Finding The Perfect Scent: Men's Cologne Guide

Choosing a favourite men's cologne is a highly subjective task, as different scents appeal to different people. However, there are some colognes that have consistently remained popular choices. Here are some of the most noteworthy examples:

Dior Sauvage:* This best-selling cologne for men combines the invigorating notes of bergamot, the spicy essence of pepper, and rich woody accords. It exudes a captivating and masculine scent, leaving a lasting impression.

Creed Aventus:* Aventus by Creed is an exceptional fragrance for men, exuding luxury and sophistication. It blends pineapple, birch, and musk, resulting in a powerful and distinctive aroma that emanates confidence and charisma.

Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani:* This iconic cologne captures the essence of the sea with invigorating marine notes and refreshing citrus undertones. It offers a revitalizing and enduring olfactory experience that has become a timeless classic.

Other popular men's colognes include Chanel Bleu de Chanel, Ralph Lauren Polo Black, Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club, and Tom Ford Oud Wood. These colognes offer a range of scents, from fresh and clean to warm and spicy, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Best Overall

A fresh, coastal fragrance that’s masculine without being too heavy, Armani's Acqua di Giò is a classic through and through. Close your eyes, and the blend of bergamot and neroli will transport you to some quiet Italian seaside town. Although it practically screams summer, it’s just grounded enough to work in all seasons. "I will follow a man wearing this down the street," says Natasha Pearlman, Glamour’s executive editor. "One of the best scents on any guy, hands down, this was the scent that made me fall for my (now) husband 18 years ago, and it’s just as popular now," says Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz.

Why it's great

• It's a fresh, coastal fragrance that's masculine without being too heavy.
• The blend of bergamot and neroli will transport you to a quiet Italian seaside town.
• Although it screams summer, it’s grounded enough to work in all seasons.
• It's just masculine enough to work for both men and women.
• It has excellent staying power.

What to keep in mind

• It has a wide bottle that's not ideal for those with smaller hands.
• When sprayed at a downward angle, the atomizer releases a lot of fluid instead of a fine mist.

Best Budget

Finding a cheap fragrance is easy, but choosing the best one can be tough. Many colognes promise a manly musk at a low price, yet fade quickly. Here are some of the best budget colognes for men that offer great longevity and versatile scents suitable for various occasions.

• Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men: This cologne is the most versatile option on the market. It's a perfect blend of top notes like lavender with longer-lasting developing notes like cardamom. It also has dry elements like sandalwood and black pepper, offering an exotic flair. It's a memorable scent that will stick with you and trail behind you.
• Guess Seductive Homme by Guess: This cologne is consistently loved by reviewers for its intoxicating, unique, and warm scent. It has opening notes of mandarin orange, followed by amber notes and a subtle hint of orchid. It's an inviting and glowing scent that truly stands out.
• Versace Pour Homme by Gianni Versace for Men: This cologne is a blend of floral and masculine notes. It has citrusy top notes that give way to floral sage and hyacinth, mellowing into amber and musk base notes. It's suitable for all weather, both day and night.
• Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche: This cologne has been a staple since 1982, providing spicy and sharp notes for guys of all ages. It has a unique blend of notes, including citrus, spice, and subtle fruit. It's a strong and intense musk that takes confidence to pull off.
• Versace Man Eau Fraiche by Gianni Versace for Men: This cologne proves that floral scents can be masculine. It's citrusy and aromatic with earthy notes of sycamore wood, saffron, and amber. It has an aquatic feeling, making it perfect for spring and summer casual wear and romantic dates.
• F Black by Salvatore Ferragamo: This cologne is a perfect choice for mature men, especially for brisk nights out. It has notes of leather and amber, with lavender, apple, and black pepper from Madagascar rounding out the scent. It lingers on the skin for over 6 hours and is a great choice for under $50.
• Nautica Voyage by Nautica for Men: This cologne is a crisp, fresh, and memorable scent, perfect for making daily memories. It has notes of amber, cedarwood, green leaf, and apple, creating a manly musk that is striking yet subtle. It's an easy, breezy scent with over 72,000 positive Amazon reviews.
• Calvin Klein CK Everyone: This cologne is a modernized version of the iconic Calvin Klein One. It has refreshing notes of ginger, citrus, and fresh water, blending grounding wood and intoxicating floral. It's vegan and alcohol-free, with recyclable packaging, and is a great deal from a luxury brand for just over $55.
• Quorum by Antonio Puig for Men: This cologne is a rich and heavy musk that helps you stand out. It's a true musk with a rich leather scent and notes of pinetree, jasmine, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot for added depth. It's a well-balanced fragrance that's been a staple since 1983 and is a great choice for around $15.
• Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger for Men: This cologne evokes a feeling of youth and wholesome preppiness. It has a clean, fresh scent dominated by citrus notes, with juicy apple cut by the tart bitterness of cranberry and grapefruit. It's a strong and long-lasting scent that reviewers prefer during the day.
• Halston Z-14 by Halston for Men: This cologne has endured since 1974 and is described as sexy, sensual, and masculine. It has natural notes that create a highly aromatic scent with citrus, woody, and warm spicy undertones. It has top notes of lemon, gardenia, and basil, middle notes of jasmine, vetiver, and cedar, and a strong, woody base. It's a great choice for around $20.
• Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man: This cologne is sexy and masculine, with a sleek matte black bottle. It has fruity notes of lemon and pineapple, giving way to smokey woods and musk undertones. While it may be harsh in the first 15 minutes, the dry-down is worth the wait. It's a versatile cologne, great for any time of day, and especially perfect for date night.

