Anisha Riggs
Fragrances are a significant part of self-care for Black women, who have been reported to be the largest consumers of perfumes. Black women have historically been associated with smelling good, and perfume is often the last step in their routine before facing the day. This tradition of showing up in spaces smelling good is a way for Black women to feel in control. The scent of perfume can also be a source of comfort and self-esteem, as it can evoke pleasant memories and improve mood.
Black Girls Smell Good is an online community founded by Maiya Nicole, a beauty educator and fragrance expert, to help women find the perfect scent. The community offers advice on various perfumes, including fruity and sweet fragrances, woody vanilla scents, and fresh, citrusy aromas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfume as self-care | A spray of perfume is the last step in a Black woman's routine to prepare for a long day and face challenges. |
| Perfume as armor | A spritz of perfume reminds Black women of their strength and power. |
| Cultural relevance | Scents can evoke pleasant memories and reduce anxiety, heart rate, and negative moods. |
| Economic relevance | Black and Hispanic Americans contribute significantly to the multimillion-dollar fragrance industry as frequent fragrance wearers. |
| Historical relevance | The historical connections Black people have with scents trace back to the early art of perfumery in Africa. |
| Influencer impact | Influencers like Maiya Nicole and Vania MicKelle are shaping trends and buying habits in the fragrance industry. |
| Fragrance notes | Popular fragrance notes for Black women include vanilla, jasmine, bergamot, citrus, and floral scents. |
| Brand examples | Popular perfume brands for Black women include Dior, YSL, Burberry, and Elizabeth Taylor. |
| Intensity | Black woman-type perfumes are often stronger and longer-lasting than regular fragrances. |
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What You'll Learn
Black women's perfume as self-care
Perfumes and fragrances have become an integral part of self-care for Black women. The art of perfumery has a long history in Africa, and Black women have played a significant role in the success of the fragrance industry.
A Form of Self-Care
For Black women, fragrances are more than just perfumes; they are a way to practice self-care and manage their mental health. LaTasha Brown, a writer in the advertising and media industry, sums it up by saying, "I strongly believe that when you smell good, you feel even better. Whether a feeling of nostalgia or badassness, fragrances can take you back to the good ol' days or redirect you and remind you how dope you are."
Brown also incorporates fragrances throughout her day to shift her energy and mood, especially when working from home. She wears perfumes and uses candles and diffusers to create a soothing atmosphere.
A Cultural Significance
Black women have a deep cultural connection to fragrances, which can be traced back to the early art of perfumery in Africa. Tola L., the founder of a nonprofit based in Los Angeles, understands the importance of scent in self-care. She shared, "Fragrance is a part of Black history. There's no way the industry would have been this successful without us."
Tola L. also ties scent to memories, with her mother and grandmother influencing her fragrance choices and self-care routines. She creates scented experiences by visiting hotels known for their fragrances and shares this joy with her clients and friends by gifting them the hotel's candles.
A Signature Scent
Finding a signature scent is a journey of self-discovery for many Black women. Maiya Nicole, the creator of Black Girls Smell Good (BGSG), wants to ensure that the fragrance experience is thoughtful and informed. She helps others figure out what works for their body scent and how to layer perfumes with scented soaps, shower gels, body oils, and lotions.
Vania MicKelle, another fragrance enthusiast, invests time in her daily fragrance routine as a way to nurture her self-esteem and practice self-care. She shares her passion for perfumes through TikTok and YouTube, offering tips on where to find solid perfume oils and how to layer scents.
A Community for Black Voices
Online communities like PerfumeTok and TikTok's #PerfumeTok provide a platform for Black fragrance experts to share their knowledge and connect with others. These platforms have become a space for Black women to explore and celebrate their love for perfumes and self-care.
A Means to Reduce Stress
With the inequities and aggression Black women face in the workplace, fragrances can be a tool to change the mood and reduce stress. A 2011 study found that scents can evoke psychological and physiological responses, reducing anxiety, heart rates, and negative moods. Clean fragrances can play a small yet significant role in improving the well-being of Black women, especially as they face higher risks of stroke and heart disease.
