Male Fragrances & Stripper Reactions

minnow
Any place that interests me.
"You smell nice." How many times have we heard this line, thinking it was "stripper shit" ? Maybe so, but IMHO, there is some degree of truth to this. I think they mainly appreciate that you (we) bothered to shower and put something nice smelling on prior to club visit. Still, not all fragrances are created equal. Which ones seemed to garner the greatest percentage of positive reactions, and which ones kept dancers one zip code away from you ?

Before I dive into the meat of the article, a word about terminology. Notice that title said "Fragrances." Men's fragrances are often called colognes, and women's fragrances perfumes. Technically, all fragrances are diluted perfume oil to varying degrees. The 3 most common concentrations are as follows:
1) Eau De Cologne-(EDC)- 2% to 5% perfumed oil
2) Eau De Toilette- (EDT)- 4% to 10% perfumed oil
3) Eau De Parfum- (EDP)- 8% to 15% perfumed oil
There is some overlap between categories. Indeed, I have seen some EDT's with greater projection and longevity than EDP's. Just another reason to try before buy, and not get taken in by hype or higher classification.

Now for the meat of the article, I have broken down the fragrances into 3 groups. Group A are fragrances that I personally like, AND have garnered the strongest positive remarks/ highest percentage of compliments. Not just "you smell nice", but going so far as asking what it is I'm wearing. Saying things like "you smell so damn nice", "I don't want you wearing anything else", etc. Group B are fragrances that either got a good amount of mundane "you smell nice" comments, or else didn't get that many, but the few they did get were a stronger positive reaction. Group C are fragrances that I like, but either elicited virtually no complements, or got mixed reviews. Group A is ranked in order, Group B and C in no particular order.

GROUP A: Reyanne Insurrection Pure 2, Bleu de Chanel, Polo Blue, Joop Night Flight, Ferrari Essence Oud.

Insurrection Pure 2 was far and away the leader. I've had 2 dancers at different clubs ask me if I was wearing Creed Aventus (a $300 plus fragrance, very well reviewed). IP2 only cost me ~ $25 online, so some good bang for buck there. The other 4 were well complimented too.

GROUP B: Polo Black, Dolce & Gabbana The One, Mont Blanc Individuel, Perry Ellis M, Perry Ellis 360 Black, CE Bigelow Elixir Blue, Issey Miyake Bleu. The last one is one of my favorites that didn't get that many compliments, but one dancer flat out called it a Pantie Dropper.

GROUP C: Cartier Roadster, Boucheron Jaipur Homme, Givenchy Gentlemen Only, Halston 1-12. The later (H 1-12) got a few basic compliments, but one night a dancer asked me if I was wearing Old Spice. (Translation- "you smell like an old man") Roger that, I confine H1-12 to church and appointments with my financial advisor.

WHERE TO BUY: Even in today's online world, I suspect a lot of people still want to try, and buy off the shelf. For people living within 5 miles of a major mall, Macy's, Sephora, etal, are no-brainer choices. For many people, it comes down to "Wally World." (Walmart or Walgreen's). The later because you live in a small town, or you're on a trip, and the only place you can find open for your 10pm club visit is, well, "Wally World." Amazon is a very obvious choice for online buying. You can get many fragrances amazingly cheap there. They carry many that you just can't find in department stores. One downside to blind buying is many online retailers don't accept returns, though in 2 cases I managed to at least get a partial credit of sorts.

FRAGRANCE WEBSITES: I would suggest www.fragrantica.com or www.basenotes.net. Either site is good for being an educated consumer, with reviews and forum sections. IMHO, Amazon reviews aren't that helpful because most of the people writing the reviews already like the fragrance and are utilizing Amazon as the best place to buy for cheap. Those 2 aforementioned sites have many avid fragrance enthusiasts on board who like trying every fragrance under the sun, and aren't bashful about expressing their opinions, good or bad. One reviewer samples the fragrances in the mall to kill time while his wife is shopping. He must have written over 200 reviews.

