I’ve been obsessed with Harry Styles since his One Direction days, and his albums post-1D made me swoon over him even more. He does it all: he has a voice gifted by angels, he can act, he dresses to the nines, and he’s been in a boyband. But now, he can add being a beauty brand creator to his impressive list of accomplishments. Pleasing is everything you’d expect from Styles. It’s simple, aesthetically pleasing, luxurious, gender-neutral, and made with the intention of wanting people to feel their most beautiful.
Nail products
The site for “Pleasing” has already launched with just a few select products available. One of the first products listed on the site is the “Perfect Polish Set,” a collection of four nail polishes of different colors created to mimic the look of pearls (a signature accessory for the pop singer). The four colors are “Perfect Pearl,” a glossy white; “Pearly tops,” clear with a matte finish; “Inky Pearl,” black with a deep-blue radiance; and “Granny’s Pink Pearls,” pink with a glossy finish. Along with the set of polishes, you receive three decals with the letters of the alphabet to personalize your look. The set of four is $65, and you can also purchase “Perfect Pearl” and “Pearly Tops” on their own for $20 each.
Skincare
Pleasing also has two skincare items: “The Pleasing Pen” and “The Pearlescent Illuminating Serum.” “The Pleasing Pen” is a dual-ended pen that can be used to refresh the eyes and lips. One end contains an eye gel that’s made with lingonberry, okra, and hyaluronic salt to awaken tired eyes, diminish signs of aging, and boost hydration while the other end contains a treatment used to replenish and moisturize lips. “The Pearlescent Illuminating Serum” is perfect for all skin types and is a moisturizing formula that uses vitamin B5, antioxidants, and amino acids to hydrate the skin. It can be used alone or as a primer before applying makeup. “The Pleasing Pen” is valued at $30 and the serum at $35.
While the nail polishes are a little pricey in my opinion, I have to say they are beautiful, along with the other skincare products. The design of the products is whimsical yet elegant and simplistic, and it definitely makes you want to purchase. It also helps that they’re made by the world’s muse, Harry Styles.
Sustainable products
Styles also thought of Mother Earth while creating these products, as every item has a description of its sustainability efforts. The nail polish formula is biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, and made with plant-based solvents. The package is made of recycled material, the brush bristles are made of castor bean, and the packaging is 100% compostable and made out of 70% post-consumer recycled material. The pen and serum have a vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free formula and also have packaging that is 100% compostable and made out of post-consumer recycled material. Leave it to Harry to think of everything the world could want in a product.
Diverse promotions
What I also appreciate about the brand so far is his apparent commitment to showcasing diversity in his promotions for Pleasing. On the site, the photos that accompany the products feature many different models with completely different looks. For “The Perfect Polish Set,” we see Harry’s hands painted with each of the different colors but also an elderly person’s hands to showcase that the nail colors look stunning on anyone of any age. We also see on the @pleasing Instagram account his intent to showcase the work of the artists involved in the creation of Pleasing. For example, in a series of back-to-back posts, he makes a point to shout out the Mexican and Guatemalan nail artist Sigourney Nuñez, the first-ever Pleasing manicurist for the product shoots. She began her nail art journey in 2013 through her own D.I.Y nail art blog and used Instagram to share her techniques. And now she’s painting Harry Styles’ nails. An absolute queen.
In a recent interview with Dazed magazine, Harry states, “I don’t think being beautiful or feeling beautiful is about looking good. When people are happy and glowing, they’re radiating. And that’s what I think the products do, it’s about helping you feel beautiful.” It’s clear that this line was made with the purpose of helping everyone feel like their most beautiful and best selves. What I’ve always admired about Harry, and I’m sure most of the world would agree with me, is that he seems to go about life just wanting to make people feel happy and, well, aims to always treat people with kindness. I think this mindset reigns true in his creation of Pleasing and, while I think it’s a bit expensive for the products being sold, I’m excited to see Harry begin this journey of creating and owning a beauty line.
In the same interview with Dazed, Harry talks about how after creating “The Perfect Polish Set,” Pleasing seemed to turn into more than just nail polish. “I’ve always found that the moments in my life which have brought me the most joy are the small ones.” He goes on to say, “It’s always those moments that I find have the longest-lasting effect on me, in terms of sparking something wonderful in me. I really think that the essence of Pleasing is finding those little moments of joy and showing them to people.”
I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes out with next for Pleasing. Maybe more shimmery nail colors? Or more skincare products that can make you look, and more importantly feel, just as flawless as Harry himself? Whatever it will be I’m sure it will be done with purpose and love. The Pleasing products are currently available for pre-order and will begin to be shipped the week of November 29th. If you choose to purchase any products from the site, I hope you’ll be “pleased” with the results. Oh, and I’m sure Harry does too.