One thing I keep hearing is that niche and artisan fragrances are always more expensive than designer fragrances. That may have been true years ago, but today that argument does not always hold up. Designer prices have climbed so much that several legitimate niche and artisan houses now cost less than many mainstream designer releases. In some cases, you are getting something more original, less common, and made by an independent house for less money. Here are a few examples, with prices varying slightly depending on the retailer: Happyland Studio - Around $52 for 30 ml - Selected 50 ml bottles around $68 That is cheaper than many designer travel sprays and 50 ml bottles. Happyland is an independent American artisan house producing original fragrances, not simply another mass-market designer release. Imaginary Authors - Around $90 for 50 ml That puts the house below many current 50 ml designer EDPs, while offering fragrances with much more unusual concepts and artistic direction. Molinard - Around €72–€84 for 75 ml This is a historic French perfume house offering original compositions for less than what Dior, Chanel and YSL regularly charge for similar bottle sizes. Essential Parfums - Around $130 for 100 ml Compare that with Dior Sauvage EDP at around $165 for 100 ml. Essential Parfums gives you fragrances created by respected perfumers such as Quentin Bisch, Nathalie Lorson and Antoine Maisondieu, yet the price is lower than many mainstream designers. Bon Parfumeur - Around $150 for 100 ml This is still competitive with designer pricing and often cheaper than the higher concentrations and newer releases from the major designer brands. Rogue Perfumery - Around $85 for 30 ml - Around $156 for 75 ml Rogue is a true independent artisan perfume house. It may cost more per milliliter than some designers, but the total price is still below many designer private lines that now charge $250, $300 or even $400 for a bottle. Day Three Fragrances

Well, it may be crazy, but here in Guatemala we had no Creed authorized seller. That changed this weekend! Rumours has it that this retailer is planning to bring other high-name niche fragrances. Up to this point, they strictly carried designers. Had a good visit! To my surprise, they had also the newset ones, Wild Vetiver and Oud Zarian. Hadn;t had the chance to test them previously. First impression of those two was very positive, especially considering vetiver and oud are not in my top favorite notes. Pricing also doesn;t, in general, seem to be crazy off. I'd still get a better deal by importing them for myself, but well, who knows what else may roll in. Still, had some fun!