Music and perfume share a unique bond — with both evoking emotions and memories that linger long after the final note has been played or the last spritz has been applied. Just as a melody can transport you to a different time or place, a particular scent can conjure vivid recollections of a moment, a person, or an experience. Whether it’s the uplifting chorus of a favorite song or the comforting embrace of a beloved fragrance, both have the ability to influence our moods and leave lasting impressions.
Beyond a musician’s distinct artistry, it’s important that they find a distinct scent that perfectly embodies who they are — not merely in terms of sound, but with how it can reveal another layer of their personalities and artistic expressions. And with the varied collection of personalities in the Philippine music scene, one can imagine just how diverse (and unique) their aromas are.
Delving into the scents favored by our musical icons provides a fascinating glimpse into how they curate their public personas and maintain their unique brand identity, offering insight into their personal tastes that also adds depth to our appreciation of their artistry. Billboard Philippines explores the fragrant preferences of some of the industry’s celebrated artists — including SB19, BINI, Maki, and many more below — tackling how their chosen scents complement their musical styles and adds another dimension to their captivating presence.
Maki – Calvin Klein’s CK One and Bench Daily Scent: Sunday Morning
As one of the more fresh-faced musicians on the scene, Maki’s olfactory profile is as natural as you’d expect. With his intriguing blend of Calvin Klein’s staple fragrance, CK One, and the everyday cologne of Sunday Morning from Bench’s Daily Scent line, it allows the “Dilaw” hitmaker to bask in a bold yet clean scent that has become signature to his identity.
The refreshing scent of green tea leaves with subtle hints of rose and violet tones from the CK One surprisingly complements the mild notes of citrus, jasmine, and sandalwood elements from Bench’s Sunday Morning cologne results in a unique scent that stands out just as much as Maki’s artistry does. With a finish of musk and amber from the dominant force of the CK One, it makes for one sophisticated aroma that is as pleasant as you’d expect.
Moira Dela Torre – Le Labo’s Santal 33
As Moira Dela Torre evolves her artistry in this new chapter of her career, so does her choice of perfumes. With her choice of Le Labol’s Santal 33 Eau De Parfum, she embraces the woody aromatic fragrance with a distinct take — one that strongly envelops the room just as Moira does when she steps in.
The smokey notes that pair well with little bits of spice from the cardamom ingredients make for a striking aroma, one that is satisfied by the lingering touch of sweetness from the violet and iris notes of the popular perfume. As fitting as it could be to her warm persona, the scent is both distinctive and addictive — striking anyone with a lasting impression filled with charm.
James Reid – Versace Eros
James Reid has always been a figure of strength in both the film and music scenes, making Versace’s Eros perfume the perfect fit for his distinct persona. The fresh, oriental, and woody notes of the Eros add significantly to his ability to captivate anyone in his presence, commanding the attention of those who bear witness to such a scent.
Its subtle touches of mint leaves paired with the zesty Italian lemon and green apple elements allow James to remain fresh at any moment and are further heightened by the sweet touch of Madagascar vanilla and Cedarwood that lie at the heart of the fragrance. Whether James is out performing his songs or socializing with his peers at the club, the Eros allows him to bloom to his full potential, empowering him with every move.
BINI’s Aiah – Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet and YSL Libre
For BINI’s Aiah, the use of Miss Dior’s Blooming Bouquet during the day is equivalent to the blooming nature of her radiant beauty. Aside from keeping her rejuvenated with the fresh and faceted elements of newly blossomed flowers, its contrasting tail of sweet pea and bergamot notes allows her to carry a distinct aroma that offers a high-spirited touch that lies true to her very own personality. The components of a Damascus rose and peony notes result in a lush and powerful aroma that can make anyone swoon in her presence, which is further amplified by the delicate and clean scent of the light touch of white musks.
Yet in the evening, Aiah’s use of YSL’s Libre perfume transitions into a more daring and powerful fragrance that is as bold as it could be. Without sacrificing the floral touch that she embodies, the French lavender essence and the Moroccan orange blossom unite to craft a sweet persona that is filled with the warmth of vanilla notes to last all throughout the night.
BINI’s Maloi – Moschino Toy Boy
Maloi’s enthusiasm and passion shine through with her favorite scent, Moschino’s Toy Boy perfume. As she described it on her live stream, the Toy Boy is both sweet and spicy — with enough kick to envelop anyone thanks to its woody and amber scent profile.
The sweet elements of pink berries and Italian bergamot harmonize with the bright and invigorating touch of uplifting sweetness from the top notes of elemi buds. Complemented by the warmth and spice of Indonesian nutmeg and the base notes of Vetiver Haiti Orpur, it makes for one refreshing yet sophisticated scent profile that fits perfectly with Maloi’s distinctive persona.
BINI’s Colet – Wood Sage and Sea Salt by Jo Malone
BINI’s Colet is a perfect match to her favorite choice of Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt perfume, as her vibrant and spirited personality mirrors the lively and joyful essence of the fragrance.
Just like the fresh, sea salt air and the mineral scent of rugged cliffs, Colet brings an invigorating and dynamic intensity to BINI and their energy. The woody earthiness of sage in the perfume reflects her grounded and natural charm that relates to both her fellow members and fans, making this scent a true reflection of her lively spirit and joyful presence.
BINI’s Gwen – Versace Bright Crystal and Coach Floral Eau De Parfum
With two favorite perfumes chosen, BINI’s Gwen perfectly embodies the essence of Versace’s Bright Crystal and Coach’s Floral perfumes, as they accurately reflect her vibrant, feminine, and dynamic personality.
