Why spend time, money and effort putting together out killer outfits if only to be topped off with the same scent time after time or simply relying on that “Summer Breeze” scented anti-perspirant? Even if we have adopted a signature scent for ourselves, it’s nice to keep others on their toes by switching it up from time to time. The way you smell is a significant part of your image, and there are trends and safe choices in this regard too.

Here are some of the nicest colognes on the market right now.

Day

Lacoste Pour Home (Lacoste). Classic, yet sporty clothing lines translate well into their fragrance. Key notes include ruby grapefruit, Italian bergamot, apply, juniper berry, cardamom, sandalwood, vanilla bean and musk, and these combine nicely to create a scent that will help you embrace your confidence.

Be Delicious (DKNY). This scent, launched in 2005, is supposed to represent the spirit and toughness of NYC. Its big-apple shaped bottle emphasizes this. Green apple, coffee granite, citrus, applewood and dark woods unite to create an uplifting and sensual fragrance.

Burberry Brit (Burberry Brit). Elegant, refined, distinctive and perfect for today’s modern man. The combination of green mandarin, ginger, bergamot, cardamom, nutmeg, cedar, wild rose and oriental woods embodies a refreshing and full-bodied experience that harkens back to old-school charm.

Dreamer (Gianni Versace). For over a decade, Versace has been creating unique, casual scents and this one from 1996 remains a classic choice. Its key notes are clary sage, lavender, mandarin, tobacco, geranium, carnation, rose, cedar, tonka bean and tarragon and together create a fragrance best described as clear and smooth with a spicy nature.

Night

Obsession Night (Calvin Klein). This one is classic Calvin Klein. Its slightly aphrodisiacal aroma combines black suede, patchouli, leather, vanilla and rich warm woods. Be careful though because this is one that you might tend to wear just too often!

Pasha de Cartier (Cartier). This is my personal favourite. Its masculine, aromatic fragrance was released in 1992 and continues to evoke images of style, luxury and quality. The hints of mandarin, lavender, thyme, mint, rosewood, coriander, oakmoss, labdanum, patchouli and sandalwood work excellent together and create a scent that is best described as “macho elegance”.

Essenza di Zegna (Egmenegildo Zegna). Like the clothes, Italian chic becomes available to all through this fresh and wonderful blend of vetiver, bergamot, mandarin, orange cardamom, cashmere wood, myrtle and cypress. Anyone who appreciates high quality designer threads, will fall in love with this fragrance.

Canali Men (Canali). Even if you don’t own a Canali suit, you can still exude powerful but cool and sexy, sophistication with this high-quality blend of key notes such as clementine, pineapple, bergamot, orange flower, lily of the valley, jasmine, coriander and nutmeg.

Tips

It is one thing to own the best colognes, but if you don’t know how to wear them and look after them, then you might as well spray Lysol on yourself. Here are some essential tips:

• Never spray cologne onto your clothes;
• Apply on pulse points like the back of your knees, on your wrists, on the base of your throat and behind your ears;
• Store all cologne in a dry, cool place like a drawer or medicine cabinet;
• Store colognes packaged in clear bottles in their box as long term exposure to light will impact the scent;
• You can layer the fragrance by using shower gels, moisturizers, etc of the same brand. This helps the fragrance last longer without being too overpowering.
• Apply very little cologne until you are familiar with how your body will react to the scent – sometimes our natural body oils do not react well with a particular fragrance and create a less than desirable effect.

Lastly, try to keep at least three cologne bottles on rotation. Buy small bottles instead of giant bargain bottles, which will encourage you to keep your cologne arsenal fresh and new. Just remember that daytime scents are generally subtler and more “fresh and clean” and night time scents are typically a little more bold and sensual and you will wear appropriate scents regardless of your favorites.