Black Fragrance Creators to Celebrate on Black History Month and Forever

Here at Scentbird, we’re constantly sniffing out the latest and greatest scents, and let us tell you, the world of fragrance is truly a playground. From iconic designer houses to niche perfumeries, there’s a scent or two for every mood, memory, and occasion. Or, judging by the Scentbird vials on this author’s vanity table, a scent for every hour of the day. 

But here’s the thing… While we love the diversity of scents available, we can’t help but notice a gap in representation. The noses behind many of these beautiful fragrances rarely reflect the vibrant community of scent lovers out there.

That’s why we’re so excited about the growing number of Black owned fragrance brands! These talented creators are not only shaking things up in the industry, but they’re also crafting unique, personal fragrances that deserve a spotlight and a place in your scent rotation.

With this article, we want to amplify the voices and artistic aspirations of Black fragrance owners. And we’re beyond thrilled to share with you 7 incredible Black-owned fragrance brands that are paving the way. Let’s discover their unique scents, support their artistry, and together, create a more diverse and inclusive fragrance landscape. 

Chris Collins

Forget labels like fashion icon or fragrance prince, let’s call Chris Collins by his real name, a game-changer. Shattering glass ceilings, he became the first Black-owned fragrance owner in a major retailer, and that’s major history-making stuff.

But Chris is too humble to brag. So he lets his fragrances do all the talking, except when he is a guest on our Scent World podcast which you can listen to, or better yet watch it here. 

Or directly here if you press play.

Each Chirs Collins fragrance is a time capsule, capturing a slice of history with a modern twist. Ingredients and vibes speak volumes, telling stories in a way textbooks never could.

And if you want to truly experience his artistry, you better prepare your senses for an indulgence! Scentbird’s integrated marketing whiz, Brittney, raves about Chris Collins’ latest creation, Lust. Imagine a decadent blend of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and oud, decadent excess of sensuality. This fragrance promises to be an irresistible experience, and we can’t wait to see it grace our virtual shelves!

Explore Chris Collins on Scentbird: https://www.scentbird.com/brand/chris-collins

Brown Girl Jane 

Brown Girl Jane isn’t just a fragrance brand, it’s a celebration of every woman. As Malika Jones, co-founder, beautifully puts it, “We’re all Jane.” The founders, who hail from diverse backgrounds, sought to fill a gap in the wellness market by prioritizing self-care for women of color. They realized the importance of creating a brand that integrates easily into busy lives while centering on wellness and luxury.

Brown Girl Jane aims to provide more than just fragrances, they offer a supportive community and products that enhance well-being and self-expression. Their goal is to empower customers to feel confident, centered, and authentically themselves. Through their fragrance collections, Brown Girl Jane seeks to foster a sense of connection, efficacy, and confidence, whether at home or on the go.

My all time favorite note is musk, so if I had to choose only one of their fragrances (and in this case, I must choose only one), I would go for Dare. An homage to Havana’s steamy nights, where indulgence reigns supreme and boundaries surrender, I dare you not to fall in love with the way the juiciness of lychee and cherry notes lie down on a bed of amber, leather, and her majesty, the musk. 

Try Dare for $16.95 on Scentbird.

Since you’re not hard-pressed to choose one of their fragrances, we suggest trying all of their scents, which are ethically produced, sustainable, cruelty-free, and vegan. Find them on Scentbird: https://www.scentbird.com/brand/brown-girl-jane

Mair

Mair Emenogu, inspired by a chance remark about her beautiful, beautiful name, launched MAIR in October, 2015. Driven by the desire to empower people through scent, she creates fragrances that transcend mere smell. They are tools for self-expression, designed to evoke confidence, sexiness, and elegance from within.

MAIR’s philosophy centers around subtlety, complementing the wearer’s natural aroma rather than overpowering it. Each fragrance, like Remember When, aims to trigger memories and create new ones. You’ll be impressed by the way the warmth of amber and cashmere wood is juxtaposed by the freshness of crispy pear and bergamot. Remember When, just like all the other fragrances by MAIR is about more than just looking good, it’s about feeling good and embodying your sensuality through scent.

So, if you’re looking for a fragrance that goes beyond the surface, explore MAIR. It’s not just a brand, it’s an invitation to discover the power of scent within you.

