Veteran's Day Special: Fragrances and Depression: How I Recovered

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Good morning, everyone! I hope everyone is having a fantastic Veteran's Day today. I am going to go ahead and preface this article with a warning: This article might offend some of you. It might be too much. You might feel like it is mean at times. You might want to say some really nasty things after reading it. However, this is my truth.

I am not a psychiatrist. I don't work in the mental health field. These are just things I have learned from personal experience and life in general. I don't care if 99% of you dislike me after this. If it helps one person, then it's worth it.

Most reviewers just want to tackle top 10 and reviews, which I do as well. However, not many(if any at all) have tackled this topic. I touched on it last year for Veteran's Day as well. I will link those articles at the end if you are interested.

This stuff is real and it hurts many people. They deal with it daily. As a fragrance family, we need to support and help people who are struggling. Sometimes that help comes in the form of tough love, which you will see a bit of in this post. Sometimes it's with a gentle and encouraging hand.

I am going to tell you a bit about my story in this article, so it's very personal and you won't see many jokes in this. This is serious stuff. Before I get into the article itself, I want to share a poem I wrote. It's cheesy, rough, and not perfect. However, it is real and some of my thoughts.

"A kindred soul that seeks to be made whole
Scars that haunt beneath the skin, revealing all my sin
If they knew what was inside, would they run and hide?
The weight is too much to bear, but I won't give in to despair
I volunteered for this, I knew something would be amiss
There is victory at the end of the road, where I can unload
As the eagles in the sky fly, so will I
I live to fight another day, there is no other way
Victory must be won at any cost, to regain what was lost
The war is far from done, but still being here means I already won"


It's somewhat deep, I know. I hope that gives you a perspective on what this article is about. Now, without further ado. Let's get into it!


My Story

This will be a shortened form of my story. I plan on doing a full story at a later time. However, i will tell you enough of it so that you can make sense of what I am saying.


I was born with mild cerebral palsy in the left side of my body. From what my mother has told me, they didn't believe I would ever walk or run properly. It turns out they were wrong because I was able to join the military and surpass their physical requirements. I have always been the type, that is you told me no, then I would do it just to prove you wrong.

However, that muscular condition did lead to me being a shorter guy. I am only around 5'5" and it messed with me a lot in high school. I felt like I constantly had to prove I could keep up with guys taller than me.

I was depressed that no girls would talk to me. I was a teenager, so my life revolved around that stuff at the time. It wasn't until I started to realize that it was my confidence, not my height, that drove women away. Once I began to at least fake a bit of confidence they started to speak with me. After a while, it became easier because I actually became somewhat confident in who I was.


After high school, I joined the Army in 2005. I served until 2013 with a tour to Ar Ramadi, Iraq(The same place Chris Kyle spent a lot of time in) in 2007. I am not going into details about that, but I will just say some scars remain from that time. Sometimes I find myself not being able to be empathetic with people. It's a daily struggle. I guess that is why sometimes I can come off as a jerk and I don't mean to be.

An old picture of me from my Army days. This was around 2011, I believe.

Fast forward to the last two years...My mother got quite ill. She has diabetes, congestive heart failure, blood pressure issues, and a plethora of other issues. She is also blind in one eye and is bound to a wheelchair because she had her legs amputated.

I stopped working and decided to take care of her. Sometimes it makes me feel stuck. Like I am not moving forward. It also makes me feel selfish that I feel that way at times. I won't go into that much detail about it, but I think you get the picture.

Now, how does this tie into fragrances? Well, we are finally at the part you came here for...


How Fragrances Helped Me

I have always been a fan of fragrances, ever since my middle school days when I wore cheap Avon stuff. I was so proud to have Tommy and Cool Water in high school. So, they have always intrigued me. However, it wasn't until a few years ago that I realized how important there were to me.

I was at a military base. I don't remember which one honestly. I purchased Lacoste Style in Play and Lacoste Pour Homme at a post exchange. Yes, I paid full retail, but at least there weren't any taxes. I wore the fragrances, but I really didn't pay attention to them.

One day I was sort of down, so I was watching Alpha M on Youtube and he was talking about "colognes". He introduced me to Jeremy Fragrance, who then introduced me to a world of fragrance reviewers. I decided to pick up my two bottles of Lacoste and try to smell them. I was blown away when I actually took time to realize these were of a much higher quality than the Avon ones I was used to.

The same bottle of Lacoste Pour Homme I bought many years ago.

I then started researching fragrances and watching reviews. Nautica Voyage was highly touted as a great fragrance. So, I went and bought that on Amazon. Only I was a new guy and didn't realize I actually bought Nautica Voyage N-83. Oh well, I still liked it.

Oops. It's the flanker.

I started delving myself into fragrances more and more. My enthusiasm thrived. Every new smell would take me to a new place, away from the pain and sadness. I could go to a forest edging the Rockies, a mountaintop, a beach, to a holiday party with cheer and joy. Fragrances were linked to so many memories and they could take me anywhere. The options were limitless. Shortly after this, I found the fragrance community on Facebook through Ashton's channel, Gent Scents.

I didn't speak much at first, but when I did there was a guy who was always kind and willing to help. His name is Carlos Colom. He was my first friend in the fragrance community and he helped save me more than he will ever know. He's a brother to me and I am forever grateful for his kindness and compassion towards me.

Folks, this is why I say to always say a kind word. You never know who you might help. Carlos was just doing his normal thing and he helped me. It helped pull me out of where I was. You never know what one kind word can do for someone.

