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I got the opportunity to try the new YSL fragrance Parisienne, and here’s what I thought:
 

First, it comes in a really cute bottle.  It looks kind of like a gemstone, so I felt pretty glam putting it on.  Also, Kate Moss is in the ad, and I love me some Kate Moss.
 

While the packaging was definitely up my alley…the scent was not.  This is definitely not a perfume for someone in their 20s.  It’s got a fairly mature appeal to it, and I personally would rather not smell like my mom.  It’s also not really an everyday scent.  It’s much too overpowering to wear to work, and if I were to wear it, it would be out at night.
 

Now again this is just me, I’m more of a fruity/flowery perfume kind of girl.  If you like sandalwood, this one is worth a try, but otherwise I would avoid the people trying to spray you with this the department store.

Right now, when you shop Sephora online (which I don’t recommend if you live in Vancouver, because it takes like a month for your stuff to arrive) you can get 14 scent and skincare samples for your boyfriend (or dad, or brother) including something called beard lube from Jack Black, a brand of super manly skin care products that my boyfriend actually uses and enjoys.  Enter the code HANDSOME at checkout and you’re on your way.

So I guess I should introduce myself, I’m a buddy of Gee-Dubs; I have a real name, a real face, but on the internet and at various venues in Vancouver, I’m known as simply That Stupid Hipster. I’m here to provide a male’s perspective in thrifty/frugal grooming, as well as my look into fashion and other crap I’m sure you’re excited about (so long as mistress bible allows it). Although I should mention that I’m not the typical Man’s Man, however, I’m not gushing over the new David Choe Collection, nor am I excited about what the hell Vera Wang is doing, Think of myself as a healthy medium between working class utility and pretentious Indie inanity

With that being said

Bodywashes, the answer to the busy man’s grooming needs. It’s a great solution that you can pick up throw it in the shower and not have to worry about it until the bottle runs out. While it’s certainly a covenant way of keeping clean they aren’t without their faults. I’ve tried a few in the last couple of years just having it at work and I’ve noticed that some are fine and will do for physical workplaces. But let’s be clear about this, these are stop gap measures for afterwork/after gym washing. They should not be used purely as your soap and shampoo. You’re all big boys now we have to get actual toiletries.

Lets see how they stack up shall we?

 Old Spice Red Zone Body Wash and Shower Gels

The first one of these I tried was the Afterhours shower gel. Boasting “Scent Technology” that deploys scent through out the day, Red Zone had little beads of…something, which I can only assume is for exfoliating. While I didn’t notice my skin feeling it was exfoliated, I didn’t have that feeling of gross residue which I got from other. And I did notice that the scent stuck around for a while and was a subtler than cologne but more noticeable than deodorant.

As a soap it was fine no different than bar soap. As a shampoo it left my hair dry and I noticed more dandruff than usual.

Also I would find random blue beads in my hair within the first couple of hours of getting out of the shower.

Did It Clean? Yes.

Did It Smell Good? Sure.

Was it Gross Using It? Of all of them no this was the best for that.

The classic Old Spice Body Wash. Was fine, did everything it was suppose to do, didn’t feel slimy after using it, worked fine as a shampoo. However, as any high school girl knows too much Old Spice is a very bad thing, Now imagine bathing yourself in the distinctive scent. While using this bottle I kinda was self conscious of how much I smelled, though I doubt it actually was that noticeable. And I’m sure it’s preferred rather than the scent of dude coming from you as you’re standing in line.
Did It Clean? Yes.

DId It Smell Good?  Way to heavy Scent wise.

Was it Gross Using It? Texture wise fine whatever, the scent was enough to make me gag
Axe Shower Gel

I hate this stuff. Though Axe is currently the king of body products for guys, bros, and athletes in North America, its shower gel has an unpleasant texture and almost is like washing yourself with something you played with as a kid. While it didn’t produce a gross residue I did feel like I had ‘something’ on me right after I showered. I liken it to washing with shampoo which is appropriate because it seemed to work with my hair fine.

Scent wise it was a little heavy right of the bat but dispersed to nothing within a couple of hours.

Did It Clean? As sad as this may seem, I didn’t feel any cleaner after using this stuff.

Did It Smell Good? Sure.

