Your guide to the new Issy perfumes

Plus, where we’d wear them

Back in January, Nicole Morales of The Beauty Edit hosted an intimate dinner for her industry friends. Among the guests was Joel Andrade, co-founder and creative director of Issy Cosmetics, who subtly hinted that a fragrance line was in the works. So while the launch wasn’t a complete surprise for Garage, what did catch us off guard was just how good these perfumes are. They smell like something you’d expect from a seasoned niche fragrance house—not a brand’s first attempt.

For now, Issy has launched just three fragrances, but each one offers something distinct: a sparkling fresh scent, a soft whisper of skin, and a rich, leathery profile that fragrance connoisseurs will appreciate. Even better? The fragrances are designed to be layered—either with each other or with your existing collection—allowing for full customization.

Each Issy fragrance comes in a chic, modern magnetic bottle, adding a tactile luxury to your everyday spritz. With eau de parfum concentration, they offer solid longevity and projection. They’re also proudly unisex, made to be enjoyed solo or shared.

Here’s how we rank them—and where we’d wear them:

492 Scent of Possibility
Our third pick: a clean, fresh start
This scent opens with bright aldehydes, bergamot, and neroli—making it feel almost fizzy and effervescent. Floral notes like jasmine, lemon blossom, gardenia, and lily of the valley add a soft, delicate touch, while white musk and sandalwood anchor it with creamy, clean undertones. It’s a true daytime fragrance—perfect for the office or any setting where you want to smell fresh, not overpowering.

030 Scent of Intensity
Unexpectedly addictive
Initially, we thought this might be our least favorite—it’s bold, with an almost pencil-shaving vibe at first. But the drydown is where it shines. It opens with a daring blend of black cherry, saffron, nutmeg, and rosemary, unfolds into smoky amber, then settles into a comforting blend of leather, suede, guaiac wood, and animalic musk. It’s sultry, deep, and magnetic—ideal for a night out, whether it’s dinner or dancing under neon lights.

551 Scent of Familiarity
Our top pick: intimate and personal
We’re a bit biased here—we love a good skin scent. There’s something deeply sensual about the subtle glow of clean, warm skin, and 551 captures that essence. It opens with green apple and bergamot, evolves with ambroxan, jasmine, and moss water, and dries down to Iso E Super, clean musk, and animalic musk. This one adapts uniquely to your skin chemistry, making it feel personal and intimate. It’s soft enough for medical professionals to wear without overwhelming patients, yet cozy enough for a quiet weekend indoors.

Each Issy Eau de Parfum retails for P1,499 (50ml) and is available online at issycosmetics.com or at their pop-up shop at Baked Studios, Makati City, running through Saturday, May 24, 2025.