Clean Shaven 05
Brand: Clean Shaven
Unisex · EDP · £12.68
Inspired by Tom Ford Black Orchid.
Tom Ford Black Orchid vs Clean Shaven 05
Description
Clean Shaven 05 interprets Tom Ford Black Orchid, one of the defining unisex luxury fragrances of the 2000s, and is one of only a handful of entries in the Clean Shaven range explicitly marketed as unisex rather than masculine. Product Overview Sold as a 50ml bottle at 25 percent Eau de Parfum concentration, currently listed at 12.68 pounds on the brand's own UK site, discounted from 15 pounds. Clean Shaven markets it directly against the original: a scent similar to Tom Ford Black Orchid for a fraction of the price. Scent Profile Tom Ford's Black Orchid, launched in 2006, opens on black truffle, black currant, ylang ylang and effervescent citrus, an unusually dark and unconventional top note combination for the time, moves into the fantasy black orchid accord itself alongside gardenia, jasmine and fruits, and settles into a rich base of Mexican dark chocolate, patchouli, incense, musk, vetiver, vanilla and amber. The black orchid note is famously not a real botanical extract but an accord invented by Tom Ford and his perfumers specifically for this release, one of the more genuinely original conceptual notes in modern designer perfumery. Technical Structure and Development Black Orchid's combination of gourmand chocolate richness against dark, slightly unsettling florals and truffle was a significant departure from typical mid 2000s designer perfumery, and its unisex marketing, unusual at the time for a fragrance this opulent, helped establish Tom Ford's wider positioning as a house willing to break from conventional gendered fragrance marketing. Performance Given the confirmed 25 percent EDP concentration and the density of the original's chocolate, incense and vetiver base, good longevity is likely for the range, consistent with how the original's dense base performs. Wear Scenarios - Evening and special occasion wear where a rich, opulent gourmand oriental suits the moment - A strong pick for fans of the original Black Orchid who want the profile at a fraction of the cost - Unisex wear for anyone drawn to dark, chocolate forward florals rather than a lighter, cleaner scent - Cooler weather wear where the incense and vetiver base reads warm rather than heavy Scent Family Positioning Clean Shaven 05 sits in the oriental gourmand style lane, built on dark fruits and the signature black orchid accord against a chocolate, incense and vetiver base, interpreting one of Tom Ford's most recognised and most frequently copied unisex releases. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Clean Shaven states directly on the product page that this is their version of Tom Ford Black Orchid, explicitly framed around cost savings versus the original. Flankers and Variations Clean Shaven 05 is part of the brand's wider 01 to 25 numbered range and is one of the entries specifically marketed as unisex alongside 07, 10 and 23. Market and Community Reception Clean Shaven's brand wide 4.8 rating across Google and Trustpilot reflects the aggregate customer experience across the range, since individual review breakdowns per numbered fragrance are not published separately. Black Orchid itself remains one of the most consistently referenced unisex designer fragrances in wider fragrance community discussion, which is relevant context even without individual reviews for this specific interpretation.
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Best Notes Match
Maison Alhambra Black Origami
Shared notes: Black Truffle, Ylang Ylang
See Maison Alhambra Black Origami →
From This Brand
Clean Shaven 09
Same DNA Style
Dossier Spicy Orchid
Inspired by Tom Ford Black Orchid
Community Reviews
1 review with an average rating of 7.7 out of 10.
