Seven Days of Oud (Middle-Eastern Perfumes)

Oud is one of those notes that you either love or hate. There seems to be no in-between. It is one of, if not the most common scents used in Middle-Eastern fragrances, and it has recently even been gaining popularity in western fragrances. For the past seven days, I have worn a different oud-based scent to see how different compositions are effected by the presence of oud. The perfumes I wore were all Middle-Eastern fragrances, and therefore, no western scents were considered for this post.

But before I get into my findings...

What even is oud?

Oud, also known as agarwood, is an oil extracted from the agar tree. This tree is exclusive to areas in Southeast Asia, India, and Bangladesh  hence why it is a much more common eastern scent. Oud is itself a very pungent note; one that can either be enhanced or ruined depending on what else is in a particular composition. If you would like to learn more about oud, check this blog post out. 

When I was starting out, I had no idea what oud was. Influencers tossed the word around like it was some secret, mythological scent. While it is rare and can be costly, it basically just has an exotic earthy smell. It's definitely more raw than other eastern woods like sandalwood, but because it's harder to find, and more costly in a lot of cases, if you can successfully wear an oud-based fragrance you will be the cynosure of everyone's attention.

Obviously, there are many different oud-based scents, but for this post, I chose seven specific fragrances. These fragrances seemed to have the most potential for a post like this, and their compositions are all pretty different. While most of the fragrances have spices like saffron, they each have a unique component to them that really works in some cases and really doesn't in others.

The fragrances I used for this experiment were: Swiss Arabian Shagoff Oud, Swiss Arabian Shagoff Oud Abyad, Swiss Arabian Nawaf, Ard Al Zaafaran Oud 24 Hours, Khalis Oud Afgano, Swiss Arabian Mutameyez, and Swiss Arabian Khateer.

Which ones preformed the best and which ones do I think you should pass on? Let's find out:

Day 1: Shagoff Oud (Swiss Arabian)

I wanted to start the week off with something familiar. I actually recommened Shagoff Oud in my Designer V. Niche post and for good reason. The oud in this composition is mellow. It's definitely not the most noticeable scent in the composition which makes Shagoff Oud a great introductory fragrance into oud-based scents.

This one has saffron as the top note, rose and oud in the middle, and praline, vanilla, and oud at the bottom. As you can see, this is a very simple oud-based scent with a floral component from the rose and a gourmand touch from the praline and vanilla. 

At first when you apply this one, you're going to get a sharp blast of saffron which can be a bit cloying. This initial phase only lasts for 30 minutes. It then transitions into a more floral/earthy fragrance with the combination of oud and rose. Finally, after a couple of hours it becomes very sweet with the combination of praline and vanilla, which I have to say, has become one of my favorites.

I initially used 8 sprays of this fragrance around 10am and it lasted really well until around 2pm, at which time I applied an additional 4 sprays which extended the life of the fragrance for another 2 hours for a total of 6 hours. It only really projected for the first hour after application when the saffron note was most prominent. After that, it became a much more subtle, skin-scent. Another reason I would recommend this one as an introductory oud scent is because it's very refined. It's definitely not a club fragrance.

Overall, I would give this one an 8.5/10. While the performance is slightly less than what I would want in a fragrance, the scent is very nice. It's a great first oud-based scent because the oud in this one isn't overpowering like it is in some of the other ones

And for $60, you really can't go wrong! I would definitely recommend this one.

Day 2: Shagoff Oud Abyad (Swiss Arabian)

I figured on day 2 I would use one of the flankers of Shagoff Oud. Now, I've had this one for a while but never wore it much, and after day 2, I could understand why. Shagoff Oud Abyad is only Shagoff Oud in name; it is completely different in terms of scent and performance.



The notes in this one are intriguing to say the least. We have bergamot, oregano, pimento berry oil at the top, amber, citrus fruit, frankincense, myrrh, and opopanax in the middle, and agarwaood smoke, leather, patchouli, and sandalwood at the bottom. 

I haven't even heard of some of these notes, so I was very excited to try it. The scent is very smokey with a bit of citrus. It's interesting but still pretty nice. The performance is where this one fails though.  I used 8 sprays around 10am, and it lasted until 12pm, at which time I applied an additional 4 sprays which lasted another hour. So in total, Abyad only lasted 3 hours! Oh and you might have noticed I forgot to mention projection. Well, that's because it didn't project at all!

Overall, I would say that this fragrance smells pretty good, but considering its lackluster performance, I would give it a 2/10. For the same price as the original Shagoff Oud, I would definitely pass on this flanker.

Day 3: Nawaf (Swiss Arabian) 

After a disappointing Day 2, I wanted to try my newest SA fragrance. Honestly, I hadn't worn this one much prior to this experiment, so I really didn't know what to expect from it. This one is interesting because it might be the only fragrance I used which has agarwood as a top note. As you can imagine, because oud is literally the first note in Nawaf's composition, it is a very heavy oud-based scent.

Despite its heaviness, Nawaf is a relatively simple composition. We have agarwood and saffron as the top notes, amber, musk, and sandalwood in the middle, and leather and tobacco leaf at the bottom. Unlike Shagoff Oud, which opens with a very spicy blast of saffron, Nawaf opens with a raw earthy smell with some spice. The initial phase of this one definitely won't be for everyone.

