Ulta Beauty is getting a much-needed addition to its shelves this Black History Month. On February 4, fine fragrance brand Octavia Morgan Los Angeles launched at the retailer. Morgan’s namesake brand is the first Black and woman-owned prestige fragrance to launch at Ulta Beauty. According to Ulta, brands described as prestige are high-end offerings known for their quality and value.
“I cried, not just for myself, but for the others that are going to come behind me,” Morgan said to 21Ninety.
Before her brand landed on Ulta’s shelves, Morgan participated in Ulta’s 2023 MUSE Accelerator program. The MUSE program features a cohort of BIPOC owned beauty brands gaining funding, mentoring and a detailed curriculum to prepare them for retail distribution.
What Is Octavia Morgan Los Angeles?
Octavia Morgan Los Angeles is a line of clean, genderless fine fragrances. As a Black woman, Morgan’s namesake brand was inspired by the matriarch’s in her family.
“I remember being a young girl watching them go to different events. But what really stuck with me is, before they left the house, they would spray their fragrance,” she shared.
Morgan’s grandmother, a former herbalist, is arguably the biggest influence in her entrepreneurial journey. Through her, Morgan learned the importance of creating products to benefit the community and make them feel good in the process.
“My grandmother always said, ‘A woman is never completely dressed until she sprays her fragrance,” Morgan said.
- Best Unisex Fragrance: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Legendary Eau de Parfum
- Best Sample Set: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles 4 Piece Discovery Set
- Best Alluring Fragrance: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Dark Rose Eau de Parfum
- Best Sweet Fragrance: Octavia Morgan Los Angeles Midnight Orchard Eau de Parfum
Best Unisex Fragrance
Unlike other fragrances, Morgan’s brand offers options for various audiences across genders and generations. The lineup includes the Legendary Eau de Parfum, a genderless scent with notes including leathery papyrus, amber, and cardamom. Morgan explains Legendary was a balanced scent created to appeal to her patients while working as a hospice nurse.
“I dealt with a very vulnerable population, and they were very sensitive to smell. That’s why I created Legendary-it’s a little spicy and a little woodsy. But it smells very clean and it’s non-offensive. I wanted to be able to wear something to work,” Morgan shared.
Best Sample Set
Like other perfume connoisseurs, Morgan believes that wearing a scent for an extended period of time in different conditions is the best way to figure out if you like it. Instead of splurging on a full-size bottle of perfume after one scent test, expand your options with a sample set. Those not ready to commit to one Octavia Morgan Los Angeles scent should invest in the brand’s 4 Piece Discovery Set. The sample set features Morgan’s four key perfumes: Dark Rose, Midnight Orchid, Legendary, and L’Affaire.
Best Alluring Fragrance
Morgan believes the journey to finding your signature fragrance isn’t just about your favorite scents, but rather the feeling you want to convey. If you’re looking to break necks metaphorically when you walk into a room, Morgan’s Dark Rose Eau de Parfum is a good option.
“I wanted something that was, ‘I don’t want to apologize. I’m sexy, I’m here, and I’m exposed. I had a moody, sexy scent in mind, and that’s what I’ve been able to convey with Dark Rose,” Morgan shared.
She mentioned women seemingly always have to apologize or hold back from being bold and authentic. Instead, Morgan prompts women and other marginalized members of society to let it all out. The fragrance dark rose features notes of black rose, pink peppercorn, and plum to stimulate the senses in a seductive manner.
Best Sweet Fragrance
For those who love gourmand fragrances, Morgan created the Midnight Orchard Eau de Parfum. The fragrance’s top notes include peach and apricot, which mirror a tantalizing sweet treat. But it features other notes including szechuan pepper and sandalwood that help bring some depth and long-lasting scent power to the sweet-forward perfume.
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