Question:
Hello guys.
I'm not sure how many times you've been asked for recommendations - probably too many - but I'm going to try anyway.
I want to become more familiar with men's fragrances. I am already quite familiar with L'Artisan and Serge but those are "unisex" (the male-female fragrance debate is for another day, I'm just asking about fragrances sold to the male market). I'd like to be able to write a list of fragrances for the men that are close to me so that when I go shopping with/for them I can choose something that might appeal to the both of us - or at least collect some samples that appeal to the both of us and let the guy choose one which I can buy for him as a gift (clearly if I wrap up Miss Dior Cherie and give it to him my intentions might be misconstrued so I want "male" fragrance suggestions only).
So far I have bought my father some Marc Jacobs. I don't think he wears it at all! I bought it because I thought it smelled exactly like him. I was wrong. I need your help.
I would like to get my boyfriend something for daily wear. He doesn't wear anything at the moment because I told him that I didn't like Christian Lacroix Bazaar (too ozonic and fruity with zero dry-down) and it happens to be the only thing he uses other than unscented deodorant. He smells like nothing now.
I love old films, old perfumes. I like No. 5 and am becoming extremely fond of Mitsouko EDT. If I get something for him I would like it to be compatible with my fragrance. I don't want competition. For example Antidote or B-Men would completely snuff out Mitsouko EDT (I have tested Antidote and B-Men... both are nice... but not every day).
About the boyfriend: He likes old James Bond films. He likes Thai food. He likes reading about politics. He likes football. He's an extrovert and is glued to his mobile phone. I'm an introvert and would rather not own a mobile. We're pretty much opposites. I really do not think that he can get away with wearing anything niche or too classic (it's a personality thing). I do not want to spend a lot of money on the gift as it's not for an occasion.
I plan to do a fair bit of testing for the next few months so I'm not in a hurry to buy anything.
Suggestions?


Answer:
Let's see, no niche, nothing classic, nothing too strong, something for a modern, sporty guy, but nothing too ozonic.
How about fresh fougeres like CK Eternity, Davidoff Good Life, Miracle Homme l'Aquatonic, ( Platinum Egoiste, Paco Rabanne XS - are these fougeres?) I think these are quite versatile. If earthy-smoky is okay, try Terre d'Hermes or one of the Kouros variants. Not the original one though, that would snuff out what you are wearing. If creamy tonka is okay, try Burberry Brit. You are heading into winter right now, so I would normally recommend other scents, but winter scents tend to be strong.

Answer:
Paco Rabanne XS sounds the good choice

Answer:
how old is he?
sounds like Bois De Portugal, Heritage, Egoiste or Zino for him (indirectly for you too )
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maybe a long shot.... dior homme could be worth investigating as well

Answer:
Also try Paloma Picasso Minotaure and Biagiotti Roma Uomo.

Answer:
Buy a few decants from some of our fine Basenotes' friends and let him wear them a few times to see which ones he prefers and then if you both agree on one or two of them you can spring for a bottle!!
My suggestions:
Creed Silver Mountain Water
Burberry Brit...........as was mentioned earlier
Vera Wang for men
Ungaro III.......wait for the drydown

Answer:
These male/female classifications are at times pretty useless - there are many "female" or unisex fragrances which can be worn by men.

From L'artisan, try:

Dzing!
Voleur de roses
Navegar

Serge lutens are more sugary and sweet, and thus more "feminine", but you should try the following which are not your typical lutens syrup:

Iris silver mist
Borneo
Encens et lavande

Since your boyfriend is an extrovert, all of these recommendations might suit him.

Answer:
Dior Fahrehneit, Guerlain Heritage, YSL M7, Envy, Gucci PH, Terre d'Hermes, Creed GIT,...

Answer:
Get him Jicky EDT and if he doesn't like it you get to keep it. It's a classic civet scent, so you'll probably tear his clothes off the minute he puts the stuff on.
For something less sexy, but with class to spare try Héritage (In the slightly older formulation).

Answer:
how old is he?
sounds like Bois De Portugal, Heritage, Egoiste or Zino for him (indirectly for you too) He is 28. I am older. Egoiste sounds like a good idea but I worry about the name. I can just imagine him unwrapping the gift: "you think I'm an egoiste?"
These male/female classifications are at times pretty useless - there are many "female" or unisex fragrances which can be worn by men. Yes I agree that the classifications are useless, however I still have to get him something decidedly "masculine" or at least marketed towards the male market even if it's flowery or fruity. I can't get him something unisex because the concept is a little too "non-mainstream" for him (he already thinks I'm "bohemian" whatever that means.) Two other reasons that I want to stay within the boundaries of marketing is because 1) he used to work in marketing and 2) I didn't take him seriously when he first asked me out because I thought he was gay and I also told him that I accepted his orientation. I think that upset him a little because maybe he expected more from the relationship.
Get him Jicky EDT and if he doesn't like it you get to keep it. It's a classic civet scent, so you'll probably tear his clothes off the minute he puts the stuff on. I think he'll like your suggestion - the part about the clothes.
Thank you for your suggestions.