Versace’s Bright Crystal, with its fresh, vibrant, and flowery scent, mirrors Gwen’s radiant energy and luminous presence (that surely comes out on the stage), highlighting her as a precious jewel within the group. Yet similarly, Coach’s Floral Eau De Parfum, with its blend of citrus, pink peppercorn, and pineapple sorbet, transitioning into a bouquet of fragrant flowers and ending with creamy wood, patchouli, and musk, captures Gwen’s multifaceted nature — her lively spirit, elegance, and subtle depth. With whatever she chooses to use in the day, these two perfumes encapsulate Gwen’s captivating and multifaceted charm and fiercely feminine presence within the group.
BINI’s Jhoanna – Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège
As the leader of BINI, Jhoanna is perfectly matched with her choice of Lanvin’s Eclat D’Arpege — a fragrance that captures her sparkling leadership and elegant charm.
The perfume’s floral and fruity notes, highlighted by the creamy delicacy of peach flowers, reflect Jhoanna’s warm and nurturing nature that we’ve seen from both her interactions with her fellow members and with loyal Blooms. The woody base of cedarwood and musks aligns with her strong and grounded presence, providing a steady foundation for the group. Such elements create a fragrance that is both vibrant and sophisticated, mirroring Jhoanna’s ability to inspire and lead with grace and confidence.
BINI’s Stacey – Miss Dior and Bench Daily Scent: Lazy Afternoon
Just like Maki, BINI’s Stacey knows how to perfectly blend the sophistication of a branded perfume with the everyday charm of an affordable cologne. Stacey herself is a perfect match for both Miss Dior and Bench’s Daily Scent: Lazy Afternoon, as both fragrances encapsulate her vibrant yet soothing personality.
With its elegant bouquet of Centifolia Rose, fresh Lily-of-the-Valley, apricot-tinged Peony, and powdery Iris, the Miss Dior perfume reflects Stacey’s multifaceted charm and striking presence, with its tender woody notes at the base echoing her strength and grace. Meanwhile, Bench’s Daily Scent: Lazy Afternoon, with its floral, fruity, and citrus notes of orange, mandarin, bergamot, rose, and white musk, embodies Stacey’s laid-back, comforting vibe — a trait that has made her so beloved by their fans. The warm musk and woody base create a sense of calm and relaxation, much like Stacey’s ability to bring a sense of ease and joy to those around her.
BINI’s Mikha – Versace Bright Crystal, Miss Dior, and Good Girl by Caroline Herrera
With three picks for her chosen perfumes, BINI’s Mikha knows how to embody the glamor and sophistication among various aroma profiles that capture her multifaceted nature.
Her picks of Versace’s Bright Crystal, Miss Dior, and Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl each capture different aspects of her personality, with Versace’s Bright Crystal mirroring Mikha’s radiant and lively spirit, showcasing her as a precious jewel of rare beauty. Miss Dior’s elegant and striking bouquet, blending Centifolia Rose, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peony, and Iris, echoes her inspiring and graceful nature, with a complex composition that carries countless beautiful nuances. Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl encapsulates Mikha’s duality, with its blend of sweet, bright jasmine and dark, rich cocoa and tonka. This fragrance captures her wondrous complexity, balancing femininity and boldness, and highlighting her vibrant, daring, and ever-evolving essence.
Together, these perfumes reflect the dynamic, elegant, and captivating qualities that define Mikha and her striking persona that continue to leave a lasting impression with Blooms all over the world.
SB19’s Josh – Oud and Bergamot Intense by Jo Malone
Just as SB19’s Josh showcases his cool confidence, the strong aura of his perfume with Jo Malone’s Oud and Bergamot Intense allows him to enthrall those in his presence at full force. The smoky, woody, and citrus elements balance one another to make a captivating result that is rich and exotic — making it a sophisticated and alluring scent for any man.
SB19’s Stell – English Pear and Freesia by Jo Malone
A smart choice for his everyday use, SB19’s Stell’s choice of Jo Malone’s Engish Pear and Freesia gives him a distinguished feel that perfectly accompanies his dashing good looks and endearingly personable nature. The subtle yet sensual aroma of ripe pears harmonizes with the sweet floral touch of white freesia flowers — allowing him to smell as fresh as he looks.
SB19’s Ken – Chanel’s Bleu De Chanel Parfum
As bold as his persona as Felip, SB19’s Ken and his choice of Chanel’s Bleu De Chanel perfume make for a compelling pair that accurately channel the mystique and timeless touch of his strong masculine signature. The fresh citrus accord and the amber-y cedar leave a long lasting impression that channel the heightened sensuality of his stage presence in every performance.
SB19’s Pablo – Ian Darcy
Choosing a proudly local brand, SB19’s leader Pablo’s choice of Ian Darcy perfume allows his fans to emulate him with a distinguished style that doesn’t break the bank. His choice of the perfume from Ian Darcy — inspired by Dior’s classic Sauvage line — channels a refreshing, if not slightly fierce aroma that is both juicy and brave. The woody ambery trail of Ambroxan wraps itself in the smoky accents of Vanilla, making it a distinct scent at first glance.
SB19’s Justin – Hermès’ Terre d’Hermès
The classy elegance of Hermès’ Terre d’Hermès is an eclectic mix of fruity, spicy, and woody elements, making it a perfect fit to the versatile talents and persona of SB19’s Justin. Its strong citrus flavor compels anyone in its presence to appreciate the top notes of orange and grapefruit that are balanced by its woody base of oak moss and Benzoin, which make for a perfect touch to a classy guy like Justin.