logo
Perfume Is the New Status Hoodie

Perfume Is the New Status Hoodie

Welcome back to Haul of Fame, your must-read beauty roundup for new products, new ideas and a return to that menacing pastel eyeshadow from Jawbreaker.
Included in today's issue: Addiction Tokyo, Beauty Creations, Billie, Brush On Block, Colourpop, Dermatologist's Choice Skincare, Glossier, Hilary Duff, Iris&Romeo, Noteworthy, Oribe, Prequel, Rhode, Shark Beauty, Thrive Causemetics, Tonymoly, Trixie Mattel, Tweezerman, Typology, Vera Wang, Wonderskin, YSE Beauty and that creative writing class you kept skipping in college.
But first…
Once upon a time in Beverly Hills, there was a war on prom night. It was 1991, and the suburban teen arriviste Brenda Walsh wore the same off-the-shoulder cocktail dress as the school's ruling golden girl, Kelly Taylor. A catfight ensued. Nails were broken. YouTube tributes were dropped.
It's been 25 years, but Alex Brands says high schoolers still panic when their friend arrives wearing the same thing. 'It wouldn't be a dress now, though,' he explained to me. 'The most offense happens when you steal someone's smell. It's like infringing on their identity.'
Brands has some experience with this as the former marketing head of Madhappy, the coveted hoodie label with a cool-kid value somewhere between LoveShackFancy and a forbidden vape. At the streetwear label, Brands built collaborations with everyone from Gigi Hadid to Larry David. (Fictional celebrities like Buzz Lightyear were also beamed into the label via Pixar deals.) His work also served as a silent prototype for Rare Beauty by wrapping Madhappy's mental health charity in a product you could wear like a brag.
On May 2, the Brooklyn-based strategist is launching Rite of Way, a fragrance label that, in his words, 'brings fragrance from your bathroom to your closet.' If Brands has it his way, you won't think of your perfumes as beauty items. Instead, they'll be just like your favorite hoodies, dresses and jackets. 'Just in the past few years, we've seen this giant shift in how people consume fragrance,' said Brands, who conducted over a year of market research before hitting the buy button on his website. 'You used to have just one way to smell. Your grandmother had her scent. That was it. But now, people are becoming what I call a wardrober. They have two to 20 scents in a cabinet. They're picking what they want to wear based on the version of themselves they want to step into. It's become a big part of their outfit.'
'Fragrance wardrobes' — the practice of having a capsule collection of perfumes, as if they're go-to outfits —made a minor show in the 2010s, when Dior and YSL touted the concept to launch multi-product scent sets. Major fashion magazines gamely played along because: advertising. There were always a few girls (me included) who would layer two scents at once, just to keep people guessing. But while real frag-heads may have had a sincere perfume rotation, the idea that a perfume was more like a once-a-week dress than a daily mascara is fairly new for mainstream beauty shoppers. It wasn't until this year that Piper Sandler put the concept on its teen market brief, marking the shift as part of a 22% rise in teen category spending.
Alex Brands is bootstrapping Rite of Way himself. He's mobilized friends, called in favors, built a supply chain that's almost entirely US-based, 'except for the glass bottles,' so he can communicate directly with all involved parties. Joey Rosin from Hoax Parfum is the nose; Fisk Projects, the creative directors behind album covers for artists like Clairo and bands like Paramore, is doing the visuals. 'I've spent in the high tens of thousands,' he said, noting that next week's launch won't include any paid advertising. 'With fragrance, I think we really overestimate influencer reach online,' he said. 'We underestimate word of mouth,' and the way a social circle can ripple outward in key areas like Manhattan's Lower East Side, where Rite of Way will have its first party this month at the indie retailer Colbo.
