How many fragrances at one time?

[chinmusic82]

Hello gentlemen,
This has been troubling me for sometime now and any help would be much appreciated. I want to know if there are any guidelines as to how many different scents one can sport at once? I'll give you an example. There is this colleague of mine who smells like a perfume factory the minute he walks into the office! So I politely asked him what he's wearing. His answer-Old spice aftershave splash(on the face), the latest Hugo Boss offering EDT(a spray to the chest and both wrists) AND a deodorant(well you know where). Now with most shaving creams and soaps having some inherent fragrance, this poses another problem. So my questions-

1.Must ones aftershave have to compliment ones cream/soap?

2.Do I wear aftershave, deodorant and a cologne/perfume and if so how much so that I'm not cloying to myself and others?

(p.s- I forgot to mention the hair gel which also happens to be scented)

 

[Quintar]

The scent of most shaving soaps or bath soaps should fade fairly rapidly after your shave/shower...unless it's a crazy potent body wash like axe or something, so I wouldn't worry about those.

I never understood wearing deodorant that was so smelly other people would notice it...it's DE-odorant, it should hide your BO not scent the air around you. Although I used to wear old spice high endurance and have had people comment on my scent . But in general I think the non-perfume brand type deodorants shouldn't really be noticeable after you put on your shirt, jacket, sweater, or whatever you're wearing.

Aftershaves are a different story. some are super potent and would definitely clash with colognes: clubman, old spice, lilac vegetal...so with those I just don't wear cologne or find one that goes well with it.
Most aftershaves fade within 15 minutes or so, so you could just ignore the aftershave when you apply a cologne. Also many are unscented...

If your hair products are so strongly scented they conflict with your cologne you might want to switch products...or find a matching cologne if you love the smell.

So I guess in summary, the only products I worry about combining would be a strong aftershave with a perfume...otherwise there shouldn't be a problem.

As to how much to apply...it all depends on the scent. some perfumes I can spray on 10 sprays and no one notices...others I've sprayed on 1/2 a spray and people tell me I'm choking them out. You have to do a bit of trial and error...find a good friend who will tell you when you're too strong.

 

[chinmusic82]

Thanks quintar. its super hot where I live on an average the day to day temperatures vary between 110 to 115 Farenheit, so a little fragrance goes a long way! So I'll go easy on the cologne if using a potent aftershave. Can colognes be used as aftershaves?

 

[Oscroft]

My approach is generally to only use one fragrance product at any one time, unless they are carefully chosen to work together.

For example, if I use a strong aftershave like Old Spice or Tabac (both of which I love), I won't use an EdT - or at least, I'll wait until later in the day when the aftershave has faded before I do.

Similarly, if I use a strong deodorant (I happen to really like Brut), I won't use an EdT or a long-lasting aftershave (unless that aftershave matches - so a Brut combination, for example).

If I want to use an EdT, I'll use a very light or fragrance-free roll-on antiperspirant and an aftershave that doesn't last long - Floïd Blue, for example.

If I combine two fragrant products, they have to match - Tabac AS and deodorant, Azzaro deodorant and EdT, Azzaro deodorant and a different fougere EdT, etc.

 

[Oscroft]

Can colognes be used as aftershaves?

I think they can be, yes. A cologne is essentially only an alcohol-based fragrance - but so are many aftershaves! And some aftershaves have stronger fragrances than some colognes.

So if you don't need the soothing ingredients that many aftershaves contain (but which many don't), you just need to judge the fragrance and apply the appropriate amount - one thing that I've found works is to have a splash of cologne in one hand and a little water in the other, then rub the hands together and apply to the face.

 

[BobK1]

As far as an aftershave goes, I use a homemade, unscented one to avoid clashing with the fragrance that I might choose that day. It is easy and inexpensive to make and I can vary the formula a bit to make it more suitable for the time of year, so the moisturizing qualities will be correct.

