Scent-sibilty for Success

Different scents deliver different messages about the man who wears them. Some convey power and confidence, some suggest sex appeal, others are subtle and still others make you smell like the parking attendant at a Papaya King. “Scents are like magical accessories that can transform a moment,” says Mindy Yang, Vice President of men’s custom perfumers MiN New York. For those moments when you’re shopping for cologne, aftershave or Eau de Toilette, you should familiarize yourself with fragrance profiles:

To Sooth:
For men in the medical or psychology field, Yang recommends aromatics with a note of lavender, basil, lemon-lime or citrus like Byredo Green (100 ml; $195), or Sean John I Am King (3.4 fl oz; $74). “These are for men who need their scent to be therapeutic.”

For Respect:
Classic scents are popular now among men looking to revisit the strong, masculine scents that defined their childhood memories. “The barber shop scent is a popular profile for lawyers, who look to exude authority,” says Yang. “Try Bay Rum, with fern and sandalwood -- those timeless scents that your dad or grandfather would wear.” Royall Lyme from Brooks Brothers (4 oz.; $40) fits the bill.

To Influence:
Dramatic scents, on the other hand, are preferred by actors and realtors -- guys who like to command instant attention and respect. “Your presence will be known before you show up,” says Yang, who recommends a woody scent to evoke power, like Tom Ford Italian Cypress (1.7 fl oz; $180) or something subtle, like Nooka (2.5 fl oz; $80). “It’s more masculine and takes up space in the air, evoking a presence and commanding more presence than what you’re wearing, like a sixth scent.”

When buying cologne, be aware that fragrances interact differently with different skin types, so the fragrance from someone else’s cologne won’t smell the same on you. Prior to purchase, spray your wrist or forehead one or two times, allowing 10 minutes for it to dry down. The ultimate arbiter, of course, is your taste; the fragrance should be noticeable, but shouldn’t smother you like a coat of oil on a Gulf Coast pelican. Yang also recommends shopping in the afternoon, when your sense of smell is not fatigued.

Armed with knowledge of fragrances, you’re now ready to tackle the one part of cologne shopping that men too often avoid: telling the tester at the department store your preferred profile. “They are the navigators,” says Yang, “to help you make sense of the tangled world of fragrances.”

Photo Credit: @ iStockphoto.com/avisordesigns