A licensed therapist by trade, Dallas, Texas-based Funmi Monet has garnered an impressive following of fragrance enthusiasts on social media. A devoted fragrance wearer with an extensive perfume collection, Monet has become known as a source of advice and expertise in fragrances.
Some of her most popular posts include, “Best Head Turning Perfumes,” “Sweet Perfumes That Are Intoxicating,” and “Best Smelling In The Room,” among others. For Monet, scents are personal signatures meant to be enjoyed by the wearer first.
For her debut fragrance named Exalté, Monet wanted to create a seasonless signature scent featuring Turkish rose, her favorite floral note. Top notes of Exalté include, pink pepper and lemon with heart notes blending Turkish rose, jasmine, Osmanthus, and orange blossom with base notes of vanilla, amber, benzoin, musk and sandalwood.
Priced at $250, for 100ML and $35 for 5ML Exalté by Funmi Monet is now available on bellaaura.com.
Enjoy our exchange with Monet, as she takes us through her affinity for fragrances and the creation of her own eau de parfum.
Snobette: What was your first memory connected to fragrance?
Funmi Monet: “My mother and aunties always wore perfume to church, on special occasions, and holidays. I remember hugging my mom and thinking that she smelled sophisticated and fancy. I always associate heavy floral fragrances to this day with special occasions.”
Snobette: Do you remember your first fragrance purchase? Does that scent still resonate with you?
Funmi Monet: “My first fragrance purchase was Daisy by Marc Jacobs when I was 17. I saved some money from my after-school job and purchased it on my birthday. Although I no longer wear this scent, it was a fun, bright, sparkly floral citrus scent that always brings fond memories.”
Snobette: How did the creation of Exalté come about, was it always a goal of yours to create your own scent?
Funmi Monet: “I had the opportunity to partner with Yasmine Jones, the owner of Bella Aura Skin, when she approached me about creating a perfume as a passion project. Yasmine and I have been friends for several years and she has always been a huge supporter of my perfume content. Through Yasmine, we were able to connect with one of the best perfumers in Paris who helped to execute my vision for this perfume. I’ve always wanted to create a perfume and was honored to have the opportunity to work with the best of the best in the industry to make something I love.”
Snobette: What have you learned about the fragrance creation process through creating Exalté ?
Funmi Monet: “This process has shown me more than anything else how long it actually takes to create a perfume from inception to post-production. It definitely helps to come in with a vision regarding what you want, but having a good team behind you to execute this vision and provide guidance in areas I was unfamiliar with was crucial. “
Snobette: The packaging and the set design for Exalté is anchored on the colors green and gold. Do these colors have a particular significance for you?
Funmi Monet: “Green has been my power color for the last couple years. I turned thirty in 2020 in a year that was full of uncertainty and pain for many people. During that time, green started popping up in different areas in my life. I saw it representative of hope, prosperity, and endurance. Exalté is a celebration of confidence and sensuality. Green and gold is an opulent combination that showcases how I want this perfume to make people feel when they wear it.”
Snobette: Do you envision the creation of your own fragrance house/brand beyond this launch?
Funmi Monet: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I am optimistic about continuing to create beautiful perfumes that are reflective of my taste and interpretation on what is trending in the industry.”