SOME TRAVEL AND BUYING TIPS

Those of us who do any amount of airline travel know about the 3oz rule for carry on liquids. I personally prefer 1 oz or less in carry on. I'm not a big fan of decants (often 1 to 2 ml.) One thing I noticed about air travel is that multiple cabin altitude cycles makes the fragrance noticeably stale. It takes a few days to recover to normal. In several cases, I wouldn't bother taking fragrance, but instead would go to "Wally World", and get a small travel size bottle to smell fresher for my club visits.
Lastly, whatever you do, don't rely on paper strip spray samples for purchase decision. Try it on your skin for at least an hour to see how it develops over time. In one case, I was initially enamored by the rich honey like opening in one sample. After 45 minutes or so, it took on a fertilizer like odor that just would not go away.

SOME CONCLUSIONS: Although YMMV caveat applies to fragrances too, it seems like dancers generally respond more favorably to Aquatic Type fragrances, versus Oriental, Spicy, Fougere, etc. I hope this article provided some enlightenment, please feel free to share your stories.

43 comments

Latest

  • mufdvr
    7 years ago
    Armani Black Code will get them every time for me.
  • JAprufrock
    7 years ago
    Aqua Velva, with a splash of Old Spice and some Hai Karate and Brut. Works every time.
  • ButterMan
    7 years ago
    I have 3 cologne that I wear to the SC prada,Versace, and something called Him by hanae mori... they definitely remember me as a guy that smells good and probably appreciate that I'm clean and don't stink as they complain that some guys do
  • s275ironman
    7 years ago
    Over the years, my clubbing fragrances have changed. Part of that is because my preferences have changed as I've gotten older.

    When I was young, I would wear David Beckham Instinct, a rather inexpensive cologne. It is perfect for younger guys. Many of the younger (21-25 y.o.) strippers would compliment me.

    Eventually I tried Azzaro Chrome, and that became my fragrance of choice up until this past year. It also got me a ton of compliments.

    In the last 6 months, I have tried Armani Code, Versace Eros, and Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'homme. Out of these 3, I have received the most compliments from Versace Eros.

    As for where to buy, all but one of my fragrances (YSL La Nuit) have been purchased at a big box retailer. A lot of the nicer fragrances can only be found in department stores or online retailers like Amazon.

    If you travel and your only option is Walmart, they sell Versace Eros for a very good price. A 1.7 oz bottle is approx. $43 at Walmart while a department store sells the same size bottle for approx. $65.
  • lotsoffun201
    7 years ago
    Fahrenheit seems to be a favorite.
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    On the one hand, I firmly believe that, of course strippers complimenting your fragrance is just part of their hustle. On the other hand, on me at least, stripper compliment some fragrances more often and more enthusiastically than others -- which contradicts the first statement. And, for the most part, strippers compliment the same things civilian women compliment. Which makes me wonder if we don't need to be as skeptical as we think. In any case, just as with civilians, IME strippers are more likely to compliment warm & sexy (e.g., Rochas Man, La Nuit de l'Homme, Givenchy Play Intense) or fresh & clean (e.g., Acqua di Gio, Carolina Herrera 212 Men) or standard department store best sellers (e.g., Bleu de Chanel, Le Male). With the exception of Le Male, every one of those is a civilian women compliment-getter too.
  • twentyfive
    7 years ago
    @Subraman I have been wearing Agua de Gio for years and I get compliments all of the time from civvies and occasionally the strippers do the same.Many are sincere some are not. I was sitting in a club last week with my CF no one else around and one of the girls asked my CF to ask me what scent I had on, so I do believe that one was sincere.
  • jackslash
    7 years ago
    "Somewhere in life you got turned around. It's her job to smell nice for you."

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8CGtuR9…
  • Stognasty
    7 years ago
    Sex Panther. "60% of the time, it works every time!"
  • indymovieman
    7 years ago
    I've received numerous compliments from strippers and civvies on my Versace Man Eau Fraiche.

    Also, check out Groupon for discounts on cologne. I recently bought a bottle of Mr. Burberry for $24.99 from Groupon.
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    indy: VMEF is exactly the kind of fresh & clean fragrance I'd expect they'd like.

    25: If you haven't tried Acqua di Gio Profumo (the original is an EDT), you owe yourself a sniff.

