Spray and Pray Experiment #0004: Cool Water + Chrome

Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the temperatures are rising. It is time to break out the warm weather fragrances!

I took a classic summer fragrance from 1988. I also took another substantial summer scent from 1996. What happens when I layer them in 2022?

Fragrance #1: Cool Water

Cool Water from Davidoff does not need an introduction. This is a prominent male fragrance from the late 1980s. It remains a decent sharp summertime fragrance now that received dozens of variants.

On the great side, Cool Water’s fresh aspects make for an outstanding office or training fragrance. It has the versatility to be a daily scent without issue. The tobacco note adds maturity to the fragrance, making it ideal for middle-aged adults and older.

On the downside, teenagers and trend followers tend to dislike the smokiness of the tobacco note. In addition, Cool Water lacks longevity.

Fragrance #2: Chrome

Chrome from Azzaro also does not need an introduction. This is a popular male fragrance from the 1990s and remains a fresh and citrusy summer fragrance option today. Chrome also received multiple flankers.

On the great side, Chrome is an outstanding office or gym fragrance. Like Cool Water, Chrome possesses the versatility to be an everyday scent. Unlike Cool Water, Chrome can work with most audiences in 2022, from teenagers to older adults.

On the downside, Chrome lacks longevity. However, the bigger issue is that Chrome struggles to stand out as a summer fragrance today. Popular modern warm weather fragrances such as Bleu de Chanel and Y have improved upon the summer formula since Chrome's release.

The Details

This is how I handled the experiment variables. (I always add this information with each experiment.)

• I sprayed the fragrances in the order listed. Fragrance #1 (Cool Water) goes first, followed by the spray of Fragrance #2 (Chrome).
   
   
• I sprayed each scent once on two pieces of paper. One goes in a fridge at 40° F / 4.4° C to simulate a cooler environment. The other remains in a heated and humid bathroom temperature of 86° F/ 30° C to simulate a warmer or tropical environment.
   
   
• I also sprayed each scent once on a pulse point where the skin is clean and unscented to see how it works on me.
   

The Hypothesis

1. The citrus notes from Chrome should complement the herbal notes from Cool Water. This may create a unique opening that leans fresher.
   
     
2. The Jasmine should become more prominent. Alongside the musk and amber, this should create a fresh scent overall with a light sweetness.
    
    
3. The lichen moss and maté from Chrome may soften the tobacco from Cool Water. That will suck for people who use Cool Water because of the tobacco note. However, people who are lukewarm about strong tobacco notes may become intrigued.
    
    
4. The longevity of both fragrances should improve slightly, but do not bet on the combination to complete a ten-hour performance.
    

The Result

• The Citrus from Chrome and the Herbal from Cool Water blended to create a nice clean twist that differs from the norm.
  
  The opening is fresh, with a hint of citrus. That freshness extends into the heart notes and will last for the duration of the combination.
   
   
• The combination, while still leaning masculine, makes a giant step towards being unisex thanks to the combination of the relaxed tobacco note, and the more prominent jasmine in the heart note.
  
  Fortunately, there is still an air of maturity for older gentlemen, but with the caveat that this will appeal to younger men.
   
   
• The longevity went as expected. In the cold, the combination lasted three hours before becoming unnoticeable. On the skin, it lasted about five hours, and in the warmer environment, it lasted about seven hours.
  
  That is a decent performance from a summer eau de toilette, but it is far from outstanding.
   
   
• Nobody discusses either fragrance for a top projection or sillage performer, but the combination somehow lost range.
  
  Someone entering a personal space for a hug or a brief conversation will notice the smell, but it will take spraying in multiple places for someone to notice the combination as a wearer walks by, let alone when someone enters a room.
   
  It's not a big deal for me, but anyone placing an emphasis on sillage and projection should be worried.
   
   
• The combination is outstanding as an office or gym fragrance, which is not surprising since both original fragrances do it by themselves.
  
  However, the combination has more versatility because it is more unique in a summer evening scenario, whether it is a date night or winding down the day.
   

Overall: Solid!🙂

The combination creates a uniquely fresh and citrusy scent with mature vibes and helps deal with some of the scents' weaknesses when working in unison. 

• Cool Water gives Chrome depth and uniqueness that will help it stand out in 2022.  
   
    
• Chrome gives Cool Water more versatility and youth.
   
   

Unfortunately, it comes in a mixed bag. There are negatives that, while not an issue for myself, are probably deal-breakers for others.  

• The combination will massively disappoint tobacco lovers because Chrome severely mutes that note from Cool Water. That change also hurt projection and sillage.
   
    
• It will shock anyone who bought either fragrance for the masculine qualities that this mixture leans more unisex.