I’ve worn many fragrances in 2024. I enjoyed eternal favorites, some newly purchased bottles, and also new discoveries! However, nothing was more exciting than making my way through an indie or artisan brand’s discovery set.
Many of you already know what a discovery set is, but for those who may still wonder, here’s a quick explanation. Fragrance discovery sets are curated sample kits that allow consumers to try the creations from a brand before committing to a full-size bottle. The sets are either pre-determined or customizable and their prices vary. They are beautifully packaged and often showcase the esthetics of the brand. The sets can also be affordable, with many brands letting buyers apply their cost toward purchasing a full-size product. Discovery sets are also great to travel with and to share with others!
Here’s a selection of the sets I explored in 2024.
Teo Cabanel, a French brand I’d been curious about, offers fragrances that are quite different from each other, except for a shared flair for whimsy and nostalgia. Fragrances worth highlighting are Je Ne Sais Quoi (genmaicha tea), Et Voilà (laundered linens drying in the sun), and Déjà Vu (bubble gum, pool toys, and swimsuit fabric).
Oddity is a niche perfume house in Hong Kong that celebrates imperfect beauty through edgy and unusual compositions. I became intrigued by the brand after hearing about Naked Dance and learning it was created by Mark Buxton. Naked Dance is indeed very intriguing, blending notes of iris, rice, and clay.
Pink Mahogany had been on my list for a long time. Owner and artisan perfumer Chavalia Mwamba has a knack for creating fragrances that celebrate the good life and a true talent for gourmands. Her creations are fresh, smooth, and distinctive with no cloying sweetness or the massive amounts of heavy, bothersome gunk you often find in mainstream gourmand scents. Tandem (mojito lime and savory rice), SexYÖUality (pineapple, champagne, and salted chocolate), and Valentine (strawberry cheesecake!) were especially impressive.
The Naomi Goodsir collection stands out with its striking elegance and unique personality. The fragrances are created by renowned perfumers (Bertrand Duchaufour, Julien Rasquinet, Isabelle Doyen), pushing the boundaries while remaining wearable. These aren’t exactly for everyday wear, but worthy of a discerning nose’s attention. I noticed that all of them, except for one, feature tobacco notes. And Nuit De Bakelite, a green tuberose of a kind, is a must try!
Flairèe is a new California-based brand founded by wife and husband team, Katell and Jon, who work together to create scents that are gentle, effortless to wear, and all-vegan. They remind me of something you might spritz while enjoying a nature walk or during a getaway at your favorite resort. Mer et Terre is an invigorating mix of herbs, cucumber, the perfect wear for a day at a spa.
Fleurit Parfums was founded by Lynn King to create fragrances that blend her American and Eastern European creativity with French heritage. The beauty of flowers is at the heart of this brand, so it may be no coincidence that the fragrances I like the most are the floral ones! Floriste mimics the green, dewy, and slightly off aroma that greets you when you first enter a flower shop.
Der Duft is an indie brand based in Berlin founded by Anselm Skogstad. I discovered the brand in 2020 and quickly fell for Cinematic and the limited edition fragrance, Grasse. I also tried the vibrant (and unfortunately discontinued) Bubble. Anselm collaborates with renowned perfumers but also designed some of the fragrances himself (Monopteros and Grasse). More recently, I tried Privilege, Match, Canvas, and In Flagranti.
I was so happy to indulge in Diane St. Clair‘s exceptional artisan creations after owning the discovery set and other samples for a few years. Read my article about the brand along with an interview with Diane here.
As a tea fragrance lover, I’d had my eye on Chasing Scents, an artisan brand in Sydney, Australia entirely dedicated to tea and its ability to bring people together. I was very happy to win one of the giveaways, which included their discovery set and a full-size bottle of Rain Tea, a calming blend of chrysanthemum and chamomile teas infused with honey. I am still enjoying this set, so stay tuned for more about the lovely Sandy and her line.
I enjoyed testing the reformulations of Silver Haze and Idyllic by The Alloy Studio, the lovely indie brand founded by perfumer Bryson and creative director Eddie. Also, there is more to come on Anjali‘s two creations for an art exhibition in Washington. More about both brands in the new year!
Which discovery sets have you been impressed with?
Which ones would you recommend for other fragrance lovers?
Discovery sets by Flairèe, Fleurit Parfums, Der Duft, and The Alloy studio were kindly sent by the brands, while I won the Chasing Scent set and fragrance as part of a giveaway (grateful to Sandy for this precious prize). The other sets were purchased by me.
Photos by Sarah.
