I've been testing out and collecting fragrances for 10 years now, and I wanted to share some of my insights:
- Websites like Fragrantica are helpful for learning about the notes, projection, longevity and other facets of a fragrance.
- Fragrances are really subjective. Reviews online can only tell you so much. The best way is to test them in person. Go to malls or downtown areas in major metros.
- I learned that "Notes" are a combination of different aromachemicals. Two fragrances can have the same note, but each note could be made completely differently and have completely different ratios of ingredients. (i.e. a lavendar note in one fragrance can be completely different than a lavendar note in another fragrance)
- I like to test fragrances on paper first, to see if I like the opening. And then the few fragrances I really like, I test on my skin to get a sense of what the drydown is like.
- I realized that I don't go through fragrances very quickly, and I personally don't need a full bottle of everything. At this point, most of my collection is samples and decants (from facebook groups or other fragrance community groups). For most fragrances, even 5-10 ml will last a really long time.
. They look to be all old school ( pre-2000) scents judging from the bottles. My favorite scent from that period is Davidoff Zino for Men. Started wearing it the 90's and still remains one of my favorite scents in my very oversized collection of 40 bottles.
