Some colognes are for certain seasons, while others are timeless. The best men’s colognes will make up smell good and feel confident.
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Cologne is an essential part of style and grooming. While you can’t see it, it’s there.
The right scent makes you more confident and attractive. It also helps you with first impressions.
How you smell is one of the first things that people will remember.
Whether you choose one cologne or build a collection, fragrances are worth it.
The following is a roundup of the best men’s colognes.
Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace
Key notes: Chestnut, vanilla, and orange blossom.
The following table covers Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette (3.4 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Mason Margiela | $144 | Buy from Mason Margiela |
| Sephora | $144 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $144 | Buy from Nordstrom |
Maison Margiela’s ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace gives you a warm, woody, and sweet scent.
The fragrance is excellent for winter and cold weather because it ignites a warm feeling. Also, it’s comforting and sensual.
Many people switch from Yves Saint Laurent Opium to ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace. It smells incredible and lasts all day.
Hermès Terre d’Hermès Parfum
Key notes: Benzoin, grapefruit, cedar, and shiso.
The following table covers Hermès Terre d’Hermès Parfum (2.5 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Hermès | $142 | Buy from Hermès |
| Nordstrom | $142 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Sephora | $142 | Buy from Sephora |
| Bloomingdale’s | $142 | Buy from Bloomingdale’s |
Terre d’Hermès is a classic and sophisticated fragrance. The scent is woody and spicy with a hint of grapefruit.
Terre d’Hermès is an excellent fragrance that lasts around eight hours.
Since it has fruity notes to balance the warm, woody, and spicy scent, you can wear it year-round.
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey
Key notes: Yuzu, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sandalwood.
The following table covers Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Toilette (2.5 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Macy’s | $79 | Buy from Macy’s |
| Bloomingdale’s | $79 | Buy from Bloomingdale’s |
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey is an excellent fragrance that you can wear every day and for any occasion.
It has a woody, aquatic, and spicy scent that balances strength with freshness.
L’Eau d’Issey is timeless, and you’ll get many compliments when you wear it.
While it’s an eau de toilette spray, it can last all day. L’Eau d’Issey deserves a spot in your fragrance collection.
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò
Key notes: Marine notes, bergamot, and cedarwood.
The following table covers Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgio Armani | $75 | Buy from Giorgio Armani |
| Nordstrom | $75 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Sephora | $75 | Buy from Sephora |
| Ulta | $75 | Buy from Ulta |
| Macy’s | $75 | Buy from Macy’s |
Acqua di Giò is a classic fragrance that’s excellent as an everyday scent.
Since its release in 1996, Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Giò has been a best-seller.
It starts with a light citrus scent and evolves into a woody finish.
The earthy fragrance combines aquatic notes with cedar, musk, neroli, and patchouli.
When you spray Acqua di Giò, expect to get compliments from those who get close to you.
Also, it’s a lighter fragrance. So, it’s ideal for spring and summer.
Creed Aventus
Key notes: Pineapple, birch, and ambergris.
The following table covers Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Creed | $335 | Buy from Creed |
| Amazon | $335 | Buy from Amazon |
| Nordstrom | $335 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | $335 | Buy from Saks Fifth Avenue |
| Bloomingdale’s | $335 | Buy from Bloomingdale’s |
Creed Aventus is an exceptional fragrance. It resembles strength, success, and power.
The blend of fresh and citrus scents with woody and smokey notes smells unique and amazing.
While it’s not a cheap fragrance, Creed Aventus is worth the price.
It’s a beautiful fragrance that you can wear anytime. It doesn’t overwhelm and is a scent that will get you a lot of compliments.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Key notes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla, and ginger.
The following table covers Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Ford | $270 | Buy from Tom Ford |
| Sephora | $270 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $270 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Macy’s | $270 | Buy from Macy’s |
| Bloomingdale’s | $270 | Buy from Bloomingdale’s |
Tobacco Vanille is an excellent fall and winter fragrance. It has a rich, spicy, smoky, sweet, and woody scent.
While it has a tobacco leaf note, you won’t smell like cigarettes.
Instead, Tobacco Vanille provides a strong and dense mysterious yet sensual feel.
Also, one spray will last the whole day.
