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When you reserve a little corner of your shopping list for scent madness on Black Friday 2021, consider stepping away from typical designer scents or ordinary scents that have been around for years. Instead, think of the niche scents that are so opulent; rare and individual, with notes of the highest caliber and more attention paid to the construction of the fragrance.

Saks Fifth Avenue just rolled out a 15% off Black Friday fragrance sale sitewide, and if there’s a place on this planet that’s perfect for luxury, with its huge array of beauty brands. niche is Saks.

Forget about mega-brands and fancy ad campaigns, just briefly. Niche fragrances are selected by the world’s leading perfumers, from Francis Kurkdjian to Frédéric Malle, who put craftsmanship, character and personal taste at the forefront. They might be more expensive, but just as couture is all the rage, niche fragrances explore self-expression and individuality, a welcome respite from a time when the beauty industry is so saturated. And contrary to popular belief, not all niche fragrances are so heady as to make your head spin; they all vary in degrees of intensity and concentration.

When we saw the huge array of niche brands on sale at Saks, from boutique brands like Byredo to coveted favorites of fashion classics like Aerin Lauder, we jumped in. Sale ends today, so get your nose ready and check out these five cutting-edge scents we love.

A prime example of a niche perfume that doesn’t smell OTT or overbearing, Baccarat Rouge is a universally flattering scent. A Vogue The editor said she was praised by Rihanna when she wore it (“You smell good.”), So although rather expensive, the number of “What are you wearing?” the compliments you will receive all day are well worth it. A musky-floral-woody scent, notes of jasmine, ambergris and cedar mesh are softened by base notes of saffron. Just subtly decadent and so inviting. The 2.5 oz size, retailed at $ 325, is now at 15% off and priced at $ 276.25.

It is a more affordable niche perfume, with a retail price of $ 90 now reduced to $ 72. When Rose de Grasse first came out in 2015, it quickly became a favorite with beauty editors and was one of those scents you can’t stop sniffing once it’s on you. It’s been updated this year to appeal to a younger audience, with ultra-feminine notes of rose and sweet musk, accented by fruity bursts of pear and orange blossom. The rose notes come from the Rose Centifolia from Grasse, the world capital of perfumery.

When the pineapple-bergamot laden chypre was launched in 2010, it was widely regarded as a masculine scent but became a huge hit with women. Eventually, Creed released a For Her counterpart, which amplified the floral notes of the original scent while keeping the other notes intact. Fruity nuances of green apples and berries brighten the accords of Bulgarian rose, cassis and ylang-ylang. A strong scent inspired by powerful women, it might not be for everyone, but give it a few minutes – once the notes have calmed and mellowed, and now with the $ 45 discount , you will come back for more.

Created by Swedish perfumer Ben Gorham, of all of Byredo’s most beloved cult fragrances, this one sums up how Gorham is able to capture the emotion – of these tumultuous COVID-plagued times, in particular – in one scent. A tangy, herbal infusion of tea, black currant, violet leaf, birch and papyrus, this one takes some getting used to, not because it’s overwhelming but because of its unusual notes. Once you like it, Mixed Emotions is a true olfactory indulgence in every sense of the word.

If you’re new to Malle’s intoxicating scents, start with this one, reduced to $ 229.50 for 1.7 oz, as a fancy scent to wear for big events or parties. It’s a blend of potent Turkish rose, which transcends the middle notes of cassis and clove, all resting on woody patchouli, sandalwood and incense. While Portrait of a Lady may seem a bit intense, it’s a classic scent that’s a great way to enter the world of niche perfumes.

When it comes to high-end fragrances, sales mean huge discounts, making today the best time to jump in and buy one. Consider which notes you like, whether floral, musky, woody or fruity, or just pick the one you like, and you won’t look back. Head to Saks Fifth Avenue to pick one up, pronto!