“Animalic fragrances, with (usually) synthetic accords that hint at an animal's backside, can seem like the opposite of what most people expect from perfume: that it should be fresh and clean smelling,” Barbara Herman, founder of Eris Parfums, tells BeautyMatter. “So, I think unless you're a connoisseur of vintage fragrances, or are predisposed to complex smells, animalic fragrances, which are described as ‘dirty’ and sometimes even ‘fecal,’ can feel challenging, at least at the beginning. For some, they're an acquired taste they go on to love. For others, they can never get past the idea that perfume needs to smell clean and unchallenging.”

— Read more in Sex, Death and Decay: The Niche Fragrance Animalic Rebellion Against Crowdpleasing Gourmands at BeautyMatter.