How do you start picking your AS or fragrances?

[nixican]

After spending a couple of weeks picking out a DE razor, shave soap, and brush I am starting to wonder if I am being a little neurotic in trying to find an AS and cologne.

There seem to so so many choices out there and perhaps there is really not a bad way to go in terms of just buying something and trying it out, but that goes against my personality. I love the variety of options online, but I do like to hold stuff in my hand before I purchase. So, how does a newbie like me start off picking out AS and fragrances? Ive never really gone out and shopped for either and before finding wet shaving, I really didnt use a good aftershave at all. I currently have a bottle of Grabel's Bay rum that my wife does not care for at all and I only bought because thats what my barber uses. So, Im looking for something new.

Ive heard many good things about Speick and TGR and SCS etc etc. but Im just a little hesitant to pop off and spend 20-30 bucks without knowing if its a scent that either myself or my wife will enjoy.

And as far as colognes go, sheesh, I havent purchased a cologne since I was in HS, and I dont even want to try and remember what it was that I bought (Im 34 now). I think just playing around with samples from the store is going to be the call on this one (unless samples are available from our favorite online retailers)

I just ran into a thread about the frag train which seems right up my alley, but until I put in the time and posts, Ill just be waiting to catch that one.

So, #1, would you recommend that I just pull the trigger on something? Ive been looking at Speick, and the TGR sample pack. or #2, should I find a B&M to sample some scents? I dont think I will be able to get the wide variety of choices by going this route but I can at least do some sniffing.

#2b. I work fairly close to West Coast Shaving. I sent them an email already to see if they would have the storefront open next week. Out of all the B&M's in SoCal, I think they would have the largest selection of the types of AS and edt that are discussed here.

Anyways, thanks for the input in advance.

Nick

 

[nickelsig229]

I'm in the same boat as you are.

My girlfriend says the only real way is to go to the biggest mall you can find and it should have at least one, if not two, cologne specialty shops. You know the small shop that has nothing but cologne and aftershaves.

How to go about smelling everything without getting a headache and smelling like a 2 dollar whore is an entirely different problem.

I'm making a list of things that seem to get a good following. I'll try them and whatever else happens to strike my fancy, then head back to the net to get a good deal.

 

[joec22]

i'm glad that i've tried sampling. i haven't made up my mind, but i found out that a couple SCS products caused a bad reaction. it's also a great way for me to find scents i like. now the SCS scents that i loved, i need to find somewhere else.

 

[BCatl]

There's a ton of information on this site. Of course there are the reviews, and well as shave wiki on aftershaves (both at the top). If you are very particular to get just the right scent and have to (completely) satisfy SWMBO, then that does make it harder!

Don't worry too much though because you will definately end up owning more than one.

Some vendors offer decants (superlather.com), I'm sure there are others as well.

 

[man00ver]

#2b. I work fairly close to West Coast Shaving. I sent them an email already to see if they would have the storefront open next week. Out of all the B&M's in SoCal, I think they would have the largest selection of the types of AS and edt that are discussed here.

Do this, definitely. I made a large AS purchase at WCS, and came up with nothing but winners. You may be less easy to please than I am, but walking into John's shop is a lock on guaranteed satisfaction, I'd bet.

Wish I could join you there!

 

[The Last Chimney]

For colognes:

Col Conk offers free samples.

Truefitt & Hill, Geo F. Trumper's, and Czech & Speake will sell you samplers. TOBS and Royall samplers can be found at Barclay Crocker.

The Crystal Flacon and The Perfumed Court offer a great selection of samples.

These are just the sources I've taken advantage of recently. If you want a sample of a particular scent, it never hurts to email or call the house directly and see if they can help you out.

Aftershaves bought online can be trickier, as samples are harder to come across due to lower prices in general. Pretty much any aftershave not readily available in drugstores will sell in a heartbeat here on the BST, though, so once you meet the requirements you can make most of your money back selling used bottles.

WCS has a fantastic selection of aftershaves, so if you can sample their wares, you'll have most of the big names covered already.

By the way, I'm pretty jealous of you being within range of their B&M!

