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Recs for my boyfriend

post #1 of 17
10/10/12 at 11:15pm
Thread Starter 
I've been here for awhile, but I decided to post this in Just Starting Out as I'm brand new to men's fragrances and have sniffed very very few of them.

I would like to sample a few fragrances for my boyfriend, who is not very into fragrances but will wear them as a gift. (Same with clothes for him.)

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START!

He is 29, attractive but does not really care about his appearance very much, and has no idea about fragrances.

Any ideas on what I could sample to get started? I like Terre d'Hermes and many other unisex scents by Hermes. Concentre D'Orange Verte is already taken by me, however. I prefer something clean and somewhat natural smelling, while not too cliche or overdone.

Any other suggestions? I'm lost!!!
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post #2 of 17
10/11/12 at 7:04am
Clean and natural smelling: you could explore some vetivers, like Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, or Sycomore.

Traditional citruses for men include Eau Sauvage, Goutal eau d'Hadrien, de Nicolai New York, though post restrictions they all suffer somewhat in longevity.

Then there are more classical masculine, but still relatively clean and fresh, like Caron pour un homme (lavender vanilla) or Troisieme Homme (citrus, barbershop musk).

cacio
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post #3 of 17
10/11/12 at 7:18am
I hate to be "that guy," but since you want something fresh and natural, I'll suggest Green Irish Tweed by Creed/Cool Water by Davidoff/Chez Bond by Bond no.9. They all smell relatively similar (though I hear the Bond is more soapy).

If you want to go a different route, you could check out Himalaya by Creed/PR's XS (they apparently smell similar, but I can only speak to Himalaya). To me it kind of smells like a grown up and more high quality version of some Axe body sprays (note that the Axe's are terrible by comparison).

I'd also agree with Grey Vetiver, which is a little on the expensive side since you can't really find splits. Though, I've never personally smelled it, the notes sound great and it is highly praised by people around here.
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post #4 of 17
10/11/12 at 7:23am
Prada Amber pour homme
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post #5 of 17
10/11/12 at 8:02am
Burberry London
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post #6 of 17
10/11/12 at 8:18am
Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel - smells "clean" and natural (oakmoss).
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post #7 of 17
10/11/12 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

Burberry London

How is BL clean and natural smelling? I own it and love it, but I definitely would not classify it as either of those things with all of the tobacco, port wine, and spices.
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post #8 of 17
10/11/12 at 8:59am
I own both Grey Flannel and Grey Vetiver and I can attest they smell wonderfully "clean", and they both have reasonable longevity (I'd say 8+ hours). What they don't really have, in my opinion, is a lot of projection. But then again, he's your boyfriend, not a stranger on a train, so I suppose you won't mind having to stay close...
As a gift, though, I'd go with Grey Vetiver, simply because GF is not expensive enough =)
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post #9 of 17
10/11/12 at 1:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OctaVariuM View Post

How is BL clean and natural smelling? I own it and love it, but I definitely would not classify it as either of those things with all of the tobacco, port wine, and spices.

I actually find it to have a "clean" vibe to it. If you smell it up close & personal right on your skin, it's more complex and spicier/boozier, but if you just take in it's scent from it's (albeit limited) projection, I definitely think it comes off as clean & classy. Much more so than many other cold-weather frags, actually.

I can't agree with the Caron Pour un Homme recommendation, however. Be sure to sample this one first. It was the furthest thing from either clean, or natural, on my skin.

I do agree with the GIT rec, though. Smells clean, natural & is a much more appealing scent for someone not into frags that something more complex and darker. Also the other recs for some of the vetivers are worth looking into as well.
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post #10 of 17
10/11/12 at 1:37pm
Cartier Declaration Cologne
Guerlain Homme L'Eau Boisee (especially if you like TdH)
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post #11 of 17
10/11/12 at 1:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks so much, guys! These are great suggestions.

I can't wait to try some of these.
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post #12 of 17
10/11/12 at 2:51pm
anything chanel is safe
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post #13 of 17
10/11/12 at 9:07pm
You can try YSL - L'Homme, Ed Hardy Love and Luck, Boss Bottled. There are tons, but those 3 seem to be universally liked, or at least safe.
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post #14 of 17
10/11/12 at 11:25pm
Perhaps Penhaligon's Sartorial... Maybe it would inspire him to wear more shirts with a collar too
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post #15 of 17
10/12/12 at 12:03am
Lolita Lempicka Leau Au Masculin
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post #16 of 17
10/12/12 at 12:26am
Mugler Cologne or Gendarme are great starter fragrances. It's hard to find someone who hates either and they aren't too assertive for someone who never wears fragrance.

I also second "Grey Flannel". That baby is a classic. You can usually find it at any Marshall's or Ross for $12 bucks, but it smells much more expensive. In fact, Grey Flannel is cheap enough that you can buy it as a "throw away" second gift, leaving you enough left over to get him something other than fragrance that you know he will use and like.

And that of course would make you the best girlfriend ever.
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post #17 of 17
10/12/12 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by papasmurf View Post

Perhaps Penhaligon's Sartorial... Maybe it would inspire him to wear more shirts with a collar too



Thanks again! You all have lots of good ideas, and I look forward to checking them out. I really appreciate all the replies. I know this was a tough question. You guys are the best!
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