One of the greatest compliments we can ever receive is how good we smell. There’s no better feeling than walking down the street and being asked what we are wearing - and we’re not talking about clothes; we’re talking about fragrance! A good fragrance has a way of making our mark in any room we walk in without using any words. That’s why fragrance is the perfect gift to give ourselves and others. Dare we say it, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Although fragrance is a great gift to pass along to our loved ones, it can also be tricky to decide which one to give, especially if you’re a perfume lover who gets compliments all year. There is an abundance of top fragrance brands with incredible notes to match. Depending on their preference, these notes can sit differently with each nose, which can make the buying process a bit overwhelming. The only solution to this dilemma is to do your research on the best fragrance to gift.
We’ve compiled the best fragrances on the market to help you make the right choice this holiday season. These products have a mix of warm and floral notes to satisfy any sense of smell. Most of this selection is also Black-owned, helping us give back to the communities that serve us the most.
This holiday season, you can feel confident about the fragrance you purchased and who you purchased it from.
FORVR Mood I Am Her
Any product purchased from the iconic brand of Jackie Aina will always be a mood, and this goes for her fragrance too. The I Am Her fragrance is a warm and spicy scent filled with red velvet, pear, and Oud notes. Embrace your feminine energy with this incredibly sensual fragrance.
Chris Collins Lost In Paradise
Wouldn’t we all love to get lost in paradise at any moment? Well, now we can! Chris Collins' Lost In Paradise fragrance makes us one spray away from the getaway of our dreams. This fresh scent is an island paradise with coconut, peach skin, and salted musk notes—the perfect scent for feeling those summer vibes all year long.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Eau de Parfum
Rihanna stole our hearts and pockets when she came out with Fenty Skin and Beauty; now she’s back with a fragrance that has us all in a chokehold. The Fenty Beauty fragrance is a staple, with reviews raving about its unisex complimentary scent. Warm and floras are balanced together to be welcoming for everyone. In addition to this, the product notes are magnolia, musk, and Bulgarian rose.
Naked Beauty Modern Magic
Brooke DeVard has us tuned into her podcast every week, and now she has us locked in on her new fragrance. The perfume was inspired by her move to California, which allowed her to enjoy the beauty around her. The Modern Magic perfume is a piece of California with its delicate neroli, green tea, and sandalwood notes.
Moodeaux Worthy
Want to let your loved ones know how worthy they are to you? Gift them the Worthy fragrance by Moodeaux. This fragrance is unisex, vegan, and cruelty-free, making it the perfect gift for anyone. The notes of this fragrance are also a massive plus for the holiday season. It comprises vanilla woods and relaxing lavender to give you peace and a taste of the holidays.
Kimberly New York Diaspora
When it comes to luxury fragrances, no one does it like Kimberly New York. Their Diaspora fragrance is beloved for its vibrancy. Like the name [Diaspora], the product stays true to an island vibe, carrying pear, crisp apple, Jamaican rose, and champagne. One spray of this perfume will make you want to take a trip to the islands.
Dossier Ambery Vanilla
We understand that fragrance can be a great gift and break the bank at the same time. Investing in a Dossier fragrance can be a great way to add a hint of luxury while still saving money. We highly recommend the Ambery Vanilla fragrance by the budget-friendly brand. YSL Black Opium inspires the product and carries mandarin, pear, pink pepper, and licorice notes. These ingredients give off a warm and sensual scent for those who appreciate a nighttime scent.
Dossier Floral Sandalwood
If a dark, sensual scent isn’t for your loved one, try going for floral scents. Dossier also has a great selection of budget floral scents that won’t break the bank. Their fragrance, Floral Sandalwood, mimics Amyris Femme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Amyris Femme. Similar to the luxury fragrance, it carries notes of pear, tangerine flower, and violet.
Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum
Love your loved ones a little extra this season with a luxury fragrance. Prada Paradoxe perfume is a household staple that is here to stay. This fragrance intensifies the warmth of your body, making it long-lasting while staying warm on the coldest days. Its top notes are jasmine, followed by Ambrofix for the middle, and moss accord on the base. Fall in love with a taste of luxury every time this perfume is in use!
Initio Parfums Prives Atomic Rose
Atomic Rose is a perfect fragrance that can be used all year and on almost any occasion. The notes include Italian bergamot, Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, Egyptian jasmine, and vanilla Madagascar. These notes are all natural and have an explosive balance of day and night. No longer do you have to worry if a scent is day or night appropriate; wear it whenever, wherever.
Libre Yves Saint Laurent
This perfume can barely stay on the shelves without the girls purchasing it immediately. That’s because the scent is truly magnetic to anyone you're walking past. Libre is made with the following notes: lavender, orange blossom, and musk accord. It is also available for a refill, so you no longer have to use the popular fragrance sparingly.
Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Body Mist
Santal & Vetiver is a rich scent at an affordable price. For less than $50, your loved one can indulge in Australian sandalwood and amber aromas. A gentle wave of warm wood gives you the feeling of sitting by a fire on a summer night. This perfume is inviting yet grounding for everyone.
