Frunkinator’s Father’s Day Fragrance Guide- From Barbasol to Niche + Father’s Scent Draw

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If asked to recall the scent memories related to my father, I would describe all the smells most commonly related to any hardworking mechanic.  Cracked leather boots, dried motor oil, and spilled gasoline.  But there’s one very special olfactory memory about my father that will always hold a place in my heart.  And that is the herbal antiseptic aroma of Barbasol shaving cream.  I can best describe the scent as a blend of rosemary, lavender, and spicy powdery notes.  Today, I think this particular fragrant cocktail is better known as your “classic barbershop” vibe.  Whenever I smell it now, it takes me back to the age of 5.  I will always remember watching my father shaving in the bathroom mirror, holding the cleverly trademarked red and blue barber pole designed can as the white scented foam squirted into the palm of his hand.  To this impressionable young mind, this was the smell of being a man!

cologne married men

Fast forward, to this modern day in age.  Dads do not need to ONLY smell like a brand of shaving cream from the 1920’s.  It’s time to modernize your man!  So blow off the Brut, push aside the Preferred Stock and leave the Canoe at the lake house. Which leaves an important question, how do you choose the right scent a father can wear any day?  An even better question, how do you transition your father into niche fragrances making sure he doesn’t smell like every other dear ol’ dad?  The answer, of course, depends on the man.  Evaluate Pops in the most generic aspects of his life while contrasting his most personal tastes. 

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Does dad work from home, is he an outdoorsman, does he complain about being cooped up in a stuffy office all day, or is he living a fast pace in a hospital emergency room?  How a particular scent is going to be presented can drastically change what will work. Using a few of the examples listed above, I would choose a daring scent for a work or stay at home dad.  Public interaction will be somewhat minimal, so let the animal out!  Don’t be afraid of the word Oud.  No, it’s not some mythical character name in a ghost story, but rather it’s the use of mold infected wood resins found only in Southeast Asia native agar wood trees.  The niche brand By Kilian has an absolutely fantastic line of oud based fragrances, including the ever popular, sweet yet masculine Amber Oud to the more “in your face” and natural interpretation of Oud found in their Pure Oud, and most recently released Extreme Oud.

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But, if the trees are strictly for climbing, then maybe you would like to fight one element with another.  Try wetting dads whistle with a fresh, easy to please aquatic type of scent.  One of my favorites is done by the company called Creed.  Most commonly recognized for their Cary Grant inspired fragrance called Green Irish Tweed.  The most notable aquatic scent on the market since its release in 1995 is Millesime Imperial.  Dubbed “MI” by its cult following, the fragrance recreates the crisp smell of a freshly opened watermelon laying in the sand on a hot day.  Its unique use of marine notes, along with its added fruits, makes Creed’s MI a sure winner in any household.  Just be sure to buy a big bottle, because Dad will not be the only one wearing this timeless aquatic.

dad-and-kids

Ok, what if Dad hates the beach?  Does he hire a landscaper every year just to cut the lawn?  If your father is a bit more formal or maybe forced to work in close quarters with other people, restricting his freedom of scented expression… don’t give up!

This does not mean fragrances are out of the question.  What this does mean, is picking the right one just became that much more important. 

Dad’s wafting scent trail suddenly needs to please all those around him including his cubicle co-workers, himself, and maybe even his boss.  To do this, pick a fresh citrus note laden fragrance, or one that sits a bit closer to the skin of the wearer.  A fragrance like Oolang Infini, from the house of Atelier Cologne is a perfect example of a more personal fragrance.  Oolang Infini gets its name from the use of a distinct tea note found in the fragrance.  Along with a manly tobacco blossom and blond leather accord, this 15% concentrated niche parfum is strong enough to stay by your side on any busy day, without forcing you to roll down the windows in the family SUV.

mom and dad

If Dad only wears fragrances on special events, then he may be better served with an elegant and classy scent designed for a night out.  He can choose to go bold with the mesmerizing clash between cedar and sandalwood found in Montale’s Red Vetyver.  Or maybe Dad is a bit more laid back, a product of the Age of Aquarius?  Try a touch of Heeley Hippie Rose, to help nurture his nostalgic soul. 

I could easily go on scenting imaginary dads in a multitude of scenarios, but in the end only you really know what Pops is all about.  Plus you’re the one stuck sniffing him after a long day.  Don’t be afraid to ditch the department store and go niche.  Just be sure to remember one thing, the suit may not make the man, but the father will certainly make the fragrance.

As for me to this very day, I still keep a can of rarely used Barbasol shaving cream in my house.  And whether I’m thinking about my father or just wanna feel like a kid again. I find myself holding that very same blue and red designed can of Barbasol in the bathroom mirror.

