Choosing A Signature Scent: A Guide To Picking A Cologne

Choosing a new cologne can be a daunting task, but it's important to remember that it's a process of discovery and experimentation. The first step is to understand the different types of fragrances available, from eau fraiche, the most diluted and short-lasting option, to parfum, which has the highest concentration of fragrance and lasts the longest. Then, it's crucial to identify the fragrance families that appeal to you, such as woody, oriental, floral, or fresh scents. When testing colognes, it's best to try them on your skin rather than on paper strips, as the scent can change once it interacts with your body chemistry. Consider the occasion and the impression you want to make, as well as the season—while any fragrance can be worn year-round, floral scents are typically associated with summer, fresh scents with spring, woody scents with autumn, and oriental scents with winter. Finally, don't be afraid to ask others about the colognes they're wearing and seek out resources to learn more about fragrances and their notes.

Understand fragrance notes and families

When it comes to choosing a cologne, it's important to understand the different fragrance notes and families. This knowledge will help you select a scent that suits your unique style and preferences.

Fragrance notes refer to the individual scents that make up a perfume or cologne. These notes can be classified as top, middle, or base notes, each playing a specific role in the overall fragrance. Top notes are the initial scents that you smell immediately after spraying the cologne. They are light and volatile, lasting only about 15 minutes to 2 hours. Examples of common top notes include various light floral scents, citrus, fruity scents, spices such as cinnamon, and aquatic notes.

The middle notes, also known as heart notes, form the core of the fragrance. They appear once the top notes fade and last for 3-5 hours. Middle notes are usually heavier and more rounded, including scents such as jasmine, grass, stone, cinnamon, and clove.

Base notes are the foundation of the fragrance and have the longest lasting power, up to 5-10 hours. These bold scents become more noticeable later in the day and include sandalwood, moss, vetiver, vanilla, leather, and musk.

Fragrance families are groups of fragrances that share similar characteristics. Understanding these families can help you narrow down the types of colognes that appeal to you. The main fragrance families include:

• Floral: This family features sweet and flowery scents, including roses, jasmine, lilies, and peonies. Floral fragrances can range from light and delicate to complex and intense.
• Oriental: Oriental fragrances are warm, sweet, and sometimes spicy. They often include notes such as cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, jasmine, orchid, and orange blossom.
• Woody: Woody fragrances have a warm, mysterious, and captivating scent. They often feature notes like cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, moss, and leather.
• Fresh: Fresh fragrances are characterised by citrus, water, and green notes, creating a refreshing and vibrant smell. Citrus fragrances typically use lemon, mandarin, and bergamot, while green fragrances feature herbal and leafy scents.

In addition to these main families, other fragrance families include aromatic, leather, fruity, musky, sweet, and aromatic.

When choosing a cologne, consider your skin type and pH level. Oily and dark skin tends to retain scents longer and pairs well with oriental and heavy fragrances. On the other hand, dry, fair, and acidic skin may benefit from citrusy, green, aromatic, and woody notes.

Understanding fragrance notes and families will empower you to make an informed decision when selecting a cologne that suits your personal preferences and style.

Try before you buy

Trying a cologne before buying it is an essential step in choosing a new cologne. Department stores are great for this purpose, but it's important not to buy a cologne until you're sure it's the right one for you.

When testing a cologne, it's best to try it on your skin, as this will allow you to experience its full evolution and see how it interacts with your unique body chemistry. Avoid testing colognes on paper strips or clothing, as you won't get accurate results.

Spray the cologne on your pulse points, such as your wrists, inner elbows, neck, and chest, so that your body heat can help diffuse the scent. Walk around the store and smell the cologne at various intervals to see how it changes over time.

It's also a good idea to try out a few different colognes at once, but don't test more than four at a time, as this can be overwhelming. Spray one scent on each wrist and inner elbow, and refresh your palate with something strong, like coffee or tea, between smelling each cologne.

Take notes on your phone or in a journal about which colognes you like and why. Pay attention to the different notes in the cologne, such as the top, middle, and base notes, and how they interact with your body chemistry.

Once you've found a cologne that you like and that works well with your body chemistry, you can purchase a bottle and start wearing it. However, don't feel pressured to find the perfect cologne right away. It's common for people to own and love dozens of scents, so don't stress if your first (or tenth) buy isn't exactly what you're looking for.

Ask others about their fragrances

Asking others about their fragrances is a great way to discover new scents and find one that suits you. If you like the way someone else's cologne smells, ask them what it is. You can then use that information to find a similar fragrance or one that shares some of the same notes.