After twenty minutes or so, the leather note becomes much more prominent. The oud never completely vanishes, but it definitely becomes less detectible as the fragrance persists. It even becomes a bit sweet towards the end.

Performance-wise, Nawaf is pretty good. I initially applied 8 sprays  at 10am, and it lasted for 4.5 hours projecting rather nicely for the first hour and a half while the oud is predominant. I used another 4 sprays at 2:35pm which lasted until 5:30pm for a total of 6.5 hours.

Overall, I would give Nawaf a 9/10. The scent is one of the most unique used in this experiment, and its performance is pretty good. For the price of $60, this one is definitely worth getting, but only if you like earthy/woodsy notes. If you don't you probably won't like the opening at all.

Day 4: Oud 24 Hours (Ard Al Zaafaran)

On day 4, I decided to try a different company. I've had Oud 24 Hours now for several months, but I've never really given it much of a shot. Well, let me tell you, after using it for this post, it's definitely going to be worn more frequently. It has a very nice chocolate/citrus vibe to it, and it performs pretty nicely. The best part is that a 100ml bottle only costs $30 making this the cheapest fragrance used in this experiment.


At the top of the composition, we have a really nice amalgamation of bergamot, orange, and dark chocolate. In the middle, we have spicy notes, fruity notes, and jasmine. And at the bottom we have agarwood, patchouli, sandalwood, incense, and amber. So this one is a gourmand scent mixed with spicy/earthy notes. It's really quite nice, and again for the price, it's hard to beat.

Initially when I apply this I get a strong burst of citrus, almost reminiscent of orange Pez candy. After a few moments it dries down into a sweet citrus and chocolate blend. As the fragrance persists it transitions to a slightly peppery, woodsy scent which is still rather enjoyable. I think in terms of uniqueness, Oud 24 Hours is one of the best I used.

Now, despite being called Oud 24 Hours, it does not last too too long. I got a good 7 hours when used which is pretty good longevity tough. It only projects for the first 1.5 hours, but considering citrus scents tend not to last very long, an hour and a half projection is really good.

Overall, this one gets a 9.5/10. I would definitely recommend you check this one out, although it may be a bit more difficult to find than SA fragrances.

Day 5: Oud Afgano (Khalis)

On Day 5 I figured I would use the only other fragrance on this list that isn't from Swiss Arabian. Oud Afgano is akin to Shagoff Oud Abyad in terms of performance. The scent is definetly pleasant,with notes of tobacco, sandalwood and agarwood, but the performance is underwhelming. Not to mention the sprayer on this bottle is so weak. It probably sprays half the amount of liquid that the other ones do.

I only got about 4 hours while wearing Oud Afgano, and that was with two times the numbers of sprays. It projected for about thirty minutes at which time it turned into a skin scent.

Overall, I would give this a 4.5/10. It definitely performs better than Abyad, but it's still nothing special. It only costs $30 though, so if you're looking for a new at-home scent Oud Afgano might be nice, but if not, I would pass on it.

Day 6: Mutameyez (Swiss Arabian)

On Day 6 I went back to using a fragrance by SA. Mutameyez was definitely the pinnacle of this experiment. This is indubitably my favorite oud-based fragrance. It is so good, so fresh. Just like the top notes in Oud 24 Hours are really captivating, the combination of orange and pine is nothing short of amazing.

It is a well-rounded composition with citrus, spice, and wood. At the top, we get an amazing mixture of orange and pine, in the middle we have clove, cardamom, cedarwood, and cashmere wood, and at the bottom we have vetiver, agarwood, amber and musk. As you might remember from my guide to finding your signature scent, I absolutely love cedarwood, so anytime I see that note in a fragrance I know I'm going to enjoy it.



Mutameyez smells like you're taking a walk through the forest holding a basket of oranges. The pine is so strong and the citrus note compliments it very nicely. After an hour or so you really start to detect the cedarwood and cashmere wood. Much like Shagoff Oud, the agarwood is not a main player in the composition, which makes this an easier oud-based fragrance to wear.

Not only is the scent breathtaking, but Mutameyez performed better than any other fragrance on this list. It lasted for nine hours and projected nicely for the first hour and a half. And the best part is that a 100ml bottle only costs $35. $35! This fragrance not only out preformed everything else on this list, but it costs 50% less than most other compositions.

Overall, I would give this one a solid 10/10. The only foible for this one is that the cap can be a pain to put back on, but with everything else considered, why would that matter?

Day 7: Khateer (Swiss Arabian)

On the final day of this experiment, I went with something I was really excited to try out. The composition of Khateer was as intriguing as Shagoff Oud Abyad, so I actually had a good feeling about wearing it (in retrospect, I'm not sure why). At the top of this one, we have mint and amber, in the middle, there's pepper, vetiver, and rose, and at the bottom, there's vanilla, oak moss, and oud.

Remember how I said that some of these oud-based combinations didn't work well? Well I was specifically thinking about Khateer when I wrote that. I don't know what it is, but the mint in this composition does not work at all. In fact, the opening of Khateer is the worst opening I've ever experienced.

Note: I realized about a week later after I bought Trump Empire, a fragrance I will be reviewing at a later time, the combination that doesn't work in Khateer is the mint and amber. Empire uses the same combination, but uses it with other fruity notes, which result in a more pleasant experience.

