Do I focus on top, middle, or base notes to keep AS from clashing with this cologne?

I was recently able to pick up a large bottle of my favorite cologne (Creed BdP) at a great price and can now wear it much more often. I typically only wear one scent for at least 3 - 5 years at a time, although I do not wear cologne every day. I want to select an AS for days I wear cologne that complements, enhances, or has no impact on the cologne, but not one that detracts from it. I am not sure if I should focus on matching the top, middle, or base notes when deciding on an aftershave?

I only use AS balms or thick lotions due to dry skin and while I have quite a few shaving soaps and creams, I tend to be somewhat limited on my selection of aftershave balms, mostly due to superior moisturizing requirements. Currently I am using Castle Forbes lavender AS balm which works amazingly well for me, much better than skin food or any facial moisturizers. I am also open to a scentless balms.

Below is the information about the cologne if this is of any help. I'd appreciate either a general rule of thumb (i.e. focus on base notes, top notes, etc.) or a specific scent listed below that I should use to select an aftershave.

Thanks for any help! I've searched through a few threads, but not found anything that has answered my question.

CREED BOIS DU PORTUGAL
The word "bois" means "woods". The fragrant woods of Portugal inspired this luxuriously rich, warm and masculine blend.

Classification: Woody Oriental / Rich

Characteristics: A rich, warm, mysterious scent, CREED Bois du Portugal is bursting with personality and power. Its intoxicating aroma charms you at once, then slowly invites you in to explore its hidden depths. Complex, alluring, soothing. Although it is beloved by men,CREED Bois du Portugal is also appealing to women who appreciate a rich fragrance.

Top Notes: Bergamot
Middle Notes: Lavender
Base Notes: Cedar, sandalwood from Mysore, vetiver and ambergris

Notes? Are you auditioning for a musical?
You're getting pretty sophisticated, but I presume you are referring to primary, secondary and tertiary aromas present in the product, yes? Such discernment is beyond my meager abilities, but I will watch this thread to learn as much as I can. Sorry I've been no help!

E flat major. Stick with that and you can't go wrong(;-).

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Notes? Are you auditioning for a musical?
You're getting pretty sophisticated, but I presume you are referring to primary, secondary and tertiary aromas present in the product, yes? Such discernment is beyond my meager abilities, but I will watch this thread to learn as much as I can. Sorry I've been no help!

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I think OP is referring to the fragrance pyramid found in all fragrances. This is the standard way to describe a fragrance. Have a look at some of the fragrance-specific forums like Basenotes, Now Smell This, Fragrantica, etc for more information.

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Originally Posted by rum

I think OP is referring to the fragrance pyramid found in all fragrances. This is the standard way to describe a fragrance. Have a look at some of the fragrance-specific forums like Basenotes, Now Smell This, Fragrantica, etc for more information.

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Correct. Thanks. I've pasted the top middle and bottom notes above. I'm hoping to avoid buying numerous aftershaves through blind trial and error.

Yes of course notes, that web site mentioned is very good. Is it true that the base notes will remain longer than the top notes?
I do know that Dominica Bay rum and 'Whisky' by Evaflor go really really well together.

It's a great question. And I wish there was a "rule," as it would really help with not spending a fortune in trial and error.

The problem I found when I thought this way, was that even if say a base note was sandalwood - there is seemingly 1,000 versions of sandalwood. I ended up giving up going the "logical route" lol. It all became about trial and error for me (a trip to NYC and all the department stores helped though lol).

Seems as though scents are an art every nose doesn't agree on :) If you find out otherwise, I would be very interested in hearing your success.

I don't know about any rules of thumb, but here's my take on pairing AS with Colognes/EdT's....

Top notes are probably the least important factor overall, but are likely to be the biggest determining factor for many men. If the initial top note clashes badly with an AS most men would probably be rushing to the washroom to rinse it off before the middle notes even emerge. Unfortunate, because after the drydown the pairing that may once have been offensive may turn out really nice. Experimentation may be in order, leaving enough time to "get the whole picture", if you know what I mean. But you also have to consider that AS longevity can vary greatly too. If an AS fades quickly this is not so much of a problem. As well, how long between AS application and the first spray of cologne?

