Best Men's Colognes

Best Men's Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I've owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!

Dior Homme vs Sauvage EDT Comparison

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The House of Dior has produced a lot of amazing fragrances over the years for both men and women. Sauvage, has over the past decade, become the best selling fragrance on the market. The first men’s cologne to do so.

It has certainly been a best-seller for the company, but how does it stack up against other colognes from this brand? Today, I am going to do a comparison post of Sauvage EDT vs Dior Homme.

Which one smells better head to head? Which one is worth a purchase? Note: I am updating this post, for the newer edition of Dior Homme instead of the 2011 edition, which had been previously compared. They are quite different from one another.

Tale of the Tape

Sauvage

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Dior Homme

Notes include: bergamot, elemi, pink pepper, Haitian vetiver, Atlas cedar, musk, patchouli, cashmere, Iso E Super

Click here to try: Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men

Read my Full Review: Dior Homme (2020) Review

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a really sharp kick of bergamot, pepper, and the ambroxan note. It’s bright, upbeat, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is pretty strong early one as is the bergamot. The citrus here is much more noticeable and in your face versus what you’ll get with its competitor here.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Meanwhile, Dior Homme,  begins with a light citrus top note of bergamot. That’s a continuation from the previous entries in the series, but that’s most of what the overlap is.

Along with that, some fresh pink pepper spice, Hatian vetiver, and a bit of a resinous quality from the elemi note.

Dior Homme is very balanced. Not too spicy, not too citrusy, just enough sweetness to prevent it from being straight up woods throughout.

Which one is better? Homme (though, I’d say Homme Intense has the best opening of the three).

Edge: Dior Homme

Projection

Dior Homme is a softer scent than is Sauvage. Though, I don’t think Sauvage is some kind of monstrous fragrance.

Homme is much more moderate and Sauvage leans more towards the strong end of the spectrum. Other editions of Sauvage really do amp up the power.

Dior Homme isn’t weak by any means. You’ll notice it throughout and get a nice scent trail going. Though, it never reaches the same level as Sauvage.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Again, if you’re talking single sprays, Sauvage wins. It’s not a crazy long-lasting fragrance but it will get you a solid 7-8 hours.

Dior Homme is usually around 6.5-8 hours with single sprays. It’s actually about the same as the 2011 edition, and sometimes, even better than I got with that.

Some other people seem to get more out of Sauvage EDT than I ever have. So, I think on balance Sauvage has the upper limit for the majority of wearers. Otherwise, it’s almost even.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

As far as the seasonal wear of each scent, Sauvage does have this ability to fit in during any season really. This newer edition of Dior Homme actually comes close to replicating that.

Dior Homme isn’t at its best in the depths of winter or height of summer. Though, it  wouldn’t be out of place entirely in either season. Mostly, autumn and spring.

Sauvage is good for casual wear, school, maybe some office wear depending on where you work. It’s good for a night out, but wouldn’t be my first pick. Although, I know I’ve smelled this on other people while walking through crowds.

Dior Homme is an awesome daily wear. It can fit in well for work, casual situations, school, dates, etc. It’s not a nightlife beast, but if you want to be low key, it’d work for that as well.

Dior Homme has the slight edge for me here, since it’s more of a well put together fragrance that can do it all.

Edge: Dior Homme

Overall Scent

Dior Homme smells better to me, hands down. I think Sauvage is pleasant to wear but it’s always struck me as a little bit boring and now there are so many clones of it coming out.

I don’t like this 2020 update as much as I enjoyed the 2011 version. Yet, I still think that it takes the cake versus Dior Sauvage. It’s simple and understated. Plus, more mature than is Sauvage.

The performance goes to Sauvage EDT. I like aspects of the aroma as well. I’ve never been too big on the opening act or the dry down, but there are moments in the heart of Sauvage that are really nice.

It’s really not a question to me, as to which one I would rather wear on a daily basis. If you’re younger, you might want to go with the more youthful Sauvage. Or, if you just want something that is energetic and stands out more.