Now, I will stop talking about myself so much. I am sorry that that ran on a bit longer than expected, but I wanted you folks to see where I am coming from when I give my tips on how to overcome this.

Now, let's get into the part you are really here for...


How Fragrances can Help you

1. A Short Vacation

Fragrances can take you places too. You just have to stop and take them in. You can transport yourself wherever your mind can take you. All you have to do is be willing for it to happen. As I said before, there is no restraint on where they can take you. The sky is the limit and you control it. Just embrace it and go with it.


2. Confidence

Fragrances can boost your confidence when you think you smell amazing. That small boost can make things much better in your life and give you a more optimistic outlook. However, this is only a small confidence boost and should not be a crutch, which I will speak on a bit later.


3. Helping Others

Our sense of smell is one of the most finely tuned senses we have. It is a very powerful tool in bringing back long-forgotten memories. I may be reaching for the stars here, but I think smelling nice can actually brighten the day of those around us. The olfactory sense is a major catalyst in our emotional state, so I believe we can enrich those around us, with words and smells.


4. The Fresh Factor

Some fragrances have this effervescent quality to them. One smell just uplifts your spirits. It doesn't have to be a long-lasting fragrance. Feeling drained at work? Carry a bottle of 4711 and give yourself a little spritz. It will uplift you and put a little pep in your step. A nice refresh is good for you. Carry a decant of something you love with you, even if you only smell the cap to get a boost.


5. Dissecting Notes

The act of picking out notes and trying to guess what you are smelling is a good mental exercise for your brain and your nose. Don't judge a fragrance by the opening or a few wearings...Really dive into it and try to understand the fragrance and the creator who made it. Doing so allows you to occupy your mind and takes your mind off the stress.


How Fragrances won't Help you


1. Confidence

John, you said fragrances gave you confidence. Yes, I did. However, they are not a replacement for confidence. That is something that you need to learn on your own. You need to focus on your own strengths and what you bring to the table. A fragrance is never going to mask your personally, but it can accentuate it if used properly.


2. Getting the Ladies

I don't care how many people post in the Facebook groups about how their fragrance got them 47 compliments when they entered the room. I don't care how many screenshots are given to prove it. 99% of these stories are bogus. Besides, the ones that are true are from ladies these guys already know.

Random women aren't going to jump in your bed because you smell good. If that does happen, then you might get something that AJAX can't wash off. Respect yourself and respect women. Don't use fragrances to try to cash in on a one-nighter. Use them to accentuate your personality to find something meaningful.

Grow up and be a man. Your teenage years are done and it's time to stop playing games This mentality will only put your further down the pit of despair when it fails to work.


3. Compliments

If you are spraying yourself 10 times and trying to force people into complimenting you, then that is something you need to fix on your own. It's a lack of confidence and you should look at my first rule to fix that.

Don't let your worth be judged in what other people think. Find your own worth. Be your own person. Pave your own way. It sucks trying to be someone you're not. I've tried it. It's miserable.


4. Bathing

Yes, this is more physical than mental, but some studies(which I cannot cite) have stated that if you don't bathe regularly then it can take a toll on your mental state. Fragrances won't fix that. Take a bath or shower and put on a nice fragrance to uplift your mood a bit.


5. Bad Manners

A fragrance will never mask poor manners. If you don't treat people with kindness and respect, then they won't be drawn to you on your smell alone. This is another thing that you must learn on your own. No one can help you be a decent person except yourself. I think we are all good people deep down. Sometimes it's just difficult to take that first step towards something different, but doing so can have a major impact on your quality of your life.



Conclusion

I have had my share of ups and downs. I have learned a few things along the way. You have to first be willing to pull yourself up out of depression or PTSD, then you can use fragrances as a tool to keep your spirits high. No one can help you except yourself. We can only give you some ideas, but the action is on you.

If you ever need someone to talk to, my inbox is open. Depression is serious. Don't let anyone tell you to "get over it". It's okay to be sad sometimes. It happens to everyone. At some point, you need to make a decision as to what you want to embrace. I chose to embrace fragrances and blogging about them has really helped me persevere. Keep your head up, folks. I believe all of you have the strength to rise above and conquer. Fragrances are a tool that you can use to achieve this when they are used in the proper way.

I apologize if I offended anyone. My goal is to help people with this article because it seems like no one else wants to touch on these subjects because they aren't popular or hyped.

I want to tag every reviewer and fragrance business owner who reads this to go out and make a video or a post on their Facebook page about how fragrances have helped you through a hard time in your life. Let's show the fragrance community how much we care. That we aren't here just for views or money. That one simple thing can start a spark of good vibes and love that can transform this community into more of a family that cares about each other.

Until next time, stay safe. Be positive. Speak words of life to people. Smell amazing and enrich other's lives. You seriously never know what one kind word can do. Have a fantastic day, everyone.

To all of my battle buddies who wore the Stars and Stripes. I salute you and I am thankful to have served among such fine men and women. Hooah!

Here are the links to my other articles on PTSD and Depression from last year:

Part 1

Part 2

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

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Hyped Fragrances: Fragrances That Don't Deserve To Be Forgotten

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Good morning! I hope everyone is doing fine for this cool and crisp start to the day over here in SC. Today I have an article about hyped fragrances that were forgotten, but I still think they are worth purchasing. Given you have sampled them and the descriptions resonate with you.

