Manly body products.

[notyouraverageguy]

I literally just went up the aisle uncapping and sniffing almost every men's deodorant when I reached this point. I initially bought the Old Spice Hawkridge, but after a couple days of wearing it, I got annoyed with the fact that the smell never faded. So now I only use that one when I run out of time to shower in the morning. I like the Dove Cool Silver much better- you can still smell it if you lean in and give it a good whiff, but it isn't still the ONLY thing you can smell 8 hours later.

After reading the thread, I guess I'm the only guy that stinks here. I have to use a different deodorant every time I buy one because the smell never lasts for me. Idk if I've tried that old spice one yet, but I'm going to if I haven't. I need something that smells good and lasts because I sweat non stop. Which makes me stink and the smells fade, and I end up giving the leftover to my dad.

Honestly the smell is personal preference and body chemistry. If I were to wear the same cologne as you, for example, it would smell different on each of us because of how it mixes with our natural oils and smells. So if you smell it and you like it keep in mind it may not always smell the same on you, you just have to try it out. I personally stick with citrus smells, light colored cologne. I try not to use scented body wash or cologne body wash because my skin is pretty sensitive, plus it mostly dries you out.

[Taka]

i ended up on a fairly pure crystal deodorant. no scent, no white stains, and no known toxins. baking soda usually contains the same type of salt as in the best crystal deodorants, and would probably work just as well as that.

when combined with a hot bath or sauna, rather than that quick skin drying shower, my natural scent ends up better than any unnatural ones that i could apply. and nobody would get any allergic reaction from me wearing too much of something or other.

nothing is more manly than the natural scent of a person with enough t in their body. i don't have that, but also don't care about masking a feminine scent. i have a nice and fairly natural aftershave cream that i can use when i feel like smelling a little manlier.

[Adam (birkin)]

After reading the thread, I guess I'm the only guy that stinks here. I have to use a different deodorant every time I buy one because the smell never lasts for me. Idk if I've tried that old spice one yet, but I'm going to if I haven't. I need something that smells good and lasts because I sweat non stop. Which makes me stink and the smells fade, and I end up giving the leftover to my dad.

I have the same problem, and that was even before I was pre-T. I have to change deodorants every 2 or 3 weeks. I find I alternate between one I really like (like an Old Spice one) and a Arm and Hammer one, and that normally does the trick. I found after years of not using women's deodorant, though, it worked like a charm one time when I needed something in a pinch.

[nether]

Irish spring body wash! Some Gucci cologne are my faves. Rue 21 black always got me compliments and random girls at bars and school would just come up and start sniffing me. Very easy conversation starter lol

[Lyric]

Not to offend, but to honest, caring about things like colognes, "body washes" and shampoos is actually more of a girly thing in itself. Most guys have never heard the term "body wash" and just use whatever shampoo is in arms length when they need it. Colognes are another one of those things most guys don't even think about unless they're going on a date or something.

If you really want to get more into being a guy, I'd say pay less attention to body products and more to things guys get into-- or at least the things guys are doing that interest you.

~ Lyric ~

[Frank]

Not to offend, but to honest, caring about things like colognes, "body washes" and shampoos is actually more of a girly thing in itself. Most guys have never heard the term "body wash" and just use whatever shampoo is in arms length when they need it. Colognes are another one of those things most guys don't even think about unless they're going on a date or something.

If you really want to get more into being a guy, I'd say pay less attention to body products and more to things guys get into-- or at least the things guys are doing that interest you.

~ Lyric ~

That's because most guys grow up using daddy's soap and don't have to deal with switching from girl stuff to man stuff. So yeah, that IS kind of irritating because we have to learn this stuff but at an older age.

[aleon515]

Not to offend, but to honest, caring about things like colognes, "body washes" and shampoos is actually more of a girly thing in itself. Most guys have never heard the term "body wash" and just use whatever shampoo is in arms length when they need it. Colognes are another one of those things most guys don't even think about unless they're going on a date or something.

If you really want to get more into being a guy, I'd say pay less attention to body products and more to things guys get into-- or at least the things guys are doing that interest you.

~ Lyric ~

If you feel the need to preface a comment with "not to offend" or "I mean no offense but", keep in mind that you usually *do* offend. I don't really care about them, but I am still not happy with this comment.


--Jay

[Lyric]

If you feel the need to preface a comment with "not to offend" or "I mean no offense but", keep in mind that you usually *do* offend. I don't really care about them, but I am still not happy with this comment.

