We conducted a blind test of Elon Musk’s ‘Burnt Hair’ perfume to determine its scent.

We conducted a blind test of Elon Musk's 'Burnt Hair' perfume to determine its scent.

Elon Musk’s “Burnt Hair” Perfume: A Whiff of Repugnant Desire

Elon Musk, the modern-day Renaissance man, has added another title to his long list of achievements – perfume salesman. In October, his company, The Boring Company, launched a unique fragrance called “Burnt Hair” to the world. The scent was sold for $100 originally, but within days, all 30,000 bottles were claimed. Now, you can find it on eBay, with prices ranging from $86.69 to a whopping $99,420.

Describing the scent as “the essence of repugnant desire,” The Boring Company aims to recreate the smell of a candle at the dinner table, “without all the hard work.” While the name suggests an unpleasant aroma, it is unclear whether the fragrance is meant to smell good or bad. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands and put the scent to the test.

Unveiling the Scent

One of our editors ordered a bottle of Burnt Hair perfume on the day of its launch, and after months of anticipation, the package finally arrived in late July. However, there were some quality concerns as some of the perfume had leaked during shipment. The packaging itself is elegant, with a velvety black box and a garish red bottle displaying the word “SINGED” at the bottom.

To conduct an objective scent test, we sprayed the perfume on paper strips and asked members of Insider’s newsroom to share their thoughts before revealing what it was.

A Whiff of Nostalgia and Curiosity

The scent of Burnt Hair is intriguing and seems to evoke various nostalgic and curious sensations among our colleagues. Some found it reminiscent of cigarettes, with Madeline Renbarger, a reporter, describing it as “really smoky, almost tobacco or cigarettes-like.” Floral undertones were also detected by her. Deputy media editor Nathan McAlone detected the scent of “stale cigarettes,” which was supported by those in the office who smoke regularly.

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Darius Rafieyan, another reporter, initially couldn’t detect a scent on the paper, but upon taking a second whiff, he noticed a resemblance to the smell of burning cardboard, like when a pizza box is put into a campfire. Rafieyan even went a step further and sniffed the scent directly from the bottle, finding it more appealing than most perfumes due to its lack of strong alcohol notes.

Aromatic Associations and Regretful Imaginations

The scent of Burnt Hair triggered vivid and specific scenarios in the minds of our colleagues. From associations with an “old lady in church” to “BO” (body odor) and “wildfire in Colorado vibes,” each whiff inspired a range of imaginative connections. Aviation reporter Taylor Rains associated it with her grandfather’s return from a night out at the poker room, while another editor associated it with “20-something regret” and “bad decisions.” Senior tech correspondent Meghan Morris even compared it to a wine she once tried, which had “notes of horse hair,” and promptly poured it down the drain.

A Divisive Fragrance

While the majority of our colleagues did not find the scent appealing, there were a few advocates who genuinely enjoyed it. Maddie Berg, a senior editor, described it as smelling like someone who had been at a campfire and working on a farm, invoking the image of a rugged country man. Another editor found it “airy” and “cotton fresh,” with hints of “sandalwood.”

Staying True to the Promise

The ultimate question was whether Burnt Hair perfume stayed true to its promise of evoking feelings of repugnant desire through the scent of burning hair. Surprisingly, a couple of our staffers believed that it did. Brad Davis, director of business news, grimaced at the scent and confirmed its accuracy, saying, “It does smell like burnt hair.” Transportation reporter Tim Levin agreed, adding that the fragrance seemed to mix something burnt with actual perfume, giving it the illusion of being on fire.

In conclusion, Elon Musk’s Burnt Hair perfume is a divisive fragrance that elicits a wide range of emotions and associations. While some find it nostalgic or intriguing, others perceive it as unpleasant or even repugnant. It is a unique offering from The Boring Company, leaving us wondering what ambitious and unconventional creation Musk will surprise us with next.

• elon musk
• Perfume
• The Boring Company