Let’s talk about winter fragrances. Because, baby, this cold weather will not keep us down! And what better way to lift a mood this season than with warm, moody, and seductive scents? Swap out those floral summer scents and serve drama with every spritz instead. Consider spicy cinnamon, cozy vanilla, rich amber, and maybe a touch of smoky leather.
Who knows, maybe you’re going on a date and want to make a great first impression that can lead up to a second date. Or, if you’re staying home watching classics like Insecure, Living Single, Girlfriends, you want to make sure you smell good all day.
Think of your winter scent like your favorite cashmere sweater that makes you feel cozy, confident, and oh-so-irresistible. Whether you’re snuggling by the fire re-watching favs like Insecure and Girlfriends, turning heads at the holiday party, or trying to turn that first date into a second, there’s something for everyone.
Regardless of your goal, you’ll surely be smelling irresistibly good all winter long with the options below. Ready to slay the season? Read on for my favorite winter fragrances.
01
01
Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Travel Spray
I feel like Cleopatra whenever I wear this perfume thanks to notes of vanilla musk, jasmine, and grapefruit. Available at www.tocca.com
02
Victoria Beckham Beauty 21:50 Rêverie Eau de Parfum
Sometimes, you have to treat yourself to a luxury perfume. This fragrance has notes of tobacco leaves, plum, vanilla, cedarwood, and tonka beans. Available at victoriabeckhambeauty.com
This fragrance has notes of black coffee, tonka bean, and sandalwood. It reminds me of the coziness of a campfire—very warm and grounding. Available at www.nordstrom.com
Anok Yai recommended that I wear this on a night out with girlfriends. Safe to say the men were approaching me that night. This fragrance has notes of green mandarin, pear accord, jasmine, and cashmeran. Plus, it looks good on my bathroom shelf.Available at www.sephora.com
This fragrance smells like a butterscotch, and reminds me of mom’s homemade pancakes. Perfect for a cozy winter morning. Available at Lush Cosmetics. Available at www.lush.com
From the first spritz, I was transported to an era of bold ideas and dramatic flair. This scent feels classic with a modern, rebellious twist.Available at trudon.com
Perfumes can be a little pricey, but, thanks to fine’ry, they don’t have to be. This scent has notes of bergamot, black pepper, and hinoki Wood. Available at www.target.com
If you want to feel sexy, cozy, and just a little mysterious, she’s the one for you. This creamy, luscious vanilla scent is far from basic. She’s layered with a smooth, sultry undertone of musk. Trust me, you’ll be turning heads and getting compliments left and right. Slay on, my vanilla-loving queens! Available at www.oakcha.com
This perfume is giving luxury and elegance. A dash of ‘I just stepped off a private jet with my man,’ if you will. I love the notes of caramel, almond, cocoa, tonka bean, and vanilla. Perfect scent for a Hot Girl walk in a tailored coat, leather gloves, and living your absolute best life. Available at krigler.com
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