 

[Niles]

My advice is similar to what's already been given. Sample in stores where you can at drugstores and fragrance shops. This will gradually help you figure out what you like and don't like, then you can use this knowledge to decide what you like enough to buy.

 

[Alraz]

I started when I was virtually a kid, usually the same that my dad of grandfather used. Then I would go to perfumeries, t was different back then because there was no internet and stored used to carry more brands. I even gave DIY a try. It is a matter of identifying what you like and getting it. I have used scent on my since then.

Al raz.

After spending a couple of weeks picking out a DE razor, shave soap, and brush I am starting to wonder if I am being a little neurotic in trying to find an AS and cologne.

There seem to so so many choices out there and perhaps there is really not a bad way to go in terms of just buying something and trying it out, but that goes against my personality. I love the variety of options online, but I do like to hold stuff in my hand before I purchase. So, how does a newbie like me start off picking out AS and fragrances? Ive never really gone out and shopped for either and before finding wet shaving, I really didnt use a good aftershave at all. I currently have a bottle of Grabel's Bay rum that my wife does not care for at all and I only bought because thats what my barber uses. So, Im looking for something new.

Ive heard many good things about Speick and TGR and SCS etc etc. but Im just a little hesitant to pop off and spend 20-30 bucks without knowing if its a scent that either myself or my wife will enjoy.

And as far as colognes go, sheesh, I havent purchased a cologne since I was in HS, and I dont even want to try and remember what it was that I bought (Im 34 now). I think just playing around with samples from the store is going to be the call on this one (unless samples are available from our favorite online retailers)

I just ran into a thread about the frag train which seems right up my alley, but until I put in the time and posts, Ill just be waiting to catch that one.

So, #1, would you recommend that I just pull the trigger on something? Ive been looking at Speick, and the TGR sample pack. or #2, should I find a B&M to sample some scents? I dont think I will be able to get the wide variety of choices by going this route but I can at least do some sniffing.

#2b. I work fairly close to West Coast Shaving. I sent them an email already to see if they would have the storefront open next week. Out of all the B&M's in SoCal, I think they would have the largest selection of the types of AS and edt that are discussed here.

Anyways, thanks for the input in advance.

Nick

 

[Go West Young Man]

Find a decant service that offers sampler sets - off hand I know The Perfumed Court does, if you do a search here you'll find others.

Buy an 'intro to fragrances' set that has examples of each scent family. Go to wikipedia and read up on scent families. Try each one, and note which families work and which don't for you. Buy samplers within each family, noting what about each different example you like and what you don't. Repeat until satisfied

 

[binowatch]

AS and other scents tend to fall into general categories-eg leather, spice, floral, etc. For the more sophisticated they have dominate fragrances-eg bergamont, vetiver, sandlewood, tobacco, etc. The excellent reviews here often mention those things. When sending for samples or buying small initial bottles you can try to distribute the selection over these categories. This is NOT to say that all in a category smell the same but it gives a rough idea and allows you to choose factoring cost and availabilty as well. OR-if if find a general category you like-same Bay Rhums-you can try different ones in that group. I have found that some of the least expensive and commonly available please me more than the expensive and exclusive. I guess you can take the boy out of Queens NY but you can't take the Queens out of the boy!

 

[cleancut]

My suggestion would be to start with the old standbys and work your way up from there. Go to your local drugstore or grocery store and pick up some Aqua Velva, Aqua Velva Musk, Old Spice, Clubman and Brut. For less than $30 your off to a good start with some scents you can wear to work everyday and some to wear for a night on the town.

 

[bluemantra]

Here's how I started....I looked on the forums here at what popped up the most. I would then read reviews. I usually make a list and try to narrow it down using the 2 above methods. Then from there I was usually look at the scents listed in the AS or ASB and then decide what I need more an AS or ASB. If I can find local to shops to sample, like a L'Occitane store or a Nordstroms, which carries High end fragrance lines, I'll go sample in person. If not I'll take a leap of faith and order from a trusted online vendor at the best price possible. Try samples, look for things in the B/S/T, and other places. Put out a WTB post on something you really wanna try a sample of and someone might be able to help you out. Another thing is that some companies like The Gentlemen Refinery offer travel size ASB. I took a leap and ordered the full size TGR Standard and it really worked out for me. If you get something you don't like, there's a good chance someone on here will take it off your hands without taking that much of a loss or you can always make an even trade. There are ways around it, just pick what works best for you...

