Buying a good cologne can be an expensive proposition. So, it's a smart idea to know the kind you choose is one he'll not only wear, but also enjoy and smell good doing so. Unlike cheap perfumes, expensive colognes don't generally contain alcohol and they will last throughout an entire day. Due to the fact the ingredients are generally higher in quality, good colognes cost more, but they're worth the price if they get used.

If you'd like to buy cologne for a man in your life, but don't know what type to buy, here are some ideas:

* Consider the type of deodorant your man uses. Does it have a scent? If so, what kind? Clean? Sporty? Spicy? Consider trying to find something similar in a cologne.

* Try to match a cologne purchase to scents you know he likes. If he favors a mild scent, go with something lighter. If strong spices appeal to him, consider heavier colognes. Musks and other types can suit some men as well.

* Buy sample sizes. If you are truly at a loss at what he'd like, buy a sampling of smaller cologne bottles. Give him the samples as a gift and then pay attention to the kinds he tends to wear the most. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid a bad purchase.

When looking for colognes for a man, remember just like a woman, not all colognes will suit. Some smell great in the bottle, but not on him. This is where buying samples can really come in handy. The investment should be minimal, so if one doesn't work well for him, another might.

Once you find something both you and he like, that will be a great choice for birthdays, holidays and more. A well-dressed man isn't well dressed unless he smells good, too. The key is finding the right kind of cologne to match his tastes and yours.

With some careful consideration of his likes and dislikes, finding a good cologne for a man who doesn't normally wear it isn't impossible. Just do some sleuthing and buy some samples and go from there.

To help you out, here are some basic cologne scent types:

* Clean. These smell more like clean soap. They come with names that sounds airy, refreshing or even watery.

* Musk. This is a heavy scent that's not for everyone, but those who like it really like it.

* Sporty. Kind of a glorified deodorant type scent, this type of cologne is much lighter on the senses than musks.

* Spice. Similar to a musk, this type of cologne can be heavy, but if it's worn in moderation can provide the right masculine air.

Buying cologne can be a great gift idea. Just make sure you know the right kind or be smart in your experimenting.