Antonio Mcgowan
Choosing the right cologne can be the difference between a second date and harsh rejection. While scent preferences are unique to each individual, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you pick out a cologne that turns heads for the right reasons.
Pheromones are chemicals that act as messengers between individuals and contribute to attraction. Androsterone is the specific pheromone men possess that women find desirable. Some colognes contain artificial pheromones to stimulate natural attraction, while others mingle with a man's natural scent.
Research has shown that women find the following scents particularly attractive:
- Fruity notes: A diet high in fruits and vegetables can make men's pheromones more attractive to women.
- Musk: A raw and carnal scent that can be extremely sensual, often used as a base or mid-note in men's colognes.
- Aquatic and mint fragrances: These scents smell clean and hint at good hygiene.
- Relaxing fragrances: Notes such as vanilla and tonka bean can help people feel relaxed and disarmed, aiding in attraction.
- Blu Atlas Atlantis: A bright, fresh, and clean scent with top notes of bergamot, lemon, and blackcurrant.
- Versace Eros: A fresh combination of mint, Italian lemon zest, and green apple with warm base notes.
- Dior Sauvage: A fresh and versatile scent with notes of bergamot, pepper, vanilla, and amber.
- Bleu de Chanel: A timeless, citrusy, and woody fragrance with top notes of grapefruit, mint, and bergamot.
- Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: A light, fresh, and crisp aquatic cologne with citrusy and floral notes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring/Summer, Fall, Winter, All |
| Occasion | Day, Night, Evening, Casual, Formal, Work, Clubbing, Date night |
| Top notes | Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lavender, Mandarin, Mint, Basil, Coriander, Cardamom, Violet leaves, Blood orange, Sea spray, Geranium, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Violet, Ginger, Sage, Pepper, Pink pepper, Iris, Orchid, Jasmine, Gardenia, Tuberose, Indian basil, Italian bergamot, Clementine, French melon, Sichuan pepper, Tangerine, Meyer lemon, Italian red-orange, Calypsone, Murraya flower, Tunisian neroli, Moroccan orange blossom, Indian Sambac jasmine absolute, Kephalis, Belambre, Boisiris, Serenolide, Vetiver, Patchouli, Mexican cueroamo, Soft leather, Iris root absolute |
| Heart/Middle notes | Violet, Orris, Oak-moss, Ambrette seed, Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Ambergris, Tobacco, Cardamom, Orange blossom, Cedar, Amber, Musk, Vanilla, Iris, Nutmeg, Orchid, Jasmine, Spices, Fruity notes, Lotus, Amber, Labdanum, Tonka bean, Benzoin, Violet leaves, Violet, Geranium, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Ambergris, Tobacco, Cedarwood, White musk, Coriander, Jasmine, Rose, Green tea, Ginger, Nutmeg, Balsam, Musk, Incense, Amber, Cedar, Musk, Incense, Amber, Cedar, Musk, Orchid, Violet, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Amber, Praline, Cinnamon, Tonka bean, Vanilla, Sandalwood |
| Base notes | Musk wood, Incense, Oakmoss, Cedar, Amber, Patchouli, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Haitian vetiver, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Musk, Cedar, Musk, Vanilla, Amber, Oakmoss, Tobacco, Leather, Birch, Jasmine, Pink berries, Musk, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Louro Amarelo wood, Musk, Amber, Leather, Cedar, Musk, Amber, Leather, Cedar, Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Tobacco, Ambergris, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Labdanum, Cashmeran, Ambroxan, Leather, Saffron, Oud, Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Tonka bean, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cacao, Amber, Musk, Tonka bean, Vanilla, Cedar, Musk, Sandalwood, Amber, Praline, Cinnamon, Tonka bean, Vanilla, Sandalwood |
What You'll Learn
Citrus scents
Women may be drawn to a citrusy and reliable scent like Calvin Klein Everyone, which is summer-ready right out of the bottle. The additional notes of blue tea and cedar add depth and sophistication, making it a dynamic, light, and tempting choice.
If you're looking for a citrus scent that's a bit more understated, try Ermenegildo Zegna Uomo. It's a light, fresh, citrusy, woody aromatic fragrance similar to Yves Saint Laurent Homme Libre.
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Woody fragrances
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
A sophisticated, clean, citrusy, and refreshing woody scent. This fragrance features three types of vetiver, along with salty notes, woods, and citrus. It is bright, clean, and sunny, yet also mature, masculine, and distinguished. It is versatile and can be worn day or night, all year round, except for summer.
