Ten safe first bottles for every Timmy loading into his first raid. Beginner friendly doesn't mean cheap, since good gear costs coin in Tarkov too, but the big-budget bottles are left out.
OP at level 1
Bleu de Chanel and Dior Sauvage are two of the most bought men's fragrances on any server, the Literally Him starter kit. They aren't cheap, but the price is fair: as a first bottle their item level sits way above yours, so the early game gets very easy. Bleu smells like grapefruit peel over soft incense smoke and pencil-shavings wood, at around €113 or $173 for 100 ml of the Eau de Parfum. Sauvage is cracked black pepper on lemon with a lavender soap base for around €86 or $142. The catch with both is that you'll meet other players wearing them.
Busted start
Cheaper than the OP tier, and you still smell max level. If you only buy one bottle, make it Acqua di Giò: lime over sea spray with a soapy laundry base, and it works almost anywhere, which matters most in a first pick. Expect to pay around €75 or $130. Nautica Voyage is the budget build at around €19 or $18. It smells like green apple peel and a sea breeze, for players who want to smell like the gods of Olympus without paying Olympus prices. Keep it close on long days, since it can need a second spray.
Great start
All great picks, just more specialized, so know what you're getting before you blind pick one. Versace Eros belongs in the nightclubs of Cyberpunk: sour green apple candy, spearmint gum and vanilla frosting, loud enough for a dance floor, for around €68 or $129. La Nuit de L'Homme is the most flexible of the four and works almost anywhere. Think cardamom like chai spice over lavender and a warm vanilla sweetness, around €89 or $130. YSL Y is ginger and lemon soda on a herb garden of sage and lavender (around €79 or $140). The bottle sold today is YSL's 2022 patch, so older reviews describe a different version. Light Blue Pour Homme rounds it out with grapefruit peel, black pepper and a pinch of rosemary for around €82 or $140.
Niche
Gear for one situation each. Le Male is for parties and guild events: barbershop shaving foam, cinnamon and sweet vanilla, with very high DPS and a big charisma buff for exactly those settings. It doesn't come in 100 ml, so the 125 ml bottle runs around €89 or $132. Allure Homme Sport is what it says on the tin, peeled orange and salty sea spray with a creamy finish like an orange creamsicle, for around €99 or $142. If you're not a seasoned neckbeard like me and still play sports (yikes), it's yours. It works at social events too, but I'd take Le Male there.