Three Indie Fragrances For Fall + 3 You Should Be Wearing Giveaway

Best Indie Fragrances for Fall 2025

 Three Indie Fragrances For Fall via Steven

In our co-curation, Steven and I chose three Indie fragrances for Fall that offer something unique and make different statements in cooler weather- bold, subtle or warm, transportive and ambery.

Tempus Vitae© Cafe du Jour (Michael Salazar) is a bold take on coffee focusing primarily on a nutty creaminess without going the typical route of sweet and spicy. It has depth, complexity, and character not seen often in most coffee compositions. The perfumer, Michael Salazar, created his own heliotrope, caramel and milk foam accords for Cafe Du Jour.-Michelyn

Notes: Coffee, Nutty Notes, Tamanu Oil, Black Currant, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender, Heliotrope Accord, Pink Peppercorn, Butter CO2, Milk Foam Accord, Tonka Bean, Oakwood, Guaiacwood, Siam Benzoin, Portuguese Labdanum, Caramel Accord, Indian Davana, Birch Tar, Musk

We invited Contributor Mimian Morales to write up Statik Olfactive Forbidden Love, which is subtle but lovely for cool weather.

Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love (Paul Kiler): If you want a beautiful white tea fragrance that is sophisticated and substantial enough to wear this fall, take a sniff of Statik Olfactives gorgeous Finding Forbidden Love, created by noted American perfumer Paul Kiler. Finding Forbidden Love opens with white peach, white tea, jasmine and rose. While this scent has elements of air and light with that fruit, tea and floral opening, it is grounded by the inclusion of woody and incense notes that complement it perfectly and give it some heft. –Mimian

Notes: White Tea, White Peach, Jasmine, Rose, Cypress Wood, Frankincense, Opoponax Labdanum, Raspberry, Davana, Honey, Sandalwood

INeKE Perfumes Field Notes from Paris( INeKE Ruhland): INeKE offers some of the best indie fragrances around (I have them all). She composed Fields Notes from Paris while reminiscing about her days there training as a perfumer and reflected upon the words of T.S. Eliot: “Life is measured in coffee spoons.” Imagine a fall afternoon at a corner café sipping an espresso, watching people slowly walk by and taking in the aromas. Field Notes from Paris has an enigmatic, warm presence that will bring you there, no matter where you are.Its woody-ambery structure combines the warmth of both tobacco flower and leaf with the vintage perfumery notes of coriander seed, patchouli and tonka bean. It is our number one pick and we think it is the most versatile of our Indie fragrances for Fall. –Michelyn

Notes: Coriander Seed, Orange Flower, Bergamot, Tobacco Flower and Leaf, Patchouli, Cedar, Tonka Bean, Leather, Beeswax, Vanilla

Steven Gavrielatos reviews our selections of three Indie Fragrances you need to try this Fall.

Disclosure: Steven received bottles of each of the three. Mimian received a bottle of Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love, Michelyn received a bottle of Tempus Vitae© Cafe Du Jour. Opinions are their own.

Ineke Perfumes Field Notes from Paris

courtesy of the brand

Thanks to INeKE Perfumes we have 75 ml of Field Notes From Paris for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader in Canada and USA ONLY (if you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid) and Redolessence subscriber and leave a comment on what you thought of BOTH STEVEN’S AND MICHELYN’S curation. Only INEKE Perfumes Field Notes From Paris is for Giveaway. Draw closes 10/20/2025 and winner will be announced within 10 days after.

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41 comments

  • jollyjoshua14 says:

    I have samples of all of Tempus Vitae’s and Statik Olfactive’s offerings and I think both Steven and Michelyn picked really solid choices for the cooler fall weather. Cafe Du Jour is a unique take on coffee that has a really strong nutty almost sesame feeling to it and is a strong one, and Finding Forbidden Love is one of my top tea fragrances all around with a nice addition of peach in the opening- also super long lasting. I have not smelled Field Notes From Paris, but enjoy your high praises and would love to smell it one day. USA.

