Best Colognes For Men

Want A Signature Scent That'll Grab Her Attention? Here Are 12

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In the grooming universe, a man is defined by his scent. It can come from a well-formulated deodorant, shower gel or hair-styling product. An aftershave might even draw you the right stares during up-close encounters. Nevertheless, nothing earns you aromatic allure more than a refined cologne.

Eight out of 10 men use some kind of scented product according to a report by the NPD Group. This insatiable appetite has spawned countless new colognes and propped up an industry last estimated to be worth some $27.1 billion, with that increasing to $37 billion come 2021. But the power of fragrance goes beyond financial, social, and of course, sensual stimulation.

Creed Aventus

Aventus maintains one of the most memorable scents that lives up to its billing – power, strength and virility in fragrance form. The luxury cologne features an audacious blend of pineapple, black currant, and yes, ambergris — whale vomit for lack of a better phrase that surprisingly bears an amazing smell — establishing a smoky milieu that’s irresistible, to say the least. It's bold and striking enough to warrant emperor recognition, disseminating confidence and dominance with every spray. High price tag: Justified.

$315.00 at Amazon.com

What To Look For When Buying A Cologne?

Applying a dab onto your pulse points does trigger sensory skills — boosting our health and mood, even affecting our memories (as well as others) and influencing preferential taste. And if a gentleman wants to get the most out of his cologne, he should take these factors into account when stepping into the fragrance aisle.

Brand: Designer names with heritage are usually the best investment, but don’t sleep on some of the newer fragrance makers.

Designer names with heritage are usually the best investment, but don’t sleep on some of the newer fragrance makers. Drydown: The end notes of a fragrance that stick around on the skin.

The end notes of a fragrance that stick around on the skin. Notes: Descriptors of scents that make up the foundation of a fragrance.

Descriptors of scents that make up the foundation of a fragrance. Price: Expensive usually means high quality, but not all the time, so consider a cologne that works within your budget.

Expensive usually means high quality, but not all the time, so consider a cologne that works within your budget. Sensitivity: Be careful of any colognes that are too potent or strong for they might cause allergic reactions or skin irritations.

Be careful of any colognes that are too potent or strong for they might cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. Sillage: Think of this as the trail of scent a fragrance leaves behind.

One of the best things you can do to narrow down options is to try as many samples as possible. Sephora offers free vial samples upon request, so don’t be too bashful asking a sales rep if you can try the latest Tom Ford release. Amazon even sells sample bundles featuring several designer fragrances. Then come the rip-out samples, usually found in men’s lifestyle magazines. Always keep your eyes peeled.

Given all this perfumery knowledge, one should be well equipped in choosing the right signature scent(s) to make part of their rotation. Now let’s get you to take a whiff of the best colognes available right now.

John Varvatos Artisan Pure

The fourth addition to the Artisan collection is a redolent gem that pays homage to the original scent with an everlasting citrus accord and woody undertone. Juicy ingredients such as lemon, bergamot and clementine form a succulent chord that’s complementary for warmer seasons. More fascinating than its actual scent might be its clean bottle design, which personifies purity with antique craftsmanship highlighted by hand-woven accents, plus a wood base and top. Simply put, it’s a superclean and unadulterated fragrance that captures the fully blossomed orchards and coffee fields in the hillsides of Xalapa, Mexico — refined for luxury and charm.

$69.00 at Nordstrom.com

Versace Eros

Inspired by the Greek god of love, Versace Eros is a top-seller that hits all the right scent-ual notes. A vibrant mix of green apple, lemon zest and mint leaves gives off a clean and vibrant redolence that suggests virility without coming on too strong. Sillage is marked incredibly high at about 10+ hours, so obviously we’re talking a fragrance with endurance. Business meetings. Formal events. Tinder dates. It’s remarkably balanced to accommodate any occasion or budget.

$49.25 at Amazon.com

Cartier L'Envol de Cartier

Lavish is scent as it is in presentation, L'Envol de Cartier is an airy and sweet cologne with bold notes that take flight immediately once sprayed. Its active and transparent honey scent is a cozy one perfect for spring and fall, whereas its drydown effect commits to earthy tones that create a handsome and singular finish. More enticing than the essence is the ornamental bottle topped with the guilloché cap emblematic of Maison Cartier, as well as a fancy glass dome that screams decadence and opulence.

