As you probably know, scent is the sense most strongly tied to memory. The way you smell leaves an impression on everyone you meet. Your scent is a part of your persona. You may spend a lot of time choosing clothes that express your personality, trying on different outfits to get the perfect look. Maybe you wait on line at Supreme for midnight releases of trendy new shoes. But how much thought do you put into the way you smell?
Do you wake up each day, put on your clothes, lazily apply Old Spice or Axe body spray, and walk out the door? If you're someone who thinks your deodorant is all you need to smell your best, you need to up your fragrance game. Even if you do put thought into your scent, your eau, and you have a tried-and-true cologne you've been using as long as you can remember, consider updating your go-to fragrance.
If you're more of a spray-Axe-and-go kind of guy, here's a crash course on common terms used in the cologne world; you'll get a lot more out of your cologne shopping experience if you’re in-the-know about the terminology. You’ll often hear of three types of fragrances in colognes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. These are the scents that are featured more prominently at different lengths of time since application of a cologne. Using the evaporation process of the fragrance as a tool for highlighting different scents, cologne makers create a scent palate that alters itself as different smells evaporate and diminish. Top notes are perceived immediately after applying the cologne. Middle notes emerge as top notes evaporate, usually within an hour of application. Base notes, usually rich and deep, linger the longest and are sometimes detectable up to 24 hours after application.
Now that you’re a cologne connoisseur, go ahead and choose your perfect cologne to wear like a pro. Find a great cologne that truly speaks to you. Do you have a preference for the dark and heavy scents like tobacco and musk, or do you prefer lighter notes of amber and citrus? Either way, there are many nuances and subtleties to your personal scent than a random deodorant or body spray you used this morning. Here is a list of the best colognes for men.
As you probably know, scent is the sense most strongly tied to memory. The way you smell leaves an impression on everyone you meet. Your scent is a part of your persona. You may spend a lot of time choosing clothes that express your personality, trying on different outfits to get the perfect look. Maybe you wait on line at Supreme for midnight releases of trendy new shoes. But how much thought do you put into the way you smell?
Do you wake up each day, put on your clothes, lazily apply Old Spice or Axe body spray, and walk out the door? If you're someone who thinks your deodorant is all you need to smell your best, you need to up your fragrance game. Even if you do put thought into your scent, your eau, and you have a tried-and-true cologne you've been using as long as you can remember, consider updating your go-to fragrance.
If you're more of a spray-Axe-and-go kind of guy, here's a crash course on common terms used in the cologne world; you'll get a lot more out of your cologne shopping experience if you’re in-the-know about the terminology. You’ll often hear of three types of fragrances in colognes: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. These are the scents that are featured more prominently at different lengths of time since application of a cologne. Using the evaporation process of the fragrance as a tool for highlighting different scents, cologne makers create a scent palate that alters itself as different smells evaporate and diminish. Top notes are perceived immediately after applying the cologne. Middle notes emerge as top notes evaporate, usually within an hour of application. Base notes, usually rich and deep, linger the longest and are sometimes detectable up to 24 hours after application.
Now that you’re a cologne connoisseur, go ahead and choose your perfect cologne to wear like a pro. Find a great cologne that truly speaks to you. Do you have a preference for the dark and heavy scents like tobacco and musk, or do you prefer lighter notes of amber and citrus? Either way, there are many nuances and subtleties to your personal scent than a random deodorant or body spray you used this morning. Here is a list of the best colognes for men.
Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino
This refreshing scent from Tom Ford features notes of Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, and amber. It's the perfect summer cologne. The cologne is from Tom Ford’s private blend, where he concocts scents that don’t conform to the conventions of mainstream scent-making. It’s perfect for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd.
Prada L'Homme Prada
This Prada scent has a perfect balance of masculine and airy undertones. The fragrance features iris and amber, with subtle touches of geranium plant and patchouli. Patchouli, for the uninitiated, is a species of herb from the mint family. L’Homme Prada is a complex, layered fragrance that comes in a typically beautiful bottle from Prada.
$78, available at Nordstrom
Bvlgari Man Black Cologne
Bvlgari Man Black is a cologne to wear year-round. It smells of rum and citrus, with a floral twist, evoking light fragrances of summer and musky fragrances of winter. It’s an ultra-modern scent with contrasting notes of freshness and intensity.
$70, available at Bvlgari
John Varvatos Oud Cologne
This luxurious oud wood-based cologne features a combination of pepper, cardamom, clary sage, and tobacco. Top notes consist of juniper berries and nutmeg, with base notes of myrrh and leather. This fragrance features the mysterious notes of the highly sought-after oud oil, made from rare oud wood.
$150, available at John Varvatos
Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Ultime
Top notes of this YSL offering include ginger and cardamom, which give the cologne an overall light and airy quality. Vetiver and cedar give a wood-like quality to the cologne and rose and sage elements make this a great springtime scent from YSL. And, as always, this YSL cologne comes in a slick, stylish bottle.
Dior Homme Sport
Dior Homme Sport is a classic fragrance, but the 2017 edition comes with some changes, as Dior sought to “reinvent” the scent. Dior Homme Sport still has it’s deep, woody notes, but the updated version uses more fruity-spicy freshness to connote a sporty sense of energy and vitality.
$74, available at Dior
Nautica Voyage
Nautica Voyage has a bold, masculine scent featuring a fusion of dewy moss and woody amber. These heavy notes are complemented by elegant green leaf, apple, and water lotus to create a well-rounded fragrance that a man can wear for any occasion. Whether you’re having a night out or setting sail on an adventure, Nautica Voyage will work for you.
$62.50, available at Nautica
Dolce & Gabbana The One
Dolce & Gabbana’s iconic The One fragrance has deep, masculine scent with a flourish of sophistication. The cologne, which comes in a beautiful glossy bottle, has vibrant top notes of grapefruit and basil, warm middle notes of ginger and orange blossom, and intense base notes of cedarwood and tobacco.
$92, available at Nordstrom
