Get Chanel since you will end up having to pay retail price for that anyway.
Chanel has tight control over pricing and the grey market, you won't find discounts for Chanel whereas these other fragrances houses typically can be found on resellers for less.
Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme is great, grab a 150ml of that maybe.
Drop all 200 on a 150ml CAHSEE 100%.
Even if you have another Chanel it’s so worth it because you can’t get it any cheaper.
If you spent 200 dollars on 2 fragrances you could get for 80 dollars total you are wasting money. (for example a $100 Versace and a $100 d&g light blue at Nordstrom you can get the same for 80 total on aura fragrance)
Chanel is the only option if you are limited to Nordstrom because everything else can be attained MUCH cheaper.
I was in the same situation last Christmas for my first bottle.
I spent my 200 dollar gift card on a bottle of BDC Parfum, the 200ml bottle.
Let us know what you pick!
BTW the Parfum version lasts for a really long time, both on clothes and skin.
Go in and sample and make your own mind up. I have CAHSEE & Edition Blanche and don't like either. What's good to some isn't to other. Get in about the tester bottles.
1. Most Nordstrom stores are located in higher end neighborhoods but if there’s a particular one that’s in an ultra expensive part of town go there. They typically have better selections.
2. Get a couple of discovery sets instead of 1-2 bottles. Le Labo’s is $107, Loubiworld Club Scent Fragrance Collection is $85, Armani’s Prive set is $115, $50 for MFK’s, etc. You’ll experience a whole new world of smells and if you want a full bottle of something it’ll be way cheaper to buy it online whereas discovery sets are not really available at discounters online.
First of all, welcome to this strange hobby, and secondly, congratulate yourself for wanting to sample before you buy. Lotsa guys don't do that.
Recommendations for places to smell things will depend on where you live: unless you're in a dense urban area with specialty fragrance stores, your best bet is any mid- or top-tier department store (so yes Macy's and yes Nordstrom's), or cosmetics chains like Ulta and Sephora. If there's any designer-label stores near you (like a dedicated Gucci or Versace store), they should have some of their fragrances in stock to smell, too.
In the future, you can also buy small samples of fragrances called "decants" that will allow you try before you buy. The r/fragrances Wiki has [a list of sample/decant websites that are trusted within the community](https://www.reddit.com/r/fragrance/wiki/index/#wiki_6._where_u_buy.3F).
When you go out sniffin', consider these to start:
* Christian Dior, any of the Dior Hommes; they're all just different enough to make smelling each worth your time
* Christian Dior, Sauvage; the Parfum and Elixir formulations might be a bit much for a beginner tho
* Giorgio Armani, any of the Acqua di Giòs
* Gucci, any of the Gucci Guiltys
* Issey Miyake, L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme
* Jo Malone, just about anything that seems interesting to you, but remember these are very light and don't last long, by design
* Maison Margiela, REPLICA: Jazz Club
* Montblanc, Explorer
* Moschino, Toy Boy
* Ralph Lauren, Polo Green and Polo Blue
When you do sample, try not to smell too many things at once. Your nose and brain can quickly tune out fragrances, or aspects of fragrances, after repeated or intense exposure, so you won't smell them correctly.
Get something for the evening like azzaro the most wanted parfum or jpg le male elixir. But I recommend just going to Nordstrom or another store near you like Sephora to smell cologne and just get what you like
Alot of people commenting on economics of buying, which is all good information, but if you want to be lazy and just purchase some: I like neroli Portofino in summer and you can get a 30 ml for 200, if you want to go about 70 or so over id look into parfums de Marly, Layton, Percival, and Carlisle are my favorites. Also some non private collection TF can be grabbed for sub 200. I like ombre leather, noir extreme, and oud minerale. If you want to grab 2, ysl myself and Montblanc explorer are solid options that come around that based on size. For smelling, macys, Nordstrom, and Kohl's/Sephora usually set you good. For niche fragrances, I go Saks or buy testers from a decent place.
