Okay, so I don't have a lot of male role models. I'll never be Spock or Carl Sagan or Eric Kandel or Iggy Pop or Robin Hood or T. S. Eliot or anybody but me, and I'm not sure I want to smell like any of those guys anyway.
And yes I know Spock is not a real person. xD
I've spent most of my life tending toward unscented, extremely practical bath products. Lately I've been buying gendered things just to see if it helps me pass, or helps me feel like I pass. I like it, but it's confusing, and I've wasted some money.
Anybody want to chime in about any soap, deodorant, shampoo, razors, etc that you like? Or advice on male hygiene in general? Past threads on the topic have been interesting.
I use the Men's ocean spray from Bath & Body Works, but I've also used Old Spice "Fiji" and "Komodo" in the past which are really good. My deodorant is usually "Axe: Sharp Focus" but I'm thinking about to switching to a deodorant called "Dusk" from GNC.
Right Guard: Total Defense (with protein) is my body wash and shampoo currently.
I plan on getting an electric razor soon, but I don't have one yet. :p
I use Old Spice everything. I love the way it smells and it makes me feel more like a boy. I mean, seriously, Old Spice is classic.
I happen to have gillette body wash and deodorant right now. I also have a razor but no need to use it just yet. I find that a small spray of Aeropstale Maximum tops it off for me and the confidance flows.
I prefer unscented deodorant so it doesn't interact with my cologne (which is Emporio Armani's "Diamonds" for men). I also have Old Spice "Fiji" deodorant which is awesome and some nasty Degree stuff that I just bought because it was cheap. Sometimes I use Axe "Dark Temptation" bodyspray as well, it's the only Axe product I like.
I find that the type of shampoo/bodywash you use doesn't matter, as no one can smell it once you get out the shower anyway. I'd advise you just to get what works.
Quote from: Wesley_33 on November 14, 2011, 01:40:33 PM
I happen to have gillette body wash and deodorant right now. I also have a razor but no need to use it just yet. I find that a small spray of Aeropstale Maximum tops it off for me and the confidance flows.
O:
You just started T today?
Congratulations!
I use a lot of Axe products (according to Wikipedia, their products are called Lynx in the UK and sorts), got lots of different deodorants lying around here. Lots of different 'manly' smells haha. And I always felt they work better than my other deodorants, but that could just be me.
I usually use axe, dial, or old spice soaps and gender neutral shampoos, the shampoos I usually use are either neutral, or leaning toward girls products because i want my hair healthy like treseme or suave professionals
Just open the soaps and see what smells you enjoy, I think old spice is the best.
my boyfriend uses old spice swagger and its really nice because it smells good and it cleans so well and makes you feel super fresh and like any dead skin cells are washed away
right now I am using dial magnetic it says it has pheromones to attract people ;) and it is red colored like blood which is my favorite part, and it smells so good.
but I like my "girly" things too, like bath soaps and bath beads for baths and stuff, just to relax, I wish they made manlier smelling bath salts because I love masculine scents
i use old spice fiji deodorant, all different shampoos, dove soap on my body, ivory soap on my face (for acne), gillette razor, and this cologne. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=362965&catid=183369&aid=338666&aparam=362965&scinit1=pla&scinit2={keyword} (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=362965&catid=183369&aid=338666&aparam=362965&scinit1=pla&scinit2=%7Bkeyword%7D)
Thanks Jason
I got into using coupons so that led to getting all the soaps and shampoo I use. I think anything that smells clean works. Not to much or heavy smells. Nothing worse than standing next to someone who soaked in smells.
I usually go for anything sporty, pepperminty or chocolatey - my favourite products are some blue shower gel from Lush (can't remember the name, but it's marketed for men and smells of mint), Sonic Death Monkey from Lush and Lynx Chocolate body spray. I really want to get some new aftershave - I like Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. Think it's going on my boyf's Christmas list, hehe! :)
I love Lynx brand deo (marketed as Axe in the US) and my fave scent is Dark Temptation. I use Gillette Mach 3 razors and Gillette shaving foam and aftershave lotion. For my 'do, I use VO5 styling wax. Soap is a nice bergamot scent from Rivers and I use just plain old Organic Care dandruff shampoo.
Quote from: Ayden on November 14, 2011, 01:10:52 PM
I use Old Spice everything. I love the way it smells and it makes me feel more like a boy. I mean, seriously, Old Spice is classic.
original scent old spice?
Quote from: Wesley_33 on November 14, 2011, 01:40:33 PM
I happen to have gillette body wash and deodorant right now. I also have a razor but no need to use it just yet. I find that a small spray of Aeropstale Maximum tops it off for me and the confidance flows.
