Queen Latifah will launch her debut fragrance, Queen, in August. The new scent, described as “warm and sexy”, was developed under arrangements with Parlux.
Queen was developed by perfumer Steve DeMercado and includes notes of bergamot, mandarin, golden tequila, baie rose, jasmine noir, cognac, coriander, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, incense and musk.
Queen by Queen Latifah will be available in 50 ($49) and 100 ($59) ml Eau de Parfum and in matching body products. (via wwd)
Update: see a review of Queen by Queen Latifah.
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The bottle is beautifull!
Not my taste, but I do like the ad visual!
You know, before reading the notes, I was having my usual “Ugghh, another celebriscent/but I really like her!” debate. After reading that, I thought “Oooh, may have to smell that!” I am such a sucker for incense notes.
I think it sounds like it could be nice too…coriander & cognac could be perfect for fall.
2nd. Definitely worth a try.
My thoughts exactly!
The tequila and cognac notes sound interesting too.
Yep, this one sounds good to me as well. I’m assuming PR has done their usual puff number on the notes (golden tequila?? jasmine noir??), but taken all together, they’re appealing. Hope it’s well made.
Uh-oh. Just went and checked on the perfumer’s list of output and I’m not impressed.
I think I’m going to have to go out of my way to sniff this one, anyway. I’ll keep an open mind.
what is the perfumer’s list of output?? the copy above looks quite nice…
She means she clicked on Steve DeMercado to see what else he’s created.
Will say that he did the best of the Harajuku Lovers, & I also liked Marc Jacobs Blush….and always remember, you can’t always blame the perfumer when the scent is bad — they’re working on someone else’s specs!
Makes me wonder why more perfumers don’t go all entrepreneurial.
They’d get the freedom to create what they wanted. Maybe we’d have more worthwhile fragrances.
Is it non-compete agreements? Or do the six figure salaries make the complacent and risk averse?
A few have recently, but I think marketing & distribution are so expensive that it’s hard to make a go of it on your own. And have to say that the results aren’t always as wonderful as you’d think…most people were pretty disappointed by the “By Mark Buxton” line, for instance.
Hmm, could be a nice cold weather scent, as Robin said.
The bottle looks like a hip flask – to match the notes I guess
It does sort of look like a flask…a girly one though!
I can’t think of another current non-size-2 celeb with her own frag. Here’s hoping where there’s substance, there’s substance. The ad photo really is stunning.
I would try it just for that! I rather like Ms. QL and I absolutely like the fact that she is not the standard media darling size and yet she’s gorgeous and in the spotlight. The notes are making all the right sounds for me ….but now Mals has made me doubt….
So true!
Amen! I heard or read an interview by her, a long time ago, and she seems to be a very lovely, sendible person.
Whoops, sensible.
Cognac should be nice, and golden tequila… melikes too!
I like Queen Latifah, the image I get from her is dignified, regal (duh!) approachable but with a street edge.
Yes — I like her too.
me too.
Me too. Fragrance may or may not be my style. It’s funny — if they say they’re “sexy”, they’re often too powerful for my taste.
I can’t wait! She looks freakin’ gorgeous in the ad! Just freakin’ gorgeous!
She does look great.
Is this supposed to be a dept store or drugstore release? I am interested in smelling it as well (I lem anything with incense & boozy notes). If I purchase, however, I may have to decant it to another bottle. Do NOT like hearts at all!
No, it’ll be in mid-tier department stores (Macys, etc)
Yup, I hear ya. I think the bottle looks a little teenager-y….they should have made it like a red cut crystal block …I like the red and gold…very regal…..just not the heart and the quasi-quilted pattern.
Hm…quilted is kinder than what I thought. To me, it looks like those tiny tiles on the floor in a public restroom. And the heart is tacky. The tequila seems out of place to me too, but I don’t claim any expertise. Easy pass for me on this one.
lol you are strong today….how about tomorrow? I know I’m only ever a day away from my next bout of perfume ‘lustery’….that’s a new word for sure.
