Official Phoenix Shaving& Scent Sample Checklist

So, you've snagged a handful of our EPIC aftershave and cologne samples, right? Maybe you’ve already lost track of what’s what, or worse, your nose is overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness. Fear not, intrepid scent exploring shave cadet! Enter the Official Phoenix Shaving Scent Sample Checklist, the perfect companion for your interstellar journey through the Phoenix Shaving universe of fragrances.

Think of it as your mission log, helping you keep tabs on which scents rocked your world and which ones…well, left you more puzzled than an alien crop circle. Did that blend of burnt sugar and tobacco transport you to a mysterious Antarctic outpost (looking at you, Organism 46b), or did the smoke and spent gunpowder of Boomtown take you on a wild western road trip through an intergalactic ghost town? Jot it all down on the blank back of your new handy checklist!

New To Fragrances?

Pro Tip #1: Give Your Brain Time to Learn

Here’s the thing about scent, sometimes your brain and nose need time to “learn” it, especially if it’s made up of scent notes (molecules) you’ve never encountered before. A new scent can sometimes seem strange, unusual, or even off-putting at first sniff. That’s because your olfactory receptors are experiencing something completely unfamiliar, and your brain doesn’t quite know what to do with it yet. But here’s the good news: over time, your brain “mentally metabolizes” these new scent notes, and something remarkable happens. What once seemed weird or overwhelming can become a new favorite! (I don't know who needs to hear this, but lots of things in life parallel this phenomenon, but I digress...)

Science backs this up too. Our brains categorize and store scent experiences, so revisiting a fragrance 6--8-12 months later often leads to a totally different experience. Your brain’s had time to process those molecules, and suddenly what was once unfamiliar now feels like an old friend. So, don’t be too quick to judge! We encourage you to return to any scent that didn’t wow you initially. You might just be amazed at how much you enjoy it the second (or third) time around. 

Pro Tip #2: Wear It, Don’t Just Sniff It

Another crucial part of the experience: you need to wear the fragrance, not just sniff it out of the vial. Why? Because a scent evolves as it dries down on your skin, interacting with your body’s unique chemistry. The initial scent from the vial only tells part of the story—what makes a fragrance truly shine is how it develops on you. The combination of your skin’s warmth and natural oils will bring out different facets of the fragrance, ones you won’t catch in a simple sniff.

So don’t skimp on that sample! Apply it, wear it throughout the day, and let the scent unfold. Then, and only then, can you really make up your mind. This is the correct way to test an aftershave or cologne sample. Trust us—your nose (and skin) will thank you later!

Grab the checklist, take notes, wear your scents, and embark on your journey of discovery like the true olfactory adventurer you are! Shave On!