There’s a reason why the global cologne market is worth an estimated $31.4 billion. The right type of cologne can not only change the way other people think of you, but it can also change the way you think of yourself.
Unfortunately, finding the perfect scent for you isn’t always easy. This is especially true if you’re buying cologne online. Despite the savings and convenience, there are some drawbacks as well.
For example, you don’t want to get stuck with a scent that you hate. So, what’s the solution? Simple: read this buying guide. In it, we’ll break down everything you need to know about shopping for cologne online, starting with the basics.
That way, you can shop with confidence and start smelling the way you’ve always dreamed of. Let’s get started!
Know the Difference Between Various Products
Before we get started it’s important to know the difference between the various types of fragrance products. That way, you know how strong they are and which option is best for you. Let’s start with the strongest product, perfume.
Perfume is typically composed of between 20% to 30% pure fragrance essence. This is diluted with alcohol and water and it lasts up to twenty-four hours with a single application. This concentration makes it highly expensive.
Typically, perfume has been reserved for women. But these days, more men are taking advantage of the potent scent offered by it. The next product is known as Eau de Parfum. This type of product is genderless.
At between 15% to 20% concentration it’s not as strong as perfume. As such, a single application will last between five to eight hours. Next, is the light spray known as Eau de Toilette. These products come with a concentration of between 5% to 15% which allows them to last around three hours before you’ll need to apply more.
After that, there’s cologne or Eau de Cologne. This product comes with a concentration of between 2% and 4%. This smaller concentration makes it more subtle. As such, it’s a popular option for gentlemen that don’t want a strong-smelling scent.
Unfortunately, one application only lasts for two hours. Alternatively, you can try the lightest product Eau Fraiche. At between 1% to 3% concentration, this is the most diluted product. As such, it typically will last for less than an hour.
What Are the Popular Types of Cologne Scents For Men?
Next, it’s time to take a look at some of the popular types of cologne scents for men. Most types of scents can be broken down into four common categories: floral, orientals, wood, and fresh.
However, keep in mind that many products will blend two or more of these categories. Let’s start with floral scents for cologne. These types of scents rely heavily on smells that come from nature.
That means things like flowers, trees, and fruits are all included in this category. Typically, this category of scents has been reserved for women. However, more men are coming around to the scent potential of floral colognes. Apple, magnolia, and orchid scents are a great place for men to start.
The next category is oriental scents. These types of fragrances usually feature strong spice flavors. These sweet notes lend them a seductive quality that makes oriental fragrances excellent for a date night. Cinnamon, vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood are all great places to start if you are interested in this category.
Next, is the wood category. This is perhaps one of the most popular types of smells for gentlemen. This is thanks to the intensely masculine smell that wood types conjure when people use them.
The warm feelings they conjure also make them ideal for the colder winter months. Cedarwood, oakmoss, and amber are some good scents to start with.
The final category is the broadest: fresh. Fresh scents are any type of fragrances that are bright and natural. It includes things like the ocean, green (like a fresh-mowed lawn), citrus, and herbal smells.
Because it’s so light, fresh scents are the best option for combining with other scents.
How Do You Choose the Right Scent For Your Needs?
It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all cologne for every type of situation. As such, we recommend getting two to three different colognes for these different situations.
The first type you should look for is an office cologne. This is a daytime cologne that can be worn in professional situations. It’s not as sensual as nighttime colognes. Instead, it’s light and breezy.
It won’t overwhelm anyone in meetings, but it will help you give off a confident and masculine appearance. Next, there are casual colognes. These are colognes that you can wear on the weekend around friends, family, or other acquaintances.
The distinguishing characteristic of these colognes is that they please the masses. So, the widely appealing they are, the better they’ll be for casual purposes. The final type of scent is for date nights.
The goal of this type of scent is simple: attract someone with a sensual scent. These types of scents tend to be a lot bolder than office or casual colognes. After all, at the end of the night, your goal will likely be seduction.
And, if you choose the right scent, then science is on your side. Numerous studies show that fragrance is heavily linked to sexual attraction. So, as long as you pick one that isn’t too overwhelming for your date, then it’s sure to be a good night.
Is It Possible to Test Products Before Buying Them Online?
One of the biggest drawbacks of buying cologne online is that you usually can’t test the products before purchasing them. This is a serious problem for people who aren’t sure what type of scent they want.
