Recommend me a fragrance thread for the week of 01/21/19

Want to know more about a fragrance or find a cheaper alternative? Want suggestions or guidance about what fragrance to try/buy, or where to buy it? Is your favorite bottle discontinued or hard to get and you want something like it? This is the place to ask! We have a dedicated group of redditors here who can help you streamline your search. They don't have all the answers, but many are knowledgeable and willing to help. Please be as descriptive as possible with what you are looking for -- the reason or occasion for the fragrance; gender wearing it; price range, age range, weather conditions; and other fragrances, notes or smells you like or don't like. The better your information, the better the recommendation. And, if someone gives you a good suggestion, please thank them and give their reply an upvote. If you try any, reply back with what's a hit or miss. Giving them gold is also an option, and a tangible way to show gratitude, help encourage more participation, and help keep this thread growing month after month.

Posted Jan 21, 2019, 6:11 AM UTC

11217
FakeCrash•

Is there such a thing as a decidedly spring/summer male fragrance (lighter, with citrus, vetiver, etc.) that also has very good longevity?

There seems to be an obvious correlation between strong longevity and deep, heavy, fall/winter oriented fragrances. I guess it makes sense, but I've been wondering if there are summery fragrances that have lasting power. Maybe with notes less often associated with summer frags?

4
TheRedditSeyed•

I'm not personally crazy over it myself, but you just checked all the boxes for Grey Vetiver.

Also take this with a grain of salt because it may just be me, but when my skin is clean fresh out of the shower, millesime imperial lasts about 10 hours on me.

2
FakeCrash•

I don't know why I didn't think of TF Grey Veitver! Great suggestion.

I'm noticing another correlation with performance here... Price! These aren't cheap but quality definitely comes at a premium. I hope I get to sample a few Creed scents at some point.

1
Krelboyne•

Yes, absolutely!

Here are some of the long-lasting summer fragrances off the top of my head:

  • Bvlgari Aqva Amara

  • Loewe 7 Natural

  • Mancera Lemon Line

  • Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua (2016)

  • D&G Light Blue Eau Intense

Dior Sauvage EDT and Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo, while not strictly summer scents, can be worn in the summer heat no problem and both have excellent performance.

2
FakeCrash•

Thanks for the excellent suggestions! I would have never thought that ADG Profumo had good performance.

1
Krelboyne•

Glad to help!

You really cannot complain about its performance. Lasts all day and well into the night.

1
coldfirerules•

Late to the show but here goes...I'm still pretty new to this game and have yet to smell something I truly hate.

I'd like to round out my relatively tiny collection, perhaps with something dark/wintery.

Here's what I have:

  • Sauvage - My go to for basically anything that isnt work/family. A little strong for some settings IMO, but pretty versatile.

  • Nautica Voyage - This has been my office fragrance. Light and inoffensive, keeps me smelling fresh for 8 hours and cheap enough to employ 40 hours a week.

  • Burberry Brit Rhythm - This one, to me, is kind of a middle ground between Voyage and Sauvage. Again inoffensive and versatile, but a little more notable than Voyage. Strong hint of baby powder though. Hasnt really found a home in my rotation.

  • Burberry London(EdP) - Similar to Brit Rhythm but obviously stronger, more lavender. Good fall/winter scent and alternative to Sauvage.

  • Cuba Gold - What can I say, love this one, particularly once it dries down. Great for anytime I'm gonna be outdoors, BBQing, camp fires, live music, etc.

  • Brut, Splash On - Only real men need apply. J/K of course, this one was the sole member of my fragrance collection (not named Axe or Old Spice) for many years. Classic barbership musk.

I'm not opposed to blind buying, or dropping a bit of coin, but for Niche stuff I might look to get a couple decants at some point soon.

3
barb9212•

I have Cuba Gold and something about it just gives an old man vibe. When u compare it side by side with Le Male it just pales in comparison. But anyways I highly recommend Dior Parfum, Valentino Uomo Intense, Spicebomb Extreme, Givenchy Absolu, Tom Ford Ombre Leather.

