ramblings and questions from a frag noob

[rearviewmirror]

I haven't been here long, nor do I have a lot of scents. Mainly cheap stuff from Marshalls (Burberry For Men, Curve in a green bottle, Dirty English), a ton of samples from Trumpers (of which I don't really like....any) and a Pens scent library (all of which smell...the same) as well as a travel atomizer of Orange Blossom (which as Tim knows I loved when I first got it, and now don't care for it all).

Just got a bottle of L'Occitane Vetyver, and have a bottle of Hanae Mori on the way.

As I said in another thread, I REALLY like the smell of the coal tar shampoo i'm using, so per Tims recommendation i'll be getting at least a sample of Kinze 10.

Funny thing: the mrs and I were at the 'expensive mall' to go to the apple store so she could get her phone replaced again, and we walked through Dillards and a guy working the scent counter asked if I'd like to smell Aqua Di Gio. He sprayed it on a card and handed it to me, I took a whiff and handed it back to him and said "Sorry, that smells awful". He laughed!

So...yea not really sure why I started this. It's slow at work!

[plpenn]

:lol:

I have only found a few that I really like.

Have you tried letting your wife pick one or two out for you? Thats how I ended up with my Kenneth Cole Reaction and Armani Black, I like them both very much, well the KC a little more but still....

[rearviewmirror]

she picked out the L'Occitane Vetyver, and she likes the Dirty English. After Kinze 10, i'll probably look for something similar to DE but less....cheap smelling.

Oh i've got a sample of Juniper Sling on the way too. Brian @ Pens is awesome. Figure I've been known to have one or two Gin and Tonics, might as well smell like one.

[jakespoppy]

....i'll probably look for something similar to DE but less....cheap smelling....


Here's one suggestion, for a cedary scent that is similar to DE but more elegant smelling, if you can find it (I found it at Marshall's, but it's been a while):

http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af227/jakespoppy/EdT Pics/EdT-GuccipourHomme.jpg

[StylinLA]

Rearview, at this point, a lot of things will smell alike to you based on quick initial sniffs. Lots of scents employ similar tops notes, but over the course of wearing will smell very different from each other. Go slow to start, and get to know what you and your wife both like. Many of us have been at this awhile, but that doesn't mean we can usually sniff something in a store and know we love it. Do what you're doing. Get some samples and see what you really like. Not familiar enough with coal tar scent to know if Knize Ten will click with you, but it is a strong scent for sure.

[Greyfox]

Good advice given above. I have found that I have to wear the scent and let it develop its profile on me before I can decide. Get lots of samples.

[tehtimmeh]

In addition to the wisdom of others, you'll also see (as it appears you did with Orange Blossom) that your taste will change as you progress. If you don't really care for something now, hold onto it and come back to it later. Sometimes you will find you like it more than you thought you would.

Buy samples (lots of them) and wear them. Don't rely on an in store sniff to decide whether or not you will like a scent.

[rearviewmirror]

you guys are great!

I'm going to take your advice here, and kinda slow down on purchases and 'learn' the scents more. I've worn the L'Occtaine Vetyver for a few days in a row now, and after a few hours I noticed my wrist smelled a lot like vanilla. Manly vanilla though.
The Hanae Mari I bought from Tezee was supposedly delivered yesterday....yet it still isn't in my mailbox. stupid post office!

[maxman]

Samples are the greatest thing to happen to fragrances (yeah, ok not really but you know what I mean).
Better to know what you are getting into rather than to stumble around spending a ton of money on something you might not like down the road.

[Jawaburger]

Where is a good place to order samples from. I have only used aftershaves at this point, and wanted to try something new.

[rearviewmirror]

Where is a good place to order samples from. I have only used aftershaves at this point, and wanted to try something new.

http://theperfumedcourt.com/

Garrys Sample Shop on the Vendors Forum, as well as RickBoones 'Stink and Stain'

Garry and Rick have MUCH better prices

[Obsessed]

Where is a good place to order samples from. I have only used aftershaves at this point, and wanted to try something new.


http://theperfumedcourt.com/

Garrys Sample Shop on the Vendors Forum, as well as RickBoones 'Stink and Stain'

Garry and Rick have MUCH better prices

www.luckyscent.com (http://www.luckyscent.com/) is another one

[ShaveThis]

Garry and Rick are great with great prices. Samples came quick with generous portions. Try em.

