SWMBO's Nose Knows

[Hippie Kai Yay]

If there is one type of product I have more than any other in shaving, it's aftershave (right now... ). I like the scents and smelling on how they, well, smell and how they change after time after applied. Though we use them to moisturize, tone, burn, and luxuriously complete our shave, there is one person they must always be tested on first and foremost: SWMBO. For that's one of our reasons to the dance of finding the best scent: that our most beloved companion adores our mug as much as we do. So, with that in mind, I asked the girlfriend what she thought of my aftershaves, from the bottles. I asked her to be brutally honest. On some, i already perdicted the answer. Others, I was surprised. And a few, I was shocked and hurt. And sorry to tell all ya, Gents: if she hates a favorite, I ain't kickin' her outta my life. She's a keeper . So, here are her opinions (short and sweet) as I have written them. Oh, and try this on your squeeze. I know a lot of us would enjoy hearing your special someone's thoughts on your aftershave collection.

P.S. make sure to thank her for subjecting her snout/sniffer/perfume detector to being put to such a test.Make sure to offer coffee beans often to cleanse the nasal passages, if your collection IS that large!

So, without further adieu, my SWMBO's opinion on my aftershaves:

Floid Amber: "Like."
Floid Blue: "Good, but not as much as the first one."
Captain's Choice: "Ew, I hate it."
Cat O' Nine Tails: "Even worse than the original!"
Aqua Velva: "Eh, smells like aftershave."
Florida Water: "A verbena-like scent. It's alright."
Pinaud Clubman: "I like this one, powdery."
Clubman Classic Vanilla: "I like. Smells like alcohol... alcohol."
Clubman Special Reserve: "Ew! Old man!"
Proraso Splash Green (Old Formulation): "Smells like aftershave. It's light in scent."
4711: "Smells like my childhood Pocahontas perfume... Oh my God! It smells exactly like my old Pocahontas perfume!"
Gillette Cool Wave: (She knew what this was and raised an eyebrow sexily and nodded approvingly) "Sexy mother******."
Ogalla Bay Rum: 1st whiff: "Horrible.", 2nd whiff: "No... smells like Christmas."
444: "...Vick's Vapor Rub."
Osage Rub: "Exactly like Vick's Vapor Rub; strong."
Nivea Sensitive: "Nothing."

Short and sweet answers, like I said, right? Ok, so... Obviously, I don't agree on everything she said. Like the Captain's and Cat O' Nine which I just got in sample vials from the Cap himself, I find them to smell like the best bay rum EVER. So, I'm upgrading to full size versions, like it or not. I was surprised with the Floid Amber, since I like that one too, even more than the Blue (gasp you should, but it's close, if that makes you feel better ). As for the 4711... no clue whatsoever as to how it compared to a children's perfume from a decade and a half ago, but know that I'll be keeping it. As with all my others. I love them all, but it's good to get the other half's opinion. So, I thanked my SWMBO with a kiss and a heartfelt "thank you", and now... Let your SWMBO test your fragrances... if ye be so brave!

 

[wagstaff]

Tell us about what the Floid Amber and the Floid Blue smell like. I haven't had the opportunity to try either, yet. (And are they both "powdery"? Or is either one? I read that on some thread or other...)

 

[Gabadab]

Fragrance Reviews from my SWMBO:
Ogallala Special Reserve "Eh, smells like licorice"
Proraso After Shave - "Mmmm... smells clean and crisp"
Polar Ice "Smells like mouthwash"
Pinuad Clubman Bay Rum "Yuck - smells like a spice I don't like"
Acca Kappa Cedro "I like"
Alt Innsbruck "Smells like honey - I like"
Dunhill - "No - Smells like Old Spice"
Nomad - "I like - smells like talcum"
Santos de Cartier "Makes my nose itch"

 

[Hippie Kai Yay]

Well, like I said, she kept her replies "short and sweet." I tried to coax her to add more definitions, opinions, feelings, whatever to what she was smelling, but no dice. What you read is what I got . I'm sure someone else will post there lover's thoughts (...I hope someone else posts a similar trial test...).

