Celebrity-inspired Halloween costumes require perfume

Get serious this Halloween. Whether dressing as Barbie or Marilyn Monroe, the best-costume prize goes to those who channel via fragrance.

Still don’t know what you’re dressing up as for Halloween? Take your costume cues from the celebrity world. Whether you’re looking to dress down, go glam or embrace the dark side, Harpers Bazaar offers up a 44-celebrity-costumes-gallery to inspire. We picked four of our favourites and decided to take Halloween to the next level. To really embrace the moment, go multi-sensorial with a spritz tailored to your costumed character.

A skeleton—à la Kim Kardashian West—should wear Arquiste

Arquiste Anima Dulcis might not be very Kim K-esque, but Halloween is all about embracing a different persona. Anima Dulcis is wonderfully dark with notes of paprika, cocoa, vanilla, chillies and cinnamon. Spicy and delicious, it will warm up any un-dead outfit.
Arquiste Anima Dulcis, $165 (55 ml), www.arquiste.com www.barneys.com

 A Cinderella—just like Gwen Stefani—should wear Aerin

Ska-pop princess Gwen Stefani traded in her crop top and signature red lip for a baby blue ballgown when she decided to be Cinderella. Aerin Evening Rose, with its notes of rose, blackberry and cognac, is the pick for this fake-it-until-you-make-it princess.
Aerin Evening Rose, $125 (50 ml), www.holtrenfrew.com www.neimenmarcus.com

Barbie—à la Rita Ora—should wear Versace

Though we’ve seen some marked improvements in Barbie’s image recently, the name still conjures images of head-to-toe pink. Rita Ora’s take on the doll embraces over-the-top blond, bubblegum sex appeal. Wear Versace Bright Crystal Absolu to complete this costume. Notes of yuzu, pomegranate, peony, raspberry and musk are bright, vibrant and—what else?—pink.
Versace Bright Crystal Absolu, $98 (50 ml), www.sephora.com www.bloomingdales.com

Marilyn Monroe—brought to life by Cindy Crawford—wears Chanel

This one is a no-brainer. If you’re channeling your inner Marilyn, like iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford, you’ll need a spritz of Chanel No. 5. The famous starlet reportedly slept in the fragrance, and nothing else. One icon deserves another.
Chanel No. 5, $150 (100 ml), www.thebay.com 

 PHOTOS: Harpers Bazaar