Well, my intent was, as always, to be constructive, not offensive. One thing I've noticed often (in myself as well as others) is a tendency to approach gender crossing/changing from the perspective of your original gender. MTFs often apply the typically masculine trait of focusing on objects (like articles of clothing or bosoms or something). FTMs may approach masculinity with a focus on things like smells or sensations, a basic feminine tendency. These tendencies probably come from the basic differences between genetically male and female brains. This is not to say there's anything wrong with getting into masculinity from a somewhat feminine viewpoint. You have to start somewhere. If smells and body products do the trick for you, that's great. I suspect though, that once you spend a few years living a masculine life-- particularly if hormones changes are involved-- your interests in such things will probably diminish.

[GnomeKid]

I like old spice Fiji for a spray deodorant under the arms (I can't do the sticks, they bug me) and then I usually do a single spray of Elixir Green from C.O. Bigelow (the mens brand they sell at bath and body works) front and center and go on with my day.  The biggest thing there is don't use too much!  I try to put it on right when I get out of the shower, so that by the time I get out in the world I don't really smell like much at all. 

My room mates really like the elixir black, but its a little to heavy and old man-ish for me.  I've got a couple other ones from bath and body works that my room mates also enjoy that aren't really my cup of tea (my mom likes to get me stuff from there, so its kind of pure chance if I like it or not), but I can't remember what they're called.

For soap I just found Every Man Jack which is nice... the citrus smelled a little too much like orange soda for my taste (though I love the elixir white citrus soap from c o bigelow) but I got the other scent and its fine.  More so than the scent selection, however, I like that its actually a thick gel and so its easy to use just enough as opposed to some brands (like the old spice soaps) where more soap ends up down the drain without being at all useful to the cleaning process just because its so runny.  Some cold mornings its so thickened its hard to get it to the end of the bottle to squeeze out without running it under water.

[GnomeKid]

Well, my intent was, as always, to be constructive, not offensive. One thing I've noticed often (in myself as well as others) is a tendency to approach gender crossing/changing from the perspective of your original gender. MTFs often apply the typically masculine trait of focusing on objects (like articles of clothing or bosoms or something). FTMs may approach masculinity with a focus on things like smells or sensations, a basic feminine tendency. These tendencies probably come from the basic differences between genetically male and female brains. This is not to say there's anything wrong with getting into masculinity from a somewhat feminine viewpoint. You have to start somewhere. If smells and body products do the trick for you, that's great. I suspect though, that once you spend a few years living a masculine life-- particularly if hormones changes are involved-- your interests in such things will probably diminish.

Hmm.  Or it could be seen in this case that the toiletries are being seen as male or masculine "Objects" which prior to transition were potentially not accessible for one reason or another.  These objects are now becoming available, and in the same way one would ask advice on which car to purchase once one finally got the money the OP decided to ask us our advice on which products have suited us best.

Also, not everyone is interested in being the type of man you're describing.  Some men, biological men (and not just flamboyantly gay ones), really do take time to find a good scent that they'll use for years and years.

If anything, on these forums I'd hope we all had some understanding that gender is fluid, and that stuff men are interested in and stuff women are interested in are not prescribed by genetics in that XX means you like these things and XY means you like these things.  There are many females with stereotypical male jobs, and males with stereotypic female jobs, who love what they do.  Maybe some people on this forum aren't the type of men who would naturally enjoy stereotypical male things regardless of their birth gender.  For every transman with an interest (non-trans issue related) I could show you a biological male with that same interest.

[AdamMLP]

Well, my intent was, as always, to be constructive, not offensive. One thing I've noticed often (in myself as well as others) is a tendency to approach gender crossing/changing from the perspective of your original gender. MTFs often apply the typically masculine trait of focusing on objects (like articles of clothing or bosoms or something). FTMs may approach masculinity with a focus on things like smells or sensations, a basic feminine tendency. These tendencies probably come from the basic differences between genetically male and female brains. This is not to say there's anything wrong with getting into masculinity from a somewhat feminine viewpoint. You have to start somewhere. If smells and body products do the trick for you, that's great. I suspect though, that once you spend a few years living a masculine life-- particularly if hormones changes are involved-- your interests in such things will probably diminish.