  • Sybelle16 says:

    Tempus Vitae Cafe du Jour forgoes the typical sweet and spicy combo seen coffee forward scents. It chooses to focus on the creamy, nuttiness of coffee. Bold and unique, it has a depth and complexity.
    Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love is a floraly, white tea scent that holds its own in the Fall time. Airy notes of white peach, white tea, jasmine and rose are grounded by the addition of woody and incense notes created a sophisticated scent that shines in the Fall.
    Michelyn praises Field Notes from Paris as one of the best indie scents for Fall: woody-ambery and combined with old-school perfumery notes of coriander seed, patchouli, transports the wearer to Paris and it is a versatile wear for cooler months.

    For Steve Cafe de Jour is a rich, smoky masterful balsamic coffee scent that is perfect for cooler temps and has great projection and sillage. Forbidden Love is a beautiful, creamy scent with highlight notes of florals, white tea, peach, and sandalwood that isn’t an overbearing, assertive wear. Field Notes from Paris’ composition is beautifully done: an elegant scent that emphasizes tonka bean, patchouli, cedar, tobacco flower and Leaf; it is a dense, earthy, refined gem with great longevity and should be on everyone’s radar.
    USA

  • Doni says:

    Huge fan of Field Notes From Paris. Easily my fav from Ineke and definitely the perfect season for it. Also liking Michelyn’s description of Cafe de Jour. Anything coffee is essentially tailor-made for fall. Personally, I preferred TV’s new High Tea myself, but that was in the summer time! I totally get the milk foam accord discussed, but only the far drydown after the smokiness has somewhat subsided. In fact, it almost remided me of the same lactonic quality I get from the base of Ineke’s Jaipur Chai. And speaking of tea, I wouldn’t mind giving FFL a try either. I know Steven mentioned its subtleness, but sometimes a bit of quite floral comfort is just what’s needed on the weekends. Props for a great selection! From Canada.

  • Brandy says:

    They curated a great versatile fall fragrance list. I’m most interested in INeKE Perfumes Field Notes from Paris with it’s enigmatic and warm presence.
    Usa

  • brentm says:

    Love the notes for all 3 of these but forbidden love really stands out to me. Great descriptions by Steven in the video and in the article by Michelyn and Mimian! Love a good tea fragrance and with the woody notes, forbidden love sounds perfect for fall. Field notes from Paris would be perfect for a chilly winter day. USA

  • RH says:

    Love the descriptive note journeys shared, and as I’m searching for my perfect transitional season fragrance this post couldn’t be more timely! I’m a fan of tea scents so I was initially drawn to Finding Forbidden Love, but Cafe du Jour would be a nice scent to branch out with and sounds perfect for rainy days in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Alex Claude says:

    Seems like a well curated and diverse selection. As a huge fan of tea and tobacco scents I’m extremely curious to smell these! I live in Canada.

  • Steven A says:

    Not easy to comment on the curation. I haven’t smelled one of them. I’ll take their word for it and enter the draw. US

  • Agent47 says:

    Redolessence’s “Three Indie Fragrances For Fall” felt like stepping into a sun-dappled forest just as the leaves begin to turn. The video was cozy, thoughtful, and full of heart. As someone who already admires Michael Salazar’s work, I was genuinely delighted to see Tempus Vitae Café du Jour featured. It’s the kind of scent that feels like home; warm, quietly layered, and steeped in the comfort of a familiar café on a crisp afternoon.

    Michelyn’s selections brought depth and contrast. Finding Forbidden Love by Statik Olfactive and Paul Kiler offered rich, resinous complexity, while Field Notes from Paris by INeKE Ruhland added a refined, nostalgic elegance. Together, they captured the emotional nuance of fall in two distinct yet complementary ways.

    Steven and Michelyn approached their choices with genuine thoughtfulness. His analytical clarity and her poetic sensibility made this more than a seasonal roundup. It was a reflection on how scent shapes memory and mood. I’d absolutely love to win the giveaway. Experiencing these fragrances firsthand would be a dream for any indie scent lover like me. Cheers from USA.

  • crownroyale47 says:

    Just becoming someone who is really growing into the importance and beauty of fragrance, fall is the perfect season to really embrace the nuances of scents. The notes of these fragrances Michelyn and Steven have chose take me to a few of my favorite fall destinations. My Sunday routine of waking up and going to a local coffee shop leads me to want Tempus Vitae Cafe du Jour and Field Notes from Paris just to elevate the experience on a crisp day. Then Statik Olfactive Finding Forbidden Love immediately makes me think of going to see foliage in Vermont and being out in nature. I would love to experience these fragrances!!!!!

