Bad Boy Extreme Carolina Herrera 2023
2
A Cocoa Delight (and Another Improvement over the Original)
As someone who was not fond of the original Bad Boy, I was curious to see how this latest iteration would work.
I found the original Bad Boy to be a confused mishmash of pepper, citrus, and cocoa notes that did not quite hit the mark. It seemed to try too hard to be a gourmand, spicy, and citrus fragrance all at once, but failed to deliver on any of those fronts, instead becoming another artificial tonka bean sweet fragrance.
That said, the perfumers opted for a more straightforward approach with this iteration. Like with Bad Boy Cobalt last year, this was a wise decision, in my opinion.
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Bad Boy Extreme keeps the cocoa from the original version and it shows immediately in the opening. However, it ditches the peppers and citrus from the original version and adds a touch of ginger to give it a decisive gourmand direction.
On dry down, Bad Boy Extreme adds patchouli to the sage and vetiver to give it an earthy touch with a light freshness that compliments the cocoa.
A light tonka bean sweetness permeates throughout the fragrance. (This is the trend for fragrance flankers in 2023.) This allows the cocoa and ginger to shine through while preventing the earthy notes from going too dark.
In terms of gender, the earthy aspects make Bad Boy Extreme lean masculine and balance the unisex cocoa and ginger sweetness.
Overall, Extreme will not impress a niche enthusiast looking for something special that is a unique creation. However, excluding the fact it is a massive improvement over the original Bad Boy, Extreme balances a gourmand sweetness and fresh earthiness to something people will enjoy, but want a step out of the ordinary.
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If there is one thing I do not like at all, it is the bottle design. Like with all the Bad Boy bottles, Extreme sticks with the thunderbolt look that reminds me of the Shazam / Black Adam symbol in the DC comics and movies.
However, I prioritize functionality over aesthetics. The spray is solid, but the bottle is too tall to fit in my dresser with the rest of my fragrances.
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Bad Boy Extreme truly shines with its impressive performance.
While the sillage and projection of the fragrance are moderate for the first few hours, they are still noticeable to those around you without being overpowering. However, the scent is not strong enough to announce your presence in a room unless someone has a sensitive nose. This is the balance most people seek.
The real highlight of this fragrance, though, is its remarkable longevity. The scent lingers on the skin for the entire day and might last until the next morning (although I did not test this beyond 16 hours at the time of this review). No need to reapply the scent throughout the day.
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Seasonally, Bad Boy Extreme's cocoa-forward scent is best suited for cooler weather and fits incredibly well with the festive atmosphere of fall. However, I have reservations about how the fragrance would fare in the summer daytime heat. Based on my experiences with tonka bean-based fragrances in hot weather, this is probably a terrible idea.
Socially, the fragrance is potent enough that it is wise to apply it sparingly in shared spaces such as schools, offices, or after a workout.
The tradeoff is that Bad Boy Extreme can truly shine in intimate settings, such as a romantic date or a night out at the club. It can also be a great fragrance to unwind with on your own or during an intimate moment, as the aroma is both relaxing and alluring.
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Overall, Bad Boy Extreme is a pleasant cocoa fragrance that represents a notable improvement from its original predecessor. While it may not appeal to fragrance enthusiasts seeking unique or complex compositions, it is a viable option for those looking for a gourmand scent with longevity.
Bad Boy Extreme is not suitable for individuals who do not enjoy cocoa scents, or likes to switch to different fragrances throughout the day. Also, people who preferred the citrus and peppers in the original Bad Boy and disliked the cocoa aspects would prefer Bad Boy Cobalt (which does the opposite of Extreme, and ditches the cocoa in favor of the fruity and peppery aspects).
However, for those seeking a cocoa scent that is a daring and slightly unconventional fragrance for a long evening around the city, Bad Boy Extreme is a captivating option.
I found the original Bad Boy to be a confused mishmash of pepper, citrus, and cocoa notes that did not quite hit the mark. It seemed to try too hard to be a gourmand, spicy, and citrus fragrance all at once, but failed to deliver on any of those fronts, instead becoming another artificial tonka bean sweet fragrance.
That said, the perfumers opted for a more straightforward approach with this iteration. Like with Bad Boy Cobalt last year, this was a wise decision, in my opinion.
----
Bad Boy Extreme keeps the cocoa from the original version and it shows immediately in the opening. However, it ditches the peppers and citrus from the original version and adds a touch of ginger to give it a decisive gourmand direction.
On dry down, Bad Boy Extreme adds patchouli to the sage and vetiver to give it an earthy touch with a light freshness that compliments the cocoa.
A light tonka bean sweetness permeates throughout the fragrance. (This is the trend for fragrance flankers in 2023.) This allows the cocoa and ginger to shine through while preventing the earthy notes from going too dark.
In terms of gender, the earthy aspects make Bad Boy Extreme lean masculine and balance the unisex cocoa and ginger sweetness.
Overall, Extreme will not impress a niche enthusiast looking for something special that is a unique creation. However, excluding the fact it is a massive improvement over the original Bad Boy, Extreme balances a gourmand sweetness and fresh earthiness to something people will enjoy, but want a step out of the ordinary.
----
If there is one thing I do not like at all, it is the bottle design. Like with all the Bad Boy bottles, Extreme sticks with the thunderbolt look that reminds me of the Shazam / Black Adam symbol in the DC comics and movies.
However, I prioritize functionality over aesthetics. The spray is solid, but the bottle is too tall to fit in my dresser with the rest of my fragrances.
----
Bad Boy Extreme truly shines with its impressive performance.
While the sillage and projection of the fragrance are moderate for the first few hours, they are still noticeable to those around you without being overpowering. However, the scent is not strong enough to announce your presence in a room unless someone has a sensitive nose. This is the balance most people seek.
The real highlight of this fragrance, though, is its remarkable longevity. The scent lingers on the skin for the entire day and might last until the next morning (although I did not test this beyond 16 hours at the time of this review). No need to reapply the scent throughout the day.
----
Seasonally, Bad Boy Extreme's cocoa-forward scent is best suited for cooler weather and fits incredibly well with the festive atmosphere of fall. However, I have reservations about how the fragrance would fare in the summer daytime heat. Based on my experiences with tonka bean-based fragrances in hot weather, this is probably a terrible idea.
Socially, the fragrance is potent enough that it is wise to apply it sparingly in shared spaces such as schools, offices, or after a workout.
The tradeoff is that Bad Boy Extreme can truly shine in intimate settings, such as a romantic date or a night out at the club. It can also be a great fragrance to unwind with on your own or during an intimate moment, as the aroma is both relaxing and alluring.
----
Overall, Bad Boy Extreme is a pleasant cocoa fragrance that represents a notable improvement from its original predecessor. While it may not appeal to fragrance enthusiasts seeking unique or complex compositions, it is a viable option for those looking for a gourmand scent with longevity.
Bad Boy Extreme is not suitable for individuals who do not enjoy cocoa scents, or likes to switch to different fragrances throughout the day. Also, people who preferred the citrus and peppers in the original Bad Boy and disliked the cocoa aspects would prefer Bad Boy Cobalt (which does the opposite of Extreme, and ditches the cocoa in favor of the fruity and peppery aspects).
However, for those seeking a cocoa scent that is a daring and slightly unconventional fragrance for a long evening around the city, Bad Boy Extreme is a captivating option.
GeorgeReid
