Hotel heiress Paris Hilton is proud she's earning her own money, instead of taking handouts from her wealthy parents.

The blonde socialite - whose father is the grandson of the Hilton hotel chain's founder Conrad Hilton - has launched her own perfume. A make-up range is expected to follow later this year.

Hilton, 24, says: "Making my own money feels better than anything. I've always grown up with money and I've never really thought about it.

"It was just something which was around. But I'm not one of these people who's like, 'Oh I only wear designer clothes.'

"If I go to a thrift store and see a cool dress for $5, why not?"

Her various screen projects include starring in the successful reality TV show "The Simple Life" and acting in horror movie "House Of Wax".