The power of men’s fragrance goes beyond just smelling pleasant – it can project confidence, attract attention and create a lasting impression.
In the realm of personal grooming and style, men’s fragrances hold a significant place. With an exquisite bouquet of scents available, cologne has become an essential element of a well-rounded grooming routine for men. But beyond just smelling good, fragrances hold a deeper meaning, evoking memories and allowing the wearer to make an impression without saying a word.
‘ I think if you really peel back the layers of why people wear fragrance, you’re usually left with the same answer: to feel good,’ says Nick Smart, Director of Agence de Parfum, the largest distributor of luxury and bespoke fragrances in Australia.
‘Fragrance helps prepare you for the day ahead. It is the spring in your step, a way to express yourself, and in some ways the ultimate fashion accessory. You also get a sense of comfort and nostalgia, and sometimes even a dopamine boost.
‘In this context, fragrance is endlessly fascinating to me. It’s a sense of freedom, the self-expression of who I am and who I want to be on any given day. Some days we wear the perfume we want and for other days we wear the perfume we need.’
Nick says the pressure points are the best places to wear fragrance – wrists, inner elbows, even behind the knees. These points release heat and therefore give a slow release of the fragrance. Contrary to popular belief, try to avoid application to the neck; over-exposure in this area can desensitise the nose.
‘In many ways, fragrance holds a mirror up to society,’ he argues. ‘In this sense, the rise of the unisex fragrance was long overdue and inevitable. The notion that gender classification can decree what you can and cannot wear is very outdated.
‘Paradoxically, when you are talking about self-expression within the category of men’s fragrances, the idea of rules and categories does seem absurd. It is exciting to observe the number of new fragrance houses exclusively dedicated to unisex fragrances. The landscape has changed, and definitely for the better.’
Some of Nick’s favourite fragrances:
David Whyte, Training Manager at Puig, a luxury goods and fragrance company, wears fragrance to prepare himself for the day.
‘It sets my mood and gives me confidence,’ he shares. ‘I also wear fragrance as a signature. I like the idea of someone telling me I smell nice or they know me by my smell. Men are becoming more aware of the benefits of having good skin and dressing well and wearing fragrance is just an extension of that.
‘Of course, you should make sure you don’t use too much fragrance as you don’t want to beat anyone over the head with your smell. Wearing fragrance on your chest and neck can also lead to an increase of hyperpigmentation in those areas so steer clear of those spots.
‘When choosing men’s fragrances, think about what you want the fragrance to do for you and how you want it to make you feel. Do you want a fragrance to make you appear sexier and more attractive, or more confident and refreshed? I have more than one fragrance in my cupboard at the one time so I can switch based on my mood and the effect I want to achieve.’
Fragrances David is currently using include:
Natalija Hallert, Training Manager for Cosmax Prestige Brands, believes that wearing fragrance elevates not only a man’s personal grooming but also their overall attractiveness and appeal.
‘Men’s fragrances can evoke a sense of confidence, cleanliness and attention to detail, which are qualities often appreciated by everyone,’ she says. ‘A well-chosen fragrance can be a subtle yet impactful expression of one’s personality. Men do a have a tendency to overuse their fragrance so this is something they should be careful about.’
She says some of the latest ingredients which will be popular in 2024 are bergamot and grapefruit. ‘Think perfectly balanced citrus top notes with vetiver, clary sage and tuberose in the heart of the fragrance and base notes of musk, amber or additional woody notes such as sandlewood, cedarwood, leather and musk,’ she shares. ‘The rise of unisex fragrances is allowing men to experiment more with smells they would normally not have found available to them.’
Natalija’s picks:
Other recommended fragrances to try:
