Men's Fragrances

[Faust]

What do you use? What do you like but not for yourself? List'em.

Here is what's in my rotation at this point

Creed - Green Irish Tweed - a perennial favorite, which I doubt will ever be replaced as the king

Santa Maria di Novella - Citta di Kyoto - My latest find, I absolutely love what they do. This is an oldest existing pharmacy in Europe, who has made stuff (poison?) for the Medici. The original is in Florence, which is where I bought mine, but they have outlets all over the world.

Jil Sander for Men - oldie but goodie.

Bulgari - Black - phasing this one out... just because I have too many already, not because I don't like it.

Bulgari - Green - phasing this one out... just because I have too many already, not because I don't like it.

Costume National - Scent - will also phase it out, although the scent is great

Yohji Yamamoto pour Homme - I think this one I'll stick with, although I've been using it for years, it never gets old.

Comme des Garcons - Odeur 53 - I use this one for travel and gym, because it comes in a tiny bottle (couldn't find a picture).

It seems like a lot, I know. Several of these were presents, though :-), and some I am just waiting to run out of.

My next big one will be Creed Himalaya

[rach2jlc]

Good topic, Faust. And, good choices on your part. I like every one of the ones that you mentioned (although amongst the "black" fragrances I still like the old Versace Black Jeans the best.)

For me, I currently use in rotation:

Daytime:

1. L'artisan Parfumer "Mechant Loup." With a name like "Big Bad Wolf," how could you go wrong?

2. Bond No. 9 Riverside Drive: Just nice all-around. I've yet to find anybody who thinks this doesn't smell good.

3. Bond No. 9 Fire Island: Smells like ludicrously expensive suntan lotion. I love it.

4. Pecksniff's Chypre Green: Smells sort of like Creed Bois de Cedrat only longer lasting and more green.

5. Fresh Cannabis Santal: I don't get the pot note, but it is sort of like Mugler Angel Men but less candy/more class.

Night:

1. Costume National Scent Intense (like the one Faust listed above, only with more amber and a little "darker.")

2. YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme

3. Hermes Bel-ami: Pungent, loud, and spicy. Makes me feel like a dirty old Frenchman (which sometimes isn't a bad thing).

4. Knize Ten

5.L'artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu- hard to describe. Odd, earthy, primal. Really unique.

[laika]

Nice lists! I'll have to check out Mechant Loup--I love l'Artisan. They are so generous with their samples too!

Boyfriend wears Jil Sander for Men--same as Faust posted. And this:

I highly approve of both.

[Kwing]

I'm really in love with this one![:D] It's quite expensive here, so I only use it whenever there is a special occasion.


but usual I use CK One, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male or Armani Black Code

[darkanimal]

I have Irish tweed for evening and special night outs, Costume National Scent Intense for daytime, although I feel it's not a daytime scent, I just have a big bottle I got inexpensive and so I spray them as often as I want. My next purchase very soon will be Bond No. 9 Bleecker St. Anyone care to share any online store that has good selection at discounted prices? Thanks

[rach2jlc]

Ebay will probably be your best bet, aside from the classifieds over at www.basenotes.net

As for Bond, on ebay you can generally get new bottles for $80-100, depending on the scent. If you are outside NYC, that's not a terrible price.

Often, you'll get good things on basenotesatgreat prices, but you also will have to be quick on the button because 1000 other fragrancistas are just waiting to pounce.

[Faust]

[quote user="rach2jlc"]

Ebay will probably be your best bet, aside from the classifieds over at www.basenotes.net

As for Bond, on ebay you can generally get new bottles for $80-100, depending on the scent. If you are outside NYC, that's not a terrible price.

Often, you'll get good things on basenotesatgreat prices, but you also will have to be quick on the button because 1000 other fragrancistas are just waiting to pounce.

[/quote]

John, with all due respect, I would like to disagree on recommending buying fragrances on Ebay. The fake fragrance industry is so huge that you will never know if you are buying a genuine product. I would be plain scared, to be honest, morever that it's a chemical compound you put on your skin.

On the other note, can someone comment on the relationship of Bond 9 and Creed? All NYC Bond stores used to be Creed, and then, poof, almost overnight Bond 9 sprang up. BTW, if anyone is hunting for Creed cheap, Bond 9 has rang a 50% off promotion for the longest time, trying go get rid of all of their stock. I am not sure if they still have it.

[rach2jlc]

You are very correct that one must be careful buying on ebay, Faust. But, if you deal with reputable sellers (like checking feedback, location, and the time that they've been on ebay), one can find some deals quite reasonably. I've dealt with a seller called allshewants or something like that on a few occasions and have always gotten authentic, good stuff. Although, I'll admit I've never bought Bond or Creed on ebay. I was thinking more of the lesser known fragrance houses or those that aren't wildly popular (some of the older Guerlain, or Knize, or something like that).

It's the same as buying LV on ebay; I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but if you are savvy and know what to look for (and what to avoid), you can sometimes find good stuff. In short, caveat emptor.

