Picking a fragrance is not an easy task; I speak from experience. You would want to know which option works best for you, the occasion, and the season. You’d think these are the only things you must consider when picking out a new scent, but then you start to wonder about other factors such as longevity, projection, and sillage.
Surely most people would opt for longer-lasting fragrances, but what if the occasion doesn’t call for it? What if a scent with strong projection were a horrible idea to wear to a crowded event? This list will hopefully answer all your questions and provide the best option for each scenario that may arise.
Best Pick for Bright Warm Days:
Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Armani |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Sea Notes, Aquozone, Bergamot, and Green Mandarin Middle: Rosemary, Lavender, Cypress, and Mastic Base: Mineral notes, Musk, Patchouli, and Amber |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Projection | Low – Moderate |
| Perfumer | Alberto Morillas |
Acqua Di Gio is a well-loved summer scent. This aromatic fougere is quite intriguing, as it is fresh and fun, yet mature. You can wear it to the office and then wear it again when you’re on vacation. If you’re looking for a summer scent that will take you from business to casual seamlessly, look no further.
Best Pick for Cold Winter Nights:
Azzaro The Most Wanted Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Azzaro |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Ginger Middle: Woodsy Notes Base: Bourbon Vanilla |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Projection | Low |
| Perfumer | Azzaro |
When the days are colder and the nights are longer, a classic woody spicy fragrance with warm notes is the way to go. The Most Wanted Parfum by Azzaro is an exceptional scent from start to finish. It is long-lasting and sits close to the skin, making it a lovely, intimate, mature fragrance.
Best Pick for Date Nights:
JPG Scandal Le Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Jean Paul Gaultier |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber |
| Notes | Top: Geranium Middle: Tonka Bean Base: Sandalwood |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Projection | Low – Moderate |
| Perfumer | Quentin Bisch, Natalie Gracia-Cetto, and Christophe Raynaud |
Scandal Pour Homme Le Parfum is one of my favorite JPG fragrances. It is sweet, seductive, warm, and bold. A creamy blend of tonka bean and sandalwood. Rich and classy, yet never basic. It has everything you would want in a date night fragrance.
Best Luxury Find:
Amouage Interlude 53 EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Amouage |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Oregano, Pimento, and Bergamot Middle: Incense, Amber, Opoponax, and Labdanum Base: Smoke, Agarwood (Oud), Leather, Patchouli, and Sandalwood |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Pierre Negrin |
When I first tried this fragrance at the store, I told myself that my partner must have it! I would wear it myself (I’ve worn men’s fragrances before), but I have a different go-to by Amouage. This fragrance just smells luxurious and rich. The 53 version of Interlude has a higher scent concentration, adding depth and longevity to the final product.
Best Budget Find:
Louis Breton L’Homme Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Louis Breton |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Chypre Fruity |
| Notes | Top: Bergamot, Black Currant, Apple, Lemon, and Pink Pepper Middle: Pineapple, Patchouli, and Moroccan Jasmine Base: Birch, Musk, oak moss, Ambroxan, and Cedarwood |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Louis Breton |
On the other hand, you don’t have to spend a ton to smell rich. L’Homme by Louis Breton is an affordable scent that will exceed your expectations. It is a chypre scent with a hint of sweet fruity accords. This combination of earthy and fresh fruity notes results in an irresistible, nuanced scent.
Best Pick for Signature Scent:
Yves Saint Laurent Y EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yves Saint Laurent |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Notes | Top: Apple, Ginger, and Bergamot Middle: Sage, Juniper Berries, and Geranium Base: Amberwood, Tonka Bean, Cedar, Vetiver, and Olibanum |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Dominique Ropion |
If you’re looking for a scent to claim as your own, I nominate Y by YSL. This aromatic fougère is popular, mass-appealing, and sporty. It opens with apple and ginger, but then dries down to a blend of sage and woods that retains the fresh, blue scent, reminiscent of being out of the shower. This versatile fragrance is suitable for every occasion, event, and time of year, making it the ideal signature scent for those who prefer not to own multiple fragrances.
Best Mature Find:
Dolce & Gabbana The One EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dolce & Gabbana |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Grapefruit, Coriander, and Basil Middle: Cardamom, Ginger, and Orange Blossom Base: Amber, Tobacco, and Cedar |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Olivier Polge |
The One by Dolce & Gabbana is a fragrance for gentlemen. This perfume is classy, elegant, and sophisticated. If you work in a more formal setting or are looking for a mid-range priced fragrance to pair with your dressier fits, this is The One. It is a mature and refined scent that you don’t have to keep for special occasions.
Best Pick for Simple Scent:
Davidoff Cool Water Intense EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Davidoff |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Fruity Amber |
| Notes | Top: Green Mandarin Middle: Coconut Nectar Base: Amber |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Annick Menardo |
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a simple scent that is non-offensive, Cool Water is the way to go. I opted for the intense eau de parfum over the original because it is a better scent overall. It lasts longer and is more unique. I would recommend this as an office scent for those who work in a more casual environment or as a starting scent for a teenage boy.
Best Unisex Find:
Kilian Angels’ Share EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | By Kilian |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top: Cognac Middle: Cinnamon, Tonka Bean, Oak, and Hedione Base: Vanilla, Praline, Sandalwood, and Candied Almond |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Benoist Lapouza |
Last but not least, the star of this list. Angels’ Share by Kilian. This unisex fragrance is phenomenal. This is a boozy, creamy, addictive perfume that is blended and balanced to perfection. It truly stands out and is unique; therefore, you can create many wonderful memories and associate them with this scent. It can also be a scent you share with your partner. Find all these men’s fragrances and more at V Perfumes. Shop at the best prices in the UAE and Gulf region and don’t miss out on exclusive offers online and in-store.
