• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • Sports
  • THE TOP 100
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Spirited new beer garden, cocktail bar, and bakery heats up Washington Avenue
    garten party
    New beer garden, cocktail bar, and bakery heats up Washington Avenue
    By Eric Sandler
    Eric Sandler: 9 things to know in Houston food right now: New York scoop shop coming to Montrose
    9 things to know
    9 things to know in Houston food right now: NYC ice cream in Montrose
    By Eric Sandler
    CultureMap Staff: Meet the maestro behind Spring Branch's hottest new restaurant, plus the hottest food news
    What's Eric Eating Episode 178
    Meet the maestro behind Spring Branch's hottest new restaurant
    By CultureMap Staff

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Rom-com Breaking Fast gives spotlight to underrepresented groups
    Movie Review
    Rom-com Breaking Fast gives spotlight to underrepresented groups
    By Alex Bentley
    Steven Devadanam: Buzzy East End drive-in theater hosts Sundance Film Festival, featuring 6 world premieres
    at the drive-in
    Buzzy East End drive-in theater hosts Sundance Film Festival
    By Steven Devadanam
    Alex Bentley: Cancer drama Our Friend falters with odd choice of focus
    Movie Review
    Cancer drama Our Friend falters with odd choice of focus
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Holocaust Museum of Houston celebrates bravery over hate with gripping free film screening
    a reason to smile
    Holocaust Museum of Houston honors the brave with free film screening
    By Steven Devadanam
    Tarra Gaines: 8 showstopping Houston plays to stream in January
    from stage to screen
    8 showstopping Houston plays to stream in January
    By Tarra Gaines
    Steven Devadanam: Beloved Houston theater company turns to all-digital performances for 2021
    a.d. goes digital
    Beloved Houston theater company turns to all-digital performances
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Global music icon headlines upcoming good-hearted Houston ball
    a real classic
    Global music icon headlines upcoming good-hearted Houston ball
    By Steven Devadanam
    Holly Beretto: Houston chef weds longtime friend in elegant Mexican getaway
    Grateful hearts
    Houston chef weds longtime friend in elegant Mexican getaway
    By Holly Beretto
    Holly Beretto: Houston celebrity chef and fiancée steal away to New Orleans for intimate wedding
    recipe for romance
    Houston star chef and fiancée steal away to NOLA for intimate wedding
    By Holly Beretto

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Holocaust Museum Houston
    Entertainment
    Holocaust Museum Houston
    : Benjy's-Rice Village
    Restaurants
    Benjy's-Rice Village
    : Benjy's-Washington
    Restaurants
    Benjy's-Washington

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : MATCH Family Fun Day
    1.24.21 | 9:00 am
    MATCH Family Fun Day
    : Color Factory
    1.28.21 | 9:30 am
    Color Factory
    : The Heights Morning Market
    2.7.21 | 10:00 am
    The Heights Morning Market

    SPONSORED BY

  • SportsMap
  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Eric Sandler: Houston's hottest and latest food news plus more of the week's top stories
    This Week's Hot Headlines
    Houston's hottest and latest food news plus the week's top stories
    By Eric Sandler
    John Egan: This is how much credit card debt the average Houstonian carries, says report
    Monetary misfortune
    This is how much credit card debt the average Houstonian carries
    By John Egan
    Steven Devadanam: Houston, prepare for major lane closures on I-10 near downtown this weekend
    be prepared to stop
    Prepare for major lane closures on I-10 near downtown this weekend
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Talented Houston jewelry designer unveils new line that's all about simplicity
    going greene
    Houston jewelry designer unveils new line that's all about simplicity
    By Steven Devadanam
    Julia Davila: Where to shop in Houston right now: 6 must-hit spots for January
    WHERE TO SHOP
    Where to shop in Houston right now: 6 must-hit spots for January
    By Julia Davila
    Katie Friel: Texas athleisure brand makes big moves with Nordstrom partnership
    Shopping news
    Texas athleisure brand makes big moves with Nordstrom partnership
    By Katie Friel

