2024 Fragrance Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Cologne For You

Summary

This video guide offers insights on purchasing the right cologne, detailing various fragrance types like aquatics, florals, and wood fragrances. It underscores the significance of understanding scent notes and the fragrance life cycle. The speaker shares personal experiences with different brands and utilizes Scentbird as an example of how to sample fragrances before buying. The video also addresses concentration levels, longevity, and projection, ultimately advising viewers on how to try fragrances in-store and online, emphasizing the importance of personal preference and the avoidance of counterfeit products.

Takeaways

• 📝 Fragrance Terminology: Understanding different types of fragrances like aquatics, florals, orientals, and more is crucial for choosing the right scent.
• 💚 Key Fragrance Notes: Recognizing dominant notes in fragrances, such as calone in aquatics or jasmine in florals, helps in identifying preferred scents.
• 💵 Fragrance Categories: Knowing categories like spicy, leather, gourmand, chypre, and fougere can guide you to a fragrance that matches your personality.
• 💲 Masculine Woods: The base of many fragrances, woods like oud and sandalwood, provide a lasting and versatile scent for men.
• 💵 Personal Favorites: The speaker shares personal favorites like Dolce & Gabbana’s The One and Burberry’s Brit for Men, offering real examples of popular fragrances.
• 💲 Cost Considerations: Being cautious of high costs and potential returns is essential when buying fragrances to avoid financial waste.
• 💵 Scentbird Recommendation: Using subscription services like Scentbird allows trying out different fragrances before committing to a full bottle.
• 💲 Concentration Importance: Understanding the concentration levels of fragrances (eau fraiche to parfum) impacts their longevity and projection.
• 💵 Fragrance Life Cycle: Knowing the top, middle, and base notes of a fragrance and how they evolve over time is key to appreciating its complexity.
• 💵 Testing Fragrances: Testing fragrances in person is recommended to experience how they interact with your body chemistry over hours.
• 💲 Buying Strategies: Research and planning before purchasing, understanding the risks of online deals, and being aware of potential counterfeits are crucial for smart fragrance buying.
• 💵 Uncomfortable Truths: Designer fragrances are generally well-made, but personal preference and the psychological impact of price play significant roles in fragrance selection.

Q & A

What is the primary characteristic of aquatic fragrances?

Aquatic fragrances are designed to mimic the smell of the ocean. They typically contain calone, which is found in about 95% of these fragrances.

What are some common notes found in floral fragrances for men?

While florals are often associated with feminine scents, masculine floral fragrances can include notes like jasmine, rose, and violet leaf.

How do oriental fragrances differ from other types?

Oriental fragrances are characterized by stronger, deeper, and longer-lasting notes such as patchouli, vanilla, and amber. They often include spicy notes like Sichuan pepper, and can have smoke and incense-like smells.

What does the presenter suggest about leather fragrances?

Leather fragrances can have a strong, masculine scent, and notes like violet leaf can smell like leather when mixed with other fragrances such as birch.

What type of fragrances are gourmands?

Gourmand fragrances are inspired by food smells, often resembling pleasant aromas like apple brandy or chocolate, which can be appealing and inviting.

What are chypres fragrances and what are their common notes?

Chypres fragrances are versatile and can be dressed up or down. They commonly feature notes like oakmoss, labdanum, and bergamot.

Why are fougeres fragrances considered versatile?

Fougères fragrances are versatile because they have a dominant note of lavender, mixed with oakmoss and leather, making them suitable for various occasions.

What is the common note in citrus fragrances?

Citrus fragrances are known for their clean smell and often feature citrus notes. They are easy for men to wear and dissipate quickly.

How does the presenter describe masculine wood fragrances?

Masculine wood fragrances are built on various types of wood smells, from oud to sandalwood, and are often used as a base for fragrances.

What service does Scentbird provide to help customers choose fragrances?

Scentbird offers a subscription service that allows customers to test fragrances at home with an 8 ml sample, enough for over 120 sprays and a month's use, helping them find a scent that suits them before committing to a full bottle.

What is the significance of fragrance concentration percentages?

The concentration percentages indicate the amount of fragrance oil in the product, which generally affects the longevity and strength of the scent. For example, eau fraiche has 1 to 3%, while parfum has 20 to 30%.

What is the fragrance life cycle and how does it affect the way a fragrance is experienced?

The fragrance life cycle refers to the different stages a fragrance goes through from application to dry down. It includes top notes (initial smell), heart notes (middle), and base notes (long-lasting). More complex fragrances change over time, unlike linear fragrances which smell the same throughout.

What is the presenter's advice on testing fragrances in-store?

The presenter advises having a plan, testing no more than three fragrances to prevent nose fatigue, and trying them on the skin rather than paper strips to get an accurate sense of how they will smell.

