What's your favourite perfume, or after-shave?

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6 Answers

Yo Kass Profile
Yo Kass answered

Here's a quick round-up of my favorite fragrances:

'Dirty English' by Juicy Couture

A bit of an unusual choice I guess, considering the brand is better known for velour tracksuits - but to be honest I'm a secret fan of the Juicy image too. It reminds me of TV shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County, although some would say the JC image has become less exclusive in recent years due to this kind of media exposure...

Back to the fragrance though - no matter how tacky you think Juicy Couture is, this scent is manly and has tons of personality.

I'm not going to go through all the top, middle and base notes - but I'd best describe it as a blend of mandarin, bergamot, sandalwood, cardamon and black leather.

The bottle also looks pretty macho, and the name is apparently inspired by a nickname one of the Juicy founders had for her British husband.

'Terre D'Hermes' by Hermes

Vetiver-based scent with notes of leather. A lot more delicate than the Juicy entry above - so much so that it could easily pass as a unisex fragrance. 

There's also a hint of something smoky going on, which I find quite pleasant.

I also like Hermes, a house which is better known for its leather-goods (they started off making "coach-wear" like saddlebags). I think that heritage translates into this fragrance nicely with the leather notes, which is something of an Hermes trademark.

'AQVA Marine' by Bvlgari

I first fell for BVLGARI when I visited an exhibition of their jewellery in Rome, and I can't remember ever seeing something so glamorous and decadent since. It was like walking around the tomb of an undiscovered Pharaoh. 

Like all successful haute couture brands, BVLGARI have managed to infuse that high-end image in some of their more accessible products, and AQVA Marine is a great example of that.

BVLGARI's first fragrance was actually developed to gently spray around their customer's necks to refresh them before trying on a really expensive necklace. This sense of pampering and luxury is definitely present in AQVA Marine.

AQVA Marine is  a very 'male' fragrance, but it's also quite crisp and clear. If you're looking for something that's perfect for after your morning shower, to help you feel energised for facing the day, then this is a good choice.

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Melinda Moore
Melinda Moore commented
Thanks for these, Kass - have never tried any of them, but am going to seek out the first two, asap, as they sound exactly the sorts of scents I like, from your description!
Jim Weda Profile
Jim Weda answered

For me, as a male its always been Obsession. The thing about perfumes or colognes is that they all react differently to each persons chemistry. I've smelled something wonderful or great on one person just to find it so-so on another person.

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Lily Bradic
Lily Bradic commented
That's definitely true. Perfumes and colognes will also smell different when applied to a tester (not the best way to test, as you don't know how it'll smell when you wear it!) and if you rub the scent into your skin. You're not supposed to do this, as it ruins the smell, but a lot of women still rub their wrists together to transfer the scent.
Melinda Moore
Melinda Moore commented
I didn't know that, Lily, as am a compulsive wrist-rubber! And Jim, good point re chemistry. I love Chanel no 5 on other people, but it smells like cat's pee on me. Obsession seems to be a real favourite with many of my friends, both the male and the female versions. It's a bit too oriental and heady for me, though.
Lily Bradic
Lily Bradic commented
Apparently wrist-rubbing crushes the crystals (or something) in the perfume, which changes/ruins the scent a bit!
Lily Bradic Profile
Lily Bradic answered

I like the idea of using one fragrance for the day and another for going out in the evenings, but I have to admit, most mornings I just end up spraying myself with whichever happens to be nearest — even if that happens to be my evening perfume!

Dior Addict 2

This is my current favourite daytime fragrance. I have the original Dior Addict as well, and although it's started to grow on me, I still prefer Dior Addict 2.

It's a really light, summery perfume — the packaging isn't at all to my taste, but nobody really sees that, so I can put up with it!

Armani Code

This is my winter perfume, or my evening perfume. It's a bit stronger and more sophisticated than the Dior one, and I like the packaging a lot more.

I've sampled the men's version, and that smells really nice, too.

DKNY Be Delicious

It must be over five years since I last wore this perfume, but I still like the smell of the red one. The design isn't particularly good, as it stops pumping before the bottle is actually empty (due to the odd shape).

Colognes

I don't really know that much about cologne—I just know when a man smells nice!

An ex-boyfriend of mine used to wear Diesel Plus Plus (I had to search to find out what it was called, considering I always thought of it as 'that milk-carton aftershave that smells nice') and unfortunately I now associate that with him, so I'm not too keen on it anymore. It does smell great, though, and the box is shaped like a milk carton and has pictures of cows on. I'm not sure why.

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Melinda Moore
Melinda Moore commented
Haven't tried any of these, but will do in future. I tend not to like modern scents, as I find them a bit synthetic-smelling, or too fruity or vanilla-ey, but will check these out now you're recommended them. Thanks!
The Secret Father Profile
The Secret Father answered

Unfortunately I seem to like a lot of the discontinued fragrances - Armani's "white" was a particular favourite of mine, but they discontinued it now. I also loved YSL's "M7" but they discontinued that and relaunched it as "Oud Absolu" which does nothing for me. M7 was a great winter fragrance - all cherry tobacco, leather and woods.

My staples are CK's "Eternity" which is a lovely summer fragrance, JPGs "Le Male" for the summer and Issey Miyake "L'eau D'Issey" for those transitional autumnal months between summer and winter

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Yo Kass
Yo Kass commented
Ah! I forgot about L'eau D'Issey - great fragrance.

Although, I remember going into an Issey Miyake store in central London and the staff there were very snotty and rude, really put me off the brand.
Melinda Moore
Melinda Moore commented
Thanks for this - I'm in the same boat, as most fragrances I like have either been discontinued or re-formulated. Also, my son loved Armani "White", as you did, and has yet to find a substitute he likes as much.
sarah wheeler Profile
sarah wheeler answered

I always get carried away with perfumes and end up having so many bottles I forget what I've got.. But two favourites that I go through so quickly are;

Miss Dior- Miss Dior Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette

It's a really seductive/romantic scent perfect for young women on an evening..


My day time scent has got to be Chanel Chance;

It's fruity AND floral and is so delicate for everyday..

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