2
coldfirerules•

I went out to TJMaxx last night just to poke around and picked up a bottle of Mont Blanc Individuel. This seems like the perfect cold weather office replacement for Voyage and is equally cheap.

Wearing it now and really like it.

1
civiltiger•

To me individuel smells like a rich grandmas laundry

1
coldfirerules•

Well I nevuh!

1
positive_mango•

I really like lanuit delhomme and i have only tried the 2018 batch. Do you have any suggestion about fragrance of the same kind ? And i live in a very hot, humid place please give me some suggestions. I only have aqva amara for the summer

2
FusionGelSex Panther by Odeon•

Not the same, but an excellent summer fragrance centering around cardamom is Voyage d'Hermes.

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
NotChro•

club de nuit intense man is great for summer. YSL Lhomme is also great.

1
Krelboyne•

Check out Lanvin Avant Garde, if you can find it.

I would also put Lancome Hypnose Homme in the same category.

Both are underrated gems, in my opinion.

1
nosecandy•

ok so i hate vanila and sweet notes and those man scents that are like you just showered and i hate the citrus notes.

the things i like are molecule 01, TOM FORD oud wood INTENSE (the not intense version i hate), GUCCI GUILTY ABSOLUTE,

maybe i like chanel antaeus (sometimes i like it other times it overwhelmes me). CREED AVENTUS is okay i guess, i like the smokey part of it, the pineapple not that much, after a while that pineapple transforms into diaper or poo smell. ck one is okay too for some reason.

so basically i like wood, tobacco, smoke, leather, animalistic, vetiver. i like guerlain chalimar sans the vanila and the powder.

i also got narciso rodriguez edt for him. i like the musk, the rose not that much but its okay in this one.

recommend me something please. thank you.

2
angrydqslaxic👴🏾 Dad-Frag Lover•

TF Tuscan Leather - Very animalistic, raw, smoky leather and money. Also has raspberry, but not that prevalent.

TF Ombre Leather - Less animalic, more wearable. Mainly I get a new leather jacket or bag and moss.

TF Fougere Platine & Vert D'Encens - Haven't tried the latter, but apparently it's agreed that one of them is just an alt. formula (Vert just includes prominent incense). With that being said: Fresh, spiced wood with tobacco. Vert might entice you more with it's 'greenery'.

Diesel Fuel For Life - Tart raspberry with leather, has traces of gasoline.

John Varvatos Vintage - Longevity is extremely iffy depending on the person. Woods, leather, and tobacco -- it's a callback to the powerhouse era.

A nice play on one of the scents you described hating (shower), is Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme, which would also include it's Intenso version. Fresh, spicy tobacco and woods. It's like an old school barbershop. Since I'm rec'ing that, might as well do Dirty English by JC. Generally into more darker notes as well, and this is iffy to me. But rather nice woods, tobacco, and booze -- though it might be the freshest scent on the list. And lastly the OG John Varvatos (again, be wary). Woods, smoky leather, and fig.

3
Lightningpalace•

I second Ombre Leather.

Have you tried Mississippi Medicine by D.S. & Durga? It’s a smoky, peppery, medicinal resin scent. It’s daring like GGA.

Black by CdG is another good leather, smoke & wood scent.

Black Tourmaline is similar to Mississippi Medicine and Black, but with more cedar and incense.

2
Krelboyne•

Check out Bentley for Men Intense, that should be up your alley. Very inexpensive, too!

1
stonetelescope•

I'm a 40 year old guy, married with two little boys, work in IT, and am currently freezing my balls of in Philadelphia. I've never generally worn cologne beyond some cheap CK stuff I found at Target, but want to get into it. I get overwhelmed when I try to sample fragrances at Sephora or other counters, and end up leaving with nothing. What are 10 or so starter fragrances I can get as samplers or decants, so I can figure out what I like over time? Where's the best place to get these samples?

