While wardrobe, hairstyles, and shoes are the obvious ways we express ourselves, some of us have an appreciation for another aspect of beauty to complete our signature look and the way we feel. Perfume has been the way we speak to others without saying a word. It communicates whether we're flirty, soft, and feminine, earthy and confident, or everything in between. Fragrances do more than help us smell good. If we think about it, it's a part of who we are.
I remember when I first started wearing CHANCE by Chanel. It was a gift and honestly something I would have never purchased for myself. I always admired women who swore by their favorite perfume (they always seemed so put together and womanly), but I never invested in myself that way. After a few sprays of my new favorite fragrance, I started to wonder how I lived without it for so long. I experienced a new level of empowerment, confidence, and womanhood. And that seems to be the consensus about the power of a signature scent.
We talked to five women who dished on what fragrance makes them feel the most powerful, and why they have no plans on ever letting it go.
Karen
Courtesy of Karen
"I love to feel elegant and classy on any day! Sensational by Celine Dion helps me unravel the sweet spots in life, wherever I go. When I smell amazing, I feel good... and when I feel good, I know I can conquer anything!
"This perfume exudes the warm combinations of sweet-smelling jasmine, amber, and sandalwood. It also has notes of frozen pear, apple, and plum. The powerful yet subtle aroma of these scents makes me feel so feminine and ready to take charge!
"A perfume that has the power to motivate me in such a positive way, is definitely a keeper. I always make sure I have this scent close by, ready to make magic whenever I am!"
Tiffany
"I believe a woman's scent is a part of her aura, her energy. The moment I spray on Chanel No. 5 L'eau, not only are my senses heightened but so is my confidence. It's a fresh, sweet, and alluring scent that's lighter than its predecessor, the original Chanel No. 5.
"Wearing Chanel No. 5 L'eau makes me powerful because it evokes emotions and leaves an imprint that stimulates all the senses. I command the room with my presence, leaving a strong impression. But I believe it's my scent that leaves an imprint. Whether it's recognized as sultry, sexy, or strong. Every woman has that fragrance that has a magnetic pull which makes her unforgettable. And for me, it's Chanel No. 5 L'eau."
Candace Junée
Courtesy of Candace Junée
"Smelling good has always been one of the things that has built confidence for me. I love fashion, hair, and beauty so I've always felt that the way I smell is a cherry on top to finish my look for the day. I love getting compliments on how I smell, the way I dress, and how I style my hair.
"Gucci Guilty makes me feel super feminine, elegant, chic, and memorable. It makes me feel confident that I smell as good as I look and feel... and there's nothing more powerful than walking into a room full of confidence from within! Whether I'm on my way to meet with a client or going out for the night, I feel confident that my presence will be remembered."
Moyo
Courtesy of Moyo
"My favorite perfume is Alien by Mugler, along with their body lotion. I absolutely love the smell and the design of the deep-purple glass bottle, which I may add is my favorite color. Since 2018, this has become my signature scent. I was working at my first corporate job, straight out of college when I first purchased this perfume. It was a high-end fragrance that I wanted to gift myself. It's not just another $15 body spray, you know?
"Every time I wear Alien, someone, usually an older woman, compliments my smell and or knows the exact brand that I am wearing, which makes me feel powerful. Knowing that I selected and purchased my own perfume makes me feel powerful. I walk around with a boost of confidence and positive energy. There are so many cliche quotes that remind us of how important perfume is and they are in fact all true. Wearing Alien reminds me of the powerful woman that I am.
"When I put it on Alien, it makes me feel like I can conquer the day. I feel independent and beautiful. It's empowering, feminine, subtle yet strong."
Kyona
Courtesy of Kyona
"Coco by Chanel makes me feel unstoppable yet soft and beautiful! There is always something about getting dressed, doing your hair, perfecting your face, then gracing your body with an impeccable scent to top it all off. Adding this scent makes me feel like everyone who encounters me will see (and smell) how intentional I was about caring for my appearance. Dressing the part is the first step, smelling good just seals the deal!"
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Featured image courtesy of Candace Junée
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
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Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage