Confirmed: Charli XCX Opted for This Edgy Perfume at the Met Gala
As a beauty editor, it goes without saying that while it's only 8 AM, I've already spent two hours scrolling through my social media feeds to analyze every look from last night's Met Gala red carpet. Although there were several standout beauty moments (Sarah Pidgeon's waves and naked manicure were my favorites), with over a decade of covering the Met Gala, I'm now more captivated by the products A-listers use rather than their avant-garde aesthetics. As a journalist who specializes in fragrance, I’ve developed a keen interest in discovering what perfumes celebrities choose for red carpet events, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn about Charli XCX’s fragrance selection for the 2026 Met Gala. I came across this by coincidence. I had intended to open my laptop this morning to write about the myriad mermaid-wave ponytails that graced the event, with Charli's being one of them. However, while browsing an Instagram post from her trusted hairstylist, Matt Benns, I noticed that her chosen perfume played a significant role in her hair styling as well.
(Image credit: Getty Images)In sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the Charli XCX "glam" suite, Benns also provided some details about the products he used for her hairstyle. I noticed some Wavytalk hair tools but also two very recognizable fragrance bottles—one hair perfume and one eau de parfum. It turns out Charli and I have similar fragrance preferences, as I occasionally wear the same scent, which is the beauty editor and insider favorite, Initio Parfums Privés Atomic Rose.
(Image credit: @shannonlawlor)While the eau de parfum costs £215, Benns chose to mist Charli's ponytail with the hair perfume version, which is significantly more affordable at £85. (As a side note, many beauty editors I know opt for hair perfumes as a more budget-friendly alternative to some luxury fragrances—it's a clever trick.) I must say, Atomic Rose embodies Charli XCX perfectly—it matches her vibe flawlessly. As the name suggests, it features a rose scent at its heart, but this is not a delicate floral. It conjures the image of a rose that has been hastily tossed into your bag at the start of a date, followed by a night of revelry. With both Turkish and Bulgarian rose, it's intense and smoky. Yet, it also boasts a refreshing note of bergamot, a creamy touch of jasmine, and a delightful hint of vanilla, making Atomic Rose a sexy, irresistible fragrance. It's edgy, rebellious, bold, and undeniably captivating. A perfect match for Ms. Charli, wouldn't you agree? Shop Initio Parfums Privés Atomic Rose:
Initio Parfums Privés
Privés Atomic Rose Eau de Parfum
Initio Parfums Privés
Atomic Rose Hair Mist
Other articles
Sarah Pidgeon recently showcased some anti-CBK waves on the Met Gala red carpet—here’s the process behind their creation.
Silent luxury, who?
Hailey Bieber donned a mini dress for the after-parties of the 2026 Met Gala.
She was dressed in Dilara Findikoglu.
Hold on—These Met Gala After-Party Attire Competed with the Main Event.
Indeed, the Met Gala red carpet showcases plenty of drama, but the looks from the after-party are equally unforgettable.
Confirmed: Charli XCX Opted for This Edgy Perfume at the Met Gala
Appropriately unkempt.