RiRi, with her carefree cool, knows who she is. But, more than her style choices, beauty statements, and hair moments, it appears that RiRi’s scent elicits the most visceral (and immediate) reactions. Everyone seems to be asking Rihanna what perfume she wears.
Sweet perfumes are addictively good, so it’s no surprise that the multi-hyphenate’s signature scent is Kilian Paris’ Love, Don’t Be Shy—which is inspired by a decidedly chic dessert. To learn more about what makes Rihanna’s scent so appealing, we spoke with perfumers Calice Becker and Nicole Mancini. They explain the science behind what makes a scent appealing and offer alternatives to RiRi’s signature perfume.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Rihanna’s smell.
All about Kilian love, don’t be shy
The Inspiration
Becker created Love, Don’t Be Shy as part of a larger project about falling in love. Becker created a scent for this series based on Guimauves, a classic Parisian candy that she compares to a high-end marshmallow, with confectionary sugar and orange flower water.
“Once I saw the recipe that my grandmother used to make this candy, I was fascinated that on the one hand it was simple, but on the other, it was extremely complex,” Becker says. “To create something really refined, you have to go into the minor, minor detail,” according to her. “I believe that is the beauty of luxury. It does not imply high cost; rather, it denotes meticulous attention to detail, with nothing left to chance.”
Fragrance Notes
Along with notes of sugar and orange blossom, Becker used florals such as peony, rose, and honeysuckle to create a nondescript airiness, as well as amber for sophistication.
According to Mancini, many of the most cult fragrances have these back-driven formulas, with the back notes providing the scent’s power and identity. “They’re different from the normal perfume construction, avant-garde in their simplicity,” Mancini declares. “People gravitate towards these aromas because they give them a sense of well-being and comfort. “Think warm, long-lasting, musky, gourmand, woody, or amber mixed with a floral like orange blossom or violet,” she explains.
Becker adds that Love, Don’t Be Shy has a way of compounding itself, making multiple olfactory appearances with its quiet, thoughtful notes. “It’s easy to understand—this type of love at first sight—but it keeps talking to you,” she tells me. “Suddenly, it’s not so obvious, which makes you want to go back.”
Why does Rihanna smell so good?
Perhaps the perceived ease and mystery are what make Love, Don’t Be Shy the best perfume choice for Rihanna. Mancini notes that while the bad gal is not the only one who wears this fragrance, she is the most well-known person associated with it.”Love, Don’t Be Shy is an addictive gourmand with a beautiful floralcy and a touch of freshness on top,” Mancini says. “It seems to be the perfect combination for Rihanna.” Though she doesn’t avoid the spotlight, there’s always a sense that Rihanna is one step ahead—that she knows something you don’t.
Then there’s the science behind it all.”It appears to complement her body chemistry perfectly, which is why it smells so divine,” says Mancini. “Because we each have unique body chemistry, the same perfume smells different on everyone. A person’s diet, skin type, and skin pH influence how perfume wears.” According to Mancini, the fragrance’s irresistible draw is due in part to its sweetness, especially when worn well.
Mancini recommends Prada Paradoxe as a similar sweet scent. This fragrance contains notes of neroli bud, white amber, and white musk, making it the ideal feminine scent. The bottle itself is refillable, so you can feel good about your environmental efforts.
Another floral scent that Mancini compares to Rihanna’s perfume is this Jimmy Choo pick. This fragrance is easy to layer and lasts for a long time. It’s slightly warmer than the Prada perfume mentioned above, with notes of juicy rose, black cherry liquor and moss accord.
If you’re looking for a Rihanna-approved scent, there’s always Fenty Eau de Parfum. This fragrance is a warm, musky floral with magnolia, tangerine, and Bulgarian rose. It’s also entirely made up of middle or “heart” notes, a unique combination that results in a bold and long-lasting fragrance. Given that RiRi created the fragrance with herself in mind, it’s safe to assume she’ll endorse the spritz.
