10 Of My Holy Grail Fragrances I'd Recommend To A Beginner. Pt. 2

Today’s video is a follow-up to a video I did about a month ago, and by popular demand, we’re back.
I’ve got 10 of what I call my “holy grail” fragrances that I’m recommending to a beginner. Across KZbin, these types of videos across often include your typical options: Blue de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, Nautica Voyage…maybe even Parfums de Marly Layton. All good fragrances, but…
…I have decided to skip all of them.
While I see the value in taking the slow road through Mainstreamville, I don’t think the journey has to be done only one way by everyone.
Some of my choices will be easily digestible by almost anyone, while others will need some growing into. This is why I encourage decants when possible.
To offer guidance, I’ve assigned each fragrance to a specific life occasion/scenario. I hope this gives pragmatic direction, rather than the widespread theoretical sentiment, “this smells good so you should buy it”.
Truth is, this selection could be offered to anyone-not just beginners. So if you’re far down your path, you may still find some new blood in my list.
Links to check out these fragrances are below.
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Use my code STAYFRESH for 10% off at the following link:
www.intotheam....
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Note: Amazon, Fragrancenet, and Maxaroma links below are affiliate links. If you wish to support my channel, you can purchase the fragrances from this list at these links.
Nishane B-612:
Use STAYFRESH15 for a discount at Decant X:
www.decantx.co...
www.decantx.co...
www.fragrancen...
Get a great price at MaxAroma!
glnk.io/45m7/s...
www.kqzyfj.com...
Terre D'Hermes:
perfumeonline....
Get a great price at Maxaroma!
glnk.io/45m7/s...
www.fragrancen...
amzn.to/3g7lHfe
Dasein Winter:
www.daseinfrag...
Prada Luna Rossa Carbon
bit.ly/2BPUjSf
amzn.to/3iBzBWK
kingdomfragran...
Parfums Micallef Desir Toxic:
parfumsmicalle...
Mancera Instant Crush:
bit.ly/2R1rlDu
kingdomfragran... (best price for sure, will need to search for fragrance on site)
Sample at Decant X (use STAYFRESH17 for 17% off!):
www.decantx.co...
Roja Parfums Reckless:
Use STAYFRESH15 for 15% at Decant X below:
www.decantx.co...
Get a great price at MaxAroma!
glnk.io/45m7/s...
Memo African Leather:
bit.ly/2QhBDye
amzn.to/32h21xT
Get a great price at Maxaroma!
glnk.io/45m7/s...
Dior Sauvage Elixir:
Use STAYFRESH15 for 15% off (any purchase):
www.decantx.co...
Beach Geeza Ocean Water:
beachgeeza.com...
Masque Milano Russian Tea:
Get a great price at MaxAroma!
glnk.io/45m7/s...
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Here are a few of my other favorite fragrances!
(code Justin10 for $10 off orders $150+ until July 27th):
www.jdoqocy.com...
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[@ghostsofrazgriz5010]

just received my B-612 today. on the first sniff i said yikes! it smells like a grandpa. definitely my nose was unfamiliar with cashmeran note. but i thought hey, the atomizer is cool. sprayed twice in the air and then left the room to grab a coffee. as i got back to my room i was stunned. oh my goodness the room smelled like a filed of lavender. I'm out of words to describe how beautiful it smells in the air. thank you soo much for introducing me to this absolute gem.😍

[@fotogenic_creations]

Excellent selection Justin. I always find it funny when some folks chime in to say "how you're supposed to do things" when it comes to fragrances like if there's this fragrance rule book out there. Personally, I wish someone would've introduced me to niche and indie fragrances when I started my journey.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

Your comment has reminded me of just how persistent my nosy fascination with other people's fragrance 'journey' is. How have we all differed in how we started and how different are our current 'headspaces', y'know? I find this endlessly fascinating.

[@boogiedaddy3434]

Love the personal and lounge frags, they are my favorites. Sure, I like smelling pleasant at work, dinner, etc. but using fragrances to take a mental trip is just the best. I love to put on some music, sit back in my recliner, douse myself with a fragrance, close my eyes and let scent take me on a journey. Tauer has taken me to Morocco several times. Kerosene has taken me exploring old churches. Imaginary authors had me browsing the tomes of a mystical library. Just last night For the Scent of It sent me on my way to hike through a majestic forest. People that say magic does not exist just haven't found the right fragrance yet.

