Boyfriend

by Kate Walsh, 2010, good

You know the cliche in movies: a woman spends a random night with some guy,  and appears in the “next morning” scene wearing one of his shirts as a nightgown or robe. If a perfume can capture what that smells like, this is it. It embodies a clean-guy-in-flannel-shirt essence, a bit of tobacco  —or perhaps other smokeable (it’s a bit weedy & resinous), and a whole lotta vanilla, amber, light musk, and gentle rosy undertones. The net effect is a burly, very slightly sweaty manly man wearing Shalimar (which, BTW, should totally be worn by guys!), averaging what borrowing your man’s clothes smells like. It doesn’t give unique details of your guy, just an amalgam of “guyness”. It’s unexpectedly comforting & soothing, and has a very snuggly feel, so I’d recommend it for fall or winter. Men could wear this easily; it actually smells like a guy’s scent, but it’s engineered to be a scent women would find acceptable to wear... or buy for her guy.

Its separated-at-birth twin? Black Orchid. These two are very very similar, but Black Orchid is definitely classier, more upmarket smelling, with heavier, finer vanilla, a powdery overtone, and less weedy/tobacco effect. Boyfriend is much more casual & all-purpose, with a more candied vanilla. Boyfriend is daywear, Black Orchid is a night on the town. Both could be easily worn by guys, and should be!

Got my sample free upon request at Sephora.