perfume

Vivir Insider Exclusive: Unveiling Issey Miyake Nuit d'Issey Pulse Of The Night

Your Secret Weapon for Unforgettable Evenings

By Sofia Chen-Martinez · · Updated

Oh, darlings, if there’s one scent that has truly had the entire industry buzzing since its debut, it’s Issey Miyake’s Nuit d''Issey Pulse Of The Night. Trust me, my sources at the most exclusive launch events were absolutely aglow, whispering about this one long before it hit the shelves. It’s not just a fragrance; it’s an experience, a statement, and frankly, a masterpiece that deserves a prime spot in your collection.

The Nuit d''Issey line, born from the iconic L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, has always aimed for a darker, more intense interpretation of the brand''s minimalist elegance. While the original Nuit d''Issey EDT (2014) laid the groundwork with its woody-spicy allure, Pulse Of The Night, launched in 2019, elevated the narrative to an entirely new level. This isn''t just a flanker; it’s the dramatic, sophisticated older sibling who walks into a room and instantly commands attention without uttering a single word. It positioned Issey Miyake firmly in the realm of high-performance, complex evening fragrances, proving they could play with the big boys in the oriental-woody category.

The inspiration behind Pulse Of The Night is as poetic as the scent itself. Imagine the deepest hours, the city lights blurring into a seductive glow, a clandestine encounter, or a moment of profound introspection under a velvet sky. It’s about the raw, magnetic energy that pulsates after dark. The concept was to capture the essence of a mysterious, confident man, whose presence is felt long after he’s left the room. It’s about warmth, depth, and an undeniable allure that’s both primal and refined.

In the fragrance community, Pulse Of The Night has garnered an almost cult-like following. It’s consistently hailed as one of the best designer releases of recent years, often praised for its niche-like quality at a more accessible price point. Its reputation isn''t just built on hype; it’s built on its exceptional blend, stellar performance, and the sheer audacity of its character. When you hear connoisseurs discuss "hidden gems" or "compliment magnets," this one invariably pops up. It''s truly a standout.

The Nose Behind the Scent

Dominique Ropion. A master perfumer known for his precision, bold compositions, and creating iconic scents such as Frédéric Malle''s Portrait of a Lady and Thierry Mugler''s Alien.

4.4 Overall
Longevity
4.5
Projection
4.0
Sillage
4.0
$90-$140 for 100ml Parfum
🌸Spring☀️Summer🍂Fall❄️Winter

Accords

Woody 30%
Leather 20%
Oriental/Amber 20%
Warm Spicy 15%
Sweet/Gourmand 10%
Resinous 5%

Notes Pyramid

Top
Olibanum (Frankincense)Bergamot
Heart
LeatherTonka BeanWoodsy Notes (Cedar, Sandalwood)
Base
VanillaAmberwoodPatchouliVetiverCacao

Scent Journey

1
Opening 0-30 min

The initial spray bursts with bright, ethereal frankincense and a fleeting bergamot lift, quickly deepening into a smooth, dark, and compelling leather accord. It''s a bold and confident entrance.

2
Heart 1-2 hrs

As it settles, the leather dominates, softened by creamy tonka bean and a rich blend of warm woods like cedar and sandalwood. A subtle, warm spice hums underneath, adding intoxicating depth.

3
Drydown 4+ hrs

The fragrance transforms into a warm, resinous, and deeply sensual embrace. Vanilla and amberwood emerge, blending seamlessly with lingering leather and woods, while a distinct, slightly bitter cacao note adds a sophisticated, comforting, yet alluring base that endures for hours.

Performance Dashboard

⏱️ Longevity 4.5/5

Outstanding longevity, easily lasting 10-12 hours on skin and days on clothing. A true marathon runner.

📢 Projection 4.0/5

Projects beautifully for the first 2-3 hours, creating a noticeable yet refined aura that draws people in.

💨 Sillage 4.0/5

Leaves an exquisite, sophisticated trail that is noticeable but never overwhelming, leaving a memorable impression.

When to Wear

🌸SpringAvoid
☀️SummerAvoid
🍂FallBest
❄️WinterBest
💕 Date Night🌙 Evening Events📌 Formal Gatherings🩩 Clubbing✨ Special Occasions📌 Romantic Evenings

Community Verdict

⭐ Overall
4.4
👃 Scent
4.6
⏱️ Longevity
4.5
💨 Sillage
4.0
💰 Value
4.0
💌 Compliment Factor 4.6/5

An extremely high compliment getter, especially from women. Its magnetic blend of dark allure and subtle sweetness consistently sparks curiosity and positive remarks.

