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The Monday Mail ~ help Adrian find a new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 25 October 2010 46 Comments

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Today we're helping Adrian, who is looking for a new fragrance. He doesn't care if it's niche or not, but he'd rather not be wearing the same thing as everyone else, and he likes "the idea of something strange". Adrian happens to work for a company that makes perfumes, but he is in marketing and says he is not an expert on fragrance (although he does work with some perfumistas). He'd like to find a long-lasting but not overwhelming scent that would work for day or night, and he can spend around $100. Here are some other details about Adrian:

He's in his late 20s.

He has lived in different places; right now he is in Barcelona.

He likes fashion, clothes, going out, travel, and the internet.

Adrian likes woody notes like cedar, vetiver and patchouli. He's not a huge fan of sandalwood, though. He also likes iris, leather, oceanic accords or watery accords, moss and violet leaves.

Adrian doesn't like really sweet or foody notes: vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, pineapple, coconut, aniseed, licorice or coffee.

For the past few years, Adrian has been wearing Bvlgari Aqva, but he's getting bored with it. Here are some other fragrances he has tried and/or worn regularly:

Annick Goutal Les Nuits d’Hadrien: not enough staying power.

Bvlgari pour Homme Soir, Guerlain Homme: ditto.

Hermès Terre d’Hermès: too smokey, maybe.

Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil: too citrusy.

DSquared2 He Wood: he really likes it, but a close friend wears it.

Tom Ford Tuscan Leather: he likes it but it's too expensive.

Diesel Fuel for Life: too sweet, too much anise.

Prada Infusion d’Iris: he likes the opening but not the dry down.

Prada Infusion d’Homme: too soapy.

Etat Libre d'Orange Tom of Finland: something fatty/oily develops, he doesn't like it.

Narciso Rodriguez for Him: too much like Coke.

Etro Musk: too soft.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel: he doesn't like the opening.

What say you?

Note: image is Richmond Green by Mike_fleming at flickr; some rights reserved.

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: monday mail

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46 Comments

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  1. monkeytoe says:
    25 October 2010 at 1:53 pm

    CdG Wonderwood, YSL M7, Dior Homme Sport, Tauer Lonestar Memories (might be too smoky), or L’Artisan Timbuktu are all worth a shot for longlasting woody scents.

    Log in to Reply
    • meg says:
      25 October 2010 at 2:10 pm

      Seconding Timbuktu. I was going to suggest Patchouli 24 for a great unusual leather, but it’s almost certainly too smoky.

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    • Lucy says:
      25 October 2010 at 3:58 pm

      Another vote for L’Artisan’s Timbuktu. Check out Dzongkha while you’re there since you like Iris too.
      More importantly…where do I send my resume?
      :)

      Log in to Reply
      • mk-adri says:
        26 October 2010 at 4:09 am

        Dzongkha from L’Artisan as well?

        Its not so interesting like it sounds , but I admit I have good time smelling some things…

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        • mk-adri says:
          26 October 2010 at 4:36 am

          I mean my company, not your recommendation :D

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          • Lucy says:
            27 October 2010 at 3:05 pm

            No worries…I also spend an astonishing amount of time sampling. It’s a shame I only have two arms for testing.

            Yes, Dzongkha is also from L’Artisan. I think everything they make is worth sniffing. I don’t always want a full bottle in every scent, but I have yet to find any that aren’t respectable.

  2. Daisy says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:02 pm

    the first thing that popped into my head is YSL M7 —usually easy to find and inexpensive to boot! Another possibility: Satellite Padparadscha. How do you feel about Sandalwood and tea? Vintage CSP Thé is really nice and within your price range. If you were willing to seek a decant maybe some Roja Dove Unspoken.
    Have you tried the new L’Artisan Traversée du Bosphore? That might meet your leather needs and it’s kind of unusual.

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    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 2:50 am

      I have tried M7 and I think its a bit overwhelming.

      I think I have to try L’Artisan Traversée du Bosphore, sounds really interesting.

      Log in to Reply
    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:34 am

      Thanks a lot, btw :)

      Log in to Reply
    • Lucy says:
      27 October 2010 at 3:07 pm

      I didn’t know Traversée du Bosphore was out yet. Do you know which stores have it?

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  3. Dilana says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:12 pm

    Adrian seems to be crying out to be a CDG man. I’d suggest the Artek Standard. I’d also suggest Lubin’s Itasca, which is woody, lavender and vetiver.

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  4. Dusan says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Serge Lutens Chêne is a fantastic woody fragrance, and the 50ml LE is just within his price range.

