Combining Shave Cream with Cologne

**mr_wilde** · 02-28-2008, 05:52 AM

Hi there,

I'm new to the world of real shaving and I want to get it right. I'm 26 and I think that it is about time I stepped away from my peers and their over marketed poor quality products and seek refinement and class. I've invested in a Merkur razor and a badger brush (will be arriving any day now) to replace my Wilkingson Sword synthetic brush.

My next purchase will be some decent quality shaving cream and for this I am going to go with Taylor of Old Bond street because I can get it in my barbershop meaning that I can give each a good smell before buying.

I was just wondering if there is a rule of thumb with combining particular shaving creams with colognes. I should imagine that combining the wrong things together could result in one killing the smell of another. Or am I being slightly over the top?

Also - do any of you good chaps have a suggestion for a good cologne for my age range? I have Fahrenheit and Jean Paul Gautier Le Male but generally because my lady is a fan of these.

Mr Wilde

**Newfie** · 02-28-2008, 06:22 AM

Welcome Mr Wilde.

Personally, I don't think the scent of the cream / soap you use hangs around enough to worry about it. I use everything from very lightly scented like Col Conk's Amber to something like tabac, and have never found any clashes.

But that's just me, and as with everything else, YMMV.

**the_prince** · 02-28-2008, 06:39 AM

The scent of most shaving creams does not linger more than 10 minutes so I do not worry that it will clash with my cologne. C&E Sandalwood and Sienna can last up to 1 hour, so I will choose a cologne of a similar genre. Taylor's creams do not last this long and are wonderful creams to start with, I prefer the rose.

As far as colognes, since you are using designer colognes, your nose might not appreciate some of the more extravagant high end colognes, such as Czech & Speake 88 or Montale Black Aoud. They are amazing scents but I think you probably need to accustomise yourself gradually before trying these.

As a start, you may like to try Guerlain Heritage (a very refined Le Male) which you may find in department stores, or if you want something more fresh but still distinguished then try Ungaro III.

**A.de.Lioncourt** · 02-28-2008, 06:40 AM

Shaving creams don't really last long enough, or are strong enough to interfere with cologne, so just get what you like.

I know a lot of people scoff at trying to fit a cologne in an age bracket and say that you should wear whatever you want, but colognes do exude qualities on the person wearing them.

I imagine that you would like scents that are not so dry and austere, but rather a touch sweet and or mellow. Le Male is one of my favorites for such purposes. If you wish to expand your collection a bit, I would recommend:

Penhaligon's Endymion
Trumper's Sandalwood
Trumper's GFT
Creed Green Irish Tweed
Tommy Hilfiger's Tommy - I know it's common, but it's a good scent that the opposite sex appreciates.
Liz Claiborne Bora Bora - Another good scent on the inexpensive range.

Don't be afraid to request samples of these items from the vendor. Creed you may have to buy a sample from theperfumedcourt.com

**rvbert0** · 02-28-2008, 07:17 AM

I agree that many shaving creams don't last exceptionally long.

Some do, but that depends on body chemistry. For me the Truefitt West Indian Limes lasted about 2 hours, but it stayed really close. Also the Trafalgar lasted atleast an hour.

**Isaias** · 02-28-2008, 08:26 AM

Do not get me wrong I love the scent of my creams, but none of them last more than 3 minutes. I find Trumpers and Tabac soap to be the strongest, but they could never be compared to my aftershave or EDT. Heck my hand soap seems to last longer. Perhaps nose fatigue? Now I am curious. I shave at night, I always use Aftershave and no one else there to smell me, but I am pretty certain you should not have to worry.

**mr_wilde** · 02-28-2008, 08:36 AM

Thank you ever so much for such great replies! I can't wait to get along to my barbershop on saturday and get sniffing!

I shall most definately request some samples of colognes. I would definately like to get a fairly smart and distinguished collection but as you say, my nose will definately require some training.

My Merkur futur arrived today but I only have my old Wilkinson Sword cream and brush to work with at the moment. I'm still itching to try it out though so I'll probably come into work tomorrow covered in cuts! (I should really wait until saturday morning to give myself a chance to heal)

**mightemacs** · 02-28-2008, 08:37 AM

I find that my creams have quite a bit of staying power -- I used my T&H Trafalgar this morning (7:30am), and I can still smell it now (11:30am) quite clearly. It's certainly not strong enough that coworkers could smell it, but I can often still smell it on myself well past lunch.

Just my $0.02

**Stecacio** · 02-28-2008, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by mightemacs

I find that my creams have quite a bit of staying power -- I used my T&H Trafalgar this morning (7:30am), and I can still smell it now (11:30am) quite clearly. It's certainly not strong enough that coworkers could smell it, but I can often still smell it on myself well past lunch.

Just my $0.02

I completely agree. I often can smell creams and some soaps for multiple hours. However, it's certainly not strong enough to interfere with my cologne, nor is it strong enough for others to be aware of it. But I can very easily smell it myself.