I Tried Selena Gomez's NewRare Beauty Perfume—Here’s My Review

As someone who collects perfumes like some people collect mugs or throw pillows, I’ve smelled a lot of things. Florals, gourmands, citrus bombs, spicy woods—you name it, I’ve tried it. My perfume shelf is basically a rotation of my personality. And while I have my go-tos (sweet, fruit-forward florals are my jam), I’m always looking for something new that still fits me.

Here comes Rare Beauty’s first-ever perfume launch. Selena Gomez just dropped her debut eau de parfum—and spoiler alert—it’s actually really good. I’ve tested it for days, worn it on errands and date nights, tried it solo and with the brand’s layering balms, and I have thoughts. A lot of thoughts.

Let’s break it all down.

The Fragrance: Warm, Sweet, And Somehow Not Overdone

Rare Beauty calls it a warm, spicy scent. I’d call it a warm gourmand with a clean finish. You get that first hit of vanilla and caramel right away—it’s sweet, but not sticky sweet. Definitely not cupcake territory. There’s also some sandalwood in there that keeps it grounded, plus a soft spiced edge (ginger and pink pepper, if you’re into the technical notes).

What I like is that it doesn’t scream “sugar.” It leans cozy, smooth, and grown-up. Imagine a latte with vanilla syrup, but not the sugar bomb kind—more like something you’d drink in a really chic coffee shop while journaling and people-watching. It’s warm, a little nutty, a little creamy, and very wearable. Zero headache.

This is not your middle school body spray situation. It smells like you’ve got your life together—while still having fun.

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Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)

If you love sweet perfumes but can’t stand when they get overly powdery or candy-like, this is your lane. It’s sweet, but it has enough spice and warmth to keep it from veering into teen-scent territory. It’s also not too floral, which was a surprise for me because I’m usually a floral girl. Still, I liked how this didn’t try too hard to be edgy or sexy—it’s just nice. In the best way.

If you hate any and all gourmand scents, you probably won’t fall in love with this. It definitely has that vanilla-caramel base that’s front and center. But it’s not cloying. It's smooth, a little nutty, and dries down to something soft and cozy. No sugar overload.

Bottom line: It’s not reinventing perfume, but it does strike a smart balance between warm, sweet, and polished. That alone makes it a win.

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The Layering Balms: Fun, Easy, Actually Work

Let’s talk about the surprise stars of this launch—the fragrance layering balms. Rare Beauty released four of them alongside the perfume: Amber, Floral, Fresh, and Woody. They come in sleek, twist-up tubes and the texture is kind of genius. Not greasy, not sticky. More like a velvety primer that melts into skin and leaves just enough scent.

Each one adds a different twist to the main fragrance—or you can wear them alone. Here’s the rundown:

• Amber – My top pick. It’s rich, vanilla-forward, and adds depth to the perfume. It basically turns the scent into a cozy sweater. Think vanilla + toasted sugar + warmth. Instant “I smell amazing” energy.

• Floral – Pretty and light. It adds a bright, almost airy touch to the original perfume. Not overly rosy, more like soft peony. It freshens things up without taking away the warm base.

• Fresh – This one leans clean and slightly citrusy. If you want Rare to feel more daytime and casual, this does the job. Also great on its own for a light scent day.

• Woody – Earthy and smooth. Adds a little moodiness to Rare. Makes it feel deeper, more grounded, like something you’d wear out at night.

  
  

My favorite thing is how mix-and-match the whole system is. You can wear Rare on its own, or layer based on your vibe that day. It’s customizable without being complicated.

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What I Love

Rare Beauty clearly put thought into this fragrance launch—and it shows. It’s warm, sweet, and comforting, but not basic. It evolves on your skin, lasts long enough to get compliments, and doesn’t fade into a generic “clean” smell after an hour. You actually want to keep smelling your wrist throughout the day. Here’s what worked really well for me:

• The packaging is well done

  The bottle is ergonomic (not just pretty), which is actually useful if you have limited grip strength or just hate stiff spray tops. It looks good on your vanity and feels easy to use.

  
  

• The balms are a smart add-on

  They add versatility without making fragrance complicated. You don’t need a perfume degree to figure them out—just swipe and go. You can build your own scent profile in seconds.

  
  

• It fits into a real perfume routine.I’ve layered it with other perfumes I already own, and it plays surprisingly well. The balms especially give a new twist to old favorites. It’s not just a one-note scent—it’s a whole new player in my collection.

What Could Be Better

• Longevity could be stronger

  On its own, the perfume doesn’t last all day for me. I get a solid 4-5 hours before I need a re-spritz. It’s not a dealbreaker—especially with the balms boosting the staying power—but if you’re expecting 8+ hours of wear, you might want to keep it in your bag for touch-ups.

  
  

• The layering concept needs better guidance

  If you're not already a fragrance nerd, the idea of four scent balms might feel overwhelming. Some kind of quick start guide or layering suggestions would make it easier for new users.

• Price point is mid-high

  It’s not overpriced for a fine fragrance, but for a newer launch, some people might hesitate to drop money on both the perfume and the balms. I'd love to see a discovery set or minis to try before committing.

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Final Verdict: Worth It?

Yes. Rare Beauty’s fragrance feels like the kind of scent that’s going to get a lot of love—and for good reason. It’s warm, comforting, and versatile, with enough complexity to feel special and enough balance to be an everyday option. If you love perfumes that are sweet-but-not-too-sweet, warm-but-not-heavy, and still feel a little bit “you” no matter how you wear them, you’ll probably get hooked on this one too.

And if you’re into customizing your scent or just want something new to play with, the layering balms are surprisingly addictive. They make fragrance feel fun again.

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Bottom line? Selena did something right here. Rare isn’t just another celeb perfume—it’s actually worth the hype. Now excuse me while I make space on my shelf.

Love,

Rae