Rite of Way's first scent will be called Outer Realm. 'It's chaos, bottled,' said Brands. He's sort of joking but you can tell he means it. Inspired by the disruptive art manifestos of dancer and choreographer Gabrielle Roth, the scent has notes of citron, juniper and saffron and retails for $188. 'It's kind of a hype-up scent,' he explains. 'We all have that one thing we wear to make us feel powerful.' The vintage YSL blazer; the Khaite jean; the WNE oxford shirt that's a little too big; and yes, if you're in high school (or working at a nebulous 'creative agency'), the status hoodie that might just be Madhappy.
Brands is banking on adding Outer Realm and later, other Rite of Way fragrances, to that list. But also… yes… there will be a sweatshirt, along with a few other merch items created by Colin Smight at Cul de Sac studios, who is also the creative director for Alex Cooper's projects, including 'Call Her Daddy' and Unwell. 'We want to build a whole world for Rite of Way to increase the surface area of the brand,' Brands explained, adding that the merch items 'add texture' to the scents. 'We want people to say, 'What is that? Who are they about?' We want to have a small halo of Rite of Way merch surrounding every scent to add texture.
'Scent is the sun in this little universe,' he continued, 'But you can't build a universe that you can't see.' What else is new... Skincare
'French Girl Eye Cream' will not make you look as well-rested as universal healthcare, locally grown food and great wine, but Typology would like to make you an offer anyway. The French brand's A30 Eye Serum hit shelves on April 21 with retinoids and hyaluronic acid.
If you saw a giant poster of an armpit on the street, would you stop and smell it? Billie is betting their ad money on it. The personal care brand debuted a 'scratch and sniff the pits' campaign in NYC on April 21. The purpose is to amplify its Coco Villa All Day Deodorant. The intended target audience is likely not a bunch of 13-year-old boys, but that's who will be the most engaged here. And if Billie can get junior high soccer teams to stop smelling like Axe Body Spray and start smelling like candy coconut, the brand may earn a lot of goodwill with teen parents.
Tweezerman is celebrating its sapphire anniversary (45 years!) with a version of its classic Slant Tweezer that's been cast in deep blue enamel and encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
On April 24, Brush on Block launched SOL SPF 50, a mineral-based sunscreen that sprays on white so you can see where you need coverage, but turns invisible once it's settled onto the skin. Makeup
When a drag queen tells you where she gets her eye makeup, believe her (and buy it, too). On April 18, Trixie Mattel dropped Hotline Brown, a liquid gel liner. This is serious stuff — it comes in a pot and you need a liner brush for it — and costs $18.
My fave genre of GRWM is 'celebrity who has her own beauty line, but uses a competing product anyway.' This is not sarcasm; it's truly brilliant when a star admits she lives in the world, not her own branding campaign. It also ups the celebrity's trust factor a zillion percent, which is useful when they're asking you to buy things. Hailey Bieber is a master at this particular genre, and on April 22, she applied Tonymoly's $22 Cheek Tone Jelly Blusher on top of her own $24 Rhode Pocket Blush, along with a Kosas concealer.
Addiction Tokyo debuted its Harmonious Synergy collection on April 22 with eight eyeshadow singles ($22 each) in 1990s-throwback hues like mint blue and yellow-green, along with two liquid liners ($24) in shimmery brown and sparkly red-beige.
Congratulations to Dermatologist's Choice Skincare for dropping its Glycolic Peel Pads and TCA Toning Pads on April 22. Congratulations, also, for picking a brand name with guaranteed SEO value. Very smart.
Prequel's doing colour now! The skincare brand launched Lip Visor, a rosy minty gloss on April 23. It also comes in clear; both shades are $14 and come with SPF 30.
Thrive Causemetics debuted a Berry Collection on April 23 that includes a purple-brown mascara ($26) and three lip shades ($26 – $28) described as 'warm plum' and 'plum mauve' on the brand's website. No, plum is not a berry. Yes, it's still a super pretty shade for lip stuff.