Hype can be a fickle thing at times, dancing around from "THE BEST THING EVER" to "Complete trash" as some reviewers would coin it. Hype can be people talking about a fragrance being good or bad. Then all of a sudden people move on to the next big thing that is hyped and forget all about the last thing. It really can be entertaining to watch this cycle in action.

However, I am not here to speak on the bad ones. I am here to tell you the ones that I think are still worth considering even though no one speaks about them. The first number on the performance rating it how many total hours it lasts. The second number is how long it projects. Let's get into it!


Bvlgari Aqva Amara

Main Notes: Orange, aquatic notes, sea salt, incense, and neroli

Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall

Performance: 10/3.5

Occasions: Any


Aqva Amara is a love it or hate it fragrance. Some people say it smells like eggs. I don't get that. To me, it smells like a classy orange fragrance with salt and incense. I did buy this one off the hype from Jeremy and I am glad I did because I quite like this one and the performance is quite good for an orange-based fragrance.


Mugler Pure Malt

Main Notes: Whiskey, malt, peat, patchouli, coffee and fruity notes

Seasons: Fall and winter

Performance:10/3

Occasions: Anything except work


Mugler Pure Malt is still one of my favorite designers. It gets a little more love than the others on this list, but I haven't seen many reviewers put this on their top 10 lists this year. You basically get whiskey, chocolate, some sweet fruits, coffee, and something a bit earthy with this one. It's very masculine and borderline gourmand. One of the most creative fragrances on the designer side that is still mass appealing. I will always have this one in my collection.


Mont Blanc Individuel

Main Notes: Cinnamon, raspberry, chocolate, lavender, and sandalwood

Seasons: Any(go light in the summer)

Performance: 11/3

Occasions: Any


Individuel is a clean cooler weather fragrance that can also be lightly worn in the warmer months. It smells like a dryer sheet to me. Smelling clean never goes out of style, so I don't see why this one fell out of favor besides the fact That Jeremy stopped hyping it. Who knows? It's not my favorite fragrance, but I still think it's worth my money.


Moschino Uomo?

Main Notes: Kumquat, musk, cyclamen, and aldehydes

Seasons: Any

Performance: 7/2

Occasion: Any


Moschino Uomo is a more classical fragrance. Jeremy did hype this one as well. It smells like a bar of luxury Italian soap to me. It's gentlemanly, kind, and won't offend anyone. One of my dumb reaches for a clean and fresh fragrance when I don't feel like wearing something special. Also, getting 120ml for $23 is a pretty sweet deal.


CK One Shock

Main Notes: Tobacco, amber, patchouli, and cardamom

Seasons: Spring, fall, and winter

Performance: 8/3

Occasion: Casual and nighttime


CK One Shock is quite a youthful fragrance for my tastes. I like what I like though. It gives off a sweet cola vibe with some warm and smooth amber underneath it. The performance isn't as good as it used to be, but it's still a good pickup for the price and one of CK's better offerings as of late.


Bentley for Men Intense

Main Notes: Rum, leather, incense, woody notes, and cinnamon

Seasons: Fall and winter

Performance: 12/4

Occasions: Semi-formal to formal


Bentley for Men intense if a powerhouse and attention-grabbing fragrance. It's masculine to its core and it's afraid to tell you so. Spiced rum with leather, woods, smoky incense, and leather make this fragrance one that will be too much to handle for anyone under 25. This is a luxurious suit fragrance that commands respect.


Parfums de Marly Carlisle

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Guaiac wood, cardamom, and patchouli

Seasons: Fall and winter

Performance: 12/4

Occasions: Any


Carlisle seems to have vanished from existence from any of the reviewer's lists who hyped it last year. They seem to be in favor of PdM's newest release, Kalan, and not this one. I don't fall into that category. I still think this is PdM's best release and I still want a bottle, but it's quite expensive. Maybe one day. This fragrance is woody with a bit of fruit to add some sweetness with a sweet and spicy touch from cardamom.  Perhaps this fragrance's disappearance from any fall lists this year, along with Kala's emergence, is indicative of motives and not because the fragrance is good or bad.



Not Worth It

I wanted to add a few fragrances that were hyped and somewhat forgotten and not worth it to me. I will include a little explanation as to why for each one. This is my opinion, so if your favorite fragrance is on here, rock it. I just won't be.


Parfums de Marly Herod- This one isn't really forgotten, but it's not my thing. I get some sort of weird tart note that almost comes off as metallic an unlit cigarette to me. I think it's the osmanthus. Oh well, others still love it. I don't.

Perry Ellis 360 Red- An overly synthetic Acqua Di Gio. Sure, it works, but ADG Profumo is a much better buy, even at its prices.

Dior Homme(or its flankers)- The lipsticky iris is too much for me. It's too dry and powdery. I don't like this one and I don't view it as masculine. To each their own. I know many who love this line. I prefer Givenchy Gentleman EDP because the iris note is much more friendly to my nose.

Sauvage- I own Sauvage and wear it sometimes, but in my opinion, ditch the shower gel vibe and pick up ADG Profumo if you want a mass appealing fragrance with a bit of class.

Any Armaf- Every Armaf I have tried is just a loudly screeching and overly synthetic version of its inspiration. Synthetic isn't always bad, but these give me headaches. I know many people love CDNIM and Tres Nuit, along with other Armafs, but I don't. You folks can have them and enjoy them.

