Saturday, October 27, 2007
ON BOTTLED SCENTS
I now find these as unsuited for the tropics -- too heavy in scent, I think. Although the middle one would have been all right for Manila, it is not, however, available at the Glorietta branch of Caswell Massey.
Santos by Cartier has always been my favorite, which I used often during the fall, winter and spring seasons; whereas, the Armani I would only use every now and then. I thought I'd take a photo of these empty bottles of my three favorite scents before throwing them out in the garbage.
These days in Manila, I tend to favor those produced locally like Prescripto's No. 21 which costs only about three dollars a bottle. Only problem is, it tends to wear off quickly, especially while commuting in Manila. I guess, any light scented cologne can be easily inundated by the jeepneys' diesel fumes. But then again, I'm sure some will argue that our skin's pH is what will determine how long a scent lasts.
Incidentally, for women, I think Yves St. Laurent's Opium is classic. But then again, nothing beats the smell of a freshly-bathed infant.
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:26 AM
32 Comments:
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pusa said... hmm i like angels breath and aspen cologne for men, i dunno if i'm weird or what but i really like the smell of men's cologne better than women =)
i agree with you that most foreign perfumes have a heavy scent, that's why i think it is preferable to use cologne here-
said... You are right Eric; nothing beats the smell of a freshly bathe infant.
(:
My favorite scents would be Armani Code, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren Blue and Lancome (Miracle, So Magic).
Have a great weekend ahead!-
said...
i just bought a bottle of armani code. i have gotten a lot of compliments from people, like, "that lady smells good." but, i ended up giving it to my darling daughter as she wanted it.
i like Euphoria, too, which i might buy next.
am not quite familiar with men perfume as my husband doesn't wear one.-
said...
Hindi ako mahilig sa perfume. Hindi rin ako mahilig sa make up (except for lipsticks). Hindi rin ako mahilig sa fashion. OMG! There must be something wrong with me, considering I'm a woman?
Nice bottles of perfume though. I can tell that the light was coming from the right side when you took this pic, right? How do you subdue the light from the lamps? :)
P.S. I hope you put back to place all those "abubots" that you grab every now when doing your photography play, Eric. hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
That's rather perceptive of you, Rhoda. I try to be organized at my workshop (too small to be called a studio) and I discipline myself enough to return everything to its original place before I begin a new shoot. This way, I wouldn't be stressed out at all -- tripping into things or unable to find anything that I need at that instant. And yes, I make it a point to return all the "abubots" to their original places :)
You can actually modify your light sources with various materials like styrofoam boards and colored cellophane paper (which you'll put right on the lamp). To subdue the light, you may want to bounce it off the styrofoam board instead of placing the lamp directly in front of your subject. All these I learned from the Studio lighting workshop that I had attended with Allan Razo as instructor.
As for your not having any need for make-up and scents, what can I say? You must really be one natural beauty :)-
Señor Enrique said...
That Armani Code must be nice, huh, Belle? Haven't had a chance to smell it, yet.
It's rather nice to spray a bit of cologne in a muffler, especially during the winter. This way, when yiu wrap your face with it, it smells nice at least. But I do try not to get carried away with spraying cologne all over me. New Yorkers will actually confront you at times if you've put too much; calling it pollution as well.-
Señor Enrique said...
I'm sure those favorites of yours, Kyels, do smell real nice.
Belle happens to like your Armani Code, too!-
Señor Enrique said...
You're lucky you weren't born, yet, Pusa, when those strong-scented perfumes from Spain was the trend with the older women.
I could smell my aunts a mile away. Worst was when they would gather together for an afternoon chat. Their folding fans were also heavily perfumed so when they unfold them at the same time, various scents would fill the room which would sometimes make me a bit woozy and light-headed ... hehehe!-
said...
Sorry my friend, I despise the smell of perfume. Most Blacks that I work with wear heavy perfumes (worse than french whores)and everytime I smell them walk by me or in front of me, I feel suffocated. Therefore, my association with heavy scents are relegated to that thought.
