Finding Your Signature Scent: Choosing A Cologne

Choosing a cologne can be a daunting task, with thousands of fragrances available. However, taking the time to find a scent that suits your personality and preferences is worth it. After all, fragrance is an invisible part of your personal style and can have a powerful impact on how people perceive and remember you. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect cologne:

- Understand the different types of fragrances: Familiarize yourself with the terms such as Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum, which indicate the concentration of perfume oils and the intensity of the scent.

- Know your scent preferences: Think about the types of scents you generally like and dislike. Do you prefer fresh and aquatic notes, or something muskier and woodier? Understanding your preferences will help you narrow down your options.

- Sample different colognes: Don't be afraid to try new fragrances. Visit department stores and fragrance boutiques to test different colognes. Spray them on your skin, rather than on paper strips, as the scent can change when it interacts with your body chemistry.

- Consider the occasion: Different colognes are suited for different occasions. For example, a light and fresh cologne might be perfect for a summer day, while a warmer and spicier scent could be ideal for a cozy winter evening.

- Seek feedback: Ask for honest opinions from friends and family. They can provide valuable insights into how the cologne smells on you and whether it suits your personality.

- Take your time: Don't rush into buying a cologne just because it smells good initially. Wear it for a full day and see how it develops. A good cologne should make you feel confident and leave a lasting impression.

Know your notes and layers

Knowing your notes and layers is key to finding the right cologne for you. Notes are the individual scent layers of ingredients that make up a fragrance, and they are typically categorized into three main types: top notes, heart notes (or middle notes), and base notes. Each note plays a specific role in the fragrance's development and longevity, and they are combined to form a unified, pleasant perfume.

Top notes are the scents you detect first after spraying a perfume. They play a role in setting first impressions and shaping the fragrance's story. Common top notes include citrus scents like lemon, orange, and bergamot, as well as light floral scents like lavender and rose. Top notes usually evaporate quickly, lingering for only the first five to fifteen minutes.

Heart notes make up the "heart" of the fragrance and typically last longer than top notes. They appear as the top notes start to fade and remain evident for the full life of the fragrance. Heart notes include full-bodied, aromatic floral oils like jasmine, geranium, and ylang-ylang, as well as spices like cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom.

Base notes are very rich, heavy, and long-lasting. They kick in about 30 minutes after application and work together with the middle notes to create the fragrance's scent. Popular base notes include vanilla, amber, musk, patchouli, and woody notes like sandalwood and cedarwood.

When choosing a cologne, it's important to pay attention to all three layers of notes. This will give you a more dynamic experience as you appreciate the artful layering the perfumer has created. Additionally, understanding the different notes will help you identify which scents you like and which ones suit different occasions and moods.

Understand fragrance families

Fragrance families are a classification system used by the perfume industry to group individual perfumes into olfactory "groups", based on their dominant characteristics. There are four main fragrance families: woody, floral, amber (previously known as oriental), and fresh. These families each occupy a respective space on the Fragrance Wheel, a circular diagram that illustrates the four scent families in relation to their corresponding subfamilies.

The woody family includes warm and opulent scents, mixing incense-like fragrances such as sandalwood and patchouli with drier notes like cedar. The subfamilies within the woody family include woods, mossy woods, and dry woods. Woody fragrances are often favoured for aftershaves and are perfect for wearing in the evening.

The floral family is one of the most common and broadest families, usually taking on a feminine characteristic. Any fragrance with a sweet and flowery scent falls under this family, using notes such as roses, jasmine, lilies, and peonies. Floral fragrances can range from being light and delicate to more complex and intense.

The amber family (previously known as oriental) includes warm, sweet, and slightly spicy scents. This family is considered more luxurious and varies from floral oriental to soft oriental and woody oriental. Perfumes and aftershaves in this family are rich and sensual, often made with interesting notes such as cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla, along with jasmine, orchid, and orange blossom.

The fresh family is characterised by zingy, aromatic compositions backed by underlying woody notes. Citrus-based fragrances in this family are created with lemon, mandarin, and bergamot, while water fragrances evoke aquatic notes like sea spray. Fresh green fragrances are reminiscent of herbal and leafy scents, creating a crisp and uplifting smell. They are sometimes referred to as aromatic fougère fragrances, featuring notes of lavender, rosemary, or basil.

While these four main fragrance families provide a broad categorisation, it's worth noting that there are numerous subfamilies and variations within each family. Additionally, fragrance experts may have their own interpretations and classifications, so it's always a good idea to trust your nose and explore different options to find the cologne that suits you best.