John Varvatos Artisan Pure- It's not a bad fragrance by any means. It works very well as a mass pleasing freshie that is clean. It's just not anything special. It was touted as special and unique, but it dries down to a generic herbal and musk scent with a slight hint of citrus. It's good if you can find it for 20 bucks. If not, then I will pass.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this one! Hype can be such a washy thing. Sometimes it feels like people move on to the next big thing so easily and we forget that we still have good stuff around. I guess it's the "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality that makes people want to get noticed for the next big thing. Slow down and enjoy what we have. Life is too short to always be chasing something that will never satisfy you.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day. Keep saying positive things and being kind to people. Until next time, stay classy.

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

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Why You Need Variety

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Hey, everyone! I sincerely hope everyone is having a great day today. Today, I am bringing you an article on why you need a variety of fragrances in your collection and their uses. I hope you enjoy this one! I have been doing a lot more informational articles lately and people seem to be responding well to them, so I have a few more planned. Now before we get into the article...

As many of you already know, on November 5th we lost Dan "MyMickers" Mish, who was a very well-loved and passionate fraghead. From what I hear, he passed in his sleep due to a respiratory illness. I cannot confirm that is true. It's only what I heard.

I chose not to write a dedication article on him because I didn't know him. I felt like I would be capitalizing on his passing for my own gain. I am not saying other reviewers did this, but if I did it myself then I wouldn't feel right about it.

Regardless, I felt like I needed to mention him and at least bring awareness to anyone that might have missed it. From what I could tell, he was a very cool person who was very passionate and energetic. My prayers and thoughts go out to Dan's family, friends, and fans.

His family put up a GoFundMe for his funeral. Even if you only have a few bucks to spare, then I would encourage you to do so. They are still around $2,400 bucks short of their goal at the time of this article. I didn't donate myself because I cannot afford to, so don't take this as a guilt trip. I am only saying they could use your help if you are able. Here is a link to the page,

Now, let's get into it!


1. Variety Means Options

If you only have one fragrance for any given situation then you are limited to wearing that one fragrance, which isn't always bad, but it's not always ideal. If your one fragrance is La Nuit de l'Homme then you are probably wearing something she has smelled many times before, which again can be good and bad depending on her scent memory of that fragrance. A case can be made for giving her a new scent memory to go along with you with a unique fragrance that she probably doesn't know. Just don't go too unique until you get to know her.

There are many fragrances that call for many situations. Versatile fragrances are nice, but oftentimes they are used by everyday guys. If you want to make an impression with your fragrance, then you need to think outside the box. In order to do that you need options that are tailored to your situation.


2. Beast Mode

Not all fragrances are beast mode. This is done intentionally. Let's take La Nuit de l'Homme. Everyone talks about batches and how potent it used to be. I have smelled a vintage batch of this fragrance and honestly, I like the new for dating purposes better. Having a low projection fragrance benefits you on dates. They get a whiff and it draws them in closer. If your fragrance projections 10 feet then she has no reason to come in closer because she can already smell it. I can get a good 6-8 hours out of it. That is more than good enough for a date.

Another place that you don't want strong fragrances is in the office. Like Ashton said in his review on Office for men, being stuck in a cubicle next to someone with a strong fragrance is a headache. You don't want to be that guy that interrupts other people's work. Sometimes workdays are bad enough and we shouldn't add to that by wearing a strong fragrance.

I totally disagree with Jeremy's assessment that a strong fragrance exudes strength in the office. I think it's the opposite of that and gives off impressions of arrogance and disregard for those around you. Stick to soapy and fresh fragrances that don't have massive projection is you work in close quarters to other people.

Another place you need a calmer fragrance is on a plane. Again, you are in close proximity to other people and you shouldn't try to assault their noses with a scent that might make their flight unpleasant. Stick to office style fragrances here as well.

Finally, one more place to not wear beast mode fragrances if you can help it, a hospital or a nursing home. Yes, some of those places can smell quite bad, but anytime you are around people who might have fragile lungs it's best to wear something very light, or nothing at all. I know, it sucks to do this. However, I think it's in the best interest of everyone involved.


Now, I don't dislike beast mode fragrances. In fact, I love them. They are just not suited for every situation. Places to wear beast mode fragrances include parties, outside events, or any place where people can just step away from you if they don't like the smell or they are allergic.


I am not saying to limit yourself and walk on ice because someone might be allergic, but if someone cannot escape your smell, then wear something a bit lighter. This is why you shouldn't only look fo fragrances that project and last a long time.


3. Time of Day

Some people, myself included, like to wear different fragrances on the same day. For instance, if I have work that morning and have a date that night, then I don't want to wear Office for Men. For the record, I haven't tried that fragrance, but I hear its performance is impressive. If Office for men lasts 12 hours, but I want o put on a nice date night fragrance that evening, then I am stuck with Office until it wears off. Even if you scrub it off, usually it doesn't work and you are just stuck with whatever you were wearing.

So, you need some fragrances in your collection that only last for a workday, so you can change to something more romantic for that date or more masculine to hang out with the boys. I think this idea is overlooked so often and many people don't consider that.

4. The Chameleon Effect

Having variety helps you tailor your fragrance to any situation. Have a holiday party? Happyland Homme for the Holidays or Burberry London. Need a fragrance to wear with a white suit? Creed Silver Mountain Water. Need a fragrance to go golding? Guerlain Vetiver.

