All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
Searching for the best colognes for men is quite the daunting task. I would know—I’ve been on the hunt for weeks. Last year, I decided I wanted a new scent. I’ve never been a big cologne person in general—I’ve met far too many people who overpower you with their scent the minute you meet them, their lavender or citrus notes punching you right in the face—but there’s something about this past year that’s made me want to invest in a new cologne. The idea of spritzing myself at home, with nobody around to smell it, seems like the ultimate act of self-care, like it’s a part of my morning ritual that’s purely for me, myself, and I. Ahead, a look at my favorite colognes—plus, a host of bestsellers and trending scents from Maison Margiela, Tom Ford, Creed, Dior, and more.
The Best Smelling Colognes and Perfumes for Men
In This Article
The Clean & Sensual: Chanel Bleu de Chanel
- Why We Love It: Fresh, clean, and sensual, this men’s scent from Chanel includes notes of citrus, labdanum, sandalwood, and cedar. It can easily transition from day to night (a musky undertone makes it perfect for a date).
- Notes: Cedar, New Caledonian sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla, citrus accord
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 5 oz
The Everyday Classic: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
- Why We Love It: Released in 1996, this classic scent, inspired by the ocean, has stood the test of time for a reason. The earthy fragrance is the ideal everyday scent, combining cyprus, musk, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, and patchouli for a fresh finish.
- Notes: Calabrian bergamot, neroli, green tangerine, rosemary, persimmon, Indonesian patchouli
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.7 oz
The Desert-Inspired: Dior Sauvage
- Why We Love It: Inspired by nature and its raw materials, this scent from Dior perfumer François Demachy is earthy and woody. Warm notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood take cues from a desert landscape—but can still be worn in the dead of winter, thanks to its refined, non-overpowering finish.
- Notes: Calabrian bergamot, pepper, amberwood, ambroxan
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 2 oz, 3.4 oz
The Bold & Aromatic: Ralph Lauren Polo Black
- Why We Love It: Some classics never die, and Ralph Lauren’s Polo Black fragrance stands the test of time. A bold fusion of iced mango, lemon, and tangerine is combined with sandalwood, sage, and patchouli noir for a bittersweet end result. Bold and aromatic, it’s the ultimate scent to get noticed in.
- Notes: iced mango, Spanish sage, green effervescent accord, silver arnoise, patchouli noir, sandalwood, tonka bean, hedione
- Available Sizes: 4.2 oz, 6.7 oz
The Crisp Blend: Creed Aventus
- Why We Love It: This best-selling fragrance from Creed was introduced in 2010 and continues to be a fan favorite. It features crisp top notes of apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, and bergamot, with heftier heart and base notes including birch, patchouli, vanilla, and musk. It’s inspired by the life of a historic emperor and meant to symbolize strength, power, and success—who wouldn’t want that?
- Notes: Apple, blackcurrant, pineapple, bergamot, birch, patchouli, vanilla, musk
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.3 oz
The Fruity Classic: Hugo Boss Boss
- Why We Love It: Launched in 1998, this enduring cologne is a cult classic thanks to its timeless, masculine scent. Fruity and citrus top notes of apple, lemon, and plum are balanced against a hefty floral and spicy base, including geranium, sandalwood, and vetiver.
- Notes: Apple, lemon, plum, geranium, cinnamon, cloves, vetiver, sandalwood
- Available Sizes: 3.3 oz
The Ambery-Leather: Gucci Guilty Elixir de Parfum
- Why We Love It: When Gucci Guilty debuted last fall with A$AP Rocky fronting its campaign, the scent was destined to be a hit. Its allure lies in its blend of potent Ambrofix (which smells dry and woody) opposing smoother notes of orris butter, vanilla extract, benzoin, and nutmeg. Refreshing, yet smokey and leathery, this is a cologne to be remembered by.
