Thread: Ironies About Fragrance

Gentlemen,

I notice that after a relatively short time I tire of artisan soap fragrances. What really smelled good to me at the beginning no longer does. Nothing has changed in the soap's content, since it has not been that long, really. Yet, the fragrance grows old. Noticeably so, I might add.

A good example is Oleo Soapworks' Irving Park. I loved the fragrances at the beginning, which was not long ago, but this morning while lathering, I wished I were lathering with another soap. I have felt the same way after a relatively short time with every other artisan soap I have used. Although the lather, cushion and glide are unchanged, the fragrance yawns. Something goes out of it for me.

That is not the case with the great classics. I loved Tabac's fragrance from the first day I lathered with it — and still do. The same with Mitchell's Wool Fat. The D.R. Harris range — some their fragrances I like more than others, but overall none tires me. The same thing with Czech & Speak; Baum.Be; Klar Seifen; Provence Sante Verlaine, and so on. And of course, the great ones: Castle Forbes and Martin de Candre. I never tire of these fragrances.

I can't put my finger on. Well, it could be only me, I don't know. Yet I am curious to know if you gentlemen have the same experience. I don't mean to detract from overall quality of these fine artisan soaps and creams. It's only the fragrance that drifts away from me.

Good point!
JMO, YMMV
I can relate. Some bragging rights combinations appear less firmly set over time than the simpler combinations. Or, so to say, parts of the scent pool are fugitive enough to change the mix slightly resulting in a 'not quite' sense of the product.

Also, I do know that my sensorium is on a day by day basis and some foods,treats, and B.O. can be accentuated by the humidity levels and perhaps what I may have had for the meal previous to the shave.

~Richard

Obie, exactly the same for me except that I'm at the point that when I first smell it I'll know if I'll get tired of it.

IMHO, the cause is twofold, the scents are not made by a perfumer and many are made for other purposes than shaving soap such as candles and room fragrance diffusers, two, the scents are not tested over time. Simple scents such as lavender and lime require no skill to 'build' of course, you just have to get the amount correct for the variety that you're using.

Could you confuse a North American artisan scent with one from Floris, Penhaligons, or SMN? I cannot.

Also to my nose, many artisan soaps simply contain too much fragrance for extended use. I know this is a contentious statement based on different noses and preferences, but I will say it anyway in the spirit of discussion. I'm also sympathetic to the poor artisan who is damned if they do and damned if they don't as a far as scent strength goes, but none of the classic soap's composed scents are overpowering, and few are strongly scented.

I cannot imagine disliking ABC (classic almond), current AdP, SMN, etc and though I may wish for a change in my day-to-day routine, I am not tired of the scent. One of our fellow members (Phrank I believe) opined that he was so tired of getting another tub of artisan soap that failed so bad on the scent that that he was over it.

Now, that's not to say that there aren't polarizing mainstream scents, scented XPEC is one. The classic description from an English fellow was that it smelled like rotten sandalwood with a touch of vomit! Yet polarizing scents of the better mainstream products is an exception rather than the rule.

JMO, Steve

I have the same problem with cologne, one week I have a fresh citrusy fragrance the next week, toilet cleaner. Some colognes will stand the test of time and some will only last a season. The fun part is finding which ones youll love for ever.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

I have the same problem with cologne, one week I have a fresh citrusy fragrance the next week, toilet cleaner. Some colognes will stand the test of time and some will only last a season. The fun part is finding which ones youll love for ever.

JMO
Probably never happen as our body chemistries change daily and over time may be totally different to back up a given scent. I would suggest that is why a scent we love may be obnoxious to a significant other(s.)
~Richard

The only scent that smells the same as it did when I was young is Pinaud Clubman original.

The others, Dior Eue Sauvage, Old Spice, English Leather, British Stirling all seem "different" .

Originally Posted by rolodave

The only scent that smells the same as it did when I was young is Pinaud Clubman original.

The others, Dior Eue Sauvage, Old Spice, English Leather, British Stirling all seem "different" .

You forgot Skin Bracer, Dave. It smells the same for me now, as I was a kid around my dad.

As for soaps, I don't think I'll ever get tired of Castle Forbes, or Fine accoutrements, nor Proraso.

Haven't purchased a scented soap in a while, prefer to add scent at the end of the shave. Sure wish Castle Forbes would make an unscented cream....

It's like that with everything. Old conservative classics always stand the test of time.

New trendy and hot items are the proverbial flash in the pan. Also I find when I buy things that are fancy or ornate I quickly tire of them and always return to the old standards.

Obie... you are not alone.

Without mentioning names, I have found myself "getting tired" of quite a few soap scents over time.
There have also been some that I have been totally turned off by and won't use again after the first shave.
The good thing is I can usually find someone that is more than willing to take the soap off of my hands and give it a try.
And I thought it was just me.

Pete <:-}