    If you guys would like to step up a notch or 3 (alas, with prices to boot, but you can pick up samples first to make sure you like them, and then order a small decant instead of shelling out $$$ for a full bottle), based on the two you are wearing, I'd recommend trying:

    Dior Homme Cologne 2013: fresh and clean like VMEF, but it is less synthetic-smelling and is just evocative of clean linen on a spring afternoon. Some strippers like synthetic-smelling colognes, but most will like this better

    Bois 1920 Oltremare: Bois 1920's beautiful fresh aromatic aquatic, but heavier on fresh and wonderful, and lighter on aquatic

    M. Micallef's Osaito: One of the most beautiful, understated aquatics ever made. It lacks AdG's big synthetic punch, instead going for a subtly beautiful, natural-smelling fresh aquatic

    I can fill up screens full of other recommendations, just some that popped into mind. AGain, some strippers have a teenager's love for synthetic (and abrasive, to most adult noses) smelling colognes, and all of the above are less abrasive and more natural smelling (all colognes are made with synthetic chemicals, some just don't smell that way)
  • minnow
    7 years ago
    S-man: Thanks again for your enlightenment. Several of the fragrances you mention aren't readily available "off-the shelf", meaning online main viable option. As for "Rochas Man", the strippers will probably like the bottle better than the fragrance itself as it is shaped like a dildo. I've only seen it in a Fragrance Outlet store in an outlet mall. Besides "Wally World", either TJ Maxx, Ross, or Marshalls can be an option for obtaining fragrances off the shelf for economical prices, though their selection range is rather narrow. There's sure to be one of those located in any small city or sizeable town (10K population or more.)

    Several choices other posters mentioned are readily available in big box mall store, and /or "Wally World."
  • twentyfive
    7 years ago
    @Subraman I recently got a sample of AdG Profumo when I purchased some shave supplies I use the Art of Shaving mostly even though it is expensive to purchase, it is a great value one twenty five dollar tub of shaving lotion lasts at least six months, but I wasn't crazy about that newest scent. BTW what is an EDT ?
  • minnow
    7 years ago
    @25- Read the 2nd paragraph in my article where I cover that. EDT= Eau de Toilette, stronger than EDC, weaker than EDP.
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    I think worth metnioning is that MANY online discount sources of cologne sell counterfeit items. I wouldn't touch ebay or Amazon -- there are exceptions, but unless you are tied into the fragrance world equivalent of tuscl, you have no idea which sellers are legit and which aren't.

    There are legit discount sellers that are safe: Fragrancenet, FragranceX, Beautyencounter, Notino, for example.

    If you want to sample other types of colognes, I recommend decantshop and Surrendertochance. If you decide you love a cologne but can't afford to buy a whole bottle (A 50ml bottle lasts me a lifetime anyway, I almost never need a full bottle), check out crystalflacon
  • shadowcat
    7 years ago
    My daughter used to work part time at the Macy's fragrance counter. She gave me a bottle of Curve (green) about 6 years ago. I liked it and have been using it ever since. For my last birthday she gave me a 4 piece collection of Curve. Cologne, after shave, deodorant and a travel bottle.

    My experience with it in the clubs has been great. I get the usual "You smell nice " followed by either "It's Curve" or "What is it?"

    Macy's has a 4.2 oz bottle for $54. Walmart also sells it.
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    Curve is one of the eponymous high school and college age scent (along with scents like Fierce). Women around that age LOVE Curve, no surprise some recognize it, and the rest love it.

    Like I said, obviously as with everything with strippers, you should consider it all hustle. But if it were JUST hustle, every scent would get complimented the same amount, and that's not the way it is. The girls practically try to eat me when I'm wearing Rochas Man; no such reaction to many other scents.
  • indymovieman
    7 years ago
    On a different....but related note, I had a stripper tell me she liked giving me dances because she loved the way my clothes smelled because of the detergent I used. She said it smelled kind of like Tide....I told her it was Tide Simply Clean and Sensitive Cool Cotton scent. Unfortunately, they discontinued making it this past spring...
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    You should have been like Elaine on Seinfeld when the sponge was getting pulled from the market, and bought a 3-year supply :)
  • skibum609
    7 years ago
    I get this a lot and the last time I used a cologne was 1984. We smell based on what we eat so check out a sweet smelling diet to smell great with just sopa and water and a bit of right guard for the pits.
  • Warrenboy75
    7 years ago
    I've heard on multiple occasions from different and diverse sources most women respond to colognes that remind them of childhood memories.......considering some of the backgrounds and situations some were raised on this could be a double edged sword.