 

[Voomie]

+1 on sampling at the mall. Well I went to perfurmania and I had a young woman who's favorite game was find the scent. I just told her what I liked and she started giving me different things to try. After a few round of eh its ok. She found one that made me go oh as in oh I really like that. She knew about having to give a scent 5-10min to open up fully. She loved her job and loved her favorite game even more. I never got anywhere near this level of service at any department store. All they want is to sell you the expensive gift pack that comes with the free $5 bag.

 

[Jorocom]

Keep sampling, there are enough scents out there with a variety of price tags. You'll find your favorites in no time.

 

[nixican]

Thanks for the encouragement. It looks like its going to be more of a journey than a destination. Which, actually, I think Im ok with. Ill just enjoy this trip as I stop and smell the fragrances on the way. I did pull the trigger and buy the sampler from TGR. I had to start somewhere right? From there Ill just pick up something new every now and again. I think Ill play around with the sampler sets from the perfumed court too.

Thanks again,
Nick

 

[michiganlover]

My suggestion would be to start with the old standbys and work your way up from there. Go to your local drugstore or grocery store and pick up some Aqua Velva, Aqua Velva Musk, Old Spice, Clubman and Brut. For less than $30 your off to a good start with some scents you can wear to work everyday and some to wear for a night on the town.

+1

There is a reason these are the American Classic Aftershaves, and have stood the test of time: they are just plain good!! Aftershave doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

Add Skin Bracer onto your list as well.

 

[Den]

For aftershaves definitely go pick up the classics. You just can't go wrong and are very affordable. Concerning a cologne, go sample this version of Hugo Boss with you wife present. I feel safe to say that I'm 99.9% sure she'll love it. I've received all sorts of compliments on this one from young women in their early 20's to women who were 20+ years my senior. I'm 34, same as you.

 

[Voomie]

Oh also if you are going to a place with a sales person to help you out tell them what kind of stuff/brands you currently like. My first real colonge was diesel fuel for life so the sales gal knew that I liked woodsy scents which made finding something I liked a whole lot easier.

 

[cymric]

So, how does a newbie like me start off picking out AS and fragrances?

By Sampler packs, and just, well, following your nose. Go to a drugstore, and smell the different aftershaves on offer. Don't try to smell dozens in a single session: your nose will be so 'deafened' by the alcohol vapours that it can't pick up the subtleties of a new product anymore. If you find one you like, make a note and return a day later. Still like it? Spray it on, and see how the scent develops on you. Ask your wife too for comments, but realise that it is ultimately you who has to decide. You're wearing the stuff, after all.

Once you have a few scents you like, see if there is a common pattern to them. Are they 'aquatic'? Or perhaps 'musky'? Or 'green'? Or 'earthly'? Then ask around on forums like these if there are other fragrances like the ones you like. And from there on, you will slowly build up knowledge of what is out there and what you can try.

The same applied to EdTs and colognes. Visit a perfume store one day, and if you really want to be cool about it, bring with you a little bag of coffee beans. These help you to 'becalm' your scent nerves after a few samples. (But even so, after a dozen samples you're probably going to be quite fed up.) Select a few brands: what helps—although it probably sounds silly—is the colour of the fragrance. Houses will sometimes strive to figure out a matching colour for the fragrance, and this gives you a tiny clue as what to expect. You can select at random, or you can look up a few Big Names, such as Guérlain, Armani, or Dior. Don't let someone spray the fragrance on you just yet, irrespective if (s)he insists that you won't get the full monty that way. You only have two wrists; overlaying one scent on top of another is a nono; so make those bits of dermatological real estate count! And then just begin sampling. Spray some fragrance onto a strip of paper; let it lie for a short while to let the alcohol evaporate, then smell again. Like it? Consider spraying it on, then wait for half an hour before sampling again, or letting your wife at your wrist. Note what you like and don't like, and proceed from there.

I recommend against blind purchases unless you're a scent freak.

 

[nixican]

That was a most helpful reply! Thank you for taking the time to type all that out!