If you love niche perfumes that feel intimate, artistic, and effortlessly wearable, then Liis has probably already caught your attention. This California-based fragrance house has been quietly building a loyal following — and after testing every scent from their two discovery sets, I completely understand why.
Today, I’m diving into all nine fragrances from the Vivid and Unseen collections. I went into most of these blind (which is always my favorite way to test), focusing on first impressions, emotions, and wearability before even glancing at the notes.
Let’s get into it.
About Liis: Minimalism with Meaning
Liis was founded by Alisa and Leslie, two creatives who came together later in life to build a brand rooted in emotion and self-expression. The fragrances are made in California, cruelty-free, vegan, and designed to feel personal rather than overpowering.
And that’s exactly how they wear.
These are not “room-filling” perfumes. They don’t scream for attention. Instead, they sit close to the skin, evolving quietly and letting the wearer interpret the story. If you believe fragrance is more about how you feel than how loudly others smell you — Liis is very much your kind of house.
The Vivid Discovery Set
The Vivid set includes five fragrances, each exploring brightness, softness, and emotional warmth.
Rose Struck
As expected, Rose Struck opens with a very clear rose note — but this is not your typical powdery or overly mature rose.
There’s a juicy sweetness here that immediately makes it feel modern. I picked up something fruity and slightly green. It turns out that tangerine, black currant, and matcha tea sit alongside May rose and Damask rose — which explains that fresh, slightly herbal lift.
Now, I’m not usually a rose lover. Rose fragrances can sometimes lean into “shampoo” or “bathroom cleaner” territory for me. But Rose Struck feels different. It’s clean, lightly sweet, and almost shower-fresh in a very wearable way.
Not my personal favorite from the house, but a beautifully done rose for someone who wants something green and dewy rather than heavy and classic.
Floating
Floating was a complete surprise — in the best way.
The dominant note for me? Peach. A soft, juicy, clean peach that feels airy rather than syrupy. It’s paired with linen and bergamot, which give it that fresh laundry brightness without turning sharp.
There’s something about this scent that feels effortless. It’s fruity but not sugary. Clean but not soapy. Slightly floral but not overwhelming.
If you’re someone who enjoys fresh fragrances but wants a little softness and fruit to make it interesting, Floating is gorgeous. It’s easy to wear, very approachable, and one of my standout picks from the Vivid set.
Lucienne
Lucienne opens with a bright citrus sparkle — lemon zest and pomelo — but what stood out to me most was a sunscreen-like creaminess.
Not tropical coconut sunscreen — more like lake-day sunscreen. Clean skin, sunshine, fresh water nearby.
There’s magnolia, water lily, papaya, sea salt, and ambergris in the mix, which explains that aquatic floral feeling. It’s creamy, slightly salty, and very summery.
If you love fragrances that smell like warm weather memories, beach air, and effortless skin scent vibes, Lucienne is worth trying. It’s nostalgic in a subtle way.
In This World
This one felt slightly more complex and layered.
Immediately I noticed violet — that cool, purple floral note — alongside something green and airy. There’s eucalyptus and fig here, which give it a soft greenness, almost grassy but not sharp.
Blood orange brightens the opening, and the base of tonka and woods rounds it out.
“In This World” feels thoughtful. A little introspective. Slightly artistic. It’s not loud, but it definitely has personality. If you enjoy violet-forward scents with a modern twist, this one stands out.
Shushu
Shushu is sweet. Very sweet.
It smells like a French pastry — lemon zest, whipped cream, vanilla, caramel. There’s even mocha and cocoa in the base.
On paper, I love gourmand fragrances. But this one borders on being too rich for me personally. The sweet lemon creaminess is very present, and while delicious, it could lean headache-inducing for some.
If you adore bakery-style scents and want something that smells edible and indulgent, you’ll love this. But if you’re sensitive to sweetness, test before committing.
The Unseen Discovery Set
Now onto the Unseen set — where things get a little moodier and woodier.
Bow
Bow was immediate love.
It opens slightly peppery, then quickly transforms into this beautiful woody-resinous scent. I got pine, cedar, and something softly sweet in the background.
Elemi resin, tobacco, incense, sequoia, cedar, and vanilla all come together to create what I can only describe as a sweet forest.
If you enjoy fragrances like Oud Wood or Santal 33, Bow sits comfortably in that realm — woody, warm, slightly smoky, but incredibly wearable.
This was my absolute favorite from the entire collection.
Ethereal Wave
Ethereal Wave is fresh but unusual.
I detected pink pepper and bergamot at first — bright, citrusy, and green. There’s black tea, white tea, and cardamom here, which add a slightly spiced warmth.
However, on my skin, I occasionally picked up a slightly synthetic “glue stick” undertone. It’s subtle but noticeable enough to keep this from being a favorite.
Still, it’s very well blended and might wear beautifully on someone else’s skin chemistry.
Studied
Studied immediately reminded me of Glossier You — but fruitier.
There’s pear, musk, iris, ambrette, and cashmere in the composition. It’s soft, slightly powdery, subtly sweet, and very much a “your skin but better” fragrance.
If you love intimate musky scents that feel clean and personal, Studied is fantastic. It’s the kind of fragrance you wear to feel put-together without trying too hard.
Definitely one of the strongest releases in the lineup.
Of True Minds
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me.
Patchouli is very prominent here, and it’s a note I personally struggle with. There’s suede, nutmeg, benzoin, and labdanum adding warmth and depth, but the patchouli dominates.
If you love earthy, resinous, slightly spicy fragrances, this could absolutely be your favorite. For me, it was the only definite “no” in the entire discovery experience.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Liis delivers exactly what they promise: minimalist, wearable, emotionally driven fragrances that feel intimate rather than overpowering.
These are not bold statement perfumes. They are subtle companions. Scents that become part of you rather than announcing you.
My personal top three:
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Bow
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Floating
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Studied
Liis feels modern, thoughtful, and quietly luxurious. If you appreciate subtlety and emotional storytelling in perfume, this house is absolutely worth exploring.
