There’s something undeniably magical about stepping into a space infused with intention, creativity, and nature’s alchemy. This was exactly my experience at the newly opened Très Nagual store in Cape Town—a sensory atelier nestled at 155 Strand Street, De Waterkant.
More than just a fragrance house, Très Nagual is a portal into the unseen, a world where scent becomes story and the ordinary melts into the extraordinary.
The name Très Nagual, loosely translated, means “the very unseen”—a fitting expression for a brand that channels mystery, intuition, and earth-bound wisdom into every product they create.
This is not your average perfumery. Here, fragrance is art, ritual, and reverence all at once. From natural perfumes to nourishing balms, botanical soaps, and skin elixirs, every product is handcrafted in small batches with purpose, presence, and a deep respect for nature.
Upon entering, I was gently guided on a scent journey like no other. Each fragrance unfolded like a whisper of poetry on the skin—a symphony of botanicals, resins, flowers, and roots. It felt like alchemy in its purest form.
This is the world of natural perfumery: immersive, evocative, and intensely personal. Without the crutch of synthetic fragrance, natural scent taps directly into memory, feeling, and primal connection. It’s a return to the wild intelligence of the earth, and Très Nagual invites you to experience this with all your senses.
Florian Baumann (above) has a background in biology and is the primary perfumer behind Très Nagual. His approach to formulation is rooted in science. He also trained as a chef at Silwood in Cape Town, bringing a distinctive blend of culinary expertise—flavor, texture, and aroma—together with a deep understanding of plants and their properties.
Out of the many beautiful blends, two stood out to me:
Number 12 (R1,800) is a contemplative blend of Oud, Immortelle, and Muskroot. It captures that liminal moment when the sun begins to fade, not golden, but neutral and soft—a fleeting stillness suspended in time. Wearing it feels like being wrapped in a mirage of lilies and fairy wings, floating gently in a space that asks nothing of you but presence.
Nefertūm (R1,800) is a vibrant, violet-toned expression of Lime, Amyris, and Blue Lotus. Named after the Egyptian god of rebirth, this scent is pure transformation—intoxicating, serene, and luminous. It invites surrender and balance, evoking the tender power of dawn’s first light.
The collection includes a wide range of unisex fragrances, travel-friendly perfume sticks, skin-loving balms, and a sacred body oil.
Their seasonally formulated bar soaps, liquid botanical wash, and solid shampoo bars bring luxurious care to everyday rituals.
Skincare is another strong point, with healing balms, potent serums, and a body care oil that has quickly become one of my personal favorites (read my blog post HERE).
David Plenderleith (above) is the other half of Très Nagual. His calm presence, quiet enthusiasm, and genuine passion for the brand are immediately evident. He’s also involved in scent development and shares how much he enjoys crafting the stories and inspirations behind each fragrance.
What sets Très Nagual apart is its devotion to the process. Every step—from ingredient sourcing to formulation, packaging, and even waste management—is done with care, transparency, and a cyclical understanding of nature. They avoid plastics, recycle all waste, and source ingredients as locally and sustainably as possible, including from community harvests and farmer cooperatives in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa.
Très Nagual is more than a brand—it’s a movement rooted in reverence, rhythm, and ritual. Whether you’re a perfume lover, a skincare seeker, or simply curious about the world of botanical alchemy, this is a place worth exploring.
Shop online [HERE] or visit the concept store in Cape Town. Trust me, it’s an experience your senses won’t forget.
