A question and a suggestion

[ShavedZombie]

So, the question first. I know the technical differences between an Aftershave and a Cologne. Colognes generally have more alcohol content, more staying power, etc etc.

What are the application/usage differences between Aftershave and Cologne... I've only ever used cologne after the shave. I have been looking into aftershaves, and came to the conclusion (opinion) that I'm better off getting a quality cologne that smells nice and has staying power without being overpowering, than getting two decents, an aftershave and a cologne... This does not include After-shave Balm, I know the value of that, and use the C.O Bigelow Blue Elixer, it's cheap and it soothes razorburnt areas.

Now, after expressing that knowledge -and lack thereof- My suggestion. To those of you looking for a new cologne fragrance, without a preferred scent already, Might I suggest a Cologne sold by a clothing chain in the US (Might be outside the US, too, but I've never seen it outside, let me know if you have) called Express. The cologne is Express Reserve, it's the only cologne sold by that store, so if you find the store, the cologne is easy to find. I find the scent to have the spicy afternote of Bay Rum (and I LOVE Bay Rum) along with hints of musk, and other spices, but a tiny sweet undernote that mellows the whole thing out -that's my take on it- However, it currently has my Girlfriend swooning, which I like. It's a bit on the pricey side, but the scent follows you all day without being too strong, just enough that when you walk by someone they catch a whiff of it. With my girlfriend, she catches a whiff, then follows me around trying to avoid being too obvious while she sniffs me. Again, I like that.

Wow, that was rambling!

EXPRESS: RESERVE FOR MEN

It's in a simple, clean bottle, no frills, no excess. I like it. It also doesnt squirt too much in one press, so it lasts a while. It's a bit pricey, but it goes a long way, and I don't use much, so no complaints... If you get some, though, the bigger bottle is worth the 15$ extra, considering it is 2x as large as the cheaper one.

Let me know if you've used this before, I'm fond of it.

[TheBaron]

I personally don't use aftershave because my skin is too sensitive, I only use witch hazel and sparingly at that. As for cologne, I have never bought a single bottle. I've always figured if any girl friend I have at a given time wants me to smell different, they will get a cologne they like. Instead of me getting cologne that may or may not offend. They all smell the same to me.

[ShavedZombie]

I personally don't use aftershave because my skin is too sensitive, I only use witch hazel and sparingly at that. As for cologne, I have never bought a single bottle. I've always figured if any girl friend I have at a given time wants me to smell different, they will get a cologne they like. Instead of me getting cologne that may or may not offend. They all smell the same to me.

Fortunately, she picked this one, Had me check it out, and I liked it for the Bay Rum notes, and picked it up. Works for me

[BingoBango]

IIRC, Cologne has more Fragrant Oil than AS, not necessarily Alcohol.

I caught this on Wikipedia:

Perfume extract (Extrait): 15-40% (IFRA: typical 20%) aromatic compounds
Eau de Parfum (EdP), Parfum de Toilette (PdT): 10-20% (typical ~15%) aromatic compounds. Sometimes listed as "eau de perfume" or "millésime".
Eau de Toilette (EdT): 5-15% (typical ~10%) aromatic compounds
Eau de Cologne (EdC): Chypre citrus type perfumes with 3-8% (typical ~5%) aromatic compounds
Splash and After shave: 1-3% aromatic compounds

As for when I use it, I spritz cologne on if I want to smell nice for a dinner out or something like that. AS is a bit more utilitarian for me and I use is after every shave before any balm or lotion.

I've got a few scents in my cologne collection, but my current go-to is an Eau de Parfum by Bond No. 9 called Chez Bond. These fragrances are really pricey so take a deep breath before you click the link. All of my other colognes are somewhere in the $50-$75 range I think. Keep in mind my wife buys these things for me...

[ShavedZombie]

Well, the Express cologne ran me 60, so I'm in that boat...

Then I visited Lynn, he shared a splash of Ogallala Bay Rum cologne with me... That big of a bottle is ONLY 25$??? Aw hell >.< That stuff smelled amazing, and I LOVE Bay Rum. Too much to buy, too little money