Perfume is more strongly associated with women than with men, but men have always been drawn to fragrance as well. And why not? The sense of smell is powerfully connected to memory, and a fragrance can help others remember you—fondly, if you choose the right scent.
Generally, men’s fragrances are sold as cologne or as men’s fragrance. Eau de Toilette, a slightly more concentrated version of cologne, is another option for men. While women’s fragrances are often floral, men’s fragrances focus on clean scents that range from spicy to sporty, working with your body chemistry to create a scent that is uniquely yours. Though men don’t have as extensive a selection of fragrances as do women, new fragrances are constantly being developed.
As you’re choosing a fragrance for yourself, or choosing for the man in your life, consider that there are nine different fragrance types that may go into cologne: citrus, herbal, floral, fruity, leather, musk, powdery, spice and woody. Generally, a cologne contains three notes, made up from these types. The top note is what you smell when you first apply the cologne, and is often spice or a fresh scent. When it fades, the middle note, often citrus or spice, emerges and stays for about an hour. The complex base note remains the longest.
The top and middle notes of cologne are often citrus, which is a fresh scent that expresses confidence. This scent may be distilled from fruits like grapefruit, lemons and pomello. Calvin Klein’s Truth is one such citrus-based fragrance. Woody fragrances are more concentrated in the middle and base notes, within hints of cedar, patchouli and sandalwood. Leather, too, is a type concentrated in the middle and base notes, and may include a blend of wood tars, tobacco and honey scents. Because fragrances interact with skin chemistry, the scent of a high-quality cologne will be different on you than on another wearer, so some notes may come out stronger or more subtly.
Making a men’s cologne can be just as complicated a process as making a woman’s perfume, resulting in prices that can be nearly as high. Pure essential oils are carefully blended with just enough alcohol to carry the fragrance, and the base oils may be expensive, such as jasmine or sandalwood. Just like women can find inexpensive substitutes, though, men can find inexpensive colognes that have similar fragrances to high-priced designer colognes.
Of course, whatever your preference, test colognes before you buy. You’ll make sure both that the scent suits you and that there are no ingredients in the cologne that irritate your skin.
Whether you can afford high-end colognes like Fendi, Hugo Boss for Men and Giorgio Armani, or if you need to keep more budget-minded, choosing a cologne that matches your personality and the impression you want to create will lead you to be a memorable person to those around you. And women in your life, especially, will find you just that much more pleasant to be around.
Posts
