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You’ve come a long way since high school. Gone are the days of Axe body spray, Drakkar Noir, and $10 men’s fragrance knockoffs from CVS. Now we’re grown men who know how they want to smell and — most importantly — how they don’t want to smell. Finding that signature scent is an olfactory art; a delicate combination of trial, error, and everything in between. Whether you’re going for the kind of smell that leaves a strong impression or gentle reminder, it all comes down to the type of fragrance you use. Here’s a little explainer of the differences between cologne, eau de toilette, and aftershave.
SHOP ALL COLOGNESThink of your personal fragrance as a cocktail of your favorite ingredients; an easy mixture of essential oils, extracts, and other aromatic compounds blended together to create a harmonious scent significantly better than a person’s stripped-down body odor.
Believe it or not, cologne — or some version of it — can be traced back to the 2nd millennium B.C., when a Mesopotamian chemist named Tappiuti distilled flowers, oil, and calamus with other aromatics as a precursor to what we now know as perfume. Jump forward to the 16th and 17th centuries, where personal fragrances were primarily used by the wealthy to mask the smell of B.O. from infrequent bathing. Since then, they’ve become a massive industry and — thankfully — a cultural norm. Now, you can smell like anyone or anythingyou want… provided you practice bathing in some way or another.
Parfum? Cologne? Eau de toilette?
How are we supposed to understand the nuances in these fragrances, let alone how you’re supposed to use them? Let’s talk about concentration -- and not the kind you use when you’re trying to leave a tip at the bar. Concentration determines the intensity and longevity of the aromatic compounds, or perfume, oils within your fragrance. The higher the concentration of aromatics, the stronger the smell.
Here are the different types of fragrances and their respective concentration levels:
Eau de Parfum (EdP):10% - 20% concentration
Cannabis is riding a high right now. This creative EDP cologne balances spicy herbs, white floral notes and a hint of lingering smokiness for a fragrance that is more subtle and mature than its name's reputation would indicate. The scent is inspired by warm top notes of Bergamot and Black Pepper that are tempered perfectly with the evolving heart notes of a petally, floral Magnolia scent. Base notes of Cedarwood laced with sophisticated Patchouli and warm Sandalwood lock in the mysteriously woody, herbaceous aroma, providing the perfect scent without any THC-inspired side effects (sorry for some of you).
Top Note: Bergamot and Black Pepper
Middle Note: Magnolia
Base Note: Cedarwood, Patchouli and Sandalwood
Eau de Toilette (EdT):5% - 15% concentration
Experience the manly scent of this intensely woodsy fragrance that stays true to the Siberian wilderness of which it calls home. The cologne is inspired by leathery top notes of Black Tea and Elemi that intermingle perfectly with the brisk pine scent of the Siberian pine forest. The fragrance evolves into heart notes of Tobacco and Birch to further impress the maturely warm aroma onto the senses. Base notes of Leather Accord laced with sophisticated Cade and warm Vetiver lock in the mysteriously dark and woody scent, leaving an unforgettable scent that is as bold as it is amazing. From Russia with Love, indeed.
Top Note:
Middle Note:
Base Note:
Eau de Cologne (EdC):3% - 8% concentration
An energizing and confidence-enhancing fragrance featuring tops notes of Italian Bergamot, Meyer Lemon and Cracked Clove. A heart of Black Peppercorn and Luxurious Leather follows right behind. The base boasts Earthy Vetiver and Creamy Vanilla.
Our Best Smeller Cologne is the perfect complement or “accelerator” to Grooming Lounge’s top-selling and best-reviewed product, Our Best Smeller Body Wash. Both boast a similar fragrance pattern and an ideal combination of warmth and sweetness. Cologne is equally intoxicating during a day in the boardroom or when on a romantic night out with that special someone. One of the best men's fragrances on earth.
Top Note: Italian Bergamot, Meyer Lemon, French Pettigrain, Cracked Clove
Middle Note: Spiced Black Peppercorn, Luxurious Leather, Provence Lavender
Base Note: Earthy Vetiver, Warm Patchouli, Crystallized Amber, Transparent Musk, Creamy Vanilla
Splash and Aftershave:1% - 3% concentration
Classic aftershave from the old-school barbershop is perfect for those with sensitive skin. Cool and refreshing oceanic scent is popular on both sides of the pond and delivers a superior post-shave experience. Comes in classic spray bottle.
