I smell like a tart patchouli
Originally uploaded by: KnOizKi
I did it again. I went solo today just to find my perfect cologne – the one with my name on it. I am now literally a Zegna. I bought it from the Lane Crawford and it’s not even on sale. Seriously, buying a perfume for men is not all necessary. I do believe that a perfect grooming is just about taking your daily showers and you will smell simply perfect. I know some people would prefer that way, but why would I still buy?
With so many colognes out there, I can’t tell which fragrance is really worth to buy. I remembered I bought one 100ml men’s blue water – L’Eau Bleue D’Issey Pour Homme cologne spray from Issey Miyake on my birthday and I told the saleswoman that this bottle really bears my name. And I realized that it only lasts for about 6 months. I got tired of it.
Three words to define the spirit of the new fragrance by Ermenegildo Zegna – this fragrance is the embodiment of style and Italian seduction. The irresistible opening is cool, lively, sparkling, very masculine. Sicilian bergamot is completed with rosemary and the enigmatic Cassowary fruit. At the heart, a delicate floral scent of sweet, powdery iris before a plunge into spices: a hint of nutmeg and a seasoning of hot white pepper. Growing languid, the base features sweet cashmere wood, tart patchouli and the warm earthy notes of delightful oak moss.
How do you find a right perfume? Do you only go to any perfume shop just to find the ones that catch your eye? Most likely I would try on about a dozen of perfumes out at the local mall spraying each of my chosen fragrances onto different cards. However doing all things this way will have me sniffing multiple scents in a short time, it easily blurs the smell after the third or fourth card. It was so amazing that the Lane Crawford shop has this little cup of coffee beans to sniff after each whiff of cologne. Since I’m a person who normally asked too much of information before buying a product, for some reason, coffee just refreshed my sense of smell.
Funny thing was, last week I actually just went to the shop and sprayed the scent on my wrist and my whole neck then I left right straight out the shop without buying it yet, you know just to see if the smell will periodically lasts for a couple hours. Although, I’d already get a clear picture of that particular cologne’s smell throughout its life on my body, I would still come back and look for more.
I mean really, is that how you purchase your perfume? I know some shop would not even let you spray it, but I love it here, every perfume shops that you visit, lets you spray the scents in your body and walk away. No one will give you the stupid face but then again, it’ll let you decide for a while as you browse again for another. The tricky part to some shops is that, they normally offers a set of product with extra showergel & roll-ons that let you think, why not? Although I believe most of these sets are old (or expired), they still give you a little give-away products.
I’m sure if you will have much better luck in finding the best cologne for yourself, do these options before buying your fragrance and not going off of someone else’s opinion.
Get Down On It
by: Wayman Tisdale
Filed under: Dailies, Happenings/Events, Hong Kong, Life | 41 Comments
I gave up buying because I can’t find a good myrrh smell.
I’m one of those horrid people who showers and goes (although, in a past life, I always had 3 or 4 scents to choose from).
Something changed a few years ago — I’m no longer intersted in smelling like something other than myself. Too bad for my wife… Whew!
I used to spray a few on cards, take them home and smell them off and on for the next day. If I liked one more than the others, I’d eventually go back and spray some on myself ans see if I liked the way it smelled when it mixed with my body chemistry.
If I did, I’d buy it. If a girlfriend hated it, I would value her opinion (girlfriends have to endure it).
But now — sin of sins, I like to just smell clean. What’s up with that?
Eau Sauvage Extrème by Christian Dior,
Swiss Army
Chanel Platinum after shave
That’s it for me.
I like spicy smells, not fruity. I can’t stand fruity.
The cologne suits you when you wear it and you don’t smell it anymore, that’s the cardinal rule for choosing the right cologne. To do so, you can ask for samples of the colognes that interest you and take them home. By samples, I mean itty bitty bottles.
Also be careful, because after 15-30 minutes of smelling perfumes, you can’t smell as good anymore. Sensory overload.
I love perfumes from Issey Miyake especially the white one. But now I am currently using Clinique Happy for Men. However, I am quite intrigue with that Zegna perfume. How does it smells like ?