The performance was pretty decent, lasting 4.5 hours, and after an hour the scent becomes somewhat  sweet and pleasant. Considering this one costs $50, I just don't think it's worth it.

In fact, I really don't see myself using this one again. I might just give it away, honestly.

Overall, I would give Khateer a 4/10, solely because it has decent performance.



Conclusion:

Using a different oud-based fragrance for a week was a lot of fun. It caused me to really appreciate some compositions that I've had for awhile and it made me aware of which oud-based combinations work well and which ones don't. 

There are obviously myriads of other oud fragrances that were not considered for this post. I would definitely consider doing a future post trying out different compositions. Perhaps even other fragrance types other than oud. Let me know what you think. Send me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com.

-Ryan S.

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Is A "Blue" Fragrance Always Blue?

If you have even so much as browsed a stores collection of fragrances, you have most likely heard the term "blue fragrance." It sounds pretty simple; like a fragrance that has blue in the name or is in a blue bottle like Bleu de Chanel, Versace Dylan Blue, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue eau intense. But is that all there is with these so-called blue fragrances?

When I was just starting out, I had a difficult time understanding what a blue fragrance was much like how I struggled to understand what a club fragrance was. I began to identify blue fragrances as fragrances with water-like elements, and I think this is a good way to understand the term.

However, there are some people who refer to scents like Dior Sauvage and D&G The One as blue scents despite them not having any aquatic notes. One person on reddit gave a pretty good description of what they believe to be a blue fragrance in the thread "What the heck is a 'blue' scent?". This person says: "Blue nowadays might be more...fresh type of scents, stuff you'd wear to the office or out in the heat. Ozonic, airy, watery ocean-y, etc. Can have some heft to them as well, but in general there's a persistent 'freshness' to them perhaps..."

That would mean that blue fragrances and office scents are one in the same, which I don't believe they are. If you use this definition, virtually all types of colognes would have to be considered "blue" because most have a certain freshness about them.

Another user explained how diverse the actual term can be. They state, "In all honesty, it doesn't mean much. Some people consider it aquatic, but Bleu De Chanel and Bleu d'Issey for instance are anything but. Others call ozonic scents blue. [It's] Just another buzzword thrown around in the community."

I think that user is completely right. A blue fragrance is just a term thrown around by reviewers and influences, and in reality, it really doesn't mean anything or rather, it means what you want it to mean. 

For instance, when I think of a blue fragrance I think of  something with ocean-like qualities. When I think of a green fragrance, I think of something with forest-like qualities and different kinds of wood. When I think of a dark fragrance, I think of something with a lot of spices.

You might have something completely different come to mind.

So like with my opinion about "club fragrances", I think it is always better to disregard these terms and focus instead on the notes in the fragrance's composition. Who cares if it's blue, green, dark, red, purple, pink, or whatever else? Just focus on finding something you'll love to wear everyday!

-Ryan S.

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The Real Deal About Compliments

Everybody loves to receive compliments. Not only does it validate who we think we are, but it gives us a sudden boost of confidence. Like you know you're the man, but when someone else acknowledges that fact, you feel even more awesome. A lot of influencers-- actually probably all of them-- talk about the compliment factor while wearing a certain fragrance or piece. "You'll definitely get a ton of compliments." Sound familiar? 

While I understand why they emphasize this, it is kind of misleading. Let me tell you why:

Regardless of how great you look or smell, if you're not around other confident people, you are significantly less likely to get a compliment. This is because it takes courage to give a compliment, so if you're around nervous, introverted people, you may not hear one kind word about your outfit or fragrance. It doesn't mean they aren't thinking that you look/smell really good though.

Think back to high school: I'm sure you felt like a million bucks when you wore a new outfit to class, but how often did you hear positive feedback from your peers? Based on my experience, rarely ever. More times than not, the one's who were apt to acknowledge what I was wearing were the teachers. That's because most people lack confidence in high school. They're still trying to figure themselves out, so most people couldn't care less about your new outfit. 

This is why they say confident people attract confident people. You need to be confident to both give and get compliments. Why to give? Because if you're not feeling great about yourself chances are you won't be looking for things that make other people appear great. Why to get? Because if you're friendly and approachable people will feel more comfortable approaching you with a compliment.

Another quick note about figuring out the likelihood of getting a compliment is that your chances increase greatly if you're around people who like you as opposed to strangers or acquaintances. This is because friends, family, or close colleagues already feel more comfortable around you, and as noted above, it takes a bit of confidence to give a compliment. Think: how many compliments have you received from strangers? Personally, I haven't been given many.


Consider if you saw a guy wearing a fitted Tom Ford suit but he was walking with his shoulders slouched looking at the ground. Would you feel comfortable going up to him and saying that you like his suit?

Probably not.

Now consider if you were the guy in the fitted Tom Ford suit and a guy walked past you who was slouching his shoulders and looking at the ground. Would you really expect that guy to compliment your suit?

Again, probably not. 

Nine times out of ten, I can tell which people are going to be the ones who compliment me just based on their body language and demeanor. Occasionally, I'm blindsided with a compliment which I'm not expecting-- my favorite being a woman who complimented my hair as I was getting off the train-- but most of the time I anticipate getting a compliment before I even get it.

