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My head is spinning.....

post #1 of 13
7/12/09 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
From looking at all of the fragrances available! So far I have compiled a list from reccpmendations to look at, but I'm afraid everything I'm looking at is very "mainstream" (everyone has it)? I don't really know what I prefer yet (all I own is unforgiveable), and I don't really know how to figure out tones. How long did it take most of you to figure out what tones you liked? Frankly, I am extremely overwhelmed looking at the local fragrance stores and trying to smell EVERYTHING. I really just need some advice. I want to do this right. I'm at a bit of a speed bump

Chris

If anyone wants to see, here's the list I compiled...

Chanel Antaeus
Chanel Egoiste
Escada Magnetism-
Creed Milisime Imperial
Polo Double Black
YSL M7
Narciso Rodriguez
Bvlgari Black
Bvlgari Aqua
Any Burberry
Leau Por Kenzo
212*
Body Kouros
Dreamer
Paco Rabanne XS
A*Men
Azarro Chrome
Green Irish Tweed
Milisime Imperial
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post #2 of 13
7/12/09 at 8:17pm
Chanel Antaeus
Chanel Egoiste
Escada Magnetism-
Creed Milisime Imperial
Polo Double Black // A bit mainstream
YSL M7
Narciso Rodriguez // A bit
Bvlgari Black // A bit
Bvlgari Aqua // Abit
Any Burberry // Mainstream
Leau Por Kenzo // Very Mainstream
212*
Body Kouros
Dreamer
Paco Rabanne XS
A*Men
Azarro Chrome // A bit mainstream
Green Irish Tweed
Milisime Imperial

The rest are very distinctive. (And awesome )
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post #3 of 13
7/12/09 at 8:31pm
I understand really well how u feel Chris. I was the same way when i started. I have tried and own most of the frags on your list. Some of them i like some i don't. Its a very subjective thing what scents each person likes. I made the mistake of buying a lot the ones that were labeled classics and modern classics...in the end i realised fragrance is subjective. I realised i love fresh/aquatic scents. Although i also like orientals and leathers. So don't develop a mindset like "niche always better than designer" or "all aquatics smell the same", just try and sample everything and decide for yourself what u like.

Don't blind buy too much because this hobby can place a high strain on your finances. anyway your list looks good. Its a good list to start with. My favourites fr the list are Paco Xs, Egoiste, Bulgari Aqua and M7. Good luck to u Chris !
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post #4 of 13
7/12/09 at 8:59pm
I think you mean notes (or "accords") rather than tones. I bought a bunch of real "cheapos" that got good BN reviews but that were different and it took me a few months to get the major "masculine" notes established in my "mind's nose." Rather than worry about notes (because it's impossible to know what you are going to like now, or even a couple of months from now), I suggest you figure out how "rough" you want your frags to be. For example, I like strong and rich frags with "soft" edges, whereas it is clearly the case that many BNers like frags with "hard edges." It really doesn't matter whether they are "niche" or not, though niche frags are generally rougher, whereas designer tends to have more of a soft-focus, blended quality. From all I've read over the last couple of years, this distinction is the one I think is most important. Even though some notes I really dislike, it's only a problem when that note is too strong (lavender, anise, geranium, in my case), and it's sometimes very hard to tell if that is the case from a review. The other issue is whether you like a rich/deep frag, or whether you like "thinner" ones, such as most aquatics (Horizon is an exception, for example).
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post #5 of 13
7/12/09 at 9:05pm
Take your time, this is not a race.



Test all of the fragrances on your list, before buying them. You've listed some great scents that have a lot of potential for becoming great additions to your fragrance wardrobe. But what really counts is how you like them. Good luck.
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post #6 of 13
7/12/09 at 9:19pm
Thread Starter 
I figured I would buy testers of all of the tones (and pick up what I can for free). Is that the best idea? I figure spending $3-$4.00 on a tester is a heck of a lot better than spending $40+ on full bottles. Its just very tough, because once you read about all of the popular ones, there are a bunch of foreign/international ones that may be great, but arent popular... Ugh.

Also, do I have a lot of different notes in my list?
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post #7 of 13
7/12/09 at 11:08pm
Thread Starter 
Ohhmygod, I am looking forward to the samples. I appreciate everyones advice!

Also, just tried Michael Kors and WOW. Im in love
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post #8 of 13
7/13/09 at 1:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Take your time, this is not a race.



Test all of the fragrances on your list, before buying them. You've listed some great scents that have a lot of potential for becoming great additions to your fragrance wardrobe. But what really counts is how you like them. Good luck.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ kovalchuk71 listen to Mike ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^
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post #9 of 13
7/13/09 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kovalchuk71 View Post

Ohhmygod, I am looking forward to the samples. I appreciate everyones advice!

Also, just tried Michael Kors and WOW. Im in love

I agree with Andy: Mike sure is stating the best path.

But Michael Kors is a great one for sure. Nothing wrong with that--it's dense and complex. Really spins a whole world, and a different one from other scents. It's killer when you come across one that gives you that kind of thrill.
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post #10 of 13
7/13/09 at 2:02am
Oh, and I meant to say Bigsly is talking straight up good logic too. He's exactly right that scent hunting isn't so much about figuring out notes, tones, combinations, or ways to talk about scents--that all comes before you know it once you've done some experimenting. The first and only real test is using the nose. Don't worry about words to describe scents, you'll be doing that before you know it. The real thing is messing around with the nostrils.
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post #11 of 13
7/13/09 at 2:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DustB View Post

But Michael Kors is a great one for sure. Nothing wrong with that--it's dense and complex. Really spins a whole world, and a different one from other scents. It's killer when you come across one that gives you that kind of thrill.

I'd agree with that, Michael is a strange fragrance. To me it's underpriced and it doesn't smell like a "designer" fragrance.

In fact I still can't work out why I haven't bought a FB of this yet.
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post #12 of 13
7/14/09 at 12:44am
Along the lines of this list, if I ever had to trim down my perfume choices, I'd go for (but it's strictly my personal taste and thus not even a suggestion or recommendation):

Chanel Antaeus
Chanel Egoiste
YSL M7
Paco Rabanne XS
Azzaro Chrome
Green Irish Tweed
Milisime Imperial
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post #13 of 13
7/14/09 at 12:54am
Ken_Russell's shortened version of your list is, to me, a trimmed down, less overwhelming version of your original.

Even in a city like Glasgow here I could easily try them all in a day at stores, with the exception of Egoiste.
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