Winner: Dior Homme

13 Best Smelling Ariana Grande Perfumes

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Like seemingly every celebrity and/or pop stars, there came a time when Ariana would come out with her own scent. Now, more than enough have been released, to create a best Ariana Grande perfume list.

These fragrances are generally aimed at the younger set, and made quite affordable in order to move plenty of units.

To that end, they absolutely have and these have become some of the most popular perfumes out today. But, they are for sure not just limited to teenagers wearing these fragrances.

In this post, I wanted to do a top six list of what has been put out on the market through this point in time. Then, I ranked the other ones just because. Which Ariana Grande perfume smells the best? Read below for my take, after having tested them.

Listing my Favorite Ariana Perfumes

Top Overall Perfume

Sweet Like Candy by Ariana Grande– It’s a close call as to what is the best Ariana Grande  perfume, as tastes are subject. For me, Sweet Like Candy puts itself in the top spot.

It obviously has a certain sweetness, that Ari also shares, yet this one is lighter and more airy.

Vanilla, blackberry, whipped cream, and of course, marshmallow pull together to form a warm and youthful candy-like aroma. Sweet Like Candy comes in an adorable little pink bottle, kicks off with its berry and pear blend, much like the next entry.

However, this one begins to shift more to a creamy, sweet, and familiar aroma. Lots of whipped cream with a vanilla touch and a great marshmallow addition. Very soft, girly, and sits beautifully in the colder weather.

As I wrote in the introduction, these perfumes can have a lot in common with one another. As far as her sweet, girly gourmands go, I think Sweet Like Candy does it better on balance versus the others.

What’s good about Sweet Like Candy?
  • Sweet, but not cloying and heavy
  • Nice performance
  • Creamy soft with marshmallow

The Originator 

Ari by Ariana Grande– A sugary sweet perfume with a blast of raspberry and marshmallow among other notes. It’s kind of an either/or situation between this one and Sweet Like Candy, but this one is still nice with the addition of pear and floral notes during the dry down period.

Update: I think Cloud has taken the best-seller title now from this, with its similarities to Baccarat Rouge 540. Ari is still a very good scent to get a hold of, even if that’s the case.

Ari starts off with the raspberry being the strongest. It is quite fruity in the beginning, with further grapefruit and pear additions, to the mix. It’s really got a vibe, like a Juicy Couture perfume. Very fruity top, with a sweet gourmand touch.

Completely safe and possibly a tad more mature than Sweet Like Candy.

Then, after a bit of time passes, that’s when you get more floral influences. Vanilla orchid comes through a lot, a touch of musk, and that fluffy marshmallow. Ultimately, it’s orchid, marshmallow, raspberry, and pear. Quite nice, well worth a try for the price. My Full Review of Ari

What’s good about Ari?
  • Juicy raspberry start
  • Great floral touches, especially orchid

Another One to Try

Moonlight by Ariana Grande Eau De Parfum – Yet another marshmallow fragrance, but Moonlight takes things in a bit of a different direction. It’s creamy with a plum note that is tart and blends well with the peony floral. Overall, a very interesting fragrance.

This is one does have that tart and slightly more sour fruit opening, versus the other fragrances, on this list. Plum and black currant will do that. No worries though, as Moonlight, isn’t a bomb of a perfume. It is the type that you can wear, almost anywhere without issue.

As it dries down, the peony and marshmallow combine to surround the light fruity notes, and make for a very attractive combination. It has a bit of a creamy/powdery finish.

Not super unique, but the peony and plum do separate it enough, and make it worthwhile at a certain price.

Thank U, Next 2.0 also shares similarities with this one now, as well. Moonlight’s become sort of a blend of 3 or 4 of the perfumes of this line.

What’s good with Moonlight?
  • Similar marshmallow base, with a different twist
  • Plum and black currant are great
  • Easy to wear

Top Thank U, Next

Thank U, Next– Yes, this is a newer scent from Ariana. However, I think that Thank U, Next is already among her best perfumes. It still retains the sweetness, put forth by the other options, but moves away from the usual fluffy marshmallow.