Givenchy Gentleman Society
A creamy, vanilla-scented fragrance with a touch of mint and sage. It is woody and aromatic, with initial notes of cardamom and sage, followed by vetiver and vanilla. It is a unique, mature, and elegant fragrance, perfect for everyday wear.
Tom Ford Oud Wood
A luxurious, exotic, and resonant fragrance that takes you on a journey to the heart of the forest. It features spicy cardamom, rosewood, and oud, with a warm base of vanilla and amber. It is a sophisticated scent, perfect for cold-weather evenings and formal events.
Creed Royal Oud
A regal and sophisticated fragrance that exudes luxury and elegance. It opens with citrus, pink pepper, and galbanum, followed by woody notes of cedar, oud, and sandalwood. It is a confident and classy scent, ideal for autumn and winter days and upscale events.
Chanel Sycomore
A timeless and classically French woody fragrance that gets better with time. It features Chanel's trademark clean aldehydes, woody vetiver, fresh cypress, and smoked cedar. It is an any-season scent with good longevity, perfect for those who want a refined, woody fragrance.
Bentley for Men Intense
A rich, opulent, and excellent value fragrance that evokes a drive through a winding forest road. It combines black pepper, bay leaf, and smooth leather with sandalwood, cedar, incense, and boozy rum. It is a powerful, masculine scent, perfect for autumn and winter nights and upscale events.
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
A minimal, subtle, yet distinctive scent that calls to the sea. It is rooted in mineral notes, with ambrette seeds, sage, and sea salt. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn day or night but does not last very long.
Le Labo Santal 33
A trendy, unisex fragrance with a rich, spicy scent. It has warm notes of cardamom, violet accord, iris, and ambrox, and a base of cedarwood, sandalwood, and leather. It is versatile and can be worn day or night and has good longevity.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel
An elegant, refined, and masculine fragrance that captures the woodiness of the earth. It is fresh and aromatic, with cedar and New Caledonian sandalwood, along with grapefruit, lemon, mint, and pink pepper. It is a versatile scent that can be worn day or night.
Burberry Hero
A modern and dynamic woody fragrance that is fresh yet deep. It combines pine needles, benzoin, and a wave of warm, woody cedar and smoky incense. It is perfect for autumn, winter, and spring, and casual outings, with good longevity.
Lalique Encre Noire
A nocturnal scent that takes you deep into the heart of a mysterious forest. It features cypress, vetiver, and cashmere wood, with exotic musk. It is perfect for autumn and winter evenings, offering good longevity.
Acqua di Parma Oud & Spice
A blend of citrus, spice, and woods that feels like a Mediterranean forest breeze. It has bergamot, raspberry, cloves, pink pepper, and rich woody oud, supported by sweet and smoky labdanum. It is a sophisticated, elegant scent, perfect for spring, summer, and fall, with good longevity.
Armani Eau d'Aromes
A warm and aromatic fragrance with patchouli, vetiver, sage, and citrus notes like bergamot and mandarin. It is a great woody fragrance for going out, offering a combination of sophistication and warmth.
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Spicy notes
BVLGARI Man in Black
This cologne is all about spices, rum, and leather. It has top notes of rum, cardamom, and cinnamon, followed by heart notes of tuberose, iris, and leather. The base notes include benzoin, tonka bean, guaiac wood, and black amber. It's a warm, comforting, and sweet fragrance with a mature vibe, reminiscent of an alpha male or James Bond.
Tom Ford Noir
A sophisticated, sweet, and spicy oriental cologne with floral and woody notes. Some men find it too powdery and androgynous, while others consider it very masculine. The top notes include bergamot, verbena, caraway, pink pepper, and violet. The projection notes are black pepper, nutmeg, Tuscan iris, geranium, Bulgarian rose, and clary sage. The base notes feature opoponax, amber, Indonesian patchouli leaf, vetiver, civet, and vanilla.
Dolce & Gabbana The One
This is a sweet, spicy, and aromatic oriental fragrance, making it a popular choice for date nights and clubbing. It has top notes of grapefruit, coriander, and basil, followed by heart notes of cardamom, ginger, and orange blossom. The base notes consist of cedarwood, ambergris, and tobacco, resulting in a soft, warm, and comforting scent that is both masculine and classic.
Salvatore Ferragamo F by Ferragamo Black
A spicy aromatic cologne created as an elegant and intense evening version of the original F by Ferragamo. It has top notes of lavender, heart notes of black pepper and coriander, and base notes of labdanum and tonka. This fragrance exudes a powerful 'bad boy' vibe, suggesting a man who wears a black leather jacket and rides a motorbike.