  • reyessence89 says:

    Reading Michelyn’s descriptions of the perfumes parallel that of Steven’s in his video. My main take home point is that the three offerings pretty much cover one’s winter perfume “needs” – a deep and smoky statement maker (Café du Jour), a cold weather cozy special occasion scent (Field Notes from Paris), and one (Finding Forbidden Love) that breaks the monotony of repeated wears of deep dark scents. If I have to pick one, I’d pick INEKE Perfumes Field Notes from Paris, because one cannot have enough patchouli/tobacco/vanilla perfume. I live in the US.

  • kristina novev says:

    I am not big fan of the coffee scent in a perfume, but this combination sounds interesting and I am really interested to smell it in person. You always make great recommendations!

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    Steven’s selections highlight the artistry of fall perfumery—each fragrance chosen for its distinct character and emotional impact in cooler weather—while Michelyn’s insight showcases the craftsmanship behind these compositions, especially the coffee-forward richness of Café du Jour and the elegant complexity of Field Notes from Paris. Together, their curation paints a vivid portrait of indie perfumery at its finest, where emotion, atmosphere, and originality take center stage. Field Notes from Paris especially stands out to me as a fragrance that captures time, memory, and place with rare refinement. I am in the USA

  • Genevieve Martini says:

    I love Jaipur Chai from Ineke, it’s just a bit short lived on me sometimes, Steven mentioned that Perfumes Field Notes from Paris has a 10 hour longevity, I do like my perfume to last all day, but I don’t mind respraying if needed either. Both Michelyn and Steven mentioned this perfume’s versatility, which I appreciate, as I like something to wear over morning coffee as I ready myself for the day and set the mood and intention, then carry me all day while busy at work, and then still be enjoying light whiffs in the evening as a wind down with wine and a movie at home, cuddled up and cosy with my husband and dogs on the sofa.
    Genevieve in Canada.

  • Michael Bullock says:

    All of these fragrances sound great and I wanna be entered into the giveaway and have a blessed night.

  • Ben A says:

    What an interesting list! I always appreciate when Michelyn and Steven highlight indie perfumers. Though all three fragrances sound great, the only one I’ve gotten my nose on is Field Notes from Paris. I have a sample, but I’d love a bottle…so I’m delighted that this is the fragrance you’re giving away. I’m in Oklahoma, USA.

  • AromaAdventurer says:

    I love how Steven and Michelyn didn’t just go for the typical “pumpkin spice and everything nice” fall scents. They covered such a beautiful spectrum.

    Michelyn’s pick of the Tempus Vitae coffee fragrance is the one I’m most intrigued by. A coffee scent that avoids sweetness for a nutty, creamy texture? That sounds incredible and so sophisticated. The fact that the perfumer built his own accords for the heliotrope and milk foam tells me this is a real work of art. It sounds like it has that bold, atmospheric quality I crave when the weather turns.

    And then Steven’s choice of the Ineke perfume is just a perfect, classic counterpoint. “Field Notes from Paris” sounds less like a scent and more like a mood. The description of a woody-ambery structure with tobacco flower and beeswax… that’s the kind of warm, enigmatic scent that becomes a signature. It feels versatile in the best way cozy enough for a weekend but polished enough for the office. It’s the one I can immediately picture myself wearing. Both picks show a real understanding of what makes fall fragrance exciting beyond just being “warm.”

    Canada

  • LindenNoir says:

    As someone who often finds fall fragrances a bit too heavy, this selection is a breath of fresh air. Mimian’s write-up of “Finding Forbidden Love” really caught my eye. A white tea and peach fragrance for autumn? That’s a brave and brilliant choice. It makes so much sense though—the frankincense and labdanum in the base would give it that perfect, subtle weight for cooler days without sacrificing its airy, luminous heart. It’s the “subtle but lovely” option that proves you don’t need to shout to be noticed.

