Where To Buy Cologne: Does Location Affect Quality?

When it comes to cologne, it's not just about choosing the right scent but also about how and where you buy it. While cologne can be an important part of a man's personal style, boosting confidence and attractiveness, it's essential to apply it correctly to avoid over-application or a scent that fades quickly. Testing cologne before purchasing is crucial, as its interaction with your skin can alter the fragrance. Understanding the different notes and families of colognes, such as fresh, woody, floral, and oriental, helps you find a scent that suits your preferences and lasts throughout the day. Additionally, knowing the best places to apply cologne, such as the neck and chest, ensures the scent lasts longer and mixes well with your body chemistry.

Where to buy cologne online

There are many great places to buy cologne online, and this guide will help you find the best options.

Jomashop

Jomashop is probably best known as a grey market watch seller, but it also carries thousands of men's colognes. You'll find top-tier names like Dior, Armani, and Tom Ford, as well as more niche favourites like Diptyque and Creed. Jomashop holds sales regularly, so it's worth checking the site often. The site tends to have all the product info you need, though you can always check the manufacturer's site if the description is lacking. It's rare to find fragrance reviews on Jomashop, so if you're looking for customer testimonials, you'll have to do a little extra research.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is still one of the best options for buying men's cologne online. This department store staple offers both free shipping and free returns, so you can shop with confidence. You'll find mostly designer brands with a few niche options. Prices are fairly standard, but if you wait for the annual anniversary sale, you can find some great bargains. Since Nordstrom has physical stores, you can head to your closest location to try out colognes in person, and you can also order online and pick up in-store. Overall, Nordstrom is a good choice if you're interested in high-end designer fragrances.

FragranceNet

If budget is a big concern, FragranceNet might be the best option. The company has been around since 1997 and is one of the biggest perfume retailers in the world. FragranceNet offers heavily discounted prices, with savings of up to 80% across the site, even on designer brands like Versace and Calvin Klein. FragranceNet is a legitimate retailer, and there are countless positive reviews across social media. Most of the negative comments are concerning shipping delays or order mishaps, which can happen with any site.

FragranceX

FragranceX is another popular retailer that's similar to FragranceNet. Both sites offer significant discounts (up to 80%) on a wide range of colognes, and you can find both designer and niche brands. FragranceX usually has an active 15% off code. FragranceX guarantees the authenticity of their products, and your information is always kept secure.

Scentbird

Scentbird is a subscription service, so it's a nice option if you want to try out different colognes without committing to purchasing full bottles. For $17 a month, you get an 8ml spray of a fragrance you choose, which should last about a month. You start by taking a quiz to create your scent profile, which is a helpful starting point if you're new to the world of cologne. At the time of writing, you can't purchase full-size bottles on Scentbird, so you are limited to the 8ml sample size.

Perfume.com

Much like FragranceNet, Perfume.com is a colossal retailer that's been in business for over twenty years, and it offers steep discounts of up to 80% on both luxury and niche brands. Perfume.com offers free shipping and free returns, giving it a slight edge over some competitors. You can typically find active discount codes, which means there's a lot of potential for great deals.

Where to buy cologne in-store

When it comes to where to buy cologne in-store, there are a few options to consider. One option is to visit a department store. Department stores typically carry a wide range of cologne brands and fragrances, making it a convenient place to test out different options. You can spray different colognes on your wrists or inner elbows and walk around the store to see how the scents develop over time. This can help you find a fragrance that complements your natural body odour.

Another option is to check out dedicated fragrance stores, such as Sephora or Ulta. These stores often have knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the different fragrance families and help you find a scent that suits your preferences and budget. They may also offer samples or testers so you can try out the cologne before committing to a purchase.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, you might want to try drug stores or discount fragrance outlets. These stores often carry a range of colognes at lower price points, although the selection may be more limited. It's important to note that cheaper colognes may not last as long or have the same complexity of scent as more expensive options.

Lastly, if you're looking for a unique or high-end cologne, you might want to explore niche perfumeries or boutiques. These stores often carry more expensive and distinctive fragrances created by industry artists. While these colognes may be more costly, they offer a chance to find a bold and memorable scent.

