Eight fragrances for men guaranteed to turn heads
Whether you're finding the perfect birthday gift, Father's Day gift, figuring out your signature cologne or just scouting your next favourite scent, with so many fragrances for men in the market it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is just right. Throw in the rise of genderless and unisex fragrances, and your head is definitely spinning.
Discovering the perfect fragrance for men boils down to a few factors. Firstly, as overblown as it may sound, it is genuinely worth thinking about what makes you tick – are you outdoorsy? You'll probably be drawn to fresh scents. Love the finer things in life? It's gourmands for you. All about minimalism? You'll be interested in cologne that doesn't overpower, like light woods and crisp fresh scents with ocean or aquatic notes.
Then, you'll need to know what all those words mean! Fresh fragrances for men usually involve green notes (particular scents in the fragrance) like vetiver and basil. Ones that evoke the ocean often use citrus and aquatic notes. Gourmands are richer, last on the skin longer, and usually have spices and heavier notes such as tobacco and vanilla. Woody fragrances are – you guessed it – based on wood notes like sandalwood.
Even armed with all of this information, getting started can be difficult. Below are some popular fragrances for men that are sure to turn heads and have you feeling confident.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme, Eau De Toilette
Perfect for: Fragrance beginners
Fans of citrus fragrances for men will love this long-standing favourite, the first masculine scent from Issey Miyake and one that has definitely endured. Tangerine, yuzu and water lily add bursts of freshness which settle into a subtle blend of tobacco amber, sandalwood and vetiver. Easy to wear and uncomplicated, it's a great first scent if you're new to it all.
Dior Sauvage Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Everyday confidence
Drawing inspiration from the magic of twilight hour, Sauvage is a blend of fresh and spicy, making it a good everyday option for those looking for a little more depth in what is still a relatively light fragrance. Vanilla Absolute is the hero, layered over an amber wood base with smoky accents.
Aesop Marrakech Intense Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Bohemian, creative types
This spicy, woody fragrance is intoxicating and evokes the spirit of the 1960s – creativity, freedom and wanderlust. Notes of bergamot and cardamom are most noticeable at first before the fragrance settles into its woody base of sandalwood and clove.
Creed Aventus Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Exuding power in important business meetings
When a fragrance is inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte, it means business. Creed Aventus might be on the more expensive side, but its incredible, layered nature makes it worth the price. Beginning with the intriguing combination of pineapple, bergamot and birch, the scent settles into a patchouli, Moroccan jasmine, and oak moss blend that exudes masculinity.
Yves Saint Laurent Y Men Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Feeling inspired
Created by legendary perfumer Dominique Ropion, Y Men EDP is inspired by dreamers and the ambitious. Notes are earthy and masculine, with initial bursts of sage and white accord mellowing out into sensual woods and tonka bean.
Who Is Elijah HIS/HER Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Those after a point of difference
This genderless fragrance shouldn't work as well as it does – a blend of pretty much everything, from sweetness to spice to green notes and wood, a lot is going on here, but the result is that it smells incredible on everyone in different ways. The base notes are a particular highlight – oudh, amber, cashmere musk, and sandalwood linger on the skin for a lived-in effect like you just happened to roll out of bed smelling this good.
Acqua Di Gio Profundo Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Fans of fresh scents
A new iteration of the famous Acqua Di Gio fragrance for men, this can best be described as taking a plunge into a cold sea – green mandarin and bergamot settle into the fragrance's iconic marine middle notes, with a base patchouli and mineral amber accord giving it weight.
SSAINT Smokeshow Eau De Parfum
Perfect for: Romantic evenings
SSAINT is an Australian perfume brand making really interesting, unique scents. Smokeshow is definitely one of the most sensual – inspired by the golden hour and the border between day and night, it's full of rich notes like clove, chestnut and vanilla, making it an excellent choice for date night or whenever you want to exude sexiness.
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