A while ago, when Rihanna was still putting out music and touring, other celebrities would always comment on how amazing she smelled. When asked, she said that the perfume she wore was Kilian Love,Don’t be Shy, a sweet but relatively expensive perfume that, objectively, does smell pretty good. But the perfume launched for her brand is completely different, a blueberry, rose, and patchouli number, really a fruity-patch. The perfume is a study of paradox – we realize that we know almost nothing about the real Rihanna, but also that it would be like Rihanna to give us what we weren’t expecting. We’re surprised but not surprised that we’ve been surprised. Whether or not Rihanna wore this was besides the point; Rihanna had a hand in creating it so everyone wanted it. Let’s not forget the hype created around the launch of the perfume. Online only, then limited stick in stores, and now ubiquity. If you want a bottle, you can get it.
The scent profile fits into a Sephora but also seems to offer something different – the patchouli in this is unisex and leans masculine, and so if the fruity notes dissipate on you, then this will seem quite masculine-leaning. On days that the fruit sticks around, it’s syrupy sweet, almost reminding me of a canned fruit cocktail. There’s a coconut note that nearly gets lost in the fruit and a floral that adds sourness, a soft velvety texture against the paper-like feel of the patchouli. In short, the star that we grew up with in early 2000’s gave us a throwback fruitchouli, but it’s gotten a makeover with a classic, almost anonymous feeling, glass bottle.
It’s a bold perfume with persistence and is meant to be worn by a strong personality. None of this is an accident – this perfume will announce itself and you, and I think we can agree that it’s probably how Rihanna would have wanted it.
