Head Like a Hole

A fragrances inspired by Nine Inch Nails

The first real “fuck you” song I remember hearing as an adolescent, and it opened up a whole new world of music for me. Recorded in 1988 and released in ‘89, Head Like a Hole thematically bridges two decades of opposing aesthetics - the exhaustive “more is more” approach of the 80s with the emergence of 90s minimalism. Its stark, repetitive lyrics condemn society’s obsession with material wealth and those that worship money above anything else, in the sneering and petty yet insidious vocals Trent Reznor laid claim to throughout the entire album.

I was inspired by Trent Reznor & Co.’s aesthetic during the early 90s, thrust into the public eye while trying to maintain an aggressively goth, antisocial image. Leather jackets and dyed black hair, post-show body odor masked by cologne and cornstarch powdered onto skin to create a ghostly appearance. What resulted is a dark androgynous floral scent anchored by black vinyl bondage straps and burning incense.

This fragrance opens up with the sweet, plasticine, almost bubblegum scent of shiny patent leather and baby powder. It’s heart is a dark floral with notes of ylang ylang, lavender & vanilla incense, with a rich base of leather and sandalwood. In the nihilistic spirit of the song, I don’t care what you use this ritual fragrance for, but perhaps it will be useful when you’re feeling overwhelmed by capitalistic consumerism and materialism and need to release and get rid of some things - literally and figuratively.

Scent Profile:

Top: bubblegum, patent leather, powder

Middle: heliotrope, incense, lavender, ylang ylang

Base: amber, leather, musk, sandalwood, vanilla