Choosing A Cologne: Finding Your Signature Scent

Choosing the right cologne can be a tricky task, but it's an important one as it can be a powerful way to express yourself. The right fragrance can inspire a sense of personal confidence, make you more attractive to others, and help you stand out from the crowd. But how do you choose the right one? Well, it's all about understanding the different notes that make up a cologne, knowing which scents are best for each season, and considering your environment and the occasion. You should also trust your own preferences and sample different colognes to find the one that's right for you and your skin type.

Understand the notes

Understanding fragrance notes is key to choosing the right cologne. Notes are the individual scent layers that, when combined, form a unified, pleasing perfume. They are typically categorised into three types: top notes, heart/middle notes, and base notes. Each note plays a specific role in the fragrance's development and longevity, and they are carefully selected by perfumers to create a pleasant scent that evokes a particular experience.

Top notes, or head notes, are the initial scents that you smell when you first apply a cologne. They are the lightest and most volatile notes, lasting only about 10-15 minutes. Examples of top notes include citrus scents like lemon, orange, and bergamot, as well as light floral scents like lavender and rose. Top notes are important because they create the first impression and lure you in, but they also transition smoothly into the next part of the fragrance.

Heart notes, or middle notes, are the scents that emerge just as the top notes start to fade. They typically last for 2-3 hours and form the heart or main body of the cologne. Examples of heart notes include floral scents like rose, jasmine, and lavender, as well as spicy scents like cinnamon and nutmeg. Heart notes are important because they retain some of the top notes' aroma while introducing new scents to deepen the experience. They also serve as a buffer for the base notes, which may not smell as pleasant on their own.

Base notes are the foundation of the cologne and appear once the middle notes have evaporated. They are the longest-lasting notes, with a duration of up to 24 hours or more. Base notes are typically rich, heavy, and long-lasting, providing depth and warmth to the cologne. Examples include woody scents like sandalwood and cedarwood, as well as musk, vanilla, and amber. Base notes are important because they boost the lighter notes and create the final, lasting impression of the cologne.

When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider all three types of notes to get a complete understanding of the scent. The harmony between the notes is what creates a pleasant fragrance and evokes the desired emotions in the wearer.

Choose according to the season

When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider the season. The fragrance you wear should complement the weather and enhance your personal experience. Opting for a seasonal cologne is like having a seasonal wardrobe – it should be in tune with the climate.

Spring and Summer

In spring and summer, lighter, fresher, and more invigorating fragrances are ideal. Citrus, aquatic, and fruity notes are perfect for the warmer months, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the heat. Citrus notes are particularly recommended as they are light and invigorating. Floral notes are also a good choice as they are delicate and versatile, offering a touch of femininity that can be appreciated by both men and women.

Autumn and Winter

In autumn and winter, richer, spicier, woodier, and muskier scents are more suitable. These notes complement the cosy, reflective mood of the seasons and tend to linger longer, providing a sustained aromatic experience. Woody notes, in particular, resonate well during the colder months, offering a sense of grounding masculinity.

Application Tips

The way you wear your cologne can also be adapted to the season. In summer, avoid applying cologne to your skin if you plan to be outside in the sun for a long time. Instead, spray it on your hair from a distance, allowing the breeze to subtly release the fragrance. You can also create a cloud of perfume and walk through it. In winter, when your skin is covered up, spray your scarf, hat, and coat to ensure the scent doesn't get lost.

Consider your environment

When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider your environment, including the season, time of day, and occasion.

Seasonality plays a significant role in fragrance selection. Lighter and fresher scents are typically preferred during the warmer months of spring and summer, while richer and deeper scents are more suitable for the cooler evenings and special occasions of autumn and winter. For spring, floral or citrus fragrances are ideal, whereas autumn calls for patchouli, musk, and vanilla notes. In summer, aquatic and fruity notes are perfect for a refreshing counterpoint to the heat, and in winter, spicy, woody, or musky notes provide a warm and cosy aroma.

The time of day is also a factor to consider when choosing a cologne. During the daytime, it is generally recommended to opt for lighter and more subtle fragrances, while stronger and more intense scents can be reserved for the evening.

The occasion is another crucial aspect of choosing the right cologne. The scent you wear should complement the context and setting of the event. For example, a business meeting calls for a different fragrance than a romantic dinner. In a professional environment, it is advisable to opt for lighter and more subtle fragrances, such as citrus or green notes, as opposed to stronger and more overpowering scents. Formal events require a sophisticated and elegant fragrance, blending notes such as lavender, musk, or amber. Casual outings are perfect for fruity or aquatic notes, offering a relaxed and inviting aroma.

Additionally, it is important to be mindful of those around you and choose a cologne that will be appealing to others in your environment.

