The Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn is known as an epicenter of street fashion and new indie music. However, its atmosphere of somewhat judgmental coolness can wear thin after a while. Fortunately, the “unisex apothecary” called Miomia is located a few blocks away from the relentlessly hip fashion parade of the downtown area, on a quieter block with its own charms. Miomia is a sunny storefront with white shelving and blond-wood floors, the kind of shop where you’re greeted by a friendly dog. While you peruse the shelves, you’ll notice a steady stream of neighbors and regular customers stopping by to re-stock their favorite products, purchase a gift, or just say hello.
Most of Miomia’s fragrance offerings are displayed on a wall to the right-hand side of the shop’s interior. If you browse the rest of the space, you’ll also see hard-to-find product lines such as Cutler haircare, McBride Beauty, lipsticks by Julie Hewett, and matte nail polishes from KO Cosmetics. Featured skincare brands include cult classics both old (Mario Badescu) and new (Embryolisse, reportedly a treasured secret of makeup artists). There's also a well-edited group of grooming products geared towards men (Sharps, Bluebeards Original, and more).
All of Miomia’s merchandise is neatly organized and punctuated by framed magazine pages featuring the products. The boutique’s highly knowledgeable owner, who has selected and tried all the products herself, is on hand with explanations and suggestions if you have any questions. You can also schedule an appointment with the in-house brow-and-makeup artist, who will tend to your beauty needs at his station at the rear of the store. When you’re finished, stop next door at DuMont Burger for lunch.
Fragrance brands: Aroma M, Brandy, Brooklyn Bunny, Escentric Molecules, Hakansson, Histoires de Parfums, Juliette Has a Gun, Malin + Goetz, Monyette Paris, Ren, Smiley, Ulrich Lang.
Best seller: Escentric Molecules Escentric 02.
Not to be missed: The crisp, lettuce-scented Brooklyn Bunny Room and Body Spray, a local collaboration with Christopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume.
Details: 318 Bedford Avenue (between S.1st & S.2nd Streets), Brooklyn, NY 11211; (718) 490-5599; website.
Nearby: CB I Hate Perfume, 93 Wythe Ave.; Woodley & Bunny, 490 Driggs Ave.
— report and image filed by Jessica M.
See also: Perfume Stores in New York City