A Letter from Rashmi

So here’s the thing, I never set out to create a perfume brand.

I’m a mom first, and like any mom, I spend a lot of time trying to protect my son from things that might harm him. One of those things turned out to be perfume. The minute we’d walk into a beauty store filled with all those synthetic, alcohol-heavy fragrances, he’d start coughing, his eyes would water, and we’d have to leave. At first, I thought it was just a phase or maybe he didn’t want me hanging out in beauty stores too long. But as he got older, it didn’t stop.

That’s when it really hit me, why is something that’s supposed to be beautiful and luxurious causing so much discomfort?

I grew up with my two sisters in Dubai, surrounded by the rich, bold scents of Middle Eastern and Indian attars. But my roots go back to India, a place where fragrance isn’t just a luxury, it’s a legacy. From temple flowers to the smell of wet soil after a monsoon, from hand-crushed sandalwood to the zest of fresh citrus, scent is woven into the very soul of our traditions. But somewhere along the way, mainstream perfumes took a turn—lots of chemicals, additives, and mass production.

With Uma is my way of bringing perfume back to where it belongs—natural, water-based, and totally rooted in heritage. This journey started with a deep desire for something better, and I’m so glad my sisters and I are on this path together.

Every bottle is made with Indian-origin natural fragrance oils, directly sourced from farmers who’ve been perfecting their craft for generations. This isn’t just about making a “clean” perfume. It’s about honoring the land, the people, and the traditions that have shaped how we experience fragrance. It’s about proving that you don’t need alcohol-packed formulas to create something that’s luxurious, long-lasting, and totally unique.

Oh, and the name, With Uma? That’s after my mom. She’s always been the one who introduced me to the beauty of nature and flowers, but funny enough, she never liked receiving flowers as gifts. She thought they were lovely, but they’d just die too quickly. That’s where the name came from—something lasting, nature preserved in a bottle—from soil to scent on your skin.

I’m so excited for you to try it.