While some actors immerse themselves in their roles through tactics like method acting, actress Adria Arjona likes to imagine what her character would smell like. Understanding the personal and sentimental nature of fragrance, the Andor actress has long used perfume as a way to connect with her characters. “For each role I choose, I pick out a scent for them,” says Arjona. “What is their first impression to the rest of the world?”
While Arjona didn’t disclose the fragrances she associates with her roles, we imagine that her character in Hitman might smell like a deep layered rose fragrance like Floral Street Black Lotus Eau de Parfum, and her character in Andor might smell woodsy and smokey like Tom Ford’s Ebène Fumé Eau de Parfum. As for Arjona herself, we know she smells like Moroccanoil’s first ever eau de parfum, Moroccanoil L’Originale, because she is the new face of the fragrance.
Moroccanoil’s signature beachy, ambery scent—familiar from the brand’s hair products— sparks memories for Arjona. The fragrance reminds her of joyful sunny days spent surfing and enjoying the beach with friends and family, after which she always used the hair mask to condition her curls. “When you choose your perfume, you are choosing how you want people to remember you,” she says. “I want people to remember me as a breezy summer day like the ones that I remember so fondly. People that know me, know this scent very well already because they smell it in my hair.”
The Mediterranean-inspired Moroccanoil L’Originale achieves those endless summer vibes with an invigorating blend of lemon, violet, and camellia notes, followed by base notes like of vanilla, sandalwood and musk. (It’s the same warm fragrance found in the brand’s range of products for the body, including Body Soufflé and Body Butter.)
Arjona’s interest in scent actually goes back to her childhood: Prior to discovering her love for acting, she wanted to be a perfumer. Scent is also deeply rooted in her Latin heritage—the smell of corn reminds her for freshly made tortillas and orange blossoms always transport her back to her childhood summers in Puerto Rico. And while beauty in general has always been a consistent part of Arjona’s life—she learned skincare and makeup tips from her mother, who was heavily involved in the pageant circuit and even ran for Miss Puerto Rico—it was fragrance that Arjona found the most intriguing, describing it as “transportive.” Her beachy new perfume, arriving in the chill of winter, delivers on that promise.
The Moroccanoil L’Originale Eau de Parfum will be available for purchase beginning February 18th on the Sephora app, and on the 19th on Sephora.com and Moroccanoil.com.