That's why in my reviews, I will never definitively say that a particular fragrance or piece will get you compliments. I can say it will get you noticed and that you might get compliments, but in good faith, I can't promise you something that isn't certain.

So next time you hear a reviewer or influencer tell you that you will get compliments for wearing something, take it with a grain of salt (i.e. don't completely expect to get compliments). I think it's unfair to people who hear that something will get them positive feedback and then go out and spend $100 on a bottle of cologne or a new sport's coat. It's even worse when someone tries to sell their own product by making such claims. 

Of course, as with everything in my blog, this is just my opinion and how I see it. If you really just only care about getting compliments then you do you.

So what do you guys think? Do you frequently give/get compliments? Do you think confidence plays a role in getting or receiving compliments? Let me know in the comments below or send me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com

-Ryan S. 

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Let's Talk About: Ralph Lauren Polo Double Black

Ralph Lauren is known for creating really unique compositions. They tend to combine notes in ways that other designers typically don't. Polo Double Black takes this to a whole new level though. Despite what the color may suggest, it is not an overly heavy fragrance. It's definitely darker and spicy, but there is a nice sweetness given by a few of the notes. 

Polo Double Black was released in 2006, making this perhaps one of the oldest fragrances I own. Despite it being around for nearly fifteen years, its composition is unlike anything else I have experienced. At the top, we have mango and pepper, in the middle there's roasted coffee beans and nutmeg, and at the bottom, we have juniper berries, woodsy notes, and cardamom. Unlike Polo Red Intense, I do actually smell the roasted coffee beans which I really like about Double Black. In fact, the most prominent notes in this one are the mango, pepper, and coffee beans.

When I first apply Double Black, I get a strong rush of the pepper and coffee which may be a bit strong for some people. After a few moments, I begin to get the mango and some of the woodsy notes. The opening phase is short lived, lasting only about twenty to thirty minutes, but once it begins to settle on my skin, it becomes very pleasant. 

While Double Black is considered to be an oriental fragrance because of the spices, it has a certain gourmand quality to it. I really could see the composition making a great cup of coffee, minus the alcohol of course! It might just be me, but the mango, spices, and woodsy notes just sound like they would taste great. If this really is a coffee composition, please let me know in the comments!

So I got around 8 hours out of this one which is pretty good for a citrusy scent. However, unfortunately, much like most of the Ralph Lauren line that I've tried, Double Black does not project. It is so disappointing because if it did, even just a little, I could easily see this becoming an everyday scent for me. But since I like fragrances that leave a silage, this one is probably going to be an at-home scent. 

I bought the 4.2oz bottle for $85 from Sephora, which, considering the lack of projection, isn't really worth the price. You could get the 2.5oz bottle for around $70, but that's still a bit too pricey for a scent that's not going to get you noticed.

You can definitely find it for a cheaper price at discount outlets like fragrancex. I would recommend checking there first prior to paying retail price.

I have to say though, the bottle for Double Black is super sleek; in fact, it is probably my favorite bottle. 

Overall, I would give this one a 6/10 just because I like the composition so much! Even if you never buy a bottle, it's a fragrance you'll want to experience, if only at the store. 

So what are your thoughts on Ralph Lauren Polo Double Black? Have you tried it, and if so, would you recommend it? Also, do you know of any RL fragrances that do project? Let me know in the comments or send me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com.

-Ryan S.

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In Defense of Pink

For the past several decades, pink has been thought to be a predominantly feminine color. While perhaps the stigma about men wearing pink has decreased in recent times, it is still a color I seldom see worn by men. 

It has always somewhat bothered me that most guys seem to avoid the color pink. But their reluctancy to wear pink makes it perhaps the ultimate color to leverage your style.

Let me explain:

Because pink is not commonly worn by most guys, it is pretty much guaranteed to get you noticed and maybe even get you compliments. 

It's basically akin to wearing Versace Eros in a crowd of people wearing Old Spice.

I mean, think about it: most guys are going to go for a safer color choice like white or blue, or for accessaries, they might choose black, dark grey, or navy blue. All of these colors are going to be one's we expect to see guys wearing, and ergo, we likely will not think twice about them.

That's why if you choose pink over these other colors you're going to be setting yourself apart from the crowd, and in most cases, that is a really good thing

Of course, there are moments in which it might not be advantageous to break away from the norm. For instance, if you have a job interview, wearing a pink suit instead of something more conservative, will likely make you stand-out in a bad way. But I would say that for nearly every moment that doesn't require conservative etiquette pink is a great choice. Here are 5 reason's I think you should start wearing pink today:

While Gatsby probably should have dressed more
conservatively for the climactic moment in the novel,
there's no denying the confidence that Gatsby exudes while
wearing his infamous pink suit.
(Photo credit: fjjackets.com)

I. Pink conveys a high level of confidence. Think about it. I mean, if you chose to wear a pink jacket, shirt, or accessary, it's pretty much like saying you're so confident that you won't be phased by potential negative attention. You're so confident that you're willing to break societal norms and do your own thing. You're not concerned with what other people may or may not think. You're choosing to wear pink because you want to, and that's all that matters. 

II. Pink comes in a wide-range of shades. Unlike white and black, there are many different kinds of pink. These include baby pink, pastel pink, salmon pink, fuchsia pink, and perhaps my favorite shade, rose gold. Because there are so many different varieties to choose from, this allows you to diversify your wardrobe in a way that can't be done with most other colors.

