Brown Girl Jane High Tea Perfume Review: Why This Became My Signature Scent

Somewhere between the laughter and gossip, I found my signature scent...

The Discovery That Changed Everything

I didn't walk into Sephora that Saturday afternoon looking for a signature fragrance. My bestie and I were there filming content, but you know how it goes when you step into that beauty wonderland. One minute we're focused on our shot list, the next we're spinning through the fragrance section like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, completely derailed by shiny bottles and beautiful packaging.

That's when I spotted HER. Those gorgeous pink bottles gleaming in the corner like they were waiting just for me. Brown Girl Jane. All conversation stopped because y'all, I had been desperately trying to smell this brand for months. Every single time I visited Sephora, it was the same disappointing story - sold out, empty testers, or my local store just didn't carry it. I was starting to think Brown Girl Jane was just a beautiful myth I'd seen all over my Instagram feed.

But there she was, sitting pretty with actual full testers, practically calling my name from across the fragrance wall. I dashed over to that corner (thank goodness no one else was browsing there) like my life depended on it.

photo by @cocoapixi

The First Spritz That Started It All

I immediately grabbed the first tester - Carousel - and honey, I was not disappointed! That sweet caramel apple scent filled my nostrils, and since I'm a self-proclaimed "Gourmand Girlie," I was already hooked. But as we continued to test and compare, the last scent was High Tea.

The moment I pressed that atomizer and the mist hit my wrist, I smelled madeleines. Not just any madeleines, but the kind that transport you to a Parisian café where you're sipping tea with your most elegant friend. That was really all I needed to smell, because I LOVE madeleines, but the fragrance kept unfolding on my skin like a beautiful story.

Top Notes: French Madeleine, Pink Chai, Macaron
Middle Notes: Orange Flower Water, Fresh Freesia, Whipped Milk
Base Notes: Warm Sandalwood, Amber, Biscotti

photo by @cocoapixi

French madeleine and pink chai danced together in the opening, joined by macarons that felt nostalgic and modern at the same time. As minutes passed and we kept browsing, orange flower water bloomed with the creaminess of whipped milk, creating this gorgeous heart that never felt powdery or old-fashioned. Then came the dry down that sealed the deal - warm sandalwood wrapped around amber and biscotti, creating this cozy sophistication that I didn't even know I was searching for. I was walking around Sephora smelling like an expensive cookie and I was living for it!

Standing in the Valley of Decision

Now I'm standing there with both fragrances on my wrists, completely stuck in what I like to call the Valley of Decision. I didn't want to overthink it, but the more they both started to settle, the tougher the choice became. I wanted them. I needed them. I WAS them.

Carousel was giving me that gourmand comfort I love, but High Tea was whispering possibilities I hadn't considered. It was saying "you could be this elegant, this put-together, this effortlessly chic." In true fashion, I always try to stay true to my budget, which wasn't that hard to do because every single full-size bottle was sold out anyway! Travel sizes it was, for both my bestie and myself.

The Scent That Changed the Game

High Tea isn't just a perfume - it's a whole mood, a mood I didn't even know I was looking for. The next day at work, I kept catching whiffs of myself and literally saying to no one in particular, "OMG I smell so good!" I was falling in love with the scent more and more as the day went on. Fresh, elegant, and quietly confident. It smells like a soft flex in a bottle.

It's light but not basic. Floral but not powdery. Sweet but not sugary. It gives "clean girl" but with soul. Every time I wore it, I felt like the best version of myself - not trying too hard but definitely trying. Polished but approachable. That's exactly how a signature scent should make you feel.

From Travel Size to True Love in Two Weeks

I started with the travel size because... budgeting, but two weeks later, I was on the Brown Girl Jane website with zero hesitation and a full-size bottle in my cart. I tried to be strategic first, stalking every Sephora location from Santa Monica to Downtown Disney, hoping for that instant gratification of in-store pickup. But no dice.

Good thing the brand's website had fast shipping - my bottle even came a day earlier than promised! Ordering directly from Brown Girl Jane felt intentional, like supporting the vision in the most direct way possible.

photo by @cocoapixi

Why This Goes So Much Deeper Than Just Smelling Good

Here's what really gets me about Brown Girl Jane being sold at Sephora: this is representation that matters. This is a Black-owned, women-founded brand that's completely redefining what luxury looks and feels like, and seeing those pink bottles on Sephora shelves alongside established fragrance houses is everything. Brown Girl Jane is doing what many brands aren't - centering women of color in wellness and fragrance without compromising on quality, aesthetic, or storytelling.

If you've ever felt like the perfume world wasn't built with you in mind - same. The industry can feel intimidating and super curated, like there's a right and wrong way to wear scent. But Brown Girl Jane threw all of that gatekeeping out the window and said, "Just fall in love with fragrance. Just find joy in it." No pressure, no pretension, just permission to discover what makes you feel beautiful.

Building My Fragrance Era

Now that I'm officially in my fragrance era, my goal is to build a fragrance wardrobe that feels like me - fun vibes with a touch of soft glam. High Tea has become my signature scent until further notice, checking every single box. It's elevated enough for important meetings but wearable enough for grocery runs. It's conversation-starting without being overwhelming. It's the kind of fragrance that makes people lean in closer when you hug them.

The longevity is incredible - six to eight hours on my skin, evolving beautifully throughout the day. The projection is perfect for close encounters and compliments without announcing your arrival from three rooms away.

And don't sleep - Carousel is definitely coming home next payday! A girl needs BOTH options!

Final Thoughts: Brown Girl Jane, You Did That

I'm so glad I trusted my nose that day. High Tea is that girl - elevated but wearable, luxe but grounded. If you're in your soft era, your boss era, or just your "I want to smell good at the mall" era, this is for you.

Here's to finding joy in small luxuries that make us feel extraordinary. Here's to supporting Black-owned beauty brands with our coins and our compliments. And here's to seeing brands that create with us in mind from the very beginning getting the Sephora shelf space they deserve.

Thank you, Brown Girl Jane. You really, truly did that.

Your Turn: What's Your Signature Scent Story?

Have you found your signature fragrance yet? What scent makes you stop and say "OMG I smell so good" to absolutely no one? Let me know in the comments or over on the socials @cocoapixi - I want to hear what perfumes make you feel like you.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed professional, just your beauty bestie sharing what I genuinely love and use. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. These links help keep the blog going and support future content. Please consult a licensed expert for any skincare or health concerns.