Which scents chicks dig/females love/blah blah blah

[James Esq]

Who said I was looking for a 'passport'? Only YOU did funnily enough!

I was just wandering what fragrances women, as individuals, find a turn on. Obviously a fragrance alone could never achieve this, but in the moment, the smell of someone is pretty damn important! Why you all seem (bar some) to get all uppity about such a question is beyond me...relax ffs.

[tdem1961]

The fragrance is beside the point. The man is the turnon, not the fragrance.

[rtamara41]

I do enjoy some men's fragrances when they have a lot of sillage, but they don't really "turn me on" - it's only the ones that are so faint that you are drawn in closer to smell them that I find a turn on.

I agree with this sentiment. A male friend of mine at work was wearing something that I think was called Giacomo de Giacomo? Is there such a scent? It was light, clean, sort of evergreenish...I am very unfamiliar with men's fragrances, but that was nice. Overbearing scents are actually a turn off to me, whether it be on men OR women.

[pellen]

Wow! I'm not offended and I don't think it's crude. We have a women's discussion of what scent makes us feel sexiest... It's all just fragrance talk, no?
My BF really doesn't care about fragrance (though he loves scented candles). I use him as another body to test scents on. He is very compliant, but only in the evening in case I really stink him up. Currently I'm absolutely loving him in SL's Gris Clair and Armani Prive Bois d'Encens.
The strongest reaction I've ever had to a man's perfume was Gucci Rush. I was at work and my manager, who was about 10 years my junior, walked past. My head spun around like that kid in the exorcist (minus the pea soup). "What are you wearing?" I drooled. He was always a little afraid of me after that, I think.

[tigrushka]

Here we go again.

For the nth time:
It's the man that counts, not the fragrance he's wearing.
If the man an sich is unappetizing, no fragrance can make him tasty.

[Riannon]

I shall be brief also: (not the answer you expect though): the men's fragrance that turns me on the most is Amouage's Dia for men.....ON ME!! (is language not just wonderful?)

[Elf]

This may sound like tough love but there really isn't one. It's the scent that suits that particular man that works. The one that amplifies the best parts of his personality, really. Also, one that belongs to a family of fragrances that the woman in question doesn't happen to hate. I always say, if you've got a special lady, then ASK. She'll tell, don't worry.

[socalwoman]

This question has been posed repeatedly. So many times in fact that Tigs posted a sticky so gentlemen *cough* could be directed to the many previous responses.
I have many favorite scents that are marketed to men or are shared: Prada Homme, Armani Prive Bois d'Encens, Hermes Vetiver Tonka, Creed BdP, Christian Lacroix Tumulte pour Homme, Creed Original Vetiver, Dior Eau Noire, innumerable scents from CdG ...I could go on and on.
But, it is easier to tell you what turns me off: cheap and/or over-applied scents, poor dental hygiene, no sense of humor, and last but not least - men who get that goopy look in their eyes before getting to know me. I know I'm not alone about my feelings regarding the latter; a friend of mine even wrote a concise little poem after a bad first date.....

Your lusting
Is disgusting

[dayna]

Chanel Allure Pour Homme

[knightowl]

Here we go again.

If the man an sich is unappetizing, no fragrance can make him tasty.

Not even DKNY Be Delicious Men?

[tigrushka]

Not even DKNY Be Delicious Men?

Nope.

And you can forget about VS Very Sexy for Him, too.


But seriously: IF there are any turn-on scents in the first place, then there are as many turn-on scents as there are women, so no scent is foolproof.

"One gal's chocolate mousse is another gal's rice pudding"

[Zibeline]

A great scent can be part of a man's charm, but the scent varies...some scents I associate with different men. A man I despised used to wear Antaeus, needless to say Antaeus is a loser for me! On the other hand, one of my favorite guys of all time used to wear a particular scent that I don't smell often...when I smelled it in a bookstore a few months ago I went wandering around until I found the wearer, who turned out to be a quite elderly grandfatherly gentleman. I had a good laugh. Nope didn't make him sexy...sorry

[Guerlain-lover]

Hm, I guess this depends a lot on age, but for me it's Coriolan ....

