Dapper Sapiens blog: Fragrances For Men

Cologne, Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Perfume (EDP)?

It is said that 80% of men don’t use fragrances despite the many abounding benefits. The term “fragrance” (aka “perfume”) can be used for any number of aromatic chemical concoctions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 5,000 different fragrance chemicals — in countless combinations — are used in products today.

A fragrance is added to products to make them smell better. Sometimes it’s to add a sense of luxury or personality. Sometimes they’re used to create a more “natural” aroma. And sometimes they’re used to cover up an offending odour. Scent sells and manufacturers know it, so novel fragrances are not only used in cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaners, they’re also increasingly found in hard goods like diapers, garbage bags, candles, tissues, toys, and more.

Fragrances are complex mixtures of what people in the industry refer to as raw materials. These raw materials can be extracts from natural sources or synthetic raw materials.

Oils are dissolved in a solvent (usually alcohol), to preserve a pleasant concoction of scents. The higher the concentration of oils – the greater the strength of the fragrance. The strength determines how long an application of the fragrance lasts on your skin.

Fragrances are known to reduce stress levels, increase attractiveness, alertness and confidence and the level of trust ensuring getting the opposite sex’s telephone contact. They are an invisible part of a person’s personal style, with a significant effect on how one is perceived by other people.

The Difference Between Fragrance, Perfume, Toilette And Cologne?

Fragrance is a unisex, generic term used for perfume. Fragrances come in many forms and are called different names but generally fall into these categories:

Eau Fraiche – The most diluted version of fragrance, usually with 1% – 3% perfume oil in alcohol and water. Usually lasts for less than an hour.
Cologne (Eau de Cologne) – Oldest term for perfume, used in North America for masculine scents. Light, fresh and fruity, typically composed of 2% – 4% perfume oils in alcohol and water. Usually lasts for about 2 hours.
Toilette (Eau de Toilette) – A light spray composition with 5% – 15% pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol. Usually lasts for about 3 hours.
Perfume (Eau de Parfum) – Historically genderless, used to describe both men’s and women’s fragrances. The best term used to describe a fragrance. Contains 15% – 20% pure perfume essence and lasts for about 5 to 8 hours.

Perfume – A corruption of the Latin phrase per fumum (through smoke). The most concentrated and expensive of all fragrance options. Slightly oilier, perfume, or parfum, is composed of 20% – 30% pure perfume essence. A single application of perfume can last up to 24 hours. (Real Men Real Style)

Best Smelling Colognes For Men

Some colognes are capable of snatching our attention by appealing to our senses. Some of the best smelling colognes for men include:

1. Creed – Aventus: Features a bouquet of fruity notes including blackcurrant, apple and pineapple, which give the blend a smoky confidence irresistible to women.

2. Artisan – John Varvatos: A masterful blend of citric and herbal layers which act to entice those around you.

3. 1 Million – Paco Rabanne: Audacious warm cinnamon, blood mandarin, grapefruit and mint citrus notes create a scent to make women weak at the knees.

4. Bleu de Chanel: Unmistakably masculine, it includes woody aromatics which lace amber, incense, and ginger with citrus notes creating a sophisticated scent.

5. Essenza – Acqua di Parma:The scent is a standout neroli note, shadowed by a citrus chorus and floral hints including jasmine and rose.

6. Armani Code – Giorgio Armani: It seamlessly blends fresh bergamot and lemon top notes with star anise and olive blossom. Hints of tobacco, leather, and Tonka bean add depth to create a contemporary aroma that is irresistibly embraceable to women.

7. Acqua di Gio Giorgio – Armani: Aquatic aroma that splashes warm sunshine onto your skin and sweet jasmine, rosemary and salty seawater tones which create a marine masculinity.

8. Polo Red Intense – Ralph Lauren: Inspired by the adrenaline of fast cars it is a concoction of spices and roasted coffee beans kick you into overdrive.

9. Sauvage – Dior: It is orchestrated with zesty Calabrian bergamot, black pepper notes, a salty ambroxan and patchouli of the purest quality that is fresh and wild.

10. La Nuit de l’Homme – Yves Saint Laurent:

Bold cardamom, fresh bergamot, soothing lavender, and warm cedar to create undertones that deepen this colognes sophistication and help to further seduce the senses.

11. Gucci Guilty: Oozes style that will have women captivated both day and night, invigorating lemon, and intensified with seductive notes of lavender

12. Italian Bergamot – Ermenegildo Zegna: Sparkling Calabrian bergamot and sweet neroli accompany vetiver and rosemary to create a charming summertime scent.

13. Euphoria Intense – Calvin Klein: This is a new fragrance inspired by the darker, sexier side of euphoria men signature at the peak of its sexiness.

14. Bottega Veneta – Pour Homme: For a man who wishes to leave behind the urban environment while maintaining a sophisticated spirit.

15. Diesel Only The Brave Wild: The scent includes grapefruit, lemongrass, black pepper, floral lavender, nutmeg, coumarin cedar wood, vetiver and fresh aroma of coconut water.

Designer Or Niche

There are many fragrances on the market today, and fake cheap ones dominate the market. Should you get a perfume of less than the equivalent of 10 dollars, don’t expect it to work for you. It will disappear within minutes of spraying it. However the market also has designer and niche perfumes.

Designer perfumes are made by companies like Armani, Burberry, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce and Gabbana, Hugo Boss and the like. And they cost from the equivalent of US$30 to over $100 for a 50ml or 100ml bottle.

A Niche fragrances do not have a universal appeal, but are made for a more selective customer who wishes to wear something distinctively bold or unique. And they do not have the universal appeal of a designer fragrance. These fragrances typically cost over $250.

Usually, the amount of concentrate a fragrance contains will affect its price. Major brands create perfumes that are part science and part marketing. They have a familiar feel to all their perfumes. Ralph Lauren perfumes, for instance, are made to have a family of familiar scents.

How to Apply Perfume

You should spray perfume preferably right after a shower on dry skin. The spray nozzle should be held 10 to 15 cm from your skin. According to Antonio Centino a world renown fashionista, perfume should be applied to the following points:

Fragrances For Men:

Cologne, Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Perfume (EDP)?

Fragrances are complex mixtures of what people in the industry refer to as raw materials. These raw materials can be extracts from natural sources or synthetic raw materials.

The Difference Between Fragrance, Perfume, Toilette And Cologne?

Fragrance is a unisex, generic term used for perfume. Fragrances come in many forms and are called different names but generally fall into these categories:

Eau Fraiche – The most diluted version of fragrance, usually with 1% – 3% perfume oil in alcohol and water. Usually lasts for less than an hour.
Cologne (Eau de Cologne) – Oldest term for perfume, used in North America for masculine scents. Light, fresh and fruity, typically composed of 2% – 4% perfume oils in alcohol and water. Usually lasts for about 2 hours.
Toilette (Eau de Toilette) – A light spray composition with 5% – 15% pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol. Usually lasts for about 3 hours.
Perfume (Eau de Parfum) – Historically genderless, used to describe both men’s and women’s fragrances. The best term used to describe a fragrance. Contains 15% – 20% pure perfume essence and lasts for about 5 to 8 hours.