Kess Berlin

Berlin-based beauty and fragrance essentials with streamlined, portable design.

Indie Official Website Also known as: Kess, Kess Berlin

About Kess Berlin

Kess Berlin is a German beauty and fragrance brand founded in 2019 in Berlin by Kaspar von Mellenthin, initially as a direct-to-consumer project within ticketing and live entertainment company CTS Eventim. The brand grew out of a vision to simplify modern beauty routines with intuitive, multifunctional products that fit easily into fast-paced daily life. Kess Berlin operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Eventim, giving it access to corporate backing while maintaining a focused, startup-style product portfolio.

The company began with makeup and "beauty essentials" designed to be easy to use, time-saving, and portable, targeting consumers who want streamlined routines rather than large, complex collections. Its positioning emphasizes vegan, cruelty-free formulas and functional design that can be carried and applied on the go. From this base, Kess Berlin expanded into fragrance with the 030 Eau de Parfum and subsequent 030 fragrance collection, integrating scent into its idea of everyday essentials that travel well.

The fragrance line, built around 030 and related variants, is marketed with a fashion-inspired and urban aesthetic tied closely to Berlin, reflecting the brand's origin in the city. Product communication highlights practical features such as an innovative fragrance case and compact formats intended for daily carry. Overall, Kess Berlin occupies a niche between mass beauty and high-end niche perfume, combining contemporary Berlin style, streamlined routines, and portable design under a single, cohesive concept.

At a Glance

The Brand

Founded 2019
Founder Kaspar von Mellenthin
Country Germany
Category Indie

Scent Personality

Sweetness
Moderate
Freshness
Moderate
Boldness
Moderate
Uniqueness
Moderate

Worth It?

Price ££
Value
High
Accessibility
High

Scent DNA

Modern fruity-floral clean musky soft woody
  • Kess Berlin scents generally aim for everyday wearability, with clear, modern compositions that sit close to the skin and feel easy to integrate into a daily routine
  • The brand favors portable formats and fragrance accessories, reinforcing a practical, on-the-go identity rather than overt flamboyance
  • Fragrances are styled to match its makeup line: contemporary, neat, and uncomplicated rather than heavily ornate or vintage-leaning

Typical Performance

Longevity
Moderate
Projection
Moderate

Positioning

A indie, mid house known for modern fruity-floral compositions.

How It Compares

  • Similar accessibility to Glossier
  • Less complex than Byredo
  • More contemporary and casual than Chanel

Who It's For

Best For

  • Daily office wear
  • Minimalist beauty routines
  • Travel and on-the-go use
  • Younger urban consumers
  • Layering with makeup and body products

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Streamlined, easy-to-understand product concept
  • Portable formats and accessories that suit fast-paced lifestyles
  • Good value within mid-range pricing
  • Coherent branding tied to Berlin and modern aesthetics

Weaknesses

  • Fragrance line is still relatively small and limited in variety
  • Moderate projection may feel too subtle for users who prefer statement scents
  • Positioning between makeup and fragrance can make it less visible to hardcore perfume enthusiasts

Brand Evolution

Kess Berlin started as a makeup-focused, direct-to-consumer brand aimed at intuitive, time-saving beauty essentials. Over a few years it expanded distribution across Europe while keeping its product range curated and functional. The move into fragrance with the 030 Eau de Parfum and its related collection extended the same philosophy into scent, emphasizing portability and everyday use rather than large, traditional perfume wardrobes. As the brand grows, it appears to be refining a lifestyle-oriented concept that bridges makeup, fragrance, and accessories under a unified, Berlin-centric identity.

Quick Verdict

Kess Berlin is a solid option for users who want modern, easy-going fragrance that matches streamlined beauty routines rather than niche collector depth. It is more about practical, portable style than bold artistic perfumery, which is either a strength or a limitation depending on what you are looking for.

Perfumers

Kess Berlin Perfumes