I Wasn't Permitted to Wear Perfume, so I Developed This Viral, Compliment-Worthy Fragrance.

      The Lineup is a monthly feature offering an exclusive glimpse into the beauty collections of leading experts and tastemakers in the industry. Get set for an insider's view of the essential products that they can’t live without. My fascination with beauty was ignited by perfume. In elementary school, visiting the mall and exploring fragrances at Macy's, Bath & Body Works, and Victoria's Secret became a favorite pastime of mine. I began to build my collection, and soon my dresser was filled with an array of perfume bottles. However, DedCool founder Carina Chaz had a different journey into the fragrance world. "As a child, I wasn't permitted to use conventional perfumes," she shares. "So, I began making my own. At 13, I created my first fragrance—Taunt ($90)—which is still part of our lineup today and remains one of our best-sellers." Chaz launched DedCool as a passion project in 2016 at just 21 years old. "At this point, I'd been crafting scents for myself and friends for years and finally decided to share them online," she explains. "I wanted to challenge the binary, overly polished standards of luxury fragrances with something gender-neutral, clean, and expressive." This innovative start-up began with some savings, DIY labels, and stock bottles, and nine years later, it has evolved into a best-selling fragrance brand, with its latest release—Mochi Milk ($90)—drawing thousands for its waitlist.

      So what catapulted DedCool into social media fame and onto the best-seller charts? If you guessed XtraMilk ($90), you would be correct. Chaz notes that this creamy, musky scent is exactly what the community craved. "People loved the original Milk ($90) but desired something a bit stronger and longer-lasting, so we developed that," she clarifies. "It retains that cozy, skin-like essence but offers more depth and longevity." Chaz added that this ultra-personal and easily wearable fragrance captures her brand's overall ethos. "DedCool is about establishing your own vibe, not following someone else's," she states. "I aim to empower people to wear scent how they wish, whenever they wish, and to see it as a part of their daily routine, not merely a finishing touch." With Chaz's highly popular fragrances, I suspected she had some additional beauty recommendations to share, so I asked her to share them below. Keep scrolling to discover her favorites, from glass-skin serums to her go-to brow gel and the spray she refers to as a skin savior.

      DedCool

      Mochi Milk Fragrance

      "Our latest launch and a scent I can’t stop wearing. It has this gentle, sweet, nostalgic vibe—peach nectar, fluffy marshmallow, and sweet rice milk all grounded in sandalwood and musk. It feels like a warm hug, but with a DedCool twist."

      Herbivore

      Cloud Jelly Plumping Hydration Serum

      "I'm all about hydration, and this delivers that bouncy, glassy look without any stickiness. The texture is absolutely dreamy."

      SOFIE PAVITT FACE

      Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum

      "I completely trust Sofie with my skin. This exfoliates without causing irritation and helps keep my pores in check without drying me out. It's gentle yet effective."

      Dedcool

      Dedtergent Xtra Milk

      "This is the scent of my entire life. It's a clean, cozy, creamy-skin fragrance paradise. Also, your clothes become a fragrant experience."

      Kosas

      Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant

      "I've tried numerous natural deodorants, and this one is just right."

      MARA

      Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil

      "Allison, a friend and genius, created this. It dissolves SPF and makeup without stripping my skin, and it's part of my nighttime wind-down routine."

      Tower 28 Beauty

      SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray With Hypochlorous Acid

      "This product is like a skin savior. I have one in my bag, one in my bathroom, and one in my car. It calms everything—redness, flare-ups, whatever. It’s like a reset button in a bottle."

      Kosas

      DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

      "I'm a minimalist with makeup, and this is my ideal product. It's glowy, protective, and makes me look polished without much effort."

      MILK MAKEUP

      Watermelon Jelly Brightening Serum Stick

      "Such a fun product that instantly brings my skin to life!"

      Kulfi

      Free the Brow Volumizing Brow Gel

      "Feathery brows forever. This gel holds without being crunchy, and the tint is subtle yet perfect. Plus, the packaging is delightful—it brings me joy every time I use it."

      Crown Affair

      The Brush No. 001

      "Honestly, it's the prettiest brush