Colognes In California: A Buyer's Guide

If you're looking to buy cologne in California, there are a variety of options available to you, both in-store and online. Online retailers such as FragranceNet, Perfume.com, and Perfumania offer a wide range of discounted fragrances, with free shipping and samples available. For those who prefer to shop in-person, Sephora and Nordstrom are great options, with the opportunity to test scents before buying and generous return policies. Alternatively, you can try department stores such as Macy's or T.J. Maxx, which often have discounted fragrances and overstock items.

Online vs in-person shopping

When it comes to buying colognes in California, you have the option of shopping online or in person. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to weigh your options before making a decision.

Online shopping offers a high level of convenience as you can browse and purchase colognes from the comfort of your own home. You can also take advantage of the wide variety of options available, as online retailers often have a larger selection than brick-and-mortar stores. This makes it easier to compare prices and find deals on expensive brands that may not be available in-store. Additionally, online stores often offer coupons and sales, making it more affordable to purchase colognes. However, one drawback of online shopping is that you don't get to test the cologne before buying it, and you may have to deal with shipping costs and return policies if the product doesn't meet your expectations.

On the other hand, in-person shopping allows you to smell and test colognes before making a purchase. This can save you the hassle of returning products that don't suit your taste. In-person shopping also provides immediate gratification, as you can use the cologne right away instead of waiting for it to be delivered. Visiting a physical store can be a more enjoyable experience, especially if you're looking to explore new scents and need guidance from knowledgeable staff. However, the selection may be more limited, and you may not find the same deals and discounts that are available online.

Ultimately, the decision between online and in-person shopping depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you know what type of cologne you want and are looking for convenience and deals, online shopping may be the best option. On the other hand, if you prefer to test colognes before buying and value the expertise of in-store staff, in-person shopping might be more suitable.

To buy colognes in California, you can visit popular online retailers such as FragranceNet, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Amazon, or physical stores like Sephora, Nordstrom, and T.J. Maxx.

Discounted vs full-priced colognes

When it comes to buying cologne, you may come across both discounted and full-priced options. While it's tempting to opt for the cheaper option, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of both choices.

Discounted colognes are often found at outlet stores or online retailers, offering prices that are up to 80% off the original price. These discounted prices allow you to purchase high-end colognes at a fraction of the cost, making luxury more accessible. Additionally, some retailers provide rewards programs or points systems, allowing you to earn discounts on future purchases. This encourages loyalty and can be beneficial if you intend to purchase colognes regularly.

However, when purchasing discounted colognes, it's essential to be cautious. Firstly, ensure that the discounted cologne is from an authorised reseller to guarantee authenticity. Some resellers may fill their own vials with cologne, and while this may be legal under certain conditions, it's crucial to be transparent about the product's origin. Secondly, while some discounted colognes may be last season's stock or slower-selling items, others may be close to their expiration date. Check the manufacturing and expiration dates to ensure you're getting a quality product.

On the other hand, full-priced colognes are typically purchased from authorised brand retailers or department stores. One advantage of buying full-priced colognes is the assurance of authenticity and quality. You can be confident that the product is fresh, has a long shelf life, and is the genuine article. Additionally, buying full-priced colognes may provide you with access to the entire product line, including new releases, limited editions, and a wider range of sizes.

Ultimately, the decision between discounted and full-priced colognes depends on your priorities. If you're seeking luxury brands at affordable prices and don't mind a more limited selection, discounted colognes can be a great option. However, if you value the assurance of authenticity, access to the latest releases, and a broader selection, full-priced colognes may be more suitable. It's also worth considering factors like expiration dates, the reseller's reputation, and your own budget when making your choice.

Samples and testers

Department Stores

Department stores such as Nordstrom, Saks, Macy's, and Bloomingdales have fragrance counters where you can request a sample or tester. The sales assistants are usually quite generous with samples, especially if they think you are a potential buyer. It is important to be courteous and build a rapport with the salesperson, as they are more likely to give you a sample if they think you are genuinely interested in the product. You can also increase your chances of getting a sample by showing that you are looking for a new scent and are not quite ready to commit to a full-sized bottle.

