MERIT is exploring a more complex side of fragrance with New Wave, an unconventional amber scent developed alongside legendary master perfumer Dominique Ropion. Designed to evolve on the skin, the fragrance opens with bright pink pepper and angelica seed before revealing a floral heart of orange flower, ylang ylang and honeyed accords. A rich, sensual base of benzoin, patchouli, tobacco, warm woods, vanilla and musk gives the composition its depth and staying power.
Launching October 22 at $125 CAD for 30 ml, New Wave marks MERIT's second fragrance following Retrospect. Rather than introducing another variation of its debut scent, the brand has created an entirely distinct composition inspired by the richness of traditional perfumery. The release speaks to a renewed appreciation for nuanced, evolving fragrances, offering an alternative to the more linear, instantly recognizable scents dominating today's fragrance landscape.
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What's Driving This Trend
- Evolving Skin Scents
- Fragrances that shift noticeably from opening to dry-down create space for more personal, time-based scent experiences in a market saturated with linear signatures.
- Modern Amber Reinvention
- Classic amber structures are being refreshed with unconventional floral, spice and resin combinations that make heritage perfumery feel more contemporary.
- Perfumer-led Beauty Launches
- Collaborations with renowned master perfumers add craft credibility and storytelling depth to beauty brands expanding into fragrance.
Who This Affects Most
- Fine Fragrance
- Nuanced compositions with layered ingredients signal growth potential for premium scents that prioritize complexity over instant recognizability.
- Prestige Beauty
- Beauty brands entering fragrance with distinctive standalone creations can broaden consumer loyalty beyond makeup and skincare.
- Luxury Retail
- Higher-priced, craft-focused fragrance launches support curated retail assortments built around sensory discovery and elevated brand narratives.
