Brown Sugar Babe

Brown Sugar Babe started the way a lot of good small businesses do — with a person solving her own problem. Working a demanding job, the founder discovered aromatherapy as a way to keep her stress in check, and noticed how quickly a good scent could cut through tension. After several trial batches in a home kitchen and a lot of feedback from friends, that became a company.

The line centers on nourishing body oils that pull double duty: fragrance and moisture in one step. Alongside those sit extrait de parfum — a dab of the richest, longest-lasting concentration — plus perfume oils, authentic African black soap and home diffusers.

Two things stand out about the catalog. First, the designer-inspired range, which lets you find the notes you love without the counter price. Second, the men's collection, which is a real line rather than an afterthought.

The founder has kept the mission simple even as production graduated well past that home kitchen: run several tests during production, listen to what customers ask for, and keep the fragrances honest. There is a rewards program for regulars and free domestic shipping over $150.

Based in Atlanta and shipping nationwide. Inhale.