This actually hit home for me. I have never been a big cologne guy but every few weeks I smell someone else’s and it makes me think: do I need to wear more cologne?
For me, please subscribe to my Substack as I rebrand as a men’s style blog.
I'd been trying to convince my husband to wear cologne for a decade plus, and he finally does because I gave him a mini that I accidentally received from Sephora. I'm constantly praising how good he smells (because he does!), and he clearly enjoys it. It's been nice for everyone.
"I don’t wanna brag, but while you people of the white-collar workforce went through a whole year of wearing sweats, I haven’t worn real pants in 12 years."
Oh, lordy, maybe you're right. This really is my season of life right now. Maybe I just need to be more accepting and settle into these leggings for a while, with a mug of tea (that might get spilled everywhere, sneezed on, or have small fingers stuck into it). Someday I'll be human again, but maybe not yet, and that's okay. I wish you godspeed on your re-entry into the real world!! Take notes, girl -- I'mma need 'em later. ; )
Have you tried one of those perfume subscription thingies? Scentbird, Scentbox and the like? I really enjoyed Scentbird until they revamped the vials and cases and made them really hard to use. It’s slow stakes way to try something for a month and see if you really like it or if you’re really sick of it.
Once we got one with a “fecal” note. It smelled like the zoo. Like the distant musk of large animal poop, with flowers on top. It was horrifying. I was so excited it exists, because... what?!
FWIW, one of the local ice cream shops when we were in college was known for its rose ice cream, which was one of its best sellers. Sounds bizarre, but it really grew on you. Their pints had cool artwork, and I still have a magnet I made back-in-the-day, from one of the stickers, on my fridge.
Most of their flavors were totally normal, but I also tried avocado ice cream (aggressively meh), lavender (meh to yuck), and basil (surprisingly good, but definitely not as a regular thing).
In our pre-baby days my wife were sort of into wine collecting. One of the phrases you hear used sometimes to describe the bouquet of certain wines (especially Old World wines) is 'of the barnyard.' Which is a polite (French) way to say "animal poop." You close your eyes and put the wine glass to your nose and you would swear you're standing right next to a field filled with...uhm...unconstipated cows. It's something.
I cannot comment on scents, but I do love makeup. I'm going to tell you that my favourite mascara is a cheap drugstore one - Maybelline's Falsies Lash Lift. It is the best mascara I have ever used. I also am in love with L'oreal pressed powder and IT CC cream, the glow version. Love. Also also also, someone recently turned me on to Cover Girl's Outlast lipstick and damn, that is a long lasting lip colour.
I have not tried that mascara but I will; I am on the hunt for a good one. I have been a fan of the ORIGINAL IT CC cream but that’s running low and is ALSO a summer shade, so based on this endorsement I will try the glow version. Especially since we’re entering especially dry skin season. Is the cover girl outlast the one that’s the liquid with the balm on the side?
If I recall you said once you enjoy taking time to select your post-shower lotions before bathing? I’m planning on doing so also because that sounded like a really nice way to make a routine thing a little special and more thoughtful.
Yes, that's right about Outlast. It really does...wait for it...OUTLAST.
And I do have a nice selection of post-shower lotions and I like to coordinate them based on my mood, activity, and wardrobe! Right now I'm wearing Frosted Coconut Snowball, which is making me feel very festive. It's such a small but fun part of my day!
You can even guess pretty well whether or not you'll like them based on their descriptions, and you can sometimes get samplers or smaller items that allow you to sample them more cheaply than a full bottle (though full size isn't outrageous either). They are also carried in some boutiques where you can sniff them all directly--I discovered them in Denver.
It's been all heavy around here lately. Time for a fluffy interlude! Though personal care is often an important ritual, it's also just kinda fun to paint my face and smell good smells and whatnot.
I wear a lot of Versace Bright Crystal because it’s light and versatile and smells really good. It’s not my favorite perfume in the whole world but it’s the one I can wear and it feels appropriate for pretty much everything. Not too heavy, musky, sweet or sexy. Just bright, floral and feminine but not in a way that feels juvenile.
I am quite adrift with this entry, but is quite funny! And since I work at a nursing home (admin position), I've been tempted to think about a nursing degree for advancement, but then think about all the A&P I'd have to take, and don't do it! But more power to you! Hope all goes well!
Thanks! The A&P is no joke. But I'm a strong supporter of just going for it re: career changes, especially in fields where you're sure to find gainful employment.
This actually hit home for me. I have never been a big cologne guy but every few weeks I smell someone else’s and it makes me think: do I need to wear more cologne?
For me, please subscribe to my Substack as I rebrand as a men’s style blog.
Consider it done.
Oh DanT!! You gave me my late morning chuckle.
Cologne is for quitters.
Not everyone has the radical musk you off-gas.
I'd been trying to convince my husband to wear cologne for a decade plus, and he finally does because I gave him a mini that I accidentally received from Sephora. I'm constantly praising how good he smells (because he does!), and he clearly enjoys it. It's been nice for everyone.
"I don’t wanna brag, but while you people of the white-collar workforce went through a whole year of wearing sweats, I haven’t worn real pants in 12 years."
Oh, lordy, maybe you're right. This really is my season of life right now. Maybe I just need to be more accepting and settle into these leggings for a while, with a mug of tea (that might get spilled everywhere, sneezed on, or have small fingers stuck into it). Someday I'll be human again, but maybe not yet, and that's okay. I wish you godspeed on your re-entry into the real world!! Take notes, girl -- I'mma need 'em later. ; )
Well, come on — you can’t leave us hanging on why poop is brown!