What are some of the risks associated with buying fragrances online?

When buying fragrances online, there's a risk of encountering counterfeit products or clones that don't smell the same as the original. It's important to buy from reputable sellers and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

Why does the presenter believe it's important to try on fragrances before buying?

The presenter emphasizes trying on fragrances before buying because personal preference is highly subjective, and what smells good on one person might not on another. It's crucial to ensure the fragrance suits one's individual scent profile.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Understanding Fragrance Types

The paragraph introduces viewers to different types of fragrances, starting with aquatics which mimic the smell of the ocean using calone. Floral fragrances are discussed next, highlighting that they're not just feminine, with examples like jasmine and rose being masculine too. Oriental fragrances are described as having strong, deep notes such as patchouli and amber. Spicy fragrances, a subset of oriental, are mentioned for their Sichuan pepper and incense-like smells. Leather fragrances are noted for their strong, masculine scent, often mixed with birch. Gourmand fragrances are described as smelling like food, drawing people in with scents like apple brandy or chocolate. Chypres are introduced as versatile with oakmoss and labdanum notes. Fougeres are characterized by lavender with a mix of oakmoss and leather. Citrus fragrances are noted for their clean smell and quick dissipation. Lastly, wood fragrances are described as versatile, often used as a base in many fragrances.

05:03

💧 Exploring Fragrance Notes and Personal Favorites

The speaker shares personal opinions on fragrances, starting with a critique of Velvet Orchid due to its high price and unappealing scent. They then share five favorite fragrances from their collection, listing their notes: Dolce & Gabbana’s The One with amber and tobacco; Burberry’s Brit for Men with rose and ginger; Versace’s Dylan Blue Pour Homme with bergamot and incense; Michel Germain’s Paris Sexual Noir with bergamot and lavender; and Prada’s Luna Rossa with lavender and mint. The retail cost for these five fragrances is mentioned as $456, emphasizing the importance of choosing wisely to avoid waste. The paragraph ends with a recommendation for Scentbird, a subscription service that allows users to try fragrances before committing to a full purchase.

10:05

📊 Fragrance Concentrations and Lifecycle

This section explains the various concentrations of fragrances, ranging from eau fraiche at 1-3% to parfum at 20-30%. The importance of understanding concentration is highlighted, as it affects longevity and projection. The concept of fragrance life cycle is introduced, detailing the top, heart, and base notes and how they unfold over time. The difference between projection and silage is clarified, and the advice is given to test fragrances in a controlled manner to fully appreciate their development.

15:06

🛍️ How to Purchase Fragrances Wisely

The paragraph offers advice on how to buy fragrances, emphasizing the importance of planning before shopping to avoid being overwhelmed by options. It suggests researching and having a list of fragrances to try. The limitation of the human nose to about five fragrances before becoming exhausted is mentioned, along with the myth of using coffee beans to reset the nose. The importance of applying fragrances to skin rather than paper is stressed to get an accurate sense of how it smells. The paragraph also advises against overloading on too many fragrances at once and suggests recording reactions for future reference. The recommendation to buy from reputable sources to avoid counterfeits is also included.

20:06

🚫 Navigating the Fragrance Market

This section warns about the pitfalls of the fragrance market, including clones and counterfeits. The psychological impact of price on perception and confidence when wearing a fragrance is discussed. The paragraph advises getting a sample of the original fragrance if considering a clone, to understand the difference. The risks of buying from questionable sources and the importance of buying from reputable sellers or directly from manufacturers are highlighted. The issues with old or poorly stored fragrances that can affect their quality are also mentioned, concluding with the suggestion to buy multiple bottles of a favorite fragrance to ensure consistency.

💬 Uncomfortable Truths About Fragrances

The final paragraph addresses what the speaker calls 'uncomfortable truths' about fragrances. It starts by stating that most designer fragrances are well-made and likely to be well-received. It then points out that many fragrance salespeople lack deep knowledge about fragrances. The paragraph emphasizes the subjectivity of fragrance preferences, comparing them to music tastes. The high profit margins in fragrances and how price influences perception are discussed. Lastly, it stresses that the best fragrance is a personal choice and cannot be gift-selected; individuals must try fragrances themselves to find what suits them best.

Keywords

💡Aquatics

Aquatics in the context of fragrances refers to scents that mimic the smell of the ocean. These fragrances often contain calone, which is a compound that gives off sea or ocean-like notes. In the video, aquatic fragrances are described as those with sea notes, salt notes, or aquatic notes, and they are meant to evoke the feeling of being near the ocean, even though one cannot literally 'squeeze smell out of the ocean.'

