The world of cologne is an ever-changing landscape of new releases and old favourites. But what are the most popular colognes right now?
According to GQ, Dior Sauvage is the most popular fragrance among UK men, thanks to its versatile fresh, spicy and woody notes. Chanel Bleu de Chanel is also a popular choice, with its woody and citrus aromas.
Other popular colognes include Ralph Lauren Polo, Creed Aventus, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio, and Paco Rabanne 1 Million.
When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider factors such as fragrance family, concentration, and staying power. Different colognes suit different purposes and personalities, so it's worth testing out a few options to find the perfect scent for you.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Best Overall Men's Fragrance | Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum |
Best Luxury Men's Fragrance | Creed Aventus |
Best Date-Night Fragrance | Dior Sauvage Elixir |
Best Evening Fragrance | Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum |
Best Citrus Fragrance | Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit |
Best Summer Fragrance | Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio |
Best Nature-Inspired | Dior Sauvage |
Best Bold & Aromatic Cologne | Ralph Lauren Polo Black |
Best Warm & Spicy Cologne | Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club |
Best Sweet & Woody Cologne | Byredo Bibliothèque |
Best Cozy Cologne | Tom Ford Oud Wood |
Bestsection |
What You'll Learn
Woody fragrances
When choosing a woody fragrance, it's important to consider the different types of wood and the overall scent profile. Some popular types of wood used in colognes include vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, and oakmoss. These woods can be combined with other notes such as citrus, spices, and florals to create unique and complex fragrances.
- Ralph Lauren's Polo Red Limited Edition Eau de Parfum combines rich, natural woods with a seductive scent.
- Hermes Terre d'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver is a reliable, invigorating, and head-turning masculine scent that's perfect for all scenarios and seasons.
- Burberry Hero Parfum is a strong woody cast that is extremely smart and undeniably masculine.
- Chanel Bleu de Chanel is a popular choice for men of all ages and is described as fresh, clean, and sensual, with notes of citrus, sandalwood, and cedar.
- Gucci Guilty Elixir de Parfum blends potent Ambrofix, which smells dry and woody, with smoother notes of orris butter, vanilla extract, benzoin, and nutmeg.
- Dior Sauvage is inspired by nature and its raw materials, with warm notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood.
These are just a few examples of the many woody fragrances available for men. When choosing a cologne, it's important to consider your budget, scent preferences, and lifestyle, as well as the quality and staying power of the fragrance.
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Aromatic fragrances
La Nuit de l'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
La Nuit de l'Homme is a bright, masculine, and fresh fragrance with subtle intense and sensual scents. The key notes of cardamom, cedar, and coumarin create a complex and aromatic smell that is surprisingly delectable.
The Original by Eight & Bob
The Original has an aromatic and classic scent with a dash of French glamour. With top notes of cardamom, lemon, and pink pepper, mid notes of dried wood, labdanum, and violet leaves, and a base of sandalwood and vetiver, this fragrance is extremely sophisticated.
Gentleman by Givenchy
Gentleman by Givenchy has a wonderfully contrasting smell of powerful woods and delicate florals, which gives this cologne an aromatic woody fragrance. Key notes of iris, patchouli essence, and black vanilla give it an overall charismatic and charming scent, perfect for men trying to appeal to the ladies.
Sunday Cologne by Byredo
Sunday Cologne has a rather classic, crisp fragrance. With top notes of bergamot, cardamom, and star anise, mid notes of geranium, incense, and lavender, and a base of moss, patchouli, and vetiver, this fragrance is aromatic but still casual enough for lazy Sundays.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel
Chanel Bleu de Chanel is a clean, woody fragrance with citrus and amber notes that complement each other perfectly, while the cedarwood adds an extra punch. It has a 4.8-star rating and is a popular choice for everyday wear, especially for those who wear suits to work.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Acqua di Giò Pour Homme
This Armani Beauty scent is an aquatic-inspired, fresh, and clean fragrance. It is ideal for men who want to avoid an overpowering, woody fragrance.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
With ginger, tobacco, and cocoa, this high-end Tom Ford cologne is a sweet and spicy scent for those who can't choose between the two. It has over 43,500 "loves" on Sephora.com, indicating that its high price tag hasn't deterred consumers.
Maison Margiela Replica by the Fireplace
With notes of vanilla, chestnut, and clove, this Maison Margiela cologne is a woody, sweet scent. It is designed to be comforting yet sensual, making it the ultimate cold-weather fragrance.
Dior Sauvage
Dior Sauvage is one of the most distinctive colognes on the market, containing hints of ambroxan, Sichuan pepper, and reggio bergamot. It is perfect for men who want to stand out from the crowd.
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Citrus fragrances
Ormonde Jayne Gatsby 22 EDP
Vogue's choice for the best citrus cologne, this fragrance evokes a feeling of positivity. With notes of bergamot, lemon, musk, and vetiver, it is a leveled-up version of a mass-market scent, making it more nuanced and niche.
Parfums de Marly Perseus EDP
This cologne is like a burst of sunshine, with its vibrant and uplifting scent. It has top notes of grapefruit, green mandarin, and black currant, complemented by cashmere wood for a sophisticated touch.
Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
Transport yourself to the Italian Riviera with this fresh and vibrant fragrance. It features notes of neroli, Italian bergamot, and Sicilian lemon, creating a perfectly bright and zesty aroma.
Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme
A unique blend of citrusy and woody notes, this masculine scent is elegant and sophisticated. The combination of vetiver, ginger, and bergamot makes it a great choice for those seeking a refined and polished fragrance.
Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne
This is a bright and vibrant citrusy scent with natural notes of lemon, bergamot, and patchouli. It is a versatile fragrance suitable for any occasion, leaving you feeling fresh and energized throughout the day.
Coach Green Eau de Toilette
With its top note of bergamot and hints of kiwi, this fragrance provides a sweet yet crisp first impression. As it dries down, it leans more towards a green, fruity, and woody scent, making it an innovative and long-lasting choice.
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Aquatic fragrances
- Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani: This EDT has top notes of Calabrian bergamot, neroli, and green tangerine, and combines marine and citrus scents for a fresh finish.
- Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue by Versace: This EDT combines aquatic and fruity notes with hints of bergamot and grapefruit for a fresh and vibrant scent.
- Creed Millesime Imperial by Creed: This EDP is a super aquatic-smelling fragrance with a mix of notes, including seawater and sea salt, for a true marine experience.
- Prada Luna Rossa Ocean: This EDT is an aromatic, musky, and aquatic blend. It has a base of Haitian vetiver, musks, and patchouli, with top notes of lavender and saffron for a smooth and fresh scent.
- Aqva Pour Homme Bvlgari: This aquatic fragrance has a masculine scent profile and is perfect for the summer.
- L'eau Majeure D'Issey by Issey Miyake: This EDT is a fresh and aquatic scent.
- Bentley For Men Azure by Bentley: This EDT is a fresh aquatic scent with woody notes.
- Azzaro Chrome Extreme by Azzaro: This EDP is a fresh aquatic scent with woody and citrus notes.
- Light Blue Pour Homme Eau Intense by Dolce & Gabbana: This EDT is a fresh aquatic scent with fruity and citrus notes.
- Acqua Essenziale by Salvatore Ferragamo: This EDT combines aquatic and woody notes for a fresh and elegant scent.
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Leather fragrances
Tom Ford Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum
This cologne has a gentlemanly scent that is surprisingly wearable for both day and night, thanks to the amber and patchouli at the base that give it a warm, herbal vibe. Think of it as less "cowboy" and more "oil baron."
Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum
If Ombre Leather is Tom Ford's easy, toned-down version of leather, Tuscan Leather is the aggressive, literal version. The leather almost overpowers everything else—but the sweeter top notes allow for a delicious opening that adds smoothness to the leather and the warm, woody dry-down lends a layered elegance. The leather here is top quality.
Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum
Perfumehead's scents tell stories and paint pictures. This boozy, smoky juice is inspired by the cowboy-filled honky-tonks of the 1970s Sunset Strip. One whiff is enough to transport you there. The final effect is cozy and sensual, like finding a vintage leather jacket that miraculously fits you like a glove.
D.S. & Durga Leatherize Eau de Parfum
This interpretation of leather smells almost exactly like the real thing. It's slick, smooth, and warm, with a sharp edge that's masculine in a '70s Camaro kind of way. Sure, you can wear it as it was meant to be (as a layering fragrance), but it's also great on its own.
Louis Vuitton Nuit de Feu
This deceptively simple formula is all about unexpected luxury. It's very incense-forward, which gives it a spooky, smoky, otherworldly aura. Soon the smoke parts to reveal smooth leather before the fragrance grounds itself in musk and oud, giving it a seductive, sweaty skin feeling, without losing the mysteriousness of the incense. It's a completely unique scent that is transporting and alluring.
Memo Paris African Leather Eau de Parfum
Instead of peppery spices, this fragrance contains warm and smooth spices that perfectly complement the distinctive leather note. The overall result is bold enough to last for hours but doesn't take over. The spices add texture to the smooth leather and give it a bright, sunny vibe that's enhanced with a touch of earthy and green herbs.
Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel Cuir de Russie
This isn't an ultra-masculine or aggressive leather cologne, but a subtler, drier take on the fragrance. Inspired by Coco Chanel's brief affair with Russian Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich in the 1920s, it has a distinct Slavic influence in addition to a bouquet of fresh, clean florals that's the perfect complement to a snowy day.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the most popular top notes in colognes include citrus, like lemon and bergamot, and aromatics, like pepper and mint. Middle notes form the heart of the cologne and often include aromatics, soft florals, spices and fruits. Popular base notes include woody, masculine scents like sandalwood, musk, vetiver, amber and oakmoss.
Scent has the ability to boost our mood, link us to memories and emotions, and change the way people view us. Wearing cologne can make you seem more polished and put-together, and it can also make you feel better about yourself.
Cologne is personal, so it's a journey that every man must make for himself. When shopping for cologne, consider your budget, the types of scents you're drawn to and your lifestyle. Other things to consider include choosing a scent with promising reviews, good staying power and a well-balanced fragrance profile.
It's best to spritz cologne directly onto clean, dry skin, targeting pulse points like the inner wrists and neck. Hold the bottle three to six inches from your skin and try not to exceed four pumps.