Which scent? I just got some gillete body wash. It says fresh+clean, and the scent is Arctic Ice. I think I like the way it smells, but I'm not sure how good it is for my skin. Not sure if I care how good it is for my skin.
I'd never heard of Aeropostale Maximum. Haven't ever tried cologne, but I've noticed these little nominal indicators of malehood help me a lot.
Quote from: Gifted Universal on November 14, 2011, 01:57:47 PM
I prefer unscented deodorant so it doesn't interact with my cologne (which is Emporio Armani's "Diamonds" for men). I also have Old Spice "Fiji" deodorant which is awesome and some nasty Degree stuff that I just bought because it was cheap. Sometimes I use Axe "Dark Temptation" bodyspray as well, it's the only Axe product I like.
I find that the type of shampoo/bodywash you use doesn't matter, as no one can smell it once you get out the shower anyway. I'd advise you just to get what works.
If I put on my deodorant right after I get out of the shower, I find that the combination of scents is pretty clashing and nasty. Gillete Arctic Ice bodywash and Old Spice Fresh High Endurance deodorant. You're right the bodywash scent goes away pretty quick. I think I like that smell better than the deodorant's smell, though. The "Fresh" smell is too sharp and I'm not sure what. This is why I asked. I feel lost in this realm.
Also, the deodorant doesn't work. It has no antiperspirant, and I wish I'd noticed that before I bought it. I'm not a fan of frequent showers, so antiperspirant effect is a must.
I found some Axe spray on a streetcar bench the other day (just a weird coincidence), and the label says Clix. I'm not sure I like it, but I think I might like it better than the body wash and deodorant smells. Even if it's douchey, it still seems pretty male to me.
Lol but Axe carries such stigma.
I got some disposable (but nice-ish) men's razors, with the intention of shaving my face even if I'm not on T. There are black hairs on my chin that I usually pluck because they look weird, and I might as well go through these motions.
Thanks everybody for your input so far. I'm kinda wandering in the dark with this stuff. I do think after I've transitioned better I won't want much scent at all, but I think for now if I keep it subtle or classy or inoffensive enough it might be really good for helping me keep my feet on the ground.
I use Tom's of Maine long lasting in the mountain spring scent (which I think is the only one that actually reads "mens" on the label). It's the first natural deodorant I've come across that actually works. And I don't mind the smell.
All my soap for the last year or so has come from a local lady that hand makes it in awesome "flavors" like lavender, oatmeal, lemongrass, etc. Yeah, not very manly-man, right? But it's awesome stuff.
I'm not really into cologne or anything. I never buy shaving cream/gel because soap works just as well and I don't have many whiskers to shave off anyway.
Old Spice makes me feel manly and it's generally pretty nice. I use the body wash and deodorant.
Someone told me I smelled like a waterfall once. Apparently I have my own distinctive 'scent'.
I LOVE my men's toiletries :)
Deodorant: I prefer Old Spice "after hours", Arm and Hammer is good as well, I find.
Soap/body wash: Dove Men+Care "Deep Clean" it has the scrubbing particles in it, and I find it works very well since I can get just as gross as a bio-male, Gillette and Old Spice are awesome as well.
Razors: Gillette Fusion. Lots of blades = better shave, even if it is just the peach fuzz. The trimmer blade is excellent. Keeps the sideburns in proper shape.
Use the Gillette shave gel, as well. Covers well, smells great. The Gillette cooling cream is ok, but if you have acne prone-skin, you may want to skip it. I found that I had more pimples the next day after using it.
Another thing you'll want to have on hand for acne/pimples in general: Oxy pads. Use as often as needed, without drying out your skin. You can get sensitive skin in these. Very important item to have, especially if you've started on T.
Body Spray: I have cans of Axe, but don't use them very often. "Kilo" is waaayyyy too strong. Even if you only put a small amount on. It also starts to smell funky after a few hours. "Pheonix" is good. Not too strong a smell, and don't go all weird after a day of wear.
