The Evolution Of Fragrances For Men

Fragrances are highly personal, and what one person finds appealing might be unappealing to another. Masculine fragrances are often sharp and musky, with notes of spice, wood, tobacco, and leather. Feminine fragrances, on the other hand, tend to be sweeter and more floral. While these are generalizations, and scent preferences vary across individuals, there are colognes that are specifically marketed towards men and are designed to evoke a sense of masculinity. These colognes often feature woody, spicy, or leather notes, and are designed to be intense, bold, and fiery.

What are the best fragrances for men?

Choosing a fragrance is a highly personal experience, and what works for one man may not work for another. Fragrances can vary depending on factors such as budget, preference, and occasion. With that said, here are some of the best fragrances for men that are currently on the market:

• Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 EDP – This scent is described as sophisticated, with key notes of citrus, fig, and woods. It's versatile enough for four-season wear and is considered a great signature scent.
• Ralph Lauren Polo EDT – A classic, sexy, and professional scent with notes of pine, patchouli, leather, and tobacco. This fragrance has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice.
• Arquiste Misfit EDP – With notes of patchouli, lavender, tonka bean, and balsam, this fragrance is perfect for date nights or vibrant, extroverted personalities.
• Chanel Bleu de Chanel EDT – A happy-go-lucky scent with notes of citrus, resin, and sandalwood. It's a pleasant, memorable fragrance that tends to conjure up happy memories.
• Louis Vuitton Imagination EDP – This fragrance evokes a feeling of mental clarity with notes of citrus, neroli, ginger, and black tea. It's an excellent choice for those looking for a luxurious scent.
• Tom Ford Beau de Jour EDP – This cologne gives off a sophisticated vibe with notes of lavender, geranium, and moss. It's perfect for those who want to feel like the best version of themselves.
• Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 EDT – A subtle "no-fragrance fragrance" that expresses itself differently on each wearer. It can be layered with other fragrances or worn on its own for a subtle effect.
• Calvin Klein CK One EDT – A true unisex fragrance with notes of green tea, musk, lemon, and jasmine. It's an excellent choice for couples who like to share scents.
• Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver EDP – A reliable, invigorating, and head-turning masculine scent with notes of vetiver, Sichuan pepper, and green bergamot. It's perfect for all seasons and scenarios.
• Diptyque Eau de Minthé EDP – This fragrance is described as fresh and luxurious, reminiscent of a 5-star hotel shower. It has notes of mint, geranium, and patchouli.
• Aesop Rōzu EDP – A unique floral fragrance with notes of rose, sandalwood, vetiver, and shiso. It's said to make the wearer feel smarter and more confident.
• Dior Sauvage Elixir Parfum – A spicy and memorable fragrance with notes of licorice, lavender, and nutmeg. It's perfect for date nights and colder months.
• Malin+Goetz Leather EDP – This fragrance offers an approachable and polite way to wear a leather scent, with notes of leather, sandalwood, and incense. It's sexy and confident without being overwhelming.
• Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur EDP – A playful and musky fragrance with notes of musk, vanilla, amber, and sandalwood. It's an excellent choice for a date night or special occasion.
• Dior Sauvage – A fresh and magnetic cologne with notes of bergamot, pepper, and woody accords. It's one of the best-selling men's colognes and has gained widespread acclaim.
• Creed Aventus – An exceptional fragrance with a blend of pineapple, birch, and musk. It exudes power and confidence, making it a sophisticated and luxurious choice.
• Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani – This iconic fragrance captures the essence of the sea with invigorating marine notes and refreshing citrus undertones. It's a timeless classic that provides an uplifting olfactory experience.

What are the different types of fragrances for men?

There are several types of fragrances for men, which can be categorised by their scent, concentration, and longevity.

Scent Families

Fragrances are often grouped into scent families, which are usually led by their headlining ingredients and the regions that they are indigenous to.

• Aromatic fragrances are primarily plant-based and have a mystical, woodland quality about them. They comprise herbal notes like rosemary, thyme, lavender, cumin, and clary sage, often paired with richer, musky notes.
• Chypre fragrances are considered the most sophisticated and rounded of all the families. They are characterised by a woody-mossy base, with notes including citrus (usually bergamot), patchouli, cistus labdanum, and animalistic oakmoss.
• Citrus fragrances are a celebration of energetic and zesty citrus fruits. They usually include orange, bergamot, lemon, mandarin, yuzu, and grapefruit, combined with the blossoms and leaves of citrus fruit trees, such as neroli, petitgrain, and orange blossom.
• Floral fragrances are considered the most feminine, but they are also the largest and most diverse family. Leading actors include jasmine and rose, with support from other fragrant blooms, including gardenia, tuberose, and magnolia.
• Fougère fragrances have a retro appeal and are almost exclusively reserved for male fragrances. Meaning "fern-like" in French, they traditionally contain lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin (which smells like freshly harvested hay).
• Leather fragrances have powdery, mature, smoky, and deep qualities. They are predominantly masculine, and many leather notes are now created from synthetic compounds.
• Woody fragrances are emotive and nostalgic. Dry, warm, and rich woods such as sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, oak, and vetiver tend to give this family a macho side.
• Oriental fragrances are opulent, hedonistic, and sensual. Spices and resins like frankincense, oud, and myrrh from East India, Turkey, and the Middle East give these scents a hypnotic appeal. They are also among the most expensive.

