Eyes Closed

Fleeting & precious, Eyes Closed has been keeping me company this winter for the good times and the bad. The performance is consistent but never in the capacity one would enjoy. In a word, you can trust it's unreliable. Gorgeously blended, the scent is full bodied but admittedly stakes no claim to my skin, take that from someone who has tried essentially every trick of the trade to prolong wear time (We're talking four hours, tops). But much like that one friend who bails on plans often but always seems to somehow escape social ridicule, Eyes Closed's innate likability and warmth reign paramount to transgression. You can just trust the scent's well-meaning, and the memories you share together are all positive ones, possessing an uncanny ability to uplift whoever dares to wear. I'm far too forgiving, but how could I not be? The scent just evokes everything good. You hug a little harder, laugh a little harder. The opening cinnamon is cocooning yet softens into the ever-abstract iris. As the scent wanes, albeit quickly, an indescribable slightly chimera of sugar and dry papyrus lingers, taunting you with reminders of all that's lost in its absence, a hole in your heart that can only be filled by this scent alone. Eyes Closed provides a vanishing act done right-- so linear, so refined, one can't help but wonder if the ephemeral nature of the scent is secretly intentional, perhaps an extension of Byredo's larger olfactory mission of "grounding" the Avant Garde through the sensorial. A commentary on the imperceptible made known, potentially, a tableau of a cozier time, one you can only detect, never recall fully. I'm a third of the way through the bottle, heart on my sleeve and this on my wrist daily. I can still by no means think I can justify a repurchase, but I'll reflect so fondly on our time together for a very very long time-- like all good art, Eyes Closed doesn't deliver so much as it evokes, thawing the heart just in time for spring's rebirth. Cheers to longer days and even longer wear times :)

It's like carrot peels in an instant, a unique introduction that gradually warms into an unsweetened chai latte. You know, the one you savor to warm you up both physically and internally, with its comforting spices. Cardamom dances in sweet harmony with the carrot, and cinnamon carries the chorus along. Oddly, in the beginning, I was impressed, even somewhat shocked, and questioned if this could even be worn on the skin. It felt more like the ideal luxurious winter room scent. However, as it dries, it becomes strangely addicting. It's the kind of scent that might make someone lean in to catch another whiff. I've never encountered anything quite like it, and it's absolutely delightful. I'd reserve this fragrance for special, intimate occasions with your best friend or lover, limiting it to one or two sprays at most. It's the type of scent that evokes thoughts of someone else. After two hours, it gracefully transitions into a subtle interplay of chai latte, cinnamon, and orris. I'm open-minded about scents like these and would definitely consider wearing it. However, it's important to note that there is a minority of people who specifically dislike the taste and scent of chai latte, and I can imagine this fragrance might be overwhelming for them. Yet, if your partner adores that particular bouquet, it's certainly worth a try. It's an intimate and warm scent that, given its warmth, might only harmonize with specific PH levels. Otherwise, I imagine it could come across as less appealing, (no offense).

My oh my.. where do I begin?, I could say this smells like Carrot Cake with some frosting and cinnamon shavings on top and call it a day, but I must illustrate what this fragrance is about as its easily one of my favourite Gourmands I've ever smelt. As mentioned above this is a fragrance that smells like a semi-realistic Carrot Cake that's glazed with frosting and is sprinkled with fresh cinnamon on top with a little bit of added spice in the back, it doesn't evolve much if at all through 90% of of its wearing time but in my opinion for this fragrances that's more than acceptable as its very much a gourmand, the only exception being that the slight spiciness from the opening slowly dies down the longer it goes on but it gets replaced by an almost vanilla kind of scent profile in the first back (not actually vanilla but vaguely reminds me of it if that makes sense?). Perfectly unisex in my opinion, good for the colder weather definitely, I get medium projection on my skin with 6ish hour longevity, I also should add on my skin it leaves a light but pleasant scent trail and it feels slightly heavier than other Byredo fragrances in a good way. Overall If you're looking to try a Carrot Cake fragrance,a gourmand fragrance, or just exploring the Brand of Byredo in general, I'd vehemently recommend trying this as in my humble opinion it's up there with their greatest creations. Phenomenal job Overall verdict for me is strong 9/10, best from the house in my opinion

