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Twisted Lily; Photo by <a href="http://peladopelado.com/">Driely S.</a>
Twisted Lily; Photo by Driely S.

23 NYC Fragrance Hot Spots That Will Make You Smell Way Better

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Twisted Lily; Photo by Driely S.

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If your go-to scent is Fantasy by Britney Spears, then you need to read this immediately. The world of fragrances is much more nuanced than the celebrity-branded perfumes advertised in fashion magazines. And here in New York, there's so many places where you can discover a smell that's all your own.

So here, we've rounded up 23 fragrance stores that will get your nose on the right track to finding new and interesting scents. While some of these stores are dedicated to their own brand, others have a variety, and some even carry wonderfully scented skincare and grooming products as well. Check out our map after the jump, and get those espresso beans ready for clearing your nostrils.


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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Diptyque

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Though the French brand may be better known for their candles, and, in these parts, their to-die-for annual sample sale, they also boast a great selection of wearable fragrances, including one named for their Parisian flagship. [Photo]

Frederic Malle

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One of the most recognized names in the perfume business, Frederic Malle opened his first Editions de Parfums in Paris in 2000, and thank goodness it's made its way to the Upper East Side. Here, each scent is sold under the name of the "nose" who created it. [Photo]

Space.NK

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While the British apothecary might be better known for makeup and skincare, don't pass over the fragrance selection at their Upper East Side boutique. Find scents from trusted classic brands like Diptyque, Acqua di Parma, and Tocca. [Photo]

Creed Boutique

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This fragrance business has been passed down from generation to generation since 1760, so its current owner most likely has perfume in its blood. These scents have been favored by European royalty, and were not even available publicly until 1970. [Photo]

Caron Paris

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Located inside hair-care mecca Phyto Universe is the only stateside boutique of the Paris perfumery, where all of their scents are crafted by their single "nose" Richard Fraysse. Some of their scents are even available in Baccarat crystal fountains. [Photo]

Enfleurage

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This Greenwich Village boutique sources its frankincense and myrrh from its own distillery in the Middle Eastern country of Oman. Find their scents in the form of essential oils, home blends, and personal sprays. [Photo]

By Kilian

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The Meatpacking District boutique is named for owner Kilian Hennessy (that's the cognac brand, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the top shelf of a liquor bar). But his expertise goes far beyond cocktails—all scents sold here are under his brand, and some are even exclusive to this location. [Photo]

Aedes De Venustas

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Shop by scent, ingredient, brand, or even individual perfumer at this West Village shop, where each order comes with seven complimentary samples that may put you on the path to your next purchase. [Photo]

Jo Malone

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There's no guesswork involved with the names of these British-based scents—all perfumes are clearly named, so you know exactly what's in them. To create a fragrance that's uniquely yours, the brand suggests you try layering complimentary scents. [Photo]

Fragrance Shop New York

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With a simple name like this, you know exactly what you're in store for. But rather than your typical spray-on scents, this East Village shop specializes in oils, with hundreds of varieties to mix and match. [Photo]

Bond No. 9

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If there's one scent more iconic than Chanel No. 5, it's Bond No. 9—well, at least to New Yorkers. Shop the flagship location for scents dedicated to our city's diverse neighborhoods, all available in the same uniquely shaped bottle. [Photo]

Santa Maria Novella

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This brand is the oldest one featured here—located in Florence, the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was founded in 1221. Their eponymous scent is derived from a formula originally favored by Catherine de Medici in the 1500s. [Photo]

MiN New York Haute Parfumery & Atelier

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Expect to find the unexpected at this Soho boutique that's been around since 1999. Along with the best scents from across the world, shop their hair care and skin collection as well as grooming products for men. [Photo: Brian Harkin]

Lafco New York

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Lafco stands for "luxury articles and fragrance company," which basically assures that the owners here are obsessed with quality. Owner Jon Bresler, who has studied perfumery and alchemy, is also responsible for bringing Santa Maria Novella to Soho. [Photo]

Le Labo

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Le Labo claims to have brought together the best "noses" in New York to create high-end fragrances in its on-site lab. The sales staff encourages you to explore with all senses to find what works best for you (Translation: they don't pressure you into buying). [Photo]

Red Flower

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All-natural is the name of the game in this Soho boutique, where all of their scent's ingredients are sustainably sourced. The products themselves—not just perfumes and oils, but also exfoliators, masques, mists and more—will make you feel pure inside and out.

Molton Brown

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The London-based bath and body go-to also has its own line of personal fragrances that are so reasonably priced, you'll have enough left over to indulge in some bubble bath. [Photo]

Osswald

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Parfumerie Osswald was founded in Zurich in 1921 and was the first to offer luxury scents in the area. Today, the Soho location offers a variety of little-known fragrances alongside beauty products and bathroom accessories. [Photo]

CB I Hate Perfume

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Don't be fooled by the name—check out founder Christopher Brosuis' manifesto on scents, which reads in part "Perfume is discovered fully only by our lovers when we are together - naked." In other words, he's dedicated to finding the right scent for you. [Photo]

Woodley & Bunny

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Update: Now closed. You're probably wondering why the famed Williamsburg hair salon is included in this list. It's because of their top-notch apothecary, which include fragrances from the Brooklyn-based studio MCMC and bunches more. [Photo]

Mio Mia Apothecary

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Owner Katie Chang wrote her master's thesis on the emerging trend of male grooming seven years ago, so she makes sure that her staff equally caters to both genders in the female-leaning world of scents. In addition to fragrances, check out their full range of skincare products as well. [Photo]

Atelier Cologne

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Just across the street from Twisted Lily, Atelier Cologne opened its Boerum Hill location opened in October to offer its branded scents to Brooklyn. They even offer monogramming on travel-size bottles to add a personal touch. [Photo]

Twisted Lily

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Eric Weiser and Stamatis Birsimijoglou went from online sales to a brick-and-mortar shop in Boerum Hill to interact with customers face-to-face, as they told us in a recent Better Know a Store Owner feature. Along with carefully curated scents, they're expanding their offerings to candles and skincare products. [Photo: Driely S.]

