what would Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man spritz?

By Ashley Kowalewski

Robert Downey Jr. is a force to be reckoned with and a hot Hollywood commodity. With over 70 titles on his filmography—his latest, Iron Man 3, having just hit theatres this past weekend—we can’t help wonder why Downey Jr. hasn’t been tapped for a fragrance contract. Not yet.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a few recommendations for RDJ and his latest alter ego, in case one of the big brands might be in the market for a new leading man.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AS ROBERT DOWNEY JR.
If Brad Pitt can get a fragrance contract with Chanel then Robert Downey Jr. should have no problem landing something impressive with one of the big fragrance guns. Downey Jr. is charismatic, a talented actor and his dark past gives him an edge that is, well, kind of intriguing. Taking all of that into account, along with the fact that the man isn’t afraid of getting a good hair cut, we think that RDJ should be the next spokesman to pitch the iconic Chanel No.5.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AS TONY STARK/IRON MAN
What’s better than Robert Downey Jr.? Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and Iron Man. If one had Tony Stark/Iron Man fronting a spritz, we believe the scent would need to be surprising; even a bit extreme (especially in Downey Jr.’s Iron Man suit-enabling overdrive state, as he’s jumped from his Mark VII of The Avengers to his more evolved Mark XLVII (47) body armor in Iron Man 3). Our pairing suggestion: The new Kenzo Homme Sport Extreme. It’s geared towards a guy with confidence to spare—and of course Tony Stark has that in spades.

Energetic and super-masculine, the scent opens with icy peppermint, pepper and lemon; moves into a fresh-air, marine middle ground; and then dries down to a sexy-man, woody base of cedar and vetiver. $90 (100 ml), www.kenzoparfums.com

Tony Stark would also naturally wear a scent like Giorgio Armani Eau de Nuit Pour Homme, given its warm and alluring character, reminding us that beneath that iron suit is an ex-womanizing charmer who now faithfully adores his beloved Pepper Potts.

The fragrance mixes top notes of bergamot, pink pepper and cardamom; a heart of nutmeg and iris; and a base of amber and tonka bean. It’s an elegant scent tailored to those rare, yet memorable moments of sophistication and grace when Tony Stark isn’t threatening villains and openly inviting them to come to his Malibu home. $105 (100 ml), www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com

All that to say that if Downey Jr. wore Kenzo or Armani—or suggested that a woman of his affection should wear Chanel No.5—we’re thinking many, many others would pay attention. Just saying.