FRAGRANXE
Striking by Rich Mess
21COMMUNITY BALANCE16
RICH MESSRANK #15,119 OVERALL

Striking

★★★★★★★★★★
3.1363 votes · 17 reviewsUNISEX

Striking by Rich Mess is a daring unisex scent that blends industrial metallic notes with a burst of synthetic watermelon and guava. Launched in 2022, it defies convention, offering an ozonic experience for the experimental collector. It is perfect for summer wear when you want to stand out, though it remains a polarizing choice for those who prefer classic, gentle perfumes.

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Performance Metrics

177 VOTES
LONGEVITY
79
Long
29 votes
SILLAGE
70
Strong
25 votes
LOVE / HATE
47
Neutral
40 votes
PRICE VALUE
53
Fair
20 votes
RR SCORE
57
Building evidence
63 votes
Ratings63
Reviews17
OVERALL61Well regarded177 votes
Open Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE

Expect moderate longevity in the 5 to 7 hour range, with sillage that projects well beyond arm's length for the first two hours of wear.

Notes Pyramid

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MIDDLE
BASE

Striking is an experimental, ozonic composition defined by cold metallic notes, synthetic watermelon, and guava. It possesses a sharp, industrial texture that gives way to a sticky, candy-like sweetness, grounded eventually by woody notes and a warm amber base.

Main Accords

13 MAPPED
Ozonic
Aquatic
Metallic
Soft Spicy
Fruity
Green
Woody
Synthetic
Herbal
Fresh
Aromatic
Mineral

The ozonic and aquatic accords create an initial feeling of cold, industrial space that is quickly filled by the aggressive, fruity watermelon presence, resulting in a complex, shifting texture on the skin.

Community Data

169 TOTAL VOTES

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT

OWNERSHIP STATS

GENDER APPEAL

17votes

REVIEW SENTIMENT

13%positive
Positive1
Neutral5
Negative2

When to Wear

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SEASONS · 21 VOTES

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OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE

It looks easiest to wear in summer and spring. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.

Pros & Cons

Quick take before you sample

WHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT

+

A truly unique, avant-garde scent profile

+

Excellent for collectors of experimental perfumes

+

Strong projection during the opening

+

Captures an interesting lightning-like metallic vibe

+

Stands out in a world of boring, mass-market scents

+

Interesting evolution from metal to fruit to wood

+

Performs best in high summer heat

+

Makes a very strong, uncompromising statement

+

Provides a genuinely different sensory experience

+

Ideal for those bored by traditional designer perfumes

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

−

Extremely polarizing and often misunderstood

−

Synthetic watermelon can smell cloying to some

−

Metallic opening may be perceived as abrasive

−

Not suitable for office or professional settings

−

Risk of smelling like industrial bathroom cleaner

−

Lacks the traditional comfort of mainstream fragrances

−

Difficult to layer with other scents

−

Can feel overwhelming in confined indoor spaces

−

Not a reliable compliment-getter in public

−

Requires multiple wears to truly understand the concept

Fragranxe Review

EDITORIAL
“Striking by Rich Mess: A Polarizing Dive Into Metallic Fruitiness”

The opening of Striking by Rich Mess is immediately confrontational. It hits the nose with a sharp, cold blast of metallic notes and a hint of pink pepper that feels like pressing your face against a piece of stainless steel. It is not a polite or gentle introduction. This stage is designed to stop you in your tracks and force you to acknowledge its industrial, uncompromising nature right from the start.

As the fragrance transitions into the heart, the sharp metal softens, but only to make room for a loud, potent wave of synthetic watermelon and guava. This is not the refreshing, natural fruit smell of a summer orchard. It is closer to the intense, sugary, and slightly plastic scent of fruit bubblegum or even a flavored candy left in the sun. The ginger adds a faint, spicy prickle that keeps the fruitiness from feeling entirely flat, though it never quite tames the synthetic vibrancy.

On the skin, the accord behavior is chaotic. The ozone and aquatic elements make the scent feel almost airy, yet the watermelon and amber combination acts like a heavy, resinous anchor that lingers stubbornly. It fluctuates between a clean, cold mineral vibe and a sticky, overripe fruit sweetness. You might find the smell shifting unpredictably as you move through different temperatures throughout the day, which keeps the experience interesting but often difficult to wear.