    During the summer I tend to lighter scents--Light Blue from Dolce & Gabbana.

    Once it hits late fall I switch to Burberry Brit.
  • Cashman1234
    7 years ago
    This is a nicely comprehensive look at fragrances. I'm impressed at the authors knowledge of fragrances and where they can be purchased.

    I've been using old spice aftershave, and it doesn't get compliments - except it does seem to attract dancers with daddy issues...
  • Uprightcitizen
    7 years ago
    Tom Ford is my brand of choice. Expensive but almost all get that "wow thats nice what are you wearing?" question from civies and strippers alike. My personal favorite is "Black Orchid".
  • Playademan
    7 years ago
    Creed aventus, have literally gotten laid because of the scent.
  • londonguy
    7 years ago
    I would never wear anything that had David Beckham's name attached to it. Self-centred, publicity seeking piece of shit that he is.
  • Bj99
    7 years ago
    I loved Hugo boss so much in high school that I bought some for my boyfriend. He thought it was lame, but I bought it for him for a reason. I might be more sensitive to smell than some ppl tho. I'm one of those ppl who seems to smell things other ppl don't. I wear really expensive perfume, and I swear it pays for itself. My favorite scents on men are chamomile, and bayberry.
  • Bj99
    7 years ago
    I defiantly get closer and feel more sensual when a guy smells nice. I also like when they were the same thing every time.
  • Bj99
    7 years ago
    Definitely.
  • Tiredtraveler
    7 years ago
    Soap and water with old spice deodorant. Girl only care that you do not stink and that you have money.
  • skeets35
    7 years ago
    I just changed to Bleu de Chanel and got some crazy good reactions. It was a winner.

    On the other hand, the EDT was about $80 and the cologne was $130, so it is not something you will buy at the local Rite Aid. Will last a while though
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    -->"Soap and water with old spice deodorant. Girl only care that you do not stink and that you have money."

    TT, I think you're exactly right, and also have the point of view of a normal person who isn't into cologne ... but, you might be missing the point, or at least the point of view of the fragheads here.

    if skeets goes to the club wearing Bleu, the reactions of strippers loving his cologne are almost certainly real. How do I know? Because I know first hand civilian women love Bleu, I know on cologne forums guys from college-aged to old guys report Bleu gets them tons of compliments. Women love Bleu, and strippers are women. That doesn't mean skeets gets any special treatment, she's not going to ask to be his girlfriend or suck his dick for free or likely treat him any different than she treats you (other than maybe he gets a little neck nuzzling here and there, to get closer to smell him).

    So, if it's just a utility thing for you, either it buys you something with the strippers or it doesn't, then your soap and water and old spice buys you exactly as much as skeets's fancy cologne. But the guys here who enjoy cologne aren't doing it just for utilitarian purposes, they just like cologne and they like smelling good for attractive young women. I wear cologne to the strip club, I also dress nice (not over-the-top, just as if I'm going to a bar to socialize), even though I know I could wear my old stretched-out jeans and whatever shirt and often get the same service. I figure that when I stop caring about coming off as pulled-together for attractive young women (whether they care or not), that might be a good time to hang it up :)

  • TXbananas
    7 years ago
    This is going to sound crazy and unsophisticated, but I bought 5 different popular cologne scented oils off eBay in order to experience some of these recommendations. The Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille oil is bazingas, the best thing I have smelled in a long time and a real head-turner even in the SC. One dancer couldn't keep off my neck and said "she was obsessed with it." Thx for this article!
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    TX, what in the world are "cologne scented oils"???? You mean you didn't actually by Tobacco Vanille, you bought ... what? Very curious!
  • BigPapaSmurf
    7 years ago
    I have always been a fan of Fahrenheit. Never been told it's a "panty dropper" but it just smells good and classy. I've heard women love Paco Rabanne but have yet to try it. I just ordered some Insurrection II based on OP's rec bc hell it's only $25.

