Introduce yourself and level-up, it's that simple! You'll get at least 5 likes (oftentimes more!) which will move you to level 2 and on your way to level 3 (these levels give you access to prizes!). What to say in your intro? Share where you're from, your reason for joining, your profession, perhaps your favorite fragrance or a picture of your entire collection! Whether you're a seasoned cologne collector or just starting, have fun engaging with the group.

it has happened, I have reached Level 8 , I am a Certified Frag Head, would look great on a business card, thank you for the shared knowledge here , a rare community among equal minded people, I have learned so much here in a year's time

I posted earlier today about a video I watched and would like to break it down in a different way since most will not watch the video, so I wanted to throw some "unpopular opinions" out there to see where everyone stands. We all love the hunt for the perfect scent, but are we falling into some of these traps? 1. The "Beast Mode" Tax is Real The obsession with performance is actually hurting our wallets. Brands have realized they can slap an "Extrait" or "Elixir" label on a bottle, pump up the Ambroxan, and charge us $400-$600 because we’ve been conditioned to think 12+ hours of longevity is the only metric that matters. Are we losing the artistry of subtle perfumery? 2. Buying isn't a Hobby—It’s an Addiction We’ve all seen the "rate my collection" posts with 100+ bottles. A huge realization for me lately is that learning about notes and history is the hobby; the act of purchasing is just a shopping habit. If your collection can't be finished in 3 years, are you actually enjoying the scents, or just the hit of dopamine from the delivery? 3. The "Paper Strip" Delusion It’s wild how many people still buy a full bottle based on the first 30 seconds at a counter. The opening is just the "pre-game." If you aren't living with the dry-down on your skin for at least 4 hours before committing, you aren't actually buying the fragrance—you're buying the marketing. 4. Subjectivity vs. The "Spectrometer" Scent is the most subjective thing on earth, yet we argue for hours in the comments about whether a note smells like "pickles" or "luxury woods." We have to admit that our memories and associations (like the "makeup bag" Iris in Dior Homme Intense) color our perception more than the actual ingredients do. 5. The Clone vs. Original Rivalry Clones are great for people who don't care, but a trained nose will almost always spot the 10% difference. Does that 10% difference justify a $300 price gap? For me, sometimes the "inspired" version hits the itch, but other times it’s like a sibling—close, but definitely not a twin.

Thanks guys! Made it here to level 9. Big thanks to all of you! Too many to say but @Fernando Mendoza to going me the big push this morning!

Is there a particular company that makes sense that are perfect copies that you guys recommend?