Sunday, April 3, 2011

Boyfriend by Kate Walsh: We're An Item



I returned to Sephora today and bought Boyfriend after only one date.

God, I'm easy.

Take into account that I am in a Mainstream Marathon manic episode, but it also made me happy enough that I was compelled to make it mine.

My hunch is that Boyfriend will be a viewed as a commercial and formulation success; if not now, then in the future.  Perhaps falling into the same category as J-Lo Glow and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely.  

Starting out, Boyfriend reminds me of something familiar, like MAC 3 with it's rough, vanilla amber vibe. The top notes are heady, so give it 10 minutes.

That's when the really good stuff happens.

From beginning to end, I don't pick up a lot of floral notes at all - except jasmine, which is a favorite of mine - but mostly woods, myrrh and amber.  Plus scratchy patchouli, leather and coffee, although none of these notes are listed.

Day old stubble, too.

A few other reasons I fell for Boyfriend:

1)  Kate Walsh took a risk and did something far outside of the usual celebuscent offerings.  And she didn't name it Kate Walsh (take note, Jennifer).   

2)  Boyfriend has captured the essence and nostalgia of 'guy smell.'  I've known this scent (musky, sweet and outdoorsy) all of my life from hugging my grandfather, my dad, boyfriends of the past and B-man.

3)  Marketing is cheeky, and the design of everything from the bottle to the Boyfriend Kit is both absurd and titillating at the same time.  From a business perspective, it's brilliant.

4)  Controversy surrounds the release of this perfume.  I love me some controversy!  Anything that attracts this much buzz belongs in my hot little hand.

5)  Boyfriend works well with food.  We'd have to break up otherwise. 

Sillage is moderate but deep, and it lasted on my skin all afternoon until I showered before bed.  Boyfriend draws you in with subtle confidence instead of inundating you with flowers and compliments. 

Boyfriend is totally androgynous and I can imagine it smelling very nice on B-man. 

In several reviews, Shalimar has been compared to Boyfriend, but I don't necessarily share that opinion.

However, it's been awhile since I wore Shalimar.  It used to be my signature scent as a young woman and I wore it daily for several years.  But I can't wear it anymore because it will forever be associated with the most annoying boyfriend I ever had.

Love that irony.

More Mainstream reports to come. 

Image from bellasugar.com

10 comments:

  1. Although I've "seen" several reviews for this on the blogosphere, I didn't read them thinking, who cares? Just another celebrity scent - they've been springing up like weeds. But your very catchy title pulled me in, and having read your review, I'm definitely gonna give Boyfriend a try next time I'm out shopping. That you smell "scratchy patchouli, leather and coffee" in this - coupled with jasmine and woody notes - is intriguing. I like the sound of that combo!

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  2. oh sounds wonderful - thanks so much for this post Josephine!

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  3. Hi Josephine,

    This is one I've really got to try. I love that "guy" thing in fragrances, and don't like my scents too feminine. Thanks for the review!

    Geordan

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  4. See, I dismissed this after sniffing it on a blotter the other day. Your "give it 10 minutes" line has me convinced I should try it on skin after all.

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  5. Suzanne, hello! Boyfriend wasn't anything like I expected and it wears well through the day. It's perfectly suited as a later-in-the-year perfume (not exactly spring), but I might as well enjoy it since we still have snow!

    Thanks for your comment - good to see you!

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  6. Hi Frida - you'll have to try Boyfriend and let me know what you think! It's such a refreshing change from the fruity-floral celebuscents, which I usually pass by without ever considering. Give it a shot!

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  7. Hi Geordan, I think you might like Boyfriend. There's nothing 'girly' about this perfume at all! And it truly does capture 'guy smell.'

    Good luck and thanks for your comment!

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  8. Elisa, hello! I liked Boyfriend from the moment it hit the blotter, but even more so on my skin. It's kind of happy-dark, if that makes any sense. It's masculine, but sparkly... Try it again and let me know what you think!

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  9. Hi Josephine,

    You have got me very intrigued as well - I wonder if it has come out over here yet? Is it like Dirty English at all? In vibe if not in scent exactly?

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  10. Hi Vanessa - Boyfriend has a similar vibe of Dirty English, but it goes on darker and stays that way through the dry down. However, there is a brightness about it, too, and sometimes I pick up a minty-chocolate note. I'd be very interested in your opinion!

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