2
MamWidelec•

In the US sephora offers a bundle of 10 samples with a coupon for one of those fragrances, for i think about $65. If you just want to smell great and have one fragrance that fits any situation, try aqua di gio profumo.

5
Krelboyne•

No recommendations on the fragrances yet. I would recommend the following starter pack. These are all different and unlike the others and I'm sure you will find something you like.

  1. Dior Sauvage

  2. Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo

  3. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de l'Homme

  4. Mugler A*Men Pure Malt

  5. Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Eau de Parfum

  6. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum

  7. Versace Pour Homme

  8. Lalique Encre Noire A L'Extreme

  9. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky

  10. Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche / Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme

Hope this helps!

2
stonetelescope•

Thank you for this list! I was about to just buy the Sephora sampler, but would rather just pick and choose from somewhere like Lucky Scent.

1
Krelboyne•

You are welcome!

I would really appreciate if you shared your thoughts about these fragrances once you receive and test them.

So interested to know which one you'll like most. :)

1
TheBostonCorgi•

I bet you’d love Varvatos Pure Artisan if you decide to just take the plunge and buy one outright. I think you can sample it in that sampler set from Sephora.

1
sun_n_chlorophyllGuerlain 💋•

Something that smells like Bel Ami Vetiver or Equipage (Hermès)? I am a woman and I am looking for a winter scent (harsh Canadian cold!). Or something that can be worn at night cocktails. Have a good day you all!

Also looking for a softer version of Derby Guerlain.

2
bdelloida•

Zino and Caron le 3' Homme are two men's scents I love to wear, as a lady. Fat Electrician is a vetiver that is cozier and more elegant than it sounds.

1
flyonlewall•

So I need some recommendations.

I've recently started getting more into fragrances. 29, male.

In the past, I've worn Acqua Di Gio primarily (shocker, eh).. but also had a bottle of CK One Summer, as well as Kenneth Cole Reaction. ADG also worked really well with my own chemistry so I just stuck. But it's just.. old and way too common.

I seem to enjoy citrus sided stuff more.

I recently purchased some small decants of the following, and want further recommendations based on what I've liked/disliked.

  • Chanel De Bleu EDP - Love this. Just love it. It's fresh, citrusy, and yet much more mature and refined than the ADG I've previously worn as my go to daily scent. It also seems to work really well with my body chemistry. I feel a champion wearing this.

  • Terre d'Hermes - I really enjoy the fragrance, but I'm not sure it meshes with my personality. I feel like it's an "elder", more mature scent.. i could see myself wearing this, but not at work.

  • Dior Sauvage - I haven't worn this enough to say whether I love it or just like it, but it's a good scent. It's fresh and peppery mixture is kind of what I'm looking for, it feels appropriate for my age and personality. It's like a mullet. Half party, half professional.

  • CK One Shock - This was an oddball purchase and it's good but not great. Doesn't feel super refined or complex. It's not bad, at all, just very simple.

  • Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb - I really, really enjoy this fragrance.. but spicy is just not me. I just don't feel confident with this on.

I plan on ordering a larger decant of the Blue De Chanel EDP, but want some recommendations for smaller bottles to try.

Thanks in advance friends.

2
HumanKumquat•

I'd give D&G Light Blue a look. I love ADG, and though I don't wear it often, its still a favorite. Light Blue comes in at a close second though. To me its just a light, clean scent, perfect for when I want to smell fresh and clean, without being overpowering. Its not too expensive either. A 1.3 oz bottle runs around 30-35 on frangrancenet and frangrancex.

Another one I've seen recommended a lot is L'Eau d'Issey. I haven't tried it but its definitely on my radar. I have seen some mentions of a yuzu note that some people are put off by, so you might want to try a decant just in case.

