David Hart

From the moment I spotted David on the street, I was intrigued by his look. Its kinda nerdy, but very confident and modern as bowties are quite trendy. He was gracious enough to allow me to take his picture (I’m sure he gets that all the time) and as it turns out, he is a neckwear designer (David Hart & Co.). In retrospect, that makes sense, not only was his tie perfectly done, but with that type of coordination, creativity can’t be to far behind. Anyhow, I had to stop him as I had a hunch he appreciated fragrance. Man, was I right. Read on…

What’s your earliest recollection of fragrance?

My earliest recollection of fragrance was definitely the original Polo by Ralph Lauren. Aside from the fragrance which I would still consider classic and timeless, the bottle was such a great design. The loden green with antique gold was stunning. In my opinion, fragrance is great because it creates something unique to its wearer and it essentially becomes an integral piece of someone’s wardrobe.

What fragrances are currently in your rotation?

Lately I’ve been on a huge Creed kick. Currently I’m back and forth between Green Irish Tweed and Tabarome. I love the long history behind Creed and its fans like Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, and Princess Grace. I’m also pretty obsessed with Malin+Goetz’s Lime Tonic and Polo Black. I’m very big on aftershave. Learning the proper way to shave from my Dad at a young age was a right of passage for me. I shave with a cut throat and love all the products like shave soap, pre-shave oil, and creams from The Art of Shaving to Barbasol and Old Spice.

How often do you go out looking for something new? What specifically do you look for?

I usually shop for new fragrances when the old ones run out. I think the next time I am looking for something I will probably stop by Le Labo. I like the idea of creating something that is uniquely mine and a little more exclusive.

Have you ever purchased the same fragrance more than once? If so, what was it and what about it made it worthy of a repeat buy?

I repeated a buy for a fragrance once and it was the original Polo. It never goes out of style

How would you finish this statement. “My most memorable fragrant moment would be…?

My most memorable fragrance moment would be using fragrances as a way of studying for tests. I remember being in high school and learning about Pavlov response mechanisms and from then on I would study wearing a fragrance and the day of the test I would wear that same fragrance as a way to associate the memory of studying with the test at hand. It seemed to work very well.

Gentlemen, that is why I love fragrance. It has the ability to touch us in so many ways. Thanks for sharing David.

About a week or so ago, I had some free time and went into Sephora to kill it. As I was going down the men’s isle, I noticed a gentlemen sampling the offering but he seemed strange. It was close to closing and the store was fairly empty. One of the sales associates was close by but kept her distance. He sprayed a few scent stripes but didn’t move along which I found odd. We typically spray, smell, contemplate, and move onto the next scent. This guy just stayed in the same place. The “I get it” moment came when the sales associate disappeared. As soon as she was out of sight, I saw him spraying cologne all over himself, I mean all over. Naturally I found this odd but I understood it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t understand the overspraying; that is never acceptable. However, what I can appreciate is the shyness we suffer from when it comes to sampling. I decided to take this up with Fashion and Grooming Editor of Men’s Health, Mr. Brian Boye, whom I managed to pin down for a quick interview.

What do you feel is at the root of the issue of men sampling?

In my experience, men approach fragrance — and grooming in general — in a very different way than women. Shopping for these things is an ‘event’ for most women; something they’ll do with friends on a Saturday afternoon. For guys it’s a chore, and something they’d rather do on their own, as quickly as possible. Most guys I know like to wear cologne, but don’t necessarily relish the idea of spending an afternoon at the store testing them. One of the reasons every major fragrance brand use Men’s Health to introduce new products is that guys are much more likely to use scent strips as a way to shop in private. The thought of conversing with a spritzer at the beauty counter is about as appealing as going in for a back wax.

We feel this pressure to make a quick decision on something that takes a bit of time. It’s like enjoying a fine wine. You can’t do it quickly. At the beauty counter, you can feel like a sitting duck. You need to spend a moment taking in the smell, the aura before you can really appreciate the nuances of what you’re testing. To share that moment with a stranger who wants to sell you something can be off-putting.

What’s the solution?

If this sounds like you, my advice is to go with a friend or girlfriend who can provide a second opinion and serve as a buffer between you the spritzer. Otherwise, explain to the salesperson that you’d like to try a few things on your own and when you’re ready for more help, you’ll let them know.