- Notes: Rose, hot chili pepper, lavender, orange blossom, cedarwood, patchouli
- Available Sizes: 1.6 oz, 3.3 oz
The Woody Grapefruit: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky
- Why We Love It: Paco Rabanne’s earthy, woody 1 Million Lucky scent features a unique combination of hazelnut, green plum, grapefruit, and cedar—making it a woody, sensual fragrance with a touch of citrus. The futuristic-looking bottle is also the perfect thing to flex in your medicine cabinet.
- Notes: Grapefruit, green plum, hazelnut, cedarwood, patchouli
- Available Sizes: 3.4 oz
The Tobacco & Leather: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
- Why We Love It: Imagine yourself in a dimly lit jazz club with the perfect cocktail, surrounded by cigar smoke and leather chairs. This scent is the next best thing: Warm and spicy, it has notes of pink pepper, rum, and tobacco. Perfect for the fall and winter months when you want to hibernate in full cozy mode.
- Notes: Pink pepper, primofiore lemon, neroli, rum absolute, clary sage, java vetiver, tobacco leaf absolute, vanilla bean, styrax resin
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 3.4 oz
The Romantic Floral: Calvin Klein Eternity for Men
- Why We Love It: Another enduring classic from 1988, Eternity is a romantic floral fragrance that was inspired by lasting love. Clearly, the love affair with this scent carries on too: It’s decidedly unisex, and works for both him and her. Notes of freesia, mandarin, sage, white lily, patchouli, and sandalwood make for a timeless blend.
- Notes:
- Available Sizes: 3.3 oz
The Cozy Oud: Tom Ford Oud Wood
- Why We Love It: Oud wood is one of the most precious and expensive ingredients for any perfumer, and this cologne by Tom Ford nails the woody scent. Combined with cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver—with hints of tonka bean and amber—a few spritzes of this signature scent is like warming up to a nice cozy fire.
- Notes: Oud wood, sandalwood, cardamom, tonka bean. Chinese pepper
- Available Sizes: 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
The Western Musk: Le Labo Another 13
- Why We Love It: You may know Le Labo for its signature Santal 33 scent, but Another 13 is one of its more slept-on fragrances that deserves just as much hype. A collaboration with Another magazine, the scent is equal parts musky and fresh, composed of ambroxan, jasmine petals, moss, and woody, amber-y notes.
- Notes: Ambrox, musk, amber, jasmine petals, moss, ambrette seeds
- Available Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
The Mint Surprise: Frédéric Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur
- Why We Love It: Created in collaboration with master French perfumer Dominique Ropion, this scent is described as “like an eccentric Englishman in a blue velvet jacket,” an appropriate takeaway. A bright fragrance, its top notes are mint, aniseed, and geranium, while the base notes include sandalwood and frankincense.
- Notes: Mint, menthol, anise geranium, clove, benzoin, incense, sandalwood, white musks
- Available Sizes: 3.4 oz
The Fresh & Woody: Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF
- Why We Love It: YSL’s L’Homme is inspired by the magnetic attraction of a man with style and sensuality. Its intoxicating scent pairs citrus notes of bergamot and ginger with cedarwood and vetiver for a fresh twist on your typically woody perfume.
- Notes: Fresh accord, orange blossom absolute heart, woods accord
- Available Sizes: 3.3 oz
The Earthy Find: Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: A fresh, striking scent, Hermès’s Terre d’Hermès fragrance features notes of citron, Juniper berry, and Timut pepper. Citrusy-yet-woody, it’s perfect for the approaching springtime—helping one appreciate earthy, nature-forward aromas.
- Notes: Citron, Juniper berry, Timut pepper
- Available Sizes: 3.3 oz, 6 oz
The Aquatic Musk: Prada Luna Rossa Ocean
- Why We Love It: Aromatic, musky, and aquatic in nature, Prada’s Luna Rossa Ocean is a refreshingly earthy blend. A stand-out reinvented fougère, this smells of Haitian vetiver, musks, and patchouli at its base, accented by smooth lavender, suede, and saffron. Its freshness is achieved by a citrus blend that’s just as intriguing as the bottle its housed in.
