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Scents for a possible library job?

post #1 of 40
5/24/07 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I might apply for a job at the public library soon, reshelving books.

However, a library is a very quiet place, which is not a place for screaming loud heavy orientals (the kind of scents I am accustomed to). Of course, I could wear Mugler Cologne all the time, but variety is the spice of life.

So, I could use some suggestions for some good, soft library scents. They can be designer or niche, but they must have decent staying power. Also, I will be in Chicago for the Basenotes get-together, so I'd like an answer by Friday afternoon (which is when I leave) so I can sniff on Saturday morning.
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post #2 of 40
5/24/07 at 4:47pm
I honestly think that Mugler Cologne will work just fine. It is a very neutral scent and I can't see anyone being offended by such a smell. Just spray a little more moderately because you don't exactly need everyone to smell you.
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post #3 of 40
5/24/07 at 4:54pm
I vote for Heeley's FINE LEATHER. Here's what LuckyScent says about it: That rarest of breeds a floral scent with a masculine edge, done with the distinctive blend of clean contemporary style and classic elegance that we have come to expect from James Heeley. A luxurious impression of supple, rich leather is heightened with soft floral grace notes and the brisk scent of birch. There is a fresh, wild feeling of an unspoiled woodland meadow, which melds perfectly with the subtle leather to create a fragrance that is disarmingly appealing and quietly seductive. We picture this on the soft-spoken young schoolmaster who seems bashful at first, then goes on to steal the hearts of all the village lasses with his fiercely romantic poetry. 99% gentleman, with just a wee dash of rogue.

Fine Leather notes
violet, mimosa, birch, soft leather notes and vetiver
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post #4 of 40
5/24/07 at 5:01pm
wear something you'd feel comfortable with in a migraine clinic.
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post #5 of 40
5/24/07 at 5:06pm
C&S #88 always makes me feel like I should be in a library, even if I'm not. So it gets my vote. For some odd reason, Hermes Equipage also comes to mind.
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post #6 of 40
5/24/07 at 6:17pm
This looks like a job for Paul Smith Story
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post #7 of 40
5/24/07 at 6:26pm
I think that Paul Smith Story and Heeley Fine Leather are two excellent choices. Let me add L'homme Sage by Divine.
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post #8 of 40
5/24/07 at 6:30pm
Tea For Two? CdG Zen? Aqua di Parma?
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post #9 of 40
5/24/07 at 6:30pm
How about this: http://cbihateperfume.com/CBinthelibrary.html
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post #10 of 40
5/24/07 at 7:15pm
Wear the wildest stuff you can imagine. Libraries are boring. Wear something to make things interesting, not to conform to snoozeville. Wear those heavy orientals you like. You don't want to smell like a library.
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post #11 of 40
5/24/07 at 7:25pm
Etro Messe de Minuit sounds strangely appropriate ..
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post #12 of 40
5/24/07 at 7:26pm
Platinum Egoiste, manages to be clean smelling and warm at the same time.
Bois du Portugal, complex and sophisticated, but not heavy
Silver Mountain Water, to bring sunlight and an outdoor feeling indoors. Good sillage and longevity.
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post #13 of 40
5/24/07 at 9:22pm
Maybe something meditative with incense, like L'Artisan's Dzongkha. That, or a nice woody scent like Santal Noble or Tam Dao. I could also see a drier rose: something like L'Ombre dans l'Eau. It's controversial, but the new Malle French Lover strikes me as library-worthy, too.
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post #14 of 40
5/24/07 at 9:40pm
Tsar or Bulgari PH Extreme would be great choices.
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post #15 of 40
5/24/07 at 10:00pm
Aigner Black, it smells sophisticated.
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post #16 of 40
5/24/07 at 10:20pm
Hehehe, when I saw that it was YOU that had posted this, before I clicked on the thread I was like "Why doesn't he wear Mugler Cologne??" I was relieved when you had mentioned it in your post, though. Seriously, I think this beloved one would be just fine! It's nice & quiet, but still has enough character to be appreciated by staff & patrons. It's my #1 work scent. I know that you're looking for something different, but I hope that you get the job, & that this one will definitely be in your work rotation. Good luck!
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post #17 of 40
5/24/07 at 10:55pm
I agree with the Dzongkha! Mugler Cologne is good anytime, what a great frag.
Tam Dao, like Scentsibility said in another post, is a very calm, zen-like frag that would do well in a studious environment like a library.
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post #18 of 40
5/24/07 at 11:24pm
* 'M; Man' by Masaki Matsushima gets my vote. Its understated and ghost-like, however lasts well on the skin and is non-offensive.
* Paul Smith Extreme for Men also: fresh herbaceous accords and dry olivewood drydown.
* Mugler Cologne is also another good suggestion.
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post #19 of 40
5/25/07 at 1:08am
Burberry Brit for Man or London.
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post #20 of 40
5/25/07 at 1:18am
Mugler Cologne
Gendarme
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post #21 of 40
5/26/07 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DustB View Post

Wear the wildest stuff you can imagine. Libraries are boring. Wear something to make things interesting, not to conform to snoozeville. Wear those heavy orientals you like. You don't want to smell like a library.

