A mere two centuries ago, a waft of a perfume told the layperson everything they needed to know about it. This was because perfume was usually derived from a single flower fragrance. Think rose perfumes and jasmine perfumes. Simpler fragrances for what feel like simpler times. Since then, perfumes have evolved to be more complex and multifaceted. Every fragrance is orchestrated with multifaceted accords that have us wondering about the ingredients that went into its creation.
Compounded, they go beyond categories of oriental, florals, woods, etc. They are sensory representations of emotions, places, and even a period of time in one’s life. Looking for perfumes that embody such experiences, I came across barbershop fragrances.
As someone who’s never been to a barbershop, I had to ask around a little to understand what they were and why someone would want to smell like one. Barbershops are more than a place for grooming, serving as a social hub where men find peer group support. Most men have fond early memories of their visit to the barbershop as a glimpse into the world of manhood. It becomes a safe space where one can have light conversations about their favourite sport teams or share personal troubles. It makes sense then that smells tied to the experience of visiting the barbershop is so popular among men.
What does a barbershop smell like?
Barbershop fragrances are reminiscent of the sharp, clean, soapy, and herbal smell of grooming products typically used in barbershops– shaving foam, soap, and aftershave. Over time, their aromatic-herbal profile came to be associated with cleanliness, masculinity, and, because of the time period that popularized it, sophistication.
Pinaud Clubman Clubman
When asking around, I learned that Pinaud Clubman’s Clubman is synonymous with barbershop scents. A blend of oakmoss, citruses, herbal, and spicy notes, Clubman began its journey not through stores but directly in American barbershops and country clubs. It’s evident in the top hat and coattails-wearing gentleman portrayed on the bottle that it’s meant to give an air of aristocracy. Though an older scent that began to be labeled as dated, it is enjoying a resurgence with nostalgia for the fabled simplicity of old school masculinity and the popularity of the ‘old money’ aesthetic.
It’s a light aftershave lotion, making it something intimate to be enjoyed only by the wearer and anyone he allows to be close.
Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir
Drakkar Noir was the Sauvage of the 80s. For men who grew up in the 80s, this would’ve been something you snuck from your dad to feel like a man. It gives a clean, fresh out of the shower scent when fresh out the bottle and dries down to a darker, sophisticated base. It’s overloaded with a variety of ingredients, creating multi-faceted aromatic and woody accords. A heavier formula in its heyday, it has been lightened to better suit modern perfume preferences.
Mon Destin One Day
One Day strikes the right balance between classic and modern for those who want to try barbershop fragrances but are afraid of smelling old or dated. Sweet, creamy hints add character to the green and woody profile typical of traditional barbershop scents. A gentlemanly scent worn best with a suit, but can be transformed for daily wear with lighter sprays.
Chanel Egoiste Platinum
You may not find Egoiste Platinum at a barbershop, but it certainly feels like the barbershop has found you when you catch a whiff of it. Accessibility is inherent to the barbershop profile for loyalists, a rule this perfume breaks. It has a cool, metallic touch that gives platinum cards and crisp notes. You wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this was The Notorious B.I.G’s signature fragrance.
Faiz Niche Aromatic F4993
The most modern on this list, this perfume is made for younger men looking for the fresh green vibe. It functions as an entry level barbershop, best for anyone trying them for the first time. It slips effortlessly into every scenario, be it casual or formal, summer or winter, day or night. A bottle that will replace every other fragrance you own.
To find a barbershop scent on your own, look for Aromatic Fougères. This fragrance family initially began with a combination of lavender, bergamot, oakmoss, and coumarin but has evolved to incorporate aromatics such as rosemary, mint, juniper, wormwood, and sage. While barbershop perfumes are mostly marketed towards men, innovative new aromatic fougères are being made for unisex and female tastes. Find many of these kinds of perfumes exclusively from the best perfume store in the UAE, V Perfumes.
