The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Signature Scent

Choosing a cologne is a personal experience, and the best way to select the right one is to try out a few different scents and see what you like. There are several factors to consider, such as your style, the occasion, and the season.

- Paco Rabanne: Offers bold and modern fragrances, including 1 Million, which is a popular choice.

- Creed: Known for high-quality, long-lasting scents with a prestigious aura, like Aventus.

- Dior: Offers a range of elegant and masculine fragrances, including the popular Dior Homme and Sauvage.

- Azzaro: Provides vibrant and captivating scents, with Wanted and Chrome being top choices.

- Tom Ford: Delivers luxurious and sophisticated scents with a focus on unique ingredients.

- Yves Saint Laurent (YSL): Presents a range of classic and modern options, such as La Nuit de l'Homme, which is widely favoured.

These brands offer an array of fragrances to suit diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you lean towards fresh and clean, warm and spicy, or bold and daring scents, you're sure to discover something appealing from these top brands.

Best Overall: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò

A classic, fresh, and coastal fragrance that's masculine without being too heavy, Acqua di Giò by Giorgio Armani is the perfect everyday scent. The blend of bergamot and neroli will transport you to a quiet Italian seaside town. While it screams summer, it's grounded enough to work all year round. It's just one of those timeless classics that exudes sophistication and confidence.

Although it's an eau de toilette, it's just grounded enough to work in all seasons and has impressive longevity. It's not too heavy, but it's also not too light and has impressive longevity. It's a versatile scent that can be worn during the day or at night and is suitable for all seasons.

With top notes of Calabrian bergamot, neroli, and green tangerine, Acqua di Giò has a bright and invigorating opening. The heart notes of jasmine and rosemary add a touch of elegance and sophistication. The base notes of patchouli and Indonesian patchouli provide depth and earthiness to the fragrance. The result is a fresh and energizing scent that's perfect for any man.

Acqua di Giò has garnered a cult following over the years and is often cited as one of the best colognes for men. It's a safe choice for those who want a versatile and well-loved fragrance. The scent is not too overpowering, but it's also not too subtle, making it perfect for those who want to make a statement without being too loud.

The bottle design is simple and elegant, with a dark blue colour scheme and a silver cap. The fragrance is typically sold in 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, and 6.7 oz sizes, making it a great value for money.

Overall, Acqua di Giò by Giorgio Armani is a well-rounded and versatile fragrance that's perfect for any man. It's a safe choice for those who want a sophisticated and timeless scent that's not too heavy or too light. The longevity and versatility of this fragrance make it a great choice for everyday wear, and the elegant bottle design will look great on any dresser or bathroom shelf.

Best Under $50: Nautica Voyage

Nautica Voyage is a popular choice for men's cologne under $50. It is an everyday fragrance that is long-lasting and comes in a 6.7 fl oz pack. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 7,000 reviews on Amazon. The cologne features notes of apple, cedarwood, and mimosa.

The Nautica brand is known for its aquatic and marine-inspired fragrances, and Nautica Voyage is no exception. The cologne captures the essence of the ocean with its fresh and invigorating scent. It is perfect for men who want to feel confident and refreshed throughout the day.

The top notes of Nautica Voyage include apple and mimosa, which provide a crisp and fruity aroma. These notes are complemented by the heart notes of cedarwood, adding a warm and woody element to the fragrance. The base notes of the cologne are musk and amber, providing a sensual and long-lasting finish.

Nautica Voyage is an excellent choice for men who want a versatile and affordable cologne. It can be worn during the day or at night and is suitable for both formal and informal occasions. The cologne's fresh and woody scent is appealing to those around you and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

In addition to its appealing scent, Nautica Voyage is also a great value for money. With a price of $29.23, it is an affordable option for those who want a high-quality cologne without breaking the bank. The cologne can be purchased on Amazon, making it easily accessible and convenient to buy.

Best Citrus: Acqua di Parma Colonia

Acqua di Parma Colonia is a timeless classic, a fresh, citrusy scent that suits any occasion. It's a versatile, balanced blend of bright, fruity top notes and warm base notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli. It's perfect for day or night, all seasons, and any gender.

The iconic Italian fragrance house Acqua di Parma was founded in 1916 with the creation of Colonia, and it has since become a symbol of Italian chic. The fragrance was originally used to perfume gentlemen's handkerchiefs, and it has been worn by celebrities such as Cary Grant, David Niven, Ava Gardner, and Audrey Hepburn.

Colonia is a citrus fragrance with notes of lemon, sweet orange, Calabrian bergamot, lavender, Bulgarian rose, jasmine, amber, and light musk. It comes in a simple yet elegant bottle, capturing the essence of Italian style.

The scent opens with a burst of radiant lemon, Calabrian bergamot, and sweet orange, creating a luminous and uplifting character. The heart of the fragrance reveals a refined bouquet of lavender, verbena, and delicate floral nuances of Bulgarian rose and rosemary. In the base, warm and precious woody notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli add a sophisticated and refined finish.

Acqua di Parma Colonia is a versatile and timeless fragrance that embodies the dynamic spirit of modern, metropolitan life. It's perfect for those who want a scent that can be worn anytime, anywhere, and will leave a lasting impression.

Best for Summer: Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme

With bright citrus dancing atop delicate floral notes grounded in amber, this cologne is like summer in a bottle. The scent isn't overwhelming, so you won't be setting off anyone with fragrance sensitivities. Even the packaging feels clean, light, and airy, with cloudy glass and a minimalistic design.

This cologne is a versatile scent that works for any scenario. Three elegantly understated sprays on the wrist will give you all-day staying power, from lounging by the pool during the day to dinner al fresco. It smells slightly different across various fabrics—satin skewed sour while wool highlighted and intensified the floral notes, but it remained true to the scent of cotton and linen.

Type: Eau de toilette

Key Notes: Yuzu, Mandarin orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, sandalwood, amber

Fragrance Family: Citrus

Size: 2.5 oz

Amy, a tester, says: "The sophisticated cologne is not overly masculine or feminine, so it's a very good unisex option. It's not overwhelming or heavy at all, so it would be a very good option for daytime, for example, for the office."

Best for Young Men: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette

With its ostentatious packaging reminiscent of a gold brick and sophisticated masculine scent, young men won’t have to spend a fortune to smell like a million bucks. 1 Million is the last cologne that Paco Rabanne, the pseudonym for fashion designer Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, had a hand in crafting. This cologne is a harmonious blend of heavy leather, woody, and rich amber notes, with a touch of rose and citrus. It settles down to a noticeably present yet comfortable scent level with great staying power.

Who It's For

Musky and leathery, this cologne is great for the younger man with after-work plans. It smells like a modern take on a classic, but not in a way that will make you smell like your dad.

Type

Eau de toilette

Key Notes

• Frosted grapefruit
• Rose absolute
• Musk
• Amber ketal
• Blond leather
• White wood

Fragrance Family

Earthy, woody

Size

7 oz

Tester Review

"The perfume holds well onto the skin without fading quickly. After about an hour I could still smell it strong. The musky and leather smell does soften down, leaving the rose and citrus, yet a musky, male scent."

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