“Would you mind smelling like tea?” Peter Gitau, who has worked in the perfume business since 2015 and now leads the brand and content team at Cierra Perfumes, asks.
“I'm not so sure,” I respond.
“Well, White Tea by Elizabeth Arden is currently one of our best-selling fragrances. We have noticed its popularity among Kenyan women grow since last year. It's not your usual sweet, floral scent, but a fresh, spritzy fragrance with notes of mandarin orange, white tea and exotic woods,” explains Peter.
Most fresh perfumes have a musky, powdery base and usually cost a lot. But Elizabeth Arden White Tea? It's an affordable little secret, with prices ranging from Sh5,500 to Sh10,000.
“That is another reason, besides being a unique addition to one's fragrance collection, to choose it: its price point is affordable, varying depending on the concentration of the ingredients.”
Kenyan men are also redefining their scents, with many open to trying new fragrances beyond their usual classic masculine ones.
Peter Gitau, Brand and Content Lead at Cierra Perfumes, during an interview at the company’s CBD outlet in Nairobi on February 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“Y Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent is a good example. Despite its price, it has been selling well, costing between Sh21,000 and Sh25,000 depending on where you buy it. It’s a more intense version of the men’s line from Yves Saint Laurent, announcing itself with a powerful, dark fougère composition combining freshness and intensity. It has excellent longevity on skin and cloth, and it can be worn at any time. It's basically great for all seasons. As you know, the majority of men aren't so sophisticated, so that makes it ideal for most,” Peter notes.
A few years ago, Kenya’s fragrance shelves were dominated by familiar designer brands. The likes of Dior, Chanel, Versace, Armani and Lancôme, to name a few. Many Kenyans wore them because they were well-known.
However, Augustine Kitavi, who has been shipping designer fragrances to the Kenyan market for over 10 years, can testify to the shifting trends.
The Kenyan buyer now craves individuality over popularity. They want perfumes that no one else can name.
“Kenyans are willing to try different scents, not just to smell good in the traditional sense, but to smell unique.”
Consequently, Kenyan fragrance enthusiasts — the collectors, the explorers and those who have grown tired of smelling like everyone else — are discovering niche perfumery.
“Niche perfume brands focus entirely on perfume as their core business. Unlike designer brands, they don’t rely on fashion runways, celebrity campaigns or heavy marketing. They are brands that leverage exclusivity and craftsmanship,” he says.
Fragrances on display at the Cierra Perfumes shop in Nairobi’s central business district on February 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Some of the niche perfume brands already available in Kenya are Nishane, Xerjoff, Initio and Tiziana.
Although niche perfumes are expensive, Kitavi notes that this hasn't deterred Kenyans from adding them to their collection.
‘The research and development that goes into making niche fragrances is huge, and the quality of the products is extremely high and very well controlled. Designers might not be given the same attention because fragrance is not their main business,” he adds. Kitavi adds.
Niche houses leverage the narrative to sell.
“If you want to buy from us, it's because of the stories we've told you. Maybe it's sustainable sourcing. Or maybe it's a focus on rare notes. Or maybe it's a completely different approach to perfumery altogether. Ultimately, it's up to the audience to decide."