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Midtown's first residential high-rise towers with Aussie flair and high-tech living
    introducing fitzroy
    Midtown's first residential high-rise towers with Aussie flair
    By Steven Devadanam
    Chantal Rice: Here's where Houston ranks as a top U.S. housing market in 2021, according to experts
    OPEN HOUSE
    Here's where Houston ranks as a top U.S. housing market in 2021
    By Chantal Rice
    Steven Devadanam: New downtown office tower will rise in bustling Discovery Green
    introducing 1550 on the green
    New downtown office tower will rise in bustling Discovery Green
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Historic Montrose landmark estate courts market at $3.25 million
    Tudor splendor
    Historic Montrose landmark estate courts market at $3.25 million
    By Holly Beretto
    Lindsey Wilson: Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in 2021
    Design Must-Dos
    Home and design experts look ahead to what will be trendy in 2021
    By Lindsey Wilson
    Steven Devadanam: Modern home design and furnishings store sets up shop in Rice Village
    rice goes west
    Modern home design and furnishings store sets up shop in Rice Village
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    : Houston leads the way as a top metro for minority-owned startups
    bayou city brag
    Houston leads the way as a top metro for minority-owned startups
    By Laura Furr Mericas, InnovationMap
    : New study names Texas one of the best states for women-led startups
    Girl Power
    New study names Texas one of the best states for women-led startups
    By Laura Furr Mericas, InnovationMap
    John Egan: Here's how Houston ranks when it comes to tech salaries and job growth
    by the numbers
    Here's how Houston ranks when it comes to tech salaries and job growth
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Texas 'flexcations' and 'boondocking' among top travel trends for 2021
    Leaving the house
    Texas 'flexcations' and 'boondocking' among top travel trends for 2021
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Teresa Gubbins: Texas-based Southwest Airlines rolls out crazy $29 spring break sale
    Spring Break News
    Texas-based Southwest Airlines rolls out crazy $29 spring break sale
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Travel + Leisure heralds this Texas city a top place to visit in 2021
    Bring on the tourists
    Travel + Leisure heralds this Texas city a top place to visit in 2021
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Sports

    THE LATEST

    Ken Hoffman: Ken Hoffman on the national media nightmare sacking the Houston Texans
    the jack of trades
    Ken Hoffman on the national media nightmare sacking the Houston Texans
    By Ken Hoffman
    Steven Devadanam: Houston Rockets trade superstar James Harden in blockbuster deal
    bye bye, beard
    Houston Rockets trade superstar James Harden in blockbuster deal
    By Steven Devadanam
    Steven Devadanam: Major college football bowl game canceled in Houston due to COVID concerns
    no texas bowl
    Major college football bowl game canceled in Houston due to COVID-19
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
  • THE TOP 100
Wedding Planner Houston
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Fashion + Beauty
Casual Elegance
Billy Reid emphasizes casual elegance for men and women in fall lineup
Executive Designer
Designer who dresses America's top female execs opens Houston store
LATEST NEWS
New beer garden, cocktail bar, and bakery heats up Washington Avenue
The Scent Of Success

Houston entrepreneur experiences sweet smell of success with luxury fragrance line

Entrepreneur experiences sweet smell of success with new fragrance

By CultureMap Create
Feb 10, 2016, 11:52 am
Enlarge
Slideshow
Mair Emenogu photo with fragrance
At only 25 years old, Houstonian Mair Emenogu is the owner and founder of MAIR, a non-synthetic fragrance company based in the United States. Courtesy of MAIR
Mair Fragrance bottle photo 2
MAIR's first perfume, Remember When, is a soft, sensual fragrance based in Italian bergamot and jasmine with hints of amber and guaiac wood. Courtesy of MAIR
Mair Emenogu photo with fragrance 2
MAIR's first scent, Remember When, is crafted from the finest essential oils from France and Italy. Courtesy of MAIR
Mair Remember When fragrance
Released last fall, Remember When is the first fragrance offered by MAIR. Courtesy of MAIR
Mair Fragrance bottle photo
Remember When is available for sale on MAIR's website for $74.99. Courtesy of MAIR
Mair Emenogu photo with fragrance
Mair Fragrance bottle photo 2
Mair Emenogu photo with fragrance 2
Mair Remember When fragrance
Mair Fragrance bottle photo

Three years ago, Mair Emenogu was working the front desk for an engineering company in Houston. But now she's experiencing the sweet smell of success. At only 25 years old, the University of Houston graduate is the owner and founder of Houston-based MAIR, a non-synthetic perfume company that recently launched its first fragrance, Remember When.

According to Emenogu, the path from her desk job to owning a fragrance brand all started with her signature. "I was randomly signing my signature when an executive walked in," she explains. "When he saw it, he paused and said, 'Mair, I can see this on a perfume bottle,' handed it back and walked away.