1
flyonlewall•

I'll absolutely check out a decant or just pick up a bottle if i find it in store and test spray, of the D&G you suggested, and will do some reading on the other.

Thanks a bunch!

1
DeathandblackmetalKing Kouros•

Have you tried any of the AdG flankers?
Eau de Rochas (Pour) Homme seems to be somewhat under the radar.
Eau Sauvage Parfum 2017 version.
Allure Homme Sport / Edition Blanche
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme
Bond No. 9 Coney Island
Various frags from Acqua di Parma's range.
Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme
Gucci Pour Homme II - maybe this will work better for you than Spicebomb.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
TrenMolly•

Is there anything similar to Bleu De Chanel EdP but with actual performance?

2
1noahone•

It lasts all day if I spray it on my hair

1
barb9212•

I get better performance with the Parfum. Others get crap performance. Try it out and see.

1
fi_2030•

I'm developing a taste for vanilla and resin scents. Started with LADDM and ACCD then found Grand Soir and Memoirs of a Trespasser (current favorite). What should I try next?

2
DeathandblackmetalKing Kouros•

Ambra Aurea
Spiritueuse Double Vanille

3
popcornedFun in the Moroccan sun ☀️•

Tango by Masque Milano

2
Horsefly•

Al Haramain-Oudh 36. It doesn't actually have any oud but it is resinous and there's a note in there that gives a vanilla like quality to it.. labdanum if I remember correctly.

2
motherpluckin-feistySmellier than thou•

Kismet by Lubin. And the queen of such things Guerlain Shalimar.

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
folie11•

What else would I maybe like if I really enjoy Terre D'hermes EDT?

2
popcornedFun in the Moroccan sun ☀️•

Timbuktu by L'artisan parfumer

3
folie11•

it's going to be hard to get a hold onto a sample, but I will definitely try it out, it seems like a good one.

2
popcornedFun in the Moroccan sun ☀️•

It's worthwhile. There's a seller on ebay located in Portugal who I got a 5ml sample from a while back that I can recommend as trustworthy.

1
ZegMakker24•

Tom Ford Grey Fetiver. I think whats appealing about TDH is the vetiver note

1
folie11•

I also love the orange and grapefruit notes

1
1noahone•

Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay

1
sansmiroirs•

I'm looking for a feminine scent that has pine or juniper as its main note. Haven't had the opportunity to try any yet but I'm interested in any suggestions.

Edit: I'm in my mid-20s so I'd prefer a bit more of a youthful scent too.

2
coldfirerules•

Just to piggyback, I would be interested in similar men's frags.

How do you say "Northwest Hipster, for men" but in parfumese?

2
Lightningpalace•

CdG Hinoki

1
PickOutYourCloud•

Penhaligon's Juniper Sling, Byredo Gypsy Water

2
sansmiroirs•

Thank you! I’ll look into them.

2
Junior_SurgeonCum des Garçons•

Here's a post I made a little while back about the subject, especially check out the recommendations at the end.

2
sansmiroirs•

This is AMAZING, thank you so much!

1
bdelloida•

Mesnee de Hellequin by the indie company Alkemia (on etsy) is a soft lovely conifer. Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme has a nice cypress note paired with a berry rose. I could have done with more cypress, myself, but it's definately there.

2
Wardfish22•

Scents like le male. Ultra male. Are good for smelling sweet. I personally wear them anywhere Both coach for men scents. Are great any time of the year and especially coach platinum because of the amazing pineapple note. And finally Azzaro wanted/wanted by night and Dior Homme extreme are super strong and long lasting. Both great for winter. And original wanted has a lemon note that can also be worn in spring time

2
scientificLoserKiss from a nose•

So a friend is going to be at the Dubai Airport next month. Anything good there one should buy bcos it's cheaper there than in the US??

