The Perfume Rihanna Wears Is Inspired by a French Dessert

And it smells amazing.

With her brand of carefree cool, RiRi knows exactly who she is. But even more than her style choices, beauty statements, and hair moments, it seems that the aspect of RiRi that prompts one of the most visceral (and immediate) reactions is her scent. Everyone seems to be asking: What perfume does Rihanna wear? (Spoiler: It's not Fenty Eau de Perfume).

Sweet perfumes smell addictively good so it should come as no surprise that the multi-hyphenate's signature scent is Love, Don’t Be Shy from Kilian Paris—and it's inspired by a decidedly chic dessert. To find out more about what makes Rihanna's scent so tantalizing, we spoke to perfumers Calice Becker and Nicole Mancini. Ahead, they explain the science behind what makes a scent attractive, plus share alternatives to RiRi's signature perfume.

Meet Our Expert

• Calice Becker is a vice president perfumer at Givaudan and the director of Givaudan’s Perfumery School.

• Nicole Mancini is senior perfumer at Givaudan.

Keep reading for everything there is to know about the way Rihanna smells, below.

All About Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy

The Inspiration

Love, Don’t Be Shy was dreamed up by Becker as part of a multi-scent opus about falling in love. As part of this series, Becker developed a scent that drew on Guimauves, a classic Parisian candy that she likens to a high-end marshmallow, the treat defined by confectionary sugar and orange flower water.

“Once I saw the recipe that my grandmother used to make this candy, I was fascinated that on the one hand it was simple, but on the other, it was extremely complex,” says Becker. “To create something really refined, you have to go into the minor, minor detail,” she says. “I think that is a beauty of luxury. It doesn’t mean expensive; it really means attention to detail where nothing is done without dutiful care.”

Fragrance Notes

Along with notes of sugar and orange blossom, Becker relied on florals like peony, rose, and honeysuckle to create a nondescript airiness, along with amber for sophistication.

Mancini notes that many of the most cultish fragrances have these sort of back-driven formulas, with the scent’s power and identity born of the back notes. “They’re different from the normal perfume construction, avant-garde in their simplicity,” says Mancini. “There’s a feeling of well-being and comfort in these aromas that people are gravitating towards. Think: warm, long-lasting, musky, gourmand, woody, or amber mixed with some kind of floral like orange blossom or violet,” she says.

Becker adds that Love, Don’t Be Shy has a way of building on itself, making multiple olfactory entrances through its quiet, thoughtful notes. “It’s easy to understand—this type of love at first sight—but it keeps talking to you,” she says. “Suddenly, it’s not so obvious, which makes you want to go back.”

Why Rihanna Smells So Good

Perhaps perceived effortlessness and mystery are what make Love, Don't Be Shy the ideal perfume pick for Rihanna. Though the bad gal is not the only person who wears this fragrance, Mancini notes that she's pretty much the only person publicly associated with it.

"Love, Don't Be Shy is an addictive gourmand with a beautiful floralcy and a touch of freshness on top," Mancini adds. "It seems to be the perfect combination for Rihanna." Though she certainly doesn't shy away from the public eye, there's always a sense that Rihanna is one step ahead—that she knows something you don't.

Then there's the science of it all. "It seems to complement her body chemistry extremely well, which is why it smells so divine," says Mancini. "We are all made up of different body chemistries, so the same perfume smells differently on everybody. A person's diet, skin type, and skin pH impact the way a perfume wears." Mancini cites the sweetness factor as part of the fragrance's irresistible draw, particularly when it's worn so well.

Alternatives to Love, Don’t Be Shy

Prada Paradoxe

See at Sephora

For a similarly sweet scent, Mancini recommends reaching for Prada Paradoxe. This fragrance has notes of neroli bud, white amber, and white musk—making it the perfect feminine scent. The bottle itself is refillable, too, so you can feel good about your sustainability efforts.

Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Forever

See at Sephora

Another floral scent that Mancini likens to Rihanna's perfume is this pick from Jimmy Choo. This is a fragrance that's easily layered and long-lasting. It's a bit warmer than the Prada perfume from above and has notes of juicy rose, black cherry liquor, and moss accord.

Tom Ford Soleil de Feu

See at Sephora

If you're on the hunt for a unisex or genderless fragrance, look no further than Tom Ford's Soleil de Feu. It's part of the earthy and woody family and contains notes of tuberose, sandalwood, and benzoin.

Fenty Eau de Parfum

See at Sephora

If your goal is a Rihanna-approved scent, there's always Fenty Eau de Parfum. This fragrance is a warm, musky floral featuring magnolia, tangerine, and Bulgarian rose. It's also entirely comprised of middle or "heart" notes, a unique choice that makes for a bold and long-lasting fragrance. Considering that RiRi designed the scent with herself in mind, it's safe to say she'll support the spritz.

For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on InStyle.