
Boy Smells is a candle and fragrance brand founded in Los Angeles in 2015 by Matthew Herman and David Kien. The brand has gained popularity for its unique and sophisticated scents, with some describing them as pure magic in a jar. But with the candles on the pricier side, are they worth the money?
Reviews of Boy Smells candles are generally positive, with many praising the brand for its diverse and specific array of aromas, as well as its aesthetically pleasing packaging. The candles are said to fill the room with fragrance without being overpowering, and the burn time is reported to be good, with some claiming they last for 2-3 months.
However, some reviews mention that the candles can be a bit hit or miss, with some scents falling flat or smelling burnt when lit. The price is also a common point of contention, with some people saying they are expensive for what they are.
So, are Boy Smells candles worth it? It seems that while the brand offers unique and long-lasting fragrances, the high price tag may not be justifiable for everyone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founded by | Matthew Herman and David Kien |
| Founded in | Los Angeles |
| Unique selling point | Breaks the binary of "feminine" and "masculine" smells |
| Notes | Almond, eucalyptus, rhubarb, violet, ambergris, blueberry, juniper, sandalwood, smoked leather, iris, orris, firewood, smoke, charcoal, palo santo, hay, cannabis flower, pomelo, black pepper, basil, oregano, cypress, blackcurrant, peach blossom, cardamom, cedar, patchouli, pistachio, tonka, saffron flower, jasmine, moss, rose, amber, magnolia, redwood cedar, frankincense, poppy, tomato |
| Pros | Unique, complex, and sophisticated scents, aesthetically pleasing packaging, good burn time, fills the room without being overpowering, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, good throw |
| Cons | Expensive, poor customer service, some candles have a burnt odor, some candles have a sharp cologne note, some candles have poor throw |
Explore related products
$38
What You'll Learn
- Boy Smells candles are worth it for their unique, complex, and sophisticated scents
- The candles have good throw and long-lasting burn times
- The brand's aesthetically pleasing packaging and genderful identity make it a popular gift choice
- Boy Smells' diverse array of aromas and ability to pair scents beautifully set it apart
- The candles are expensive but worth it for the quality, with some noting issues with customer service

Boy Smells candles are worth it for their unique, complex, and sophisticated scents
Boy Smells candles are a unique, luxurious, and deeply personal line of home fragrances. Founded in 2015 by Matthew Herman and David Kien in Los Angeles, the brand has established itself as a significant player in the fragrance market, offering an array of complex and sophisticated scents that set it apart from other candle brands.
The candles are known for their unique and captivating aromas, which can be bold and bright, fruity and sweet, or woody and warm, depending on the scent. The brand's ability to create fragrances that defy traditional gender binaries of "feminine" and "masculine" smells is particularly notable. For example, the Kush candle, which is part of the beloved Kush range, has a fresh summery scent with notes of pomelo, black pepper, basil, oregano, and cypress, while also paying homage to the cannabis flower. Another popular scent, Ash, combines firewood, smoke, charcoal, palo santo, and hay to create a sexy, woody warmth.
The brand's commitment to creating an inclusive and queer product is evident in its adoption of the term genderful to describe its candles. This term embraces the idea that fragrances can inform and be informed by our identities, making self-care an important and personal act. The diverse yet specific array of aromas allows customers to build a scent story through their living space, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that elevates the mood and ambiance of any room.
While some may find the price point a bit high, many reviewers believe that the candles are worth the money for their quality and longevity. The candles are made with a clean-burning coconut and beeswax blend, ensuring an even burn for hours. The sleek, minimalist design of the jar adds a chic touch to any space, making Boy Smells candles an excellent choice for gifting or treating yourself.
Overall, Boy Smells candles offer a sophisticated and unique fragrance experience, making them a popular choice for those seeking indulgent and captivating home fragrances.
Review: Don't Bug Me Candle, a Summer Saviour
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The candles have good throw and long-lasting burn times
Boy Smells candles are known for their unique and sophisticated scents, with a diverse yet specific array of aromas. The brand, founded in Los Angeles in 2015, stands out in the fragrance market by offering luxurious and deeply personal fragrances that break the traditional binary of "feminine" and "masculine" smells.
