He's the one they Dr. Smellgood

August 10, 2008 4:22 PM

Help me find a replacement cologne!

I am extremely picky about cologne. My biggest complaint is that most smell too 'frat boyish' or 'Speed sticky' or 'douchey.'

But once upon a time I found Javari cologne at the Body Shop (Shoppe?). Its spicy, not a hint of pine, kinda citrusy, gingery, woody. I love that stuff. I am on my 3rd bottle. But alas, it is out of production...

Any Javari fans out there find a suitable replacement? I've smelled guys that have cologne on that I would like, but thought it would be weird to ask some random dude what cologne he is wearing.

posted by ian1977 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (13 comments total)

Thymes Olive Leaf
Tommy Bahama Set Sail South Seas
posted by netbros at 5:00 PM on August 10, 2008

Can't help with a specific replacement for Javari since I'm not familiar with it, but you might try Sephora's fragrance finder to get some ideas of ones to try. From what you describ, it sounds like you might be looking for something in the woods category (minus the pine).
posted by scody at 5:12 PM on August 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

eBay. I found a scent that stopped production in the forties or fifties on eBay and it was delightful.
posted by Morrigan at 5:13 PM on August 10, 2008

personal favorite that's citrusy & woody with no pine (and no frat boy/Axe Deodorant disgustingness at all) is Ted Baker Skinwear.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 5:14 PM on August 10, 2008

Just wanted to say that Javari is one of my favourites too and I am, in fact, wearing it now. Lovely!

The Body Shop here in Australia seems to be fairly frequently updating its cologne range and some of them smell quite similar to one another (for reference, I've noticed the lack of Javari too, but at least three others have appeared since then), so just check 'em out.

I always ask other dudes what cologne they are wearing if I particularly like it, but it's usually best to do this about three drinks in.

Of course, your local department store has those ten thousand "tester" bottles for a reason, so just get in there and sample the lining of your nose out. Two good ones I picked up recently are A*Men (it basically smells like delicious chocolate), and Terre D'hermes (which makes you smell rich). Nothing like what you're after, but my point is I used to be a Body Shop/Hugo/Baldessarini kinda guy and one day I just decided, well, there are all these different fragrances, maybe I'll just try a few different ones, and there you have it.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:42 PM on August 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

Acqua di Parma.


No, it's unisex.
posted by Zambrano at 5:48 PM on August 10, 2008

I use Royall Lyme made in the USA under license from Royal Lyme (Bermuda).

It has a citrusy scent and is just right for me.

I found it online. Maybe google it.
posted by JayRwv at 5:51 PM on August 10, 2008

Basenotes says it smells a lot like Le Male.
posted by Houstonian at 6:04 PM on August 10, 2008

My favorite topic!

What notes do you particularly like? From what you've said (spicy, citrus, woodsy) here are a few colognes I think you might like: (woodsy, citrus, herbal sophisticated, all pine-free, non-frat, non douchey)

A sophisticated bright citrus you might like:Eau Imperiale de Guerlain
Futuristic citrus/metallic/wood Ineke Chemical Bondng, or Comme des Garcons 2 or 3
Sophisticate Herr Doktor Pepper? Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale
Crisp apple Cereus pour Homme

Inperiale de Guerlain is frequently available for less than $40 at various online discounters, and CdG 2 shows up for less than $40 on ebay.
posted by abirae at 6:20 PM on August 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

I just placed an order for four samples from Luckyscent, one of which was for the Sushi Imperale. The samples arrive with enough to last three weeks, and they're only $3 each. If you live near a Sephora, they'll give you a couple samples for free if you ask.
posted by Homeskillet Freshy Fresh at 6:54 PM on August 10, 2008

Right on HFF,

Sephora is very generous with their samples. They also carry Terre d'Hermes (woods, flint, bergamot)and Hermes' Un Jardin sur le Medeterane (oranges, aromatic herbs, cedar) which are two of my favorite mens/unisex scents of all time. Hermes Orange Verte is also a classic.
posted by abirae at 7:29 PM on August 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

8 bottles of Javari for sale here.
posted by carmicha at 7:57 PM on August 10, 2008

I hate most cologne, and rarely wear it. Maybe never. Yet, inexplicably, I really like Kenneth Cole New York Signature. Sort of woody, without being musky.
posted by plexi at 8:44 PM on August 10, 2008