;D
Quote from: Elijah on November 14, 2011, 02:48:11 PM
I usually use axe, dial, or old spice soaps and gender neutral shampoos, the shampoos I usually use are either neutral, or leaning toward girls products because i want my hair healthy like treseme or suave professionals
Just open the soaps and see what smells you enjoy, I think old spice is the best.
my boyfriend uses old spice swagger and its really nice because it smells good and it cleans so well and makes you feel super fresh and like any dead skin cells are washed away
right now I am using dial magnetic it says it has pheromones to attract people ;) and it is red colored like blood which is my favorite part, and it smells so good.
but I like my "girly" things too, like bath soaps and bath beads for baths and stuff, just to relax, I wish they made manlier smelling bath salts because I love masculine scents
Thanks for the blood coloring detail. :)
I like certain girly things, too. When I get an apartment with a bathroom again (current one is substandard, communal bathrooms), I want to go back to using sugar scrub. It makes such a mess that I'm afraid of getting in trouble using it where I'm at.
I also like conditioner. I was confused the other day at the grocery store, looking for male conditioner. Took me awhile to get the insight that duh guys probably aren't much into that kind of thing. But I know may hair and skin gets staticky and itchy if I don't condition. Not ready to give it up yet. I ended up getting some Tresemme Naturals stuff. Smells pretty neutral.
I use lotion too sometimes. Do guys use lotion?
Quote from: insideontheoutside on November 14, 2011, 11:10:02 PM
I use Tom's of Maine long lasting in the mountain spring scent (which I think is the only one that actually reads "mens" on the label). It's the first natural deodorant I've come across that actually works. And I don't mind the smell.
All my soap for the last year or so has come from a local lady that hand makes it in awesome "flavors" like lavender, oatmeal, lemongrass, etc. Yeah, not very manly-man, right? But it's awesome stuff.
I'm not really into cologne or anything. I never buy shaving cream/gel because soap works just as well and I don't have many whiskers to shave off anyway.
Thank you. I used to work at a health food store and I never found any Tom's of Main products that worked well for much of anything, but I do respect the company and I'll try the mountain spring stuff.
I have some years-old Barbasol that an old boyfriend left, but I wasn't really planning to use shaving cream either. I never did back when I shaved my legs.
I use lotion on my face, but it's just my wife's brand.
If you need any shaving tips (if it'll be your first time), this is a good place to start. I hope you find products you like :)
http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/shavingtips (http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/shavingtips)
QuoteSomeone told me I smelled like a waterfall once.
That's kinda awesome. :)
And thanks for the advice, Kyle. My skin is not great, already pretty oily, and I expect that when I start T I'll have some pretty teenagery zit problems.
I am honest to god going to go smell everything that yall mention. ;D
And thanks for the link. I remember when I was a little kid I got caught twice trying to shave, but both times I ended up pretty bloody. Instructions are nice. xD
Quote from: Felix on November 15, 2011, 12:05:28 AM
That's kinda awesome. :)
And thanks for the advice, Kyle. My skin is not great, already pretty oily, and I expect that when I start T I'll have some pretty teenagery zit problems.
I am honest to god going to go smell everything that yall mention. ;D
Haha. I'm in the same boat. I'll prob have to wear a ski mask for cover :laugh:
No skin issues with the gillette stuff for me. I can't believe I forgot to tell you about the Vaseline Men Extra Strength Body & Face Lotion. It smells great and you can still smell it on you hours later.
Oh ho ho... a topic I feel sort of like I can reply to! I got into using male shampoo and such when I was still married.
I like Axe. I don't mind the stigma that some people feel it has from other people.
I use Axe Zen for my shampoo (it has tea tree oil extracts in it, which helps with my psorsis), and I use Axe Twist for my body wash, deoderant, and body spray (so that way I don't have a huge mix of sents following me around all day long). I also use Axe Understated to help style and hold my hair. It has a clean sent that pairs well with the Zen shampoo. (And I swear it's just a conicidence that my boyfriend's name is Twist! >.> )
I really enjoy smelling like a male, and even if there are places where I'm unable to pass just yet, the sents help me get through the tough days. I can just lift my shirt to my nose, take a deep breath, and bam... insta happy. Or at least, insta as much as possible!
I use an Adidas Fresh sports antiperspirant/deodorant, and when it's particularly hot during Summer I have a small roll on antiperspirant version of the same scent in my backpack. It smells awesome.
I use Lynx Anti-Hangover body wash (Americans call it Axe instead of Lynx I believe) 'cause it smells kinda like lime and it's awesome.
I use Gillette razors for my face.
Oh, and my usual cologne ('cause I'm a sucker for good smells) is a Marc Jacobs one, a small glass bottle with a black lid, I think it's just called 'Men' or something. I started using it when I was about 14.. :D
Spock is too a real person!
I'm not listening to you! -plugs ears with fingers- LALALALALALALALALA!!!
Also, I used my regular body wash to shave because it's gentle on my skin and is cheap as. :P
For deodorant I use Quantum by Sure.