Unnecessary/unusable pigments from bile catabolism, mostly from dead red blood cells.
That's not why *my* poop is brown
You’re a special case. My professor says they have some paperwork ready for you to sign to begin the study.
Like I'd let such common hands handle my poop
Have you tried one of those perfume subscription thingies? Scentbird, Scentbox and the like? I really enjoyed Scentbird until they revamped the vials and cases and made them really hard to use. It’s slow stakes way to try something for a month and see if you really like it or if you’re really sick of it.
I've heard of them but not actually tried them yet! It's a great idea.
We liked Olfactif! It’s the indie-perfume one so you get some unusual stuff. I’m wearing this one today: https://american-perfumer.com/products/konig
It’s a lot of fun. You end up with some duds but some great new finds too.
Once we got one with a “fecal” note. It smelled like the zoo. Like the distant musk of large animal poop, with flowers on top. It was horrifying. I was so excited it exists, because... what?!
Oh that's...really something. Like those bizarre artisanal ice cream flavors nobody in their right mind would enjoy.
FWIW, one of the local ice cream shops when we were in college was known for its rose ice cream, which was one of its best sellers. Sounds bizarre, but it really grew on you. Their pints had cool artwork, and I still have a magnet I made back-in-the-day, from one of the stickers, on my fridge.
Most of their flavors were totally normal, but I also tried avocado ice cream (aggressively meh), lavender (meh to yuck), and basil (surprisingly good, but definitely not as a regular thing).
I always feel basil has a slight licorice flavor.
Sorry for bringing more poop into your comment section
don't ever apologize for that.
In our pre-baby days my wife were sort of into wine collecting. One of the phrases you hear used sometimes to describe the bouquet of certain wines (especially Old World wines) is 'of the barnyard.' Which is a polite (French) way to say "animal poop." You close your eyes and put the wine glass to your nose and you would swear you're standing right next to a field filled with...uhm...unconstipated cows. It's something.
I once took a wine class for an article I was writing and I'll never forget "cat's piss on a gooseberry bush" from a real professional review.
Yes! Cat's piss is the classic way to describe the scent of Sauvignion Blanc.
Isn’t that what makes goat cheese delicious?
It is. A whiff of barnyard.
Oh, that’s fascinating. I’ve never encountered a wine with that scent in it!
Erin, I thought jeans were real pants? As for suggestions, maybe this is predictable but I would always read more things about books from you.
I’m trying to keep this light so I won’t delve into the “are jeggings jeans, and are jeans real pants” maelstrom. Let’s just say it’s debatable!
Noted on the book content. I should review Ed’s book!
I cannot comment on scents, but I do love makeup. I'm going to tell you that my favourite mascara is a cheap drugstore one - Maybelline's Falsies Lash Lift. It is the best mascara I have ever used. I also am in love with L'oreal pressed powder and IT CC cream, the glow version. Love. Also also also, someone recently turned me on to Cover Girl's Outlast lipstick and damn, that is a long lasting lip colour.
I have not tried that mascara but I will; I am on the hunt for a good one. I have been a fan of the ORIGINAL IT CC cream but that’s running low and is ALSO a summer shade, so based on this endorsement I will try the glow version. Especially since we’re entering especially dry skin season. Is the cover girl outlast the one that’s the liquid with the balm on the side?
If I recall you said once you enjoy taking time to select your post-shower lotions before bathing? I’m planning on doing so also because that sounded like a really nice way to make a routine thing a little special and more thoughtful.
Yes, that's right about Outlast. It really does...wait for it...OUTLAST.
And I do have a nice selection of post-shower lotions and I like to coordinate them based on my mood, activity, and wardrobe! Right now I'm wearing Frosted Coconut Snowball, which is making me feel very festive. It's such a small but fun part of my day!
In my humble opinion, the majority of Tokyo Milk fragrances by Margot Elena are heavenly (especially the "dark" line):
https://margotelena.com/collections/tokyomilk
You can even guess pretty well whether or not you'll like them based on their descriptions, and you can sometimes get samplers or smaller items that allow you to sample them more cheaply than a full bottle (though full size isn't outrageous either). They are also carried in some boutiques where you can sniff them all directly--I discovered them in Denver.
I’m titillated! I find I like the fuller, richer scents.
Fun article! And not just because of the gorgeous guy in the photo either!
It's been all heavy around here lately. Time for a fluffy interlude! Though personal care is often an important ritual, it's also just kinda fun to paint my face and smell good smells and whatnot.
I wear a lot of Versace Bright Crystal because it’s light and versatile and smells really good. It’s not my favorite perfume in the whole world but it’s the one I can wear and it feels appropriate for pretty much everything. Not too heavy, musky, sweet or sexy. Just bright, floral and feminine but not in a way that feels juvenile.
I haven't smelled that one yet! I'll get on it.
I am quite adrift with this entry, but is quite funny! And since I work at a nursing home (admin position), I've been tempted to think about a nursing degree for advancement, but then think about all the A&P I'd have to take, and don't do it! But more power to you! Hope all goes well!
Thanks! The A&P is no joke. But I'm a strong supporter of just going for it re: career changes, especially in fields where you're sure to find gainful employment.