Beauty Specialty Stores

Beauty specialty stores such as Sephora and Ulta often have a large stock of men's cologne and can provide samples upon request. These stores also offer free samples with any purchase, so you can add a few cologne samples to your cart when ordering online. The sales assistants at these stores are usually very knowledgeable and can help you find the right scent.

Online Retailers

If you are looking to buy individual samples, websites like TheAromi.com offer best-selling men's cologne samples from various brands at reasonable prices. You can also find samples on the official websites of fragrance brands, although you might have to reach out to them directly via email or social media to request a sample. Additionally, some websites like FragranceX.com offer samples for around $2 each.

Magazines and Subscription Boxes

Print media such as magazines sometimes include free cologne samples, so you can flip through magazines at your local drugstore to find these. Subscription boxes are also a great way to discover new fragrances, as they often include free samples to help you explore different products. Scentbird and Scentbox are two popular subscription services that introduce you to new fragrances each month.

Travel Kits and Mini Versions

If you want to test out a cologne without committing to a full-sized bottle, consider purchasing a travel kit or a mini version. These smaller sizes are perfect for trying out a new scent without breaking the bank. They are also convenient for travel and can be easily stashed in a gym bag or dop kit.

Subscription services

Scentbird

Scentbird is a well-known subscription service that offers a quiz to help you develop your scent profile. You can then choose fragrances to sample, and the company will ship you a 30-day supply of your chosen scent each month. Scentbird offers detailed scent descriptions and categorisations, and stocks in-demand indie fragrances. While it has a smaller selection than some other services, it offers discounts on the purchase of full-size bottles.

Scent Box

Scent Box offers a huge selection of fragrances, with over 575 different designer colognes to choose from on the standard subscription, and more than 850 on the premium subscription. The standard plan costs $17 per month for one scent, while the premium and platinum plans, which grant access to additional luxury brands, cost $22-$30. You can take a brief questionnaire to filter results based on your preferences, or manually select fragrances that interest you. If you don't like the scent you receive, Scent Box allows you to exchange it for another.

Perfume.com

Perfume.com's Fragrance of the Month program offers a 0.27-ounce fragrance atomizer for $15 per month. With over 500 brands and scents to choose from, including popular designer names like Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry, Perfume.com offers a budget-friendly way to experiment with new fragrances.

Scent Trunk

Scent Trunk offers a more tailored experience, creating its own unique scents based on "the contemporary zeitgeist in art & culture, fashion & beauty, and food & travel." The Original Edition subscription costs $18 and provides a 5 mL travel atomizer of your choice from options like ylang-ylang, salt, truffle, black hemlock, and beeswax.

Olfactif

Olfactif stocks an array of niche fragrances from independent perfumers, with more than 300 fragrances from indie brands. The subscription service sends three deluxe-sized samples a month for $22, and offers discounts on any purchases from the site.

Debonair Scent

Debonair Scent offers a simple, straightforward profile quiz to help you discover new fragrances. For $15 per month, you'll receive three 3 mL bottles of cologne selected by the company's experts. You can also save money by prepaying for three, six, or 12 months.

California-specific laws on selling cologne

California has several laws in place that regulate the sale of colognes and other fragrance products.

The Cosmetic, Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act of 2020 (CFFIRKA) requires cosmetic companies to publicly disclose all fragrance and flavor ingredients in their products that are found on one of 22 "designated lists". This includes carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, neurotoxicants, allergens, and other chemicals of concern. The lists are subject to change, and companies must pay attention to any revisions. The law also requires the disclosure of specific "fragrance allergens" if they are present above a certain percentage in cosmetic products.

Additionally, California has banned certain chemicals from being used in fragrances and cosmetics. As of January 1, 2025, the manufacturing or selling of any cosmetic product with intentionally added amounts of 24 specific chemicals, including formaldehyde, certain plasticizers (phthalates), and mercury, is prohibited. This law provides an exception for the presence of these substances as impurities at trace quantities.

Another law, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, bans more than two dozen ingredients from cosmetics and other personal care products. These ingredients, which include vinyl acetate, anthraquinone, and lilial, are believed to raise the risk of cancer, birth defects, and reproductive problems.

These laws aim to provide consumers with knowledge about the ingredients in fragrance and cosmetic products and to make these products safer for use.

Frequently asked questions