The candles have received praise for their good throw and long-lasting burn times. One reviewer mentions that the scent of the candles fills the room without being overpowering, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The candles are made with a clean-burning coconut and beeswax blend, which contributes to their long-lasting burn times.
Another reviewer shares that they have purchased several Boy Smells candles and that they have a good burn time, lasting for 2-3 months and filling their entire apartment with fragrance. The reviewer also mentions that the candles have awesome throw and are worth the price for the quality.
The Boy Smells Pride Extra Vert Limited-Edition Candle is another example of the brand's long-lasting candles. This candle, created for Pride Month, has a unique herb garden scent that lasts for hours, providing an extended aromatic experience.
In addition to their long-lasting burn times, Boy Smells candles are known for their aesthetically pleasing packaging and unique, genderful branding. The sleek, minimalist design of the jars adds a chic touch to any space, making them a popular gift choice for holidays and housewarmings.
Overall, the Boy Smells candles offer a combination of high-quality fragrances, long-lasting burn times, and good throw, making them a popular choice for those seeking indulgent and satisfying aromatic experiences.
Soy Candles: Bloom and Prosper's Natural Choice
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The brand's aesthetically pleasing packaging and genderful identity make it a popular gift choice
Boy Smells is a DTC brand that crafts lush and deeply personal candles and fragrances. The brand sets itself apart from other candle brands by imbuing its products with a complex array of scents, breaking the traditional binary of "feminine" and "masculine" smells. The brand's identity is heavily influenced by the world of fashion and the founders' queer identities. This unique approach to fragrance, along with its aesthetically pleasing packaging, has made Boy Smells a popular gift choice.
The brand's genderful identity is reflected in its product offerings, such as the Pride Extra Vert Limited-Edition Candle, which was created for Pride Month. This candle brings together an unusual yet delightful combination of mint, fig, daffodil, cypress, juniper berry, tarragon, and basil. Boy Smells wears its queerness on its sleeve, adopting the term genderful rather than the more commonly used "gender-neutral" or "genderless." This inclusive language, coupled with its unique fragrances, has earned Boy Smells a dedicated following.
Boy Smells' aesthetically pleasing packaging complements its innovative scents. The brand's candles are known for their sleek, minimalist design, adding a chic touch to any space. The clean yet warm aesthetic of the packaging, along with the unique fragrances, makes Boy Smells a popular choice for holiday or housewarming gifts. The brand's approach to luxury is marked by a balance between sophistication and warmth, making its candles ideal for creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere in any home.
Boy Smells' candles are not just about the scent but also the overall experience they offer. The brand's attention to detail and focus on creating an immersive sensory journey make it a standout choice for those seeking indulgent, high-quality candles. The candles are designed to fill the room with fragrance without being overpowering, creating the perfect ambiance for relaxation or entertainment. This balance of scent and subtlety is a notable feature that sets Boy Smells apart from other candle brands.
In conclusion, Boy Smells has successfully combined aesthetically pleasing packaging with a strong brand identity, resulting in a popular gift choice for those seeking unique and sophisticated fragrances. The brand's ability to blend fashion, personal stories, and innovative scents has earned it a dedicated following, with many praising its approach to luxury and inclusivity. Boy Smells candles offer an immersive experience that transcends the traditional boundaries of fragrance, making them a sought-after choice for those wishing to enhance their spaces and elevate their self-care rituals.
Convenience Store Birthday Essentials: Candles at 7-Eleven?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Boy Smells' diverse array of aromas and ability to pair scents beautifully set it apart
Boy Smells candles stand out from other brands with their diverse array of aromas and their ability to pair scents beautifully. The brand was founded in Los Angeles in 2015 by Matthew Herman and David Kien, who set out to create a line of candles and fragrances that were luxurious and deeply personal. With their backgrounds in fashion and design, the founders created a brand that embraces an approachable luxury marked by a clean yet warm aesthetic and affordable prices.
One of the unique aspects of Boy Smells is its ability to break free from the traditional binary of "feminine" and "masculine" smells. Instead, the brand embraces its queerness and adopts the term "genderful" to describe its products. This approach allows individuals to choose scents that fit their unique vibes and personalities, regardless of gender.
