It's no secret that we're fans of scent, and we have TikTok to thank for fueling our passion.
The recent surge in interest began with Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540, a fragrance so popular it inspired countless high street fans and brilliant memes. Then there's "PHLUR Missing Person," which moves people to tears (in a good way) because it reminds them of the scent of a loved one, or triggers an intense longing for someone special.
Since then, Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose, Tom Ford Cherry Smoke and Prada Paradoxe have all left their mark, but it's safe to say that no one understands the power of fragrance better than Mona Kattan Elamin.
The entrepreneur's name may sound familiar, especially since her sister (Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty) is one of the cosmetics industry's biggest influencers. But Mona is a beauty expert in her own right, and her niche fragrance brand, Kayali, has quickly become an internet sensation with a host of fragrances.
When I met Mona at London's Mayfair Grand to talk fragrance, she was dressed head to toe in pistachio. When you're considering Kayali's delicious new fragrance, it makes sense to consider that 33 Eau de Parfum Intense was inspired by pistachio ice cream - a brand Mona remains true to.
We're not alone in the bright and airy room filled with pistachios, marshmallows and marshmallows in large jars: next to Mona are father-son perfumer duo Sebastien and Olivier Cresp. Olivier quietly reveals that he is the perfumer behind Thierry Mugler Angel, arguably one of the most iconic fragrances of all time.
When I later discovered that he was also the mastermind behind my first fragrance (Paco Rabanne Black XS, in case you were wondering), not to mention YSL Black Opium, Kenzo's Flower and Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh, I realized I found myself in the presence of the King of Perfume.
It's not every day that three perfume experts meet in a room. With the new season just around the corner, I had to pick out the coolest spring fragrance trends. Here's everything I learned from the best in the industry, including why you should start wearing perfume while you sleep too...
Perfume that smells like your favorite food
Sébastien, Olivier and Mona predict that sweet "edible" notes (also known as "gourmet") will dominate most new fragrances this year. Contrary to the name, this doesn't mean you can eat your perfume, but the flavors are reminiscent of your all-time favorite foods.
Inspired by Mona's favorite pistachio ice cream, Kayali Yum Eau de Parfum comes in flavors ranging from sweet (marshmallows and marshmallows), salty (pistachios and toasted hazelnuts) and warm (whipped cream and sweet rum).
"I personally love using food as inspiration for scents," says Mona, "because of the memories and emotions associated with it. It's calming, exciting and celebratory. When someone asks me what's the best thing about my life so far The moments are when ." "They have nothing to do with business or financial things. It's always the moments when I'm eating with people I love and care about."
Birthday cake is one of Mona's earliest scent memories, evoked in Kayali's viral TikTok Royal Vanilla Sugar Patchouli Intense Eau de Parfum (£79). Olivier said that the warm and soothing aroma of steamed rice is a fragrance he often uses.
Try the Kilian Moonlight In Heaven (£205), with creamy coconut and rice, or the Diptyque L'Eau Papier (£90), which is infused with the scent of steamed rice and cleansed skin. If you want to spend less, try Zara Nuit Eau de Parfum, R29, £12.99, which is equally comfortable and soothing.
Spray perfume before going to bed
Call it overuse - or just maxing out your fragrance - but Mona always sprays her wrists (and sometimes even the sheets) with Khayali Musk Eau de Parfum (£73) before bed. “I can't sleep without it,” Mona said. "When I was single, it was the only time of day when no one smelled me. So it felt super intimate. It's the highest form of using scent as self-love."
Mona is not alone. TikTokers also promote "bedtime scents" that make them feel a certain way, whether it's clean, relaxed, cozy or just a little sexy. Considering perfume can be expensive, why not make the most of it? "When I go to bed, I want to feel happy, soft or sexy," Mona says.
"No matter how you want to feel while you sleep, wearing perfume helps. It also helps me wake up nice because I know my bedding always smells fresh." Now all you need is a Silk pillowcase.
This is the new "skin scent"
Fragrances that smell familiar, soothing and slightly salty (think sweat) are everywhere, thanks to the influence of brands like Glossier You (£49) and PHLUR Missing Person (£96). Perfumers call them "skin scents," and they typically combine notes of musk (which is clean, powdery, and a little soapy) and amber (which is also powdery, but also a little spicy). This spring, however, vanilla is taking over. Olivier says this feeling of sweetness or deliciousness is associated in many ways w
The recent surge in interest began with Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540, a fragrance so popular it inspired countless high street fans and brilliant memes. Then there's "PHLUR Missing Person," which moves people to tears (in a good way) because it reminds them of the scent of a loved one, or triggers an intense longing for someone special.