A Call for Representation
While the fragrance industry thrives with contributions from Black women, there is a need for greater representation in creation and production. Boyd, inspired by her father's passing, is launching her brand of perfumes in 2024. She emphasizes the importance of Black women being "the creators, not just the consumers, of products that have cultural relevance and provide economic mobility."
Boyd encourages the cultivation of flowers, fruits, and other materials to have vertically integrated processes, ensuring that Black women are involved in every step of the perfumery process.
In conclusion, perfumes and fragrances hold a special place in the self-care routines of Black women. Through scent, they find comfort, joy, and a connection to their history and community. It is a tool to navigate their mental health, spark joy, and create safe spaces. As the fragrance industry continues to evolve, the contributions and representation of Black women are essential to its success and cultural relevance.
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Historical connections between Black people and scents
The sense of smell has played a significant role in shaping societies and determining who belongs and who does not. This is evident in the historical connections between Black people and scents, which have been used to create and reinforce racial stereotypes and discrimination.
In the 18th century, racial odour was considered a culturally and environmentally determined characteristic. Writers and natural historians of that time associated specific races with particular bodily senses, including smell. For example, Buffon's natural history argued that "those of Guinea are extremely ugly and have an insufferable stench," while "those of Sofala and Mozambique are handsome and have no bad smell." These stereotypes were linked to cosmetic practices, hygiene, climate, and other environmental factors.
During the same period, dogs were used to track runaway slaves in America, similar to how the Spaniards used them to hunt American Indians. This practice reinforced the idea of detecting the "odour of the racial other," further marginalizing Black people and perpetuating racial stereotypes.
In the early 20th century, Arthur Parker, a scholar of Native America, claimed that "every race has its own peculiar scent." However, he attributed these differences primarily to cultural aspects rather than biological factors. Parker's ideas reflected the prevailing attitudes of the time, which associated negative religious smells with certain races and believed that conversion could change these odours.
The intersection of race, space, and smell has also been studied by Mark Jenner, who critiqued the separation of environment and individual in cultural histories of smell. Jenner's work highlights that ambient smells were believed to permeate people and transform them, blurring the boundaries between human and environment. This further reinforces the notion that ideas about racial scent are constructed and influenced by cultural and environmental factors.
Additionally, the connection between Black culture and cognac in the United States is worth noting. For Black Americans, cognac brands like Hennessy, Courvoisier, or Rémy Martin hold a special significance that dates back to a time when Black people born in America found solace and joy in France during challenging times.
The historical connections between Black people and scents are complex and multifaceted. While scent has been used to marginalize and discriminate against Black individuals, it has also played a role in creating moments of joy and cultural significance. Understanding these connections is essential to comprehending the broader history of race and its intersection with olfactory stereotypes and cultural practices.
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Fragrance influencing on social media
Social media has become a powerful influencer in shaping trends across various industries, including the fragrance industry. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become go-to platforms for fragrance enthusiasts to share their experiences, discover new scents, and make purchasing decisions.
TikTok, in particular, has emerged as a significant driver of fragrance sales. With its short-form, engaging content, fragrance challenges, quick reviews, and unique layering techniques, TikTok has captivated audiences and introduced them to new perfumes. The platform's dedicated fragrance hashtag, #PerfumeTok, has garnered over 5.2 billion views, creating a community of fragrance enthusiasts who share their discoveries, seek recommendations, and discuss the latest trends.
Instagram, with its visual emphasis, has also become a haven for fragrance enthusiasts. Influencers curate aesthetically pleasing content featuring perfume bottles, scent layering experiments, and flatlays. This visual content, along with YouTube's in-depth reviews and exploration, provides a more immersive experience, allowing viewers to virtually discover new fragrances.
The rise of fragrance influencing on social media has led to a culture of hyper-consumption, with consumers rushing to buy fragrances recommended by their favourite influencers without even smelling them first. This has given rise to platforms like AwesomePerfumes.com, which offer curated selections and expert guidance, bridging the gap between the digital fragrance community and a carefully selected fragrance experience.
Influencers like Maiya Nicole, the creator of Black Girls Smell Good (BGSG), aim to bring more thought to the fragrance experience. Nicole, who is also a beauty educator, wants to help others figure out what works for their body scents and navigate the elitism and racism that can exist within the fragrance space.
