First Look At Marlena Stell’s Fragrance Line, Marsté — E.709

4 min readDec 6, 2024

In the latest episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta sat down with beauty industry trailblazer Marlena Stell, former founder of Makeup Geek, to discuss her exciting new venture into fragrance with the launch of Marsté, her luxury fragrance brand. Marlena’s journey into the world of scent combines personal memories, artistic expression, and a commitment to creating high-quality, accessible products.

The Inspiration Behind Marsté

For Marlena, fragrance has always been a personal passion. During the challenging years of COVID-19 and postpartum depression, she turned to fragrance as a source of comfort and joy. This newfound passion, combined with a love for French culture and a desire to create meaningful experiences, led her to embark on an educational journey into the art of perfumery.

“I wanted something as a mood booster… Fragrance was an instant way to lift my spirits and help me feel confident again.”

Crafting Fragrances with Soul

Marsté’s debut line is deeply personal, inspired by Marlena’s transformative experiences in Paris, a city that became her haven during a difficult time in her life. The three fragrances — Jardin de Luxembourg, Montmartre Midi, and Un Nuit Parisienne — each tell a unique story tied to her memories of Paris.

The Fragrances

Jardin de Luxembourg

Notes: Green mandarin, light floral accords.
Description: A fresh, elegant scent reminiscent of peaceful days spent in the iconic Parisian gardens. Perfect for everyday wear, it exudes a chic, put-together vibe.
“This is my go-to when I want to feel like I’m French for the day.”

2. Montmartre Midi

Notes: Creamy white florals, cardamom, honey, orange blossom.
Description: A richer floral with a touch of spice, inspired by the artistic vibrancy of Montmartre. Ideal for brunches, meetings, or when you want to channel confident femininity.
“It’s floral and creamy but has an edge — perfect for feeling like a boss.”

3. Un Nuit Parisienne

Notes: Amber, hazelnut, chai spices.
Description: A sensual and glamorous gourmand fragrance, evoking the allure of Parisian nights. Ideal for date nights or when you want to exude confidence and sophistication.
“This is what I wear when I want to feel sexy and glamorous at night.”

The Unique Addition: Essences

Marsté’s line also includes essences, designed for layering and customizing your fragrance experience. Each essence complements the fine fragrances, allowing wearers to adapt scents to their moods or occasions.

Essence Mandarin: Brightens denser scents like Un Nuit Parisienne for daytime wear.
Essence Vanille: A citrusy vanilla with a hint of lime, reminiscent of a luxurious orange creamsicle.
“The essences let people step out of their comfort zones safely. They can tweak their favorite fragrances for new occasions.”

A Thoughtful Approach to Fragrance

Marlena emphasized her commitment to quality and ethical practices in Marsté’s creation:

Premium Ingredients: The fragrances are crafted with ethically sourced, high-quality materials, including natural extracts.
Accessibility: Despite the luxury quality, Marsté fragrances are affordably priced to ensure they remain accessible.
Versatility: All fragrances are unisex and designed to suit various skin types, ages, and personal styles.

“I didn’t want to create something generic. These fragrances are crafted to be unique, personal, and versatile.”

The Journey to Perfection

Creating Marsté was a meticulous process, taking over three years of research and development. Marlena trained extensively in perfumery, studying over 300 raw materials and collaborating with perfumer Michael Nordstrom. Each scent underwent multiple iterations and testing with diverse groups to ensure they would resonate with a broad audience.

“I wanted every fragrance to perform well on different ages, genders, and ethnicities. Fragrance wears differently on everyone, and we needed to get it right.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding into Beauty

Marlena shared plans to expand Marsté into cosmetics, with products expected to launch by late 2024. While the focus will remain on high-quality formulations, this new beauty line will reflect Marlena’s unwavering commitment to delivering products that consumers trust and love.

“I won’t put my name on something unless it performs exceptionally. Quality will always come first.”

Why Marsté Stands Out

Marsté is more than just a fragrance brand — it’s a celebration of artistry, emotion, and individuality. By combining premium quality, rich storytelling, and customizable options, Marlena Stell has created a line that resonates deeply with consumers looking for more than just a pleasant scent.

To learn more about Marsté, visit their website and social media. Don’t forget to subscribe to Skincare Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Reach out to us through email with any questions.

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