💡Florals

Floral fragrances are those that primarily feature flower scents. Contrary to a common misconception, florals are not exclusively feminine; they can be masculine as well. Examples of floral notes mentioned in the video include jasmine and rose, which are dominant in such fragrances. However, violet leaf is highlighted as a strong masculine floral scent, showing that florals can transcend gender norms in perfumery.

💡Oriental Fragrances

Oriental fragrances are characterized by strong, deep, and long-lasting notes like patchouli, vanilla, and amber. The video explains that spicy fragrances, which may include Sichuan pepper and incense-like smells, fall under this category. These types of fragrances are designed to make a bold impression and are often chosen for their ability to 'tickle the nose' and leave a lasting impression.

💡Leather Fragrances

Leather fragrances are those that evoke the smell of leather. As discussed in the video, certain notes like violet leaf can take on a leathery scent when combined with other fragrances, such as birch. These types of fragrances are often associated with strength and masculinity, making them popular among men looking for a strong, distinctive scent.

💡Gourmands

Gourmand fragrances are designed to smell like food, typically sweet or indulgent foods. The video gives examples such as apple brandy or chocolate, suggesting that these fragrances are meant to be inviting and appetizing, in a manner of speaking. They are described as fragrances that can 'draw in the ladies,' indicating their potential as a sensual and attractive scent.

💡Chypres

Chypre fragrances are versatile scents that can be dressed up or down, with a historical reference to Roman times. The video mentions oakmoss, labdanum, and bergamot as characteristic notes. These fragrances are complex and evolve over time, with a distinct top, middle, and base, much like an orchestrated musical piece.

💡Fougères

Fougère fragrances are highlighted by the dominant note of lavender, accompanied by oakmoss and leather notes. The video describes these as versatile fragrances suitable for a man who can 'keep his cool.' The term 'fougère' is derived from the French word for fern, indicating a connection to natural, earthy scents.

💡Citrus Fragrances

Citrus fragrances feature clean, fresh scents derived from citrus fruits. They are noted for their quick dissipation, making them a common top note in perfumery. The video suggests that citrus fragrances are easy for men to wear due to their clean and invigorating nature.

💡Wood Fragrances

Wood fragrances are built on base notes that include various types of wood, from oud to sandalwood. These fragrances are described as having a wide range of smells and are often used as a base for other scents. The video emphasizes the diversity of wood fragrances and their common use as a foundational note in perfumery.

💡Sillage

Sillage refers to the scent trail that a fragrance leaves behind as one moves. It is distinct from projection, which is how a fragrance sits on the skin and disperses from the body. The video explains that sillage is an important aspect of how a fragrance behaves in the environment, affecting how noticeable the scent is to others as the wearer moves.

💡Concentrations

Fragrance concentrations indicate the percentage of fragrance oil in a solution, which affects how long the scent lasts and how strong it is. The video provides a chart showing the typical concentration ranges for eau fraiche, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and parfum. Understanding these concentrations helps in choosing a fragrance that suits one's needs for longevity and strength of scent.

Highlights

Introduction to different types of fragrances and key notes.

Explanation of aquatic fragrances and the use of calone to mimic the ocean smell.

Discussion on floral fragrances, including masculine floral scents.

Description of oriental fragrances with strong, deep, and long-lasting notes.

Mention of spicy fragrances under the oriental category and their unique smells.

Details on leather fragrances and their strong, masculine scent profile.

Gourmand fragrances are introduced as smelling like good food.

Chypre fragrances are explained as versatile with a historical background.

Fougère fragrances are described with lavender as the dominant note.

Citrus fragrances are noted for their clean smell and quick dissipation.

Wood fragrances are highlighted for their use in the base of many fragrances.

Recommendation of Tom Ford's fragrance as an all-time favorite.

Critique of Velvet Orchid fragrance due to its high price and personal dislike.

Introduction of five personal favorite fragrances from the speaker's collection.

Emphasis on the importance of trying fragrances before buying to avoid waste.

Endorsement of Scentbird as a service to try fragrances before committing to a purchase.

Explanation of fragrance concentrations and their impact on longevity and projection.

Description of the fragrance life cycle and the role of top, heart, and base notes.

Advice on how to buy fragrances, including trying them in-store and online research.

Warning about the limitations of human scent perception and how to reset your nose.

Tips for applying and testing fragrances to ensure they suit your personal chemistry.

Recommendation to record reactions to fragrances for future reference.

Advice on where to buy fragrances, including online and in-store options.

Caution about counterfeit fragrances and how to avoid them.

Discussion on the psychological impact of price on the perception of fragrance quality.

Uncomfortable truths about the fragrance industry, including the subjectivity of scent and the importance of personal preference.

Transcripts

Stop Buying The Wrong Fragrance (How To Buy Cologne The Right Way)

[0:00:00] So, first up, let’s get our terminology

down.

