Lady Gaga has one. So does Taylor Swift. Beyonce has two. Jennifer Lopez has six, and Britney Spears a whopping eleven.
Anna Nicole Smith had one - the ironically-titled Live - but seeing as it came out before she was immortalised in operatic form, I think we can safely say that no modern opera character has ever inspired the creation of a perfume.
Back in the pre-celebrity fragrance days, things were different. In 1929, Jacques Guerlain, depending on which story you believe, created either a special perfume for JFK's mother or a knockoff of Chanel No. 5. He named it after a character he'd recently seen in the Paris premiere of Turandot - Liu. It was a commercial success - at least to begin with. But like an ageing soprano, Liu's appeal gradually faded until one day it disappeared altogether, to be replaced at a later date by a remodelled version.
This season, the fickle breezes of fragrance fashion have once more blown Liu's way. It's now at the front of the shelves, and joined by a limited edition make-up collection.
Being pretty, useless and expensive, Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder (top) epitomises the kind of woman-who-has-everything gift proposition all cosmetic companies feel duty-bound to offer at this time of year. A perfumed, glittery powder for women who want to be glittery and powdery and smell faintly of Chanel No. 5, this will quite literally get up your nose. Go on, test it. Then blow your nose and see your hanky twinkle. I admit I was so fascinated by this unexpected special effect I went back and tested it twice.
The other products in the collection are still on the pricey side, but at least they're practical (of course only if you wear make-up, that is) and like everything from Guerlain, top quality.
Liu Eye and Lip Calligraphy Palette is nothing to do with calligraphy, but that's cosmetics marketing for you. What it does have are three eyeshadows in suits-all shimmery shades, a black wet/dry powder eyeliner and two bold red lipsticks, one warm and one cool-toned. All are made to Guerlain's usual high standards, and the shiny black palette is itself a feat of engineering. Plus applicators are included. The Dragon Lady look in one little box. Irresistible.
Écrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow in 500 Les Ombres Turandot gives you four eyeshadows in warm plum and golden tones that should suit nearly anyone. The two in the centre are matte and the other two are iridescent. These are the sort of shades that really make blue or green eyes pop.
Two new shades of Rouge Automatique Shine Lipstick pay tribute to Turandot. 700 Altoum is a sheer gold sparkle, meant for layering, if you can be bothered with putting on two lipsticks. 760 Lou-Ling is a glossy raspberry pink with gold and fuchsia sparkle - very pretty. Both shades have a toning Nail Enamel; Altoum is a warm metallic beige, Lou-Ling a deep purple-plum. Do Guerlain know Altoum's a bloke, I wonder?
If you're tempted, Debenhams have 10% off all beauty products until Sunday 18 November, and John Lewis are price-matching them.
Note - as with all posts, unless specifically noted, no payment or products/samples have been received from any of the suppliers mentioned.
