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Trying to Figure out What I like

post #1 of 10
12/26/09 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I really know nothing about fragrances, except that I really like some, and really dislike others--nothing novel, of course. I apologize in advance if this makes no sense, but I'm trying to figure out what unites the scents I like, if anything, in order to learn.

I'm twenty-one now, and so I've decided to, for the most part, abandon A&F Fierce, as it's the fragrance of--well--younger times. In searching for fragrances I really (really*) like, I've found a few:

*Marc Jacobs for Men
*Prada Infusion D'Homme
*YSL La Nuit De L'Homme
Dior Dior Homme
DSquared He Wood
Cartier Roadster
Calvin Klein Intense Euphoria
L'eauParKenzo Eau Indigo Pour Homme
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver (though only when I wore it on the skin)

One's I've not particularly liked at all included:

Terre D'Hermes
Versace Pour Homme
Burberry The Beat
Thierry Mugler Angel Man
Tom Ford for Men

Now, in both categories, I probably have smelled far too many scents at once when I've been to the store to try them. And so if I tried some again, I might have more variation instead of just the binary of like or don't like, but those are what I remember (and I hope accurately).

Again, it could be that these scents are random and have no unifying qualities. But, perhaps there might be something which one of your more sophisticated noses can identify.

In any case, thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 10
12/26/09 at 8:16pm
Reading the first part I'd assume you like woods/woody/oriental types, but the fact that you disliked A*Men sort of crushes that idea. Then again, A*Men is rather polarizing, so I'd still go with my initial recommendation of woodier and more oriental type scents, although you might want to try A*Men again too because my initial reaction was disgust as well, but it grew on me. I encourage you to try Dior Homme again on your skin and try it a few times-- I think its really great.
Some more recommendations:
Bvlgari Black (unlike anything else)
Aramis by Aramis (to see if you like leathers)
Vetiver by Guerlain
Timbuktu by L'Artisan Parfumeur
Habit Rouge by Guerlain
and if you're feeling adventurous enough to go to the women's side:
Shalimar by Guerlain
Opium by YSL
Azzure by Estee Lauder (A tamer version of Aramis)
Cinnabar by Estee Lauder
Youth Dew by Estee Lauder
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post #3 of 10
12/26/09 at 8:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by justaguy View Post

Opium by YSL

You're not suggesting this is wearable by a guy, are you? :O
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post #4 of 10
12/26/09 at 9:22pm
Cinnabar doesn't strike me as terribly feminine. It's a fairly sedate and impeccably balanced oriental. A lot of the older Estee Lauder frags work well as masculines, imo.
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post #5 of 10
12/27/09 at 1:44am
Based on what you like, you might also want to try:

Cartier Declaration
CK Obsession Night
Azzaro Visit
Burberry London
Lacoste Essential
Jil Sander Man
Mugler Cologne
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post #6 of 10
12/27/09 at 9:04am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladdypwnz View Post

You're not suggesting this is wearable by a guy, are you? :O

Not to answer for justaguy, but why not?? You definitely do not need a dress to make it work.
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post #7 of 10
12/27/09 at 9:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by matthewfoo View Post

Not to answer for justaguy, but why not?? You definitely do not need a dress to make it work.

Oh man I sure hope we're not talking about the same scent, I just went and smelled it again just to make sure. If I ever smelled a guy wearing that I would laugh uncontrollably. No offense to anyone who enjoys wearing it. The smell reminds me very strongly of my grandmother, first of all. Second of all it's not that great of a scent in my very humble opinion. If a guy wore it I would have an anxiety attack on the spot - can not compute O.o
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post #8 of 10
12/27/09 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladdypwnz View Post

Oh man I sure hope we're not talking about the same scent, I just went and smelled it again just to make sure. If I ever smelled a guy wearing that I would laugh uncontrollably. No offense to anyone who enjoys wearing it. The smell reminds me very strongly of my grandmother, first of all. Second of all it's not that great of a scent in my very humble opinion. If a guy wore it I would have an anxiety attack on the spot - can not compute O.o

I think you have just opened up a very big can of these...
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post #9 of 10
12/31/09 at 11:46am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for all the suggestions. I appreciate it.

Ken_russell,

I checked out Burberry London, and it's nice at first, but it wasn't especially complex, and the scent faded quickly. That was on paper, though, so maybe I should give it another shot. I really Lacoste Essential, as well as Style in Play.

Quote:
Originally Posted by justaguy View Post

Reading the first part I'd assume you like woods/woody/oriental types, but the fact that you disliked A*Men sort of crushes that idea. Then again, A*Men is rather polarizing, so I'd still go with my initial recommendation of woodier and more oriental type scents, although you might want to try A*Men again too because my initial reaction was disgust as well, but it grew on me. I encourage you to try Dior Homme again on your skin and try it a few times-- I think its really great.
Some more recommendations:
Bvlgari Black (unlike anything else)
Aramis by Aramis (to see if you like leathers)
Vetiver by Guerlain
Timbuktu by L'Artisan Parfumeur
Habit Rouge by Guerlain
and if you're feeling adventurous enough to go to the women's side:
Shalimar by Guerlain
Opium by YSL
Azzure by Estee Lauder (A tamer version of Aramis)
Cinnabar by Estee Lauder
Youth Dew by Estee Lauder

I'll check out those when I see them. Even the "women's" scents.

I tried A*Men again. It's a perfectly "pleasant" scent, inasmuch as it smells like cotton candy and chocolate and just sugar. The thing is, I have no interest in smelling like a carnival candy-stand. It lacks subtlety, and, to me, it seems repulsive/garish as something to cover your body in.


Also, one last note. Based on what I know I already like, is this a good combination for seasons? (I know that changing by seasons is not necessary, and largely a marketing thing, but I definitely have strong associations with different times, and I'm all into sensory conditioning...)

Summer: Marc by Marc Jacobs / Lacoste Essential
Fall: DSquared He Wood / Cartier Roadster
Winter: YSL La Nuit de LHomme
Spring: Prada Infusion de LHomme*

Any suggestions for substitutions/re-arrangements would be appreciated. Spring is the one I'm least "certain" about. Infusion de L'Homme is really clean and fresh, like spring, but it's not "earthy" at all.
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post #10 of 10
1/2/10 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nd.scent View Post

I'll check out those when I see them. Even the "women's" scents.

I tried A*Men again. It's a perfectly "pleasant" scent, inasmuch as it smells like cotton candy and chocolate and just sugar. The thing is, I have no interest in smelling like a carnival candy-stand. It lacks subtlety, and, to me, it seems repulsive/garish as something to cover your body in.

I definitely understand your assessment of A*Men, and I hope that the "women's" scents surprise you. And I don't think many of my suggestions were good summer suggestions, but I don't really like that sort of thing anyways, considering I've been known to wear orientals year round(less sprays in the summer of course). The earlier suggestion of Mugler Cologne is a good one, along with Grey Flannel IMO. I'm also obsessed with getting a 400mL of Chanel's EDC so try that if you can too. Good luck
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