I want to talk about the different types of fragrances you’re going to see out there

and some of the key notes.

The first fragrance type we’re going to talk about are aquatics.

Now, you can’t squeeze smell out of the ocean, but what you do is mimic it and that’s

what these fragrances are meant to do.

Now, most fragrances in this category are going to be labeled sea notes, ocean notes,

salt notes, aquatic notes.

But, basically what they’re talking about is that they contain calone and calone is

in about 95% of aquatic fragrances and it basically mimics the smell of the ocean.

Next up, we’ve got florals.

And, when guys think of florals, they think of a feminine scent.

But, guys, it’s not just all about roses and believe me, there’s many masculine roses.

But, jasmine and rose are two of the dominant ones, but also violet leaf, which can be a

very strong masculine smell.

Next up, we’ve got oriental fragrances.

These are going to have particular notes that are going to be stronger, deeper, longer lasting

-- patchouli, vanilla, amber.

Now, spicy fragrances fall under oriental and they are going to have like Sichuan pepper,

but they’re also going to have smoke and incense-like smells.

These are fragrances that can tickle the nose.

Next up, let’s talk about leather fragrances.

So, when I mentioned violet leaf, that actually can smell a lot like leather when mixed with

the right fragrances, maybe a little bit of birch.

This is something that’s very strong, very masculine, and a lot of guys like this.

Next up, we’ve got gourmands.

And these type of fragrances as the name implies smell like different types of food, good food,

food you want to get closed to.

Let’s just say when you wear a gourmand the right one, you smell like apple brandy,

maybe you smell like chocolate.

This is something that draws in the ladies.

Next up, we’ve got chypres.

And as the name implies, if you know your Latin, this goes back actually to the Romans

and these are going to be more some of the most versatile, some of the ones that you

can actually dress up, dress down.

But, we’re talking smells like oakmoss, labdanum, and bergamot.

Next up, we’ve got fougeres.

And this comes from the word, fern, but the dominant note here is going to be lavender.

We’re also going to see mixed in with a bit of oakmoss and leather.

These are very versatile fragrances for a man who can keep his cool.

Next up, we’ve got citrus fragrances.

One of the most common notes we’re going to see out there.

We see it at the top because it just dissipates really quick.

But, citrus fragrances smell clean and are easy for men to wear.

And last, but not least, the masculine wood fragrances.

And there are so many different types of woods out there from oud to sandalwood.

You’re going to get all different types of smell and we oftentimes see this built

into a fragrance’s base.

So, as many of you guys know, this masterpiece here from Tom Ford is one of my top ten all

time picks.

I’ve bought this bottle with my own money at retail and I would do it again.

So, no surprise, I own the parfum as well, but I don’t think it’s as good as the

original.

Still, it’s damn good and I’m very happy to own it.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing and in fact, I don’t like Velvet Orchid,

which kind of sucks because this bottle sells for $210 retail.

Now, I didn’t pay that, I got it on a discounter.

Still, it was close to $200 and that hurts.

Now, really quick, gents, I want to share with you five fragrances in my collection

that I really enjoy.

First up, we’ve got Dolce & Gabbana’s The One.

Notes here are going to be amber, tobacco, ginger, grapefruit, and cardamom.

Next up, we’ve got Burberry’s Brit for Men.

Notes are going to be rose, ginger, tonka bean, nutmeg, and cedar.

Right here, I’ve got Versace’s Dylan Blue Pour Homme.

Notes are going to be bergamot, grapefruit, incense, violet leaf, and pepper.

Next up, we’ve got Michel Germain’s Paris Sexual Noir.

Notes here are going to be bergamot, cardamom, lavender, sweet tobacco, and tonka bean.

And right here, I’ve got Prada’s Luna Rossa.

Notes are going to be lavender, mint, bitter orange, sage, and musk.

Now, gents, the retail cost of those five fragrances, $456.

And imagine if you went out there and blind bought those and you didn’t like half of

them or you didn’t like any of them.

Guys, most stores do not take returns, you would be out almost 500 bucks.

To solve this problem, gents, check out Scentbird.

I’ve talked about them for years and I love what this company does.

They make it easy for you to date a fragrance before you commit.

You can get an 8 ml sample.

That’s enough for a month, over 120 sprays.

And, guys, you’re going to be able to wear that fragrance for weeks and actually figure

out if it suits you and your needs.

Now, guys, if you haven’t heard of Scentbird, it’s a subscription service that makes it

easy for you to be able to test fragrances at your home and they’ve got different ways

for you to go in there and choose.

You can take one of their quizzes and they help point you in the right direction.

Now, gents, if you haven’t been over to their website for awhile, you want to get

over there.

They upgraded and they’ve got this new section called Saks Select.

Absolutely love it because they’ve got some of the more premium fragrances out there.

