Drugstore colognes and aftershaves are often overlooked by the younger generation, but they have a rich history and are worth considering if you want to invigorate your freshly shaved face or add a bit of scent to your day without breaking the bank. One of the most famous bargain fragrances to come out of the '60s and '70s was Hai Karate, which came with a small instruction booklet of karate moves to help the wearer fend off the women who would be all over them. Another classic is Old Spice, which has been sold in its iconic buoy-shaped bottle since 1938.
What You'll Learn
Designer fragrances for men
A Brief History of Men's Fragrances
The history of men's fragrances is relatively new compared to the long history of perfume. For a long time, perfume was a unisex term for any fragrance. It's only been since the 20th century that masculine fragrances began to be described using other terms to assert their masculinity. The first fragrance for men, "Pour Un Homme," was created in 1934 by Caron founder Ernest Daltroff. This opened the door for other fragrance houses to create scents specifically for men, such as Creed, Acqua di Parma, and Guerlain.
Popular Men's Designer Fragrances
Today, there are numerous designer fragrances for men on the market, with new releases launching almost daily. Here are some of the most popular men's designer fragrances:
- Dior Sauvage: A modern and magnetic blend of spicy, aromatic, and woody notes.
- Creed Aventus: A timeless and captivating scent with notes of pineapple, blackcurrant, and musk.
- Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme: A seductive and mysterious blend of cardamom, cedarwood, and lavender.
- Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo: An intense and refined marine and woody scent.
- Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb: A bold and explosive mix of spices, leather, and tobacco.
- Montblanc Explorer: An adventurous and refined scent with notes of bergamot, vetiver, and patchouli.
- Paco Rabanne Invictus: A fresh and invigorating blend of citrus, marine, and woody notes.
- Gucci Guilty: A modern and sensual fragrance combining lavender, patchouli, and amber.
- Hermes Terre d'Hermes: A renowned and captivating fragrance with citrusy notes and a subtle spiciness.
- Versace Eros: An intense and captivating blend of fresh mint, citrus, and oriental notes.
Tips for Applying Cologne
When applying cologne, it is recommended to use the "spray and dab" technique. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your skin and spray onto pulse points like your wrists, neck, and behind the ears. Avoid rubbing the fragrance into your skin as this can alter the scent. Instead, let it dry naturally for a subtle and long-lasting aroma.
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Luxury perfume brands
Perfumes have been used by humanity for as long as history has been recorded. In ancient times, fragrances were used for practical purposes or were considered a necessity. Today, they are used as a form of self-expression and luxury.
The top luxury perfume brands include timeless classics like Chanel, Dior, Versace, and Gucci. These brands offer a range of scents that are long-lasting and made with high-quality ingredients. In addition, celebrity fragrances have become increasingly popular, with stars like Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Nicki Minaj launching their own lines.
Chanel
Chanel is a timeless luxury brand known for its classic and elegant fragrances. One of their most popular perfumes is Coco Mademoiselle, which was created as a youthful alternative to the iconic Chanel No°5. It has crisp and citrusy orange notes with a smooth and creamy vanilla aroma.
Dior
Dior offers a wide range of women's perfumes, including their famous Miss Dior range, which features floral and fruity fragrances. Another popular choice is the Dior Addict Eau Fraiche, a vibrant and fresh floral fragrance with fruity notes of grapefruit.
Versace
Versace is known for its bold and luxurious designs, and its perfumes are no exception. Bright Crystal by Versace is a popular choice, with a fruity and floral scent featuring notes of pomegranate, peony, and lotus flower.
Gucci
Gucci is an Italian luxury brand that offers a unique range of fragrances. Unlike traditional brands, Gucci favours floral and leather scents. Gucci Guilty Pour Femme is a sexy and oriental scent, while Gucci Bloom is a fresh and natural floral fragrance with notes of jasmine.
Tom Ford
Tom Ford is a relatively new luxury brand that has made a name for itself in the fragrance industry. Their perfumes are distinguishable by their unique combination of notes. Some popular choices include Ombre Leather, Black Orchid, and Shanghai Lily.
Francis Kurkdijan
This brand has become a household name, especially with the success of their legendary fragrance Baccarat Rouge 540. These perfumes are an investment, offering indulgent and long-lasting scents.
In addition to these brands, there are many other popular luxury perfume brands, including:
- Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)
- Carolina Herrera
- Mugler
- Viktor & Rolf
- Paco Rabanne
- Lancôme
- Jean Paul Gaultier
When choosing a luxury perfume, consider factors such as longevity, projection, and sillage. Ultimately, the best choice is a deeply personal one—select a fragrance that resonates with your mood and aligns with the image you wish to project.
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Celebrity fragrances
Some celebrities have achieved tremendous success with their fragrance lines, becoming best-sellers and gaining a loyal following. For example, celebrities like Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, and Sarah Jessica Parker have launched multiple fragrances that have received positive reviews and become popular choices for many consumers.
In addition to the celebrities mentioned above, a diverse range of famous figures have ventured into the fragrance industry. This includes music icons such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicki Minaj, as well as Hollywood superstars like Katy Perry and Jennifer Aniston. Even athletes have joined the trend, offering their fans a chance to experience a scent associated with their favourite sports stars.
With the growing popularity of celebrity fragrances, consumers now have a wide array of options to choose from. These fragrances are easily accessible through online retailers such as FragranceX.com and FragranceNet.com, which offer discounts and deals on popular celebrity perfumes and colognes. Whether one is a dedicated fan or simply looking for a new scent, celebrity fragrances present an intriguing option to explore.
