KEY POINTS:
Britney has seven. J-Lo has six. And Christina has three.
Not, they're not albums, cars or Hollywood homes. We're talking about the billion-dollar industry of celebrity fragrances.
While few would admit to squirting Eau de Celebrity on their wrists before a night out, perfume sales prove that at
least some of us do.
As Christmas approaches and celebs reel out their latest lines of smelly stuff, we take a whiff to find out what celebrity really smells like.
KYLIE
Showtime ($95 for 50ml eau de toilette)
Tagline: The World is Your Stage.
Official description: "A tantalising cocktail of wild strawberry, loganberry and blackcurrant leads into an armload of roses, blue freesias, lilacs and tiare flowers spiked with sweet liquorice. All beautifully balanced on magnetic notes of rosewood, white musk and a praline-vanilla accord."
What it smells like to us: Like jellybeans. Sweet and sugary, it smells good enough to eat. But just like lollies, you may find yourself feeling a bit queasy if you overdose on it.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Inspire ($95 for 100ml eau de parfum)
Tagline: Follow Your Inspiration.
Official description: "A beautiful white floral, with a lightness of touch, twisted with colourful fruit notes. This is a fragrance that's classic and enduring; sweetly feminine and sexy, with a vibrant freesia top note and a heart of beautiful tuberose flower, one of Christina's favourite ingredients."
What it smells like to us: Light, fresh and citrusy. Tastefully restrained, neither the bottle nor the scent match Christina's vampy persona. Colour us surprised.
MARIAH CAREY
Luscious Pink ($125 for 100ml eau de parfum)
Tagline: Embrace the Ethereal.
Official description: "An ethereal harmony of sparkling bellini accords, velvety pink peony and warm sun-kissed wood, the fragrance is a luscious blend of accords as enveloping as Mariah's voice."
What it smells like to us: Nothing much at all, bar the sterilised smell of alcohol. Perhaps Mariah figured the perfume should be as inoffensive as possible, given how positively nauseating the bottle is - complete with holographic sheen and tacky plastic butterfly.
SEAN JOHN
Unforgivable Woman Black ($115 for 75ml)
Tagline: Life Without Passion is Unforgivable.
Official description: "A seductive gourmand."
What it smells like to us: Like a tropical cocktail you might drink out of a coconut while holidaying in the Caribbean. Private jet optional.
USHER
Usher for Men ($119 for 100ml eau de toilette)
Tagline: Get Caught Up in the Scent of Fame.
Official description: "A fresh, woody, musk scent. The fragrance is about cool confidence - whether sophisticated and relaxed in a black tuxedo, or a gentleman in leather jacket and jeans."
What it smells like to us: Like every other generic male cologne - light and fresh, with a trace of spice. Bonus points for the packaging, which doesn't feature a single picture of Usher.
