Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera

I absolutely love it! Although I don’t usually wear such sweet fragrances, I am a fan of frankincense. That enigmatic aura of power and class, with an energetic balance of vintage elements, is brilliant and mature, nothing common. Bad Boy wears the frankincense well applied yet subtle, mixed with a powdery, dry cocoa that takes centre stage. Sweet, strong, and with a spicy touch, the balance is incredible, and that plum note in the opening is played very well. If you are looking for longevity, this one goes the distance: on clothes it throws bursts for nearly five days. Brilliant and I totally recommend it!

Cocoa and frankincense dominate; upon spraying it is spectacular and strong, but over time it fades, projecting for 2–3 hours and up to 12 on clothes. It calls for special moments: dates, night outings, or to woo your crush. It is not seductive, but rather it makes you fall in love and feels comfortable enough to embrace, ideal for parties. A safe blind buy; I have received compliments, though not enough. I give it a 9!

Frankincense is neither here nor there. I think the notes are incorrect.

To my taste, an excessively exquisite fragrance. It has that addictive bitter cocoa opening and mixed with vetiver and smoke gives it an alpha male character. Projects about two metres and on clothes you can’t get the scent out even after washing it. 10 out of 10. My best perfume followed by One Million Elixir, and Scandal Pour Homme in third place.

My favourite fragrance for the cold. Sweet but not cloying, gourmand yet somewhat aromatic. It has good balance and if you know how to use it, it has versatility. I have always been intrigued that hazelnut is not declared among the notes. Good performance and exquisite scent.

As I’ve read elsewhere, do not buy this blindly. It feels very dense, almost to the point of causing nausea. I detect plenty of frankincense, a touch of patchouli and cocoa, but the frankincense dominates. Personally, it is not for me.

I tried it in-store and, honestly, I didn’t notice the cocoa or chocolate; the patchouli and frankincense stood out more. It is not a bad option, but it was not what I expected.

It is a blend between the classic and the vintage Radio; on skin, the plum and some citrus stand out, with pepper and chocolate in the base. On clothes or paper, the cocoa and pepper become more prominent. Very tasty to my taste and more versatile.

Pure power! A dense cocoa aroma that can overwhelm the senses, ask for forgiveness and not permission. For this reason, do not buy it blindly. Bestial longevity, ideal for standing out on a cold winter night. Recommend it from the age of twenty; although I see it as youthful, I do not see a teenager wearing something so potent. Be careful with the sprays, no more than five in winter.

Smells like chocolate, very sweet to my taste. Key notes: cocoa, tonka bean, vetiver and very slight plum; the others (some non-existent) give touches that grant a tiny masculinity. I really expected more from this flanker. Longevity: ≥7h (normal-dry skin). Projection: heavy for 1h and moderate for an extra 1h. Scent: 6/10 (explained below why). All Bad Boy fragrances by CH are boring; they smell very commercial, slightly sweet and mediocre, they are store scents. I was greatly disappointed.

This Bad Boy is the best in the line: it has projection, trail, longevity, and a top-tier scent. I fell in love at first sniff and bought it straight away; back then I only had 2-3 perfumes and there was nothing else for nights out in cold or mild weather. If you’re between 20 and 25, it’s a sure-fire winner; it’s earned me countless compliments. It smells rich and sweet but not cloying, masculine with a mysterious, intoxicating edge. The opening is potent: dusty chocolate notes over a vibrant accord of ginger and bergamot that make it explode. I wish it lasted a lifetime, though right now I enjoy that energy punch that shifts your vibe the moment you step out. It gradually opens up: patchouli, vetiver, tonka bean, and a camouflaged incense that adds mystery, topped with the sweetness of plum and chocolate. The downside is it’s not very versatile and you shouldn’t over-spray. A good perfume that delivers more than enough. It’s not original because it modernises and boosts the original scent (successfully) without falling into amber-cedar-sandalwood accords, which sets it apart from other releases.

I have to agree with everyone who says this is the best ‘thunder’ from Carolina Herrera. It smells extremely well, though it’s not innovative. It opens with non-sweet powdered cacao, perhaps due to the patchouli and incense, making it irresistible for nights in cold climates. It doesn’t feel cloying or excessively gourmand; it sits just right between a playful perfume and a mysterious one. As for performance, I’m very happy; the name ‘Extreme’ fits like a glove, as if they’ve multiplied the performance of the EDT. It lasts 10 hours comfortably, projecting generously. I don’t think it floods rooms, but everyone around you will notice it 100%. Like the whole line, I see it for grabbing attention among the young, though that patchouli and incense combo adds some maturity, allowing its use to be not just for parties but perfect for being remembered at social events.

My go-to party fragrance by far, tonnes of compliments, and spectacular longevity.

The opening is impressive, but once it settles, it reminds me of any Puig fragrance with tonka bean. It’s a shame because if the opening lasted longer it would be stunning, plus it’s very long-lasting. It’s a pity that so many fragrances share the same base; constantly smelling the same youthful, cloying aroma becomes high and tiresome.

An absolute delight.