Christmas. It really is 'the most wonderful time of year' isn't it?
Year on year, those classic old Christmas tunes keep on coming around. Despite thousands of plays over the years, we just can't help but enjoy the catchy familiarity of our old favourites. And in a matter of just a few, short weeks, we'll be hearing Shakin' Stevens, Mariah Carey and The Pogues all over again.
And how many weekends is it now until we can snuggle up on a snowy Sunday afternoon with a big bag of sweets, and laugh our Christmas nuts off at Will Ferell in ‘Elf’?
And how many weekends is it now until we can snuggle up on a snowy Sunday afternoon with a big bag of sweets, and laugh our Christmas nuts off at Will Ferell in ‘Elf’?
There’s those eclectic winter smells to look forward to whilst we're out shopping too; Aromatic mulled wine, rich festive puddings and hot roasted chestnuts, all steaming away against an atmospheric backdrop of cold, crisp winter air.
There really are a million and one reasons to love Christmas: ...Like classic movies that remind us of childhood (Home Alone, Santa Claus, Miracle on 34th Street anyone?) ...wrapping our pressies up under the romantic glare of twinkly fairy lights ...and those brilliantly random drinking sessions with work colleagues we hardly even know!
Squeeze in those brilliant Christmas TV specials, the X Factor finale, family get-togethers, boxing-day footie and holidays for us all, and what's not to love about Christmas?
But whilst Christmas might still seem eons away for some readers - October's end-of-month payday is just around the corner, so it might be a wise decision to plan ahead, and get some of those key gifts boxed-off nice and early!
Squeeze in those brilliant Christmas TV specials, the X Factor finale, family get-togethers, boxing-day footie and holidays for us all, and what's not to love about Christmas?
But whilst Christmas might still seem eons away for some readers - October's end-of-month payday is just around the corner, so it might be a wise decision to plan ahead, and get some of those key gifts boxed-off nice and early!
So hereunder, I've compiled my TOP TEN AFTERSHAVES OF ALL TIME - along with a few tips on how and when they should be worn.
Girls; This is a great opportunity to start thinking about the man in your life. CD's are dead, socks really do suck and 'comedy' T-shirts just aren't funny. If you really want to score yourself some serious man-points, you can't go wrong with a decent bottle of scent.
Decent aftershaves are great for boyfriends, Dads and brothers alike - and perfect for that fit boy that you picked out for the office Secret Santa!
Guys; this is your chance to start thinking about your Dad, your brother or your best mate. Or of course, you could always just leave this page open on your web browser and just wait and see what Santa brings you...
The Fashion Copywriter's: TOP TEN AFTERSHAVES OF ALL TIME
The first 'proper' bottle of aftershave I discovered was Joop!, but I discount this from my fragrance memory for two reasons;
Firstly, every adolescent boy of my generation had to have a bottle of Joop! ...it was the rules! The girls wore Charlie Red ...the boys wore Joop!, and so, with everybody smelling like a cross between fizzy cherryade and sticky cough syrup, there wasn't much capacity to have your own signature scent.
The second reason I've 'conveniently forgotton' about Joop!, is because of an unwelcome aftershave-association that's not entirely exclusive to my time as a teenage boy. In fact, many fragrances have fallen into the same sad graveyard during my adulthood, that my first bottle of Joop! did as a teenager.
The second reason I've 'conveniently forgotton' about Joop!, is because of an unwelcome aftershave-association that's not entirely exclusive to my time as a teenage boy. In fact, many fragrances have fallen into the same sad graveyard during my adulthood, that my first bottle of Joop! did as a teenager.
I won't go into too much detail, but as you can appreciate - fancy smells tend to go hand-in-hand with big nights out. Big nights out go hand-in-hand with too much booze. ...And sometimes booze makes you vomit!
...mix the smell of White Lightning-flavoured barf with your once-favoured eau de toilette ...and all-of-sudden ...it's easy to figure out why it's not quite your favourite scent any more!
Here though, I'm proud to showcase ten of the finest fragrances that have survived those big nights out on the lash ...and still managed to come up smelling of roses!