Concentration and Longevity

The concentration of a fragrance refers to the ratio of oil to alcohol content in the formulation. A higher ratio of oil to alcohol content generally results in a stronger, more persistent, and more expensive fragrance.

• Eau Fraiche contains the lowest concentration of oils (1-3%) and is diluted mostly with water. It stays on the skin for around 1-2 hours, making it suitable for a temporary post-shower spritz.
• Eau de Cologne has a low oil concentration (2-4%) and a fleeting activity (2-4 hours). It is diluted predominantly with alcohol, giving it a three-dimensional quality. It is a solid choice for a summer fragrance.
• Eau de Toilette (EDT) has an oil concentration of 5-15% and can see you through the day. Fresh top notes such as citrus are usually given centre stage.
• Eau de Parfum (EDP) has an oil concentration of 15-20% and can last for 4-5 hours. Fuller-bodied ingredients such as leather or woods are usually included.
• Parfum/Extrait de Parfum has the highest concentration of oil (20-30%) and is considered the purest option by fragrance aficionados. These fragrances linger on the skin until they are washed off.

How do I choose a fragrance that suits me?

Choosing a fragrance that suits you is a personal and intimate process that involves exploring different fragrance notes and experimenting with various perfumes. Here are some tips to help you find a scent that suits you:

Understand your skin type and pH level

The first step in choosing a fragrance is understanding your skin type and pH level. These factors play a crucial role in how a perfume will smell on you. For example, oily skin and dark skin tend to retain scents longer and pair well with oriental, heavy fragrances or those with spices, sweetness, and musky notes. On the other hand, dry, fair, and acidic skin may be better suited to citrusy, green, aromatic, fruity, or woody fragrances.

Explore different fragrance families

Fragrances are typically categorised into families such as floral, woody, oriental, leather, fruity, musky, sweet, aromatic, and fresh. Each family has its own unique characteristics, and by exploring these different categories, you can discover the fragrances that align with your personal preferences and style. For example, if you're looking for a daily "signature scent", woody, citrus, or aromatic fragrances tend to wear well and are less polarising.

Sample and explore

Sampling different fragrances is crucial to finding your perfect scent. Take advantage of testers and sample vials to try out a variety of perfumes on your skin. Keep an open mind and experiment with fragrances from different brands, including both popular and niche options. Pay attention to the notes and how they interact with your body chemistry.

Consider personal style and occasions

Your personal style and the occasions for which you'll be wearing the fragrance are important factors in selecting the right scent. Consider whether you lean towards a casual, elegant, or adventurous style, and think about the environments in which you'll be wearing the perfume, such as work, social events, or intimate settings. For daily wear, you may prefer a fresh, clean, and versatile fragrance, while special occasions might call for something more intense or sophisticated.

Know what you want your fragrance to say about you

Your fragrance is a powerful expression of your personality and desired image. Consider the emotions and impressions you want to evoke and the message you want to convey. Do you want to exude confidence, elegance, playfulness, or sensuality? Clarifying these desired attributes will help guide you in selecting a scent that truly resonates with you.

Take a perfume quiz

Online perfume quizzes can be a fun and helpful way to narrow down your options. These quizzes ask questions about your preferences, lifestyle, and personality, and then provide fragrance recommendations based on your answers. While the results are not definitive, they can be a great starting point for further exploration and refinement.

Remember, choosing a fragrance that suits you is a highly individual process, so take your time, embrace the sensory experience, and trust your instincts.

What are the fragrance notes I should look out for?

Masculine fragrances are often described as sharper and muskier than feminine fragrances, which tend to be sweeter and more floral. Masculine fragrances are also commonly associated with the outdoors and traditionally masculine things like wood, tobacco, and leather.