[James Esq]

Thank you for your replies! Keep 'em coming! LOL@ the random love tips thrown in, it's brilliant...


Where is tig's sticky I cannot find it?

[tigrushka]

Unfortunately the Mother of all those endless "Which scents chicks dig?" threads disappeared when the forum was renewed.

If this thread will launch thousands of follow-ups, they will be locked and a reference to this thread will be added.

And that, my dear friends, was not a joke. You have been warned.

[James Esq]

So this thread will really need to be good then, keep posting all!

Thanks tig! ;-)

[Goddess_Dreams]

But seriously: IF there are any turn-on scents in the first place, then there are as many turn-on scents as there are women, so no scent is foolproof.

"One gal's chocolate mousse is another gal's rice pudding"

I completely agree with Tigs here... Besides the same fragrance would most likely not even smell as great on two different people. What I love on the guy at the gym running on a threadmill beside me in the morning may not work on a male co-worker in the office. Of course those fragrances that work for my husband, who has the most delicious natural scent, (hence to my nose most fragrances work amazingly well on him), may not smell as good on any other man... to my nose... of course.

On the other hand, the same man, my husband, who turns me on no matter what fragrance he wears, however may or may not be the biggest turn on for his female co-workers... Once again, it's all very subjective and no one can really truly predict what would even work on someone else's skin let alone smell good to someone else's nose.

I may like the way you smell... but that girl whom you are after, may think you smell too cloying or too off-putting or just plain not like you and not even notice the way you smell... BUT REALLY, WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AFTER ALL!!!!

[tdi]

I love Aveda Men on my husband...it just smells yummy and clean. What I love universally on all men is fresh breath!

[purplebird7]

I accidentally walked into a men's locker room (during off-hours, luckily, or I should say luckily for them) and it was incredible, the mix of dozens of men's fragrances and sweat. Nearly knocked me off my feet--and I daresay I wanted to go back in there.
James, get some samples in the little glass vials and try them, one at a time, in public situations, and see which get noticed.
I wish my husband would wear fragrance. He thinks Mennon Speed Stick is great. Even that is better than nothing. At least I associate it with him.

[muchisgiven]

I'm a guy, and I'm always looking for new fragrances. i find that it's always better for me to get recommendations from women in regards to what fragrances I should buy.

Well I wanted to know what are some of your favorite colognes that you love to smell a man wearing...

*****

I have made this thread sticky so that everyone can add their favourite fragrances here.

All future similar threads will get locked and a link to this thread will be added to them.

Thank You.

The old thread started by Gunslinger was merged with the one started by muchisgiven because jingles dug it out from the archives.

[Riannon]

Oh alright, I will go first

Muchisgiven, I think this is one of the most asked questions on the board and there are multiple threads (and if I finally had figured out by now how that search engine worked, I would have told you where to find them. But I am sure somebody else will come to the rescue )

So, a bounty of knowledge is waiting for you

But I will tell you what I like to smell on a man (unless you are a sixteen year old): a leather scent like Cuir Mauresque (SL), the beautiful Jicky from Guerlain (loved by Sean Connery and Mick Jagger as well, so don't worry), something spicy like Musc Ravageur (FM), or a great sandalwood like Tam Dao (Diptyque)

Oh well, it is a start, eh?

[Lalage]

I recently went shopping for a fragrance for a male friend of mine and spent the whole day sniffing a variety of them.

I decided that these are the fragrances I would most love to smell on my man! :

Antaeus by Chanel
Gucci pour Homme
Kouros by YSL
L'Homme by YSL

[tigrushka]

I like:

A*Men
Antaeus
Bel Ami
Caron Pour un Homme
Égoïste
Habit Rouge
Jaïpur Homme
M7
Rose d'Homme
Sables
Tabarome (vintage)
Vétiver (Annick Goutal, Carven, Etro, L'Occitane)

[lievje]

First fragrance that comes to mind is Monsieur de Givenchy. Good luck!

