11 best men's fragrances and aftershaves for a can't-go-wrong gift
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Take it from a beauty journalist who has sniffed no fewer than a hundred perfumes (yes, really): shopping for the best men's fragrances is far from an easy task. Unisex and male-oriented eau de parfums often have complex scent profiles, from oud-y iterations to sandalwood-focused blends and spicier gourmand fragrances. While some eau de toilettes lean into more lightweight aftershave territory, some colognes pack an extra punch in the longevity department – the latter of which may not necessarily work in your/his favour. Particularly if the scent has an overwhelming or a headache-inducing effect – we all know better to steer clear of these.
Whether you're looking to treat a boyfriend/husband/father/brother or a friend, the good news is that men's fragrances make the best fool-proof gifts for him. Be it to pamper him over Christmas or to surprise him with a new scent to celebrate his birthday or an anniversary. On the flip side, it can also be one of the trickiest gifts to get right, especially if you're not as familiar with your giftee's scent preferences. And let's face it, gender aside, it’s no secret that choosing a new fragrance online an be a daunting task, period.
Luckily, over the years, I’ve learnt a few tricks that make this process way less stressful and complicated, but more on that later. If you do get it right, you may even help the person on the receiving end to discover their new signature fragrance. Many even work well as a unisex fragrance too, making it a great gift for yourself too – *wink-wink*.
Below, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide of the best men's fragrances that they never knew they wanted on their wish list, plus first-hand advice on how to choose them. Trust us, one spritz of any of the below will have him so sold that he picks up an aftershave balm, moisturiser, body spray and body lotion to match. Here's everything you need to know.
Best men's fragrances at a glance – our top picks:
- Best overall: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
- Best smoky scent: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
- Best long-lasting: Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum
- Best cult-favourite: Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette
SKIP TO: A fail-proof guide to picking the best men’s fragrance | How we test the best men's fragrances.
Best men's fragrance overall
- Top notes: Violet accord, cardamom.
- Heart notes: Iris, papyrus, ambrox.
- Base notes: Cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.
Why we love it: Let's be real, it would hardly be a perfume roundup without the iconic Santal 33 from Le Labo. Loved by beauty editors and perfume obsessives alike, this addicting unisex fragrance exudes a warm, leathery and musky presence with its addicting notes of cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox and sandalwood. Our very own Senior Creative Designer Ben Neale declared that out of all men's fragrances he's tested, this one definitely takes the crown, and we couldn't agree more. Inspired by the American Wild West, this unique eau de parfum is a sure compliment magnet and is one that can easily become his favourite.
Best smoky men's fragrance
- Top notes: Pink pepper, neroli oil.
- Middle notes: Rum absolute, sage oil.
- Base notes: Tabaco leaf absolute, vanilla bean.
Why we love it: Imagine walking into an intimate jazz club, getting a whiff of rum and tobacco as the elegant sound of a saxophone gently wraps you in a cosy bubble. Well, dear reader, that's exactly what you'd smell as soon as you spritz on the Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette by Mairson Margiela. The warm and spicy notes of vanilla, tonka bean, vetiver and tobacco add a nice elegant touch and leave an addicting veil, creating a perfect contrast to the boozier rum note which sits at the heart of this alluring scent.
Best long-lasting men's fragrance
- Head notes: Lemon, pink pepper, apple, bergamot, blackcurrant.
- Base notes: Pineapple, jasmine, Indonesian patchouli.
- Heart notes: Birch, ambroxan, cedarwood, oakmoss, musk.
Why we love it: Ideal for anyone looking for something a little more sophisticated and long-lasting, the Aventus Creed is one of the brand's most bestselling scents for a reason. Between a balance of woody notes of oakmoss, cedarwood and birch coupled with a fruity blend of apple, blackcurrant, pink pepper and bergamot, there's just so much to be enjoyed when it comes to this icon of a fragrance. One thing we can tell you for sure is that this powerhouse scent is a perfect fit for anyone who's wants to make an impression.
Best cult-favourite men's fragrance
- Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, Sichuan pepper
- Middle notes: Star anise, nutmeg, lavender.
- Base notes: Papua New Guinean vanilla, ambroxan.
Why we love it: There's no arguing that Dior Savage is easily one of (if not the most) popular men's fragrance there is. In fact, we're almost 90% sure that whoever you're shopping for either already has it in their collection or has at the very least heard about it. It's easily the safest bet, particularly when it comes to gifting. Inspired by wide-open spaces, blue skies, rocky landscapes and the scent of a white-hot desert beneath the burning sun, this iconic fragrance exudes confidence and leaves a powerful trail.
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Read on for more of the best men's fragrances that he'll genuinely appreciate…
Parfums De Marly Althair Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon.
- Middle notes: Bourbon vanilla, elemi.
- Base notes: Guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk.