I am just saying that if all you have are mass appealing fragrances like Bleu de Chanel, Acqua di Gio, Versace Dylan Blue, and other things of that nature then you don't have fragrances that will be a standout in a certain situation. Sure, they will work for it, but it's the "Jack of all trades, master of none" adage that means it's alright for that situation, but it doesn't excel at any of them. I like mass appealing fragrances too, but they are better as everyday bangers, not for complex situations.


5. Buy What You Love

It's easy to get caught up in the fragrance game. People post massive collections like a trophy for you to drool over. Don't get caught up in that stuff. Sample and only buy what you love. Don't end up with a massive collection of fragrance that smell similar to each other. Then you will just end up having a bunch of fragrance and no variety.

Don't get caught up in what other people say. Any reviewer who tells you to go buy something right now before sampling it doesn't have your best interest at heart. Always sample stuff. It's easy to get wrapped up into buying a bunch of cheapies when you first start collecting and thinking everything smells amazing because it's new, but try to only purchase scents you don't want to live without.

Variety doesn't mean having a ton of fragrances, it means having a few that fit your lifestyle and needs. I have over 250 fragrances and I only regularly wear maybe 60 of them. Yes, my collection looks good, but that stuff is meaningless if you don't have passion about what you do have. Which I am passionate, but only with the ones I love.


Conclusion

Variety helps you be diverse. It helps you stand out. It helps you be what you want to be. I think it's very important to have a variety in all things in life. It helps us adapt and achieve our goals in life.

Now, I will list you some examples of fragrances you can use to make your fragrance wardrobe more colorful. I am not telling you to go buy these, but you might want to check some of them out.


Spring

Casual- Guerlain L'Homme Ideal Cologne

Date- Lacoste Pour Homme

Work- Burberry Touch

Suit- Creed Green Irish Tweed

Party- Bond No 9 The Scent of Peace


Summer

Casual- Genre Parfums RAMC

Date- YSL L'Homme

Work-Thierry Mugler Mugler Cologne

Suit- Creed Silver Mountain Water

Party- Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua


Fall

Casual- Scentstory 24 Gold

Date- Parfums de Marly Oajan

Work- Moschino Uomo?

Suit- Bvlgari Man in Black

Party- Burberry London


Winter

Casual- Versace Oud Noir

Date- Mugler Pure Malt

Work- Prada l'Homme

Suit- Zaharoff Signature

Party- Happyland Homme for the Holidays


These are just rough guesses as to what I think a diverse fragrance wardrobe could be. Of course, there are hundreds of fragrances that could go into any of those slots.

That's all for me. Have a fantastic day and keep saying positive things to people and uplifting them. You never know who you might help. Until next time, keep on musing!

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

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My Top 10 Alexandria Fragrances for Gentleman

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Hey, folks! I hope everyone is having another fantastic day today! A few days ago, I did my top 10 list for gentleman. I intentionally excluded Alexandria fragrances from that list because I wanted to do a list just for them. This list is going to include both modern and classic men's fragrances. A few of them might be clones from my regular list because they are still fitting. Enjoy!


10. Hafez 1984

Main Notes: Tobacco, saffron, guaiac wood, patchouli, and rum

Inspired by: Original creation

Seasons: Fall and winter

For: The outspoken gentleman who loves the finer things in life.


The only reason I put Hafez 1984 at number 10 is that I think it's a bit too strong to fit most gentlemen. Gentlemanly fragrances are normally quite mild, but this one certainly isn't. It projects for a good 10-15 feet and lasts a good 12-14 hours. That is its downfall for this list. It isn't much of a downfall in reality, but for purpose of this list, it is. It smells amazing, like a gentleman should. Fine tobacco, rum, spices, and woodiness make this a masculine and gentlemanly fragrance.


9. Bespoke

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Eucalyptus, gin, pine, and rose

Inspired by: Creed Royal Mayfair

Seasons: Any

For: The classic British gentleman


An underrated fragrance from Alexandria. Bespoke is refreshing gin with clean rose and sweet pine. A true gentleman's fragrance through and through. This one isn't for everyone though. I suggest being 30+ to rock this one. It's certainly different than most offerings today and the opening will turn most people off, but it's a beautiful fragrance for someone with exquisite tastes.


8. Africano

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Musk, vetiver, violet, blackcurrant, and bergamot

Inspired by: Byredo Bal d'Afrique

Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall

For: The modern gentleman who is a bit different and playful


Africano is a musky fragrance that features fruits, florals, and green notes. Clean musk, fruity blackcurrant, bright bergamot, and grassy vetiver are some of the notes you get with this one. It's gentlemanly, sophisticated, and clean. Perfect for those casual outings when you don't have to dress up.

7. Arabian Forest

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Birch, cedar, cloves, and vetiver

Inspired by: Creed Spice and Wood

Seasons: Fall and winter

For: The serious gentleman with a warm heart


Arabian Forest is just what the name of its inspiration is, spices and wood. It's dry, warm, and a bit earthy. I see this as a masculine fragrance, even though it's labeled unisex. This really has a distinct aura of warmth underneath everything else. You have to smell this in the cold weather in order to get a real feel for it.


6. Old Story

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Lavender, geranium, rosemary, and petitgrain

Inspired by: Chanel Platinum Egoiste

Seasons: Any(slightly better in warmer weather)

For: The gentleman who still rocks the classic fit suits


Old Story is a very underrated fragrance from Alexandria. I can list out all of the notes to you and their facets, but I'd rather just tell you this: It smells like Barbasol to me. Which is a good thing. It's powdery, clean, and airy. It's sophisticated without being too pretentious to be out of place in casual clothes. A barbershop style fragrance for the warmer months. A rare treat indeed.