[@michaelbullock8011]

Great video with a lot of great choices in there and have a blessed day

[@No85Limits]

Nishane B-612 is my go to on cooler spring days or cloudy/rainy days... I LOVE IT - it really would work any time of the year... true versatile fragrance that you can dress up or down. Gunna have to get my nose on DesirToxic - sounds right up my alley

[@CinHotlanta]

Terre D'Hermes - could not agree more, if I had to narrow down my collection to a handful, this would 100% be one of them. For lounging around in or out of the house I find I almost always go to coffee-forward scents - variable by season when it comes to how floral, woody, spicy or sweet a coffee scent I choose - but I think a good coffee note has so much appeal.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

Oh yes! Chypre Shot by Olfactive Studio and Intense Cafe by Montale are two coffee notes that are blended really well.

[@petee2217]

What is your favorites coffee scents? Thanks

[@CinHotlanta]

@@petee2217 Spring/Summer: Robert Graham Valour , Givenchy Play Intense, Polo Red Extreme, Rochas Man, Valentino Uomo Fall/Winter: Ferragamo Uomo (Original or Signature); Mugler A*Men (Original), Kerosene Follow

[@CinHotlanta]

@@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293 I'm a fan of Olfactive Studio but I haven't smelled Chypre Shot yet, I need to sample it. Unfortunately I'm one of those people that can't wear Montales, every one I've sampled has given me a headache - they must use one obscure aromachemical in most of their scents that just doesn't suit my chemistry.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

@@CinHotlanta That's very interesting. I have issues with certain genres of fragrances more than houses when it comes to the generating of enormous nausea-headaches. I agree totally with you about aromachemicals often being the culprit. Molecular compounds like certain synthetic musks and ambroxan trigger me terrible. A shame isn't it? It's why I love decants and samples: spraying a fragrance once on my forearm isn't good enough and often I'll prematurely go 'wow, I love this!' but it's not until I give it a proper test run that I can be sure of how it will affect me. Chypre Shot is the most misleading name by the way-- I'd NEVER have put it in the chypre category but there you go...dark horses lurk everywhere. ;)

[@mrrob4590]

Definitely have to check out B612 again when I first bought a sample I was new in this hobby and I was honestly more interested in all the hype / banger frags. Now that my nose is more mature I think it’s probably right up my alley

[@greggraham9785]

Hello Justin, how are you? Outstanding job as usual. Dior Sauvage Elixir is really good to me. It doesn't smell like Sauvage too much. Thank you Again. Stay safe brother

[@jasonbenford3427]

My Man!✊🏾 Your work is greatly appreciated! 🤜🏾💥🤛🏾

[@stayfreshproductions]

I appreciate that!

[@SmileEVERYDAYlaugh]

I liked your suggestions and the format. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

What fun! I'd be curious to watch a video of you sharing your recommendations for 'top ten Holy Grail' jazz records. The jazz aficionados and neophytes alike would be new traffic to your channel. Work that hashtag!! ;)

[@stayfreshproductions]

Great suggestion!

[@capakuma81]

I love African Leather, Bro. My first wearing I was not too confident, must say. The cumin in it seemed like it was too much at first. As it dried down I experienced the manic of the fragrance and have loved my subsequent wearings. I usually wear it when the wife and I are going out.

[@brandonerick]

The B612 is definitely catching my attention, gotta try a decant. Been toying around with Elixir lately as a nighttime scent as Ive had a sample for a while now, and I gotta say people love it.

[@sandymcconnell1969]

A great way to start the weekend Justin. 👍 Nishane always produce high quality fragrances. You seem to feature B-612 in a number of your videos, so much so that its now on my list. I'm a huge fan of Prada Luna Rossa Carbon - it well and truly reignited my interest in fragrance. I much prefer it to Sauvage. Desir Toxic has been on my radar for years but its incredibly hard to source. I struggle with Memo Paris - none of their fragrances have tempted me to date.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

I agree when it comes to Memo, how interesting to read that I'm not the only one. I find their signature 'leather accord' is always this bizarre, high-pitched synthetic sickly acidic kind of plastic-leather on my skin. The fragrances from them which I've tried feel screechy, high velocity, sharp but without the full bottom-end and rounded character I like to smell developing and 'filling out' on my skin. On me, sadly, they're mostly like cleaning detergent mixed with grapefruit and vodka, especially their French Leather. But here's a great idea for a video which no frag comm 'content creator' will dare make a video about: fragrance houses that offer them more 'misses' than 'hits' and maybe an exploration of why this is. People that are really familiar with the world of niche perfumery ALL have one or two houses at the very least which just don't work for them, no matter how varied the portfolio of fragrance genres on offer. I love thinking about this and trying to assess the houses which for whatever reason just don't work for either my skin chemistry or my tastes. I understand why they don't make videos revealing this juicy and compelling information: there goes the free stuff and being on the PR lists, ha!

