The Ultimate Guide To Men's Fragrances: Must-Haves

Choosing a fragrance can be a daunting task, especially with the market overflowing with options. However, a signature scent is an essential accessory that completes a man's daily routine and adds to his individuality. From fresh and citrusy to woody and musky, here is a list of must-have men's fragrances to suit different tastes and occasions:

- Dior Sauvage: This popular fragrance is inspired by wild deserts and rocky landscapes, featuring notes of bergamot and raw, wild ambroxan.

- Chanel Allure Homme Sport: This limited-edition scent captures the thrill of adventure with its blend of sparkling grapefruit and rich woody amber notes.

- Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Giò: An iconic fragrance with a feminine edge, blending oceanic notes with Calabrian bergamot, rock rose, rosemary, jasmine, and patchouli.

- Versace Eros: Named after the Greek god of love and desire, this refreshing fragrance combines mint, orange, and woody vanilla.

- Calvin Klein Eternity: A romantic, unisex fragrance from 1988, featuring notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood.

- Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club: A warm and spicy scent, perfect for autumn and winter, with notes of pink pepper, rum, and tobacco.

- Valentino UOMO Born In Roma Green Stravaganza: An energising fragrance with citruses and a heart of coffee, leaving an irresistible trail.

- Tom Ford Oud Wood: A smoky and sensual fragrance featuring the rare and precious ingredient of oud wood, blended with sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, and amber.

- Hugo Boss Bottled Night: A woody and aromatic scent with a musky base, perfect for both office and evening wear.

- Nautica Voyage: A sophisticated, potent scent that is perfect for year-round wear, particularly in the spring and summer, is Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette. Its notes of freshness and aquaticity make it appropriate for various settings. It might not be a particularly original choice, given its popularity.

Woody fragrances

Creed Aventus

Creed's Aventus is a timeless classic that exudes sensuality, audacity, and contemporary elegance. With crisp top notes of apple, blackcurrant, and bergamot, this fragrance is inspired by the life of a historic emperor, symbolising strength, power, and success. It's a bold choice that's perfect for those who want to make a statement.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

This Chanel fragrance is a bestseller for a reason. It combines citrus, cedar, and sandalwood with spicier notes of tonka bean and vanilla, resulting in a fresh and woody scent with a touch of sweetness. Bleu de Chanel is an excellent choice for transitioning from day to night, with its musky undertones making it perfect for date nights.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

Tom Ford's Oud Wood is a masterpiece, capturing the woody scent of oud, one of the most precious and expensive ingredients in perfumery. It blends cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver with hints of tonka bean and amber, creating a warm and cosy signature scent. A few spritzes of this fragrance will make you feel like you're curled up by a fireplace.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

Imagine yourself in a dimly lit jazz club, surrounded by the scent of cigars and leather. This Maison Margiela fragrance brings that atmosphere to life with its warm and spicy notes of pink pepper, rum, and tobacco. It's the perfect autumn and winter scent for those who want to hibernate in cosy comfort.

Burberry Hero

Burberry Hero is a sophisticated and sensual fragrance with a warming aroma of cedarwood and clean pine top notes. It leaves a lasting impression with its resinous woods and frankincense, making it an ideal choice for cold winter days. This fragrance strikes the perfect balance between elegance and masculinity.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky

This fragrance from Paco Rabanne is a unique and sensual blend of woody and earthy notes. It combines hazelnut, green plum, grapefruit, and cedar, resulting in a woody scent with a touch of citrus. The futuristic bottle is a conversation starter, making it a great addition to your fragrance collection.

Hackett London Absolute

Hackett London Absolute is a versatile fragrance that's perfect for both the office and evening soirees. It starts with fresh, fruity notes of citrus and gradually reveals its aromatic heart and royal oakwood base. This scent is light and inoffensive, making it a safe choice for the workplace, while its full-bodied dry-down makes it perfect for evening affairs.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Jo Malone's Wood Sage & Sea Salt is a favourite among royals and offers a fresh, coastal scent. It's woody and slightly chilly, evoking the feeling of a breezy day by the water. This fragrance is perfect for those who want a toned-down aquatic scent that's elegant and refined.

Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb

Despite its grenade-shaped packaging, Viktor&Rolf's Spicebomb is a delicate and sophisticated fragrance. It opens with a punch of black pepper and purple florals, then settles into a balanced blend of citrus and leather. This scent is inviting and energising, making it a great choice for an everyday signature fragrance.

