New Celebrity Fragrances: What Stars Do When They’re Out of Real Work

The formula for celebrity fragrances is this: Attach the name of a celebrity to a bland or overly sweet fragrance and the bottle will sell quickly for a short period of time. Not all celebrity fragrances can be Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds, and most stay on the shelves for a few years and then disappear. But, although we mentioned that celebrity fragrance sales are down – and many won’t buy a perfume with a less-than-desirable celebrity name attached – fragrance companies still churn them out. Avon, for example, put out celebrity fragrances by Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey this past year, while 50 Cent, with an album that no one noticed, came out with his first fragrance.

The latest list of celebrity and non-celebrity fragrances can be read here.

With 50 Cent, when your album doesn’t do well, you create a fragrance to make up for the copies no one bought. While Before I Self Destruct has yet to even go gold, the fragrance released around the same time called Power has a combination of musk, spices, patchouli, and woods. Most men’s colognes focus on one of these fragrance types but, as we’ve seen with celebrity fragrances before, they attempt to smell like multiple types and don’t really go anywhere. While 50 Cent says this smells like “success,” the sales of the cologne have yet to live up to that notion.

Similarly, rapper Nelly has released a fragrance to accompany his Apple Bottoms clothing line. This scent, at least by the description, appears more focused as a women’s perfume. The main notes appear to be floral with some fruit hints. The good news is, while apple blossoms do appear in the mix, the perfume isn’t scented like apples, and the upper notes of citrus, peony, and rose and offset by sandalwood and musk.

Similarly, other B and C-list performers like Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, and Pamela Anderson have all released fragrances – debuts or new to their line – this past year.