Grooming Special 2016: Scent Of A Man

Five women blind-test five iconic fragrances of our time. The men they imagine them wearing range from Ranbir Kapoor to Ryan Gosling.

By MW Staff

August 19, 2016

Our Panellists

Surabhi Subramonian, 26, Actor

Zohra Malik, 25, Writer

Juie Divecha, 28, Writer

Sejal Shrotri, 27, Marketing manager

Asimah Mirza, 24, Tattoo artist

Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani

Surabhi

He’s mature, well groomed beard, entrepreneur, knows what he is doing, in power, no-nonsense guy, has a sense of humour and is witty, wellbuilt.

Celebrity: FARHAN AKHTAR

Zohra

Mature, moustachioed, goes to the Press Club for drinks, only drinks single malts, doesn’t talk a lot, is aloof.

Celebrity: MANOJ BAJPAI

***

Juie

Senior level management, well-dressed, fit, polished shoes, clean shaven, intimidating, authoritative.

Celebrity: RAJEEV KHANDELWAL

***

Sejal

This guy is a gym buff who uses a lot of perfume. He’s young and puts himself out there with ease.

Celebrity: JOHN ABRAHAM

***

Asimah

When I smell this perfume, I think of an older man — someone who is comfortable, confident and doesn’t experiment.

Celebrity: BOMAN IRANI

Azzaro Chrome

Surabhi

Older man, you wear something like this to family functions, predictable, doesn’t have any vices, or compensates with enough temple visits.

Celebrity: ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

***

Zohra

Boring, conventional, pleasant, something familiar, comfortable, he wants a relationship but doesn’t think he deserves one.

Celebrity: RANBIR KAPOOR

***

Juie

Floral, metrosexual, likely to wear bold prints, loafers and boat shoes, khaki shorts, wannabe hipster.

Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN

***

Sejal

This one is all about the boy next door.

Celebrity: FAWAD KHAN

***

Asimah

This smells like someone on holiday. It’s a “good time” smell.

Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN

Dolce & Gabbana

Surabhi

Turn off, over confident, boisterous, loud, drives around in loud cars, gets into brawls, opinionated, not necessarily right, You know he is bad for you, but you still want to fuck him.

Celebrity: RANVIR SHOREY

***

Zohra

Smells like a human body, overwhelming, doesn’t know what works on women, no sense of aesthetics, judgmental.

Celebrity: MILIND SOMAN

***

Juie

Does well in life, suited-booted, dresses well, speaks well, well read, well travelled.

Celebrity: AMITABH BACHCHAN

***

Sejal

I associate this with a 40+ man – a father.

Celebrity: MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY

***

Asimah

I get hints of cinnamon. I’d associate this scent with a metrosexual, well-groomed guy.

Celebrity: KARAN JOHAR

L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme

Surabhi

Carefree, flirtatious, looking to pick up women, confident and very self-assured, thinks he has game and knows what he is doing, has a rich dad and old money and spends a lot of it.

Celebrity: RANVEER SINGH

***

Zohra

Early 30s, chocolate boy, clean shaven with the fuck boy haircut.

Celebrity: VARUN DHAWAN

***

Juie

Annoying guy at the club, wears too much perfume, flashy clothes, a bad fashion sense, gets too close for comfort.

Celebrity: TIGER SHROFF

***

Sejal

This smells like a down-toearth guy. The perfume has nice, subtle notes.

Celebrity: RYAN GOSLING

***

Asimah

It smells like a guy with broad shoulders – someone masculine, who works out. He’s the guy who will wear a dinner jacket on every date.

Celebrity: SANJAY DUTT

Eternity for men

Surabhi

Sunday brunch, fresh, makes good conversation, dresses well, wears glasses, charming, sweet, he is the guy you want to date.

Celebrity: FAWAD KHAN

***

Zohra

This guy actually concentrates on grooming himself, has great energy, dresses well, wears pretentious glasses but with such ease that you don’t think he is a douche bag. When he talks to you, he is actually listening to you and gives you all his attention.