"I Want to Stand Out with a Unique Scent: Exploring Maison Fragrances as a Reward for Myself*"
2021.02.28 published
I want to buy perfume from a Maison Fragrance brand.
Do you all wear perfume regularly?
Some people say, "I wear it when I go out somewhere,"
while others might say, "I hardly wear it at all."
Until now, I was also in the no-perfume camp.
When talking to various people, it seems that many generally dislike the strong scent from perfumes that occasionally wafts in on trains.
I thought it was better to have no scent or a simple fragrance like shampoo or detergent!
However, recently I have come to know "a certain existence" that is changing my perspective.
That is "Maison Fragrance." Are you familiar with it...?
Maison Fragrance is a collective term for brands and manufacturers with a long history of making only perfumes, in simpler terms, it refers to luxury, traditional perfume specialty shops.
While perfumes produced by cosmetic and fashion brands are standard, mainstream, and can be purchased anywhere,
the perfumes from shops classified as Maison Fragrance are not mass-produced; they are not very large in scale, and their price range is on the higher side...
Yet, that is precisely why they are known for creating truly great perfumes.
It gives off the impression of a sophisticated brand known only to those in the know.**
It’s a little difficult to express, but it feels different between buying traditional Japanese sweets at a supermarket or convenience store and buying real Japanese sweets from a specialized shop, right?
Maison Fragrance gives off the latter vibe ♩
In general, what is commonly referred to as perfume is a solution of essential oils diluted in alcohol.
Those sold by cosmetic brands are typically "eau de parfum," which is a thinner version, while the ones you can buy at Maison Fragrance tend to have a higher concentration, often being "parfum" type.
With a lower alcohol content, they do not go through the phase of the alcohol evaporating, making the top notes more subtle. The middle to base notes have a gentle and lasting scent.♡
In this article, I will introduce Maison Fragrance brands and products that are perfect for personal use according to the occasion as well as for gifts for your boyfriend or friends.*
Maison Fragrance Brand 1: “FUEGUIA 1833”
FUEGUIA 1833 is a perfume specialty shop located inside the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
The founder and perfumer Julien Bedel wanted to express his love for "poetry and the world of tango" using the rich scents of plants from South America's Patagonia, which led to the opening of the brand.*
They carefully select the finest natural ingredients without health hazards or environmental pollution, creating perfumes with an ethical perspective.
FUEGUIA 1833 has six collections, offering a rich variety of scents from floral to woody, slightly sweet, animal leather, and citrus scents.
With so many options available, it's definitely a good idea to visit the store and consult them, saying "I like this type of scent."*
The bottle design resembles an old-fashioned astringent or hair tonic, which is quite stylish.
The stylish wrapping is also popular.*
They may wrap it in world map wrapping paper... (they refer to this as "mapping" at the store).
You can also have it wrapped in a luxurious wooden box.
It’s a perfect brand for gifts.♡
The price is around 15,000 to 17,000 yen for 30ml, and about 30,000 to 40,000 yen for 100ml.
Maison Fragrance Brand 2: “Goutal”
Goutal is a perfume brand that was born in Paris in 1980. It was originally named Annick Goutal but was renamed simply as Goutal in 2018.
Goutal was founded by a woman who was originally a pianist and wanted to express her imagined images through scents just as she would express them through music.*
Currently, her daughter Camille has taken over the brand.
Goutal features a series of perfumes with themes and stories that appeal to the senses, such as "Eternal Time," "Love and Passion," and "Wonderful Nature."♡
Before the name change in 2018, their packaging was characterized by a girly and cute design inspired by ribbons, but
it has now been revamped into a somewhat more simple and stylish atmosphere.*
A popular product is this perfume named Rose Pompon, which has a sweet and sour blend of blackcurrant, rose, and pink pepper ♩
The price is around 18,000 yen for 50ml and about 25,000 yen for 100ml.
Maison Fragrance Brand 3: “Diptyque”
Next up is Diptyque.
It is a cosmetics company created in the 1960s by three creative companions at 34 Saint-Germain Boulevard in Paris.
In addition to perfumes, they offer fragrant candles, face care, and body care, and they are popular among overseas celebrities as well ♩
One popular perfume is this one called Eau Rose, featuring an authentic floral scent like real roses.*
The monochrome illustration on the label varies depending on the product's fragrance, making it a point of interest.
This is Philosykos, which means "friend of figs" in Greek, offering a fruity and refreshing scent.
Illustrated with a fig design ♩
Tam Dao is a woody fragrance with a hint of sweetness, suitable for both men and women.
If it’s a scent you both like, using it together with your partner would be lovely too.*
The price for Diptyque perfumes is about 13,000 yen for 50ml.
The fragrance candles, which are just as popular, are priced at around 8,690 yen. These make a perfect gift item.*
Maison Fragrance Brand 4: “MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN”
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN is a luxury perfume specialty store born in France.*
On the left is the perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, who is a very famous figure in the perfume world, having created many bestsellers for brands like Jean Paul Gaultier, Burberry, and Nina Ricci.
They lavishly use rare essential oils and have world-class blending techniques ♩
A popular product is the Aqua series, featuring a scent that combines freshness, transparency, coolness, and fruitiness, representing the essence of life: water.
This is À La Rose, a refined fragrance made using two rare types of roses, inspired by Marie Antoinette.♡
Another reason MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN is popular is its compact and cute packaging as seen here.*
It’s a perfume that you would be so happy to receive as a gift.♡
The price is around 20,000 yen for 35ml and about 20,000 to 30,000 yen for 70ml.
➡MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Page*