Spectacular Scent Shift Showcase: SlitelyChilled.com Editorial Top Picks Black-Owned Fragrance Houses

Black-owned fragrance houses have brought a unique and valuable perspective to the fragrance industry. These vibrant and creative fragrance ventures, run by Black entrepreneurs, offer a fresh take on the art and science of scent-making, and are increasingly popular among fragrance lovers looking for something brand new and a  different sensory experience.

One of the key ways in which black-owned fragrance houses have added value to the industry is through their creativity and courage to push the boundaries of traditional perfumery. These creative artisans have challenged traditional fragrance formulas and brought new and innovative scent combinations to the market. This has resulted in fragrances that are not only unique, but also appeal to a wider range of customers.

For example, some black-owned fragrance houses specialize in blending traditional fragrance ingredients with unexpected and exotic scents, such as spices, florals, and fruits. This results in fragrances that are not only captivating and memorable, but also evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. Additionally, these fragrance houses often use high-quality, natural ingredients to create scents that are both long-lasting and gentle on the skin.

Another way in which black-owned fragrance houses have added value to the industry is through their cultural perspectives. They often draw inspiration from their heritage, experiences, and beliefs to create fragrances that are personal and meaningful. For example, some black-owned fragrance houses have created scents that evoke the spirit of their ancestors, pay homage to the natural beauty of their homeland, or reflect their values and beliefs. Look for  the stories behind the fragrance scent. It is the story that reveals the nuances of scent. The story serves to bind you with the passion of the fragrance creator and the wonderous world fragrances opens up to you.

These cultural perspectives also translate into a strong sense of community and connection among fragrance lovers. By choosing to purchase from a black-owned fragrance house, you support a business that represents your values and beliefs, and connect with others who share those values. This sense of community will result in a deeper appreciation for the power of fragrances, as well as a greater connection to the people and stories behind the scents.

In addition to their creativity and cultural perspectives, black-owned fragrance houses also bring a sense of authenticity to the fragrance industry. They often approach fragrance-making as an art form, and prioritize the creation of fragrances that are authentic, personal, and meaningful. This authenticity is reflected in both the fragrances themselves and the branding and marketing materials used by these businesses.

Slitelychilled.com broke new ground in 2022 when the editorial board put the spotlight on Black-OWNED fragrance houses. There are over 30 independent Black-owned fragrances houses in the United States, The Caribbean, England, Africa and the Netherlands. These courageous entrepreneurs and creative perfumers are pushing the boundaries of perfumery today. They are breaking the mold and pouring out a fresh new libation to fragrance lovers thirsty for new experiences in compelling memorable scent adventures. So in this edition the editorial staff selected its top fragrance houses for 2023 to salute, showcase and celebrate their artistry, creativity and resiliency! I want to give a special shout out to www.blackperfumers.com for her promotion of Black-owned fragrances houses during Black-owned fragrance week this February. Make sure you add blackperfumers.com to your “favorites” and visit often. We also want to thank the many members of the on-line fragrance community that continues to be generous in sharing their expertise and network with this editorial team that has truly elevated our appreciation and love for this artform and the creatives that consistently break new ground!

Now February is not only Black Legacy Month, it is also that special time when we want to show our appreciation and express love to that special someone in our lives. What am I talking about? Valentine's Day of course. So Family, mark your calendars now with a reminder to do the right thing! Our showcase of fragrances in this article is your guide to exciting your senses with new and extraordinary scents from the niche fragrance community. Niche fragrances are unique, high quality independently crafted fragrances produced on a small scale and sold through alternate distribution networks and promoted by specially gifted fragrance influencers on social media. On occasion, a niche fragrance may also be sold in a few luxury regional outlets. These limited availability niche perfumes are sometimes called artisan fragrances.

One of the many things this writer learned from the fragrance community and studying this artform, high quality fragrances like the niche brands are not linear fragrances. The scent moves through three transitions. It is called Top notes (what you immediately smell when you initially spray on) Middle notes (the next transition of the fragrance) Base Notes ( the final scent that rests on skin the remainder of the time). It is important when purchasing a fragrance that you give it a full wearing to determine how it works on your skin and your mood. Most quality fragrance houses, like the ones in this article will offer you a sample kit of fragrances to try before you commit to a full bottle. If you are new to this industry We strongly recommend sampling the fragrances. Generally, the price range of sample kits are $45-$60. We advise that you use the sample sooner rather than later. Most tend to evaporate over long periods of time. Also it is important that you keep your fragrances in a cool dark place away from light. The fragrances by these companies are either eau de parfum (EDP) or extrait de parfum. These terms refer to the concentration of oil in the fragrance. The eau de parfum generally has a concentration of 15-20%. The extrait is the

highest ranging from 30-40%.

This year's recognition list is not in any special order. There is a range of price points from the beginners starting their fragrance journey to the more discerning noses of luxury fragrances.

