New year – new you… right? Time to change up your wardrobe, hit the gym, and buy a few more of the best men's colognes on the market.
Unsure which you should get your hands on? Take it easy – I've got you covered. In today's article, I'm breaking out the best men's colognes you should invest in as 2024 gets underway.
Here we go.
1. Gentleman Eau De Parfum – Givenchy
First on our list is a deep, woody fragrance by Givenchy. Throughout this fragrance's life on your skin, you'll pick up on the scents of spice and amber mixed in with some fresher notes and tones of vanilla.
In short, gents – these rich notes mean that this fragrance is suited to a man that wants warmer tones.
Top Notes: Black Pepper, Lavender, Bergamot
Heart Notes: Orris Cloves Cinnamon
Base Notes: Black Vanilla Husk, Tolu Balsam, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Benzoin
2. The One For Men – Dolce and Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana's classic fragrance should be a part of any man's fragrance collection. The One For Men has been enticing women's sense of smell since 2008 and is still as popular today as it was upon release.
Why? Simple – this fragrance was specifically formulated by Stefano Gabbana to be timeless and classic:
“A classic men's fragrance that would last for years and be the type of scent that women adore.” – Stefano Gabbana
A challenge I'd say he succeeded in – given The One For Men's popularity over the last 14 years.
Dolce & Gabbana also released a stronger Eau De Parfum version of this great fragrance. Its increased strength allows it to fill a room without becoming overpowering and unpleasant, and the strong base notes remain on the skin for even longer after application.
Top Notes: Grapefruit, Corriander, Basil
Heart Notes: Ginger, Cardamom, Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Amber, Tobacco, Cedar
3. Eros – Versace
Versace is a brand grounded in Greek mythology. Heck, their logo is a depiction of Medusa!
Eros, the god of love, is portrayed here. It establishes a man who is not only wealthy but confident and cultured. This fragrance brings to mind the Ancient Greek Isles and the decadent excesses often associated with them.
- Top Notes: Mint, apple, lemon.
- Heart Notes: Tonka Bean, geranium, ambroxan.
- Base Notes: Cedar, vetiver, oakmoss.
4. Luna Rossa Black – Prada
Luna Rossa was created to compliment the achievements of the Prada Luna Rossa sailing team – a collection of Italian sailboat racers who competed in the 2000 America's cup under Prada's sponsorship.
It is a simple yet effective fragrance. With only six notes – this scent doesn't present the same complexity as other fragrances on this list. However, sometimes a cleaner scent with more defined notes is better. Remember the old saying, gents – sometimes less is more.
Top Notes: Bergamot
Heart Notes: Angelica, Patchouli
Base Notes: Amber, Coumarin, Musk
5. Sauvage Elixir – Dior
I'll get straight to the point with this one – Dior Sauvage is a really sexy men's cologne. However – the scent itself isn't hyper-masculine. Sauvage is sensual – giving off an impression of class and sophistication while also portraying a sort of sensuality you don't often find in men's fragrances.
This bad boy has one of the greatest defining features of a sexy men's cologne – when a woman walks past a man wearing this scent, she can straight away tell ‘that guy's wearing Dior Sauvage!'
The 2021 Elixer formula increases the intensity of these scent triggers – with the addition of different
Top Notes: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Grapefruit
Heart Notes: Lavender
Base Notes: Licorice, Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Vetiver
6. Y Eau De Parfum – Yves Saint Laurent
Y Eau De Parfum is described as an aromatic fougere fragrance for men. In short, gents – this fragrance is heavily inspired by nature. Fougere is french for ‘fern' – which should give you an idea of the clean, natural aromas associated with this scent classification.
However, that isn't to say that this fragrance might come across as feminine. In fact, those who formulated this scent describe it as:
“A seductive fragrance interpretation of Yves Saint Laurent's iconic white T-shirt and black jacket.”.
Top notes: Bergamot, Ginger, Apple
Heart Notes: Sage, Geranium, Juniper Berries
Base Notes: Vetiver, Cedar, Tonka, Amber Woods, Olibanum
7. Black Phantom – Kilian
Black Phantom is one of the more unique fragrances on my list. For one thing – this scent can be considered a unisex fragrance in that both men and women can wear it and pull it off.
That isn't to say that you should avoid this fragrance – with notes such as coffee and rum contained within it, this scent is certainly masculine in many ways. However, there is also a sweetness within it that edges away from the classicly masculine scents of the past and towards the more sensual colognes of the 21st century.
