Tanais

TANAIS is an independent fragrance and beauty house founded by Tanaïs, a Brooklyn-based writer, perfumer, and artist. Every scent is a work of art in the truest sense: rooted in personal narrative, cultural memory, and a deep engagement with the materials of perfumery. TANAIS fragrances are not trend-driven or market-tested. They are made for people who wear scent as a form of self-expression and who want something that cannot be found at a department store counter.

The TANAIS range spans extrait de parfum, perfume oils, candles, and lip color, all unified by a commitment to independent craft, intentional storytelling, and the belief that fragrance is one of the most intimate forms of art.

Extrait de Parfum

• MALA. The bestselling TANAIS fragrance. A rich, devotional scent inspired by the mala bead, with warm, resinous, and floral notes.
• LOVERS ROCK. A sensual, deeply personal fragrance inspired by the reggae genre and the intimacy of slow dancing. One of TANAIS's most beloved scents.
• NYMPHAEA. A water lily-inspired fragrance with aquatic, floral, and earthy depth.
• ANCIENTS. A deep, resinous extrait with ancient, ceremonial materials.
• HEART CHAKRA. A green, floral fragrance centered on the heart and the energy of love and connection.
• COSMIC. A celestial, expansive fragrance for those drawn to the otherworldly.
• SÁNDALO. A warm, woody sandalwood-forward extrait with depth and longevity.
• NÅMAKA. Named for the Hawaiian goddess of the sea, a watery, mythic fragrance.
• MATÍ. A bright, Mediterranean-inspired fragrance with warmth and clarity.
• PILGRIMAGE. A contemplative, journey-inspired extrait for the spiritually inclined.

Perfume Oils

TANAIS perfume oils offer the same story-driven scents in a concentrated, skin-close oil format. Available in MALA, MOJAVE, LOVERS ROCK, COSMIC, HEART CHAKRA, and MATÍ. Perfume oils are ideal for layering, for sensitive skin, and for those who prefer a more intimate, close-to-skin fragrance experience.

Candles

• MOJAVE Candle. A desert-inspired candle with dry, warm, and expansive notes.
• HEART CHAKRA Candle. A green, floral candle for meditation, ritual, and intentional space-setting.

Lip Color

• MALA Lipstick. A pigmented lip color inspired by the MALA fragrance, for those who want to wear the full TANAIS world.
• MOON BEAM Lipstick. A luminous, otherworldly lip color.
• Vitamin E Lip Balm. A nourishing, everyday lip treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between extrait de parfum and perfume oil?
Extrait de parfum is an alcohol-based fragrance with a very high concentration of aromatic compounds, typically 20 to 40 percent. It projects more and has a more traditional fine fragrance character. Perfume oil is an alcohol-free, oil-based fragrance that sits closer to the skin, lasts differently, and is often preferred by those with sensitive skin or who want a more intimate scent experience. Both formats carry the full TANAIS story.

Who is TANAIS?
TANAIS is the pen name and brand name of a Brooklyn-based writer, perfumer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans fragrance, literature, and visual art. The brand is rooted in South Asian diasporic identity, queer experience, and a deep engagement with the history and materials of perfumery.

Are TANAIS fragrances long-lasting?
Yes. As extraits de parfum, the TANAIS fragrances are among the most concentrated formats in fine fragrance and are designed for longevity and depth. A small amount goes a long way.

Shop the bestselling MALA Extrait de Parfum, explore our full Fragrance collection, or discover more from our Female Founders collection.