[@sandymcconnell1969]

@@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293 Thank you for the valuable unsight. I have read a number of unfavourable reviews concerning the leather note in various Memo Paris fragrances. I've heard its not particularly realistic. I also find the price point incredibly high so I've chosen to avoid this house. I'll stick for now with TF Ombre Leather EDP and Parfum. I also have a number of other fragrances which do have a leather base note however the difference is that it is smoothly blended in to the overall composition.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

@@sandymcconnell1969 Same as you. Ombre Leather is just sweet enough. delicious!. If you ever want to go ham and find the sweetest leathers, may I suggest-- if you haven't already tried these/own these: Melodie d'Altai by Ella K, Black Line by Mancera, Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio and Oud Baie Rose by La Cloiserie de Parfums, I also like more serious, sombre leathers like Emerald Musk by Carolina Herrera Confidential, London by Widian and B683 by Barrois. I draw the line at the 'greatest leather fragrance in the history of perfumery: Knize Ten. I can't do it! I feel suffocated by the tailored thick tweed suit vibes and immediately feel like a Viennese double agent walking around in a mid winter drizzle with a face like thunder and a little Homburg hat. ;D

[@sandymcconnell1969]

@@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293 My goodness, that's quite the list. You must be a seasoned professional. I'm still somewhat of an amateur but keen to explore other niche brands. I'm a big fan of Initio's Absolute Aphrodisiac but only have a 5ml sample at present. I intend to buy a full bottle at the start of autumn as it's such a fantastic fragrance. I'll definitely investigate the others on your list. I've just cancelled an order of Stephanie Humbert Lucas 777 Black Gemstone which I got for a fantastic price but now wondering if I've made a mistake. It just sounds too dark and resinous for me and I really don't think there will be many occasions when I can actually wear it. I've heard its quite the experience though and totally unique.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

@@sandymcconnell1969 I love the idea of 'dark and resinous' but something always goes wrong. I've played scientific detective and am certain that benzoin if used a certain way is the culprit. If you want something dark and delicious, may I suggest 'Ambre Loup' by Rania J? It's the last fragrance I wore that prompted someone to interrupt THEMSELVES talking in order to breathe out, 'oh you smell diviiiiiiiine'. I ordered a full bottle when I got home from work because although I already loved the fragrance, the intense sudden compliment made me laugh. Anyhow, you and I have super similar 'vibes' going by all the comments of yours I've "eavesdropped" online, what a thrill, ahaha ;). I'm the person sitting behind you on a train pretending to read but secretly listening to you and trying really hard not to join in with your exciting conversation and thus, blow my cover! PS= I think you may have done the right thing cancelling that order you mentioned. 'Oumma' from Stephane Humbert Lucas's line is one of the most intensely unappealing fragrances I've ever tried. It was a while ago, but if my memory serves correctly it smells violently phenolic and charred...like paint and oil cannisters and glue in a hot Australian garage mid-summer. That's NOT my vibe. Go for Ambre Loup! Have a great weekend! :)

[@FRAGTASTICO]

Waooo, great selection, JC! Some of these really caught my eye. All of them very well explained.

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you man!

[@ljsescapades4865]

You're an inspiration, Great video.

[@stayfreshproductions]

I appreciate that!

[@RachelDee]

Much appreciate the goals and approach to this video

[@alr.3137]

Great list, the African Leather is amazing, definitely a show stopper! My favorites for occasions are: Casual Day Out: Burberry Brit Casual Night Out: Dior Sauvage Office regular: Hermes H24 Business Meeting: Kiton for Men Traveling 🧳: Dior Fahrenheit Gym: Aramis Adventurer Datenight: Tom Ford Noir Summer Vacation: Acqua di Parma Colonia Spring vibes: TEA ROSE Festivities: Creed Green Irish Tweed

[@stayfreshproductions]

Good choices!

[@ChristopherAKennedy]

Sweet trim Justin. The only Hermes I like is the Terre D’Hermes EDP, the others I just can’t get behind. I once wore Instant Crush to work during winter, was told I smelt like a tarts hanky.