Bella Vita Honey Oud
How great would it be to smell like the dessert we ate at dinner? We can be sweet enough to eat with Bella Vita’s scent, Honey Oud. This great Amazon find is made with honey, vanilla, and bergamot. Remind your loved ones how sweet it is to have them in your life with this incredibly delicious scent.
Brown Girl Jane Dawn
Lighten up the mood with Brown Girl Jane's fresh scent, Dawn. Allow the raspberry blossom, amber, and vanilla notes to take over the room and uplift your mood. The formula gives a rich velvet scent and is praised for its versatility. Wear it today, tomorrow, or any day. No wrong can be done when this scent is in full effect.
Maison Louis Marie No.14
I'm ending this chapter with a rising fan favorite—No.14 by Maison Louis Marie. This perfume is praised for its beautiful floral scent. Available in full and travel sizes, it is described as warm and floral with notes of jasmine, Bulgarian rose, and vanilla. We believe this fragrance is a perfect send-off for the holidays and a look forward to spring.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image courtesy
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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Entertaining Like Ayesha Curry: Expert Advice For Holidays Done Right
Be prepared to wow the crowd.
It’s officially the holiday season, which means parties and gatherings galore. Between Friendsgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve celebrations, many of us are preparing to host loved ones in our homes one or two times between now and the end of the year. No matter the occasion or season, hosting for family and friends is a labor of love. But we can also agree that entertaining can be overwhelming, especially for first-time hosts.
As a seasoned host and entertainer, Ayesha Curry knows something about creating a memorable event for loved ones. Whether preparing for an intimate dinner with your immediate family or hosting a larger crowd, your guests will think you are a pro this holiday season with her tips on everything from welcoming guests to setting a beautiful table.
Q: What is your top tip for hosting?
Ayesha Curry:Part of being a great host is spending time with your guests, which means you can’t be stuck in the kitchen. Prep is key! I usually serve wine with the meal, but a cocktail or mocktail is a great way to greet guests. I prep the garnish the night before and batch the drink just before guests arrive. When the party begins, I pull everything out of the fridge and am ready to serve.
Writer Note: If you would like to offer non-alcoholic beverages for your sober or sober-curious guests, I love Saint Viviana Cab. It maintains full-body cabernet and flavor; no one will ever guess it’s alcohol-free. You can easily create a signature mocktail using Bittermilk’s Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour mix.
Q: Do you suggest any prep for serving or cooking?
AC:I lay out all my serving dishes and utensils the night before with little post-it notes saying what goes where. That way, I’m not digging around for anything. For more elaborate menus, I lay out quarter sheet pans and label them with tape according to the dish. I prep and measure everything for each recipe and then load each sheet pan with everything needed to make the dish. I wrap each tray in saran or foil, stack them, and place them in the fridge. Pull out the sheet pan you need when cooking, and everything is ready. It’s something I learned at the restaurant that saves so much time.
Q: What’s one item that should always be on a dinner party menu?
AC: Bread or roll with butter is excellent for holding guests over if the kitchen is delayed.
Q: What’s one non-menu item you should always have on hand?
AC: For a non-menu item, wine!
Q: How do you decide on a theme or menu for a gathering?
AC: It all starts with the occasion and the guest list. If it’s a group that doesn’t know each other very well, I may get more elaborate with the theme to help break the ice. For a group of friends or family who don’t get to see each other very often, I usually keep it simple so the evening can be all about catching up. A great playlist, good wine, and a family-style menu are all you need.
Q: Should attendees be expected to bring a gift?
AC: If I’m hosting, I’m not expecting gifts. The gift is taking time to come over and enjoy a meal with me! But bringing something to enjoy at the gathering, like a bottle of wine, is always appreciated.
Q: What are three affordable gifts that guests can give a host?
AC:A bag of excellent coffee is a beautiful gift for a host. Sweet July’s House Blend Coffee is sourced from all-female co-ops, so it’s a gift I love to give to the women in my life. Whether it’s being served after dinner or just for the host to enjoy on their own, you can’t go wrong with a bag of high-end coffee.
Fresh flowers are great if you have a host who likes total control over the food and beverage menu. Go for something neutral in color that can work with any décor.
The Sweet July Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar set is my go-to host gift. Bottled in Napa, it’s a gift any foodie will appreciate - and use!
Q: What are some creative tablescape or decor ideas that you love?
AC: I like to keep my dinnerware neutral and classic (like this ceramic collection in nutmeg) and infuse color and texture through linens. For centerpieces, I want to use what I have in my yard. If it’s summer, it might be flowers or greenery, but interesting branches can also look architectural in tall, clear vases next to tapered candles in the colder months. There’s no need to spend a ton of money on flowers.
With Ayesha’s tips, you can create a holiday gathering that your family and friends will cherish forever.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Getty Images