Best for Winter

Winter colognes for men typically feature heavier, longer-lasting notes such as wood, spice, vetiver, cocoa, coffee, and bourbon. Here are some of the best winter colognes for men:

Terre d’Hermès by Hermès

This cologne is an excellent blend of zest, pepper, and wood, making it a perfect choice for winter. It has a unique yet pleasant scent that is affordable and suitable for daily wear. The performance is outstanding, with a longevity of more than 8 hours on the skin. It is best suited for men older than 18.

Althaïr by Parfums de Marly

Althaïr is a luxurious winter cologne with a combination of vanilla and wood notes. It has a strong spice and musk base, making it perfect for the colder months. While the performance is good, with a longevity of 4-6 hours, the projection is very good. This cologne is ideal for special occasions and best suited for those with deeper pockets.

Invictus Victory Elixir by Paco Rabanne

This cologne has an aromatic opening of lavender and green cardamom, which transitions to a blend of vanilla, coconut, wood, and spiced amber. It is perfect for colder months and can also be worn in spring and autumn. The performance is good, with a longevity of around 6 hours, and the projection is outstanding.

Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum Extreme by Givenchy

This cologne is a strong, masculine scent with a dominant note of black coffee, followed by three types of vetiver. It has excellent performance, with a longevity of more than 8 hours, and a strong projection. It is suitable for men between 24 and 60 and can be worn in professional settings.

Bleu Noir Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

This versatile cologne can be worn daily and is suitable for casual get-togethers, the office, and dinner parties. It has a cool iris note balanced by cream, musk, and powder. The performance is top-notch, with a longevity of 4-6 hours, and the projection is soft, requiring 6 sprays for the best results. It is suitable for all ages.

Free d’Homme by CoSTUME NATIONAL

This spicy cologne will blow you away with its cinnamon, waxy pine, smoky labdanum, and incense notes. It is a special occasion cologne, best suited for older gentlemen and not recommended for the office. The performance is outstanding, with a longevity of more than 6 hours, and the projection is very strong, requiring only 2-4 sprays.

Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera

This winter cologne features layers of vanilla balanced by fresh ginger and vetiver. It has a seductive aromatic profile with nutty chocolates and cacao and coffee notes. The performance is good, with a longevity of more than 4-6 hours, and it is excellent value for money. It is suitable for colder weather and perfect for those who want a modern take on a classic scent.

