Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Boy Smells

Boy Smells is a perfumery brand founded in 2016 in Los Angeles by Matthew Herman and David Kien.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
697 w
Citations
18
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Boy Smells
TypeIndependent
IndustryConsumer goods
Founded2016 (2016) (Los Angeles, U.S.)
FoundersMatthew Herman
David Kien
HeadquartersLos Angeles
ProductsCosmetics
Websitehttps://boysmells.com/

Boy Smells is a perfumery brand founded in 2016 in Los Angeles by Matthew Herman and David Kien.1

The brand regularly collaborates with social media influencers — such as Vanillamace2 and Nicolas Sturniolo3 — to appeal to Gen Z consumers.4

History

Boy Smells was founded in 2016 as scented candle brand for customers who are "design-oriented with a touch of queerness.5 The brand focused on scents that broke from traditional gender norms.6

The brand saw an increase in scented candle sales in relation to COVID-19 quarantining.7

In 2021, in collaboration with Robertet Group, the brand expanded into perfumes with its five-variant Cologne de Parfum collection by perfumer Jérôme Epinette.89

Following a surge in interest in poppers in the wake of Troye Sivan's 2023 song "Rush," Boy Smells released its Citrush candles and perfumes.1011

In 2025, the brand underwent a controversial rebranding.12 The move was criticized by some as "straightwashing," or abandoning of the brand's LGBTQ+ origins, in order to appeal to Gen Alpha and Gen Z.13 The brand's sculptural black-and-pink bottles were replaced with colorful glass bottles,14 derided by some as resembling electronic cigarettes.15 As party of its rebranding, Boy Smells opened a pop-up boutique in New York City's trendy SoHo neighborhood, adjacent to fragrance competitors such as Byredo and Le Labo.16

Products

Perfumes

  • Cashmere Kush (2022, discontinued)
  • Citrush (2025)
  • Citrush Gold (2026) – collaboration with Nicolas Sturniolo17
  • Coco Cream (2025)
  • Coco Hinoki (2026)
  • Cowboy Kush (2022)
  • Flor de la Virgen (2021, discontinued)
  • Hinoki Fantôme (2022)
  • Italian Kush (2022, discontinued)
  • Les (2023, discontinued)
  • Marble Fruit (2021, discontinued)
  • Peachy Oudy (2025)
  • Red Hot (2025)
  • Rose Load (2021, discontinued)
  • Rosy Cheeks (2025)
  • Solar Drip (2026)
  • Suede Pony (2021, discontinued)
  • Sugar Baby (2025)
  • Tantrum (2021, discontinued)
  • Vanilla Era (2025) – collaboration with Vanillamace18
  • Violet Ends (2025)
  • Woodphoria (2022)

Hair and Body Mists

  • Cherry Slay
  • Chestnut Cheeks
  • Citrush
  • Cream Dream
  • Cuc
  • Soft Wood
  • Water Melons

Candles and reed diffusers

  • Ash
  • Citrush
  • Coco Cream
  • Coco Hinoki
  • Cowboy Kush
  • Hinoki Fantôme
  • Kush
  • Les
  • Vanilla Era
  • Violet Ends
  • Woodphoria
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Hannah Baxter (July 26, 2017). "A Cannabis Candle Turned This Side Hustle into a Full-Time Career". Coveteur. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  2. Kleigh Balugo (April 24, 2026). "Vanillamace's Sold Out Boy Smells Perfume Has Returned". Hypebae. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  3. "Citrush Gold". Boy Smells. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  4. Claire McCormack (April 17, 2025). "Boy Smells' Rebrand Doesn't Pass Its Dedicated Fans' Sniff Test". Beauty Independent. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  5. Alexis Chenu (December 16, 2022). "Boy Smells: From candles to perfumes, a success story". FashionNetwork. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  6. Afdhel Aziz (October 9, 2020). "How Supercool Queer-Owned Boy Smells Celebrates A 'GenderFul' Lifestyle". Forbes. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  7. Marilyn La Jeunesse (March 8, 2021). "Boy Smells' New Fragrances Are as Enchanting and Complex as You". Them (magazine). Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  8. Marilyn La Jeunesse (March 8, 2021). "Boy Smells' New Fragrances Are as Enchanting and Complex as You". Them (magazine). Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  9. Steph Saltzman (March 2, 2021). "Mega-Popular Candle Brand Boy Smells Expands Into Personal Fragrance". Fashionista. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  10. Olivia Craighead (June 25, 2024). "Now Your Home Can Smell Like Poppers". The Cut (publication). Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  11. "We Did Poppers With the Stars at the Interview x Boy Smells Pride Party". Interview (magazine). June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  12. Claire McCormack (April 17, 2025). "Boy Smells' Rebrand Doesn't Pass Its Dedicated Fans' Sniff Test". Beauty Independent. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  13. Tembe Denton-Hurst (May 16, 2025). "Am I the Only Person Who Likes the Boy Smells Rebrand?". New York (magazine). Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  14. Emily Jensen (April 18, 2025). "Boy Smells debuted a rebrand. PerfumeTok is not happy". Glossy. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  15. Carol Lee (April 22, 2025). "We Tried Boy Smells 2.0's New Scents". The Cut (publication). Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  16. Janelle Sessoms (October 15, 2025). "Boy Smells Takes on Retail With Its First-Ever Flagship Pop-Up". Fashionista (website). Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  17. "Citrush Gold". Boy Smells. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  18. Kleigh Balugo (April 24, 2026). "Vanillamace's Sold Out Boy Smells Perfume Has Returned". Hypebae. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
External links