How do you shop for fragrance?

[Greek]

I've been wanting to get a better cologne for a while. I see that Bay Rum and Sandalwood are popular, but can't find any locally to smell. I'm very particular to my colognes, as I'm sure most of you are, and cannot just order one online without first knowing the scent.

For those that try before you buy, where do you go? The local places have your typical Armani (no thank you), but nothing like what I see on this forum.

 

[keithmax]

First I check Basenotes and B&B to see what frags sound interesting to me. Then I order decants from Surrender to Chance. Then when I find something I like and want to buy I have several source I trust that don't sell fakes and ship to Korea. Good luck and if you sample first you wont get stuck with an expensive purchase you will regret. Also trying different frags helps you identify what you like.

 

[BillC]

I have a hard time sampling in stores. Even if they carry scents you're interested in, when you first spray them you only get the top notes. It can take hours for some scents to develop. So if I know I'm going to be in a store with scents I'm interested in I'll spray each wrist /hand then smell them for the next few hours. Limits me to two scents and takes all day. But for the most part I count on samples. You can sometimes get samples by asking, some houses sell samples and some vendors like Luckscent sell samples.

But the best way for me is buying decants. My favorite place for decants is Archerfire here on the vendor forum. Great guy, great service and fair prices. A two or four ml decant lets you give a scent several full wears while you're making up your mind on it. And for most scents, an 8 or 10ml decant is a many year supply for me.

 

[john parker]

"but can't find any locally to smell" - Where are you?

 

[decraew]

I browse around on different websites to see what's recommended, then I order a lot of samples !
You need to test a fragrance on your skin to see how it develops, that means that in a store you can only test a few (I typically test one on my left, and one on my right arm).