I'm a Fragrance Snob, But These Celebrity Perfumes Are Surprisingly Good
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@chrisappleton1For me, there is basically only one celebrity perfume, and it's this one: Glow by J.Lo. First launched in 2002, this perfume changed the landscape for celebrity scents. It was an instant hit—a fresh, fruity, floral blend of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, rose and musk—and 13-year-old me went wild for it. And I have to say that nearly 20 years later, I think this perfume really holds its own. Okay, it's of course instantly recognizable, but to me, it's still uplifting, warming and (dare I say it) glowy. I rediscovered this during lockdown, and it was just the kind of perfume comfort blanket that I needed. Glow, long may you continue.
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Getty ImagesBritney is the undisputed queen of celebrity perfumes, with well over 20 fragrances under her belt, but her 2005 launch, Fantasy, has to be one of her most iconic. I'll admit it; unlike my devotion to Glow, I had never smelt a Britney fragrance before researching this feature. Fantasy is undeniably sweet and fruity with notes of red lychee, kiwi, white chocolate, and musk. If you like sweet scents, then you'll adore this, and it's definitely moreish. Plus, I'm kind of into that Y2K Swarovski-studded bottle.
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GETTY IMAGESClearly, 2005 was a big year for celebrity perfumes, as Sarah Jessica Parker dipped her toe into the fragrance market with Lovely. This is a classic, sparkling floral perfume that smells way more expensive than it is. It has top notes of lavender, bergamot and fresh mandarin; heart notes of patchouli and orchid; and base notes of cedar and white amber. It's sophisticated, feminine and as delightful as SJP herself.
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@arianagrandeIt was Who What Wear contributor Vanese who first switched me on to this Ari scent in a roundup of her favorite sweet perfumes—and sweet it certainly is. However, while reading the list of notes might sound like a headache waiting to happen (white pear, wild raspberry, coconut, and macaroon sugar, to name a few), this is a pleasingly bright, fizzy perfume with hints of rose and velvet musk preventing it from turning into a sugar crash.
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@beyonceThe year is 2010. Beyoncé has just finished a 108-date world tour. You haven't been able to go to a club for the last two years without someone screeching "Single Ladies" on the dance floor at the end of the night. It is time for Beyoncé to enter the beauty market. Heat is sultry, spicy, and deep—the floral notes are heady (orchid, magnolia, and neroli) while amber, tonka bean, and almond lend this perfume an unexpected depth.
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GETTY IMAGESBritney Spears's perfumes have always been popular, but as she has dominated headlines recently over her conservatorship, the sales of her fragrances have skyrocketed. Since she announced her engagement, Fragrance Direct has reported a 310% increase in the sales of Britney perfumes, with Private Show—a creamy gourmand scent inspired by coffee and dulce de leche—proving most popular. "Since Britney Spears announced her engagement on Instagram, we’ve actually seen increased interest in the Britney fragrances on our site," explained fragrance expert Mia Gardner. "One of our best-selling Britney products since the announcement is the Britney Spears Private Show EDP Spray, which has seen a 200% increase in sales since last week and has since sold out."
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@badgalririIf you ask me, this Rihanna perfume is seriously underrated in the world of celebrity perfumes. It first launched in 2012—a decade after my beloved Glow by J.Lo—but it delivers the same familiar, skin-like comfort. It's woody, creamy, and warm with notes of sandalwood, vanilla orchid and musk, and I'd happily wear this as part of my regular perfume rotation. Oh, and just in case you missed it, she also launched Fenty Eau de Parfum back in 2021.
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@kimkardashianKim Kardashian did the most to keep celebrity perfumes relevant in the 21st century with her 2012 launch True Reflection. It smells super expensive with lush notes of Italian bergamot, plum, peach, gardenia, chocolate orchid, and lotus flower. It's a bit watery but also extremely light, feminine, and airy.
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GETTY IMAGESThis is a summer-ready, beachy scent that instantly evokes the sun, sea, and sand that California girl Jennifer Aniston loves so much. The eponymous fragrance first launched in 2010 and was Aniston's foray into the world of beauty—and it's a real crowd-pleaser. A mix of citrus notes, rose water, violet, and jasmine, it's a light, fresh, breezy perfume that really holds its own.