Studies seem to suggest that our brains are closer to those of our gender than of our sex, so your reasoning doesn't really make sense there.  It's more likely a case of being brought up in a specific way than the make up of our brains, because if the gender of our brains matched the bodies that we are in then surely there wouldn't be gender dysphoria and a need to transition?

I saw this thread as less of trying to "get into masculinity" but more as someone looking to replace their toiletries (because let's face it, not many men want to smell of flowers and have a bathroom full of pretty pink bottles) and looking for advice as to where to start, because no one wants to spend money on stuff that doesn't smell at least all right.  Same as I don't want to buy the deodorant that made everywhere it touched flake again.

[Arch]

I've never understood people's need to smell like something else, but I have to admit that I prefer not to be discernible AT ALL to other people. So I am interested in odor suppression, not enhancement or augmentation. For my purposes, a good unscented deodorant/antiperspirant is best. I use it only when I must, though.

If you do use scented products of any kind, try to go easy on them. A little usually goes a long way.

I was on an elevator last year with some students, a guy and three young women. He reeked to high heaven of something...maybe Axe, I don't know. The girls/women (they were about eighteen) were doing some kind of teenage girl thing, whispering and giggling. I didn't pay much attention. I was more concerned about the allergy headache I was getting from Mr. Axe. I was starting on a real headpounder.

The guy got off on his floor, and as soon as the doors were closing, the three girls SHRIEKED like a steam whistle (my ears were ringing for several weeks) and started talking about how much he had laid on the cologne/body spray/whatever. I've never been comfortable with teenage girls, but this was one of those few times that I felt like saying, "Amen, sisters." I was just arriving at the library, and I had all of this research to do while I did battle with a monster allergy headache.

I would have taken the stairs, but my middle-aged body is going downhill fast, and old injuries are coming back to haunt me.

[aleon515]

Well, my intent was, as always, to be constructive, not offensive. One thing I've noticed often (in myself as well as others) is a tendency to approach gender crossing/changing from the perspective of your original gender. MTFs often apply the typically masculine trait of focusing on objects (like articles of clothing or bosoms or something). FTMs may approach masculinity with a focus on things like smells or sensations, a basic feminine tendency. These tendencies probably come from the basic differences between genetically male and female brains. This is not to say there's anything wrong with getting into masculinity from a somewhat feminine viewpoint. You have to start somewhere. If smells and body products do the trick for you, that's great. I suspect though, that once you spend a few years living a masculine life-- particularly if hormones changes are involved-- your interests in such things will probably diminish.

But aren't you gender/presentation policing? Who gives a fig?

Why is there are sharp demarcation of what's acceptable for one gender and not another? I think going thru this journey of ours, we can decide what we want to take with us and what we don't. I, for one, like doing jigsaws of puppies and kitties and don't plan to have you (or someone else) tell me it isn't manly enough. I know trans guys who after a few years on T decide they are safe to start knitting or whatever. I think we have a bit more freedom than cis men on this sort of thing. Besides ever know any metrosexuals? These guys are more interested in such things than the most feminine of women. We are free, why make some kind of false and ridiculous gender walls that don't need to exist?

I personally am not, never been into scents. That's fine too. But funny thing. I got some shaving gel and hated it. I figured it had a flowery scent and that's why I didn't like it. What it really was was that I wanted the old fashioned stuff that smelled like what my dad used.

I know trans women who have very "masculine' interests. Who cares? One thing I know, boys have a much more rigid socialization than girls. So they are slapped down really fast for what even appears to be any kind of remotely feminine interests. I am not interested in this socialization, because it has bred a lot of violence in our society, imo.
I know boys now being raised in a much more healthy way.


--Jay

[Nero]

One thing I've noticed often (in myself as well as others) is a tendency to approach gender crossing/changing from the perspective of your original gender. MTFs often apply the typically masculine trait of focusing on objects (like articles of clothing or bosoms or something). FTMs may approach masculinity with a focus on things like smells or sensations, a basic feminine tendency.

I see what you're saying, however, I think it's actually the opposite. Women are usually the ones interested in clothing and the body. They may like scent as well and they probably do like such things more than guys. But women are the ones stereotypically concerned with all this stuff - clothing, body shape, toiletries, etc. However, typical guys are concerned about not smelling (or acting, looking) feminine, so this thread fits right in for guys who grew up with female products.

Anyway, your first point is interesting and I bet there's some truth to it for some things.

