Rive Gauche questions...

[Kevan]

So lots of people love it. Some aren't wowed by it. But I have 3 questions...

1) So it smells like shaving cream? That sounds wonderful. Is it subtle though?

2) I've read some reviews that say it's a nighttime scent. Is this true?

3) Is it in a can with a spray attachment or is it propelled by aerosol? I don't want to risk the can exploding in the heat if I order it and it sits on a hot UPS truck all day.

[Storm]

Shaving cream? More like a barber shop smell. Not like Clubman, which to me, is THE smell.

Night scent? Not necessarily. It's not cloying like, say, M7, which is a night scent in my opinion.

It's not aerosol, but squirt, like any other cologne or EDT.

Try it. You never know!

[Kouros]

If you can find a can of Barbasol shaving cream, you can sample Rive Gauche.

[Myanmar Shave]

I just bought some of this a few days ago based on some reviews and threads I'd read here. I'd never heard of it or seen it anywhere. With just a few wearings under my belt I can say I am a big fan!

It does have a Barbasol familiarity to it but to me it goes way beyond that. To me the scent keeps getting better as the drydown progresses. At the two hr. point it smells incredible and as it gets fainter it still has a great scent. It's a classy scent that I would wear with a suit or casual. Its not sweet, marine, fruity or cloying. The best way to describe it is masculine.

I picked it for 14.99(a 4 oz. bottle) at a Perfume discounter. I have not seen it anywhere else but I hear it pops up in Marshall's or T.J. Maxx's from time to time.

You need to try this...Honest, it's really good....

Marty E.

p.s. I would wear this day or night, no problems....

[Kevan]

I'm sold on it. All I wanted was a masculine, shaving cream type scent without shelling out the $85 for T&H Grafton.

[Walter Sobchak]

I'm sold on it. All I wanted was a masculine, shaving cream type scent without shelling out the $85 for T&H Grafton.

Please post back with your opinions after you try it. I'm interested in something like this as well. As if I need any other scent....

[Myanmar Shave]

One thing I forgot to mention about Rive Gauche. In my opinion it smells very close to Musgo Real A/S splash. Not exact, but within the family of scents. If you are using Musgo after a shave then RG would be a good complimentary scent to follow with.

The lady I bought mine from seems to think RG might be discontinued. I pray this is not the case.

Give it a try!

Marty E.

[toucanlamp]

It's not bad, but unfortunately, up here in Canada at least, it's been downgraded by being carried by Wal-Mart for 19.99 per bottle so every man looking for something fancy looking and cheap is probably buying a bottle, and for me at least, getting a good cologne is as much about finding something that will set you apart a bit as getting something you like, there is an endless list of nice smelling colognes. But if you are just smelling like the guy to your left and right, it isn't so good.

[alacious]

I've not smelled a single guy here in Vancouver wearing Rive Gauche, ever (and I pick out passerby's scents with pretty reasonable accuracy). So it may be $20 at Walmart, but most guys I think go for stuff they know rather than something they've never heard of.. so chances are you're reasonably safe.

For the price and quality, RG is a steal

[Myanmar Shave]

It's not bad, but unfortunately, up here in Canada at least, it's been downgraded by being carried by Wal-Mart for 19.99 per bottle so every man looking for something fancy looking and cheap is probably buying a bottle, and for me at least, getting a good cologne is as much about finding something that will set you apart a bit as getting something you like, there is an endless list of nice smelling colognes. But if you are just smelling like the guy to your left and right, it isn't so good.

Toucanlamp-

I hear what you're saying but I think we're safe with this one. This is the "anti-youth" cologne. (no offense intended to younger men on this forum wearing it!)..It's not fresh or oceanic or trendy. Really it's very hard to find in stores and the Wal-Marts in my area (Wash. D.C./Baltimore) don't carry it.

Plus- working in our favor it comes in the cheapest, cheesiest, borderline flash-trash package you can imagine. Good cologne in a tin can!! Many people care about the bottle as much as the contents so I think a majority wouldn't even consider a purchase of RG just by judging the package. That's good for us.

Buy it and enjoy it folks--you'll be unique in the crowd. Unless you happen to be near me!!

Marty E.

[Kevan]

I'm 24 -- soon 25 -- and I just want to smell good. I don't care about trendy.

TOBS Mr. Taylor
Penhaligon's Racquets
Tabac EDC
L'Occitane Vetyver

I've gotten all of these since discovering this site a year ago. Rive Gauche is only my third blind-buy (and it should be here this week with Acqua di Selva, also blind). I gave up trendy awhile ago. Not that I have anything against people that search for the newest, most complex blends to add to their scent wardrobes. I've just found that my preferences have changed.

[Kevan]

Please post back with your opinions after you try it. I'm interested in something like this as well. As if I need any other scent....

OMG, I got it today and I love it. The drydown is exactly like shaving cream. Divine.

[Myanmar Shave]

OMG, I got it today and I love it. The drydown is exactly like shaving cream. Divine.

Kevan-

It's great isn't it?? It's unique and hardly anyone knows about it! Without a doubt it's the best $15 I've spent since I joined this forum.

