A question about cologne?

Wanted to get the opinion of some people my age.
Right now, I use witch hazel unscented and some every man jack unscented as my as my aftershave routine. I use speed stick, and then in the summer I use maybe some tag or axe body spray. Problem with that is that I have been using that and curve since I was in 8th grade or so.
I'm 22, so what kind of cologne do the other guys in my age group use?
I have used Aqua Di Gio, and I like it, but it seems as though everyone I walk past is wearing it now.
I would like something light and summertimey, but also a little bit mysterious. Something I don't necassarily have to wear everyday, but could if I wanted.

Perhaps a few of you have tried colleen's colognes for instance? The problem I have with a lot of them is the $200 price tag, but if I want a tester, its like 15 or 20 bucks for 1/700 of an ounce!

Any suggestions?

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Originally Posted by DBolger

Any suggestions?

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If you're looking for some nice options at excellent prices, here is a good link:

http://www.saintcharlesshave.com/products.htm

I've got three of her EdTs. New Spice, Bay Rum with a Twist, and a discontinued one called Autumn Rain. Good scents, but really excellent values. I doubt you'll find a better bargain. Definitely not something everyone will be wearing.

The ones called Dagger and Melaaze both sound good from her description.

You also might want to email her for some suggestions.

Another good option would be something from l'Occitane. Not super expensive and not something everyone will be wearing.

http://www.loccitane.com/Default.aspx?c=1&l=1&s=4&a=428

Colognes are so personal and subjective that it's hard to recommend something. But, L'Occitane is a good place to start. Their colognes are on the cheap end and in my opinion smell twice the price at least. . . You can also contact Trumper's for a sample pack, or Penhaligon's but these guys will be more money. . . worth it though. WAY better than Axe body spray.

I wear Polo Blue for cologne. I tend to go towards the "cooler colored" aromatics in cologne choice (not literally cooler colored). I'm around your age at 21.

On a side note I would be interested in getting some natural deodorant so I could try it out for the alum block before I used it for body. However, I haven't been able to find it in a Rite-Aid or grocery store near me. Any pointers?

I'm a tad older than you, but...I've found many (not all) of the Dept. store designer brands - what I call "all the usual suspects" - smell the same or certainly lack a unique character.

I really like the English colognes. Penhaligon's, Floris, Creed, the 3 Ts, etc. Some of them might be "old" for you, but try some samples if you can get them. Does anyone know if you can buy samples on Basenotes.com? T&H 1805 seems a little "younger" to me. Penhaligon's Quercus is nice too. I've read that Floris JF and Santal are supposed to appeal to the younger crowd. These last few aren't cheap, but I've found a bottle lasts for a long time - more so when you have a few of them going. Cologne is a lot of trial and error. Different colognes are different on each of us.

End of rambling post....:o

Jordan

Well one thing that will set you apart from the Metrosexuals using the "Cool Name Bad Stink Du Jour" would be to go with an old English gentleman's brand.

Try a little Truefitt & Hill Trafalgar. I love that stuff. It's not overpowering and has a bright springy scent. It goes for around $70 a pop, a bit on the pricey side, but not as expensive as a Penhaligon's brand. A couple of years ago I sent a nice email to T&F asking for some samples and they were gracious enough to send me some including Trafalgar. So you might still be able to get the samples from them. If that doesn't work, try buying thier shave cream of the same scent, you can kill two birds with one stone, that being getting a good shave cream with the scent and costing only about $21.

Taylor of Old Bond Street also makes some really nice scents and are less expensive than T&F. They also will send you some samples if you ask politely. I think they sent me samples of shaving creams and colognes. Anyway, their Eton College line is very nice. Another "Old School Tie" company. I use 3 or 4 different shave creams by them.

I think the Old English companies really put out nice classy stuff, it's usually not overpowering and has a nice blend of old world notes.

I guess you just have decide whether you want to be a Club Stud or Classy Gentleman. Good Luck!

I say spring for something nice.

My current Favorites are:

1) Trumpers: Sandalwood
2) Penhaligon's: Opus 1870
3) Roberto Cavalli: Black

There's others but those are my current favorites. They don't smell anything like most run of the mill colognes. I love them, my wife loves them and if you search around (cough EBAY cough) you might find them cheaper here and there. (I know I did for all three of them).

I just remembered....also a good option is to order a sample pack from both Trumpers AND Penhaligon's. They're not all that expensive and that way you'll get to sample some nice things.

Taylors apparently doesn't send samples. Truefitt & Hill and Penhaligon do though if you send them an email and Trumper will send out a nice sampler pack with colognes, shaving creams, skin food and a few other things for the cost of shipping. Those are the only ones I've tried so far.

The Crabtree&Evelyn Sandalwood barbersoap is perfect for not smelling too much. The scent is very subtle and won't "smell over" the perfume or cologne. It also gives a nice shave.

As for cologne, is it the same as after shave? I stopped using it when I tried Zirhs' face moisturizer Protect. It also doesn't smell anything.

