Today we're helping Alexandra, who occasionally comments here as ScentRed, find a new fragrance she can buy for her husband Chris. Alexandra has good access to perfume stores, and she's willing to spend up to $175. For herself, Alexandra loves Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile, Ormonde Jayne Ormonde Woman, Narciso Rodriguez for Her, Annick Goutal Eau de Sud and Donna Karan Gold. Here is what she thinks we should know about her husband Chris:
Chris never wears fragrance and hasn’t owned a bottle since he was a teen. The truth is, he’s really just being a good sport and humouring his wife and her newly found fragrance obsession and in the process is hoping to find an interesting scent that makes her want to rip his clothes off.
Chris is a tall, handsome man in this early 40s who is equal parts high tech wizard and artist. A quiet, intelligent, laid-back father of two young children, he wants a fragrance that suits his personality and lifestyle. He works as a software developer for Internet applications and his interests include photography, music, marathon running, hiking and reading.
Chris is drawn to sandalwood, cedar, green, smoke, leather scents. He also likes fresh and citrus, "but doesn’t want to smell like the majority of the mainstream male fragrances that are described as fresh and citrus". Chris does not like very spicy, incense-y or fruity fragrances, or fragrances "that smell either too mature or too much like a young guy heading for the clubs". So far, Chris's favorite of what he has tried is Ayala Moriel's ArbitRary, but it didn't have great lasting power and was not a hit with Alexandra.
Chris's "no" list includes Marc Jacobs (too sweet, too coconut), Acqua di Parma Colonia (a little too old and soapy), Donna Karan Chaos (too much incense, spice), Jo Malone Grapefruit (liked the crispness – but too fresh) and Burberry the Beat (he says: meh?, she says: drydown’s a bit girly).
Chris's "maybe" list: Diptyque Tam Dao (enjoyable, but they aren't sure it's interesting or sexy enough), Dzing! (she loves this on him but he isn’t sure it suits him), L'Artisan Fou d’Absinthe (they both liked it though), Santa Maria Novella Nostalgia (he has not yet tried it on skin, and she was scared the gasoline/oil note would linger).
What say you?
Note: image is Post Box: Old post box in San Gimignano (Italy) [cropped] by Luca Zappa at flickr; some rights reserved.
One that i just found and is on the top of my to buy list is The Art of Shaving – Sandalwood. Its very woody/fresh and has above average lasting power. Its available at Nordstroms or Bloomingdales in 100 ml for $70.
Oh, I see your post went on first! I keep hearing about that Art of Shaving sandalwood. Sounds well worth trying!
Well, I’ll start the conversation by saying that I find Tam Dao compelling and sexy on MY husband. I like it on myself, but I LOVE it on him!
Alexandra and Chris might look into the Cartier line, too. I’ve only tried Eau de Cartier (and love it), but I hear the fellas raving about Declaration and its flankers.
Roadster is the best of the Cartier line that ive smelled, but i fear it may be too spicy for Chris.
Really, you think so? My faves from Cartier are Roadster and Pasha… mmmm….
I love Eau de Cartier for myself – wishing I had some for the summer months. We’ll have to explore the others in the line to see if there’s something for Chris.
If it should be Cartier, in my opinion Must pour Homme is the best masculine by far. Even generally speaking, I think it’s one of the best mainstream masculines out there: distinctive and a bit daring, very good sillage & lasting power, smells like high quality, decent development. But as it’s very vanillic I wouldn’t have thought about it for chris. Déclaration is well made but get’s on my nerves quickly – it seems too eager to please.
The first thing that popped to mind for me was Cartier’s Declaration. It’s a very sexy, close wearing cologne with decent staying power. I bought it… ages ago for my ex and remember it fondly. Overtones of cedar warmth. Do consider!
My other recommendation would have to be Dzongkha. I just recently got this for myself and it’s absolute love. It has a smokey quality that brings to mind dry steps and arid forests. Am not sure how it would suit really warm weather though… as it’s winter here in New Zealand.
Terre D’Hermes for citrus (without the typical male citrus vibe) and cedar.
I loved Terre D’Hermes in the store and bought a bottle. Then i HATED it for the first 3 weeks or so, but started to love it again as i kept using it up. I dont detect any citrus or cedar in it personally. Its smoky tho. For some reason i was also reminded of a beach bar-be-que.