Happy Father’s Day, I love you, Dad.

Thanks to Atelier Cologne we have a 30mL petit flacon of Oolang Infini to give away to all our readers worldwide; plus thanks to EuroParfums we have a 50mL bottle of Montale Red Vetyver to give away our US readers only. To be eligible leave a comment on the smell you most associate with your father and if you have a preference put that in, too. The draw will end on June 17, 2013.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

For more fragrance recommendations, or to see the most recent in fragrance reviews, be sure to check out my YouTube channel along with my Facebook and Twitter page.  Also, whether you're planning a trip to a perfume Mecca or just looking for a new fragrance shop in your town, my fragrance store finder website ScentTrails will guide you right where you need to be. ScentTrails.com also has all the upcoming and future fragrance related events from around the world added and updated daily. I also post regularly as part of The GoodSmellas.

–Edward Libassi a.k.a Frunkinator, Guest Contributor

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66 comments

  • Someotherspring says:

    The personal smell I associate most with my Dad is acrylic paint-he's an artist. But also Norell because he gave me a bottle of it when I was 12, lol. My first perfume-and I BATHED in it. 

  • Joshua says:

    The smell I associate most with my Dad is… bacon! He's always in the kitchen and used to prepare breakfast for us when we were kids. In terms of perfume he'd use Habit Rouge by Guerlain. I'd love to win the bottle of Oolang Infini!

  • GregorySop says:

    I would say earthiness, because he used to make me work in his little garden and also had me and my brother dig and fill out a coi fish pond. As far as colognes I believe he wore a lot of Stetson… thanks for the draw.

  • Amy K says:

    My dad isn't much of a cologne guy, although he has been known to wear Acca Kappa White Moss (sparingly) in recent years. When I was growing up, he always smelled like Irish Spring soap and the nose-searing coal tar of Denorex shampoo. I still find those smells comforting, just like his father's Old Spice and my other grandfather's yellow Listerine in a glass bottle.

  • Steve L. says:

    I don't know if I have a smell that is associated with my dad, but I know that he had a bottle of Brut on his dresser that even as a young child I knew that I never want to smell like that!!!  Thanks for the draw!

  • ringthing says:

    Motor oil, gasoline, cut grass, Budweiser, good hard working sweat and the gold bar of Dial soap. Old Spice for church and special occasions.

  • StephenMc says:

    Old Spice, stale cigarette smoke, and cinnamon lozenges! I gifted him a bottle of Guerlain Vetiver before he died, so now I associate that with him. Thanks for the draw, and I would love to win Oolong Infini- I'm international!

  • Ccc says:

    The smells I associate with my father: tobacco, vetiver, cedar. He used to be very handsome and always well dressed. Casual or elegant he always had a great sense of fashion. 

    Montale's vetiver sounds interesting. 

  • cdb73110 says:

    My dad had the whole English Leather line….the Original, the Lime, The Spiced, the Musk…I could be missing a few. He always slashed the heck out of himself before he left off for work.  On his days off it was mowing the lawn and charcoaling, etc. These scents remind me most of him.

    I live in the US and I really love Montale's Red Vetyver.

    Thanks for such a great fragrance draw.

    This is awesome.

  • Lean S says:

    The smell of the outdoors, especially lakes and seas, as well as old books. Both of the scents sound wonderful for father's day, so I do not have a preference. I am from the US and thank you for this draw.

  • Liz K says:

    Sunscreen, diesel fuel, sawdust, cordite, soil. Any farm smell you can imagine mixed with Dial soap and the cheapest high SPF sunscreen he could find. I am in the US. Thanks.  

  • FearsMice says:

    I love the smell of pipe tobacco because it's the scent I associate with my dad.  My preference is for the Red Vetyver.  Thanks for the draw.

  • mim says:

    Coal tar and Irish Spring soap.  Not at all a cologne guy, and works with computers, so no activity smells nor (thankfully) cigar smoke like his father. But he loves getting out hiking, mountains in the summer, raking leaves and apple picking in the fall.  Fresh air is one of his favorite smells. 

    I'd love to win either but expecially Montale Red Vetyver! I'd try to talk him into it but probably end up wearing it myself.

  • Michelle U says:

    I associate these smells with my father: tobacco, soap and very rarely Old Spice. He was not into anything elegant or very good smelling. He used to smoke such a poor quality tobacco. 😉

    I am in for the Oolang Infini from the awesome Atelier Cologne. 😀

    Thank you for this giveaway! Wish you all the best! ^_^

  • Sandi L says:

    Diesel fuel and sweat during the day, Old Spice in the evening. I miss my Pop. Red Vetyver for me. Great job,Frunkinator. 