Wear it for a week or so and then report back again. For me, the two hr. mark is where it hits its peak. Damn it's hard to believe this stuff smells so good.

Congrats on your purchase--glad you like it!!

Marty E.
Ivory Club Por Homme Representative

[Kevan]

Yeah, I like it. I will say that you have to take it easy; I made the mistake of a full squirt today and it got almost to the point of overpowering until it settled to the basenotes.

That said, though, it is a beautiful scent throughout its development...almost Oriental in character through the opening and middle. A niche house would charge $150 for something like it.

[stoavio]

I'm reviving an old thread to make this remark:

ONE SQUIRT? Boy, I sure need to dial my application back a bit. I tend to go for 3-4 squirts depending on the frag. Is this stuff really that strong? What if I hit my pulse points: both wrists and either side of the neck? Would that bowl people over?

[Kouros]

Too linear and utterly boring after three wearings.

[Rusty Jackknife]

It's not bad, but unfortunately, up here in Canada at least, it's been downgraded by being carried by Wal-Mart for 19.99 per bottle so every man looking for something fancy looking and cheap is probably buying a bottle, and for me at least, getting a good cologne is as much about finding something that will set you apart a bit as getting something you like, there is an endless list of nice smelling colognes. But if you are just smelling like the guy to your left and right, it isn't so good.

This I doubt. Not sure about your nearest Wal-Mart... but I don't see too many people looking for quality colognes. Besides, if they were, I would bet that the Tim McGraw or Axe sprays would be the most sought after.

[joshmpdx]

I'm reviving an old thread to make this remark:

ONE SQUIRT? Boy, I sure need to dial my application back a bit. I tend to go for 3-4 squirts depending on the frag. Is this stuff really that strong? What if I hit my pulse points: both wrists and either side of the neck? Would that bowl people over?

One spray isn't nearly enough for me, i like 3 or 4.

and it is wonderful!

http://www.easycorner.com/ysl_com/pubs/cs_511x329_douglas_ysl_frag_riveGauchePourHomme.jp g

[lamaman3]

I'm reviving an old thread to make this remark:

ONE SQUIRT? Boy, I sure need to dial my application back a bit. I tend to go for 3-4 squirts depending on the frag. Is this stuff really that strong? What if I hit my pulse points: both wrists and either side of the neck? Would that bowl people over?

The stuff is strong - I actually squirted 4 squirts once and later in the day I thought that might have been too much - BUT - the good thing is its not really "cloying" at all like say Paul Sebastian or Pi or Angel etc. - so even if you have a spray or 2 too much you probably wont get dirty looks.

[Aaron01]

This I doubt. Not sure about your nearest Wal-Mart... but I don't see too many people looking for quality colognes. Besides, if they were, I would bet that the Tim McGraw or Axe sprays would be the most sought after.

Plus it's probably not a scent most people would enjoy

[StylinLA]

I own a lot of frags and some very high end ones at that.

This is top rate shyt. Yes, it has a bit of a Barbasol aroma. Kind of like spicy Barbasol.

It may be the most versatile scent I own. I would wear it day or night. Casual or dressy. Sweat pants. Tuxedo. Blue jeans. It would adapt to whatever.

It's also got better than average longevity for a designer frag that's not expensive.

It's in a little aluminum can, yes, As far as I know, it's no different than any spray frag with an atomizer. I don't think it's an aerosol. I think the "can" is just a packaging gimmick.

It is annoying that the "can" prohibits you from seeing how much you have left.

[joshmpdx]

I own a lot of frags and some very high end ones at that.

This is top rate shyt. Yes, it has a bit of a Barbasol aroma. Kind of like spicy Barbasol.

It may be the most versatile scent I own. I would wear it day or night. Casual or dressy. Sweat pants. Tuxedo. Blue jeans. It would adapt to whatever.

It's also got better than average longevity for a designer frag that's not expensive.

It's in a little aluminum can, yes, As far as I know, it's no different than any spray frag with an atomizer. I don't think it's an aerosol. I think the "can" is just a packaging gimmick.

It is annoying that the "can" prohibits you from seeing how much you have left.

Thanks for posting, i don't have nearly the wardrobe that you do however, your experience mirrors mine. RGph is very versatile!

i agree that it's a little odd not knowing how much is left, but the can also doesn't allow light in which for what it's worth preserves it better than glass.

[StylinLA]

i agree that it's a little odd not knowing how much is left, but the can also doesn't allow light in which for what it's worth preserves it better than glass.

My main near neurosis with frags. I also have had some "cool" looking black glass bottles that cannot be penetrated by light. Ticks me off.

I really like Clive Christian X, but it is in just such a bottle and I never repurchased.

[joshmpdx]

My main near neurosis with frags. I also have had some "cool" looking black glass bottles that cannot be penetrated by light. Ticks me off.

I really like Clive Christian X, but it is in just such a bottle and I never repurchased.

I bought my bottle of RG slightly used so i can fully empathize. and im not even sure how much of a benefit the light issue is however, whatever minor bonus it is is what use to justify the irritation.

I also recently smelled the CC X and thought it was pretty darn interesting.