Ourside

Tired of the same old fragrance story? Enter Keta Burke-Williams, the revolutionary behind Ourside, a clean, Black-owned luxury fragrance collection that shatters outdated norms.

Fueled by a desire for inclusivity and evolution, Keta saw a fragrance industry stuck in its past, failing to truly represent the diverse world around it. Ourside is her response: A vibrant voice for those overlooked, offering luxury fragrances crafted with intention and inclusivity at their core.

Hailing from the heart of Bronx, this brand is not interested in having an insider status or renowned perfumers, but about empowering the untold stories of countless “outsiders.” Here, they’re finally invited to sit at the same table and share their unique perspectives through carefully crafted scents.

Your body’s scent, when layered with one of the Ouriside fragrances together creates a scent like no other, unique to you, just like your story. 

In one of our many talks, our beauty editor Marianne was raving about Nostalgia. One whiff of it, and you can see and smell why. Dewy jasmine is the star of the show, awakened with sparkling grapefruit, soothed by ylang ylang, before melting into a warm embrace of earthy sweetness. It cocoons your senses and tells you to daydream. It’s good for your soul. 

Moodeaux

Founded by Brianna Arps, who dared to ask “What if perfume could nourish your skin, mind, and spirit?” Moodeaux delivers award-winning eau de parfums that pack a punch. While respecting the traditions of perfumery, Moodeaux dares to push boundaries and gently asks you to embrace science-backed blends made with love for the planet and your body.

But Moodeaux goes beyond just smelling fly. They’re the first Black-owned perfume brand at Credo, leading the charge with Black In Fragrance – a movement empowering underrepresented perfumers. 

Scentbird subscribers can now experience Worthy, an empowering mantra in a bottle. Just breathe in the bright citrus sunrise of white tea and orange blossoms, feel the warmth of sacred vanilla woods hug your skin, and find calm like a lavender field in the concrete jungle. Worthy is your daily dose of self-love, a reminder that yesterday was good, today is better, and tomorrow holds endless possibilities.

Kimberly New York

Sure, Kimberly New York is a phenomenal Black-owned fragrance brand with stunning scents and a mission to shake things up. But what truly sets them apart? All of the scents are crafted with 20% organic essential oils, made for those who want to express themselves authentically, and celebrate their unique beauty. Browse through their website to discover long-lasting, skin-safe perfumes designed to empower and inspire.

We’re especially happy to toot the horn of Diaspora, a scent that’s a true celebration of diversity in every sense of the word. Like a diaspora community, this scent brings together unique elements from afar, yet creates a harmonious whole. Imagine Asian pear mingling with crisp Fuji apple, Jamaican rose apple adding a touch of the exotic, and effervescent French champagne lending a touch of bubbly joy.

As the fragrance settles on your skin, it becomes uniquely yours, reflecting your own multicultural experiences and connections.

Fenty Beauty 

This article is all about facts. So here’s another: Rhianna can do no wrong. That’s how when she launched her first Fenty Beauty perfume in 2021, we instantly knew it was going to be a hit. 

Motivated by the belief that her scent shouldn’t be a whimsical fantasy, but rather an authentic reflection of herself, she aimed to capture her truth in every Fenty labeled perfume bottle. It’s rose in all its glory, with blueberry and tangerine its minions. This perfume won’t take a backseat. It will announce your presence and make you heard and seen, because it’s not made to be muted and subtle.  

The Harlem Candle Company Co.

Meet Teri Johnson, a former management consultant who swapped spreadsheets for soy wax, transforming her Harlem kitchen into a fragrance factory fit for the Roaring Twenties. Forget boring bridal showers, Teri bet her wedding fund on something far more glamorous: Igniting a $2 million luxury candle empire that celebrates Black icons and bathes every nook and cranny in your home in the sweet aromas of the Harlem Renaissance. Convincing her parents that $50K was better spent on scented Harlem magic than a wedding might have been the real entrepreneurial hurdle.

Armed with an MBA and a nose for storytelling, Teri wasn’t just crafting candles, she was conjuring history. Each luxurious flame whispers tales of Duke Ellington, Josephine Baker, and Langston Hughes, transporting customers to smoky speakeasies.