Rihanna allegedly smells so good, there’s a corner of the internet devoted to discussing it, so it’s safe to say expectations for the first Fenty perfume were high.

Indeed, when Fenty Eau De Parfum landed late last year, it was swift to sell out, being swept off the virtual shelves in less than 24 hours – and, frustratingly, never to be seen again.

If you’ve been waiting patiently for Rihanna's signature scent to finally return, we have good news for you, because that anticipated bronze bottle has just been restocked on the brand's UK site.

Really, Rihanna’s takeover of the perfume world was easy to predict. First came Fenty Beauty in 2017, with its agenda-setting inclusivity. Then, 2020 welcomed Fenty Skin to the UK, rewriting the beauty industry’s overly gendered blueprint to deliver something every one of us can get on board with. So, will Fenty Eau de Parfum change the game in a similar way?

Of course, celebrities coming for fragrance is nothing new – every 00’s teenager doused themselves in a saccharine cloud courtesy of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears or indeed Rihanna in their teenage years (there’s still a place in our heart for Reb’l Fleur).

Fenty EDP

Fenty EDP

Fenty EDP

£145 at edit-elle.hearstapps.com
Credit: .

But Fenty EDP is different. Marketed with a more sophisticated angle (and a premium price tag to match), it represents the evolution of the celebrity scent: gone are the blockbuster ad campaigns, generic juices and shouty packaging, with quality, craft and consideration arriving in their place.

Rihanna sourced the raw materials for Fenty EDP from Grasse, and enlisted LVMH Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletru (the nose behind Issey Miyake, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton’s most accomplished perfumes) to craft the scent. According to the brand, the composition (which sits outside the traditional olfactive families) revolves around top notes of blueberry and tangerine, a heart of rose and geranium, and musk and patchouli in the base.

Fenty perfume: the verdict

So, what does it actually smell like? With no physical stores boasting stock just yet, there’s an element of risk involved in ordering it. However, after managing to sneak a very exclusive first spritz of the scent, we can confirm it’s quite the surprise.

Firstly, it's not as fruity as the top-line info suggests: the blueberry and tangerine notes are fleeting (which will be welcome news for anyone who can still remember the lingering fruit-salad sweetness of those 00’s celeb scents). The floral notes are minimal too, with a deep, powdery rose blending seamlessly into a musky base, sweetened by coconut and a hint of earthy (not cake-like) vanilla. Warm, cosy and sensual, it’ll make you smell like you, only sexier.

ELLE Edit: The Best Fenty Beauty Products
Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
£30 Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Credit: .

The foundation that changed the game, Fenty's original base still sets the standard when it comes to shade inclusivity. The light-yet-matte finish is flawless, too.

Match Stix Contour Skinstick
£27 Match Stix Contour Skinstick
Credit: .

The clever way to contour – these sheer, cool-toned sticks can be swiped strategically and melted in with fingers. 

Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter
£24 Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter
Credit: .

A new addition to the Fenty family, this liquid highlighter is described by Rihanna as 'for anyone who loves to be extra, but never overdone'. 

Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper
£19 Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper
Credit: .

Gloss is back, and this is the only one we want to wear. Glowy, not sticky, it's the ultimate lip-volumiser. 

Less surprising is the fact that Fenty EDP might just be the fragrance to unite us all. A truly masterful scent, it moves beyond the traditional gender boundaries of the fragrance world: not obnoxiously sweet, nor aggressively woody, and easy for anyone to wear day or night. In fact, we've worn it to work meetings, casual brunches and big nights out, and can confirm it works in every scenario. Welcome to the new era of the celebrity scent.

instagramView full post on Instagram