Wonderskin introduced its Phlush Stick ($26) on April 23. It's a 'custom color' blush with the consistency of Milk's Jelly collection, and it changes tints through 'pH adjusting pigment technology' to create a skin-powered pink shade.
First, Sabrina Carpenter gets everyone to wear butter yellow. Now she's moving makeup giants to name their stuff 'espresso.' The newest entrant is Glossier, with Espresso Balm Dot Com hitting shelves on April 24.
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your lip gloss. On April 24, Colourpop released a 'Tangled' collab including a shadow palette, highlighter, face glitter and three shades of sparkly gloss.
Beauty Creations dropped a whopping 24 makeup brushes on April 25; they're a powdery millennial pink shade and retail for $7 and under.
Molly Sims is entering the lip gloss chat. Her indie brand, YSE Beauty, drops four shiny shades on April 25, including a poppy red and a warm taupe called 'Fashionably Late.' They're $30 and yes, they have the tip.
Iris & Romeo has hit Substack. This month, the brand launched &co., a newsletter by founder Michelle Gough Baril that they claim has earned 4,500 followers in just 2 weeks. The brand team has smartly replied to every single comment to boost engagement (and double their comment count from 12 to 24); the conversion rate? We'll see. Expect a cross-posting soon from Maggie Smith, the author of For Dear Life, who has over 40,000 subscribers on the platform. Haircare
Is it a coincidence that SharkNinja's stock jumped when the appliance company debuted its TikTok famous FlexStyle dryer in a limited-edition Blossom Bliss (rose gold) colorway? Yes, but it's still worth paying attention to the brand, especially because it's still significantly cheaper than a Dyson hair system, but made quick, glossy work of my 3c curls in the same amount of time.
Now that fragrances are giving up the erotic vibes, hair care brands are stepping in. Oribe's Gold Lust hair cream hits April 23 with a damage-repair mission and a musky eucalyptus scent to make 'bed head' into a goal. Fragrance
Does Lauren Sanchez have a fragrance deal yet? If not, she'd be a bombshell pick for Vera Wang's new scent, Love Eau de Parfum, which debuted on April 20. The scent has notes of mandarin and jasmine, plus a bottle shaped like a giant diamond engagement ring. (Though of course, not as giant as Sanchez's reported 30-carat stone.)
Wait, floating planks of wood have their own scent accord? Apparently, yeah. The indie fragrance company Drift launched their first male-geared scent on April 22 called Coast, which has notes of sea salt, lavender, lemon zest and… driftwood. It's $80, and unfortunately, came out a full two years after the live-action 'Little Mermaid." What a collab…
It's been a minute since we've had a fragrance memo that reads like slam poetry. On April 24, we got one from Noteworthy about n,470 Floating Garden, a 'quietly radiant' apple-based scent that is 'a breath of clarity — spa-like, soothing, yet quietly invigorating — a reminder that even in open air, there's always something to hold onto. The crisp breath of morning, the warmth waiting beneath it. A moment suspended, a fresh start — wrapped in quiet, effortless luxury.' I'll get the drugs; you get the notebook you pretended to burn after your Intro to Creative Writing class in college…
Hilary Duff is plugging into the fragrance world. Literally. On April 23, the most underrated Gossip Girl guest star hit QVC with her $89 scent plug-ins, which are part of the actress's home brand, Below 60. And finally...
Keep your eyes peeled for a La Prairie cameo in the (very funny) wealth-porn satire Your Friends and Neighbors. Then ask your (richest) friends and neighbours if they've ever had a jar of La Mer or a bottle of Oribe swiped from their bathroom during a cocktail party. (I've heard it's especially common Out East.)
Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Bay Area's hidden gem for family-friendly fun: 12 things to do in Tri-Valley, California with kids
The Bay Area's hidden gem for family-friendly fun: 12 things to do in Tri-Valley, California with kids

