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In Grooming

3 Reasons you should be wearing a fragrance

August 25, 2021 No Comments

Scent is a powerful tool. A fact that was so beautifully proven by Cleopatra, who brought two powerful warlords to their knees through the art of scent.

A scent tells a story, can evoke a memory, or ignite your fight or flight response. Much like how scents can excite or repulse you, the way you smell can encourage those reactions in others. Desire is formed by engaging all the senses, and smell is a key factor. Fragrance is the ultimate accessory, much like wearing a scarf or a dazzling pair of earrings; adorning yourself with the right perfume can make those around you stop and turn.

As German writer Patrick Süskind perfectly surmised in his novel – Perfume: The Story of a Murderer: “Odours have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odour cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath in our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”

Aside from the obvious advantage of keeping you smelling good throughout the day, what other reasons could there be to splashing on your favourite perfume? Here are three of our favourites:

Confidence:

Did you know that fragrance can enhance your mood and the way you feel? Fragrance plays a role in eliciting emotion and can include anything from sexy, happy to relaxed. It’s all about how you connect to the scent on an emotional level. The perfect example of this is the Montblanc Legend and Montblanc Explorer.

Legend combines notes of bergamot, lavender, sandalwood and oakmoss to create a contrasting and strong, yet tender, perfume. Bergamot, vetiver and patchouli mingle to produce the woody, aromatic and leathery concoction that is Mont Blanc Legend. All of these elegant and sophisticated notes combine to form a fragrance that exudes a scent of confidence.

A lasting impression:

Only 10% of the impressions you leave on someone are related to the words that you utter, while the rest is hinged on body language and appearance. When you’re feeling confident and in your power people remember this, which can provide a potent first impression. As humans, we utilise our five senses: scent, sight, taste, sound, and touch. Certain scents can trigger our memory, and if you’re wearing the right scent, this will only add to the allure and impact of that all-important first impression.

A unique signature:

Similar to pheromones, everyone has their own unique scent. A person’s fragrance is unique to them, that’s why finding the right one that suits you is so important. There are so many incredible fragrances to choose from that perfectly encompass an individual’s personality. There’s no question that finding this level of individuality through scent can influence confidence and self-esteem.

Picture/s: Supplied

In Advice

A story of desire: The science of smell

June 10, 2020 No Comments

Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. These senses help us understand and navigate everything around us.

Researchers say humans have 400 smelling receptors and can identify over one-trillion scents. A smell stimulates the olfactory cells in your nose, which sends a message to your brain to help identify that scent and your response to it.

Your olfactory scent can tell you whether there’s freshly baked bread or a newly mowed lawn nearby, without you even seeing it. Some smells create excitement, other evoke a craving, and a few make you turn and run.

Scent goes beyond just identifying your immediate surroundings. It also serves as a form of memory and a message to you and others.

Science historian Diane Ackerman best explained it when she wrote, “A smell can be overwhelmingly nostalgic because it triggers powerful images and emotions before we have time to edit them… When we give perfume to someone, we give them liquid memory. Kipling was right: “Smells are surer than sights and sounds to make your heart-strings crack.”

What wo/men want

Much like how scents can excite or repulse you, the way you smell can encourage those reactions in others. Desire is formed by engaging all the senses, and smell is a key factor.

Scent has been a key element of desire for centuries. It is believed that Cleopatra used cardamom, cinnamon and basil to seduce Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. She would even bathe in a mixture of milk and saffron for its aphrodisiac qualities.

Research shows that people tend to be attracted to certain scents over others. Every person is different and the scent you are drawn to is shaped by a number of external factors. However, there are key aphrodisiac smells said to be particularly potent to humans.

Women are attracted to scents like vanilla, lime, leather, musk and peppermint. Men are drawn to spicier scents like sandalwood, pumpkin pie, citrus, lavender, cinnamon and musk.

Considering this, it’s likely many will revel in Montblanc Legend and Montblanc Explorer, must-haves for the masculine wardrobe. These fragrances are elegant, sophisticated and substantial, perfect for the man who exudes confidence. Legend combines notes of bergamot, lavender, sandalwood and oakmoss to create a contrasting and strong, yet tender, perfume. Bergamot, veviter and patchouli mingle to produce the woody, aromatic and leathery concoction that is MontBlanc Legend.