Fragrance: Citrus, Oceanic, Cool & Lively
Describing a fragrance isn’t too dissimilar from choosing a fine bottle of wine. Fragrances are known to have three sets of notes: top, middle, and base. These notes unfold over time, with the immediate impression of the top note leading to the deeper middle notes,with the base notes gradually appearing as the legacy of the scent.
Top Notes: The scent perceived immediately upon application: these notes form a person’s initial impression, making it a vital part of discerning the body of the scent. Always remember to take the top note as part of the scent, rather than the whole shebang, as the first whiff doesn’t always showcase the full scent.
Middle Notes: The smell that gradually emerges prior to the dissipation of the top notes. The middle notes form the "heart" of a fragrance, masking any unpleasant initial impressions of the base notes.
Base Notes:Like a fine cocktail, the base and middle notes come together to reflect the main theme of a fragrance while presenting an overall scent. Base notes are typically very rich and robust, but won’t come through until 30 minutes after application.
Step 1: Repeat after us: LESS. IS. MORE. The idea is for people to appreciate the scent, not be overwhelmed by it. Don’t get fooled into thinking dousing yourself in cologne will make it last longer. All you need is a spritz or two.
Step 2:Fragrances should be put on from bottom to top, with the application concentrating on pulse points; i.e. behind the ears, neck, armpits, and wrists. Keep in mind, you don’t need to hit all of your pulse points at once, so pick one and go with it.
Step 3: Let your scent sink in. By applying on pulse points, the fragrance will distribute evenly around the body. Spray and walk away.
When you were in high school, choosing cologne was one of those far-off adult concepts like taxes, potlucks, or jury duty. You either showered yourself in Axe or didn’t shower at all. Now, we’re older, wiser, and generally know how we want to smell like as adults.
For most men, picking out a cologne is like getting a tattoo — or, at least, a tattoo that washes off in the shower. Whether you’re into Tom Ford, Acqua di Parma, or a casual spritz of Royall Spyce, finding your signature smell makes you who you are. To help guide you on that olfactory journey, we whipped up five men’s colognes and Eau de Toilettes that you have to smell to believe.
We called it Our Best Smeller Cologne for a reason. Balancing light and fresh and sweet and warm, top notes of Italian Bergamot, Meyer Lemon, French Pettigrain, Cracked Clove sit atop a spicy leather and lavender center with the earthy vetiver, warm patchouli, and creamy vanilla foundation. Spray once or twice on your pulse points and let Our Best Smeller do the rest.
Also known as “aromatic waters,” an Eau de toilette should be sprayed after shaving or bathing as a skin refresher. Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Eau de Toilette’s bold and unmistakable black pepper scent is a force to be reckoned with. Blended Italian Coriander, French Violet Leaf, Italian Bergamot, and Nigerian Ginger make up the DNA of this men’s cologne and acts as an olfactory calling card to those who wear it.
Only Acqua Di Parma could put out a scent that smells like pure class. Colonia Cologne Spray manages to balance together citrus, lavender, rosemary, and Bulgarian rose while upholding a distinctly masculine scent. Spray for a date, spritz before drinks at the bar, or keep the case in your bathroom as eye candy — either way you’ll class up any joint.
With a bottle plucked right out of the 1960s, Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes Cologne is a class act through and through. This zesty and effervescent fragrance takes its namesake seriously with a scent made up of citrus and lime notes and an orange flower base. This isn’t the kind of cologne you put on and forget; as the official scent of Britain’s Royal Family, Truefitt & Hill means business.
Consider it legalized. Malin + Goetz Cannabis EDP turns our all-time favorite plant into a daring essence with a balance of spicy herbs, white floral notes, and smoke. Don’t worry about smelling like Woodstock ‘99 with Malin + Goetz — these guys know how to capture an essence without overpowering the nostrils. Luckily, this mysteriously woody and herbaceous aroma won’t give you any of the side effects of the real stuff.
