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I Tried a BBQ-Scented Perfume—Here’s What Happened

A beauty writer's bold experiment with a smoky, meat-inspired fragrance—complete with office reactions, scent notes, and the big question: Would you ever wear BBQ as your signature scent?

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

A beauty writer's bold experiment with a smoky, meat-inspired fragrance—complete with office reactions, scent notes, and the big question: Would you ever wear BBQ as your signature scent?

Author: Dawn Davis

Cosmopolitan Magazine | September 11, 2011

Meet the Wildest Perfume I’ve Ever Spritzed

When you’re a beauty writer, your mail gets weird. Glossy new lipsticks? Love them. Facial gadgets promising to erase ten years? Bring them on. But a fragrance called Que, made by a BBQ company, was truly next level. Pork Barrel BBQ—better known for spice rubs and tangy sauces than sexy scents—sent me a bottle billed as “an intoxicating bouquet of spices, smoke, meat, and sweet summer sweat.” Irresistible or repulsive? As someone with a sweet-tooth for vanilla, honey, and even marshmallow in her regular perfumes, I was both hyped and horrified.

First Impressions: The Spritz Test

Deciding to go all-in, I gave myself a morning spritz. The result? Instantly, my workspace filled with an aroma that was impossible to ignore: a rich, savory-sweet smoke that lingered stubbornly in the air. Within minutes, coworkers started poking their heads over cubicle walls. The chorus of questions included:

“Is something burning in the breakroom?”
“Does anyone else smell a campfire… or bacon?”
“Wait, is there a BBQ on the 10th floor?”

The olfactory confusion was real. I reassured everyone that no, the building wasn’t on fire, and yes, it really was my perfume. For a moment, I worried about setting off the smoke alarms—or mass evacuations for a non-existent pork emergency.

Getting a Grilling from the Fashion Editor

Of course, I needed a male perspective. I tracked down Charles, Cosmo’s fashion editor, who’s usually game for weird beauty experiments. His reaction on approaching? “Eww, what is that?” Polite honesty. When pressed to find any redeeming qualities, he sweetly replied, “Well, you’re wearing it,” which, though nice, didn’t really boost my confidence in the scent itself. Thanks, Charles.

Scent Notes: The Anatomy of “Que”

What does Que actually smell like? Here’s a breakdown of the full BBQ-in-a-bottle experience:

Top Notes: Charred wood smoke, hints of brown sugar, a touch of spice.
Heart Notes: Fatty, porky richness, mingling with sweet molasses.
Base: Lingering campfire, soft musk, and a whisper of grilled meat.

Imagine roasting marshmallows at an epic pig roast, and you’re… well, about halfway there.

Lunch Break: When Fragrance Meets Food

The true test came at lunch. Hoping Que would mellow as the day went on, I tucked into my chicken and panzanella salad—only for the smoky aroma on my skin to merge with my meal. Rather than a harmonious foodie symphony, it left me nauseated. Perhaps it’s better paired with ribs than arugula. Minutes later, I gave up and (somewhat guiltily) scrubbed my wrists in the bathroom. Bad news: smoky pork lingers. Good news: it’s great for pranking colleagues downwind.

Office Reaction Round-up

“It smells like the Fourth of July in here—but in a weird, not-quite-right way.”
“Is your new cologne limited edition… or forbidden?”
“I could go for some brisket, honestly.”
“Can you move to the next cubicle, please?”
Clandestine offers to use my desk fan—for ‘ventilation’ purposes.

Would a BBQ Fragrance Ever Work?

Clearly, Que is a conversation starter. But who, if anyone, is it really for? Here’s a rundown of ideal—if slightly ridiculous—uses:

Gag gift: The ultimate inside-joke present for your grill-obsessed friend.
Niche bar nights: Want to win the quirky scent-off at your local dive?
Fake-out smoke alarms: (Just kidding! Don’t.)
Secret craving trigger: Subtly cue BBQ cravings in unsuspecting coworkers.

Romantic date night, though? Hard pass—unless your partner’s dream is eau de brisket.

Final Verdict from the Test Drive

Criteria	Rating (1-5)	Notes
Originality	5	You won’t find anything else quite like it.
Wearability	1	If you love smelling like outdoor grills—go for it.
Longevity	4	Smoky notes linger for hours (and hours…).
Coworker approval	2	Polarizing. Some were hungry, most were horrified.
Summer BBQ nostalgia	4	If you crave that burnt-ends aroma year-round.

Will I wear it again? Not unless it’s as part of a secret Santa gag. But as soon as I washed it off, I found myself with a sudden, powerful craving for ribs—and maybe some authentic Pork Barrel BBQ sauce.

Beauty Writer Confessions: What’s the Weirdest Scent You’ve Tried?

For all the bizarre launches to cross a beauty editor’s desk, Que takes the (grilled) cake. Unusual fragrances have a cult following, from gasoline and rubber to freshly mown grass. But let’s be real: sometimes what works as a candle or kitchen memory doesn’t belong on your wrists. Still, the adventure of wearing something this outlandish? Pretty fun.

How to Handle a Fragrance You Can’t Stand

Layer over lotion: If you can’t get an unexpected scent to budge, try layering with an unscented moisturizer to neutralize it.
Soap and scrubbing: A good wash with dish soap often does the trick for lingering oils.
Coffee break: Reset your nose with the scent of fresh coffee beans.
Embrace the joke: Sometimes, it’s best to accept your fate—and retell the tale for office laughs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What inspired the creation of Que BBQ perfume?

A: The fragrance started as a tongue-in-cheek experiment by Pork Barrel BBQ, the brand best known for its sauces and grilling rubs, aiming to bottle the sensory nostalgia of a smoky summer cookout.

Q: Who should wear a BBQ-scented perfume?

A: Honestly, it’s best as a fun novelty—for BBQ superfans, pranksters, or anyone seeking a wild conversation starter. It’s not for those looking for classic allure!

Q: Can certain fragrances make you hungry?

A: Yes! Scent is one of the strongest triggers for memory and appetite. Smelling smoky, sweet meaty notes can absolutely spark cravings (and more than a few odd looks at work).

Q: How do you get rid of stubborn perfume scents?

A: Use oil-based cleansers, gentle dish soaps, or fragrance neutralizers; rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad can also help dissolve heavy scent oils from skin.

Q: What are some other weird perfumes that editors have tried?

A: Beauty editors have encountered fragrances inspired by everything from new tires and freshly cut grass to bacon, lobster, and even Play-Doh. Turns out, the line between niche and just nuts is very, very thin in the fragrance world.

Q: Would you recommend Que as a gift?

A: Only for the right person! If your friend has a sense of humor, hosts the annual BBQ, or loves oddball novelty gifts, Que is a memorable (if polarizing) present.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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