If it was me… I’d forego all that and would’ve went to get myself a cup of hot coffee.. ooo.. I can smell the aroma already. Monday morning… can’t help it when coffee was mentioned.
i hope Zegna really, really, really, bears your name this time.
and oh, they say that your nose can only identify maximum of three scents, when trying out perfumes/colognes. and the neutralizer in between smelling the scent? coffee (beans).
not much of the ‘perfumey’ peson, but i love scents that aren’t so overwhelming to my nasal tubes since i’m really sensitive to strong smells. i easily sneeze if the smell’s too strong. besides i don’t believe in spending a lot of ‘unbelievable’ bucks just for a bottle of signature/branded scents.
i love the smell of incense, myrrh, sandalwood, rosewater, lavender and jasmine. oh, and also musk, i love musk!(esp. on men! hehe):lol:
simple scents yet if these agree w/ your body chemistry, you could smell like an angel! you see, not all perfumes accentuates a person’s natural scent you know. i also go some ‘arabic’ scents at times.
I have two or three scents I cycle through, dependent on season and mood. Citrus-y and light for spring and summer. A bit spicier for winter and autumn. While my husband also has a couple of colognes which smell great on him and agree with his body chemistry, I have to admit I prefer his natural scent.
For my home, I prefer sandalwood or bergamot. Or fresh coffee.
Hello K!
I think perfume and cologne shopping is a vey individual task. The thing is, each person has his own PH that blends with the scent of the cologne/parfum. Two persons buying the same brand and type of cologne will not smell the same. One might smell better than the other.
What you did, spraying the cologne first a week before and trying it out is the best way to shop. You cannot juts buy a smell with a sniff. It’s like those perfumed pages in magazines. They all tend to smell the same after a certain period. That’s all because they blend with the chemicals and compound of the mag.
whoa… am I getting too technical?lol
I take my shopping seriously! wahahahahahah
kidding aside, where you inpired by the Italians that’s why you bought Z? Next time, I want a photo with you and a Zegna outfit naman!
yay! someone else who likes “arabic” scents!!!!
MWAH!
I kiss you.
And, I find a dab of sandlewood under the kilt just to be DEvine!
Hello K…The Queer Chef sent me…and it is nice to meet you! I have been using the same perfume/cologne for many many years…my theory is: If it smells good to you then it’s good for you! But you do have to spray t on yourself to really tell if a scent is right for you!
am using three…. mat;male by Masaki Matsushima, L’eau D’issey, and Clean.
BTW, I brought the hug from the queer chef, a bottle of cabernet sauvignon, your tuna (of course with the greens) and a hug from me!
I have a large collection of perfumes…so I can have a different scent for each day or mood that I’m experiencing. Currently I’m saving to purchase CHANEL’S “COCO MADEMOISELLE”.
My top 5 favorite women scents are Pink by Victoria Secret, Romance by RL, Coolwater by Davidoff, Pleasures by Clinique and Rush 2 by Gucci
Hi K,
Good choice for the perfume. I think it’s a great idea to explore and try different brands. My way of figuring out what to buy? I just buy it and try it on – IF it does not appeal to me really I mix it or as they say “layer” it with a totally contrasting scent, then the smell comes out differently. Hence, it’s always best to have lots of it.Oh well, at least a few bottles open to layer.
@mick -> “And, I find a dab of sandlewood under the kilt just to be DEvine!” whoa?! hehe that’s kinda new?! hehe sandalwood’s one of my favorite scents ever since i learned to appreciate scents also rosewater and lavender later on… ;
Hahaha Mick, eventually, I would end up usually just wipe on my neck whatever scent sample sheets that fly out of magazines! I felt like a complete dork.
My first two bottles was Chanel Platinum. It was worth it. When I was in my college, I used the cheap perfume called “Brute” or the “Old Spice”. I don’t know if they still sell this kind of product. It’s so old-age.
It smells very light and just plain clean, you’re not going to collapse if you smell me unlike the CK eternity that everyone’s wearing. I miss my Helmut tho’, the bottle was so limited and couldn’t find any of that around here anymore.
Lets go at Starbucks and sprinkle some ice latte or the machiattos. I’m sure we are going to smell like coffee beans as we pour some cream on top of each other.
Just getting used to this new smell. I was surprised when the salesgirl offered me the coffee beans.
If someone is wearing a strong perfume, obviously many people are sensitive and it’a an automatic migraine for me – maybe one day in case I’m bored, I’ll go back to that shop and ask the salesgirl to give me some coffee samples instead.
besides i don’t believe in spending a lot of ‘unbelievable’ bucks just for a bottle of signature/branded scents.
