Many AAPI perfume houses have been founded for the very same reason—to share our cultures, reminisce on our childhoods, and reclaim some of the smells that might’ve brought isolation in our upbringing. Here’s a list of AAPI perfume houses to make that search just a little bit easier. Reserve a day, invite some friends, and happy sniffing!

In bustling Mira Mesa, San Diego, lies a small store that welcomes you with minimalist design, a pop of color, and a taste of 2000s fashion. Unig.Vintage encourages individualism and uniqueness, embodying the edgy, Y2K feminine and it has become the heart of community building in the local area. 

When my half-brothers were born in 2012 and 2015, I took the second parent role with little resistance. I wanted to be the emotional protector and teacher I needed but never got.

As the eldest, you become something more than a sister—you become a stand-in parent, a steady presence where guidance is assumed rather than chosen.