2
d-waki•

Recommendations for colognes similar to Jo Malone's Wood Sage and Sea Salt? (Fresh, floral, light-scented for daily use but not too feminine)

2
Anatolysdream♀️🌹🍀 Perfume is my drug of choice•

I Profumi di Firenze Brezza di Mare. Heeley Sel Marin, Profvmo Roma Acqua di Sale. Also try some of the Shay and Blue. Less aquatic and more floral but light and airy is Dior Diorissimo, also Dior Diorella. And my favorite, A Lab on Fire Sweet Dreams 2003.

1
Mathcmput•

Recommendations similar to Versace Eros? I like the freshness (lime, mint) and the vanilla note.

2
poseidran•

English Laundry Oxford Bleu - pretty similar to Eros but with a little more tonka bean than Eros (Eros was more vanilla heavy to me). It's decently priced and smells more mature to me.

2
Krelboyne•

Check out Hugo Boss The Scent and its flankers. For me, it's in the same scent category.

The most recent one (The Scent Private Accord) is very interesting with its cacao/chocolate note.

Another similar and somewhat obscure scent is Mandarina Duck Pure Black. Smooth citrus vanilla, very safe, very inexpensive. Reminds me of a less oriental Eros.

For hardcore mint and sweetness, check out Mugler A*Men Kryptomint. Nothing else quite like it.

1
pastapastas•

Hi! I'm looking for a classic jasmine/white floral scent, that I could wear every day. I want one I can wear without any fear of smelling "too much". I'm 23F, a grad student, and I live in NY state. I tried one by Crabtree and Evelynn, called Old World Jasmine, which I really liked, but it seems to be discontinued, and also it seemed to wear off really fast.

I'm planning on buying some small samples, so please suggest any personal favorites!

2
Anatolysdream♀️🌹🍀 Perfume is my drug of choice•

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Jasminora, Zara Jasmine Solar, Miller Harris Jasmine Vert, Dame Soliflore Narcissus (This note often includes jasmine and other white/yellow florals since narcissus is usually synthesized), Armani Acqua di Gio for Women. Let me know what's a hit or miss if you try any.

This fragrance sounds quite lovely BTW. I'm also thinking another English house like Penhaligon's, Floris, Jo Malone's, Jo Loves, or Angela Flanders might have something in that style.

3
pastapastas•

Thank you so much!! I'll let you know :)

1
OkProfessional9•

Anyone know of a cheaper alternative to Viktor Rolf Spicebomb?

2
ThePhattestOne•

Bvlgari Man In Black. Cheaper but arguably same or better quality with a more mature vibe.

3
simon_zzz•

Looking for these notes together:

Tobacco Bourbon Vanilla Amber

1
Stacee90•

Fragrantica has a new(ish) search by notes feature which is really helpful: https://www.fragrantica.com/ingredients-search/

1
Krelboyne•

Bentley for Men Intense.

1
NotChro•

Looking for something sweet like TF Noir Extreme.

Not sweet like one million, ultra male, eros etc.

1
1noahone•

Carner El Born

2
FusionGelSex Panther by Odeon•

Histoires de Parfums Ambre something something

2
ZegMakker24•

Spicebomb extreme

1
Krelboyne•

The following scents came to mind:

Penhaligon's Roaring Radcliff

Valentino Uomo

Rochas Man

Lancome Hypnose Homme

1
_its_ya_boy_•

Is there a similar cologne to Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods? I've been using it for years but its been discontinued and I'm gonna run out of what I have left pretty soon. It has a woodsy scent to it.

1
Stacee90•

I always check out Fragrantica when I'm looking for something similar to something else. in this case, Fragrantica users have said:

  • Body Fantasies Signature Twilight Mist by Parfums de Coeur
  • White for Her by Kenneth Cole
3
_its_ya_boy_•

It looks like these scents were comparing the Woman's Twilight Woods scent that B&BW sells, which is different from the scent of the cologne that I am looking for. It's on that site here, but the only recommended similar scents are another discontinued brand. I appreciate the response though!

1