Finding the Perfect Scent: A Guide to Choosing a Cologne for Your Man

Choosing a cologne for your man can be a very intimate present. Whether it’s a special occasion or just because, the right scent can complement his personality and physically represent your love. Even a cheap cologne can smell luxe with the right blend of notes. This guide will discuss fragrance notes and show you how to find a scent your man will adore.

Understanding Fragrance Notes

First things first. To buy a cologne your partner will love, you need to understand how scents are composed. A cologne contains three layers or scents called notes. All colognes are built-in layers known as notes. These notes will be exposed at different times as the scent develops and wears on the skin.

Top Notes

The top note is what you will sense first on your lover. This is the first impression, so they are designed to be vivid and clear. These scents leave the quickest. They start evaporating within 10 to 15 minutes of wearing the cologne.

Middle Notes

After the top note dries down, the middle note or the heart note, develops. These scents are the body of the cologne and will last an hour before evaporating. They are often saucy, spicy, or fruity.

Base Notes

The base notes are the powerhouse behind the cologne. They are typically the heaviest components and give the cologne its warmth and depth and blend naturally to create stronger fragrances that usually last for around 6 to 24 hours. Some common examples of base notes are: vanilla, amber, patchouli, or musk.

How to Choose the Right Cologne for Your Man

Finding the right cologne for your guy involves a few key considerations and knowing the recipient well, especially in terms of his style and preferences. Here’s how to choose a scent that your man will stand to embrace and enjoy wearing.

Think About His Style

Think about his wardrobe and put together an outfit visual. Does he prefer more casual, relaxed attire? Or does he tend to dress on the more polished, tailored side? A refreshing, clean cologne might suit your casual guy, or if he falls into the latter category, he might gel better with a richer, bolder cologne.

Consider His Personality

Are you shopping for something fit for a powerhouse or a more soft-spoken, understated man? By staying in tune with his strengths and nuances as an individual, you can pick a cologne that he can easily sport. You might lean towards a more mature, classic cologne or a more up-to-date and contemporary scent.

Test It Out

As you’re spritzing colognes, spritz a tiny bit on your own wrist and try to imagine how this is going to smell on him. Of course, his body chemistry is different, so the fragrance’s scent will not fly off the tester the same way on his skin. But by testing it, you can at least get a general idea of how it will smell on skin.

Match the Occasion

Determine where he will wear the cologne, in terms of how many days a week or at what time of day. Will this be his one and only go-to cologne? Then, choose a light, breezier scent. Or is he stocking his scent wardrobe with an everyday cologne and a night time cologne (or a bit of both)? Or maybe he'll keep your gift for special occasions, tucked away for big days. If so, a bolder, fuller scent might work best.

A Special Scent for A Special Man

Every man has his own set of nuances and his own look and shopping for the right cologne is a process that is going to come together once you figure all these pieces out. So whether you are looking for cologne for day-to-day wear or vests for men's suits and men’s dress shoes for a formal event he has on the horizon, we know you’ll figure out how to pick a cologne or two with confidence. Ready to get shopping?