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Diptyque

Though the French brand may be better known for their candles, and, in these parts, their to-die-for annual sample sale, they also boast a great selection of wearable fragrances, including one named for their Parisian flagship. [Photo]

Frederic Malle

One of the most recognized names in the perfume business, Frederic Malle opened his first Editions de Parfums in Paris in 2000, and thank goodness it's made its way to the Upper East Side. Here, each scent is sold under the name of the "nose" who created it. [Photo]

Space.NK

While the British apothecary might be better known for makeup and skincare, don't pass over the fragrance selection at their Upper East Side boutique. Find scents from trusted classic brands like Diptyque, Acqua di Parma, and Tocca. [Photo]

Creed Boutique

This fragrance business has been passed down from generation to generation since 1760, so its current owner most likely has perfume in its blood. These scents have been favored by European royalty, and were not even available publicly until 1970. [Photo]

Caron Paris

Located inside hair-care mecca Phyto Universe is the only stateside boutique of the Paris perfumery, where all of their scents are crafted by their single "nose" Richard Fraysse. Some of their scents are even available in Baccarat crystal fountains. [Photo]

Enfleurage

This Greenwich Village boutique sources its frankincense and myrrh from its own distillery in the Middle Eastern country of Oman. Find their scents in the form of essential oils, home blends, and personal sprays. [Photo]

By Kilian

The Meatpacking District boutique is named for owner Kilian Hennessy (that's the cognac brand, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the top shelf of a liquor bar). But his expertise goes far beyond cocktails—all scents sold here are under his brand, and some are even exclusive to this location. [Photo]

Aedes De Venustas

Shop by scent, ingredient, brand, or even individual perfumer at this West Village shop, where each order comes with seven complimentary samples that may put you on the path to your next purchase. [Photo]

Jo Malone

There's no guesswork involved with the names of these British-based scents—all perfumes are clearly named, so you know exactly what's in them. To create a fragrance that's uniquely yours, the brand suggests you try layering complimentary scents. [Photo]

Fragrance Shop New York

With a simple name like this, you know exactly what you're in store for. But rather than your typical spray-on scents, this East Village shop specializes in oils, with hundreds of varieties to mix and match. [Photo]

Bond No. 9

If there's one scent more iconic than Chanel No. 5, it's Bond No. 9—well, at least to New Yorkers. Shop the flagship location for scents dedicated to our city's diverse neighborhoods, all available in the same uniquely shaped bottle. [Photo]

Santa Maria Novella

This brand is the oldest one featured here—located in Florence, the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was founded in 1221. Their eponymous scent is derived from a formula originally favored by Catherine de Medici in the 1500s. [Photo]

MiN New York Haute Parfumery & Atelier

Expect to find the unexpected at this Soho boutique that's been around since 1999. Along with the best scents from across the world, shop their hair care and skin collection as well as grooming products for men. [Photo: Brian Harkin]

Lafco New York

Lafco stands for "luxury articles and fragrance company," which basically assures that the owners here are obsessed with quality. Owner Jon Bresler, who has studied perfumery and alchemy, is also responsible for bringing Santa Maria Novella to Soho. [Photo]

Le Labo

Le Labo claims to have brought together the best "noses" in New York to create high-end fragrances in its on-site lab. The sales staff encourages you to explore with all senses to find what works best for you (Translation: they don't pressure you into buying). [Photo]

Red Flower

All-natural is the name of the game in this Soho boutique, where all of their scent's ingredients are sustainably sourced. The products themselves—not just perfumes and oils, but also exfoliators, masques, mists and more—will make you feel pure inside and out.

Molton Brown

The London-based bath and body go-to also has its own line of personal fragrances that are so reasonably priced, you'll have enough left over to indulge in some bubble bath. [Photo]

Osswald

Parfumerie Osswald was founded in Zurich in 1921 and was the first to offer luxury scents in the area. Today, the Soho location offers a variety of little-known fragrances alongside beauty products and bathroom accessories. [Photo]

CB I Hate Perfume

Don't be fooled by the name—check out founder Christopher Brosuis' manifesto on scents, which reads in part "Perfume is discovered fully only by our lovers when we are together - naked." In other words, he's dedicated to finding the right scent for you. [Photo]

Woodley & Bunny

Update: Now closed. You're probably wondering why the famed Williamsburg hair salon is included in this list. It's because of their top-notch apothecary, which include fragrances from the Brooklyn-based studio MCMC and bunches more. [Photo]

Mio Mia Apothecary

Owner Katie Chang wrote her master's thesis on the emerging trend of male grooming seven years ago, so she makes sure that her staff equally caters to both genders in the female-leaning world of scents. In addition to fragrances, check out their full range of skincare products as well. [Photo]

Atelier Cologne

Just across the street from Twisted Lily, Atelier Cologne opened its Boerum Hill location opened in October to offer its branded scents to Brooklyn. They even offer monogramming on travel-size bottles to add a personal touch. [Photo]

Twisted Lily

Eric Weiser and Stamatis Birsimijoglou went from online sales to a brick-and-mortar shop in Boerum Hill to interact with customers face-to-face, as they told us in a recent Better Know a Store Owner feature. Along with carefully curated scents, they're expanding their offerings to candles and skincare products. [Photo: Driely S.]