My Dizzying Quest To Find The Best Colognes For Men (2024)

Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume

A well-kept secret among the best-smelling men in the business? Hair perfume. With a strand-friendly blend of sunscreens, panthenol and parfum, Byredo’s mist keeps your tresses feeling and looking as good as they’ll smell to anyone close enough to get a good sniff. And sniff they will: this crisp fragrance piques interest with airy notes of musk and amber, plus clean woody facets that project every time your hair catches the breeze.

Parfums de Marly Perseus

Those in the know will need no introduction to the acclaimed blends of fragrance house Parfums de Marly. Perseus, its latest offering, is an easy scent swap for the warmer seasons: it’s bright and clean-smelling with notes of bergamot that make for a fine summer signature. Finished with vetiver and seductive tonka bean, this is a spritz with serious staying power, and one guaranteed to charm everyone in your orbit. Keep it handy for office wear, a post-gym refresh or date night – wherever you’re headed it’s sure to make a good impression.

Read more: 14 Summer Perfumes That Will Instantly Take You On Holiday

Penhaligons Halfeti

Picture a stroll through the oud-soaked halls of Harrods and you’ll have a good handle on what to expect from Penhaligon’s Halfeti. A luxurious accord that wins you no end of “you smell expensive” compliments, it marries roses, musk and spiced Levantine herbs with a fresh top of fruits and citrus. The result? An addictive unisex scent with an all-occasions appeal. A little lingers for hours, so spritz sparingly.

Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Cosmic

If shower-fresh spritzes take your fancy, look no further than this summery debut from Loewe. Blending all the best holiday smells – think coconut, mango and tropical sandalwood – its light and fresh notes are fixed to the skin thanks to amber in the accord. A scent that stays the course on sweaty summer days, in a sunset bottle worthy of prime placement on your dresser – what’s not to love?

Read more:17 Summer Perfumes That Will Instantly Take You On Holiday

Hackett London Absolute

Suited, booted and spritzed with the invigorating blend that is Hackett’s Absolute, you’re well prepared for both a day in the office and a soiree after hours. This shapeshifting scent starts with fresh, fruity notes via a citrusy top, but the aromatic heart and royal oakwood base gradually make their presence known. Light on the nose in those earlier hours before rounding out to a flavourful, full-bodied scent, this one won’t offend your desk-mates, but is sure to delight your evening date.

Burberry Hero

If you consider yourself a gentleman of refined taste, you’ll do well to add Burberry’s Hero to your aftershave arsenal. Sophisticated and sensual, its warming aroma is anchored by a cedarwood base, with clean pine top notes that project and reel in plenty of compliments. An ideal antidote to the bleak cold of winter, it’s peppered with frankincense and resinous woods that stick to the skin to leave a lasting impression.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

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 cosy fire.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

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 autumn and winter months when you want to hibernate in full cosy mode.

Dior Eau Savage

Having a citrussy opening that recalls summer sun with bright notes of bergamot, Dior’s parfum takes on a sophisticated depth as it ushers in vetiver and elemi. Aromatic and fresh, with plenty of substance to see you past the sunny season, it is an elegant spritz that makes a fine everyday signature.

Montblanc Explorer

Montblanc’s ‘Explorer’ is an all-terrain type of spritz, bearing crowd-pleasing notes of pineapple, vetiver and amber that suit all seasons and occasions. If you’re a one-and-done kind of man, this is the bottle to buy.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir

Imagining what a “magnificent Parisian evening” would smell like, Maison Francis Kurkdjian came up with this wonderful blend of vanilla, amber, tonic beans, and cistus labdanum. Indeed, it’s the perfect scent for a night on the town.

Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Night

Woody and aromatic with an alluring, musky base, this EDT is light enough for office wear, but boasting a powerful, masculine dry down, it’ll also see you soundly to your evening affairs. A win-win.

Creed Aventus

This best-selling fragrance from Creed was introduced in 2010 and continues to be a fan favourite. 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 symbolise strength, power, and success – who wouldn’t want that?

CKIN2U For Him

Arguably Calvin Klein’s most accessible scent, CKIN2U might be common, but it’s not one to be sniffed at. It’s made with easygoing, enthralling notes of lemon, tomato leaf and vetiver, and is the perfect pick to pack in your gym bag for a locker room freshen-up session.

Ralph Lauren Polo Black

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.

Dior Sauvage

Inspired by nature and its raw materials, this scent from Dior perfumer François Demachy is fresh, earthy and woody. Warm notes of bergamot, pepper, and amber wood take cues from a desert landscape – but can still be worn in the dead of winter, thanks to its refined, non-overpowering finish.

Hugo Boss Boss

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.

The Nue Co. Functional Fragrance

Designed to help you “reset at times of high stress,” this aromatic fragrance from The Nue Co. is clean, woody, spicy, and smokey. The unisex scent features notes of green cardamom, iris, palo santo, and cilantro. Consider it like a stress ball, only in cologne form.

Frédéric Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur

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.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

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).

Hermès H24

A bright, citrusy-scent, Hermès’s H24 fragrance – the label’s first perfume for “the contemporary man” – features notes of clary sage, narcissus, and rosewood. It’s perfect for the spring and summer, in particular, though the warming rosewood makes it a year-round favourite, too.

Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense

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.

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio

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.

Calvin Klein Eternity for Men

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.

Versace Eros

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.

Prada Luna Rossa Sport

This upbeat, zingy scent takes cues from the pulsing spirit of boat racing; it’s an awakening scent to boost your mood in the morning. Notes of lavender, ginger, juniper berries, tonka beans, and vanilla are the perfect thing to spritz on yourself post-workout – or when you’re about to hop on your first Zoom meeting of the day.

Acqua di Parma Colonia

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.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Lucky

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.

Parfums De Marly Layton

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 at 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.

Comme des Garçons 2

Launched in 1999, the Commes des Garçons 2 fragrance has lasting power. It’s a fresh, floral scent that’s perfect for summer: Top notes include lightweight mandarin orange, aldehydes, angelica, and tea. Middles notes of magnolia, nutmeg, and cinnamon warm up the scent without weighing it down.

Celine Black Tie

Alluding to Celine’s excellence in black-tie and tailored silhouettes, this evening scent is built for a night out. It’s composed of white orris butter, cedar, tree moss, and vanilla – striking the right balance between musky and sweet. Think of it like a dinner jacket that will never go out of style.

Chanel Allure Homme Sport

Designed to be taken everywhere with you, Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport is a fresh and bright fragrance infused with notes of citrus and cedar. The balanced blend is enriched with Italian mandarin and Japanese green citrus extract and wears beautifully throughout the day.

YSL Beauty Y

YSL’s Y Men’s Eau de Parfum is a spicy and bright fragrance that features top notes of apple, ginger, and bergamot, and base notes of cedar, amber woods and olibanum.