[xcoldricex]

1. L'artisan Parfumer "Mechant Loup." With a name like "Big Bad Wolf," how could you go wrong?

i forgot about this one. i need to get this- did it get discontinued? i need to unload a whole bunch of bottles...

[rach2jlc]

I don't think it is discontinued. It's still available on the L'artisan website. I also order oftentimes from a place called lusciouscargo.com They always include lots of samples with the orders.

Just be careful; if you forget the "s" in luscious, you get sent to a porn site that has about 10,000 pop-ups and will drive you nuts.

[nqth]

1. Comme des Garcons

2. Comme des Garcons

3. Comme des Garcons

:-D it is easy to guess. Odeur53, White, Rhubarb, Kyoto, Palisander, Sequioa, CdG2, Vettiveru and the latest is Burnt Sugar.

Sometimes I wear the Different Company: Bois d'Iris and Osmanthus are my fav. (I have just samples)

[xcoldricex]

i need to get that and voleur!!!

[rach2jlc]

Yep, Voleur is another winner. Actually, my two favorite L'artisans are Voleur and Mechant Loup. Tea for Two is really interesting and unique as well; some days I absolutely love it and some days it seems almost too mediciney for me. But, I constantly am amazined with Voleur and Mechant Loup.

[casem]

As much as I hate to admit it, I love the Dior Homme fragrance (they've got me pegged). I also love, but don't yet own, Eau Noir, I was in New York for most of the summer and everytime I would go to the Dior Homme (which was too often) store I would spray some on, so not only does it smell lovely but it's tied in with good memories. I also use:

- Jil Sander, fresh, clean but spicy I love it

- Helmut Lang Cuiron, a bit strange but very addictive, I use sparingly because I know it's no longer made, I still have 1 unopened bottle left though

- Dolce and Gabbanna, I'm almost sick of it, but it was my first love, I usually feel like wearing it during the summer

I am very curious about the Comme des Garcon scents, but there are so many. If you had to choose can any of you recommend one or two that are must haves? Sequoia and the Guerrilla scents sound intriguing to me.

[djrajio]

Currently use Dior - Eau Noire & Bois D’Argent
There seems to be somewhat of a backlash w/ Dior on this board but I gotta admit that they got the fragrances down pretty good.
Used to use Issey Miyake for the longest time...

I've been looking for Comme des Garcons - Odeur 53 for the longest time. Probably will head to the Aoyama/Omotesando boutique and inquire.

[Johnny]

I'm with nqth on this.My current rotation is Guerilla 2, Odeur 53, Harissa (fav). My only non comme brand is Dyptique - the fig one, can't remember name. I find that almost all commercial "mens" fragrances smell fundamentally the same.

Might go and try Irish Tweed today though, I like the creed ones.

[Faust]

[quote user="Johnny"]

I'm with nqth on this.My current rotation is Guerilla 2, Odeur 53, Harissa (fav). My only non comme brand is Dyptique - the fig one, can't remember name. I find that almost all commercial "mens" fragrances smell fundamentally the same.

Might go and try Irish Tweed today though, I like the creed ones.

[/quote]

Cool, would like your opinion on Himalaya as well!

[nqth]

[quote user="casem83"]

I am very curious about the Comme des Garcon scents, but there are so many. If you had to choose can any of you recommend one or two that are must haves? Sequoia and the Guerrilla scents sound intriguing to me.

[/quote]

Sequoia is very spicy, strong, wet woody. It is like you are wearing a fresh piece of a tree on you:-) Palisander is calmer, more incensy, mahony.

Guerrillas are also strong:-) The G2 that Johnny wears is very nice, fruity, fresh, blackcurrent, mixed with sweet tuberose.

If you want sth lighter, try Odeur53. It is one of a kind scent. And I like more in winter.It keeps you feel clean, light and "awaked":-)

Comme also remade the first, Leaves series, Calamus (green fresh bamboo leaves, and sweeter later), Tea (killer, smoky,lapsang souchong) and Lily (green wet lily of the valey).

Johnny, I think the Diptique is Philosykos (I don;t know this)L'Artisan also has a nice figy Premier Figuier. Fig is nice and refreshing:-)

[xcoldricex]

i liked palisander a lot- i should look for that. the only bottle i've ever used all the way through was a bottle of yohji (that's the only thing i brought on a year long trip).
i'm surprised you didn't mention man or 2? man is more of a conventional fragrance, very strong, peppery and "manly". wasn't a fan of odeur53, in fact i might have a small bottle to sell (will definitely help you feel more "awake")

i'm still looking for something that's mysterious and quirky (but not copy toner quirky), something that'll match my personality and wardrobe.

oh which cdg fragrance had tomato notes in it?

[droogist]

[:O] I'm surprised to hear that so many of you guys wear Odeur 53, because I've always thought of it as more of a women's scent (I wear it too).

My husband wears Hermès Eau d'Orange Vert, KL by Karl Lagerfeld, and Lagerfeld by Karl Lagerfeld. Think what will about the Kaiser - the man knows how to commision a fragrance.