Oh no, what have I done?

[Obsessed]

I can't believe I'm participating in a forum in which the word "poo" is being used frequently. (I was going to say "regularly," but . . .)

[Oscroft]

The next C&S I've tried is the Paradisi.

I didn't really know what to expect from "grapefruit" - other than the clear top note of, erm, grapefruit.

But it dries down to something green and a bit spicy, and lasts longer than I expected. I like it a lot, and could see myself enjoying this on a nice summer day. I can see its unisex appeal.

I also think it's one my wife would like (I sniff around in secret and buy fragrances for her as surprises, and I'm pretty good at knowing her tastes these days. And I know she's not just pretending to like them - if I get one that stinks, she'll certainly tell me so).

I could see myself getting my wife a bottle of this, and then stealing a quick spray every now and then.

(As an aside, when this was first drying down I sniffed my wrist and was horrified by a pungent poo note again - until I realised the cat had just had a sh*t in the nearby litter tray!)

[Oscroft]

Well, my sniffing adventures have continued today, after a walk around the shops. I was going to start a new thread, as it's not about the C&S samples, but then I thought it might be good to keep this thread going to document my descent into the fragrance abyss

Anyway, it was all Debenhams' fault - they've got a 10% sale on men's fragrances for fathers' day. I wasn't planning to buy any, but a bit of sampling can't do any harm...

I was very disappointed with most of what was on offer - there seems to be a preponderance these days of light, "fresh" scents, from the big houses, advertised with photos of lifeguard models with designer stubble and perfect hairstyles, and beautiful women on their arms. And they were all completely anonymous, with just sight variations on the same themes - I must have tried half a dozen different aqua-type ones that were no better than Old Spice Whitewater but a lot more expensive.

They had a promotion on Paco Rabanne, with "Pour Homme" at a very cheap price, but it's not something I'm overly keen on - I've bought it for other people before, and it's a pleasant enough pong, but I've never wanted it for myself.

And then I happened upon the Guerlain counter, and a very helpful chap who asked what kinds of fragrance I liked and got some samples out. A couple of them were good but not great, and I can't remember what they were - but then I tried Guerlain Vetiver, and took an instant liking to it. I sprayed a splash on each wrist and told the guy I'd go walk around outside for a while to see how it developed.

And you've guessed what happened - 30 minutes later I was back, and bought the last 100ml bottle they had in stock

While I was out walking the Vetiver, I popped into John Lewis, which has a selection of smellies. They had a range of Murdock London fragrances, which I've only vaguely heard of. They have a vetiver, which I tried, and it's very nice - spicier and woodier than the Guerlain. But it was £70 compared to £48 for the Guerlain, and I definitely liked the Guerlain better anyway.

I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that I like fragrances heavy in vetiver - and I'm back at home now and smelling great!

So, that's the latest on my slippery slope - but I think I'm going to enjoy sliding down it.

[Oscroft]

As a quick update - the Guerlain Vetiver is fantastic.

I tried some last night - and today, more than 12 hours on, I'm still picking up hints of it.

[maxman]

Good to hear you're getting out there and using your nose.
Guerlain Vetiver is one of my favourites.
Keep it up. There's lots to smell out there.

Don't forget discount department stores. While you might not get to smell them, you can get a bargain if you know what you're looking for.

[Oscroft]

Don't forget discount department stores. While you might not get to smell them, you can get a bargain if you know what you're looking for.

Yep, that's worth remembering. I did look in a local fragrance discounter yesterday (can't remember the name) and also in Boots (the drugstore chain), and it seems there's a promotion on Drakkar Noir going at the moment - something like £15 for 50ml and £20 for 100ml. But there were no samplers, and though I don't know what it smells like, I seem to have an old 80s memory of it in the back of my mind that puts me off. I was almost tempted by a small one at the price, but it's still wasted money if I don't like it - and most of what I smelled yesterday I didn't like, so the "blind buy" odds aren't really in my favour.

[Oscroft]

And just to finish off the C&S samples, I've tried the Oxford & Cambridge now. I like it - didn't think I'd like the touch of peppermint, but I actually do. Don't think I like it enough to pay for a bottle though - but there's definitely a bottle of 88 in my future!

