The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
In 2017 Xyrena partnered with drag performer Trixie Mattel to release Plastic, a fragrance that wears its concept like a crown. The collaboration brought together Xyrena's experimental approach with Trixie Mattel's distinct aesthetic and devoted following. The fragrance needed to be equally unapologetic: sweet, synthetic, and proud of it. The composition uses notes that feel fun rather than cheap, sweetness that earns its place through the structure underneath. There's a deliberate artificiality to the blend that works precisely because it doesn't try to hide what it is. The sweetness finds balance through underlying structural elements, creating something that feels intentional rather than accidental.
The pyramid itself is what makes this work. Bergamot and pink guava open bright and tropical, sweet without being delicate. Cedar and cherry blossom form the heart: an interesting pairing that adds a quiet woodiness to what could otherwise feel like pure confection. The base is where Plastic earns its name: cotton candy and vanilla create that sticky-sweet gourmand core, but sandalwood and amber keep the whole thing from becoming a sugar cube. The synthetic-powdery character isn't a flaw, it's the point. It's a fragrance that knows exactly what it is and refuses to apologize for it.
The evolution
The opening begins with bergamot's citrus brightness followed immediately by pink guava's tropical sweetness. There's something interesting in the top notes, a hint of vinyl, a synthetic edge that the brand doesn't hide. It reads almost like fresh packaging. The heart develops next: cherry blossom softens the space, cedar grounds it, and the whole composition shifts from bright fruit to something warmer, almost powdery. The drydown is where Plastic earns its wearers. Cotton candy and vanilla take over, creating a sweet warmth that lingers. The sillage remains intimate, close to the skin, the kind of presence that invites closer attention.
Cultural impact
Plastic arrived in 2017 as a collaboration between Xyrena and drag performer Trixie Mattel, offering something for fans of both the brand and the performer. It's sweet, synthetic, and proud of it: a fragrance that wears its concept like armor. The scent echoes the playful camp sensibility associated with its namesake, creating a fun cultural conversation. It exists in dialogue with other pop-culture fragrance collaborations, including RuPaul's release and other drag-adjacent collectors, making it part of a broader creative movement.