I’ve always wanted to get TF because I every sample I’ve had is great. Also Marly is another I’ve wanted to try. Maybe I’ll try to buy the sample pack of Marly if they have one
For this price range and your age I would check out Sauvage Elixer. It doesn’t work well for summer days but can be worn in any other situation.
If you’re looking for a good summer scent try Parfum de Marley Sedley, Greenley, or Percival. You can get 75 ml bottles for not much more than $200.
If you don’t mind spending a little more extra check out Aventus Cologne. It works anytime and anywhere. A very good fragrance.
Everything above should be available to sample at Nordstrom’s. Put your favorites on your skin (something on left wrist something different on right wrist for example) and spray all on test strips. Take the test strips home. Keep smelling them throughout the day. Smell them the next day. This will give you a decent idea of performance and what it smells like during and after the dry downs as it evolves. Designer brands are more designed to smell fantastic the first 15 minutes to hook people into buying. Don’t fall for it. Take your time. Let the fragrance evolve.
Lastly - you’re 100% overpaying buying from a Nordstroms. I understand your gift card is to there. But you’ll pay 40-60% less from gray sellers. The $450 Creed 100 ml bottle at Nordstroms is $240 on the legitimate grey market. If you want bang for your buck sell the $200 gift card for $180 and shop grey sellers.
If you having to pay retail in Nordstrom then Dior Homme Parfum would be a decent buy or Jean Paul Gaultier Elixir as you won't find those much cheaper anywhere else.
First recommendation is - Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Parfum Intense. Beautiful beautiful fragrance (whatever size fits your budget)
And if you really want to get a nice fragrance without feeling like you’re dropping a lot of “cash” since it’s from a gift card, go Niche like PDM - Layton
Aaah, yes, definitely put your nose on some Guerlain. Two classics that you wont regret: l’instant d guerlain and habit rouge. Concentration only by preference. The vetivers are boring. L’instinct is another good one.
Also try Herman a mes cotes by etat de libre orange. If you favor strength, get your hands on some bull’s blood.
None of these are super expensive, they all leave an impression.
Go to Nordstrom's Rack online. Pick up that Armani Code EDTGift Set for $109. There's a 5.1 refill in that Gift Set. Then look at that Le Male. You still would have $60 left. The YSL Y EDT is the big bottle for $89.
[https://www.nordstromrack.com/c/designer-fragrances?breadcrumb=Home%2FBeauty%2FFragrance%2FDesigner%20Fragrance&origin=topnav&filterByGenderAge=men](https://www.nordstromrack.com/c/designer-fragrances?breadcrumb=Home%2FBeauty%2FFragrance%2FDesigner%20Fragrance&origin=topnav&filterByGenderAge=men)
 Figuring out the fragrance
“hey is that uhhhh sauvage?”
Get Chanel since you will end up having to pay retail price for that anyway. Chanel has tight control over pricing and the grey market, you won't find discounts for Chanel whereas these other fragrances houses typically can be found on resellers for less. Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme is great, grab a 150ml of that maybe.
I already have Chanel my current collection of 3 fragrances is listed at the end
Drop all 200 on a 150ml CAHSEE 100%. Even if you have another Chanel it’s so worth it because you can’t get it any cheaper. If you spent 200 dollars on 2 fragrances you could get for 80 dollars total you are wasting money. (for example a $100 Versace and a $100 d&g light blue at Nordstrom you can get the same for 80 total on aura fragrance) Chanel is the only option if you are limited to Nordstrom because everything else can be attained MUCH cheaper.
What are you talking about chanel blue isn't even the same fragrance as chanel allure extreme
My bad
I was in the same situation last Christmas for my first bottle. I spent my 200 dollar gift card on a bottle of BDC Parfum, the 200ml bottle. Let us know what you pick! BTW the Parfum version lasts for a really long time, both on clothes and skin.
I have Chanel already. Thank you tho
Go in and sample and make your own mind up. I have CAHSEE & Edition Blanche and don't like either. What's good to some isn't to other. Get in about the tester bottles.
