I have tried many different types colognes. There are a few that were 10 bucks at a drug store, and others that were over 500 dollars in a nice perfumeries or high end department store. One thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t a direct correlation between how expensive the scent is and how good it smells.
Having said that, some of my favorite colognes are very expensive. But I have to try on about 30 samples of expensive or less expensive bottle before I find something I like.
This brings up another point, you have wear it before you buy it. Everyone has different body chemistry and what might smell great on one person may not smell great on someone else. Another problem is certain parts of the smell may wear off before others, so for the first 30 minutes it may smell great but after an hour the leftover scents don’t work well together.
I usually go in and try the two scents that smell the best on paper and try one out on each arm. This is a slow process, unless you’re trying cologne everyday it’s going to take weeks or months before you find something that really works for you. It’s worth it though. It is very often the case that I walk in and try something on that I thought smelled good sprayed on a paper tester and an hour later I’m embarrassed to be walking around smelling like that.
Even expensive colognes/perfumes can smell cheap, especially ones made with a lot of synthetics. I have nothing against synthetics in general, but some of them smell like you sprayed insect repellent on you. This isn’t a metaphor, there is a specific scent that smells just like insect repellent.
One problem the more expensive stuff has as well is just because one has lots of money doesn’t necessarily mean they also have good taste. A lot of the expensive stuff will leave you smelling like an old lady, even it was aimed at men. I’ve heard it said that because the sense of smell can decrease with age, older people like stronger smells. They also still may be accustomed to scents from their youth.
So remember, just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it smells good. It’s very important to try everything on before you buy it. After you try a few on and smell them in 10 minutes, in an hour, 3 hours, you’ll realize the cologne sprayed on a paper tester might as well be a whole different smell. The frustrating part isn’t that something great on paper isn’t that good on you, it’s something that doesn’t smell too interesting on paper smell amazing once your wearing it.
There does come a time after all this where I find myself smelling my wrist over and over, and I know I’ve found something very special.