[Lady_in_Black]

Frags I love on a man:
YSL M7 regular version
Czech&Speake Dark Rose (discontinued or almost?)
However I can't convince DH to wear them

[Goddess_Dreams]

undoubtedly:

M7, Pi, Balman, Cocoon and L'Instant de Guerlain

[purplebird7]

Santa Maria Novella Patchouli
Diptique Tam Dao
Montale Black Musk
Lorenzo Villoresi Sandalo
Diptique Tam Dao

[TaoLady]

Grand Daddy: (great influence in my life - one of nature's Gentlemen) Bay Rum (don't know which one but we're talking pre-WW II and good quality)
Husband (of my own) #1: Canoe
Husband #2: Habit Rouge
Husband #3: Royal Copenhagen
Penultimate Fiance: 4711
Ultimate (meaning "last") Fiance:Drakkar Noir (which may be why.):bounce:

[kewart]

I love to smell on a man:-

Eau Sauvage
JPG Le Male
L'homme Sage (Divine)
Habit Rouge
Tabac Original

[rtamara41]

Antaeus by Chanel

[Twolf]

Abinoam Cobice
Aramis Aramis (hands down favorite!!!)
Burberry Brit for Men
Dolce & Gabbana for Men (dark blue)
Chanel Antaeus and Egoiste
Christian Lacroix Tumulte for Men
Caswell-Massey Sandalwood
Creed Santal Imperial
D'Orsay Le Dandy (I like it on myself too!)
Divine L'Homme Sage
Fendi Uomo
Geir Ness
Gucci for Men
Givenchy Pi (wonderful vanilla)
Hermes Bel Ami and Equipage
L'Artisan Vetiver and L'Eau de Navigateur
Paco Rabanne XS
Paloma Picasso Minotaure
Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Tommy Bahama for Men
Van Cleef & Arpels Tsar
YSL Rive Gauche and Jazz
Yves Rocher Yrio

[shadesofbleu]

some of my favorites:

Jaipur Homme
Boucheron Homme
A*Man
B*Man
Pi
D&G for Men
Very Irrésistible for Men
L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme
Habit Rouge

[Goddess_Dreams]

I love to smell on a man:-


L'homme Sage (Divine)

I have to 2nd this one!

[Coconut]

These are my favourite male scents:

Jean-Paul Gaultier - Le Male (it is so good that I had to get one for myself)
Chanel - Egoiste Platinum
Yves Saint Laurent - M7
Gucci - Envy
Creed - Millesime Imperiale (I wear this occassionally)
Yves Saint Laurent - Body Kouros (this will be my next purchase)

[perfumegirl]

Love Marc Jacobs, Dior Higher and Cartier Pasha, EL Pleasures is a long time one too.

[vezerne]

Besides the above-mentioned great scents, does anyone remember Zizanie, by Fragonard? Is it still available? One of my music teachers used to wear it.

[rtamara41]

I will second the Platinum Egoiste also.

[Margareta]

I like to third
L´Instant de Guerlain Pour Homme.
It´s my fav on my husband right now.

Others I am very fond of:
Versace Man
Cristobal Pour Homme by Balenciaga

All three has really nice bottles, too.

[colombina]

My favorites:

Fahrenheit
Chanel Pour Homme, Egoiste
Le Dandy
Terre d'Hermes
Dior Homme
Dior Eau Noire

[MorganFay]

I like Chergui.

[Silvergirl]

I'm fortunate that my SO smells amazing in anything he wears, but my favorites lately are:

Acqua di Parma Colonia, and
So Black by Pascal Morabito

[Heidi]

Drakkar Noir, Cool Water (used to be better than now), YSL pour homme, Boss for men, every scent that has tobacco in it... .

[mochi227]

Dolce Gabbana By for Men
L'eau Bleue d'Issey by Issey Miyake
Lolita Lempicka for Men (I hate the bottle, but I smelled this on a guy friend of mine and it was fantastic on him!)

[jingles]

gunslinger sexy mens scents
Boss soul
Sean John
Farenheit
eau savage

[kewart]

Eau Sauvage - yawn, now please go away.....

[gala]

Aramis has that effect on me, sometimes on men that would otherwise inspire the opposite reaction. Though in that case I certainly have never allowed it to overpower my reason and taste.