First on the showcase stairs is The Elemental Fragrance House in Brooklyn, NY  https://www.theelementalfragrances.com/

The perfumer and brand owner is Luc Solomon. Mr. Solomon offers you 22 different fragrances. All are eau de parfums. The editorial staff's favorites from this fragrance house are:

Cashmere Sex:

top notes: Wild berries, Fig

Middle notes: Honeysuckle, White musk and Jasmin

Base notes: Plum and Amber

According to the perfumer, "Cashmere Sex is a Floral Sweet Fruity Gourmand fragrance, one our best sellers and signature scent of the house, of The Elemental Fragrances. It is a "walk through the Japanese country side through cherry blossoms and plums. Cashmere Sex is a favorite of many celebrities. The fragrance is rich, fresh, sporty and unforgettable."

OUD PEOPLE

A semi-sweet creation built on Cistus and amber like accord. It opens up with a burst of black frankincense and Myrrh notes with a combination of alluring sweet spices. The heart of this glistering fragrance embraces A hint of chocolate, a hint of Vanilla, Egyptian Sandalwood and Patchouli, to give the fragrance its depth and smoothness, and a very unique sensuality to this timeless scent .

Top Notes: Egyptian Sandalwood

Middle Notes: Black Frankincense Agarwood Oud and Chocolate

Base Notes: Patchouli, Myrrh, Vanilla

The next luxury fragrance house is Xarmony. The perfumer and brand owner is Trill Noel. The firm is based in Louisana. As of this writing  https://www.xarmony.net/ offers 30 fragrances for its discerning clients. All fragrances are extrait de parfum.

PRIMAL

It is listed as unisex yet to this fragrance lover it leans masculine. It is a beast of a fragrance in that the mint in this fragrance

cools you down about 5 degrees in the summer. The scent trail is not overpowering yet quite memorable. This wears well in the summer in or outdoors, for that special event or just casual. Primal contains 43 listed notes!! Just to name a few, peppermint, pepper, lavender, sandalwood, chocolate and Tonka bean. Visit the website for a full listing.

ODINSLEEP

Mr. Noel lists 5 notes in this signature fragrance, grass, tonka, peppermint, tobacco and vanilla. According to the website,

Odinsleep opens with a calming aura of silent snow fading into a strange indescribable correlation between true green grass and sweet smooth coumarin. The final touch of vanilla with a blend of tobaccos makes this fragrance stand apart from the rest.

 "It feels like the world has stopped. A relaxing moment in time. Like a Viking smoking pipe tobacco in the empty halls of Valhalla."

Up next is the Get Right Fragrance House. https://getrightfragrance.com/

The CEO and Founder of the brand is Bruce Hardnett. Their signature line is Clean Team. The house offers 3 different eau de parfums (edp) fragrances both with a
 30%  oil base. For February Lovers and Fragrance fans the House is offering a His & Her Deluxe Edition set consisting of a) Clean Team Black 50 ml (His) and b) Clean Team Red Cherry 50 ml (Her)
The Clean Team Black Note break down is:

Head Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Cardamom

Heart Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Orchid, Pink Pepper

Base Notes: Tonka Bean, White Musk, Vanilla

The Clean Team Red Cherry note breakdown is:

Head Notes: Cherry, Nectarine, Bergamot

Heart Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Orchid, Patchouli

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Tonka Bean, Amber

The fragrance house website reminds us that, There is no better TEAM than a union between a man and a woman. their exclusive His & Hers fragrance collection creates a scent trail of a couple's path from date nights, anniversaries, weddings, and other special events. Designed with a man's masculine scent and the woman's balance of floral notes and fruitiness, this couple's collection will take you on a journey of romance at first sight to the next level. Get Right's unique fragrances will help you express what's in your heart or say that you're sorry when disagreements and miscommunication occur. A relationship is a team effort, and Get Right Fragrances complements building healthy relationships. Being clean is everything. Get right with the person that makes you feel, look, and smell your best!

One of the fan favorites of the editorial staff is OG Kirk Elliot. Mr. Elliot is the founder, Creative Director and CEO of The Kirk Elliot Experience. https://www.thekirkeliottexperience.com/

Harlem USA is the home of The World of Chris Collins  (https://chriscollins.com/). The Founder, CEO and Creative Director is Chris Collins.

This fragrance houses offers the discriminating nose 12 unique fragrances. All fragrances are eau de parfum (edp). The fragrances are classified as unisex, however the spotlight fragrance Sweet Taboo to this writer leans masculine based on this writer's skin chemistry.

The website describes Sweet Taboo as Warm and inviting with a wink, this scent will become an obsession. This fragrance inspires you to break taboos in search of pleasure. Gourmand notes like coffee, cardamom, and vanilla create a seductive atmosphere few can resist. Mr. Collins also offers some very attractive 7.5 ml sample sets of his fragrances as well.