Meet indie perfumers UA Hawaii, Air & Weather, and SIX7.
If you’re dreaming of going to Hawaii, exploring the brand UA Hawaii might be the next best thing. They offer a wide range of fragrances and skin care products inspired by the exquisite islands and nature of Hawaii. UA means rain in Hawaiian, and the brand demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through its use of native, plant-based ingredients and by donating 1.5% of every purchase to the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance.
UA Hawaii recently launched The Elements Collection. The six clean, luxury fragrances are crafted without synthetic elements and infused with sustainable botanicals and scents derived from Hawaiian plants or fruit oils. The names of the new Eau de Parfum blends come from the materials that comprise the islands themselves:
KAI Sea: salt, sand, surf
WENA Glow: warmth, fire, amber
MANA Power: strength, ocean, currents
POHAKU Stone: basalt, mist, petrichor
HA Breath: balance, green tea, driftwood
KUPU Grow: fern, earth, dew
Each blend works beautifully on its own, yet UA designed the collection with fragrance layering in mind. Luckily, the price point of $32 each makes that a more reasonable possibility. These Eau de Parfums are rich in fragrance and longlasting because they’re made with natural oils. My favorite one is KUPU because it’s like a lush rainforest. Starting with verdant fern notes and soft earth, it transitions into a lush vanilla, and then finishes with subtle amber and musk basenotes. It’s a gorgeous, luxuriant tropical green. The refreshing and watery Kai mixes sea salt and bergamot with richer oud base notes, making it very wearable and uplifting. Don’t miss Wena, which conjures up the warmth of lava with a spicy clove note.
UA was founded by the mother of Leala Humbert, who currently runs the business with her husband. And they’re carrying on her mom’s tradition of making small-batch fragrances and skin products on the islands. UA Hawaii products feature high-quality, clean, additive-free formulas consisting of natural and native ingredients. The brand also partners with local farmers and producers to celebrate and support the islands. These fragrant tropical treasures will help you get through the long New York winter looming on the horizon.
I love the fact that there are indie perfumers creating blends based on moments in their lives rather than relying on an algorithm. It’s poetic that folks are translating their favorite scent and life memories into a beautiful blend and sharing it. New York City perfumer Julia Crowe does just that with her Air & Weather perfume house. And her latest offering is a Francophile and carb lover’s delight called Paris 5 A.M. Crowe created it in honor of an early morning train ride into Paris, where the golden rising sun merged with the aroma of all the patisseries in the city. She describes the sun as being “buttery bright” in her recounting of the event.
Paris 5 A.M. is a yummy gourmand indeed. It arrives with a mouthwatering, buttery pastry accord; its second course is rich in almond and tonka bean. Paris 5 A.M. lingers with a sweet vanilla finish. It’s a comforting and joyful fragrance, evoking the happiness of a sunrise. I tested it on a particularly windy day and got a sweet waft of it as a gust came by. Treat yourself to this delicious fragrance and savor your own Parisian morning.
Perhaps paying more attention during my science classes would have helped me understand the ‘Neurodesign’ at the heart of SIX7, an independent fragrance line created by Dr. John Zannis and Master Perfumer Johanna “Le Nez” Monange. The brand defines ‘Neurodesign’ as “a fusion of neuroscience and perfumery that designs scent at the molecular level to awaken deep emotional responses.”
I tested Aura 6, a unisex blend that features Calabrian bergamot, white tea infusion, clary sage, French lavender, creamy sandalwood, and soft white musk. It’s a fresh blend that is longlasting. In fact, Aura 6 features ‘Code Code 1 Memory Lock,’ with its objective of “Long-term emotional imprinting.” The brand explains that this occurs by activating “amygdala-hippocampus coupling.” Again, I didn’t pay enough attention in biology or chemistry, but I think the aim is to make you unforgettable.
Aura 6 is an uplifting, elegant, and infinitely wearable fragrance that lingers with a luxe sandalwood and musk sillage. Use it to create new scent memories, express yourself, and experiment with the entire line of SIX7 fragrances.