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    • kaos.geo says:
      25 October 2010 at 11:54 pm

      I second Dusan on this, and he can get it in El Corte Ingles (where he can also try the Dior Colognes… I think the Noir should work for Adrian too)

      Log in to Reply
      • kaos.geo says:
        25 October 2010 at 11:57 pm

        Also check out the perfume shop at Bulevard Rosa, they carry the Different Company among others…

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  5. Dolly2 says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Adrian-definitely check into CdG Patchouli.

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  6. Bee says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:33 pm

    an offbeat rec: Rosissimo (les parfums de rosine), a green rose (with vetiver as one of the notes listed) that turns to leathery in the dry down, interesting..

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  7. bjorn says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:50 pm

    Kyoto by Commes des Garcon: airy and dry incense, woods and amber. Maybe not as long lasting as you want, but you can always refresh!

    A more aggressive choice: Iris Bleu Gris by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier. Very in-your-face opening with bitter greens and rooty iris. It smells old fashioned in just the right kind of way. A must try for anyone who likes iris.

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    • monkeytoe says:
      25 October 2010 at 5:32 pm

      I worried that Kyoto would have too much coffee.

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    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 4:45 am

      I like aggresive choices.. :D
      I will try that one.

      thank you

      Log in to Reply
  8. Joe says:
    25 October 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Hi Adrian. Barcelona is such a fantastic city! I’d live there if I could.

    Funny, I was going to recomment DSquared HeWood, but see that your friend wears it. I haven’t tried any of the flankers (Rocky Mountain Wood?). Maybe try one of those?

    Or how about:
    – Marc Jacobs Bang
    – The Different Company Sel de Vetiver (a bit expensive, but terrific)
    – Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel
    – CSP L’Eau du Gouverneur or Bois de Filao

    Log in to Reply
    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:12 am

      Hello there!
      I was thinking maybe Bang is going to be a best-seller (so I’d prefer not to pick this one)
      I think one day I tried Sel de Vetiver and was really good, but I almost freaked out with the price.. maybe I have to think in buying some…

      Log in to Reply
  9. ami says:
    25 October 2010 at 3:33 pm

    Adrian, I totally envy you for your job : ) wish you would tell us more about it
    check Ormonde Jayne Man and Zizan, they are so special, woody and wonderful

    Log in to Reply
    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 4:43 am

      Hello Ami..
      nothing special about my job, most of the time I manage data sales of perfumes… Other times trends in perfumery.. which perfumes are going to be sold better.. naming some perfumes..

      thanks for your recommedation…

      Log in to Reply
      • ami says:
        26 October 2010 at 2:30 pm

        i do some similar sales data stuff with a cad software. perfume sounds more challanging, but maybe i’m wrong : )

        hope you will find your beloved one, in perfume and everything : )

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  10. sacre bleu says:
    25 October 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Heeley: Cuir Pleine Fleur – wear it anywhere.

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  11. dee says:
    25 October 2010 at 4:06 pm

    PG’s Bois Blond! Wonderful grassy hay note with cedar. It’s fabulous!

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  12. Rictor07 says:
    25 October 2010 at 4:54 pm

    As a guy who has worn more than a few of the same ones you’ve worn, here are my additional suggestions.

    Wood:
    Comme des Garcons Sequoia
    10 Corso Como
    Eau de Italie Bois D’Ombrie

    Vetiver:
    Lubin Le Vetiver
    Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician
    Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
    Guerlain Vetiver

    Patchouli:
    Ulrich Lang Nightscape
    Les Nereides Patchouli Antique

    Oceanic:
    Kenzo Homme

    Some others on my radar:
    Montale Red Vetyver
    Miller et Bertaux Spiritus

    Log in to Reply
    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:16 am

      Thanks for that impressive list.
      The only one I have tried before is TF Grey Vetiver, so I have some work to do..

      Log in to Reply
  13. Dixie says:
    25 October 2010 at 6:09 pm

    Embruns d’Ambre – an oceanic ambre skillfully done by Stephanie de St. Aignan

    Parfumerie Generale Iris Oriental and Patchouli Intriguant

    Sonoma Scent Studio – Wood Violet (very inexpensive)

    The Different Company Bois d’Iris

    Van Cleef and Arpels Bois d’Iris

    Il Profumo Noir Patchouli

    Happy sniffing!

