When choosing a men’s perfume, the first thing people usually look at is whether the scent is good. Yet to find the right perfume, you need to think a little more: does the perfume you wear match your everyday style? Can it be worn comfortably at the office? Does it become too intense in summer? How does it smell on your skin a few hours later? That is why “the best men’s perfume” is not the same for everyone.
First, Determine Your Scent Style
Instead of randomly trying dozens of scents, first determine which scent characters you feel close to. Were the perfumes you enjoyed wearing before fresh and clean, woody, spicy or sweet? When you notice the common characters in your favorite perfumes, you start to build your own scent profile.
Fresh and Aromatic Men’s Perfumes
Fresh-aromatic compositions have one of the widest ranges of use in men’s perfumery. Citrus characters such as bergamot, lemon and grapefruit come together with lavender, aromatic herbs and green notes to create a clean, energetic and modern impression. They are quite useful for everyday use, work life and hot weather. “Fresh perfume” does not necessarily mean short-lived; a fresh scent supported by a woody or musky base can deliver a balanced performance.
Woody and Spicy Men’s Perfumes
Cedar, sandalwood, vetiver and modern woody accords give the composition structure and depth; woody perfumes do not always have to be heavy. A woody scent combined with citrus and aromatic notes can be modern for everyday use, while combined with spice, amber or leather associations it can turn into a darker evening perfume. Spices such as cardamom, black pepper and cinnamon add warmth and movement; they are especially striking in autumn and winter.
Sweet and Gourmand Men’s Perfumes
Vanilla, tonka bean, coffee, cocoa and caramel appear more and more in modern men’s perfumery; they are especially striking in evening and cold-weather perfumes. However, balance is important: an intense, sweet composition can be too dominant on a hot summer afternoon, while it can be far more harmonious on a cool winter evening. If you love gourmand scents, evaluate the perfume not only at the first spray but over a few hours on your skin.
Everyday Use, the Office and Style Harmony
For an everyday perfume, ease of use is important; citrus-aromatic, clean woody or fresh characters can be considered. If you love warmer scents, you can make them everyday-appropriate by controlling the amount applied. In the office, controlled performance matters more than high performance. Woody, aromatic or balanced amber characters harmonize with a classic style such as a suit, while fresh and modern scents create a natural harmony with relaxed combinations such as sneakers and a t-shirt. The perfume does not have to exactly match the outfit; it is enough for them to complement each other.
Evening, Season and Longevity
Evening use is suitable for trying more pronounced characters; however, an “eye-catching perfume” and “too much perfume” are not the same thing. As for the season, on hot days citrus, aromatic and fresh woody compositions stand out, and in the cold, spicy, woody and warm characters. Longevity depends on concentration, scent family, skin and weather conditions; although an EDP generally has a higher concentration, this does not automatically mean higher performance for every perfume (see difference between EDP and EDT). The most reliable method is to wear the perfume on your skin for a few hours. We covered the difference between seasons in our summer and winter perfume article.
Signature Scent and the Perfume That Suits You
A signature scent is the perfume that is identified with your style and that you enjoy wearing again and again. Compare the note structures of the scents you love wearing: do bergamot and aromatic characters recur, or cedar and vetiver, or vanilla and spices? First determine which scent characters you enjoy, in which setting you will most often wear the perfume and the intensity you want; make the final decision after a few hours’ skin test. By exploring the fresh, aromatic, woody and warm characters in the Joure collection, you can build your own profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a men’s perfume chosen?
Determine the scent family you love; consider the setting of use, the season and the intensity you want. Before the final decision, it is helpful to test the perfume on your own skin for a few hours.
What should an everyday men’s perfume be like?
For everyday use, comfortable and balanced scents can be preferred. Citrus, aromatic and clean woody characters are frequently considered for this purpose, but the choice depends on personal taste.
Which is the longest-lasting men’s perfume?
There is no single longest-lasting perfume that applies to everyone. Formulation, concentration, scent family, skin and environmental conditions can affect performance.
Which perfume should men wear in summer?
Citrus, aromatic, green and fresh woody characters can be comfortable in hot weather. That said, when applied in the right amount, different scent families can also be worn in summer.
What should a winter men’s perfume be like?
Woody, spicy, amber, vanilla and gourmand characters are frequently preferred in cold weather. However, personal taste is always the deciding factor.
How do men choose a signature scent?
Examine the common notes and scent families of the perfumes you love wearing. A perfume you can wear comfortably in different settings and enjoy wearing again and again can be a strong signature scent candidate.