Regardless of how you shop, the key is to finding the right scent is time. The top notes, which you’ll smell right away is not how the fragrance will actually wear. Spritz your hand or wrist then walk away for a few minutes. After the initial notes subside, you’ll discover the middle and bottom notes — a better indication of how the scent will smell on you over time. Then, you can make an informed decision.

I couldn’t have said it any better. Guys, you will study a gadget to the tenth degree before making a purchase. Do yourself a favor and apply the same thinking to your fragrance purchases. The way you smell leaves such an impression that it does warrant more attention. So the next time you’re on the hunt for a new scent, take control of the situation, don’t be that sitting duck.

Meet Shane & Shawn

I was recently invited to attend a “Gentlemen’s Night” at the Mulberry street store for the dynamic shoe designing duo Shane & Shawn. It was a great event, the drinks were flowing and they even had a pool table in the store. I managed to get in a word with the very down to earth twosome and we chatted for a bit about “guy” stuff but I managed to get some fragrance questions in there.

After downing a few drinks, I went into the restroom, which was nicely laid out for a retail store and noticed a bottle of Marc Jacobs Ivy. Is it to be used for air freshener or to freshen up?

The Marc Jacobs is to freshen up! It’s a pine smelling cologne, so, it’s good for work/day. Also, the bottle matches the decor, and adds to the atmosphere.

Any plans to develop your own fragrance?

Not in the next year, but, when the time is right, and with the right partner, we are definitely looking to get into it. It is a part of our business plan. It will be a very sexy scent that transitions from the office to play, just like our shoes.

What fragrance are you currently wearing? Why?

Dolce&Gabbana. I am on the road a lot and this is the fragrance I have that lasts the longest..Very potent and manly.

Do you have a “go-to” fragrance? If so, what is it?

Yes! Jean Paul Gaultier.

How often to you purchase a new one?

I have a lot, so, only when I need a refill, or my girlfriend likes something, and I’ll jump on it. As long as she has another reason to cling to me, I am good!

When you’re on the hunt, what do you look for?

I like smooth/soft/sexy scents…Like the old school Obsession.

How would you finish this statement, “my most memorable fragrant moment would be..?

Obsession! I became a a MAN in high school when I began to wear this. Really, It was my first time ever having a women complement me in a way where it broke the ice…’you smell soooo good Shawn’.
After that, it was easy to meet girls.

Its so nice when the ice is broken for you…

M. Tony Peralta

You every notice how artists always seem to do everything artfully? That’s M. Tony Peralta aka Big Tone. A graphic artist/photographer/temperamental creator, I met this fly cat in the late 90’s and have had my eye on him ever since. I’ve watched his artistic expression grow in so many ways and I’m proud to consider him a friend. Check out the April issue of Giant magazine where they feature Mr. Peralta in the Flash section where he’s wearing his “Freedom” tee. I ran into Mr. Peralta at a Sound of Art event in Harlem at The Vault on Saturday to celebrate the artist Joe Buck (He’s the guy in the background with the funny look on his face…sorry Joe, I don’t have Photoshop skills) and decided to see how the art of fragrance has made an impression on his life.

What’s your earliest recollection of fragrance? Which names come to
mind?
My earliest recollection of fragrances are not good ones. I remember getting headaches from my mother’s perfumes and the image of Brut and Old Spice come to mind as well. To redeem myself from mentioning those cheap fragrances, I have to fast forward a little to the early 80’s and 90’s. I remember my older brother and Drakkar. That’s definitely a bottle that sticks out in my head.
I was just a kid back then, so I wasn’t really into fragrances. I also remember my older friends rocking Cool Water and the green polo bottle cologne.

As a teenager, I was into oils. Egyptian Musk to be exact. Besides the affordable prices of the oils. I really liked how Egyptian musk smelt, especially on a woman. It’s really soft. I’m pretty sensitive to smells, so I like my fragrances to be smooth.

During college is when I really got into colognes. If I remember correctly, I think the first bottle I bought was Jean-Paul Gaultier “Le Male.” Beside the cool packaging I really liked the fragrance. It was a bit strong but I dealt with it. I think it helped me get some attention from the ladies. After that I switched to Versace Green or Blue jeans and rode it for a few years.

What are you wearing these days? What is it about that one that makes
it special?

These days I wear a variety of colognes. My favorite fragrance is L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake. That’s the one I wear on the regular. I also own Attitude by Giorgio Armani, Versace’s Eau Fraiche. Other fragrances I love are Rush by Gucci and Emporio He by Giorgio Armani.

