So...here goes my very FIRST post on this site. Since early 2006, I've utilized basenotes as my primary "go-to" for info on any new fragrance I am either interested in or that I plan on adding to my arsenal. I became a member late 2007, and since then have been in and out of most all of the threads on this board, have read a great deal of the fragrance reviews top to bottom, and overall, feel that both my general knowledge and taste in fragrance have grown tremendously. I owe it almost solely to the reviewers on this site. Today, I decided to jump in the water with everyone else and post...maybe one day I'll have as many informative and thorough reviews as foetidus and the other greats.
So although it is indeed similar to many postings already listed, my dilemma is this: I'm in the same boat as many where I'm looking for MY perfect signature scent. And as many seem to ask this question while providing very vague descriptions of their preferences to the rest of the BNers, which in turn result in a huge variety of scent types and suggestions, my personal preference description won't be the most brief...
I'll be 24 next month. I'm a pretty outgoing individual and enjoy being around people. I'm a sucker for compliments, so I'll be honest: I base which of my scents are my "staples" on those that elicit the most favorable comments from those around me. But then, there are many that I personally appreciate, but others don't. Or I just don't receive any comments, so I don't know how they are perceived by others.
I don't like "smelling old-mannish" but I also don't like smelling like every Tom, Dick and Harry in my age group. I prefer scents that don't smell like "perfume" or that make people think "oh, he's wearing cologne." I like the ones that leave a slight aura around where I stand; that elicit the "oh, he smells so good" response over the "oh, he's wearing cologne" I mentioned.
I've accumulated over 120 scents since I first became interested in 05-06. Its become a very expensive addiction, but I'm always looking for "something better." And I already have scents for different occasions (daytime, night time, going out, oriental, fresh, etc.), but what I want is that ONE that people associate with me.
So again, in summary: I'm 24, so I'm young but I'm not in high school. No ADG or "Fierce" type of scents. I do NOT over spray. I generally cannot fathom spraying more than 2 sprays of anything, once on my neck and once on my chest. With heavier scents, once on my chest is usually enough. I'd much rather leave a subtle "waft" of fragrance with a person I'm sitting next to than overwhelm them. And although many times I like sweeter or heavier scents, the ones that seem to garner the MOST compliments from women I'm around SEEM to be the lighter ones.
Some lighter scents that I have that seem to deliver in the same respect are:
*Bvlgari Aqva
*Cartier Eau de Concentree
*212 (both the regular version and 212 H20)
*Bvlgari Pour Homme
*Ferragamo F Pour Homme
Heavier ones:
*L'Instant de Guerlain Pour Homme (EDT or EDP once on my chest)
*Burberry Touch
*Herrera Aqua
Those approaching "perfumey" (light or heavy) but I or others still seem to love:
*Creed MI
*Riverside Drive
*Allure Homme Sport
*Terre d'Hermes
*Creed Erolfa
*Burberry London Special Edition
*Creed Himalaya
*YSL L'Homme
"Clear" scents are cool. Not "watery scents" necessarily. With just an appropriate amount of sweetness and spice. Scents that are distinct, but not TOO complex. But still...not TOO safe. Airy. The general thought should be "that smells nice," and not "hmm....that smells odd/weird"....
Commercial or niche (although I can honestly say I haven't had the opportunity to explore many niche fragrances because I don't know where I can find/test them). I'd rather it not be something everyone owns so I can smell different, but I don't NEED to spend hundreds of dollars either. And I don't mind people "knowing about" the scent, just don't need it to be something USED by every man under 30. Something that exudes confidence, but doesn't seem like I'm trying too hard to impress. Something I could dress up or wear casually/semi-casually. I don't need to smell like a cactus. I don't need to smell like a cupcake. And I don't need to smell like a horse just because people on BN may glorify a 'dirtier' scent for smelling "different" and "stepping out of the box." It should either smell masculine (but not 1980's - early '90s hairy-chest masculine) or gender-neutral (just pleasant), but not feminine. It can have some punch, but no more than that of D&G Pour Homme sprayed once. An everyday-all year round scent if possible. Or one for spring/summer, and another for fall/winter if you must. I realize I'm asking for a lot. Oops.
I just want to "smell good." And I think I already do...but I would love to have that 'one.' The sillage of 212, the longevity (at least on my skin) of Allure Homme Sport or Riverside Drive, and a smell as beautiful and/or unique as MI or L'Instant (respectively), but perhaps not as sweet. No less simple than Bvlgari Homme or Aqva, but no more loud or ostentatious then let's say...L'Eau de Issey or Terre d'Hermes. Something in between and maybe a tad bit muted.
I tried being very specific, because I figured the more "in-depth" description would help you to narrow suggestions down to a good one or two choice ideas from you all.
