Eilish 1 vs Eilish 2

Billie Eilish has been slowly adding to the Eilish line of fragrances over the past few years. The first three were given a number, instead of a catchy title. The original, has been the most popular, but the sequel (Eilish No. 2) is also one that caught attention.

Eilish No. 1 and Eilish No. 2 are both quite different fragrances from one another, but which of them smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

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Tale of the Tape: Eilish No. 1 vs. Eilish 2

Eilish

Notes include: vanilla, cocoa, musk, sugared petals, wood, red berries, mandarin, spices, amber

Click here to try: Eilish EDP

Read my review: Eilish by Billie Eilish

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Eilish 2

Notes include: bergamot, apple blossom, wild poppy flower, black pepper, papyrus, palo santo, ebony wood

Click here to try: Eilish No. 2

Eilish 2 Full Review

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Opening

The immediate spray of Eilish EDP delivers a blast of red berries with a hint of mandarin. However, this doesn’t go completely fruity, and those notes are actually minor players in the overall composition.

There is a distinct spiciness here. Cinnamon seems to be the main note, but other ingredients are present as well. It also has an ambery warmth, vanilla cream, and the emerging powdery cocoa aroma.

It is sweet, with its ‘sugared petals’ note. Rose, maybe? There is also something greenish and cold here in the mix. Sort of like menthol with the way it hits, not necessarily a pure mint, but perhaps, geranium? Not listed, but that’s what I get.

With Eilish 2, the fragrance starts off with a punch of black pepper up top that is soaked with a light citrus freshness from the bergamot note. Added to that, a touch of sweetness from the apple blossom.

The floral notes aren’t super heavy in this mix at all. You will catch hints of them at times, but nothing that’s going to dominate the composition.

The main draw here is the palo santo wood. That’s present throughout the wear. Earlier on here, the papyrus adds a further dryness and spiciness to things. The perfume is warm, earthy, and somewhat smoky.

Interestingly, Eilish 2 becomes a bit damp, in the middle and to the end of the wear.

Which is better?

I like both. However, I think Eilish 1 gets to the point quicker with its development. The opening of No. 2 can be too peppery and the fragrance smells better when its woody notes and fully taken over.

Edge: Eilish 1

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Projection

On my skin, this feels like it has a pretty bold and far-reaching start. For the first 30 minutes or so, Eilish EDP seems loud and will leave a nice scent trail.

Thereafter, it moderates, but this has a scent bubble that lingers around you. The reach is probably in the 4 to 7 foot range, depending on how much you spray.

Eilish 2 isn’t a heavy fragrance. It’s substantial and noticeable, but more airy than the first one and not as dense.

The reach of either fragrance is about the same for the first hour or so (1 is stronger on opening). Eilish 1 just maintains its projection for longer and has a density to it that surpasses 2.

Edge: Eilish 1

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Longevity

I personally get up to 8.5 hours of wear from Eilish EDP. It might go further than that for some folks, but this is what I’ve gotten out of it.

Not a super marathon runner, but a fragrance that is well above average.

Eilish 2 doesn’t hit the same level, but is still pretty decent. It’ll stick around for about 7 hours, on my skin.

Edge: Eilish 1

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Versatility

Seasonally, both of these are obviously an autumn and winter wear. Once you’re in the warmer weather, neither is too great to have on. But, maybe some springtime sprays for either should be fine.

Eilish 1 also does skew younger with its sugary sweetness. But it’s one that doesn’t go completely into teen girl mode.

Sure, it fits that demographic, but if you’re older and like sweetness, there is still plenty here for you to like. No.2 is much more unisex and has a more mature profile than does the original.

Eilish could be a daily wear or venture into nightlife. It’s pretty, with that appealing baked goods gourmand style, which is popular with most people.

Meanwhile, No. 2, has a wider daily wear use case for more people. It’s still not a formal fragrance or anything, but it’ll fit in to many different scenarios.

Edge: Eilish 2

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Overall Scent

With the first Billie Eilish fragrance, I really do like the opening act. It takes the usual sort of celeb perfumes and adds a nice amount of depth to it.

Takes something familiar and changes it up enough, to make it interesting, without being divisive.

It’s a great dynamic between the warmer spice and then a transition into something cooler.

The back half is fine, just not as captivating as how Eilish 1 starts out.

Eilish 2 is much more polarizing, as a fragrance. This one is decidedly unisex and has, if anything, a more traditionally masculine profile versus the first one in this series.

The black pepper can be intense in the first 30 minutes, you’re going to get plenty of palo santo woody smokiness, a slight sappy and resinous aroma, some light freshness, and creaminess.

Eilish 2 is much more unique and not one that is going to be appreciated by everyone. I do like it, but I think I like what I get from the opening act of the first Eilish perfume a bit more. 1 is the much safer buy and what most would gravitate toward.

The middle and dry down of 2, is less harsh, and a very nice woody fragrance for rather cheap.

Though, I will say, if you’re a palo santo fan or the blend sounds interesting to you…absolutely do try out Eilish 2, because some of you will absolutely love this fragrance. For the rest, the peppery woods might be too much to bear.

Winner: Eilish