# I'm thinking I want to start smelling nicer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477 "2019-04-13T01:21:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/61 "2019-04-15T12:36:32Z")
Whatever cologne you pick, use about half of what you think you need. Because after a while, you won’t be able to smell it, but everyone else will. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/62 "2019-04-15T14:29:53Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > The last thing I want is a group making gagging faces to each other once I depart the elevator. No, of course not. Farting is to be done in an empty elevator before disembarking on a crowded floor. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/63 "2019-04-15T14:45:48Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Whatever scent you settle on, use a light touch. One way to enforce this is to use aftershave instead of cologne. In fragrance terms, aftershave is basically a diluted version of cologne (which is a diluted version of Eau de Toilette, at least in women’s scents). It’s not as strong, and doesn’t last as long as cologne does. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/64 "2019-04-15T15:07:30Z")
> [@bump](#): > > One way to enforce this is to use aftershave instead of cologne. In fragrance terms, aftershave is basically a diluted version of cologne (which is a diluted version of Eau de Toilette, at least in women’s scents). > > It’s not as strong, and doesn’t last as long as cologne does. Many aftershaves have an oily component that is supposed to be good for skin irritated by shaving. They leave my skin feeling slightly greasy and I avoid their use. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/65 "2019-04-15T15:52:59Z")
Poor mmm! Everyone has such strong (and some harsh) opinions on fragrances. He can’t possibly please you all. Most of us have some aroma wafting from us whether it’s natural or not. As long as you don’t smell like sweat, cat urine or cigarettes you’re ok by me. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/66 "2019-04-15T15:56:19Z")
I think that this is a worthy goal we can all get behind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/67 "2019-04-15T16:55:36Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > People complaining in the thread about colognes and perfumes, then singing the praises of various scented cleaning products, is very confusing. It’s like using a sledgehammer to place finishing nails. > Clean is good. Unscented clean is better. Then you can apply whatever scent you choose, and smell like you want. I wasn’t complaining about colognes but responding to this in the OP: > [@](#): > > I don’t have any particular odor issue, that I’m aware of, but I wouldn’t mind smelling, I dunno,\* fresh.\* To me, someone who wants to smell “_fresh_” isn’t looking for the spicy, musky, or sharp scents of most aftershave or colognes, as pleasing as those may be (or not); he’s looking for a scent most of us identify as “fresh.” Someone mentioned the scent of clothes hung outside to dry. It’s a distinct, subtle, pleasant scent most people identify as “fresh.” [According to the BBC,](https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-does-laundry-smell-better-if-its-been-hung-up-outside/) it’s caused by trapping “pleasant-smelling volatile organic compounds released by plants.” Cleaning product companies hire aromachologists to identify/create compounds that people identify as smelling “fresh.” They also identify and create artificial compounds to mimic other scents people like, such as flowers or citrus. (In the 70s, lemon scent was almost inescapable.) I don’t think of those scents as smelling fresh, though they may smell pleasant. I’m fine with the natural scent of clean skin (and hair). I also like certain colognes/aftershaves on men. But the OP said he wanted to smell “fresh,” so I was trying to address that. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/68 "2019-04-16T09:44:36Z")
Still interested in hearing an answer to the question I posed back in post #27. By “fresh”, I mean not heavy, or gaggy. Some light scent may be ok, or perhaps just a body wash or shampoo. I’m thinking something citrus-ey at this point. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/69 "2019-04-16T13:40:05Z")
Interested in attracting a woman? Find out what her father wears and go with that. Just don’t tell her its what her father wears. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/70 "2019-04-16T14:00:59Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Many aftershaves have an oily component that is supposed to be good for skin irritated by shaving. They leave my skin feeling slightly greasy and I avoid their use. Really depends on what ones you use- some are just alcohol, fragrance, water and stuff like witch hazel (if even that). Others are really involved with the skin care side. At any rate, it’s worth a shot, especially if someone shaves. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/71 "2019-04-16T14:01:21Z")