And speaking of upgrades, let’s talk about their new dispensers.

They listen to you, guys, they realized, hey, we want to prevent leaks, we want something

that is going to be easier to actually use.

And these new dispensers, they actually using what looks like a little bit of a magnet to

actually keep them together, so it goes in and out really easy.

And the distributor, right there, you simply twist this over and spray and, boom, you’re

able to get access to your fragrance.

I’ve been to their New York facility.

I have talked with this company.

I know who they are.

And what I love is that they’re making sure you’re not getting any type of counterfeit

fragrances.

You’re getting the real deal.

And, gents, with hundreds of fragrances to choose from, they’ve got the fragrances

from the houses that you want to get fragrances from.

We’re talking Acqua di Parma, Vince Camuto, Joseph Abboud, Amouage, Creed, Parfums de

Marly, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Prada, Versace, Floris London, and more.

[0:05:03] Use that link in the description of today’s

video to get the best deal on the web.

Go over to Scentbird, check them out, awesome company.

Now, really quick let’s talk concentrations.

I’ve covered this before, so I’m just going to bring up this chart right here.

Understand that eau fraiche 1 to 3%, eau de cologne EDC 2 to 4%.

Eau de toilette, this is one of the more common options we see out there for guys, 5 to 15%.

And I’m talking about the fragrance oil, the concentration.

The eau de parfum 15 to 20%.

And then, we’ve got the parfum at about 20 to 30%.

Now, in general, a parfum with a concentration of 25% fragrance oil should last a lot longer

than an eau fraiche with a 1% concentration.

Now, understand that’s a very general statement because there are eau de toilettes that are

stronger, last longer, and project more than eau de parfums or even parfums.

In general, it depends about who made the formulation and the notes that are being used.

And, by the way, despite what the internet says, longevity is not needed for all fragrances.

It doesn’t need to be nuclear to be awesome.

A lot of people they just want everything beast mode.

But, if you’re going to be in a situation in which you don’t want to project, you

don’t want to overpower, then that’s actually a negative thing.

So, understand what you want.

And, by the way, when I say projection, what I’m talking about is how the fragrance sits

on the skin and then projects off.

A lot of that has to do with how hot you are.

If you’re sweating, it’s going to project more.

You’re going to hear the word, silage.

Now, what that talks about is actually the scent trail that is left when you’re walking

around.

So, there is a slight difference between the two.

Now, the last chart I want to show you right here is the fragrance life cycle.

And right here at the top, notice we’ve got citrus, fruits, we’ve got aromatics.

In the heart, we’ve got floral, green, fruity, spicy notes.

And at the base, we’ve got wood and balsamics.

In case you didn’t know, fragrances oftentimes are broken into various parts.

At first, when you smell a fragrance, you’re smelling the top notes.

And then, usually in the mid after an hour after thirty minutes sometimes, you will smell

what’s in the middle.

Then, after a couple of hours, the base.

This isn’t for all fragrances.

You’ll find some are linear and that means they smell the same throughout the entire

life cycle of the fragrance.

But, the more complex fragrances the ones that you expect to pay a little bit more money

for are going to be the ones that are orchestrated and meant to be smelt in a particular way.

And that’s why you don’t want to rub fragrances together because the idea here is that it

can affect the way that those certain notes are released.

It’s a very small thing, but I know some people say they can smell the difference.

All right, gents, after all of that, now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of actually buying

the fragrances and how to do it.

So, for me, 95% of the fragrances and I’ve got like 400 and like 80 fragrances, I blind

bought and I have to say I made a lot of mistakes.

A lot of them, I really do not wear.

I just keep them for research purposes and for using in videos.

For me, that works.

I don’t think many of you guys are like this.

You want to own maybe two, three, at the most, maybe ten fragrances.

And you want to make sure that every single one you buy is worth the money.

You’re going to get your – your wears out of this thing.

So, in that case, you want to try on the fragrance.

Now, the best way to do this as you could imagine is simply to go into a box store,

go into a duty free and actually to put the fragrance on.

But, before you do that, have a plan because when you walk in, you are going to be bombarded

with tons of options.

How are you going to choose?

Most – like most guys, you’re going to choose what’s in front of you.

You’re going to choose what’s new.

You’re going to choose what’s at the top of the shelf.

You don’t want to fall into that trap, especially if you want to find your signature scent.

You want to go in there with a plan.

Now, one of the best things you can do is simply look online and see what’s being

carried.

Do a little bit of research, look at the top selling fragrances out there and have an idea

of one you want to try.

Okay.

So, you’ve heard great things about this Creed Aventus, about Luna Rossa by Prada or,

you know, one of the other maybe amazing Prada fragrances out there.

That’s where you want to go.