  • forthydollars says:

    my father used to work for a bank back in the 80's when i was a kid and i remember him coming from work with that particular smell, a combination of his favorite fragrance carlo corinto classic and money, paper,tint type of scent.

    beautiful article, i would love to win any of those 2 fragrances

  • Nemo says:

    I mostliy associate my dad with the smell of his hair gel and aftershave, both of which he applied religiously. Unfortunately I don't remember what kind they are! I think at least one of them was possibly from Calvin Klein (CK one? I will have to check next time I am home this summer. Thank you for the draw!

  • Eatmewhileimhot01 says:

    My father is the type to over spray (sometime 10+ sprays) at any given season. In addition, he sprays on anything and everything. Honestly, you have to love him, because in his mind or too his nose there is truly no bad smelling fragrance. However, my mother has a very gentle nose and it has taken quite an abuse over the years (40+ years of marriage). While embarking on this aromatic journey, I have learned a bit about fragrances in general. I have tried to pass on this information to my father but you can't teach an old dog new tricks. However, there is one thing you can do and that is hide all the bottles that make my mother's nose blood shot red and buy him Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef and Arpels (which does bot cause my mother an allergy attack) and so I did. This is the scent I mostly associate with my father and it's the one that reminds me of him. At first the scent was harshly imposed upon him but it quickly won his heart. I have even caught him appreciating the bottle design from time to time.

  • Eatmewhileimhot01 says:

     I forgot to add that I would like to try put Montale's red vetiver. Thank you.

  • Ferris Égoïste says:

    The smell I associate with my father in the aroma of Supreme Little Cesears pizzas he would bring home after work . We would eat pizza and watch Big Chuck and Little John Show/ movies on TV even though it was late and well past my bedtime. Wonderful memories! I am in the US and would like the Red Vetyver by Montale if I win. Thanks for the draw. Great article Frunk!

  • Irina says:

    I associate tobacco smell with my dear dad, mixed with the first HR for men I used to buy for him-I miss him so very much

  • Mujo says:

    When I was little my father smoked pipe. I can still recall the scent of the brass tobacco tin in which the tobaccco was stored. Years after my father stopped smoking the tin still smelled of tobacco. Anyway that's the scent that reminds me of my father when I was little. Combined with the scent of Old Spice. 

    Both fragrances sound very nice.

  • Marcopietro says:

    The smell that remind me my father is a mix of tobacco, leather and fougère. I'm from Europe and I'd like to try Oolang Infini. Thanks!

     

     

     

  • Elia says:

    My dad has used Brut from ever since I can remember, it's easy to identify, easy to remember.

     

     I'm in the EU and would like to try Oolang Infini,

    ty

  • Yash says:

    A proper perfumisto my dad would always bring back perfumes from trips abroad.My father was ever faithful to Guerlain Vetiver until he rediscovered Habit Rouge which he wore when he was young. Incidentally he was the one who introduced me to perfumery as he had offered my first proper bottle of perfume: Jicky. Thank you for this draw! And Happy Father ´s Day!

  • Dana says:

    When I think of my Dad who, unfortunately, has been gone for almost 10 years, I think of Old Spice, cigarettes, fresh cut wood, boat engines, and the smell of fishing on the Outer Banks. I wish I could give him a hug and smell him right now. I would love to win Montale's Red Vetyver for my husband who is also a woodworker. Thank you for helping us all remember our fathers today.

  • Laurentiu says:

    The smell I associate with my father is the smell of Azzaro Pour Homme. A classic manly man smell. 

    I live outside US.

     

    Thanks for the draw!

  • TerryM says:

    Alas, my dad could never wear a cologne.  He has highly sensitive skin and most anything he tried burned.  So my scent memory of my dad is Right Guard antiperspirant!  I'm lucky now, to have a husband who loves colognes and is very happy to try what I give him.  Thanks for the draw and I would love to try to Oolang Infini!

  • breathesgelatin says:

    I always associate my dad with the orange scrub he'd use on his hands after coming inside from working on cars. It smelled so good!

    I'm in the US and would be happy with either prize, but I'd especially love the Oolang Infini. 🙂

  • ginny m says:

    My dad was an Old Spice guy with an occasional foray into Brut territory; although he's been dead for more than 30 years, I can still remember how they smelled on him! I live in the U.S. and would LOVE to try the Oolong Infini, but I have a soft spot for many Montales as well. Thanks, and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

  • carol says:

    My father did not use any fragrances, but he lathered himself in Lubriderm body lotion.  He passed away a few months ago, and had beautiful skin for a 91 year old.  How I miss him.  Thanks for the draw and Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. 