[StylinLA]

regarding coal tar... I just happened to see a thread in Basenotes the other day in which a member referenced a scent he thinks smells somewhat like coal tar soap.

But.... it's a scent from an odd company called Etat Libre d'Orange. Their "niche" within niche scents is to be wayyyy out there in the design and naming of their scents. One of their scents is called Secretions Magnifique-- and it's the worst scent I've ever run across. It smells like blood mostly. One the few scents that mostly terrifies all Basenoters. Another scent is called Fat Electrician and the picture on the bottle shows a hairy butt crack popping out of blue jeans.

The scent referenced as possibly smeilling like coal tar soap is called Tom of Finland. Some say it's opening notes are meant to smell like sex toys.
If you don't know who Tom of Finland is, I suggest you DO NOT Google it...most certainly not at work. If you google it, make sure you put "cologne" after Tom of Finland.

[john parker]

Where is a good place to order samples from. I have only used aftershaves at this point, and wanted to try something new.
To your list, add AEDES for some really high-end samples at a very reasonable price.

[KarlMaldensNose]

B&B member Archerfire has an extensive library of fragrances for sample in this thread in the Vendors forum.

[Earcutter]

Wow - reading this post just made my life a whole lot better in that I now get to try samples! Just got 6 from lucky scent.

[StylinLA]

Wow - reading this post just made my life a whole lot better in that I now get to try samples! Just got 6 from lucky scent.

Its the only way to fly...but one or buy 25 different scents, but never be at the mercy of what the department store SAs again. Take the wheel and drive your self. The money you pay for samples is worth when you find juice the really jump starts your day (or night). What are you sampling from Lucky?

[BillC]

The scent referenced as possibly smeilling like coal tar soap is called Tom of Finland. Some say it's opening notes are meant to smell like sex toys.
If you don't know who Tom of Finland is, I suggest you DO NOT Google it...most certainly not at work. If you google it, make sure you put "cologne" after Tom of Finland.

Well, hell. With that lead in of course I had to google Mr Tom to see what the fuss was about. Turns out it's not my cup of tea. What was a little off-putting for me was the revelation that (according to Wikipedia):

"Etat Libre d’Orange has created, in partnership with Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, an eau de parfum with a selection of Tom’s most famous iconic drawings hidden inside the packaging."

I don't really care what anyone draws or who looks at it as long as everyone is an adult and consenting, but that would be an unwelcome surprise if it came with my next purchase. Seems a strange and potentially alienating marketing decision on their part.

[Earcutter]

What are you sampling from Lucky?

Didn't want to highjack - started a new one called New guy jumping in. Its listed. Tell me what you think!

[rearviewmirror]

While i'm not a fan of man on man love, I do have no problems with other people doing it. I just don't want a scent that smells like....lube.

[The Knize]

. . . Seems a strange and potentially alienating marketing decision on their part.

Well, it is a niche scent! There are many different niches in the world, I suppose. I do not have a problem with leathermen, but it does not happen to be a niche I belong to.

I like the idea of coal tar notes. Are the notes described any different from "birch tar"? I really like Lone Star Memories, for instance.

I suppose that LSM has something of the pitch that Tom of Finland has, as to leather and tar--hyper-masculine. But I want to smell like a cowboy, not like a leather-boy. Lube notes are throwing me off, too. As I have written elsewhere, scents have lots of subliminal signals to them. The idea of hyper masculine tar, leather, and, who knows, human sweat, I suppose, seems appealing. Throw in the smell of lube and one has perhaps two precise a subtext.

To wear it for me might be something like wearing Maja, which I might do because I like the way it smells--the vintage is supposed to be even better and even more masculine--but for the fact that it is apparently the fragrance of choice for many older Latin women. I have no such association, but I do not want the random person in my vicinity to identify the scent I am wearing as exactly the one his/her Grandmother from Buenos Aires wears.

I do not think I know what lube smells like. But I do not necessarily want someone who does to be able to pick it out immediately on me.

[StylinLA]

Well, hell. With that lead in of course I had to google Mr Tom to see what the fuss was about. Turns out it's not my cup of tea. What was a little off-putting for me was the revelation that (according to Wikipedia):

"Etat Libre d’Orange has created, in partnership with Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, an eau de parfum with a selection of Tom’s most famous iconic drawings hidden inside the packaging."

