11 men’s fragrances he won’t want to leave the house without
With woody, earthy and leathery notes – one “fussy” perfume shopper “absolutely loves this fragrance” from this Aussie brand.
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Fragrance is the first and last impression you leave on someone, long before saying a word. So what do you want your perfume to say?
We believe each man is unique, so have not only found fresh, floral, oriental and woody options to choose from – but also divided them between contemporary perfumes from the last 10 years, and legacy fragrances which have become mainstays on dressers due to their timeless and classic note blends.
Whether you’re looking for a scent that embodies a new phase of your lifem have never had a signature perfume but are now in the market for one or are shopping for a special someone and need some guidance, we tell you what we believe are the best perfumes for men including NIGHTCAP 100ml by who is elijah – it’s long lasting and more affordable than other luxury brands.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spent hours researching men’s perfumes and fragrances – from budget to expensive to include in this article. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
In this article
- Best woody men’s fragrances
- Best fresh men’s fragrances
- Best floral men’s fragrances
- Best oriental men’s fragrances
- What are top, middle and base notes?
- What is the difference between eau de toilette, eau de parfum and eau de cologne?
OUR TOP PICKS
- who is elijah NIGHTCAP 100ml, $179 at THE ICONIC
- Christian Dior Homme EDT 150ml, $210 at Sephora
- Acqua Di Parma Colonia EDC 100ml, $262 at Myer
- Tom Ford Ombre Leather 100ml, $358 at Myer
BEST WOODY MEN’S FRAGRANCES
THE MODERN FRAGRANCES
who is elijah NIGHTCAP 100ml, $179 at THE ICONIC
What You Need To Know
Calling all nightowls – NIGHTCAP by who is elijah is a woody, earthy and leathery scent exuding 90s grunge with a hint of spiced pear. The notes of pear meet with cardamom for a little spice, then transforms into a woody and leathery scent when met with rich cypress, sandalwood and vetiver. Perfect for all genders, NIGHTCAP is a fragrance that will turn heads on your next night out.
“I absolutely love this fragrance, I am quite fussy about men’s fragrances. I usually stick to designer brands and I love exploring scents that suit me, when I came across this brand and scent I knew I had to try it and I am so glad I did,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
“It’s very fresh with a captivating aroma that is long lasting and keeps you guessing and mesmerised.
“I couldn’t help but purchase a few of the other scents and I am going to purchase more, a great brand based in Australia,”
Key notes: Pear, cardamom, violet leaf, orris root, cypress, West Indian sandalwood, blonde cedar, mysore sandalwood, Madagascar vertiver
Launched: 2022
Goldfield & Banks Wood Infusion 100ml, $239 at Sephora
What You Need To Know
Opening with rejuvenating sweet orange and lavender, this perfume quickly contrasted by the warmth of exotic Australian woods, patchouli and agarwood musk. A hint of Italian iris finishes this local and nuanced take on a woody fragrance.
Key notes: Brazilian sweet orange, Australian lavender, Italian iris, Indonesian patchouli, agarwood musk, Australian exotic woods
Launched: 2017
Christian Dior Homme EDT 150ml, $210 at Sephora
What You Need To Know
When asked what to expect of his new fragrance, Dior perfumer-creator, Francois Demachy said: “The scent of this new Dior Homme gets straight to the point: it claims a frank, solid simplicity.
“It is luminous and appealing, but also conceals an enveloping softness.” This he achieved with the harmonious combination of both raw and smooth wood; the warmth of Atlas Cedar, embracing the ruggedness of Haitian Vetiver. At the heart of it all, full and enveloping patchouli, making this both a strong and tender scent. As Demachy concluded: “It basically draws the portrait of a modern man.”
Top notes: Atlas Cedar, Haitian Vetiver, patchouli
Launched: 2020
Missoni Pour Homme EDP 100ml, $115 at Sephora
What You Need To Know
Full of contrasts, this fragrance from Italian label Missoni offers top notes of grapefruit, lemon and lavender to bring focus to the sun-drenched Mediterranean landscape, before giving way to an aromatic heart of fresh cut ginger, jasmine petals and vibrant apple. Sensual sandalwood, birch, oak, musk and patchouli round out this captivating and enigmatic fragrance.
Key notes: Grapefruit, lemon, lavender, ginger, apple, jasmine, birch, oak, musk, sandalwood, patchouli
Launched: 2017
THE LEGACY FRAGRANCE
Lalique Encre Noire Pour Homme EDT 100ml, $67 (down from $72.78) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This fragrance from luxury glassware makers, Lalique, opens with the aromatic cypress, before welcoming dark and woody Haiti and Bourbon Vetiver at its heart. As the fragrance wears down, you will enveloped by warm cashmere wood and musk. A modern classic.
