Celebrity fragrances have a bad rap, and in most cases, rightfully so. They’re infamous for being cheaply made, poorly designed, sickeningly sweet, over-processed, and underperforming. However, the truth is that not all celebrity-made perfumes are created equal. Sure, most of them were destined to wind up in department store discount bins and on the shelves of nine-year-old Beliebers, but some are totally deserving of your attention. Granted, you have to be willing to put in time and effort to find the diamonds in the rough, but guess what? You’re in luck because I’ve done the legwork for you. The following are the 10 best celebrity perfumes of all time:
1. White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor
White Diamonds is at the top of the list because it’s truly the original celebrity-made fragrance. Launched in 1991 by actress, activist, and icon Elizabeth Taylor, the scent remains one of the best-selling celebrity fragrances of all time. White Diamonds certainly isn’t a scent I’m reaching for today as a 25-year-old, but I like to think it’ll be the perfume I’ll wear as a sophisticated woman “of a certain age.” White Diamonds features top notes of bergamot, neroli, and lily, followed by heart notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose, and patchouli.
2. Heat by Beyonce
Heat is the first of seven fragrances released by Beyonce, and it’s hands-down her best showing. You won’t be surprised to learn that it’s a really warm and spicy fragrance, which is unique in the world of sweet-as-sugar celebrity scents. If you like notes of amber, spice, orange, almond, and peach, you’ll love this perfume.
3. Glow by Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez released Glow in 2002, and every 13-year-old at the time couldn’t wait to get her hands on it (myself included). The scent is really fresh, clean, and soapy, but in the best way possible. The notes in Glow are grapefruit, orange, iris, vanilla, and musk.
4. Jennifer Aniston by Jennifer Aniston
When creating her first fragrance, Jennifer Aniston drew inspiration from her upbringing in California. I think it’s a nice touch that the waves of the Pacific even inspired the bottle. If you’re into fragrances that are both floral and lightly oceanic, you’ll be a fan of this scent and its notes of violet, sandalwood, amber, and jasmine.
5. Pure Honey by Kim Kardashian
This is Kim’s sixth perfume, and it was launched in 2013. I’m into it because it’s so different—it’s a gorgeous mix of honey, beeswax, and rose, which is a unique combination that just works. And as far as celebrity fragrances go, Pure Honey has really great lasting power (my coworker complimented me on my perfume six hours after I spritzed on a sample). I also love the cute little bee charm on the bottle.
6. Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker
One of my friends from high school wore this scent all the time, and I really liked it on her. It’s woodsy, citrusy, and classy, which is a pretty fantastic combination in a fragrance. The top notes in Lovely are rose and nectarine, followed by white daffodil and apple on the finish.
7. Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift
Although this bottle has got to be one of the most silly things I’ve ever seen, I have to admit that the perfume itself is lovely. This is definitely a summer fragrance, with strong top notes of raspberry and green tea, heart notes of honeysuckle, and peach on the base.
8. Curious by Britney Spears
I was completely obsessed with Curious when it launched in 2004. I loved it so much that I was terrified of running out, so I tried to make it last for as long as possible, which was a super bad idea. The perfume turned a nasty shade of greenish-yellow, and it smelled pungent. Long story short, this scent is gorgeous, but use it quickly. If you’re into notes of pear, magnolia, jasmine, and tuberose, then you’ll love Curious.
9. Fame by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s first scent makes the list because it’s just so damn cool. The liquid is black, which is awesome, and the perfume kind of looks like a bottle of poison, which is also awesome (and I mean that in a non-homicidal maniac kind of way, of course). The scent itself is composed of notes of belladonna, honey, tiger orchid, and saffron.
10. Reb’l Fleur by Rihanna
I almost left this one off the list because its name is so unbelievably ridiculous. I hate the apostrophe plunked in the middle of the word, and I hate the lazy attempt at incorporating the French language into the name. But you know what I do not hate? The smell of this perfume. Try as I might. I just can’t hate it. Reb’l Fleur (eye roll) is a very soft, warm, and tropical scent featuring lovely notes of coconut, hibiscus, and violet.
So, what are your thoughts on celebrity scents? Hate them? Like them? (Because, let’s be real, nobody loves them.) Did I leave any of your favorite celebrity-made fragrances off the list? Let me know in the comments!
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I’m Iskra Banović, editor of Blufashion and the voice behind its fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle are my playground, but I’m just as likely to share the messy side of it all, like the time I tested a “must-have” skincare gadget and ended up with glitter stuck in my hair. I love turning trends and everyday finds into something useful (and fun) for real people.