[@TheAMVDJ]

I like Terre d'Hermes, but fortunately I was able to get a big bottle of Terre d'Hermes Eau Tres Fraiche. That fragrance is phenomenal. It smells similar to the EDT, but the dry down is softer and very pleasing. I have B-612 sample on the way as I've been wanting to try this fragrance for a long time. Great list and fragrances I look forward to sampling!

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you Dexter! I hope you enjoy B612.

[@ademtercan9547]

I tried Dior Sauvage Elixir and Prada! Dior is great Prada is ok! Micallef is wonderful. Your personal fragrance seems to be interesting and of course Roja is heavy but too expensive!! Keep going, mate!!

[@porousdumasia3256]

African Leather love it. Wearing it out tonite for dinner with friends

[@philippeterson5722]

Another great video!! Thanks JC!! Debating on that Elixir 🤔....having the edt. But that Memo African Leather decant i have....AMAZING!!

[@Holosterik]

Awesome selection. I like the variety of fragrances and how you chose to categorize them. You could have switched several of the fragrances in the different categories and they still would have made sense.

[@krissk77]

Memo .African Leather. Enjoying the wear. Lasts me a long time. Thanks

[@originalboxelder]

I think I got the initial b-612 recommendation from you so just a quick thank you! It’s one of those rare scents that really resonates with me. It’s a great performer too, well worth the money. I’m not a signature scent guy but it might as well be this because I just always want to wear it.

[@stayfreshproductions]

I'm so happy to hear this.

[@thescentleman177]

Always love your unique topics JC! Keep pushing bro.

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you!

[@burner27]

Love the ones I've tried here. I got the EDT of Ocean water recently and I know I'll be wearing it off and on all summer. TDH is one of my signatures, the cedar is very forward on my skin.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

I wonder if you like Prolixe by Histoire de Parfum?

[@burner27]

@@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293 I'll have to try it thank you for the suggestion!

[@RivadoValon]

Great video as usual 👌. Nice hair cut. Also a great anti fragrance is Escentric Molecule Molecule 01 or 02 and 4711 Echt Kolnisch Wasser. Love Dior Sauvage Elixir & Prada Luna Rossa Carbon. I found Amouage Bracken Man almost similar to Nishane B-612 what about you Justin ? Gonna try a sample of DesirToxic, Instant Crush and Au Coeur du Desert (little brother of L'Air du Desert Marocain).

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you my friend, I still need to revisit Marocain.

[@saabreplay7553]

Love it my brother

[@LeBeautiful]

Lovely video brother

[@ohscharlih]

i love the Terre d' Hermes and i really have to try the B-612

[@aromatixrrt]

Love your content man very genuine ignore the haters!!

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

The aesthetics and the ethical standards which so many of these incontinent, cowardly haters hold are laughable when you find out what channels they subscribe to and really like, even here on frag comm (no names, no names! Hahaha ;D). They're so easy to laugh off instead of be hurt by when you do a little digging into who they 'rate'. They're most certainly not to be taken seriously. I totally agree with the sentiment of your comment and I hope you'll remind yourself of this too whenever someone is insulting or unnecessarily combative with you online. There is an astonishing volume of mean idiots out there. Have a super day! :)

[@MrEvanBrisco]

I love carbon so so much, anywhere anytime its a stunner

[@earldeanturner]

Great video, Justin. Unlike Ocean Water, I’m searching for a good beach fragrance that projects and lasts, resembling the coconut based suntan oils we grew up around. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

[@burner27]

Coco Moon?

[@burner27]

Pacific Rock Moss has a little bit of that coconut in there.

[@GuyFuchs]

Rirana Coconut Nanas

[@mrmike616]

@@burner27 Great choice!

[@mrmike616]

Virgin island Water

[@aromafromheaven]

Remarkable list

[@michaelbennett6317]

I have instant crush its a complement beast I also use oils to blend my own fragrance i get tons of compliments from those i come up with crazy names but they are compliment beasts as well

[@mohammedlawal6238]

How do you use oils?

[@InternetExplorer1k]

old video but Russian Tea is oddly fantastic. i love it

[@stayfreshproductions]

Yes I love it

[@ramone2720]

Great video 👍 I liked your selection in each category. I also like that you include a category called "Personal" because all of us love a special fragrance that most of the people hate. In my case, my personal fragrances are YSL Kouros and Dior Fahrenheit Parfum. Everyone hate these two old fragrances and say they smell horrible, but I do like them so much because they are truly strong and masculine. Of course, both of them are not a good idea for a date because most of women really hate them.

