Black women are boldly making their presence known in the fragrance industry—this brand is leading the way.

      As a consumer of color, I have frequently observed how predominantly white the fragrance industry is. European fragrance houses have traditionally been viewed as the benchmark, but this year, I've come across numerous remarkable Black-owned and -operated fine fragrance brands that are redefining the norm—placing Black and Brown women at the helm of crafting luxurious, high-quality scents that compete with the beloved houses we know. A recent find that I adore is Forvr Mood, co-owned and operated by Jackie Asamoah (formerly Aina), a beauty influencer I've admired for years. Asamoah established Forvr Mood through her profound appreciation for self-care and creating a mood-enhancing routine. She believes fragrance plays a crucial role in both. Her motivation to launch her own brand stemmed from the challenges of having hyperhidrosis as a child. "I started wearing perfume at the young age of 9," she reveals. "It was the only way I could think to manage excessive sweating. As I grew older, I noticed that most fragrance brands were either extremely high-end and masculine, or overly kitschy and cheap-looking, without a middle ground. Fragrance seemed like a serious and stuffy business. Most shoppers felt intimidated approaching a perfume counter in stores or malls, often unsure where to begin. I wanted to change that. I also wanted to create a brand that represented someone who looked like me. While Black women are passionate about smelling good, they are rarely featured in fragrance campaigns, marketing, and discussions about scents, which is what inspired the birth of Forvr Mood. Our products are visually appealing and cater to grown women, while still being approachable in terms of our fragrance messaging and pricing."

      Every scent has a narrative, with truly something to match any mood or persona you wish to embody that day. Asamoah shared insights about the inspiration behind each fine fragrance, and I'm excited to reveal my top selections below.

      **FORVR Mood**

      **NDA Eau de Parfum**

      Key notes: spiced rum, vanilla, tobacco flower, tonka bean

      I typically gravitate towards gourmand and warm floral scents, and fortunately, this fragrance aligns perfectly with my preferences. Although categorized as spicy and woody, it smells warm, sweet, and rich on my skin. It's my favorite from the collection and achieves an ideal balance between floral and subtly boozy, thanks to the spiced rum notes. This scent feels perfect for a nice dinner or a date—it's inviting, with impressive projection and longevity. Asamoah describes it as the fragrance for those who don't want to blend in. "It's the most commanding of the collection," she says, evoking “girl walks into a bar" vibes, and always reminding her of fall.

      **FORVR Mood**

      **She Was Here Eau de Parfum**

      Key notes: pistachio, pomegranate, Turkish rose, vanilla musk, suede, amber

      I inherently love any fragrance with pistachio, so I anticipated this would be a favorite. The combination of pistachio with suede, amber, and vanilla musk is truly stunning. While some may hesitate at the mention of rose due to its potential to feel too reminiscent of grandma's perfume, that isn't the case with this one. Alongside NDA, this was my favorite from the brand’s selections. There are numerous elements at play, yet everything harmonizes beautifully. This recent addition, as Asamoah describes it, embodies a "cool girl in a bottle." I agree with her sentiment. "Pistachio is one of my favored fragrance notes, and our take in She Was Here is rosy, salty, milky, and woody," she explains. "It lingers long after you leave a room, and it reminds me of all those moments when I tested it before it had an actual name, as people would seek me out in stores and events, asking, 'What are you wearing? That smells incredible,' as if they instantly recognized the scent was mine without even seeing me."

      **FORVR Mood**

      **I Am Her Eau de Parfum**

      Key notes: red velvet cake, raspberry, pear, vanilla bean, oud

      Oud is one of my beloved woody notes as it imparts a velvety sophistication to fragrances, though it requires a careful pairing with other notes to shine. This composition is expertly crafted. Oud merges wonderfully with notes of vanilla bean and juicy pear. Notably, all these fragrances present a different initial scent, but once allowed to settle for about five minutes, they reveal their true beauty. I let this one rest for five minutes, and the notes of red velvet, oud, vanilla, and rose became pronounced. While described as a gourmand scent, I'd say it leans more towards woody with gourmand hints. The pear adds an unexpected juiciness I particularly enjoy. Asamoah notes that this was the fragrance that started it all: "It's our hero scent and the first one I loved embarking on this