[rearviewmirror]

And just to finish off the C&S samples, I've tried the Oxford & Cambridge now. I like it - didn't think I'd like the touch of peppermint, but I actually do. Don't think I like it enough to pay for a bottle though - but there's definitely a bottle of 88 in my future!

Try some other rose scents first. I really liked 88 until I tried Le Labo Rose 31. Now 88 smells like old hippies to me.

I hate hippies.

[BillC]

Try some other rose scents first. I really liked 88 until I tried Le Labo Rose 31. Now 88 smells like old hippies to me.

I hate hippies.

I don't get old hippies at all, but to each their own.

If you want to launch yourself down a rosy path:

The afrorementioned Le Labo Rose 31
Domenico Caraceni 1913
Montale Black Aoud
Washington Tremlett Black Tie
Tauer Incense Rose
Chanel Egoiste

Are all excellent, but I love 88 too

[Oscroft]

Try some other rose scents first. I really liked 88 until I tried Le Labo Rose 31. Now 88 smells like old hippies to me.

I hate hippies.

I thought hippies smelt of patchouli?

But yes, I'll try that if I can - thanks for the tip.

[Oscroft]

I've been out sniffing again. I have a fair idea of what my local outlets (Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis, and a couple of others) have available for sampling, and I chose a small number to test on my skin. The process was - spray a different fragrance on each wrist (they seem to develop more quickly on my wrist than anywhere else), then go walk around and see how they go, make some notes, find a washroom and wash my wrists clean, then go find another two to test. Anyway. here's what I tried and what I thought...

Cerruti 1881: Smelled of mouthwash. Didn't like it

CK be: Smell seemed sort of chemical and artificial, and had very little longevity on me. Didn't like it.

Givenchy Gentleman: Packed with fragrance, with nice but not overstated vetiver, and a great spicy leathery base. It took a lot of soap and hot water to wash it off, so I expect it will last a long time on the skin. A firm winner so far, and one I will definitely test again.

Body Shop White Musk: I'd heard good things about this, and I was quite impressed. It has a light but sweet fragrance. Don't know how long it would last, but it seems linear - I only gave it about 40 minutes, but its scent didn't change at all in that time. It's exceptionally good for the price, but I'm not sure if it's for me - I'll have to try it again.

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver: A more delicate vetiver than the one I have (Guerlain), and it seems more "modern", if that makes sense. It seems quite finely balanced, and I can see why people like it. I don't think it's for me - but I wouldn't rule it out.

Tom Ford White Patchouli: Didn't like this at all - I got a sour smell that I really found disagreeable.

Prada Infusion d'Homme: Want to smell like those shops that sell old hippie clothes and "new age" paraphernalia, and are heavy with musty incense? Then get some of this. I don't, so I won't. This one took a lot of washing off.

Chanel No 5: Yeah, I know this is supposed to be a women's fragrance, but my wife has been using it on and off for years, and I don't see why there should be a gender distinction - given a few minutes for the possibly feminine opening to subside a little. Wife hasn't actually had a bottle for a little while, so I had some while it was there in the store - and it's the same classic it ever was. I must buy her a new bottle so I can steal some.

That was about it - I tentatively tried a couple of others, but my nose was exhausted, so I'll come back to those another day.

[maxman]

You've come a long way since the beginning of this post!
A tip o' the hat to a job well done.

It really is fun isn't it?

[Oscroft]

You've come a long way since the beginning of this post!
A tip o' the hat to a job well done.

It really is fun isn't it?

Thanks.

Yes, it is good fun - and unlike razors, brushes, soaps, aftershaves, etc, I can just pop into the stores to try out fragrances without having to buy anything . It makes it easier to take my time and carefully decide what to buy.

[DMT]

Tried any of M&S's fragrances? They're pretty decent and cheap

[Oscroft]

Tried any of M&S's fragrances? They're pretty decent and cheap

No, I haven't (other than once trying Woodspice AS) - that's a good idea, thanks.