I don't really care what anyone draws or who looks at it as long as everyone is an adult and consenting, but that would be an unwelcome surprise if it came with my next purchase. Seems a strange and potentially alienating marketing decision on their part.


Yeah, that's an odd decision on their part. Lucky Scent warns people about the insert before purchase since that can be off putting to a wide variety of people. Etat is an odd company, choosing to be highly irreverent in the marketing and packaging of their scents. I'm sure they make several good scents, but who wants to wear something that they are embarrassed to say. Fat Electrician? I guess their target audience is iconoclastic types who like to be irreverent.

Most of the people at Basenotes who rave about their scents seem to have a kind of offbeat attitude whichever Etat scent they seem to like.

EldO scents are kind of the weird "art house" movies of the scent world.

[rearviewmirror]

I think ETAT is trying to be the Subaru of the frag world. Why bother marketing to anybody else, when the gay and lesbian world is going to buy your stuff regardless.

[BingeAndPurge]

regarding coal tar... I just happened to see a thread in Basenotes the other day in which a member referenced a scent he thinks smells somewhat like coal tar soap.

But.... it's a scent from an odd company called Etat Libre d'Orange. Their "niche" within niche scents is to be wayyyy out there in the design and naming of their scents. One of their scents is called Secretions Magnifique-- and it's the worst scent I've ever run across. It smells like blood mostly. One the few scents that mostly terrifies all Basenoters. Another scent is called Fat Electrician and the picture on the bottle shows a hairy butt crack popping out of blue jeans.

The scent referenced as possibly smeilling like coal tar soap is called Tom of Finland. Some say it's opening notes are meant to smell like sex toys.
If you don't know who Tom of Finland is, I suggest you DO NOT Google it...most certainly not at work. If you google it, make sure you put "cologne" after Tom of Finland.

This post just made my day.

[rearviewmirror]

sorry to derail the homoerotic frag talk.....

Went out shopping for xmas today. Alone! Which gave me the chance to smell a ton of stuff.
What I didnt like:
Body Kourous
Creed Himalaya
Gucci by Gucci Por Homme
Tabac
azzaro por homme
Mugler cologne
and a few others that I can't remember now.

I went to the closest mall, which sucks. nobody had chanel egoiste. just platinum. the staff at the dept stores....so not helpful. the no-name scent store lady with terribly tattooed fake boobs was much more helpful, but horribly unknowledged. she kept trying to push these knock off brands on me, but she DID open the only bottle of creed they had though, so we could smell it.

Since I was out to shop for my daughters, I sniffed the Justin Beiber and the Taylor Swift perfumes. Cotton candy. Asked the exwife, the 10 yo prefers the scents at bath and body works. THANK GOODNESS.

[tehtimmeh]

sorry to derail the homoerotic frag talk.....

Went out shopping for xmas today. Alone! Which gave me the chance to smell a ton of stuff.
What I didnt like:
Body Kourous
Creed Himalaya
Gucci by Gucci Por Homme
Tabac
azzaro por homme
Mugler cologne
and a few others that I can't remember now.

I went to the closest mall, which sucks. nobody had chanel egoiste. just platinum. the staff at the dept stores....so not helpful. the no-name scent store lady with terribly tattooed fake boobs was much more helpful, but horribly unknowledged. she kept trying to push these knock off brands on me, but she DID open the only bottle of creed they had though, so we could smell it.

Since I was out to shop for my daughters, I sniffed the Justin Beiber and the Taylor Swift perfumes. Cotton candy. Asked the exwife, the 10 yo prefers the scents at bath and body works. THANK GOODNESS.

Yikes, you've axed some good ones... Be interested to hear how you feel about some of the decants you have ordered.

[rearviewmirror]

also she tried to get me to buy Le Male Terrible.

I got in a sample of Pens Juniper Sling today....i'll wear it the next few days and give some feedback.

[rearviewmirror]

to be honest, I only smelled them sprayed on the paper samplers. I'll probably still pick up a decant of BK and Mugler cologne at some point to see how they wear on me.

and when you say the good ones, you mean the justin beiber perfume dont you???