Performance-wise, Striking is surprisingly persistent. It projects with moderate to strong intensity for at least the first two hours, creating a wide bubble that cannot be easily ignored. It tends to last around 5 to 7 hours, with the amber-woody base providing the final, grounding layer once the watermelon eventually retreats. It thrives in high summer heat where the air can carry these strange, ozonic molecules, but it often struggles in confined spaces.

This scent is meant for a very specific audience. If you enjoy challenging perfumery that sits on the edge of wearable art, you might find it fascinating. However, if you are looking for a signature, everyday scent that draws compliments, this is likely to be a frustrating experience. It is intentionally difficult, and that is its main purpose.

Ultimately, Striking is a project, not a perfume for the masses. I recommend sampling it first to see if you can handle the persistent, metallic-fruit paradox it presents. It is not for everyone, and it does not try to be. Approach with an open mind and limited expectations.

FRAGRANXE EDITORIAL

FAQs

What does Striking actually smell like?+

Striking is defined by a sharp metallic opening that quickly shifts into a synthetic, candy-like watermelon and guava accord. It is highly ozonic and aquatic, often compared to the smell of fruit bubblegum resting on cold, industrial steel. The scent experience is intense, unconventional, and frequently triggers strong reactions from those around you.

How does the fragrance change from opening to dry-down?+

The opening is a piercing mix of metallic notes and pink pepper. After a few minutes, the watermelon and guava take center stage, giving off a bubblegum sweetness. As it dries down over the next hour, the fruitiness mellows, leaving a resinous, amber-heavy woody base that feels much more approachable than the initial blast.

What is the typical longevity of Striking?+

Longevity varies significantly based on skin chemistry, but most users report moderate performance, lasting around 5 to 7 hours. Because of the synthetic nature of the watermelon and metallic accords, the scent remains quite noticeable through the mid-stages, though it may require reapplication if you are planning to spend a full day outdoors.

Is this a strong projector?+

Striking carries moderate to strong sillage for the first two hours. The combination of ozonic and metallic notes helps the fragrance cut through the air, creating a distinct scent bubble that others will easily detect. It is not an intimate skin scent; it is designed to be noticed and to make a statement.

Which season is best for wearing this?+

This fragrance shines best in the heat of summer. The aquatic and ozonic accords thrive when temperatures are high, as the warmth helps lift the fruity notes of watermelon and guava. In cooler, winter weather, the metallic notes can feel too sharp and cold, which may make the composition feel unbalanced and less pleasant.

Is this suitable for office wear?+

Striking is generally not recommended for an office environment. Its unique, industrial, and sometimes divisive nature, often described as metallic or even rubbery, can be overwhelming in enclosed spaces. Save this scent for casual settings where your choice of fragrance is unlikely to distract colleagues or guests during meetings.

Does this scent lean masculine or feminine?+

Striking is a true unisex fragrance that ignores traditional gender boundaries. The metallic and woody notes provide a structural foundation that many associate with masculine scents, while the heavy watermelon and guava fruitiness offers a bright, playful sweetness that leans feminine. It relies entirely on your personal style and how the notes react with your specific skin chemistry.

Should I blind buy Striking?+

Do not blind buy this fragrance. It is a highly experimental and polarizing scent that deviates significantly from mainstream perfumery. Because of its eccentric metallic and synthetic fruity profile, it is essential to sample it first to see how it performs on your skin before committing to a full bottle.

Who is the ideal audience for this perfume?+

The ideal wearer is someone who views fragrance as a form of conceptual art rather than a daily accessory. It suits individuals who enjoy eccentric, avant-garde scents and are not concerned with pleasing the crowd. If you are a collector looking for something genuinely unusual, this will definitely grab your attention.

How does it compare to other aquatic scents?+

Unlike traditional aquatic fragrances that mimic sea salt or ocean breezes, Striking opts for an industrial, metallic aquatic vibe. Where a scent like Acqua di Gio aims for natural freshness, Striking presents a more synthetic, artificial, and challenging version of the concept, making it feel less like nature and more like a laboratory creation.

Rankings

Full rankings
Overall#15,119
Top Rated#21,139
Most Reviewed#10,549
Best Longevity#4,180
Best Sillage#4,279
Price Value#26,028

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Reviews

17 TOTAL
3.1
★★★★★★★★★★
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There are very few true alternatives to this specific metallic-watermleon experiment. If you enjoy the challenging nature of this scent, look into the works of Etat Libre d'Orange for other avant-garde options that prioritize art over wearability.

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Scent of the Day · Monday, Sep 28

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StrikingRich Mess
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