Manly Scent ... ?

[Brandon P K]

Need some help from the collective wisdom out there, fellow B&Bers!

While I like nearly all of the shaving scents I've encountered so far in my two months of wet/DE shaving, my SWILTDDUP typically is not impressed. She prefers more "manly" scents - and here I think she is meaning typical modern colognes.

For example, Tabac smells like old grandma to her.
MWF was just soapy.
C&E Sienna was, meh.
Mystic Waters Coconut & Cella smelled like dessert.
Pinaud Clubman seemed too sweet.
CO Bigelow reminded her of medicine.

I am looking for a "perfect" cream and aftershave combo that ladies might consider to smell "manly." Any suggestions...?

[Lar]

I think that Sandalwood (AoS in particular) cream followed up with English Leather after shave/cologne would qualify as "manly."
Good luck in your search - hope you find something she likes.

[JeffOlson]

How about some Captain's Choice Bay Rum aftershave? Yum!

[CrotalusHH]

+1 on English Leather. IMO it is a very manly scent and my wife likes it the best so far.

I have yet to find Tabac locally so I can smell it.

Smell is one sense that has completely eluded the internet so far.

[Wingnut]

If you're lookiing for a more "modern" scent soap, might I suggets the new Van der Hagen Luxury scented version? It has a masculine, modern scent which is very similar to the C. O. Bigelow Barber Elixir Red Cologne (sold at most Bath & Body Works).

It's available at some Target stores for about $4.00 a puck as well as online. If there's a local B&BW you might have her drop by there to check out that scent and give her approval before a purchase.

VdH also has an unscented version of their Luxury soap, if all else fails..

[WesternModern]

My go-to combo is Proraso, with Afta AS balm.
Not only does my wife like it, a few of her friends voiced their approval, too.
Another good combo is a lime-scented cream, followed with Old Spice.

[mach3avelli]

Dearly Beloved thinks that Ogallala Original is a "proper man's smell, old-fashioned and lovely", and I'm inclined to agree. But a lot of my colleagues thinks it's a bit too clove-y, and overpowering.
+1 on the lime/Old Spice combo, ever tried Proraso followed with Brut Original? It's a memorable pairing!

[Brandon P K]

Aren't Old Spice, Brut, and Clubman all in the same category scent-wise? I've only bottle-sniffed Brut and Old Spice, but used Clubman - not a loved scent.

She does think Aqua Velva Ice Blue is "okay," so far it's the best of the pack. Maybe I just need an AS version of a modern cologne...?

Keep in mind, we're in our mid-thirties, so Old Spice is a bit "retro" of a scent for us... =)

[TonyBrown]

my wife really liked the MamaBear masculine musk, its a nice fall/winter scent, definitely manly.

however, I've found that the mama bear spicy lime soap with a capt's choice bay rum splash is definitely manly, clean, and refreshing, wife loves the combo because its not perfume-y at all, its spicy, smooth, and clean.

[dgerson]

I'm in my mid-30's too, and I have to say that I don't think my wife has liked ANY of the soaps/creams I've purchased. The good news is that no matter how scented the soaps/creams have been, none of them really linger post-shave so it doesn't matter there. Go for comfort there. Now aftershaves are entirely different... You can keep trying out new scents to see which she likes, but honestly you can simply just combine a balm with whatever cologne you (and she) prefer. My standard balm is 444, which is a Portuguese balm that smells of nothing but menthol. Combine with a bit of cologne in my palm, rub together, and ta-da! I mostly use this with whatever aftershave I'm using, but it works great with cologne as well (just don't use too much). Good luck!

[Bengal Tiger]

Have her get something for you that she likes. Tell her your favorite brands or ingredients. Women be shopping, so why not have her sniff around and pick something manly for her man.

And what does SWILTDDUP stand for?

[The Kiwi]

If you haven't tried Skin Bracer, you have missed the scent that this particular Grandfather has liked as well as any other for at least fifty years now. And if anyone ever inferred that I was less than average in manliness, I probably would have popped them a good one, or if female, sicced my own best girl on the foolish tramp.

[retturn2blades]

Need some help from the collective wisdom out there, fellow B&Bers!

While I like nearly all of the shaving scents I've encountered so far in my two months of wet/DE shaving, my SWILTDDUP typically is not impressed. She prefers more "manly" scents - and here I think she is meaning typical modern colognes.

For example, Tabac smells like old grandma to her.
MWF was just soapy.
C&E Sienna was, meh.
Mystic Waters Coconut & Cella smelled like dessert.
Pinaud Clubman seemed too sweet.
CO Bigelow reminded her of medicine.

I am looking for a "perfect" cream and aftershave combo that ladies might consider to smell "manly." Any suggestions...?

Here's a test you might try...don't use anything with a scent...then run up to her and ask her how she likes your new aftershave? If she says it smells like_____, you know it's hopeless.

[jbradley]

Can't go wrong with Bay Rum. I prefer the Captain's Choice as an AS, there are several soaps, Col Conks, QC's, I use one made by a local soapmaker. I've been told that that is the way a man is supposed to smell.

[Dennard]

Manly is not a word I think of when describing most modern colognes (the mass market ones, anyway).

[dcobranchi]

Congratulations! According to Google, you've coined a new acronym

https://www.google.com/search?q=SWIL...firefox-aurora

[ggamyang]

Here's a test you might try...don't use anything with a scent...then run up to her and ask her how she likes your new aftershave? If she says it smells like_____, you know it's hopeless.

Exactly!!! :)

[retturn2blades]

Congratulations! According to Google, you've coined a new acronym

https://www.google.com/search?q=SWIL...firefox-aurora

Manly scent? Has to have these: pheromones.

[CrotalusHH]

I tried Proraso and was disappointed. Too much menthol for me.

My wife entered the bathroom later and said, "Why do I smell Ben Gay?"

[retturn2blades]

Putting the subjectivity of the question aside...I think scents with wood, leather, sage, anything earthen and smoky speaks to the masculine.