Beyond the crowded shelves of high-street perfumes, with their extravagant bottles and crowd-pleasing scents, lies the hidden world of indie fragrances. While these independent brands may not be found in department stores, their one-of-a-kind, hand-poured perfumes are just a click away, waiting to be discovered online.
If you're feeling uninspired by the pleasant yet predictable scents of mainstream perfume brands, the indie fragrance scene offers an exciting alternative. These independent brands invite you to explore bold, unconventional blends that challenge traditional scent profiles.
While niche perfume brands from Canada and the US—like Imaginary Authors and Zoologist—are becoming household names among fragrance enthusiasts, finding UK-based indie perfume brands is far more difficult.
After a thorough search, I've uncovered the best UK indie perfume brands that are crafting truly distinctive scents you won’t smell on anyone else. These are the best of the best, personally handpicked and tested by me.
UK Indie Perfume Brands
These UK indie perfume brands craft one-of-a-kind fragrances designed to transform your relationship with scent. Whether you're searching for a safe blind buy, a vegan and eco-friendly option, or a bold statement scent, there’s an indie perfume for you.
By supporting these small businesses, you'll not only discover a unique signature scent or a new daily favourite, you'll also be contributing to a more sustainable and innovative fragrance industry.
4160 Tuesdays
Founded by Sarah McCartney in 2010, 4160 Tuesdays is an innovative, eco-conscious perfume house based in Hammersmith, London. Known for its dedication to sustainability, every fragrance is crafted in small batches, bottled by hand, and packaged using recyclable materials.
Nothing goes to waste here. Any unused perfume is added to the "Room Fragrance Leftovers" vat, ensuring every last bit is put to good use. To further minimise waste, 4160 Tuesdays offers discounts when you purchase bottles without caps or packaging with 25% off refills.
The brand's collection is as creative as it is diverse, with fragrances inspired by everything from philosophers and professional poisoners to folklore and familiar places. Expect to find perfumes that capture the smell of spiced biscuits, pencil shavings, and even toffee pudding, offering unique blends you won't find anywhere else.
With so many intriguing options, the Taster Set is the perfect way to try the brand’s range of perfumes. For those wanting to go deeper, 4160 Tuesdays even has a Scenthusiasm Patreon, where subscribers can learn the art of perfumery and create their own unique blends.
Simons Nest
Simon's Nest is an indie perfume brand founded by Autumn and based in the South Devon region. Quickly earning a place in the hearts of indie fragrance enthusiasts, this brand is renowned for its seasonal scents and unique blends, crafted using traditional perfumery techniques and vegan-friendly ingredients.
Simon's Nest offers a variety of solid perfumes and perfumed oils, available in 5ml and 10ml roll-on bottles. The oils are crafted from a blend of essential oils, infused oils, and fragrance oils, with the solid perfumes using a base of jojoba oil and candelilla wax.
The fragrances are inspired by traditional perfume families, reflecting the time of year and offering seasonal blends that capture the essence of each season. Many of Simon’s Nest blends are unisex, making them a versatile choice.
The brand’s seasonal collections are highly sought after, and due to limited releases and high demand, these perfumes tend to sell out quickly. Once a season's collection is gone, you'll need to wait until the next year for a new batch.
Crow & Pebble
Crow & Pebble comes highly recommended by the indie perfume enthusiast community, and if you're in search of vegan-friendly, handcrafted perfumes, this brand is an absolute must-try.
Founded by Karen and inspired by Aesop’s fable The Crow and the Pitcher, Crow & Pebble is truly a labour of love. Every single perfume is crafted by hand and filled to order by Karen herself—this is a one-woman show in the truest sense!
What sets Crow & Pebble apart is its focus on storytelling. Each fragrance is inspired by legend, folklore, mythology, literature, or history, giving every scent a narrative depth that makes each blend distinctively different.
One of the brand’s most celebrated scents, Prismatic Crow, has garnered rave reviews, but the entire collection is a delight to explore. If you're keen to sample a variety, Crow & Pebble offers perfume flights, either pre-set or customisable, for just £14—making it easy to find your next favourite scent.
Ravenscourt Apothecary
Ravenscourt Apothecary, founded by Tanya in 2013, is a UK-based indie brand that has garnered a loyal following for its all-natural, vegan-friendly perfumes. Now based in the countryside of Devon, this brand specialises in botanical fragrances that are alcohol-free, made from 100% natural and botanical ingredients.
