Finding Your Signature Scent: A Guide To Choosing Cologne

Choosing a cologne can be a tricky task, especially if you're looking for a signature scent. There are a few key things to keep in mind when making your decision. First, take your time and don't settle on the first cologne you find – there are plenty of options out there. It's important to fall in love with the fragrance and feel confident wearing it. Understand the different fragrance families and their seasonality – some scents are better suited for winter, while others are more appropriate for summer. You can use online tools like fragrance finders or virtual fragrance consultants to discover new fragrances based on your preferences. These tools often take into account factors such as fragrances you already like, your preferred scent family, and how you want your cologne to make you feel. Additionally, don't be afraid to ask others about the scents they're wearing if you come across one you particularly like. Lastly, make sure to try before you buy to ensure that you're happy with your choice.

Take a fragrance quiz

Taking a fragrance quiz is a fun and helpful way to narrow down your cologne options. These quizzes ask questions about your preferences, lifestyle, and personality to provide recommendations based on your answers. While the results offer valuable insights, they are not definitive—use them as a starting point to explore suggested colognes and further refine your choices.

Some quizzes, like the one offered by Macy's, take into account factors such as fragrances you already like, your preferred scent family, how you'd like your cologne to make you feel, and whether you prefer a feminine or masculine scent. The Macy's quiz pulls from a large database of perfumes and colognes to create unique recommendations.

Other quizzes may focus on discovering your scent personality or style. For example, the Maison 21G perfume quiz aims to match your community of fragrance lovers with the scent of their soul. It combines the precision of AI with the expertise of perfume professionals to pinpoint the scent that showcases your personality.

These fragrance quizzes can be a helpful tool in your journey to finding the perfect cologne, saving you the hassle of learning the complex science behind fragrances. They provide a fun and interactive way to explore different scent options and discover the fragrances that align with your unique personality and preferences.

Understand fragrance families

Understanding fragrance families is an important step in finding your favourite cologne scent. These categories group scents based on their dominant characteristics, helping to guide your choices in a world overflowing with olfactory options.

There are four main fragrance families: Woody, Floral, Amber (previously known as Oriental), and Fresh. Each family has a distinct olfactory experience and is further divided into subfamilies.

The Woody family is characterised by its earthy, warm, and opulent undertones, with common notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, and amber. These fragrances often evoke feelings of being in a forest or a cosy log cabin.

The Floral family is one of the most common and popular families, used in many well-known perfumes. This family is predominantly flower-based and can range from single-note soliflores to complex bouquets featuring multiple flowers. Common notes include rose, jasmine, lilies, peonies, and orange blossom.

The Amber family (previously Oriental) includes herbs, spices, and dry powdery resin notes. Amber scents are described as "sensual", warm, and "exotic". Common notes include vanilla, myrrh, and anise. These scents conjure up images of exotic lands far away from home.

The Fresh family is defined by zingy, aromatic compositions backed by underlying woody notes. This family includes citrusy scents like lemon and grapefruit, as well as aquatic, oceanic smells reminiscent of fresh air and sea breezes.

Once you've identified the fragrance family that suits you best, you can use the Fragrance Wheel to find complementary secondary notes. The Fragrance Wheel, invented by scent expert Michael Edwards, is a circular diagram that illustrates the four scent families and their corresponding subfamilies. Families located closer together on the wheel are most similar and likely to blend well together.

By understanding fragrance families and exploring the Fragrance Wheel, you can navigate the complex world of cologne scents and find the perfect fragrance that suits your preferences and personality.

Ask for advice

Asking for advice is a great way to find your signature scent. It can be challenging to choose a cologne, especially if you're new to the world of fragrances. Here are some tips to help you seek advice and find the perfect scent for you:

Talk to Experts and Salespeople

If you're unsure about choosing a cologne, don't hesitate to ask for help. Salespeople and experts at perfume stores or departments are knowledgeable about different fragrances and can guide you in the right direction. They can provide valuable insights into different cologne options, helping you navigate through the vast array of choices. Don't be afraid to ask for their opinion and advice based on your preferences.

Seek Recommendations from Friends

Your friends can be a great source of advice when it comes to finding your signature scent. Ask them about the colognes they wear or like. They can provide honest opinions and insights based on their own experiences. Additionally, your close friends know your personality and preferences, so they may be able to suggest fragrances that align with your unique style.

Online Communities and Reviews

The internet offers a wealth of information and communities dedicated to fragrances. Online forums, blogs, and social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are excellent resources to explore. Join fragrance-focused groups, follow influencers, and engage with other enthusiasts to gain insights and advice. Additionally, take advantage of online reviews to learn about the experiences of others with different colognes.

Take Advantage of Fragrance Quizzes

Various websites and platforms offer fragrance quizzes to help you find your perfect scent. These quizzes take into account your preferences, personality, and lifestyle, generating personalized recommendations. They can be a fun and interactive way to narrow down your options and discover colognes that align with your tastes.