    That said, Michelyn’s description of “Field Notes from Paris” totally transported me. The whole idea of capturing a Parisian café moment, complete with the warmth of tobacco and the richness of leather and vanilla… it’s storytelling through scent. Calling it their number one pick and the most versatile really seals the deal for me. It seems like the perfect bridge between a classic fall aesthetic and something more unique and personal. Both curations show a really thoughtful approach to the season.
    I am based in Canada

  • Ayush says:

    Thanks so much for featuring these beautiful indie fragrances — the fall picks look absolutely enchanting! I’d love to try the [insert the name of one listed if you know it] because it sounds like it captures the warm, cozy vibes I’m craving this season. Fingers crossed — and thanks again for offering such a thoughtful giveaway!

  • Kelly says:

    Very good choices and each really different. I would love to get my nose on INeKE Field Notes from Paris based on the written description which quoted TS Eliot and was much more detailed then the video.
    The statik olfactive forbidden love sounds great and I enjoyed Steven review
    USA

  • Sarah Traniello says:

    These fragrances sound so beautiful. I would love to learn more with adding some of these to my collection.

  • Aso says:

    There’s something magical when some of my favorite notes — white tea, peach, and cypress woods — come alive through the hands of my beloved perfumer, Paul Kiler. I can almost smell its distinctive beauty already.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    This is a great selection of indie fragrances for the fall. Cafe Du Jour really impressed me with the perfumer creating his own accords of heliotrope, caramel and milk foam to separate it from all the other coffee scents out there. Finding Forbidden Live gives us a white tea and peach treatment which I consume tea not only during the fall but all year round so this is suitable for any occasion. Field Notes From Paris takes inspiration from the Parisian lifestyle combining some of the “stereotypes” attributed to the country life sipping an espresso at a corner cafe and watching people walk by. A comprehensible selection for fall and winter and Steven touched on the fact that most of these are versatile enough that you can wear them all the time. I’m located in the USA.

  • Kassie Tocko says:

    as always i love how both steven & michelyn can describe these fragrances with such zest. they describe the fragrance notes in depth & they really do a splendid job as to explaining why these are such great fragrances for fall- & on top of that.. i love that they are indies. i am so excited, again, for this draw because out of all three- if i won, the fragrance that was so graciously donated is the one that appealed to my taste’s the most. as always, thank you michelyn & steven for the vivid & descriptive reviews! i live in the united states. colorado. :).

  • MRV1208 says:

    What a beautiful curation. I look forward to exploring these fragrances houses and purchasing more of their offerings. And thank you for offering such a lovely giveaway. Good luck to all participants!

  • EPTrail says:

    I’ve been thinking about how Field Notes from Paris by INeKE Perfumes might behave in the Sonoran Desert once fall settles in, and honestly, I’d love to test it in that environment. The idea of wearing a fragrance built around warm tobacco, leather, and tonka bean against the backdrop of crisp desert evenings feels almost poetic.

    I’m especially curious to see how the dryness of the Sonoran air might amplify the tobacco and leather notes. In some climates, those accords can lean soft and cozy, but here, they might sharpen and stand out more clearly.

  • EPTrail says:

    I always forget to add that I live in the US.

    I’ve been thinking about how Field Notes from Paris by INeKE Perfumes might behave in the Sonoran Desert once fall settles in, and honestly, I’d love to test it in that environment. The idea of wearing a fragrance built around warm tobacco, leather, and tonka bean against the backdrop of crisp desert evenings feels almost poetic.

    I’m especially curious to see how the dryness of the Sonoran air might amplify the tobacco and leather notes. In some climates, those accords can lean soft and cozy, but here, they might sharpen and stand out more clearly.

  • Elisa Nar says:

    I really enjoyed Steven and Michelyn’s fall picks — they each capture such a different side of the season. I’m especially drawn to Café du Jour; that creamy, nutty coffee warmth sounds exactly like the kind of sophisticated gourmand I love. Field Notes from Paris also feels so nostalgic and cozy for fall. I love seeing indie perfumers get this kind of spotlight.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the evocative round-up! INeKE Field Notes from Paris strikes me as a beautifully composed autumnal moment — the olive, beeswax and tobacco flower interplay gives it a soft, enveloping warmth while still feeling crisp and atmospheric. I loved how the review described it as less a simple scent and more a mood-setting stroll through Parisian lanes under rich light. The subtle hint of orange flower and coriander keep the effect from feeling heavy, making it elegant yet deeply comforting. I’d love to try Field Notes from Paris!
    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Shelley87 says:

    I have had my eye on Field Notes From Paris for awhile. Tobacco and tonka are some of my favorite notes in perfumery. I think they are such warm and cozy accords and even better together.