[@petee2217]

Compliments playboi! 10-15 sprays! JK. Just bought T. Terenzi foconero and missoni wave. Need to sample the nishane. I might go for greenley next. Great vid as usual.

[@hugoderboss772]

What's your Opinion on Xerjoff Naxus Justin??? My Opinion is 👌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥.

[@stayfreshproductions]

A very nice scent

[@mikemontgomery5755]

African Leather and Ganymede are two that personally I think are perfect for someone just dipping their toe into the fragrance pool.

[@m.c.5011]

With African Leather, do you get somewhat of an animalic note to it?

[@stayfreshproductions]

Nope!

[@midnightchroma]

Man, buy some Happyland Studio fragrances, they're freakin good

[@krissk77]

Will only recommend designers to a beginner. Tried a niche frag on a new frag lover and they did not like it. Most niche come out in the dry down. Kudos

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thanks Kriss. I've had some luck showing several people niche for the first time and they found some loves.

[@ooldmage]

I'd love to know where to get samples from Dasein. I contacted the company and they said they don't sell any sort of discovery type sets. When I've looked at there old discontinued ones autumn looks amazing by notes

[@stayfreshproductions]

They're working on it! Might have them later this year or early next year

[@stwardroa6719]

If you had to choose between b12 nishane and Tom ford beau de jour which one would you go to ?

[@stayfreshproductions]

They’re both very different, I would sample them both. I like them both equally, but I wear B612 a little more

[@ericvalentin8466]

B-612 has a identical dry down as versace dreamer($35)

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

Woah, I love reading bold, succinctly worded claims like this. I'd love to conduct the experiment to see! I bet you're spot on. :D

[@LuisGonzalez-ui7ow]

10/10 would love to own all of these! Great video! specially that masqué milano. My favorite fragrance from my current collection is Desired by Elisire, do you know of any other fragrances that smell like this ; it smells like straight up sex sometimes, and it’s awesome it’s my special little bottle.

[@abboed.4076]

Cool shirt. 😎👍

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you!

[@michaelh1423]

Beach Geeza...the most transportive brand perhaps. Any others brands this transportive JC?

[@stayfreshproductions]

Many! Here are some: Sarah Baker, Untamed Perfumes, and Une Nuit Nomade

[@michaelh1423]

@@stayfreshproductions Awesome, I will check these out, thank you!

[@foreverfinerthings39]

Hi good afternoon ! Just stopped to buy platonically say that I'm totally impressed with you platonically. Definitely speak my language. Do you have a patreon direct contact by chance ?

[@stayfreshproductions]

Thank you so much! I do have a Patreon linked on my KZbin page. But just a heads up, I'm not totally certain for how much longer I'll keep it active.

[@Bigt-_-66]

Million dollar question of the day can you store colognes in the fridge

[@stayfreshproductions]

You can. You don’t have to, but you can.

[@Bigt-_-66]

@@stayfreshproductions thank you very much for your comment back yeah I was trying to figure out if it's a good idea to store them in the fridge or not being that it gets kind of hot around here this time of year and I don't want any of my colognes to go bad with it being hot inside the house

[@SevaKlivak]

I just realised, that I am only one, who cannot stand African Lether in 1 mile proximity

[@Safefragrance]

"Any fragrance can get you compliments" *sprays 20 sprays of secretions magnifique by Etat libre d'orange*

[@stayfreshproductions]

You must report back

[@shannantiffin8119]

I wish I had some guidence into fragrances other than designer when I started. I was not typical. I was a young women who tended to prefer "masculine" leaning fragrances. Why not skip the designer, save the money and try Niche fragracne if that is the interest. I do not need to start with a wine cooler in order to learn to enjoy a nice glass of red wine. Not to be misunderstood, I do enjoy designer fragrances, I just do not think everyone needs to start the same way.

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

What a fascinating comment, bold! I'm also a woman who vastly prefers "masculine" leaning niche fragrances.

[@brahtae1182]

they keep pushing my fragrance I ordered from you back🥲I might cry

[@Warmsunset26]

mancera - instant crush. as with all in life. there has to be a beginning. I have THE CRUSH. Will I repurchase ? No. I have '' moved on ''. There are more interesting, unique, better fragrances out there. But not regretful for sampling it. I now know.