By Medina Azaldin
The model is sprinkling a little magic on our perfume rituals
A year after its initial release in the US, Bella Hadid‘s fragrance line, ‘Ôrebella, is finally available to shop on our shores.
Hadid has successfully taken over the fashion world with her illustrious modelling career – fronting campaigns for brands from Versace to Chopard – and now she’s set to make her mark in the global beauty arena with ‘Ôrebella. While this isn’t her first foray into business (Hadid previously co-founded the alcohol-free drink Kin Euphorics), it’s certainly one that feels most personal, as it taps into the model’s longtime appreciation of smells and her family’s tradition of creating home-made, scented concoctions.
Courtesy of Orebella
What is ‘Ôrebella?
‘Ôrebella (pronounced aura-bella), aims to amplify the sensorial aspect of fragrance application and centres its storytelling around wellbeing rituals, auras and a hint of magic. The brand’s development, on the other hand, has been entirely tangible; all the ‘Ôrebella scents have been formulated with Firmenich and Robertet, two of the world’s most respected fragrance houses with access to the best ingredients and expertise.
There are currently four scents in the collection: Blooming Fire, Salted Muse, Window2Soul and Nightcap.
Perfumer Jerome Epinette – the nose behind Van Cleef and Arpel’s Patchouli Blanc and Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique – composed Salted Muse, while senior perfumer Clement Gavarry (he created the cult favourite, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely) was behind the rest of the collection.
Courtesy of Orebella
Each scent is inspired by Hadid’s experience of cocktailing her own blend of essential oils, and is informed by the lavender fields in her farm and – more widely – the fragrances within nature.
The formula
‘Ôrebella perfumes are alcohol-free, an approach that many fine fragrance houses are starting to embrace. Its main draw, however, is the bi-phase formula that incorporates a layer of skin-kind moisturising plant oils such as almond and jojoba, overlaid with essential oils and fragrance molecules.
You’ll need to combine both layers (via a good shake) before spritzing directly onto skin and massaging it in. Think of it as a scented milky body oil, only significantly lighter and much more pleasant to wear on a daily basis.
How to apply
Shake the bottle and spray directly onto the chest, neck, shoulders… anywhere you wish to be scented (just don’t spray it on your clothes dues to the milky-oil consistency) and massage in. It dries down quickly, leaving behind a healthy, shimmer-free glow that feels like a second skin.
Courtesy of Orebella
The scents
Salted Muse has a cool, Bohemian, 1970s vibe. It’s the earthiest and woodiest scent of the collection, with plenty of warmth and a touch of the ocean. Think coastal cliff-side walks rather than sandy tropical beaches. Its main notes are sea salt, olive tree accord and lavender.
Blooming Fire features a heavy dose of bountiful white florals and a splash of suntan lotion. The olfactory equivalent of a sunny island getaway with plenty of jasmine, Tahitian monoi flowers and patchouli.
Window2Soul is the gentlest of the four. It’s soft, powdery and smooth, with facets of slightly sweetened vanilla milk that’s comforting but not cloying. It features notes of tonka bean, geranium and Damask rose.
Nightcap is creamy and velvety, with an unexpected (yet pleasant) fizzy cola opening. It’s cosy and cocooning, with generous amounts of sandalwood, cardamom and vanilla.
The verdict
While alcohol-free formulas and fragrance oils aren’t completely new, what sets ‘Ôrebella apart is its scent profiles. By collaborating with revered perfumers such as Epinette and Gavarry, and steering clear of saccharine sweet compositions, ‘Ôrebella’s scents feel modern, cool, and refined. On this editor, the scent lasts for a few hours with two spritzes, but as it doesn’t feel sticky, you can apply the product liberally for extra longevity or layer it under another perfume.
Courtesy of Orebella
Those who prefer to scent-and-go might find ‘Ôrebella’s application methods a little involved, but there’s no denying that it does bring a grounding ritual into your day. Taking that extra minute before getting dressed to massage in the product provides a moment of quiet before the day begins.
The downsides? The bottle cap can be slippery and tricky to open. It might require you to use your nails, so be careful. Re-application can also be a challenge if you’re all covered up. But aside from that, I’ve found myself reaching for Nightcap consistently, and the compliments are proof that Hadid is on to something good.
This article originally appeared in harpersbazaar.com