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Community Ratings
- Overall: 7.7/10
- Scent Accuracy: 7.8/10
- Longevity: 7.5/10
- Projection: 7.2/10
- Value: 8.5/10
What Reviewers Say
Atlas AI Analysis — 7.7/10
Clean Shaven 05 operates within the niche-leaning territory of the oriental-gourmand category. By replicating the complex structure of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, the fragrance avoids the safe, linear profiles typical of mass-market budget releases. The composition hinges on the contrast between earthy, fungal elements like black truffle and the dark sweetness of Mexican chocolate. The inclusion of the fantasy black orchid accord, supported by ylang-ylang and patchouli, creates a dense, multi-layered profile that prioritizes opulence over transparency. It is a challenging profile that retains the polarizing, dark character of the original composition. Regarding technical performance, the 25 percent Eau de Parfum concentration suggests a robust presence relative to the budget price point. Given the density of the base materials—specifically the incense, vetiver, and amber—longevity is expected to be significant, likely exceeding the brand's lighter citrus-based offerings. While independent longitudinal data for this specific version is currently unavailable, the chemical composition of the inspired-by profile typically yields substantial skin retention. The projection is likely to be assertive in the initial phases before settling into a rich, resinous sillage characteristic of the gourmand-oriental family. From a market perspective, Clean Shaven 05 positions itself as a functional gateway to high-concept luxury perfumery. At a price point significantly below the designer original, it targets a buyer profile that values profile accuracy and concentration over brand prestige. Within the broader clone ecosystem, this interpretation occupies a utility space, offering a high-dosage alternative to more diluted high-street alternatives. It represents a notable value proposition for users seeking a scent that deviates from standard masculine or feminine archetypes without a luxury investment. The scent’s profile dictates specific wear conditions, favoring cooler climates and evening environments. The heavy interplay of dark fruits, resins, and chocolate makes it less suitable for high-heat scenarios or conservative professional settings. It remains one of the more versatile unisex offerings in the Clean Shaven catalogue, appealing to an audience that prefers depth and textural complexity. Its success as a clone relies on maintaining the unsettling, dark floral character that made the 2006 original a foundational release in modern niche-style designer perfumery.
Where to Buy
Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the signature scent profile of the Clean Shaven brand?
Clean Shaven focuses on the "Barbershop" and "Grooming" aesthetic, specializing in scents that are fresh, crisp, and undeniably clean. Their DNA is built around the idea of a fresh-out-of-the-shower experience, focusing on high-quality citrus, cooling mint, and traditional aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary.
Can Clean Shaven fragrances be used as aftershaves and perfumes?
While the brand has its roots in traditional grooming, their fragrances are formulated as Eau de Parfums to ensure they last far longer than a standard aftershave. They are designed to be "skin-friendly" while providing enough punch to work as a daily-wear fragrance that stays noticeable throughout the workday.
Is Clean Shaven a good brand for the office or gym?
Yes, Clean Shaven is arguably the best "utilitarian" fragrance house for those who want to smell fresh without being overwhelming. Their profiles are non-offensive, uplifting, and professional, making them a top choice for office environments, gym bags, and warm weather where heavy ouds or ambers might be too cloying.
What is Clean Shaven 05 a dupe of?
Clean Shaven 05 is a dupe of Tom Ford Black Orchid. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.
What does Clean Shaven 05 smell like?
Clean Shaven 05 opens with Black Truffle, Black Currant, Ylang Ylang, Citrus, moves into Black Orchid Accord, Gardenia, Jasmine, Fruity Notes, and settles on a base of Dark Chocolate, Patchouli, Incense, Musk, Vetiver, Vanilla, Amber. It is built to capture the character of Tom Ford Black Orchid.
Is Clean Shaven 05 long lasting?
Clean Shaven 05 is EDP with a community longevity score of 7.5 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.8 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It typically contains 15 to 20 percent fragrance concentration, giving stronger performance and longer longevity than EDT. Most Middle Eastern clone brands release their fragrances as EDP, which is a significant reason they tend to outperform designer equivalents in longevity and projection at a lower price point.
What is an extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum, also called pure parfum, contains the highest fragrance concentration, typically 20 to 40 percent. It lasts the longest, projects most richly, and develops the most complex dry-down. Bujairami releases all its fragrances as extraits, which is a significant part of why the brand has developed such a strong reputation for performance.
What is maceration and should I let my new fragrance macerate?
Maceration is the process of fragrance molecules fully integrating and settling after production. A newly bottled fragrance can smell sharp, synthetic, or unbalanced because the individual ingredients have not yet harmonised. Leaving a bottle to settle for two to four weeks is standard practice in the fragrance community. Remove the cap and let the bottle breathe overnight to accelerate the process. Most heavy Middle Eastern releases benefit significantly from maceration.
What is a blind buy in the fragrance community?
A blind buy is purchasing a fragrance without having smelled it first, based on notes, reviews, community consensus, and comparisons to fragrances you already know. The Atlas compare tool, scent accuracy scores, and community reviews are specifically designed to reduce the risk of a disappointing blind buy by giving you data before you spend money.