Beauty is not just skin deep. “Beauty really does start on the inside. It’s like a state of mind, a state of love, if you will,” said Queen Latifah. This state of love is expressed in her new fragrance Queen that was launched just in time for Christmas. “I see fragrance as just a natural expression of this state of love: scent expresses a woman’s confidence and sensuality, it’s how she embraces her body, her mind and her strength,” said Queen Latifah.

Queen Latifah recently made a royal stop in Houston as part of her national tour to promote her fragrance. The first 300 fans that purchased Queen got a chance to meet and take a picture with the star at Macy’s Almeda. There were tears of joys, shrieks of excitement, and smiles from ear to ear as the crowd had a chance to come face to face with the award winning entertainer. Fans left Macy’s with a copy of their photograph and a commemorative frame.
Packaged in a bold ruby red bottle with an accent of gold and a bulging heart, Queen expresses just what the star was looking for, love. “I think that is part of who I am. I think that I have a big heart and I wanted to just express love,” said the Queen who also added that the shape of the bottle signified being strong and the gold color which is very regal. “This first fragrance, Queen, naturally expresses not only simple beauty and sensuality but also inner strength and an exuberant sense of confidence.”

Queen Latifah’s latest venture is making fragrance, but, of course, we know she does more. Fans first came to love the Queen because of her music. Since the eighties, she has been producing quality musical works and she is not stopping. Her latest CD is Persona. Queen admitted that a person does not just have to be one persona. “They are all me, “she said, referencing the different personas on her website. “I can be several of those throughout the day.” On the day of my interview with her, she was a hip hop chic femme fatale chick with a hint of diva. Persona is a hodge-podge of musical genres. The album is based on her original roots of hip hop music but it also has a little reggae and something to make listeners get up and dance. “I think it is a positive album,” said Queen based on its wide variety of topics that include the ups and downs of life, leaning on God, love, and partying at the club. “It is a very musical album, very diverse.”

The Queen by Queen Latifah collection is available at Macy’s. It includes eau de parfum spray (3.4 oz. $59), eau de parfum spray (1.7 oz. $49), body lotion (6.7 oz. $35), and body butter (5.0 oz $40). Her CD Persona is available nationwide. Look for Queen Latifah when she hosts the upcoming People’s Choice Awards and in her new movie “Valentine” that comes out in February. Keep in contact with her through her website www.queenlatifah.com.