$68.00 at Nordstrom.com

Christian Dior Sauvage

Built on the foundation of chypre and woody notes, Sauvage owns a mystique, yet polarizing scent with an acquired taste. A combination of accords such as geranium, lavender, Sichuan pepper, vetiver, and patchouli produce an airy aroma reminiscent of the outdoors. Projection and sillage meet high expectations with a solid 6-8 hours of emanation. Fresh, simple and pungently welcoming, it’s an elegant touch for any outfit or social situation, marked at a killer value.

$77.00 at Amazon.com

Related Reading: Best Woodsy Colognes For Men

V76 By Vaughn Blue Cedar

The V76 collection is progressively becoming the go-to grooming brand for the dapper gent. Building on its legacy, the company has just expanded its line with an all-new eau de toilette featuring its trademark fragrance – Blue Cedar – an invigorating scent with sweet and sumptuous ambitions. Exquisite notes of coconut milk, violet, Blue Cedar tree, and leather accents give the composition a sophisticated presence unmatched by most colognes in its class. More impressive is how V76 has formulated the cologne without any cruelty or synthetic ingredients. It’s also a gender-neutral scent that smells even better on her, especially heading into the late night.

$55.00 at Birchbox.com

Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Ultime

YSL’s update on its classic cologne sets the same standard it did back in 2006 — releasing a radically fresh scent celebrating “masculinity and freedom.” Ultime opens with juicy grapefruit and ginger notes that magnetize inquisitive smellers directly to your collar. Longevity proves to be the flanker’s fondest attribute as woody cedar and vetiver breathe life into the air for long stretches, never overstaying its welcome. It’s sensual in presence as it is on your senses, leaving a provocative impression amongst those fortunate to get that close. Leave it on the dresser come spring and summer evenings.

$82.70 Amazon.com

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Forte

Neroli-dominant fragrances have become a staple of the designer boutique that’s symbolized 21st-century grandeur and sex appeal. The Portofino Forte offering is one that screams formal elegance. Any concerns expressed over the original Portofino formula have been addressed, heightening performance by several extra hours and sharing a more well-rounded scent that isn’t too light, nor too vigorous. Leather accords produce a richness that mingles perfectly with floral notes to provide it “rich, sublime depth.” There’s no reason to not make it your go-to for black tie affairs.

$310.00 at Nordstrom.com

Ralph Lauren Polo Red Extreme

The fiercest scent of the Polo Red collection, Extreme is an energetic cologne with universal appeal that delivers an impactful aroma dominated by a robust blend of black coffee, black ebony wood and blood orange essences. It’s a sweet-centric fragrance exuding mature vibes much like another modern favorite: Paco Rabanne 1 Million. The only difference is whiff intensity, as Extreme intensely evokes the senses without overwhelming the smeller. Ralph Lauren even put some thought into the bottle design with the masculine matte finish becoming a symbol piece for well-groomed stallions. More rewarding is its current price value for a 4.2 oz bottle.

$54.42 at Amazon.com

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Prive

An enhanced version of the eau de toilette, this parfum alternative is an edgier cologne that stands apart from its predecessor, scent-wise that is, while retaining many of its signature traits. Tones of myrrh and tobacco find their way into the formula this time around, playing nicely with some of the other leathery elements for a richer overall scent. Top notes of cinnamon and blood mandarin give it a fiery essence a well. Then comes the bullion-bar packaging with copper base and gold accents that warrant it enough opulent glamor for your late-night guest(s) to grope.

$63.22 at Amazon.com

Valentino Uomo Intense

Charismatic, enchanting and powerful — Valentino Uomo Intense embodies its moniker with a warm-smelling and suave incense suitable for exclusive galas. The composition has been accentuated with top notes of sage and mandarin, which is mixed with sweet leather notes for a stabilized and smooth finish. Fragrance mongers rave over its long-lasting projection and “criminally similar” resemblance to Dior Homme Intense. That can either be a compliment or insult depending on your nose. Nonetheless, Uomo Intense is a classy offering that is just as refined as its gorgeous bottle design.