Try before you buy

When it comes to finding the right cologne, it's important to try before you buy. This means sampling different fragrances and wearing them multiple times, in multiple settings, and around multiple friends to see how the scent works for you. Here are some ways to sample colognes:

Fragrance Counters at Department Stores:

High-end department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom are often generous with their samples. They may offer fragrance samples or make testers by spraying the cologne on a cotton ball or paper strip. It's important to engage with the sales assistant, ask questions, and show genuine interest in making a purchase. However, keep in mind that they may not have samples for older or less popular fragrances.

Beauty Specialty Stores:

Shops like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Blue Mercury carry a wide range of men's colognes and can be a great place to discover lesser-known fragrances. The staff are usually knowledgeable and can help you find the right scent. They may also be able to make sample vials in-store or provide promotional samplers.

DIY Samplers from Retailers:

Discount retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kohl's often have open bottles of colognes for testing. However, it can be challenging to test multiple scents without them blending together. One solution is to bring your own fragrance sampler vials and spray the colognes directly into them.

Online Samples:

While searching for free samples online can be challenging, there are websites like FragranceX.com that offer affordable cologne samples for around $2 each, featuring top brands like Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier. Some brands also offer sampler packs or discovery sets on their websites, allowing you to try a variety of their fragrances before committing to a full bottle.

Subscription Services:

Scent sampler and subscription services, such as Scentbird and Luxury Scent Box, allow you to explore different fragrances at a low cost. For a monthly fee, they send you a generous vial of a featured fragrance, giving you the opportunity to try it out multiple times before committing to a full bottle.

Gift Sets and Travel Coffrets:

Minis or travel coffrets are smaller replica bottles that are perfect for sampling. Coffrets typically include 4-5 minis of a brand's best-selling colognes in travel sizes, allowing you to get a feel for the full line of fragrances.

Remember, when sampling colognes, it's important to go beyond first impressions. Give the fragrance time to develop on your skin and pay attention to how it evolves throughout the day. Ask for feedback from friends and family to get a sense of how the scent works with your body chemistry.

Ask for recommendations

Asking for recommendations is a great way to find a cologne that suits you. Here are some tips on how to go about it:

Fragrance experts can provide valuable insights and suggestions based on your preferences and needs. They can guide you through the different fragrance families, notes, and brands to help you narrow down your options. Visit fragrance stores or beauty counters and ask for assistance in finding a cologne that aligns with your taste. These experts often have a wealth of knowledge about various fragrances and can offer tailored advice.

Seek Recommendations from Friends and Family

Friends and family members can be a great source of recommendations. They know your personality, preferences, and may even have noticed fragrances that suit you in the past. Ask them for their opinions and suggestions. They can provide honest feedback and may even introduce you to fragrances you might not have considered. Their input can help you navigate the vast array of cologne choices available.

Online Communities and Reviews

Engage with online communities, forums, and review websites dedicated to fragrances. These platforms often have enthusiastic members who are passionate about perfumes and colognes. You can seek advice, share your preferences, and learn about new fragrances. Additionally, reading reviews from other customers can provide insights into the longevity, sillage (the trail of scent left behind), and overall experience of wearing a particular cologne. This can help you make a more informed decision before purchasing.

Sample Before You Buy

When asking for recommendations, always try to obtain samples or testers of the suggested colognes. Fragrances react differently with each person's unique body chemistry. What smells amazing on someone else may not have the same effect on you. By sampling the cologne, you can determine how it interacts with your body's natural scent and how it evolves over time. This trial period will help you make a confident purchase decision.

Remember, when asking for recommendations, be open to exploring different fragrance families and notes. Communicate your preferences clearly, but also be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Finding the right cologne is a journey of discovery, so enjoy the process and trust your nose!

Know the classics

Knowing the classics is an important step in choosing a cologne. If you know the best classic scents, you have the framework from which to pick your own. You also have a killer roster of scents from which to pick.

• Calvin Klein Eternity for Men
• Aramis by Aramis
• Yves Saint Laurent Kouros
• Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
• Calvin Klein Obsession for Men
• Guerlain Vetiver Extreme
• Cartier Declaration
• Burberry Brit for Men
• Thierry Mugler AMen
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
• Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
• Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani
• Green Irish Tweed by Creed
• Eau Sauvage by DIOR
• Gentleman by Givenchy
• No 89 by Floris London
• Vetiver by Guerlain
• Icon by Alfred Dunhill
• CK One by Calvin Klein
• Explorer by Montblanc
• Aramis Eau de Toilette by Aramis
• Colonia by Acqua Di Parma
• The One for Men by Dolce&Gabbana

Frequently asked questions