Must Have Spring 2012 Colognes
Spring 2012 is nearly upon us. Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth and serves to bridge the gap between winter and summer. This is a season of change. To that end, I would like to present my 2012 Spring Cologne list.
*Flanker Scents
A flanker scent is a fragrance the follows a popular previously released perfume or cologne.
These “follow up” fragrances turn up in bottles that look and feel like the original scents. Armani Code Sport, a flanker of Armani Code is a great example of a flanker scent.
My list is broken out into four groups, Bar/Club scents, Casual work day fragrances, Date colognes(as in a first date) and finally catch all category for formal or special occasions such as spring weddings or times when you find yourself going out on a second or third date.
My list also includes a few flanker scents*
Spring 2012 Bar/Club Scent
Armani Code Sport
Sport features:
· Top Notes: Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Peppermint, Spearmint, Wild Mint
· Middle Notes: Geranium, Ginger
· Base Notes: Labdanum, Rosemary, Vetiver
Code Sport is one of my favorite fresh scents that will reach out across the room and draw attention your way. I’ve had this described on me as a “He Man” power scent that created some attraction. A good thing in a bar as a nice cologne can help you as you cold approach a woman.
Spring 2012 Casual Scents
Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren
Launched in 2003 Blue is a perfect spring cologne great for use around the office, school or when you’re just out and about. This scent pulls off a great feat of projection without overwhelming anyone near you. An awesome scent with awesome notes that include:
· Top Notes: Cucumber, Mandarin Orange, Melon
· Middle Notes: Basil, Geranium, Sage
· Base Notes: Musk, Suede, Woody Notes
Polo Blue is recommended for anyone in any playgroup and lasts pretty much my entire work day.
RECOMMENDED: The Top 10 Most Wished For Men's Colognes
Dior Homme
Some may classify Dior Homme as a formal scent. I would imagine the Dior name is responsible for this. I find this cologne released in 2005 serves me well as a casual scent. I classify a scent as casual if it is one I can wear around a captive audience such as the folks at work.
This is a scent that works in the background, you know it’s there but it’s not banging you in the nose for attention. Dior Homme could double as a spring first date scent in that it’s light and refreshing. The notes in this cologne are:
· Top Notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Sage
· Middle Notes: Amber, Cacao, Cardamom, Iris
· Base Notes: Leather, Patchouli, Tahitian Vetiver
These essences I find are well received by women in my little test group that include Black and White women aged from 26 through 55(I know this women is really 61 but her secret is safe with me)year old.
Down side to this cologne is its lasting power or longevity. I find Dior Homme rushes through its notes and vanishes like a spring breeze in about 4 hours. Others with a different body chemistry than mine may find it lasts longer however.
Spring 2012 Date Scents
In addition to renewal and rebirth, spring is also the beginning of the mating season. Mating for humans can begin on the first date. Next to a charming personality and ideal setting for your first date, a good cologne is essential to set the whole event off.
A first date scent is a step above a casual work or school fragrance, a smell that lets your date know you’re there but not in her face but strong enough that she’ll smell you after should you step away for a second.
Bvlgari Extreme
Extreme released in 1999(a flanker to Bvlgari Pour Homme circa 1996) is the perfect addition to your fragrance collection to fill the role of a masculine woody style first date cologne. I’ve found this frag lasts about 6 hours on me and has excellent sillage**
**Sillage
I think of sillage like I think of the trail a jet liner leaves as it passes over. Sillage is the trail of scent you leave behind, for example, a co-worker could tell I had been in a conference room she just entered.
Sillage doesn't refer to the overpowering nose devastation left by someone who sprayed on too much perfume or cologne.
A comment I received a few hours after a first date was she smelled me when I left to go to the facilities, and smelled me after the date was over(most likely the hug I gave her) which helped to keep me in her mind resulting in additional dates.
Bvlgari Extreme features:
- Top Notes: Coriander, Galbanum, Lavender, Petitgrain
- Middle Notes: Fir, Green Tea, Nutmeg, Pepper
- Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Oakmoss, Sandalwood
Terre d'Hermes by Hermes
Terre d'Hermes by Hermes is my lucky first date scent. This spicy citrus scent in my opinion promotes relaxation in a woman which is provided compliments of:
· Top Notes: Grapefruit, Orange
· Middle Notes: Pelargonium, Pepper
· Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Patchouli, Vetiver
Terre d'Hermes is something for a person who is looking for a cologne that will compliment their personality rather than drawing attention from it. On a first date we want a woman to remember not only our cologne but what we were talking about. A heavy cologne could end your date faster than you hoped for.
By now, you may have noticed something my spring choices have in common. The proceeding and following scents are packed with fresh spring like citrus notes or for lack of a better word earthy or grass like notes brought to us by one of my favorite essential oils, vetiver.
These combinations remind me of spring.
Spring 2012 Formal/Romantic Scents
A formal or romantic cologne is a fragrance that is reserved for special occasions such as weddings or formal type parties. Another application for this scent class is a romantic encounter beyond the second or so date.
Declaration by Cartier
Released in 2010, Declaration is an example of taking your cologne to the next level. A fresh opening ending with a nice down to earth dry down is provided by:
· Top Notes: Artemisia, Bergamot, Birch, Bitter Orange, Coriander, Mandarin Orange, Neroli
· Middle Notes: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Iris, Jasmine, Juniper, Orris Root, Pepper
· Base Notes: Amber, Cedar, Leather, Oak Moss, Tahitian Vetiver, Tea
This sweet peppery scent blended in the old style is a perfect special occasion scent that I really don’t smell on a lot of guys. A great thing as you want to be the one she thinks of when she smells Declaration.
I've had great results with this cologne a fancier cocktail style parties where I find myself somewhat out of place.
This scent not common to the crowd drew questions and comments creating a few group conversations which eventually led to a conversation with a single person and of course a new phone number. All this from a cologne.
Guerlain L'instant De Guerlain
A 2005 release, Guerlain L'instant De Guerlain is my ultimate formal sillage monster leaving great smelling trail that some folks, men and women have to follow to find out what the heck am I wearing. You know your cologne is a hit when guys you see with dates come to you and say “what is that you’re wearing man, my girlfriend loves it.” You have a niche scent here if people speak on it but can’t tell what it is.
Truth be told, this cologne has the potential to be a great signature scent that can be worn sparingly in any setting including work or school.
The featured notes are:
- Top Notes: Citrus, Elemi, Star Anise
- Middle Notes: Jasmine, Neroli, Tea
- Base Notes: Cacao, Hibiscus, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Virginia Cedar
There you have it, my Spring 2012 must have colognes for men. Testing colognes can be an expensive proposition, there are outfits online that sell samples, one of which is myperfumesamples.com.
A great source of test samples at a decent price.
Related Links
How To Choose & Wear A Cologne-Learn how to choose your next scent here
The Best Spring 2011 Colognes-Check out last year's best spring scents here
