Post: #226

(03-31-2016 04:38 PM)hydrogonian Wrote:  The thing is that once you go high end, almost everything else smells cheap.

What do you consider high-end, though? I'll agree that Creed is up there but I wouldn't say something like Bleu Chanel smells cheap necessarily. There are plenty of mid-range colognes that smell great and will garner many more compliments than something like Creed or Tom Ford.

Post: #227

(04-01-2016 07:23 PM)TigerMandingo Wrote:  

(03-31-2016 04:38 PM)hydrogonian Wrote:  The thing is that once you go high end, almost everything else smells cheap.

What do you consider high-end, though? I'll agree that Creed is up there but I wouldn't say something like Bleu Chanel smells cheap necessarily. There are plenty of mid-range colognes that smell great and will garner many more compliments than something like Creed or Tom Ford.

It's a matter of taste and preference. I'm not a frag designer and so I couldn't tell you what ingredients specifically smell cheap, though I agree that a cologne doesn't have to be so expensive to avoid smelling cheap.

Terre D'Hermes, for instance, isn't that expensive though it is roughly double the price of the average truly cheap $50 / 4 oz bottle frag. Even at that price, it's half of what I pay for a Creed at one of the extra-stock Frag retailers. It was voted best overall frag at basenotes for several years if I'm not mistaken and I can smell why.

I'm not a price snob whatsoever, but at the same time I've never smelled a $50 cologne that didn't smell cheap; even when I have been at first fooled by it (it happens). Also, I've never smelled a $400 frag (retail) that did smell cheap. That's not to say that I personally like all high end colognes, as in fact I dislike most cologne whether it is cheap or expensive smelling. That's why I only own four bottles (though there are some that I would like to purchase). I can get in an elevator with a guy, smell his cologne in the air and appreciate the quality, but dislike it all the same. Similarly, I can appreciate the top notes of a cheap cologne but despise it for its overall quality.

I'd no sooner wear a cheap smelling $200 cologne than I would a $50 cheap smelling frag. I put it on, wait for the dry down, and rate it. Ideally, I'll apply it under the armpits, sleep with it, and smell it the next day for the full effect. All good cologne should have an appreciable ability to mix well with your own sweat and pheromones and take on a new, well enhanced smell that drives women wild. That's why I like to wear it overnight to test it. If it mixes with my body well and I'm not otherwise repulsed by it (I'm repulsed by most), then it's usually a hit for me. If it doesn't mix well and instead stays 'on top' so to speak, then it's usually low quality as even frags that a man dislikes should at least mix well with his body if they are to be said to be of quality in my opinion.

The best method, and really the only practical method, to test colognes is to purchase testers for $3-7 per piece. I purchased enough to cover a couple of inches at the bottom of a shoe-box when I first got into it. It was money well spent, as I now know what I do and don't like across the gamut of lines, to include the type of notes that I like and dislike for purposes of future testing, and I know what my go-to frags are. It'll all be personal to you. I despise what a lot of other guys revere, and I'm sure vice versa. You'll never know about any specific frag until you test it yourself. Reviews only go so far. Smell is intensely personal.

To address the specific lines mentioned in your post: my impression of Tom Ford is that it tends to smell of extremely high quality but, all the same, I've never put one on that I enjoyed. It was all a little too forward and even avante garde for me, though I admit that I would like to try some of his stuff again now years later to again gauge my take on his stuff. The quality was always undeniable, however, and I can usually recognize it when I smell it on another person.

Creed has always treated me well, as I enjoy how natural and well crafted it tends to smell for me. It blends incredibly on me. In spite of its hype, I still prefer the quintessential Creed frag in GIT. Everything else, while objectively harsh, to good, to great, isn't as good as that one for me. While I don't enjoy everything that they put out, it's one line that I would be happy to test everything that they put out just to smell what they've done. I suppose that I consider Creed to be the most consistent line in terms of the combination of quality and enjoyability from my perspective. I've yet to smell Aventus.

Post: #228

I have had the same two in my rotation for several years. I have not ran into anyone who either uses them or knows what they are.

