Ashlee wasn’t just any new artist—she was Jessica Simpson’s little sister, coming up during peak Newlyweds era. If you remember the Ice Breakers Liquid Ice commercial with both of them? That chaotic little masterpiece basically laid the groundwork for a media blueprint that the Kardashians would go on to take and completely revolutionize. The Simpsons were early. They gave us a whole family system of archetypes: a personality for everyone. Jessica was the glam, sweet, slightly oblivious pop star. Ashlee was the antihero. The outcast. The eyeliner-smeared one who felt things. There’s something to be said about keeping the money in the family. Just ask Kris.
I’m not quite sure where to even begin when it comes to my deep love for Ashlee Simpson. She’s one of those artists I genuinely believe is due for a major comeback—finally get her credit—and maybe, if we’re lucky, as a society we’ll be able to admit we wildly overreacted. (See: the jig on SNL.) Ashlee’s had far too rough of a career. Honestly, just imagine having a fucking child with Pete Wentz. Nightmare fuel. And if you know anything about her blind item life… well, she’s been busy. Still, blessings to her and the rest of the Ross family. Congrats on getting as far away as possible from Joe Simpson—the only father to rival Michael Lohan in terms of treachery.
Ashlee’s discography is short and far too sweet. For me, her standouts have always been “Shadow” (moody and broody) and “L.O.V.E,” though I think “Little Miss Obsessive” is criminally underrated.
Here are some fragrances I think best represent Ashlee’s music.
*This list includes affiliate links for some products, I may earn a commission from them.
Autobiography
What an absolute killer start to a record career. Debuting in July 2004, Autobiography hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling about 398,000 copies that first week and eventually going on to sell over 2.5 million copies in just seven months. It ended up being the ninth best-selling album of 2004. The singles—“Pieces of Me,” “Shadow,” and “La La”—got hours of airplay across the country. And in my home, obviously.
Anyway—Autobiography was broody, playful, punchy, and a cry for independence. It wanted to be seen as grown. It’s raspy in the best way possible. The sound feels very lived-in, but at the same time, the lyrics suggest someone who is still trying to figure it out. There’s also something a bit sexual to this record—that moment where you just so desperately want to be seen as hot and sexy. An interesting encapsulation of the way young girls were oversexualized before even turning 18.
These raspy but evolving sounds are best suited for Cherry Punk by Room 1015 (luxe pick) or Unmute by Noyz (affordable pick).
Cherry Punk has notes of cherry, saffron, Sichuan pepper, violet, jasmine, patchouli, tonka bean, and black leather. It’s playful and punchy. A little bubbly, with cherry notes; a little broody with leather notes—of which I do think are the two most dominant. It starts strong with an initial whiff of cherries, almost like a candy-colored maraschino cherry, but in a less sugary, clogging kind of way. Things taper into something much more edgy and lived-in with leathery scents, balanced with an earthiness. I don’t think the projection is particularly powerful, nor do I think it’s a good blind buy. It’s something best worn a couple times and really sat with.
Unmute by Noyz is the bittersweet whipped vanilla that you never thought you’d like. Notes of Indonesian cassia, black plum, clary sage, cinnamon, pistachio, cashmere woods, incense, vanilla, and amber. This is one of those scents of your youth—comforting but confusing. Much like Autobiography, it’s something that needs to be figured out, teetering on the edge of sexy in a very 2000s way.
I Am Me
Vocally, Ashlee’s signature raspy delivery is still front and center, but I Am Me is far more polished. It was a follow-up record that wanted serious consideration, released just a few days shy of the one-year anniversary of the disastrous SNL performance. For what it’s worth, I mostly blame her team—and, of course, her father. She was never properly trained to perform at that scale. (Here’s a great podcast on the subject if you’re curious.) For those of us who’ve always been Ashlee Simpson fans, I Am Me stands out as one of the classic pop feud albums. It’s home to the single “Boyfriend,” allegedly written in response to Lindsay Lohan thinking Ashlee stole the deeply questionable Wilmer Valderrama. Aside from the drama, my personal favorite “L.O.V.E.” is also on this album—the ultimate hot girl, “let’s dump our loser boyfriends and go party” anthem. Feminism’s finest. The album also explores more vulnerable, mature elements with tracks like “Coming Back for More” and “Catch Me When I Fall.” It’s polished, refined, and almost a curated mess.