You know, go in there and try on what you need to try because if you don’t have a

plan, you could end up putting on a fragrance or testing it out that you really don’t

like.

And that’s the next thing I want to talk about is understand you could only smell about

five fragrances before your nose is exhausted.

The whole thing of smelling coffee beans is a joke, it’s a lie.

You know, it was made up by some perfumer a hundred years ago.

He would do this as part of his routine, but it has shown, yeah, you can’t reset your

nose.

What you can do is you can step out, you can go walking around.

Maybe try two to three things and then leave go walking around and come back in thirty

minutes to an hour.

That’s the only way to reset your nose.

Now, when it comes to putting on the fragrances, don’t be shy, they are there, they are testers.

You are allowed to put it on your skin.

I know some people they will only put it on the tester strips.

The problem with the paper is it doesn’t have your unique oil and composition and what’s

normally on your skin and is going to smell slightly different.

When you put it on your skin, you actually get to smell the top.

You get to smell the middle, you get to smell the base and over the next couple of hours,

you can smell this and see actually how does it work for you.

[0:10:01] With some of my friends, they say that they

can smell eight fragrances at the same time on their body.

Those kind of people choke people out on an airplane and they get kicked out of cars because

they smell too bad.

Guys, don’t overdo it.

I would say just one spray on each wrist is perfectly fine.

Maybe you could put one spray on the chest as well.

And, again, if you feel strange about doing this, don’t – don’t get it under your

shirt, that look like shoplifting.

Just spray on the outside.

No one is going to say anything and if they do, well, just move on to the next or –

Point being is you do want to be able to try this, but don’t do – ever do more than

three.

I think two is more than enough and preferably you just got one fragrance that you actually

put on both wrists, maybe on the chest area, and then you walk out and you wear it for

a few hours and actually see if this works for you.

A super secret Ninja tip right here is to actually record a video, not only of the fragrance

you’re testing especially if you’re testing more than one, but actually your first reaction

to the smell and to record that information, so you have it for later.

We like to think we can remember everything.

Yeah, good luck with that.

And tied with that point is to actually do a little bit of research.

That’s why I like just testing out one fragrance because then I can go over to websites like

Fragrantica and read about all the notes, see can I identify can I smell the notes.

I love reading the comments and what people leave, you know, saying down below.

Some of it is pretty funny, but also a lot of it can you relate to it?

Are you smelling what this person smells or is it the complete opposite?

Does this person have it wrong?

Now, specifically, where to buy.

So, if you buy it in a store, there’s a lot of great options, instant satisfaction,

you grab the fragrance and you leave.

And most of them have really tight supply chains, so you’re not going to be dealing

with counterfeits or something that’s fake especially if it’s wrapped in plastic and,

again, it comes from a reputable person.

You can actually take it back if you suspect it’s counterfeit.

Now, not everyone is going to have a return policy.

As you guys know a lot of discounters like maybe TJ Maxx, you’re going to go and you’re

there and, yeah, you can’t return things after you buy it from them.

But, there are other places like Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, they’ve got amazing return

policies.

And so, if you have an issue with the fragrance, you simply take it back.

Now, the problem with a lot of those places that I just mentioned is that they don’t

actually have samples that you can smell there.

So, if that’s really important to you, go into Ulta.

I know here in the United States we’ve also got Sephora, which recently just actually

is in Kohl’s, which is awesome.

I’ve been going to it and love it.

But, also, you know, higher-end box stores like Nordstrom’s are going to have tons

of great options, especially some of the higher end fragrances.

And this is great because you got to go into those stores sometimes anyway.

And I didn’t mention this earlier, if you’re going to be testing fragrances, don’t put

anything on.

You don’t want to have a super powerful Parfums de Marly.

You know, I love their fragrances, but they’re strong, they’re powerful and that is not

going to allow you if you want to test out a Creed fragrance to put that on because it’s

usually lighter, it’s airier.

Those are fragrances aren’t overpowering and it’s going to be difficult to detect

if you’re still rocking, you know, I don’t know, Oud for Greatness and, you know, it’s

been ten hours because that stuff goes on forever.

Now, the problem with buying in person as many of you guys know is you’re not going

to get the best deal.

The best deals are online.

But, understand if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

You’re over in Wish and you see a fragrance that normally goes for 200 bucks and it’s

going for 20.

Understand that is probably that it’s a counterfeit, they’re going to steal your

money.

Even eBay, you really need to make sure.

Now, I know tons of people have great luck on eBay, but you need to look research the

seller.

Make sure that they are a legitimate seller, they’ve got real reviews, not bought reviews.

But, other places on like I talked about, you know, especially the ones you can walk

into actually, that’s always a great combination if you see an online deal at Ulta or Sephora.

I found – I’ve returned to Sephora things I bought online, so that actually has worked

out pretty well for me.

