Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › Flu season! What to wear when you're sick?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Flu season! What to wear when you're sick?

post #1 of 17
11/29/06 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Flu season is upon us. Ironically, I got the flu shot yesterday and today, I'm feeling the full effects of it. What is the point of a vaccine that makes you sick?!?! My head hurts, I'm tired, my body feels weak, my nose is half stuffed, and I don't want to do anything that requires any effort. When I'm sick, I try to wear neutral and fragrances I am already fully familiar with so that I won't form a scent-association between it and being sick.

When I'm sick, I tend to spritz on a citrus fragrance, most notably: Guerlain Vetiver. It's clean, it's fresh, it takes my mind off of my sickness and makes me feel well again. It isn't an overtly pretty or playful scent either, so it doesn't tire you out by urging you to jump around and frollick. It has an earthy vetiver base with a hint of tonka sweetness so it's comforting as well. I swear, the citrus opening clears my nose up, as well.

I also like a white musk when I'm sick. Bvlgari Pour Homme is great when you're sick. It's simple. It's clean. The tea note is very comforting.

The last thing I want to put on is an oriental. This sucks because my bottle of Chergui just came in this afternoon. I put a little bit on and it's great! I'm scared of wearing it though because of fear of a scent-association that might be formed if the first time I wear it is when I'm sick.

Which scents do you put on when you're sick?
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
post #2 of 17
11/29/06 at 12:52am
I would say, wear nothing.
Get well soon and wear whatever you like.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 17
11/29/06 at 2:20am
I found about the only thing that helps when I'm sick in winter is Ava Luxe's Kretek, (clove cigarette accord). Really peps me up.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 17
11/29/06 at 2:28am
Yes, nothing. Because I can't smell them but they are still "there" enough to make me sneeze. Hope you get well soon!
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 17
11/29/06 at 4:00am
i'm with myaccolades. i wear citrusy, clean smells

Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte, Guerlain Vetiver, Bvlgari PH Extreme, Versace Blue Jeans.

But I go extra easy on the trigger because I always have a heightened sensitivity to everything when I get sick, even if my sniffer is clogged and not working to full capacity.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 17
11/29/06 at 4:09am
I usually wear something spicy, sweet or milky; either something with a "burn" or something gentle, cuddly and comfy.

But if I can't smell at all, I wear nothing. Thank heavens that rarely happens!
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 17
11/29/06 at 4:37am
M7 (warm, spicy, medicinal), else Eau Sauvage or Bois de Portugal (both warm, citrusy, confident). I find that Blue Jeans also works (bright, pine-filled, upbeat).
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 17
11/29/06 at 4:52am
Thread Starter 
I can't imagine wearing Blue Jeans when sick! It's too sweet/cloying for me, even on a normal day. However, I've avoided this one like the plague for several years so I should go back and retest it.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 17
11/29/06 at 6:07am
For some reason, when I get the flu, I keep on sniffing Rive Gauche PH....
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 17
11/29/06 at 6:31am
I don't do it really, but having a flu might be a good reason to wear some nice crowd pleaser, you don't personally enjoy. If you happen to own one, that is. For once, one you wear fragrances for other people. You don't have to smell that crappy and generic fragrance and your friends doesn't have to stand one of those weird scents you usually wear.

My advice would be to avoid your favourites in general when sick, you might afterwards connect the fragrance to the memory of being sick, which might actually make you dislike it for the rest of your life. I don't think it's too risky when you just have a flu, high fever for example is another thing.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 17
11/29/06 at 6:52am
Sickness is time for cleansing. Strong herb tea. Sweating. Inhalation. A time to avoid irritants, including fragrances with all their synthetics and additives. If anything choose an adequate aromatherapeutic oil in organic quality. And listen to some Debussy or Satie or Howe Gelb (or whatever calms you) to find respite.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 17
11/29/06 at 7:19am
Fortunately, I only get a head cold every couple years (now watch me be ill all winter). Hadn't really thought about fragrances and being sick before but I might try this in the future:

Mentioned on the Now Smell This Blog today and new from Heeley:

Esprit du Tigre or Spirit of the Tiger is a fragrance "inspired by the traditional Chinese remedy known as Tiger Balm". Notes include camphor, mint, clove and cardamom."

Sounds interesting!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 17
11/29/06 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Odorifera

Fortunately, I only get a head cold every couple years (now watch me be ill all winter). Hadn't really thought about fragrances and being sick before but I might try this in the future:

Mentioned on the Now Smell This Blog today and new from Heeley:

Esprit du Tigre or Spirit of the Tiger is a fragrance "inspired by the traditional Chinese remedy known as Tiger Balm". Notes include camphor, mint, clove and cardamom."

Sounds interesting!

I come from Chinese background so I'm very familiar with Tiger Balm and in all my honesty, I cannot imagine wearing something that smells like that as a fragrance!!! I have an association between it and muscle cramps.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 17
11/29/06 at 12:58pm
I have never gotten the flu shot in the past eight years and I've been doing fine *knock on wood*.

I usually never wear any scents because when I'm sick, my nose is a non-stop mucus dripping machine. It appears that scents make it worse.

*blink*
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 17
11/29/06 at 8:04pm
Comme des Garcons edp.....the original, NOT the #2, which I think is vile.

Opium pour Homme edp


Kouros! Now that can unstop a clogged nose! Just breath deep!

....or inhale some Joop! Just be sure you have a chuck bucket near by.

I probably would'nt wear a scent if I could'nt smell it. I have not had the flu in ages. Seems like ever since I started working outside all year round, I never get sick. I did have a head cold for about a week last year.


S
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 17
11/29/06 at 10:42pm
4711. Its a cure-all
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 17
11/30/06 at 1:03am
I love wearing Yang. nearfantastica recommended it and I've been using it as my "I'm sick with the flu and I need a hug" daily.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: MFD Archive

Features on Basenotes

Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › MFD Archive › Flu season! What to wear when you're sick?