Not strong, just picky.
Besides which, I’m so far behind on things I want to smell that anything new has to really knock my socks off, and odds are not good that a celeb scent is going to do the trick. And now that I’ve said all that, just watch…I’ll end up buying a bottle one day. LOL!
careful, that kind of talk is just asking for it.
Hmm – I think the bottle is supposed to look like the Le Vian style setting with rubies, etc, when they are all lined up to each other. I am kind of bottle neutral here, but the fragrance does sound intriguing. I would hope it is an interesting as the Queen!
Gosh – this sounds awesome to me. Definitely for cooler weather though.
Sounds like it’s for cooler weather…and hope so, we’ve got enough celebrity light fruity florals.
I love the ad, that color of red is spectacular! The juice might be nice for fall, but I’m in summer mode right now…..
I’m most definitely still in summer mode too…
Queen Latifah has come a long way since her comments in the Rodney Kind days. She has proved herself to be incredibly talented. The add is worthy of her beauty-it is stunning. I can only hope the fragrance will be half as lovely as the add.
I hope so too!
The bottle isn’t a copy of Chopard Madness, but it sure calls it to mind, as if someone had created it based on a verbal description of the Madness bottle (and then added a heart for cuteness).
Whatever. I won’t pretend to like Queen Latifah’s music, but she’s a magnetic actress, and I hope she didn’t just slap her name on the same old same old.
Oh, good point on the Chopard Madness, didn’t think of it.
I admire QL’s refusal to bow to the standards other entertainers feel they must maintain (loved her in ‘Chicago’), and this juice sounds positively yummy. Autumn’s my favorite season, and this sounds like just the perfect snuggly warm fragrance to wear during those cool, crisp months here. I’ll definitely be giving it a try. Boozy, tonka bean, and incense? Where do I sign up?
What does she not bow to? (serious question, don’t know that much about her)
She is not stick-thin, enjoys her curves, and actually had her breasts reduced as opposed to enlarged. Just for starters.
Ah, that makes sense.
Sorry for those who like it, but my first thought was, “what an unfortunate bottle.” Doesn’t say “queen” to me, or even “Queen Latifah.” I definitely like her as a personality though.
she’s a queen of hearts!!!!!!!!
Not my bottle choice either, but could be worse.
A perfume that’s warm and sexy??? Finally!!
Yep!
Personally don’t like how anything looks, but those notes do sound good enough to warrant sampling.
Yep, I’ll forgive the bottle if it’s really warm & sexy.
Yep – the bottle lives in my drawer, anyway.
SMOLDERING! I am newly in love all over again with Ms. Owens… (Madame Latifah) this sounds WONDERFUL! Rose, Jasmine, Cognac, Patchouli, Sandalwood, VANILLA, Musc, Incense, Mandarin…. OH BOY OH BOY! The Perfumer on this one has quite the nice track record so i am surely expecting to MASSIVELY Impressed with this beauty! It sounds as Lovely as Ms. Latifah herself is! The Bottle is Tres Charming, Simple but Whimsical! and the color…. Very Nice! I was hoping this was going to smell… REGAL and it sounds as if it will… no wilting watery/pink peppery floral here… Full and Robust and Feminine and Voluptuous! Just like The Queen Herself. She Deserves Nothing Less in her Scent! And Yes, I LOVE Full, Voluptuous, Robust WOMEN! Not Girls. so this Rings My Bell Completely!
LOL…I think it sounds nice too, but as always you are far more optimistic than I am
FYI- If I put my hands close enough to the screen I can almost always feel the warmth that your comments emanate.
She looks, I don’t know, fabulous? Beautiful and fabulous. It sounds beautiful. Forget the bottle — we all have access to beautiful bottles. Hope it’s as good as it sounds.
Me too.
