Anisha Riggs
There are many ways to test colognes before committing to a full-size bottle. You can visit a department store like Nordstrom, Sephora, or Ulta and request a sample at the cologne counter. Beauty specialty shops like Sephora and Ulta will also provide you with a sample vial of men's cologne upon request. Subscription services like Scentbird and Luxury Scent Box are another great way to test colognes from the comfort of your own home. These services allow you to discover new scents or try out specific fragrances you're curious about for a low cost. Additionally, you can purchase individual samples from websites like Luckyscent and TheAromi.com, which offer a wide variety of samples from different brands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online Retailers | Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, TheAromi, Scentbird, Luckyscent, Luxury Scent Box, FragranceX |
| Department Stores | Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstroms |
| Beauty Specialty Stores | Sephora, Ulta, Blue Mercury |
| Discount Retailers | Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls |
Department stores
Exploring Fragrances
When you visit the cologne counter, you'll typically find a vast array of options from various brands. Take your time to browse and don't be afraid to ask for assistance. The sales associates are usually knowledgeable and can guide you towards fragrances that align with your preferences. If you're open to experimenting, you can also ask them about new launches or fragrances that are popular among other customers.
Sampling Colognes
Understanding Your Scent Preferences
When testing colognes, it's important to remember that fragrances can smell different on everyone due to factors like skin type and body chemistry. Therefore, it's essential to try the cologne on your skin and wear it for a while to see how it interacts with your natural scent. Don't be swayed by the initial impression; give the cologne time to settle and observe how the scent evolves over a few hours.
Enhancing Your Department Store Experience
To make the most of your visit to the department store, consider chatting with the sales assistants about your preferences and asking for their recommendations. They often have insights into the fragrances' performance and can guide you towards colognes that align with your tastes. Additionally, don't be afraid to ask for samples, especially if you're considering a purchase. Samples allow you to test the cologne over multiple days and in different environments, helping you make a more informed decision.
Combining In-Store and Online Options
Some department stores also have websites where they offer sample sets or discovery kits. You can explore these options online and then visit the physical store to test the colognes in person. This combination of in-store and online resources can enhance your fragrance exploration and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the available options.
Remember, when testing colognes at department stores, be open-minded, engage with the staff, and don't hesitate to ask for samples to make the most informed decision about your next signature scent.
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Beauty specialty stores
At Sephora, you can take up to three bottles to a sales agent and ask for a sample. They will decant a 1ml sample for you on the spot, with no questions asked. Sephora also offers promotional samplers.
At Ulta, you can ask for a sample vial of men's cologne, and the staff will be happy to assist you.
In addition to Sephora and Ulta, Blue Mercury is another beauty specialty store that carries colognes.
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Online
There are many ways to test colognes online. Firstly, you can visit the official website of the scent you're interested in and request a sample. Sometimes, brands will have a free sample option, but often you'll need to reach out to them directly via email or social media to ask for one. You can also search for relevant hashtags on social media, such as #freebie or #sopost, to find giveaways and special offers. Signing up for newsletters from both brands and beauty publications can also be a good way to get your hands on exclusive offers, free samples, coupon codes, or giveaways.
Another way to test colognes online is to buy samples. Websites like The Aromi, Luckyscent, and Scentbird offer discounted samples from a range of brands. You can also buy mini versions of full-size bottles, which are a great way to sample a cologne without committing to a large bottle. Travel kits are another option, as they usually come in sample sizes and are affordable.
Subscription boxes are also a great way to test colognes. Services like Scentbird and Scentbox send out a handful of different colognes each month, allowing you to discover new fragrances. You can also try a discovery set from your favourite brand, which usually includes larger vials (around 0.3 ounces) that are perfect for travel.
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Subscription services
Scentbird is one of the most popular subscription services, often likened to the original Netflix. For $15 a month, you can take a quiz to help you discover new scents or choose from a range of legacy luxury colognes and lesser-known artisanal and clean beauty scents. You can then set up a queue and arrange to have a 30-day supply of each chosen scent delivered every month.
ScentBox is another subscription service that offers over 1000 designer fragrances, including premium high-end designers, for $16.95 a month. You can choose to receive one or two fragrances per month, with the first month starting at $9.72.
Luxury Scent Box (LUXSB) is a subscription service that sends you one large sample per month for $15. Their samples are 0.3 ounces, slightly larger than Scentbird's, and their selection includes premium fragrances that can be sampled for an additional $5 a month.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, ScentBox offers a subscription for $8.47 a month. You can explore over 700 designer scents, with new arrivals added every month.
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Retailers
There are several retailers where you can test colognes. One option is to visit the fragrance counter at a department store such as Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, or Nordstrom. These stores typically offer samples or testers of various colognes, and the sales assistants can help you find the right scent for you. It is important to build a rapport with the sales assistant and express a genuine interest in making a purchase, as they may be more likely to provide samples if they believe you are a potential customer.
Another option is to visit beauty specialty stores such as Sephora or Ulta. These stores carry a wide range of men's colognes, including lesser-known fragrances. The staff at these stores are usually knowledgeable and can assist you in finding the right cologne for your needs. In some cases, they may even be able to create sample vials for you in-store.
Additionally, some discount retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kohl's offer open bottles of colognes as testers. However, it can be challenging to test different fragrances in these stores without getting overwhelmed by competing scents. One solution is to bring your own fragrance sampler vials and spray the colognes directly into them, allowing you to try multiple colognes without mixing the scents on your skin.
You can also find cologne samples at certain online retailers, such as TheAromi.com, FragranceX.com, and Amazon.com. These websites offer a wide variety of fragrance samples at reasonable prices, allowing you to try different colognes without committing to a full-size bottle.
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Frequently asked questions
You can test colognes at department stores such as Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom. You can also test colognes at beauty specialty shops like Sephora or Ulta.
Yes, you can get free cologne samples with other purchases from stores like Sephora or Ulta. You can also ask for free samples at department stores.
Yes, you can buy cologne samples from sites like TheAromi.com, Luckyscent, and Amazon.
Start by spraying a scent blotter or your wrist and then bringing it to your nose without touching it. If you like the scent, spray it on your wrist and wait 20-30 seconds before smelling it again. This will give you a sense of how the cologne interacts with your body chemistry.
Try not to test more than three scents in one day, as your sense of smell can only handle a few scents before it gets confused. It's also best to shop for cologne in the morning, as our sense of smell is sharpest then.