How often do you buy a new fragrance? When you’re on the hunt, what do you look for?

The last bottle I bought was Attitude by Giorgio Armani and that was about 8 months ago. I don’t
Shop that frequent for fragrances. I think men should have there staple scent. I think mine is
Issey Miyake but I’m not a afraid to try new ones. As longs as they’re not strong and over powering. I honestly get headaches from strong fragrances.

How would you finish this statement, “my most memorable fragrant
moment would be …?

You know what is my most memorable fragrant moment, it’s this baby cologne that my mom used on my younger sister after she bathed her. It’s a baby cologne that is used frequently by Dominicans. It makes the baby smell so fresh after they’re bathed. I remember my younger sister
wearing it as well as my nephews. It’s like the smell of innocence. Its called Para Mi Bebe

Creative, temperamental, stylish and sensitive…that’s Mr. Peralta

Today was one of those days - you open your eyes, the rain is beating on the window and you say to yourself, “why must I get out of bed today.” Then you pull the covers off and reality kicks in.

After taking a shower and figuring out what to wear on this most dreary day I thought to myself as I was looking for a fragrance, “warm and inviting.” As I reflect, I’d say that was an interesting choice of words but I guess it was spurred by the weather. As I thought about what to spray on, it came to me Vanille 44 by Le Labo.

I bought Vanille 44 while I was in Paris. Le Labo had the clever idea to release exclusive fragrances in a few cities and Paris was one of them. Prior to purchasing it, I thought to myself, I’m going to buy this thing no matter what it smells like…I mean why not, you can only get it in Paris. So off my lady and I trekked to Colette from the Champs-Elysees with our map in hand and the happiness of child on their way to Toys R Us. Man…when I got there I was busting with excitement, but I was quickly let down by the rudeness of one of the sales people. The only thing that stopped me from slapping this young lady was my up bringing and the thought of the French police screaming at me while in handcuffs…not a good look. Anyhow, after spraying a bit on myself and letting it settle, I wasn’t immediately overwhelmed by it. Was I expecting more, was it to simple…I’m not quite sure. So with the attitude, realizing just how much I was about to spend because of the weak American dollar and the lackluster first impression, I abruptly left. Man was I disappointed. My day came crashing down. I came all this way and didn’t get the one thing I wanted to leave with. FCUK. As the day wore on, I could not stop smelling my wrists. The more I smelled them the more intrigued I became. Sweet, woody, tasty, sweet but woody…unusual but interesting. Long story short, 3 days later I went back to Colette and bought it.

This post took a while to come to me but warm and inviting is just what Vanille 44 is to me. While some perfumers can be obsessed with duplicating what an actual flower is supposed to smell like, Vanille 44 is far from being a purely vanilla scent. It smells familiar and that’s because notes include bergamot, incense and bunch of other goodies. That combination of the sweet and woody scents really play a number on you…as a young lady in the shop said, “hmmm, that’s nice.”

I remember the first time I came across this ad, I was thumbing through one of the men’s magazines (I forget which one) and when I hit the page my first reaction was simply “wow.” I just stared at the page. I wonder what the average “stare time” is. It came as no surprise that while hanging out after work on Friday, the topic of fragrance came up, Mr. Ford was mentioned and his sexually charged ad campaigns were thoroughly discussed. The general sentiment was they are simply “off the meter.” As for his scents, props were given to his private blends and they were thought to be better than his mass marketed scents. I can attest to that. My first reaction to Tom Ford was I expected more. However, if you removed his name from that bottle and showed a series of fragrance ads, this would win hands down. I look at some of these ads and I just don’t get it. I’m left in a daze asking myself is this the best we can do. NO daze or guessing here.
Is it the sweat, the heat causing it, or the …. I could go on and on, you fill in the blanks but it makes a statement that screams possibility. Honorable mention to the Dolce & Gabana ad (you know which one I’m talking about). A friend said to me, “you know how you guys react to a Victoria’s Secret catalogue, he’s our Victoria’s Secret.”

Life has a weird way of bringing things into fruition. Some years ago, I read an article about Frederic Malle and one of his boutiques which housed a very unique smelling system. In a nutshell you put your face up to this metallic funnel looking thing and a mist of a scent is released….how cool is that? When I read that I remember saying to myself, I must experience that one day. On Weds after a day of
sightseeing, I stopped by the 140 Avenue Victor Hugo location just so I could experience it…and what a pleasurable visit it was.