It consists simply of; Witch Hazel (about 40%), Aloe Vera gel (about 10-15%), Alcohol (91% Isopropyl) (about 25%), and Water (balance) I push up the Aloe percentage during the winter months to help with the dry skin that can accompany that time of year and conversely lower it during the summer for the opposite reason. During those summer months I often also up the alcohol percentage (quantity that is) to gain a bit more of the cooling effect. This concoction provides me with all the qualities that I could wish for in an aftershave while at the same time moisturizing my skin and doesn't clash with my fragrance. BTW, the mixing order is exactly the same as the listed order, and if done in that manner you can easily gauge the quantity of Aloe that you use. Mix (shake vigorously) the Aloe and Witch Hazel before adding the alcohol and you will make life a bit easier for yourself. Also if you use warm water it will aid somewhat with the initial mixing. (I often put off mixing a new batch until needed so this has been learned through trial and error)

Of course, YMMV

Bob

 

[The Knize]

These days I am pretty much using a 50% alcohol as an after shave and then witch hazel or Lucido, both of which are very low scent, in part because of concern for clashing scents. I do not worry too much about what shaving soap or cream I use as to scent. I use a discontinued Axe deodorant called Proximity in vetiver which is low scent. The vetiver probably marries with most stuff fine, even if it had much scent. Most deodorant irritates the heck out of my skin, so I have a limited number I came use.

I use Mysore Sandalwood bath soap, which probably has as much lingering scent as anything. A bit of an underlying sandalwood probably goes with most stuff anyway.

For all I know, I have all sorts of clashing scents going on!

 

[babydials]

1) While it is pleasant to have them compliment they do not have to match. The soap scent scent should not really be sticking around. Many aftershaves are short lived as well.
2) Some deodorants are more strongly scented than others. Generally they are not an issue, the guy in your office just has an unusually strong one (or the whole thing is his cologne).
3) Most hair gels are pretty subtle as well.

If you are within 2 or 3 feet of me the only thing of mine you can smell on me is my 1 to 2 spritzes of cologne/edt. My only suggestion is sniff before you buy and avoid anything too strong. I feel silly removing the caps (if they are not shrink wrap sealed) and sniffing the anti-persperants in the store, but I do it.

 

[Renato1]

Antiperspirants can last strongly for two to three hours. They are usually fougeres, and if I've just sprayed them on, I try overcoat them with strong fougere scents. Similarly I have some aftershaves splashes that can last strongly for four or more hours (Joop Homme splash lasts about two days), though most supermarket ones like Gillette balms last about two or three hours. I always apply six sprays of EDT, so that after some hours that's what dominates as the others fall into the background.

But the general guideline I'd follow when going to work or going out was to wear one scent only - either use fragrance neutral antisperspirants or apply the scented ones before going to bed (since they last 24 hours) and their scent would be gone when I got up. Similarly, I'd using matching aftershave or fragrance neutral aftershave or, if I could be bothered, spray EDT into the neutral balm and make it matching.

And I always wear six sprays of EDT because otherwise, what's the point? All the other guys wearing Brut and Old Spice antiperspirants and Gillette Balm would be outscenting me first thing in the morning.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[chinmusic82]

Those are interesting formulae BobK1 and The Knize. I will try them out.

Am currently doing just that Oscroft, ie using a bit of whichever cologne I've chosen for the day diluted with some water.

"And I always wear six sprays of EDT because otherwise, what's the point? All the other guys wearing Brut and Old Spice antiperspirants and Gillette Balm would be outscenting me first thing in the morning."
True true Renato, I get pretty ticked off when I've taken pains to look and smell presentable and I enter the office and all I can smell are the loud Fa and Nivea for men deo's!
A few months back the craze was Axe' Chocolate. I had myself a nice bottle of Armani code and was using it on a regular basis until I was asked 'how come your Axe chocolate smells different from mine!!

 

[GarrettReid]

I used to be on a "fragrance free" kick a year or so back, even to the point of FF laundry detergent and FF fabric softeners. All my body wash was FF and same with shaving creams. My deodorant was a very muted smell. The only thing that people would smell is my cologne.

I've since calmed it down a little bit.

