Need Help Picking A Cologne

[Featherweight]

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This isn't about eau de toilettes - I know my way around those.

This is about something distinctly different - cologne. 4711 and Agua Lavanda Puig are colognes. Cologne is weaker juice with almost no longevity and barely a trace of sillage. But I don't really know which are better, and which are just junk.

I don't have any real preference or issues with notes of any kind, just wondering which is the best. Let me know which you use just to freshen up, and which you like the best. I know nothing about the wider range of colognes out there, and am only passingly familiar with the two mentioned above. Not saying you have to sell me on it, just tell me which you prefer.





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[StylinLA]

One that I see constantly referenced in Basenotes is from Roger and Gallet; Jean Marie Farina Extra Veille, Often just referred to as Extra Vielle.
Roger and Gallet makes a big line of soaps, lotions, etc, and it's available in a lot of beauty supply stores. I never see in typical men's cologne outlets. Would appear it's basically unisex, but I see a lot of the more manly men in BN like it. It's available right around the corner from me and it's just a couple of really hot days away for me to purchase ($40). Though I'm more into longevity that colognes usually don't offer.

The other one I suggest considering is Creed's new Aventus. I tested it briefly and it very much has a lighter cologne vibe to it. The reviewers are still spouting off about it in Basenotes. Initially, there was a lot hatred for it. Looking at the birch tar and oakmoss notes, I think a lot of us (self included) were hoping for a traditional, heavy, masculine Creed frag.

But now some of the people who like lighter "cologne" style scents are weighing in that it's great. Cologne-ish yes, but many say it last a long time on them.

 

[Niles]

Mugler Colonge and Guerlain Imperiale are two of my favorite edcs that come to mind. You could also go with the Pinaud line of products as most of them are aftershave or edc strength.

 

[derekzee]

the original adp colonia
parfums de nicolai cologne sologne
alvarez gomez colonia

 

[Chuck Norris]

In regards to concentration and longevity, one of the most important things i've learned about fragrances is that the longevity depends mainly on the nature of the ingredients involved vs. the alleged concentration level (i.e. Even a diluted amount of Patchouli will last well after the Cops are done searching you car for pot, whereas even a heavy dose of pure Citrus oil will be gone in about an hour). Some notes just peel off quickly and others stick around forever.

Of course concentration and quality play a role too, but I guarantee a splash of a cheap "Aftershave" can last longer than even the priciest Creed EDT if one is composed of tenacious stuff (i.e. Synthetics or Oak Moss, Patchouli, Musk) and the former is made of more transient natural extracts. This is why i lean more towards determining the type of notes involved first before looking at the EDC or EDT label.

Having said that, I have recently found a few frags that are good for this warm weather, they freshen you up, then quickly fade.

Guerlain: eau de coq (Citrusy like DR Harris Arlington AS)
Trumpers: Eau de Cologne (same as above)
Creed: Neroli Sauvage (same as above, but lasts a bit longer as i recall)
L'Artisan: Fou D'absinthe (starts off with a green, clean licorice bang, then dries down into mellow woods)
T&H: Trafalgar (an exciting citrus/floral without being rosey or grandmotherly, dries down to woods, incense and a hint of an Indian market)

To simplify - Steer clear of Dept store frags, check out the niche stuff which tend to be natural and typically less enduring.