Once you enter the shop, you can’t help but stare at the wall of scents and school science project looking contraption that releases a fragrant mist. It is unlike anything you have experienced. As with most of my visits to shops in Paris, I feared my communication with the salesperson was a roll of the dice. But this was to be a great day as not only did Claire speak enough English to communicate with me, we danced as we realized we had a common passion for the power of fragrance.

After the usual questions of trying to figure out my taste and offering a few scents for me to smell, I gravitated to Une Fleur De Cassie. I told Claire that like Le Labo’s Rose 31 and Serge Luten’s Santal Blanc, there is a dirty/sweatiness at the bottom of this scent that’s grabbing me. I explained how with Rose 31, I found myself a bit perplexed because before smelling that, I never experienced a scent that tripped me up…I mean who would dare combine something that would somehow make you think of sweat. In trying to find the words to communicate this, which bought a smile to Claire’s face (I guess I was onto something) she began telling me its just that sort of thinking that’s behind the Editions De Parfums collection. I won’t fully retell the story hear as you can read it on their website but the bio for the creator of Une Fluer De Cassie, Dominique Ropion says he is “…on a quest to create new, harmonious scents by pairing ingredients that are polar opposites.” I can really appreciate that and I believe that’s why Claire offered this to me. I can’t remember if she mentioned this as one of their best sellers but a very chicly dressed French woman came in while I was there and asked for it by name with no hesitation.

This is not for everyone and it’s defies the conventional scents being marketed to men. Its out there and I love that. If you’re inclined to try it, know that it starts off pungent but settles into your skin for a hint of fragrance. Spray and walk away. Don’t listen to the first reaction, let it settle. It’s just the right amount of good and bad to tickle and tease.

Image courtesy of www.editionsdeparfums.com

You know, the funniest things happen when you least expect it. I decided to go by Colette because I heard so much about it and I wanted to….(more about that later). I was smelling a particular fragrance and when you speak English in Paris, you stick out…no big shit right. Anyhow, a gentlemen that engaged me in conversation asked to smell what I was testing and he gave it to his friend to smell and she said, “damn this smells so good it makes you want to eat it…I assure you it was not a fruity smell either. One can only imagine how that feeling might translate in the right setting…I love it. Its all about the possibilities fellas.

I’ve been in Paris for 4 days now and I’ve had more croissants than I have ever had in my entire life. I know I’m in another country and I should respect and adapt their way while I’m here…I’ve done that and am dying from all the bread I’ve eaten thus far…and the cigarette smoke is killing me. This morning I jumped up and had to have well scrambled eggs, some potatoes and a glass of OJ. Thank heavens for BIA - Breakfast In America. An American who moved here some years back for work started this oasis in the middle of Frenchness. You can get the full story on their website but man the smell of eggs and potatoes, fresh squeezed OJ and coffee in the thick white dinner mug was fragrant enough for me to break from the usual post. If you’re ever in Paris and order eggs and they come back any other way than you’re used to, or you want something more than a bagette or another damn croissant, run to BIA.

I am having fun in Paris. There’s a saying, “when in Rome do as the Roman’s do,” and with that, I had to stop off at Sephora for France is where it began back in 1969. I was curious to see if they carried anything over here that couldn’t be found at home. For the most part, they had just about everything. Mathew McConaughey was being well promoted for his endorsement of Dolce & Gabana’s The One and the music pumped just as loud. What I was surprised to see was Serge Luten…that did bring a smile to my face. I am currently wearing Santal Blanc and am loving it.

So my strategy to fight jet lag totally worked. Aside from dozing off at moments of
stillness, I kept it moving my first day in Par-ee.

After a quick stop to the marathon expo we took the Metro to another part of town
and hopped onto a tour bus. With the sun shining and a crisp wind we took in the
historic sights. After about an hour, I was cold, hungry and started to feel
delirious so we jumped off and it seemed fitting that we would stumble upon a store named Divine.

Divine is a little shop on 3 rue Scribe with all the trappings that scream luxury. My search for anything I could shove in my mouth was quickly forgotten as my nose was quite busy. Divine has two scents for men, L’homme sage and L’homme de coeur. The former is unmistakably masculine with its “very” woody presence. What I found interesting was one of its top notes include Saffron which I hear is a growing trend reaching the American shores. L’homme de coeur is deceptively captivating. Its burst of freshness, leaves you thinking this is to simple and familiar but it builds to a flirtiness. Although there are notes of woodiness and amber (which we can’t seem to escape), fear not as its floral qualities are at the heart of its essence. Check them out at Divine.