[QuietEarth]

In relation to this long-standing discussion, I recently posted a thread on the male board concerning "weak" male scents. I can't remember if I used the word "subtle", but I do believe that's what I meant.

I particularly referred to Chanel's line of men's scents, some of which I have tried and found to be way too subtle and/or feminine for my tastes.

However, I'm starting to think that subtle might be a good thing in a varied wardrobe. i'm not a big fan of sweet and/or subtle scents, but I'm lead to believe from co-workers and friends and this board that sometimes, it's the right choice.

Any comments on that, or Chanel men's in particular? (Without trying to pick a fight or be crude, lewd or undesireable.)


QE

[schoolglue]

I've never relied on how I smelled (as long as it wasn't bad) to get girls so don't mistake me for those guys who ask, "what scent will have girls throw their lingerie on me!" I've only recently been introduced to frags this year and prior to that I never had any trouble with girls without em. My ex-girlfriend was a frag enthusiast and kept insisting I buy some cologne. Although me not wearing cologne wasn't the reason for our breakup, it made me want to smell nice for a change. And with the upcoming semi-formal I wanted to smell nice as well as look nice for my date. I just think it's part of a guy's obligation to look and smell nice when accompanying a female to events such as a dance. What do you ladies think? Forgive my horrible grammar...i wrote this in about a minute

[flathorn]

This is difficult to answer, as I have problems determining whether I like fragrances on *myself* from day to day, let alone someone else. I know what I like when I smell it on a specific person, but usually no more than that. There are masculine fragrances I like in the bottle which don't translate over to chemistry on the person. The reason I say this :-):

My ex-husband smelled good *only* in Canoe. There were plenty of fragrances I liked better on a tester strip, but none smelled better on him.
My brother-in-law wore a fragrance I thought smelled very nice. When I asked what it was, I was stunned to find out it was BRUT. How that stinky stereotype in a bottle could have taken on such a magical transformation, I'll never know. But it did. My current SO had a bottle of it, and it reeked on him. He smells perfect in Eternity for Men. I've tried many of the leather fragrances I adore on him, and none have worked - they just don't smell right on him, and actually stink :-(

BUT, I don't mind giving someone a direction in which to start testing - at that point, they're on their own, and whether my nose preferences work on him, who knows? As long as he understands there is no magic bullet, no universal aphrodisiac, I don't mind exploring the sensual qualities of masculine fragrances much as we do with the feminine. I think what sets so poorly with women on this board is the way the query is often worded, and the assumption that comes through behind it - to find a fragrance which universally turns women on, like a weapon to use to get what is wanted. That is very unsettling. I believe it irritates us because it displays a lack of insight and understanding of women. But the question of sexy fragrances shouldn't be taboo, as it's a special aspect of perfume. I, too, want to wear something my SO finds exciting. I think a permanent thread is a good idea with such an enduring question. I'm one who'd like to explore this arena more, except for fear it would start a barrage of inanity like "What would make you take your clothes off on the first date?"

I find Sandalwood extremely sensual, more so than musk, perhaps because musk notes are artificial now and don't have the power of the original. I have to take musk fragrances case by case. I also find leather to be a sensual note. Patchouli is iffy for me - if it smells too much like Patchouli, I don't like it, but when it's modified and submerged, more tobacco than patch, I find it sensual. I also find boozy notes sensual, especially the one in Idole de Lubin. I adore lavender in a fragrance, but don't find it so much sexy as appealing. As a rule, I like earthy, leather, and fresh fragrances. Coumarin is usually a turn-off for me, as is a blatant gourmand. I don't have much experience with men's fragrance because I've never been around a man who's a fragrance lover. I would love to be around one who is and be able to explore the sensual aspects of them together.