Social media, therefore, plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer preferences and purchasing decisions in the fragrance industry, with its ability to introduce new products, foster community engagement, and provide immersive experiences.
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The role of influencers in shaping trends
The fragrance industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to the emergence of social media influencers. These individuals have become tastemakers, leveraging their large platforms and dedicated followings to shape trends and consumer preferences. They have become particularly prominent on visual platforms like Instagram, where aesthetically pleasing content featuring perfume bottles and scent layering experiments abound. YouTube, meanwhile, has become a go-to platform for in-depth fragrance reviews and explorations, with influencers dissecting notes, longevity, and overall impressions. TikTok has also played a pivotal role in the fragrance industry, with its short-form, bite-sized fragrance moments captivating audiences and introducing them to new perfumes.
Influencers also play a crucial role in consumer education and awareness. They help their followers discover new fragrances, understand ingredients, and find scents that align with their personalities, moods, and occasions. For example, Maiya Nicole, the creator of Black Girls Smell Good (BGSG), leverages her platform to navigate the elitism and racism in the fragrance space, helping her audience make informed choices.
The impact of influencers on the fragrance industry is undeniable, and their influence will likely continue to shape trends and consumer behaviour. Their ability to disrupt the industry, coupled with their influence over consumers, brands, and retailers, solidifies their role as key tastemakers in the world of perfumery.
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Popular perfumes for Black women
The world of fragrances is an extremely personal one, with scents that are universally loved and others that are not. The fragrance industry has been criticised for its elitism and racism, with sales staff trained to use confusing professional jargon to push expensive perfumes. However, there are many perfumes that have been celebrated for their aromas and are popular among Black women.
One of the most popular perfumes for Black women is Dior's Miss Dior. This perfume is known for its fresh and flowery scent, combining light lilies, spicy peonies, and powdery irises. Another popular option is Black Opium by YSL, which has a seductive aroma with a strong black coffee opening note that settles into a soft vanilla scent. This perfume is perfect for a date night, especially when paired with the body oil. Burberry Her is another popular fragrance that has received many compliments for its sweet candy strawberry scent.
For those looking for something fruity and sweet, a perfume with bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla notes is a great choice. This perfume has a little edge to it, making it perfect for a night out. Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is another fruity option, with a delicate sweetness that uplifts you with pear blossoms and red berries. This scent is perfect for summer festivities.
Some popular summer fragrances include Citrus Riviera, which evokes the Amalfi Coast with its blend of fresh flowers and gleaming blue water. Coconut Cove is another summery scent, with a blend of coconut, hibiscus flowers, soft musk, and bergamot. 202 is a cocktail-inspired fragrance with fresh melon, peach, and mango notes.
When it comes to choosing a signature scent, it's important to take the time to find something that truly resonates with you. While social media influencers may shape trends and buying habits, it's worth seeking out informed opinions and doing your research before investing in a perfume. Fragrance experts like Maiya Nicole of Black Girls Smell Good (BGSG) can provide valuable insights and help you navigate the fragrance world with more thought and intention.
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Frequently asked questions
Some perfumes that smell great on black women include:
- Burberry Her, which smells like sweet candy strawberries
- Dior's Miss Dior, which has a fresh, flowery scent with light lilies, spicy peonies, and powdery irises
- Black Opium by YSL, which has a strong black coffee aroma that settles into a soft vanilla scent
- Citrus Riviera, which smells like the Amalfi Coast with gleaming blue water and fresh flowers
- Flora Gorgeous Gardenia, which has a delicate sweetness with pear blossoms and red berries
Perfume is a form of self-care for black women. Scents can reduce anxiety, heart rates, and negative mood states by bringing up pleasant memories. Black women have historically used perfume as a form of "armor" to face the challenges of the day.
Popular perfume notes that smell great on black women include vanilla, jasmine, bergamot, and fruity or sweet scents.
Black women may use scented body washes, lotions, oils, creams, mists, and hair perfumes to layer their fragrances. They may also use candles and diffusers to fill their space with pleasant scents.
Yes, there are several online communities for black women to discuss perfume and fragrances, including PerfumeTok on TikTok and Black Girls Smell Good, an online community founded by beauty educator and fragrance expert Maiya Nicole.