5. Smooth Sailing

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Cedar, amber, floral notes, and ambergris (these aren't official notes, but that is what I get)

Inspired by: Xerjoff 40 Knots

Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall

For: The adventurous gentleman


This one is quite peculiar. What I mean by that is, a lot of the listed notes I don't get. I get a clean and floral fragrance with powdery amber, sweet ambergris, and cedar. To me, it smells like the sun-kissed deck of a boat with a light breeze bringing in a slight salty sweetness in the air and clean white sails. I can see why they named this 40 Knots, but others seem to get something totally different. Either way, this is a clean gentlemanly scent that is criminally underrated.


4. Alexandria Port

Main Notes: Neroli, mandarin, lemon, orange blossom, jasmine, and bergamot

Inspired by: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

Seasons: Spring and summer

For: The gentleman who lives on the coast of Italy

Alexandria Port is a classic floral citrus fragrance. It has much better performance over the Tom Ford version. Clean orange blossom, lemon, and white florals propel this beautiful fragrance into a safe and easy wear for the warmer months. Like a sunny morning in Italy watching the waves come in, some things never go out of style.


3. Glacier

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Powder, rice, pear, lemon, and grapefruit

Inspired by: Creed Pure White Cologne

Seasons: Spring and summer

For: The gentleman who always wears a crisp white shirt under his suit


Glacier is simply beautiful. Like a crisp spring morning in London with the fog rolling in and a cool breeze gently caressing your senses. It does have a somewhat icy feel to it. Tangy citruses, powdery notes, the greenness of a pear, and the ingenious use of nutty rice. This one is unique, classy, clean, and hardly anyone knows about it. This is a must-have for any gentleman(Be sure to sample first, as always!).


2. The Irish Gentleman

Main Notes: Lemon Verbena, iris, violet, and sandalwood

Inspired by: Creed Green Irish Tweed

Seasons: Any

For: The gentleman who misses the countryside


Green Irish Tweed is still my second favorite fragrance of all-time. This is a stunning recreation of it. Like a stroll in the British countryside with the flowers in bloom and the smell of light rain in the air. Simply a stunning fragrance. Gentleman have been wearing this DNA for years and it's not going to stop any time soon.


1. Highlands

Source: www.alexandriafragrances.com

Main Notes: Lavender, sandalwood, cedar, and bergamot

Inspired by: Creed Bois du Portugal

Seasons: Spring, fall, and winter

For: The humble gentleman who has good taste


I placed GIT above BdP on my normal gentleman's list, so why change it here? Well, this is the most spot-on inspiration Alexandria has created so far(of the 40 I have tried). It's seriously 98% similar. I rarely tell people stuff is over 90% similar, but this one takes the cake. Powdery lavender, creamy sandalwood, spicy cedar, and zesty bergamot give you the complete gentleman's fragrance. Classicly elegant and timelessly in style.


Conclusion

Yes, I know that there are a lot of Creed inspirations on here, but what can I say? Creed is a gentlemanly house. Just remember that a fragrance and clothes don't make you a gentleman. Treating people kindly, respectfully, and being humble is. The true test of a gentleman is when someone insults you and you can rise above it and still respect them. We have far too many playboys in this world. Stand out and be different. Have some class. These fragrances will help you exude that when you already have the rest of the package.

As always, no matter how good I made these fragrances sound to you...Always sample first. Have an amazing day and be kind and uplift people. Be a gentleman!


You can purchase all of these at www.alexandriafragrances.com

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

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My Top 10 Fragrances for Gentleman

Source: www.pixabay.com

Hey, ladies and gentleman(probably mostly gentleman given the title of this list). I hope everyone is having a fantastic day today! I have another list for you today. This one is going to be my favorite gentlemanly fragrances in my collection. A lot of these options will lean more towards the mature side, but there will be some modern options as well. You won't find any sickeningly sweet fragrances like Ultra Male on here. If you are looking for a list of "panty droppers" then this isn't for you. Try Jeremy Fragrance's channel for that. This is a list for masculine men who love one woman, take care of their families, and treat people with respect.

The first number listed under performance is the longevity in hours. The second is projection. So, a 9/2 rating would mean it lasts for 9 hours total and projects for 2. I hope you enjoy it!


10. Acqua di Parma  Colonia Essenza

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Neroli, grapefruit, bergamot, jasmine, and petitgrain

Released: 2010

Perfumer: Unknown

Seasons: Spring and summer

Performance: 7/1.5

Occasion: Anything

Outfit: A white linen shirt with tank khakis and leather shoes.

For: The laid back gentleman who enjoys lounging in the sun

Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza is a staple for most classicly oriented men in the warmer months. It's a classic Italian style with a modern twist. This fragrance is soapy clean, uplifting, and energizing. A melange of clean white florals and tart grapefruit meet fresh petitgrain. This is what James Bond would wear in Italy.


9. Creed Spice and Wood

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Cedar, black pepper, birch, angelica root and clove

Released: 2010

Perfumer: Olivier Creed Sixth Generation

Seasons: Fall and winter

Performance: 8/2

Occasion: Casual to formal

Outfit: A well-tailored black suit

For: The serious gentleman who loves his family

Creed's Spice and Wood is just what the fragrance name implies, spices and wood. Cedar that is more woody than peppery dominates this fragrance with slightly smoky birch sitting atop warm cloves and spicy black pepper with a touch of slightly pungent and sweet angelica root. This fragrance comes off quite dry. It's for the gentleman that knows what he wants, but doesn't walk over people to get there. It's very masculine and warm, but also has a serious side.


