I was interested, and still am, in colognes, but I didn’t know where to start. Like most people these days, I went straight to YouTube University. Before long my feed was full of “Top 10 Colognes,” “Best Fragrances for Men,” and every influencer telling me what I had to buy.
What I discovered was a much better way to do it. There are several fragrance decanters that buy authentic full-size bottles and transfer them into smaller atomizers that you can purchase for a fraction of the cost. Instead of spending $100, $200, $300 or more on a bottle you’re not sure you’ll love, you can buy a 5 ml sample and actually wear it.
That’s the important part. You’re not making a decision based on one spray at a department store. You’re wearing it in the real world, on your own skin, with your own body chemistry, over several days or even weeks. You’ll find that some fragrances you love at first disappear after an hour, while others you weren’t sure about end up becoming favorites once they dry down.
That’s exactly what I did. I bought fifteen different 5 ml atomizers of fragrances I wanted to try. Some became immediate favorites. Others were easy passes. It saved me a lot of money and helped me figure out what actually works for me instead of relying on someone else’s opinion.
If you’re just getting into fragrances, check out some of the fragrance decanters or fragrance decant retailers. It’s one of the cheapest and smartest ways to build a collection you’ll actually enjoy. If you want the names of the companies I’ve used, send me a message.