My list (which is liable to change tomorrow):
Vetiver Extraordinaire
Vetiver- Guerlain
Eternity for Men
Idole De Lubin
Muscs Koublai Khan
Opone
Czech & Speake 88
Jicky
Kolnisch Juchten
Un Cedre - Serge Lutens
Black Aoud
Dzing
Musc Ravageur
Tam Dao (maybe Costes, too)
Piper Nigrum
Santal de Mysore

[QuietEarth]

This is difficult to answer, as I have problems determining whether I like fragrances on *myself* from day to day, let alone someone else. I know what I like when I smell it on a specific person, but usually no more than that. There are masculine fragrances I like in the bottle which don't translate over to chemistry on the person. The reason I say this :-):

My ex-husband smelled good *only* in Canoe. There were plenty of fragrances I liked better on a tester strip, but none smelled better on him.
My brother-in-law wore a fragrance I thought smelled very nice. When I asked what it was, I was stunned to find out it was BRUT. How that stinky stereotype in a bottle could have taken on such a magical transformation, I'll never know. But it did. My current SO had a bottle of it, and it reeked on him. He smells perfect in Eternity for Men. I've tried many of the leather fragrances I adore on him, and none have worked - they just don't smell right on him, and actually stink :-(

BUT, I don't mind giving someone a direction in which to start testing - at that point, they're on their own, and whether my nose preferences work on him, who knows? As long as he understands there is no magic bullet, no universal aphrodisiac, I don't mind exploring the sensual qualities of masculine fragrances much as we do with the feminine. I think what sets so poorly with women on this board is the way the query is often worded, and the assumption that comes through behind it - to find a fragrance which universally turns women on, like a weapon to use to get what is wanted. That is very unsettling. I believe it irritates us because it displays a lack of insight and understanding of women. But the question of sexy fragrances shouldn't be taboo, as it's a special aspect of perfume. I, too, want to wear something my SO finds exciting. I think a permanent thread is a good idea with such an enduring question. I'm one who'd like to explore this arena more, except for fear it would start a barrage of inanity like "What would make you take your clothes off on the first date?"

I find Sandalwood extremely sensual, more so than musk, perhaps because musk notes are artificial now and don't have the power of the original. I have to take musk fragrances case by case. I also find leather to be a sensual note. Patchouli is iffy for me - if it smells too much like Patchouli, I don't like it, but when it's modified and submerged, more tobacco than patch, I find it sensual. I also find boozy notes sensual, especially the one in Idole de Lubin. I adore lavender in a fragrance, but don't find it so much sexy as appealing. As a rule, I like earthy, leather, and fresh fragrances. Coumarin is usually a turn-off for me, as is a blatant gourmand. I don't have much experience with men's fragrance because I've never been around a man who's a fragrance lover. I would love to be around one who is and be able to explore the sensual aspects of them together.

My list (which is liable to change tomorrow):
Vetiver Extraordinaire
Vetiver- Guerlain
Eternity for Men
Idole De Lubin
Muscs Koublai Khan
Opone
Czech & Speake 88
Jicky
Kolnisch Juchten
Un Cedre - Serge Lutens
Black Aoud
Dzing
Musc Ravageur
Tam Dao (maybe Costes, too)
Piper Nigrum
Santal de Mysore

Well said flathorn. (And I like your name too!) I think you're right in saying that it's a valid question, but - unfortunately - you're also right in saying that sometimes the males of the species are a little ... clumsy in how we ask it. (Which by the way does not discount the possibility that women may be seeking the same thing....)

Personally, I don't care to find a "magic bullet/magic key" symbol. That would make it all too easy, and that's not really the point is it?

I love the fact that sometimes, it smells great, sometimes not.

Case in point: I think Chanel No. 5 is awful straight out of the bottle on a card. But a woman was wearing it on the bus the other day (I asked her what it was when we got off) , and it smelled very alluring on her.

I too would relish being with someone who was a fragrance lover and who is willing to spend time exploring the world of scents together. I think that would be the most satisfying way to do it.

[flathorn]

I think you're right in saying that it's a valid question, but - unfortunately - you're also right in saying that sometimes the males of the species are a little ... clumsy in how we ask it. (Which by the way does not discount the possibility that women may be seeking the same thing....)
Personally, I don't care to find a "magic bullet/magic key" symbol. That would make it all too easy, and that's not really the point is it?
I love the fact that sometimes, it smells great, sometimes not.
Case in point: I think Chanel No. 5 is awful straight out of the bottle on a card. But a woman was wearing it on the bus the other day (I asked her what it was when we got off) , and it smelled very alluring on her.
I too would relish being with someone who was a fragrance lover and who is willing to spend time exploring the world of scents together. I think that would be the most satisfying way to do it.