1. Proraso Green
- This is technically an aftershave that I also use as a body splash of sorts, with a scent profile that I would describe as a lighter, more herbaceous version of Aqua Velva. Descriptors Ive received are: masculine, European, Mediterranean, foreign, playboy. Since my work can vary from teaching people to shoot guns, to moving heavy things, to giving presentations, I wanted something a bit unusual but not too expensive or hard to find.

2. Floris JF
- By far my favorite scent. So much so that when I was in London I got the shaving soap and aftershave to go with it. Its a lighter scent, citrus and spice like, which works well for my personality. Have to buy online in the US or at a B&M in the UK. I can easily segue this cologne into a venus fly trap-like conversation from which I can determine quite a bit about a girl.

Girl: What cologne is that?
Me: Floris JF
Girl: Ive never heard of that.
Me: Have you heard of James Bond?
Girl: Of course!!
Me: He wears Floris. Who is your favorite James Bond? Bond girl? etc etc.

Post: #229

1. Paco Rabanne - Invictus
My main, makes me feel seductive.

2. Versace - Pour Homme
Smells crisp, goes well with suits.

3. Carolina Herrera - CH Men
Used to be main, the last bottle is almost full, realizing today I don't rotate it so much.

4. Armani - Acqua di Gio
A present from a plate in christmas, this shit works with girls of any age, was a little sceptical.

Post: #230

I just signed up for Scentbird which sends you a new scent every month.

My Queue is:

Dolce and Gabanna Intenso
Tom Ford Noir
CH Men Prive
Valentino Uomo

After I get tired of this, I'll probably pick up a bottle of Comme De Garcons Series 3, which is incense scented. I've wanted to check out that Floris cologne, but I'll probably wait until next time I fly through Heathrow.

Post: #231

At the moment: Acqua Di Gio, Kouros, Fahrenheit and Tabac Original.

Been thinking about trying Dior's Eau Sauvage and Ralph Lauren's Safari at some point, anyone have comments on those?

Post: #232

My day-to-day cologne is this one, sponsored by Donald Trump:

Post: #233

Good thread with a lot of good information.

Currently wearing Acqua Di Gio but I want to try and find a new scent. I have Code but I'm not really a fan of it. One of my new plates said she loved Acqua Di Gio so it's going to be hard to give it up with consistent results.

Probably going to try 1 Million as it seems to get high marks.

Post: #234

Amazing Green daytime, Polo Black night, looking for that long silky on the nose scent for hours.. just like a fine wine.

Post: #235

(04-13-2016 05:05 PM)Mr. D Wrote:  At the moment: Acqua Di Gio, Kouros, Fahrenheit and Tabac Original.

Been thinking about trying Dior's Eau Sauvage and Ralph Lauren's Safari at some point, anyone have comments on those?

Eau Sauvage is everywhere in the UK. Can hardly go anywhere without smelling it. I quite like it though, but it's a bit too musky for my tastes. The original 2005 Dior Homme EDT is still the best offering from Dior for me personally, and is pretty much the only fragrance I wear these days (never get tired of this one).

(04-06-2016 02:23 PM)Drazen Wrote:  I just signed up for Scentbird which sends you a new scent every month.

My Queue is:

Dolce and Gabanna Intenso
Tom Ford Noir
CH Men Prive
Valentino Uomo

After I get tired of this, I'll probably pick up a bottle of Comme De Garcons Series 3, which is incense scented. I've wanted to check out that Floris cologne, but I'll probably wait until next time I fly through Heathrow.

Comme Des Garcons fragrances I like, but they're more experimental and when I used to wear them, I never found that girls were that into them for what it's worth. I like CDG 2 the most out of the comme fragrances I've owned (the unisex version of 2), but wouldn't wear it anymore.

Post: #236

I just picked up CDG Black Pepper over the weekend. I like it. It was either that or the Avignon which smells like incense.

I cancelled my Scentbird subscription, all of them smelled the same for some reason.

Post: #237

This stuff rocks. I am on my second bottle. Women love it. $150/bottle.

Post: #238

They had that brand on Scentbird. I got the Morrocan Fig, which was good but I got sick of it pretty quickly.

I used to buy their rum colognes. They make the best candles (the rum and the cannibus scents).

