Whether heading out the door in the morning or getting ready for a night on the town, most men are not completely aware of the importance of the way they smell. Men’s fragrances are often an afterthought, but retailers know that men indulge in fragrances as much as women do. Just about every man wears some type of cologne, deodorant, or aftershave. If he is not a cologne person, he may opt for a scented body wash or soap, unless he is allergic to scents.
If you are buying a fragrance either for yourself or for a gift, keep in mind that fragrances mix with the person’s natural scent, thereby creating a unique fragrance—as unique as your own retina or fingerprints. The new cologne that smells fantastic on everyone else might smell awful on you. And for that reason, selecting the proper cologne at the fragrance counter, now laden for the holidays with all kinds of gift sets and promotions, could be confusing.
When choosing cologne, don’t just look at the bottle design. Appearances could be deceiving. It’s always important to take a whiff and try a sample before purchasing cologne. You know that if you are buying a pair of shoes, you should always try them on to make sure they fit and you like them, right? The same goes for colognes. If you are buying cologne for someone else, you should know the person, what scent he may prefer, just as if you’re checking his shoe size in order to by him a pair of shoes.
Never judge a fragrance by the price! The price of a cologne doesn’t always guarantee that the cologne will smell good on the person who wears it. An $85 bottle of cologne might not smell as good as a $50 bottle, in which case you might opt for the less expensive fragrance. This doesn’t mean that you are cheap, but that you are more focused on the quality of the product.
So, let’s start our quest. When you go to a department store, the person who stands in front of the men’s fragrances section with a bottle of cologne in hand is ready to attract your sense of smell by spritzing you with whichever cologne he is holding. Make sure that you remain scent-free—ask the sales person to step away from you and let you look around for the time being.
When you begin testing different fragrances, always use pieces of paper or paper sample cards. Do not spray fragrances on your wrist. If you test all colognes on your wrists, your hands will be saturated by different scents. By using different sample cards, you'll be able to get a good idea of each bottle’s true fragrance.
After you have sniffed and smelled several cologne samples, however, there may be a problem. All colognes begin to smell the same—your sense of smell has become immune to cologne.
Before you faint from sniffing and smelling, take a breather and walk around the shopping center or go outside for some fresh air. Some department stores have coffee beans on the counter. According to the sales people who might offer them to you, smelling coffee or coffee beans may refresh your sense of smell and you won’t need to go outside.
While different colognes compete for you nose’s attention, consider the following: Most fragrances are made of certain scent bases—citrus, floral, chypre, woody, fougere, leather, and oriental.
As the chemistry of cologne is more complex than most of us think, fragrances uncover in layers as time passes. Usually fragrances consist of a top note, middle note, and base note. This means that the first whiff won’t tell you how the cologne will smell 15 minutes or one hour later.
Now that you have gone through the first sampling, you can eliminate those colognes that smell more like bug spray to you. When you go back to the counter, you can go through all the samples you liked and choose the scent you like the most. Then it’s time to test the cologne on you: Spray a bit directly on your wrist. See how the scent develops on your skin over time to determine if it is really one you like.
Whether you are considering a scent either for yourself or someone else, it’s important that the fragrance matches the wearer’s temperament. With the perfect fragrance matching your personality, before you have shaken hands with someone and before you have even opened your mouth to speak you’ll give off the smell of success in more ways than one.
Here are 10 suggestions for popular men’s fragrances for 2008:
John Varvatos: Those drug store body sprays wish they could compare to this masculine scent. This wintery fragrance is aromatic, with a spicy core and a warm, leathery-like background that makes it unique and inherently noble and gentleman-like. Brisk Moroccan coastal plants spiked with piquant fruits, cinnamon tree leaves, pepper, lush florals, smooth woods, and Turkish tobacco make this scent truly unforgettable.
Boucheron pour Homme: A perfect scent for a formal evening, a long-lasting and intense fragrance for the man of distinctive style. Composed of fresh aromatic notes of verbena, orange, and basil, it is elegant and subtle.
Aqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Georgio Armani: A light and fresh fragrance that is ideal for the summer and for daily use. Especially if you work in a cubicle or a small office, you may not want to use heavy scents. In recent years, this cologne has been a No.1 bestseller in the USA. Its main components are marine notes, mandarin, bergamot, neroli, persimmon, rosemary, nasturtium, jasmine, amber, patchouli, and cistus.
HM by Hanae Mori: A scent to exemplify masculinity and strength, with notes of jasmine, lemon, lavender, vanilla, and chocolate. This scent is memorable, strong, and noble.
Black Code by Georgio Armani: A soft, oriental fragrance that is perfect for everyday use. Its main notes are: lemon, bergamot, tonka bean, guaiac wood, and aromatic Mediterranean scents.
Sean John Unforgivable: A popular scent that blends chemistry and emotion. Its sleek, smooth blend reinvents masculine style with classic luxury. The scent lasts throughout the day without need to reapply. Notes: Sicilian lemon, Italian bergamot, green mandarin, tangerine, grapefruit, juniper leaves, lavender.
Gucci by Gucci pour Homme: A new signature for the modern man, it combines classic masculine appeal with cool, contemporary elegance. Key notes: bergamot, cypress, violet incense, jasmine, tobacco leaves, patchouli, amber.
Bulgari pour Homme Soir: A distinctive musk-based scent, allowing you to wear more without sending her running. Key notes and central tones: amber, guaiac wood.
Must de Cartier pour Homme: This fragrance embodies a harmony between warmth and spice. Fresh, audacious, intimate, and impulsive, this spicy oriental is a subtle blend of contrasts, combining fresh green spices and the sensuality of vibrant amber.
Guerlain pour Homme: A refreshing scent composed around a mojito accord (lime, mint). Bergamot, rhubarb, and green tea reinforce the sensation of freshness. Geranium brings a hint of flowers. The woody drydown blends vetiver and cedar. Perfect for daily use as well as a night on the town.
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