![\"Axe](\"https:\/\/nstperfume.com\/2008%20aug\/axe-proximity.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In the August 2008 issue of GQ<\/em>, there is an expensive six-page advertising spread for AXE\u2019s new Proximity fragrance line; these ad pages, showing model-actors wearing not only AXE body fragrance but clothes by Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith and Tom Ford, are positioned right before a GQ<\/em> grooming article by Chandler Burr on nice-smelling deodorants called Give Up the Funk<\/em>. Interestingly, among Burr\u2019s deodorant picks (Mark Birley, $29, HM by Hanae Mori, $20, Tokyo by Kenzo, $18) is a plug for AXE Dry Sharp Focus \u2014 $5.<\/p>\n AXE\u2019s Proximity print ads are aspirational \u2014 as in AXE aspires to attract an older, more affluent customer for its $5 body fragrances. But who in their right mind would think a man wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo for a night on the town would opt for an AXE Proximity fragrance? Hell, a man wearing that tuxedo could do much better than Dolce & Gabbana\u2019s own fragrances. But I\u2019m here to try what scents come my way, be they $5, $50 or $150. I got all three<\/span> Proximity fragrances for under $10 and I approached them with an open mind and flared nostrils.<\/p>\n Proximity Bergamot<\/span> smells like a typical sport fragrance; it begins with that familiar cold, metallic bergamot note we all know so well, then it goes into fresh musk-light wood territory. Proximity Bergamot is not unpleasant and it smells no less expensive than sport fragrances costing 10 times more that you\u2019ll find at Nordstrom or Macy\u2019s (in fact I find it just as wearable as Chanel Allure Homme Sport<\/a> for one!) Since AXE is certainly making a profit with their $5 fragrances, we know we\u2019re not paying for the bottle contents of designer<\/em> fragrances of this type, don\u2019t we?<\/p>\n Proximtiy Vetiver<\/span> smells awful upon application, rather \u201crotten\u201d and \u201ccabbage-y.\u201d A friend said: \u201cIt smells like vegetation breaking down!\u201d \u2014 yes, the compost bin (is this what artificial vetiver smells like?) One can also detect hints of \u201cfresh\u201d notes (that quickly sour and become stale) and a note that smells of warm sea water. HOW did Proximity Vetiver get approved for sale in its current form? I won\u2019t even use it as a room spray, and after reading the many warnings on the AXE can about the dangers of flammability and inhalation, and the possibility of heat-activated explosion (\u201cCONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE\u201d\u2026\u201dcan cause serious injury or death\u201d), I don\u2019t know HOW to dispose of the unused can in summertime! (For some added weirdness, watch the Huffing<\/em> and Igniting<\/em> videos at theaxeeffect<\/a>!)<\/p>\n Proximity Amber<\/span> smells like a fruity-fresh, lightly vanillic amber. When I let others smell Proximity Amber, the consensus was \u201cIt\u2019s alright \u2014 but it smells cheap.\u201d<\/p>\n Of the three AXE Proximity fragrances, Bergamot is the best, Amber is an average drugstore\/discount fragrance and Vetiver is a nightmare. (After smelling Proximity Vetiver, the strong \u201cteen\u201d AXE scents smell downright pleasant.) All three AXE Proximity fragrances have decent lasting power but are not overpowering; they stay close to the body.<\/p>\n Compared to other over-designed\/\u201cdecorated\u201d AXE products, the silver and black Proximity packaging (a metal can with plastic top) is austere, but the nozzle that shoots out fragrance with the force of a water hose is still utilized (what comes out of the nozzle is more like \u201cfog\u201d or thick vapor than what you get from a normal natural spray atomizer).<\/p>\n AXE Proximity fragrances are available at walgreens<\/a>, drugstore<\/a> and other online retail outlets.<\/p>\nPossibly of interest<\/h2>\n