Sample before buying

Sampling cologne is an important step in choosing the right one for you. Fragrances smell different on everyone because factors like skin type and diet can affect how a cologne interacts with your body's pheromones. Therefore, sampling a cologne will allow you to determine whether it is the right one for you before committing to a full-size bottle.

Get Free Samples with Other Purchases

A simple way to get cologne samples is to add them to your cart when making purchases from beauty retailers like Sephora or Ulta. Although the selection may be limited, this method requires minimal effort and allows you to start building your sample library. Sampling new fragrance launches will also keep you on-trend.

Ask at a Department Store

You can visit the cologne counter at a department store and request a fragrance sample. These samples are usually new launches, but depending on your rapport with the salesperson, you might be able to get a sample of an older fragrance. While asking for a sample of a well-known scent might make you feel self-conscious, it's important to remember that body chemistry affects how a scent sits on your skin.

Ask at a Beauty Specialty Store

Beauty specialty shops like Sephora or Ulta will typically provide you with a sample vial of men's cologne upon request. Don't be intimidated by the vast selection at these stores—the staff are there to assist you and are happy to dole out samples.

Buy Individual Samples

You can purchase individual samples of best-selling men's colognes from reputable websites like TheAromi.com. This is generally a safer option than buying samples from eBay, where the quality can vary between sellers. At TheAromi.com, you can buy luxury cologne samples starting at $4, or subscribe to their monthly sample package for $20, which includes a coupon for a full-size purchase.

You can also buy individual samples from luxury brands like Le Labo, where 0.05-ounce samples of their iconic scents are priced at $4 to $6 each. These samples can often be purchased online with free shipping, allowing you to conveniently test fragrances from the comfort of your home.

Buy a Travel Coffret

A fragrance coffret is a discovery set of popular colognes, perfect for travel. Each coffret typically includes three to five sample-sized vials of a brand's top-selling colognes, sometimes accompanied by a pocket atomizer for easy application on the go.

Buy a Mini Version of a Full-Size Bottle

Minis are an excellent way to sample a cologne without committing to a full-size bottle. They allow you to experience the fragrance at a fraction of the cost while still enjoying the aesthetic of the bottle.

Try a Subscription Service

Subscription services, such as Scentbird, offer a convenient way to explore a wide range of legacy luxury colognes, artisanal scents, and clean beauty fragrances. After signing up, you'll take a series of quizzes to determine your fragrance preferences, and then you can select your desired scents. Each month, you'll receive a 30-day supply of your chosen cologne, giving you ample time to decide if it's the right one for you.

Know the classics

Knowing the classic scents gives you a framework to pick your own cologne. It also gives you a killer roster of scents to choose from.

The first thing to know is the difference between the types of fragrances. The generic term for a fragrance is unisex "fragrance". However, there are different types of fragrances with different names and concentrations.

The first type is Eau Fraiche. This is the most diluted version of a fragrance, with 1-3% perfume oil in alcohol and water. It usually lasts for less than an hour.

The second type is cologne (Eau de Cologne). This is the oldest term for perfume, used in North America for masculine scents. It is light, fresh, and fruity, typically composed of 2-5% perfume oils in alcohol and water. It tends to be used for younger people and usually lasts for about 2 hours.

The third type is Toilette (Eau de Toilette). This is a light spray composition with 5-15% pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol. It usually lasts for about 3 hours.

The fourth type is Perfume (Eau de Parfum). This is historically genderless and used to describe both men's and women's products. It contains 15-20% pure perfume essence and lasts for about 5 to 8 hours.

The fifth type is Parfum. This is the most concentrated and expensive of all fragrance options. It is slightly oilier and is composed of 20-30% pure perfume essence. A single application can last up to 24 hours.

Now that you know the different types of fragrances, you can explore the classic scents within each type. For example, if you're looking for a classic Eau de Cologne, you might want to try a citrus or green scent, as these are often top notes in this type of fragrance.

You can also explore classic fragrances by family. The main fragrance families are woody, oriental, floral, and fresh, with fougère in the middle of the wheel, combining various categories. A classic woody fragrance might include sandalwood, cedar, oakmoss, and rosewood. A classic oriental fragrance will have sensual and warm tones, with amber as the base fragrance and the addition of musk, vanilla, spices, and woody fragrances. A classic floral fragrance for men might include subtle floral elements such as ylang-ylang and jasmine, combined with citruses.

When choosing a classic fragrance, it's also important to consider the concentration. If you want something light, look for a concentration of under 8%. If you want something stronger, go for a concentration of 8-15%.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for advice. Fragrance experts can help you find a classic scent that suits your tastes and needs.

Frequently asked questions