Tag Archives: fresh scents

Dolce & Gabbana Intenso

Dolce & Gabbana Intenso

 

I can’t remember the last time a fragrance by a mass brand REALLY caught my attention. While that may sound snooty, the reality is I find most them unimaginative because they’re all the same.

While working on a fragrance and grooming project, I came across the recently launched Dolce & Gabbana Intenso and haven’t been able to stop wearing it since.

Many years ago before I got into the blogging thing, there were a handful of fragrances I wore on a regular basis and Dole & Gabbana Pour Homme was one of them. Upon first sniff of Intenso, I was instantly taken back. While they have similar characteristics, they are very different.

For Intenso, it’s all about elegance and you get that right from the packaging. The box has a velvet feel and the dark bottle with brownish gold lettering definitely carries this thought all the way through. You really don’t expect the scent to open as light as it does from the usage of dark rich colors but it’s really fresh and clean. I find that this freshness lasts quite a while. As it dries down, however, the tobacco and woody notes begin to take shape and that’s when it truly becomes impressive. The way the scent juxtaposes the freshness and warmth is really nice. I’m a big fan of tobacco and wish it was a bit more present to cut some of the scents sweetness but I can live with it.

Intenso is an eau de parfum so it’s longevity is very good. Its last selling point, which I find equally as important, is its sillage. Intenso isn’t as intense as its name would have you imagine. Its presence is just strong enough to capture the right curiosity so don’t go and over spray or that curiosity will turn you into “that guy.”

Oh, by the way, Collin Farrell is the face behind Intenso. That’s cool and all but its the juice that seals the deal.

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3 No Fuss Scents You May Have Overlooked

Every now and then we need a go-to, no fuss cologne. When the guys gather up for some brews, an impromptu barbeque gathering develops or something as simple as your new neighbor rings your bell. The latter might be wishful thinking but you get the point. You don’t have to be dressed to the nines but you should at least smell good and sometimes you just want to grab a fragrance without thinking about it. For times like these, you want something relaxed and clean with no pretense. In simple terms, something that just works.  Continue reading

Balenciaga L`Essence

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer. For some of you reading this, you’re probably asking yourself, where is the sun? Keep the faith, it’s coming.

With summer on the horizon, we can look forward to sticky days and stickier nights. During those times, having a fragrance cling to your skin is the last thing you want to even think about. It’s the reason we typically reach for lighter scents. But when perusing men’s fragrance offering this time of year, I’m usually bored. They either contain too much citrus or they’re too sporty or aquatic.  So what’s a guy to do? This guy ventured to the other side of the isle. Yup that’s right, I went looking in the women’s section and I discovered a gem. Continue reading

Jo Malone Tea Fragrance Blends

Ask any American man what his fragrance preferences are and most will say I like fresh, clean scents. If that sounds like you, then this is something to look forward to. Continue reading

John Varvatos Artisan Black

If there is one thing about John Varvatos’ fragrances I can appreciate, it’s the packaging. Artisan Black, which is his latest limited edition offering, is a continuation of Artisan’s hand-woven theme. It has a black lacquer finish that gives it an air of sophistication. Gents, this is definitely one for the mantle (or front and center on your dresser).

As with previous scents under the JV Fragrances and Skincare collection, Rodrigo Flores-Roux is the perfumer responsible for this creation. The accompanying press materials describe the scent as a masculine contemporary with a refreshing uncomplicated theme. It evolves into a deep woodsy structure, revealing a chyre backbone of sensual woody and leathery chypre accents.

I personally like this scent for those summer nights when the “anything can happen vibe” is in the air. The opening is fresh and a tad on the sporty side for me. But it quickly settles and its dual personality becomes apparent. The leathery and woody notes come to the foreground but the citrus notes never quite dissipate and that keeps it sprightly.

This will sell well for JV and it should. It’s a straightforward scent that can easily transition from day to night. If you’re looking for a go-to scent, this is it.

John Varvatos Artisan Black – Eau do Toilette, 4.2 fl. oz – $78 Available at retail NOW

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Fresh Scents Aren’t Only For Summer

Some of the hardest days to get out of bed is when it’s pouring down rain. The last two days have been that way here in gotham city otherwise known as New York. On such days, I like to add bright accents to my wardrobe as its a nice burst that stands out in the gloom. So, for instance, I might wear a bright colored pocket square or scarf. These past two days however, I’ve been in the mood for fresh bright scents. Sure the weather is getting cooler and warmer spicier scents are in season but every now and then I like to shake it up a bit.

