Cologne (feeling down, rambling)

[sascraps]

It's kind of become my new obsession, even though I can't really indulge in it because I'm afraid that with my size and my cheap Walmart clothes, that the fancy stores wouldn't give me cologne samples because I obviously do not look rich.

I'm disappointed I still haven't gotten my cologne samples from Nordstrom (they'll send you free samples for $5 shipping) and I'll be even more disappointed if I end up with women's fragrances because of my female voice. But then, I did say that I was calling for my brother, lol, so hopefully she got it right. I also bought some sample lots on ebay and haven't gotten those yet either. I got a single sample from ebay that I bought, for Konvict. I can hardly smell that one at all though. Doesn't seem to have much scent to me.

Anyway, I got interested in getting cologne samples both to see how they smell on me and because it makes me feel good. Because I got a rush from when I bought my Axe stuff, and I think the Dark Temptation scent totally works with body chemestry. And so it had made me feel good for a while to go out smelling like Axe. But it's kind of worn off somehow, so I've been wanting to get lots of cologne samples so I could try something new and wear a different one out every day, and in the process, find one that totally works for me and makes me feel extra manly.

I need some extra boost in feeling good about myself, because the train is pretty much derailing and rolling off the cliff with my boyfriend. He's just gone off the deep end with the anger/rage/disrespect/controlling and I've had it. I might brave it Monday or something, to see if I can get cologne samples from any stores... Anyone have any other suggestions for something a bigger & poor guy can do to feel like he's looking good and putting out his best face to the world?

[Devin87]

Do you want a really fancy cologne?  Because if you go to Kohl's of JC Penny or any of the big chain clothing stores, they usually have a section of colognes where you can sample them for yourself.  And with the way kids are today with their parents giving them insane allowances and just spoiling the hell out of them, I gaurentee you many kids wear expensive cologne, so I doubt that'll affect their decision to let you sample it.

[sascraps]

Yeah, you might be right. I've gotten perfume samples before as a kid. My aunt used to go around to stores (but then she's thin & preppy) and take loads of sample vials. I've just been wanting to do that again, but go scoping for men's cologne instead of the women's perfume.

[CFPrice]

I went cologne shopping just recently (though I settled on Stetson from Wal-mart) and I apparently either look 12, or like a 15 year old boy. I went one of those Perfumania types of stores and they let me sample some of their scents. I also went to Belk and walked around smelling everything. No one questioned me or my ability to pay. I don't know about sample vials or anything though. I also went to Sephora & Macy's to explore cologne options.

[Jigsaw]

If you want good cologne to sample then go to a good place.  I don't know if your area has a store that sells nothing but cologne and perfume, but if so I highly recommend going to them.  They are always friendly and more then willing to give samples.  Don't believe your clothes or anything else will keep them from helping you.  I buy my cologne normally looking pretty bummy but I am not treated different then the person who walks in sporting clothes that cost more than my rent.  I have found these people are much more accepting of people who come in, but you have to go in with an idea of what you want.  If you are clueless they may not be as open to samples.

My recommendation is go on the internet and look up colognes that are unisex.  I have never seen a high end/designer cologne say it was unisex on the box.  There are at least 10 or so out there.  Get the names and write them down so when you go in you have a list and say you are looking for these scents.  They will find them for you if they have them. You will also then be able to see if they come out of the women's or men's area since most do not have unisex shelves.  I do warn you these are not cheap scents because they are all natural not synthetic, but they are unique and will get noticed!  The bottles most of these stores carry are about 250.00 and up, but if you show you are really interested in the scents you have on the list, you ill get samples!   I buy my cologne from one of these stores and it last a long time.  I was offered samples before I purchase anything, so give it a shot....whats the worst that can happen?

[sascraps]

I already have a mental list of ones that interest me. 

[Jigsaw]

Geez.. just realised I said unisex.... sorry about that.    I looked those up because of my situation with work.  I should not post while watching TV, I get side tracked.    But you get the idea.

[PixieBoy]

Does anyone know of a soap/shampoo/deodorant/other nice-smelling stuff that smells like the forest, bonfire smoke and leather? If it exists, it'll be a great scent for me, since I like how those things smell. The absolute best scent would be "old book smell", but I doubt anyone will make anything that smells like that, ever.

I know, I know, I post a lot about scented stuff. It's just that I don't want to smell like flowery vanilla sugar girl stuff, and most "man scented" stuff is so strongly perfumed it makes me sick. Stupid allergic reactions...

[Greg]

Does anyone know of a soap/shampoo/deodorant/other nice-smelling stuff that smells like the forest, bonfire smoke and leather? If it exists, it'll be a great scent for me, since I like how those things smell. The absolute best scent would be "old book smell", but I doubt anyone will make anything that smells like that, ever.

I know, I know, I post a lot about scented stuff. It's just that I don't want to smell like flowery vanilla sugar girl stuff, and most "man scented" stuff is so strongly perfumed it makes me sick. Stupid allergic reactions...

You should try Quorum by Puig. I bought it because it was very cheap, but I don't wear it because it reminds me of a bonfire. I got the EDT but they do aftershave too.

[sascraps]

Bonfire? Not quite what I was going for, but I love bonfires so I want to check that one out too.

[alohamisha]

Thiery Mugler Angel Man smells like leather, tobacco, coffee,patchouli and chocolate.  It goes on a little weird but then it changes and the smokier bass notes come foreward.

[lexical]

Does anyone know of a soap/shampoo/deodorant/other nice-smelling stuff that smells like the forest, bonfire smoke and leather? If it exists, it'll be a great scent for me, since I like how those things smell. The absolute best scent would be "old book smell", but I doubt anyone will make anything that smells like that, ever.

I know, I know, I post a lot about scented stuff. It's just that I don't want to smell like flowery vanilla sugar girl stuff, and most "man scented" stuff is so strongly perfumed it makes me sick. Stupid allergic reactions...

It's not cheap (picked it up on sale for $45) but The One by Dolce & Gabbana is incredible and sounds like what you're looking for. It's described as "a blend of Coriander, Grapefruit, Cardamom seed, Tobacco, Basil, Cedar, Ambre, Ginger, Orange Blossom". Definitely not something I wear every day but it's very classy and smells so good.

[sascraps]

Wow, so none of the stores in my town deal with cologne or perfume samples at all. They don't get them in at all, you're forced to buy. We also have a perfume-only store in the mall and there they had several small bottles for $14 each, the only one of which I had looked at online & wanted to know what it smelled like was Burberry so I got that one. They did have a tester out of Bvlgari por Homme and I like that a lot. My cat noticed the smell on me when I came home. Kind of gave me an extra sniff and looked confused. haha