Beauty is in the (nose) of the beholder

Fragrances smell completely different on everyone. How fragrances mingle with your skin can change based on a number of factors, like your skin’s pH, your hair colour, your hormones and even your diet.

With this is mind, it’s important to remember there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to perfume. Much like a watch or a pair of funky socks, the fragrance you choose is an accessory, an extension of your personality and the image you want to present to the world. Your fragrance can speak volumes to and for you, so take the time to find your perfect perfume and spray away.

Feature image: Pexels

In Engagements

Grooming basics for the bearded gent

October 7, 2019 No Comments

Guys won’t admit it, but we are pretty sure they spend just as much time on grooming their beard as a woman would spend doing their make-up. We’re not here to judge, after all, self-care is crucial! Instead, we’re here to offer a few tips and tricks to aid in growing and maintaining that luscious facial hair.

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Patience is a virtue

Just like a fine wine, growing your beard takes time, and the longer you wait, the better it will be for you to work with. Avoid unnecessary trims, shaves and being fidgety – patience is the number one thing that is needed to make it grow. This should take about 4 – 6 weeks, depending on how fast or slow your hair grows.

Necessary tools

A good beard starts with the basic tools. Beard oils to soften the hairs and to avoid irritated skin, a beard brush to comb the oils through and keep your beard tangled-free, and lastly, a set of trimming scissors to cut those stray hairs and keep them in check with the rest of your beard.

TRY: Red Dane Two-Phase Nourishing Oil

Mug wash

A beard is not only about the hair, but the skin underneath as well. Within the early stages of your beard growth plan, wash and condition your beard daily. This means washing it properly with your face wash and then working in that aforementioned oil from root to tip. Also, be sure to include an exfoliant weekly that can help remove the dead skin cells and avoid that awful itchy beard sensation.

TRY: Cowshed Bullocks Refining Facial Scrub

Vitamins & proteins

Yes, seems like a weird tip to include in the list, however, your beard hair relies on the necessary B vitamins which include B5, B3 & B9. A good diet will not only do your health wonders, but your beard too.

Beard-in-training

Regular combing and maintenance are a way of helping the beard hairs stay in place and grow in the direction you need them to. Combing them will ensure the hairs are straightened to some degree, and using a beard wax or oil daily will also ensure the hairs are tamed. Before you know it, your beard will grow exactly how it needs to.

TRY: Hairy Eye Average Joe Beard Balm

By Yashna Balwanth

Feature image: Unsplash

In Engagements

5 Skincare tips every guy should know

September 12, 2019 No Comments

The big day is fast approaching, but how do you make sure your skin stays in check? Whether you’re the groom, a groomsman, or simply a guest, you’ll reap the benefits of adopting a proper skincare routine, and treating yourself every now and then. Here are 5 skincare tips that every guy should know:

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1. Daily cleansing

Sounds like a simple task, but it is all about consistency. This should be done every day, morning and evening. We don’t realise the amount of dirt that our skin comes into contact with from the polluted air, along with touching our faces throughout the day. Cleansing properly ensures that these impurities are effectively removed, to give your skin the best chance at being healthy.

2. Hydration is key

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Hydrated skin appears healthier and plumper, and develops wrinkles at a slower rate. Beside drinking an adequate amount of water, try to ensure that your skincare products contain an added H2O boost that your skin will thank you for, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

3. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

For a deeper clean, exfoliate your skin bi-weekly with a scrub that can reach a little deeper than just the surface. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and gives you a brighter complexion over time. Exfoliants don’t necessarily have to be very abrasive either, as a gentle one with slow, circular motions will do the job just as well.

4. Sunscreen is crucial

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We cannot stress this enough. The sun’s UV rays cause a lot of damage to our skin far beyond what we see. Wrinkles, sunspots and cancer are just some of the side effects that come with not being adequately protected. SPF 30 is a good protection level whether you’re in direct sunlight or not.

5. Swop your razor cartridges regularly

It’s very important to replace your razor cartridge on a 6-8 shave basis. Razor hygiene is really important in keeping your skin free from razor burn and ingrown hairs. Change the blade often to ensure better hygiene, which in turn would give you better skin.

By Yashna Balwanth

Feature image: Unsplash