The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Sxy Side arrived in 2016 as Avon's attempt to give everyday masculinity a different shade. Something with actual character that a guy could reach for on a Tuesday and feel like himself, just slightly more interesting. The blend opens with crisp citrus that feels familiar but elevated, settling into a warm wood base that lingers comfortably throughout the day. It's the kind of scent that doesn't announce itself loudly but leaves a subtle impression, the kind you notice when someone leans in close.
The combination of cedarwood and walnut is genuinely uncommon in masculine perfumery. Walnut typically lives in gourmand compositions, sweet and edible. Here it anchors the woody heart instead, adding a warmth that makes the sandalwood feel creamy rather than linear. The citrus top doesn't abandon the wearer after the opening, it threads through the whole experience, keeping the composition from becoming too heavy or too serious. It's an accessible fragrance that earns its complexity quietly, without demanding attention.
The evolution
The citrus opens bright and immediately confident, like someone who's comfortable in their own skin. Cedar arrives within minutes, not replacing the citrus but layering over it, adding weight without weight. The sandalwood comes next, pushing the composition toward warmth, and then the walnut reveals itself, unexpected, slightly sweet, pulling the whole thing toward skin-warm comfort. Musk holds everything together in the base, quiet and present. The drydown is where Sxy Side lives longest: warm woods, soft musk, that nutty undertone that makes it smell like something you want to keep smelling. The projection settles close to the skin after the first hour, maintaining its presence without overwhelming a room, which is exactly right for this scent.
Cultural impact
Sxy Side takes a different approach from the decade's generic masculine offerings. The walnut note gives it a point of view that earns attention, something that moves beyond predictable aquatic or wood-heavy masculine tropes. It's designed for the man who wants to smell interesting without effort, bringing a quiet confidence that doesn't need to compete for space. The scent carries itself with ease, finding its audience through word of mouth rather than loud marketing.
