You’re that guy in the lift people can’t seem to bring themselves to stand next to. You could be that guy in the bar that everyone runs away from. You’re the guy that has your date wanting to end the evening early to go home and play with his / her cats!  The best fragrances for men are sometimes hard to find, especially if your partner is picky about what you smell like. A smell, within an instant, can evoke a thought or memory and as such is thought of as one of the most ´captivating senses.´

The word perfume or fragrance is used today to describe scented mixtures and is derived from the Latin word, “per fumus“, meaning through smoke.  Fragrance, perfumery  or the art of making scents, began in ancient Egypt but was developed and further refined by the Romans, the Persians and the Arabs. Although perfume and perfumery also existed in East Asia, much of its fragrances are incense based and have been for the last two thousand years. The composition and chemistry of perfume, however, is a little more complex than the manufacturers would have us believe. It´s all about ´notes.´

Pyramid

Notes in perfumery are descriptors of scents that can be sensed upon the application of a perfume. Notes are separated into three classes; top/head notesmiddle/heart notes, and base notes; which denote groups of scents which can be sensed with respect to the time after the application of a perfume. These notes are created carefully with knowledge of the evaporation process and intended use of the perfume. The presence of one note may alter the perception of another – for instance, the presence of certain base or heart notes will alter the scent perceived when the top notes are strongest, and likewise, the scent of base notes in the dry-down will often be altered depending on the smells of the heart notes.

The idea of notes is used primarily for the marketing of fine fragrances. The term is sometimes used by perfumers to describe approximately scents or the perfumery process to the general public.

Top Notes

Perceived immediately upon application of a perfume, top notes consist of small, light molecules that evaporate quickly. They form a person’s initial impression of a perfume and thus are very important in the selling of the product. The scents of this note class are usually described as “fresh,” “assertive” or “sharp.” The compounds that contribute to top notes are strong in scent, very volatile, and evaporate quickly. Citrus and ginger scents are common top notes, otherwise called the head notes.

Although not as saliently perceived, the heart and base-notes contribute much to the scent in the top notes.

Middle Notes

The scent of a perfume that emerges just prior to when the top notes dissipate. The middle note compounds form the “heart” or main body of a perfume and emerge in the middle of the perfume‘s dispersion process. They serve to mask the often unpleasant initial impression of base notes, which become more pleasant with time. Not surprisingly, the scent of middle note compounds is usually more mellow and “rounded.” Scents from this note class appear anywhere from two minutes to one hour after the application of a perfume. Lavender and rose scents are typical middle notes. They are also called the “heart notes”.

Base Notes

The scent of a perfume that appears close to the departure of the middle notes. The base and middle notes together are the main theme of perfume. Base notes bring depth and solidity to a perfume. Compounds of this class are often the fixatives used to hold and boost the strength of the lighter top and middle notes. Consisting of large, heavy molecules that evaporate slowly, compounds of this class of scents are typically rich and “deep” and are usually not perceived until 30 minutes after the application of the perfume or during the period of perfume dry-down. Some base notes can still be detectable in excess of twenty-four hours after application, particularly the animalic and musk notes.

I have compiled the top 10 best fragrances for men, in order of wearability. Any guy wearing any of these scents will instantly smell fantastic and you’ll be proud to have him on your arm (and his scent in your nose). 

Dior Homme

Doir Homme

I have to say that out of this list, Dior Homme is one of my favourite scents. The new men’s fragrance reinvents masculine luxury with classic yet clearly modern elegance. A unique powdery scent, built around the masculine iris, with notes of lavender, amber, vetiver, and leather. 

Calvin Klein Obsession

Calvin-Klein-Obsession

So this is one of the CK scents that has been around forever (not kidding, ’86 – I was … never mind, I was young when this came out.) but that doesn’t mean it is outdated. It’s actually one of the few Calvin Klein products that reek sexy and that is why it’s on the list of the best fragrances for men – it’s the perfect date fragrance. With notes of clove, nutmeg, myrrh and mandarin, there is every chance that you will smell incredible when you splash this on.

Agua Di Gio

Aqua Di Gio

Gio is another of my favourite scents. There is something about the woody, herby and fruity notes that are all mixed and combined perfectly in this cologne that make it so appealing. If you are looking to smell a little like the earth, wind, water and sun – this is the scent for you.

Calvin Klein Eternity

Calvin-Klein-Eternity

Another top fragrance for men comes from the maker of the best underwear for men. Calvin Klein has been a favourite of mine for years; I love his clothes and his scents. Eternity is definitely at the top of the list of CK scents that I love. I like the chilled cucumber smell, the citrus bite to it and the lavender that just seems to make it all come together. It’s the perfect scent for any time of the day.

Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce

Abercrombie-And-Fitch-Fierce

While woody notes might not be a favourite of every man, this scent is packed with floral notes, but it is not at all overwhelming. It’s got some cardamom, lemon, orange, fir and even some musk, oak moss and Brazilian rosewood packed into it.

Thierry Mugler Angel Men

Angel Men

If you are looking for a scent that is going to be heady without overpowering, this is the one you’ll love for you! It’s packed with woody notes, some amazing coffee scents and even is a little sweet with hints of sugar and candyfloss.

Azzaro Chrome

Azzaro

This one is one of the few scents from Azzaro that I love. It’s not only a very masculine fragrance but it’s filled with notes of rosewood, icy, oakwood and sandalwood. It’s a little woody, a little nutty and definitely great for the office or date night. The best part about this scent is its subtlety.

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

Ralph-Lauren-Polo-Blue

Polo Blue has a fresh and crisp smell, but it also has some fresh air and open water scent to it. It’s one of the best colognes for men that are looking for something that is a little more fresh and outdoorsy. Something that reminds them of the sea and all things maritime. 

Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport

Dolce & Gabbana The One

If you are something that is a little sporty and loves the smell of coastal climes, then this is the scent for you. It’s packed with cardamom, sea salt, rosemary, water, patchouli and even some amazing musk notes.

Ermenigildo Zegna Uomo

Ermenigildo Zegna Uomo

This scent is for a man that is packed with personality and truthfully, it’s a fantastic scent that has a lot of amazing notes in it. It’s got bergamot, galbanum, ambrox, grapefruit, patchouli, musk and even some Prisma. It’s a confident scent that is filled with charisma.