[Adam (birkin)]

FWIW my brother uses all girly scents, and when I sleep over, I use them too. I can't say anyone has ever said anything. I tend to use stuff that my parents buy so sometimes it's something like Ivory, or a Costco brand, other times my dad will buy Old Spice.

[Bardoux]

Well, not to offend either, lol, but I was acually thinking the same thing before I even read Lyric's reply. I was thinking about my bf and ex bf's (all very macho type of guys) and none of them gave a sh*t. They just grabbed whatever what was available even if it was my (women) stuff. Some washed their hair with body wash as if it was some kind of all in 1 product, or washed their body with my expensive shampoo (dammit) or even conditioner, lol) and one guy even sometimes put on my Coco Chanel perfume after he ran out of his after shave (Paco Rabana 1 Million, it's nice!). Even on his clothes and coat. As if it was some cheap perfume.. Watching him do that was priceless though. This same guy would just as easily not shower for 3 or 4 days (and still smell yummy.. I loved his natural smell). They don't care.

All of them could wake up and leave the house 5 minutes later (where I need at least an hour to get ready, jealous!). I personally think that guys should only wear perfume when they go out, but that's just me. Oh, and none of them used deodorant now that I think about it. One used antiperspirant once a month or so (or when I told him to). Things they all kept using from me were shaving knives, shaving cream, toothpaste and toothpicks. That's it.

How does that sum up the male population though? There is nothing wrong with a man wanting to look after himself. In fact i find it damn attractive when a man gives consideration to how he presents and smells. There was an article recently in GQ by the editor on how he takes a heck of a lot longer in the bathroom than his gf, how most of the bathroom shelves are occupied by his styling products and how he gets compliments most places he goes regarding his style. In fact i think he wrote than at one point his gf actually asked him to dress down a bit for a wedding so he didn't make the groom look bad lol! From the article photos he did look really dapper.
To use another cheesy example, James Bond was very dapper, had great dress sense in sharp suits, and i'm sure smelt just as great as well. I'm sure most men wouldn't question the masculinity of actors like Sean Connery and Daniel Craig.

[Sophia Hawke]

Go with whatever cleans you good and keeps you from being smelly.  Dove makes man products that work quite well on both accounts without making you smell girly.  If u Dont break out in acne, try the cheapest brand of whatever you can find! Some men skip deodorant as well(far more than you'd think)

[Lyric]

But aren't you gender/presentation policing?

Ha! Anybody who knows me would get a laugh at the idea of me be accused of "gender policing". Actually, I was speaking more from a biological standpoint than a social one. There are certain sensitivities known to be common human gender traits. The areas of the brain that sense smells and discern colors and patterns are tend to be more developed in human females than in males. In fact, by evolutionary standards, the human female has, in many ways, been considered to be generally more highly developed than the male. This helps explain why g-males tend to have so little passion for bathroom potions.

Anyway, as I said before, if drugstore products make you feel the way you want, go for it. We all take our own approach to our destination.

[aleon515]

Ha! Anybody who knows me would get a laugh at the idea of me be accused of "gender policing". Actually, I was speaking more from a biological standpoint than a social one. There are certain sensitivities known to be common human gender traits. The areas of the brain that sense smells and discern colors and patterns are tend to be more developed in human females than in males. In fact, by evolutionary standards, the human female has, in many ways, been considered to be generally more highly developed than the male. This helps explain why g-males tend to have so little passion for bathroom potions.

Anyway, as I said before, if drugstore products make you feel the way you want, go for it. We all take our own approach to our destination.

Well maybe if I knew you... but I only know from a random post. Sounds sort of policing, based on your behavior. Not on you soul. I don't have any idea on that.

G-males (you mean cis males maybe?) or genetic? Who cares what anybody else thinks. I don't care what the average cis male thinks tbh.

I have heard though that T makes your olfactory sense less strong. Not sure how this affects trans guys who might still have some ability to tell one sense from another. Also we know that metrosexual guys are very aware of smell, so...

I wonder how true this is though. When going to the drug store, I find it hard to find unscented products. I have to wade thru the display full of guy-scented products from a zillion different Axes and Dove and other things. If cis guys didn't like them I'm guessing they wouldn't be there.

Why the heck are you so concerned with what the guys here do anyway?


--Jay

[Arch]

I have heard though that T makes your olfactory sense less strong.

I was actually hoping that this would happen to me because I have such a keen sense of smell that being around other people can be unpleasant. Alas, no progress on the olfactory front. My sniffer is just as sharp as ever.