Yikes, you've axed some good ones... Be interested to hear how you feel about some of the decants you have ordered.

[tehtimmeh]

and when you say the good ones, you mean the justin beiber perfume dont you???

Yup. I have about 10% of my bottle remaining with 15 backup bottles.. :lol:

Of what you tried I do really like Himalaya, Azzaro Pour Homme, and Mugler Cologne (although I do prefer Original Vetiver to Mugler Cologne). I'd even go so far to say that Azzaro is 5 star material. Excellent stuff. But as it goes without saying....YMMV.

[rearviewmirror]

I didn't the OV because the fiancee just bought me L'Occtaine Vetyver, and I'm looking to expand my tastes.

This store was also what i'd consider shady. NOTHING had a price on it, everything seemed negotiable. So the stuff I sniffed may be stolen or very very old. Or both (especially the creed...they had one bottle in the entire store!)
I've also found I can't really judge anything based on how it smells on paper. So when I say I didn't like, I really mean I wasn't floored by them.
but my tastes change. I'll be hunting down some Egoiste on monday!

[tehtimmeh]

I didn't the OV because the fiancee just bought me L'Occtaine Vetyver, and I'm looking to expand my tastes.

This store was also what i'd consider shady. NOTHING had a price on it, everything seemed negotiable. So the stuff I sniffed may be stolen or very very old. Or both (especially the creed...they had one bottle in the entire store!)
I've also found I can't really judge anything based on how it smells on paper. So when I say I didn't like, I really mean I wasn't floored by them.
but my tastes change. I'll be hunting down some Egoiste on monday!

IMO OV and Mugler Cologne are quite different than L'Occitane's Vetiver. They are very clean grassy scents very suitable to the heat and warm weather. Probably not going to appeal during this time of the year, but they are of a different breed than the L'Occitane.

[rickboone1]

I'd try Aramis frags. JHL, Tuscany, Havana. Well, maybe not havana. Are you looking for something light or strong? Do you like "modern" citrusy scents like Chrome, or stuff like cool water? Or, do you prefer more classic scents; perhaps more spice? One other option is to order a plethora of samples from Wendy at saint charles shave. She's got about every gamut of the fragrance index covered. One of the best bay rums I've smelled, an incredible Patchouli and vetiver. That may be good to see what you DO like and then go from there.

When in doubt, try Ouds. :) Or any attars like some strong black musks. :) Have you tried any rose scents such as C&S 88, DC 1913 or gosh...can't think of the other.

Egoiste didn't thrill me to any degree. It smelled rather familiar like many other things. Which, CAN be a good thing if you like those many other things or if Egoiste is hard to find.

If you like the L'Occitaine Vetyver I know Garry usually stocks Encre Noire which is another vetiver. He was getting some C&S Vetiver Vert (their newest frag), but I think only as a split not a stocked sample. I could be wrong. Vetivers are all over the place though. Just because you like one doesn't mean you'll like the other.

One bit of advice. Stop smelling so many things at once. They blend together and your nose has no clue what it's trying to do anymore. And, smell them. I have several that smell horrible until they settle and others; like Tam Dao, that are not impressive at all until it settles in. It's one of the few colognes that gets stronger and more pleasant.

I know for me, I can't settle on one fragrance. I'd be horrified if I had to wear one scent only. That in mind, it can be a little more difficult to find things I like. I will hate it this week and love it next.

[rearviewmirror]

i'm in FL, it was almost 80 today!


IMO OV and Mugler Cologne are quite different than L'Occitane's Vetiver. They are very clean grassy scents very suitable to the heat and warm weather. Probably not going to appeal during this time of the year, but they are of a different breed than the L'Occitane.

[rearviewmirror]

Rick, you're right, I smelled way too much stuff today and got everything confused. Instead of trying to enjoy or understand a scent, I was giving them a 'yay' or 'nay'.
I like strong scents. I don't like Cool Water. I love rose scented shave soaps, and I will be trying some rose frags, along with ordering some black oud from you. May blind buy into Garrys Creed split. So many options, and the only thing I do know is that i'm not looking for one specific frag. I like change, and find things I think I love and then a month or so later realize I don't (see: Orange Blossom). I'm going to take the rest of the weekend off from smelling stuff....my daughters dragged me into Bath and Body works and made me smell everything tonight. I think my nose is broken, all I can smell is cherry blossoms

[StylinLA]

This store was also what i'd consider shady. NOTHING had a price on it, everything seemed negotiable. So the stuff I sniffed may be stolen or very very old. Or both (especially the creed...they had one bottle in the entire store!)
I've also found I can't really judge anything based on how it smells on paper. So when I say I didn't like, I really mean I wasn't floored by them. but my tastes change. I'll be hunting down some Egoiste on monday!

