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Perfume Geek K
MY PERFUME DIARY
How to Expand Your Perfume Collection: Finding Niche Fragrance Brands
Perfume Geek K
Hello, perfume enthusiast here. While I’ve praised the benefits of importing perfumes personally, you might be wondering how to find niche fragrance brands, especially those not yet available in Japan.
How do you even begin to search when you don’t know the names of niche fragrance brands in the first place?
Niche fragrances are gaining popularity in Japan, and the number of brands available is increasing. However, the world is much bigger than you might think. There are many brands that are not yet available in Japan. Many of the fragrances introduced to Japan are already popular overseas.
I don’t mean to imply that popular brands are inferior. Personally, one of the charms of niche fragrances is the thrill of discovering brands that are less known or not worn by many people, like a treasure hunt. However, it’s important to note that “niche” doesn’t necessarily equate to high quality.
This site is aimed at people living in Japan, so this time, I will introduce methods for finding niche fragrance brands while staying in Japan.
Contents
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Method 1: Study with Perfume-Specialized Magazines and Books
Learn About Perfume Brands through Books and Magazines
Perfume-specialized magazines and books may seem hard to find, but they actually exist.
The French magazine Nez offers perfume magazines and books in English (https://mag.bynez.com/). Although books can be heavy and the shipping cost might be a bit high, they do ship to Japan.
Some of these books have been translated into Japanese and are available on Amazon.
created by Rinker
¥3,850
(2024/12/22 14:21:21時点 楽天市場調べ-詳細)
created by Rinker
¥2,860
(2024/12/22 14:21:21時点 楽天市場調べ-詳細)
You can also find Japanese books on Amazon or Rakuten. Here are some books I recently purchased:
created by Rinker
¥1,958
(2024/12/22 14:21:22時点 楽天市場調べ-詳細)
Discovering Perfume Brands on the Internet
There are internet sites that serve as databases featuring information on both niche and designer fragrances, including new releases, interview articles, and details about each perfume.
- Fragrantica：https://www.fragrantica.com/
- Parfumo：https://www.parfumo.com/
These two sites should cover all the information you need about new releases and more. Personally, I use the Parfumo mobile app. By registering as a member, you can manage your wishlist, track perfumes you’ve tested, and keep records of perfumes you’ve worn, making it very convenient.
Method 2: Utilize social media
This is something many people are likely already doing, but you can find information about perfumes and perfume brands through social media. There are various platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and more, but particularly recommended for this purpose is Instagram.
The strength of Instagram lies in its large user base and the beauty of its photos.
Photos are indeed the most straightforward way to understand brand explanations and imagine fragrances compared to videos. While some may not be part of the TikTok generation, many people registered on Instagram may not be on TikTok, but those on TikTok are less likely to not be on Instagram.
On Instagram, there is a fragrance community where enthusiasts from around the world share their collections using the hashtag #fragcom.
Main premise: Please be cautious as social media carries inherent risks.
Personally, I’ve become good friends with people whose backgrounds I know, and we often consult each other about work-related matters. One of the perks is being able to try various brands that haven’t yet reached Japan, thanks to my European friends who send samples to me here.
I also find studying how overseas content creators take photos and express scents very informative and inspiring. Recently, it seems the algorithm has changed, and it’s a bit lonely that Reels (videos) dominate now, but top creators still post both photos and videos, so I recommend checking them out for inspiration.
YouTube
Jus de Rose
Josephine, a charming and friendly Swiss individual, is a professional in perfumery who graduated from a perfume school. Currently residing in London, she is proficient in both English and French, making her easy to understand.
I also find her recommendation valuable because our perfume preferences are similar, and there aren’t many people with such specialized knowledge. Her videos on Buying Guides for brands like Diptyque and rating new perfumes are educational. I also appreciate her honest discussions about PR perfumes.
https://www.youtube.com/@jusderose
Ma Note de Cœur
Manon is a very cute and charming French YouTuber. Although she hasn’t been updating her YouTube channel recently, she provides thorough explanations on the basics of perfumes. Her videos are in French, but they include many visual aids, making them easy to understand.
https://www.youtube.com/@manotedecoeur
Clémence CC Fragrance
Clémenceもフランス人ですが、イギリス在住なので英語での動画です。フランス語のチャンネルもありますが、英語の方を貼っておきます。CHANELで香水の販売経験があるClémenceもとても気さくで優しい人です。動画は笑える内容のものも多いので、見てください。
https://www.youtube.com/@clemenceccfragrance
Method 3: Participate in Perfume Exhibitions
Attending perfume exhibitions can indeed be a worthwhile experience despite the costs and time involved.
Esxence, held annually in March in Milan, Italy, features nearly 400 brands. I participated in 2023 and am looking forward to 2024. The event spans four days, with the final day open to the public.
While traveling to Milan just for one day may seem extravagant, if you happen to be in Milan during that time, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the exhibition and make the most of your visit.
Lastly, samples are your best friend!
I also struggled a lot when I started collecting perfumes without knowing many brands, but as you start seeing various brands through different mediums, you naturally start remembering them, so please don’t worry.
However, as I’ve mentioned several times before, I do not recommend Blind Buys (buying without trying). It’s important to always obtain perfume samples or try them in-store to see if they suit your skin before purchasing, so I recommend that approach.
I’ll cover the importance of samples in a separate article.
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ニッチフレグランスの沼にハマり、約3年。香水愛好家。香水ボトルのコレクションは300以上、サンプル所有数は1000を軽く超える。朝香水をつけないとやる気にならない怠け者。でも香水の展示会には海外にも行ってしまう行動的な部分もある。タイ・バンコク在住🇹🇭
