The Strongest Colognes: Powerful Scents With Global Reach

The strongest colognes in the world are those that have a high concentration of fragrance oils and last the longest on the skin. These are typically categorised as 'parfum' or 'eau de parfum' and contain 20% or more fragrance oils, or between 15% and 20% respectively.

Some of the strongest colognes in terms of projection and longevity include Dior Sauvage Elixir, Montale Black Aoud, Franck Olivier Oud Touch, Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb, and Amouage Interlude.

Woody fragrances

Terre d’Hermes Parfum by Hermes

This fragrance has a cult-like following due to its addictive woody, spicy, and earthy accord. It has great performance, with a longevity of 4-6 hours, and a strong initial projection, so be careful not to apply too much. It has top notes of orange and grapefruit, middle notes of flint, and base notes of oak moss and benzoin.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

This fragrance combines fresh and woody notes, a challenging feat achieved by one of the world's top fragrance houses. It has a soft yet long-lasting and potent performance, with a projection of up to 3 meters and longevity of around 6 hours on the skin. It has top notes of lavender, middle notes of patchouli and vetiver, and base notes of cedar and leather.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

A creamy, vanilla-scented fragrance with a twist of mint and sage notes, this scent is described as something "good-looking men wear." It has a strong initial projection and a longevity of around 4-6 hours. It has top notes of cardamom and sage, middle notes of French narcissus, Haitian vetiver, and Madagascar vetiver, and base notes of vanilla, palo santo, and cedar.

Endymion by Penhaligon’s

With excellent projection and silage, this fragrance has a unique interplay between coffee and lavender notes, balanced by woody base notes. It has a longevity of around 4-6 hours on the skin and a little more on clothes. It has top notes of lavender, bergamot, sage, and mandarin orange, middle notes of coffee and geranium, and base notes of sandalwood, leather, nutmeg, and musk.

Bleu de Chanel

An exceedingly popular men's fragrance, this eau de parfum is the longest-lasting and woodiest version of Bleu de Chanel. It has top notes of grapefruit and lemon, middle notes of ginger and citrus accord, and base notes of cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

This signature scent combines oud with cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver, and hints of tonka bean and amber. It has a longevity of around 8 hours and a strong projection.

Citrus-based fragrances

Dior Homme Cologne Eau de Toilette by Dior

Regarded as one of the greatest scents ever, Dior Homme Cologne offers a fresh citrus smell at a well-priced point. With top notes of Calabrian bergamot and a grapefruit blossom heart, it is perfectly balanced by a white musk base, offering a decent longevity of 4 hours on the skin and more on clothes. While it is perfect for wearing around the house, to the office, and on weekends, it is not the best option for formal wear.

MYSLF Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent

This addictive scent could become your new signature. It has a fresh and floral twist that is perfect for spring and summer. While some critics noted that the dry-down brings a heavy amount of vanilla and floral notes, it was found to be a balanced amount during testing. With bergamot top notes and Tunisian orange blossom middle notes, this scent is perfect for wearing around town, to the office, and on first dates.

Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton

This fragrance is the equivalent of a mojito in a bottle, with plenty of coriander, lemon, mint, citron, orange, and an overarching cucumber scent. It has great performance, with around 5-6 hours of projection on the skin and a little more on clothes. It can be worn in the office, on date nights, and during cocktail evenings in the warmer months.

Perseus by Parfums de Marly

Most citrus scents for men typically involve lemon and lime, but Perseus turns this idea on its head with a combination of grapefruit, bergamot, and black currant on the top notes, followed by green mandarin and vetiver. This memorable scent has good performance for a fresh scent, with 4-6 hours of projection. It is a unique scent, so it is recommended to try it in-store before paying full price for a bottle.

Bohemian Lime by Goldfield & Banks

This is a niche, unique, and colourful fragrance with finger lime and coriander on the opening, drying down to a woody base. It is fresh, zingy, and a little bitter, making it perfect for daily wear during the warmer months in Australia. With solid longevity, you can expect 4-6 hours of longevity on the skin and slightly more on clothes. It is not the best choice for formal settings and professional office wear.

Ani X by Nishane

Ani X is the longest-lasting citrus scent for men ever tested. With top notes of lemon, bergamot, melon, ginger, cardamom, water notes, and pink pepper, it has a fresh and sporty feel. It is also incredibly versatile, with a scent profile that is comfortable yet not boring. While it is quite expensive, its performance and smell justify the price.