Thats kind of common with perfume stores. There is a perfume "cart" at a popular LA mall. They have several of the classic scents discussed here, Caron Pour in Homme, Guerlain Vetiver, etc available at a discount. But what they really push on you are all these faux designer scents that are similar to current popular scents like AdG.

Those places can be dicey for Creed, but usually their older designer stuff is legit.

[jakespoppy]

.....But what they really push on you are all these faux designer scents that are similar to current popular scents like AdG....

I've seen one of those stores wholesale price list, and those faux designer scents were in a category called "money makers". Nothing wrong with selling something that's really cheap, at a really cheap price, to folks who like getting stuff really cheap like that, as long as its not misrepresented.

[rearviewmirror]

ok, order has been placed with Garry.
5ml of Encre Noir
5ml of Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin
10ml of C&S Vetiver Vert

Also got in a sample of Juniper Sling, and trying to find the bottle of Hanae Mori that the USPS claims was delivered on the 5th, but I don't have yet.

[jakespoppy]

.....trying to find the bottle of Hanae Mori that the USPS claims was delivered on the 5th, but I don't have yet.

That doesn't sound good!

[rearviewmirror]

I sent them an email late afternoon yesterday, by 9am today I had a phone call, by 10am it was hand delivered.
Not bad for clicking the 'contact us' button on the USPS website.
I like the smell. Smells a LOT like one of the Pens samples I have, Lily of the Valley, which is a chick scent, on the initial application.



That doesn't sound good!

[jakespoppy]

I sent them an email late afternoon yesterday, by 9am today I had a phone call, by 10am it was hand delivered.
Not bad for clicking the 'contact us' button on the USPS website.
I like the smell. Smells a LOT like one of the Pens samples I have, Lily of the Valley, which is a chick scent, on the initial application.

So the USPS said it was delivered, but then they found it and delivered it after you asked them about it? That's like a miracle!

[rearviewmirror]

seriously.
no wonder they're losing billions annually

[rearviewmirror]

just bought the sampler pack from c&s.

that, along with the c&s vert split, encre noir and something else from Garry should keep me smelling good for awhile.

[zacwes]

i have dior Fahrenheit which i find to be rather unique for a department store brand, i also like montale black oud and creed green irish tweed, those tend to be my favorites

[rearviewmirror]

was out xmas shopping for my daughters again, so I went in search of Chanel Egoiste since I was in a much nicer mall.
NOPE.
Egoiste Platinum out the wazoo. WHY IS EGOISTE SO HARD TO FIND?

Did get a few samples from the mini-Sephora....Polo Double Black and YSL La Nuit de L'Homme

[tehtimmeh]

was out xmas shopping for my daughters again, so I went in search of Chanel Egoiste since I was in a much nicer mall.
NOPE.
Egoiste Platinum out the wazoo. WHY IS EGOISTE SO HARD TO FIND?

Did get a few samples from the mini-Sephora....Polo Double Black and YSL La Nuit de L'Homme

Egoiste is not one of their "modern" best sellers, so like Antaeus, distribution is limited. Higher end dept. stores such as Neimans and Saks should have it, and of course the Chanel boutiques. But you aren't just going to stroll up into Sephora or Macy's and find it.

[rearviewmirror]

after a few days with C&S #88, I like it but not enough to buy a bottle. The first 2 wearings were REALLY tough. I had a very hard time getting past the 'hippy' stink of it.
I'm hoping DC 1913 doesn't have that kind of funk, and a bit more manly of a rose scent.

Cuba will be next to be sampled

[jakespoppy]

i have dior Fahrenheit which i find to be rather unique for a department store brand, i also like montale black oud and creed green irish tweed, those tend to be my favorites

Nice choices!


after a few days with C&S #88, I like it but not enough to buy a bottle. The first 2 wearings were REALLY tough. I had a very hard time getting past the 'hippy' stink of it.
I'm hoping DC 1913 doesn't have that kind of funk, and a bit more manly of a rose scent.

