Hawthorne Cologne: Tailored Scents For Individual Expression

Hawthorne is an American niche brand that offers tailored colognes and bathroom essentials for men. The company was founded by Phil Wong, a designer for Hood By Air, and Brian Jeong, a product manager for BCG Digital Ventures, in 2016. Hawthorne uses biometric tailoring and study-backed research to deliver a perfect scent: two tailored colognes selected from the brand's fragrance palette. Before purchasing the colognes, customers are asked to take a quiz that covers a range of categories, from skin type and grooming habits to favourite drinks and ideal nights out. While some reviewers have called the personalisation a gimmick, others have praised the colognes' quality and longevity.

Hawthorne's colognes are tailored to your body and lifestyle

The quiz is a surprisingly useful way to collect the data needed to properly put together your set. Based on your answers, Hawthorne will pair you with two colognes from its fragrance palette, one for Work and one for Play. The Work cologne is fresh and aromatic, while the Play cologne has more citrus and spice, with a major wood base.

In addition to cologne, Hawthorne also offers tailored shampoo, body wash, and deodorant. The company wants to make it easy to find a great modern fragrance based on your lifestyle. With just a few questions, Hawthorne takes care of the details so you can focus on living your life.

The colognes are selected from the brand's fragrance palette

Hawthorne is an American niche fragrance brand launched in 2016 by Phil Wong, a designer for Hood By Air, and Brian Jeong, a product manager for BCG Digital Ventures. The brand offers a range of tailored colognes and bathroom essentials for men.

The brand uses biometric tailoring and study-backed research to deliver a perfect scent: two tailored colognes selected from ten options in the brand's fragrance palette. To determine the right colognes for each customer, Hawthorne asks a series of questions about their skin, hair, dressing, eating habits, and work. The questions also cover categories like skin type, grooming habits, favourite drinks, and ideal night out.

The colognes are categorized by notes rather than names, with options like "citrus and woody" or "smoky and woody". The fragrances are created in collaboration with perfumers Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Olivier Gillotin, and Quentin Bisch, who have worked with brands like Ralph Lauren, Dior, Calvin Klein, and Tom Ford.

The brand's gift sets offer a semi-customizable option, allowing customers to choose a "Body" profile (e.g., sensitive skin) or a "Scent" profile (e.g., fresh & light). The full quiz provides similar buying options, with the ability to purchase individual products or the entire suite of six products with a subscription.

While some reviewers suggest that the personalisation is a gimmick, with Hawthorne simply recommending from a set of existing fragrances, others praise the colognes' quality, longevity, and value for money. The brand also offers responsive customer service and modern, luxurious packaging.

The quiz asks about your skin type, grooming habits, favourite drink and ideal night out

The Hawthorne cologne quiz is an interesting and unique way to find the right fragrance for you. The quiz covers a range of categories, some more obvious than others. For example, the quiz asks about your skin type and grooming habits, which are clearly pertinent to finding the right cologne. However, it also asks about your favourite drink and ideal night out, which may seem less relevant at first glance.

The quiz is designed to collect data and create a profile that will help Hawthorne tailor its products to your specific needs and preferences. While some people may find the quiz gimmicky, it is a fun and useful way to ensure you receive a fragrance that suits you. It is important to be honest and trust the process when taking the quiz, rather than trying to game the system to get a particular result.

The quiz asks about your skin type to ensure that the cologne is suitable for your skin and won't cause any irritation or other issues. Knowing your skin type is essential for any grooming or skincare routine, as different skin types have different needs. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid certain ingredients or choose a fragrance that is more subtle and not too overpowering.

Grooming habits are also an important factor in choosing a cologne. The quiz will ask about your current grooming routine and the products you use, such as deodorant, shampoo, and body wash. This information helps Hawthorne create a tailored set of products that complement each other and work well for your specific needs. For example, if you have a dry scalp, they may recommend a cooling shampoo to soothe and moisturise your scalp.

Your favourite drink and ideal night out may seem like unusual questions for a cologne quiz, but they can provide insight into your personality and preferences. For instance, if you prefer cocktails over beer, you may be looking for a cooler, more sophisticated fragrance. Additionally, your ideal night out can indicate whether you prefer something fresh and aromatic for a casual get-together or something stronger and more intense for a formal event. These questions add a fun element to the quiz and ensure that your cologne suits your lifestyle and personality.

Overall, the Hawthorne cologne quiz is a well-designed tool that helps the company tailor its products to your specific needs and preferences. By asking about your skin type, grooming habits, favourite drink, and ideal night out, they can create a unique fragrance profile that suits your lifestyle and personality. While some may find the quiz gimmicky, it is a fun and interactive way to find the perfect cologne without the overwhelming choices and department store fragrance counters.

The colognes are categorised by notes, not names

The colognes offered by Hawthorne are not categorized by names but by notes. The colognes are tailored to the customer's body and lifestyle. Hawthorne offers a 21-question quiz to understand the customer's skin-care and fragrance needs. The quiz covers a range of categories, from skin type and grooming habits to favourite drinks and ideal night out. Based on the answers, Hawthorne selects two colognes from its fragrance palette. The colognes are designed by renowned perfumers like Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Olivier Gillotin, and Quentin Bisch.

The reviewer from The Strategist mentions that the colognes they received were categorized by notes, which they found more helpful than names. Their "Work" cologne had "citrus and woody" notes, while their "Play" cologne was "smoky and woody". Similarly, a reviewer from The Adult Man received "Work" and "Play" colognes with woody base notes, but with different mid-tones and top notes. Their "Work" cologne had fresh top notes and sandalwood and cedar mid-tones, while their "Play" cologne had citrus and spice top notes.

Hawthorne's colognes are tailored to each customer's unique preferences and needs, ensuring that they receive a fragrance that suits their taste and lifestyle.

The brand will re-tailor or exchange anything you are unhappy with

Hawthorne is a direct-to-consumer brand, cutting out traditional stores and selling their products online. With this model, it is even more important to ensure customers are happy with their purchases, and the brand has built this into its offering.

Hawthorne's colognes are tailored to the customer through a detailed quiz. The 21- or 22-question quiz covers a range of categories, from skin type and grooming habits to favourite drinks and ideal nights out. This data is used to match customers with the right products.

However, if a customer is unhappy with their cologne, the brand will exchange it for another option. This is a great way to ensure customers are happy and can find the right scent for them. It also encourages customers to take the quiz, knowing that they are not locked into their initial answers.

The brand's customer service is also responsive, and the team is happy to help with any queries. This adds to the overall experience and makes customers feel valued.

Hawthorne's colognes are a great option for those who want a tailored, personalised fragrance without the hassle of shopping in stores. The brand's commitment to re-tailoring or exchanging products ensures a positive experience and the right scent match.

Frequently asked questions