Katrina Rosales
Choosing a fragrance can be a daunting task, especially with the multitude of options available. While the fragrance industry is dominated by women, men too can find their signature scent. The first step is to determine your olfactory family, which will help you find a perfume that suits your personality and style. You can then decide whether you want a mass-market fragrance or a unique, niche perfume. It is also important to sample different fragrances and take your time to test them before settling on one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Concentration levels | Parfum: 20-30% fragrance; Eau de Parfum: 15-20% fragrance; Eau de Toilette: 5-15% fragrance; Eau de Cologne: 2-5%; Eau Fraiche: 1-3% |
| Notes | Tonka bean, vanilla, lavender, violet, jasmine, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, amber, musk |
| Type | Woody, musky, floral, chypre, oriental, fresh, classic, sporty, niche |
| Occasion | Daily, special occasion, seasonal |
| Application | Spray on dry skin, preferably after a shower, 3-6 inches from the skin |
| Areas | Chest, neck, lower jaw, wrist, forearm, inner elbow, shoulder |
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What You'll Learn
Fragrance is genderless
While fragrance marketing has traditionally targeted either men or women, the idea of a fragrance being gendered is becoming outdated. In recent years, genderless and gender-neutral perfumes have seen a huge surge in popularity, with Gen Z in particular pushing for a move away from the idea that floral scents are for women and woody scents are for men.
Perfumers are embracing this shift, with many explaining that they craft fragrances without considering the gender of the buyer. Instead, they focus on a story or a landscape, or on creating fragrances that evoke specific moods. For example, the brand MOODEAUX is all about creating fragrances that evoke specific moods, and its founder and CEO, Brianna Arps, has said that emotions are already gender neutral. Similarly, the brand Jo Malone creates fragrances that are "developed without thinking of men or women". Instead, the brand focuses on the idea of a signature scent, with fragrances that are intended to transport the wearer to a different place, like Cornwall, England, or the valleys and rainforests in Java, Indonesia.
When choosing a fragrance, it's important to find one that you love and that you have a personal connection with, rather than one that conforms to gender stereotypes. As fragrance expert Clayton Ilolahia says, "You have to fall in love with the fragrance". It's also worth taking your time to test a fragrance before committing to buying it, and seeking out sample-size testers or sample assortments from different brands.
While some fragrances may be marketed towards men or women, this is often just a way for companies to sell more products. In reality, fragrance is genderless, and anyone can wear any type of fragrance, whether that's a light and fresh scent, a warm and spicy fragrance, or something entirely different.
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Test before you buy
Testing a fragrance before you buy it is a great way to ensure that you like the scent and that it works with your body chemistry. There are a few different ways to test a fragrance, each with its own pros and cons.
One common method is to use paper blotters, or smelling strips. These are small pieces of absorbent paper that you can find in most fragrance departments. Fragrance brands will often have flankers, or variations on a main fragrance, and paper blotters are a great way to quickly sniff all the different options in a collection. They are also useful if you are testing multiple fragrances, as you can easily dispose of the blotter if you don't like the scent. However, the fragrance will not develop on a paper blotter in the same way it would on your skin.
To get a true sense of how a fragrance will develop over time, it's best to test it on your skin. This will allow you to experience all the notes in the fragrance as they mix with your natural heat and oils. However, keep in mind that fragrances can be expensive, so you may not want to test too many options on your skin at once. It's also important to be mindful of contamination when testing fragrances on your skin, as the scent can linger and influence what you sample later.
If you're shopping online, some retailers offer sample packs or testers that you can purchase at a reduced price. This can be a great way to try out different fragrances without having to commit to a full-sized bottle.
When testing fragrances, it's important to trust your own nose and individual preference. Just because someone else likes a particular scent doesn't mean it's right for you. You can also ask trusted friends and family members for their opinions on what they think of the fragrance and how it smells on you.
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Notes and core ingredients
If you want a safe, classic scent, you might opt for a mass-market fragrance. These are likely to be well-liked, but you risk smelling like someone else. On the other hand, a niche fragrance will be more unique, but it may be more expensive.
If you want a fresh, dynamic scent, you could try an eau fraîche with a citrus twist, or a fragrance with marine or aromatic notes. Sporty types might be attracted to these lively, fresh fragrances.