  • Maureen says:

    Old Spice, Cigarettes and Manhattans.  He has been gone now for 16 years and I miss him so.  I would love to win the Oolong Infini or the Red Vetyver.  thanks for the draw and Happy Father's Day to all dads.

  • just breathe says:

    Drakkar Noire – the fragrance he used to seduce my mother…and then stopped wearing once she was hooked 😉 !!! Now his only scent is Dove soap. I would love to win the Oolong Infini…thanks for the draw!

  • Lisa R says:

    Grass, sweat and Irish Spring soap. My dad detests fragrances (to all of our disappointment) but is an outdoor guy so frequently smells of something green by circumstance.

    I would like to win Oolong Infini ^^

  • Len says:

    Happy father's day. Growing up my father worked in a night club. I remember the smell of booze, cigarettes, and drakaar noir. I would love either of these fragrances for myself.I am a dad too!

  • Cristian says:

    I associate the smell of my father with vetiver and tabacco… Every time I smell a fragrance that has vetiver in it i imediately think of him. 

  • rosiegreen says:

    The smell I associate the most with my Dad, sweat, orchard dirt and woody grapevines,Irish Spring soap and Old Spice for special occasions. He also used Barbasol for shaving. I live in the US and would love to try Oolang Infini.

  • MariaA says:

    My dad smelled and still does of lemon cologne, Nivea cream and cigarettes!! I love him so much!!

  • ionut says:

    The smell associate with my father is the smell of lavander and cigarettes' smoke.

    I live outside US

  • Greg Sh says:

    My father was a carpenter, so I'll always remember the smell of wood and paint. His signature fragrance was Drakkar Noir, which I keep a bottle of. To remember my childhood. Great article!

  • Will L says:

    While my father did not wear fragrance often, on special occasions he'd throw on his trusty fahrenheit by dior. I will always closely associate that smell with my father.

    I'm from the US and I'd love to win either fragrance.

  • Joseph S says:

    The smell I most associate with my father is a very 80's cologne called Aqua Velva, he was the type that loved fresh scents, his other love was Old Spice, it's not my cup of tea unfortunatley he has passed on however I wish i could smell that smell on him one more time,

  • Kathryn says:

    My father smells of soap, cheap fruity shampoo from the $2 shop and the occasional splash of Oscar for Men by Oscar de la Renta.

    I think he would love a bottle of Oolang Infini. I am an international reader.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • George says:

    Great stuff to read as I am at the mall although the saks carries kilian and creed I would love winning the oolang infini although not sure how to pronounce it 

    my dad was a heavy smoker rip and the smell of camels and starched shirts is what I remember 

  • Marcin says:

    My Dad has worked in hospital as an X-ray technican.

    So the smell I associate with my Dad would be the scent of Medical tools, and medicines, combined with wind and light tobacco aroma. This is all what I miss so much. 

     

    I am an international reader, so if I'm lucky a bottle of Oolang Infini will be great.

  • Claudia says:

    The smells I associate with my Dad is the smell of new textiles/fabrics/clothing, everytime I go to a departments store and smell new clothes I think of my dad, he was a central buyer for childrens clothing. But I also think of him when I smell Old Spice as he used to wear this in my teenage years, now he wears Terre D'Hermes. I think I could see him wearing Montale Red Vetyver. My mom already loves Montale Red Aoud, so I can just hear her giggling if my Dad was to get a bottle of Red Vetyver 🙂

  • Francesca says:

    My Dad bless his heart always smelled warm and spicy, a clean natural personal smell, he was a sun worshipper and would lie for hours in our backyard in the sun and I would sneak up on his and jump on his back!!With a foot in both worlds I'll be an international reader so a bottle of Oolang Infini sounds divine!

  • David Martinez says:

    The smell I associate my Dad with is Brut. He wasn't much of a fragrance wearer but I remember a bottle of Chaps for some reason lol. He is good man, hard worker, and probably couldn't afford niche because he spent his humble wages on feeding, clothing, and housing us. I think I should get him something niche now, I need to call him and see what scents he prefers nowadays… 🙂

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    the fragrance i associate with Dad is Old Spice, my preference would be Bois Blonds but Oolang Infini is fine too

  • Igor Kipnis says:

    Usually he wears the same bottle that my mom buys for him every year or two. Currently platinum egoiste scent immediately reminds me of him. Its funny how that works, even the slightest notice of the scent immedately reminds me of my dad.

     

     

    I'm in the US

  • Steve T says:

    Chrome Azzaro, it's been his signature scent for so long. Ocassionally he'll use one of mine, like Creed Erolfa or Heeley Sel Marin, but he just likes his scents light.