Where to buy/try cologne? Suggestions on what to get? How to apply?

Most larger Department stores such as Macy's and Nordstrom's sell different fragrances. Many drug store chanins sell cosmetics and fragrances and both department stores and drug stores have testers that allow you to sniff before you commit. Cologne is just one of many forms that all fragrances come in. Other forms include Eau de Parfum -which is strongest and in descending order or strength cologne, eau de toilette, eau Fraiche, and body mist/body spray. most fragrances also come in toiletries such as soap, body wash, lotions and more.

To find a scent that works go to a fragrance counter and start sniffing bottles. Do you like it? Or do you hate it? If you hate it put the bottle down and try something else. when you really like something get a tiny spritz on a fragrance card -the sales people have them available -and breathe it in deeply. Hold the card and let some of the scent waft away and smell it again. It will smell slightly different. Do you like that? Then try a tiny dot on one wrist. You can try up to six scents at one time dotting sample on each wrist, the arm between wrist and elbow and the bend of the elbow. sniff the scents at various times. The first whiff gives to the lightest brightest top notes. after an hour or two you get the middle notes or the heart of a the scent. after six to eight hours you get the deep base notes. All the notes should agree with you and none should smell weird nor should any give you a headache. You should love a scent from first application to the final curtain call of the basenote.

When you find one you really like buy a smaller size bottle to start. Cologne is the most popular form of fragrance and a bottle will last a long time. You don't need a large bottle to get lots of use from it. Apply cologne to your pulse points, wrist, base of the neck, and bend of the elbow. Nowhere else. These places allow the scent to lift off lightly. Don't spray in the air and walk through -that's how some people can over-power with scent. Don't use it in your hair, it can clash with your hair products and the alcohol in cologne is bad for your hair. Don't spray directly on clothes because alcohol and fragrant oils can damage some delicate fabrics. To keep scent intimate use on the pulse points only.

When you find a scent you really like you can get the body wash, powder, body lotion and more in your favorite scent family. You can also find similar smelling scents using a website such as fragrantica: http://www.fragrantica.com/ This site ahs everything you need to know about fragrances and scents, from the inexpensive drug store varieties to the most expensive ones available in only a few places. Also helpful is basenotes: http://www.basenotes.net/ Scent is purely personal, don't buy according to anyone else opinion, don't buy based on commercials or advertising, don't buy based on the name. Buy according to your nose. Every fragrance smell different on everyone who wears it. Take your time, try as many as possible, and try small sample bottles before committing to a large bottle. finding a signature scent can take time but it is worth it. For days when aren't felling 100% a good fragrance can lift your mood and make you forget about hair that isn't right or clothes that aren't fitting the way they should.

My husband and I normally try/buy at Ulta and Sephora. Each of those stores has high end brands as well.

My suggestions to try are Versace Dylan Blue (clean smelling) and Paco Rabanne Invictus (musky). Both of those last all day (but aren't overpowering as long as you don't drown yourself in it)!

Nieman Marcus, Saks.

Victoria Secret

Mcgraw collection is the name of the cologne , i have a box set , you & your gf will enjoy the scent ( on you )