Terre d’Hermes is quite nice – my favorite masculine for myself so far.
Also Thierry Mugler’s Cologne, which I recommend pretty much in every Monday Mail – lol
I have always been curious to smell Cologne, because it’s never on the Mugler shelves in the UK (at least not where I live)… will have to seek it out!
sometimes they shelve it in the women’s department. have a look there.
will do, thanks
Hi everybody!
I’ll start suggesting two of Hermes:Un jardin sur le nil and Terre d’Hermes both stunning and easy to wear,Bulgari Black for something similar to Dzing! and Lolita Lempicka au masculin.
Good luck, Lo.
I second Bulgari Black! Beyond fantastic.
I dont know about Lolita Lempicka. It smells like the way Good n Plenty’s taste. If you love licorice candy, then go for it. Bvlgari Black is good, but its a Unisex fragrance. I dont know if that would deter a couple like chris and alexandra. I think i will have to try Sur le Nil myself tho.
Hi Alexandra, I’ve been trying to get my husband to sample some different scents, too. Have you tried Parfumerie Generale’s Cuir Venenum? Lots of leather and citrus and cedar. It’s slightly sweet but not extremely so.
I’ll also second the Terre d’Hermes, which has been a “definite maybe” for my husband. Starts very citrusy but turns into something much smoother and more interesting.
I haven’t tried these. They sound great.
Thanks!
MPG Eau des Iles.
Two smoky scents he might want to try:
Patchouli 24 by Le Labo: very dry, smoky tar/birch and just a hint of vanilla. Good for all seasons in my opinion.
Burning Leaves by CB I Hate Perfume. The name says is all really, it’s the smell of leaves burning. Smoky, a hint of sweet maple syrup maybe? Very linear scent from beginning to end. Best for fall/winter.
And one fresh: Bigarade Cincentree by Malle. Bitingly fresh citrus with a drydown of cedar and cumin. I use it all year, very refreshing in the summer.
Bigarade Concentree is a great choice.
Oooh I like the sound of that.
Also, a nice smoky/cedary scent is Ginestet Le Boise.
Hello!
My rec is Dolce and Gabbana The One for Men.
Notes:
Grapefruit, Coriander, Basil, Cardamom, Ginger, Orange Blossom, Cedar, Tobacco, Ambergris.
Have a great day!
Chanel Cuir de Russie, Sycomore + Cologne; Cartier Déclaration + Eau de Cartier; Lalique Encre Noire; Malle Noir Épices, Bois d’Orage / French Lover, dans tes Bras, + Bigarade; MPG Eau des Iles; Eau d’Hermès + Elixir des Merveilles; TDC Sel de Vétiver; Parf. Générale Cuir Mauresque, Cuir Vénénum + Cèdre Sandaraque; SL Fumerie Turque, Santal Blanc, Santal de Mysore + Serge Noire…
… for a start…
I think my husband would love to hang out with yours…sounds like they have all the same interests! I’ll throw out a few thoughts: for cedar and green, Hermes Un Jardin En Mediterranee or Miller et Bertaux #3 (greenx4); Eau d’Italie (either Ed’I (citrus) or Bois d’Ombrie (smoky leather)), l’AP Timbuktu or Dzongkha, Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel, or one that smells great on my own husband, YSL M7 Fresh.
…and when they get together they could complain about how much their wives spend on fragrances
Thanks for these interesting suggestions!
Ha, mine wouldn’t dare. First, I’m the primary breadwinner; second, he has more than his share of crazy hobbies; and third, I have us both on a strict allowance system.
Hope you find something you both can love!
I recommend Christian Lacroix’s Tumulte Homme. It’s a most perfect cedar scent – plus the smokiness of the sandalwood and incense is present, but never too much. As a bonus, it’s currently available on most discount fragrance sites for absolutely next-to-nothing (I recently got a bottle for £6.95.)
It may be “too fresh,” I don’t know, but I was thinking Eau d’Hadrien is a good citrus–there’s something in it that bitters out the overly citrussy parts. I had a bottle that I bought for myself, but gave it to my partner after deciding it was a touch too masculine for me. Also thinking Bois des Iles is a good sort of sandalwoody scent.
Or, if Eau d’Hadrien seems too fresh, maybe AG Eau de Sud? I tried these at the same time and Eau de Sud seemed much darker and smokier, but still mostly citrus.
