How to Prevent Body Odor

 

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Good afternoon! I hope everyone is doing well. It's a beautiful spring Saturday here. It's a bit windy and a welcomed respite from the heat that will soon be upon us.

Body odor is something that not many people want to discuss. It's something that we all deal with at some point. Even if you don't think you have body odor, then you still might. It's easy for us to not smell what we actually smell like. I am going to give you some of my tips. This article is aimed towards guys, but women can probably use most of these as well. 

I hope you enjoy this one! Let's get into it!


1. Bathe Daily

This pretty much goes without saying. Bathing is by far the most important thing. You should bathe at least once per day. Twice on some days. 

I won't go too far in-depth on this one. It's pretty much common sense. Make sure you exfoliate at least every other day. Those dead skin cells building up can give you a funky smell. 


2. Use Deodorant 

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Deodorant prevents your underarms from stinking up the place. It's essential for good hygiene. 

I wasn't going to put this on the list, but we all have had the displeasure of running into someone who wasn't wearing any. That is a living nightmare for those of us who are sensitive to smell.  

I understand some folks are opposed to some ingredients in deodorants, but there are plenty of natural alternatives out there. There isn't much of an excuse to not wear any.


3. Brush your Teeth

It's an alarming number of people who don't do this enough. People can smell your breath and it can overpower any fragrance you have. Maybe this isn't as important in the current times with people wearing masks, but good hygiene is always a must. 

If you are not brushing your teeth at least twice per day, then you should change that. 


4. Eat a Healthy Diet

This is probably the thing that most people struggle with the most. Your skin is an organ and needs nutrients to function properly. This will probably help the performance of your fragrances as well. All of that junk food can make some unpleasant smells come out of your pores. 

Eating a balanced diet isn't all there is to it. If you consume healthy foods like onions and garlic on a regular basis, then you might need to cut back a bit. There are known to give you body odor if you eat them frequently. 


5. Trim your Waistline

Losing weight will help you with your body odor. The more fat you have on your body, the more it has to work to do everyday tasks. This causes you to sweat more and leads to more bacteria being present on the skin, which will leave you smelling pretty terrible. 

This can also tie into number 4. The two work hand in hand. 


6. Dress Well

Wearing clothing made of linen or cotton will help you sweat less because they are more breathable. Less sweat will lead to less body odor. Unless you are in the gym and can grab a quick shower afterward, then your goal should be to sweat less. 

Don't wear the same clothes again without washing them. They stink, bro. I know some people like the selvedge jeans, but I would stick to wearing them around the house to break them in. No one wants to smell those clothes you haven't washed in 3 weeks. That's just gross.

I often see people saying they can still smell a fragrance on their clothes from yesterday. That fragrance isn't going to overpower the funk on the clothes from not washing them. Do yourself and everyone else a favor...Only wear clean clothes. 


7. Take Care of your Groin 

This is something that many guys don't do. It seems almost taboo to even talk about it. I am not sure if it's as applicable for women on this one. Please don't message me details. I don't want to know. 

You sweat down there, guys. That builds odor and leads to chaffing. You don't want to chaff. You try to be a man and act normal, but inside you are crying. Use some powder, deodorant, or dry spray deodorant down there to keep the sweat and odor away. No one wants to smell that. 

Also, this should go without saying...never wear the same underwear for two days straight. Also, be sure to change them after a workout. Those gains aren't going to help you if you smell like body odor.


Conclusion

I know this was a short and quick article, but most of these explain themselves. Some guys have some very bad habits which are impacting the way they smell. It could also be impacting how your nose smells certain things as well. 

The bottom line is bathing alone isn't enough. You need to actively work to prevent sweating and odor. Your fragrances aren't going to mask body funk. It doesn't matter how strong they are. People will still smell the bad smells. 

I know some people do have some medical conditions that give them an unpleasant body odor. I am not a doctor so I can't give you advice on that. However, the things I have mentioned here might be able to help you minimize those smells.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Keep smelling great and being great. Remember that a positive word to someone today can be the difference between life and death. There are tons of people who are struggling and looking for hope. Be that hope. A kind word is free and its value is priceless. 