If you want my opinion, I prefer Amber over Blue, but it is close. No... scratch that. After smelling them again... and again... and again, I find I like them equally in scent. Amber smells like what I believe a man to smell like(... I see innuendos on the horizon). If you read the website Art of Manliness (who doesn't?!), that is a scent I picture. Powdery... I detect leather... a hint of citrus. After putting it on (it has some menthol, so it's cooling), it mellows just a tad. I just feel like I'm even more of a man. Sorry, I don't know how to describe it fully, as YMMV, but that's my thoughts on that.

Blue... ah, old Blue. It's like a refined, more gentlemanly Aqua Velva. Some find that idea horrendous, but it's a nice description. It's more mentholated than Amber, and just seems cleaner. I'd wear Amber to being outdoors, performing manual labor, sitting at the bar, while Blue is for the night out, business work, and being awesome. Note that I would definitely wear either aftershave to any event, but those are kind of what they remind me of.

Both remind me of a barbershop, but Amber more so. If you were to buy one, pick Blue. Less obtrusive than Amber, and in limited supply (it still is, right?).

 

[Hippie Kai Yay]

Alt Innsbruck "Smells like honey - I like"

I've been wanting to get some Alt Innsbruck.

Dear Santa, A.K.A. SWMBO...

 

[wagstaff]

Well, like I said, she kept her replies "short and sweet." I tried to coax her to add more definitions, opinions, feelings, whatever to what she was smelling, but no dice. What you read is what I got . I'm sure someone else will post there lover's thoughts (...I hope someone else posts a similar trial test...).

If you want my opinion, I prefer Amber over Blue, but it is close. No... scratch that. After smelling them again... and again... and again, I find I like them equally in scent. Amber smells like what I believe a man to smell like(... I see innuendos on the horizon). If you read the website Art of Manliness (who doesn't?!), that is a scent I picture. Powdery... I detect leather... a hint of citrus. After putting it on (it has some menthol, so it's cooling), it mellows just a tad. I just feel like I'm even more of a man. Sorry, I don't know how to describe it fully, as YMMV, but that's my thoughts on that.

Blue... ah, old Blue. It's like a refined, more gentlemanly Aqua Velva. Some find that idea horrendous, but it's a nice description. It's more mentholated than Amber, and just seems cleaner. I'd wear Amber to being outdoors, performing manual labor, sitting at the bar, while Blue is for the night out, business work, and being awesome. Note that I would definitely wear either aftershave to any event, but those are kind of what they remind me of.

Both remind me of a barbershop, but Amber more so. If you were to buy one, pick Blue. Less obtrusive than Amber, and in limited supply (it still is, right?).

Thanks a bunch for the descriptions.... I think I need to find samples. There's also a Black, now, I see at Bullgoose. The description says it does not have the powdery quality of some other Floids... hmm.

 

[unclezillion]

Note to OP listen to your partner! if she hates it why make waves? Have you ever considered she might just be right?

 

[bladebuff]

My wife is sometimes a little inconsistent or maybe just being herself (like in woman), but lucky for me she does like - Florida Water, Bay Rum, Alt Innsbruck, 4711, DRH Arlington, Pen's Blenheim Bouquet, Pen's Opus 1870, Acqua de Parma along with a few others on a fairly consistent basis. The unconditional rejects are - Aqua Velva, Skin Bracer, Pinaud Clubman and just about all of the Pinaud line, Brut, Old Spice, Adidas, Floid, Speick. I still keep a bottle each of AV, SB and Floid on hand for myself as every guy should, somethings are just meant to be if you know what I mean.

