Perfumes, Emotions and Memories: A Conversation with Susana!
At Inouïe, we like to give a voice to people who truly live their passion and who inspire us to discover beauty in a more authentic way. That's why we invited Susana, creator of the Olfactive Voyage page and a true olfactory explorer, for a conversation about the fascinating world of niche perfumery.
Passionate about scents since childhood, Susana transformed her curiosity and olfactory sensitivity into a form of creative expression, now sharing her knowledge and translating fragrances into delicate watercolor paintings on moilettes. For her, a perfume is much more than a trend: it's emotion, memory, and identity.
In this interview, we discuss what distinguishes a niche perfume from a commercial perfume, the most common mistakes when choosing a fragrance, and why brands like Maison Matine have been gaining more and more admirers. A conversation for those who already love perfumes and for those who want to start exploring this universe in a freer and more curious way.
1. For someone who has never heard of this world, what distinguishes a niche perfume from a commercial perfume?
Niche perfumery moves away from mass production and, in theory, seeks to give more space to creativity, art, and the use of high-quality raw materials. However, this is not an absolute rule, and we don't always find all these elements combined in the same brand or fragrance.
Designer perfumes, on the other hand, are generally developed based on market trends and are often associated with fashion brands. They are primarily designed for a wide audience, taking into account their preferences and expectations.
In terms of composition, they more frequently use synthetic raw materials than natural ones.
However, the niche perfume market is also changing. There is an increasing need to launch new products more frequently to maintain public interest and, in some cases, even create new trends.
2. Why are more and more people looking for niche perfumes?
I believe we live in a time when we increasingly seek something that sets us apart from others.
Niche perfumery ends up fulfilling this desire, not only through exclusivity, but also through a more personal sense of identity.
Social media has also played an important role in this trend, giving visibility to niche brands and fragrances, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore.
3. What are the main advantages of using a niche perfume?
For me, the main advantage is creativity.
That's where the possibility arises of finding something more aligned with who I am, with my state of mind, with my energy for the day, with what I want to convey.
For me, perfume has never been about trends. It's about emotion, memory, and identity.
4. Is it true that niche perfumes are of higher quality, or is that a myth?
Perfume is subjective.
The truth is that a niche perfume isn't automatically better than a designer perfume. Both segments play an important role in the world of perfumery. The main difference usually lies in the creative approach, artistic freedom, and olfactory experience that each fragrance seeks to provide.
5. How can a person find a fragrance that truly reflects their personality?
It's an easy question to answer in theory, but in practice it can take some time or, with some luck, happen more quickly.
I would say that the most important thing is to put your fears aside and start exploring. If you're curious, experiment, smell, test, and give the perfume some time.
6. What are the most common mistakes when choosing or using perfumes?
1. Buying perfumes blindly.
2. Smell only the blotter (the paper where you spray the perfume) and do not test it on your skin.
In short, the ideal would be:
- Spray onto the blotter.
- Spray it on your skin if you like the first impression.
- To do a "full wear," that is, to wear the perfume, to understand how we feel with it throughout the day.
If necessary, repeat this process more than once until you are sure. A fragrance needs time to be perceived.
3rd Quantity: How many perfumes should we have? In reality, we should only have the quantity that makes sense for each of us.
7. Maison Matine has won over many admirers. What makes this brand different within niche perfumery?
Firstly, because of its visual and conceptual creativity, as a graphic designer, it immediately caught my attention.
Then there are the perfumes: light, well-constructed, and with their own distinct identity.
And finally, accessibility. It allows you to enter the world of niche perfumery without making it seem distant.
8. Which Maison Matine fragrances would you recommend for someone entering this world for the first time?
Well, I'd say Bain de Midi , Bain de Minuit , and Lost in Translation . But actually, I'd say: all of them! Hahaha...
Maison Matine has two different collections, which makes it much easier to discover a fragrance that you can identify with.
Within this diversity, it's very likely that each person will find at least one fragrance that "speaks" to them, or even more than one. It's a brand that invites precisely that: exploring, experimenting, and discovering what resonates most with us.
9. Is it possible to access niche perfumes without spending a fortune?
Yes, it's possible. Maison Matine is a great example of this, and like this brand, there are others that help to deconstruct the myth that niche perfumery is always inaccessible in terms of price.
These brands show that it's possible to enter this world without the "fear" of the high price of niche perfumes.
Furthermore, there are brands that offer different bottle sizes, which makes things much easier. So, we can choose smaller versions; I like this flexibility because it doesn't always make sense to buy a 100ml bottle.
10. If you had to convince someone who always uses the same commercial perfume to try a niche perfume, what would your main argument be?
Actually, I don't see this so much as an argument, but rather as a way to spark curiosity and let the experience speak for itself. Ultimately, a perfume has to be experienced firsthand. And when that happens, curiosity arises naturally.
Furthermore, I think it's fantastic that your store has such complete sample kits from Maison Matine, because it allows customers to explore the brand in the comfort of their own home, without pressure and at their own pace. And that's precisely how many people end up discovering new fragrances that they truly enjoy.