Why perfume yourself heavily, when a nice CLEAN BATH could just give feeling fresh and clean?-
Android Eyes said...
Hola Sr. E! May I suggest for you Givenchy Pour Monsieur, Chanel Pour Monsieur I can imagine you enjoying these scents, do sample them next time you're in any fragrance counters, am sure you'll like them.
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NOYPETES said...
..Three Flowers Pomade and Cologne and after shave lotion, commonly used in the barber shops of manila during our younger days! Pag naka-"isputing" ka nuon at amoy barberia ka, you'll experience the good old pinoy ribbings from the "binatas' who were then called kanto boys!
Our camera tech here at work, who is from the desert suburb of Los Angeles bathes in "Old Spice" after shave lotion in the morning. I always warn the guys at work before I call "Joe Old Spice" into the studio for some repair work coz the aroma of his cologne permeates the whole place causing some minor sinus problems to some.
Same thing as when "JUVAN" invaded Manila..para kang nasa isang Moroccan Bazaar sa lakas ng amoy!-
said...
love molecule 01 by escentric molecules. it's got this unique. sweet sandalwood/cedar-like smell that I believe is light enough for the tropics. it's got long staying power to boot.
best of all, the manufacturer claims that it's got pheromone-like effect/s. i tend to agree - the first time i wore it, a long time crush (gorgeous gorgeous guy) gave me a totally unexpected hug!
oh di ba? he he....-
said...
Humidity does have an awful effect on perfume I agree.
For me, my scent would be in my after shave and deodorant which doesn't last the entire day but a splash or two in the afternoon can be quite refreshing. I only use perfume in a party but for the most part, the after shave does the job for me :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, BW! A splash in the afternoon is a great pick-me-upper. There's also something soothing to smelling a nice scent -- but not too much ... hehehe!
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Señor Enrique said...
Know what, Cacofonix? You just inspired me to check on those oil scents sold in Quiapo's herbal stalls. I bet they have "pang gayuma" scents similar to the pheronome-like properties of molecule 01.
Thanks!-
Señor Enrique said...
And I'm sure you remember the ever popular Tancho pomade stick, Pete. My older brothers thrived in it with their slick pompadours. I remember when riding a jeepney back then. The smell of Tancho would permeate the entire jeepney whenever a guy wearing it would take a seat next to the driver up front.
I've a feeling that just like with some people who are color blind, there must also be others who are scent-challenged and therefore, wear their cologne or perfume more than necessary which could only get others nauseated ... hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, those smell really nice, Romy. My brother Taba used to have a nice collection of fine cologne and after shave splash, Chanel and Givenchy were among them :)
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Señor Enrique said...
I don't blame you, Anonymous. Like I said, many New Yorkers are quite vocal against excessive scents of perfume and colognes, espcially in the morning commuter buses, which they liken to environmental pollution.
As I've told Pete, perhaps, some folks' sense of smell may be impaired; thus making them put on more perfume or cologne more than necessary.
But a little can be refreshing. Aromatheraphy, sort of :)-
said...
like Rhoda I really am not in the habit of buying perfumes. My mother does and she always gifts me with scenty lotions and perfumes. Then I give them away :-).
I like the way the light goes through the bottles they way you composed them! For me, the challenge of manual photography is lighting...and when one masters it---talagang galing!
Olfactory pa rin ako because I had planted a lot of ilang-ilang trees around our garden. Unfortunately, I think I overdid it kasi their scent can be heady!
I believe in aromatherapy and whenever I smell lavander I get sooo calm and even to the point of groggy. I gifted my husband with an after shave called Tom Taylor. I bought it while in Germany so I was a bit iffy about its change of scent when we come back here in the tropics. But it even improved in its scent!-
gmirage said...
I go for the old but light scent of Jovan musk hehe, hindi masakit sa ilong...sticks long too.
Too bad, perfumes here costs much unless you buy it at the UN commissary! which is some of the things that show how life isnt fair, those people working there gets really good pay, no tax and buys cheaper and nicer stuff lol. Opps...back to perfumes...hehe..-
Señor Enrique said...
