The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The Sixth emerged from a specific question: what would a fragrance feel like if designed to sharpen perception rather than simply smell good? Vyrao founder Yasmin Sewell collaborated with perfumer Meabh McCurtin, the Science of Wellness team at IFF, and psychic advisor Katt Nicholson to find out. The brief was unconventional from the start, build something around herbs used by Benedictine monks for centuries of meditation, then validate it through modern neuroscience. The result is less a perfume and more a tool. A 2022 release that refuses to pretend scent is purely aesthetic.
What makes The Sixth unusual is the framework behind it. IFF's Science of Wellness program brings Mood Mapping and Scent Emotion research into the formulation process, ingredients were selected not just for how they smell but for how they perform on the nervous system. Angelica, fennel, and wormwood aren't in the pyramid for novelty; they're there because each plays a distinct role in the overall emotional architecture Vyrao is building. Wormwood contributes a subtly bitter, aromatic complexity that adds depth and nuance.
The evolution
The opening hits first with juniper and angelica, clean, resinous, almost astringent. Mint arrives within minutes, pulling the composition toward something cooler and more expansive. The apple surfaces in the heart phase, softening the edges without ever becoming sweet or playful. What surprises is the fennel, it doesn't announce itself but adds an anise-like depth that lingers beneath the surface long after the mint fades. By the drydown, the fir and cedar anchor everything into quiet woods. Oakmoss gives it a textural earthiness that doesn't go green or dirty, just present. On skin, expect six hours with moderate sillage. On fabric, it holds closer and quieter, revealing itself only to whoever's standing nearby.
Cultural impact
The Sixth launched in 2022 at a moment when wellness language had fully penetrated beauty marketing, but fragrance remained largely unchanged. Vyrao's approach, framing scent as consciousness work, partnering with IFF's neuroscience team, collaborating with a psychic advisor, positioned The Sixth as something different from standard niche perfumery. The fragrance doesn't shout for attention; it earns it through consistency. The aromatic profile unfolds progressively across the skin, revealing nuanced layers of herb and earth that interweave with the bright, green accents of fennel.
The House
VyraoVyrao is a London-based fragrance house founded in 2021 by Yasmin Sewell, a former fashion and creative director who transitioned from the fashion industry into perfumery. The brand positions itself at the intersection of fragrance and wellbeing, creating scents designed to evoke specific emotional responses. Vyrao works with independent perfumers including Lyn Harris and Meabh McCurtin to develop its collection. Notable fragrances include Magnetic 70, The Sixth, Sun Rae, Witchy Woo, Free 00, Georgette, I Am Verdant, Mamajuju, Ludeaux, and Ludatrix. The brand secured investment from L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm, which has supported its growth and distribution. Vyrao operates as a standalone fragrance label with retail presence across select stockists and its own channels.
The Creator
Meabh McCurtinMcCurtin’s signature technique blends rigorous molecular analysis with intuitive layering. She favors transparent, light‑weight bases—often a crystal‑clear aldehyde or a soft musk—onto which she adds hand‑picked botanicals such as Irish heather, wild thyme, or sea kelp.
