From the Mailbag: Why no articles on Cologne?
Originally Published 2/26/2010
To: Dappered
Subject: Why so few cologne reviews?
I’m a new reader of Dappered, and enjoy the site much. My question is this – as a men’s style site, why are there so few cologne reviews/articles? I’m sure someone out there besides myself would like to hear more about this topic.
Thanks,
– Tony
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To: Tony
Subject: Re: Why so few cologne reviews?
Tony:
That’s a really good question, and here’s the short answer:
I guess we’ve never thought to post a feature on cologne, because none of us around here wear it.
It seems like every men’s grooming product on the market already comes with a masculine scent. By the time you execute your daily routine of using face-wash, moisturizer, hair product, and deodorant, you’ve already layered yourself in stink. Good stink, but still. Now, I have absolutely nothing against those who wear cologne and wear it well, but it’s awfully easy to screw up. Too little and what’s the point? Too much and you’re “that guy.” And I really don’t want to be that guy.
Call it fear or just being cheap, but in my opinion, there’s just too much cost and risk for what very little reward I think I’d get from wearing cologne.
Besides, my favorite scent is juniper berries, pine, and ethanol. And if I dabbed a little bit of Brokers Gin on my neck every day, people would start to ask a lot of questions.
Thanks for the email…
– joe@dappered.com
Footnote: Survey time fellas. How do you feel about cologne? Do you wear it? Do you steer clear? Can you find any good stuff cheap? And How close should someone have to get before they smell your scent?
Cologne is a tricky subject. Most guys don’t know how to wear it correctly and thanks to AXE, most guys think they need to bathe in it.
I have to agree with Joe. By the time you finish with your morning routine, you should smell just fine as is.
On the other hand, I imagine that AXE serves a role in the ecosystem by acting as a kind of early-warning alarm. How nature says “Do Not Touch,” as it were.
I like to wear cologne on special occasions or when I am going out. I don’t normally wear it to work or on an average day. When I do wear it I usually just do 1 spray on the neck, small spray on each arm, then a small mist across back of shirt. I find that that hits most of the good spots without being overly powerful. I also like to apply it like an hour before I go out so it has time to fade a bit. I think cologne smells best when it’s “worn-in” a little bit, if that makes sense.
To that end I wouldn’t mind more articles on cologne, but understand if it just isn’t your thing. I don’t want the cologne articles to just feel forced if you (the writer) don’t personally enjoy them. My problem is that I am still looking for a “signature scent”, and I really dislike going in to macy’s and having to ask the attendants every time you want to smell a new scent. So suggestions would be nice 🙂
I don’t wear cologne that often, but when I do I put 1 squirt (about arms length away) of Burberry London
. It has natural woodish smell (manly if you will). I will either spray the 1 spray on my chest or on my undershirt, depending on where I am going (if it is a place that is going to have lots of aromas (pub) I tend to put it on my shirt as to help mask the smell of fish and chips or burgers. If it is out to a smoke free establishment to see a lady, then I will put a little on the chest. Another option is to get the drip bottle and put 1 drop behind each ear. But as many others have said, don’t bathe in it. General rules of thumb, if it is a cheap bottle, it is not worth getting and if you see teenagers or the cast of Jersey Shore, you shouldn’t get it.
Yes I agree that we walk a fine line when applying the correct amount, but experimenting with different scents is but one more layer of distinction that a sartorially conscious man must master. Since you obviously visit this website, it is proof that you are at least curious as to how to separate yourself from the wandering masses and if so, why would you want to SMELL like them?
My suggestions: Creed Green Irish Tweed (pricey but so very worth it – my girlfriend is glued to my neck when I wear it); Ralph Lauren Romance (more reasonably priced); Tommy Bahama (yes, I was shocked too)
When I saw the headline, I wondered if it could be true that I am actually not the only male alive who skips the cologne. I think fresh bathed skin has a nice smell to it (and my girlfriend agrees) so I think it would be a shame to mask that. Of course, I work from home so when I go out, it’s not straight from an 8-hour day at the office. So I can’t speak for others who feel that their freshness has worn off after work.
Hey Andrew: Y’know, it’s one of those things that I’m just not into I guess. I think my routine of shower + Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream + Jack Black Moisturizer (which I think has a great scent which wears nicely throughout the day) is simple, inexpensive, and is uniquely my own. Just my thought…
Hey fellas..new to the site. The cologne topic is always interesting..and I wear it often. But there’s only so much you can write about it. Best thing to do is to go out and try them yourself. Its very important that you feel comfortable with it. For example, I bought gucci with the female appeal in mind (a favorite for women in my experience) but it was just got tired of its strong scent I ended up giving it away with about 3/4 of the bottle left. Trust me guys, just like with a suit, go with something that suits you and your style, not what appeals to the masses. That’s why I think its best to go out and check them out. Not every scent will smell the same on everyone. And I recommend not giving away your scent to others. Its something that should distinguish you and no one else. Let them find it if they like it so much. My 2 cents..