Armani Beauty Bois D'Encens

Armani Beauty's Bois D'Encens is a unique and intense fragrance, billed as the brand's "most personal scent." It evokes the incense and cedar of a cathedral, with strong notes of ginger and pepper. This fragrance is not for the faint of heart; it's a bold and polarising choice that's perfect for experienced fragrance collectors.

Citrus-based fragrances

Dior Homme Cologne Eau de Toilette by Dior

This fragrance is regarded as one of the greatest scents money can buy. With top notes of Calabrian bergamot and a grapefruit blossom heart, it's perfectly balanced by a white musk base. It's fresh and clean, perfect for wearing around the house, to the office, and on weekends. However, it's not the best option for formal wear, and the longevity could be better.

MYSLF Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent

This addictive scent could become your new signature. With bergamot top notes and Tunisian orange blossom middle notes, it's perfectly balanced by a patchouli and ambrofix base. Critics note that the dry-down brings a heavy amount of vanilla and floral notes, but it's a balanced amount that's far from overly heavy. It's perfect for wearing around town, to the office, and on first dates.

Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton

This fragrance is like a mojito in a bottle, with coriander, lemon, mint, citron, orange, and an overarching cucumber scent. It has great performance and is among the longest-lasting fresh fragrances for men. You can expect around 5-6 hours of projection on the skin and a little more on clothes. It's perfect for the office, date nights, and cocktail evenings in the warmer months.

Acqua di Giò Profondo Eau De Parfum by Giorgio Armani

This fragrance leans more towards the marine side, with notes of Aquozone, Bergamot, and Green Mandarin balanced by Cypress, Patchouli, and Amber on the base. It's fresh rather than citrusy, but it's a great choice for sitting by the seaside on a warm day. You can expect 4-6 hours of projection on the skin, which is average compared to other fragrances.

Timeless by Clive Christian

This fragrance is, well, timeless. It seems to last forever on the skin, and you can still smell it on testing strips after two days. With bitter orange and ginger notes, it leans a little old-school, but these fade a little after it dries down. It's perfect for wearing to the office and more formal settings like dinner parties, cocktail events, and awards ceremonies.

Ani X by Nishane

This is the longest-lasting citrus scent for men. It has a fresh and sporty feel, with notes of orange, lemon, black currant, and other citrus fruits. It's an excellent choice for those who want a versatile fragrance that can be worn daily.

Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette for Him

This fragrance strikes a modern balance between feminine and masculine notes. It starts with a citrus-floral blend of lemon and lavender, then moves to its heart notes of orange blossom. The base notes of cedarwood and patchouli intensify the scent, giving it a soft yet masculine touch.

Paco Rabanne Phantom for Men

This timeless and adventurous fragrance is packed with sensuality and boldness. It starts with a citrus burst of lemon and moves into its floral heart of lavender. The base notes of sweet vanilla give the fragrance an element of sweetness and depth, leaving a lasting impression.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme EDT

This classic fragrance is woody, spicy, and citrusy, with top notes of yuzu, middle notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and base notes of sandalwood. The water lily heart note gives it an almost aquatic feel, embraced by woody and spicy notes.

Lacoste L.12.12 Eau Fraiche Pour Lui Eau de Toilette

This invigorating, modern, and fresh fragrance bursts into a limoncello accord, with aquatic notes at the heart. After some time, it lingers into heavy base notes of natural woods, adding a rugged and contemporary essence to a sporty and fun fragrance.

M.Micallef Desirtoxic Eau de Parfum Vaporisateur Natural Spray

This woody and spicy fragrance uses citrus notes to create an intense blend that's fresh without being too overpowering. It opens with spicy cardamom, citrusy lemon, and bergamot, followed by blackcurrant, cinnamon, tonka bean, and hemp. The base notes of musk, patchouli, benzoin, and moss bring woodiness to the blend.

Floral fragrances

Although floral fragrances are typically associated with women's perfumes, they are a popular choice for men who want to challenge traditional gender norms. Men's floral fragrances are an excellent way to incorporate floral and sweet notes into your scent while maintaining a bold and masculine profile.

Benefits of Floral Colognes for Men

There are several reasons why you might consider adding a floral cologne to your collection. Firstly, floral scents are light, refreshing, and uplifting, making them perfect for everyday wear. Additionally, floral fragrances can be incredibly attractive, as they offer a unique combination of floral notes with other scents such as woods and spices.

Popular Floral Notes in Men's Colognes

Some of the most popular floral notes used in men's colognes include rose, lavender, jasmine, and neroli. While rose and lavender are usually lighter and more herbaceous, making them ideal for men's fragrances, jasmine and neroli are sweeter and more floral, adding a delightful touch to the scent.

