Promoting innovation and high creativity in the development of Niche Perfumery and Cosmetics

2026 . 03 . 02 written by Karen Marin

The People of Niche Perfumery

Essencional's original content

Retail

Women in the Fragrance Industry: Lorna McKay, the Revolutionary Retailer

This month Essencional salutes a handful of successful women in different roles in the fragrance industry. Lorna McKay is incredibly humble about her career at prestigious retailers like Harrods and Liberty of London. With a background in education, she looked at the retail environment with fresh eyes that affected long-lasting change in how fragrance is sold today. Let’s meet Lorna and discover her story.

read more

2026 . 03 . 02 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Perfume

Marketing

+1

The Top 10 Brands Driving Fragrance Sales On TikTok Shop

While US department stores are in crisis-mode TikTok Shop has become the 6th most popular source for beauty and fragrance purchases. With content creators talking about the feeling the scent evokes, when and how to wear it, as well as telling the brand story, the platform has become an influential retail channel to drive growth and awareness.

read more

TikTok Shop makes fragrance shopping “immersive, interactive and instant”

2026 . 03 . 02 selected by Editorial Board

Perfume

Marketing

R&D

Can solid perfume be the next body mist?

Solid perfumes are nothing new: Estee Lauder fragrances had that market captured in the 80’s and 90’s, while the reference dates back to our grandmother’s day. Today’s solids are taking on fresh formats from jelly sticks to wax-based versions with skin care benefits. Portability and accessible pricing are the icing on the cake.

read more

New formats bring whimsy and affordability to an old classic

2026 . 03 . 02 selected by Editorial Board

The People of Niche Perfumery

Perfume

Fragrance lovers

The Rise and Fall of Niche Fragrance

Niche fragrance, which has its origins in the last century, began as an alternative to widely distributed mainstream brands. This article combs over the history of how the category evolved from the early brands, recognized for quality and uniqueness, to today’s oversaturated market characterized by a lack of creativity, untenable launch pace and unjustified price points.

read more

A look back at how we got to where we are today
Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2026 . 03 . 02 selected by Editorial Board

Education & Schools

Perfume

Olfactology

Perfumes: Now 50, Cinquième Sens sets sail for Dubai and strengthens management

Cinquième Sens, the professional training organization and perfume creation center, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a full roster of activities. Not only has a new Managing Director come on board, but new offices in Dubai are set to open shortly and the group will have strong presence in all the upcoming industry trade shows.

read more

Happy birthday to Cinquième Sens and best of luck on the new ventures!

2026 . 02 . 25 written by Laurence Arrigo Klove

Essencional's original content

Perfume

Fragrance lovers

The Arctic ice downfall frees a climatic invasion of Nordic brands.

A new invasion from the North is happening. Not barbaric but made of perfumes. Unique by its precious connection with nature, and minimalistic design inspiration.

read more

Let us keep you posted about the last articles. Join our newsletter

2026 . 02 . 23 written by Karen Marin

Essencional's original content

Business & Finance

Retail

+1

Notes from the Scent Front: Discount Drama, Dupe Wars & More

February at a glance: the shortest month of the year has been a whirlwind. While the fragrance launch machine is accelerating, the discounting activity is escalating and some retailers are behaving badly. On the bright side? Fragrance is still a leading Beauty category where innovation continues to thrill, as seen at the Paris Packaging Week.

read more

2026 . 02 . 23 selected by Editorial Board

Perfume

Regulatory

Business & Finance

Huge counterfeit perfume factory dismantled in Catalonia, Spain

Production comes to a halt at the “largest counterfeit perfume factory in Europe” where eleven individuals have been put under arrest. A large scale operation involving French and Spanish authorities have seized 1.2 million products at the factory which has an estimated production of 4 million bottles annually.

read more

Good news to halting the production of fake fragrances
Essencional - The Paper
Have you ever asked yourself what’s behind the world of artistic perfumery? We have collected numbers, conversations, and trends of a world that has always been fascinating and inspiring.

2026 . 02 . 23 selected by Editorial Board

Retail

Markets and Countries

Perfume

In Pictures: Selfridges reopens historic fragrance hall following renovation

London’s Selfridge’s has just revealed the new fragrance hall after a major 2-year renovation. It was thanks to founder Harry Gordon Selfridge back in 1909 that fragrance and beauty were moved from the back to the front of the store. The department includes 47 brands, many of which propose Selfridge’s exclusives.

read more

Get a first look at the newly remodeled Fragrance Department

2026 . 02 . 23 selected by Editorial Board

Events

Packaging

R&D

Trade show: Six key areas of innovation spotted at Paris Packaging Week

Paris Packaging Week recently held its largest event ever where more than 900 exhibitors presented the latest advances in packaging, dispensing, technology and systems. In case you couldn’t attend, this article provides a succinct overview of the key takeaways from the annual Spring trade show. Of particular importance for Fragrance are developments in pumps due to regulatory changes scheduled for 2030.

read more

Paris Packaging Week at a glance