JPG Fleur D’ Male or the original… both are sexy.
Guerlain Pour Homme – another shoulder-biting frag.
Hi all. I have two recs, by Serge Lutens.
1-Daim Blonde, lovely skin musk, spicy suede note. Amazing on my hubby.
2-Feminite du Bois, with spice notes, (cinnamon, ginger and clove) fruit middle note (plum and peach). Cedar and sandalwood notes are throughout, with nuances of benzoin and vanilla in the drydown.
Both really smell great on either men or women. Wear well for many hours, with moderate sillage.
Ooh, forgot about the SL’s – Daim Blonde was boring for me after a while, but Chypre Rouge has an edge to it.
Creed Santal Original? “Sandalwood …Red Pencil Cedar … Benzoin …Mandarin … Neroli … Orange Wood … Vanilla … Ambergris” I love it. xoxo
Ok, here’s my votes:
Kiehl’s Musk
Lalique’s Encre Noire
Comme des Garcons #3
Christian Lacroix Tumulte Pour Homme
Kiehls Musk made me think–do they still make the Forest Rain, or whatever it’s called? That might be a good one.
Good suggestions! I like them all.
I just found this one… and I love it: Fleur D’Oranger 27 by Le Labo
Great citrus with a killer light musk dry-down that smells just great.
I would suggest Alan Cummings “Cumming” fragrance by Christopher Brosius. I think it absolutely fantastic!
Yes! I second this – iit’s very warm, smoky & yummy on a man, but doesn’t have a huge throw so it may appeal to him.
Also was thinking of Timbuktu or possibly Miller et Bertaux A Quiet Morning. Nice calm woods and just lovely on a man – or woman.
I will add my name to list of folks who recommend Terre d’Hermes.
Hello, Monday. A few recs for Chris, focusing on fresh woody, fresh leather, or unusual fougères, not a typical fragrance of any nature in the bunch:
Timbuktu (L’Artisan Parfumeur) – transparent woody
Sycomore (Chanel) – sandalwood vetiver
Scent 79 Man (Jil Sander) – tobacco fougere (I am still iffy on the drydown)
Or Black (Pascal Morabito) – leather fougere
Yohji Homme (if he can find it) – anisic fougere
Krizia Uomo (ditto) – cedar chypre
Ormonde Man – bitter-green cedar amber (I find it irresistible)
Dior Homme – iris fougere
S-eX (S-Perfumes) – transparent leather
Menthe Fraiche (Heeley) – citrus herbal woody
I’ll second Sycomore (it also has a smoky scent) and Or Black. Another fresh Heeley fragrance to try is Verveine.
I’m on board with everyone’s Terre d’Hermes suggestions (though I never can smell the citrus in it–to me it’s a gorgeous vetiver) and while you’re at the Hermes counter why not spritz some Eau de Merveilles, which starts off as a gentle, salty, transparent orange and dries down to oh-my-god-how-did-that-stay-so-light-and-get-so-sexy?
You might try some woods from Comme des Garcons: Palisander and Sequoia are my favorites. The first is lightly spicy rosewood, the second, fresh-split wood with a drizzle of rum.
And because I have to recommend them to every man I meet–the Divine line — L’Homme Sage and L’Homme de Couer. Confusingly (for me) it’s the Couer that is the dryer, iris-and-cypress scent (with a bit of leathery vetiver growling in the bottom). The Sage makes me weak in the knees–a warm ambery thing, but without too much sweetness. Yum!
What about old straight Polo? It’s still brilliant. A classic, what’s wrong with that?
Hello, Alexandra!
I’m amazed that nobody has mentioned Andy Tauer’s gorgeous scents. They’re so modern and original but still somehow very classic, and the ingredients he uses are first class. Something like Incense Extreme might appeal to Chris; despite the name, it’s honestly much more than that. Here are my own notes:
Bright and crisp, with lots of green from the orange leaves. It’s a really clean, soft incense and I’d especially love to smell it on a guy. I sense all the notes quite clearly – it’s not muddy in the least. I thought that the orris was the one note that, unfortunately, I couldn’t detect, but when the orange leaves calm the orris emerges, and it’s just terrifically rooty and fresh.
Coriander, orange leaves, orris, Texan cedarwood, frankincense, ambergris.
