The Smoky Scent Of Burnt Hair: A Niche Fragrance

In October 2022, Elon Musk launched a $100 perfume called 'Burnt Hair'. The unisex fragrance is sold through Musk's company, The Boring Company, and is described as the essence of repugnant desire. The company claims it smells like leaning over a candle at the dinner table. Musk himself described it as the finest fragrance on Earth. But what does it actually smell like?

Notes of ash, cigarettes, and regret

The scent of burnt hair is a complex and intriguing fragrance that evokes a range of sensations and emotions. With notes of ash, cigarettes, and regret, this unique perfume challenges conventional notions of desirability and invites exploration into the depths of olfactory experience.

Ash, the remnants of combustion, lends a smoky and earthy tone to the fragrance. It brings to mind campfires, burnt offerings, and the aftermath of fiery passion. The ash note in the perfume may be reminiscent of warm summer nights spent gazing at the dying embers of a bonfire or the crisp, charred scent of a forest fire. It adds a layer of depth and intensity to the overall aroma.

Cigarettes, on the other hand, provide a more familiar and recognizable scent. The tobacco leaves used in cigarettes are carefully cured and dried, imparting a distinctive aroma that ranges from sweet and nutty to earthy and spicy. The cigarette note in the perfume is likely to evoke memories of smoky cafes, dimly lit bars, or the comforting smell of a grandparent who always seemed to have a pack of cigarettes tucked into their sleeve. It adds a hint of nostalgia and a touch of the forbidden.

Regret, a more abstract and elusive note, is perhaps the most intriguing element of the fragrance. Regret is a complex emotion, often associated with a sense of loss, longing, or unfulfilled desires. It can be bittersweet, tinged with sadness and a hint of self-reproach. The regret note in the perfume may manifest as an underlying bitterness, a subtle sourness, or a faint hint of something unattainable. It adds a layer of mystery and depth to the overall composition.

Together, these notes create a perfume that is both captivating and unsettling. It invites the wearer and those who encounter them to reflect on the impermanence of beauty, the complexity of human emotions, and the transformative power of scent. The perfume challenges traditional notions of what is desirable or appealing, pushing the boundaries of what we consider pleasant or repulsive.

While the combination of ash, cigarettes, and regret may not be what one typically expects from a fragrance, it is a testament to the creative possibilities within the world of perfumery. It invites us to embrace the unexpected, explore the unknown, and perhaps, find beauty in the most unlikely of places.

Smells like leaning over a candle

Elon Musk's perfume, 'Burnt Hair', is said to smell like "leaning over a candle at the dinner table". The scent is described as "the essence of repugnant desire", and reviewers' opinions are mixed. Some say it smells like stale cigarettes, burning cardboard, or an "old lady in church", while others liken it to a "burly country man".

The scent of burning hair is caused by the release of volatile sulfur compounds. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which contains the sulfur-containing amino acid, cysteine. When hair burns, the sulfur atoms combine with other elements in the protein and in the air, such as oxygen and hydrogen, to form these sulfur compounds.

Other sulfur-containing compounds that we encounter in everyday life include the smell of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide) and the smell of natural gas leaks (thiols).

Charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue

Charred aromas like charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue are reminiscent of smoky, fiery scents. Charcoal, often associated with grilling and barbecuing, evokes the smell of burning embers and imparts a distinctively smoky fragrance. Singed flesh, on the other hand, conjures the acrid, sharp smell of burning, reminiscent of overcooked meat on a barbecue.

The scent of barbecue is a complex interplay of aromas. While the charcoal provides a foundational smoky base, the cooking meat introduces a variety of scents depending on its type. The fat and juices that drip onto the hot coals or grill create a phenomenon known as the Maillard reaction, producing a savoury aroma and adding depth to the overall fragrance.

The combination of charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue creates an intense olfactory experience, redolent of seared meats and smoky embers. The smell of charcoal and barbecue is often associated with outdoor cooking and conjures images of sizzling steaks, sausages, and burgers on a grill. This olfactory combination can evoke feelings of summer days spent outdoors, enjoying grilled delicacies with friends and family.

However, the scent of singed flesh adds a darker, more acrid note to the overall fragrance. It introduces a sense of something being burnt beyond recognition, evoking a feeling of unease or even repulsion. This particular scent is often described as sharp and pungent, with a lingering presence that can be off-putting to some.

The interplay of these three elements—charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue—creates a unique and memorable olfactory experience. While the barbecue and charcoal scents provide a familiar, comforting base, the addition of singed flesh adds an unexpected twist, challenging the traditional concept of a pleasant aroma.

The essence of repugnant desire

The promotional description of "Burnt Hair" certainly sets an intriguing tone: "Just like leaning over a candle at the dinner table, but without all the hard work." It conjures an image of a romantic, candlelit dinner, but with a sinister twist. The scent itself is said to evoke notes of ash, cigarettes, and even regret. Some have described it as reminiscent of stale cigarettes or burning cardboard, while others detect hints of floral or sandalwood tones. It is a fragrance that defies easy description, as unique as it is divisive.

But perhaps this is the true genius of Musk's creation. By embracing the concept of "repugnant desire," he has created a fragrance that is unapologetically bold and unconventionally captivating. It is a scent that challenges societal norms and pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in the world of perfumery. It is an olfactory representation of Musk's willingness to explore the intersections of desire and revulsion, beauty and ugliness, and the resulting tension that arises from their interplay.

"Burnt Hair" is more than just a fragrance; it is a provocation. It invites wearers and observers alike to confront their own desires, no matter how repugnant they may seem. It is a testament to the power of scent to evoke strong emotions and to challenge our perceptions. Musk has created a fragrance that is a true work of art—one that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but that undeniably leaves an impression.

In the end, the essence of repugnant desire is complex and multifaceted. It is a delicate balance of attraction and aversion, beauty and decay. It is a scent that lingers, haunting your senses long after the initial encounter. Whether you love it or hate it, "Burnt Hair" has undoubtedly earned its place in the annals of perfumery, proving that sometimes, the most intriguing scents are the ones that defy easy classification.

Floral notes

While the "Burnt Hair" cologne by Elon Musk's The Boring Company is described as smelling like "leaning over a candle at the dinner table", some reviewers have reported detecting floral notes in the fragrance.

One reviewer, a reporter on the startups and venture capital team, said that while the scent was "really smoky", she also sensed some floral notes. Another reviewer described the scent as "airy" and "cotton fresh", and detected notes of sandalwood.

The cologne has been described as reminiscent of every niche wood scent, with good base notes that reminded the reviewer of "every niche wood scent I've ever loved".

While the cologne does have some floral and woody notes, it is primarily described as having a strong smoky or burnt scent, reminiscent of cigarettes, burning cardboard, and sulphur.

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