Oriental fragrances

• Joop! Homme: Launched in 1989, Joop! Homme continues to be a cult favourite. It has been created with familiar notes in a classic combination, including orange blossom, bergamot, jasmine, cinnamon, sandalwood, and vanilla.
• Spicebomb Night Vision by Viktor & Rolf: This aftershave is created with a powerful combination of notes. It opens with fresh green apple, grapefruit, and cardamom, then reveals red chilli, clove, nutmeg, and sage before finishing on a base of tonka bean and almond.
• Oud & Bergamot by Jo Malone: This fragrance from Jo Malone's Intense Collection is a fresh take on a revered wood. It combines precious oud, crisp bergamot, lemon, cedar, and an orange granite accord.
• Labdanum 18 by Le Labo: This enigmatic and sensual fragrance from Le Labo debuted in 2006. It manages to be surprisingly discreet, despite its ingredients packing a powerful punch. Spicy, musky notes are layered over animal undertones of civet and castoreum, and mixed with a delicate blend of leather and vanilla.
• Fking Fabulous by Tom Ford: One of the more recent fragrances by Tom Ford, Fking Fabulous has a spicy, warm, and decadent scent. With notes of gourmand almond, iris heart, and rich luscious leather intensified by floral orris accord.
• Eau Lente by Diptyque: Eau Lente, which means "slow water" in French, is an Oriental spicy fragrance that doesn't fully reveal its character until it's been warmed by contact with the skin. The primary ingredient is opopanax, one of the oldest perfumes in the world, once used by the Egyptians in their beauty formulas. Here, it’s mixed with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, and Indian spices, resulting in a fresh, extravagant scent.
• Oud Royale by Armani Privé: A splendid Oriental dream, Armani's Privé Oud Royal is inspired by a unique wood more tantalizing than gold: oud wood. The fragrance has top notes of amber accord, while oriental spices make up the middle. The base notes of myrrh and incense amplify the earthy Oriental fragrance, making it captivating and majestic.

Floral fragrances

For Men:

• Calvin Klein Eternity for Men: A romantic, unisex floral fragrance inspired by lasting love. It features notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood.
• Chanel Chance Eau de Toilette: A gorgeous classic with notes of jasmine, pink pepper, and amber patchouli. The combination of ingredients will smell different on your skin throughout the day, offering a unique experience.
• Dior Sauvage: An iconic fragrance with a more extreme concentration, ensuring it lasts even longer than the original. It has notes of cinnamon, grapefruit, lavender, amber, and sandalwood.
• Ralph Lauren Polo Black: A bold fusion of iced mango, lemon, tangerine, sandalwood, sage, and patchouli noir for a bittersweet result.
• Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club: A warm and spicy fragrance with notes of pink pepper, rum, tobacco, and vanilla bean. Perfect for the fall and winter months.

For Women:

• Marc Jacobs Perfect Elixir Eau de Parfum: A perfect balance between cozy and sweet, with notes of plum, rhubarb, orange blossom, and vanilla bean extract.
• Diptyque Rose Roche Eau de Parfum: A classic floral scent with familiar rose notes, bursting into energizing lemon and patchouli.
• Tory Burch Sublime Eau de Parfum: A unique combination of leather and floral notes, with mandarin, rose, magnolia, and patchouli.
• Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum: Gucci's first gourmand floral fragrance with a tropical feel and a deep vanilla base.
• Vintner's Daughter Understory Vol. 2: A natural fragrance that captures the essence of California's Redwood Forests with notes of moss, violet, jasmine, and rose.

Longevity of different fragrance types

The longevity of a perfume depends on several factors, including the type of perfume, the concentration of the fragrance, your skin type, and the climate you live in.

There are six main types of perfume, each with a different concentration of fragrance oil:

• Perfume or Parfum: The strongest type, with 20-30% fragrance oil. It is the most expensive and can last up to 24 hours.
• Eau de Parfum: The second strongest type, with 15-20% fragrance oil. It can last 6-8 hours.
• Eau de Toilette: With 5-15% fragrance oil, it often makes a great first impression. It usually lasts 4-7 hours.
• Eau de Cologne: A much lighter choice with 2-4% fragrance oil. It doesn't last long, perhaps 2-3 hours.
• Eau Fraiche: The lightest concentration, with only 1-2% fragrance oil. It will last a couple of hours at best.
• Perfume Oils: These have a pure oil base and no alcohol or water. Most perfume oils have up to 20% fragrance oil, and the rest is a carrier oil.

In addition to the type and concentration of perfume, your skin type can also affect its longevity. People with oily skin tend to find that their perfumes last longer because their skin produces more sebum, which helps retain the fragrance. The climate can also play a role, with perfumes lasting longer in cooler climates than in warmer, more humid ones.

To make your perfume last longer, apply it to clean, moisturized skin, especially at your pulse points. Avoid rubbing it in, and if possible, use a body lotion or deodorant with the same scent. Storing your perfume in a cool, dark place will also help preserve the fragrance oil.

Frequently asked questions