This gives you notes of pear, raspberry, coconut, and macarons. It is a bolder option, with more sillage than probably any of the others. A sugary macaron, meets the refreshing qualities of crisp pear and coconut water.

Updated note: Thank U, Next 2.0 came out. Here’s my comparison post versus the original. 2.0 starts off better, but it really fell off quickly.

The rose note, while not super powerful is for sure there throughout the entire wear. It and the musk, help to offset some of the gourmand qualities. I really liked Thank U, Next as it doesn’t have any real weaknesses on my skin.

I should say, some people report it having a so-called, ‘pickle juice’ aroma on their skin. I got none of that and I think I’m in the majority, who doesn’t experience it. But, something to consider with Thank U, Next.

While it starts out bold, it does become much more moderate, and the overall longevity isn’t amazing. Very cute and delicious sort of perfume. Coconut, raspberry, with a sugary baked goods finish. Sweet with a creamy heart. Here’s my full review

What’s good about Thank U, Next?
  • Different from the others on the list
  • Sweet and warm gourmand aroma
  • Stronger projection than the other Ariana Grande scents

best ariana grande perfume

A Better Cloud

R.E.M. by Ariana Grande–  R.E.M. makes the cut versus Cloud, which it share similarities to, but this is a better pick. R.E.M. is a sweet fragrance, but doesn’t have the ‘girly’ kind of aroma when compared to the others.

What is does have is a nice salty caramel, lavender, and fig. Fig is a completely underutilized note, and while not dominant here, it does add something great to the mix.

I think that this one has a bit more depth and feels more mature than the others. The lavender really becomes heavier later on in the wear.

It develops from a sweeter scent, much like Cloud, into a scent with woody under tones, a good dose of lavender, and with a creamy tonka bean coming through.

The sillage and longevity with R.E.M. isn’t amazing, but certainly not terrible either. That’s the one thing the Ariana Grande perfumes could all use, better performance. At least more staying power, if not, actual projecting ability.

Personally, I can get seven hours on skin, with R.E.M. I would expect most people should get at least 5.

But, it is more substantial with a ‘thicker’ feeling than you get with the more airy Cloud. Comes close to unisex and strikes a bit similar to Rochas Man…but still leans feminine and doesn’t have the stronger coffee smell. REM Review

What’s good about R.E.M.?
  • More depth
  • Great lavender note
  • Solid performance, but not heavy

Delightful Pear Release

God is a Woman by Ariana Grande– If you’re a fan of Cloud, Cloud Intense is also another new release that is better and you could go with that instead of R.E.M.

However, the best newer release from Ariana is…God is a Woman ahead of Cloud Intense and Thank U, Next 2.0.

I don’t really get the disappointing reviews from some folks. Yes, this is a lighter scent, but the performance gives me around 7 hours. Maybe its the name? Rather ugly bottle design?

The smell itself? This one features that nice pear note from Thank U, Next blended with a musky ambrette note and fresh cedar wood. The pear is the star here, but there is a light powdery aroma from orris and a brief rose appearance.

Juicy and sweet pear with vanilla, ambrette, and that cedar. It’s light, fresh, and has a sort of semi-aquatic feeling. Pretty simple, but effective, and a certainly a best Ariana Grande perfume. Read my full review

What’s good about God is a Woman?
  • The pear
  • Freshness
  • Rather unique compared to the others

Ranking the Other Ariana Perfumes

7. Cloud Pink

Cloud Pink is the latest flanker from the Cloud series, released in 2023. It’s not so much better than the other two, but for me, it is the best of them currently.

The main difference here is going to be in the opening through the middle act. Also, the lavender note isn’t in this one either.

It starts off with dragon fruit, pink pineapple, and coconut water. This gives the Pink formula a sweeter, fruitier, and somewhat tropical feeling in the opening. Not massive amounts of fruits, but substantial and sets it apart from the other two Cloud perfumes.