And some get diplomatic immunity and hence can park their cars anywhere, right, G. Mirage? Hehehe.
A friend in NYC once took me along to a store exclusively for those with diplomatic passports. Boring ... hehehe. I could get much better stuff in some stores in Manhattan at much better price.
Yes, that Jovan musk is a classic now as well.-
Señor Enrique said...
Ylang-ylang, a favorite scent of mine, Bernadette. I used to buy uncented candles and then just put a drop or two of ylang-ylang oil on it while it burns. Nice!
Tom Taylor? Hmmm ... another scent for me to check out in the future :)-
gmirage said...
ah tom taylor has a nice scent too! Btw, my son (18months) even if not yet bathed still smells good, even his breath after eating a lot, but we dont like him when he has the pupu lol. Babies are a real wonder! =)
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Aura said...
Santos by Cartier, Farenheit by C. Dior and another from Channel, Lancome are my favorite mens cologne but if you want a mild and fresh colgne, try Eau Sauvage by C.Dior or sports cologne from Adidas, Nivea, Vert Savage.
As for ladies perfume, I like to change from time to time, depend of my mood and the ocassions.
last one i finished for summer and spring, is Romance by Ralp Lauren and i alternate it with Issey Miyaki EDT and Paris by YSL, as for fall & winter i go for a stronger one like Jadore or Poison by C.Dior and Ysatis by Gvenchy.
I�ve worked for a distributor of perfumes and cosmetics in Dubai before, that was where my "gusto" for perfumes started.
Now, i only use them ocassionaly and you are right theres nothing like a fresh after bath cologne�, I still use the fresh and lemon scented cologne of Heno de Pravia!
Regards!-
-= dave =- said...
Have you seen the movie "Perfume"? It's weird, that's why I like it, hehe.
So the UN people have it a little bit easy in New York? I once fancied working at the UN and do some save-the-world-from-annihilation stuff :p-
Señor Enrique said...
That's right, Dave, although now and then, anti-UN sentiment would emerge and urge it moved somewhere else like in some third world country where it would be more inspiring to its indigenous inhabitants. The arrogance of some of its diplomats can be too much for New York to deal with, especially with motor traffic issues.
Perfume? No, haven't seen it. Must be good, huh?-
Señor Enrique said...
Your insight in perfumery is rather impressive, Aura. At first, I thought you were a serious collector, but unlike shoes, I don't know of too many women who'd actually possess more than necessary; two or three would be it. I guess, at some point people want to be identified with a particular scent.
Thanks for giving us a rundown of the more popular brands :)
Incidentally, in NYC, they even have establishments wherein they will concoct a specially unique scent just for you.-
Señor Enrique said...
The smell of a baby's poo or suka are enough for me to hurriedly give back the baby to its rightful and legal mother, G. Mirage ... hehehe.
When much younger, an older brother would tell me that I might as well get used to a baby's various natural dispositions; that they can't be perfectly cuddly and smelling wonderful all the time ... hahaha.
I am yet to get a whip of Tom Taylor.-
ScroochChronicles said...
Johnson's Baby Cologne (blue) on a freshly bathed baby. That's the best smell ever!! And the smell of a baby's mouth when they yawn right after finishing a bottle of milk!! Mmmmm, bango :)
Nanay na nanay ba?-
said...
Like Rhodora, I don't wear perfume. Ewan ko ba, very sensitive ako sa mga scents. And did you know that most of the workplaces here don't allow employees to wear perfume. Marami kasi ditong may mga allergies and the scent can trigger their asthma or whatever they have.
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Señor Enrique said...
That is one major factor, too, Irene - allergy.
A Bloomongdale customer was sprayed on with a perfume without her consent as she passed through its cosmetic section. She had a violent allergic reaction from it which later cost Bloomingdale's a substantial amount of money in damages and legal fees.
I could understand your company's policy on this scent issue.-
Señor Enrique said...
That I splash on after shaving, Scrooch -- that very same product and I love it :)
Yes! Baby's breath.
