RTIH’s Secret Shopper checks out Neh as perfume brand integrates NFC tech with its fragrances

As someone who loves indulging in self-care, spending far too much time (and let’s be honest, money) on products that make me feel and smell delicious, I was particularly intrigued when a box from Neh Perfumes arrived on my doorstep.

For full transparency, I was sent these products via the company’s PR peeps, but as usual, this review is not paid for and reflects my genuine opinion.

Regular readers will know I love exploring new beauty and wellness brands, and Neh seemed right up my alley. Combining luxurious fragrances with a unique self-help twist, Neh isn’t just about smelling good - it’s about feeling good, too. It’s clear that if you’re someone into mindfulness and positive affirmations, Neh is definitely the brand to look into.

And even if you’re not? Well, let’s dive into this review and see what’s on offer.

Scent meets self-help

Neh was founded by Tara Derakshan, a seasoned perfume connoisseur who previously founded SNIPH, a subscription service dedicated to curated fragrance experiences.

Her passion for scent goes beyond the olfactory - it’s tied into wellness, mindfulness, and the transformative power of fragrance. Her own personal journey, surviving and thriving while managing multiple sclerosis (MS), has shaped the ethos behind Neh. The brand aims to elevate perfume into a holistic experience that’s about more than just the scent; it’s about connecting with oneself.

What sets Neh apart from other perfume brands is its unique fusion of mindfulness practices with luxury fragrance.

In my PR box I was given a set of Ceremony Cards, which retail for £22 – 36, high gloss cards filled with daily affirmations and practices that are meant to guide you through moments of reflection and self-connection whilst spraying your perfume.

These affirmations range from lovely and poetic, to, quite honestly, slightly perplexing. For example, one card reads, “I soak in the beauty of life. I am open to the wonders that surround me, be it vibrant colours, harmonious sounds, textures, or moments of peace. I am open to seeing the extraordinary within the ordinary.”

While I’m not entirely sure what all of that means, it does sound beautiful, and I’m sure it’s incredibly helpful for those into mindfulness and positive affirmations.

Along with the Ceremony Cards, Neh also introduces a tech component. Each perfume bottle contains an NFC tag embedded in the packaging. By scanning the tag with a smartphone, you are taken on a sound journey featuring meditations, affirmations, and frequency music.

The goal is to create a moment of mindfulness each time you apply your fragrance - transforming the simple act of wearing perfume into a grounding, reflective practice. This was definitely a new concept for me, but I went in with an open mind.

The technology experience

Let’s talk about the tech. When I first scanned the QR code on the box, I was excited, expecting to be whisked away to a personal self-help journey linked to my perfume.

But when I scanned it, I was taken to the main Neh website - greeted with glowing reviews from Vogue and other top tier publications, along with a cinematic video that looked straight out of a Lana Del Rey music video.

The aesthetic was lovely, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I had assumed the QR code would recognise me as a customer and take me straight to the affirmation or mindfulness exercises.

Once on the website, I clicked “Welcome In,” hoping this would lead me to the mindfulness content tied to the perfume. I was taken to the individual perfume pages, which were a bit easier to navigate. Each perfume came with a poetic description, such as this one for The High:

"The High is about transcending yourself and viewing life from an elevated perspective, where everything is possible. When your consciousness converges with the world around you, the blissful clarity attained allows you to make choices guided by a higher intuition and wisdom. Rise above and tap into the power created when you unlock your limitless potential. Get ready to take yourself higher."

(Yes, I kept the entire description in full because, quite frankly, it’s wonderful!)

I also appreciated the detailed scent notes, which perfume aficionados will love:

●      Top Notes: Litsea, Cannabis Leaf, Eucalyptus, Bergamot

●      Heart Notes: Verbena, Orris

●      Base Notes: White Musk, Clean Leather, Modern Woods

Beyond the scent descriptions, Neh provides additional information, such as each perfume’s concentration (25% for The High) and its natural percentage (72.5%), and The High also informed me it is genderless.

The price for 100 ml of The High sits at £136, which is on the pricier side for a high street shopper, but quite reasonable when compared to luxury fragrance brands.

For those not ready to splurge on the full sized bottle, Neh offers a 6.25 ml Discovery Set for £38 - a fantastic way to try the products before committing to the full sized versions. This is the size that was sent in my PR box, and I was excited to try out each scent.

A multi-sensory experience

Each perfume is accompanied by a sound introduction and daily affirmations - another lovely touch for those into self-care.

When listening to the sound introduction for The High, I was greeted with soothing music and a calm, meditative voice guiding me through a few affirmations. Again, while this isn’t my personal cup of tea, I could see how relaxing this would be for someone who enjoys mindfulness practices.

The affirmations and the soundscape create a peaceful, calming atmosphere, and I can imagine the combination of scent and sound creating a lovely moment of reflection for many. Neh promises that this sensory experience will help you transcend your usual routine and bring you back to your true essence - a tall order, but certainly a unique proposition in the world of perfumery.

The fragrances themselves: A diverse collection

Now, onto the most important part - the perfumes themselves. The six fragrances Neh currently offers each have their own personality and are crafted to inspire different feelings and intentions.

The Light, for example, is a softer, lighter scent, perfect for everyday wear, while The Opening makes a bolder statement, ideal for moments when you want to leave a lasting impression. The perfumes’ staying power is long lasting. You can wear the scents all day without them wearing off. A massive point in their favour.

Each scent feels intentional and carefully crafted, with beautiful blends of natural materials that feel luxurious without being overpowering. The perfumes have a modern, sophisticated feel that could easily hold their own against other luxury brands.

A mindful luxury with room for improvement

Overall, I’d give Neh Perfumes a solid 4/5 stars. The brand’s unique blend of mindfulness, luxury fragrance, and technology is intriguing, and the perfumes themselves are gorgeous.

However, the tech side of things felt a bit underwhelming and confusing at times. I expected a more seamless experience when scanning the NFC tags, but instead, I found myself navigating a website that felt more like a shopping experience than the start of a mindfulness journey.

That said, I appreciate what Neh is trying to do. They are offering something genuinely new in the world of fragrance, and I can see how this combination of scent and self-care would appeal to a lot of people. The scents themselves are stunning, the soundscapes relaxing, and the affirmations offer a positive way to start or end the day.

For those into self-help and luxury beauty, this offering is worth exploring. And for the rest of us? Well, it’s still a lovely fragrance brand, even if the affirmations are a bit much.