There is nothing better than a gorgeous scent. It could be a women's scent or a subtle men's scent.
To find out the latest for men's scents this fall, I was fortunate enough to speak with Jolisa Masucol, VP of Marketing at Scent Trunk, and Will Yin, CEO of Scent Trunk. They shared with me all the top trends for men's scents, how to choose a scent for the man in your life and other helpful tips.
What are the top trends for men's scents this fall?
This fall we're seeing slightly edgier notes that may seem intimidating, but they're actually very easy to wear. Woody, spicy and sweet notes take precedence over the more fresher, aquatic and zesty notes we saw this summer. Think notes like sandalwood, oud, guaiac wood, and cedar wood. For spicy notes we're seeing more perfumers experiment with pepper, cinnamon, clove and saffron. Sweet scents include bergamot, jasmine and iris.
More and more men are becoming more experiential with their fragrances. Highly anticipated fall arrivals that boasts spicy and aromatic notes of lavender, orange brandy, bergamot and cedar wood. One trend that we'd like to see stay is men getting outside of their comfort zone, and experiencing more unique and experimental scents.
How can a guy choose the right scent for their lifestyle?
Choosing a fragrance is personal. The best way to choose the right scent is experimenting and carefully sampling. When searching for a fragrance think about when you want to wear it and what kind of 'vibe' you want to give off. Are you looking for a fragrance that you can wear all day from the office to happy hour?
Finding the right fragrance takes a lot of sampling, but putting in the time to learn what you enjoy wearing is definitely worth it. Trying out fragrances with different looks is also important in finding the right fragrance to match your lifestyle.
In addition to the scent itself, it's important to think about the longevity and sillage of a fragrance. For those who work long hours, it's important to have a long-lasting fragrance so that it doesn't disappear by the end of the day.
For those who work in a scent-free environment, it's important to have a low sillage. Sillage is the trail that a fragrance gives off. So, a lower sillage means that people need to be physically closer to you to smell it. Choosing the right fragrance also depends on what time of day it is meant for. For example, at night, it's important to having a greater sillage, to stand out!
How to put on the scent so it is not too much and also so it will last?
Start by exfoliating, and then moisturizing with an unscented moisturizer. Dry skin doesn't hold fragrance very well. When applying any fragrance, you want to apply to the hot spots. These are the warmest parts of your body: your neck, chest, crook of your elbows and wrists.
The greater the sillage, the less you want to apply onto your skin. Fragrance oil concentration and quality of ingredients will determine just how far the scent will project. When searching for a fragrance, you can identify the fragrance oil concentrations by its name:
- 1) Eau Fraiche: Three per cent or less
- 2) Eau de Cologne: Two to five per cent
- 3) Eau de Toilette: Four to 10 per cent
- 4) Eau de Parfum: Eight to 15 per cent
- 5) Soie de Parfum: 15 to 18 per cent
- 6) Extrait de Parfum: 15 40 per cent
- 7) Attar: 100 per cent
Usually, the amount of concentrate a fragrance contains will affect its price. With higher-end fragrances, a little goes a long way. When sampling, apply one spray on the neck and one spray on just one wrist. If it's not overwhelming after 20 minutes, add more.
How to purchase a scent for the man in your life?
Discovering fragrance is exciting, yet really personal. To truly make the best purchase, it's important for him to sample before making a commitment.
The last thing you want to do is purchase a full-size bottle in a blind buy or based on your initial impression of the fragrance, only for it to sit on a shelf and collect dust. We call those fragrance graveyards. Get him familiar with fragrance by identifying top, middle and base notes. These are usually included on the packaging of a fragrance.
When you start developing a "nose" for notes, you'll be able to identify different accords. Accords blend notes that make up a fragrances entity. Just like in music, fragrance accords are used again and again with modifications of notes.
Any other tips?
When searching for a fragrance, it's important to remember that fragrances have top, middle and base notes. When you spray a fragrance within the first 10 to 15 minutes, you'll get a heavy dose of top notes. A common mistake when sampling fragrances is purchasing the fragrance based on top notes. After the top note dissipates, you'll get middle notes within 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the fragrance concentration.
Middle notes are often called heart notes or the "soul" of the fragrance. Lastly, base notes reveal themselves after the fragrance has dissipated. Base notes are much more vivid and rich in nature yet not overpowering. A high quality fragrance should last hours on the skin.
I will continue to enjoy perfumes and men's scents and share my experiences. If you have ideas or questions about nice scents, please leave a comment below and I will do my best to find the answer for you.
Your suggestions are always welcome, as I continue on my journey to enjoy life to the fullest. Let's have the very best 2015!
Visit Sacha daily at SachaD.com
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