The Best Perfume Oil Brands

For people who love scents, but don't care for the alcohol undertones, or sometimes overpowering qualities of inexpensive perfumes and colognes, perfume oils may be the answer. Generally, perfume oils last longer, are richer and impart a deeper, more authentic scent than liquid scents.

They are quite cost effective as well. Although the bottles are quite small, so much less is used-just a tiny drop-that they are a great buy compared to other forms of scent. I've used a lot of different perfume oils over the years; some are exceptional in quality, and some are not so fabulous.

Below are my suggestions for brands of perfume oils that I've found to be the very best, in a very affordable price range. I've also included some notes about my favorite scents in each brand, but the great thing about these brands is that all of the scents are fabulous.

TerraNova Perfume Essences
0.375 ounce bottle, $15
http://www.terranovabody.com

I've been using TerraNova perfume oils for 25 years. The quality is always dependable, the scents are high quality with a wide variety, and they are affordable. One of the best things about Terra Nova oils is the scents last literally all day and night, and seem to even improve, growing richer and more organic and natural, melding with your own chemistry somehow, as they're worn.

It's a very profound smelling oil. When I wear the Terra Nova China Rain, my absolute favorite, I constantly get compliments and questions about the amazing scent. It's really great. Also wonderful are the Pikake, China Musk, Tuberose, and Patchouli.

Terra Nova has a great, easily navigable and informative website, with a handy store locator. Products can also be purchased directly from the site.

Kuumba Made Fragrance Oils
1/8 ounce bottle, $8
http://kuumbamade.com

I've written before about the top notch, quality products by Kuumba Made. Their perfume oils are simply amazing. Taking whiffs from the little vials in the store sampler, it's practically impossible to decide which one to buy-because each one you smell seems like the best!

Not only do they start off smelling great, they last. As with all other Kuumba Made products, the perfume oils are sublime and superior products. My absolute favorite oil is their Lily of the Valley. Quite simply, it is the purest Lily of the Valley scent I have ever found. Anyone who loves this rarely found flower smell must buy some Kuumba Made Lily of the Valley immediately.

My other tip-top favorites include: Tunisian Patchouli, Amber (paste), Water Goddess, Amber & Sandalwood, and Persian Garden.

Kuumba Made products are made with natural ingredients-"the oils and resins of flowers, plants, roots and trees," according to their website. You can tell. They are simply wonderful. The oils can be found in natural grocery stores and markets such as Whole Foods.

The products can apparently be ordered via the Kuumba Made website as well, but I found it not so easily navigable. Click on the "top fragrances" button, and it brings up a list of the different scents. Click on each scent to find the pricing for the various bottles. The site states there is a $20 minimum shipping order.

Although you will not be sorry if you decide to spend $20 or more on the Kuumba Made products, you may want to check out your local natural food stores' Natural Living section first.

Sources:
Kuumba Made, Fragrance Oils, http://kuumbamade.