Being one of the most stylish faces in the music world right now, it’s not a huge surprise to hear Harry Styles has been soft-launching an arrival into the world of beauty. After the release of Ariana’s r.e.m beauty last week, fans uncovered social accounts and a website for a brand called Pleasing — a name similar to one trademarked by Harry back in May — now a statement from the brand shares some of the products we can expect from the new Marvel star in Pleasing’s first drop. Here’s what we know…
“Founded by Harry Styles in 2021, our mission is to bring joyful experiences and products that excite the senses and blur boundaries.” said a statement from Pleasing sent to i-D’s global editorial director. “From nail polish to skin care to anything we find Pleasing, we take inspiration from the way nature adorns itself and the multitude of unique identities in our community.” In true Harry style, the brand will “prioritise people and the planet” and “celebrate the kindness and optimism in our community”.
A trademark for the brand found back in late May by the Harry Styles update account @TheHarryNews, showed the nature of the ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer business would be the “wholesale of perfume and cosmetics”. Harry is listed as director of the company alongside his close confidant, long-time assistant and mother of his godchild, Emma Spring. Other than that little else was known. “Very confused but okay bestie,” one fan surmised on Twitter at the time while others mourned the inevitable loss of a sizeable chunk of their savings.
Then, in a photoshoot for W Magazine, fans noticed Emma Corrin (Harry’s costar in their upcoming bi cop movie My Policeman) was wearing black and white nail polish by a mysterious new brand called Pleasing. The biggest clue then came on Sunday after the Instagram account called @pleasing was discovered that only follows Harry himself and Harry Styles HQ, the official account “for Harry Styles info”.
So what might we expect from a Harry Styles beauty brand? Well, while Harry is known for his iconic colourful looks and groundbreaking fashions, it seems as though the beauty range might be a bit more demure. Alongside the statement was a reveal of some of the brand’s first products, many inspired by pearls — a staple of many of Harry’s fashion looks. From a soothing dual-ended potent eye and lip serum pen with cooling steel rollers and notes of natural lingonberry, okra and hyaluronic salt, to an illuminating hydration serum delivered through pearl capsules. Then there’s of course nail polishes, each housed in bottles inspired by perfume decanters, in “Perfect Pearl” glossy white, “Pearly Tops” iridescent matte clear, “Inky Pearl” black with a deep blue radiance and “Granny’s Pink Pearls” which is exactly what we would both expect, and hope for, tbh!
With the three ads currently on the accounts Instagram page and adorning the walls of the London underground all being calmingly monochromatic ocean scenes, perhaps this will be the inspiration for the entire collection! Then again, black-and-white photos has always been an aesthetic Harry likes. Remember when his personal Instagram was strictly monochrome for years? We do know the cosmetics formulas are clean and vegan with minimal packaging.
Fans also have their own hopes. Many think it’s likely the brand will be marketed as unisex and the promise to “blur boundaries” seems to confirm this. Maybe there will be beauty palettes inspired by his songs like “Golden” and Watermelon Sugar”? Others hope his perfume might be vanilla-scented — taking inspiration from a favourite of his, Tom Ford — or resemble the Target candle that reportedly smells just like him. Perhaps he will even stay true to the time he said he’d name his fragrance “boxers or briefs”.
Fingers crossed Pleasing will be filling all our stockings this Christmas (alongside the upcoming beauty products from A24). You can now purchase the first drop on pleasing.com.
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This piece was updated on Monday 15 November 2021 following Harry’s official announcement of Pleasing.