Eyes Closed is like a whispered secret from a bakery at midnight. The most gourmand reverie that captures the essence of carrot cake in full, luscious detail. It opens on my skin with a warm swirl of grated carrot, spiced with delectable cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg, like a freshly baked slice cooling on a windowsill. Not exactly in a mishmash, either, cinnamaldehyde here plays the most mouthwatering tag with the sweetness of sugar. All is enveloped in this velvety creamy orris, almost like an organic buttercream frosting smoothed over the cake’s earthy and tender crumb. That mischievous note of ginger and cardamom gives the indulgence an edge, enhancing its playfulness and making this gourmand all the more profound, layered, nostalgic. And here’s the kicker: as someone who absolutely ADORES my carrot cake, Eyes Closed can only be said to be my aromatic benchmark. Encore by Teo Cabanel is rumored to echo this very gourmand magic, and this fragrance's rich, edible and top-notch quality convinces me without hesitation to blind buy the other. A promise of delicious indulgence that makes me eager to taste the sequel. It’s a fragrant nod to dessert dreams, and a secret wink that says: Encore, please!

This has got to be one of the most underrated Byredos scents I've ever smelled. I sprayed a sample on a test strip -- hm, good, interesting. Set it aside. Come back later -- woah, wait, this smells really good. Cannot stop smelling it. Proceed to smell that test strip over and over for hours and hours after initial spray -- that's right, this Byredo actually has great longevity -- and now I'm permanently obsessed. I immediately bought a bottle, and here we are months later, still obsessed, and convinced that anyone who hates this either 1) didn't let it dry down/test on skin, or 2) wasn't ever going to like it based on the notes in the first place. This is iris heaven, creamy and warm spicy from the cinnamon. Doesn't literally smell like carrot cake, but you can smell the carrot note, and the creamy orris with spice makes a literally mouth-watering combo, so I see where that sentiment comes from. Cozy, warm, and unlike anything else I've ever smelled. If you couldn't tell, I f*cking love this fragrance. If you love iris/orris and love cinnamon, I BEG you to give this a smell. Instantly shot to my top 5 fragrances of all time.

Do you want to smell like carrot cake couture? I do! This is one of the first fragrances in YEARS that immediately excited and intrigued me. On first spray you will get a BLAST of cinnamon which quickly marries with ginger. Those soften in a short time and you can easily smell the carrot and orris butter along with the cardamom. I promise you will never smell the papyrus or patchouli. I’m a fan of patchouli and sensitive to it and I could never find it. This cannot be a blind but. Many people cannot get past the cinnamon. This is for connoisseurs, as there’s so few cinnamon fragrances available. However, as stated the cinnamon mixes very quickly with the ginger and cardamom. If you like gourmand fragrances you need to do yourself the pleasure of experiencing this, and u urge you to WEAR it when you try it. The heat from your body adds to the feeling of coziness and enveloping warmth. I’m told repeatedly that Eyes Closed smells so much better on me than when sprayed on paper. One thing is for sure, no one will ever confuse this fragrance for anything mass market or dull.

this smells like a carrot cake but no cream cheese and very little sugar lol. maybe more like a loaf of slightly sweet & spiced carrot bread? this opens with a warm and dry blend of cinnamon and cardamom, it’s autumnal, powdery and spiced. Then you quickly get a vegetal carrot paired with an earthy sweetness, and a powdery and slightly bready orris root. The heart of this is definitely where the carrot cake comparisons make sense, but the sweetness isn’t overt or strong, the warm spices are the star here with powdery earthiness. It’s as if you made the cake in the forest in the middle of autumn. The dry down is papyrus forward with a very clean and powdered patchouli in the background. It does smell a tad bit like an old dusty book but if you had dusted the pages of it with cinnamon. I can understand the potpourri comparisons but to me it doesn’t fall directly into that category, only teeters. Really enjoy this one!