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme
While not explicitly described as spicy, this woody aromatic cologne is worth mentioning. It has top notes of lavender and lemon, heart notes of orange flower, and base notes of cedarwood and patchouli. It sends the message "I'm a man, not a boy" and is considered dark, mysterious, and romantic.
Spicebomb by Viktor&Rolf
A well-known spicy fragrance for men, featuring warm spices. It is described as a "bomb of a scent" and is sure to make a bold impression.
In addition to these specific fragrances, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and saffron are known to have aphrodisiac qualities and are often used in perfumes and colognes to enhance desire and increase arousal.
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Aquatic notes
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio:
This timeless fragrance has been a fan favourite for over two decades. It evokes the Mediterranean coast with its punchy citrus and watery nuances. The top notes feature mouth-watering bergamot, followed by marine heart notes balanced with florals and rosemary. The base notes include cedar and a hint of patchouli for added depth. Acqua Di Gio is versatile and easy to wear, making it a perfect choice for daily use all year round.
Nautica Voyage:
Nautica Voyage is a budget-friendly option that delivers the qualities of a luxury fragrance. This beach scent captures the essence of a sunny day on a sailboat with its crisp, fresh notes. The top layer features green apples and leaves, while the heart reveals softer coastal scents like water lotus. The base notes of cedarwood, amber, and musk add a bold finish. It is an excellent choice for a summer cologne.
Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt:
This luxurious cologne is a personal favourite for many. It is overwhelmingly fresh, with refined ambrette seeds, crunchy sea salt, and woody sage. This fragrance is a true head-turner and can be layered with other fragrances like Jo Malone's Blackberry and Bay for added complexity. It is ideal for spring, summer, and fall.
Ralph Lauren Polo Blue:
Polo Blue is a classic, masculine scent suitable for year-round wear. It is easygoing and keeps you cool during the sweltering summer. The top notes feature watery cantaloupe, cucumber, and bergamot, while the heart reveals aquatic accords, sage, and basil. The base notes of washed suede, patchouli, and musk make it versatile for winter as well.
Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua:
Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein is a light and refreshing fragrance that has been a dependable choice for over a decade. It opens with watery cucumbers and green leaves, complemented by heart notes of sage, basil, and tarragon. The base notes of warm sandalwood and spiced patchouli make it perfect for daily wear, whether at the office or on weekends by the water.
Chanel Allure Homme Sport:
Chanel Allure Homme Sport is an energizing and bold aquatic fragrance with an earthy freshness. Created by the renowned nose Jacques Polge, it features top notes of mandarin, a crystalline accord, and middle notes of cedar. The base notes of tonka bean and white musk add depth to this clean and cool scent, making it ideal for all seasons.
Guess Seductive Homme Blue:
Guess Seductive Homme Blue is a sophisticated and budget-friendly option, perfect for young men starting their cologne journey. It is a fusion of water and pepper, with top notes of aquatic accord, blue coral, citrus, and cardamom. The fragrance grows in intensity, making it bright, fresh, and flirty. The base notes of cashmere wood and moss add a touch of sophistication.
Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme Marine:
This aquatic fragrance by Bvlgari is a delightfully crisp scent that blends maritime elements with charged citrus. It opens with top notes of grapefruit and bitter orange, followed by heart notes of seaweed and fresh water with uplifting minerality. The base notes of toasty amber and cedar create a casual fragrance that women will love. It is perfect for spring and summer.
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Musk
The scent is masculine in every sense, and is one that many women choose for their men to wear, as well as a popular choice for men themselves. When musk oil was first discovered, it was said to have unusual powers of sexual attraction.
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Frequently asked questions
Popular colognes that women seem to like include Bleu de Chanel, Dior Sauvage, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, and Gucci Guilty Pour Homme.
Yes, there are colognes like Liquid Magnet and Raw Chemistry that contain pheromones, which are chemicals that act as messengers between individuals and contribute to attraction.
While scent preferences are unique to each individual, some research suggests that women find fruity, aquatic, minty, and musky fragrances to be attractive.
Some colognes that women seem to find attractive include Versace Eros, Dolce & Gabbana The One, and Gucci Guilty Black.
Women seem to prefer fresh and citrusy fragrances for daytime wear, such as Polo Ralph Lauren Red Rush and Calvin Klein CK One.
