouli oil is used in niche fragrances, the finest quality comes from the topmost 3 or 4 pairs of leaves as that is where the most quantity of oil is found. Only the best perfumers used this ingredient as it has to be dealt with carefully and expert craftsmanship is required.
Niche fragrances are unique in themselves as they have notes, heart notes and base notes, found in just the right combination to bring out the best in every scent. Combining ingredients such as rose, orris, amber, tonka bean, lavender, sandalwood, spearmint and an assortment of fruits such as peach, pear, pineapple, banana and more, creates stunning products that are worthy of being worn by royalty.