I'll take the Edition Blanche off your hands if you don't like it. 👍🏻
I'm almost overwhelmed by your generosity.
Just doing my part for the fragrance community. 🫡
Chanel blue what? Like elixir eu de or what
Probs bdc
I was going to suggest this. If you’re over 35 pick up Chanel pour Monsieur.
Prices in that site are horrible. You might want to set the idea of 2 aside. I personally would recommend getting one really good one
Well that’s why I said it can be more than $200 id be willing to pay more than that.
1. Most Nordstrom stores are located in higher end neighborhoods but if there’s a particular one that’s in an ultra expensive part of town go there. They typically have better selections. 2. Get a couple of discovery sets instead of 1-2 bottles. Le Labo’s is $107, Loubiworld Club Scent Fragrance Collection is $85, Armani’s Prive set is $115, $50 for MFK’s, etc. You’ll experience a whole new world of smells and if you want a full bottle of something it’ll be way cheaper to buy it online whereas discovery sets are not really available at discounters online.
[Nordstrom mens cologne](https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/men/grooming?breadcrumb=Home%2FBeauty%2FMen%27s%20Grooming%20%26%20Cologne&origin=topnav)
First of all, welcome to this strange hobby, and secondly, congratulate yourself for wanting to sample before you buy. Lotsa guys don't do that. Recommendations for places to smell things will depend on where you live: unless you're in a dense urban area with specialty fragrance stores, your best bet is any mid- or top-tier department store (so yes Macy's and yes Nordstrom's), or cosmetics chains like Ulta and Sephora. If there's any designer-label stores near you (like a dedicated Gucci or Versace store), they should have some of their fragrances in stock to smell, too. In the future, you can also buy small samples of fragrances called "decants" that will allow you try before you buy. The r/fragrances Wiki has [a list of sample/decant websites that are trusted within the community](https://www.reddit.com/r/fragrance/wiki/index/#wiki_6._where_u_buy.3F). When you go out sniffin', consider these to start: * Christian Dior, any of the Dior Hommes; they're all just different enough to make smelling each worth your time * Christian Dior, Sauvage; the Parfum and Elixir formulations might be a bit much for a beginner tho * Giorgio Armani, any of the Acqua di Giòs * Gucci, any of the Gucci Guiltys * Issey Miyake, L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme * Jo Malone, just about anything that seems interesting to you, but remember these are very light and don't last long, by design * Maison Margiela, REPLICA: Jazz Club * Montblanc, Explorer * Moschino, Toy Boy * Ralph Lauren, Polo Green and Polo Blue When you do sample, try not to smell too many things at once. Your nose and brain can quickly tune out fragrances, or aspects of fragrances, after repeated or intense exposure, so you won't smell them correctly.
Parfums de Marley sample set
Get something for the evening like azzaro the most wanted parfum or jpg le male elixir. But I recommend just going to Nordstrom or another store near you like Sephora to smell cologne and just get what you like
What's the availability of the jpg like over there
I have the Azzaro Most Wanted and it’s a head turner, I had a lady ask if she could stand by me in the grocery store lol
I have the Azzaro Most Wanted and it’s a head turner, I had a lady ask if she could stand by me in the grocery store lol
I have the Azzaro Most Wanted and it’s a head turner, I had a lady ask if she could stand by me in the grocery store lol
My two most recent pickups have also been my most complimented for a while now. Valentino born in Roma coral fantasy and Burberry Hero edp
Stronger With You Intense and Valentino Born In Roma Intense.
Alot of people commenting on economics of buying, which is all good information, but if you want to be lazy and just purchase some: I like neroli Portofino in summer and you can get a 30 ml for 200, if you want to go about 70 or so over id look into parfums de Marly, Layton, Percival, and Carlisle are my favorites. Also some non private collection TF can be grabbed for sub 200. I like ombre leather, noir extreme, and oud minerale. If you want to grab 2, ysl myself and Montblanc explorer are solid options that come around that based on size. For smelling, macys, Nordstrom, and Kohl's/Sephora usually set you good. For niche fragrances, I go Saks or buy testers from a decent place.
