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In this extra-exclusive FFAF post, a few dapper tomboys reveal their secrets to smelling good. Read on for two rather different takes on the world of men’s cologne and how to wear it well.

Our first portion is from G of the awesome Can I Help You, Sir? (Seriously, if you’re not reading this, you should be! It’s the adventures of G, with hot lists of swoon-worthy femmes and discussion on all things butch. RAD.)

G says: My preference is for clean, fresh or in some cases, woodsy scents with an underlying masculine feel. I tend to stay away from the spicy colognes, as they’re too heavy. I don’t want my scent to be noticed as soon as I walk in the room; I’d rather it be noticed because someone had to lean in closely to talk to me.

My top 3:

• Armani Code for Men: I think it’s the combination of the lemon and the wood that really does it for me with this scent. One of the things I like best about it is that it’s definitely masculine without being overwhelming, which is an elusive quality with all the macho colognes out there.

• Burberry Classic for Men: I really love what Burberry does with their fragrances, especially this one. It just smells great on my skin. It’s been around for a while, but it’s still one of the first ones I grab as I’m getting ready. The top notes of bergamot, cedar and amber really do it for me. I also own Burberry London, Brit and Beat, and I love them all.

• Banana Republic Slate: I love the fresh scent of this cologne, which relies basically on a blend of ginger and citrus notes. Those two together give it the a quality that is tough for me to find, which is clean AND inviting. It also just feels like a simple, easy-to-wear cologne, which I really like.

My choices also vary a bit depending on the season. These ones are all good fall/winter selections. I have different standbys in the summer that are a little lighter with more prominent citrus undertones (Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is a favorite).

Next up is our very own M, who needs no introduction.

M says: OK! This is about colognes!

First, much like G, I treat most colognes like seasons. Summer scents are not okay in the winter, unless there’s some sort of obscene heat wave that drives all the sea lions from Pier 39 all the way to Oregon. There are a few that are transcendental, though, and can be enjoyed year round, not unlike peach cobbler (Team Pie! Niiiiiiiiiice. – SBJ).

• I like spicy  (but earthy) colognes in the fall and winter. Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 and John Varvatos Vintage are good examples. The Varvatos in particular smells like you just made an emergency landing with your prop plane in a mossy forest, survived, and so did your flask. It is quiet-handsome-action-hero-ruggedness! Tobacco, dirt, woods, gasoline, smoke!

• I am loathe to admit this, because Tom Ford is a giant dickbag, and most of his colognes reek like urinal cakes, but I really liked his Black Orchid cologne for Men. Fuck you, Tom Ford (but also: good job)! I plan to steal some from a department store so Mr Ford doesn’t profit. This makes me feel better. Anyway, why I liked it- even though he is like an attention-whorey-Vegas-casino, the cologne is more like an Olympic fencer: surprisingly subtle.

• Summer and Spring call for lighter, cleaner/fresher scents, to go with lighter clothing. Although I am all out, Creed Silver Mountain Water is my favorite. It is light and clean and not FRUITY! I don’t want to smell like food. Only food should smell like food! In fact, I have a household ban on any non-food product that smells like food (candles, soaps, cleaning products, etc). Okay, okay, I made one exception for a fig candle.

Tomboy Out!

I hope y’all enjoyed this! I sure as hell did. Now you have a whole roll call of fancy men’s cologne to get your tomboys or boy toys! (Or to try yourselves – I know I have some tough guys lurking out there!) In other news, M just smoothed a palmful of Lacoste all over the puppies. Sigh. As a bonus gift from me to you, take a peek at some covert butch stuff below – we femmes aren’t the only hoarders! – SBJ

When: Thurs., Jan. 16th, 2008.

Femme What: Pink coat by Tulle, black dress by H&M, striped scarf of unknown origin, dark pink suede pumps with flower by Franco Sarto.

Femme Scent: I needed something light and bright for this bizarre, mid-January summer day! I decided on Diptyque’s Oyedo. It goes on a bit sharp and sweet, but dries down to a very amicable and polite scent, very serene. The staying power isn’t good at all! Its notes are described as “citrus fruits and thyme on a ground of wood scents,” and the scent itself as “an orchard of limes and tangerines on the shore of the Great South Sea.” I think the thyme rounds it off as it dries down, but I wish this stayed on better so that I could give it a fairer chance.

Femme Confession: I just finished my cheesecake breakfast – the crust to filling ratio was appx. 2:1 – it was excellent! We still have half a baby cheesecake left from a friend’s birthday dinner last night, at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Aside from the fact that the name of the place grates on my soul to a degree I cannot adequately express without wanting to throw something, or that my petite filet was swimming in garlic butter when it arrived, it was pretty delicious and pleasant overall! I particularly enjoyed my pear twist martini – Belvedere Lemonessence “twisted” with Absolut Pear Vodka and fresh lemon sour – despite the fact that it initially gave off a very subtle black licorice or anise-like flavor. Oh, and we took these silly photos in the handsome lobby of our building! Ha. God, I love furniture by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

Tomboy What: Awesome Fox motorcycle leather jacket, white Alfani dress shirt, revolver tie by Cyberoptix Tie Lab (x-mas gift!), argyle belt by, uh, a place that sells belts, Kenneth Cole slacks, Kenneth Cole black boots.

Tomboy Scent: Well? I am clearly wearing a moto-jacket with slacks, so only Varvatos Vintage will work here.

Tomboy Confession: I didn’t think there could be such a thing as too much butter, when in fact there very much is such a thing. And Ruth’s definitely crosses that line! I was, however, very pleased with the broiled ginormous tomatoes, and my handsome Maker’s Mark cocktail. Next time ask for butter on the side!