10. Giorgio Armani // Acqua Di Gio
When you smell something - you get a sudden clear glimpse of the past. Every emotional experience we have is linked to a smell, and this particular smell reminds me of the first time I fell in love.
‘Bitter sweet’ some might say, but nevertheless, Acqua Di Gio still has to go down as one of my favourite scents of all-time.
As the title suggests, this fragrance is an aquatic-based product, with an energetic splash of calabrian bergamot, neroli and green tangerine. Jasmine petal, crisp rock rose, rosemary, fruity persimmon and warm Indonesian patchouli all collide to lift this fragrance, to create a fresh, energetic scent for the discerning gent. Or to put it in more simple terms, it smells bloody ace!
9. Carolina Herrera // 212
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| £36 for 50ml |
212 is one those 'something for the weekend' fragrances that you can pick up on a Friday afternoon without putting too much of a dent into your beer money.
This sensible priced Carolina Herrera scent features green pepper, ginger, spicy leaves and sandalwood, to create a woody, yet refreshingly masculine aroma.
The funky magnetic lid is a unique and quirky design feature that prevents you from having the nicest smelling holdall in the world - yet nothing to splash on your face.
This sensible priced Carolina Herrera scent features green pepper, ginger, spicy leaves and sandalwood, to create a woody, yet refreshingly masculine aroma.
The funky magnetic lid is a unique and quirky design feature that prevents you from having the nicest smelling holdall in the world - yet nothing to splash on your face.
TIP! Taking your favourite EDT on your travels? Tuck it into a shoe to protect the bottle, or push it into a ball of socks. Clean ones of course.
8. Hugo Boss // Just Different
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| £23 for 40ml |
Photographic evidence of my questionable style-choices circa 1997 however, categorically confirm otherwise; I actually wasn't very cool at all.
One thing I did manage to get right back in the day though, was my choice of man-splash.
'Hugo' by Hugo Boss brings back nostalgic memories of good times for me, whenever I manage to catch a whiff of it. I suddenly go all hazy-eyed and get that lovely, warm, fuzzy feeling inside. (Funny how a certain smell can do that isn't it?)
I'll never forget those college train journeys - listening to Oasis' 'Be Here Now' and the Verve's 'Urban Hymns' on my crappy old Sanyo Disc-man. I'd probably have been donning some over-sized Umbro sweatshirt, a pair of dodgy Kickers and baggy cream jeans ...but always complemented by a splash (or seven) of Hugo!
Fast forward 13 years, and Hugo's little brother comes to join the party, in the form of Hugo - Just Different.
Same iconic bottle. Same clean, fresh and fruity first impression. This updated version features a slightly more colourful kick.
The base notes are similar, but subtly overridden by a zingy, lemony accent, with just enough zest to make your average fruit bowl jealous. Delightful.
The base notes are similar, but subtly overridden by a zingy, lemony accent, with just enough zest to make your average fruit bowl jealous. Delightful.
Not too dissimilar to the new Armani Code Sport fragrance, Hugo just edges out its Armani rival to 8th place due to some seriously high nostalgia-points ...and because its iconic bottle just looks so Goddamn cool on the bathroom shelf!
7. Paco Rabanne // Ultraviolet Man
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| £34 for 50ml |
Could well be the Marmite choice of my Top Ten collection, but it's without doubt, one of the most distinctive potions to feature here.
Unlike Marmite, I've never heard anyone actually say they hate Ultraviolet Man, but it certainly teeters on the border of one of those scents that could be deemed 'overpowering'.
It's certainly a cosmopolitan cocktail, with ingredients including black pepper, Russian coriander and Italian mint.
But with that eclectic mix comes a guarantee of longevity: Just a few spritz of this, and you'll still be making the ladies swoon at 3am!
Unlike Marmite, I've never heard anyone actually say they hate Ultraviolet Man, but it certainly teeters on the border of one of those scents that could be deemed 'overpowering'.
It's certainly a cosmopolitan cocktail, with ingredients including black pepper, Russian coriander and Italian mint.
But with that eclectic mix comes a guarantee of longevity: Just a few spritz of this, and you'll still be making the ladies swoon at 3am!