Pros & Cons

  • ✅ Unique, sophisticated, and rich scent profile
  • ✅ Outstanding longevity, lasting 10+ hours
  • ✅ Exceptional evening allure and magnetism
  • ✅ Consistently high compliment factor
  • ✅ Niche-like quality at a designer price point
  • ❌ Can be too heavy for warm weather or office wear
  • ❌ Not a universally ''mass appealing'' fresh scent
  • ❌ Requires a light hand to avoid being overpowering

Price & Value

$90-$140 for 100ml Parfum
Premium

“Absolutely worth the investment. Its unique profile, master perfumer, and exceptional performance justify the price, offering true luxury.”

Who It's For

✅ Ideal For

  • Men 28-55
  • Confident and sophisticated personalities
  • Those who appreciate darker, sensual, and complex fragrances
  • Individuals who value quality and leave a lasting impression

⚠️ Not Recommended For

  • Very young individuals seeking fresh/sporty scents
  • Those sensitive to strong leather or resinous notes
  • Conservative office environments due to its bold nature

The Family

Nuit d''Issey EDT issey-miyake

The original woody-spicy fragrance of the Nuit d''Issey line.

Nuit d''Issey Parfum issey-miyake

A denser, warmer, and richer version of the original Nuit d''Issey EDT.

Nuit d''Issey Bleu Astral issey-miyake

A fresher, spicier interpretation with notes of ginger and leather.

Nuit d''Issey Bois Arctic issey-miyake

A woody and aquatic flanker with a cooling effect.

Nuit d''Issey Noir Argent issey-miyake

A darker, more incense-heavy iteration with prominent black pepper.

Explore More

🔍 Similar Fragrances

Ombré Leather Tom Ford

Shares a dark, rich, sophisticated leather core, though Ombré Leather is more animalic.

Dior Homme Parfum Dior

Both feature an elegant, dark, luxurious leather accord for evening wear, with Pulse of the Night being less powdery.

CH Men Prive Carolina Herrera

Offers a similar boozy, leathery warmth, but Pulse of the Night is deeper and more resinous.

Man In Black Bvlgari

Shares spicy, warm, and oriental elements, but Pulse of the Night has a more pronounced leather and frankincense-cacao signature.

Uomo Intense Valentino

Both feature a dark, sweet, leathery gourmand touch, with Pulse of the Night being creamier and less powdery.

💡 Clone Alternatives

Supremacy Incense Afnan

Often compared for its dark, smoky, resinous, frankincense-driven warmth.

Oud for Glory Lattafa

Offers a dark, woody, leathery feel, though it leans more into an oud-centric profile.

Italian Leather Just Jack

Captures a similar luxurious, dark leather genre at a fraction of the cost, reminiscent of Ombré Leather.

❤️ You May Also Enjoy

Dior Homme Intense Dior

For its sophisticated, powdery iris-leather warmth.

La Nuit de l''Homme Yves Saint Laurent

For its dark, spicy, cardamom-led allure.

1 Million Parfum Paco Rabanne

For its bold, warm, amber-floral-leather statement.

Gentlemen Reserve Privée Givenchy

For its boozy, woody, chestnut warmth.

Code Absolu Armani

For its sweet, tonka-vanilla, slightly rum-like embrace.

More from issey-miyake

L''Eau d''Issey Pour Homme issey-miyake
L''Eau d''Issey Pour Homme Intense issey-miyake
L''Eau d''Issey Pour Homme Wood & Wood issey-miyake
L''Eau d''Issey Pour Homme Vetiver issey-miyake
A Drop d''Issey issey-miyake

🧪 Layering Ideas

🏆 Final Verdict

So, here’s the unvarnished truth from your Vivir Insider: Issey Miyake Nuit d''Issey Pulse Of The Night isn’t just another fragrance; it’s a statement. It’s the scent for those who understand that true luxury isn''t about shouting, but about an undeniable presence. It’s for the evenings, the intimate moments, the times you want to feel utterly confident and alluring. Its unparalleled longevity means you apply it once and let it work its magic throughout the night, leaving a sophisticated, memorable trail in your wake. The blend of dark leather, mysterious frankincense, creamy tonka, and a whisper of cacao creates an intoxicating warmth that is both modern and timeless.

If you’ve been searching for that signature evening scent, something that truly stands out from the crowd of fleeting trends, then this is it. Pulse Of The Night is an investment in your personal allure, a secret weapon for those moments when you want to captivate and charm. Trust me, darling, you’ll thank me for this tip. Go on, experience the pulse.

issey-miyakedesigner fragrancemen's cologneluxury perfumenuit d isseypulse of the nightdominique ropionevening fragranceleather scentfrankincensecacao