Cuba will be next to be sampled

This will be interesting!

[tehtimmeh]

after a few days with C&S #88, I like it but not enough to buy a bottle. The first 2 wearings were REALLY tough. I had a very hard time getting past the 'hippy' stink of it.
I'm hoping DC 1913 doesn't have that kind of funk, and a bit more manly of a rose scent.

Cuba will be next to be sampled

I think you'll find DC defunct of the funk. I like it quite a bit better than 88. As far as Cuba goes, it has it's fans, but you're on your own with that one....

[rearviewmirror]

ill be putting on the cuba tonight after the gym, i'm afraid to wear it out into public until I see how it reacts with me.
actually i think i'll put it on BEFORE i shower, just in case

[BillC]

after a few days with C&S #88, I like it but not enough to buy a bottle. The first 2 wearings were REALLY tough. I had a very hard time getting past the 'hippy' stink of it.
I'm hoping DC 1913 doesn't have that kind of funk, and a bit more manly of a rose scent.

Cuba will be next to be sampled

Interesting - I don't get much hippie patchouli from 88. When I first tried it I was pretty new to frags and was a bit terrified of it - I just got a strong impression of rose incense. But after a couple wears I loved it.

With Cuba I definitely get the "fecal" note but it was fleeting for me. After some suggestions from others if I really pay attention I do think this is just one aspect of the tobacco that's in Cuba. Whatever it is, it quickly blows off and leaves me with a great fragrance. I always describe it as the bastard child of Bay Rum and Spanish Leather. I love having a Bay Rum inspired scent that lasts and has some projection, but I have to admit I don't find enough occasions to wear it.

[jakespoppy]

ill be putting on the cuba tonight after the gym, i'm afraid to wear it out into public until I see how it reacts with me.
actually i think i'll put it on BEFORE i shower, just in case

Make sure you leave it on long enough to open up and show it's true colors. It has one of those attention grabbing openings that soon settles into something pretty nice.

[rearviewmirror]

ok its been on for about 5 minutes now.
if they would take the peppermint out, it would be MUCH better. i'm pretty sure its the peppermint that mucks up the smell, its like pouring lemon juice into milk...it curdles it instantly. as the peppermint wears off, its not that bad. its not great, but its not terrible.
I see Cuba, I expect strong tobacco and coffee. The opening was NOTHING like that, nor is the drydown.
But the drydown isn't bad at all.

[jakespoppy]

ok its been on for about 5 minutes now.
if they would take the peppermint out, it would be MUCH better. i'm pretty sure its the peppermint that mucks up the smell, its like pouring lemon juice into milk...it curdles it instantly. as the peppermint wears off, its not that bad. its not great, but its not terrible.
I see Cuba, I expect strong tobacco and coffee. The opening was NOTHING like that, nor is the drydown.
But the drydown isn't bad at all.

While you're wearing Cuba, instead of thinking of strong tobacco and coffee, try thinking of having Mojitos in a smoky night club with loud latin music playing and see if that takes you to a different place with the fragrance.

[rearviewmirror]

http://i.imgur.com/vblOL.jpg

I may or may not have bought a few decants

[tehtimmeh]

http://i.imgur.com/vblOL.jpg

I may or may not have bought a few decants

List please. Can't read all the names!

[rearviewmirror]

From L to R (for our Hebrew friends)

Caron L'Anarchiste
Van Cleff + Aperls por homme
Dior Leather Oud x3
Black Oud
Au Mascline
Encre Noire
C&S Vetiver Vert
Terre D'Hermes

[jakespoppy]

From L to R (for our Hebrew friends)

Caron L'Anarchiste
Van Cleff + Aperls por homme
Dior Leather Oud x3
Black Oud
Au Mascline
Encre Noire
C&S Vetiver Vert
Terre D'Hermes

That's a nice mix of decants. :thumbup1:

[rearviewmirror]

I like Encre Noir. It's earthy and natural, I get a slight sniff of clay. 1 spray between the wrists and one on the chest seems to be enough too.

[Obsessed]

From L to R (for our Hebrew friends)

Hebrew is read right to left. (It is also not customarily used these days to refer to people rather than the language.)