Splash it all over again
From rich to smoky, fresh to woody, these are the sexiest men’s fragrances ever created, says Rosie Green – one sniff and you’ll be smitten
OUR EXPERT SHARES HER INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that just like the hit of a double gin and tonic, the right smell will render a man instantly more attractive. It’s a double whammy. The right blend of notes will delight your senses, trigger subconscious yearnings and elicit a physiological reaction that’ll make you want to lean in. Plus, a savvy choice of brand will mark out his sense of style and level of sophistication.
I have always been drawn to clean-cut, preppy fragrances, citrussy and cologne-y in type but with a complexity that elevates them from simply shower fresh. This natural inclination means I have guided
(some might say strong-armed) my men in this direction.
In the interests of venturing beyond my chosen fragrance family, I’ve asked ‘sniffluencer’ and fragrance expert Alice du Parcq (@aliceduparcq) for her lowdown on the most seductive of male scents.
Devilish
Tom Ford Ébène Fumé EDP, €255 for 50ml, brownthomas.com
Bless yourself – Tom Ford is taking us to church and throwing us over a pew with this spiritual holy water. It’s packed with incense and rich smoky resins that reek of Catholic guilt and naughty choirboys.
Charming
Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan EDP, €211.45 for 100ml, lookfantastic.ie Sumptuous, golden, rich and opulent, with a touch of baby powder to soften its edges. On skin this one has an Indiana Jones effect: like you’ve opened a treasure chest and let the glow bathe you in amber radiance. And what partner wouldn’t want their lover to evoke a tanned, rugged Harrison Ford circa 1981?
Model David Gandy, 44, on skincare and fitting into his tighty whities
I use My Nanna’s Mousse (below). It’s an incredible product by Larry King, who has been my hairstylist for years. It’s about using a product before your hair dries, not just putting on pomade or wax afterwards.
I took extreme measures to look good in those trunks for the Dolce & Gabbana shoots – for the last one I tried salt depletion.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. It’s three days of drinking lots of water to flush out salts, then you come off water for 24 hours to dehydrate yourself. The aim is to take away an extra layer of bloating, but it feels horrible.
I don’t use enough sunscreen because I’m British. We barely see any sun so when we do we get very excited, but I’ve learnt the hard way that you need to wear it. Now I buy a moisturiser with SPF in it so I don’t have to double up.
Calorie counting is rubbish. Not eating things that are processed and knowing that food in a packet is generally not going to be great for you is better. While I try to avoid anything white – white bread, white pasta – it’s all about moderation and I pretty much eat what I like and that includes sweets and cakes. My thing is being able to consume enough calories for my size and the amount I train.
I haven’t got time to trim my wick like Beckham. But I do love a good candle. Malin + Goetz’s new leather one is stunning. For fragrance I still wear Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme and also its Velvet Vetiver, which is only available in a few of its boutiques.
What chiropractors do is seen as witchcraft, but you’ll feel incredible afterwards. Doctors never really recommend them, but
I’ve been going to chiropractors for years. I see Dr Kiran Gill and she manipulates me and straightens me up. It’s 360 wellness, working on your nervous system, too. Post session your digestion is better and you feel more flexible. I’ve sent friends and family who have been in pain for years and they are free of it after seeing her.
Guys, good skin’s not that complicated. When you read the stats, something like 50 per cent of men don’t use any grooming products. It used to be deemed unmanly, but that’s changing. You just need three products – a moisturiser, enzyme cleanser or scrub and a serum. I like Dr Sebagh’s products (below) and the Swedish brand Fjor. I know they are good because my wife steals them.
I’m partial to powders and pills. I use a Vitabiotics protein powder and take creatine. It gives you a bit of extra strength and energy when you are training. And I’ve been taking Wellman supplements for 20 years – they contain zinc and all the nutrients you need. I’ve never been the best sleeper and I notice my energy drops if I don’t take them.
I like my massages unpleasant. They should hurt a bit. When your muscles are tense, releasing them is the whole point.
she told one interviewer, asking another, ‘Did you see the movie? I haven’t. You know more about it than me.’
I take it there’s a social media backlash underway.
This post on X sums up the general feeling about the confused plotting. ‘Madame Web is one of the best movies ever about Spider-Man’s uncle’s coworker.’
Right. So, the storyline seems to be the main problem.
No. That would be the script.
What’s wrong with the script? Audiences have been enthusiastically gathering the best (worst) bits of dialogue, with one from the trailer (‘He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died’) going viral as a meme.
Give me some others.
‘When your heart starts back up again… you’re fine’ and ‘Obviously it was bad... she died’ are among the favourites.
How has Dakota Johnson reacted?
After the trailer was released late last year she ditched her talent agency. Read into that what you will.
Has the film made any money? It cost €75 million to make but grossed just €23.5 million at its US opening.
So, it’s officially flopped?
Badly. One X user went as far as to warn fellow cinemagoers they needed to take precautions. ‘Stay safe out there, everyone... I had two tickets for the Madame Web movie in my car and someone broke in and left four more.’
WORDS: ANNA PURSGLOVE
PROBLEM ‘I’m 5ft 2in so it’s hard to find dresses and jeans that are a flattering length, especially since I wear flat shoes for work. I’m apple-shaped so I usually opt for baggy mididresses and avoid full skirts in case they drown me. I’m stuck in a rut.’
Sue was convinced she didn’t have a waist and there wasn’t an outfit that could prove otherwise. That was until I revealed to her the magic combo of A-lines, belts and blouson sleeves. The wider hem contrasts with the cinched waist and the sleeves create volume up top, giving an hourglass silhouette.
HThe print is statement but neutral tones stop it feeling extreme and the pattern extends from top to bottom, which has an elongating effect.
HHSimple slingbacks keep it elegant.
Dress, €185, phase-eight.com.
Earrings, €25, hobbs.com. Bag, €48, riverisland.com. Shoes, €27.99, asos.com ‘I would never have picked a maxidress as I’m short, but it’s the perfect length. And the pointed shoes are so glamorous – so on trend. It’s made me much more confident about trying on styles I thought I wouldn’t suit. When I go shopping with my husband he always points at dresses and says: “That would look great on you!” Before, I’d think they couldn’t work for me, but now I know to never say never.’