Drawing inspiration from both literature and tea, Ravenscourt Apothecary offers perfumes that are ideal for those who prefer a subtle, understated fragrance. These perfumes tend to sit close to the skin, making them perfect for wearers who enjoy gentle, non-intrusive scents that feel personal and intimate.
Tanya also offers insights into perfume-making via her blog, where she discusses topics like her preference for oil-based perfumes over alcohol and the benefits of using 100% natural, cruelty-free ingredients.
Whether you're a fan of literary-inspired scents or simply seeking a natural, vegan-friendly alternative to traditional perfumes, Ravenscourt Apothecary provides individual 1ml samples for £4, as well as sample sets, making it easy to explore this indie brand's range of eco-conscious fragrances.
Juliet Rose Perfumes
Juliet Rose Perfumes, founded by British perfumer Juliet, is a diverse and creative indie brand offering vegan-friendly, phthalate-free fragrances. Based in the South of England, Juliet initially sold her perfumes in Covent Garden, but they are now available exclusively online.
The brand offers a diverse range of fragrances, from traditional blends to more challenging scents like earthy damp soil or sweet mochi pudding. Juliet Rose Perfumes caters to perfume enthusiasts who crave imaginative and unconventional blends, making it an exciting option for those looking to step outside the mainstream.
One of the standout features of the brand is the thoughtful organisation of its collection. Each perfume is categorised by scent family, making it easy for fragrance lovers to find exactly what they’re after. For those who prefer oil-based fragrances, a pure oil collection is currently in development.
Whether you’re looking for something familiar or something completely unexpected, Discovery Sets are available. These sets offer a chance to sample a variety of fragrances from across different scent families, from gourmand indulgences to more gothic, daring blends. With sizes ranging from travel-friendly 3ml bottles to larger 100ml options, it’s easy to try a few before committing to a full sized bottle.
Future Primitive Soap Co.
Next on the list is Future Primitive Soap Co., a nostalgic indie brand that takes you on a olfactory journey through olde England. Inspired by the cobbled streets, apothecaries, and folklore of England, Future Primitive is a brand for those who want their scents to transport them to bygone eras.
Future Primitive’s vegan-friendly perfumes have achieved cult status within the indie fragrance fans. Each hand-blended scent smells like something crafted in an alchemist’s shop. While the brand offers a range of blends, it tends to lean towards one fragrance family, with a focus on heady, aromatic, and woody compositions.
For those new to the brand or simply curious, you can choose between a 1ml sample, a 5ml perfume oil, or a full-sized 50ml eau de parfum. The Rook & Raven is a favourite within the community, making it an easy blind buy.
But be warned—Future Primitive’s perfumes sell out fast. The brand’s limited releases and high demand make it essential to keep a close eye on restocks, so bookmarking their website might be your best bet!
Screaming Mandrake Perfumes
For those drawn to nature, magic, and witchcraft-inspired fragrances, Screaming Mandrake Perfumes is an indie brand that stands out. Known for its mystical and otherworldly blends, these perfumes are crafted with more than just fragrance in mind—they can be used for spiritual practices.
The brand’s ethos centres on creating what others won’t—the strange and unusual. Their seasonal collections often feature aromatic, amber, and woody notes that evoke the deep, earthy essence of ancient forests and magic rituals.
Each perfume is blended with a combination of fragrance and essential oils using skin-safe ingredients. True to their magical nature, Screaming Mandrake packages its perfumes in glass bottles, nestled in reindeer moss and accompanied by a clear quartz crystal, adding to the unboxing experience.
Screaming Mandrake Perfumes is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who embrace the mystical and unconventional, it offers a truly unique olfactory experience. While full-size bottles and sample sets are available, there are no individual samples, so choosing a fragrance requires a leap of faith.
Eden Perfumes
For those wanting to switch to a more eco-conscious fragrance without giving up their signature scent, Eden Perfumes stands out in the indie perfume world. Based in Brighton, this brand has made a name for itself by offering affordable, high-quality alternatives to some of the most popular designer fragrances.
Every Eden perfume is handmade in the UK using certified organic, ethically sourced ingredients. These vegan-friendly and cruelty-free perfumes replicate iconic designer scents without using the problematic ingredients often found in mainstream perfumes. But Eden Perfumes doesn't just replicate popular scents—they also offer a range of their own creations.
All of their perfume bottles are designed to be refillable, allowing you to reduce waste and save money. Simply return your bottles to one of their stores or return them by post, and receive a small discount on your next order.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favourite fragrances while supporting a brand that prioritises ethics and the environment, Eden Perfumes is the perfect choice. This brand proves that luxury perfume doesn’t have to cost the Earth.