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

The Bay Area's hidden gem for family-friendly fun: 12 things to do in Tri-Valley, California with kids

If you're in the Bay Area and looking for a fun family weekend, The Tri-Valley—made up of Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, Danville, and San Ramon—is a hidden gem. For families looking for fun, variety, and sunshine, pop over to this region in the East Bay. Whether you're local or visiting from out of town, this area offers a great mix of outdoor adventures, educational experiences, and plenty of fun for kids big and small. Here are 12 awesome things to do in the Tri-Valley with kids that the whole family will enjoy! 1. Splash Around at The Wave Waterpark (Dublin) If your kids love water play, The Wave is a must. This waterpark features thrilling slides for big kids and splash zones that toddlers will love. It's the perfect way to beat the summer heat. Lunch is available at the Koja Kitchen stand, a delicious Dublin-based business known for putting a delicious twist on traditional Asian fusion. Pro Tip: You can reserve a lounger for shaded seating or a cabana. Bring your own towels and plenty of sunscreen! 2. Play Freely at Imagine Playground (Dublin) Just down the road from The Wave, Imagine Playground is one of the best all-abilities playgrounds in the Bay Area. With sensory-friendly features, shaded climbing structures, and lots of space to run around, it's a great stop for all ages. 3. Marvel at Classic Cars at the Blackhawk Museum This one's not just for car lovers. The Blackhawk Museum features multiple exhibits—including vintage cars, the Spirit of the Old West, and World of Nature—that are engaging for kids and adults alike. It's indoors and air-conditioned, making it a great option on hot or rainy days. Image credit: Whimsy Soul 4. Cuddle a Cow or Visit a Local Farm (Pleasanton) Looking for something unique? Book a cow-hugging encounter at Sri Surabhi Go Ksetra, a cow sanctuary in Pleasanton. Book your cow cuddling session online (or stay at their Airbnb to wake up with cows outside your window!). 5. Stroll the Danville Farmers' Market Held every Saturday morning, the Danville Farmers' Market is a local favorite. You'll find fresh fruit, baked treats, flowers, and sometimes live music. It's stroller-friendly and located in a charming downtown area perfect for wandering. 6. Step Back in Time at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (Danville) Housed in a restored 1891 train depot right next to the Danville Farmer's Market, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley offers rotating exhibits about local history, transportation, and the Gold Rush era. It's a short visit, but a fun one—especially if your kids love trains or history. 7. Cool Off with a Lake Day at Shadow Cliffs or Del Valle For a low-key outdoor day, pack a picnic and head to Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area (Pleasanton) or Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore). Both offer sandy shores, calm water for swimming, and space for kids to dig, float, and play. Kayak rentals are also available. Don't forget: Shade can be limited, so bring an umbrella or beach tent. 8. Go Wild at Lost Worlds Adventures (Livermore) Need to burn off some energy indoors? Lost Worlds Adventures is a dinosaur-themed indoor play center with laser tag, climbing walls, mini golf, and a huge soft play area. It's great for toddlers to tweens—and especially useful when the weather isn't cooperating. 9. Race Around at K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing (Dublin) For your older kids (and parents who dream of being in Fast & Furious), K1 Speed offers electric go-kart racing in a sleek indoor track. There's also an arcade area and snacks available on-site. Note: There are height and age requirements, so check ahead if you're bringing younger kids. 10. Bike or Walk the Iron Horse Regional Trail This 32-mile paved trail runs through much of the Tri-Valley and is perfect for bikes, scooters, strollers, or a leisurely walk. Start in any town—Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, or Pleasanton—and explore at your family's pace. There are plenty of rest stops and playgrounds along the way. 11. Grab a Treat at Meadowlark Dairy (Pleasanton) A local icon, Meadowlark Dairy is a drive-through dairy (that you actually walk through rather than sit in your car) best known for its delicious soft serve cones. You'll often see a line of people snaking around waiting for a sweet treat. Must-try: The strawberry-vanilla twist. You won't regret it. 12. Family-Friendly Wine Tasting in Livermore You can enjoy wine tasting with kids in tow in Livermore Valley. Several wineries have large outdoor spaces, lawn games, and picnic areas that are perfect for families. Here are a few to check out: Rubino Estates Winery: Spacious lawn, bocce ball, and casual vibes make it easy to relax while the kids play Retzlaff Vineyards: Retzlaff has a grassy picnic area, shaded trees, and food vendors and live music on weekends. Concannon Vineyard: Historic charm with plenty of outdoor seating and stroller-friendly grounds. Children are allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and this vineyard allows you to bring in outside food for a picnic. Tri-Valley is full of family-friendly surprises—whether you're looking for hands-on activities, nature, sweet treats, or even a bit of wine tasting while your little ones play. It's a beautiful, low-key destination that makes family fun easy and enjoyable. Bookmark this list for your next weekend adventure! Solve the daily Crossword

Kanye West's former California home is unrecognizable following a dramatic reconstruction — and will list for $17M
Kanye West's former California home is unrecognizable following a dramatic reconstruction — and will list for $17M

New York Post

time3 hours ago

  • New York Post

Kanye West's former California home is unrecognizable following a dramatic reconstruction — and will list for $17M