Another Tauer to try is Lonestar Memories. My notes:
A wonderfully creamy, rich, unisex leather. Love the sweet, round warmth from the tonka, myrrh and sandalwood, and the earthiness from the touch of vetiver. Beautifully done.
Geranium, carrot seed, clary sage, birch tar, cistus, jasmine, cedar wood, myrrh, tonka, vetiver and sandalwood.
You two can get samples from the Tauer Perfumes website. I think that L’Air du Desert Marocain is definitely also worth a try, and might even be his favourite of all. Lots has been written about it, including, I do believe, a review here on NST.
I think both you and Chris might also love a couple of Parfumerie Generale scents.
Bois Blond is like autumn in a bottle, with lots of light woodiness without being at all coarse, and a tobacco that’s like golden hay dried in the sun. Notes are white tobacco, amber, arbutus, musk, galbanum and cedar. I own a bottle myself!
Cuir d’Iris has cardamom, Iris Old Black (probably an aged iris), leather, woods, vetiver, Rizophora tannin and amber. It’s subtle and luxurious, like buttery suede as opposed to strong, stereotypically masculine leather.
Iris Taizo has leather and iris, too, with dry, dark cardamon and dry wood, yet still it’s rich and very mellow. It’s not as sweet as the components would suggest, but does have the softness of those notes: Iris, cardamom, jinkoh wood, fig tree honey, and vanilla.
Thank you Robin R for these thoughtful and evocative suggestions. Incense Extreme sounds much different than I would have imagined.
Hi, Chris! You are very good-natured! I wonder if you’d like a nice tobacco scent, 1740 by Histoire des parfums (smoke, leather and tobacco). Very nice for cool weather.
Another PG — so obvious now!! — slipped my mind. It’s Cajmere, which our blogmistress Robin would likely call a wood pudding scent. It’s got heaps of sandalwood and musky ambrette, with the lift of cypress and citrus.
Notes are Myrtle branch, sap, red tangerine, rosewood, Kenyan cypress resin, coconut milk, sandalwood bark, ambrette seed and vanilla.
Good luck on your search.
Oops, I meant Cadjmere.
So *that’s* what Cadjmere is! Love almost every PG I’ve tried so far…will add this to the list…
Farmacia SS Isos. He will not smell like anyone else. Its a grabber, you will be noticed. It is even more dynamic in the heat of the day….and night. Its a boutique fragrance though.
A more mainstream find is Kenzo Air. Fresh but not overpowering..Only a hint of citrus, no musk, some ozone and anise. One of the few with no aqua or sweet sporty notes.
Two common readily available ones that I have had some luck with that are definitely in the $50.00 and less range are L’Occitane’s Eau de Badian, And Fresh CAnnibis Santal. Eau de Badian has a hint of classic to it but the havier anise note adds a more modern feel. It layers great with anything else citrusy or non-incensey spicey. To be honest..I use a lemon verbena deodorant that ends up mixing so well with this, i want to meet myself. Cannibis Santal has a nice earthy drydown without going musty. It also is unisex so can be conveniently borrowed…
Hi Chris and Alexandra!
I want to add my vote for Terre d’Hermes and Lonestar Memories. Both are incredible.
Another recommendation is Creed Baie de Genievre and Guerlain L’Instant for men ( both are very sexy).
Good Luck!
Dixie, I think L’Instant would really suit Chris. I allways think of older Guerlains and forget how good this one was. So sexy and still really elegant and natural smelling.
If Chris doesn’t mind it to be “classicist Modernism”, I really think it’s gotta be Guerlain’s Habit Rouge. I can see it well on someone like Chris, who likes to make an impression without irritating noses on the other side of the room. Who wants to wear a high quality scent and at the same time likes it to be light and refreshing enough to put on after doing sports. HR opens with the typical sparkling, sharp citrus accord which can be like a wakeup call, nothing like the usual “fresh”, this is the real thing. It’s one of those rare masculines that are not calling out for attention, but are totally characteristic at the same time. Imagine a Cologne that turns into a totally smooth, glowing oriental with a hint of leather. I think some of the proposals above are too resinous.
After writing this I checked again the text above and I think it fits in all respects. I just hope Alexandra likes it too… Important: it’s an old-school Guerlain (smells timeless though) so don’t judge it at first sniff, it goes through a great development and you need to give it some time to understand the scent. If it’s a bit too oriental, try the EdT Légère version. But the classical is more masculine.
