Few things in life compare to the confidence-boosting act of spritzing on a fragrance that feels like you but the idea of building a fragrance collection often feels like an activity for the rich and the famous. The good news? Building a cheap cologne collection doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality. We’ll explore how you can build a cologne wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Understanding What Makes a Great Cologne
The first step to a low-cost collection is understanding what makes a cologne “good.” It’s not always about the label or the marketing. The most well-crafted colognes have top, heart (middle), and base notes that play off one another on the skin. Woody, citrus, or spicy — whatever your taste, you’ll want to find a cheap cologne that continues to surprise you and lasts on the skin.
How to Find Affordable Colognes That Smell Expensive
When you’re on the hunt for affordable cologne, it’s easy to think (and fixate on) the price. But you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a quality bottle. There are plenty of affordable gems that smell just as good as their more expensive, designer counterparts.
Where can you find these diamonds in the rough, and how do you know when you’ve struck gold?
- Check Out Discount Retailers: Discount retailers and online marketplaces are great sources for cheap cologne. Oftentimes, you’ll find last season’s items or a discontinued line — for a portion of the purchase price.
- Dupes or Inspired-by Scents: A great way to find cost-effective fragrances that closely smell designer fragrances is to find dupes – fragrances inspired by the more expensive cologne. Some of these dupes smell remarkably close to their pricier counterparts, but they can be a fraction of the price. Some work better than others, so it’s a good idea to try them on your skin.
Blending Budget with Variety: Building Your Collection
As with anything, the men’s cologne collection should be well-rounded. You’re looking for a mix of fragrances that work for various seasons, occasions, and purposes. Don’t worry; this can be done on a budget, too. Start out by choosing a few staple fragrances that span the spectrum. When considering different options, think about the following fragrances:
- Fresh and Citrusy: Typically, these fragrances work great for everyday wear, and in the summertime, as they are light and refreshing.
- Woody and Earthy: These are confident, grounding scents, so they work great in the fall and winter or when you want to impress the bigwigs.
- Spicy and Exotic: If you want to make a big impression (and have people remember your scent) go with a cologne that has spicy, oriental notes like cardamom, cinnamon, or amber.
By hand-picking the fragrances from fragrance families, you can own a collection that never smells like cheap cologne, even if the price does come cheap!
How to Care for Your Cologne Collection
Once you start to grow your assortment of signature scents, it’s important to know how to take care of them so they last. Weirdly enough, not storing a scent properly can make your cologne lose its potency and become unnecessarily sour.
Keep your fragrances in a cool, dark place. The bathroom may seem convenient, but the heat and humidity can cause the fragrance to spoil prematurely. Instead, store your scents in a drawer or closet. Ultimately, the darker and cooler, the better.
Scent Layering: An Extra Tip to Elevate Cheap Cologne
At the end of the day, there are ways to make your cheap colognes smell like you’ve dropped some serious cash. It’s called layering. This is when you apply a matching or complementary body lotion, oil, or soap before applying your cologne. When the two layers of fragrance combine, they create a unique blend of scents. Plus, using two colognes at once will make you even more of an exotic butterfly. Basically, the two fragrances help the cologne leave a lasting impression.
Making Smart Cologne Investments
While your main goal is to craft a cheap cologne collection, there are always some fragrances that are worth a little extra cash. Seek out scents you adore and truly feel great in. Should you find a good, versatile cologne that can be worn for a variety of occasions and aligns with your personal style, spend a little bit more as you’ll likely use it more often, and will be getting plenty of bang for your buck in the long run.
Creating a signature scent doesn’t have to break the bank. The right strategy will let you discover satisfying cheap cologne that smells great, lasts, and helps you feel bold and stylish. By opting for high-quality ingredients rather than well-known brands, keeping an open mind, and trying combos of different scent generators, you can start building a fragrance wardrobe that reflects your vision. In fact, the more you experiment, the more you’ll realize that smelling good is affordable—at any price.
Keep an eye for more news & updates on ChicagoHeading!