My picks for fragrances that match the energy of I Am Me are Unholy Oud by Born To Stand Out (luxe pick) and Gueule de Bois by Versatile Paris (affordable pick).
Unholy Oud is evolving and nuanced—it starts off earthy and slightly sweet, with a crisp brightness from lemon and bergamot. As it settles, the oud deepens and is met with rich rose notes, like a hard candy that melts in your mouth over time. I really enjoy the dry down—it’s creamy and woody, with patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, and tonka bean creating a smooth, sensual base. The wear time is great, lasting around 8 hours, and like most of the brand’s lineup, it’s surprisingly versatile given its depth.
Gueule de Bois is far warmer—a lived-in fragrance that holds its own. Its value far exceeds its price point. It’s just really complex, kind of like our girl Ashlee. With notes of licorice, amber, musk, rum, sandalwood, vanilla, and pink pepper, it brings a warm, slightly boozy profile that borders on gourmand without going all the way. The licorice might seem like a dealbreaker, but it actually adds a mature, spicy twist that keeps the scent from getting too sweet. It smells like going out, messing up a little, and still feeling good about it.
Bittersweet World
It’s a bittersweet world—and an even more bittersweet sympathy. Bittersweet World is Ashlee Simpson’s third and final studio album (for now). Stylistically, this couldn’t be farther from her previous work. It’s punchy, dance-pop, electro-pop—a full-blown recession indicator. Produced in part by Timbaland and Chad Hugo (of N.E.R.D.), you already know the direction it’s heading. I can’t help but see the influence of “Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line for The Bathroom),” especially considering Ashlee was allegedly… most definitely… standing in the line for the bathroom.
You can feel the transition into this album if you look back at her previous single, L.O.V.E. This isn’t quite the Ashlee we came to know, but it’s an Ashlee we should absolutely be celebrating. Unfortunately, Bittersweet World wasn’t as commercially successful as her previous two albums. Maybe it just came out at the wrong time—Hilary, Paris, Lindsay, Gwen, Avril... we were fully inundated with dance-pop bangers while the economy tanked. The album cover is also…..rough.
If you're looking to smell like Bittersweet World, I suggest Steamed Rainbow by D.S. & Durga (luxe pick) or Solar Canopy by Future Society (affordable pick).
Steamed Rainbow is the smell of the afters—the morning sunlight hitting your face after a night of skiing and dancing, emerging into society a changed person. It’s evolving, steamy, and just a little sharp. Inspired by rainbows, it’s the only scent that could do justice to such a technicolor album. With notes of red mandarin, orange, resin, cedar, grass, violet, vapors, and vetiver, it starts green and citrusy—borderline dewy. Like when you're walking out after the party, grass beneath your feet, still wearing last night's makeup. As it dries down, it becomes more lived-in and subtle, turning into a clean skin scent. Like the perfume lingering after a hot shower and a nap in the afternoon light. The projection is soft but commanding—never intrusive, but impossible to ignore.
Solar Canopy, on the other hand, is the scent before the dance floor—the one you intended to wear for the night ahead. It’s juicy as hell—like peeling apart a lychee with your hands. It features notes of bergamot, red currant, pink pepper, Turkish rose, lychee, pistachio, magnolia, pink sugar, and vetiver. It’s sticky and sweet, floral and fresh, full of anticipation and sheen. Perfect for the kind of girl who plans to stay out until 4 a.m. and doesn’t care who’s watching.
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Ashlee Simpson’s albums—Autobiography, I Am Me, and Bittersweet World—each represent a unique era of 2000s pop. When paired with fragrance, these albums take on new life, blending sound and scent to create an immersive sensory experience. Whether you're a fan of Ashlee’s raspy pop-rock debut or her synth-heavy evolution, there’s a perfume that captures the mood of every moment in her discography.
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