Once the humble neighbor to Kim Kardashian's $60 million estate, a plot formerly owned by Kanye West has undergone a dramatic transformation — from low-slung ranch house to a soulful showpiece. Now dubbed 'Three Planes,' the newly built equestrian estate is hitting the market for $16.99 million, offering more than just square footage — but also a full-on spiritual experience. West purchased the original 3,200-square-foot house in 2021 for $4.5 million, with sources previously telling The Post it was to stay close to his four children. But he never moved in. 19 A photo of the home Kanye West purchased before it was renovated to make way for a new modern estate. 19 A Hidden Hills property last owned by Kanye West has been transformed beyond recognition. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 West purchased the modest 3,200-square-foot home in 2021 for $4.5 million. AP Two years later, he sold the property to Calabasas-based developer H2 Development for $4.25 million. They promptly leveled the structure and teamed up with Los Angeles designer Jae Omar to reimagine the space as a luxurious homage to the land's indigenous roots. 19 West sold it at a loss two years later for $4.3 million, and it was completely gutted with a new property built in its place. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 The 1-acre lot is home to a $17 million architectural showpiece dubbed 'Three Planes.' Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 The 11,500-square-foot estate is designed by Jae Omar. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 Inspired by the cosmology of the Chumash people, the indigenous tribe native to the region, the home is conceived as a 'living myth' rooted in their three sacred realms: sky, earth and underworld. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Omar — known for his work on estates sought after by the likes of Sean McVay, DJ Zedd and Meghan Trainor — drew inspiration from the Chumash people, the Native American tribe that once inhabited this region of Southern California. The result: an 11,000-square-foot estate designed to evoke the tribe's cosmological framework — three interconnected realms of sky, earth and underworld. 'I wanted to create a space where you could feel all three at once, and move between them with intention,' Omar said in a statement. 'Every material, every line, every shadow was chosen to honor the Chumash belief in transformation and transcendence.' Clad in Shou Sugi Ban siding, Santa Barbara stone and hand-applied plaster, the estate's silhouette nods to Hidden Hills' equestrian roots with a modern ranch-style form. 19 The residence blends earthy materials like Shou Sugi Ban siding and Santa Barbara stone with curated Chumash-era pottery and a design ethos that honors spirituality, transformation and natural connection. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 There's a hunger here for homes that are not just luxurious, but meaningful, Omar said. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 The formal dining room. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 A den. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo Inside, it's a masterclass in organic modernism: soaring beamed ceilings, white oak floors, sandstone walls and earth-toned plaster finishes among the eye-catching features. The five-bedroom, 6.5-bath home includes a wellness wing, a yoga deck, a media room and a wine cellar evocatively described as 'the underworld' in listing materials. The heart of the home is a bespoke kitchen outfitted with top-tier appliances and finishes, joined by a breakfast nook and a walk-in pantry. 19 The primary suite. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 An ensuite bathroom. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 The pool. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 A breakfast space. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo The spa-grade primary suite sits on the main level and features a sculptural soaking tub, a steam shower and a sauna. Four secondary bedrooms upstairs each include their own ensuite bathrooms. Outdoors, the 1-acre-plus property extends the home's immersive vision. A resort-style pool and spa, a firepit, an alfresco kitchen and a yoga deck are joined by a detached horse stable — both a nod to the community's equestrian culture and a rare amenity in new construction. 'This community has always been about privacy and prestige. Now, it's also becoming a canvas for architectural storytelling,' Omar said. 19 A view of the open floor plan. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 A sauna. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 One of five bedrooms. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo 19 A second bedroom. Christopher Amitrano / CS8 Photo The home, located at 24877 Eldorado Meadow, is being marketed by Veronika Khomyn of The Agency. It's expected to officially hit the market later this month. As for Omar, 'Three Planes' is part of a broader creative push. His latest project, 'Five Fathoms' in the Hollywood Hills, takes inspiration from Ariel's siren song in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest.' But in Hidden Hills, he said, the challenge, and the opportunity, was more grounded. 'My goal is to redefine what it means to live well within the Hidden Hills community,' he told The Post. 'Alongside H2 Development, we're not just constructing speculative homes, we're curating homes that hold a soul, a story, a spirit and reflect the extraordinary community.'

Labubu Dolls Get the Bridal Treatment With Custom Gowns from David's Bridal
Labubu Dolls Get the Bridal Treatment With Custom Gowns from David's Bridal

Los Angeles Times

time3 hours ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Labubu Dolls Get the Bridal Treatment With Custom Gowns from David's Bridal

Labubu dolls are a cultural phenomenon created by Pop Mart. Many brides want custom wedding dresses for their dolls as a unique keepsake, photo prop, or gift for their wedding party. David's Bridal's designers can recreate virtually any wedding dress style in miniature, from classic ball gowns to modern minimalist designs or colored wedding dresses. To get started customers can contact David's Bridal customer service or visit a local store. The team will work with the client to create the perfect miniature replica. The process typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the complexity of the design. David's Bridal uses high-quality miniature fabrics such as silk, satin, tulle and lace. These are scaled appropriately for the 10-inch dolls. Each custom outfit is meticulously handcrafted, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail. Miniature beading, crystals and pearls can also be added to match a full-size gown. The custom-made outfits are designed to fit authentic Labubu dolls from Pop Mart. The garments include easy-to-use closures, allowing them to be dressed and undressed without damage. The custom service is available as a standalone purchase, so a customer does not need to purchase a full-size wedding dress to order a miniature one. For over 70 years, David's Bridal has been a trusted leader in the bridal industry, dedicated to helping every bride find her perfect dress. Known for its wide selection, affordable pricing and inclusive approach, the company has grown into a well-known name for weddings, proms and other special occasions. Labubu is a beloved character created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung as part of his 'The Monsters' series. Labubu is a mischievous elf character with large, jagged teeth and pointed ears. The dolls are produced and distributed by Pop Mart, a global designer toy brand. Pop Mart is famous for its blind box collectible figures, which have cultivated a huge following among collectors worldwide.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store