Gym

Notorious by Ralph Lauren 2008: Talking gym scent, bro!

/ katesplace356115470 / 52 Comments

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Kate Apted

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How you doin’, APJ people??

I am a self confessed gym addict. I need to be at the gym 6 days a week. I have been on and off for years, but since 2010, I have taken my weight training seriously. I count macros, do compound lifts before isolation and have even done the odd body building comp or three.

I do have certain perfumes I keep just for the gym. Granted I am there for one hour maximum, it seems kind of superfluous to have dedicated scents. So, why do I do it?

Many people stink whilst exercising. It is a fact. Either the ciggie they snuck in before entering the gym, or a day’s worth of BO. I like to use my perfume as a sniffing salt, so it has to slice the environmental smells and pierce my brain.

I need to be incredibly focused whilst lifting heavy! One hundred kg on my shoulders requires my full attention and my scent can actually help or hinder that focus. Through trial and error, I have found what works for me. I thrive on beating personal bests; no room for relaxing scents.

During my working week, I get to the gym by 5pm or so, and by then, my afternoon scent has been worn off by the accumulation of dirt, grease, and absorbtion by my hefty overalls. I am ready for a new perfume and I probably stink of clutch dust and diesel, if I am honest with you.

Notorious by Ralph Lauren 2008

Notorious by Ralph Lauren fragranticaFragrantica

My most beloved gym scent is Notorious by Ralph Lauren (2008). I have been using it since 2010. Acquisition is becoming more difficult and I will need to arrange a replacement. What I love most about it is the black currant. The heady hit of that note makes me alert, but in a kind way. Si by Armani has a similar note, yet it hits in a more laser like way, and I find it distracting.

The other notes are carnation, lively pink pepper and peony – a note I struggle to like when it is the focus. Luckily, here it is a supporting note that softens the black currant and carnation. I don’t get any heat from the pink pepper.

As I have never worn this at any other time, I actually cannot comment on the dry down or longevity. Notorious does not last beyond the training session, strangely. Might be because I am constantly wiping myself with my towel and it is evaporating with my rising body temperature.

I don’t notice many other people wearing perfumes whilst training. I do get the odd whiff of Axe body spray, but it is the usual fougere type. Oh, I lie! At my last gym, I caught the trail of a guy wearing Egoiste. I did follow him and do a confirmation sniff.

I know Val is an avid lifter too. Are you an active sort, and if so, what is your take on dedicated scents for that activity? And what can I replace Notorious with? I am very keen to hear your suggestions, beautiful people.

Til next time,

Kate – bear hugs!

 

Facial Wipes: Travel, Gym + Extreme Laziness!

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

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Post by AF Beauty

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When I am in the mood, there is nothing better than spending time at the sink applying lotions and potions, cleaning and smoothing my skin and coming away feeling refreshed and clean. It can be both soothing or invigorating and it does the best job of preparing skin for whatever’s next, be that your favourite serum or night cream or your daily make up.

Facial Wipes: Travel, Gym + Extreme Laziness!

All that said, there are days where I am feeling lazy and just want to crawl into bed or I’ve stepped off a plane and feel like 250 people have breathed on me! Here is where a decent facial wipe can help. For me, the key to the facial wipe is that it leaves your face feeling clean. There are A LOT of wipes out there that feel like you’ve just swapped your dirty face for a slightly less dirty face but with a filmy layer of whatever was on that facial wipe. For me: No.

Simple-Kind-To-Skin-Micellar-Cleansing-Wipes-285x245_tcm1525-983943

I have been lucky just recently to find a couple of facial wipes, just by luck, that work really well. The first I was drawn to because it contained the micellar water which I have used before and quite like – but I’m also a bit drained by anything that requires cotton wool to apply – I am nothing if not low maintenance! This was the Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Wipes. Simple is a great brand if you have sensitive skin – free from colours, fragrances and stuff they say can irritate skin. The wipe itself is standard size, about 7ins x 8ins – very slightly textured with bobbles, the same texture on both sides. As you’d expect, it smells of nothing. It is pleasant to apply and leaves the skin feeling clean without a filmy feeling and doesn’t leave the skin tight. You will need to follow the wipe with any other skincare you’re planning – probably a moisturiser and then whatever else according to where and when you are using it.

refreshing_cleansing_wipes

The second set of wipes I found was just a random buy in the supermarket. I was lurking in there and spotted these Nivea Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes. I was looking for something I could use at work and have in my gym back – there were probably two choices (tiny supermarket) I hadn’t really expected they would be as good as they turned out. The wipe itself is identical to the Simple one – I even went and checked their brand owners to see if they were actually made by the same people – apparently not. This wipe feels like it has more liquid soaked into it, so it feels slightly smoother as you apply. I like the Nivea scent and the overall feeling while using the wipe is pleasant. This also leaves the skin feeling clean but not tight and you’d still need to follow with moisturiser and whatever your next steps will be.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by these two wipes – I’m not giving up “proper” cleansing just yet, but it’s great to have some choices for busy lives and lazy days.

Have you found any great products for lazy days?