Xinú Perfume
Natural fragrances, handcrafted in Mexico
By Patrick JanelleFormed in late 2016 by Verónica Peña, Ignacio Cadena, and Héctor Esrawe, Xinú (a word that means “nose” in the indigenous Mexican language, Otomi) creates fragrances based on plant life found in Mexico and the Americas—”Aromatic Botany” as the brand describes it. The founders worked with renowned Mexican perfumer, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, to develop their current lineup of four fragrances. My favorite is Monstera, a fragrance largely derived from the hip, leafy plant of the same name.
To get to the showroom, which is located in Mexico City’s posh Polanco neighborhood, you press a buzzer at the ground floor, make your way through a couple of starkly beautiful rooms and up a slate-colored set of stairs. Fragrances are displayed on a massive table that is luxuriously layered with plant life, sketches, fragrance chambers, and other ephemera.
Surrounded on two sides by garden terraces, the showroom is also a nice place to relax and enjoy a glass of water or small cup of Mezcal as you try a few fragrances and let them settle onto your skin. And maybe, after a little rest, you might find yourself inclined to purchase a Mexico City memory, like I did.
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I found this one at Xinú’s showroom in Mexico City, a chic hideaway in Polanco and a must-visit when in CDMX. Not only does it have an eye-catching, gorgeous design, but the scent is literally made from the flower of the monstera plant—a surprising use for the ubiquitous millennial houseplant. Its full, bright green leaf and floral notes are balanced with dark soil and rich earth, exactly how you think the jungle would smell. Despite its deep richness, this is a summertime scent for me. When I put it on, I think of brunch outside as the sun begins to warm my skin. So not exactly the jungle, but it transports you all the same.