When it comes to celebrities, we keep up with what they’re wearing, what they’re eating and who they’re dating. But how often do we think about what they smell like? Never mind, don’t answer that. But seriously, if you can’t be a celebrity yourself, you can at least try to smell like one. That’s why we scoured the internet in search of some of their fragrance favorites. These are some of our favorite Black celebs’ signature scents.
Beyoncé
During a London stop on her Renaissance World Tour, Queen Bey stopped by Harrod’s (after the store was closed, of course) to pick up one of her favorite scents, Angel’s Share from Kiliané according to “Who What Wear.”
With notes of cognac, tonka bean and oak wood, Angel’s Share described as warm and spicy – kind of like Beyoncé herself, right?
John Legend
“Ordinary People” singer and long-time coach on “The Voice” John Legend swears by Black Orchid from Tom Ford. With notes of black truffle, black orchid and patchouli, the unisex scent is sweet, woody and incredibly sexy.
“If you smell me coming, it’s because you smell the Black Orchid on me,” Legend told Allure in 2023.
Rihanna
We all know Rihanna has a special place in her heart for her Fenty Eau de Parfum. But according to Stylecaster, Love Don’t Be Shy from Kilian is also one of her faves. The fragrance, which has notes of orange blossom, vanilla, and marshmallow, sounds more like something you’d want to eat than something you’d wear, But fans describe it as light, sweet and long-lasting.
Lizzo
In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Lizzo called Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules is her go-to perfume. With notes of sandalwood, perfumer Geza Schoen describes it as “one of those skin-sexy scents that makes you want to nestle into it,” and Lizzo couldn’t agree more.
“The scent is insane. The idea is that it grabs your pheromones and your body’s oils. It smells really good on me, not to toot my own horn. Toot toot!” she said.
Cynthia Erivo
Actress and singer Cynthia Erivo doesn’t leave home without giving herself a spritz of Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense from Jo Malone London. This unisex scent has notes of lavender, omumbiri myrrh and tonka bean. Fans of the fragrance call it sexy and love that it lasts all day. Erivo, who says she sprays on everything, called it one of the things she can’t live without.
“It’s so sweet and smoky at the same time, and it just works with my body chemistry. It’s been months, and I haven’t used any other fragrance. I spray it on my clothes. I spray it on my hair. People ask me what it is constantly,” she told New York Magazine.
Colman Domingo
When you’re talking about best dressed, actor Colman Domingo always makes the list. And as you can probably imagine, he smells good too, thanks to one of his favorite fragrances, Étoile Filante from Louis Vuitton.
Magnolia, osmanthus and jasmine are the notes you’ll get in this fragrance the brand says “celebrates joy, hope, and beauty in its purest state.”
“This one has perfect notes. It’s strong, it’s iconic, and it’s classy. And look, I love the shape of bottles, too,” he told Penta magazine in 2022.
Winnie Harlow
Model and entrepreneur Winnie Harlow loves to layer her fragrances, putting a sweet scent on top of something masculine and musky. One of her favorite scents to use as a first layer is the lightly musky Aqua Universalis from Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris.
Harlow, who says she discovered the fragrance when she met the brand’s founder at a Fendi event, dished that she gets compliments from other celebs whenever she’s wearing it.
“One time, I was walking the red carpet, and I hugged Saweetie, and she was like, “You smell so good!” she told New York Magazine.