Chapter One: The Discovery of a Kiss
I first heard about Mes Bisous in the way you sometimes hear of things that matter, quietly, and from someone who knows you well enough to know it will matter to you.
My husband had just come back from Istanbul, bringing word of the new wave of Turkish perfume houses rising in the West. Among them, one name caught my ear: Mes Bisous , my kisses in French.
As a Turkish-American, I’ve always paid attention to scent. It’s part of how I stay connected to a culture I was born into but grew up at a distance from, through rosewater splashed on skin, lemon cologne poured into guests’ hands, the bitter smoke of black tea and tobacco that lingers long after family dinners.
But this name, Mes Bisous felt like something else.
When I looked them up, I found a world that didn’t quite look like anything I expected from a perfume house. Perfumes packaged in embroidered boxes designed like books, stories folded into scent. It felt personal. Intimate.
I reached out to the founder, Buse Koseoglu, not expecting much, maybe a press kit or a formal response. Instead, she replied directly, warmly. A week later, a package arrived at my door: a Discovery Set of six perfumes, and a full bottle of Balle Rouge, a name as lush and bold as the perfume inside.
Chapter Two: The Woman Who Named Her Kisses
Buse Koseoglu did not come to perfume from the expected path. She studied law and built a career in it before she walked away.
“My journey from law to perfumery was sparked by the realization that I wasn’t truly happy with my career path,” she told me. “The defining moment came when I acknowledged that my passion for fragrance, creativity, and storytelling far outweighed my desire to continue in law. I believe when you do what you love, success naturally follows. For me, pursuing perfumery felt like coming home to what truly brings me joy.”
She named her brand Mes Bisous as a nod to herself, Buse, a name that means “kiss” in Farsi. “The name ‘Mes Bisous’ holds a personal significance for me, as my own name means ‘kiss.’ It felt like a natural connection to name my brand something that embodies affection and intimacy.”
For her, perfume is not about excess or flash, but about closeness. “Just like a kiss, a scent can be powerful, leaving a lasting impression. I see fragrance as a personal weapon of seduction, an invisible yet potent force that allows you to captivate and draw others in.”
Chapter Three: The Discovery Set, Six Stories in Scent
When I opened the Discovery Set, what struck me first was the care, small bottles resting in beautiful boxes, like letters waiting to be read. Each scent has its own story.
Here is what I found, perfume by perfume, along with Koseoglu’s own thoughts on how they were made.
Balle Rouge
A red kiss, as bold as its name suggests. It opens with red berries and iris, powdery and lush, like a trace of vintage lipstick. Violet and rose follow, softening the edges, before woods and musk ground it.
“Each of our perfumes represents a different story of seduction, weaving together emotions, desires, and allure,” she said. “Just like a kiss, a scent can be powerful, leaving a lasting impression.”
Notes: Red berries, iris, violet, rose, musk, woods.
Amberique
The one Koseoglu wears herself. A warm blend of amber, suede, and Turkish rose. It feels smooth, understated, but undeniably present, like skin warmed by sun.
“Amberique embodies a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability, much like my journey of self-discovery,” she told me. “It’s bold yet intimate, empowering yet graceful.”
Notes: Amber, suede, Turkish rose, sandalwood, resin.
A Wondrous Flight
Light and bright, but not simple. Pear and white florals open it softly, orange blossom, jasmine, layered over musk and woods. Like slipping into silk sheets in the morning light.
Notes: Pear, orange blossom, jasmine, musk, woods.
One Night Only
Dark, spicy, fleeting, One Night Only is a perfume that leaves a memory. It opens with saffron and pink pepper, sharp and exciting, before falling into suede and smoky woods, warmed with vanilla and tonka bean.
Notes: Saffron, pink pepper, suede, smoky woods, vanilla, tonka bean.
Oud Hypnotique
An oud that feels smooth, never harsh. Amber and incense wrap around the oud, giving it softness and depth without heaviness.
Notes: Oud, amber, incense, woods.
Tobacco Flirting with Vanilla
This is a perfume that starts as one thing and becomes another, cherry and tobacco swirl together, sweet and smoky, before vanilla softens it into something warm and intimate.
“When we created Tobacco Flirting with Vanilla, we wanted to capture the essence of a playful, seductive relationship. The dominant tobacco represents mystery and strength, while vanilla brings warmth and sweetness. Then, the cherry note adds a touch of naughtiness, making the relationship between the two even more enticing.”
Notes: Cherry, tobacco, vanilla, woods, resin.
Chapter Four: Craft, Care, and Growing Without Losing the Story
Behind these perfumes is a quiet but serious commitment to craft.
“At Mes Bisous, we are committed to using only the finest ingredients sourced from around the world to ensure the highest quality in each fragrance,” Koseoglu said. “Our perfumes are crafted with rare and precious materials, from Turkish rose to exotic spices and rich resins.”
Though her components, bottles, caps, and packaging, are sourced globally, everything is assembled in Turkey. “Our boxes are handmade in Turkey, reflecting the artisanal craftsmanship that is important to our brand.”
From the start, Mes Bisous has grown without outside investors. “No, I haven’t taken on any additional investment since the initial funding from my uncle,” she said. “Mes Bisous has been growing organically, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come on our own.”
Chapter Five: Where Mes Bisous is Headed, A Kiss that Travels
In 2024, Koseoglu relocated to Dubai, a move that reflects both personal and brand evolution. “Relocating to Dubai in 2024 has been an exciting move for both me personally and for the future of Mes Bisous. Dubai is a global hub for luxury and innovation, and its dynamic market has provided us with incredible opportunities for growth.”
But growth won’t mean losing what makes Mes Bisous distinct. Koseoglu remains focused on intimacy, seduction, and storytelling, and she sees a future where perfume becomes more personal, less about brand names and more about emotional connection.
“Consumers are no longer just looking for a scent but a story, an emotional connection, and a reflection of their individuality.”
Chapter Six: A Kiss That Stays
As I write this, Amberique lingers on my skin, soft, warm, like a second skin.
Mes Bisous is a brand built on what is quiet but powerful, on perfume as a kiss that doesn’t fade quickly, but stays in memory.
“Each fragrance is like a kiss, invisible, but unforgettable,” Koseoglu told me.
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