Its 4am and I’m up employing a no sleep strategy in preparation for my trip to Paris…I’m hoping this wards off jet lag…we shall see.

I’m really excited about this trip because my lovely lady is running the Paris International marathon on Sunday and in addition to being there for moral support, I’ll be on the hunt for fragrances. Le Labo has a particular scent you can only find in Paris, so I’m really interested to check that out. I also plan on making stops at Comme des Garcon, Editions de Parfums Frederic Male, Annick Goutal and Creed to name a few. If I can find a way, I’ll blog from Paris…

Au revoir

Last Friday I stopped by the cigar shop after work for a smoke. I didn’t have my lovely girlfriend tugging at my time (love you sweetie) so I figured I’d chillout for a bit. The gang was all there and in walked Mr. Leo Shin. After we were all lit and engaged in our usual banter, this well dressed chap said something that I found shockingly odd… his father NEVER wore jeans in his life. Then I overheard him talking about fragrance…well, that did it for me.

I overheard you speaking about your father and his penchant for flair. Tell me a bit about his dressing habits? My dad was a very well dressed man. All the time. There was not a moment that he was not dressed up. His casual clothing was what most people would wear when they get dressed up to go out to dinner or
something.

Is it true he never owned a pair of jeans? Never ever owned a pair of jeans. Never wore a pair of jeans. In fact, the only pair of sneakers he ever owned or wore, were a pair of black and white Nikes that I purchased for him when he was about 68
years old and needed to start cardiac rehab after heart problems.

Was he a lover of fragrances? If so, do you remember what he wore? He was a lover of fragrances, but I don’t remember if he ever had a quote unquote favorite. I remember the classic green Polo bottle being on his dresser growing up and a very old bottle of Pierre Cardin with a domed cap being around his entire life. In fact, he had
the after shave that came in an identical shaped bottle. They were always next to each other in the bathroom cabinet. Never saw him apply it, though.

How do you think all of this has influenced you? I think it influenced me in that I grew up around well dressed people from the very beginning. My mom, my two older sisters and my father were always well dressed, so I grew up feeling well-dressed was the norm, the absolute baseline one started from. It also instilled a
feeling that it was “okay” to be dressed up.

What is your favorite fragrance(s)? I never had a favorite fragrance until I my father passed away. My wife and I had selected a Dunhill scent for him as a gift and he wore it often. After he passed, there was still some left in the bottle, so I started wearing it and my wife loved how it smelled on me. So it is now the only fragrance I wear on a regular basis. It reminds me of my father every time I put it on and my wife loves it. The wife loving it is an absolute requirement and my father’s memory makes it significant to me.

How often do you buy a new fragrance? I’m always on the journey to find a fragrance that blows me away. Never really happens, though.

When you’re on the hunt, what do you look for? I look for a combination of woodsy, leathery, maybe tobacco, with an overriding sense of refreshment and cleanliness that comes with citrus notes. It’s a difficult thing to find because philosophically, I’m looking for something substantial, but light.

How would you finish this statement, my most memorable fragrant
moment would be…? I think acquiring the fragrance I gave to my father and was the last thing he wore is the most memorable moment. However, on a lighter
note, my most memorable fragrant moment happens every time I’m walking down the street and some lady walks by and smells wonderful. They have usually just passed before you realize what just happened, so you never really can put the fragrance and the person together.

Thanks Leo.

A funny thing has been occurring lately, I’ve been having more conversations with men about their love of fragrances…and they are an opinionated bunch. I made a pit stop by the cigar shop after work on Friday and I had the entire shop calling off memories of their favorite old school colognes. But what happened next blind-sided me.

When I was thinking about doing this blog last year, one of the workers at OK Cigars that I’m quite fond of, David, told me I should. I like David because he not only knows his cigars, but he’s witty and his knowledge of denim is wicked…he really needs to write an expose about the virtues of “real” denim vs. what we’re buying today but that’s another story. We once had a conversation about fragrances and he sung the praises of Gap Blue No 655, which I never heard of. But after hearing his love, I was quite intrigued. Long story short, in my recent visit to the shop he said, “I want to write an essay for you about Gap Blue.” I was humbled. Enough of my prose, here’s David’s

Fall Into This

Sometime around ninth grade I decided that cologne should be a part of my grooming routine. I thought that a scent might be part of the divide between me and the guys the girls noticed. In the high school social strata, I didn’t quite sing in a band, but then I didn’t carry a bag of many-sided dice either. Poking around the local mall, I sniffed my way through the bright lights and high-stools of department store fragrance counters. I wouldn’t buy a bottle shaped like a man’s torso or named like an automotive component. I was more interested in the girl who sat next to me in second period than someone named Kiki.