Don’t like the bottle, and what with the two boozy notes and the coriander , I am afraid I’d smell like Skid Row (coriander smells like armpit on me), but wow, that’s a beautiful photograph, and she is a lovely woman!
I like boozy scents AND coriander, so I’ll give it a shot! She is lovely though.
She does give off an aura of class.
On the other hand she was in taxi with jimmy fallon.
I didn’t see that!
Amazing bottle, will be buying it.. I will definately post my rateing once i wear this:)
Good! And hopefully we’ll review it after it comes out
It really sounds nice. For older women like me. I think I will give it a sniff when it comes out. Do you know what stores would sell?
I know Macy’s & Dillards, possibly others.
I woke up yesterday and thought about this. It’s almost here, Robin!
. I can’t wait!
Macy’s might actually have it already…I haven’t been in so long, and they seem to be extra-slow about putting things online this summer.
I didn’t wanna say this, but the samples are on ebay now. I just don’t want anyone to win the bid! I want it!
What makes you think Macy’s might have it now??
Didn’t mean that I thought they did, just that they might…haven’t been in ages, and they often get things weeks before they put them on the website (and they sometimes have testers behind the counter before they have the product for sale).
It’s getting closer
! Someone is selling 24 samples on Ebay! Have you heard anything yet, Robin???
It’s on counter at my local Macy’s…been there since Friday, they said. Had only a quick sniff (had already smelled too many things by the time I got to Macys) and it is warm & sweet, but that’s all I can say so far. Will try to review it next month…
GAH! ROBIN!!!!! I JUST ORDERED THE SAMPLES ON EBAY! You know how triffilin’ my Macy’s is! They might get it in September! By on counter do you mean on sale, or just the tester?
No, for sale…
This is on the counter at my Macy’s. And it is on sale at Macy’s. It is nice and very light. Not heavy at all. I did a quick sniff on this one and I might get this depending on what a budget I have.
Ohhhhh, I’m so pissed! Do you guys live in New York?
No, I’m in PA.
I am in Michigan. But hopefully in your state it will come soon.
Well, our triffilin’ Macy’s still doesn’t have it, HOWEVER, my samples came today
. It reminds me a lot of Angel, but better and sweeter. I can’t wait to get it 
Glad you love it!
I went to Macy’s yesterday and they had the tester and samples, but none to buy yet. Grrrrr!
Sounds like they’ll have them soon though!
Just tested this out (on paper, not skin) at Macy’s while I was killing time waiting for someone. I was surprised by what a straightforward clone of Angel it seemed to be; maybe it develops into something else on skin. I can’t stand Angel (though I know it has been very influential) so this one is a definite “pass” for me. I do like Queen Latifah, though — too bad they didn’t work up something more original for her.
I don’t much expect originality from celebrity scents: too risky. If it’s any good, that’s enough!
Yay! My Macy’s finally got it! I’ll get it when my friend gets there! Hopefully she’s working tonight!
Good luck!
I got it AND the big lotion yesterday
. A nice Birthday Gift to myself. My B’Day is tomorrow 
A very happy birthday to you!!
Thank You, Robin!
I still havent tried this. People are saying it smells like Angel. I sure hope that it isnt true because i absolutely cant stand Angel! Its the only fragrance that actually gets me sick! O my stomachs turning just thinking about it! Please oh please oh please Queen dont smell like Angel!
From what I’ve heard, it’s not nearly so strong as Angel — still probably worth a try!
I finally tried this at Macys and man o man does it smell like Angel! Its true that it isnt as strong as Angel but its pretty darn close! Its nice for what it is, a sweet warm bozy scent for a more mature women then say pink sugar or fantasy. It just might be the sweet scent ive been looking for for the older ladies in my life who love their perfumes sugar coated. Queen L did a nice job w/ this one. I think i prefer Halle over Queen though.
Sounds like you’ve got the holiday presents figured out!