In regard to the posts above I would agree on Jardin en Méditerranée (though it doesn’t smell particularly masculine), Comme’s Palisander, Terre d’Hermès (though a little bit booring), Tumulte (a great Cedar and very cheap online as discontinued).
An addition which opens *very* fresh and has a good Sandal note: Balmain Monsieur (might be too undestated though).
HR sounds like another “must try”.
I think it’s widely considered a work of reference, have a sniff!
Oh, and I actually meant to say some suggestions I find too incensey not ‘resinous’…
To Chris:
I find Comme des Garcons 2 (Not 2 men, haven’t tried it) to be the best “fresh, with a difference” fragrance I know of. There’s no fruit, no citrus. You might like it.
How about fresh and salty…a kind of twist on either “fresh” or “marine”? I’m thinking Heeley Sel Marin…no sandalwood, but the notes list cedar and birch…I got interesting, slightly tangy fresh air…writing about it makes me want to go back and sample again!
I second Ormonde Man, would make a nice match for Alexandra’s Ormonde Woman. Ormonde Isfarkand might also be worth trying with its mix of lime, bergamot and pink pepper on a base of cedar, vetiver and moss!
Otherwise also back Chanel Sycomore and Histoire des Parfums 1740 and suggest Guerlain Derby – smoky woods and leather!
Two scents I think would be perfect for Chris are Les Nez Let Me Play the Lion – dry, woody and subtly sophisticated and also Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois – beautiful woody scent with just a hint more floral (without being feminine at all) than LMPTL.
what about Musc Rav? it always comes off as extremely leathery (pleathery, even?) and musky to me, but with a pleasant vanilla and not too spicy spice to keep it in check.
i also like the fou d’absinthe mentioned. one of my favorite l’artisans.
perhaps armani prive cuir amethyste? i think it smells very sweet on me, but my mother insists it smells woody, leathery, and like someone’s been smoking a pipe.
no to burberry the beat…but what about london?
Thanks to everyone for such well-thought out and descriptive suggestions. Chris and I have much to ponder over. I feel a sample order coming on…
Am I too late?!?
I’d like to suggest Guerlain Vetiver. Very classy.
I love the Serge Lutens suggestions. If yoru husband likes Fumerie Turque and leathery, smokey frags…..how about trying Bandit?
For sure it isn’t too late – keep ’em coming!
just got a sample of bandit to compare to a bottle i purchased a while back on ebay.
they smell only the vaguest bit related if you imagine really hard. the bottle smells like grandmother and glade bathroom spray, while the sample is the glorious funky thing of lore. not sure if the bottle is necessarily anything wrong, or just the latest formulation from the latest owner of the fragrance. robin mentioned its seen a number of iterations in the “how many have you bought” comments posts.
i’d just suggest testing before investing…if possible. find somewhere that’ll let you sniff what they have on hand.
Please give a try to Creed Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse. I love it on my man.
May I add FM Angeliques sous la Pluie (for cedar), Kenzo Power (citrus/woody), L’Artisan Eau de Jatamansi, SL Chergui (light tobacco), Creed Santal Imperial, L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme, Etro Shaal Nur (very light incense). I just gave a non-cologne-wearing man who sounds a bit like Chris 27 samples to try and his favourites were Shaal Nur, Jatamansi, Bvlgari Homme and Black and Premier Figuier. He also liked Power.
Oh, I have to chime in and second the recs for Shaal Nur and L’Eau de Jatamansi. They are beautiful, classy, complex, and restrained in just the right amount, IMO.
I snagged a sample of Shaal Nur thinking, “Yum, rose and incense, I love those…” but it was rose/incense/woods under a blanket of patchouli. It was nice, smooth patchouli, but Too Much Patch for my taste. At the same time, I thought that I would just looooove to smell it on someone who has chest hair.
hadn’t thought of chergui…somehow. someday i shall have a bottle…i am in love with it.
This is a no brainer – you like Ormonde Woman and he likes green scents – It’s Ormonde Man for him and i was delighted to see Luca Turin and chandler burr give it a maximum 5 stars each…
If not that, and i can’t think of a reason he wouldn’t like it, then Dyptique’s L’eau de L’eau