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Advice on what to add to beginners collection.....

post #1 of 10
3/9/10 at 2:50pm
Thread Starter 
Evening folks,

I have been lurking on here for a while, following hints and tips to find interesting scents for me and my girlfriend. I am now looking for advice on what to add to my modest collection. My collection currently consists of:

\t Creed Bois de Portugal
\t Polo Black
\t Guerlain Vetiver
\t Rive Gauche
\t Grey Flannel

I really like the style of the Rive gauche, but want to try a range of different scents – i.e not just woody/macho ones. Perhaps this is the reason that vetiver is growing on me. I have identified the following possibilities, but wonder what folks think would be the best choice, either because it would be the most different, or the most important “must have”.

Kouros Body Cologne
M7 Cologne
Opium Cologne

Guerlain
Habit Rouge Cologne
L'instant Cologne

Yatagan
Acqua di Parma Colonia
Terre Hermes

Any advice welcome and appreciated!!!
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post #2 of 10
3/9/10 at 3:45pm
TPC has some fantastic men's sampler sets, if you can afford them.
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post #3 of 10
3/9/10 at 3:56pm
you sound like a "classy" guy and many of your current ones (BdP, Vetiver, Flannel) are rather green or aromatic.
I think you have a good list there that seem suitable for your style. I'm not sure if you want rec's that are similar, or quite different.

Personally I LOVE YSL opium and find it quite rich and spicy. Along those lines i'd suggest exploring something more like a vanilla or amber type frag, though maybe reserved more for winter. Burberry London's quite popular and I would compare it with Opium PH along with Yatagan etc. Basically a spicy woody type thing. Or try a warm gourmand. So something like L'Artisan Tea for Two, a smokey warm rich tea, or Bond #9, syrupy coffee, etc.

I think you can't go wrong with TdH and would recommend it over/instead of Aqua di Parma. Other groups I'd suggest is something for spring or summer, so either a citrus, aquatic, or lighter floral. anything from Bvlgari Blue to L'eau D'Issey to some of the traditional wetshaving frags (have you been to Badger and Blade? Just a hunch...)
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post #4 of 10
3/9/10 at 8:48pm
This "hobby" is really like being in an "alternative universe." It's the real "Wonderland." One day I like something, the next day I don't. There do seem to be some "constants," such as my dislike of strong lavender, but at this point, with perhaps 100 bottles and more samples than that, I feel like a rudderless ship in a storm sometimes, but not necessarily in a "bad way." So, my advice is not to "force things," and buying a bunch of samples is a good way to go at this point. You can also buy a bunch of different "cheapos" with good reviews, which is what I did at first.
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post #5 of 10
3/10/10 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice - was a relief to find it, as i was getting excited to find suggestions, but worried there wouldn't be any replies!

@Warlands - Thanks for the tip. I've had a look through the website, and its a great place for ideas. Not sure what their deal is on UK delivery.

@Master - Aspire to be "classy", but don't want to seem naff either. Guess i just feel that is something has been around long enough to become classic there must be something to it. Doesn't mean new stuff won't be good, but i'd like to know what to compare it to!

@Bigsly - I've been trying to follow the cheap-first philosphy. I'll happily pay more once i know i'll appreciate the difference!

I reckon i've narrowed my choices down to:

Opium
Body Kouros
Yatagan
Habit Rouge

They're priced in that order*, and the idea is to get something maximally different to anything else i have. On which basis is, your winner is........!

* Economy first always preferred!
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post #6 of 10
3/10/10 at 9:14am
From your list of finalists I would choose Yatagan (most different) and Habit Rouge (must have).
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post #7 of 10
3/10/10 at 9:16am
Yatagan isn't a blind buy so make sure you sample that one first.
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post #8 of 10
3/10/10 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crawf View Post

@Warlands - Thanks for the tip. I've had a look through the website, and its a great place for ideas. Not sure what their deal is on UK delivery.

Blind buying is ok for the "cheaper" frags (although I've ended up selling all my blind buys as I didn't like them), but TPC (or any other sample place) is essential if you're thinking about buying more expensive ones. I'm from the UK and they have delivered to me just fine, and relatively cheaply ($7.95). Good luck!
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post #9 of 10
3/10/10 at 10:35am
  • MFJ
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Hi!

Looking at what you already own, I do reckon that you may enjoy Habit Rouge, L'Instant, Colonia and TDH. Though out of your shortlist, M7 and Yatagan are probably a little less safe, but are wonderful scents. I would recommend sampling M7. It is something that seems to be good for evening use and colder weather and is something very unique to what you already own.
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post #10 of 10
3/11/10 at 12:56pm
Body Kouros, a sweet/gourmand type fragrane...I usually find them too sweet (Rochas) but here the sweetness is very well balanced.
And while you're at it...do yourself a favor and sample the orginal Kouros. It took me a while to get used to but it really is an outstanding fragrance.

As for the Yatagan...i love it for it's sheer weirdness but i don't wear it all that often. Le troisieme homme (or the third man) by that same house is much more wearable and a real nice addition to your (classic) collection.
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Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Just Starting Out › Advice on what to add to beginners collection.....