Combining personal storytelling, carefully crafted compositions and strong visual identities, these fragrances have managed to appeal to a far wider audience than their creators’ fan bases alone.
Today, many celebrities do far more than simply lend their name to a fragrance: they take an active role in its creation, selecting the notes, designing the bottle and building an entire olfactory universe around their personality.
From Victoria Beckham and Billie Eilish to Ariana Grande, here is a closer look at the celebrity fragrances that have won over consumers well beyond their devoted followers.
These 6 celebrity-created perfumes have made their mark
Portofino '97 by Victoria Beckham Beauty
After conquering the fashion world with her eponymous label, Victoria Beckham ventured into niche perfumery with a refined collection inspired by significant moments in her life.
Among her creations, Portofino '97 holds a special place. The fragrance pays tribute to a trip she took with David Beckham to the Italian Riviera in 1997, a pivotal period in their love story. It captures the essence of the Mediterranean through vibrant citrus notes, bergamot, incense and amber.
Sophisticated, radiant and effortlessly chic, Portofino '97 perfectly reflects the minimalist yet luxurious aesthetic of the former Spice Girl turned respected fashion designer.
From €200 on the Victoria Beckham Beauty website.
Cloud by Ariana Grande
Few celebrities can claim to have created a fragrance as successful as Ariana Grande’s Cloud. Launched in 2018, the perfume quickly went viral on social media and remains one of the best-selling fragrances in several countries today.
Its success lies in a comforting gourmand composition blending lavender, juicy pear, coconut, praline and creamy musks. Many fragrance enthusiasts have even compared Cloud to luxury perfumes that come with a significantly higher price tag.
Instantly recognisable thanks to its bottle perched on a white cloud, the fragrance has become a signature scent for an entire generation. Its immense popularity has also helped transform perceptions of celebrity perfumes, which are now taken far more seriously by beauty enthusiasts.
From €39 on the Nocibé website.
Fenty by Rihanna
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, she revolutionised the cosmetics industry with an inclusive range designed for all skin tones. A few years later, the singer expanded into fragrance with Fenty Eau de Parfum.
Like its founder, the scent is bold and difficult to categorise. It combines magnolia, musk, mandarin, Bulgarian rose, patchouli and blueberry in an intense and sophisticated composition.
The fragrance generated immediate excitement upon its release, fuelled in part by Rihanna’s reputation as one of the best-smelling celebrities in the music industry, according to both fans and those close to her.
From €99 on the Sephora website.
Cosmic by Kylie Jenner
After building a cosmetics empire with Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Jenner took the next step by launching Cosmic, her very first fragrance.
Designed as a warm and enveloping scent, Cosmic blends floral and amber notes with more gourmand accords. Sensual and contemporary, the fragrance reflects the image of the American star herself. The sculptural bottle, inspired by the curves of the human body and celestial forms, aligns with the growing trend of perfume bottles designed as genuine decorative objects.
From €47 on the Kylie Cosmetics website.
Eilish by Billie Eilish
Another singer who has successfully captivated both fans and fragrance lovers alike is Billie Eilish. Rather than opting for the fresh or floral scents often favoured by celebrities, she chose an intensely gourmand composition.
Eilish combines notes of vanilla, cocoa, tonka bean, amber and warm musks to create a comforting and addictive fragrance. The bottle, shaped as a golden bust inspired by classical sculpture, further strengthens the scent’s distinctive identity.
The perfume was an immediate success, quickly going viral on TikTok, particularly among users who favour vanilla-based fragrances and praised the singer’s creation for its captivating trail.
From €66.90 on the Nocibé website.
Rare by Selena Gomez
With Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez has built a brand celebrated for its positive and inclusive approach to beauty. Following the success of its make-up range, launching a fragrance felt like a natural progression for the singer and actress.
Rare reinforces this philosophy with a comforting fragrance that is easy to wear every day. Notes of caramel and pistachio blend with vanilla, spicy ginger and sandalwood to create a distinctive olfactory signature.
From €79 on the Sephora website.
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