Top notes: Heliotrope, Sugar Cane, Almond
Heart Notes: Coffee, Caramel
Base Notes: Rum, Dark Chocolate, Sandalwood
8. Le Labo – Rose 31
Rose 31 by Le Labo is widely known as one of the most perfectly balanced unisex fragrances on the market. It isn't too masculine, or feminine – it's pretty much right in the middle. This makes it a perfect addition to anyone's fragrance collection and can be shared between couples effortlessly.
Le Labo is an incredibly interesting niche fragrance house. ‘Le Labo' translates to The Lab in French, a name that this niche fragrance house certainly earns. When you visit one of their many stores, your fragrance will be mixed for you on-site by an expert perfumer.
A personalized label is printed for you which records your name, the date of formulation, and the name of your chosen scent. What's more – you can take empty bottles back to the store for a discounted refill.
Top notes: Rose, Cumin
Heart Notes: Rose, Vetiver, Cedar
Base Notes: Musk, Oud, Guaiac Wood, Olibanum, Labdanum
9. Exalt Nuit – Navitus
Exalt Nuit translates to mean Exalted Night. In short – high status, mysterious and sexy. As one of the newest fragrances on our list, Exalt Nuit by Navitus Parfums isn't one many men will have heard of before. This unisex fragrance boasts a complex mixture of many different notes that help contribute to a unique and interesting scent profile.
With the inclusion of notes such as Nutmeg and Madagascan Pepper, this isn't a scent that will blend into the backdrop of the numerous sexy men's colognes on the market. This one stands out as a fragrance that meets the needs of a classic men's cologne while offering something a little bit extra in the way of spices and floral tones.
Top notes: Cacao, Bergamot, Olibanum, Nutmeg
Heart Notes: Jasmine, Anise, Benzoin, Madagascan Pepper, Labdanum
Base Notes: Tabacco, Cedar, Haitian Vetiver
10. Herod – Perfums De Marly
Parfums De Marly describe this fragrance as:
“The epitome of old-world sophistication.”
Which I would say is a pretty accurate description of what Herod brings to the table. This scent opens with spicy notes of cinnamon and pepper to then evolve slowly through warmer notes until the final woody base notes can be appreciated.
This is a very complex scent, gents. It gives off an air of sophistication while also presenting as both exotic and sensual. It's technically a unisex fragrance, but don't let that fool you – Herod definitely deserves its place on my list of sexy men's colognes.
Top notes: Cinnamon, Pepper
Heart Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Incense, Osmanthus, Labdanum
Base Notes: Vanilla, Iso E Super, Musk, Cedar, Cypriol Oil, Vetiver
11. Instant Crush – Mancera
As the name of this fragrance might suggest, Mancera's Instant Crush is the go-to fragrance for those who want to make an impact on the opposite sex.
Instant Crush has the potential to significantly increase your chances of a romantic encounter with the lady you've got your eye on. This scent is classed as ‘amber floral,' which means it provides a nice mixture of deep base notes and fresh top notes. More often than not – opposites attract one another. The same can be said for the contrasting notes in this fragrance.
Top notes: Saffron, Ginger, Mandarin, Bergamot
Heart Notes: Amberwood, Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli
Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Oakmoss
12. Stronger With You – Emporio Armani
Emporio Armani's Stronger With You has to be the most unique fragrance on this list. Unlike most other options on the market, this cologne was designed as part of a pair. A male cologne and a female perfume – formulated to be worn by romantic partners.
The female version of this fragrance is called ‘Because Of You' and shares some of the properties of this sexy men's cologne. Like any good romantic partner, it isn't exactly the same as the male version; it does its own thing in its own way but perfectly complements its masculine counterpart when applied as a pair. As stated by the Emporio Armani brand, Stronger With You is:
“an olfactive embodiment of authentic modern-day love.”
Top notes: Cardamom, Pink Pepper, Violet Leaf, Mint
Heart Notes: Pineapple, Melon, Cinnamon, Sage, Lavender
Base Notes: Vanilla, Chestnut, Amberwood, Cedar, Guaiac Wood
13. 1 Million Parfum – Paco Rabanne
1 Million has made many of my lists in past articles about great men’s fragrances. I still rate Rabanne highly because this fragrance is the one you need if you want to exude pure wealth.
True to its name, 1 Million makes you smell like a million bucks. Its focus on luxurious mandarin, tobacco, and tonka bean make it a force to be reckoned with.
Top Notes: Mandarin, Cinnamon
Heart Notes: Tobacco, Myrrh
Base Notes: Patchouli, Tonka Bean
14. Le Male Le Parfum – Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean-Paul Gaultier made a big impact in the fashion world over the course of his extensive career. Le Male Le Parfum is one of this fashion house's more recent additions having been formulated and released in 2020. Taking on a similar profile to its Le Male counterparts – Le Male Le Parfum is the defining cologne for men who want to smell like men.