Good advice. But if you do want to smell like a library, Rive Gauce PH was apparently formulated to smell of a "70s Parisian boho bookshop." The dry-down does, in my opinion, reflect this intent.
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post #22 of 40
5/26/07 at 10:09pm
terre d'hermes
rive gauche
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post #23 of 40
5/26/07 at 10:59pm
Polo Green always reminds me of a library.
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post #24 of 40
5/26/07 at 11:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vibert View Post

Maybe something meditative with incense, like L'Artisan's Dzongkha. ... It's controversial, but the new Malle French Lover strikes me as library-worthy, too.

Oh yes, the perfect 'at work' scent. Other's won't complain, and the delicacy and finesse is all to yourself and the books in your hand. They say all kinds of things about Dzing, 'smells like old books' is one. Maybe you should give it a try? Cheaper: Terre, Hypnose, Miracle, M7.

I also thought that libraries are particularly boring places, and the low voice communication (forget about real conversation) came over as too religiously humble. But then I endeavored the books, dedicated librarians, and some charming students! There is a special challenge to be inventive communicating at such a place using eyes and cologne!
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post #25 of 40
5/27/07 at 12:55am
Montale's Black Aoud, especially if you are in the history section. (I don't know why! Just seems apropo. Maybe I just like to smell Black Aoud on guys and so I suggest it every chance I get!)
Second or third or whatever, the Tam Dao suggestion.
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post #26 of 40
5/27/07 at 8:22am
Tabac Blond smells like a monastery's library to me, so that's the first one that springs to mind... It smells of old leather-bound books. The parfum has an incredible staying power, yet it is not a loud scent. I think you will be able to pull it off very well in that environment while enjoying its never boring complexity.

My other suggestion would be to use your favourites, but in moderate amounts. If orientals are your favourites, try to use only 1-2 sprays instead of 4-6 Spray it on one wrist, than dab it with that wrist on the other one and on your neck and chest or anywhere else you like. When you spray you have very little control of where the scents lands, including clothing and hair, which often hold the scent for much longer than the warm body and skin - leading often to a very loud sillage (which is not what you want in this case). If the scent is very light, you can use more spritzes of course, but try to apply them to wrists only and than apply to the other parts of your body that you want to scent.

You can also switch to dabbing, which is even better. You can keep your job (and your reputation as a quiet and diligent librarian LOL) while enjoying your favourite scents. The two don't need to eliminate each other!
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post #27 of 40
9/26/11 at 10:34pm
Creed MI
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post #28 of 40
9/26/11 at 10:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jermel View Post

Creed MI

Four years after the OP started the thread, I hope he's chosen his frags by now.
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post #29 of 40
9/26/11 at 10:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by adonis View Post

Four years after the OP started the thread, I hope he's chosen his frags by now.

Good one!
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post #30 of 40
9/26/11 at 10:52pm
Nevertheless, I would recommend to a would-be librarian to wear:

Ex Libris by Tokyo Milk: Fig Leaf, Magnolia, Bronzed Musk & Cardamom

Bibliotheque by Byredo (only in a candle):
Top: Peach, plum
Heart: Violet, peony
Base: Patchouli, leather, vanilla
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post #31 of 40
9/26/11 at 11:11pm
Amouage Opus III reminds me of a library. Bonus: it's a warm/powdery oriental. Longevity is stellar while sillage is moderate, and I think if you limited yourself to one spray you'd be able to enjoy it all day without offending others. Instead of buying a bottle you could buy a few official samples from somewhere like Parfums Raffy. Another bonus - the cost per mL is actually LESS w/ the spray samples than it is for a full bottle of the Opus Series.
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post #32 of 40
9/27/11 at 6:06am
someone would resurrect a four year old thread to recommend one of the most popular, common creed fragrances, wouldnt they?
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post #33 of 40
9/27/11 at 6:42am
Bvlgari pour homme
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post #34 of 40
9/27/11 at 7:06am
Spanish Leather by Geo F. Trumper smells, in my opinion, like rare old books bound in luxurious leather
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post #35 of 40
9/27/11 at 7:11am
go for DZING!

Turin said about it: Which is how divine providence has arranged for secondhand bookstores to smell like good-quality vanilla absolute, subliminally stoking a hunger for knowledge in all of us

...... so true!
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post #36 of 40
9/27/11 at 8:19am
How did the Thread Necromancer even find this thread?
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post #37 of 40
9/27/11 at 8:32am
I think Chanel Anteus and Egoiste would be good here
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post #38 of 40
9/27/11 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Partario View Post

How did the Thread Necromancer even find this thread?

Yeah, I'm always curious how certain threads get revived (or even found).

On a different note, what scent actually smells like old books? I love that smell, and I wouldn't mind smelling like them. Maybe I should just start a new thread.
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post #39 of 40
9/27/11 at 5:03pm
I think Bvlgari Man would be a perfect choice. Also a good leather- what about Cuir d'Oranger by Miller Harris.
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post #40 of 40
9/27/11 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hobbes22 View Post

On a different note, what scent actually smells like old books? I love that smell, and I wouldn't mind smelling like them. Maybe I should just start a new thread.

Creed's Love in Black kind of smells like someone spilled vodka on a 200 year old book. IMO it's one of the few one's I've smelled from this house that didn't seem like it was trying to be a generic crowd pleaser.
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