I got a sample of this and when I first applied it, it was a like. I got the dry cinnamon, as another reviewer said like a cinnamon stick, not like a cinnamon dessert, the cardamom, sweet and slightly vegetal carrot, and a base of papyrus and patchouli like an old book. I enjoyed it but I didn’t think it was full bottle worthy initially. Until I went out to the Farmer’s Market with my wife and walking around in the warm spring day this fragrance came alive. This is one of those ones that blooms with body heat and even though I had only applied 3 sprays from a tiny sample atomizer the beautiful spicy aroma kept wafting off me and hitting my nose. Absolutely gorgeous. Recommend this for the summer but use a light hand, it is strong and it projects. Those who like cinnamon, cardamom, and patchouli should try this out. It’s like a spice market in the library. And I did end up buying a full bottle.

this is an incredible cinnamon cardamom scent from byredo, spicy, warm, and comforting all the same. in terms of longevity, it lasts on my skin and clothes longer than most other byredo fragrances i've tried, and my coworkers have said they can tell where i've gone based on the scent trail this fragrance leaves. looking at the notes, I don't really get the carrot in this, as I tend to layer this fragrance with other gourmand body lotions and even other cinnamon vanilla fragrances. around the autumn and winter seasons, eyes closed is a treat -- delectable, sensual, and incredibly enticing. like a warm hug at a fireplace with a candle lit nearby, it's my favorite take on cinnamon fragrance i've tried yet. perfectly unisex, sophisticated, and unique, as well as a compliment grabber. you'll smell like no one else around you.

A sense of coziness and safety defines this perfume, wearing it definitely gives a warm feeling, like a big sweater or being with loved ones during the holidays. The longevity is decent, usually between six and eight hours, which does set it apart from most other Byredo scents. The powderiness is not too noticeable here, and it balances well with the other notes. The combination of notes works together in an interesting way, it feels like there is something invisible and special at work here, they blend together to give this a slightly creamy, papery feeling, something like scented stationery if that exists. I think this smell comes from the orris and papyrus, which results a beautiful final combination with cinnamon and ginger that smells like the scent the kitchen gets when baking a dessert.

a great journey - opening is almost photorealistic cinnamon for me - so easy to pick up and appreciate! but the rooty iris envelopes this in a dusty and powdery cloud that brings this scent to a more vintage feel. like opening a very dusty jar filled with cinnamon sticks. at times, i also get the lipsticky, cosmetic powder character if the orris. the experience is kinda papery and almost "archival". it's like a snickerdoodle recipe, as in the piece of paper, as a scent hahaha. it's like i've stumbled upon an antique kitchen. dust and the lingering smell of cinnamon from the sticks that have aged in the cabinets. old parchment cookbooks around the shelves. in one vase, a dried bouquet of iris.

This fragrance is really underrated imo. To me this smell is intoxicating. You gotta be a spice lover to love it (like I do) but on anybody, this is a warm and intriguing fragrance that makes people want to sniff again. The longevity is always great and I get compliments from both friends and random strangers. It's such a cozy, spicy smell, definitely best suited for colder weather and the holidays, bc it does kinda have a classy, powdery carrot cake vibe. Idk, obviously this isn't gonna be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're looking at the notes and are intrigued, please give this a smell, and let it dry down! I find I like this even more the longer I wear it.

I’ve been hunting for a cinnamon and cardamom fragrance that isn’t toooo masculine. I tried Rose Cafe, la Force and Crimson Rocks. I loved them all but the cinnamon was kind of lost in roses or something else more prominent. I tried Eyes Closed and I’m so happy to find what I’ve been looking for. I enjoyed the smell all day into evening. It transformed into a more fresh, comforting smell than the initial spicy cinnamon I was so excited to find, but still very pleasing. I’m happy with this find 💕. It’s also not too much chai/latte like colognes that I was directed to in Ulta, it is more complex while still giving that cinnamon, cardamom note I sought.