Best Long-Lasting

When it comes to long-lasting colognes for men, there are several options that stand out for their impressive longevity and captivating scents. Here are some of the best long-lasting colognes to consider:

Creed Aventus

Creed Aventus is an iconic fragrance that has stood the test of time. With its fruity and woody notes, it is considered one of the best long-lasting colognes for men. According to reviewers, it has excellent staying power and can last all day. It features a combination of apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, and bergamot top notes, along with birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk heart and base notes. This cologne is perfect for those who want to exude strength, power, and success.

Tom Ford Beau de Jour

This cologne by Tom Ford is an excellent choice for those seeking a sophisticated and elegant scent. It has a unique blend of lavender, geranium, and moss notes, creating a mature and refined aroma. According to reviewers, it has impressive longevity and is perfect for making a lasting impression.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

Chanel Bleu de Chanel is a popular and versatile fragrance that can be worn during the day or at night. It combines fresh citrus notes with spices and elegant woods, resulting in an intoxicating and long-lasting scent. This Eau de Parfum version adds incense and amber, enhancing its depth and longevity while giving it a more sophisticated and sexy vibe.

Dior Sauvage Elixir

If you're looking for a spicy and bold fragrance, Dior Sauvage Elixir is an excellent choice. It contains notes of nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and licorice, creating a warm and captivating scent. The base notes of sandalwood, amber, patchouli, and Haitian vetiver give it exceptional staying power, ensuring that it lingers on the skin for hours.

Burberry Hero Eau de Parfum

Burberry Hero is a bold and woody fragrance that makes a powerful statement. It features not just one or two, but three types of cedar at its base, along with pine needles, incense, and benzoin. This combination creates a spicy and earthy aroma that is both masculine and modern, with impressive longevity.

Tom Ford Noir Extreme

For those who want to dial up the intensity, Tom Ford Noir Extreme is an excellent choice. This version of the classic Tom Ford Noir is packed with spices like cardamom and nutmeg, revealing a floral heart before drying down to a rich blend of woods. It is a mature and elegant cologne with exceptional longevity, making it a bold and memorable choice.

These long-lasting colognes offer a range of scents, from fresh and spicy to woody and sweet. They are designed to make a lasting impression and will ensure that you smell great throughout the day, no matter what your adventures entail.

Best for Young Men

When it comes to choosing a cologne, it's important to consider your body chemistry, the staying power of the scent, the quality of the ingredients, and the price.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette

This cologne is an excellent choice for young men who want to smell like a million bucks without breaking the bank. It has a sophisticated masculine scent with heavy leather, woody, and amber notes, balanced by a touch of rose and citrus. It settles into a comfortable and noticeably present scent with great staying power. The gold brick-shaped bottle adds a touch of luxury to your collection.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme

This cologne is like summer in a bottle, with bright citrus dancing atop delicate floral notes grounded in amber. It's not overwhelming, making it perfect for daytime wear or a casual evening out. The packaging is minimalistic and airy, with cloudy glass and a simple design.

Dior Homme Eau de Toilette

This cologne is an excellent choice for young men who want to make a statement. It's masculine and elevated, with an undeniably sensual and luxe appeal. The hero of this fragrance is its Atlas cedar, hand-chiseled in-house, which adds a woody and sophisticated touch. Patchouli and vetiver round out the scent, making it extremely wearable and appealing to a wide range of men.

Versace Eros Eau de Parfum

This intense cologne is perfect for young men who want to leave a lasting impression. It's fresh and woody, with notes of citrus, mint, and a hint of spice, settling into a warm cedarwood and vanilla base. The intensity fades on the skin while maintaining a strong presence, making it ideal for date nights and evenings out. The bold blue bottle is a showstopper, reflecting the flamboyant designs of Versace.

Jo Malone London Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne

This unique cologne offers a fresh, cool, and calming scent, inspired by afternoon tea with Earl Grey and cucumber sandwiches. It has a light beeswax note that adds a hint of sweetness without being too gourmand. The scent has excellent staying power and remains consistent throughout the day, making it a great everyday staple for young men.

These recommendations offer a range of scents that are versatile, long-lasting, and appealing to young men. Remember to consider your personal preferences, and don't be afraid to experiment with different fragrances to find your signature scent!

Frequently asked questions