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How to Support my Blog

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Good morning, folks! I hope everyone is having a fantastic start to the day! I have my standard tea and banana that I wake up to. Sp, all is good here in the Carolinas. I am going to do a topic that I have been requested to do from a few people. The topic is how to support my blog. There are many ways to do this and I would like to cover them to clear some of the confusion around it. It's not quite as straightforward as Youtube is. So, I will explain what the features do and what they are for. This also goes for several other blogs who use a similar format. Let's get into it!


Features

This section will go over the features of my blog, how to use them, and why they are there. I hope this makes accessing and using my blog much easier. I hope you learn a thing or two from it!


1. Followers

Followers help your blog turn up more on search engines. The more followers you have, the more likely it is to turn up on a search engine when someone Googles something like "Mugler Pure Malt review". It helps me get exposure to new demographics outside of the Facebook groups.

As you can see in the picture above, there is a list of all of my followers and a blue follow button. You can just click that and follow me. It just goes off of your G+ account. So, it really helps a lot when people do that.


2. Searching for Content my Blog

You can search my blog for any previous post if you put in some keywords that are used in the article. If you type in "Genre Parfums Noble Soul" you will get several articles that I mentioned it in. This is just a handy little feature if you are looking for something specific.


3. Email Updates

This is probably the most important one. This allows you to get notified by email whenever I post something. In other words, you will never miss when I post something. Sometimes it is a bit delayed in sending them out. However, you can read the entire article from the email and you never have to visit my site. So, this is very handy if you are not in my Facebook group to be notified whenever I post.

4. Labels

As you see on the right-hand side of the screenshot, I have a ton of labels. So, if you are looking for a particular fragrance house or season, you can click the label and you will see everything I have classed under that term. It's a pretty handy tool if you are looking for something a little broader than the search feature.

5. Contact

Here you will see a contact form. These messages will go directly to my email. If you prefer to email me directly, you can do so at johnharp86@gmail.com. Just be sure to title it with something that doesn't look spammy. You may also private message me on Facebook.


Alternative Ways to Support me

This section is a little bit different. These are ways that you can support the upkeep of my blog and allow me to continue to make content. As most of you probably know, I have no income right now because I take care of my mother who has a plethora of health illnesses. She is doing much better now and I should be getting back to at least part-time work here soon. As it stands when I type this, I am unemployed. So, my blog is pretty much entirely fueled off of people's generosity to allow me to review their products and friends who send me stuff to review.


1. Products

I am open to reviewing any fragrances. I don't follow any sort of algorithm. I don't prefer niche, designer, or indie fragrances. I enjoy fragrances as a whole. I am willing to review from samples, decants, or full bottles. Whether you are a company who wants me to review their fragrances or a single person that just wants to get the word out about a fragrance that you think is awesome., I will do either. Just note, for the companies, I do not accept monetary rewards for reviews. I only accept fragrances for an unbiased review. That is the only deal that I am willing to make. Feel free to reach out to me on Facebook or by email at johnharp86@gmail.com to discuss details.


2. Monetary Donations

This is something I have never covered before. I didn't really want to, in all honesty. Some of my friends asked me about it though, so I am going to cover it. I am willing to accept monetary donations through Paypal to support the blog. The money will 100% go towards buying fragrances or new equipment(i.e. a better camera) to help improve my blog, unless you state it can be used otherwise. I will provide screenshots or pictures of receipts to prove it, if you would like. I will be clear though, I don't need the money. This is solely a voluntary thing if you would like to help improve my blog. Others have asked about it, so I just thought I would bring it up. I will give you a shoutout in a blog post if you do, unless you wish to remain anonymous. You can reach out to me through Facebook or email if you wish to do that.


