Classic Actresses Were Perfume Geniuses

Featured products are independently selected and linked to for practicality. She Wore Stars may receive a small share of sales.

I think we can all agree that when we think about perfumes from decades ago, we immediately think of outdated. Stinky. So potent, the fragrance could fill up an entire theatre.

I am here to clear up the confusion.

classic actresses knew what made a perfume beautiful.

Hollywood was on to something with their choices in perfume for women. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly became iconic for a reason. And they certainly knew how to choose perfume that didn’t chase their fans away.

Nowadays the fragrance counters are full of Chanel, Jimmy Choo, and Burberry. As always, they can create a mood, make you feel sexy, or just simply make you happier with their scent. For better or worse, perfumes are part of our style, almost as much as those visible elements such as a dress, a scarf, or our shoes.

You can channel classic Hollywood fashion in a lot of different ways. When it comes to perfume, classic actresses knew best.

Here’s are a few fragrances to get you started.

Hollywood's Favorite Classic Movie Perfumes for women

Featured

Jun 6, 2017

Marilyn Monroe's [Rumored] Favorite Fragrance

Jun 6, 2017

Chanel No. 5 is the famous perfume most closely associated with Marilyn Monroe . The perfume really was one of her favorites... but there is another that was perhaps even more so…. keep on reading!

Jun 6, 2017

Marilyn Monroe's ACTUAL Favorite Perfume (Probably.)

Jun 6, 2017

Yes, Marilyn Monroe is famous for Chanel No. 5. But let’s talk about the fact that she once ordered half a dozen perfume bottles of Rose Geranium Toilet Water. She had them delivered to the Beverly Hills Hotel.

You can't buy the perfume itself anymore, but if you are curious about the scent, you can still get Rose Geranium bath oil. It’s all you need to pretend you are bathing in one of Hollywood’s swankiest hotels.

Jun 6, 2017

Aug 31, 2017

Perfume for a Princess

Aug 31, 2017

This famous fragrance was commissioned for Grace Kelly’s wedding day to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

The notes of Creed Fleurisimo include bergamot, tuberose, violet, and ambergris.

Aug 31, 2017

Feb 9, 2018

Lucille Ball's Favorite Fragrance: Florida Water

Feb 9, 2018

Lucille Ball’s favorite perfume smells of fresh oranges. It is perfect for a hot summer day.

There is a more ghostly aspect to this selection, though. Reportedly Lucille Ball’s last words were a request for her Florida Water. This seems odd, unless you consider Lucy’s fascination with various aspects of spirituality. Florida water is considered a talisman against evil.

And lest you think it is an old, outdated scent, know that the fragrance keeps a solid spot on the red carpet even nowadays. Solange even wore Florida Water to the Met Gala.

Whether you are buying it for spiritual reasons or for a fresh orange scent is up to you.

Feb 9, 2018

Apr 21, 2018

Bette Davis' Favorite Scent: Tuberose

Apr 21, 2018

One time a reporter asked Bette Davis what she was wearing and she replied “Tuberose”. Shop products (from candles to perfumes) that feature the scent!

Apr 21, 2018

Jul 9, 2018

Ava Gardner's Favorite Perfume: Fracas

Jul 9, 2018

With hints of bergamot, mandarin and lilac, this Parisian-style perfume was one of Ava Gardner’s favorites.

Unlike many classic fragrances, this one is still available. You can grab a bottle of Fracas perfume here.

Jul 9, 2018

Jun 5, 2019

Audrey Hepburn's Favorite Perfume: Givenchy L'Interdit

Jun 5, 2019

With notes of orange blossom, Jasmine and tuberose, this is an homage to the original L'Interdit from 1957 — Audrey Hepburn’s signature fragrance.

Jun 5, 2019

Aug 22, 2019

Mae West's Favorite Perfume: Joy

Aug 22, 2019

The high price tag is attributed to the amount of roses needed to make Mae West's favorite fragrance, Joy -- 28 dozen roses are used to make 30ml!

Aug 22, 2019

more classic hollywood lifestyle inspiration below!

Featured

Sep 9, 2019

Marilyn Monroe's Favorite Books: A Classic Reading List

Sep 9, 2019

One might not think of Marilyn Monroe as a bookworm, but she actually considered literature one of her favorite hobbies. In fact, some argue that she was photographed reading more than she was ever photographed nude.

Knowing this kind of makes the following quote all the more meaningful, doesn’t it?

Sep 9, 2019

Aug 26, 2019

9 Classic Breakup Movies to Help You Survive the End of a Relationship

Aug 26, 2019

The agony of a breakup is undeniable. You read inspiring pick-me-up articles that suggest you exercise, drown yourself in chocolate, and hang out with your gal pals. “Enjoy your independence!” they say.

Meanwhile, you are thinking of all the things you would rather experience than your present heartache. You would rather fall into a river infested with bloodthirsty pirhanas. Get an unexpected phone call from the IRS. Live through a fiery armageddon.

Aug 26, 2019

Aug 15, 2019

Marilyn Monroe's Sexiest Beauty Secret

Aug 15, 2019

With curves that stretched for miles, ruby-red lips, and an inexplicable mystique, we can all agree that Marilyn Monroe is the greatest movie icon to ever live. Movie directors, Playboy magazine, biographies, heck, even Andy Warhol have tried to capture the secret to her allure.

Well, I am going to propose that there was one often-overlooked aspect that Marilyn Monroe always possessed—perhaps key to her image more than her husky voice or her elaborate makeup and fashion.

It is simply this: Marilyn Monroe effectively executed a seductive walk with a hip shimmy that one can’t help but ask, “How did she do that?” The answer might surprise you—and I am here to tell you.

Aug 15, 2019

Dec 4, 2017

Who was Marilyn Monroe? A Bit of a Prankster, Apparently

Dec 4, 2017

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Here in LA the brisk weather is finally starting to set in. Compared to my home stomping grounds of Salt Lake City that isn't saying much (tonight SLC is at a brisk 27 degrees while DTLA is closer to 60) but considering the almost blistering heat in recent weeks, it is still a drastic departure. And just in time, because street vendors are beginning to pull out their hot ciders and hot chocolates, which doesn't really make sense if it is 80 degrees out.

Dec 4, 2017

Featured products are independently selected and linked to for practicality. If you buy something using a link on this page, She Wore Stars may receive a small share of that sale. One of my besties works at eBay so I should probably mention that too. :)