 

[Renato1]

A few months back the craze was Axe' Chocolate. I had myself a nice bottle of Armani code and was using it on a regular basis until I was asked 'how come your Axe chocolate smells different from mine!!

LOL. Unbelievable!
Cheers,
Renato

 

[BillC]

My routine is pretty close to BobK1. I spend time and money deciding which frags I buy and wear - I don't want them overwhelmed by 'lesser' scents. I don't worry about my shaving soap or shower gel as those scents seem to get rinsed off pretty well in the process of using them. I found some deodorants to project pretty strongly so I've switched to unscented deodorants/anti-perspirants. For after shaves I use products with scents that fade pretty quickly. I make a homemade splash very similar to BobK1's recipe except I use Grain Alcohol, no water and a light scent. I usually make three batches - one with some of the witch hazel replaced with rose water, one with a couple drops of lavender EO and one with a citrus scent - lately I've been using Thayers Lemon Witch Hazel in that batch. These scents fade quickly anyway, but I like having something that 'flows' into my EDT - for instance I's use the rose water one if I'm wearing a rose centered EDT that day.With heavier, woody EDTs I'm usually wearing them in the winter and might use something like Trumpers Sandalwood Skin Food.

 

[smoothie72]

I have been using sandalwood, lavender or rose aftershave and match the notes to the cologne I choose for the day. I wrote down some of the main notes in my fragrance collection. So when I choose my scent for the day I'll pair an aftershave with it. Also do this with musk and pinaud SR for the leather. Most frags have at least one of these notes in it. As for the rest unscented deodorant or musk. Lavender soap in the shower, none of which linger or clash

 

[The Chandos]

I shave at night so it doesn't matter. I mean, they don't conflict. I get in a good shave, some nice AS, sit back with a scotch and a book, then hit the hay. The next morning I can wear whatever. It just works out that way and it's just way too crazy in the morning to work in a shower and shave. I wait til the kids go to bed and get some "me" time.

 

[pinecone]

I thank you for answering a question I have had for years. Would not buy quality products for this very reason. Only purchased
" sets", both after shave and cologne the same . A lot of high quality cologne does not have a matching after shave. Would anyone like to comment on after shaves that would complement another, different, cologne ?

 

[Quintar]

I thank you for answering a question I have had for years. Would not buy quality products for this very reason. Only purchased
" sets", both after shave and cologne the same . A lot of high quality cologne does not have a matching after shave. Would anyone like to comment on after shaves that would complement another, different, cologne ?

perhaps if you listed a cologne or aftershave as an example of one you like I'm sure everone would chime in with 30 matching scents...

 

[smoothie72]

SCS Sandalwood,and Bulgarian lavender A/S.
Rose of Bulgaria A/S .
I use Pinaud S/R with some leather based scents
A/V musk fades nicely into some cold weather fragrances.
I want to try SCS woods aftershave. It sounds like it would work with a lot of edts

 

[chinmusic82]

I shave at night so it doesn't matter. I mean, they don't conflict. I get in a good shave, some nice AS, sit back with a scotch and a book, then hit the hay. The next morning I can wear whatever. It just works out that way and it's just way too crazy in the morning to work in a shower and shave. I wait til the kids go to bed and get some "me" time.

Shaving at night eliminates the problem altogether doesn't it? I enjoyed doing that as you can take longer and enjoy the shave without having to keep an eye on the time! I used to do that for a while but by post lunch the next day I'd look rather unkempt and badly in need of a shave so switched to morning shaving.

I tried out a combination of Bobk1 and The Knize's portion and its worked pretty well for the last couple of days- a mixture of witch hazel, aloe vera ,50% alcohol and water and it seems to be working well. No conflicting scents on me. I'm also using a fragrance free deodorant so now the only lingering scent on me is my cologne.

 

[chinmusic82]

I wrote down some of the main notes in my fragrance collection.

This is an interesting suggestion. I should do this. I've currently just separated my stuff into spicy orientals, gourmand, aquatics and floral.

I spend time and money deciding which frags I buy and wear - I don't want them overwhelmed by 'lesser' scents.

+1 to that.