In the glittering world of Hollywood, Austin Butler emerges not just as a celebrated actor but as the new aromatic muse for YSL Beauty’s latest fragrance, MYSLF. His venture into the olfactory arts may have surprised many, but for Butler, it’s a journey woven intricately with memories and a reflection of his personal growth.
Imagine peeling an orange in the sun-drenched backyard with your mom; that’s the nostalgic note that MYSLF hits, according to Butler, whose first scent memory dates back to such vivid, citrus-laden days of his childhood. While his days of backyard citrus adventures may be behind him, the dream lives on, a testament to the enduring power of fragrance to encapsulate moments long past.
Butler’s exploration of beauty isn’t skin deep—quite the contrary. For him, it’s an evolving perspective, a lens through which we see the world, capable of transforming the mundane into the profound. Beauty, as Butler sees it, is about staying open to the details and nuances of life, from the architectural marvels we walk past every day to the transient splendor of a rose or the intricacies of human passions. It’s this appreciation of beauty that seamlessly transitions into his work in film, where curiosity reigns supreme.
His approach to becoming the face of a fragrance was nothing short of cinematic. The advertisement wasn’t about portraying a fabricated character but rather capturing the essence of Butler himself—dancing unscripted to the rhythm of the music, allowing raw and organic energy to flow through.
Despite his image splashed across the cityscapes and screens, Butler maintains a humble stance on his status as a beauty icon. He laughs it off, distinguishing between his real self and his public persona—a necessary dichotomy to stay grounded in reality. Nevertheless, the heritage of YSL, where the founder himself posed naked for a campaign, isn’t lost on him, acknowledging the surreal honor of being part of such a legacy.
When asked about his favorite scents, Butler reveals an affinity for the comforting aroma of bookstores and the fresh smell of wet concrete after the rain—scents that bring a sense of peace and an earthy groundedness, aligning perfectly with the fragrance he now represents.
Even when the spotlight beckons at grand events, Butler’s ritual is one of presence and calm. The self-professed introvert takes a moment-by-moment approach, engaging with the world one interaction at a time, and perhaps that’s where his true charm lies—not in the flashbulbs and fame, but in the authentic moments and memories he cherishes and shares with the world, one scent at a time.