Why we love it: Now, if you're looking to invest into a more luxury eau de parfum, look no further than Parfums De Marly – one of the most reputable fragrance houses around. And in our humble opinion, it really doesn't get better than Althair, a boozy vanilla scent that's perfect for the autumn/winter season. Its addicting nature is hardly a surprise, thanks to a clever blend that perfectly complements the vanilla accord with of notes of orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, praline, Guaiacwood, ambox and musk.
Jo Malone London Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense
- Top notes: Aromatic Clean Accord.
- Middle notes: Hinoki Wood.
- Base notes: Cedarwood.
Why we love it: It's earthy, it's warm and it's woody – the Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense is an ideal fragrance to wear in evenings, be it on date night or a get-together with friends. Inspired by Japanese wilderness, this unique cologne is a real head-turner and one that can easily become his new signature scent. A must.
Tom Ford Oud Minérale Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Pink pepper, aalt.
- Middle notes: Fir balsam, seaweed, sea notes.
- Base notes: Agarwood, amber, styrax, musk.
Why we love it: Whoever said that oud-y fragrances are too overwhelming didn't meet this stunning eau de parfum from Tom Ford. Oud Minérale is a truly one-of-a-kind scent that beautifully combines notes of salt, fire balsam, seaweed, agarwood and musk, delivering one of the most unique fragrances we've tested.
Kayali Oudgasm Tobacco Oud 04 Eau de Parfum
- Top Notes: Mandarin, clary sage, plum, white honey, geranium.
- Middle Notes: Clove, saffron.
- Base Notes: Tobacco, patchouli, vanilla, benzoin, praline, oud.
Why we love it: Designed to layer, the Kayali's Oudgasm range is the perfect way to gently introduce oud to your fragrance wardrobe. One of the brand's standout men's fragrances would definitely have to be Tobacco Oud, which is a complex and opulent scent that can be worn either on its own for that oud-y kick or layered alongside a gourmand fragrance for a sweeter finish. Just think about all the potential combos for him to explore.
Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Cardamom and sage.
- Middle notes: French narcissus, Haitian vetiver and Madagascar vetiver.
- Base notes: Vanilla, Palo Santo and cedar.
Why we love it: It's bold and memorable, the Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum carries notes of sage, cardamom, vetiver, cedarwood and sandalwood, delivering a sophisticated and long-lasting blend to attract all the compliments. Edgy yet refined, this unique scent is a bestseller for a reason.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Spanish labdanum and orange.
- Middle notes: Lavender and siam benzoin.
- Base notes: Amber, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and cedar.
Why we love it: Hailing from one the best perfume brands in the world, the Grand Soir from Maison Francis Kurkdjian features an alluring blend of amber, vanilla, orange, lavender and musk – an uplifting scent to act as a pick-me-up or a confidence booster all year round. Bold yet not at all predictable, we'd be surprised if this doesn't become his all-time-favourite.
Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Him
- Top notes: Grapefruit, rosemary and cardamom.
- Middle notes: Ylan-Ylang and tuberose.
- Base notes: Virginia cedar, suede, vetiver and leather.
Why we love it: Inspired by Lacoste's iconic polo shirt, the L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Him is both fresh and crisp with an earthy, musky edge. If you or your giftee isn't someone who's into overpowering and punchy aftershaves, this scent is definitely worth considering, particularly if you're after a classy day-to-day fragrance.
A fail-proof guide to picking the best men’s fragrance:
- Consider their current favourites: If you’re shopping for a partner that you live with, try to pay close attention to the fragrances that he tends to reach for on the daily and try to get a sense of the kind of scents that he loves. Is he into oud and leather or is he into lighter scents?
- Note down his dislikes: Same principle. Knowing his dislikes and fragrance ‘icks’ is just as important as being aware of his favourites. Are there any fragrances that he has that you never see him wear? Try to also pay close attention whenever he comments on home fragrances like scented candles and diffusers, as well as other people’s perfumes. He might not be the biggest fan of vanilla or he might find that oud-y scents are ‘too loud’ for his liking.
- Help him discover new fragrances: Remember that not everyone is comfortable with adding a new fragrance to their collection. If your partner still uses the same cologne from his uni days, there’s no need to judge him. Instead, try to gently introduce him to something new by occasionally going on a ‘perfume smelling’ date, where you both go to spritz your way through a perfume hall to uncover his new favourites. Another great way to do that is by potentially gifting him a discovery set full of sampled fragrances.
How we tested best men's fragrances
Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR team (alongside our significant others) have been testing hundreds of aftershaves, colognes and eau de parfums – from premium to affordable brands alike. When testing each scent, we always make sure to take careful note of various factors, such as its lasting power, its value for money, the bottle design and the blend's complexity. Be it on a date night, or for the regular 9-5 in the office, we aim to review fragrances in different circumstances to assess whether they manage to meet or exceed or expectations. Find out more about how we test here.
After more new-in fragrance content? Shop floral fragrances, zesty perfumes, vanilla perfumes and perfume gift sets aplenty.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
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