From nostalgic body mists that harken back to middle school locker rooms, to drugstore lip glosses tucked into handbags, and flea-market jewelry that holds more meaning than a price tag ever could—Blake Lively is more than a Hollywood A-lister. She’s a storyteller, using scent, style, and memory as her mediums. In this rare and candid conversation, the actress and entrepreneur opens up about the power of perfume to transport her through time, why every accessory she wears tells a personal story, and how beauty rituals—no matter how simple—can become sacred. With the launch of her new Blake Brown Hair & Body Mists, Lively revisits the whimsical world of body sprays, blending nostalgia with modern sophistication. For her, beauty isn’t just about appearance—it’s about emotion, identity, and capturing the essence of life, one sensory detail at a time.
The return of the body mist
For Blake Lively, 2024 is another banner year—not only for her career in film, but for her growing influence in the beauty world. Hot off the press tour for Another Simple Favor, Lively’s brand, Blake Brown, has launched a new range of Hair and Body Refresh Mists exclusively at Target, reigniting a wave of early 2000s nostalgia. The affordable $18.99 sprays—Bergamot Woods, Wild Nectar Santal, and Sandalwood Vanille—marry retro design with modern fragrance complexity.
“There’s something beautiful about the fact that they look like a retro perfume, yet they’re easy and super durable,” she tells me over coffee. “You can throw them in your purse or gym bag. That portability—and emotional memory—makes them feel so personal.” For Lively, the product is more than functional—it’s evocative. “I always had Love Spell or Cucumber Melon in my bag growing up,” she says. “So making something like this felt right.”
Despite their accessibility and playful packaging, the mists were meticulously crafted, with the brand working alongside high-end perfumers to develop rich, layered notes not typically found in haircare. “It’s usually citrus or floral,” she explains. “But I wanted something woodier, creamier—more gourmand. That takes time, money, and innovation, which is exactly why we did it.”
The role of scent in her characters
Though perfume isn’t visible on screen, it plays a quiet, powerful role in Lively’s approach to acting. “I wear different scents for different characters,” she says. “Nobody sees it, but it helps me feel the role.” For her role in The Age of Adaline, she wore something classic and delicate. For Emily in A Simple Favor, she chose a bold, peppery woodsiness.
“I always layer fragrance,” she adds. “Even if I wear something familiar, I want it to feel unique to me—like a memory trigger.” This ritual also extends to her personal life. Lively recounts a summer she spent in the South of France, journaling daily and immersing herself in French language and culture. “I wore a specific perfume then, and now when I smell it, I’m transported. That’s what I love about scent. It’s time travel.”
Fragrance etiquette: Where and when
Lively is refreshingly candid when asked where she wears fragrance. “To the gym? Of course. To the beach? Definitely.” But she’s also mindful of the people around her. “On a plane, you have to be considerate. You don’t want anything overpowering. That’s why our mists work—they’re strong but soft.”
The idea of public scent etiquette sparks a wider thought. “People worry about fragrance in public spaces, but they’re probably just applying too much,” she muses. “I never like when a scent makes your nose burn. That’s why we added a lot of milky, creamy notes to our mists. It’s like cooking—nobody wants to eat straight vinegar.” Even her children notice her scent. “They smell my pillow and say, ‘Mommy,’” she says, smiling. “They describe it as warm and soft. I must be wearing something—even unconsciously—because they notice it.”
Beauty favorites, then and now
Though Lively is known for her glamour, she doesn’t chase trends. “I rediscovered body sprays, thanks to tweens,” she jokes. “They brought them back, just like we did when we were their age.” Her beauty approach is grounded, practical, and loyal. “I don’t carry perfume in my bag—it’s too aggressive for a refresh. But a mist gives me that little endorphin rush during the day.”
When it comes to makeup, she sticks with what works. “I’m not on TikTok, but Instagram knows me too well,” she laughs. “I get targeted with quirky sweaters and pottery.” Her recent drugstore discovery? The Maybelline Fit Me Dewy & Smooth Foundation and the Maybelline Lifter Gloss, which she snagged at an SNL afterparty. “I’m not sponsored,” she assures, “but that gloss is good.”
Fashion as storytelling
Lively has become known for styling herself—something she approaches with intention. “I do a fitting and then create a story. If I think of each outfit as its own special moment, it’s overwhelming. But if there’s a throughline or narrative, it becomes more manageable.”
Photos of looks go into Freeform, a digital storyboard app. She then evaluates the looks not just by the outfit, but by the hair and makeup. “Hair and makeup change everything. A smoky eye and ponytail tells a different story than soft waves and glowy skin. Styling is storytelling, and I have a lot of respect for people who do it well.”
Jewelry with meaning
For Lively, jewelry isn’t about luxury—it’s about memory. “My mom had no expensive jewelry, but she had incredible style. We’d go to flea markets and antique shops. I loved the playfulness of it.”
Even now, she’s fascinated by the stories behind each piece. “There’s an amazing account called The Adventurine by Marion Fasel. It’s all about the history and symbolism of jewelry. I love understanding the ‘why.’” Her own ring commemorates the release of Another Simple Favor. “It was a gift to myself after wrapping the film. Every time I wear it, I remember that moment.”
She also admires a quote passed from Elizabeth Taylor to jeweler Lorraine Schwartz: “Make it mean something.” That principle now shapes the way she collects—choosing pieces for milestones, not impulse.
Travel tips and loyal favorites
Despite her A-list status, Lively travels light. “I’m loyal. I pack the same few products I always use.” Her beauty bag is themed around the destination—beachy scents for coastal trips, sophisticated vibes for Paris. “It’s aspirational packing,” she laughs. “The most elevated version of myself for that place.” Her skincare? Surprisingly minimalist. “I wash my face with baby shampoo. I know I need to step it up,” she admits. “My skincare is lackluster, but it works for me.”
As for her most important drugstore essential? “The Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer. That was a high school staple—and it still slaps.”
Blake Lively’s approach to beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling. From the scents that define a character to the ring that marks a career moment, everything she wears tells a story. And in a world that often prizes what’s new and viral, her loyalty to memory, meaning, and personal ritual is a refreshing kind of timeless.
