Online discussions in Filipino beauty circles reveal a heightened interest in the signature fragrances of Filipino celebrities. After all, perfumes are a part of self-expression, and Filipino “frag-heads” are eager to know what to use to smell as sexy or confident as their favorite actors, singers, and influencers.
With Heart Evangelista as the newest ambassador of Mugler Fragrances, Filipino fragrance lovers are expected to make a run for the house’s Angel Nova perfume, one of the actress-socialite’s favorites. But other perfumes and colognes have also become best-sellers, especially when the celebrities themselves admit to using them.
We look back on the high-end scents that have become favorites in the Filipino market, and the celebs who buy and use them.
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5 of the Most-Loved High-End Perfumes by Celebrities
These fragrances have been cited as favorites of celebrities apart from the actual perfumes that they endorse commercially. While the real-life “favorites” may change over time, most of these fragrances have already been reported by press outlets over the years.
1. Baccarat Rouge 540, Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Before she became a Mugler ambassador, Heart Evangelista was one of the celebrities who made Baccarat Rouge 540 popular in the country. But it’s not just the Heart effect at work, either: TV host Maine Mendoza told Preview magazine that she also wore the fragrance—retailing for up to PHP 33,250 a bottle—to her wedding to actor-politician Arjo Atayde.
Baccarat Rouge 540 is a unisex fragrance that people either love or hate, thanks to the unconventional combination of sugar, wood, and saffron notes. No matter where fans fall on the Baccarat debate, there’s no denying that perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has created a new classic that smells unique on every individual.
2. Santal 33, Le Labo
In one of her YouTube vlogs, actress Bea Alonzo used the word “assertive” to describe Santal 33, citing it as one of the favorites in her collection. And for good reason: as the name suggests, Santal 33 is a sandalwood fragrance with hints of leather, spice, and powdery florals that stand out confidently from most crowd-pleasing favorites.
Like Baccarat Rouge 540, Santal 33 is meant to be a unisex fragrance with both masculine and feminine appeal. With Le Labo opening their first Philippine branch at Greenbelt 5 in Makati, fragrance lovers no longer need to go abroad to get a whiff of this enigmatic scent.
3. English Pear and Freesia, Jo Malone
Jo Malone fragrances have embodied sophistication for decades, so it stands that Filipinos would gravitate towards the house’s refreshing selections. Actress Max Collins told Cosmopolitan PH that the fresh, floral, and fruity English Pear and Freesia was a longtime favorite, as well as a frequent splurge.
English Pear and Freesia is a crowd-pleaser with a mostly female following, but it hasn’t stopped men from trying the scent out. One example is SB19 band member Stell Ajero, who once went on the record with his love for the fragrance.
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4. Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet, Dior
Prior to their partnership with Penshoppe, the members of girl group BINI revealed their favorite fragrances in various interviews and live video streams. Two BINIs who share the same favorite perfume are Aiah and Mikha, who both count Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet on their fragrance roster.
This version of the iconic Miss Dior has notes of bergamot, rose, and musk, and is a worldwide favorite for its feminine appeal. It’s not too sexy, but it has just the right dose of lighthearted sweetness that also works with the tropical weather.
5. Eclat d’Arpege, Lanvin
Both BINI leader Jhoanna and actress Ellen Adarna have been on the record for wearing and loving Eclat d’Arpege, a floral fragrance with fresh green notes of tea leaves and petitgrain. The fragrance is known for holding up in the tropical heat without being overpowering.
Ellen Adarna also told Preview magazine that, while most perfumes give her migraines, she enjoys Eclat d’Arpege for its “fresh and light” scent. This makes the fragrance an ideal designer choice for scent-sensitive wearers.
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Find Inspiration for Your Next Signature Fragrance
While smelling like a celebrity is fun, every fragrance is personal to the user, and the way a perfume smells ultimately depends on individual body chemistry. That’s why fragrance experts recommend trying on perfumes and colognes in person and in-store before buying to find the right scent for you, regardless of the price tag or hype.
No matter the occasion, it’s always important to smell good on top of practicing proper hygiene and skincare. There’s a reason why Filipino fragrance lovers say that “mabango (fragrant) is the new sexy,” and having a signature scent is an important key to projecting one’s personality to the world at large.
Try putting on a little perfume or cologne the next time you go out, even for errands. You’ll be surprised by what it does to your confidence and may even get some genuine compliments.
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Featured Image by Perfume by KC – Facebook