People notice when I wear this jacket. Pink waistcoat optional.

III. Pink is an an attention-grabber when worn by men. Now, this may or may not be a positive depending on if you want to get people to notice you, but based on my years of experience wearing pink, one thing is for certain: people will notice that you're wearing pink. I have a wide-variety of sports jackets, but my most complimented jacket has been without-a-doubt my Ralph Lauren pink linen jacket. In fact, I have received at least three times as many compliments while wearing that jacket then any other one. You know why? Because pink catches the eye.

As you know, compliments are never a sure thing, but I can say with near certainty that if you wear pink at least one person is going to say something.

Sam Axe, from Burn Notice, is a huge flirt,
and wears pink often.
(Photo credit:zap2it.com)

IV. Pink is a very flirty color which makes it a great choice for dates and other intimate gatherings. It conveys that you're a fun, go-with-the-flow kind of person. This makes you appear more amiable to others. Think about it: are you going to expect a better time from the person wearing all black or the person wearing pink? Probably the latter.

V. Pink has the potential to increase your mood. While it is best worn in the Spring and Summer, wearing a color like pink is a nearly certain way to brighten-up even the dullest winter days. It has the potential to make you more lively and to make others around you feel happier.

I remember one cold, snowy day in particular on which I wore my pink linen jacket to work. Several people mentioned how it was a nice color and my joke throughout the day was "thanks but I really don't feel pink". Guess what? After awhile I really did start to "feel pink". Because of the attention the color got me and how it made me feel, my mood increased significantly that day.

Wearing pink once in awhile can really help you stand-out and feel more confident. However, be warned: try not to wear too much pink. Pink, like black, is a color best worn once maybe twice a week. It's not an everyday color, in my opinion. Although, the great thing about pink is that if you wanted to wear it everyday of the week you could if you wore a different shade each day.

One more quick note: I feel like solid pinks look best on men, although  a well-fitted patterned shirt has the potential to get a lot of attention such as my favorite shirt mentioned in my post about patterns.

The only exception is for neckties or perhaps pocket squares. For those, stripes or other patterns would be fine. 

So what do you think? Do you wear pink? If so, how often? What's your favorite shade of pink? Let me know in the comments or email me at tnpersona@gmail.com.


-Ryan S.

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In Defense of White

I've always felt that white is a rather intimidating color. It requires caution and extra care while cleaning. It just seemed to require too much work to justify adding much white to my wardrobe. After all, I use to think, I want to be able to eat without having to worry about staining my clothes.

There are some huge disadvantages to wearing white, and I would say the biggest is how easy it is to stain white clothes, especially bright white. But if you can see past the flaws of wearing white, you'll begin to understand why it's such a great color to wear. 

Even with his arms crossed, this doctor still
looks friendly (Photo Credit: Dreamstime.com)

In a lot of ways white is the antithesis of black; both literally and figuratively. Whereas black is often seen as an ambiguous, somewhat aggressive shade, white is usually seen as a more serene, peaceful, and calm shade. Consider doctors and dentists. Why do you think they wear white overcoats and not black ones? 

Because the color white conveys a more appropriate message to patients. How would you feel if your doctor was wearing all black? Probably a little off, I would guess.

It's true that white does require a bit more effort to wear, but I think it is a great choice for shirts and even pants in some cases. 

My love for white is definitely newer than my feelings for black, but these are the reasons that I started to fall for the color:

-White goes with absolutely everything. While there are certain colors that do not work well with black, there is not a single color that doesn't work with white. Of course, there are certain white pieces that don't go with everything if they have a bit of color on them, but for the most part it's a very easy shade to pull off.

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby
Note how his suit suit makes his cane, tie, and vest
stand-out (Photo Credit: fanjackets.com)

-White is simple and therefore really helps show off your other pieces; that is, it will not be the center of attention. While darker colors like black or purple demand more attention, because white isn't an attention-grabbing color, it can potentially emphasize your jewelry, hat, fragrance, et cetera, in a way darker shades cannot.

-White is perhaps the safest color choice. This is because it is a passive color. Typically, when we envision someone who's dangerous and aggressive they are going to be wearing a darker color. White, on the other hand, is a color you would expect to see on someone who's safe, friendly, and trustworthy like a medical professional.
-White can easily be worn casually or professionally. In fact, you can wear white for nearly any occasion and look appropriate. Not only that, but you can easily dress white up or dress it down depending on the occasion. For example, note the gentleman to the left. He appears to be dressed for some sort of event, but because he chose to forego the tie, his outfit isn't overly professional and his white shirt becomes more noticeable. 

-White requires no thought. It is essentially like a joker in a deck of cards--i.e. a wildcard-- and can be used to complete any outfit. The only thought that should go into wearing white is does it make sense to wear white for a particular event. For example, if you're going to an Italian restaurant, it may not make sense to wear a white suit for obvious reasons.



-White is mature and professional. I don't think there is anything more professional looking than a crisp, well-fitted white Oxford shirt. When I think of someone like a CEO or a business executive, I envision them wearing a white shirt.

White makes any business outfit appear
more professional

I recently went from owning one white Oxford to having one for every day of the week. In fact, I barely wear any dark color shirts any more. I just love the simplicity and professional vibe that I get from wearing a white shirt. It just feels crisp and clean, and the fact that it goes with everything is a huge plus. 

