One of my favorite compliments is when a man tells me I smell nice. Our senses of smell are so powerful that they can unlock memories. It is the only pathway to our brain. You might have struggled buying men gifts if you are anything like me. It gets to the point where I give them gift cards because I genuinely do not know what to get. One thing that is always safe is cologne. This post is about my top 5 fragrances for men! A few are unisex, so you can sneak a few sprays if you buy him one of these.
Or buy them for yourself.
This list is for all budgets and all ages.
Versace Eros
Oh my, this fragrance is so sensual. It’s masculine and very sexy on a man. It is bold and something he should wear on a night out. This head turner has fresh mint, lemon zest, and green apple scents. At the middle-range price point, this fragrance smells more expensive than it really is. I gifted this to a former boyfriend who is now my ex, and I know the person he is with now is thanking me without realizing it.
Imani’s adjectives: bold, sensual, and masculine.
Shop for it here
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Maison Francis Kurkdijian’s Baccarat Rouge 540
The one the only Baccarat Rouge, specifically the perfume, not the extrait. The extract smells sweeter, and although it lasts longer because of the amount of oil, it reminds me of something more feminine. Baccarat Rouge has to be one of Maison Francis Kurkdijian’s best-selling fragrances.
This is a unisex fragrance.
Hedione, Ambroxan, Cedar, and saffron are the three most prominent notes.
This is heavy on the saffron. I love this fragrance, and I love the versatility of it. It can be used alone or as a layering fragrance. If you are not a fan of saffron, I say skip this one because it is heavy on the saffron.
Imani’s adjectives: Woody, versatile, warm
Maison Louis Marie number 4
The unique thing about Maison Louis Marie No. 4 fragrance is that it is Sephora-certified clean. You’ll be able to read more about that here.
This is another great unisex fragrance.
Number 4 smells woody but not too mascaline. The fragrance reminds me of fresh and clean air. It gives sexy nature if that was ever a thing! The main notes are sandalwood, vetiver, and amberwood. It is a more affordable reminder of Byredo gypsy water.
There is an element of cinnamon in the fragrance that makes it perfect for fall, but the vetiver also makes it perfect for spring. If you like something you can wear year-round, this is the one!
Imani’s adjectives: Clean, fresh, woodsy
Maison Francis Kurkdijian’s 724
The newest fragrance on the list was created by Maison Francis Kurkdijan. 724 is a unisex cologne or perfume. As a woman, I would use this more for layering if you plan to. The website talks about the inspiration for this new scent, which is the city, specifically New York City.
If you are not a Sandalwood fan, skip this one!
The notes are white sandalwood, bergamot, fresh flowers, jasmine, and musk.
I like sandalwood, but this is what gives it more of a masculine scent to it. Many who like subtle scents will like this one. It is not bold nor the loudest to dry attention, but it is a scent that will leave a lasting impression.
It can mix really well with oud.
Imani’s adjectives are big stepper, money man, and Clarke Kent.
Bond No 9 Chez bond
Chez bond is one of those scents that every man needs in their collection. You know how something can be played out when too many people have the same scent. Not this one! Women love bond No. 9; it is one of my favorite fragrances to smell on a man. It is on the pricier side but worth every penny.
It is a seductive fragrance, something you would smell on usher! That is what this reminds me of. Sensual without being too sexy.
The primary notes are citrus, leafy greens, herbal tea, violet, cedar wood, and sandalwood.
If this fragrance could talk, it would say, “Don’t bring your girl around me; she might leave you.”
Tips for buying the perfect scent:
- The trick to buying male fragrances is to figure out what type of vibe the man is that you are buying for. You also want to picture them wearing it in specific settings compared to what they may already own. For example, if he already owns bold scents for a night out, maybe switch it up and get something for the day.
- Catch a good sale; you do not have to break the bank. Nieman’s and Bloomingdales are great places to buy these because they have great sales.
- Sign up to become a Bloomingdales member.
- Stick with a 1.7 if there is an option. Give the optionality to someone wanting to travel with their new gift.
- If this is for a significant other, try gifting them something unisex.
The additional scents found in my Substack archive
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