> [@Kelevra](#): > > Interested in attracting a woman? Find out what her father wears and go with that. Just don’t tell her its what her father wears. Where can I buy a pinstripe suit slit up the back? ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/72 "2019-04-16T14:29:16Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Still interested in hearing an answer to the question I posed back in post #27. > > By “fresh”, I mean not heavy, or gaggy. Some light scent may be ok, or perhaps just a body wash or shampoo. I’m thinking something citrus-ey at this point. > mmm My idea of a fresh scent would be soap scents like Irish Spring, Coast, Lever 2000 (don’t know if that’s even around anymore). There are a lot of men’s body washes that have fresh clean scents. Be like me - stand in the aisle, open bottles and smell everything! You’ll find something you like. There is a Calvin Klein fragrance that is very refreshing and light. Maybe CK1? It was a unisex scent. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/73 "2019-04-16T15:16:16Z")
If you go the cologne I would strongly suggest you consider a citrus or herbal scent. Stay away from sandalwood/patchouli/musk based scents. I don’t care for lavender on men but if used sparingly it might be okay. Or just slap some witch hazel on your face after shaving. That’s a subtle and pleasant aroma. Citrus scented body wash and shampoo are also nice. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/74 "2019-04-17T00:46:58Z")
Robert B. Parker’s detective, Spenser, uses Clubman. His mate, Susan, thinks it smells liked freshly painted radiators. Problem with deodorants/antiperspirants is they usually have a pretty strong scent. It is, in my experience, hard to find unscented versions for men. Lately I’ve been using a crystal antiperspirant with no scent and a very light splash of Dopo Barba di Camaldi by Antica Farmica Dei Monaci Camaldolesi. No one wonders if the radiators have just been painted. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/75 "2019-04-17T00:53:28Z")
I’ve been told grapefruit scent drives the opposite sex crazy. ETA crazy in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/76 "2019-04-17T04:04:56Z")
I would recommend a lightly applied, expensive, eau de toilette. A bottle will be (just) less than $100 and will last more than a year. Nothing cheap, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/77 "2019-04-17T05:26:59Z")
Your search ends here: > **[Amazon.com : Caswell-Massey Heritage Greenbriar Cologne Spray, Scents Of Sage,...](https://www.amazon.com/Caswell-Massey-Heritage-Greenbriar-Patchouli-Fragrance/dp/B07DFJWP1Z)** > > Amazon.com : Caswell-Massey Heritage Greenbriar Cologne Spray, Scents Of Sage, Patchouli, Mandarin & Vetiver, Sporty Fragrance For Men, Made In The USA, 15 mL : Beauty & Personal Care This stuff is great. Subtle but amazing. Honestly, you won’t regret buying this. It’s cologne for people who don’t like to wear cologne. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/78 "2019-04-17T15:58:46Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Robert B. Parker’s detective, Spenser, uses Clubman. His mate, Susan, thinks it smells liked freshly painted radiators. Just FYI, Clubman is that barbershop talcum powder smell- any man who’s been in a barbershop in the past several decades will recognize it. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/79 "2019-04-17T21:42:03Z")
I buy most of my shaving and grooming stuff from Fendrihan.ca Have a lok on thier site as it has most of the products listed plus good descriptions of thier other wares. I use thier Lemon soda scented shaving soap and finish with either [Midnight and Two](https://www.midnightandtwo.com/pages/our-scents) Cabin or Nivea Cool Blue aftershave. None of it is super strong and my wife likes it all. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/80 "2019-04-18T04:17:14Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Still interested in hearing an answer to the question I posed back in post #27. Nah. I work with quite a few men between the ages of 22-65 and all of them wear some kind of scent, whether is cheap after shave or pricier cologne. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > By “fresh”, I mean not heavy, or gaggy. Some light scent may be ok, or perhaps just a body wash or shampoo. I’m thinking something citrus-ey at this point. I advise you to spend some bucks and treat yourself to a couple of decent, quality fragrances. Armani Code might fit what you want. But if you need an inexpensive scent for everyday wear, I’ve gotten compliments for Bod Fresh Guy. It’s very clean and fresh smelling. Just use it in moderation or you’ll come across like a big bar of soap. Bod Man Really Ripped Abs on Steroids, Body Heat, and Upper Cut are nice too. These are the only cheap scents I would ever recommend. > [@Kelevra](#): > > Interested in attracting a woman? Find out what her father wears and go with that. Just don’t tell her its what her father wears. I would think this works opposite on men. No way would I want a woman to smell like my Mother! :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477.md?page=5)