Ruban d' Orange EDT 2

Ruban D’ Orange by L’Occitane is a wonderful Eau de Toilette with surprising lasting power. This warm and uplifting scent opens with a fresh burst and dries down to a nice subtle warm woody/leather scent. Ruban includes notes of Calabrian Lemon, Sicilian Mandarin and Sweet Orange (hence the opening burst), Fig Leaves, Vetiver, Tonka Bean and Cedar and will run you $44 for 3.4 fl oz.

Silverburch

Another rainy day goody is Bracing Silverbirch by Molton Brown. Long known for its therapeutic benefits, the silverbirch tree has bark that is rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids and saponins that are deeply refreshing. Also priced reasonably and quite gym bag friendly I might add, this is another eau de toilette that that possesses good staying power. Notes here include a potent blend of American cedarwood, Somalian incense, Indian cumin and Italian bergamot oils. I especially like the presence of cumin. It’s just enough to give this lively scent presence. $60 will get you 1.7 fl oz.

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Liven Up The Place With Slatkin & Co

slatkinfreshbamboo

This past weekend I hosted a very small dinner party and went through the usual mass clean up. Every room had to be spotless, no lingering dust bunnies allowed. For occasions like these, I love to fill my home with a mixture of scents. Enter the ever fragrant and affordable Slatkin & Co. candles.

On this particular evening, I burnt, Tropical Orange and Evergreen in the living room, Coconut Vanilla in the bedroom and Fresh Bamboo in the bathroom. I find the scents add another welcoming dimension after I meet my guests with a drink. The best part though was when one of my guests came out of the bathroom and said, “Your bathroom smells great, what is that you’re burning in there?”

We are all going through one thing or another right about now. Ease your mind after a long day and liven up your living space. These candles are extremely affordable and last quite a long time. Even when they’re not being burnt, they tickle your surroundings with pockets of freshness.

Slatkin & Co., available at Bath&Body Works.

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Maintain the Freshness

The last few days in New York City have been brutal. We wake up and its damn near 80 degrees. We jump in the shower to start the day off fresh and before we head out, we need to take another. That is the way it goes in the summer, unless you miraculously spend your every waking moment under an AC, in which case you’re a luck son of … However, for most of us, we do everything in our power to beat the heat. We drop the dark wintery colors for lighter tones, textures become more breathable, and we keep our bodies hydrated are just a few that come to mind. I know for me, as a young boy growing up, my father once told me, “never let them see you sweat” and he went on to instruct me to wear an undershirt, even in the summer. It may seem counterintuitive when the birthday suit is seeming like its the best option but it keeps your look fresh. Have you ever seen a man who has it all together but then you notice that unattractive sweat mark on his back in the shape of Texas, or the huge underarm ring? It just ruins it. Yeah we all sweat but do we have to see it?

If you plan on maintaining your “freshness” this summer, I have two more tips for you:


1 – Eau D’Italie’s, Paestum Rose
2- Reverie au Jardin by Andy Tauer

I discovered these two gems one Sunday at Aedes de Venustas. After smelling them, I couldn’t make my mind up so I bought both. They encompass just what you want in a summer fragrance, something fresh but not in the usual suspect way. After wearing both for sometime now, I’ve developed a wearing method which highlights their differences.

For those moderate summer days, early 80’s-ish, I’ve found that I wear Reverie au Jardin. On the Tauer Perfumes website, it’s described as, “A Classical Fragrance, twinkling like a star, caresses your journey, through green lands.” I finds it’s very well-balanced and both fresh notes and spicy/woody notes come through, and that’s what attracted me to it. As your body’s temperature rises, woody notes come out just a tad bit more but those fresh/green notes, most notably Lavender, are right there to keep it in check. Overall, it comes across as a clean, sweat, woody composition – just what you need to fight the funk.

For those scorchers, when the feeling of anything touching your skin is too much, try a kiss of Paestum Rose. It starts off peppery and it should considering some of the notes include black and pink pepper. But it’s the dry down that really sells it. I liken it’s appeal to a cold shower after a long sweaty day. There’s an initial shock but then comes the ahhh factor. It hugs the skin nicely and as your temperature rises, you receive an airy rosey reminder. It doesn’t have the sweaty factor that I like about Le Labo’s Rose 31 but its just as potent. There’s some woody notes in there for those that need them but they’re masked well and the presentation isn’t overly manly…its right in the middle, hence the unisex billing.

If you can’t escape the heat, don’t lose your swagger. Maintain your freshness with these two scents.