January 7, 2009
No Joy with Musgo Real’s “Agua de Colonia” #1
I made a big mistake recently: I bought a cologne without smelling it first. I use Musgo Real’s after-shave balsam and pre-shave oil (and occasionally their shaving cream). I enjoy the “classic” smell of these products so I decided to give their “Agua de Colonia” #1 Orange Amber Cologne a try. The fragrance was described thusly:
“‘Agua de Colonia’ #1 Orange Amber Cologne is formulated around a complex blend of Mandarin Orange, Spicy Bergamot and hints of Amber and Musk for a mysterious masculine fragrance that is great for night or daytime use. A welcome alternative to sweet flowery scents.”
Wrong! I can tell you exactly what it smells like: Joy dishwashing liquid. Do not buy this cologne unless you enjoy walking around smelling like a sink full of suds — not exactly a “mysterious masculine fragrance.” (Though the men in my family have long been mysteriously stuck doing the dishes, now that I think about it.)
January 7th, 2009 at 10:49 am
It’s from Portugal. So, it’s guaranteed to grow hair. Or is that just on the women?
January 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am
@Anthony: Now, now, you don’t want to provoke any Mediterranean wrath from my more macho readers.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
And if you bought it in Shenzhen, I can bet you it WAS probably a mixture of 1/3 Joy, 2/3 local tap.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
@Mr Risk: I bought it in Florida but it was probably made in Shenzhen anyway (everything else is). :)
January 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
hi C. Maoxian, buy “Acqua di Parma” cologne, it’s italian and it’s very very good
January 7th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
@Francesco: Thx for the tip and I’ll make sure to smell it first… looks like they have three varieties:
http://www.acquadiparma.com/en/travelnewc.html
Which do you prefer? Some notes on Colonia:
An elegant timeless scent filled with a fresh, luminous blend of natural ingredients like Bulgarian rose, Sicilian citrus fruits, lavender, and verbena.
Notes:
Bergamot, Citrus, Lemon, Bitter Orange, Sweet Orange, English Lavender, Bulgarian or Damascene Rose, Verbena, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oakmoss.
Style:
Classic. Timeless. Natural.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I have simple colonia
In the website I see “colonia” “colonia assoluta” and “colonia intensa”..I have the first one. I think it’s the best product you can find on the market
January 7th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
@Francesco: Thanks again for the tip and I may get a bottle for my birthday (after a test sniff of course).
January 8th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Acqua di Parma was a favorite of all the old Hollywood stars, like Cary Grant and David Niven. I even read that it was so popular even the starlets would wear it. Great stuff but very expensive.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:47 am
…and Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Sharon Stone.
“The company’s original scent, Colonia, was intended to perfume the handkerchiefs of stylish and elegant Italian men. Later on, it grew in popularity, and several celebrities (including Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Sharon Stone, among others) enjoyed the now famous unisex scent, as it demonstrated their own elegance.”(Wikipedia)
Definitely a classic. But very different from todays After Shave/ Men’s Perfumes. I once bought a bottle without trying….and gave it to my grandma, who liked it a lot. So: try first; and probably the Acquas new varieties are very different.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:54 am
@John: Nothing is too expensive for producers of free newsletters like me! :)
@jj: Thanks for the comment and I’ll be sure to sniff before buying, especially if it’s a $100 a bottle.