Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Eau de teen boy
Body spray or cologne may be fine, say four girls -- but really guys, don't bathe in it
By Melanie B. Glover - meglover@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 9, 2008
Story appeared in section, Page K8
When it comes to cologne and body spray, an important question teen boys must ask is: One squirt or 12?
Not all girls run to the side of a boy wearing Axe body spray, as portrayed in commercials, but certain scents can be appealing - if they are handled with caution.
What does your own scent say about you? We asked four teen girls to do a blind smell test of four body sprays.
Before heading out on a date, check out what they had to say about these popular boys fragrances.
Adidas "Team Force" 24 Hr Fragrance Cooling Deo Body Spray
Rating (1 = worst, 5 = best):
Katie Rose Mennemeier, St. Francis High School: 4
Hallie McKnight, Loretto High School: 4
Rebecca Scolnick, Folsom High School: 4
Lexie Tiongson, Loretto High School: 3
Smells like ...
Katie Rose: Standard fresh perfume. Not too strong. A classic scent.
Hallie: A typical cologne, but it has a bit of a kick to it.
Rebecca: Kind of sweet, but a little pungent and a little smoky.
Lexie: Something my dad, uncle or grandpa would wear. Smells like an old man.
Attractive?
Katie Rose: Yes.
Hallie: Yes, because it smells good without being too overwhelming.
Rebecca: Yes, if it was used a little bit. Use with care.
Lexie: No, because it doesn't smell teenage-boyish. It's too strong.
What boy should wear this?
Katie Rose: A regular teenage boy.
Hallie: One who likes to smell nice.
Rebecca: Maybe a jock. It smells like something guys would put on after practice.
Lexie: A boy who plays sports. It's strong, so it might last longer through sweat.
TAG "Lucky Day" Body Spray for Men
Rating (1 = worst, 5 = best):
Katie Rose: 2
Hallie: 2.5
Rebecca: 3
Lexie: 3
Smells like ...
Katie Rose: A very sweet scent, a bit too fruity for men.
Hallie: Clean and fresh. Not very strong.
Rebecca: More subtle and smoky; clean and fresh.
Lexie: Peppermint, and not too strong.
Attractive?
Katie Rose: Not on a boy.
Hallie: Yes, but I might not notice it.
Rebecca: Yes, and it's light, but still, do not overuse it.
Lexie: No, because peppermint is something a girl would wear.
What boy would wear this?
Katie Rose: A well-dressed boy.
Hallie: An artsy type.
Rebecca: One who wants to be mysterious and unique.
Lexie: A guy who wouldn't care what girls think. Someone who isn't as shy.
Old Spice Classic Body Spray
Rating (1 = worst, 5 = best):
Katie Rose: 5
Hallie: 2.5
Rebecca: 2
Lexie: 2
Smells like ...
Katie Rose: A musky scent.
Hallie: Old Spice deodorant. Not too strong. Not too special in any way.
Rebecca: Spicy and flowery, but kind of nothing-y. Too much of a weird scent.
Lexie: Really bad. Too musky and strong.
Attractive?
Katie Rose: Definitely
Hallie: Maybe. It's not a deal-breaker.
Rebecca: No. I would make the boy get a new cologne.
Lexie: No! Too strong, and smells like the boys locker room.
What boy would wear this?
Katie Rose: A popular guy who cares about his appearance.
Hallie: An older one.
Rebecca: Older guys.
Lexie: A boy who doesn't want girls to be attracted to him.
Axe Essence Deodorant Bodyspray
Rating (1 = worst, 5 = best):
Katie Rose: 4
Hallie: 3
Rebecca: 3
Lexie: 4
Smells like ...
Katie Rose: Mild - not too overpowering.
Hallie: Hair products.
Rebecca: Sweet.
Lexie: Not too strong and not too weak.
Attractive?
Katie Rose: Probably.
Hallie: Yes.
Rebecca: Yes, but it depends on the boy and how much I like him.
Lexie: A little. I wouldn't be all over the guy, but it smells really good.
What boy would wear this?
Katie Rose: Someone looking for a bit of a scent, but nothing over the top.
Hallie: A mysterious one.
Rebecca: A musician - a grunge-rocker.
Lexie: It's great for smart guys, because it's a smart scent.
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in Lifestyle/Scene
MULTIMEDIA
THESE NOSES KNOW
I like it when guys wear a little bit of cologne. The trick is to keep it subtle. An overwhelming scent that I can smell from a mile away isn't attractive at all. I like it better when I just catch a whiff of a really good fragrance. That way, it's almost like he's doing it because he wants to smell good, not because he wants to impress anybody.
I think most girls like it when a guy wears cologne, but I don't know too many who like someone who drowns in it. When I smell obvious cologne on a guy, it makes me think that he's trying too hard. Bottom line: Be flirty, don't club me over the head with it.
- Hallie McKnight, Loretto High School
Teenage boys are notorious for not caring about what they wear, often dressing in baggy pants and grungy T-shirts. Class and sophistication, so often exempt from the teenage boy's style, can be added merely with a spritz of fragrance.
Body spray for boys is a cheap and easy way to add a touch of scent. It adds to a boy's appeal, but only when used in moderation. An overpowering scent is never attractive, and the body spray should never substitute for showering. But something refreshing and subtle displays an image of cleanliness and confidence.
- Katie Rose Mennemeier, St. Francis High School
When it comes to boys wearing cologne or body spray, it makes me think that they're either trying too hard or being too much a sweetheart for a girl.
I have to admit, I do love it when I smell a guy with Axe or Tag on, but cologne can seem a little bit too much. Boys shouldn't be too obvious about wearing body spray or cologne because the truth comes out when they come out of the boys locker room.
Body spray is for dates; cologne is for homecoming or prom - that's my motto.
- Lexie Tiongson, Loretto High School
I love it when guys wear cologne, whether it's every day or on special occasions.
I don't have a favorite scent. I tend to like whatever the guy I like wears and then wearing their jacket and having it smell like them.
I hate it when guys drench themselves in it and when a guy thinks that wearing cologne means you don't have to shower. It's not the same thing!
- Rebecca Scolnick, Folsom High School
QUICK JOB SEARCH
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Lifestyle |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000