For a warm and sensual fragrance, you could try an oriental or woody scent, with notes of vanilla, balsamic, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, or jasmine. These fragrances are particularly suitable for winter.
If you want a confident and put-together impression, you could try an aromatic fougère fragrance, like Yves Saint Laurent Jazz or Tom Ford’s Fougère d’Argent. These fragrances are based on ferns and lavender and are popular among men's perfumes.
You can also choose a fragrance according to your personality or character. For a virile and powerful scent, you could try a fragrance from the fougère olfactory family or an intense woody scent.
To find the right fragrance, it's important to try different options. Most brands offer sample-size testers, and websites like LuckyScent sell sample vials. You might also seek advice from fragrance counter staff, who can suggest options based on your preferences.
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Concentration levels
The concentration of a fragrance refers to the amount of fragrance oil it contains. The higher the concentration of oils, the longer the scent will last on your skin. The concentration level also affects the price of the fragrance—the higher the concentration, the more expensive it will be.
There are several types of fragrance concentrations, including Eau Fraiche (EDF), Eau de Cologne (EDC), Eau de Toilette (EDT), and Eau de Parfum (EDP). The majority of perfumes are either an EDP or an EDT. EDPs have a higher concentration of perfume oils, typically around 15-20%, and last around four to five hours. They are often used for fragrances worn in the evening or on a night out. EDTs are slightly cheaper, with a lower concentration of perfume oil (5-15%) and more alcohol. They last for around three to four hours and are a popular choice for day-to-day wear.
EDCs have an even lower concentration of perfume oil, at 2-5%, and therefore a shorter longevity of around two hours. They are often used as a quick refreshment during the summer. Splash and aftershave scents are similar to EDCs in that they contain a small amount of fragrance oil, making them affordable and ideal for everyday use. They also contain alcohol, which can tighten pores and make the skin look fresh and healthy.
Extrait de Parfum or Perfume Extract is a highly concentrated fragrance, with concentrations reaching 20-40%. It is ideal for those who want their fragrance to last all day. Perfume Oils or Attars are also highly concentrated and long-lasting. They do not contain alcohol and are applied directly to the skin rather than sprayed.
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Storage
Storing fragrances correctly is essential to preserving their scent and preventing them from going bad. Here are some detailed tips on how to properly store fragrances for men:
Firstly, avoid exposing the fragrances to direct sunlight or any light at all. Light can break down the chemical bonds in the perfume, altering its scent and potentially melting plastic bottles. Therefore, it is best to store fragrances in a dark place, such as a closet or drawer, away from windowsills and sources of artificial light.
Secondly, maintain a consistent temperature for your fragrances. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can affect the quality of the perfume. Aim for a temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing fragrances in the bathroom or kitchen, as these areas tend to experience temperature changes and humidity from showers, baths, and cooking. A closet in a hallway or living room is a better option, as it is generally more temperature-stable.
Thirdly, avoid humidity. Humidity can cause unwanted chemical reactions in the perfume, altering its composition and scent. If possible, store fragrances in a room with a dehumidifier.
Additionally, keep the fragrances in their original bottles and boxes. The original containers are designed to be airtight and to disperse the right amount of scent, preventing contamination with air. Transferring the perfume to another container can expose it to air, causing it to lose its smell.
Lastly, keep the bottles upright and ensure the lids or caps are securely fastened to prevent leakage. Avoid shaking the bottles, as this can introduce unwanted oxidation and break down the delicate chemical bonds in the perfume.
By following these storage tips, you can help ensure that your fragrances for men remain in optimal condition and provide a pleasant scent for a longer period of time.
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Frequently asked questions
Fragrance is genderless. Whether a fragrance is marketed for men or not, the most important thing is whether or not you like the smell.
Woody, musky, floral, and chypre fragrances are commonly worn by men. Fougère, a family of scents based on ferns and lavender, is also popular among men. Sporty types may prefer fresh fragrances with citrus or marine notes.
Consider the personality of the man you're choosing a fragrance for. Woody fragrances like sandalwood and cedar can be elegant, while oriental perfumes with amber and spicy notes can be sensual. If the man you're choosing for is a "zappeur", or someone who likes to switch up their fragrance, opt for a versatile scent that can come in different forms like eau de toilette, eau de cologne, and eau de parfum.
