Men's Fragrances 101: Scent of a Man

In this article:

• How to pick a fragrance for daytime, work time, nighttime and romance.

• Proper fragrance application and storage.

• Getting great fragrance deals.

There’s nothing sexier than a man who smells great. A wonderful scent, especially if appropriate to your personality and lifestyle, truly enhances your attractiveness and leaves a pleasant, memorable impression in that certain SharpWoman’s mind. Scientists realize that scents have a greater influence on our feelings than can be outwardly perceived; for example, they can life our spirit, arouse us, tickle our senses, stir exciting feelings, gently nudge familiar memories, or stir dramatic emotions.

But more importantly, studies show that the right scents can make women feel more romantically inclined. Thus it’s vital to pick the right fragrance if you want to gain an edge over the competition.
Huh?

That’s right; a woman will pick up on a variety of clues when trying to determine if a man really likes her or not; your subtle use of the right fragrance is a big signal that you aim to impress, which will make her feel special and appreciated.

To find your perfect "signature scent" — to draw women in and mark their memory — use the following SharpGrooming tips:

Finding Your Perfect Scent
While you may be tempted to simply splash on any old scent you favor, keep in mind that fragrances come in different concentration levels and scent families that are appropriate for various occasions and lifestyles. Sound complicated? It’s not really. Picking your signature scent is easier than you might think, once you understand the basics:
Fragrance Concentration Levels. Fragrances come in varying levels of concentration, meaning some are stronger than others. For example, aftershave has the least amount of fragrance; eau de toilette has more, and eau de cologne contains even more. (Eau de parfum actually has the most, but this concentration is generally reserved for women’s fragrances.) While aftershave is great for closing your pores, it’s best combined with the same brand eau de toilette or cologne if you’re using it for scent purposes. Always keep in mind that the higher the level of concentration you choose, the less you should apply.

According to the good people at Fragrancenet.com, however, the difference between eau de toilette and eau de cologne is very slight. The two are generally interchangeable, at least in men’s fragrances, so you’ll be fine with either one.

Matching Scents With Your Personality and Lifestyle. There are various families of scent, including such confusing names as "chypre" and "fougere," which can completely befuddle we mere mortals. So to keep it simple, let’s divide up some of the most manly, attractive fragrances (meaning the ones women love most) into four categories: casual wear, daytime/office wear, evening wear, and everyone’s favorite–romance wear. Some of these examples are recent releases, while others are time-tested classics.

• Casual Wear
These fragrances tend to be light, clean, crisp, and citrusy, and are appropriate for weekends, casual outings, college SharpMen, and less formal occupations. Two of the most popular casual fragrances that women prefer on men include:

La Parfumerie has the "Fragrance Profiler." Simply answer a few questions about yourself, and the matching software will determine your "personal fragrance style" and suggests suitable colognes. Perfect for those SharpMen who have tried our suggestions but seek additional options.
Also check out Fragrancenet’s "Fragrance Finder." This cool tool can help you find the perfect cologne for your personal style, typical usage (i.e. office, casual, romantic, etc.), and price range. For example, if you prefer cologne in a $40-49 price range with a spicy scent for your upcoming hot date, the Scent Finder recommends Equipage by Hermes, Havana by Aramis, Kouros by Yves St. Laurent (SharpGrooming’s choice), and Rocco Barocco by Rocco Barocco.

Could anything be more simple?
Custom Blends. Custom fragrance is the ultimate in personal luxury. Ashford.com has a fantastic custom fragrance service that allows you to work one-on-one with a master perfumer, who, based on your answers will create a custom-tailored scent designed to match your personal tastes and lifestyle. For more information,

SharpMan Tip on Buying Fragrances For Less: When it comes to buying fragrances, department stores may be tempting, but their prices can be outrageous. You can’t do any better than buying online. You’ll pay a lot less for the exact same item, and inventories are huge, giving you a wide range of choices. Consumer-savvy SharpMen should sniff out potential buys in the store first, then purchase their choice at one of the great online fragrance superstores like LaParfumerie.com or Fragrancenet.com. For example, Fragrancenet.com insists that they will beat any competitor’s price by 5%.

Proper Application
Where should you apply your new fragrance? Scent should be applied to your "pulse points." Just like the name implies, pulse points are where a great-looking nurse would check your heart rate: at your wrist and neck. Apparently, these spots are slightly elevated in temperature as compared with the rest of your bod, so the fragrance lasts longer and is more noticeable. Some men also apply cologne behind their ears or spray it lightly on their hair.

When applying your scent, start off by spraying or dabbing once on each pulse point, then adding more after a few minutes only if the scent still isn’t noticeable enough. Remember, your fragrance should reveal itself subtly, like a pleasant surprise, as the fair sex gets closer. Still feel like you’re applying too much (and stinking as a result)? Check out alternative application points in SharpGrooming’s Using Cologne Without Going Overboard.

SharpMan Tip: While it may be tempting, don’t get carried away by the intimate possibilities of cologne — avoid applying fragrance to your naughty bits or you’ll be suffering from the potentially painful consequences for a while. Impervious to pain? Then consider the fact that while it may smell sweet from two feet away, after marinating in your clothes, up close and personal your scent may be overpowering to the nose and bitter tasting to the tongue. Enough said.

Making the Scent Last
The length of time your fragrance lasts is affected by your skin type. If you have oily skin, you’re in luck: scent will last longer on you, potentially up to five or six hours, because of your skin’s higher moisture content. SharpMen with dry skin will find that their fragrance won’t have quite as much stamina, so they may want to apply slightly more (emphasis on slightly) before their next activity.

SharpMan Tip: Because fragrance generally lasts only four to six hours, it’s a good idea to keep a spare bottle in your desk if you’d like to reapply before you head out after work. Many of our favorites come in mini-versions perfect for this use, which are also available online. Remember that scents begin emanating the second you open the bottle. To avoid becoming the joke of your office (think "Scent Boy"), remove yourself (and your bottle) to the men’s room before uncorking and applying.

Accessories. A number of fragrance lines offer various products in the same scent, such as aftershave, cologne, bath soap, deodorant, and so on. The ever-popular Bvlgari, for example, has an incredible line that even includes shampoo. Combining these products is highly recommended; it will enhance your fragrance and make it last much longer, without the overpowering effect that applying too much cologne could have.

Go for Quality. It’s a good idea to stick to high quality. These fragrances are more likely to last several hours per application. While cheap imitation versions of your favorite cologne abound, maximizing lasting-power requires that you stick to the real thing. It’s not about showing off a trendy label on your bathroom counter — it’s about minimizing the time and expense of reapplication. Imitation fragrances may smell the same in the bottle, but only a few are actually similar in quality to their legitimate counterparts.

Most are made with inferior ingredients that last less than an hour on the skin. Not much of a deal.

Fragrance Storage and Longevity
With proper storage and usage, a quality cologne will last between five and seven years. To keep your fragrance as fresh and perky as your sexy bottom, follow SharpMan.com’s tips:
Spray colognes are thought to last longer than splash colognes due to their reduced exposure to air and contaminants from your hands. Thus, you may want to purchase a spray if you think you might have your expensive cologne around for a while.

According to fragrance experts, cologne should be stored in a manner similar to wine. No, you don’t have to leave it on its side in a rack in your basement; simply avoid exposing it to heat, sunlight, and air. A bathroom cabinet or counter is fine, as long as the counter isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. Also, keep the fragrance in its box if you plan to wait a while before using it