What Does the Met Gala Really Smell Like? The Fragrance Stories of Tyla and Joey King
Each year, the Met Gala’s red carpet sets the stage for unforgettable moments in fashion—and, increasingly, in beauty and fragrance. While the buzz is usually about the best-dressed celebrities or the wildest hair transformations, this year the conversation included another sense altogether: scent. For 2025, Parfums de Marly became the unofficial fragrance house of the event, with two of the evening’s standout stars—Tyla and Joey King—showcasing the brand’s sumptuous perfumes both in their hair and on their pulse points. But what exactly does ‘the Met Gala’ smell like once you step inside those famed museum doors? Let’s explore.
The Red Carpet Aroma vs. The Gala Ambience
The legendary Met Gala red carpet outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is famous for its mix of city scents—a blend of street food, taxi emissions, a hint of yesterday’s trash, and the lingering popularity of Santal 33. Yet inside, attendees are enveloped in a much more refined aura. For 2025, thanks to a little spritzing magic, the overwhelming scent profile wasn’t urban grit, but chic French florals from Parfums de Marly .
The Rise of Parfums de Marly at the Met Gala
The brand Parfums de Marly, known for blending noble tradition with contemporary luxury, made a major statement this year. Both Tyla and Joey King chose the label’s exquisite fragrances to define their looks and impact how the gala itself quite literally smelled.
- Tyla: Selected Valaya Hair Perfume and matched it with Valaya Eau de Parfum as her signature night scent.
- Joey King: Went for Delina Hair Perfume to complement her choice of Delina Eau de Parfum—both iconic from the same house.
This strong showing at one of fashion’s biggest events has led beauty editors and experts to refer to Parfums de Marly as the “unofficial official fragrance” of the Met Gala 2025 .
The Preparation Rituals: How Hair and Perfume Merged
Getting Met Gala–ready is a team effort. For both Tyla and Joey King, their hairstylists (Yusef and Rena Calhoun, respectively) built in a final sensory flourish before they even left for the event: hair perfume. This is more than just an afterthought:
- Valaya Hair Perfume was sprayed liberally through Tyla’s updo, adding both scent and subtle shine.
- Delina Hair Perfume was misted through Joey King’s hair to echo the bouquet of her body fragrance.
The result was a seamless, head-to-toe fragrance experience for both stars—one that lasted well into the night and allowed them to leave a scented trail wherever they walked.
The Scents: Comparing Valaya and Delina
While both featured fragrances are identified as florals, their profiles—and the moods they evoke—are distinctively different. Below, a breakdown of their olfactive personalities:
| Scent | Top Notes | Heart Notes | Base Notes | Vibe & Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valaya | Orange blossom, aldehydes (clean-laundry effect) | Lily-of-the-valley, white peach | Musk, soft woods | Fresh, elegant, dry florals Soft but powerful, like crisp cotton Extremely long-lasting with strong projection |
| Delina | Lychee, rhubarb, bergamot | Roses upon roses | Vanilla (subdued), musk | Romantic, juicy florals Feminine, playful, princess-at-the-ball energy Also very long-lasting, fills a room |
What Do These Scents Say?
Valaya is the olfactory equivalent of freshly pressed white cotton: an understated luxury that manages to be both clean and sexy. By contrast, Delina is unapologetically rosy and bright—like a modern fairy tale rendered as fragrance. Both are premium, complex, and incredibly tenacious: world-class scents made for a high-profile event .
Why Hair Perfume?
If you thought perfume was strictly for skin, the Met Gala 2025 proved otherwise. Hair perfume is having a moment, and there are valid reasons:
- Hair holds scent longer than skin, diffusing fragrance every time you move.
- Specialized hair perfumes avoid harsh alcohols often present in traditional Eau de Parfum, which can dry out hair.
- They typically include conditioning agents like panthenol to hydrate and protect.
- Formats are smaller, easy to tuck into a clutch for on-the-go reapplication.
Parfums de Marly’s hair scents elevate and extend the presence of your chosen perfume, making them perfect for long events such as the Met Gala where impact and longevity matter .