    Another fave is just get some vetiver oil and use it as cologne. It's one of those scents that resembles nothing else and can work on a man or a woman. A hot ex wore it and I still associate it with her. But it's not a "girly" smell at all. It's musky and deep.
  • Subraman
    7 years ago
    Ya, Fahrenheit is a classic, that seems to be hit or miss with women. Some like the dirty masculinity of it, some hate the dirty masculinity of it :)

    Hmm, I've never smelled vetiver oil. But I'll note that for me personally -- personal thing, not some transcendental truth -- many vetiver-based colognes smell old-man-ish to me. Just evocative of an old fashioned scent in general. I do have some colognes that I wear that have vetiver notes, but typically the vetiver is very highly restrained.
  • minnow
    7 years ago
    BPS: Be sure to leave enough IP2 for me, ok. I don't share your enthusiasm for Dior Fahrenheit. I never cared for the gasoline/soaked oil rag smell to it. I like being around mechanical things as much as anyone, I just don't want to go around smelling like a car repair shop.
    Someone once said that vetiver is an acquired taste. I'm with S-man in that I like vetiver more in a supporting role (especially if it has fresh cut grass lean vs dank smoky tobacco like lean) vs a prominent role.
  • Roadworrier
    7 years ago
    I’m not fussy. Joop, Polo, or even Express perfume (yes they sell it, usually I get it as a gift) works for me. Gals in VIP will sniff me, remark how nice I smell, and a couple have been known unbutton my shirt and lick my chest. As long as your perfume doesn’t smell like raw cabbage you should be fine.
  • larryfisherman
    7 years ago
    I’m gonna start wearing fragrance to the club and see if it makes it a difference.
  • Jascoi
    7 years ago
    I have had many positive comments of dulce gabanna light blue.
  • Jascoi
    7 years ago
    the big problem is i tj. because i shower after each encounter. unless i bring a perfume bottle of dg with me... i'm relying on my own personal fragrance.
  • DeclineToState
    7 years ago
    Based the recommendations in here, I bought the following 2 top shelf fragrances:
    1. Creed Aventus
    2. Tom Ford Tabacco Vanille

    Surprised to have not gotten any dancer comments on the Creed.
    Got thumbs up comments from dancers on the Tabacco Vanille during private sessions. The smell is strong and lasts all night.

    On way to club recently I dropped by department store and sprayed on Dior Sauvage based on recommendation from salesperson. Got thumbs up on that from dancer.

    If you want to try the expensive fragrances, buy at Nordstrom. They have a great return policy and if the fragrance doesn't get the response you're looking for or if you don't like it, just return it. Nordstrom will take it back, no issues.
  • Stripclubaddict1
    6 years ago
    Calvin Cline “One” does something to the stripper brain I Swear! I’ve gotten extras ITC & otc free before because of this scent!
  • Subraman
    6 years ago
    Decline: I've never gotten a female compliment on Aventus. The cologne forums are full of comments about Aventus being a compliment-getter, but that's been the very opposite of my experience. It's weird... although I'll also say that many of the compliment stories on the cologne forums, are also from other men admiring Aventus. In any case, if you don't love it yourself, don't buy it just for the compliments, it might not work out, and it's an expensive lesson

    -->"If you want to try the expensive fragrances, buy at Nordstrom. They have a great return policy and if the fragrance doesn't get the response you're looking for or if you don't like it, just return it. Nordstrom will take it back, no issues."

    I think that's a perfectly fine strategy if it works for you. For me, particularly with expensive fragrances, the strategy is:

    1. Buy a 1ml sample ($4-$7) from decantshop, luckyscent, surrendertochance, etc. These sell the real thing, 1ml is easily enough for 4+ wearings, and that's enough to tell whether I like the scent or not, women like the scent on me or not, etc. In other words,

    2a. Buy the full bottle from the gray market (fragrancenet, frangrancex, etc. -- basically any of the legit places I named above, NOT ebay, NOT amazon), where I'll save easily a hundred if not hundreds vs Nordstroms.

    OR

    2b. If I don't want a full bottle, buy 10ml-30ml decant on crystal flacon for a fraction of the price of a bottle. This is a good way to get a lot of great colognes even on a limited budget

    Anyway, the sample lets me decide definitively if I want it or not, and going with fragrancenet or whether saves me a whole lot.


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