Genuinely obsessed with Eyes Closed. My favourite Byredo fragrance. The cinnamon here is balanced perfectly, warm and sweet but with an enhanced spice from the cardamom. It's not too sugary, just a showcase of the natural sweetness of cinnamon. I adore carrot seed notes and this is top-notch. Adding a wonderfully complex earthiness. There is also a very seductive brown-liquor-booziness at play, which adds to the hypnotic feel that I get from eyes closed. Papyrus underneath gives this an almost sacred/holy aspect to it. VERDICT: Divine! This little potion is a masterpiece. Perfectly balanced between ancient and ultra-modern.

Instantly get a blast of cinnamon, along with some cardamom that tempered the spiciness a bit, kept the cinnamon from being too much, blended nicely together. When it gets to the heart, I notice the carrot note, smells like a spicy carrot cake. The ginger and orris along with the carrot goes lovely together. Reminded me of the carrot cake my mom would make every year on my dads birthday. Something about this makes me smile. It feels so warm and comforting, it makes me feel a sense of nostalgia of childhood days at home during the holidays. Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas time and cold days in general.

The iris is super strong for me on this one. For the first 20 minutes that's basically what I got. The cinnamon came later, then the carrot, all with a cloudy paper note in the background. Soft and fuzzy, a little milky. It's giving grandma's homemade carrot cake served on a fine antique dessert plate, atop a paper doily. I also get the image of mom's purse; cinnamon gum wrappers, violet candy, stale cigarettes, receipts, expired Chanel lipstick. Weirdly enough, this to me smells extremely similar to Lord of Misrule by Lush. If I didn't already have that, I would consider the full size.

I completely understand why Eyes Closed is so polarizing, but I absolutely love the seemingly contradictive qualities of orris and exotic spices being married by carrot. It's both crazy and genius! I have been looking for a cardamom fragrance that is elegant, not straight up masculine, and not too gourmand. I have tried so many at this point, but I have finally found THE ONE! The orris keeps the spices from smelling like a craft store, and the carrot keeps the orris from smelling stuffy. What a warm, cozy, and elegant fragrance that will certainly lift my spirits on cold overcast days.

Incredible Fragrance! Cinnamon-Ginger with white clean patchouli. The dry down has some dry smokiness (similar to what you get in Matiere Premiere - Encens Suave). If you read the note pyramid, you can tell without even trying it that this will not be for everyone. But that is what makes Byredo so special. They're not trying to release perfumes that smell like a Macy's counter. They want to take risks and push the envelope, spread their creative wings. If you want a bland "perfumey" fruity floral then grab yourself a bottle of Lancome La Vie est Belle and keep it moving.

It took me two samples to get it. First time was when it just got out and I guess it didn’t make an impression on me then. Maybe partly because I was in a modus of thinking Byredo fragrances were not for me. I had tested most of them and to me they all seem a bit distant, too conceptual, but that’s me. Now, after trying it a second time a year later I did fall in love with this one. Eyes Closed feels closer, more human, warm, comforting. Maybe just what I need right now? Who knows. Anyway, I got the fragrance and it’s one of my favorites now. Well done Byredo.

My baby that I fell head over heels in love with at first sniff. The carrot, the ginger, the cinnamon, the iris: it all blends in so well, it made me go crazy for it. I couldn't wait to buy my own bottle of this spicy treasure. It has now become my signature and the most prized scent that I own. So comforting, warm, delicious and not sweet! I cannot recommend it enough if you are sensitive to cinnamon, spicy, cozy scents. Only down point: it doesn't last that long on skin... but it holds well on clothes and hair. Love it, mwah 💋