Tom Ford says, “Tobacco Vanille is opulent, warm and iconic. Reminiscent of an English Gentleman’s Club and blended with rich spices, vanilla and tobacco flower, it leaves a powerful impression.”
Bleu de Chanel
Key notes: Grapefruit, labdanum, and sandalwood cedar.
The following table covers Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Chanel | $90 | Buy from Chanel |
| Sephora | $90 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $90 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Macy’s | $90 | Buy from Macy’s |
| Ulta | $90 | Buy from Ulta |
Bleu de Chanel is a woody and aromatic fragrance. It provides a versatile, fresh, and sensual scent.
Bleu de Chanel has become more popular, and many people recognize it as a go-to.
It offers medium performance when it comes to longevity. When you spray it, expect it to last four to six hours.
If you want a lower-cost all-around excellent fragrance, choose Bleu de Chanel.
Paco Rabanne 1 Million
Key notes: Blood mandarin, peppermint, rose, cinnamon, leather, and amber ketal.
The following table covers Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Ulta | $74 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $74 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $74 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Macy’s | $74 | Buy from Macy’s |
Christophe Raynaud, Michel Girard, and Olivier Pescheux are some of the top perfumers. The three came together to create 1 Million.
Paco Rabanne 1 Million has a warm cinnamon scent mixed with citrus and leather. It provides a masculine and seductive scent.
1 Million is excellent for autumn and winter due to its warmth, depth, and sweetness. So, keep it as a cold-weather fragrance.
Another benefit is that it comes in a unique gold bar.
Dior Sauvage
Key notes: Bergamot, amberwood, and pepper.
The following table covers Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette (2 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Dior | $85 | Buy from Dior |
| Ulta | $85 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $85 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $85 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Macy’s | $85 | Buy from Macy’s |
François Demachy, Dior Perfumer, said, “To create Sauvage, I used man as my starting point. Strong and unmistakable masculinity. Like the image of a man who transcends time and fashion.”
Dior Sauvage is constantly on lists of the best men’s colognes, and for a good reason.
It’s a wildly popular fragrance, and you won’t be able to get enough.
Sauvage provides a fresh, woody, and citrusy scent. The aromatic blend is excellent for spring and summer.
Versace Eros
Key notes: Mint leaves, orange blossom, and vanilla.
The following table covers Versace Eros Eau de Toilette (3.4 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Ulta | $92 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $92 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $92 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Macy’s | $92 | Buy from Macy’s |
Eros is the Greek God of love. Versace’s fragrance is about love, passion, beauty, and fun.
Eros is a strong fragrance that won’t overwhelm.
It’s aromatic, fresh, and woody. Vanilla, cedarwood, and vetiver provide a sweet scent with depth.
Eros is an excellent fragrance appropriate for work or a night out.
One spray will last all day. But, it’ll dry down after two hours.
Another bonus is the bottle. It’s bold and distinctive.
Dolce & Gabbana The One
Key notes: Grapefruit, cardamom, cedarwood, ginger, and tobacco.
The following table covers Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Toilette (3.3 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Ulta | $94 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $94 | Buy from Sephora |
| Macy’s | $94 | Buy from Macy’s |
The One by Dolce & Gabbana gives you a sophisticated and sensual feel.
It has an intense scent that begins with light citrus and ends with deep tobacco.
The One is a fragrance that’s perfect for nightlife. It’s also best to use it in spring, fall, or winter. The smell is too heavy for summer.
While it’s excellent for the night, it won’t last too long. After a couple of hours, it’s only noticeable when someone’s close to you.
Prada Luna Rossa Carbon
Key notes: Bergamot, lavender, and ambroxan.
The following table covers Prada Luna Rossa Carbon Eau de Toilette (3.4 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Nordstrom | $100 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Ulta | $100 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $100 | Buy from Sephora |
| Macy’s | $100 | Buy from Macy’s |
Prada Luna Rossa Carbon offers a masculine, energetic, and seductive feel.
You can wear it year-round, but it’s best for fall and winter. It’s warm, woody, and aromatic.
Luna Rossa Carbon is also known as a smoother version of Dior Sauvage.
When you wear it, expect to get compliments and questions about your fragrance.
Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme
Key notes: Cardamom, cedarwood, and courmarin.