3. Encouragement or Discussion

All of you can feel free to add me on Facebook. I am always down to talk about fragrances if you want to. You can also join my Facebook group to see what I am working on. I will leave a link below. I enjoy all aspects of the art of fragrances and I would absolutely love to have a discussion with you about them.


Conclusion

I just want to thank all of you who have supported me. Those who have hosted giveaways, sent me products, or just talked to me about fragrances. You know who you are and I am very grateful for all of you. I am also grateful to all of the people who have continued reading my posts and commenting on them. You folks keep me motivated to continue!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a fantastic day and remember to say something positive to someone today! Be sure to follow and sign up for email updates!


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Barbershop Fragrances: History and Modern Day Iterations

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Good morning, folks! I hope everyone is having a great start to their day. Last week I asked in the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group about what topic to cover this week. This one was the winner that was selected. If you want to get in on voting for topics for me to cover, then be sure to join the group and vote next time. I will also be doing some exclusive stuff on that group, and perhaps a giveaway or two at some point in there. So, be sure to join up and see what happens! The link will be down below.

The topic is about barbershop fragrances, which are in the fougere family of fragrances typically, but not always. I am going to try to cover as much as I can in this article, but this is mostly opinion based. A barbershop fragrance can vary depending on what fragrance reminds you of a barbershop. I will stop blabbing now and get on with it!


Fougeres

The term Fougere first came into play in 1882 when Paul Parquet created Fougère Royale for Houbigant. The word fougere means "fern-like" in French. The fragrance was not intended to smell like a fern, but rather what Parquet wanted a fern to smell like.

The re-released version of Houbigant Fougere Royal from 2010.
Source: www.fragrantica.com 

Most fougeres contain the notes of lavender, coumarin(synthetic tonka bean), and oakmoss. Lavender which gives it a powdery clean feel. Coumarin gives is a hay-like vibe. Oakmoss gives it a bit of woodiness and sweetness.

After Fougere Royale, Penhaligons released English Fern as their take on a fougere. After that, many releases came out for men. Even though fougeres were originally meant to be marketed as a woman's fragrance.

The reason the history of fougeres is important is that they became what is commonly referred to as classic barbershop fragrances. Although, I do not believe that barbershop fragrances actually started there, just what we typically associate with a barbershop fragrance did.

Bay Rum

I don't think anyone knows when and where bay rum actually came about, but it is assumed that it was around the early 1800s. It contains rum, bay leaves, and spices typically. It is said that pirates used bay rum to cover their stench while at sea for long periods of time. I am pretty sure they still stunk though. Regardless, bay rum is a common fragrance that is used in barbershops, so this would date the creation of barbershop style fragrances to an even earlier time period than fougeres.


What is a Barbershop Fragrance?

Well, honestly, it has no real definition. It's whatever fragrances barbershops use/used after a fresh shave typically. It could be a fougere, oriental spicy, or a number of different things. Most of the time they will contain at least coumarin and lavender. Even though some modern iterations contain neither. Some more modern ones try to take the original idea of barbershop fragrance and give them a modern edge. More about that in a bit.

So, there is no real definition of it, but the typical consensus is that most aromatic fougeres fit in this category. That doesn't go for all of them of course. So, it's a really confusing term to use. There really isn't a right or wrong answer, unless you are speaking about a woman's fragrance...Since these are marketed towards men.


Modern Barbershop Fragrances

Modern barbershops have strayed far from the roots of fougeres and bay rum style fragrances. They reinvented themselves for the modern generation to include notes like sandalwood, geranium, rose, ambroxan, orange blossom, white musk, and many other notes. They are typically soapy or herbal. Many also contain citruses such as bergamot and lemon. The whole idea is to give a freshly shaved vibe that is pleasing to those around you. Vetiver is also a commonly used note in both classic and modern barbershops.

Examples of Barbershop Fragrances

Azzaro Pour Homme, an example of a classic barbershop fragrance.