With a tired nose and money in my wallet I gave up. Like every other clean cut suburban kid, I ventured to the Gap for yet more khakis. There among the “essential” t-shirts and khakis I found a glass cube filled with light amber liquid. I took a sniff and knew immediately I’d found just the scent. Somewhere between sunshine, Tide, and well maintained lawns. Smells like nice boy, but nice boy who’s been on a few dates. I bought the bottle that day, and continued to restock until sometime around 2004, the stuff seems to have been discontinued. I actually found three bottles in Maine in 2005, so I’m certain it’s available on the internet. As for the power of scent to change one’s high school social level, I have to report that the cool girls complemented me fairly often on my cologne, but that was it. Anyway, time passes- I’m happy to report my girlfriend loves my stashed away bottles of the stuff.

Here’s the secret: GAP BLUE No 655. Think of it along side other three-digit classics like the Porsche 911, Dunhill Mixture 965, the Montblanc 149, and of course, the Levi’s 501.

THANKS D.

As Hannibal, from the popular TV show back in the day the “A Team” would say, “I love it when a plan comes together,” and that’s exactly what happened today. I met up with a friend, Kim Sayles whom I saw a few days earlier and when I told him I started this blog he said, “I have a place for you…you are going to die.” Little did I know he was also a fragrance enthusiast.

We met on the border of Soho and Nolita and hit up a few stores. Kim knows all the spots, as well he should. Working in fashion and home furnishings, he’s a magnet for what’s chic. Just to show you how bizarre of a day it was, we’re standing on the corner of Prince and Lafayette and he tells me he’s thinking of buying a place with his partner and out of nowhere someone says, “wait three years.” After standing there and talking to this seemingly strange guy in all leather with gold rings, it turns out we’re talking to Mark Fisher (a big time photographer). Anyhow, we made our way over to 9 Christopher Street where I entered the pearly gates of fragrance heaven.

Aedes De Venustas is an unassuming store on a very quaint block. Upon entering the store you quickly realize this place is for the serious fragrance appreciator. It feels like every inch of the store is taken up with beautifully crafted bottles of liquid crack. There is absolutely nothing “run of the mill” there. I was graciously greeted by Robin and the love affair began. We must have spent about an hour smelling different scents, discussing notes, preferences, blending and it really got friendly when Robin and Kim discovered they were both Aries. The staff is very knowledgeable and quite patient. We were having so much fun that after a half hour we realized we had yet to exchange names. I must have smelt at least 4 different takes on Rose and each were masterfully blended and evoked very different emotions. I could go on and on but if you are really and must stress REALLY looking for a fragrance that is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced Aedes De Venustas is the place for you. I already know what my next few purchases will be. I will admit, I couldn’t leave there empty handed…more about that later.

First off, before I get into how I feel about Cereus No 11, let me tell you that your eyes are not deceiving you. This photo is of a slightly used bottle and that’s because I wear what I write about. Also, this fragrance isn’t new…I will define what I mean by “new” shortly.

A short time ago, I was feeling in the mode to buy a new fragrance when I shot my friend Brian Boye an email asking him for a tip. He recommended Cereus No 11 and off I went running to Barney’s. Standing at the fragrance counter, I felt like a kid in a candy factory, so much to smell, so many choices. But I focused my attention and smelt Cereus and began to ponder its effect on me. I will admit, I also smelled Le Labo’s Rose 31 while I was feeling this out (see my feelings about that below) and was instantly mesmerized but was a little unsure about it at the time. There was something about Cereus that had me captivated but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. So with that, I took the word of someone I really respect and paid $125 and continued smelling my hand all the way to the train station. As I made my way home I wrote Brian an email and this is what I said, “What an interesting scent. The woody notes remind me of Comme de Garcon’s Man but it continues past that and ventures into something soft and spirited…I guess that’s where the pepper comes in. I can’t stop smelling my hand as I write this.”

From the way the bottle feels in your hand to the use of the wood looking top, Cereus No 11 is packaged for men. I can’t quite put my finger on it but something about the way it looks reminds me of English Leather. Maybe its the wood top or the clear bottle or maybe I’m just on crack but that is what ran through my mind. There clearly isn’t any stallion on the front to drive home the “this is for a manly man” thought but there’s something familiar but new about the packaging and its odor.