6. Giorgio Armani // Armani Code
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| £45 for 50ml |
If there was ever a bottle that represented the cologne that resided within - it has to be Armani Code.
It's as sleek, sophisticated and confident as the tall, dark and handsome bottle suggests - with a sexy blend of ingredients to match.
Code combines a citron cocktail of bergamot and lemon with soft notes of olive tree blossom, warmed with guaiac wood and Tonka bean.
Definitely a fragrance to be worn with your evening ensemble or a sharp suit, you'll feel cooler than a refrigerated cucumber in this Armani beaut.
NOTE! You'll love this fragrance if you like: Emporio Armani HE.
Despite being from the same fashion house, I find the two fragrances fairly similar, with Code just about taking the edge.
5. Diesel // Only The Brave
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| £37.50 for 50ml |
I once read that Andy Warhol would stop using a certain cologne after a while and then confine it to a cupboard. For inspiration, if he ever wanted to re-live the moment, he’d return to his cupboard. Genius!
Likewise, when I revisit this cologne, I think of one amazing and very special place: New York City.
It was the Christmas of 2009, and after a lifetime of dreaming and much saving-up, I visited the Big Apple for the very first time.
During that holiday, I spent far too much time in several Diesel stores, picking up everything from Diesel Jeans, underwear, tees and watches, to a wear-forever Diesel leather jacket. Each time I entered the store, the smell of Only The Brave greeted me, and it didn't take much persuasion to add a bottle of this beauty onto my over-worked credit card!
Only The Brave features top notes of lemon and mandarin, alongside base notes of leather, cedarwood and amber, to create a woody and oriental blend that's quite simply, stunning.
And the bottle is pretty knockout too!
4. Allure // Homme Sport
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| £43 for 50ml |
When designers add a 'sport' version to their line, I've always preferred the original.
Armani Code and Dior Pour Homme are two such examples of this as both reside here in my top ten - yet both of have younger, 'sport' oriented cousins.
Allure Homme Sport however, is my exception to the rule…
By their very nature, sport fragrances are much lighter and translucent, making them more suitable for the daytime. These 'locker room fragrances' are very similar to 'summer' editions - in that they contain much less alcohol. As a result of this, both 'sport' and 'summer' fragrances tend to have weaker ‘lastability’, but are therefore far less likely to cause offence in the office too.
For me though, Allure Sport is much sharper than its original counterpart, which was released five years earlier, back in 1999.
The crystal clear beginning introduces notes of water and aldehydes, followed by a spicy, 'woody' character, produced by luminous vetiver. The base is composed of sensual white musk, tonka beans and amber, to create a really cheerful and thoroughly pleasant smell. In fact, this fragrance is so pleasant, it would probably say "thank you for using me" if it could talk.
Allure Sport is perfect for day and night, and will easily take you from business deal to evening meal, with the minimum of fuss. Go and buy it right now, and your life will instantaneously be one hundred times better.*
Armani Code and Dior Pour Homme are two such examples of this as both reside here in my top ten - yet both of have younger, 'sport' oriented cousins.
Allure Homme Sport however, is my exception to the rule…
By their very nature, sport fragrances are much lighter and translucent, making them more suitable for the daytime. These 'locker room fragrances' are very similar to 'summer' editions - in that they contain much less alcohol. As a result of this, both 'sport' and 'summer' fragrances tend to have weaker ‘lastability’, but are therefore far less likely to cause offence in the office too.
For me though, Allure Sport is much sharper than its original counterpart, which was released five years earlier, back in 1999.
The crystal clear beginning introduces notes of water and aldehydes, followed by a spicy, 'woody' character, produced by luminous vetiver. The base is composed of sensual white musk, tonka beans and amber, to create a really cheerful and thoroughly pleasant smell. In fact, this fragrance is so pleasant, it would probably say "thank you for using me" if it could talk.
Allure Sport is perfect for day and night, and will easily take you from business deal to evening meal, with the minimum of fuss. Go and buy it right now, and your life will instantaneously be one hundred times better.*
*This, of course, is a lie.
