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Finding Your Perfect Scent
While you may be tempted to simply splash on any old scent you favor, keep in mind that fragrances come in different concentration levels and scent families that are appropriate for various occasions and lifestyles. Sound complicated? It’s not really. Picking your signature scent is easier than you might think, once you understand the basics:
Fragrance Concentration Levels. Fragrances come in varying levels
of concentration, meaning some are stronger than others. For example,
aftershave has the least amount of fragrance; eau de toilette has more,
and eau de cologne contains even more. (Eau de parfum actually has the
most, but this concentration is generally reserved for women's
fragrances.) While aftershave is great for closing your pores, it’s
best combined with the same brand eau de toilette or cologne if you’re
using it for scent purposes. Always keep in mind that the higher the
level of concentration you choose, the less you should apply.
According
to the good people at Fragrancenet.com, however, the difference between
eau de toilette and eau de cologne is very slight. The two are
generally interchangeable, at least in men's fragrances, so you’ll be
fine with either one.
Matching Scents With Your
Personality and Lifestyle. There are various families of scent,
including such confusing names as "chypre" and "fougere," which can
completely befuddle we mere mortals. So to keep it simple, let's divide
up some of the most manly, attractive fragrances (meaning the ones
women love most) into four categories: casual wear, daytime/office
wear, evening wear, and everyone's favorite–romance wear. Some of these
examples are recent releases, while others are time-tested classics.
Casual Wear
These fragrances tend to be light, clean, crisp, and citrusy, and are
appropriate for weekends, casual outings, college SharpMen, and less
formal occupations. Two of the most popular casual fragrances that
women prefer on men include:
La Parfumerie has the
"Fragrance Profiler." Simply answer a few questions about yourself, and
the matching software will determine your "personal fragrance style"
and suggests suitable colognes. Perfect for those SharpMen who have
tried our suggestions but seek additional options.
Also check out Fragrancenet’s "Fragrance Finder." This cool tool can
help you find the perfect cologne for your personal style, typical
usage (i.e. office, casual, romantic, etc.), and price range. For
example, if you prefer cologne in a $40-49 price range with a spicy
scent for your upcoming hot date, the Scent Finder recommends Equipage
by Hermes, Havana by Aramis, Kouros by Yves St. Laurent
(SharpGrooming’s choice), and Rocco Barocco by Rocco Barocco.
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