Thread: Modern smells

Hey, Ivo,

Nope. When I shared the scent with my daughters, it was the first time I used it. Also, their grandpa is strictly a Mennen man. So, I'd say the "test" was objective.

Inconsistent women? Well, that would take a book to write a response to that reply on this thread. I'll save time and just say "yep, they're inconsistent".

Ron

Originally Posted by Doc4

Cosi fan tutte, as Mozart would say.

And Tutti Frutti Aw Rutti, as Little Richard said.

Originally Posted by majurey

And Tutti Frutti Aw Rutti, as Little Richard said.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Originally Posted by Sunsi

Hi All

This is a slightly delicate subject. I dont want to offend anyone here, but here goes....

I am a newcomer to straights, and a younger man. I love the classic shaving experience, but I am worried about the older style aftershaves that seem to be so popular.

At the risk of offending a huge chunk of the fraternity here, I have smelt a few, and they all smell, well, older. Are there any more modern smelling aftershaves that people can recommend? There are plenty of aftershaves out there - from the likes of Givenchy, DKNY, Paco rabanne etc - but I guess that these are more about the smell then caring for the skin, and are expensive.

My question is, is there a midde ground somewhere? Modern fragrances with classic aftershave qualities?

I wouldn't worry about offending anyone...at the end of the day, its about your personality and how you want to smell. You aren't breaking any unwritten rules by not using Bay Rum aftershave every day. I find that those classic aftershaves and colognes are much too powerful for me. I prefer something more subtle.

Try to pick some basic scents that you like and try out fragrances that are along those lines. Head over to this website:

http://www.basenotes.net/directory

At the bottom you can type in 2 or 3 'notes' you are looking for in your fragrance (e.g. Sandalwood, Lime, Tonka Bean or Musk) and it will show you fragrances that have those ingredients. Most of the more popular ones will have several reviews from users. I find many of the reviews to be much too subjective and snobby to really take seriously, but you will get an idea of how strong it is, how long it lasts and how it behaves. The only real way to decide what is for you is to try them out.

Personally, I enjoy the woodier scents like sandalwood, cedar, moss, etc. to go with what I use when I shave. In fact, I usually find that the lingering scent of my face after using my QED Sandalwood is all I need, and I often get compliments well into the day. But again, this isn't something where others should tell you what to wear. You will be much happier if you go out and choose something for yourself.

OK, so how young are we talking here? - like 5-6 yo?

Just kidding, but people often think I am under 21 (this is a bit of a problem because for work I meet CEOs and government people, etc. as a consultant and it's a bit harder to establish credibility, especially when combined with my thick accent, lack of interest in golf...) Some days I will wear extremely traditional *old* scents, and other days it will be something much *younger* and modern...

One aftershave (balm) that I have found works great for my skin and is not *old* is Gucci Pour Homme. Sure, someone on basenotes called it "pencil shavings" - the nerve on some snobs! (Many on basenotes are also infatuated with Creed GIT which isn't all that, imo - so don't take everything there too seriously). Bulgari Pour Homme (green tea) AS is quite nice. Of course, for *modern* and cost-conscious it's hard to beat Nivea sensitive skin ASB.

L'Occitane CADE ASB is also unique and great, but a bit heavy (oily) The scent is not *old* - at least not to me. Try to get a sample at the store if possible. Another that I may think is retro but not old - Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad. Anything that is called Santalwood, Rose, Almond, Violet, Sweet Pea, etc - this cannot really pass for *modern* imo. Modern scents to me are quite complex, with multiple ingredients and a new and surprising twist and character that evolves with time (when worn)

Anyway, tell us what you come up with - I am not averse to getting some modern scents myself

Cheers
Ivo

I started this thread because I assumed that the "shaving" aftershaves were something special with regards skin care. Turns out I was wrong, and that it really is about what you like in terms of the smell.

I have bought some designer aftershaves, mainly to match my EDT's in the same range.
I have bought some cheaper grocery store aftershaves, including Speik.
I have bought a bottle of high end shaving - Trumpers Skye.

The end result - the best aftershave I have for skin care turned out to be a designer one - Paco Rabanne Black XS. It leaves my skin feeling wonderful and moisturised and means I do not have to put anything else on my face. Oh yeah - and it smells awesome.

The Trumpers is good too, but the paco pips it AND was cheaper. The smell is excellent though - right up there with the best of the airport brands. I love the smell and so does the girlfriend.

Speik is an excellent daily use, or for use before bed, but I am not sure I would want to smell of it the whole day. It is very caring and all - probably on a par with the Trumpers - but its not for me.

So in conclusion, well, there is no conclusion. The expensive shaving brands are good, but a cheaper designer was better. The cheap ones are no better and no worse then the designer ones, so if you like the smell of the cheaper ones go fot it.

All in all I think they are all much of a muchness - I just lucked out with the Black XS because it seems to have something special about it.

Si

My personal post-script on the aftershave issue, and scents. For a long time I stayed away from drugstore aftershaves, because they were cheap and 'of course' cheap means bad. At least in the scent department.

But after many positive comments about it from others, I tried Aqua Velva. And to my suprise, it smells really a lot like my favourite cologne, Dunhill for men (the 1934 version, not the recent "Dunhill Man"). And it seems to do a really good job as an A/S.

So ... the next time you're shopping in the shave isle, maybe just unscrew the cap and take a whiff ... maybe it's for you and maybe not, but I think it's worth a shot.