I've been looking at the SOSD threads and notice that some will use an aftershave and a cologne of different scents. I've never had the nerve to try this, because I'm afraid the scents are going to clash and smell terrible. How do you know what scents to mix? Are there guidelines or do you just go with what you think smells good together?
I take a shower... My shampoo has a scent My soap has a different scent I shave... My soap/cream has a scent (35 different, give or take) My aftershave/balm has a different scent (4 or 5 different) My cologne has a different scent (5 or 6 different) After the shave... My pit stick has a scent I do not have the money to try and match all those things together. I've never had my wife tell me I smell funny, regardless of what combo I've put together. More often than not, she's telling me how great I smell. She's the only one I have to please. Try different combos. Ask your significant other what they like. Of course, if you have the money, match away.
very well said. You put on many many different scents. My only advice would be to try and get somewhat simular scents. IE floral, musky etc. One scent that i really want to try is a mixture of vanilla and rose.
On the other side of the coin ... some of my SC choices are Jeff's and have an "outdoorsy" type scent. I noticed those don't follow me out of the shower due to my Pomegranate/Mango soap choice ... in addition my deodorant choice revolves as does my cologne choice ... My only tried and true combo is the Pe-Re-Ja cologne and Victoria's Secret "Candy, Baby" lotion .. something magical happens when they combine ... People always ask what I am wearing.
I have a decent cologne collection, I just wear what ever I feel like wearing that day. the scents on my creams or after shaves (Bay Rum & Skin Bracer) have never clashed with what ever cologne I wear. I do tend to steer to the woody, spicy, darker scents during the winter, and citrus, fresh, water colognes during the summer.
Most of the aftershaves that I layer with colognes or EdT are fairly scent neutral (i.e. Osage Rub and Witch Hazel). While Aqua Velva is far from scent neutral, it seems to go well with Pierre Cardin. Clubman Bay Rum is also a good aftershave to put Florida Water over the top of. I won't however, layer the stronger aftershaves (Jovan Musk, Clubman AS, etc.) for me, these aftershaves seem to have a bit of a cologne like linger time. The others have a fairly fleeting scent which makes it easier to layer. Of course the two safest bets are either to use Witch Hazel as the aftershave and layer whatever cologne you want on top of it, OR buy aftershave/cologne scents of the same brand.
My biggest trick is to use Bergamot scented aftershave. It pairs well with 99% of colognes. Otherwise, I do put both bottles together a sniff before I'll wear a combination. I'm surprised how few scents clash.
Lately, I try to use an aftershave and cologne/edt from the same scent. For example, today it was Old Spice. Certain creams and soaps seem to match well with certain fragrances, for example, I find that Erasmic cream goes well with Brut, and Erasmic soap goes well with Booster Mosswood aftershave, which also goes quite well with Aramis eau de toilette. La Toja soap or cream matches very well with Dolce & Gabbana.
I get a "you smell good" when I mix scents.. the only negatives I receive is I smell like an old man, but that's when I wear stetson, Tabac, grey flannel, and a few others. My david off, hugo boss, Dunhill, and AoS really are hits. The general favorite has been AoS sandalwood--when I "drench" myself in it by shaving with their soap, using their balm, and wearing their cologne, people tell me I smell heavenly. I just wouldn't do anything too extreme like use a fruity bodywash and follow up with some dirty english or english leather. Violet and AV musk smell good together cause they're both a real earthy scent. My favorite combos are: GFT Violet + AV Musk MWF + American Crew Balm/AV Blue Proraso + Barbasol Blue AoS + AoS balm TOBS Avocado + Nivea CoQ10 As for showering, I use Dr. Bronners for an all in one and sometimes use a french milled soap. Those scents leave me smelling clean or very very lightly almondy, which can go a lot of ways so that's usually not a worry.
