Skylar Simone drops “Gasoline”—the fearless, ’80s-tinged lead single off her debut EP—today, and she’s just as fluent talking fragrance as she is talking music. (She owns more than 50 bottles, for the record.) The LA-based artist, who works closely with creative director Danna Takako on the visual side of her rollout, sat down with us just ahead of the song’s release to talk scent collection, curl-care routine and how she stays sane between studio sessions and stages. Below, she gets into all of it.
Your single drops very soon. How are you feeling as the release gets closer?
“I’m so excited. It’s been a minute since I’ve released music, because I took time to really be in the studio and immerse myself in the process. Having it all come out in such a short window now feels a little weird, but in a good way. It’s very rewarding and I’m excited.”
You started in the industry really young. What’s it like looking back on where you started versus where you are now?
“It’s a lot different than when I was a kid. Back then, I was just a sponge. I wanted to learn as much as possible and grow, and everything felt like a new experience. I’ve obviously been in the industry for a while now, but in a completely different way; you can’t really compare little-me’s experience of the industry to adult-me’s. At the same time, I’m so grateful for it, because it taught me so many lessons.
Now that I’ve gotten the ‘firsts’ and the discovery part out of the way, I can really just be in the moment of who I am. It takes some of the pressure off, so I can focus on the parts I love—the artistry, continuing to evolve—rather than diving in for the first time. What I love about the music industry is that there’s always something new. Even after 100 songs, each one is still its own unique experience. That part’s fun, and it’s definitely different now that I’m older.”
Touring, performing and doing press all take a toll on your skin and otherwise. How do you make sure you’re recovering and taking care of yourself?
“Sleep, definitely! You took the words right out of my mouth. I’ve learned that if I don’t get at least eight or nine hours [laughs], I really cannot function the next day. I’m very sleep-dependent, so I make sure to prioritize it. I also stay on top of my electrolytes and water intake.
When it comes to skin care, I’m a ‘less is more’ person, and that’s true for my health in general. I like to stay in tune with the basics and the necessities. I always make sure to stay super moisturized, especially with travel and flying, and I’m really diligent about cleansing, especially after stage makeup. It looks so good that you almost want to sleep in it, but you can’t…otherwise, you pay the price!”
Your hair always looks amazing. What keeps your curls so defined?
“Thank you! I actually just discovered a new brand I have to shout out because it’s so good. It’s milk_shake’s detangler curl spray ($28). I’m obsessed. I also use their curl conditioner ($28), plus a couple of Davines conditioners in copper and a pinky-red shade to keep the reddish tinge in my hair. I mix those with a purple conditioner in one giant jar concoction, and it keeps my color looking fresh. And milk_shake genuinely smells like caramel popcorn. It’s incredible.”
You mentioned being a fragrance person. Do you like to mix scents, or do you have your holy grails?
“Honestly, both. All of it. I have a collection of over 50 fragrances; I’m obsessed. I’ve been trying to find my signature scent, but I love too many to wear just one, so I switch it up depending on the season. If I had to pick a top three right now, Valaya by Parfums de Marly ($250) is one of my favorites. Gentle Fluidity Gold by Maison Francis Kurkdjian ($275)—the brand behind Baccarat Rouge 540—is probably my all-time favorite; if I had to pick one fragrance to get married in, it would be that one. And Escapade Gourmande by Maison Mataha ($215) is my go-to for fall and winter. Ot smells like crème brûlée. It’s a little too strong for summer, though, or you just end up smelling sweet and sweaty.
Parfums de Marly also makes another one I love for fall: Althaïr ($290). It’s technically marketed as a men’s fragrance, but I think of it as unisex. I wear it all the time. It’s a little spicy, but it has a sweet vanilla note too. I’ve bought it for basically every guy in my life, but I still keep my own bottle because I love it that much.”