So in my opinion basenotes are most important, middle notes can give you an idea of where things are going and top notes are fairly unimportant. It's probably best to match an AS scent with the basenote scent, or least keep them within the same category.

Of course, the easiest solution would be to have matching AS's and colognes :)

Is it all really just a bit of wank, though? Like wine tasting and stuff? I listened to a documentary about a guy who worked for Chanel of whatever it is, with the Number 5. It was a very entertaining program, but the only thing he said I really remember was that one should also apply scent down low on the body; as the body's heat activates the scent and heat rises.

Ryan is right IMHO, but it does vary according to fragrance. Some top notes may be stronger than others and may 'stay' there until the dry-down. Some fragrances can have a superb transition between the pyramid, meaning you won't even detect when the transition occurs! That's super-clever in my opinion, so in this case I would just go for a light or unscented balm to be on the safe side. I haven't worn after shave (lotion) in a while primarily because of this.

Don't know if this is a coincidence, but this thread over on Basenotes is one of many and hopefully it'll be of use:

Best practices when pairing aftershave with cologne? Top, middle or bottom notes?

It is near impossible to give any substancial answer to your question.
There are so many problems in it that I hardly know where to start. For instance; there usually is a lot of fragrance molecules in fragrances, so it might not be bergamot in it at all even if it says so, perhaps just a small part of the bergamot fragrance. So, if you try to match the bergamot to an AS containing bergamot, you would perhaps experience they are different. And you still might encounter problems in the heart or the base notes of your gragrances.

In days of the past, it was customary to distinguish between colognes, aftershaves, eau de toilettes or whatnot, each would generally have different odor strengths. These days there seems to be less of this classification, and a product may be released as a cologne, or an aftershave, depending on the manufacturer's customer demographic. People tend to mix and match, and just use what every they like. If you do wish to add an after shave into your mix, I would recommend sticking to the same fragrance, Creed Bois de Portugal. That way there would be no clash.

Alternatively, you could select a very short lived fragrance, like the colognes of old - citrusy, they only last for a few minutes, and thereby would not clash. An example of these would be Kölnisher Wasser 4711.

Let your nose be your guide, try out alternatives - and above all, have fun.

Best of luck.

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Originally Posted by rum

Don't know if this is a coincidence, but this thread over on Basenotes is one of many and hopefully it'll be of use:

Best practices when pairing aftershave with cologne? Top, middle or bottom notes?

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Rum --
Thanks for posting this!
Respectfully,
mapleleafalumnus

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Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Rum --
Thanks for posting this!
Respectfully,
mapleleafalumnus

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Any time! :) Always happy to help where I can.

It wasnt coincidence lol. That was my thread over on basenotes and helped a bunch. Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the question. In the end I decided to go for one balm that has gotten great reviews for performance and I'm told the scent wears off pretty quick (Musgo) and another that may pair well with the BdP, but if not, I am sure I'll like it on its own since it seems to have every scent I love in in (Penhaligon's Endymion). If neither of these work for with BdP, that is fine since I wanted each on their own for different reasons. I'll most likely end up buying a truly unscented balm when I find one that is consistently received very well by most people, so far that has been a challenge.

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Originally Posted by JLStorm

It wasnt coincidence lol. That was my thread over on basenotes and helped a bunch. Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the question.

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I thought it might have been - the usernames were quite similar :)
Good to see SRP members over on BN! SRP was my first forum ever and BN has been a great 'sister' forum for another age-old art of fine fragrance!

Well this is esoteric! Interesting too. But really, when was the last time SWMBO told you that your base notes conflicted with your top notes?

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Originally Posted by Ignatius

Well this is esoteric! Interesting too. But really, when was the last time SWMBO told you that your base notes conflicted with your top notes?

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I honestly don't ask her what she thinks. She is pretty thankful that I even care what i smell like. I'm much more concerned with my own opinion and don't want to offend the majority of the people I meet for business. Can't please everyone though.