- Notes: Bergamot essence, pink essence, iris absolute, vetiver essence, sage essence, vetiver essence, tonka bean
- Available Sizes: 1.6 oz, 3.3 oz
The Sweet Earth: Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense
- Why We Love It: Drawn from the sap of the Namibian myrrh tree, this earthy scent is combined with warm almond and vanilla notes of the tonka bean for a rich, full-bodied finish. A hint of lavender and honey lightens it up and makes it a year-round scent for any occasion.
- Notes: Lavender, Camphor, honey, hay, Omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean, almond, vanilla, tobacco
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
The Fresh & Tropical: Versace Eros
- Why We Love It: In a chic, Art Deco–style bottle, Versace’s Eros scent is both fresh and tropical. Notes of mint, orange, and woody vanilla are all refreshing—like taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. It obviously wears well in the summer, but is a pretty universal cologne overall. Make your own rules on when and how you wear it.
- Notes: Italian lemon, mandarin, mint oil, candied apple, geranium flower, clary sage, Ambermax, cedarwood, vetiver Orpur essence, sandalwood, vanilla
- Available Sizes: 3.4 oz, 6.7 oz
The Full-Bodied Fresh: Acqua di Parma Colonia
- Why We Love It: One of Acqua di Parma’s most popular colognes, Colonia is a fresh, citrusy scent that suits any occasion. It includes key notes of lemon, bergamot, lavender, and patchouli. A few sprays of this is like drinking a tall glass of orange juice.
- Notes: Lemon, sweet orange, Calabrian bergamot, lavender, Bulgarian rose, Verbena, rosemary, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli
- Available Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6 oz
The Tangy Spice: Parfums De Marly Layton
- Why We Love It: Through its pairing of fresh spices and tangy florals, Parfums de Marly’s Layton looks to evoke the essence of a sophisticated man. Geranium, jasmine, and violet are the heart of its blend, enhanced by notes of vanilla, guaiac wood, apple, pink pepper, and patchouli to craft a contemporarily addictive cologne perfect for an evening out.
- Notes: Vanilla, guaiac wood, apple, pink pepper, patchouli, caramelized coffee
- Available Sizes: 2.5 oz, 4.2 oz, 6.8 oz
How to Apply Cologne
While it is actually quite simple to apply a cologne correctly, there are best practices worth considering. Generally speaking, all you’ll need is three to four spritzes (sprayed a few inches from your body) to smell great without being overpowering. We’d recommend spraying on your pulse points—the wrists, the neck, behind the ears, and near the temples. Though you may feel inclined to, try not to apply on your clothing or jewelry to avoid any damage or staining to precious fabrics.
How to Make Cologne Last Longer
To make cologne last longer, it’s best to spray it on oily skin—meaning, consider applying your cologne after showering and moisturizing with the best body lotion (or body oil!). Also don’t rub it in, let it dry down! And, if you’re into reapplying, keep a travel size vial in your bag or opt for a fragrance oil of your favorite scent.
How to Choose a Men’s Cologne
As I began my hunt, I found that the market is overflowing with simply far too many options: From fruity, sweet top notes to woody or musky base notes, there are a million different combinations and possibilities. How am I to know what suits me best? Still, I went into the quest with an open mind, considering everything from light and fresh to heavy and musky—and in the process, I managed to find a number of crowd favorites that can appeal to just about anybody’s tastes.
Below, I sniffed some enduring classics—like Calvin Klein’s Eternity, which has been around since 1988—and some new favorites too, such as the Last Day of Summer from Gucci the Alchemist’s Garden (Gucci’s high perfumery line), which smells like what I can only describe as a warm summer hug. (The latter ended up being my new spring pick—with Tom Ford’s Oud Wood and Maison Margiela Replica’s Jazz Club as runners-up.)
No matter what your sensory preferences are though, just remember that the perfect fragrance simply does not exist—some simply won’t match your personality, and what you like could also depend on the season, vibe, and mood you’re feeling that day. That’s part of the fun of experimenting with different fragrances—don’t be afraid to try something new.
Source link