8. Fragrenza Ferrara Gardens

Source: www.fragrenza.com

Main Notes: Balsam fir, petitgrain, vetiver, oud, grapefruit, and cedar

Released: 2018-2019(unconfirmed)

Perfumer: Unknown

Seasons: Spring, fall, and winter (cooler summer days as well)

Performance: 9/2

Occasion: Casual to formal

Outfit: A navy suit with no tie and the top shirt button unfastened

For: The classic gentleman who prefers to smell modern.


Fragrenza's Ferrara Gardens is inspired by Clive Christians L for Men. A fresh woody fragrance that takes a classic vibe and makes it more modern and likable. Peppery cedar, clean and grassy vetiver. citric petitgrain, slightly smoky oud, and fresh grapefruit. This is for the guy whose wife told him to stop wearing Polo Green because it's dated. It's classy, smooth, sophisticated, and smells nothing like Polo Green, for the record. The soapy greenness accented by spicy woods really make this a masculine choice for any gentleman.


7. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Neroli, bergamot, African orange flower, and mandarin orange

Released: 2011

Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux

Seasons: Spring and summer

Performance: 5/1

Occasion: Casual

Outfit: A light-colored polo, khaki shorts, and boat shoes

For: The gentleman who is off the clock


Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino has an almost cult following at this point. A classic neroli fragrance DNA that still works today. Clean white florals meet tart citruses. Clean, fresh, relaxed and unisex. This one suffers performance issues for me, but most fragrances for gentleman aren't beast mode ones. A gentlemen is always well-spoken and has manners to not be brash.


6. Givenchy Gentleman EDP

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Orris(iris), black vanilla, tolu balsam, clove, black pepper, and patchouli

Released: 2017

Perfumers: Olivier Cresp and Nathalie Lorson

Seasons: Fall and winter

Performance: 10/3

Occasions: Semi-formal, formal, and date nights

Outfit: A black tuxedo

For: The gentleman with a playful side


Givenchy Gentleman Eau de Parfum is a reboot of a classic fragrance. Powdery facts meet sweet black vanilla and spices with a woody patchouli backbone. This one is sweet, but very masculine at the same time. My personal favorite release of 2017 and a fragrance I love to wear when I get teh chance to.


5. Houbigant Fougere Royale

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Lavender, geranium, green notes, oakmoss, bergamot, and clary sage

Released: 1882(rereleased in 2010)

Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux(2010 version)

Seasons: Any

Performance: 10/2

Occasions: Any

Outfit: A classic fit gray suit.

For: The gentleman who has worn the same fragrance for 20 years.


Houbigant Fougere Royale was a revolutionary fragrance. It was the first fougere fragrance that paved the way for barbershop fragrances in the mid-1900s. A melody of powdery lavender, sparkling citruses and aromatic herbs make this a fine choice for a classicly minded gentleman who appreciates the way the world used to be. I think the DNA still holds up well today. It's just so clean and smooth. I can see why this one is an icon in the fragrance world.


4. Creed Bois du Portugal

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Lavender, mysore sandalwood, cedar, and bergamot

Released: 1987

Perfumer: Olivier Creed Sixth Generation

Seasons: Spring, fall, and winter

Performance: 11/3

Occasions: Any

Outfit: A classic sportcoat button-up shirt, and khakis

For: The classic gentleman with refined tastes


Creed Bois du Portugal...Folks, we are getting into the good stuff now. A compilation of zesty lime, powdery lavender, warm sandalwood, and spiced cedar make a masculine concoction of refined elegance. This one just speaks of a classic gentleman who is well-groomed and has a taste fo rteh finer things in life.


3. Creed Green Irish Tweed

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Lemon verbena, sandalwood, violet, and iris

Released: 1985

Perfumer: Olivier Creed Sixth Generation

Seasons: Spring, summer, and fall

Performance: 9/2

Occasions: Any

Outfit: A polo shirt, golf slacks, and 9 iron

For: The outdoorsy gentleman

This is the last Creed, I promise. I just think that Creed makes a lot of gentlemanly fragrances. Green Irish tweed is one of the most successful fragrances of all time. People say that AVentus put Creed on the map, but it was already on it with this one. While it's not as wildly successful as Aventus, this is still the best Creed creation to me. It's like you are in a green field in the countryside with the sun shining just after a light spring rain. It's clean, fresh, and absolutely beautiful. Some classics never go out of style. Green Irish Tweed is one of them.


2. Zaharoff Signature

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Lavender, myrrh, incense, oud, and sandalwood

Released: 2018

Perfumer: Claude Dir

Season: Any(Just go light in the warmer months)

Performance: 10/3

Occasions: Any

Outfit: A well-fitted dark gray suit

For: The modern gentleman who follows the trends, but keeps his classic attitude

I know, Zaharoff Signature again. I really do think it's that good. I promise that George never told me to say good things, even though I heard he is being detained for something(It's a joke going off of Fragrance Fanatic's recent video. He's really not in trouble). Seriously though, it's powdery clean, dark, woody, and resinous. A perfectly modern and trendy take on a gentleman's fragrance. You can get a free sample of this to try as well. What do you have to lose? Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself!