How to test cologne

Testing cologne is an essential step before buying a full bottle. The fragrance's interaction with your skin can change the way the cologne smells, so it's important to ensure that you love it after applying it to your skin. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to test cologne:

• Research colognes online: Use a fragrance wheel or your knowledge of scents to identify appealing fragrances. Google search for colognes that include your desired scents to create a starting point for testing. Remember, you can always change your mind about a scent after smelling it in person, and a store representative can help direct you to alternatives based on your preferences.
• Use cologne testers or scent blotters: Fragrance testers are available in smaller bottles, or you can visit a store with scent blotters, which are small cardboard strips that absorb the fragrance. Spray the blotter two or three times in a downward motion to test the scent without applying it to your body.
• Test the fragrance on your skin: Narrow down your selection to two to four fragrances. Spray one cologne type on each wrist. If testing more than two, also spray your inner elbows. Avoid testing more than four at a time to prevent confusing your sense of smell.
• Give the scent time to develop: Walk around the store or wait for about 30 minutes to allow the scent to mix with the oils on your skin. Cleanse your nostrils with a strong scent like coffee between each sniff. Notice how each smell develops as it interacts with your body chemistry. This will give you an accurate idea of what each cologne will smell like on you.
• Make your purchase: If you still love the fragrance after the development period, there's a good chance you'll enjoy owning and using it.
• Sample at home: If you prefer, you can order fragrance samples online to test colognes from the comfort of your home.

Remember, the key to testing cologne is to give it time to interact with your skin and to ensure that you don't confuse your sense of smell by testing too many fragrances at once.

How much cologne to buy

The amount of cologne you should buy depends on several factors, including your personal preferences, how often you plan to wear it, and your budget. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Start with a Small Bottle

If you are new to cologne or trying a new scent, it's best to buy a smaller bottle. This way, you can experiment with different fragrances without committing to a large quantity. Smaller bottles are also ideal if you don't know how often you will wear cologne or if your tastes may change over time.

Consider the Concentration

Colognes come in different concentrations, such as Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum. The higher the concentration of perfume oil, the longer the fragrance will last and the richer the scent will be. However, higher concentrations are usually more expensive. Consider how strong you want your cologne to be and how long you want it to last before deciding on the concentration.

Sample Different Scents

Before purchasing a full-sized bottle, sample different colognes to find the ones that appeal to you. You can use scent blotters or testers to try out various fragrances without applying them directly to your skin. This way, you can narrow down your choices to a few favourites before testing them on your skin.

Test on Your Skin

It's essential to test cologne on your skin before buying because fragrances interact with your body chemistry and can smell different on everyone. What smells great on someone else might not work for you. Apply a small amount of cologne to your wrist or inner elbow and give it time to develop—about 30 minutes to an hour. This will help you determine if you like the scent and how it reacts with your natural body odour.

Think About Cost and Value

More expensive colognes are typically priced higher due to factors such as brand name, quality of ingredients, and concentration. Decide on a budget that works for you and consider the value you're getting for your money. Remember that a higher price doesn't always guarantee a better fragrance, but it may indicate higher quality or longer-lasting scent.

Storage and Shelf Life

Cologne does not have an infinite shelf life, and improper storage can cause it to deteriorate faster. To make your cologne last longer, store it in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a bedroom closet. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or rapid temperature changes, as this can shorten its lifespan. Consider how often you plan to use cologne and buy an amount that you can reasonably use before it expires.

How to apply cologne

Applying cologne is an art form. Done properly, it can make you feel more attractive and confident. Done improperly, it can lead to over-application or a scent that fades almost immediately. Here is a guide on how to apply cologne correctly:

• Apply cologne directly to dry skin immediately after showering. The shower will cleanse your body of any other scents and open your pores, helping the scent absorb.
• Hold the spray bottle 3-6 inches from your body when applying. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-application, while spraying from further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.
• Apply cologne to the heated areas of your body, such as the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, or inner elbows. The heat will help diffuse the scent throughout the day and allow it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.
• Start with a light application. Choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and apply one spray. If the scent fades quickly, choose another area and apply cologne there the next time. You can ask a close friend or family member for their opinion on whether the application is appropriate, as you can become nose-blind to scents you wear often.
• Re-apply cologne if needed, especially if you are going out in the evening. Simply dab a little onto your pulse points.
• Avoid common mistakes such as spraying the fragrance on your clothing, which prevents it from mixing with your natural oils and can harm certain fabrics. Instead, spray onto your skin, not too close to your face or on broken or irritated skin.
• Do not splash the cologne on your skin. If the fragrance does not have a spray nozzle, place one finger over the opening of the bottle, gently tip it upside down, and then dab the scent onto your body.
• Do not spray a mist cloud and walk through it, as most of the cologne will end up on the floor.
• Do not rub the perfume into your skin, as this will make the scent fade faster by breaking the molecular bond in the fragrance. Simply dab, but do not rub.
• Be mindful of applying too much cologne. Your fragrance should be a subtle enhancement to your image. Start light and ask a friend or significant other if they think you need more or less.

Remember, your cologne should be discovered, not announced. It should be a hint of fragrance that draws people in, not something that overpowers them.

Frequently asked questions