Talking Shop is our series where we talk to interesting people about their most interesting buys.Leah Kateb has made it her job to smell incredible — literally.
Just a few weeks after the Love Island USA star left the villa, her now-famous shower routine went viral on TikTok, a video she ended by hinting at a perfume she loved so much that she was tempted to keep it a secret.At the time, she couldn’t have imagined that eventually revealing her obsession with Skylar’s Vanilla Sky fragrance could have led to joining the brand as its re-founder and chief creative officer.
But looking back, it makes perfect sense.“Skylar had all the DNA I wanted in my own brand, so now I’m excited to help shape its future,” she tells NBC Selected.“Re-founder isn’t your typical title, but it really is like I’m the founder.
We re-founded the brand and we’re rebuilding it back up from the ground.It’s not a partnership, and it’s not just me putting my name on something — it’s my brand.”Kateb says she’s involved with all parts of the company, including developing new products, making creative decisions and meeting stakeholders at Sephora’s headquarters.
She also constantly engages with Skylar’s customers and takes their feedback seriously, using it as inspiration to evolve.“I was a consumer of the brand before I was anything else, so I have such a unique experience and POV,” says Kateb.
“I try to take note of what people look for and what I would want.”I caught up with Kateb, who was recently named one of Forbes’ Top Creators of 2026, to talk about all things Skylar.She also shared updates to her shower routine, her tried-and-true skin care favorites and fashion trends she predicted way before they became mainstream.RelatedselectedselectedPaige DeSorbo’s summer picks include fashion staples that double as pjs and a ‘life-changing’ contour stickWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.N...