Enjoying a new, broadened interest in colognes

[jakespoppy]

Since my new interest in colognes has developed in recent months, I'm realizing that where I used to sniff a cologne and quickly decide if I like it and want to wear it, I'm now looking at colognes in the broader view of "is this interesting?", "how does it change while wearing it?", "can I tell what all is in it?", "does it smell similar to anything else I've tried?", or "can I tell how it is different from others I've tried?", and even "do I get what others get out of this?". In other words, my new interest is not just in finding something to wear, it's almost more about just exploring and discovering what all is out there. Anyone one else looking at colognes this way?

 

[Obsessed]

I agree - it's surprisingly interesting and enjoyable once you delve into it a bit. (I'm still a little shocked that I'm saying that. This is one crazy website!)

 

[rickboone1]

Not only that, but too often did I get a cologne based on the initial sniff to find out later I did not like it. That or I would like it more some days and not as much others. It's so subjective I think. I love decants for this reason. Gives me a chance to play with the frag for a while prior to investing in the whole bottle.

 

[The Knize]

Since my new interest in colognes has developed in recent months, I'm realizing that where I used to sniff a cologne and quickly decide if I like it and want to wear it, I'm now looking at colognes in the broader view of "is this interesting?", "how does it change while wearing it?", "can I tell what all is in it?", "does it smell similar to anything else I've tried?", or "can I tell how it is different from others I've tried?", and even "do I get what others get out of this?". In other words, my new interest is not just in finding something to wear, it's almost more about just exploring and discovering what all is out there. Anyone one else looking at colognes this way?

You probably know by now that you and I are on the same page on this. It is almost like music. The more you hear and the deeper you get into it, the more you can get out of it. They even call them "notes." What does this scent remind me of as to other smells out in the world and/or other edts? How has the maker juxtaposed notes to create an interesting whole? How is it that notes that would be unpleasent alone, come together to be something really nice? How are the scents of a particular "house" related each to one another? And my favorite, how it is that something that did not really appeal to me when I first smelled it, over time has become somthing that has completely sucked me in?!

The two things I am really liking to play around with these days are: 1) the interrelationships of C&S scents; and 2) how Pen's Elixir is an update of Pen's HB. Re the latter, I do not know any of her other scents, but Olivia Giacobetti really speaks to me with Elixir. Does seem like a "ridiculous thing for a grown man to be spending time thinking about!" <grin> A true addiction.

 

[Topgumby]

I'm not that discerning, at least not yet. I'm still in the phase where I'm grappling with the basics.

1. Does it smell good?
2. Is it overpowering?
3. Does the bride like it?
4. Can I afford it?

I have noticed the "scent fatigue", and I'm learning to adjust accordingly.

On thing that I've found interesting, is that not only does my bride giver her opinions on scents, but she reports anything that her girlfriends say, and it's been more than once or twice that a scent I wear will solicit a comment to her. So far it's been positive, thank goodness...or at least the ones she relays to me have been.

 

[Master-Classter]

Ahem, um, boys, welcome to the world of fragrance. You've just learned one of the big secrets, it changes as you wear it. Which is why buying something based on the first 5 minutes on a piece of paper in a store full of smell after smelling 20 others is a bad way to buy colognes... try basenotes.net and read some reviews (top left "directory). Once you figure out how to work the site (including "community"=forum), you'll look at this in a whole new way. Be sure to check out the "post pics of your wardrobe"

 

[markb]

Since my new interest in colognes has developed in recent months, I'm realizing that where I used to sniff a cologne and quickly decide if I like it and want to wear it, I'm now looking at colognes in the broader view of "is this interesting?", "how does it change while wearing it?", "can I tell what all is in it?", "does it smell similar to anything else I've tried?", or "can I tell how it is different from others I've tried?", and even "do I get what others get out of this?". In other words, my new interest is not just in finding something to wear, it's almost more about just exploring and discovering what all is out there. Anyone one else looking at colognes this way?

I am... Have never been a big cologne wearer but recently have gotten into frags... More things to spend my money on!!

 

[jakespoppy]

You probably know by now that you and I are on the same page on this. It is almost like music......They even call them "notes."

Okay, that's too funny - my wife knows I love music, and when I was discussing scents with her this morning, I even described how they are called "top notes, middle notes, and base notes...it' just like music!" which sort of helped her understand "why" I may have completely lost my mind with my new "obsession/hobby"!

