Bad Boy vs. Le Parfum Comparison

Bad Boy has been a very popular cologne from Carolina Herrera. In 2021, the brand launched Bad Boy Le Parfum as its first flanker to this best seller. Naturally, I had to try and compare both of these fragrances, to see if the sequel surpassed the original EDT. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

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Tale of the Tape: Bad Boy Le Parfum vs. Bad Boy

Bad Boy

Notes include: white pepper, cocoa, sage, tonka bean, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, and amber

Click here to try: Carolina Herrera Bad Boy EDT Eau de Toilette 3.4oz / 100ml For Men, Black

Read my review: Bad Boy EDT

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Bad Boy Le Parfum

Notes include: grapefruit, hemp, black pepper, geranium, leather, and vetiver

Read my Review: Bad Boy Le Parfum

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Opening

The opening of the original Bad Boy EDT, strikes quite differently to my nose, depending on whether it is close to the skin or not. Up close, I get a honeycomb like aroma that is dipped in amber and dotted with various pepper notes. 

From afar, I really pick up the sweeter and creamier aspects of this scent. Namely, the cocoa and tonka bean. 

With Le Parfum, I get grapefruit, pepper, and the cannabis note. The cannabis smells slightly smoky and more like the raw plant rather than how it smells when consumed. It’s green, fresh, with the other notes like geranium and leather coming through.

Which do I prefer? It’s a close call, I like the unique opening of Le Parfum when compared to that honeycomb amber. However, I like the sweet cocoa, amber mix more so than the cannabis. I have to give the slight edge to the original.

Edge: Bad Boy

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Projection

Neither of these fragrances is a powerhouse type of a scent. Both fall squarely in the moderate camp.

Though, Le Parfum is a bit better a projecting itself when compared to the EDT. The gap isn’t very wide, but it is the winner.

I honestly expected more from each when I tried them out. The reach of each of them is solid enough and with a decent number of sprays, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either. Le Parfum just doesn’t kick up to that much of a higher level.

Edge: Le Parfum

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Longevity

With the original Bad Boy, I generally get 7 hours of wear out of it. Sometimes, it can hit 8 hours, depending on the climate that day.

Meanwhile, Le Parfum will go for 8-9 consistently. Again, not a massive difference, but one has a clear edge.

As it fades, Bad Boy Le Parfum does keep it projecting ability at a higher level deeper into the wear than the EDT. 

Edge: Le Parfum

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Versatility

Seasonally, both are best in the autumn and winter months. That being said, Le Parfum can venture into warmer days a bit better. Just avoid the high heat for both of these.

The Bad Boy series is best for younger guys. Think more casual or nightlife wear versus the office. However, I think the original could fit in more places, since it doesn’t literally have hemp as a note. Plus, you could easily go light with it. 

Edge: Bad Boy

 

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Overall Scent

I like both of these fragrances, but am not blown away by either. They each have their strengths and it’s a pretty close call as to which one is better.

Update: Even coming back to update this post, years after the fact, this series has never done much for me. All of the fragrances are just fine. Mostly forgettable, but they seem to keep selling well.

Le Parfum is unique, particularly in the early stages, and settles into a nice leather and vetiver blend. My favorite not here, isn’t the cannabis, actually I like the geranium in this. Very fresh and it stole the show for my nose.

Performance is good and while it is fairly limited in its uses, Le Parfum is a fun change of pace.

However, I think that I prefer Bad Boy EDT. When I let this fragrance settle, the wafts of light sweetness and warmth coming off the skin is really nice. The only reason that I don’t rate it higher is the opening can be somewhat of a synthetic mess. Also, I wish it had more strength. 

Outside of that, I would probably reach for it more times than I would Le Parfum. Both of these are above average scents, but neither are spectacular. I think the original also has more mass appeal in comparison.

Winner: Bad Boy