FACT! Fans of Acqua Di Gio will love Allure Sport.
FACT! Fans of Acqua Di Gio will love Allure Sport.
3. Jean Paul Gualtier // Le Male
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| £37.28 for 75ml |
JPG has been an omnipresent feature in my fragrance wardrobe for as far back as I can remember. It’s a fresh, effervescent and instantly recognisable cologne that I simply never tire of. It really is a true classic, with a distinctive fragrance that bridges the generation gap with ease.
But herein lies a problem: The fact that JPG is so recognisable - coupled with the fact that granddads, dads and lads alike are all drawn to it - means that it's a fragrance that’s endangered with being a too popular.
If you’re lucky to have a granddad that's as cool as mine though, this shouldn’t pose you any problems.
The iconic figurine bottle and half-naked-man marketing campaigns could be a little off-putting for the grumpy bloke who likes to grunt a lot, but that's all the better for us chaps who don’t mind being a bit flamboyant. Sometimes - a man needs to step out of the shadows and get himself noticed. And with this masculine blend of mint, lavender and vanilla, you'll certainly do that.
It’s that all-important kick of mint that gives Le Male its distinctive, fresh flavour, and as with most of my favourite fragrances, this is a long-lasting cologne that will still be with you, long after you’ve sprayed.
2. Christian Dior // Dior Homme
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| £47 for 50ml |
The first time I caught a whiff of this awesome fragrance, was when it was being worn by my good mate Jonny, about four years ago. The boy smelt soooo fine, I actually wanted to eat him!
The following day, I went out and bought myself a bottle of this magic potion ...and it's been a permanent fixture in my collection ever since.
At £47 for a 50ml bottle, it's the most expensive scent in my Top 10, but the investment is reflected in the array of opulent ingredients.
Absolutely perfect as an evening fragrance or for those extra special occasions, the mix of creamy vanilla and warm leather tones fuse together brilliantly, to create a clean, crisp and super sophisticated fragrance that oozes class.
If I was rich, I would actually wear this every single day. But I'm not. Shame.
1. Hugo Boss. Boss Bottled
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| £37.00 for 50ml |
Well, you've gone and found it right here ...in the form of my number one cologne of all time!
Boss was released back in 1998, and has probably been at the top of my Christmas wish-list ever since.
Despite becoming a teenager this year, Boss remains as current and contemporary now, as it did when it was first released, boasting just the right blend of sophisticated masculinity and sensory delights.
Perfect for job interviews and nights out alike, Boss radiates self-confidence - making it the go-to scent for those ultra important occasions, when only the very best will do.
Featuring top notes of green apple, grapefruit, mint and bergamot it's certain to make the ladies feel a little fruity! Heart notes include jasmine, geranium and lavender, which are perfectly balanced by base notes of pine needle, sandal and musk. Bang tidy.
The bottle is unfussy and uncomplicated and the embossed logo pretty much encapsulates what the whole fragrance is about. Strong, definitive, bold and confident.
Even the name tells you everything you need to know. ...and that's why it's the undisputed Boss of my Top Ten Aftershaves of All Time!
TIP! Always spray on your cologne BEFORE you dress. Spraying Boss on the cuff or collar of your crisp, white shirt may leave a yellow residue ...which will have the adverse effect of making you look like you skipped your shower, in favour of a gallon of scent!
Remember, this list is personal to me and the fragrances might not necessarily be your cup of tea; our skin has its own smell, governed by diet, health and genetics, so a fragrance that works for one person might not work for the next. If you haven’t tried it before, spray it on your skin, go have a coffee and return to the store when you're sure.
Do you agree with my list? Have I missed a blindingly obvious choice? Has your boyfriend’s favourite aftershave been shunned? Get involved and let me know YOUR all-time favourite, and why, by leaving a comment here or on my Facebook page.
Until next time, many blessings!
Jay x
* NB: Please note that there have been no endorsements for this article. However, if any fashion houses or designers would like me to review YOUR products ...please feel free to send me free stuff!! :-)
** All prices accurate as of 20.10.11. Source: Boots.com