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Welcome to CAD, my friend!

 

[WhosYerBob]

You hit it right on the head for me as well. I, too, am learning what I like to wear in a frag.

 

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

Scents were my first love and actually paved the path to me starting wetshaving again. Well, I didn't really wetshave the first time around. I used my grandpa's old SS, some ancient blades, and Irish Spring. That disastrous excursion led me to the Mach3 and Edge gel. Anyways, that's all besides the point, scents have always been one of my greater passions of luxury and I'm glad the bug has started to bite a few of you.

Warning: it is a slippery slope. Don't visit Basenotes if you're trying to save money.

 

[markb]

Warning: it is a slippery slope. Don't visit Basenotes if you're trying to save money.

Sage advice!!! Here's what I've amassed in less than a month of activity over there!

And there's more on the way!!! Have a bottle of Czech & Speake No.88 coming, along with a bottle of Aramis Havana and a partial bottle of Creed Millesime Imperial I bought here in the BST forum.



Edit: Forgot to place the bottle of Pen's English Fern EdT I just received.

 

[StylinLA]

My interest amped up when I started in here 3 months ago or so, and got involved at Basenotes.

I'm not the highly analytical sort yet...sort of simplistic "do I like the way it smells on me." And a bit of what's the frags "personality?" Austere, warm, sexy, etc.

But I have slowly come to realize that I too often judged, then dismissed or bought frags based on my impression of the top notes which of course are fleeting.

I've learned to slow it down and give a test wear to see if something's going to work for me. Got let it get to the base notes which is most of what you're going to live with.

 

[jakespoppy]

Sage advice!!! Here's what I've amassed in less than a month of activity over there!

And there's more on the way!!! Have a bottle of Czech & Speake No.88 coming, along with a bottle of Aramis Havana and a partial bottle of Creed Millesime Imperial I bought here in the BST forum.



Edit: Forgot to place the bottle of Pen's English Fern EdT I just received.

Nice collection, including those on the way. I'm surprised by how much I like Terre d'Hermes. How do you like the Dirty English and is that Rive Gauche in the back?

 

[markb]

How do you like the Dirty English and is that Rive Gauche in the back?

The Dirty English is good. It's similar scent-wise to the John Varvatos IMO but I like the JV juice a little more. Yes, that's Rive Gauche back there, That's a really nice one!

 

[dbconlin]

I am learning that i know absolutely nothing at first whiff. I absolutely must wear it to gain any real understanding. Which of course makes it a bit more challenging and time-consuming.

I don't care much for that JV original, but has anyone tried the "Rock, Vol 1"? Amazing scent that I am not sure I can pull off; definetly not day-wear.

 

[Scentronic]

I have found my experience as a fragrance collector/connoisseur to be an unexpectedly valuable and enjoyable one. I had my moment (like you) about 4 years ago, and now I own things that I cherish as much as many of my most valued posessions. I hope other people who come upon this hobby also find value in scent as well. Sometimes it's nostalgic, sometimes it's uniqueness, sometimes it's versatility, and sometimes it's pure beauty (which a man should not be afraid to appreciate and acknowledge) there are many reasons to appreciate fragrance and many ways to do so. It's all up to you.

I'll type more tomorrow when I'm not on my iPhone!

 

[tsmba]

I would have called myself the least likely person to become interested in scents. I always considered cologne wearers to be on the effeminate side, but eventually discovered a couple scents I liked and wore all the time. Coming into wet-shaving is what kick-started the whole thing and I went hog wild!

Besides locating scents I like, I really enjoy learning about the notes. I have no interest in trying every new thing or amassing endless bottles, but I do enjoy learning to discuss scents intelligently. I especially like learning to identify individual notes and how they interact.

 

[Wingnut]

Isn't it amazing how B&B never fails to find a new AD for us all?! I'm like you guys - I had "my" ASB that I'd been using every day for 30 years, never thought twice about it and never used a cologne in my life. I get on B&B and all of a sudden this whole new world opens up and I go crazy! I'm having more fun sith scents than I ever thought I could. Just glad that there's no one to look over my shoulder when the bills come in!

 

[The National Razor]

I've been getting into this world lately too. What I need to work on is my critical nose--I seem to like everything I smell!