I don’t mind at all if they are expensive or not, for as long as they are not giving me headache, I’d buy one. Expensive ones tends to last longer but there’s a cologne that I really really like called “NENUCO” cologne – they don’t have it here and usually I’d order them from Pinas – all day long, it keeps me smelling like a baby.
Come closer, hug me and tell me “mmmmm, amoy baby ka”.
I truly love scents but lightly is the key. An aftershave is best after a complete shower and a great shave.
Thanks for the DO’s and Dont’s. I only buy when the bottle is empty anyways. I tried many types and I would usually buy one brand. The one I hate is the CK (the first popular bottles), believed it or not, my neck turned red and itchy – it’s not for me really. I tried the oil-perfume but it gives me the fouly smell after a few hours sweating under the sun.
Remember COOL water for men by Davidoff? Almost every male species have used that and anywhere between pacific place & central the smell as if follows you through because many Pinoys are using them.
My friend was telling me to buy the new fragrance from montblanc, I totally agree it’s very masculine but then I realized I can’t wear a perfume associated with a pen & ink.
I once had TUSCANY and I bought it for the sake of the promo bag and they engraved my initials on the silver cover. I easily get fooled with the extra gift if you buy a set, you know.
sandlewood under the kilt just to be DEvine!
You spray under those kilt? itchy! itchy!
Hi OldLady, thanks for sniffing at my blog. That Charles game really is fun, right?
I spray light so I can use the bottle for a year or something like that.
Nice choice on Issey – totally an “asian” smell.
I think Charles was right, since you were supposed to bump into OldLady’s site, just kindly leave the red and the fish grilled salad on the table please.
Thanks Ace.
I can smell you with the Rush 2. Something in that smell that makes me just want to grab you and give you a big hug, C.
When it comes to perfume, you’re my GURU Isay. I really couldn’t find the Laundromat (I forgot the name) you mentioned to me before. The one from ORIGINS are mostly for women but they have a nice bath gels. There are too many brands now that comes from Oz in Lane Crawford, galeng!
I went to SASA to compare the price but it’s almost the same besides I do think that SASA perfumes are not “real” I still think this Zegna is my perfume for this season. I was trying to convince myself with CANALI kaya lang parang masyadong seryoso ang amoy. Funny tho that the Lane Crawford in Times Square sells the HUGO BOSS with free luggage bag and I didn’t see it until just yesterday. PANIS!
I thought the same thing too.
@K and Mayang…
if ankles are fair game, why not, erm, other places?
But seriously — I must be getting old because Old Spice actually smells pretty damn good to me. I used to berate it, but… It kind of makes me feel… erm… youthful. ::smirk::
Please note: I cannot seem to be very serious here. WTF? I mean…
I think the name Old Spice is not too hip so it’s not so popular with the young generations.Most of todays scents are so overpowering anyways and it’s always best to choose what you want to smell like an old English leather or musky.
Haha mick, just keep us laugh.
i love Rush 2 too, like consuela! can you also give me a hug K?
whaaaaat? you’re shy? halika nga dito sabi!
Here’s an idea — you caould chose a little spice in your life and be hipper than hip by not following the trends, be an innovator and terribly rebellious.
That’s it, I’m gonna even start to gargle with the stuff.
Wait til my wife finds out! Look out baby.
old spice will never fade, one true scent that will always sell with women, don’t yah think K?! hey mick, what you said about not being stereotypical i truly believe! go on gargle that thang! hehe
ako din hindi ko alam. i just buy whatever is new and if i don’t like it i just give it to one of my sisters hehehe. i once found a perfume i truly liked, but i had to stop using it because it reminded me of the days when my ex-bf used to tell me that i smelled good, hahaha! maybe i’ll find THE ONE someday. meanwhile, i’ll just enjoy the free spritzes i get on mall days, hehe.
@ mayang — tastes like shyte, it does. Misha was NOT, repeat NOT, impressed.
Said I smelled like her father when I burped.
WTF?
ooops. hello K, i just had to tell you that “adminws” up there is…MOI! hehehe. sorry, i was logged on pala and forgot to sign out.. thus the alter ego.
Vina, yukooooooooo! yukoooooo!
HAhaha Mick you are a complete disaster. I can’t believe you’re giving me those ideas.
I’m not sure what to say Mayang, I would never indulge into gargling an Old Spice, not my kind of a mouthwash. You two goes along well. Great mind thinks alike.
That’s Ok Madam Meeya. No harm done.