Best Floral Colognes for Men

• English Laundry Oxford Bleu Eau de Parfum: This upscale cologne combines bright fruit notes with strong scents of iris and geranium, along with sandalwood, oakmoss, and Tonka Bean notes, creating a vibrant and invigorating fragrance.
• Cuba Prestige Classic Men EDT Spray: This unique cigar-themed fragrance embodies the essence of the Cuba brand. It features a prominent lavender note, offering a timelessly masculine scent at a budget-friendly price.
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian A La Rose Eau de Parfum: This luxurious cologne blends rose and wood fragrances, with a hint of grapefruit, resulting in a delicate yet masculine scent.
• Atelier Cologne, Pomelo Paradis: This vibrant, citrus-driven scent is a celebration of citrus and floral notes, including Bulgarian rose, iris, and orange blossom. It's an excellent choice for those who want a refreshing and energizing fragrance.
• Tiziana Terenzi Kirke EDP: This unisex fragrance can be described as either floral or fruity, with a strong and isolated Lily-of-the-Valley middle note that provides a unique touch.
• Etro ManRose: This fragrance updates the traditional rose scent with tough rounded notes of bergamot, creating a softer, grassier, and greener vision of the flower.
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noir Pour Homme: This cologne represents the journey of a rose from a wet bud to a blossom, with the addition of patchouli, artemisia, and caraway on the dry down to maintain a distinctly masculine feel.
• Atelier Cologne Café Tuberose: Coffee grounds the rose in this fragrance, resulting in a deep and brooding scent with the addition of vetiver and ambery woods.
• Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme: This fragrance combines the freshness of lemon, coriander, and lime with cinnamon, nutmeg, and lotus, followed by tobacco, cedar, and sandalwood, creating a unique take on floral notes.
• Frederic Malle Dominique Ropion Geranium Pour Monsieur: With its minty, grassy, and green scent, geranium makes the perfect perfume partner, keeping the notes super fresh.
• Hugo Boss Bottled: Geranium toughens up fruity notes in this fragrance, creating a well-rounded and heady scent.
• Zegna Elements of Man Integrity: Geranium is used as a base in this cologne to keep the juice on the right side of heady.
• Yves Saint Laurent Y: Geranium is used to toughen up fruity notes, resulting in a fresh and modern scent.
• Givenchy Gentleman: This cologne includes lavender, which, when added to darker woody notes, lifts and lightens the fragrance.
• Dolce & Gabbana Intenso: Lavender is combined with cypress, clary sage, and other notes, creating a timelessly masculine scent.
• Czech & Speake's No. 88: A complex and full-bodied fragrance that pulsates between light and dark, featuring a spicy rose note at its heart.
• Bois du Portugal by Creed: A reminder that lavender is also a floral note, serving as the heart of some memorable masculines. When paired with sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, and bitter orange leaf, it creates a refined and sophisticated scent.
• Reflection Man by Amouage: A well-loved fragrance that utilises high-quality materials, combining orange blossom and jasmine surrounded by purifying herbs, grounded with musks, sandalwood, and patchouli.
• Une Amourette from Etat Libre d'Orange: A dressy and edgy fragrance featuring neroli draped across the wearer, touched by the heat of the skin.
• Golestan by Andy Tauer: A lush and huge extrait, recalling previous floral works by the perfumer, with a dizzying bouquet of tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, and rose, complemented by notes of cinnamon, lemon, patchouli, vanilla, and labdanum.
• Nightingale (Zoologist): A chypre in an opulent floral style, featuring the fantasy note of plum blossom constructed from an accord of ylang-ylang, rose, and geranium, with a vintage feeling added by violet flower.
• L'Amandiere (Almond Tree) by Heeley: An aromatic picture of spring, capturing the sweet smell of the almond tree with the energy of mint and the sizzle of hyacinth flower, creating a dream of wildflowers in bloom.
• Nice Bergamot by Essential Parfum: A beautifully atmospheric fragrance with a heart full of jasmine, woven with further petals of rose and ylang-ylang, and lifted by its namesake bergamot note.
• MAAI from Bogue: A bold symphony of florals, embracing a chypre form with aldehydic, amber, and musk tonalities, resulting in a remarkably androg

Aquatic fragrances

Davidoff Cool Water Eau De Toilette

An affordable, easy-to-wear summer fragrance that transports you to the seaside with just a spritz. It has an aromatic aquatic accord that makes it light and irresistible on hot summer days. The crisp green opening feels energetic and uplifting, while the warmer base provides depth.

