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A 250$ starters kit ! Any ideas ?

post #1 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:15pm
Thread Starter 
A friend of mine wants the best he can get for 250.00 so he has a good start. He has sniffed many of mine and fell in love with a few (cannot remember which) niche and designer. But this kind friend of mine is interested in Basenotes and many fragrances when we went shopping the couple times he did. Anyways, I am considering a starters kit for him. What would you recommend he start out with a budget of 250.00 ? I told him that wasnt much but want to give him a good variety to start out with. I was going to Tjmaxx and Marshalls with him next week.

What would recommend for 250.00 to a complete beginner and maybe how to budget it out so he gets the best variety of ML and not so much the quantity ? He also does not believe in decanting just yet and is spooked by Ebay.
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post #2 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:23pm
Invasion Barbare. Full stop.
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post #3 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nersh View Post

I was going to Tjmaxx and Marshalls with him next week.

For that amount of money, if you hit those two places, and you help guide him, he should come away with a nice variety of fragrances. Don't actually know what they both carry on a regular basis.
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post #4 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:32pm
Hi, i suggest you to take i look in the fragrance wheel from michael edward. Google it in google images. It may add you some guiding so you would buy a more variety of scents.
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post #5 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:39pm
Here's a good summer collection for under 250.

Cool Water - $25
Le Male - $40
Acqua Di Gio - $45
The Dreamer - $30
Bulgari Aqua - $35
Eau Fraiche or Reaction Connected - $35-40
Love and Luck - $40

(If you shop online instead of retail)
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post #6 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:50pm
I honestly think he should buy a well-regarded designer fragrance. TdH EDT is an excellent all-arounder, though not particularly ideal for hot weather (though it is doable if one understands application). In that case, go for something like John Varvatos Artisan. I also just purchased Original Penguin for Men by Penguin and it is a perfect all-arounder. You can definitely find it at the stores you listed.
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post #7 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 
I was thinking along the lines of Mugler Cologne, Rive gauche, Givenchy Gentleman, Voyage and several others.
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post #8 of 38
6/26/12 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nersh View Post

He also does not believe in decanting just yet and is spooked by Ebay.

? Does he mean this on a moral level? I think decants are incredibly helpful in generating full bottle sales which is why houses like Tom Ford, Kilian, Guerlain, etc all offer those huge decanter bottles.
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post #9 of 38
6/26/12 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nersh View Post

I was thinking along the lines of Mugler Cologne, Rive gauche, Givenchy Gentleman, Voyage and several others.

Great line up but he's going to have to go online for those unless you have a great shop near you.
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post #10 of 38
6/26/12 at 7:10pm
All purpose Chanel Allure Sport Eau Extreme or Bleu de Chanel ($70)
Sporty--Tous Man Sport ($35)
Gourmand-Rochas Man ($30)
Work/semi-sharp and conservative--Azzaro PH or Rive Gauche ($35)
Winter, sweet--Lolita Lempicka au Masculin or L'Anarchiste ($40)
Winter, warm--Burberry London ($40)

That is right about $250, and will give him a lot of versatility, not to mention at least 5 years worth of fragrance.
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post #11 of 38
6/26/12 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by flouris View Post

? Does he mean this on a moral level? I think decants are incredibly helpful in generating full bottle sales which is why houses like Tom Ford, Kilian, Guerlain, etc all offer those huge decanter bottles.


I get the feeling that he thinks that it might damage the juice. I told him no, but thats another argument altogether.

heperd, I will be doing the purchasing for him, most likely online.

Azzaro is another good one.
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post #12 of 38
6/26/12 at 8:10pm
YSL L'Homme
YSL M7
Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche
Guerlain Vetiver
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post #13 of 38
6/26/12 at 9:05pm
I think you definitely use $110 of that $250 to nab him a perfect all-arounder like GIT.

Now youve got $140 left for 1 warm-weather frag, and one for cool weather.
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post #14 of 38
6/26/12 at 9:07pm
Decent "cheapos" that represent the major genres makes the most sense (at least it did to me!).
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post #15 of 38
6/26/12 at 9:08pm
Or to expand on that, grab some steal-of-a-deal frags. Check my signature below, I've done a series of vids on this. Aqua Fahrenheit, Midnight In Paris, RMW, A*Men etc...