Post: #239

(03-14-2017 05:13 PM)Drazen Wrote:  They had that brand on Scentbird. I got the Morrocan Fig, which was good but I got sick of it pretty quickly.

I used to buy their rum colognes. They make the best candles (the rum and the cannibus scents).

The Rum is good for summer, kind of like CK1. The Petitgrain is really only their truly masculine scent, the other stuff to me is very androgynous.

Post: #240

I don't like buying 100ml sizes of cologne for some reason, I wish they had smaller versions. I may try it out, they have a roller which may be interesting and easier to travel with.

https://www.malinandgoetz.com/perfumery/...erfume-oil

Post: #241

(03-14-2017 07:02 PM)Drazen Wrote:  I don't like buying 100ml sizes of cologne for some reason, I wish they had smaller versions. I may try it out, they have a roller which may be interesting and easier to travel with.

https://www.malinandgoetz.com/perfumery/...erfume-oil

The bottle has a screw top, and I pour some in a little tube for travel. Works pretty well. Ill have to try the oil, I saw those the other day at the Malin & Goetz store here. I use a lot of their stuff, their Sage Styling creme is the best stuff for your hair if you have longer hair. Their soap is great, and their face products are some of the best. Not cheap..

Post: #242

Hugo Boss Original

Timeless classic

Post: #243

I just picked up this one for $50 at a local Marshalls. Easily one of the best scents I've ever tried.

Post: #244

@TigerMandingo
Great Buy. Can't go wrong with any of the Mugler choices.

You should be able to find these in most TK Maxx stores.

Post: #245

I use dior sauvage as an everyday scent - for school and going out, partying etc. Can someone recommend me a cheaper scent specifically for summer nights which is good for dates and clubbing? It has to smell very young and be cheaper than sauvage and also popular with the ladies. Also, ive never got a compliment with sauvage (doesn't really make sense) except from one guy, although I do notice when girls smell me they gravitate towards me but never imply that I smell good.

Post: #246

(05-15-2017 04:11 PM)Mikestar Wrote:  I use dior sauvage as an everyday scent - for school and going out, partying etc. Can someone recommend me a cheaper scent specifically for summer nights which is good for dates and clubbing? It has to smell very young and be cheaper than sauvage and also popular with the ladies. Also, ive never got a compliment with sauvage (doesn't really make sense) except from one guy, although I do notice when girls smell me they gravitate towards me but never imply that I smell good.

I'm surprised about sauvage not getting you any compliments. Does wonders.

Night time, young crowd I recommend A&F First Instinct. Panty Dropper.

Post: #247

Yeah it's strange, for example with Lalique White I got way more compliments and even got stopped on the street because a girl wanted to know what it was. Thank's for the recommendation I will defo try A&F first instinct.

Post: #248

Not really tried much of Lalique but always on the lookout for different frags. I'd be sure to check that out also!

Post: #249

(05-15-2017 01:19 PM)TigerMandingo Wrote:  I just picked up this one for $50 at a local Marshalls. Easily one of the best scents I've ever tried.

This Pure Havane, and A*Men Ultra Zest are fantastic choices and the chicks love them. (I'm not a fan of the A*Men original, honestly.)

I actually have a relatively large collection...will post something later. (My rule is no more than 4 a season, with some date night colognes thrown in there. Why no more than 4? There are a lot of fragrances that smell good - I only choose the ones that jump out at me and smell different as well as good. With cologne sample websites being all over the net, narrowing it down isn't hard at all.)

(03-31-2016 04:38 PM)hydrogonian Wrote:  The thing is that once you go high end, almost everything else smells cheap.

Floris and Penhaligon's are the most expensive houses I would allow myself to buy. Creed smells incredible (LOVE the samples of Aventus and Green Irish Tweed I've gotten) but over three hundred dollars a bottle?! They're counterfeited all the time on eBay, too, so you're playing with fire if you try buying from someone else.

Post: #250

Interesting point about high end vs low end. I have my fair share of both. 99% of people can't tell the difference so if you are only in it for complements then not worth it going for high end. Let's face it, most people are in it for the reactions.

Aventus has many clones. I own a few of them and the original. Difference is marginal from some serious testing. The main difference being performance. If after 4hrs you do not mind reapplying or changing it up, then go cheaper.