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Men’s Cologne – The Power Of Fragrance

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Like many men, I didn’t see my father much growing up.

After my parents divorced, he stayed in California and we moved east to Texas when I was about 5.

Interestingly, the earliest and most powerful memories I have of him are not the trips to Disneyland, the summer drives from Midland to Los Angeles, or that year we spent in Buffalo, Wyoming.

Instead – what I remember vividly is the smell of his aftershave.

It wasn’t anything fancy – he used Old Spice – but to this day that smell can transport me back to a time when life wasn’t about work & responsibility.

That is the power of fragrance.

One of our five sense – it’s often the least developed off all our sensory skills.  Which is a shame – as it has very powerful properties that affect our memories and whether or not we like something. It’s the only sense directly hardwired to the brain.

This article is in support of my video Interview with Alex over at MastersOfStyle.  In this five part series we’ll discuss what exactly is cologne, why fragrance matters for men, how to apply, how to select a brand that suits you, and how to buy cologne when you are ready.

Here is our first interview in the series – An Introduction To Men’s Fragrance


Make sure to watch the above video as the writings below are a quick summary of our introduction to fragrance for men.

What Is Fragrance?

  • An invisible accessory
  • An extension of fashion
  • A magnifying glass able to enlarge and clarify style – it magnifies elements of nature.

Why does fragrance appeal to men?

  • Men who wear the right cologne can get a strong sense of enjoyment from it.  Alex has a great analogy – he compares wearing the right cologne to when you’re playing poker and are dealt a strong hand.  Even though no one else can see you have a strong hand, you know what you have and the feeling of strength and confidence flows through you.
  • Fragrance can also help you rebrand yourself.
  • Also – the potential for women to share in the experience with you is a strong appeal – in fact the marketers pushing this fragrance would want you to believe their cologne is liquid attraction. However this should be secondary and I agree with Alex that a man should first wear a cologne for himself.

What gives Fragrance it’s unique power?

  • Fragrance is invisible – it projects an element of mystery that forces others to chase and want to grasp what it is they are smelling.  It draws compliments from women because it’s a medium they have traditionally dominated.
  • Perfume isn’t flat – it has a 3 dimensional feel to it .
  • Scent is the quickest shortcut to the mind – it’s romantic because it bring back memories and feelings.
  • Wearing a fragrance can help you become memorable.  And we’ll end on this powerful point:)

And remember – if you want to learn more about men’s fragrance – I HIGHLY recommend you subscribe to Alex’s YouTube channel MastersOfStyle.  He has reviewed over 50 fragrances and even has a leader board where he ranks the best in his opinion.  Oh – and check out this awesome review of the KISS fragrance to see how seriously he takes this :)

Filed Under: All Articles-Podcasts-Videos, Grooming, Interviews, Video
 

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About Antonio

Antonio Centeno is President of ATailoredSuit.com and the founder of RealMenRealStyle.com. He has created over 700 articles & videos on men's style, blogs over at the Art of Manliness, and is the author of the internet's best style eBook - A Man's Guide To Timeless Style. Antonio has studied clothing design in London, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. He is a former US Marine with an MBA from UT Austin and a BA from Cornell College. He loves to hear from old friends and make new ones.

  • ramalhoni

    I’m a sucker for fragrances, I even have one for my car! I think it really defines a personality and finishes up a personal style. I still wear the same eau de cologne I’ve worn for the first time when I was like 14 years old. It’s Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior, I don’t know that I’ll do if they stop doing it. It’s been more than 20 years since they started selling it. 
    For a more fun a change, I wear like 2 or 3 times a week some other fragrances that I always have and rotate between.
    These fragrances are: Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa, Davidoff Cool Water, Azzaro, and Narciso Rodrigues for Men. 
    This might seem a little bit excessive but it keeps my smell hallways fun and different. Otherwise I stop scenting the perfume’s smell.

  • DivaGloriaStarr

    DivaGloriaStarr@Twitter
     
    Great video, more soon please!

  • rmrstyle

     @DivaGloriaStarr   More?  Well – only for you Gloria :)

  • rmrstyle

     @ramalhoni Sounds like you need to stock-up on Eau Sauvage – what’s the shelf life?

  • JohnLewisMealer

    I’m still running an old bottle of ‘Fahrenheit’ from the early 90′s…. I suppose it lost it’s importance to me decades ago. Any suggestions? Still has the great smell.
     

  • DA_K1NG2000

    Old Spice really a classic, my father and my grand father used to wear it…

  • studentandteacher

    Fragrance collecting is a serious hobby of mine, I’ve sampled and reviewed hundreds of fragrances.  This article gives general advice, and Masters of Styles sure knows what he’s talking about.  I’m going to give more specific advice to people starting to collect fragrances.
     