Was It Gross Using It? Yeah, totes.
Addias Body Wash

For my money the best bang for the buck. Subtle scent, decent soap, garbage for shampoo though however I don’t depended on a body wash for constant day to day use. I would say that it’s fine in conjunction with actual shampoo and conditioner for going to work but for pleasant personal hygiene/date night alittle more effort is..suggested.
Did It Clean? Yes, fo’sho.

Did It Smell Good? Yeaup and out of all of them it’s the least, aggressive?

Was it Gross Using It? Nada.

In the end for about 8 bucks across the board you can grab something which is fine for a workplace locker room or for places you just want to use one bottle for everything, (school, the gym). I wouldn’t recommend these for constant hygiene but for something quick and easy any of these are fine. The Adidas wash is my personal favourite all of these. But again, these are just stop gap used when I’m marooned on some God-forsaken island.

Though I mention some were grosser than others while using it I would like to point out these are really all gross. Seriously proper soap proper shampoo and yes proper conditioner are mainstays in my shower…box thing.

Perfume is a perfect Christmas gift.  I get a new bottle every year and I love spraying on a bit of my new scent before heading out to Christmas dinner and then as the months roll on, every time you put on your perfume you get the memory of the holidays (which hopefully is a good thing).

This year my heart is set on Bond no. 9 but due to the unfortunate economic timing, I’m guessing a 300 dollar bottle of perfume isn’t my parent’s top pick when it comes to gift giving.  But perhaps I can tempt them with eight bottles of Bond no. 9 for the low low price of $130.00 USD.
From the press release:

For those who crave a mini-miscellany of Bond No. 9 scents, we’re introducing a box of eight pocket spray flacons, each containing a different New York neighborhood eau, and each delectably twist-wrapped in our award-winning signature foils.  These are small enough to slip into an evening clutch bag, with plenty of room to spare.  Plus, they’re refillable.  $130. 

Yes, it sounds almost too good to be true.  Eight mini, sprayable Bonds for almost a third of the price of one bottle.  And lets face it, perfume always goes south before you finish the bottle, and the idea of wasting about 100 dollars worth of perfume is… scary, so these potent portables are perfect.

No word on what scents are included in the pack, but how could you possibly go wrong?

And to my Canadian friends, yes, they will be available at Holt Renfrew.

Another birthday has come and gone and I have nothing to show for it, except of course for the pile of wonderful presents from my family in friends stacked in front of me.  A copy of the Watchman, a little Tiffany from my boyfriend, and gift cards galore from my parents.

My brother, who is known for forgetting and then making a home made card during the cake cutting was surprisingly thoughtful and bought me the new Harajuku Lovers perfume “G.”  And while I was never of fan of the Harajuku Lovers brand (even though I love Harajuku girls) these perfumes are absolutly adorable and G surprisingly good smelling.  “I did some research online” my brother said when he handed me the wrapped box.  “And this was the scent that got five stars.”

I’ve smelled the other four fragrances in the set and I hated them.  They smelled cheap and childish.  But for some reason G stands out.   The notes of Mandarin, Coconut, Apple Skin, Jasmine Sambac, Freesia, Magnolia, Coconut Cream, White Sandalwood and Cottonwood are warm, soft and milky yet at the same time very distinctive.  Its the perfect fragrance for the crisp fall days we’re starting to have.

Harajuku Lovers Frargances are available at Shoppers Drug Mart (If you’re a Canadian) or Sephora for $45 USD.

Bond no. 9’s newest creation, Lexington Avenue is the third perfume in their Andy Warhol collection, and is inspired by Warhol’s shoe illustrations that he was commisioned to do in the 1950s.  With this scent, the company is aiming to capture the luxury and seductiveness of shoes, and who doesn’t love that?

Bond no. 9 describes the perfume as a floral, woody, chypre with highly coveted contemporary gourmand notes. I would describe it as a warm, woody, rich scent, reminding me of a late summer, early autumn evening barbecue on the beach.  Basically its the perfect perfume for this time of year when the leaves are just starting to change and the sweaters start coming out.

Bond no. 9’s Lexington Avenue is available for about $175USD or $200CAD online or if you’re in Canada, Holt Renfrew.  Yes its pricey, and most 20 something girls probably can’t afford to go out and buy this on their own, so why not put it on your Christmas list?  Or like me, your birthday list.