Cereus No 11 is a masculine scent without beating you over the head. The definition of masculinity has evolved. I love watching my Sportscenter and hate being asked to change the channel when its on but can you imagine if I was writing about this sort of stuff in the 40’s and 50’s…I’m sure you know where I’m going. But today, while we’re just as driven, aggressive, stubborn, etc, etc., we’re also more sensitive, very conscious of our appearance (you can tell from the increased hair product shelving space and the variety of colors we’re wearing) and apparently doing more housework (recent study Fox news talked about and I can attest to that. I have a woman and I’m swifting, washing and cooking…YIKES) But seriously, if we’re evolving why can’t our choices in fragrances do the same. For me, smelling like I just left the barber or leathery just isn’t cutting it. That’s why I love Cereus…its manly without beating you over the head and that’s the best way I can sum it up.

The Fashion and Grooming director of Men’s Health, Brian Boye, gave me a shout out on their blog. I’m touched by this because I really respect Brian’s editorial perspective. MH, in my opinion, does a great job of balancing trends and making them applicable to everyday guys. That’s pretty much what I’m trying to do here…give you guys a perspective on interesting finds that can help you standout. Anyhow, check out the mention “Looking Good — Smelling Better”

A friend of mine recently emailed me asking for help because her boyfriend wears too much of his cologne. She says it’s so much she doesn’t want to go in for the “goodbye” kiss. From the sounds of it, she could relate to the theory of this article, The Sweet Smell of…Nothing (New York Times ThursdayStyles section). Apparently, there seems to be a trend where people are opting to go “fragrance free” because they don’t want to offend others. I can understand not wearing anything to an interview but nothing at all, all the time…that’s a bit much for me. I nevertheless enjoyed the read. Check it out for yourself. And if you’re guilty of wearing to much remember subtlety wins every time. No more than an arms distance away is the rule of thumb.

What a game Super Bowl XLII was. I ate some wings, had some guacamole and rooted hard for the Giants. After it was all over, we celebrated with shots of VSOP and basked in the sweetest upset of our lifetime. Anyhow, some of the commercials were hilarious and some left me puzzled. But this one stood out for obvious reasons. For you “over sprayers,” take notes.

Robert Warner

From the moment I met Robert I loved being in his presence. We occasionally meet by chance at OK Cigars down on West Broadway in Soho and partake in interesting conversations…more like debates. In a sea of sameness, you can see Robert coming from a mile. Always smiling, always offering a point of view no one else is taking, he is always refreshing. Once I decided I started this blog, I knew he would be someone I wanted to talk to.

What is your favorite fragrance manufacturer? Penhaligons

What is it about them that makes them standout? Established in the late 1800’s, they have a very rich British history and being of British/West Indian decent, its a history I can identify with. The brand was started in a barbershop in London and it reminds me of when my grandmother would send me to to get my hair cut right before I went back to school. It is a classic scent with a simple but masculine appeal. It smells like how a man should smell.

What scent do you regularly wear? To be honest, I like to keep it simple. Sometimes I’ll wear something and sometimes good ole soap and water is it. It really depends on how I’m feeling on that particular day.

How would you finish this statement…my most memorable fragrant moment would be…? I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

(I can see why Robert likes this brand…it has a very Aristocratic history and it mirrors his charm that is very proper, it has an old world appeal…he often refers to the other men in the shop as Mr. He is confident yet humble and a gentlemen in every sense of the word.)

The other night I went to Milk Studios in NYC’s meatpackaing district and met some friends. This young chap was the brother of one of my friends girlfriends. Get this, he just got off the plane from London less than 2hrs before and was already hitting the town. NICE. Anyhow, we’re standing around talking and I noticed he was pulled away by this rather cute young lady and then moments later everyone in our group was smelling his neck. Intrigued as I was, I to had to give it a whiff. He told me he was wearing Dior Homme and it was mixed with Marlboro cigarettes and airplane…I thought that was funny. I must say, it was an interesting scent. I can’t describe it any other way than inviting. That might sound cliche but follow me…It wasn’t to strong but it had a subtle gripping effect. I get the feeling its the type of scent that could actually change a nights outcome….an unexpected delight. You might not score but you will leave an impression. That gents is what my love for fragrances are all about…the possibility.