A way to a woman is definitely by charm…and scent. If you have a plain odor to you, no woman is going to give you the time of day. A guy should have a rotation of 3-5 different colognes, and wear them for specific occasions.
I do agree with Joe and Tim, due to Axe’s control over the 14-25 year old age group, way too many people dose themselves with cologne. Also, many of the finer products used during the morning routine does have traces of scent–I was surprised one day when my lotion smelled exactly like CKOne by Calvin Klein. However, I do have my bare essential products that do not leave a scent, or very little, so when I have to go out ot a Gala or date I can feel fresh, instead of caked on with smells. The bare essential products also allows for cologne to be worn, enough so you dont just smell like deoderant, but not too much that the clean-fresh-light feeling is washed away.
Personally my favorite cologne is Blue Jean by Versace, it is a semi-classic scent but still wildly popular. Versace has ceased production on the cologne but you can find it here and there every once in a while.
Great conversation gentlemen! Lots of excellent points. I am a wearer of cologne. Everyday, just a little in some strategic spots so that the lady I’m keen of can smell me. You have to be really close to get a whiff. I only use the one scent year round, so that when I’m not around her, she can still get a whiff off a pillow or piece of clothing. Scent is a powerful memory trigger!
My son, the dear boy, is of the Axe generation. He baths himself in the stuff every morning and in the process drives the rest of us out of the bathroom for at least ten minutes, while it airs out! I finally broke down and asked him the other day why? His answer, “It doesn’t last that long Dad, and I want to smell good all day.” I immediately introduced him to cologne, and how to wear it right. He chose one he liked at the store, and the last few days the morning scent is much milder!
Good stuff cologne, especially for a father/son moment.
I don’t wear any at all. Though I have had a few women walk past me then walk back and ask what I was wearing. When I told them nothing one woman just smiled and said well you smell great and walked away random! Plus my lady friends always use to like my smell except for one but it didn’t work out with her anyways. Just stay clean and shower often and you shouldn’t have to worry about cologne.
p.s. DOWN WITH AX
You’re definitely right about the residual fragrances of other grooming products so what I do is I try to create a theme with the smells. I don’t wear cologne but my toner smells like citrus and deodorant of cool cucumbers. I use Tresemme natural vitamins shampoo which matches well with the other two and Dove Get Fresh Lemon body wash. I like how everything meshes together into a light summer garden scent.
My girlfriend is crazy for my natural scent, so I’m going to stick with that. Supposedly that’s nature telling her that we’re genetically compatible.
Personally, I’m a fan but I’m pretty judicious about it’s use. I’m in sales and there’s are old saw that a salesman shouldn’t wear cologne because it may not always get the reaction you want.
If I wear one for work, it’s typically a fresher, citrusy scent. Nothing heavy or musky. And the way I wear it, you practically have to be on top of me to smell it. Very subtle.
For evenings, I generally defer to what the wife wants me to wear. Of late, she’s a fan of Fierce by Abercrombie. I’m a little heavier with that but I’m still a fan of the spray a couple time in the air and walk through it method.
I generally don’t trust magazine reviews as they don’t want to piss off the advertisers by giving a negative reaction to someone who is forking out big bucks to by ad space.
My personal favorite is Blue by Ralph Lauren which (I think) strikes a good balance for work our evenings.
@Ryan I’m with you, thought I was the only one not wearing cologne. I much prefer natural clean scent. People always tell me I smell good, so never thought I needed any. Great post!
I wear it, and I have 4 different scents. My favorite is Aqua de Gio, by Armani. The wife loves it, and probably 1 person a month asks me what I’m wearing. The others are for if I want to mix it up, which I do often.
They key is how much you spray on. I usually roll with one spray to the neck/chest area and one on my wrist. Rub the wrists together and that’s all you need. As the article says…you don’t want to be “that guy”.
I do wear cologne but I am careful about choosing unscented versions of the other products I use, which is becoming an increasingly difficult task, I might add.
Jean Paul Gaultier “Le Male” is a great cologne that does not have too overpowering of a scent but u can still notice its presence with just one spray. Basically, you will smell good, but you won’t be that guy either, and it has a line of complementary products like deodorant, body wash, and after shave balm
By that logic those women aren’t worth the time.