Everything global superstar Maluma does comes with a side of sex appeal. From his music and his latest acting role alongside Jennifer Lopez in Marry Me, to a new fragrance collection of sensual scents for both men and women. The Colombian crooner knows his audience, and he says that when he was concepting each of the four fragrances in his Royalty collection, he wanted to bottle his Latin roots and create scents that represented both his culture and his fans.
Attend a PapiJuancho concert and you’ll see why. His fans, largely made up of the most beautiful women on the planet, show up dressed to the nines, singing every word of his songs of love and loss, and engage with him in a way our mothers and mother’s mothers lusted after Julio Iglesias in the ’80s and ’90s. Creating a collection of scents that they could wear as well just made sense.
“I was always dreaming about having my own fragrance,” he says earnestly as he describes what led him to this collaboration with Hampton Beauty, the company behind KKW Fragrance. “It’s something that a lot of people have asked me about during concerts and meet and greets. Everyone always asks, ‘What fragrance are you wearing?’ I always had to say to other brands that they were not mine. I thought, maybe this could work and I started developing it with my team.”
Royalty by Maluma, The King and Queen collection is comprised of four fragrances ($45 each) that represent different gemstones: Jade and Amethyst for her and Onyx and Garnet for him. Here, the superstar shares what inspired his fragrance journey and his special wellness routine that includes a surprisingly early bedtime.
What was your first scent memory?
“One of my memories with scents includes seeing my dad when I was young shave and place aftershave scent all over him before leaving to work. I remember him placing it on his hands and leaving the scent behind in our home after leaving to work. This was one of my first few memories with scents.”
Which fragrances inspire you the most?
“Many of the scents that inspire me include the early mornings in the hills and mountains of my hometown of Medellin. Smelling the fresh air, the trees and woods is just a beautiful memory for me always, and my favorite part to wake up to when I am home from touring.”
From L to R: Jade features black currant and bergamot notes, Onxy is a clove, cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla and cedarwood blend, Amethyst has a citrus based scent with tangerine, clementine, jasmine and orange blossom, and the patchouli leaning (Maluma says he loves everything patchouli) Garnet has layered notes of geranium, lavender, baie rose and vetiver
Did you have any deal breakers in terms of what you did or didn’t want?
“The team and I truly focused on a fluid collection. I wanted to make sure it was unisex for all my fans and that we definitely incorporated a woody smell, and the orchid flower, which is the main flower of Medellin. We wanted no limits to the scents and make sure both genders could use any of the collections.”
Do you wear cologne when performing on stage?
“Yes, I do. Fragrance for me is another form of expression, just like music and fashion. A scent can empower your mood for that day or self-express how you feel that day.”
How important is skin care to you?
“Honestly, I don’t have a skin-care routine and don’t use many products. I focus on taking care of my health and watching what I eat. I drink a lot of water, lead a strict daily diet, break a sweat everyday by working out, and go to sleep early. Many people think that because I am young that I party and go to sleep late, and that is not the case. I make sure I am in bed after 9 p.m. and get a good night’s sleep, so I can wake up early for a great workout and breakfast.”
JLO is the queen of the cross-over and doing it all—what have you learned from her?
“Jennifer has taught me that discipline is key for you to do whatever your mind wants and to accomplish your dreams. She works hard and she’s a very dedicated artist to her craft. That has inspired me!”
Did she share any behind-the-scenes beauty secrets with you?
“No, but we have a lot in common, which is we lead a strict food intake, we workout and make sure to spend time with those we love, even through the busy schedules.”
Male Latin artists today seem more comfortable expressing their individuality and both their masculine and feminine sides. Do you think our culture is changing and becoming more open to that fluidity and individuality?
“Yes, I think the new generation is self-expressing and using so many outlets to share with the world a message that they believe in or showcase who they are without apologizing. I am excited to see how new artists within our Latin culture who are making a name in the music industry will continue to change this. This is why I have been very vocal on supporting new artists and working with them. I also get inspired from the work I do with my foundation, El Arte De Los Suenos, which supports new talent within the arts from Colombia. The kids from my foundation inspire me and I want to inspire them to never stop dreaming.”
