Aedes De Venustas

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At the quiet end of a curvy West Village street, this cozy haven for all that smells delicious has become an essential stop for fragrance fans, including celebs Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, and Hugh Jackman. Run by a knowledgeable German couple, who are expert in helping newcomers navigate the goods, Aedes deals in high-end, hard-to-find perfumes, skin care, candles, and home scents from around the world; in addition to featuring over 40 fragrance brands, including Sylvie and Hierbas de Ibiza, it was one of the first places in town to stock Australian beauty line Jurlique. Though the focus is on bath and body, homes can get the Aedes treatment with room sprays, incense, potpourri, vacuum powder, and candles from Costes and Diptyque. Swathed in burgundy and red, the store is done up in a woodsy forest theme, complete with branches and leaves, and the foliage motif carries over into the purchases, too; for a few bucks extra, gifts can be wrapped in Aedes's signature black-and-gold boxes and topped with fresh flowers. — Marisa Lowenstein

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Perfume (2005)
• Best Beauty Products (2003)

Featured In

• Top Five Beauty Stores (5/18/09)