I Tried All of Toke Makinwa’s Perfumes — Here’s the Truth

As a die-hard perfume lover, when Toke Makinwa announced her perfume line in April 2024, I knew I had to get my hands on them. Toke Makinwa is arguably one of the biggest fashionistas in Nigeria, and her looks are just as stunning as her outfits. She undeniably has taste, and I was so sure it was going to reflect in her perfume brand.

I managed to get three samples from the first drop: Dive, Intense, and Vogue, and honestly, I was impressed. Each came in a 10ml size, and surprisingly, they lasted me two months. Not because I was stingy with the sprays, but because they’re highly concentrated. Two spritzes were enough to last me the whole day, get me compliments, and even cling to my clothes till the next wear. That kind of performance is rare in perfumes, especially celebrity fragrances. Let’s break down each one.

1. Dive

Top Notes: Pink pepper, blackcurrant, grapefruit.
Middle Notes: Rose of Mai, freesia, jasmine, asparagus, pineapple.
Base Notes: Cedar, vanilla, amber, cinnamon.

From the notes, I was expecting Dive to be floral and fruity with a soft vanilla touch. Instead, what I got was a spicy vanilla cupcake with a twist. Vanilla and amber dominate in this perfume, which makes it smell warm and edible, but the pink pepper adds an unexpected spicy kick that lasts throughout the wear.

The pineapple appears subtly, balancing the sweetness, while the freesia lends it a light, airy feel. Luckily for me, the jasmine (which I usually find overpowering in perfumes) stayed quiet here. Dive feels like the perfume for someone who wants to smell unique. It has a comforting vanilla base but with just enough spice to make people pause and ask, “What are you wearing?”

It’s an eau de parfum, meaning it has a higher concentration of fragrance oils than an eau de toilette. It lingers longer on the skin and doesn’t fade after a few hours. You can get the 10ml bottle for $20 here, and the 100ml bottle for $120 on Toke Makinwa Beauty.