When it comes to specific fragrance notes to look out for, here are some that are commonly associated with masculinity:

• Leather: This note is commonly described as smelling like oak or other varieties of wood, with subtle burnt notes or hints of tobacco. It complements woody, floral, and herbal scents.
• Tobacco: Derived from fresh tobacco leaves, this note is sweet and pairs well with warm spices and vanilla. It can also have slightly floral base notes.
• Wood: There are many types of wood notes, but they generally smell warm and earthy, especially oak, oud, and cedar. Sandalwood, on the other hand, can smell crisp, clean, and bright. Warmer wood notes pair well with vanilla or spice, while brighter wood scents go well with citrus, fruity, and floral notes.
• Musk: A very woodsy fragrance often used as a base note. It is earthy and pairs well with vanilla and citrus.
• Allspice: A warm and spicy note that complements vanilla, patchouli, and earthy scents.
• Cedar: A unique, slightly prickly scent with herbal, woody, and cooling undertones. It pairs well with herb scents like rosemary and some florals, including jasmine.
• Rosemary: A full-bodied, pine-needle-like scent that pairs well with other herb scents and florals like lavender.
• Oakmoss: Reminiscent of the forest, with mushroom, earthy, woody, smoky, and leathery notes. It complements herbal, citrus, woody, and floral fragrances.
• Sandalwood: Earthy and woody, with hints of sweetness and florals. It goes well with clean notes like citrus and fruit, as well as herbal and spicy scents.
• Rum spice: Sweet and slightly rummy, with notes of caramelized sugar and molasses, as well as nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. It complements warm notes like vanilla and allspice, as well as lavender and juniper.
• Lavender: A calming, floral, organic, and fresh scent. It pairs well with earthy fragrances like oakmoss, cedarwood, and sandalwood, as well as citrus and fruit.
• Black pepper: A spicy, clean, and crisp note that shines when paired with citrus, other spices, and deep, herbal fragrances.
• Vetiver: A pungent, organic scent with hints of dried grass, fresh soil, soap, and citrus fruit. It is often compared to lemongrass. Vetiver goes well with woody scents like patchouli and sandalwood, as well as citrus and florals.
• Patchouli: A sweet and earthy ancient fragrance with a hint of spice. It pairs well with sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, and florals like jasmine and rose.
• Ginger: A bright and spicy fragrance that is often blended with bergamot, citrus, cedarwood, clove, and juniper.
• Eucalyptus: A strong, cool, herbal, and soothing scent, perfect for hot, muggy days. It goes well with cedarwood, cypress, florals, ginger, citrus, juniper, and other herbs.
• Cinnamon: Warm, spicy, fruity, and slightly peppery, with notes of vanilla. It complements peppery, spicy, floral, and citrusy scents.
• Cumin: A deeply pungent, organic, slightly nutty, and spicy scent. It goes well with earthy notes and various spice and citrus fragrances.
• Sage: Warm, earthy, and herbal, often paired with spice notes, florals like jasmine, and citrus scents like lemon, orange, and grapefruit.
• Bergamot: A clean, citrusy scent, often compared to orange or tangerine, with floral notes. It pairs well with florals, peppery fragrances, and herbs.
• Lemon: A bright, sunny, citrus scent that goes well with florals like lavender, herbal fragrances, and woody scents like sandalwood.
• Amber: A warm blend that often includes vanilla and patchouli. It pairs well with spice fragrances like cinnamon and clove, as well as woodsy and earthy aromas.
• Costus: A musky scent that may remind you of aged wood. It goes well with warm, woodsy fragrances, herbs, and florals like jasmine and lavender.
• Hay: A sweet note that blends well with earthy and grassy fragrances, as well as woody notes like patchouli and sandalwood. It can also be paired with herbs and citrus.

While these notes are often associated with masculinity, it's important to remember that fragrance is very personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The same note can be interpreted differently depending on its expression in a composition. Additionally, fragrance and gender are context-heavy and subject to cultural influences and fashion trends.

How do I make my fragrance last longer?

There are several ways to make your fragrance last longer. Firstly, it's important to note that the type of fragrance you use will affect its longevity. Different types of fragrances have varied intensities, with lighter fragrances like body mists and scented body lotions having shorter staying power than eau de toilettes or eau de parfums. Opting for an eau de parfum will give you a longer-lasting scent.

The strength of your fragrance is also a key factor. Pure parfum, for example, will be more long-lasting than eau de toilette, as it has a higher concentration of fragrance oil to alcohol. Additionally, fragrances with more prominent base notes tend to have longer shelf lives than those with prominent top notes. Look for fragrances with woody, musky, or spicy base notes, such as patchouli and amber.

• Apply your fragrance right after showering and drying off.
• Moisturize your skin before applying perfume. This will help lock in the scent.
• Apply the fragrance to your pulse points, which are the warmest parts of your body, such as your wrists, neck, inside of your elbows, and back of your knees.
• Avoid rubbing your wrists together after applying the fragrance, as this can break down the chemicals and cause the top notes to fade faster.
• Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or humidity, as fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause the fragrance to break down.
• Avoid shaking the perfume bottle, as this can allow air to infuse the fragrance and shorten its lifespan.
• Spray your fragrance on your hairbrush and then brush through your hair. Avoid spraying directly onto your hair, as the alcohol in perfumes can cause damage.
• Use matching scented lotions or body washes to layer and enhance your fragrance.
• Apply an extra layer of fragrance by spraying it onto your clothes, scarf, or hairbrush.

Frequently asked questions