Body wash I just use whatever to be honest, if it's cheap and smells ok I'll use it.
For shaving I use a Edwin Jagger safety razor, makes me feel very masculine. I used to use a Gillette fusion razor but the cartridges were expensive. I can get 50 double edge blades for nearly £7 compaired with £15 for 8 cartridges so I moved to a safety razor.
Quote from: Nathan. on November 15, 2011, 04:28:14 AM
For shaving I use a Edwin Jagger safety razor, makes me feel very masculine. I used to use a Gillette fusion razor but the cartridges were expensive. I can get 50 double edge blades for nearly £7 compaired with £15 for 8 cartridges so I moved to a safety razor.
Edwin Jagger razors are absolute beasts, which one have you got? I've got the DE89L and it's fantastic.
Sometimes use Wilkinson sword Hydro 5 which is decent. Recently got a Philips electric razor which can be used dry or wet with shave gel.
Shower gel is usually Old Spice, Lynx excite/africa or Palmolive olive oil.
Shampoo is Head and Shoulders hair endurance and then any random conditioner.
Deo is either Old Spice, Brut or Nivea cool kick.
I use American Crew Forming Cream on my hair, which is very versatile with good hold and medium shine.
I'm not interested in the smell lasting with any of these because I always use an EDT afterwards.
Soap: Axe Dark Temptation, it smells sort of sweet and makes me feel pretty manly, it also doesn't clash with my deo.
Deo: Dolce Gabbana's The One, it smells amazing, like wood but also spicy, I love it to bits. Sadly it's quite expensive, so I guess I'll have to wish for a new bottle of it for Christmas.
Shampoo: The icky-smelling medicinal dandruff shampoo. It doesn't smell as bad as the one I used previously, that had sulphur in it, but it still makes my hair smell unpleasant. I hate my dandruff with a fiery passion, and nothing I do seems to help. If I move my head, dandruff falls. If I stroke my hair or wear a hat, dandruff falls. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, it's never been like this before. :(
Sometimes I get different scents for old spice, but mostly I stick the original scent. I've been using that stuff for a long time. But, I also have a hard time with strong smells; my nose is sensitive. So, I can't use things like Axe and if I try I end up with a royal headache.
Quote from: Greg on November 15, 2011, 09:33:38 AM
Edwin Jagger razors are absolute beasts, which one have you got? I've got the DE89L and it's fantastic.
I've got the De89bl razor, I love it.
Quote from: Kyle_S on November 14, 2011, 11:48:12 PM
I LOVE my men's toiletries :)
Deodorant: I prefer Old Spice "after hours", Arm and Hammer is good as well, I find.
Soap/body wash: Dove Men+Care "Deep Clean" it has the scrubbing particles in it, and I find it works very well since I can get just as gross as a bio-male, Gillette and Old Spice are awesome as well.
Razors: Gillette Fusion. Lots of blades = better shave, even if it is just the peach fuzz. The trimmer blade is excellent. Keeps the sideburns in proper shape.
Use the Gillette shave gel, as well. Covers well, smells great. The Gillette cooling cream is ok, but if you have acne prone-skin, you may want to skip it. I found that I had more pimples the next day after using it.
Another thing you'll want to have on hand for acne/pimples in general: Oxy pads. Use as often as needed, without drying out your skin. You can get sensitive skin in these. Very important item to have, especially if you've started on T.
Body Spray: I have cans of Axe, but don't use them very often. "Kilo" is waaayyyy too strong. Even if you only put a small amount on. It also starts to smell funky after a few hours. "Pheonix" is good. Not too strong a smell, and don't go all weird after a day of wear.
;D
After Hours is awesome. I used to hijack it from my dad, lol. Agreed on the Axe, too. Kilo is horribly overpowering, that chocolate one is great though (I can't remember what its called and I can't be assed to walk the ten feet and find out). Favorite cologne of mine is a toss up between Antaeus (if I spelled that right) and Opium.
I like Axe Phoenix as a gender neutral deodorant, since it doesn't smell particularly masculine, but not feminine either, and Twist if I'm not going to be working very closely around people that I know to have allergies, since it's a bit stronger smelling. I picked up Clix by accident once because the package is similar in color to Phoenix, and it smells like I've got an invisible boyfriend following me around, and Dark Temptation also smells distinctly masculine on me. As does Old Spice, naturally. Depends on the effect you're going for.
I sometimes use Axe shower gel, too, or this imported stuff in a dark green bottle that smells kinda like christmas trees, if I'm not using "girly" scrubby stuff. I should try that Dove Men+Care, I guess.
