When I was a young boy my father told me that every man should wear cologne because it sets each of them apart from the next. I can remember getting dressed for church on Sunday mornings and jetting into my parents room to use some of my father's cologne as the finishing touch. I would stand in front of his armoir and gaze at the glistening cologne bottles that were proudly displayed in their fragrant opulence and I'd get all giddy as if I'd just been told that a million dollars was hidden in one the bottles. Back then my favorite fragrance of my dad's was Stetson Sierra (discontinued) but my individual taste developed over the years to appreciate some of the more unpopular, but most unique, men's fragrances on the market. Most people say that it doesn't matter what fragrance a man wears, as long as it smells good then that's all that matters. This is nonsense. You wouldn't expect to see a man in 40s or 50s spritzing Axe body spray across his chest prior to a nice evening out, would you? Hopefully the answer is no! Choosing the right fragrance takes patience and attention to detail; it all comes down to each man's individual personality, lifestyle, overall taste and ultimately body chemistry (the effect your body's pheromones and moisture level have on the ingredients in a given fragrance). Below I've charted out a guide, based on personality and lifestyle, to help make your search for the perfect fragrance as simple as possible. Hopefully now you'll finally have a reason to let go of that bottle of Curve that's been sitting on your dresser, collecting dust since you were in middle school...
Personality: young (but legal), nonchalant, doesn't get over-excited about little things, prefers music that's a bit more grown & sexy, frequents events that feature poetry reading/spoken word.
Lifestyle: spends a great deal of time reading/writing, shops at vintage stores, doesn't engage in activities that are too strenuous (ie. contact sports, working out excessively, running around town trying hit all of the hotspots before sundown.)
My fragrance recommendation: scents that are earthy and have undertones of wood or pepper, but still fresh and not overpowering, like: Burberry (single name) or Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene (smells slightly heavy in the bottle but settles into the skin very nicely)
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Personality: charismatic, calm but still knows how to have a good time, prefers to be a "one woman man" and doesn't mind picking up a book every now & then.
Lifestyle: enjoys going to dinner with friends or catching the game at a bud's house, shops at casual mens shops, ie. Banana Republic or J. Crew, works in a business/casual environment.
My fragrance recommendation: scents that are subdued, warm and inviting while having fresh undertones such as citrus, like: Marc Jacobs or Burberry Brit.
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Personality: refined (younger or mature), appreciates fine dining and art, passionate about business, politics and current events, prefers low-key settings during leisure time.
Lifestyle: lives a very scheduled life, interacts with highbrow individuals on a regular basis, works in a setting that requires dress/business attire, shops at stores where creased slacks and fitted button-ups are the norm ie. Zara or Ralph Lauren.
My fragrance recommendation: Prada Amber (I've been obesessed with this fragrance since I first smelled it in GQ) or Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme
Tips:
- 2 Spritzes are all you need: one on the neck, another in the palm of one hand, rub hands together then pat down your torso and arms. Less is more!
- Spray your cologne on directly after you apply lotion to your body, lotion helps your fragrance adhere to your skin better and thus making it last longer (this is just my personal experience).
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Ok fellas, picture this: You've just wrapped up a flawless date night with that special lady. You dined her at a restaurant so classy, you had to make reservations almost a month in advance. Lastly, you made a quick stop at that quaint ice cream shop to curb her sweet tooth and now the two of you are sauntering down the boulevard, hand-in-hand, on the way back to your place; the night pretty much went off without a hitch and you’re walking with a tad bit more swag in your step than before! You guys arrive at the front door of your apartment, you anxiously insert your key into the lock then suddenly your heart sinks as images of the oatmeal-stained bowls sitting on your kitchen counter and the two week old bag of dirty laundry on display in your bedroom all flash across your anxiety-ridden mind. What do you do?!! The question is, what CAN you do?
As they say in the Christian faith, don’t get caught with your work undone! In today’s busy, hustle-&-bustle world you often times never know what plans you’re gonna end up undertaking within a given day. Without a moment’s notice you could end up entertaining your friends, whom you ran into on your way home from work, at your place so the last thing you want to be worrying about is untidy living quarters. A true gentleman always maintains clean personal surroundings at all times. Washing those few plates sitting in your sink or tossing a load of laundry into the washer during the game’s half-time could pay off greatly when you have those unexpected guests.
Below are 2 snapshots of my bedroom, yes, you’re boy has some serious interior decorating skills! Imagine having a nicely designed space and seeing an expression of “oh snap, check you out!” come across your lady’s face when she walks into your place for the first time, there’s nothing else like it! Keep your swag up at all times, aight fellas!
Check these pics out:
The black & white wall photos, the silver base of the lamp and the plant on the night stand serve as accent pieces which liven up the space:
A bold comforter set, nice window treatments and a couple of decorative pillows are the quickest & easiest way to add style to your space (especially if you can't paint your walls).