Some sick deals to be had
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post #16 of 38
6/26/12 at 11:12pm
Casual/Work: YSL - L'Homme
Evening/Going out: YSL - La Nuit de L'Homme
Versatile: Spring, Summer and Fall: Ed Hardy Love and Luck or Carolina Herrera 212 Men
Gourmand: Rochas Man or Givenchy Play Intense
Date Scent: Chanel Allure Homme or Dior Homme Intense (If you can track it down maybe the dior boutiques?)
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post #17 of 38
6/26/12 at 11:56pm
I second Givenchy Gentleman, TdH, and Midnight in Paris. Boss Bottled is also great for summer, and Yatagan is very nice for not too much. Maybe Encre Noire as well?
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post #18 of 38
6/27/12 at 2:42am
Go to a store that let you sample stuff as much as you want, buy 1 bottle that wows him.
With the rest of the money, try to figure out what he likes and buy him some samples.
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post #19 of 38
6/27/12 at 2:52am
I agree with a lot of the suggestions posted already.

Introduce him to the safe stuff that's guaranteed to please:

ADG
Love and Luck
Bleu de Chanel
Curve
La Nuit de L'Homme
L'Homme
Bvlgari Aqva

Then after he's comfortable with these scents, expand his horizons with some Tom Ford private blends, Dior and Chanel exclusives, MDCI, and maybe a little Montale. When he's truly ready, introduce him to Puredistance M. Only then will he be truly one with his olfactory senses.
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post #20 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:20am
A case of quality vs quantity

If I was to start over again, I wouldn't waste money and time trawling through a comparatively average "designer" wardrobe. I'd buy fewer, but better fragrances.

There are some great designer scents, but you could always guide him in the direction of the splits board on here.
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post #21 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tyler-durden View Post

If I was to start over again, I wouldn't waste money and time trawling through a comparatively average "designer" wardrobe. I'd buy fewer, but better fragrances.

Who wouldn't? The question is what to do with this total newbie.
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post #22 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:28am
Don't waste money on 5 or 6 shitty designers. Anything from my Top 16 is awesome.
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post #23 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:43am
If you are in control, ignore his hesitation around decants and that way you can provide him with 8 - 15 scents that you think he would like - based on your experiences sniffing around with him. We could all make suggestions, but you know him and have that experience. Plus with decants, if he doesn't take to a few - no big deal. Although as we all know, he will come back to some later that he wasn't taken with initially and find his tastes have changed (matured?), and he will still have enough in the decants to really enjoy them!
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post #24 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigsly View Post

Who wouldn't? The question is what to do with this total newbie.

I guess my point is, you could end up buying 10 fragrances at the likes of TJ Maxx, when in reality only one or two are full bottle worthy.

In terms of trying to refine his choice, i'd set out to ascertain a fragrances classidication that appeals to him - Aquatic, Woodsy, Oriental, Gourmand and use that as a starting point. This will help limit wasting money on fragrances that he won't enjoy in the mid-term.

You can try and go for a few relative cheap fragrances that seem popular ie Rochas Man, The Dreamer, Nautica Voyage. Or you could convince him to go with a "daytime" and "evening" fragrance at c.$125 a pop knowing that they could form the spine of his wardrobe for years to come.

I'm not from the US so have no idea, but if Walgreen's are still doing the offer on Green Irish Tweed that would be my starting point.
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post #25 of 38
6/27/12 at 3:51am
I'd say get him the fragrance that wows him at the store, that way he will feel motivated to keep exploring and will be happy to have a solid bottle in his hands. With the rest of the money, get him decants of fragrances you know by your experience which might suit him. That way he will get a comprehensive basic knowledge to move on from.
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post #26 of 38
6/27/12 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxHeadroom View Post

Invasion Barbare. Full stop.

The exact first thing that popped into my head also.
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post #27 of 38
6/27/12 at 5:49am
1-The Dreamer (35)
2-Midnight in Paris (50)
3-Givenchy very irresistible fresh attitude (45)
4-Guess Seductive homme (50$)
5-Azzaro PH (40$) or L'instant de Guerlain (60$)
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post #28 of 38
6/27/12 at 6:02am
Terre D'Hermes 1.7 oz. for $65

Burberry London 1.7 oz. for $35

Nautica Voyage 3.4 oz. for $25

Rive Gauche 4.2 oz. for $40

Caron Pour Un Homme 4.2 oz for $30

Cartier Roadster 3.4 oz or Guerlain Homme 3.4 or A*Men 1.7 oz for $55

Or substitute the Voyage and Roadster/GH/A*Men and get a new 1.7 oz of Bleu de Chanel
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post #29 of 38
6/27/12 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buysblind View Post

Terre D'Hermes 1.7 oz. for $65

Burberry London 1.7 oz. for $35

Nautica Voyage 3.4 oz. for $25

Rive Gauche 4.2 oz. for $40

Caron Pour Un Homme 4.2 oz for $30

Cartier Roadster 3.4 oz or Guerlain Homme 3.4 or A*Men 1.7 oz for $55

Or substitute the Voyage and Roadster/GH/A*Men and get a new 1.7 oz of Bleu de Chanel

excellent list. I would personally put Dirty English in there somewhere (I mean, why not, it's cheap and it well liked). I would also definitely take Voyage over Bleu de Chanel (just my preference)
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post #30 of 38
6/27/12 at 7:47am
Nicolai - New York 30ml - $40
CdG - Vettiveru 125ml - $52
Knize Ten - Knize Ten 50ml - &70
Parfum de Empire - Ambre Russe 50ml - $75
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post #31 of 38
6/27/12 at 9:46am
"Best", of course, is a subjective term. Here are my recommendations on how your friend should spend the $250:

Carven Pour Homme - obtained my 3.4 oz EDT spray for less than $20 (<$6/oz)

Caron Yatagan/Pour Un Homme/Third Man - obtained 4.2 oz EDT sprays of each of these for around $35/each (~$8/oz)

Aramis Devin/Havana/JHL/Tuscany - obtained 3.4 oz EDT sprays of each of these for between $25 (~$7/oz) and $35 (~10), although usual price is about double

Dsquared He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood - obtained a 3.4 oz EDT tester for around $35 (~$10/oz)

Azzaro Pour Homme - obtained a 3.4 oz EDT spray tester for less than $30 (~$9/oz)

Clubman Special Reserve/Clubman Vanilla (don't laugh...they're both excellent) - obtained 6 oz splash bottles for around $6 (yes, less than $1/oz)

Histoires de Parfums 1725/1740/1828/1969 - these frags ARE niche and bloody expensive *if you purchase the retail bottle* (upwards of $200 for a 4 oz EDP spray); however, you can obtain 2 ml EDP samples of these (and most HdP frags) for $10/6 samples, or $25/oz; to me, these samples represent tremendous value (and HdP 1725 is in my top 10).

Hope this helps.
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post #32 of 38
6/27/12 at 11:23am
Blind buying is never what are you looking for.
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post #33 of 38
6/27/12 at 12:23pm
Next to impossible to get a selection of niche fragrances on that budget, but low and behold the following:

From Strawberrynet.com, all add up to $250 USD (all happen to be Luca Turin 5-stars too )

Caron Yatagan
Habit Rouge EDT
Caron 3rd Man
Azzaro Pour Homme
Bvlgari Black
Grey Flannel
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post #34 of 38
6/27/12 at 4:06pm
As a newbie, I couldn't grasp ingredient quality. Bad quality and great quality frags sometimes smelled very similar (if they had similar notes), whereas now I can't stand the "cheapos" and generally like all high quality frags with the kind of construction I'm seeking. So, I would keep it "cheap and good" at first, and not spend the $250 at once. Lomani would be a good fougere example, for instance, and is really cheap. Jacomo's got a few that can be found really cheap and are decent quality too. The two Mauboussin men's frags are also reasonably priced, at least in recent weeks. So, for probably less than $200 you put together an example of each major genre and give yourself time to understand the major notes. By then you should have a good idea of where to go, if you feel you need more.
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post #35 of 38
6/27/12 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigsly View Post

Decent "cheapos" that represent the major genres makes the most sense (at least it did to me!).

Makes no sense to me. I'd rather have one masterpiece than 5 or 6 "cheapos"
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post #36 of 38
6/27/12 at 4:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebeck View Post

Makes no sense to me. I'd rather have one masterpiece than 5 or 6 "cheapos"

Yes, I might agree, but that is now. Four years ago the cheapos helped me understand the basics. If I would have just bought something like Musc Ravageur, for instance, I wouldn't have thought much of it (one way or the other) and I would have either gotten bored and bought what I could afford (and so I'd be back to the beginning, except I wouldn't be able to buy as many good cheapos), or just left the hobby. Can't you guys remember what it was like to be a newbie?
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post #37 of 38
6/27/12 at 4:52pm
Work - Rive Gauche $35.

Running around - Derek Jeter Driven Black $15.

Night out - Creed Aventus $200.
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post #38 of 38
6/27/12 at 5:32pm
Many of the responses to the OP have as the their underlying premise one or more of:

1. "Inexpensive"/"cheap" = of little quality
2. "Inexpensive"/"cheap"/designer = comparatively average
3. "Expensive"/niche = quality
4. "Expensive"/niche= better than "inexpensive", "cheap", or designer

While one or more these *can* be true, none of these is *necessarily* true to the nose making the determination. And therein lies the key - the OP's friend will like (or not) the acquired frags based on how they smell ON him and TO him, not whether they are "cheap" (whatever that means), "inexpensive" (whatever that means), niche, designer, etc.

To the OP, I have changed my suggestions, for whatever it's worth ("you get what you pay for"...or do you?), to side with those that suggested you spend a bit of money (maybe $50) to obtain a variety of samples across genres (e.g., gourmand, chypre, aquatic, fougere, oriental) and production (drugstore, designer, niche). Your friend will have enough money left over to acquire more of his fave(s).
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