Gentleman’s Essential #6 – Smell Delicious

We humans are a social bunch.  We average only about 72 people per square mile of land on the Earth, and yet we jam ourselves into cities, neighborhoods, and social groups whenever possible.  There are certain rules we follow to make this co-habitation more pleasant and equitable for all people involved, but one simple, unspoken (and sometimes, not followed) custom ought to be addressed.  Control and master your scent.  Is it really that complex and difficult?  If not, why is it such a great mystery that baffles the mind of many aspiring gentlemen?

First off – showering.  It’s important to shower at least every day.  If you disagree with me, stop reading this and turn to the woman next to you and ask her.  Okay?  Are we all on the same page?  The average adult sweats 1.67 cups of sweat per night.  1.67 cups!  While we rest, bacteria are busy living and dying in the warm, wet environment we create for them.  That’s why after you sweat you start to smell.  So, when you get up in the morning, drink a big glass of water (the previous post), then hit the shower.  Make sure to take a nice warm shower with plenty of soap to wash away your funky, nighttime odor.  Here’s a little tip – when you’re about to get out of the shower, turn the water to a cooler temperature.  It will wake you up a bit, cool off your skin, and close your sweat glands so you don’t perspire after your shower.  Dry yourself off, take care of your skin with some lotion, and don’t forget the deodorant.  Believe me, if you forget – it will be a long, long day.

Second – making sense of scents.  We have been augmenting our scent with cologne/perfume for over three thousand years.  The alone creates the clear case that we like to smell good and others would like to keep it that way.  Now that you’ve showered, lotioned, and deodorized – it’s time to put on some cologne.  Each of us has a unique body chemistry which means one person’s cologne will smell different on the next guy.  That’s why it’s important to take your time when you pick out cologne and not just buy the brand with the coolest bottle, or the one is giving away the free bag/gadget with purchase.  When you go to you local Nordstrom or Macy's take your time  when you check out the various colognes.  Spray them on the supplied cards to separate the quality candidates from the paint thinner.  When you’ve found one that you think you’d like to go with, spray your arm and go for a walk.  It takes a few minutes for the alcohol in the cologne to evaporate leaving what will be your scent.  After you’ve given it about twenty minutes, take a whiff.  If you like what you smell, you’re in luck!  Plunk down your cash and enjoy being enjoyed.

Now that you have your cologne, don’t go crazy.  Moderation in all things, brothers.  Our body has certain “hot points” that we should spray our cologne.  On our wrists, our neck, and chest.  Think of this rule: wherever you can feel your pulse - you can spray.  But limit it to two to four sprays of cologne per day.  Don’t skip your shower only to douse yourself in cologne.  I’ve heard repeatedly from women, that they can easily smell past it.  Plus, consider this – if you subtly smell good, people will want to get close to you to enjoy how you smell.

Go to it, gentlemen.  The process is great; get clean and smell good.  Finding your signature scent is a great journey. 

For me, I find that Acqua di Gio is a good classic, and 212 by Carolina Herrera (pictured) is my favorite.  Guys, what do you wear?  Women, are there particular colognes you would like to suggest for guys?