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Drugstore colognes
Nautica Voyage
Nautica Voyage is a versatile, signature scent with a crisp, fresh fragrance. It evokes the smell of fresh water while also featuring amber notes and a woody scent, making it distinctly masculine. It's an excellent choice for warm weather, but the base notes of cedarwood make it suitable for year-round wear.
Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche
Drakkar Noir is a sophisticated and affordable cologne with floral top notes and unique base notes like angelica and juniper berries. The woody undertones of patchouli, oak, and pine make it perfect for cold weather and leave a lasting impression. It's a classic fragrance that has been a favourite for decades.
Versace Versus Blue Jeans
This cologne by Versace is a universal fragrance that can be worn in any season. It has crisp citrus notes of bergamot, juniper, and jasmine, making it ideal for spring and summer. The lingering warm notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and cedar give it a nice fall and winter scent. It's a versatile cologne that can be worn all year round.
Spice & Black Vanilla by Cremo
Spice & Black Vanilla by Cremo is a great-value scent that adds a masculine touch to vanilla, which is usually considered a more feminine fragrance. The spicy base and addition of tobacco set it apart from common men's fragrances. It's a strong fragrance that settles down after about 20 minutes, leaving a wonderful smell.
Burberry Touch for Men
Burberry Touch for Men is an excellent cold-weather fragrance at a great price. While most summer scents have citrus and fruity notes, Touch opts for cedar and spice, immediately giving it a winter feel. The base notes of vetiver further reinforce the dry, fall scent of leaves turning colour. It's the right fragrance for men who want a warm, rich, and affordable scent for the colder months.
Guess 1981 Los Angeles
Guess 1981 Los Angeles is a high-quality, affordable fragrance from a well-known brand. It has top notes of fresh spices like bergamot and black pepper, middle notes of ginger and mint, and masculine base notes of sandalwood and tobacco. It's a high-impact fragrance that combines freshness with masculinity.
Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man
Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man is a high-impact, affordable cologne with a unique, sweet scent. Its base notes of vanilla, ambergris, and patchouli give it a distinctive aroma. It's a great year-round scent that lasts a long time, making it an excellent choice for those who want a strong yet inexpensive cologne.
Old Spice
Old Spice is a classic, inexpensive cologne that has been a favourite for generations. It has a nice, spicy smell with notes of sage and cinnamon. As it fades, it leaves a pleasant musk and cedarwood scent. It's a timeless and masculine fragrance that is good to have in your collection.
Pinaud Clubman
Pinaud Clubman is a bargain aftershave that has been making the world smell manlier since 1810. It has hints of orange, lemon, jasmine, and lavender with a warm musk background. It also has a nice antiseptic alcohol smell that somehow works well in the mix. It's a potent fragrance commonly found in traditional barbershops.
Aqua Velva
Aqua Velva started as a mouthwash for men in 1929 and became an aftershave in 1935. It has a nice, clean, masculine smell that's heavy on the menthol, with hints of vanilla, lavender, and oakmoss. The smell is initially potent but quickly fades to a pleasant oakmoss fragrance. It's a classic, affordable fragrance that has stood the test of time.
Stetson
Stetson cologne takes advantage of its cowboy heritage with rugged marketing. However, its scent is more light and flowery, with notes of lavender, jasmine, and citrus, rather than the expected woodsy or musky fragrance. It's a surprising yet pleasant fragrance that stands out from typical male fragrances.
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Classic men's fragrances
In the 20th century, men's fragrances became a distinct category, with Caron founder Ernest Daltroff creating the first fragrance for men, "Pour Un Homme," in 1934. This opened the door for other brands to enter the market and led to the development of well-known colognes such as Old Spice and Aqua Velva.
Today, there is a wide range of classic men's fragrances available, with some of the most popular including:
- Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum: This fragrance has notes of bergamot, jasmine, white musks, patchouli, and cedarwood. It is a popular choice for those looking for a long-lasting scent.
- Dior Sauvage: This fragrance is a popular choice for men, with its intense and powerful blend of aromatic spices. It has notes of mandarin, sage, cedarwood, and amber.
- Paco Rabanne 1 Million: This rebellious fragrance combines notes of leather, amber, and tangerine, creating a unique and bold scent.
- Nautica Voyage: This cologne is ideal for everyday wear, with its fresh and romantic scent. It features aquatic notes of apple, water lotus, cedarwood, and musk.
- Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla: This cologne offers an explosion of vibrant spices, dark woods, and black vanilla, creating a warm and inviting fragrance.
- Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir: This iconic designer fragrance is intense and powerful, with a blend of fougere and aromatic spices. It is a popular choice for both day and evening wear.
- Armani Acqua di Gio: This cologne by Armani is a fresh and powerful fragrance with notes of mandarin, lavender, patchouli, and cedarwood. It is suitable for everyday wear.
- Prada Luna Rossa Black: This fragrance by Prada is a popular choice for men, with its intense and masculine scent. It has notes of bergamot, lavender, and orange blossom.
- Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male: This fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier is a bold and sensual scent, with notes of vanilla, amber, and cinnamon. It is a long-lasting fragrance suitable for special occasions.
These fragrances offer a range of scents, from fresh and aquatic to spicy and woody, allowing men to find their signature scent or build a collection for different occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
The company that used a ship logo on their men's cologne is Nautica. Their Voyage Eau De Toilette for Men fragrance features aquatic notes of apple, water lotus, cedarwood, and musk.
In addition to their Voyage Eau De Toilette, Nautica also offers a Classic Eau de Toilette with citrusy and earthy scents, as well as aromatic notes of bergamot, jasmine, and musk.
Nautica fragrances can be purchased online through retailers such as Amazon, FragranceX, and other online perfume and cologne stores. They may also be available at physical stores, although this may vary by location.