Birds, Bees, and Axe Body Spray
When the male principal of my son’s elementary school gathered the older grade boys for a preliminary talk (as in, the talk, birds and bees edition), one of his PowerPoint slides focused on deodorant and the fine art of smelling good. My son came home with a sample stick of Old Spice and a recommendation to give other brands a try.
I’m all for experimenting when it comes to deodorants and anti-perspirants. After all, they’re chemically-based substances and everyone’s body responds differently to different brands. My dad uses Speed Stick, and I’m a Mitchum man (you know, the one with the ad campaign that says if your socks almost match, you’re a Mitchum man.)
But a classmate let it be known that Axe Body Spray was the cool thing to get. He’s one of those too-old-for-his-age Romeos who’s been seducing women from birth, who already knows that when it comes to boy/girl interactions, chemistry is key. Apparently, the way to a girl’s heart is through her nostrils.
We drove to Long’s and bought some Axe, and right away my son put on way too much. “You just need a little under the arms,” I told him. “But it’s body spray,” he said. He pointed to those very words on the canister, and who was I to contradict such marketing genius?
Musky. Leathery. Sandalwoody. I’m terrible with scent descriptions. Let’s just say Axe was concocted for men by Venus herself. Sexy. But over the top.
My son sprays it on in the morning, and sometimes at night. For him, preteen aromatic bliss; for me, a stinky room. His sister and I can smell him coming from 100 meters. Worse, the scent lingers in his clothing even after I do the laundry.
But who am I to criticize his hygiene? He’s 12 now, an awkward age for a lot of boys in his class who act like girls are the grossest thing on earth. But my son is confident in his social interactions, comfortable with friends of either sex. His self esteem is high. At a recent family-focused event, while most boys hung out in packs, talking about sports, my son chased and had fun with girls.
There’s no Casanova attitude, he’s not trying to date (let alone, date four women at once), so it all seems healthy to me. I just wish Axe would tone down the body spray, and sell a little-dab-will-do-you version of its product. My daughter’s and my noses would be so happy and grateful.
Pepe le Pew image, some rights reserved.
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Comment by A Girlfriend
| May 1st, 2008
That’s funny. My bf’s 11 yr old son was given Old Spice at school as well. It’s strange that kids are getting those supplies at school now, and not at home. In our case, he doesn’t need it. But I guess the school has to do it for those few 11 yr olds who do already smell. :)
Comment by Shannon
| May 1st, 2008
I once knew a guy who lived with a few other guy roommates and their house was the Axe scented house! And that smell, combined with that house full of good-looking guys-well let’s just say you are right…the way to a woman’s heart IS through her nostrils!
I’ve had several ex-boyfriends tell me that they miss my smell and I was the best smelling girl they dated. (Secret-it’s Chanel No. 5. I started swiping my Mom’s at 13 years old and finally got my own around 17 and it’s been my scent ever since-although I’m trying to diversify now). Smell is HUGE!
Comment by Honey
| May 1st, 2008
Yes, smell is the way to someone’s heart–or the way to get someone a migraine. If you really want him to tone back, you can explain that many people are allergic to strong scents and he may be doing more harm than good. The BF isn’t allowed to wear cologne to the office because clients come there sometimes.
Shannon, my mom used Chanel No. 5 as well–the only perfume she would wear. I love perfume and have lots of different kinds, though I never compromise on lotion–Victoria Secret’s Love Spell, and I get complimented consistently by men AND women on my scent. My high school boyfriend wore CK1 and the smell still makes me swoon.
Comment by pajama momma
| May 1st, 2008
I’m still laughing at the fact that he came home with a sample of “Old Spice”. WTF?
How old are the people on the school board who decided that would be the sample to give out?
I mean don’t all kids these days want to smell like grandpa?
I know it’d make me hot if some guys smelled like my dad.
Comment by Dr. Paul
| May 1st, 2008
Totally hearing the Axe thing – all three of my teens went through that very phase. We literally could smell them getting ready down in the basement. It’s temporary, by the way!
Comment by modernsinglemomma
| May 1st, 2008
I can’t imagine having a teenage son! but one day i will wake up and Lucca won’t be in diapers anymore and thankfully I’ll have you to turn to for advise and empathy! =)
You are awesome David!
Comment by lance
| May 1st, 2008
I wear CK1. Strange.
Comment by Mom101
| May 1st, 2008
This is evidence that advertising works. Because back in our day, body sprays were…you know, body spray. Now they’re hip. Manly.
Still body spray though. He’ll figure it out when he’s like 34.
Comment by chatanika
| May 2nd, 2008
Old Spice must have a national pubescent program. My son got one too and went through the whole sample stick in about a week. Thank god it’s gone now and he hasn’t yet moved onto the Man Spray!