just took a coffee break to the mall

...next to my office building, and before heading to starbucks i took a stroll through Sephora and decided to try 4 fragrances (front and back of each hand)

here's how they fared:

first (back of left hand): Rochas Man
Nice, a bit too sweet for me, had previously been a strong contender for a next purchase, but unless it dries down considerably over the next couple of hours, i probably won't. I bought Pi on the "i love the sweet smell" type reaction, and hardly ever decide to wear it now.

next (back of right hand): YSL Kouros
OK I've heard and read all the love it or hate it stuff on this one. Decided to give it a try. Immediately upon spraying the blast really killed me, just one good squirt, but squarely on the back of my hand in one spot. YIKES! people actually walked away from the men fragrance rack a couple of moments later. wow. at this point it's actually starting to make me feel a little queasy (30-45 minutes later), and i'm considering going to wash it off, but want to give it a chance to dry down some. as much as it's starting to nauseate me a bit, i can actually see this wearing well UNDER a couple of layers of clothing and emanating out gently, rather than one concentrated blast on the back of a hand

then (palm of left hand): Cartier Declaration Essence
Wow, immediately loved this one from first spreay. A bit "dirty" smelling, in a way I wasn't expecting, but really classy. I think Cartier may be turning into my favorite house. This one just keeps getting better and better over the 30 minutes. Just pushed its way up on my list of "next to buy"

lastly (palm of right hand): Givenchy Very Irresistble
A bit greener than I was expecting having read all the "gourmand, chocolate, coffee" type remarks about it. Not a bad smell, but just not very distinct after comparing the other three fragrances I've just encountered. Also, there's a distinct leeching of the Kouros from the top of my hand that is leeching in every time I smell, which is mingling in a really horrid way. I think it's adding to my nauseous feeling a bit.

So out of the 4, I'm kinda thinking two have definitely been voted off the island (VI and Rochas) and only one remains (Cartier), but verdict is still strangely out on Kouros. It's reminding me of something as well that I can't quite put my finger on. But I'm also getting public toilet where people have repeatedly missed the john and there's a crusty puddle o' dried pee on the floor next to the loo.

Yep, I agree. I guess I should actually say I sprayed the inside of my wrist, not my palm. But that's only out of experience from having found the same as you.

Thanks!

Addendum: I've now washed my hands twice pretty thoroughly, and the Kouros isn't giving an inch LOL

my coworker who sits next to me, the one who often comments when i "smell good" told me that i smell "like cat pee"