While it’s considered to have a second opinion on certain things, it’s best to head out alone when trying to search for your signature scent. Ultimately, your opinion matters most; what you find attractive in a scent is the important thing. It’s all about feeling comfortable.
It’s hotter out there now, and deodorant is vital if you don’t want to stink of the place. But be sure to skip on the deodorant or at least apply one that doesn’t have a strong scent. You want your nose absent from other overpowering smells. And please take a proper shower beforehand.
Here’s where the work begins. Whoever is behind the counter, ask him/her what is his or her favourite scent is. If they reach for the closest bottle, it means they’re pushing the brand a little too hard. Keep things moving. You want the employee to actually give some thought to this question. You’ll be able to tell, by their reason, whether or not the answer is genuine and thoughtful.
Just like at the barber shop, you and the person behind the counter have to work together. Don’t let him/her charge you around or be pushy. Tell them what you want or don’t want. “I don’t want to smell too sweet,” or, “I’d like a fresh spring scent,” are some ways to get a proper reply. And if you’re completely lost, always ask to smell a few new fragrances for the new season.
You might have seen countless people spraying their desired scents on their skin to test them out. This, gentlemen, is not the way to do it. Legitimate perfume counters will always have a container of coffee and stacks of spray scent strips. Wave the strip a few times and take a whiff.
Some employees will throw plenty of strips in front of you and it’s perfectly fine to say, “No.” You can turn down as many as you want, and it’s nothing against the person behind the counter, they are just doing their jobs. Remember, you want to keep testing until you’ve found the one.
It’s never about the labels. Don’t be a snob. It’s the same with your wardrobe. Just because there’s a $2,000 Armani suit that looks good on a celeb, won’t necessarily look good on you. And a $4,000 Prada suit is something you may not be able to afford, but their new Prada cologne is. Give it a shot.
However, it’s okay to be a little stuck up about a bottle’s design. There are, for lack of a better word, very risque designs out there that are better off on the counter than in your drawer.
Don’t rush the process of coming down to your final choice. After you’ve gone through the smelling process, take a short walk outside the store. Clear your head and nose, and make a second trip to the store and decide on what you want.
The final step is about the final decision. Think about which scent will stay with you throughout the day. More importantly, which scent you want to stay with you in your outings.
Cologne tips: It’s okay to have more than one scent in your drawers, just make sure they are being used on a regular basis and sprayed evenly. And the only way people should be able to smell your scent is if you’ve tip-toed around their personal space. A foot is the right amount of distance.