$84.00 at Nordstrom.com

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Popeye Eau Fraiche

Gimmicky in concept, paramount in performance, Jean Paul Gaultier’s timeless fragrance cultivates the Le Male DNA with a lighter texture through the addition of ambroxan, a friendly scent that steers the formula into a daring and more satisfying direction. The sensual base of sage and vanilla feeds off clean notes like neroli flower and mint to create fresher scents, culminating in a woody, oriental composition fashioned for energetic projection. So why Popeye on the front of iconic bottle design? Simple. The spinach-eating sailor serves as a representation of the cologne’s strength and masculinity. Guess it also makes it a collector’s item of sorts. Well played, JPG!

$85.00 at Amazon.com

Where Should You Buy Cologne?

Department stores are normally the go-to location for colognes. Luxury retailers — Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus — stock the world’s most high-end and prestige colognes money can buy. Then come specialty stores such as Blue Mercury and Sephora that carry larger selections, the majority falling in the mid-tier range under budget-friendly MSRPs.

However, many find searching and sorting through the sea of fragrance bottles to be much more relieving online. And while all the previously mentioned all grant access to purchase colognes by through their respective websites, millennials find shopping through discount outlets like Amazon.com and Perfume.com to be just as efficient with top sellers constantly being restocked at great prices. Samples of your favorite colognes are even available through these sellers for super cheap.

While straightforward and rather humdrum ‘aftershave’ products might still constitute a large portion of new releases, more discerning connoisseurs will turn to heritage brands, possibly niche brands and quirky, unisex concoctions to discover their signature scent. Lucky for us, much of these are also being afforded to us through other grooming channels.

Cologne Subscription Boxes

Selecting a signature scent is no simpler than choosing your next razor or even sports shoe. It’s a selective process requiring much trial and error. But a man can only sniff so many fragrances in the department store before it becomes both nauseating and creepy. Thankfully we’re living in the era of the Internet of Things, which has introduced us to grooming subscription boxes.

These specialty online services are an economical way of exploring the world of cologne, while solving the hoary dilemma of wanting to try different models without having the knowledge (or time) to do so. The incense-ly insecure might want to consider signing up for one of the three.

Scentbird

Otherwise known as the “Netflix of fragrances,” Scentbird remains a top option for pheromone-heavy males uncertain of their next scent. The service allows subscribers to curate their own fragrance box by answering simple questions based on taste, shooting out a cologne of their choice every month packaged in a portable spray bottle that’s refillable too. Over 150 designer fragrances are made available from top names like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Issey Miyake, and more.

Find out more at Scentbird.com

Debonair Scent

A newcomer to the category, the company takes on a similar pricing tier as Scentbird, only offering its customers 3ml bottles of designer and niche fragrances per month. Samples are contained inside an atomizer for spraying action, though you’re given the option to dab some by removing the cap. If a certain scent tugs at your nose whiskers, feel free to use the $15 coupon found inside each shipment to earn a discount on the fragrance of choice. Just know using it cancels out the month’s purchase price. Still not a bad compromise.

Find out more at DebonairStreet.com

Scent Trunk

Scent Trunk remains the more affordable and personalized of the batch. Those who sign up will receive a Fit Kit containing six samples of base notes to rate, which is then examined by an in-house artisanal performer who deconstructs the notes and ingredients in each one to create a distinct scent convenient for the subscriber. The formula is then housed and shipped inside a 5ml bottle.

Find out more at ScentTrunk.com

What Is Cologne?

Per Merriam-Webster, cologne is “a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils.” The first-ever cologne predates back to 1709 where Italian perfume maker Valle Vigezzo created a fragrance that reminded him of “Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain," aptly naming it Eau de Cologne, in honor of his hometown. Four centuries later, we’ve witnessed the art of perfumery evolve into numerous forms and incenses.

Types of Colognes

Experts usually categorize colognes into two sections: designer and niche. Exactly what constituents one to carry either label? Few suggest it’s in the price tag. Some say it’s the name on the label. And the majority believe it’s the ingredients list.