The discounters, you’re going to see tons of gray market options out there.

When I say gray market, that is actually wherever let’s say Ulta, I’m not saying they do

this, but they’ve got to off load a lot of fragrances.

They just got too much of this, they got to make room.

They actually sell it to a discounter at about the price that they got it for and they’re

able to say, hey, we got rid of this, we sold this and they can get new stock in.

So, oftentimes on the gray market, you’re going to – the fragrances could have sat

there for a while, they could be a couple of years old.

And I’ll talk about that at the end, which you got to watch out for age.

But, you know, they’re a great option if, again, you know what you’re going to get

because still, they are expensive and if you buy a fragrance that you do not like and you

use it, you can’t return it to most of these online discounters.

Now, I know for me personally, I do like to be able to get a deal on all my fragrances

I bought in with my own money, so it is something that I join the email list of a lot of the

general brands like Yves Saint Laurent because you’re not going to find those at a lot

of, you know, discounters or – well, you will, but not the newest releases.

But, what’s interesting is if you’re on their email list or you give them your phone

number on the text list, I find that they do do discounts occasionally.

They’re really careful about it.

And Chanel, you know, was notorious for not doing anything, but they will combine things,

they’ll make it worth your while.

It will be something that you’ll find a way to be able to get a particular let’s

say credit card and save 20% even though it is Chanel, you find a way to do it.

So, get creative with that stuff.

I do find that it is worth being on their email list to be able to get occasionally

when they’ve got some deals going, but you got to watch for it because they are hard

to find.

[0:15:03] Now, let’s talk about the bad and first

up, let’s talk about clones.

So, a lot of you guys recognize this clone right here, it’s a clone of Creed Aventus.

Club de Nuit Intense.

And this fragrance right here I have to say does smell different.

It is not the same.

It’s a little bit dirtier, but it is stronger.

Guys, if you can’t afford the real thing, I get it and I don’t hold anything.

I think clones are perfectly fine, they serve a purpose.

That being said, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a cologne is the real thing

because studies – I even got a study that talks about people that wear clones or they

wear ones that are generics, they don’t really feel the same confidence as somebody

that’s wearing the real thing.

And this is a psychological phenomenon that shows, yes, price has a lot to do with how

we perceive.

In fact, there’s that classic study of a bunch of wine connoisseurs getting served

three different bottles of wines; one of them being a $10, one of them being $100 wine,

like a $1,000 dollar of wine.

And when it came to the $1,000 wine, you know, these guys were like describing it as amazing.

The $10 wine, yeah, you know, it was okay.

But, what’s funny is that it was the same wine.

We may laugh at that, but what’s interesting on this study is they actually measured their

brain and the reaction and what they tasted.

And, even though it was the same wine, the people that paid or thought they paid more

money with the expensive one, they were able to taste things, their brain activated in

ways it did not with the cheaper.

What am I saying here?

Oftentimes, what you sacrifice and what you do to get something has an effect on how good

it tastes, on how it’s taste and smell are right next to each other almost the same thing.

So, I will say, guys, what I – if you’re going to go with a clone, I would advice,

hey, getting a sample of the original and smelling the original and occasionally wearing

the original on an important date.

And then, every day, yeah, wear the clone because you can’t afford to be wearing that

maybe expensive stuff all the time, but you understand the difference and to me, then

you get the benefit of both.

Now, I mentioned counterfeits and this is a real issue because this fragrance sells

for 100 bucks, 200 bucks, 500 bucks, you can bet that somebody is going to find an ingenuous

way to be able to try to fool people, so that they can get money and they’re throwing

in just some random stuff.

Maybe it smells close, maybe it’s some company that actually is making something over, I

don’t know, in China or, you know, they’re simply just packaging this up.

I’ve actually seen Creed package over on Wish that looks somewhat legitimate, but you

can tell if you know Creed that this is off.

It’s not the real deal because they don’t sell in these sizes.

But, you know, for the uninitiated someone that doesn’t have a deeper knowledge of

this, they could make a bad purchase.

Now, where do I see this happening?

I do see this, you know, Amazon, I’m not going to say you can’t get legitimate fragrances

off of Amazon, but you really want to make sure you’re buying from the right seller.

People go to Walmart.com and actually Walmart sells through other people sometimes.

If you’re going to buy from Walmart, buy from Walmart.

Don’t buy from some of these fake, yeah, some of these other places because they don’t

have the same type of back up and guarantee that Walmart has.

So, I would say, you know, be very careful of this.

And this is why for some fragrances, I buy directly from the manufacturer because then

I know I’m getting the real deal.

Now, what about bad fragrances?

Fragrances that just don’t smell right.

So, I’m thinking this regularly happens that actually a fragrance maybe is really

old, it was left in the warehouse where the temperatures went from extremely hot to extremely

cold.

