Smelling good in 2022

One of the first things that people notice about us is our smell. Picking the right cologne is therefore fundamental as everyone, from your girlfriend to your relatives and friends, will start associating you with that fragrance.  

Too many men just keep using the same cologne they were first gifted when they were 16 and never really put the effort into finding the scent that suits them best. If you just realized you’re one of them and you’re ready for a chance, this is the article for you. In this post, we will explain everything you need to know to pick up a cologne that suits you.

Study the notes

We’re sure you will like to simply enter a store, try a few colognes and buy whichever you prefer, but trust us, a bit of knowledge on the topic will help you a lot! This is why you need to know what notes are and how they work. Don’t worry, the topic it’s not too complicated. 

Every perfume has three types of notes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. The top notes are the ones you can smell immediately after spraying your cologne. They only last for a few seconds to then leave their space to the middle ones. These appear soon after you apply your perfume but last a bit longer. Lastly, the base notes are the ones you probably associate with your perfume, after using it for a while. 

These are the ones that will stay on your skin all day. But let’s move on!

Learn the differences in fragrances

Now that you know what notes are, we need to discuss the different fragrances available on the market. Perfumes can be divided into four main categories: floral, woody, oriental, and fresh. 

• Floral scents, as the word suggests, are made from flowers and tend to be sweet. These are often used by women. 

• Woody tones are mostly chosen by men and are frequently found in aftershaves. They include fragrances such as sandalwood, cedarwood, sandalwood, amber, and vetiver. Woody scents are divided into two sub-categories. Dry woody fragrances are smoky and leathery, while mossy ones are earthy and sweet.  

• Oriental perfumes are spicy and made from ingredients ranging from cinnamon, jasmine, vanilla, and cardamom.

Lastly, fresh scents are summery and refreshing. They include fragrances ranging from citruses to herbs. The most common ones are lavender, basil, rosemary, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot. 

Knowing which fragrances are your favorite will help you greatly in your search.

Designer versus Niche

Before you go to your favorite shop and try a thousand different colognes, let us also explain what designer and niche fragrances are.

The former is mass-produced by companies such as Burberry, Chanel, and Versace. This means that you probably won’t go wrong choosing one of these as they are appealing to the majority of people. The downside is that they are very popular, meaning that you may be sitting next to someone wearing the same cologne. 

If you want to be bolder, you can opt for a niche cologne. These are often more expensive and made from high-quality ingredients. They are created by industry artists and are quite unique. The downside is that they may be less popular, so some people around you may not like them.

Don’t rely on a single cologne 

Now that you know the basics, you can try a few colognes out! It’s important to keep in mind that relying on a single fragrance is not the best idea. 

Perfumes have a strong influence on our emotions, and you may not want to wear the same cologne every day. There will be times when you will crave something strong and oriental and others in which you will want to use a fresh scent. 

Also, keep in mind the season. While woody tones are ideal for the winter, in the summer, you may want to opt for a fresh cologne. Fall is the perfect time to wear oriental scents, while in the spring you can use a floral perfume. 

Try before you buy

Brands and websites try their very best to describe their perfume in words. But even though you may get a general idea of what a cologne smells like, unless you try it on, you will never know whether you like it or not. For this reason, you should avoid buying online, unless you’ve already tried the product in person.

Know the classics

Before trying extravagant scents, make sure to get to know the classics. Let us give you a few examples. Chanel Pour Monsieur Eau De Parfum is considered Chanel’s first man fragrance. Its base notes are citruses but this cologne also features subtle notes of ginger, basil, and cardamom.

Another classic is Eros Flame by Versace. This Eau de Perfume has musky scents and wild rosemary, vanilla, and cedar tones. 

Acqua di Gio Absolu by Giorgio Armani is an iconic summer cologne. With fresh marine notes at the top and patchouli leaves at the base, this is a must-try.

Knowing the classics will help you understand which fragrances suit you best and what you don’t like. 

Ask people what they are wearing

Our last tip is to ask people around you. In the end, as for everything else, the more you will spend trying to find the better cologne, the easier it will become. Ask people around you which cologne they use and try to explore as many fragrances as possible. Listen to suggestions, and don’t be afraid to buy. Eventually, you will find the perfect cologne for every occasion! 

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