I feel like, in a sense, white is the mature version of black. 

Even though I don't think white needs to be defended as much as black, I just wanted to highlight all the positives of wearing the color. Of course, as with pretty much every piece of fashion, these are my thoughts and opinions. Yours may be, and probably are, at least slightly different.

I'd love to know what you all think! Do you love wearing white, or do you think it's too basic?

Let me know in the comments or send me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com.

-Ryan S.

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Let's Talk About: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense

Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense was my second full sized bottle. By full sized, I'm referring to a 100ml bottle or above. RL fragrances come in unusual sizes, so the bottle I bought was actually 120ml. I used it quite frequently early-on, but since then it's primarily been an at-home scent. The reason being that it is very subtle; in fact, a bit too subtle for my liking. That being said, I still think it's a well-crafted fragrance


RL Polo Red Intense, which was released in 2015, is the EDP version of its predecessor, Polo Red. I don't have many Ralph Lauren fragrances so I never had a bottle of the original, but it seems like-- such as normally the case when a company remixes an EDT as an EDP-- Polo Red Intense takes the original composition and adds a few new scent notes to it.

At the top, we have blood grapefruit, lemon, cranberry, saffron, in the middle, we have ginger, sage, lavender, and coffee, and at the bottom, there's leather, red cedar, and amber. Now, the primary reason I wanted this one as was because of the coffee note. I love the smell of coffee. It's so invigorating. Unfortunately, the coffee in Polo Red Intense plays a secondary role in the composition. The notes that are most prominent are the cranberry, lemon, and ginger.

Despite not smelling like coffee, Polo Red Intense is a pretty good citrus-based fragrance. When I first spray it I get a rush of cranberry and lemon with a bit of spiciness from the saffron. It stays pretty linear throughout the life of the fragrance. After about an hour or so, I start to detect a bit of the ginger and lavender which is nice. I never really get the leather, coffee, or cedar, but in a composition containing so many notes, not detecting a few is normal.

Polo Red Intense is perhaps one of my favorite at-home, skin scents. I don't wear it out very often because it does not project, meaning that the only people who will be able to smell this on you are those who get really close. For that reason, I think this is a great choice for a movie night between you and your significant other, or any moment that you're cuddling or very close to someone.

I usually start with two sprays on my neck 

While it doesn't project, the longevity of this one is above average. I applied it at 9:30am and it lasted until 4:30pm for a total of seven hours. You might need to reapply it depending on what you're doing, but 10 sprays worked well for me

I also use this one sometimes to spray around my place. It lasts a long time when applied to pillows, rugs, et cetera, and it's a very appealing scent. 


In terms of price, Polo Red Intense is pretty reasonably priced. You can get a 2.5oz bottle for $55, a 4.2oz bottle for $64, or a 6.7oz for $90. I'm actually not sure if you can still buy this at stores anymore, but you can definitely find it at fragrance outlets like fragrancex.com.

Overall, I think Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense is a pretty good at-home, skin scent. For that reason, I would give it a 6/10. The scent is very pleasant and definitely worth the experience, but maybe go for a 2.5oz or 4.2oz bottle instead of the 6.7oz.

So what are your thoughts about Polo Red Intense? Have you tried the EDT version? If so, how does it differ from the EDP? Let me know in the comments.

-Ryan S.

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In Defense of Black

Envision this: you're walking down the street shortly after the streetlights go on. It's getting darker out, but there's still a bit of sun light left in the day. As you turn a corner you notice a man wearing all black walking towards you. You can't really see his facial features yet because he's still about five hundred feet away from you. What do you think?

Now, I'm willing to bet most people wouldn't overthink the stranger wearing black, but I would guess that they would become slightly cautious. That is because black is often seen as an ominous shade. Think about all the negative things suggested by the color black: Death, promiscuity, thievery, depression, anguish, Ac/Dc (just kidding). Bottom line is that black is not a well-received shade. 

In fact, they say wearing black can make you appear more aggressive or intimidating, and based-on that list of words conveyed by the color black it makes perfect sense.

Also, black is often seen as an uber formal color, meaning that it should only be worn for special events. 

People will often recommend that instead of wearing a black suit, you should go for a charcoal or navy blue because these colors make you appear more friendly and approachable. I agree with that. I love shades of dark grey and blue. 

But in this post, I'm going to be explaining why I believe black is an equally viable color. 

Ok, first off, I LOVE the color black. There was a time when I only wore black because I felt it was the only color that I looked good in. As gothic/emo as that sounds, I just really liked wearing black. I still do for some major reasons:

The black waistcoat is one of my favorite choices.

-Black virtually goes with everything. The only color that I hesitate wearing with black is brown, although I still will wear a brown sports jacket with a black Oxford. The only black and brown combination you will never see me wear is a black belt with brown shoes or vice-versa

-Black shapes your body better than any other color. Similar to wearing a waistcoat, black makes you appear more fit and even muscular to an extent. For that reason, I think black is just a sexy color.

Even a basic V-neck looks better in black.

-Black is eloquent af. Because it is often believed to be a very conservatively formal color, wearing even a basic black v-neck is going to make you look a bit more classy. 