From my experience – most women love this fragrance. It isn't very polarizing, and I would consider it a safe bet for any man that wants to smell great without the risk involved in wearing complex scents. Le Male Le Parfum is another timeless addition to the already prevalent Le Male fragrance family.
Top Notes: Cardamom
Heart Notes: Lavender, Iris
Base Notes: Vanilla, Wood, Oriental
15. Coach for Men – Coach
As the first fragrance on my list to include Pear and Seude within its scent profile, this fragrance could be classed as aromatic with elements of fruit and wood. It has a lot of the same notes as my other top sexy men's colognes – however, the unique use of the Pear and Seude is what sets this fragrance apart from the rest.
Coach for Men is an ideal fragrance to wear during the daytime in those hot summer months.
Top Notes: Pear, Kumquat, Bergamot, Lavender, Grapefruit
Heart Notes: Cardamom, Geranium, Coriander
Base Notes: Ambergris, Suede, Amberwood, Haitian Vetiver
16. Bad Boy – Carolina Herrera
Okay, so before I get into the finer details of this scent, let me say this – I freaking love the design of this perfume bottle. I mean, what's cooler than a powerful lightning bolt striking the ground at 200,000mph?
Right – back to the technical stuff. Carolina Herrera's Bad Boy fragrance is one to look out for – there are lots of peppery and woody notes in this fragrance, so it's pretty much as masculine as you can get. However, there's also a hint of Bergamot laced in there to give off a slight citrus tone on top of the deep, woody foundation.
As I said earlier – contrasts in fragrance can work really well. It gives a fragrance depth and makes it stand out from the crowd. If you're the sort of guy who wants to get noticed – this might be the sexy men's cologne for you.
Top Notes: White Pepper, Black Pepper, Bergamot
Heart Notes: Sage, Cedar
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Cacao, Amberwood
17. Spicebomb Infrared – Viktor & Rolf
As the most recent addition to the Spicebomb fragrance collection, Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb Infrared (2021) adds sweet and spicy notes to the original Spicebomb formula. With the inclusion of Cinnamon and red fruits in its upper notes, Infrared delivers a more diverse and wearable scent that arguably improves the previous scent profiles within the Spicebomb family.
If you're the sort of man that wants to maintain elements of masculinity while experimenting with sweeter notes to add variety to your personal scent, then Spicebomb Infrared could be the one to go for.
Top Notes: Red Fruits, Pink Pepper, Saffron
Heart Notes: Cinnamon, Red Pepper
Base Notes: Tobacco, Benzoin
18. Dior Homme Intense 2011 – Dior
It's in the name with this one, gents – Intense. I've heard this perfume described by many men as a ‘performance beast' in that it lasts a long time, and you don't need to use that much of it in one application. That's a good thing – it means this cologne will last you a heck of a lot longer than some of the other fragrances on this list.
When it comes to the scent profile of this fragrance, we're looking at a cold-weather scent ideal for those fall/winter evenings. Got a big date coming up? Dior Homme Intense 2011 could be your best option if you want to take things a bit further than a friendly meal for two. With the inclusion of musk, cedar, and vetiver, this fragrance oozes masculinity.
Top Notes: Lavender
Heart Notes: Iris, Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Pear
Base Notes: Cedar, Vetiver
19. Eros Flame – Versace
Versace's variation of the classic Eros cologne stands on the shoulders of giants. Eros Flame is just as attractive as the original scent – however it goes in a completely different direction with far more contrasting fragrance notes.
The different mixtures of sweet and spicy, warm and fresh notes make for a truly complex scent profile that is sure to interest anyone close enough to catch a hint of it on your skin.
Versace markets this fragrance quite specifically – believing it is designed for a:
“strong, passionate, self-confident man who is deeply in touch with his emotions.”
Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Black Pepper, Chinotto, Lemon, Rosemary
Heart Notes: Pepper, Geranium, Rose
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Texas Cedar, Patchouli, Oakmoss
20. Stronger With You Intensely – Giorgio Armani
The final fragrance on my list of 20 sexy men’s colognes is yet another variation of an already excellent fragrance – Stronger With You Intensely by Georgio Armani. Similar to its original formula, Stronger With You Intensely compliments the female version of this fragrance.
What sets this apart from the original cologne is its longevity and strength upon application. It is a well-rounded fragrance that stays strong on the skin and projects throughout the scent’s life cycle.
I have heard some men refer to this as a more feminine version of the original – but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Chances are, if you enjoy sexy men’s colognes such as Spicebomb or Ultra Male, you’re also going to enjoy this fragrance.
Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Juniper, Violet
Heart Notes: Toffee, Cinnamon, Lavender, Sage
Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Suede
Click below to watch the video – Best Fragrances For Men