Mark Des Vince Aquatic 154 Perfume Oil

This concentrated perfume oil will give you a burst of energy and freshness with its airy aquatic notes. It opens with grapefruit and mandarin orange, followed by sea notes, bay leaf, and jasmine. The base notes are ambergris, guaiac wood, oakmoss, and patchouli. This fragrance is perfect for those who love spending time at the beach or water parks.

Creed Erolfa Eau De Toilette

With notes of citrus, wood, ambergris, and musk, this fresh yet complex scent evokes crisp ocean air and sunny Mediterranean vibes. It's perfect for casual daytime wear and will make you feel easygoing yet chic. Although it's not cheap, its quality and ability to transport you to another place make it well worth the investment.

Victor Hills Precious Eau De Parfum

This unisex fragrance has a fruity accord with fresh elements. It opens with sea notes, grapefruit, and mandarin, followed by bay leaf and jasmine. The base notes are ambergris, guaiac wood, oakmoss, and patchouli. It's an excellent everyday morning summer fragrance for both men and women.

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio

Acqua Di Gio has been a popular summer fragrance for many years. It features bright notes of jasmine, rosemary, fruity accords, and woody base notes, creating an uplifting, mass-appealing aquatic perfume. It's affordable and always gets compliments, giving the wearer a confident, relaxed vibe.

Nautica Aqua Rush Eau De Toilette

Nautica Aqua Rush, launched in 2012, is another amazing fragrance with watery, fresh notes. It opens with yuzu, seawater, and coriander, followed by mint, violet leaf, and clary sage. The base notes are woodsy notes, teak wood, musk, and amber.

Arabian Eagle Arlen Eau De Parfum

Arabian Eagle is a prominent fragrance brand known for its exquisite collection, including oud perfumes. Arlen creates an aura of aromatic aquatic accord around your body. It opens with bergamot and lemon, followed by calone, hedione, and seaweed. The base notes are ambroxan, cedar, and musk.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau De Parfum

This versatile fragrance can be worn for casual outings or romantic evenings, bringing elegance and freshness to your appearance. It's housed in an elegant bottle with a sky-blue top and a simple, minimalist design.

Moschino Forever Sailing Eau De Toilette

Moschino Forever Sailing, launched in 2013, is a woody aromatic fragrance with a burst of airy accord. It opens with lemon, mint, and grapefruit, followed by juniper and lavender. The base notes are musk, woody notes, patchouli, and amber.

Amber fragrances

Demeter Amber Cologne Spray

A pure amber scent that gives off a warm, woody, and spicy aroma. It's moderately projecting, so it won't be too overpowering.

Prada Intense Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, Amber

This fragrance lives up to its name, offering an intense and well-blended experience with notes of amber, myrrh, and patchouli.

Dolce and Gabbana The One EDT for Men

Although it doesn't last long on the skin, this scent is a favourite for its prominent amber note, blended with other notes to create an overall warm, sweet, and smoky aroma.

Halston Man Amber by Halston Eau De Toilette Spray

An inexpensive blend of oud, amber, and myrrh, resulting in a unique, warm, sweet, and smoky aroma.

Amber Absolute by Tom Ford

A distillation of smoky amber with sweet vanilla, this fragrance is a shame to have been discontinued.

M7 By Yves Saint Laurent For Men

A legendary fragrance with a blend of oud and amber, offering an elegant and masculine scent.

Commodity Gold Expressive Eau de Parfum

A rich, warm, and spicy fragrance with a gourmand scent, blending amber with sandalwood and vanilla.

Ellis Brooklyn SUPER AMBER Eau de Parfum

A warm, addictive scent with notes of amber, cedarwood, vanilla orchid, and biodegradable musk.

TOM FORD Noir Extreme Parfum

A bold blend of amber, spices, and woods, with notes of cardamom, ginger, and tonka bean.

Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Body and Hair Fragrance Mist

A subtle, luxurious, and natural scent with notes of santal, vetiver, and amber.

KILIAN Paris Angels Share Eau De Parfum

A warm and spicy fragrance with notes of cognac essence, oak absolute, cinnamon essence, and tonka bean absolute, rounded out with sandalwood, praline, and vanilla.

Heritage for Men by Guerlain

A stylish and classic fragrance that's elegant and masculine without being overbearing. It combines patchouli, lavender, sandalwood, and amber for a well-balanced scent.

Opium By Yves Saint Laurent For Men Eau De Toilette

A relatively clean and sweet scent that's perfect for those new to oriental fragrances or for daytime wear. It combines vanilla, ginger, pepper, and cedar.

Calvin Klein Obsession Men Eau de Toilette

A classic amber fragrance with a subtle burst of citrus notes, followed by warm spiciness, including cinnamon, patchouli, and amber.

Frequently asked questions