Pleasing

Reviewing Harry Styles’ new fragrance line released under his Pleasing brand (so you don’t have to). I ordered the samples off an Etsy seller here in the UK. Here goes!

Rivulets 8.5/10

Notes: Black Pepper, Ambrette, Lemon, Linen, Ambroxan, Musk

I was honestly not expecting to love this one the way I did. I was expecting another musky skin scent I’d be mostly nose blind too. But rivulets gives a creamy gorgeous lemony linen scent that’s like the most luxurious laundry or a big fluffy robe at a fancy hotel. I really really love this. Even though there’s no sandalwood note in it, it reminds me of my creamy sandalwood scents. I’m really considering a full bottle once I have some spare cash flow.

Bright, Hot 4.5/10

Notes: Plum, Tobacco, Orris, Sea Water, Vanilla, Tonka, Cedar

I knew this was gonna be a long shot for me, but I simply had to try it. I’m not a tobacco girly, and I was hoping it would be subtle, but unfortunately not. Luckily my husband likes this one and I can add it to his sample stash. It’s sweet from the plum note but woody and smoky from the tobacco and cedar. I think fans of scents like Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir or TF Tobacco Vanille (fruity, woody, a touch sweet but still leaning masc) would like this one. Supposedly Harry wears TF Tobacco Vanille so do with that what you will.

Closeness 7/10

Notes: Pink Pepper, Cardamom, Orris, Bamboo, Carrot, Papyrus, Musk, Cashmeran, Salt

Immediately to me this was a nearly identical dupe for Byredo Eyes Closed. Closeness is a dry, warm, spicy fragrance. The big difference with Eyes Closed, is that Byredo has a cinnamon note that has strong sillage and lasts forever. Closeness, perhaps appropriately by its name, sits closer to the skin, and does not have as punchy of a cinnamon. The dry down also evolves a bit more than Eyes Closed, which is very linear cinnamon. I think for that reason I actually prefer Closeness, and the better price point for 100ml doesn’t hurt. I could see how some people might think this leans potpourri drawer or spicy grandma, but that happens to appeal to me!