Discovery Set Diaries | Entry No. 04 Octavia Morgan Los Angeles

Hilary Burke
Jan 8
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Los Angeles has my heart — it always will. I went to undergrad there and, in many ways, grew up on the streets of Hollywood. Some of the best and worst moments of my life unfolded in the City of Angels, so when I see a fragrance house emerge from LA, you know I’m diving in nose-first.

I first learned about Octavia Morgan Los Angeles from a fellow fragrance lover, @mrcologne76, who posted about the brand in late December. The aesthetic immediately caught my eye: clean, clear bottles with black caps and black-and-white lettering. Modern. Chic. Minimal. The kind of design that lets the fragrance speak for itself.

Naturally, I went straight to their website to see if a discovery set existed — and thankfully, it did. An 8 x 2mL discovery set went straight into my cart. And then I waited. And waited. And waited.

Turns out COVID had other plans for my nose.

For days, I could do nothing but admire the white box with its gently raised black lettering — housing a discovery set I couldn’t yet explore. While waiting for my sinuses to cooperate, I did a deep dive on the founder herself, Octavia Morgan.

Ms. Morgan is a true powerhouse in the beauty industry — a trailblazer whose brand became the first Black woman-owned prestige fragrance brand at Ulta. Like many of us, her scent memories are deeply tied to the women who raised her. She often references the "intoxicating aromas of grace and elegance carried by the women in her life" — including the wisdom of her grandmother, who famously said:

“A woman is never fully dressed until she sprays her fragrance.”

Wise words, indeed.

The brand was born from Octavia’s own experiences with fragrance sensitivities — something I’m hearing more and more about. Like other pioneers in clean fragrance, the path to developing safe yet luxurious perfumes was long and demanding.

Drawing on her background as a Registered Nurse, Octavia leaned into research and development, refusing to compromise until she created fragrances with the same depth, sillage, and longevity as traditional, mass-produced scents.

What truly sets this house apart is that Octavia isn’t just the founder — she’s also the perfumer. A rare and powerful combination. Her dedication to creating fragrances that are inclusive of skin sensitivities, while preserving the elegance and memory of her grandmother, is felt in every bottle.

The Discovery Experience

Packaging matters — especially when it comes to discovery. The eight samples arrived beautifully presented in the brand’s signature black-and-white box with raised lettering. Instantly, the experience felt luxurious and intentional. I especially loved the addition of the ribbon, making it easy to lift the samples from the box — a small but thoughtful detail that elevated the experience.

California is the thread woven throughout this collection. From Southern California beaches to the towering redwoods of the north, the state’s diverse beauty is exquisitely translated into scent.

Eight fragrances were included in the discovery set including:

I. Legendary - Clean & Earthy

II. Summer Fleur - Bright & Uplifting

III. Dark Rose - Sultry & Sexy

IV. Oud Noir - Mysterious & Intriguing

V. Ciel - Woodsy & Aquatic

VI. L'Affaire - Beautiful & Sweet

VII: Marine Layer - Aquatic & Clean

VIII: Midnight Orchard - Juicy & Chic

Two fragrances not included in the set that I still hope to explore are Casablanca and Vanillin Supreme.

Of the 8 perfumes in this collection, four stood out to me and were immediately added to my Wish List, and one, I am still wrestling with. I have never gone back and forth so much on a fragrance

before...

Let's explore Octavia Morgan.

Marine Layer

Marine Layer opens with sparkling citrus — refreshing and light — like foggy June Gloom mornings along the Pacific Coast Highway, when the marine layer slowly burns off as cooler coastal air meets inland warmth. At its heart, ambergris and lily of the valley bloom together, creating a sweet, intoxicating softness that emerges from the aquatic opening. Cedarwood anchors the base, softened by musk, giving it refinement rather than intensity. You can almost feel the gray skies giving way to sunshine as the day unfolds.

L’Affaire

L’Affaire was an instant emotional connection. Suddenly I was 22 again — tan, carefree, and making Hollywood my home. There’s an effortless quality to this fragrance. Though floral at its core, saffron in the opening tempers the bouquet, quieting it just enough. Amberwood in the heart adds a soft tonka-vanilla sweetness — like a whisper of cake rather than a full dessert. Cedarwood in the base pulls everything together, blending sweetness, florals, and spice into a perfectly balanced Southern California scent.

I’m transported to nighttime drives with the windows down and the sunroof open, KC and JoJo’s “All My Life” playing through the stereo, cruising the Bird Streets with my girlfriends — chasing a house party hosted by a cute waiter-slash-actor from Kings Road Café.

Dark Rose

Dark Rose surprised me — and that’s saying something, because I don’t typically gravitate toward rose. This one is sexy, moody, and true to its name. A juicy plum top note opens the fragrance, rich and almost jammy — deep purple velvet, like the rope outside Teddy’s on Sunset in 1999. Pink peppercorn keeps the sweetness in check, lending spice and boldness. The black rose and cumin heart create a velvety richness without being overwhelming.

Dark Rose is grounded by vanilla and the balsamic, resinous depth of labdanum, the result is romantic, grown, and unapologetically confident. Not a rose lover’s rose — and that’s exactly why I love it.

Ciel

Ciel means “sky” in French, and this fragrance is a tribute to Carmel-by-the-Sea — one of the most magical places in California. It opens with crisp oakmoss and cedarwood, capturing the white sand beaches and dramatic cliffs framed by pine and oak forests. This scent feels like my husband in a soft flannel, a fireside conversation with a friend, charming bistros and art galleries tucked into a coastal hamlet. Bergamot and lemon keep it fresh, while the base of amber, musk, and spice adds a natural, almost animalic warmth — like skin after a long walk through the Monterey pines.

Oud Noir

The jury is still out on Oud Noir — and that’s part of its intrigue. I don’t remember flip-flopping on a fragrance quite like this one. At first, I loved it. Then I didn’t. Then I did again.

I’m not typically an oud lover, but here it’s restrained — present without going full beast mode. Citrus, raspberry, and cassis brighten the opening, cutting through the balsamic richness of the oud and lending subtle sweetness. The heart of rose, vanilla, and amber feels undeniably evening-appropriate — sensual, candlelit, deserving of a lingering goodnight kiss. I just can’t decide if I’ll be asking for a second date.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a truly enjoyable discovery. There are additional fragrances in the line not included in the set — namely Casablanca and Vanillin Supreme — and I’ll absolutely be seeking those out (manifesting discovery samples sent my way).

I’ll be placing an order for L’Affaire immediately, with the others landing squarely on my wish list. I’m grateful to have been introduced to this fragrance house, especially given the thoughtful craftsmanship and sensitivity-forward approach behind each scent. The collection feels elegant, sophisticated, and complex — and I loved experiencing California through scent, especially the vivid memories sparked by Marine Layer, L’Affaire, and Dark Rose.

This is a fragrance house worth exploring for anyone drawn to distinctive compositions that evolve beautifully on the skin and transport you somewhere meaningful.

Discovery Set Diaries is my way of slowing down and letting scent reveal memory, mood, and meaning.