I agree Quiet Earth. It would be a wonderful adventure with someone who enjoyed it as much as oneself.
Also, great to hear THE BIG QUESTION is sometimes merely clumsy wording, and yes... women want to know these things too :-)
I think the fact there's no magic bullet is a wonderful chance to explore more. If vanilla worked on every man, things would get pretty dull. We'd all be wearing vanilla to the bar.
What I envision is a fragrance *I* really love would be loved by someone who was attracted to me. That's my Holy Grail of fragrance in relationships.

[fredricktoo]

I have known many women and as friends they have told me things like "he's wearing Aramis!! I love Aramis" as I watch their knees buckle. Things like that.
I've wanted to stop women at the mall and ask them what scent they were wearing but I also know there are so many sicko's out there and it's hard to trust people.
Women tell me all the time that I intimidate them at 6'6" and a deep voice and I appear dangerous.
I swear I wish that wasn't the case.

[fredricktoo]

Besides the above-mentioned great scents, does anyone remember Zizanie, by Fragonard? Is it still available? One of my music teachers used to wear it.

Zizanie is still available. They advertised heavily when I was growing up in the 50's. I remember a lot of Arpege ads also.
I believe these were considered affordable French scent for middle-class America.
http://www.basenotes.net/ID26121739.html

[mlle_ines]

on someone under 25: calvin klein crave (*sniff* it was discontinued :'( ), davidoff cool water deep, giorgio armani armani mania, kenneth cole black, ralph lauren polo blue, kenzo l'eauparkenzo, just to name a few. i think its the clean, ozonic, aquatic ones that do it for me...

on someone over 25: l'artisan fou d'absinthe, bvlgari blv notte pour homme or aqva, matsaki matsushima mat; very male, kenzo kenzo pour homme, jean paul gaultier le male tentation, calvin klein obsession night.

two scents that are marketed for women but surprisingly (and very very sexily) masculine: kingdom by alexander mcqueen (the cumin has a sweaty armpit-y smell that reminds me of steamy things that happen in a dark dark corner of a club somehwere that i will not put into words in this forum) and lovely by sarah jessica parker (in a way the opposite of alexander mcqueen -the musk and the patchouli make it clean, discreet but very attractive)... if kingdom is dirty kinky in-your-face sexy then lovely is clean discreet suggestive sexy.

[bmw3030]

hi ladies - i figured for once id go straight to the source instead of getting guys opinions as far as what is a) a good cologne and b) one that renders very well with the ladies

ive gone through many but currently i only have chanel platinum (all time fav), bulgari aqua as a daily scent and dior homme (which, surprisingly, does not render well with the ladies)

please give suggestions as your favorite, "sexy" fragrance for a man - im considering terre de hermes (although i have not yet smelled it), M7, prada, creed MI...please give me a choice or some suggestions as to what cologne really makes you swoon...thanks much

[bmw3030]

i also want to say i am also considering wallstreet by bond no. 9 - any input on this?

[Coconut]

Hi BMW, welcome on board.
I am a Egoiste Platinum stalker...
There are a few scents which I also like: Gucci Envy, Body Kouros by YSL (I think you can check this out at DJs or Myer). Try Millésime Impérial by Creed. I am not sure if there are any store in Sydney / Melbourne which carry this.

[Coconut]

Original Vetiver by Creed is also very good, it can double up as a shared scent, which I am intending to get one for myself.

I have smelled Wall Street once, but it didn't make a striking impression in my opinion.

[moondeva]

Sorry to be a wet blanket but there is a very extensive, indepth sticky thread at the top of this forum titled: 'Hello Ladies' which covers / deals with your question.

http://community.basenotes.net/showthread.php?t=189708

Welcome to Basenotes!

[perfumegirl]

Hi I like Marc Jacobs, Dior Higher, Sung Hei and Cartier Pasha, and Mens Pleasures is very nice too, good luck, perfume is such an individual thing. It is different on every person,,,,,,,,........