I was thumbing through the spring issue of Antenna magazine and to my surprise, there was an article about cologne entitled “Cologne Again, Naturally,” by Chris Connolly. The mag is product heavy and I love that (R.I.P. Cargo). However, this article really peaked my curiosity so I gave it a read. I couldn’t agree more with the author’s feeling that many of the mainstream scents marketed to men today seem to be aimed at five different male types: “the race car driver, cowboy, playboy, ice and/or aqua man and translucent androgynous sex workers from the future.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Sportscenter, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Tennis, hot wing lovin dude but that doesn’t mean I want to smell like leather with a note of wood. I might not be a handy-man but I’ll be dammed if I’m going to smell like…like how they’re defining I’m supposed to smell.

Anyhow, the article went on to discuss the authors experience with customizing his own scent. I did that once at Aveda and loved it. However, this particular manufacturer, Yosh is in San Francisco…now if only my girlfriend could run another marathon, I’d have another reason go out there and try it myself. After visiting Yosh’s website, I’m even more intrigued…Yosh, I’m coming to see you…one day.

Anyone that knows me knows that when I’m on a hunt for a fragrance, I will leap tall buildings in a single bound and that’s sort of what happened one recent afternoon. I was directed to Barney’s New York for another fragrance (which I will talk about next) by a respected colleague of mine. Once at the display counter, I was like a kid in candy store…all sorts of bottles and scents I never smelled. It was the clean, no bones packaging that attracted me to Le Labo’s Rose 31…or was it the well dressed gentlemen that came in looking for something else and commented about how much he loved this particular fragrance….there’s nothing like the power of word of mouth. Anyhow, as I letting the scent of the fragrance I came to buy settle in, I decided to smell Rose 31 and instantly there was something about this one that stopped me in my tracks, not that it blew me away but there was this ying and yang thing going on. Anyhow, I couldn’t figure it out so I made my purchase and left the store smelling my hand. I tried to do it discreetly but I’m sure someone saw me on the subway and thought something was up. While I couldn’t put my finger on it, I kept thinking I was smelling something a bit sweat while there was a sweatiness underneath, almost musty. But that couldn’t be…who would combine such a thing, package it and sell it…THE FRENCH.

Le Labo is a French perfume house neatly tucked in the Nolita section of Manhattan. Translated into English it means “the lab” which makes sense when you go to the store, the no bones packaging, the lab coats, the starkness…I must admit, as I’m writing this, its all coming together for me. I remember going to the store for the first time and thinking something is reminding me of Kiehl’s sans the crowd. There’s a no frill approach to the packaging so maybe they’re saving that money for the investment in the ingredients. The number after the name indicates the number of ingredients used to make up that fragrance, i.e., Rose 31 uses 31 different ingredients. What I love about the Le Labo experience is when you find one of their fragrances that suits your taste, they mix it right there for you. And get this, they give it a one year shelf live…that’s right, its so freshly made that it has an expiration date. When I asked could you really tell a difference after a year, they said the average nose wouldn’t be able to smell the difference. Well I don’t expect mine to last that long…there’s something primal about Rose 31. It lasts on the skin for quite a while and settles in nicely..but there’s something about that hint of sweat that’s intriguing…dare I say erotic. Gentlemen smell it for yourself and you be the judge. Its receiving regular rotation in my arsenal.

As far back as I can remember, I used to go into my father’s bedroom and smell his bottles of Aramis, Tuscanny, Stetson, Grey Flannel and Polo. While he never wore them, at that age I was intrigued by their distinct smells and packaging. As I got older, say Junior High school and my early high school years, I began wearing Joop, Cool Water, and CK One. They were quite popular then. But in 1994 while working at Saks Fifth Avenue, Jean Paul Gaultier made an in store appearance promoting his new perfume and I remember getting a whiff of it and thinking to myself, this is amazing…what interesting notes. Although it was for women, I wondered why I couldn’t find anything as interesting for men. From that point I was addicted to the power of fragrance. That said, I present this blog, Fragrant Moments. I hope what I present here you find useful. I’m not a scientist or a critic. I simply love fragrances and their possibility. I love fragrances with interesting notes, i.e. Comme de Garcons Odeur 71 which has notes of photocopy toner, dust of a lightbulb, electric toaster and ink. That might sound weird but its unlike anything you’ve ever come across. (I own this one and love it )

There’s some great stuff out there gents…you just have to be willing to explore and take a chance.