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.