Designer colognes are the more common of the two and bear designer imprints. What they lack in exclusivity, they make up in availability, low cost and popularity — mass-produced and found in popular retail outlets both in-store and online. Usual suspects include legendary fashion houses such as Armani, Burberry, Chanel, and Gucci just to name a few.

Niche colognes are small-scale commodities that find homes in boutique stores. The biggest difference outside of commercial singularity is the distinctive scents they exude, concentrated in greater detail and from higher-quality elements. Paying top dollar normally comes with the privilege of bearing a scent no one owns.

It’s within these two categories where we see various cologne types emerge. This conventionalized breakdown should help differentiate each one based on concentration and sillage, also known as the lasting rate of a scent.

Aftershave : An astringent composed of 1-3% oils that lingers up to an hour or less

: An astringent composed of 1-3% oils that lingers up to an hour or less Cologne : A potent solution made of oils (2-4%) that maintains up to two (or more) hours of sillage

: A potent solution made of oils (2-4%) that maintains up to two (or more) hours of sillage Eau Fraiche : The most diluted of the group containing 1-3% oils that lasts less than an hour

: The most diluted of the group containing 1-3% oils that lasts less than an hour Parfum : A heavy concentrated mix based on 15 -22% oils that can provide up to 24 hours of scent

: A heavy concentrated mix based on 15 -22% oils that can provide up to 24 hours of scent Perfume : This gender-free potion features a high concentration of oils to give off between 5-10 hours of scent

: This gender-free potion features a high concentration of oils to give off between 5-10 hours of scent Solid: Waxed-based variations holding a 15-30% oil base concentration and 2-3 hour sillage

Waxed-based variations holding a 15-30% oil base concentration and 2-3 hour sillage Toilette: Body spray with a 5-15% oil base capable of lasting up to three hours

The dilution factor of a cologne certainly determines its strength and serviceability. And that’s only half of the composition worth comprehending. Notes comprise of the other half.

The Composition of Cologne

Sometimes accepting what cologne works best for you requires taking a step back and learning the science behind an elite fragrance. A well-formulated cologne blends several notes together and releases each one during a respective time frame after the fragrance has been applied. Notes are broken up into three different categories: Top, Middle and Base.

Top Note

Better known as the lighter scent of the fragrance, the top note is the first impression, more so the introduction of the cologne. It’s made from lighter oils with sillage ranging anywhere between 15 minutes to two hours depending on concentration. Some of the basic scents found here consist of citrus, cinnamon, floral, marines, and fruity essences.

Medium Note

The second tier of the note pyramid makes up the core of the fragrance and close to half of the oils present in the bottle. Medium notes build off top notes, but become the dominant scent once the latter evaporates, securing 3-5 hours of smell after application. These often feature heavier floral scents with common ingredients like geranium, jasmine and lemongrass incorporated into the mixture.

Base Note

Finalizing the scent cycle are the boldest notes of the group, which linger the longest on skin — est. 5-10 hours — making up close to 20% of the cologne. Base notes are most noticeable in odor the longer a cologne is worn throughout the day. Some of the typical base notes take on bolder, stronger scents like leather, moss, sandalwood, tobacco, and vetiver.

Scents themselves are part of olfactory groups. These are some of the primary umbrella groups that fall underneath the fragrance classification system:

Aromatic : Cumin, lavender, rosemary, and sage

: Cumin, lavender, rosemary, and sage Citrus : Bergamot, grapefruit and mandarin

: Bergamot, grapefruit and mandarin Chypre : Labdanum, oak moss and patchouli

: Labdanum, oak moss and patchouli Floral : Jasmine, lilac and rose

: Jasmine, lilac and rose Leather : Amber, animal skin and musk

: Amber, animal skin and musk Spices : Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg

: Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg Woody: Cedar, sandalwood and vetiver

Other factors come to mind worth mentioning, though we’ll keep them brief. Oil content is vital, for the more oils found in the cologne, the longer-lasting the scent. This can also effect strength and how far a smell can travel. Seasonality is another one to monitor as cooler or warmer weather favors certain olfactory groups over others. Related Readings Best Men's Fragrances Under $20 Best Body Sprays For Men Best Antiperspirants For Men

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