So I used Old Spice Matterhorn body spray for years, but it no longer seems to be on the shelves around here. I liked its powdery, non-overpowering scent. Now all that seems to be available is Axe and Old Spice 21-year-old douchebag scents like “Swagger” and “Hawthorne.” I almost bought Nautica Blue, but decided at the last minute that it was less subtle than I’d like. I use Obsession for Men on special occasions, and prefer to reserve it for such.
So I’m asking the ladies of the SDMB in my own mating age group: what do you like as a day-to-day alternative to cologne? If it helps, I’m 34.
N.B. - No offense to anyone here who uses the so-called “douchebag” scents I mentioned above. Just seems that that’s who they’re marketed to.
I prefer no cologne/scent on men, actually. My husband’s deodorant has a very slight musk note, which I kind of like, but apart from that I prefer just his own regular scent. I find pretty much any level of cologne or body spray to be cloying and overpowering.
I prefer a combination of using an antiperspirant/deodorant (preferably the former), and a good cologne that goes with your natural scent.
And it doesn’t have to be a lot of cologne either, although some scents do make me happy and I follow the trail.
So, ditch the body sprays, get a proper underarm antiperspirant, and check some adult proper colognes. Not too powerful (anything Polo, for example). Dolce and Gabbana has some good scents, but it really depends on you (and your partner if you have one, you wouldn’t wear a cologne that would make her sneeze or bother her).
Agreed. Body spray is for kids, cologne is for grown ups. Sephora sells cologne sample kits that include a set of samples and a coupon for a full sized bottle of the one you like best.
My husband uses (or used, before he started this beard-growing thing) Lectric Shave. I’m usually a scent snob, but it smells really, really good. It’s got a green tea thing going on that is super nice.
His cologne is CK Eternity, which I adore on him. As the years pass, he wears it less and less often, though. Sadness.
Oh yes. Obsession, and Eternity, and on the cheap side, plain old Old Spice aftershave. Keep it subtle. Catching a bit of a whiff when in close proximity is sexy. Flooding a room with your stank is not, no matter how nice the fragrance. Body spray almost always seems destined for over-application.
The boyfriend uses Axe, and is decidedly not a douchebag.
He also uses Oak from Bath and Body Works, which both of us love. Sadly they have discontinued it, but they have similar scents you can try out. I’d suggest plopping into their store to see if you like any.
Shockingly, I came here to recommend Axe Peace - it also has a green tea smell that I really like. My husband uses the body wash, and it leaves a hint of fragrance, not a cloud of stench.
“Plopping into their store”? Are you suggesting that Agent Foxtrox is some kind of invertebrate?
I like D&G’s Light Blue MMmmmm, but there are a number of great scents for men to wear - best option is to try some out. They tend to smell differently on different people once it reacts to your body chemistry (seriously, my MiL actually neutralizes Samsara, which to me is a strictly “going out” scent since it’s heavy).
If you are not looking to spend much, the Body Shop, LUSH and Bath and Body Works have some nice items too.
I recently bought my husband Caswell Massey Number Six. It’s spicy/citrusy, not overpowering. And classic…supposedly, it’s what George Washington wore. I also like Lush and Body Shop scents.
Hmmm…so many different responses. Am I hearing from the majority that I should just wear two different colognes, one formal and one informal? Does it make a difference that I’m just a T-shirt-and-jeans guy on informal days?
Well, most of them have to do with our favorite manly scents, which are very much YMMV. I do think most of the scents mentioned have in common not being very overpowering. And we also mention a good antiperspirant.
Yuck, none. It’s fine that you may smell like shampoo and deodorant since those usually come scented and are typically pretty mild, but I do not like any body sprays, colognes, or aftershaves. I don’t wear perfume, either.
Please not Axe. Hubby tried it once. Once. Definitely too strong. Had to kick him out of the bed. Just smell like your regular shampoo and body wash (yes, hubby uses body wash and a loofah).