Maybe finding the "perfect scent" IS an impossible feat...but I'll be searching until my last day if need be...
Thanks in advance for everyone's help!
So although it is indeed similar to many postings already listed, my dilemma is this: I'm in the same boat as many where I'm looking for MY perfect signature scent. And as many seem to ask this question while providing very vague descriptions of their preferences to the rest of the BNers, which in turn result in a huge variety of scent types and suggestions, my personal preference description won't be the most brief...
I'll be 24 next month. I'm a pretty outgoing individual and enjoy being around people. I'm a sucker for compliments, so I'll be honest: I base which of my scents are my "staples" on those that elicit the most favorable comments from those around me. But then, there are many that I personally appreciate, but others don't. Or I just don't receive any comments, so I don't know how they are perceived by others.
I don't like "smelling old-mannish" but I also don't like smelling like every Tom, Dick and Harry in my age group. I prefer scents that don't smell like "perfume" or that make people think "oh, he's wearing cologne." I like the ones that leave a slight aura around where I stand; that elicit the "oh, he smells so good" response over the "oh, he's wearing cologne" I mentioned.
I've accumulated over 120 scents since I first became interested in 05-06. Its become a very expensive addiction, but I'm always looking for "something better." And I already have scents for different occasions (daytime, night time, going out, oriental, fresh, etc.), but what I want is that ONE that people associate with me.
So again, in summary: I'm 24, so I'm young but I'm not in high school. No ADG or "Fierce" type of scents. I do NOT over spray. I generally cannot fathom spraying more than 2 sprays of anything, once on my neck and once on my chest. With heavier scents, once on my chest is usually enough. I'd much rather leave a subtle "waft" of fragrance with a person I'm sitting next to than overwhelm them. And although many times I like sweeter or heavier scents, the ones that seem to garner the MOST compliments from women I'm around SEEM to be the lighter ones.
Some lighter scents that I have that seem to deliver in the same respect are:
*Bvlgari Aqva
*Cartier Eau de Concentree
*212 (both the regular version and 212 H20)
*Bvlgari Pour Homme
*Ferragamo F Pour Homme
Heavier ones:
*L'Instant de Guerlain Pour Homme (EDT or EDP once on my chest)
*Burberry Touch
*Herrera Aqua
Those approaching "perfumey" (light or heavy) but I or others still seem to love:
*Creed MI
*Riverside Drive
*Allure Homme Sport
*Terre d'Hermes
*Creed Erolfa
*Burberry London Special Edition
*Creed Himalaya
*YSL L'Homme
"Clear" scents are cool. Not "watery scents" necessarily. With just an appropriate amount of sweetness and spice. Scents that are distinct, but not TOO complex. But still...not TOO safe. Airy. The general thought should be "that smells nice," and not "hmm....that smells odd/weird"....
Commercial or niche (although I can honestly say I haven't had the opportunity to explore many niche fragrances because I don't know where I can find/test them). I'd rather it not be something everyone owns so I can smell different, but I don't NEED to spend hundreds of dollars either. And I don't mind people "knowing about" the scent, just don't need it to be something USED by every man under 30. Something that exudes confidence, but doesn't seem like I'm trying too hard to impress. Something I could dress up or wear casually/semi-casually. I don't need to smell like a cactus. I don't need to smell like a cupcake. And I don't need to smell like a horse just because people on BN may glorify a 'dirtier' scent for smelling "different" and "stepping out of the box." It should either smell masculine (but not 1980's - early '90s hairy-chest masculine) or gender-neutral (just pleasant), but not feminine. It can have some punch, but no more than that of D&G Pour Homme sprayed once. An everyday-all year round scent if possible. Or one for spring/summer, and another for fall/winter if you must. I realize I'm asking for a lot. Oops.
I just want to "smell good." And I think I already do...but I would love to have that 'one.' The sillage of 212, the longevity (at least on my skin) of Allure Homme Sport or Riverside Drive, and a smell as beautiful and/or unique as MI or L'Instant (respectively), but perhaps not as sweet. No less simple than Bvlgari Homme or Aqva, but no more loud or ostentatious then let's say...L'Eau de Issey or Terre d'Hermes. Something in between and maybe a tad bit muted.
I tried being very specific, because I figured the more "in-depth" description would help you to narrow suggestions down to a good one or two choice ideas from you all.
Maybe finding the "perfect scent" IS an impossible feat...but I'll be searching until my last day if need be...
Thanks in advance for everyone's help!
You have excellent tastes, my friend. But I seem to get this 'aura' thing a lot with this house... 1969, 1725, 1876, Ambre 114, Tubereuse Trilogy, just to name a few. Could be something of a house style. 