“Encre Noire has a well-deserved cult status in the fragrance community,” one reviewer wrote.
Top notes: Cypress, Haiti vetiver, cashmere wood
Launched: 2006
BEST FRESH MEN’S FRAGRANCES
THE MODERN FRAGRANCE
L’Artisan Parfumeur Un Air de Bretagne EDP 100ml, $303.40 at Fresh Beauty Co.
What You Need To Know
Inspired by the sea salt-tinted air of Brittany in France this fragrance first opens with a burst of citrus – bergamot, lemon and line – before giving way to calone and neroli, a harmonious pair that invokes crisp ocean air. Ambergris and cypress sit closely to the skin, using your own natural aroma to round out the scent; while seaweed and cypress ensure this fresh and green fragrance remains thoroughly modern.
Key notes: Bergamot, lemon, lime, calone, neroli, cypress, ambergris, cedar, seaweed
Launched: 2017
THE LEGACY FRAGRANCE
Acqua Di Parma Colonia EDC 100ml, $262 at Myer
What You Need To Know
Crafted from Sicilian citrus fruits, lavender and damask rose blend, this cologne invokes the very best of Italian elegance and spirit. The cologne is rounded off with woody notes of vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli – creating a refined, fresh scent for the classic gentleman.
Key notes: Lemon, sweet orange, Calabrian bergamot, lavender, Bulgarian rose, verbena, rosemary, vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli
Launched: 1916
BEST FLORAL MEN’S FRAGRANCES
THE MODERN FRAGRANCE
What You Need To Know
The first floral fragrance from beloved Australian skincare and fragrance label Aesop, Rozu is no less a nuanced fragrance as their preceding woody scents. With a vision of articulating the full life cycle of a rose, Rozu’s floral notes are grounded by bright shiso accords, wood and spice, earth and light smoke.
Key notes: Rose, shiso, guaiacwood
Launched: 2020
THE LEGACY FRAGRANCE
Frederic Malle Carnal Flower EDP 100ml, $546 at Fresh Beauty Co.
What You Need To Know
Regarded by some to be Dominque Ropion’s greatest contribution to fragrance, Carnal Flower was created in partnership with the house of Frederic Malle and contains the highest concentration of natural tuberose in perfumery. Opening with the fresh innocence of melon, before giving way to lustful tuberose, this seductive fragrance rounds out with a white musk for a truly magnetic unisex fragrance.
Key notes: Melon, bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, musk
Launched: 2005
BEST ORIENTAL MEN’S FRAGRANCES
THE MODERN FRAGRANCE
Tom Ford Ombre Leather 100ml, $358 at Myer
What You Need To Know
Tom Ford described this, his latest fragrance as: a deeply textural scent that imprints you with a tactile sensuality. It makes one feel different, beautiful and desired”. Imbued with the aroma of rich, black leather, patchouli and vetiver, the heart of this perfume is spicy and warm; while jasmine sambac, amber and moss evoke the vastness and diversity of the desert.
Key notes: Black leather, violet flower, jasmine flower
Launched: 2018
THE LEGACY FRAGRANCE
Le Labo Santal 33 EDP 100ml, $359.99 (down from $406) at Chemist Warehouse
What You Need To Know
This woody fragrance offering from New York-based brand, Le Labo, is a certified crowd-favourite. Completely vegan, the strength of Australian sandalwood is complemented with hints of leather, cardamom and musk, making it a truly warm and alluring scent that encapsulates the rugged fantasy of the American West.
Key notes: Violet accord, cardamom, iris, papyrus, ambrox, cedarwood, leather, sandalwood
Launched: 2011
WHAT ARE TOP, MIDDLE AND BASE NOTES?
The top notes of a fragrance are the first scents you will experience upon application. These are usually light and citrus in nature, featuring aromatic herbs, and evaporate fastest than any other – usually between five to fifteen minutes.
The heart notes will last between twenty and sixty minutes, the ingredients of which will make up the defining character of the fragrance.
Lastly, heart notes give way to base notes; rich, heavy and longest wearing, lasting up to six hours.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EAU DE TOILETTE, EAU DE PARFUM AND EAU DE COLOGNE?
What makes a fragrance an Eau De Cologne, Eau De Toilette or Eau de Parfum depends on the level of perfume oil concentration in the bottle. Eau de Cologne has between 2 and 5 per cent perfume oil concentration, and lasts up to two hours. An Eau De Toilette consists of 4-15 per cent perfume oil concentration, and can be expected to wear well for three to four hours. Eau de Parfum is the most long lasting of the three, with 20-40 per cent concentration and a four to five hour window.
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