I truly believed this smooth fragrance cost $350—it's actually $15, and I can't stop using it.

      The invitation was straightforward: an exclusive beauty preview featuring Jérôme Epinette. No more brand information was provided, aside from it being an "exciting new beauty launch" and a chance to hear from the renowned French perfumer himself. Given Epinette's involvement in popular fragrances like Byredo Bal D'Afrique, Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62, and Lore Disfruta, I was certainly intrigued and eager to RSVP. Upon my arrival, the brand was still cloaked in secrecy as my fellow editors and I navigated through a line of unlabeled scents, exchanging blotters and discussing our favorites. My top choice? A warm, slightly sweet fragrance next to a cluster of delicate white blossoms, suggesting it likely contained jasmine. I tend to choose sultry jasmine perfumes when I want to impress, so it was no surprise that I was drawn to this particular blend. The elegant note is known for imparting a luxurious feel to any fragrance, sparking my curiosity. Could this be a high-end launch? It had the olfactory richness that suggested it could easily retail for over $300. However, as indicated by this headline, I soon discovered that this extravagant scent came with a surprisingly affordable price. Introducing Suede Embrace, my favorite $15 fragrance from Old Navy's new scent and body care line.

      Old Navy Beauty Co. (ONBC) is debuting with seven fragrances: Gourmand Thrill, Fresh Splash, Vanilla Crush, Floral Sweet, Amber Vibe, Sorbet D’lish, and—my favorite—Suede Embrace. Each scent is available in a hair and body mist, body wash, and body lotion that refresh the skin, keep it hydrated, and, of course, smell delightful. After all, partnering with Epinette signals a desire for a fragrance that generates buzz. "My starting point is always the same: What emotion do I want to evoke, and what story should the fragrance tell?" Epinette shared about his creative approach. "I don't start with the idea that an affordable fragrance must be less creative or sophisticated… For me, what's vital is having a distinct signature. You can create that through contrasts, textures, and by balancing familiar notes with something unexpected." This is why his $15 body mists for ONBC smell just as luxurious as my favorite designer fragrances. Epinette possesses an innate ability to craft scent magic with nearly any raw material. "It's not solely about an expensive ingredient. It's about achieving dimension, texture, and contrast," he emphasized. "When the opening, heart, and base harmonize beautifully, a fragrance can feel refined and sophisticated, regardless of price."

      In the case of Suede Embrace, Epinette combines lighter elements like aldehydes and honey with creamy florals (such as jasmine) and a warm foundation of amber, patchouli, and white musks. "The juxtaposition of airy and warm is what makes it so irresistible," he remarked. "I think Suede Embrace could genuinely surprise people. I aimed for it to feel like skin encased in suede." It certainly surprised me, especially when I discovered that this intricate, elegant blend was priced at just $15 (or $8 for the 3-ounce bottle). I highly recommend trying this musky, velvety fragrance for yourself (it truly smells like luxe suede!), but for those seeking something more enveloping, Epinette suggests layering it with Vanilla Crush—a textured take on vanilla infused with black pepper, orange blossom, bergamot, and pistachio. "As vanilla remains popular, I'm always looking for ways to make it feel less typical," he noted. "What I appreciate about Vanilla Crush is the tension. It brings the warmth and comfort expected from vanilla, yet also has a freshness and spice that prevents it from being too sweet or familiar. It possesses a distinct personality that evolves as you wear it."

      Other recommended layering combinations include Suede Embrace with Fresh Splash for a "fresh and sensual" scent, or Sorbet D’Lish and Floral Sweet for a fun and juicy vibe. The advantage of a body mist format lies in its application flexibility; with a lower concentration of fragrance oils compared to an eau de parfum, you can easily experiment with various combinations without overwhelming your senses. This also means you might want to consider getting the smaller 3-ounce size for convenient touch-ups, as body mists do tend to evaporate more quickly. Trust me, as someone who can't stop using Suede Embrace, you'll appreciate having one on hand at all times.

      Shop Old Navy Beauty Co. Hair and Body Mists:

      - Old Navy Suede Embrace Hair & Body Mist

      - Old Navy Vanilla Crush Hair & Body Mist

      - Old Navy Sorbet D’Lish Hair & Body Mist

      - Old Navy Gourmand Thrill Hair & Body Mist

      - Old Navy Fresh Splash Hair & Body Mist

      - Old Navy Floral Sweet Hair & Body