-Black demands respect. Because black is often seen as an intimidating color and people tend to be more respectful towards people who intimidate them so as not to cause trouble, wearing black will automatically get you respect because people won't want to risk causing trouble

-Black requires very little thought before wearing. Certain colors require you think more carefully about what you wear with them. Consider the color orange. Orange is not an easy color to wear especially bright orange. You need to really think about what you're going to be wearing with that orange sweater because the majority of pieces you own likely won't match with orange. With black, you don't have to think twice while throwing together an outfit.

-Black looks badass. I definitely agree, that to some extent, black is an aggressive color. It's tough and it suggests to people that you might be tough too. This can potentially translate to more confidence. If you feel like a badass you're going to walk with a bit more confidence than if you just felt like an average guy. As long as you still treat people with respect, black can really help solidify your identity as a gentleman.

-Black compliments your complexion if you have dark features. So for a guy like me- dark brown hair, brown eyes, slightly tanned skin-- black will actually bring out those particular features thus adding to your attractiveness. On the contrary though, if you're a guy with a lighter complexion, black might not work as well on you.

A black suit is the epitome of respect and class

I think that a lot of times black is dismissed as a basic color; even one that's not worth wearing. While I agree that it tends to be an easy color to add to your wardrobe, I feel like black is as good of a choice as dark grey or navy blue when it comes to buying a suit or other expensive piece of clothing.

And despite what you may think, black isn't a color a lot of guys wear. Unless you work for the government or a company which requires you to wear black, I feel like most guys are going to go for safer options like charcoal or midnight blue. 

So wearing black will make you stand-out, get you noticed, boost your confidence level, make you look more fit, potentially make people respect you a bit more, and will require almost no thought to wear. The question is: why wouldn't you want to wear black more frequently? 


-Ryan S.

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The Necktie: A Must Have or Optional?

There was a time when wearing a necktie was an absolute must for a man especially when working in a professional setting. While there are still certain professions that still require a necktie be worn such as most banking positions and jobs related to law, for the most part it seems that it's become optional in most fields or for most events. Considering it's no longer entirely necessary, is wearing the optional necktie advantageous in any way or is it something you can pass on?

I think the answer is yes, it can be beneficial to wear a necktie occasionally or even daily if you enjoy wearing one. 

Wearing a tie, in most cases, conveys a message of respect and formality. You're a guy who appreciates tradition and stays within the boundary of the rules. People might even treat you differently because with the tie you appear safe; perhaps even more approachable. Interestingly enough, on days which I'm wearing a tie people are more likely to smile and approach me.

Perhaps it is because in their mind someone wearing a suit and tie deserves respect and even admiration. Maybe it reminds them of something familiar, and therefore, they are more receptive to the look.

I would consider a tie essential when meeting a client for the first time, giving a professional presentation, or going to a formal event. For this reason, I think every guy should own at least three or four neck ties (a couple solid and a striped or two). 

And remember: If you wear a necktie, make sure to also wear a tie clip. It should go slightly under the third button of your shirt.

So yes, having at least.a few ties is crucial.

But what happens if you choose to forgo the tie?

Personally, I LOVE the look. Nothing beats wearing a three-piece suit without the necktie. It says that you're still classy and eloquent, but also a free-thinker. Someone who isn't afraid to bend the rules a bit when necessary. You're less conventional, and while you still understand the rules of wearing a suit, you're not afraid to alter the appearance to your liking. Not wearing a tie conveys a sense of rebellion.

Of course, you will still get attention and even possibly compliments while not wearing a tie, but it is a different kind of attention than what you will get while wearing one. You see, not wearing a tie makes it a bit harder for people to assess you. They might wonder if whether or not you are safe or approachable. There is a sense of ambiguity in the outfit, and it could either make you appear more debonair and alluring or just straight-up unapproachable. 

That is why I think it is crucial to wear a tie during very important interactions; interactions in which you want to appear familiar to other people.

Personally, I have about fifteen neck ties, which is strange because I typically go with the latter appearance (no tie). I don't like to let people easily figure me out, rather I like to try to be a bit more mysterious. I think ties can be a really fun accoutrement when appropriate, but I'm not a fan of wearing one everyday.

But if that's your thing then go for it!  

Whether you are more of a tie person or someone who prefers to leave the collar button undone, what message does wearing a tie/not wearing one convey to you. Let me know in the comments or send me an email at tnpersona@gmail.com.

-Ryan S.

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Let's Talk About: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense has been said to be one of the best fragrances to wear in the summer. Since summer's approaching, I figured my collection could use a couple scents created for the summer. Light Blue eau intense has been around for a few summers, having been released in 2017, so you probably have heard about it at some point. Perhaps, like me, you've wondered if it really is the epitome of summer fragrances. 

Well let me tell you...

It is.

Image Credit: rottontomatoes.com

This scent is basically hanging-out by the water on a hot summer day in a bottle. When I first sprayed it I was immediately taken to a beach resort. I envisioned myself lounging near a pool. Attractive girls in bright colored bathing-suits swimming in the water. A waiter serving me a mojito with one of those little umbrellas as bachata music plays in the background. Basically, it reminds me of pretty much every episode of Burn Notice.

And it makes sense when you consider the scent notes. At the top, we have mandarin orange and grapefruit, which give Light Blue it's tropical Caribbean-like vibe. In the middle, we have sea water and juniper, which gives it that perfect for the beach feeling. And at the bottom, we have amber wood and musk, which give it a subtle hint of masculinity.

