Interested in colognes...how do I start?

[dbconlin]

Title kind of says it all, but I have never worn fragrance before. Since taking up the "gourmet" shaving experience, my wife has expressed appreciation of my current aftershave. However, since that doesn't last long at all, I am interested in trying some colognes.

My problem is how do I start. I have no idea what would "work" for me or what I will like, etc. Buying any single bottle (or several for that matter) doesn't seem cost-effective (if I don't like them) nor a good way to find "the one". I have been reading some background info and browsing the samplers at The Perfumed Court, but even there it is a little overwhelming. I guess I could take a trip to the mall, but I am not sure I would (a) receive any education/not receive misinformation (b) find quality fragrances or (c) be able to distinguish scents under pressure and in that (very fragrant) environment.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mdunn]

I would suggest going to the mall and smelling a bunch, seeing what you like.

Or, if youve some creams/soaps etc that have cologne too (tabac, taylors, truefitt etc) then you know what youre getting with them

 

[bearbear]

i disagree, the edc from tabac is way more floral to my nose than the soap

my advice, go to the mall, tell them you cant distinguish scents and that you're looking to find something. Ask them for a business card and if they have any sample vials/sprayed cards you can take with you.

This way they know you're a serious buy and they'll be more inclined to part with samples.

Also, i got the gentlmens intro sampler 1&2 from the perfumed court, havn't touched them yet, as i'm still working through my t&h and gft samplers. I felt that it was a just pruchase to spend about the price of one bottle of armani cologne on samples to find one i really like. An added bonus, is that you will also have a ton of variety as if you use them sparingly(ie with the dipstick), the 1ml sample vials can last quite a while

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I'd say try to order some sample packs. I've gotten some from Truefitt and Hill as well as Geo F. Trumper. While I was personally not impressed by stuff from T&H and loved almost everything from Trumpers, I would still recommend getting a sample pack from them. It was very nice to be able to try on the different scents on days when I didn't have to worry about what I was going to smell like. I would put a dab of a different cologne on each of my wrists and on the inside of my elbows. It seemed to allow me a way of comparing a few different colognes at the same time as they would smell specifically on my body. Spraying colognes on a card can be a helpful way of figuring out what they smell like, but my understanding is that they do react differently with different body chemistries. Try to get samples from whomever will send them to you and find out what you like.

 

[Semi-Constant Gardener]

I was thinking about this...why don't you check out St Charles Shave colognes? Check them out at http://www.saintcharlesshave.com/ I don't have any particular reason to recommend them (I have bought a couple of scents) other than the fact that they are extremely economical and seem to use very high quality materials. Sue also throws in a few samples as well. A nice way to get started. You can also get samples from a variety of high-end companies such as Penhaligon's http://www.penhaligons.co.uk/ and Czech and Speake http://www.czechandspeake.com/
Welcome to the insanity!
Dan

 

[gone down south]

Badgerdecants.com sells 2 great sampler packs that cover the whole range of scent families, allowing you to narrow down your interests a bit.

 

[dbconlin]

Great advice guys! Keep em coming!

Yeah, samplers seem a good way to go - I already have one from Czech and Speake on the way (although their selection is pretty limited), I will have to check out some of the others you recommend.

I am not a big fan of the mall/department stores, but I will probably venture there too at some point. Are the big department stores (e.g. Macy's) the best place to go or are there other kinds of shops that would be better?

 

[john parker]

You might also drop in on Basenotes.com to see what they have to say. In the site you can explore by brand, search on something specific you may have in mind, and go to the men's section to see current discussions.

 

[AverageJoe]

You could do what I did-------order a "jug" of Tabac EDC, trusting the general consensus that it smells good. DONE!! You're now set for a loooooooong time-unless you bathe in it!

 

[blantyre]

Disclaimer - colognes can be a real addiction! A few samples if a great way to start - maybe a Penhaligons sample pack and a few from Trumper and a couple decants from Badger or similar would cover a lot of ground for about $50. Use testers in places like CO Bigelow or dept. stores, try as much as possible. Read the reviews section and check out basenotes.com.

 

[Terry Awhile]

Luckyscent.com is awesome for samples.

Super fast shipping, insanely great niche-y stuff.

You will, of course, need to wait until she is not home to take the packages from the trunk and bring them in, but I am sure you know the drill....

 

[DGS]

Badgerdecants.com sells 2 great sampler packs that cover the whole range of scent families, allowing you to narrow down your interests a bit.

+1 Actually, I ordered the "summer samnpler" and the "families I" sampler. Great variety in these samplers, which include some of the very high end stuff (Creed, etc.) as well as the more mundane and everything in between. The only issue is whether you can get Rorschuck to return your e-mail. I had not much of a problem on that score, but I've heard that he was behind a bit the last couple of months. Perhaps he's caught up now. Definitely worth giving him a holler.

 

[gone down south]

Nah, he's off the grid again, I sent him a message last week that hasn't been answered yet. I'm not worried, though, he'll turn up eventually. His service and prices are good enough to make up for the lack of instant responses.

 

[jakespoppy]

I agree that samplers are the way to start, the more the better. And as you try each one, whether you like it or not, go to Basenotes.com and look up that fragrance and read the reviews and take note of the "notes" (scents) that are in the fragrance, and you will begin to get a feel for what types of scents you like and don't like, and why. This will make it easier to get a feel for which others to try.

And remember, everyone's tastes vary. What one person likes, another will dislike. Doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. Just means their tastes are different. Your mission is to find what you like, not what someone else, or everybody else, likes.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey.

 

[walked]

Echoing sampler.

I found some very nice scents this way, and it did not cost me the cost of single EDT.

My favorite so far (and seems to be echoed many timess over in my reading) is Vetiver by Guerlain.

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Whatever sample set you buy, make sure you try C&S No. 88.

 

[StylinLA]

As noted above, surf around in Lucky Scent if you're looking for something not as standard as department store brands. Their writeups are pretty good, but ultimately you do have to test wear them IMHO. Some of them get very pricey, but they've got some great stuff.

You can also go poke around in Basenotes.net- lots of really over the top frag reviews in there. Wow.

 

[Doc4]

... my wife has expressed appreciation of my current aftershave. ...

What is that current aftershave?

 

[Doug]

try here...http://theperfumedcourt.com/

 

[Tales101]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've been trying sample atomizers at stores when I go in (I just spray it on my wrist and smell it throughout the day) just to see differences between a whole range of different fragrances and to see what's out there.

My advice, and philosophy, is that your fragrance is an extension of your style. The same way you'd decide a shirt or a pair jeans, or a formal suit, choose your fragrance the same way. Is it something that YOU like and YOU can wear with confidence through the day?

I came to this after trying popular fragrances or the ones that all the girls apparently love. I realized that if I don't buy my clothes that way, why would I buy my cologne that way?