 

[Shave_Rat]

The other issue you'll run into is how different some are after the dry down. Captain's Choice and Ogallala both are very different after 10-15 mins on the skin compared to out of the bottle. The alcohol and witch hazel completely dissipate, and with the Ogallala, much of the initial clove hit also fades back a lot. Both then leave way more of the bay notes with some other spice in the background.

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Captain's Choice: "Ew, I hate it."Cat O' Nine Tails: "Even worse than the original!"

 

[Shave_Rat]

Obviously, I don't agree on everything she said. Like the Captain's and Cat O' Nine which I just got in sample vials from the Cap himself, I find them to smell like the best bay rum EVER. So, I'm upgrading to full size versions, like it or not.

Looks like SWMBO isn't always obeyed... lol

 

[Mick]

Captain's Choice: "Ew, I hate it." Cat O' Nine Tails: "Even worse than the original!"

In his defense he did say.....

Obviously, I don't agree on everything she said. Like the Captain's and Cat O' Nine which I just got in sample vials from the Cap himself, I find them to smell like the best bay rum EVER.

SWMBO is not always the best gauge of what to use... My wive loves THE VEG... go figure that one out if you can

 

[Hippie Kai Yay]

The other issue you'll run into is how different some are after the dry down. Captain's Choice and Ogallala both are very different after 10-15 mins on the skin compared to out of the bottle. The alcohol and witch hazel completely dissipate, and with the Ogallala, much of the initial clove hit also fades back a lot. Both then leave way more of the bay notes with some other spice in the background.

I figured that, but to save weeks of time, I just when't for what most people do to find out a scent: open the bottle and huff it. I would have enjoyed to have heard the reaction on Captain's Choice, since yesterday was my first day of wearing it and 'twas a nice scent mellowed and held up for most of my day. Ogalla though... Worn it a couple of times, but I always get a headache. Though to be fair, mine is a cologne version, but I have it with some witchhazel to lessen it. Love the ingredients and the bottle, but the scent... future self might try some of the aftershave versions, but Cap's is some AS then leaves nostalgic, not nauseous.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I figured that, but to save weeks of time, I just when't for what most people do to find out a scent: open the bottle and huff it. I would have enjoyed to have heard the reaction on Captain's Choice, since yesterday was my first day of wearing it and 'twas a nice scent mellowed and held up for most of my day. Ogalla though... Worn it a couple of times, but I always get a headache. Though to be fair, mine is a cologne version, but I have it with some witchhazel to lessen it. Love the ingredients and the bottle, but the scent... future self might try some of the aftershave versions, but Cap's is some AS then leaves nostalgic, not nauseous.

Well, you could get lucky then still, and have her like it (or love it even) after it hits the dry down on your skin.

 

[Hippie Kai Yay]

Well, you could get lucky then still, and have her like it (or love it even) after it hits the dry down on your skin.

That's the plan!

 

[BilliardKing]

I really like that Gilette's CoolWave smells nice and can be had for like, $5.

I spiked the hell out of mine with menthol crystals. The resulting frankenjuice is even colder than Osage Rub, by a long shot. Perfect face freezing finish after I use Vostok.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I can't think of any AS that I wear that my wife doesn't like. In fact, she thinks that Clubman Special Reserve ranks up there with the best leather frags that I have. She has a favorable take on the Veg too. She's either very open and discerning (the option I prefer) or thoughtful and diplomatic (the option I occasionally suspect). Either way, I can't complain.

 

[BilliardKing]

Does Clubman SR have a heavy leather note? Sounds like something I might like. How different is it from regular Clubman?

 

[SAPed]

I don't see much talk about Gillette Cool Wave, yet seemed to be a favorite of your SWMBO. Have you used it regularly? My SWMBO likes the old time scents - AV, Pinaud Clubman and Pinaud Special Reserve. From the samples I bought from Garry's, she liked DRH Windsor the most, I liked it a lot also and just ordered a full bottle of the AS along with the cologne.

 

[nycalling]

My wife also likes the Cool Wave, but not as much as this Jaguar brand I got. She also digs the Nivea splash.