Now, even though it definitely leans towards the side of masculinity, I could see a lady easily wearing this one. The musk in Light Blue really helps bring out the other notes, which makes it less of a main-player in the fragrance. In fact, according to fragrantica.com, musk is the least prominent note.

In terms of when I would wear this one: since it is very much a scent designed to be worn in the warmer weather, I would wear it in the late Spring and Summer. Basically, when the pools are opened for the season is when I would start wearing Light Blue as an everyday scent. It really is such a pleasant mass-appealing fragrance, and therefore, I think you could wear this one for any occasion.

Personally, I don't think this one would be a good choice for the fall and winter; perhaps it could be worn as an at-home scent, but I wouldn't wear this one around when there's snow on the ground. That being said, when you can wear this one will depend on where you live. For instance, if you live in Hawaii or somewhere with a consistently warm and tropical climate then this could be one you could wear all year. However, if you live in a climate like I do-- one in which there are four seasons and the temperature drastically changes-- then you probably want to save this one for only the warmer, more tropical-like days. 

I get about six hours out of this one which is actually pretty good compared to other D&G fragrances. It projects nicely for about the first hour, after which it becomes a skin scent. It never goes away though. I get slight bursts of projection throughout the life of the fragrance. 

I think what makes Light Blue the ultimate summer fragrance is how well it projects in the heat. I would even say it's one of the best performing fragrances in the warmer weather. 

Best of all, Light Blue is a great choice if you're on a budget. You can get a 50ml bottle for around $40, which will most likely last you for the two or three months during which you'd want to wear it. This one is so easy to find too, which means that you definitely don't need to pay retail price for a bottle. I recently bought one on fragrancex.com for a little less than $40.

Overall, I think Light Blue has a lot of potential. It is a great summer fragrance, and one that indubitably will get you noticed and perhaps even get you compliments. I would give it an 8.5/10. It is a phenomenal fragrance. It conveys fun, energy, and just a bit of sexual allure. 

So what are your thoughts about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue eau intense? Have you tried it before? If so, how would you best describe it? I would love to hear what you guys have to say in the comments.

-Ryan S.

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"Clubbing Fragrance": A Fragrance To Wear To The Club?

If you've even just looked into the different categories of fragrances, you've certainly come across the term "club fragrance". This is an ambiguous term and one that can be somewhat confusing if you're not familiar with fragrances. So in this post I'm going to explicitly define what a clubbing fragrance is and let you know whether or not it's worth buying one or two.

First off, a "clubbing fragrance" is basically a fragrance that preforms and projects really well. It is going to get you noticed because the scent is so strong. It's something you probably would want to wear to a club or while in a large crowd. A clubbing fragrance is not something that is only reserved for parties and clubs.

I briefly mentioned in my guide to finding a signature scent that I actually didn't try Versace Eros earlier because I assumed that because influencers were referring to it as "the king of clubbing fragrances" that it was a scent best suited for the club atmosphere, and since I don't go clubbing that I wouldn't like it.

Boy was I wrong!

After a year and a half of exploring different fragrances, I finally tried Eros and it instantaneously became one of my favorites. It's sweet. It's playful. It's energetic. And most of all, it demands attention. As one user on Redit claims, it is a "loud fragrance," and that's the perfect way of putting it.

So then a clubbing fragrance is a loud fragrance. It pretty much has nothing to do with the literal club. Then why are influencers so apt to refer to powerful scents as club fragrances?

Another user on the Readit thread "What's up with 'Clubbing' Fragrances" states that, "Clubs have tons of people. Loud fragrances do well in clubs where there are a ton of people with all types of scents and body odor. Club fragrances are loud and cuts through those scents". Basically, it's a potent scent that can overpower scents that aren't as strong.

I don't have a lot of experience in club-like atmosphere's, but I guess in such places, the more noticeable your fragrance the more attention you get.

Makes sense.

I still really find it problematic and even somewhat decieving that no one explains what a clubbing fragrance even is. I'm sure I'm not the only person who didn't buy such a fragrance because they don't actually go to the club. My goal for this post is to potentially get you to try an entire category of fragrances that you may have been hesitant to try.

My two favorite loud scents are Versace Eros and Dior Sauvage EDT; both last for eight plus hours and both project really well for the first few hours. If you're interested in learning more about scents that have similar performance, take a look at this blog post.

So do I think you should buy at least one clubbing fragrance? Yes, absolutely!

The great thing about fragrances that preform very well is that they will get you attention from other people, and for some guys who aren't extraverted-- myself included-- it can be advantageous to have on a scent that, in essence, speaks for you. It's like going up to someone and saying "hi" without actually saying anything.

Of course, wearing such a strong scent can be a disadvantage as well. For instance, you might not want to wear something that potent to work or to the office because, chances are, it will offend someone. When I was working in an office, my supervisor talked with me three times about wearing Versace Eros, even though by the third talk, I was only using two sprays. Loud scents can be great, but they aren't super versatile, and shouldn't be worn professionally. Causal and business-casual events are best for clubbing fragrances.

Whether or not you actually go clubbing, I think you would do well to add at least one or two loud fragrances to your collection.

-Ryan S.

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