How Tyla and Joey King Used Scent as a Signature Statement
Choosing a fragrance for an event as visually saturated as the Met Gala is an exercise in branding. Both Tyla and Joey King didn’t just pick beautiful outfits—they curated a whole sensory experience. Their choices underscore that aroma is an integral part of red carpet glamour. Here’s how their choices played into the evening’s narrative:
- Tyla’s Valaya scent enhanced her ethereal, refined look—projecting modern elegance and clean luxury through a unique olfactory signature.
- Joey King’s Delina ensemble complemented her “princess-meets-modern muse” vibe, leaving a trail of sweet florals and soft vanilla as she mingled with the A-list crowd.
The impact? Both celebrities stood out, not just for their visual presence but for the fragrant aura they brought to the room—a detail other celebrities and stylists are sure to emulate in future galas.
Inside the World of Parfums de Marly: The Art of Long-Lasting Scents
Parfums de Marly is known for perfumes with exceptional sillage (the trail left by scent) and longevity. At the Met Gala, this meant Tyla and Joey’s fragrances weren’t fleeting; they persisted the entire evening, mingling with the museum’s grandeur, the lush florals of the decorations, and the anticipation of fashion’s biggest night out.
- Valaya and Delina each remain noticeable even hours after application, ensuring consistent presence from red carpet to after-party.
- The strong projection of these fragrances means they’re perceptible even from across a crowded room—a point not lost on fellow guests.
The Importance of Scent in Celebrity Beauty Strategies
Scent is often the invisible finishing touch to a beauty look, reflecting personality, mood, or even the theme of the event. Celebrities have increasingly understood the importance of fragrance in shaping public perception. With photographers, fans, and industry icons all in one place, even a hint of a unique scent can set you apart. The selection of Parfums de Marly by Tyla and Joey King is emblematic of modern beauty’s shift toward multi-sensory experiences on the red carpet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Met Gala Fragrances
Q: Why do celebrities use hair perfumes instead of traditional perfumes?
A: Hair perfumes are gentle, don’t dry out hair, and allow for a subtle, diffused scent that lasts longer due to the porous nature of hair. Most are also formulated with conditioning ingredients for added benefit .
Q: How long do hair perfumes like Parfums de Marly last compared to body sprays?
A: Hair perfumes are designed to hold scent for extended periods—sometimes even longer than body perfumes—especially when applied to freshly cleansed hair and refreshed during the evening.
Q: Are Valaya and Delina suitable for daily wear, or are they too strong?
A: Both have robust projection but are crafted for elegance, making them versatile enough for both special occasions and, with lighter application, every day. Their complex bouquets wear beautifully in a range of settings.
Q: What is the price range of these Met Gala-featured fragrances?
A: Both Valaya and Delina retail at the luxury end: hair perfumes typically cost around $93, while the Eau de Parfum versions range between $235 and $390 .
Q: Does using matching hair perfume and body scent enhance fragrance longevity?
A: Absolutely. Layering scents in both hair and on skin creates a multi-dimensional effect and helps maintain freshness all day (or night).
Expert Tips: Making Your Signature Scent Last
- Start with freshly washed hair: Scent holds best on clean strands.
- Apply to pulse points and hair lengths: Maximize scent diffusion, particularly for important events.
- Use products from the same scent family: Layer matching hair and body fragrance for a lasting impression.
- Reapply as needed: Carry travel-size bottles for a quick mid-event refresh.
The Secret Weapon of Red Carpet Glamour
The 2025 Met Gala revealed that perfume, once an afterthought, is now a deliberate tool in crafting a celebrity’s presence. Through creative use of hair perfumes, strategic layering, and a discerning choice of fragrance profiles, stars like Tyla and Joey King have set a precedent for future galas. For beauty aficionados, editors, and anyone intrigued by the evolving role of scent in style, Parfums de Marly’s dominance at the Met offers a new olfactory benchmark—and perhaps a new routine for truly memorable nights out.