"For three years, every time I heard my name I would always hear 'perfume.' I just couldn't shake it, so one day I started researching essential oils and the art of perfumery and decided this was something I wanted to pursue head-on."

Perfume addict

When Emenogu told friends she had the idea to launch a fragrance line, most of them laughed. "It got so bad, I stopped telling people," she recalls. But she didn't let their skepticism stop her.

As a self-proclaimed "perfume addict," Emenogu says she "knew the fundamentals of perfume already," leading her to begin researching her scent by spending hours upon hours trying to decide which essential oils paired just the way she wanted. Once she settled on the combination of Italian bergamot and jasmine, Emenogu began working with master perfumer Fred Cohen to help turn the raw materials into the final scent.

Cohen added notes of amber and guaiac wood to her existing combination, as well as adjusting the ratio of essential oils, water and alcohol to achieve Emenogu's perfect combination.

"It took 57 times to get it right," she said.

Released in October, the final product — Remember When — is a soft, sensual fragrance based in Italian bergamot and jasmine with hints of amber and guaiac wood.

Unlike the synthetic scents used in many other perfumes on the market, Remember When is crafted using the finest essential oils from France and Italy. The use of high-quality, non-synthetic materials to craft MAIR's fragrances is one of the founding principles of the brand.

"I wanted to give women all the assurances that when they buy this fragrance, they are buying the best," Emenogu says. "My ingredients and all components of the bottle are Eurpoean. My customers truly get the best of both worlds, a French quality fragrance made in the United States."

First of many perfumes

Remember When, which is available for purchase online for $74.99, "is just the first of many perfumes from MAIR," according to Emenogu, adding that the next fragrance will be a cologne for men.

As she moves to craft more scents in the future, Emenogu's motto for creating fragrances is "not just to make people smell good, but for the emotion of happiness and confidence when they do."

She's learned a lot about starting her own business, too. When budding entrepreneurs ask for advice, she says, "First, don't do it alone. Yes you have the dream, but that dream needs to be held up by the support of others in the difficult times. And second, get some repellent because the world of business is often hurtful and you don't have time to take everything people say personally."

Look for Emenogu and her new fragrance at the Houston Ultimate Women's Expo on April 9 at NRG Reliant Center. She will meet with customers at Booth 614.

MAIR can be found on social media at:

  • Instagram at mairfragrance 
  • Facebook at MAIR Fragrance
  • Pinterest at MAIR Fragrance
  • YouTube at MAIR Fragrance
  • Blog —  MAIR In My Own Writing 
Read These Next
Adoptable dog Celeste
Make a friend for life with corgi mix Celeste, now at Houston SPCA
Go Easy women shop
Dallas shop helping ladies live their best life heads to The Heights
Where to Shop: January 2021
Where to shop in Houston right now: 6 must-hit spots for January
Adoptable dog Celeste
Make a friend for life with corgi mix Celeste, now at Houston SPCA
Go Easy women shop
Dallas shop helping ladies live their best life heads to The Heights
Where to Shop: January 2021
Where to shop in Houston right now: 6 must-hit spots for January
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • Houston's hottest and latest food news plus the week's top stories
  • Global music icon headlines upcoming good-hearted Houston ball
  • This is how much credit card debt the average Houstonian carries
  • Houston chef weds longtime friend in elegant Mexican getaway
  • New beer garden, cocktail bar, and bakery heats up Washington Avenue
See All Latest News >
  • Houston chef weds longtime friend in elegant Mexican getaway
  • 9 things to know in Houston food right now: NYC ice cream in Montrose
  • Ken Hoffman on the national media nightmare sacking the Houston Texans
  • Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend
  • 8 things to know in Houston food: Montrose Chinese favorite closes
Vote Now
Houston Real Weddings Winter 2020
1/22
Houston chef weds longtime friend in elegant Mexican getaway
1/4
Houston star chef and fiancée steal away to NOLA for intimate wedding
12/15
Houston couple embraces 2020 with adorable elopement and honeymoon
Hoffman's Houston
1/19
Ken Hoffman on the national media nightmare sacking the Houston Texans
1/11
Hoffman on the Houston Texans move that could mean a superstar's exit
1/4
Hoffman on the Houston Texans star who deserves the NFL's MVP title
Where to Eat Houston
12/16
Where to eat in Houston right now: The very best meals of 2020
11/19
Where to eat in Houston: 9 ghost kitchens delivering the best to-go
9/23
Where to eat in Houston: 11 bars that have reopened as restaurants
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2021 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>