It was maybe left in the sun and it just, yeah, it’s not what it used to be.

But, I think that a lot of times people just didn’t test the fragrance.

They don’t even know what they should be smelling for and they smell something in it

that remind – gives them a – they have some type of other association with it.

They were conditioned in a way that there’s a note in here that they just don’t like.

And how some people just really do not like cilantro, it tastes horrible to them.

I love cilantro.

And I think it’s almost something similar to that.

So, when you see a lot of people saying, it was a bad batch, be careful of that.

Yes, and I know there are reformulations.

You see these especially with higher-end fragrances.

Everyone’s talking about batch numbers.

Now, a lot of times the reformulations happen because let’s just take oakmoss.

This was something that we showed it cause irritation in some people.

So, across the board, they pretty much eliminated oak moss.

Now, the bad part about this is that oak moss the original stuff actually made fragrances

last long and be very strong.

So, a lot of people they get, you know, they tested a fragrance they have when they were

younger.

They get a new bottle twenty years later like, oh, this stuff is a shadow of what it used

to be.

Well, probably because they’re not using the original ingredients.

They do have to reformulate, they do every single, you know, I don’t know, a couple

of months, they’re putting out new batches and so, these things do change over time.

If you really like a fragrance, then get a couple of bottles of it I guess.

Now, at this part in the video, I’m going to say some things which are a little bit

controversial in the fragrance industry, but I feel that they are uncomfortable truths.

Are you ready for them?

[0:19:55] Number one is that most designer fragrances

are actually really solid.

I think it is very rare that we have a designer fragrance come out that somebody is going

to be repelled by.

These designer fragrances are made to sell, so you could bet that they’re going to hit

all the buttons that for the majority of men, you try on one of those fragrances, you’re

going to get compliments, somebody is going to like it.

Maybe you don’t like it, but understand that the majority of designer fragrances are

actually well-made.

Now, this second uncomfortable truth, I know a lot of fragrance guys online are going to

agree with, but if you work in a department store, you may think, Antonio, that’s not

very nice.

And that is most people selling fragrances do not know much about fragrances.

I’m sorry.

But, it’s just you walk into these stores and the vast majority of the people I speak

with have no idea about notes and all the details.

That being said, there are some people especially in the higher-end luxury stores or in specific

fragrance stores, they know that – I mean, so much more than me.

I’ve only been studying it for a few years, but I’ve been pretty diligent.

I’ve every single day been trying to dedicate thirty minutes to the craft.

But, it is something that you get a lot of people who are maybe straight out of college

or high school and they’re just selling this as a part time job and they don’t know

anything about fragrances.

So, be careful about who you listen to.

Really, it’s best if you educate yourself, so that you can make your own decision.

The third uncomfortable truth is that everything in fragrances is subjective.

Okay, maybe the formulations are objective.

But, even then, you know, change things up, every batch could be a little bit different

the way they formulated the exact percentages.

Everything is subjective because as human beings, we – it’s like music.

Some people like rap, some people like rock, other people like classic.

And the same thing with fragrances, you’re going to have some people like chy -- chypres,

you’re going to have other people like orientals, other people like everything, some people

not like anything except woody – woody fragrances.

Guys, so, understand when you’re listening to someone’s opinion, it is just that, their

opinion.

Next up, the price is all about the marketing.

Understand that the profit margins on fragrances is incredibly high.

That being said, I talked about that study with the wine earlier, the price has a huge

effect on not only how you perceive the fragrance, but when you smell it, what is activated in

your brain, because when you’re smelling what you think to be a $500 fragrance versus

a $10 fragrance, you just have different expectations and the way that you’re smelling it is different.

And the fifth uncomfortable truth is that only you can buy the right fragrance for you.

You can’t get it as a gift.

Well, maybe there’s a chance that someone could gift you a fragrance that is absolutely

amazing and you think is the best for the rest of your life.

But, for the majority of men, they actually have the ability to be able to put a fragrance

on and smelt what actually enhances.

A lot of guys do not feel comfortable doing this, they feel that they don’t know enough.

But, guys, trust yourself, learn a little bit.

You don’t need a whole lot, but you can go out there and make the right decision for

you because at the end of the day, you know your needs and you know your wants better

than anyone.

And when you put on that right fragrance, it’s – it’s a great experience.

All right, gents, so what video to watch next?

Well, if you want your fragrance to last all day, this is the video you want to watch.

Seriously, if you just want a average fragrance to be to last good eight hours, ten hours,

guys, this is the video for you.

Solid fragrance, solid video, you could tell.

I talked a lot about fragrances.

I am done for the day, guys.

Go check it out, solid video.

See you in the next one.

[0:23:09] End of audio