Do I need Samples

[musicman1951]

I'm new to fragrances and have read quite a few posts in an attempt to educate myself. One of the things I've learned is that some of the brands are way more expensive than I expected. This would be OK if I really liked the fragrance, but it seems trying them in a store is almost useless. Is this correct?

My impression is that there is the original olfactory experience and then there is a completely different experience after the dry down. Does that make samples the only way to go?

 

[john parker]

Yes, there is the first blast (so to speak) then dry down through the middle notes to the base notes. Trying them in a store is fine as long as you can get it applied to your skin (rather than just the paper strip), and you limit yourself to about two at a time to prevent olfactory fatigue and confusion of scents. And, of course, provided the store/stores you go to have want you want to test. Other than that, it is samples. And an advantage to samples is that you can try them several times at your leisure to get a better sense of what the fragrance is all about and to be better able to "remember" what it was you are testing.

 

[Deltaboy]

Yep I ask the folks at Dillards or JC Pennys for samples before I buy. I take them home and use them and the wife gives the sniff test Morning and Evening then she votes yes or no.

 

[Matt555]

I'm new to fragrances and have read quite a few posts in an attempt to educate myself. One of the things I've learned is that some of the brands are way more expensive than I expected. This would be OK if I really liked the fragrance, but it seems trying them in a store is almost useless. Is this correct?

My impression is that there is the original olfactory experience and then there is a completely different experience after the dry down. Does that make samples the only way to go?

Yep! Samples and decants are best. Especially in regards to the more expensive ones you are interested in.

 

[Obsessed]

Yes, you need samples.

 

[erickson]

First sample the fragrance to discover if you think you might like it. Then purchase a small decant with atomizer so that you can actually spray it on and get the true essence of the frag. After wearing it a few times you will know whether you are going to like it enough to purchase in larger quantities.

 

[BillC]

What they said.

You'll also see lots of threads about managing your collection if you get into this. I generally only apply scents once a day so I probably go through less than 200ml of juice in a year. Buying 100ml bottles a collection of any size at all suddenly becomes a lifetime supply. If you're a 'signature scent' or 'one casual, one special' scent kind of guy no big deal. But if you like variety and trying what people talk about here, it's a lot more reasonable to buy way more decants than bottles.

 

[jakespoppy]

All good advice above. Whether you are looking for "that one scent" that you will wear all the time, or are interested in a variety of scents, I encourage you to not only sample as many as you can, but also just enjoywearing the samples that you can get. You can go for a long time wearing samples and decants before ever buying a bottle. Don't get impatient thinking you have to buy a bottle soon or you're wasting your time. Wearing samples is wearing fragrance. Enjoy it! If you like enough variety, you might never need to buy a bottle, just decants. Okay, not buying a bottle is unrealistic, but the more bottles you buy, the more you may limit your ability to buy more decants and get a broader sampling. Remember, you can buy 10ml and larger decants from several online suppliers, including a few Vendors here on B&B.

 

[john parker]

Listen to Jakespoppy! I have a 10ml decant of Guerlain Vetiver, a 10ml decant of Rive Gauche and a 10ml of Chanel Bois des Iles that are lasting forever because I save them for special occasions.

 

[tehtimmeh]

You don't need anything BUT samples. Samples are all you need at this stage of the game. When you blow through a full sample and find yourself yearning for more of the same scent, then it's time to invest in a full bottle or a large decant.

 

[Matt555]

You can go for a long time wearing samples and decants before ever buying a bottle. Don't get impatient thinking you have to buy a bottle soon or you're wasting your time.

Yup, I have not bought a bottle in ages. I have a bunch of 10ml decants, a few smaller ones, and only a few full size bottles. I rotate them all.

 

[StylinLA]

What everybody else is saying...

Sampling in store can get confusing, especially when new to scents. They all start to blend together. Fast.
I don't know that it's a "completely different olfactory experience" after drydown per se, but the opening notes usually contain scents that are meant to "hook you" in store, and greatly enhance the whole first spray experience. The opening notes fade in a full wearing. (B&B boys and men in general are for some reason suckers for citrus. Citrus notes are fleeting for scientific reasons related to scent molecules. Every three months somebody stumbles in here looking for a long lasting citrus scent. Lest ye think I judge, I go gaga over lime. Citrus doesn't last! But it's frequently used in men's scents opening notes.)

The spray in store does give you an idea of what the scent is all about, but ultimately, you don't really get to know a scent until you've worn it under the normal circumstances that you would wear it. And for me, I want some longevity. No idea how else you test that unless you get a sample and wear it all day. I don't trust a frag for full bottle purchase unless I've put it on before work and wear it all day. (ummmm yeah, we've all broken this rule a few times, but don't do as we do, do as we say- lol).

If you're polite and insistent, some SAs will make or give you a sample. It helps to sound like you understand a bit about frags, and let them know you need to know what kind of longevity it has on you, and how the basenotes all settle.

And if they won't give you a sample of something that interests you, find some place to buy a sample. I shifted to buying decants last year and it has saved me a lot in purchasing scents that I really thought I would like based on chat about them here and at Basenotes. But when you wear a couple days in a row, you really get a sense of how it works for you, which is all that matters.

You probably have a Sephora in Albany. They are pretty good with samples. Macy's, Bloomingdales.... Not so much.

If you poke around in here, you'll see a lot of comments about high end stuff, hard to find scents, and traditional wet shaver kind of scents. Many of these are hard to find at retail, even in bigger cities. Makes sampling a must.

Recommend you read posts here. Also find the Basenotes fragrance directory and if you see something here that piques your interest, look at the reviews at Basenotes and here. Getting a lot of different perspectives can help you settle on WHAT to sample. Especially important since many of us eschew the mainstream, contemporary stuff. Personally, I'm not much of one for dissecting the notes in a scent. I look to see if the reviewer imparts any of the scent's "personality," either by his review or his attitude.

Welcome to a great new AD.

 

[musicman1951]

Thank you. This is incredibly helpful.

 

[Luc]

I won't be adding anything new... Samples are great. Smell some coffee in between so you can smell better. I got a few decants and I'm very happy with what I got as I avoided buying a full bottle and it was a fraction of the price!

 

[maxman]

I just posted a thread on getting bored with that I have.
I got some bottles at a good price so I bought them. But really, 50ml of anything will last a long time.
Go with the samples and if you really think that one might be FBW (Full Bottle Worthy) then go for it.

Samples are a little more expensive ounce for ounce, but they'll save you cash in the long run.

There are lots of great places to get your samples.
Have a look at some vendors here at B&B.
You can find them in the Vendor sales thread.

 

[speas]

I would suggest that you expect your opinion of samples to change over time. Decants keep you from buying stuff you honestly like for a few wears and then change your mind on (or vice versa).

 

[Matt555]

Thank you. This is incredibly helpful.

Yeah, so basically you need lots, and lots, and lots of samples................

 

[blindmouse]

I think samples are important. For example, I used a sample of Creed Original Vetiver last night. It's expensive. And I love it. But my fiance hates it. So, I'm glad I didn't up and spend $180 on it.

 

[musicman1951]

Trumpers is sending free samples - that's the nice price.
Colonial Drugs is sending a free sample.
I ordered the following samples:
Gurlain Homme
Gendarme 20
Guerlain 68 (SWMBO likes her Guerlain so I thought it was a good bet)
Creed Himalaya
Creed GIT

I hope I like the cheaper ones - time will tell.

 

[Matt555]

Guerlain 68 is awesome. However, it is unisex, so your wife will probably end up taking it from you.