1. Guerlain Vetiver

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Main Notes: Vetiver, tobacco, bergamot, lemon, and pepper

Released: 1961(2000 for the rerelease)

Perfumer: Jean-Paul Guerlain

Season: Spring, summer, and fall

Performance: 12/4

Occasions: Any

Outfit: A tweed suit

For: The Gentleman who never forgets where he came from


You folks probably saw this coming. I absolutely love this fragrance and it's the perfect choice for a gentleman. Some people say it's dated. I disagree. Something that smells this amazing will never go out of style. You have clean vetiver, slightly smoky tobacco, fresh citruses, and spices that work together to complete this heavenly rendition of olfactory bliss. I won't say much more since I already talk about this enough. It's amazing. It's Cheap. It's a Guerlain.



Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my list. Yes, a lot of these went into a more classic direction, but in my mind, that is more of what a gentleman would wear. Not Bleu de Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent Tuxedo. I do like both of those fragrances, but I don't think they are fitting for what I was going for.

Remember, being a gentleman is more wearing a fragrance and dressing well. It's a lifestyle of respect, manners, honesty, and humbleness. You won't get very far in life without those few things.

Until next time, be kind and uplift people. Be a gentleman.

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

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Why My Opinion Doesn't Matter

Source: www.pixabay.com

Hey, ladies and gentleman! I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! This is a somewhat different post today. It's made to make you think a bit about reviewers. No, I am not going emotional or anything. Just say tunes and you will see what I mean. Let's get into it!


1. I'm Not You

Everyone perceives smells differently. We all know this. It doesn't matter if 9 out of 10 of my top fragrances are also yours. Fragrance reviewers just paint a picture for you. That is why I try my best to describe what facets each note gives and try to describe the feeling I get from them.

You should always sample first. My nose is not yours. Any person of fragrance reviewer who tells you to go out and blind buy a bottle is doing you a disservice and doesn't care at all about the people who watch or read what they put out.

Yes, I will tell you if I like something or I don't like it. I will tell you if I think it's worth sampling if you enjoy certain things. I value your time and money and I have no desire to steer you towards something that you would waste your money on. So, just know that no matter how much I say I like something. Never blind buy. Look at what I said about the notes and see if it's something that you think would resonate with you.


2. Art

I view fragrances as an art, so I am not as inclined to insult someone's work. even if I don't like it. I will tell you if something is not for me or I think it smells cheap or generic. Totally trashing what these companies work hard to put out isn't my thing.

There are very few fragrances that I would say I hate. Most of them lean on the artistic side. Just because I hate something doesn't mean it's trash though. As they say, "One man's trash is another man's treasure".

I am well aware that mass appealing fragrances have their time and place. Even if I think a fragrance is generic, then it still has a place somewhere. Not everyone can wear beast mode and unique fragrances to work because of their chosen career path, such as the medical field.


3. I am Frugal

I don't like to spend loads of cash on fragrances. Some people enjoy the prestige that comes with them. I would be lying if I said that I didn't as well. However, I hardly ever find myself being able to give over a ton of cash for a fragrance when I could possibly find some cheapie gems to share with you all.

So, I will normally say that I think something is overpriced, when it may be fairly priced for the quality. I am just not willing to pay such a price for that fragrance.


4. I am a Rookie

I have only been around the fragrance community for around 2 years now. I still have a lot to learn. I get a lot of things wrong still. I work on getting better and learning more every day. I spend around 5-6 hours per day researching. Sometimes more than that.

I have been wearing fragrances since I was around 12 though. I am 33 now, so that's over 20 years. I have learned a few things, but I am still not very experienced. As I said, I am learning more every day.


5. Finances

As many of you know, I take care of my mother full time, so I don't have an income. Most of what I get is sent to me from people in the fragrance community or companies. Those reviews are always totally honest, but I don't have the money to go out and buy new things to feature on my blog. So, my content is pretty limited to what I can get right now, which I am always thankful for, but it's still not the same stuff other reviewers can feature.

I tell you this because I want you to understand that is why I review a lot of what I do. The fragrance community and their generosity have kept my blog going. So, for that, I am very thankful. When I get back on my feet again I will have a lot of new and refreshing content to provide.

Don't take this as a pity trip. Take it as a testament as to how helpful and generous some people in this community are. I wouldn't be here without many of you supporting me.


Conclusion

This post wasn't about you not listening to me. It was more about who I am as a reviewer and what you will always get from me. I have been offered money to do positive reviews and I turned them down. Even though I could use the money. This blog is about passion and it always will be.

I am not going to feature a fragrance here and say it's good if I don't believe it is. I am terrible at lying anyways. I tried it a few times and I just forgot what I lied about. Even though I am getting older, sometimes I even forget the truth these days!

Watch out for people who tell you to buy stuff with no consideration to who you are. You are more than a view count to me. Every one of my readers who messages me will get a response here or on Facebook. So, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out and ask me. Even if you just want to talk about fragrances, feel free to add me. I will leave my Facebook down below.

I don't know if you noticed or not, but I stopped talking about following my page. If you'd like to support me then, by all means, do so. If not, that is okay. This blog isn't about view counts and follower counts. It's about my opinion and trying to help people out. I am not trying to get rich off of blogging.

I hope everyone has a blessed day. Stay safe, say positive things, and make the world smell better and be better.


My Facebook

I started up a Facebook page for my blog. It would be awesome if you could go give it a like, review, or rating. Feel free to be honest if you think I can improve! Link

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

Follow me on Instagram!