She won't let me use Barrister and Mann's Fougere Gothique or Full Measure of Man splashes when she is around.
Am well aware of the artisan splashes, have some from the three you mentioned and Captains Choice. I agree they are a better than the drugstore varieties. The thing about the designer stuff is the scent, the cologne scent they have is just so darned nice in the several that I own. And the missus likes when I wear them. I do wear drugstore/artisan lotions regularly, and they suffice on a casual bum day. If I am out shopping or going out for lunch or dinner, the designers ones are my "go to".There is an option in between cheap drug store splashes and overpriced designer ones. Artisan splashes by companies like Stirling, B&M, Fine… in my experience they smell amazing, perform very well on my skin, and are generally good value for money. You only need a few drops so the bottle lasts a very long time.
Clubman Original, Brut, Pinaud Bay Rum, Grey Flannel. The missus has told me more than a few times to wash these off. Also to get rid of them, or she will! Really, any aftershave I own which didn't cost more than say, $20, is "garbage". Aftershaves she does enjoy are Aqua di Gio, Cool Water, Obsession, Drakkar Noir and Dolce&Gabbanna "The One". I have to admit the experience of using designer aftershaves is more pleasurable than the drugstore grade stuff. I gave my brother one of the two Clubmans that I had, his "SO" said it was "disgusting". His daughter said it was the most horrid thing she ever smelled on a man.
Hi Okie Stubble, hope all is well with you and yours. I believe most every designer aftershave splash I have came in gift sets from a good 5 to 10 years ago, maybe more, or individually from places like Gordmans and TJMaxx, also from days gone by. Cool Water and Obsession splashes were recent, like a couple years ago. I checked not too long ago, both are still available online, for reasonable prices. If I find a designer gift set with an aftershave splash that I enjoy at the discount stores, I grab it just to get the splash, but this has become a rare thing, of scents coming with a splash aftershave. I recently found a Halston Z14 and a Grey Flannel set with aftershave splashes. I am careful with how much, and how often, I use the designer splashes. You obviously have noticed that designer splashes are rare now. Most are balms, which are fine, but the splashes are better.
Yes, Drakkar is great stuff! I also have snooped ebay and seen the prices on the old Drakkar aftershaves...more than I want to spend! The discounters in our town don't have much in gift sets at Christmas, our Burlington had perhaps a dozen different sets this year, none looked worth buying. I have perhaps a fourth of a 3.4 ounce bottle of Drakkar A/S left, used sparingly, but plenty of EDT. I tried spraying some EDT in my palm along with some Thayers witch hazel with glycerin added to use as an after shave...not bad at all...could smell that glorious Drakkar scent for an hour or so. I haven't looked, but maybe someone like Stirling makes a Drakkar dupe...gonna check into that.I have haunted the exact same places as you for my gift boxes. Gordman's, TJMaxx, Marshall's and Walgreens was always a good place to find them during the holidays, but not anymore. I have several of the Drakaar boxes with the balm, but sure wish it was the splash. The good sized bottles of the vintage splash on ebay have gotten quite expensive.
Drakaar is great stuff!