Explore These Stores To Discover Your Signature Scent

When it comes to choosing a cologne, sampling is essential. Fragrances smell different on everyone, so it's worth trying before buying to ensure you find the right scent for you. Department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sephora are great places to start, with a wide range of options available to test. Beauty specialty shops like Sephora and Ulta will also provide samples on request. Online, TheAromi.com offers a solid selection of luxury cologne samples, and subscription services like Scentbird allow you to discover new scents from the comfort of your home. Sampling is the key to finding your signature scent, so don't be afraid to explore and test before you commit.

Department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstroms

Department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Macys, and Nordstroms are great places to smell and purchase colognes. These stores offer a wide range of designer and niche fragrances, allowing customers to explore different options and find their favourite scents.

At Saks, you can explore a variety of niche fragrances from different houses. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through the selection, offering recommendations and advice. Neiman Marcus also offers a diverse collection of colognes, including well-known brands such as Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, Gucci, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

If you're looking for a department store with a generous return policy, Bloomingdales might be your best bet. They offer a 90-day return window for most purchases, giving you ample time to decide if you're happy with your cologne choice. Macy's also stands out for its convenient online shopping experience, offering free shipping on orders over $25 and easy returns.

Nordstroms is praised for its customer-centric approach, allowing customers to freely explore their collection of designer fragrances without any pressure. Their Nashville store, in particular, has been highlighted for its sample sprayers, enabling customers to test fragrances at their leisure.

Overall, these department stores provide excellent opportunities to discover new fragrances, interact with knowledgeable staff, and make informed purchases with flexible return policies.

Beauty specialty shops like Sephora or Ulta

Ulta is another good option, with easily accessible samples. One customer reported that the store they visited had the sample bottles locked up, but another Ulta store in the same city did not, so it may vary from location to location.

Both Sephora and Ulta offer a wide range of colognes to sample, and you can also order from them online to get free samples with your purchase.

Online: TheAromi.com, Le Labo, or Scentbird

If you're looking to sample colognes online, there are a few options to consider. TheAromi.com is an online fragrance retailer that offers a wide range of colognes and perfumes at discounted prices. They offer free shipping on orders over $50 and provide fast, efficient service. The website also features informative articles on different types of fragrances, scent profiles, and brand recommendations.

Le Labo is another online option for those seeking niche perfumes and candles. Their fragrances are mindfully blended, labelled, and packaged by hand, and they offer complimentary standard shipping on orders over $35.

Scentbird is a subscription-based fragrance service that allows you to sample various colognes and perfumes each month. It offers a wide range of options, from niche to designer fragrances, and helps you discover new scents without committing to a full bottle.

Online retailers like these can be a convenient way to explore different colognes and perfumes, offering the opportunity to discover new scents and learn more about the world of fragrances.

Niche fragrance stores like Scent Bar in NYC & LA

Niche fragrance stores like Scent Bar in NYC and LA offer a unique and relaxed shopping experience for those looking to explore a wide range of scents. With locations in New York City, Hollywood, and Downtown LA, Scent Bar provides a comfortable and pressure-free environment for customers to discover their perfect fragrance.

The stores are designed to be light, airy, and peaceful, creating an ideal atmosphere for browsing and socialising with other fragrance enthusiasts. Scent Bar carries a vast selection of niche and independent fragrances from around the world, catering to both newcomers and seasoned fragrance connoisseurs. Their expert staff are knowledgeable and ready to guide customers through the vast array of options, offering a personalised fragrance consultation experience.

One of the standout features of Scent Bar is their encouragement of testing and sampling. They understand that fragrance shopping is a highly sensory experience, and customers are invited to test out fragrances in a real-world setting. Scent Bar offers one complimentary sample per visit, allowing customers to take their favourite scent with them and experience how it interacts with their unique skin chemistry over time. This approach ensures that customers make informed purchases and find fragrances that truly resonate with them.

In addition to their physical locations, Scent Bar also offers online shopping and fragrance fittings, making it convenient for customers to explore and purchase fragrances from the comfort of their homes. Their website provides detailed information about store locations, opening hours, and the option to book fragrance consultations in advance.

Scent Bar stands out from typical department stores and beauty specialty shops by creating a relaxed and educational environment, empowering customers to discover fragrances that suit their individual preferences and skin chemistry. Their knowledgeable staff, extensive selection, and encouragement of sampling make them a go-to destination for anyone seeking a unique and personalised fragrance experience.

Subscription services

Scentbird is one such subscription service. It offers a monthly supply of fragrances for $16.95, with the first month at $8.47. You can choose from over 700 designer scents, and new arrivals are added every month. The service starts with a quiz to determine your scent profile, and you can then add scents to your fragrance queue. You can skip a month or cancel at any time.

ScentBox is another option, with a slightly lower monthly cost of $16.95 after the first month, which is offered at $9.72. You can choose from over 1000 designer fragrances, including premium high-end designers, and you receive a full atomizer case each month. This subscription also offers free exchanges and shipping, and you can cancel at any time.

Scent Magic is a subscription service specifically for men's cologne. It costs $14.95 per month and offers a 30-day supply with free delivery. You can choose from over 500 brands and tailor your box to suit your preferences and occasions.

The Aromi is another option, where you can buy individual samples or order a monthly sample subscription package for $20, which includes a coupon for a full-size purchase.

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