Classic Picks

Houbigant Fougere Royale
Old Spice
Penhaligon's English Fern
YSL Rive Gauche
Azzaro Pour Homme
Paco Rabanne Pour Homme
Drakkar Noir
Avon Wild Country
Brut

Modern Picks

Penhaligon's Sartorial
MDCI Invasion Barbare
Calvin Klein Eternity
Maison Margiela At the Barber's
Alexandria/Happyland Studio's Barbershop


Conclusion

Barbershop fragrances are a classic and I think every fragrance aficionado should own at least one or two. I personally have around 6 of them. They include classics and more modern ones.  Yeah, if you wear a classic one you might get told you smell like a grandpa, but grandpas are typically awesome, so I take that as a compliment. You may not get attention from all of the ladies under 30, but you can hold your head high and still be proud of the piece of fragrance history projecting from your body. To me, that is awesome in itself. I am a firm believer that we need to appreciate the past in order to enjoy the future. As far as fragrances go, at least.

*I cannot attest that all of this information is 100% accurate. These are just things that I have learned over the years or found through research*

I used a little bit of information from this page to make this article: https://www.dapperconfidential.com/what-is-fougere-meet-the-fragrance-families/

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7 Reasons Why Overspraying is Bad

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Greetings once again, earthlings! I hope everyone had a fantastic day! I was just inspired to write this article tonight after looking at a few threads that I have seen pop up recently. This will be my take on overspraying a fragrance. I know this is controversial to most people, but I am going to give you my opinion on it. Let's get into it!


1. Allergies

Some people have allergies to certain chemicals. Also, some have asthma. Granted, some might not be as bad as others. We should still practice restraint. Just because we love something doesn't mean everyone else will. We should seek to smell good and still be courteous to those around us. I know we want to smell good and want everyone to experience our amazing new fragrance, but not everyone will.


2. Going Anosmic

If you are a habitual oversprayer, then you are fatiguing your nose. It will get less sensitive with time and it will stop smelling things properly. That may be why you will feel the need to overspray, due to you being anosmic to many lighter smells. The nose is like every other sense..if you sit in front of a computer all day, then your eyes will get tired and blurry. The same thing goes for your nose.


3. Projection

Yes, you will get more projection with more sprays. However, some fragrances are meant to not project because they will be cloying if they do. Like La Nuit de l'Homme, it's more sensual and draws people in to smell it. This is intentional. You don't always need to announce to everyone in the room that you are wearing a fragrance. Sometimes the best-kept secrets are the things not everyone knows.


4. Compliments

Overspraying might get you compliments a few times, but most often you will be known as the guy who "wears too much cologne". It will force many people to avoid you because of your strong smell. No one wants to be around someone who has a smell that chokes them out. Not everyone wants to smell 8 sprays of Kouros. If you really seek compliments out to improve your self-esteem, then I don't know what to tell you. I am not a professional in that field.


5. Too Much Fragrance Stinks

Have you ever smelled someone who doesn't wear deodorant? I am sure we all have. It stinks...Really badly. The same thing goes with fragrances. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. It can be nauseating, headache-inducing, and just plain unpleasant. I don't suggest being that guy.


6. Overspraying to Cover Body Odor

If you don't take a shower and try to spray fragrance on to mask it...You still stink, dude. A fragrance will only make it worse. Unwashed underarms and Bleu de Chanel mixed smells like a tree you used to scratch your sweaty butt with. Don't be that guy. Leave the college days of skipping showers in college. Let's be grown-ups and take showers at least daily.

7. Overspraying to Smell the Opening

Yes, some fragrances have wonderful openings. If you want to experience that again, then spray it on a tester strip or paper. Not your skin. There is no need to periodically put 12 sprays of fragrance on yourself to smell the opening or get it to project again.


Conclusion

Sorry Doug, I am not a believer in the #FullDoug. To each their own. These are just things we should all consider when wearing a fragrance. I personally never go beyond 5 sprays. I tried to do 9 sprays of Noble Soul at home, but I just thought it was a waste.

I hope everyone had a good day. Remember to say something positive to someone today and don't overspray! Much love to all of you, even those who are going to get mad at me for this article! Feel free to hit that blue follow button and support my content! Subscribe for email updates and never miss another post again!