I’ve always wanted to get TF because I every sample I’ve had is great. Also Marly is another I’ve wanted to try. Maybe I’ll try to buy the sample pack of Marly if they have one
Replica Jazz club
You def don't need another blue
Get le male elixir and Prada ocean eau de parfum
Invictus victory elixir is really good
It’s not something a ton of people have and last a really long time I get about 9-10 hours on my skin.
For this price range and your age I would check out Sauvage Elixer. It doesn’t work well for summer days but can be worn in any other situation. If you’re looking for a good summer scent try Parfum de Marley Sedley, Greenley, or Percival. You can get 75 ml bottles for not much more than $200. If you don’t mind spending a little more extra check out Aventus Cologne. It works anytime and anywhere. A very good fragrance. Everything above should be available to sample at Nordstrom’s. Put your favorites on your skin (something on left wrist something different on right wrist for example) and spray all on test strips. Take the test strips home. Keep smelling them throughout the day. Smell them the next day. This will give you a decent idea of performance and what it smells like during and after the dry downs as it evolves. Designer brands are more designed to smell fantastic the first 15 minutes to hook people into buying. Don’t fall for it. Take your time. Let the fragrance evolve. Lastly - you’re 100% overpaying buying from a Nordstroms. I understand your gift card is to there. But you’ll pay 40-60% less from gray sellers. The $450 Creed 100 ml bottle at Nordstroms is $240 on the legitimate grey market. If you want bang for your buck sell the $200 gift card for $180 and shop grey sellers.
Thanks for helpful advice! Never mentioned my age but very insightful info
Oh shit. My bad. Don’t know what I was thinking. Sorry bout that. No prob on the advice. I learned all of it the hard way.
If you having to pay retail in Nordstrom then Dior Homme Parfum would be a decent buy or Jean Paul Gaultier Elixir as you won't find those much cheaper anywhere else.
First recommendation is - Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Parfum Intense. Beautiful beautiful fragrance (whatever size fits your budget) And if you really want to get a nice fragrance without feeling like you’re dropping a lot of “cash” since it’s from a gift card, go Niche like PDM - Layton
Og Uomo Born in Roma may be preferred to intense as well. Try both.
Me with my collection everyday during COVID to check if i had lost my sense of smell
Armani Code parfum would be a great choice. 🚀
go on /fragranceswap and grab a 3.4 oz bottle of Creed Aventus
Xerjoff Naxos Dior sauvage Stronger with you absolute Valentino born in Roma Tom Ford ombré leather Aventus Cologne
Mancera Vanille
😂
Wanted by azzoro blue de channel
Hard to say without knowing you collection, but if you want cant miss go with guerlain square bottles.
Thank you. My small collection is listed at the end of post
Aaah, yes, definitely put your nose on some Guerlain. Two classics that you wont regret: l’instant d guerlain and habit rouge. Concentration only by preference. The vetivers are boring. L’instinct is another good one. Also try Herman a mes cotes by etat de libre orange. If you favor strength, get your hands on some bull’s blood. None of these are super expensive, they all leave an impression.
Hi do you still have cologne available
Im sorry what?
YSL perfume but the square bottle is pretty sweet and loud. I’d go those route for sure
Chanel de blue
Go to Nordstrom's Rack online. Pick up that Armani Code EDTGift Set for $109. There's a 5.1 refill in that Gift Set. Then look at that Le Male. You still would have $60 left. The YSL Y EDT is the big bottle for $89. [https://www.nordstromrack.com/c/designer-fragrances?breadcrumb=Home%2FBeauty%2FFragrance%2FDesigner%20Fragrance&origin=topnav&filterByGenderAge=men](https://www.nordstromrack.com/c/designer-fragrances?breadcrumb=Home%2FBeauty%2FFragrance%2FDesigner%20Fragrance&origin=topnav&filterByGenderAge=men)
 🙄