    Cafe du Jour sounds lovely. Can you really have a fall scent lineup without a coffee inspired scent? I think not.

    Finding Forbidden Love sounds interesting. I wouldn’t place a white tea scent for fall, it feels more spring vibes to me, but the addition of woods, spices, and incense does have me intrigued.

    I love niche indie brands as they often put together very creative and masterful scents. I like smelling unique and anything that gives me comforting, fall vibes is a big bonus. I have discovered several unique niche brands from this site, and i have enjoyed learning about them. Thanks for sharing!

  • Shelley87 says:

    I have had my eye on Field Notes From Paris for awhile. Tobacco and tonka are some of my favorite notes in perfumery. I think they are such warm and cozy accords and even better together.

    Cafe du Jour sounds lovely. Can you really have a fall scent lineup without a coffee inspired scent? I think not.

    Finding Forbidden Love sounds interesting. I wouldn’t place a white tea scent for fall, it feels more spring vibes to me, but the addition of woods, spices, and incense does have me intrigued.

    I love niche indie brands as they often put together very creative and masterful scents. I like smelling unique and anything that gives me comforting, fall vibes is a big bonus. I have discovered several unique niche brands from this site, and i have enjoyed learning about them. Thanks for sharing! Love from Louisville, KY.

  • MatthewKeilwitz says:

    What a great list of indies. Statik and INeKE are both well deserving of a mention by Steven and Michelyn. The Tempus Vitae offering I am not familiar with, but I’m intrigued enough to order a sample despite the inclusion of ylang-ylang, which is normally not my speed. Statik’s and INeKE’s selections are both superb. They’re optimal for both crisp outdoor and cozy indoor situations, which is what a good autumn scent is all about. Yet each offering can also adapt to other seasons and temps quite well. Statik is top of the game for tea scents, which are superb for us that get overwhelmed by coffee, and FNFP is such a delicate and nuanced formula.

    It’s so nice of y’all to give some of the smaller houses exposure. Especially when it’s so well earned.

    FL, USA

  • Annika says:

    I appreciate that Michelyn and Steven chose perfumes that run the gamut from subtle to bold. For me, fall fragrances should have some warmth and presence. It’s nice to have a comforting soft option such as Finding Forbidden Love that showcases white tea and light woods. I also like the bolder coffee featured fragrances with a wood base. I’ve tried Field Noted from Paris before and I appreciate the coffee on the ambery wood base but with a floral vintage feel. MD, USA

  • mmerline says:

    Really dig this list for Fall—a bit different than some previous years’ lists. A creamy coffee scent sounds cozy for cool weather, the woody incense base of Forbidden Love makes an airy white tea fragrance more on theme, and Field Notes smells like the light looks on autumn afternoons (“number one pick” for good reason). Steven pointed out the smoky birch in Cafe du Jour, which makes it sound a lot less sweet-wearing than I expected, and more up my alley. Also, his video showed off the bottles; that Tempus Vitae juice is dark brown and the Statik Olfactive presentation is terrific. Fun list!

    I’m in the USA.

  • opalbear says:

    Wow what a unique variety! I like how Steven described the Salazar one as smoky basalmic because I love a basalmic fragrance and I think resins mixed rich coffee sounds phenomenal. And the way michelyn described Ineke’s is so intriguing. Tobacco and woods and vintage notes. I would like to win the Ineke. I have a few from her but not that one! I am located in the U.S.

  • CocoG says:

    All 3 sound like they could be amazing winter scents, depending on mood. I love the mental picture Michelyn created, and Steven’s expressive vocabulary really fleshes out the curation.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Fantastic choices. It is coffee season for sure. I’ve not heard of INeKE before. Must be good if Michelyn has them all. Steven always does a great review. He describes the peach so well. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • David F says:

    This was a short and to the point read but Steve’s opinion is like a gold standard when it comes to perfumery. Indie and niche are the way to go but are pricey so unless it’s ones signature scent or they are passionate about smelling good a vast majority of people wouldn’t care to invest the time or effort in them. Ineke field notes sounds like the one for me and I’d like to win and see. From USA