    My tips for men wearing fragrances:1. Most men don’t wear fragrances (or don’t wear them often).  You can set yourself apart (at least by wearing something other than Old Spice and Axe (not that the former is bad).2. Most people don’t pay attention to what you wear, but don’t expect compliments, though you can get a lot of them.  Keep in mind that it depends what you wear for what occasion.  Some scents are appreciated more with suit and tie while others are best for when you are out playing tennis or golf.
    3. You should have more than one fragrance.  At least one of the summer/hot weather, and one for the winter/cool weather.
    4. Don’t overapply.  1 spray is enough for a strong cologne (like Aramis), though a lighter cologne you can spray a little more.  Especially don’t overapply at work.  With cologne, a little less is much better than a little more.
    5. Keep in mind that each cologne has different projection and longevity.  Projection is how far away other people can smell it.  Longevity is how many hours it is detectable on your skin.
    6. Everyone’s skin is different.  A cologne that works for your friend may or may not work well for you.
    7. Everyone’s nose is different.  Just because some people in the fragrance community love/hate something, doesn’t mean you will.
    8. Keep in mind that some fragrances are more controversial than others.  For work, or in crowded areas, wear a safer scent.  Scents like M7 and Kouros, as acclaimed as they are, won’t work in many situations.
    9. Price doesn’t matter.  A $40 fragrance can work just as well as a $100 fragrance.  But those of us who see fragrance as art will have no problem paying $250 for a fragrance that we really really love.
    10. There are two types of fragrances: Designer (most of the stuff you see at Macy’s) and Niche (expensive cologne geared to people who love cologne, with their exclusivity and uniqueness).  I love both types, personally.
     
    Recommendations for you to try at the store:
    Acqua Di Gio – Top-selling citrus scent.  Great for hot days of summer.  Easy compliment getter.Le Male – Lavendar, Mint, Vanilla, Tonka Bean.  Great for cool weather.  Women love this stuff.
    Armani Code – Like Le Male, though with Cinnamon and Apple notes.
    D&G The One – A distinct heavy woody fragrance.  Smell this for yourself.  (Also try Light Blue).
    1 Million – Fruit punch, cotton candy, bubble gum.  A little feminine, but very good fragrance.  Esp for clubbing.
    Rive Gauche – Barbershop/Barbasol smell, mossy, masculine, but subtle
    Spicebomb – Pumpkin pie, cinnamon, sweet, spice rack, I enjoy this one
    Polo Green – A powerfully masculine spicy classic.
    Versace Fraiche – A powerful citrus/lemon note with light woody undercurrents.  Summer.
    CK Eternity – Fresh, green, floral, with spices like sage and rosemary
    CK Obsession – Sweet, woodsy, mandarin, powerful, masculine
    Drakkar Noir – Lavendar, lemon, woodsy notes.
    A* Men – Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, with some tar and tobacco notes.
    Chanel Egoiste – A sexy vanilla woodsy scent like no other, words can’t describe it.
    (Also check out Allure Homme, Platinum Egoiste, Allure Sport, among others, from Chanel).
    Polo Blue – Melon aquatic, with the base of the original Polo
    Bulgari Aqua – Salty oceanic aquatic with a darker dry-down.  (Try Bulgari Black for a rubbery tea fragrance).
    Burberry London – A great fragrance for the winter.
    Aramis – A classic woody fragrance, a real powerhouse, and classic from the 60′s
    Dior Fahrenheit – A masterful sweet fruity floral cologne, that many liken to fresh cut grass and gasoline
    Dior Homme – A unique fragrance like no other.  It has an iris note redolent of make-up and lipstick, but masculine.
    Versace Dreamer – You won’t like this one for the first half hour, but then it changes into a magical heavenly scent.
    Terre d’Hermes – A sparkling citrusy, peppery, earthy fragrance.  Very professional and versatile.
     
    If you want to go niche and pay a little more, here are some niche brands (all of which are sold in Manhattan NY: Bond no.9 , L’Artisan, Amouage, Malle.  Creed is probably the most acclaimed brand because it combines the wearability of the designer fragrances with the originality and quality of niche.  Some niche I recommend:
    Aventus – Strong, masculine.  Pineapple, apple, bergamot, with a bunch of billowing smoke.
    Green Irish Tweed – Lemon and lush green notes.  A more natural version of Cool Water.
    Millesime Imperial – A great fresh scent: melon, sea salt, a little lemon.  A real masterpeice.
     
    People to follow on youtube: Robes08, tswetcoff, dracdoc, mymickers, jrwriter
     
    Two big fragrance community websites: Basenotes.com and Fragrantica.com
     
     

  • rmrstyle

     @studentandteacher Wow – what a comment!  Thank for all the great info sir!

  • rmrstyle

     @DA_K1NG2000 Same here!

  • rmrstyle

     @JohnLewisMealer Why not rotate through a few – try something new and out of character perhaps?

  • studentandteacher

     @JohnLewisMealer 
     
    Fahrenheit is one of my favorites.  If you are looking for a bold powerful sweet floral (like Fahrenheit), try Chanel Egoiste.  If you like the rubbery vibe of Fahrenheit, you may like Bulgari Black.
     
    For some reason the fruit and smoke together in Aventus reminds me of Fahrenheit, so check that one out too.

  • studentandteacher

     @ramalhoni 
     
    Excessive?  No way.  I have 10 bottles and my collection is just getting started.  I know collectors who have 50 to 100 bottles.  I know people who have 500+ bottles and I even know a guy who has 1300 bottles, which at that point may be excessive.Cool Water is a great fragrance, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the others on your list.