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The favourite perfumes of 14 famous women

And the myriad of reasons they love them.

By Jonah Waterhouse

BEAUTYcrew / January 25 2021

Using fashion to define your character is one thing, but the perfume you choose is another important way of representing your own unique sensibilities. (That, and it smells good.)

With plenty of celebrities sharing their beauty secrets in 2020, it was surprisingly difficult to find instances where celebrities discussed their all-time favourite scents, but just like us, stars often choose their favourite fragrances because of sentimental reasons.

For some stars, like Adele, there's nostalgia and lifelong value attached to their chosen scent. For others, like Sophie Turner, it's because the scent in question is versatile, unisex, and can even be shared with a partner.

If you're interested in reading about the preferred scents of stars like Princess Diana, Duchess Meghan Markle, Sienna Miller, Rihanna and Emma Stone, keep scrolling.

Hailey Bieber: R.E.M. by Ariana Grande & Ex Nihilo Amber Sky

Bieber is a girl after our own hearts; she switches between both a splurge and a steal. And while she may not have revealed the exact eaus she spritzes, we have some pretty good guesses based on what she shared...

"There are two fragrances I love. I really like Ariana Grande’s perfumes – that’s not a joke – I think they smell amazing, plus they’re fun and playful." Grande's latest drop? R.E.M., a sweet yet sophisticated blend that smells like heaven. "I do like to switch up the perfumes I wear on a regular basis though, as I get bored of them quite easily. Another fragrance brand I love is Ex Nihilio – they do some beautiful, unique scents," she spilled of her other go-to brand. FYI, this Amber Sky scent from them is downright divine.

Fragrance notes both scents share: sandalwood and tonka bean (as well as a sweet gourmand ingredient each; caramel in R.E.M.'s case, and vanilla in Tonka Sky's).

R.E.M., $29.99 for 30mL, available at Chemist Warehouse
Amber Sky, $360 for 50mL, available at Selfridges

Marilyn Monroe: Chanel No. 5

Monroe helped catapult Chanel No. 5 to global fame when she famously revealed she wears the fragrance (and "nothing else") to bed every night.

In a 1960 interview with Marie Claire, the actress divulged: 'They ask me questions. Just an example: "What do you wear to bed? A pyjama top? The bottoms of the pyjamas? A nightgown?' So I said, 'Chanel No. 5,' because it's the truth… And yet, I don't want to say 'nude.' But it's the truth!" It's little wonder that Chanel ended up using that famous soundbite to promote No. 5 in commercials.

Fragrance notes: Bergamot, neroli, vetiver, musk

$165 for 50mL, available at Myer.

Emma Stone: 'GARDÉNIA' by Chanel Les Exclusifs

Like Marilyn Monroe, Emma Stone has said she sprays a Chanel fragrance every night before bed to relax her senses. For Stone, however, it's the 'GARDÉNIA' scent from the brand's Les Exclusifs line, which features subtle, elegant notes of orange blossom, jasmine and greens.

Fragrance notes: Gardenia, tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine

Price available at Chanel boutiques.

Adele: 'Hypnotic Poison' by Dior

In a 2012 interview with the U.S. version of 60 Minutes, Adele said she'd never accept an offer to endorse a fragrance or beauty product, saying: "I wouldn't wear my own perfume. That's not me being in touch with my fans. I'll always wear the same perfume I've always worn since I was 15."

The "same perfume" she's talking about is Dior's 'Hypnotic Poison'. Housed in a poison apple-reminiscent red bottle, the fragrance smells strongly of vanilla, caramel and fruits, and is the most successful of Dior's 'Poison' fragrance line.

Fragrance notes: Vanilla, caramel, plum, roses

$135 for 50mL, available at Myer.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex: 'Wild Bluebell Cologne' by Jo Malone London

In an interview with The Daily Express in 2015 (quotes per The Age), Duchess Meghan revealed she's a fan of the 'Wild Bluebell Cologne' fragrance by iconic British perfumer Jo Malone. She also said: "Fragrance is my favourite thing, so much so, that if I leave the house and don't put any on, I'll turn around and go back home."

The Duchess is also a fan of Jo Malone's 'Wood Sage & Sea Salt' fragrance, but has said she enjoys 'Wild Bluebell Cologne' for use during the day.

Fragrance notes: Lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, amber, musk

$199 for 100mL, available at Jo Malone.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge: 'White Gardenia Petals' by Illuminum

Unlike Meghan, Duchess Kate has never openly disclosed her favourite fragrance. However, it's widely believed that the Duchess picked the 'White Gardenia Petals' fragrance by Illuminum to wear on her wedding day in 2011, along with her iconic Alexander McQueen gown.

(Naturally, the little-known fragrance sold out everywhere as soon as it was revealed to be a royal favourite.)

