by Pierre Guillaume Paris
Tonka Bodykon 31 is a smooth, gourmand-tonka fragrance with a bright green apple opening that lends a fresh, slightly tart contrast to its sweet core. It unfolds with a rich yet restrained blend of honey, rum, vanilla, and tonka bean, creating a warmly comforting, deeply personal scent that feels like a soft cashmere blanket. The apple note is natural and baked-fruit-like rather than artificial, while the pistachio adds a subtle nutty depth and the benzoin contributes a subtle balsamic warmth. Despite a modest projection—mostly intimate or moderate—it remains a distinct, wearably intimate sensation, evolving into a soft, lingering skin scent. It's especially revered in autumn and winter, with a general consensus that it functions best as a date-night or daily-wear perfume due to its approachable sweetness and mild sillage. Some find it overly soft and powdery, likening it to baby powder or play-doh, which may appeal to some but feels too mild to others. Others note it’s surprisingly boozy, with a maraschino cherry-like intensity on their skin, making it less of a safe blind buy. While it's often compared to By Kilian's Angel's Share, it's seen as a more muted, less explosive version—less spicy, woody, or alcoholic, but still bearing a shared tonka-amber-rum core. It also blends well with other fragrances, allowing for layering without clashing.