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A Fragrant Vocabulary

Hey guys and gals! I hope this day finds you all well and fragrant! I just thought I would throw out a small informational post for people who might be new to fragrances and explain some of the acronyms and slang we use in the Fragrance Community because it can be a bit overwhelming for new folks to understand the difference.

Let me know what you think! If you have anything to add that I missed then feel free to let me know. If you like the content I putting out then please feel free to hit the blue follow button at the top right. It helps people be able to find my blog better and I would be super grateful for the support! Now, without further ado, let's get into it!

One of the most common things that I see people confused about is sillage (pronounced see-aj) and projection.

Sillage-  A scent trail that you leave behind you as you walk by someone.

Projection- How well the fragrance comes off your skin and how far away spmeone can smell it on you.

Longevity- How long the fragrance lasts. This includes it being a faint skin scent.

Cologne/fragrance/perfume/scent/juice
These are all words that are used to describe a fragrance. Technically cologne and perfume (derived from the word parfum) are concentrations of oils. So, technically speaking, calling men's fragrance a cologne and women's fragrance a perfume is incorrect...it is still widely accepted as proper in most circles. While juice is a slang term for any fragrance. Fragrance and scent are the most used terms to describe a fragrance in the Fragrance Community and are accepted as proper.

EDC/EDT/EDP/Parfum/Extrait de Parfum (Parfum Extrait)
These all deal with the concentrations of oils that fragrances contain.

EDC(Cologne)- Eau de Cologne- 2-4% concentration. The weakest concentration you will find in men's fragrances.

EDT- Eau de Toilette- 5-15% concentration. The most commonly found in men's fragrances.

EDP- Eau de Parfum- 15-20% concentration. These are mainly richer and denser fragrances for the cooler months, but there are some EDPs for warmer weather as well. (all of Creed's fragrances are EDP from what I have seen)

Parfum- 20-30% concentration.

Extrait de Parfum(Parfum Extrait)- 15-40% concentration. This is sometimes called "Pure Parfum" as well.

Miscellaneous Terms 

Note- The aromachemicals or ingredient that create a single smell,

Accord- Several notes strung together to create a feeling of what a fragrance smells like.

Aldehydes- A synthetic note in fragrances that creates an airy, almost sky type feeling.

Ozonic- An accord that means it smells fresh. Sort of like rain.

Animalic- Containing notes derived from animals. Musk, civet, castoreum, leather, etc. Although most are synthetically made now, they still "smell" animalic.

Barbershop- A fragrance that smells like the aftershaves they use in barbershops. There is no real definition of this type of fragrance, but most commonly you will find them containing oakmoss, tonka bean, and lavender. There smells herbal, dry, and slightly spicy typically.

Oud- Another term used for Agarwood. Which is a tree that produces a resinous sap when it is injured. This sap is what they use in fragrances. It can smell woody, animalic, smoky, or earthy. The real stuff is very expensive, so most fragrances synthetically make it now.

Chypre- a fragrance that typically has a bright citrus top note with an oakmoss base.

Balsamic- A sweet, warm, and vanillic accord.

Top notes/opening- the lighter notes in a fragrance that usually fade within the first hour. Examples: Lavender, bergamot, lemon, and neroli.

Middle notes/heart- Slightly denser notes that come into play 30 minutes to an hour into the fragrance's life. Examples: pepper, cardamon, nutmeg, and cedar.

Bottom notes/base- The densest notes in a fragrance that usually are the strongest things you smell in the drydown. Examples: leather, oud, musk, sandalwood.

Although the density of the notes can differ depending on how concentrated they are in the fragrance, the examples I used are typical, but not set in stone.

Uomo- An Italian word meaning "man".

L'homme- A French word meaning "the man".

Cuir- A French word meaning "leather".

Nuit- A French word meaning "night".

Noir- A French word meaning "black".


That's it for now. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to add your own words that I missed!