As for cologne and after shaves, I want to try out some new things, so I'm actually stuck on the same track as you, DBolger, and I'm about the same age as you, 24.

But maybe I should really try out some old english gentleman stuff. You never know how it is before it's tried.

At some point, you also might want to think about when you'll be wearing what. What I wear on an average day at the office is usally different from what I wear when I have a "power" type meeting which is different from what I wear while knocking around on the weekends....Then there's the season to consider....fun, huh? :D

Jordan

Apart from my own homemade bayrum/cinnamon aftershave (which is not always appropriate for work... if I have an important meeting I don't want to smell like I've been baking cookies) I usually prefer Pierre Cardin. Been wearing it since I was a kid in the 80s, haven't stopped liking it yet.

I use Lacoste Pour Homme and really like the scent. It is manly and rugged, but still a young man's scent. The best advice is to go somewhere were you can try out a number of different colognes to find what you like. There is no other way to find out what works with your body chemistry.

looks like you've got many suggestions already. so you probably realize that it is really up to you. depends vastly on your personal style and nose.
make few trips to the mall and try out the regular fare there - smell 3-4 with good pauses in between and spray the one you think you like best. think again in few hours if it's really what you like.
then get some samples of the classic stuff. truefitt&hill, penhaligon's, floris, trumper will probably send you test vials if you ask nicely.

i have several favorites and they tend to be high-brow. colognes tend to be expensive ($50-$100/100ml bottle), but the way I use them a 50ml bottle lasts me several years, so it's actually just the entry cost that's spendy. Hence sample until you find what you like.

One more vote for L'Occitane as something nice at a very reasonable price. I loved the Vetyver, and it cost about $40, iirc.

Some of the old originals may smell "too old" to you, so get the samples. Spanish Leather is a definite favorite of mine, and I'm 33.

There are also nice colognes in some department stores - e.g. Bloomingdales now carries Jo Malone, and while not cheap ($50 for 50 ml) it's better than many other options

Cheers
Ivo

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Originally Posted by izlat

Spanish Leather is a definite favorite of mine, and I'm 33.

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LOL me too ... but I've loved it ever since I first found it when I was about 25.

Barney

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

One more vote for L'Occitane as something nice at a very reasonable price. I loved the Vetyver, and it cost about $40, iirc.

Some of the old originals may smell "too old" to you, so get the samples. Spanish Leather is a definite favorite of mine, and I'm 33.

There are also nice colognes in some department stores - e.g. Bloomingdales now carries Jo Malone, and while not cheap ($50 for 50 ml) it's better than many other options

Cheers
Ivo

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We have similar tastes. . . L'Occitane Vetyver and GFT Spanish Leather are in my arsenal. GFT might be my favorite (along with Floris No.89) and I'm 30 y/o - I don't think it smells "old manish" - I think it is a distinguished and classy scent that is wearable for just about any occasion - from lounging around the house to important meetings at work. It's very versatile. . . love that stuff!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

One more vote for L'Occitane as something nice at a very reasonable price. I loved the Vetyver, and it cost about $40, iirc.

Some of the old originals may smell "too old" to you, so get the samples. Spanish Leather is a definite favorite of mine, and I'm 33.

There are also nice colognes in some department stores - e.g. Bloomingdales now carries Jo Malone, and while not cheap ($50 for 50 ml) it's better than many other options

Cheers
Ivo

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Good call. I forgot about these. Jo Malone is some great stuff. They make some very nice vetivers and another one with a fig component that is nice.

Jordan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

One more vote for L'Occitane as something nice at a very reasonable price. I loved the Vetyver, and it cost about $40, iirc.

Some of the old originals may smell "too old" to you, so get the samples. Spanish Leather is a definite favorite of mine, and I'm 33.

There are also nice colognes in some department stores - e.g. Bloomingdales now carries Jo Malone, and while not cheap ($50 for 50 ml) it's better than many other options

Cheers
Ivo

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+1 on the Jo Malone. Her Lime, Basil and Mandarin Cologne is out of this world.

I've been thinking about starting a similar thread actually. As much as I love the Clubman stuff, it is a little old man for some situations. I know the B&B people were raving about SCS New Spice in some thread recently that I can't seem to track down right now. Has anyone tried this? I can find everything about it except what it actually smells like

Let your GF choose one! Keeps you out of trouble for once! ;)

For the "New Spice"
check www.saintcharlesshave.com
It's extremely powerfull and will last a LONG time. I don't like it very much however. And if you're outside of the US it's impossible to get.

I would recommend the Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood and/or the Victorian Limes.Both have a great top note and dry down much more complex than you would think.And both are about 40 bucks apiece.I don't feel like there is anymore quality of scents out there for the money.But of course,that's just IMHO.:D

Well, just as an update, I have gone ahead and purchased a bottle of Royall Lyme all purpose lotion.
I have been wanting that and some Floid Blue for awhile. Usually when I use cologne, I add a little water to the bottle anyway, so aftershave or all purpose lotion should do fine.
If you see a bottle of gently used Royall Lyme in the BST next week or so, you'll know why :D