Sample Before You Buy

When you've narrowed down your choices based on recommendations and advice, it's crucial to sample the colognes before making a purchase. Fragrances interact with your body chemistry, so it's essential to test how they smell on your skin. Visit stores that offer samples or testers, and try out different options to find the one that suits you best.

Remember, when asking for advice, be open-minded and explore a variety of fragrances. The key is to find a scent that you love and that reflects your personality. By combining the advice of experts, friends, and your own experiences, you'll be well on your way to discovering your signature cologne.

Try before you buy

When it comes to finding your signature scent, it's important to try before you buy. This is because fragrances smell different on everyone. Variables such as skin temperature, natural body oils, soap, weather, and the situation in which you'll be wearing the cologne can all impact how a scent expresses itself on you.

The best way to see if a cologne works for you is to try it out. There are several ways to get your hands on samples, both in-store and online.

In-Store

The fragrance counter at a department store can be a great place to start. While they may not have samples for every fragrance, they often provide testers or can make little testers for you by spraying the fragrance on a cotton ball or strip of paper. Beauty specialty stores like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Blue Mercury also carry a good selection of men's colognes and can help you find lesser-known fragrances.

Online

There are a number of subscription-service fragrance brands that offer at-home, multi-use samples for a low cost. Scentbird, for example, offers a monthly subscription where you can choose from a wide range of scents, including brands like Prada, Acqua di Parma, and Arquiste. For $15/month, they'll send you a 0.27-ounce vial of that month's sample, which should last you a month with frequent wear.

Another option is to go directly to the brand's website. Many brands offer sampler packs with tiny vials that provide a few days' worth of wear. Etat Libre D'Orange, 19-69, and Maison Margiela are examples of brands that offer these types of sample packs.

If you're looking for a wider range of samples, you can try a discovery set from a specific brand. These typically include larger vials (around 0.3 ounces) and can be a good option if you want to wear a different scent for various occasions. Maison d'Etto, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Roja Dove are some brands that offer discovery sets.

Other Options

• FragranceX.com offers cologne samples for around $2 each, including top scents from brands like Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier.
• Gift sets and travel coffrets often include mini bottles (1-2 ounces) of a brand's best-selling colognes.
• Scent Bird is a subscription service that lets you try different perfumes before committing. They have 150+ men's colognes, and for $14.95 a month, they'll send you a month's supply of your chosen cologne, along with a free diffuser for the first month.
• Some retailers, like Wal-Mart, Target, and Kohl's, have open bottles of colognes to use as testers, and you can bring your own vial to fill with your favourite scents.

Remember, it's important to try a cologne multiple times and in different settings to truly know if it's the right scent for you.

Know the classics

When it comes to classic colognes, there are several fragrances that have stood the test of time. Here are some of the most iconic and well-loved classic colognes for men:

• Acqua di Parma Colonia: This Italian fragrance house created their first cologne in 1916, and it became a symbol of chic in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. With top notes of Sicilian citrus and base notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli, it's a light and pleasant scent perfect for spring and summer.
• Guerlain Vetiver: Founded in 1828, Guerlain created scents for European royalty throughout the 19th century. Their Vetiver cologne, created in 1959, is woody, earthy, and balsamic with top notes of bergamot and lemon, and base notes of tobacco and nutmeg. It's a sharper and stronger scent, better suited for fall and winter.
• Dior Eau Sauvage: Launched in 1966, this is a classic citrus fragrance with woody and spicy base notes. It's a versatile scent that can be worn all year round, from the office to cocktail parties.
• Knize Ten: Created in 1924, this cologne is dedicated to the polo game, as Knize was associated with the sport long before Ralph Lauren. It's a heavier, sweeter scent that's reminiscent of old-school elegance, with top notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange, and base notes of leather, musk, and amber.
• Creed Green Irish Tweed: Creed is one of the oldest fragrance houses, dating back to 1760. Green Irish Tweed, launched in 1985, is a classic Fougere fragrance with notes of lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin. It's a unique, mesmerizing scent that's masculine yet fresh, making it perfect for year-round wear.
• Floris London No. 89: Founded in 1730, Floris is an iconic fragrance house that counts Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming among its fans. No. 89, launched in 1951, is a spicy, floral, and woody scent reminiscent of an old-school barbershop. It's a well-rounded fragrance that's not too overpowering.
• Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet: Launched in 1902, this is another cologne favored by Winston Churchill. With top notes of lemon, lime, and lavender, it's a fresh and citrusy scent befitting an English gentleman. It's a straightforward and less complex fragrance, perfect for spring and summer.
• Ralph Lauren Polo: Created in 1978, this iconic green-bottled cologne has top notes of basil, thyme, and cumin, and base notes of leather and tobacco. It's an intense, masculine scent that's perfect for cold weather and bold enough for a night out.

These classic colognes have endured for decades, becoming staples in the world of men's fragrances. They evoke a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication, offering a range of scents from fresh and citrusy to woody and earthy.

Frequently asked questions