However, it's important to remember that fragrance is highly personal, and what smells good on someone else may not smell the same on you. Everyone's body chemistry is unique, and fragrances interact with individual body chemistry in different ways. Factors such as skin type, pH level, water or melanin content, and natural body odour can all influence how a perfume smells on you. As such, it's crucial to test fragrances on your skin before committing to a purchase.

When asking others about their fragrances, consider the context and environment. For example, a sexy musk may be more appropriate for a night out than a day at the office. Similarly, lighter, fresher scents are generally more welcome in a professional environment than woody or spicy fragrances.

Don't be afraid to seek recommendations from friends, fragrance experts, or scent designers. They can provide valuable insights and help you find perfumes that align with your tastes and desired scent profile. However, remember that you are the best judge of what suits you. Use the opinions of others to reinforce or question your decision, but don't let them choose for you. Trust your instincts and go with what makes you feel confident.

Research and discover new scents

Researching and discovering new scents is an important step in choosing a new cologne. Here are some tips to help you explore and find fragrances that appeal to you:

• Understand fragrance composition: Perfumes are crafted using various natural and synthetic components that create a unique scent profile. Familiarize yourself with the different fragrance families such as floral, oriental, woody, fresh, aromatic, citrus, and fougere. Understand the different types of notes in a fragrance: top notes, heart/middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the initial, lighter scents that greet your senses, while heart notes form the core of the fragrance, and base notes provide depth and longevity.
• Consider your body chemistry: Perfumes interact with your body chemistry, so consider factors such as skin type, pH level, water/melanin level, and natural body odour when choosing a cologne. For example, oily and dark skin tends to retain scents longer and pairs well with oriental or heavy fragrances, while dry, fair, and acidic skin may benefit from more citrusy, green, or woody notes.
• Explore fragrance families: Perfumes are categorized into fragrance families such as floral, woody, oriental, leather, fruity, musky, sweet, aromatic, and fresh. Explore these families to discover the scent profiles that resonate with your preferences and style.
• Research fragrance notes and families: Before exploring fragrances, take time to research different fragrance notes and families to gain a deeper understanding of the scents that appeal to you. Look for ingredients and natural essences that resonate with your preferences.
• Seek recommendations: Ask for recommendations from friends, fragrance experts, or scent designers. Don't hesitate to seek guidance based on your preferences and desired scent profile.
• Sample fragrances: Visit fragrance boutiques or department stores to sample different perfumes. Apply them to your pulse points and allow them to develop on your skin for a few hours to observe how the scent evolves. You can also request samples to try fragrances at home and discover how they interact with your body chemistry throughout the day.
• Consider the season and occasion: Adapt your fragrance choices to match the time of year and the specific event you're attending. Lighter, fresher scents are ideal for warmer months and daytime events, while richer and deeper scents are more suitable for cooler evenings or special occasions.
• Layer fragrances: Create a unique and personalized scent by layering different fragrances before applying them to your skin or blotters. This allows you to mix and match scents to create a signature fragrance that is truly your own.

Consider your natural body scent

When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider your natural body scent. Scientific studies suggest that a man can naturally select the cologne that works best with his natural body scent. Skin type, pH level, and natural body odour can all influence how a cologne smells on you.

For instance, oily skin and dark skin tend to retain scents longer and pair well with oriental, heavy fragrances or those with spices, sweetness, floriental, balsamic, musky, and leathery notes. On the other hand, dry, fair, and often acidic skin may benefit from more citrusy, green, ozonic, aromatic, fruity, floral, and woody notes.

To determine your skin type, consider the level of melanin in your skin. If you have a higher level of melanin, your skin is likely oily and dark. If you have a lower level of melanin, your skin is probably dry, fair, and acidic.

In addition to skin type, your pH level can also impact which fragrances work best for you. There are two main types of pH levels: basic and acidic. Basic skin tends to have a higher pH level, while acidic skin has a lower pH level.

When testing out different colognes, it's important to try them on your skin and allow them to develop for a few hours. This will give you a better sense of how the scent evolves and interacts with your natural body chemistry.

Another factor to consider is the intensity and longevity of the cologne. Some fragrances are designed to be lighter and fresher, while others are more intense and long-lasting. Choose a cologne that aligns with your preferences and how long you want the scent to last.

By taking the time to understand your natural body scent and how different fragrances interact with it, you can find a cologne that suits you perfectly.

Frequently asked questions