Perfume houses are generally classified based on their brand identity, production scale, target audience, and distribution channels. The main categories are Designer, Niche, Indie, and sometimes an overarching "Luxury" tier, though the lines between these categories have blurred significantly in recent years. Here are the primary classifications of perfume houses: - Designer: These fragrances are produced by major fashion houses (e.g., Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada) as an extension of their main brand portfolio.Focus: Designer scents aim for mass-market appeal and are often trend-driven, versatile, and easy to like. They are developed to be crowd-pleasers with broad demographic appeal and availability: They are mass-produced and widely available in department stores, beauty retailers like Sephora, and online shops. Marketing: These brands rely on large marketing budgets, glossy advertising campaigns, and celebrity endorsements. Price: Generally more affordable than niche options due to economies of scale in production. - Niche: Niche houses focus primarily, or solely, on the art of perfumery itself, rather than being part of a larger fashion or lifestyle brand.Focus: Niche brands emphasize creativity, artistry, complexity, and unique scent profiles that might not appeal to everyone but are treasured by enthusiasts. They often use higher-quality, rarer, or unconventional ingredients. Availability: Historically, they were available only in specialized boutiques or high-end perfumeries, making them more exclusive. However, many have been acquired by large corporations (like LVMH or Estée Lauder) and are now found in major department stores alongside designer brands. Marketing often relies more on word-of-mouth and the story behind the scent than mass advertising. Price: Niche fragrances typically have a higher price point due to limited production, artisanal methods, and premium ingredients. - Indie (Independent): Indie houses are a subcategory of niche that are smaller and truly independently owned, often with the founder or a single perfumer (nose) responsible for the creations.Focus: They represent the most artistic and experimental end of the spectrum, with maximum creative freedom and limited commercial pressure.Availability: These are the most exclusive in distribution, often sold only directly from their website or a handful of specialized online retailers.Price: Prices can vary widely but are often premium, reflecting the small scale of production and ingredient cost. - Luxury/Artisan: These terms often overlap with high-end niche or exclusive designer lines. "Artisan" generally implies products that are handcrafted in-house in smaller batches, while "luxury" points to the highest tier of price, exclusivity, and ingredient quality (e.g., Clive Christian or exclusive lines like Dior Privée). 

What are the best selling fragrances in this year of 2025?

Curious to see what house you guys are all interested in exploring next? Designer, Niche or Clone that you do not own yet?

Maxaroma has a special right now. Buy a 100ml of any House of Dastan and choose a free bottle of either Goldfield & Banks White Sandalwood, M. Micallef DesirToxic L’Intense, Azzaro Wanted EDP, Alghabra Rejoice, Bled Oud Corona, or Hermes Eau Des Merveilles. Could be a good deal of you're in the market for any of these. https://mzh.soundestlink.com/ce/c/6906eb79d5ee0a5d07f870f7/6938b9d33c80b9a4d05e0bae/6938ba0a6251b57980e66585?signature=8edd0b14a42e7006ef58b552057239223842ee789904a8230693e97bfdde5271

Saturday night I gave another recent addition its second full wearing: Ex Nihilo – The Irreverents. This is a Harrods Exclusive and joins Brompton Immortals EDP in my collection, moving my total Ex Nihilo bottles to 4 (Speed Legends and Blue Talisman are the others). I’ve been really enjoying the house of Ex Nihilo, although they are pricey and I wouldn’t suggest blind buying. The Irreverents opens with a warm, radiant burst of saffron and pink pepper that makes it feel instantly luxurious and a little mischievous. It then slides into an addictive and creamy caramel heart. The base is pure comfort with rich vanilla, tonka bean, and a salty whisper of ambergris that keeps everything grounded and elegant. On skin it’s cozy, slightly gourmand, and effortlessly unisex. It’s like a cashmere sweater dipped in salted caramel and worn to a dimly lit bar. There’s a subtle metallic edge in the background that gives it that signature Ex Nihilo polish and stops it from ever feeling too dessert-like or cloying. This is cool weather magic and excellent when the temperature drops into the low 50s°F or below. Sillage is generous, especially when you’re moving, where it blooms off the skin with each step. It’s not a room clearing beast, but it quietly commands attention, announcing your arrival, lingering like a signature as you leave, and trails just enough to make strangers wonder what smells like warm, salted caramel you can eat with a spoon, but somehow still refined, never dessert. Is it worth the Harrods Exclusive price tag plus international shipping from the UK? Objectively… probably not. Do I still catch myself inhaling my wrist like an addict both times I’ve worn it? Absolutely. It’s stupidly beautiful, and my brain has already decided the justification part is irrelevant. Dangerous territory. Proceed with caution gents!