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  14. SmokeyToes says:
    25 October 2010 at 6:19 pm

    How about Bel Ami by Hermes? It’s got moss, cedar, sandalwood, leather, herbs, cardamom, leather and patchouli. Just tried it a few weeks ago and it was a show-stopper. Could not stop sniffing my wrist. One can find it online for under $100.

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  15. gina67 says:
    25 October 2010 at 7:35 pm

    How about Parfumerie Generale Psychotrope? Lovely leather and violets, strange plasticky top note. Plus, the name…awesome:)

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  16. sergio1960 says:
    25 October 2010 at 9:16 pm

    Guerlain Vetiver for spring time….Habit Rouge when you are in love with yourself…. Aura of Patchouli by Caswell-Massey to bring an air of mystery….,,Mitsouko to drive people crazy around you…do not tell them that you are wearing it…keep the mystery .

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    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:30 am

      Thanks…that was so funny..

      Are they still selling Mitsouko? Where I can find it?

      Log in to Reply
  17. sergio1960 says:
    25 October 2010 at 9:19 pm

    Hummm…..Forgot about thios one…..to let people follow you…Profumi de Pantelera…….Maestrale……so delicious….

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  18. PekeFan says:
    25 October 2010 at 11:03 pm

    How about Paestum Rose or Sienne L’Hiver by Eau d’Italie? I also agree on CdG Wonderwood or perhaps Avignon? You might also try Chanel Sycomore, Yatagan, or Terre d’Iris.

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  19. elise says:
    25 October 2010 at 11:33 pm

    PG Bois Blond!
    Chanel Coromandel or Sycomore.
    Amaranthine.
    Etro Sandalo.
    Mono Di Oro Nuit Noire…might be interesting.
    Bond 9 silver factory…
    Let us know if you have tried any of these….

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    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:21 am

      Thanks.
      I havent tried any of these ; I didn’t even know they exist!

      Log in to Reply
  20. L says:
    26 October 2010 at 12:00 am

    Hi Adrian,

    I’d like to recommend Sens et Bois by The Different Company, a cedary fragrance that’s round rather than sharp. It’s only slightly over budget at $125 for 50 ml (and, of course, decants can be had for much less). Notes according to Luckyscent are: Chinese cedarwood, white violet, black pepper, elemi, ginger, patchouli, vervain, bergamot and incense.

    I see that decants of The Different Company’s Bois D’Iris, which someone recommended above, are being sold at special price right now at The Perfumed Court – $9.99 for 5ml and $15.99 for 8ml.

    Good luck with your search!

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    • mk-adri says:
      26 October 2010 at 3:19 am

      Thanks! Sens et Bois sounds like really matching my tastes.

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  21. Santemon says:
    26 October 2010 at 12:51 am

    Big thumbs up for Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur and Chanel Sycomore.

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  22. mk-adri says:
    26 October 2010 at 2:49 am

    Hello, Im Adrian.
    Sorry for the delay and thanks all of you for your fantastic recommendations!
    Seems to me that I have a lot of work to do.

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  23. rlikestosmell says:
    26 October 2010 at 4:56 am

    Hmm… not sure I have as many thoughts as others, but noticed you like DSquared Wood. My SO wears this too and on him its a fairly gourmand wood. It’s the only one on the list that got a REALLY like, so I’m wondering if your taste runs more gourmand than you’re aware? Other scents that have the same vibe to me (though not the same notes)–Hanae Mori HM and Burberry Touch for Men.

    For a fairly pure but complex Vetiver, I’m loving Encre Noire (men’s version) these days.

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    • rlikestosmell says:
      26 October 2010 at 4:57 am

      ps. All these are super budget friendly too!

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  24. hongkongmom says:
    26 October 2010 at 5:51 am

    Adrian i thought of d-squared before i read ur friend uses it…..Christian Lacroix tumulte homme…will be perfect : cedarwood and incense and a little citrus…MARVELLOUS and unexpensive online….good luck and mostly enjoy

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  25. Blimunda says:
    27 October 2010 at 4:05 am

    Hmmmm, there are some cracking male fragrances out there! I love everyone’s suggestions!

    From Parfumerie Generale:
    Cedre Sandaraque
    Bois Blond
    L’Eau Guerriere (this one is very unusual!)
    Cuir D’Iris
    Coze

    The best vetiver I can think of is Vetiver Extraordinnaire from F.Malle.

    A great patchouli is Nombril Immense from Etat Libre D’Orange.

    Good luck!

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    • Blimunda says:
      27 October 2010 at 4:08 am

      Ah, also try Etat Libre’s vetiver too…er, it’s called Fat Electrician, but don’t be put off by that!

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