Fragrance notes: Coconut, lime, lily, jasmine, amber

Approx. $241 with shipping, available at Illuminum London.

Diana, Princess of Wales: '24, Faubourg' by Hermès

Many know that Princess Diana was a major fan of the boutique fragrance Quelques Fleurs, which she infamously spilled on her wedding dress in 1981 just before walking down the aisle (luckily, it wasn't visible in photos).

However, in her later years, Diana found a new signature scent in '24, Faubourg' by Hermès. Reader's Digest has confirmed that Diana rarely left home without applying the unique floral perfume, and her makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, later told ABC News: "She always, always, always wore fragrance. It's kind of the final touch of beauty, walking out smelling divine and chic and individual."

Fragrance notes: White flowers, iris, amber, sandalwood

$175 for 50mL, available at Hermès.

Rihanna: 'Love, Don't Be Shy' by Kilian

Though not actually confirmed, Rihanna is speculated to be an avid wearer of the 'Love, Don't Be Shy' fragrance by exclusive boutique perfume brand Kilian.

Despite never announcing her love for the fragrance, many stars have commented on the Fenty Beauty founder's luscious, mysterious scent in the past, with beauty YouTuber Jackie Aina finally nailing the traits of the fragrance after she met Rihanna face-to-face. Therefore, we consider this one almost certainly confirmed.

Fragrance notes: Neroli, bergamot, iris, jasmine, sugar

$430 for 50mL, available at Libertine Parfumerie.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: 'Gypsy Water' by Byredo

One look at RHW's Instagram will reveal she's a fragrance obsessive, and rotates between multiple different perfumes. However, the BAZAAR cover star and Rose Inc. founder counts Byredo's 'Gypsy Water' as her all-time favourite, and still swears by the peppery, refreshing scent in 2020.

Cult perfume brand Byredo, founded by Ben Gorham, has become known and well-loved around the world for their unique, versatile scents, aesthetically-pleasing bottle design and unique collaborations.

Fragrance notes: Sandalwood, lemon, bergamot, vanilla

$226 for 50mL, available at Mecca.

Oprah Winfrey: 'Kai' Eau de Parfum

Another celebrity fragrance aficionado, Oprah Winfrey is said to rotate between many different scents, but has a well-documented affinity for 'Kai'—a cult gardenia scent created in Malibu, California that evokes the refreshing aroma of Hawaii.

Per a 2011 Vanity Fair article, Winfrey even helped to create the brand's refreshing body butter—now part of an extensive line of Kai products, which involves soaps, a room spray, and a candle.

Fragrance notes: White flowers, gardenia

$122 for 50mL, available at Mecca.

Nicole Kidman: 'Acqua Di Santa Maria Novella'

Just like her timeless fashion sense, Nicole Kidman also has impeccable taste in fragrances, and appears to opt for the cult variety. In a 2017 interview with InStyle, the Big Little Lies actress listed 'Acqua Di Santa Maria Novella' as one of her 'favourite things'.

Fragrance notes: Mandarin, bergamot, lemon, neroli, lavender

$193 for 100mL, available at Libertine Parfumerie.

Sophie Turner: 'Santal 33' by Le Labo

Turner is a fan of the cult scent 'Santal 33' by New York-based fragrance brand Le Labo, and has admitted that she and her husband, Joe Jonas, share a love for the exclusive scent.

In a 2019 interview with ELLE U.S., the Game of Thrones actress explained: "I love Le Labo Santal 33. My fiancé and I can both use it. The musky smell is a little more manly, but I like men's cologne. We also have it in candles all over our house."

Fragrance notes: Sandalwood, leather, papyrus, cedar, iris, violet

$285 for 50mL, available at Le Labo.

Naomi Campbell: 'Molecule 01' by Escentric Molecules

In a 2016 interview with W magazine, Campbell disclosed that she's a fan of Molecule's cult fragrance, which is said to adapt to your individual aroma and cultivate a unique scent. (In the same interview, the supermodel gave a shoutout to her own eponymous fragrance, just as any good businesswoman would!)

Fragrance notes: Musk, pepper, lemon

$150 for 100mL, available at Mecca.

Sienna Miller: 'Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne' by Jo Malone London

Like Duchess Meghan Markle, Miller is said to be a fan of Jo Malone's universally-loved fragrances—however, her taste is slightly different.

The actress and It-girl is said to favour the brand's refreshing 'Lime Basil & Mandarin' cologne, which remains a constant in her beauty routine. Like the majority of Malone's colognes, the scent is also available to purchase as a candle.

Fragrance notes: Lime, basil, mandarin, lilac, thyme

$199 for 100mL, available at Jo Malone.

Main image credit: @jordanrisa