Since then, Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose, Tom Ford Cherry Smoke and Prada Paradoxe have all left their mark, but it's safe to say that no one understands the power of fragrance better than Mona Kattan Elamin.
The entrepreneur's name may sound familiar, especially since her sister (Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty) is one of the cosmetics industry's biggest influencers. But Mona is a beauty expert in her own right, and her niche fragrance brand, Kayali, has quickly become an internet sensation with a host of fragrances.
When I met Mona at London's Mayfair Grand to talk fragrance, she was dressed head to toe in pistachio. When you're considering Kayali's delicious new fragrance, it makes sense to consider that 33 Eau de Parfum Intense was inspired by pistachio ice cream - a brand Mona remains true to.
We're not alone in the bright and airy room filled with pistachios, marshmallows and marshmallows in large jars: next to Mona are father-son perfumer duo Sebastien and Olivier Cresp. Olivier quietly reveals that he is the perfumer behind Thierry Mugler Angel, arguably one of the most iconic fragrances of all time.
When I later discovered that he was also the mastermind behind my first fragrance (Paco Rabanne Black XS, in case you were wondering), not to mention YSL Black Opium, Kenzo's Flower and Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh, I realized I found myself in the presence of the King of Perfume.
It's not every day that three perfume experts meet in a room. With the new season just around the corner, I had to pick out the coolest spring fragrance trends. Here's everything I learned from the best in the industry, including why you should start wearing perfume while you sleep too...
Perfume that smells like your favorite food
Sébastien, Olivier and Mona predict that sweet "edible" notes (also known as "gourmet") will dominate most new fragrances this year. Contrary to the name, this doesn't mean you can eat your perfume, but the flavors are reminiscent of your all-time favorite foods.
Inspired by Mona's favorite pistachio ice cream, Kayali Yum Eau de Parfum comes in flavors ranging from sweet (marshmallows and marshmallows), salty (pistachios and toasted hazelnuts) and warm (whipped cream and sweet rum).
"I personally love using food as inspiration for scents," says Mona, "because of the memories and emotions associated with it. It's calming, exciting and celebratory. When someone asks me what's the best thing about my life so far The moments are when ." "They have nothing to do with business or financial things. It's always the moments when I'm eating with people I love and care about."
Birthday cake is one of Mona's earliest scent memories, evoked in Kayali's viral TikTok Royal Vanilla Sugar Patchouli Intense Eau de Parfum (£79). Olivier said that the warm and soothing aroma of steamed rice is a fragrance he often uses.
Try the Kilian Moonlight In Heaven (£205), with creamy coconut and rice, or the Diptyque L'Eau Papier (£90), which is infused with the scent of steamed rice and cleansed skin. If you want to spend less, try Zara Nuit Eau de Parfum, R29, £12.99, which is equally comfortable and soothing.
Spray perfume before going to bed
Call it overuse - or just maxing out your fragrance - but Mona always sprays her wrists (and sometimes even the sheets) with Khayali Musk Eau de Parfum (£73) before bed. “I can't sleep without it,” Mona said. "When I was single, it was the only time of day when no one smelled me. So it felt super intimate. It's the highest form of using scent as self-love."
Mona is not alone. TikTokers also promote "bedtime scents" that make them feel a certain way, whether it's clean, relaxed, cozy or just a little sexy. Considering perfume can be expensive, why not make the most of it? "When I go to bed, I want to feel happy, soft or sexy," Mona says.
"No matter how you want to feel while you sleep, wearing perfume helps. It also helps me wake up nice because I know my bedding always smells fresh." Now all you need is a Silk pillowcase.
This is the new "skin scent"
Fragrances that smell familiar, soothing and slightly salty (think sweat) are everywhere, thanks to the influence of brands like Glossier You (£49) and PHLUR Missing Person (£96). Perfumers call them "skin scents," and they typically combine notes of musk (which is clean, powdery, and a little soapy) and amber (which is also powdery, but also a little spicy). This spring, however, vanilla is taking over. Olivier says this feeling of sweetness or deliciousness is associated in many ways w