The diverse range of Boy Smells candles includes fruity and floral scents, such as blackcurrant and peach blossom with hints of cardamom and cedar, as well as earthy and woody aromas like the Kush collection, which features the cannabis flower with notes of pomelo, black pepper, basil, oregano, and cypress. The brand also offers limited-edition candles, such as the Pride Extra Vert candle, which combines mint, fig, daffodil, cypress, juniper berry, tarragon, and basil.
What sets Boy Smells apart is not just the variety of scents but also the ability to pair them together. For example, burning the Ash and Hinoki Fantôme candles simultaneously creates a sexy, woody warmth during the winter. The strength of the scents is such that you don't need to burn multiple candles, but pairing certain scents can create an even more captivating aroma.
In addition to their unique fragrances, Boy Smells candles are known for their high quality. They burn evenly for hours and are made with a clean-burning coconut and beeswax blend. The sleek, minimalist design of the jars adds a chic touch to any space. While some may find the price a bit high, many reviewers believe that the candles are worth the money for their long-lasting scent, beautiful packaging, and ability to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Eucalyptus Candles: Natural Flea Repellent for Your Home
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The candles are expensive but worth it for the quality, with some noting issues with customer service
Boy Smells is a DTC brand that crafts candles and fragrances with complex and diverse scents. The brand was founded in Los Angeles in 2015 by Matthew Herman and David Kien, who began candle-making as a fun side project in their kitchen. Boy Smells candles are known for their unique and sophisticated fragrances that create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The brand's marketing and branding, as well as its queer identity, set it apart from other candle and fragrance brands.
While some people consider Boy Smells candles worth the money for their quality and longevity, others find them expensive. One review mentions that the candles are worth every inhale, lasting about 2-3 months. The brand's approach to luxury and the founders' backgrounds in fashion and design have shaped its clean yet warm aesthetic and affordable price range. The candles are made with a clean-burning coconut and beeswax blend, and their sleek, minimalist design adds a chic touch to any space.
The diverse array of aromas offered by Boy Smells is satisfying to many customers. The brand's fragrances are influenced by the world of fashion and the founders' queer identities, resulting in a luxurious and deeply personal experience. The scents can be beautifully paired, allowing customers to build a scent story through their living space. For example, the Ash and Hinoki Fantôme candles can be burned together for a sexy, woody warmth in winter.
However, some customers have expressed concerns about the price of Boy Smells candles, finding them a bit too expensive. One review mentions that they would rather pay for Trudon candles, which are in the same price range. Another review highlights the issue of lousy customer service, with a refund for an exploding candle never arriving.
Overall, Boy Smells candles offer a unique and indulgent experience with their complex and diverse fragrances. While some customers find them expensive, others believe the quality and longevity make the candles worth the price. The brand's aesthetic, diverse scent offerings, and cozy ambiance have made it a favourite for many candle enthusiasts.
Vegan Candles: White Barn's Ethical Promise
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Boy Smells candles have a diverse range of unique, complex, and sophisticated scents that fill the room without being overpowering. The candles are long-lasting and have good burn time. The brand has excellent marketing and branding, and its products are designed for everyone, regardless of gender. Overall, Boy Smells candles are worth it for their quality and scent.
Some popular Boy Smells candles include Ash, Hinoki Fantôme, and the Kush family of candles. The limited-edition Pride Extra Vert candle, created for Pride Month, is also worth mentioning.
Boy Smells candles feature a range of scents, from woody and musky to floral and fruity. Some candles have unique combinations of notes, such as the Ash candle, which includes firewood, smoke, charcoal, palo santo, and hay. The Kush candle has a mix of cannabis flower, pomelo, black pepper, basil, oregano, and cypress, resulting in a fresh summery scent.
Yes, Boy Smells candles are an excellent gift option due to their aesthetically pleasing packaging and gender-neutral approach to fragrance. The brand's "`genderful`" term embraces inclusivity, making the candles suitable for anyone.
Some users have mentioned that Boy Smells candles can be expensive, with some expressing concerns about the price. Additionally, there have been a few reports of candles exploding or having a burnt odor when lit. However, these seem to be isolated incidents, as most reviews praise the brand's quality and scent offerings.











