The following table covers Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme Eau de Toilette (2 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Yves Saint Laurent | $78 | Buy from YSL |
| Nordstrom | $78 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Ulta | $78 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $78 | Buy from Sephora |
| Macy’s | $78 | Buy from Macy’s |
Yves Saint Laurent’s La Nuit de l’Homme has a soft, sweet, and fresh scent.
It provides feelings of mystery and sophistication.
It has an incredible blend of cardamom, lavender, cedar, and vetiver.
If you’re after compliments, La Nuit de l’Homme will get you a lot of them.
The formula has been through changes, but it’s still an excellent fragrance.
The main drawback is it doesn’t last as long.
Montblanc Explorer
Key notes: Bergamot, vetiver, and patchouli.
The following table covers Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum (3.3 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Montblanc | $98 | Buy from Montblanc |
| Nordstrom | $100 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Ulta | $100 | Buy from Ulta |
| Sephora | $100 | Buy from Sephora |
| Macy’s | $100 | Buy from Macy’s |
Montblanc Explorer is an earthy fragrance. It blends greens and herbs for an elegant scent.
Explorer performs well, lasts long, and is versatile. So, you can wear it in any season and for any occasion.
The fragrance has a light and masculine smell. If you want to smell great and play it safe, get Montblanc Explorer.
Jimmy Choo Man
Key notes: Lavender, pink pepper, patchouli, and honeydew melon.
The following table covers Jimmy Choo Man Eau de Toilette (1.7 oz) prices from different stores for you to compare.
| Store | Price | Link to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $78 | Buy from Amazon |
| Sephora | $78 | Buy from Sephora |
| Nordstrom | $78 | Buy from Nordstrom |
| Ulta | $78 | Buy from Ulta |
| Macy’s | $78 | Buy from Macy’s |
Jimmy Choo Man is the first fragrance by Jimmy Choo. It has a modern and fresh scent.
Also, it’s the perfect blend of aromatic, fruity, and woody notes. After you apply it, you’ll feel confident, sophisticated, and elegant.
At first, you’ll notice the fresh and fruity scent. Later, it evolves, and the woody notes become stronger.
Jimmy Choo Man is a safe fragrance to use every day.
What are fragrance notes?
Fragrance notes are the scent layers and ingredients that make up the fragrance. Notes divide into three types, top, heart, and base.
The notes are the different scents that you smell throughout the day. The following are explains the three notes:
- Top and head: First 5 to 15 minutes.
- Middle and heart: 15 minutes to 1 hour.
- Bottom and base: After 1 hour.
The top notes evaporate the quickest. Then, the middle notes evaporate at a moderate speed, and the bottom notes are the slowest.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the right cologne?
The key is to experiment with different colognes to find the one that fits your personality. Trust your instinct because you’ll know when you’ve found the right one. A quick question to ask yourself is if you like light and citrus or earthy and musky. Ultimately, this is a personal decision but you can get input from other people to help you decide.
Where should I spray cologne?
When you spray cologne, be sure to apply it to dry skin and spraying from around 6 inches away. The best places to apply cologne are your chest, neck, wrist, and forearm.
Does cologne go bad?
Cologne is a mixture of ingredients and it does go bad. To make your cologne last, store it in a dark and dry area, such as a closet or bedroom. Don’t store your cologne in the bathroom because of the heat and humidity.
Does the “spray and walk” technique work?
The spray and walk technique doesn’t work. Most of the cologne will fall straight to the ground before you walk through it.
How about the “rub it in” technique?
The rub it in technique will make the scent weaker, which means it won’t last as long.
Can I spray cologne on my clothes?
When you spray cologne on your skin, it mixes with your natural oils. If you spray it on your clothes, it won’t mix and leads to cologne stains on your clothes.
Conclusion
How you smell affects your confidence, attraction, and first impressions.
Now that you know of the best fragrances and colognes for men, you can discover your signature scent.
When you apply a fragrance, take it easy. The goal is to smell amazing, not overwhelming.
Your scent is a part of your appeal.
Featured image courtesy of Nordstrom.
About David Em
Founder
David Em is the founder of Next Level Gents, the ultimate destination for tips and advice about style, grooming, fitness, and success.
Marc Phillips says
B & G Bye no longer available but was the best.