After all, how can you purchase something if you aren’t sure if you’ll like it? The good news is that there are some ways around this problem. One way is to find an online supplier that offers samples.
Many companies will let you order a set of small colognes to try out. That way, you aren’t committing to something that you don’t like. And, when you find a scent you like, then you can purchase an entire bottle.
However, if you’re feeling impatient, then you might want to try going to a department store, or similar in-person location. These areas are nice because they allow you to sample the products for yourself.
When you find one you like, then you can purchase it there. Or, if you want to save some money, then find the name of the specific product you like. Then, go online and find it through a discount supplier.
That way, you get a scent that you know you love at a more affordable price. Alternatively, you can use resources like Fragantica. This is an online encyclopedia that allows you to look up individual fragrant notes.
This is a great option if you have a specific scent that you want, but can’t seem to find it online or in stores. Regardless of which option you choose, we recommend trying at least one of them before you commit to a full bottle. That way, you aren’t stuck with a lot of a product you hate.
Buying Cologne Online: Your Options
When it comes to purchasing cologne online you have three options: the company’s website, box stores, and fragrant discount stores. We’ll go into each of these options in more detail.
However, regardless of where you purchase your product from, it’s important that always check the return policy on the website. Make sure that they give you an ample amount of time to return the cologne if it’s damaged or not up to the level of quality that you expect.
Ideally, the website should offer thirty days to return their product. That way, you have plenty of time to decide whether or not the cologne is right for you. You should also pay attention to details like whether or not you need to pay for the return shipping.
Some websites only allow you to perform exchanges instead of refunds. So, if this bothers you, then avoid these sites.
Ordering From the Company’s Website
Your first option is purchasing the cologne directly from the manufacturer’s website. The upside to this method is that you’re almost guaranteed to get the real thing. So, you can depend on the quality of the cologne.
However, keep in mind that this way of online purchasing is much more expensive than other methods. As such, you will end up spending more if you go this route.
But, in exchange, you get a guarantee that the product is 100% legitimate. Still, for most people, the high mark-up isn’t worth any added sense of security.
Ordering From Box Stores
Box stores are businesses that are part of a larger retail chain. Some popular ones include places like Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta. These stores are nice because they typically offer a wide variety of products.
Since they’re part of a large chain, you can usually be pretty confident about their legitimacy as well. Generally, the prices at box stores aren’t that much better than company websites.
However, be on the lookout for deals and sales on your favorite colognes from these stores. Often, on shopping events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you can find a good amount of savings on these name-brand stores.
Ordering From Fragrance Discount Stores
The final option is a fragrance discount store. These are third-party sellers that offer major brand names at a discount. They’re typically able to offer these low prices by buying their product in bulk.
While this might not be the best option if you care about where your perfume comes from, it’s great for individuals that want to save a little money when shopping. Just make sure that you can trust the discount store before you purchase from them.
Sadly, there are a lot of sketchy sellers out there that offer bootlegged products that smell nothing like the original thing. We recommend suppliers like Perfume Price.
Not only do they offer a wide selection of name-brand designer scents you can trust, but they’re all priced fairly and affordably.
How to Avoid Fake Colognes Online
As we mentioned in the last section, it’s easy to stumble across disreputable sellers that hawk fake name-brand colognes. So, how do you find and avoid these types of fake colognes? The easiest way is to pay attention to the price.
If it seems too good to be true, then it likely is. You aren’t going to find a $300 cologne for $30. It’s just not possible. However, how can you confirm that a product is fake? One way is by checking the batch code.
Every type of cologne comes with this and it can be used to confirm the legitimacy online. You should also check for any visible evidence of poor quality. A name-brand seller won’t provide you with a product that’s in a sloppy, blurry, or broken container.
You’re paying for a luxury experience. As such, you deserve to have your product arrive in pristine condition.
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you learn more about buying cologne online. Like anything else, there is a bit of risk involved when you purchase something online. Sadly, this risk is typically heightened when shopping for cologne.
If you aren’t careful, then you could end up with a product you hate. Or, worse, you could get ripped off by a knockoff product. However, as long as you follow the advice in this guide, then you should be fine.
So, start doing your research so you can find the perfect scent for your needs. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