Neutrogena T/Sal (or generic) or Garnier clear dandruff shampoo don't smell bad and work really well, for me. They've got salicylic acid in them, like Oxy pads.
I've always liked Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scents, they have lots that are more masculine, with woodsy or smoky notes in them, if you can figure out what it'll smell like from reading the description. Just avoid anything flowery, obviously. They have one named, if you can believe it, "Golden Priapus", which if you can get past the name, smells really good.
Quote from: MaxAloysius on November 15, 2011, 04:27:58 AM
Spock is too a real person!
I'm not listening to you! -plugs ears with fingers- LALALALALALALALALA!!!
;D
Quote from: PixieBoy on November 15, 2011, 10:22:21 AM
Shampoo: The icky-smelling medicinal dandruff shampoo. It doesn't smell as bad as the one I used previously, that had sulphur in it, but it still makes my hair smell unpleasant. I hate my dandruff with a fiery passion, and nothing I do seems to help. If I move my head, dandruff falls. If I stroke my hair or wear a hat, dandruff falls. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, it's never been like this before. :(
PixieBoy my head gets dandruffy sometimes, and then I use either generic Head and Shoulders (smells much better than I thought it would) or something with coal tar in it. The coal tar smells like dog shampoo, but it works a lot better and the smell doesn't really linger.
-------------
Thanks again everybody. It's great to have info to work with. :)
Deoderant and body wash (used to use Old Spice but my roommate is allergic to it) I use Dove For Men- Clean and Comfort or some ->-bleeped-<- like that. I also use PlayBoy Hollywood body spray, its amazing. And I have various colognes: Ralph Lauren Polo Black is a manly good smell if you can find it cheap. I also like mostly all of Burberry's colognes and Usher.
AXE shower gel ( the one with quartz and zinc) and Blade with salycilic acid...
shampoo..no real preference...my girlfriend has fancy ones I sometimes use:)
Razors Gilette Fusion for body....electric trimmer with attachments for face..
Deodorant....Blade or whatever is on offer :)
Vaseline or CVS body lotion for men...
OMG so metrosexual....lol
Any reason I should at any point switch to an electric razor? When I was a kid, my dad used one, but I'm not sure what the draw is. Most of my lovers have used disposables. Seems like the Gilette Mach 3 popped up a lot, if I remember correctly.
I prefer electric for my face as it keeps a stubble line if you use the attachments. Regular razors shave too close.....
I will admit here and now that I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to hygiene products, and I've been doing a lot of experimenting with them.
My staple deodorant is the spray on kind from Axe, I prefer 'Dark Temptation,' But I've used a few others too, I didn't like them and therefore don't remember the names, but one had a black and white can with something about music on it (Waaay too strong, not my cup of tea) and I've also used the one with red and blue on it, and the purple one. I only used each of those once, and keep flocking back to my 'Dark Temptation,'
And for stick deodorant, I go with 'Degree for Men,' and I usually just grab whatever they have in the 'Buy Two Value Packs,' because I go through deodorant like a beast xD
As far as Shampoo and Condition goes, I usually go for the Suave for Men's brand. I know it's silly, but using things specifically geared towards the male market makes me feel better about myself. I prefer the 'Ocean' scented one, because I can't see how 'Peppermint' is manly xD Although, the 'Citrus' is a close second.
In Body wash, I can't remember the brand of what I have now, it's titled, 'For Men,' but I don't like it. I prefer Axe washes, and my favorites are 'Snake Peel,' and 'Twist,' both are rather citrusy, which are my favorite types of scents.
In razors...I've bought a lot of the really cheap kind >__O; And I hate them. HATE THEM. But they're usually all I can afford. The ones I have now are a little more expensive, like $7 or so for three of them, but they've lasted longer than the others I usually get. I can't remember the brand, but it says 'Sword' somewhere in it, and I only picked them because swords make me think of ninjas xDD In fact, it might say something about Ninja in the brand. I can't remember.
And for shaving stuff, I prefer Gillette Shave Gel. I use it because I like the feel, and because it's what my uncle always used to use, and I've always wanted to be like him xD BIG HUGE MUSCLELY BIKER MAN...That works for the post office xD Not that I'll ever be all manly, but still ^^;
>___O; So yes, in short...I have enough bath-products to put most women to shame xDD
And I'm very girly with my lotion, I like to smell like oranges, or rain... >.<; I don't care about what brand, as long as it's not too oily xDD
Via my new found use of coupons I found Right Guard Sport the Active sent. Awesomeness. Plus its waterproof, not sure why or how that helps but its cool.