No worries though, this is still warm and fluffy, and doesn’t behave as a summer version of Cloud. The dry down is quite a bit like the others, just a different weighting in the notes. Performance is about the same as Cloud. Cloud Pink Review

8. Mod Vanilla

This is one of the two new Mod fragrance releases from Ariana. It does share a lot of similarities with the Clouds, but I prefer this slightly more.

It opens up without one note completely dominant and it has a nice balance. Freesia, musk, and some plum early on in the wear. As it develops, you’ll get more of the vanilla and praline notes.

Along with that, iris and cocoa butter. Not overly powdery, but Mod Vanilla has a gourmand sweetness and creaminess to it. The performance is actually very good. I got 8+ hours on my skin during testing and a bolder sillage than Cloud. Mod Vanilla Review

mod vanilla review

9. Cloud 2.0

The Intense version of Ariana Grande’s Cloud. 2.0 is a slightly better version, with better sillage and longevity.

The pear note is weakened in 2.0, but the lavender smells smoother and plays well off of the amped up ambroxan note. Also, it smells creamier versus the fluffiness of the original. Cloud 2.0 gives more play to the whipped cream, vanilla, and praline notes.

About 7-7.5 hours of wear on the skin, with a pretty noticeable sillage. Cloud 2.0 Full Review

10. Cloud

Cloud is one that got fairly overrated, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I like it a fair bit. But, it’s role as a potential BR 540 clone, definitely boosted its profile.

The opening has the bergamot, lavender, and pear start to it. Sparkling, this is when it is most similar to R.E.M. But, that lavender note isn’t nearly as prominent.

The highlight for me, is when you get into the creamier part of the perfume (still less so than 2.0). It’s whipped cream, coconut, and that sweet edible aroma from the praline. At this point, it does start to resemble a cloud, with how light and fluffy it feels.

It does smell fairly nice, but nothing spectacular. The performance is decent. For the right price, and if this is your style, Cloud can be a nice pickup. My Full Review

11. Thank U, Next 2.0

Thank U, Next 2.0 almost replaced the original on this list, with its delicious pomegranate and apple juice laden opening. But, the second half isn’t as good, and the performance topped out at 5 hours for me…which is like 2 or 3 fewer than the original.

It’s very juicy and has a great vibrant energy to the aroma. Then, it settles into a generic floral with the usual Ariana marshmallow note, and some musk. That ending is just a marshmallow musk.

It’s strange how this one, just completely fell apart and lost much of its charm. The opening is pretty awesome, but it’s pretty ho-hum, afterwards. I had high hopes for it, but it’s just okay. For a big discount, it might still be worthwhile. Thank U, Next 2.0 Review

12. Mod Blush

Mod Blush isn’t completely bad or anything. The opening is a tropical fruity aroma, that is sort of like other celebrity fragrances (which are cheaper in price). Then, it turns into something that is like an impression of other perfumes from Ariana Grande.

But, it’s not as good as any of them. Some have compared Mod Blush to Sweet Like Candy or Ari, which is true to some extent, as they have similar vibes. Yet, those are both superior in smell and performance to this.

The aroma itself is fine, but the performance was mediocre for something at this price point. So, Mod Blush almost takes the bottom spot on the list. Mod Blush Full Review

13. Frankie

For me, the weakest is Frankie. Which, is harder to find nowadays, so it’s pretty irrelevant. It was okay, I suppose, it’s difficult to recall what smelled like exactly. It had pink pepper, sugar, some fruity notes up top. Just never came together all that well.

Not something really worth pursuing, nor even coming close to being the best Ariana Grande perfume release.

10 Best Smelling Hugo Boss Colognes

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Hugo Boss has a long history in the fashion world. Their fragrance line has been popular for many years and produces good fragrances that can be had in the lower to moderate price ranges.

This isn’t a Creed or Bond No. 9, where you are going to be spending a few hundred dollars for a larger bottle of the stuff. Rather, Hugo Boss makes designer fragrances that are both stylish and can be worn for any situation a man may face.

There are also a ton of variants and flankers from Boss. As such, it can get confusing with the names. I’d recommend double checking as to what you’re specifically ordering, to make sure it’s the cologne that you want.

Also check out: Best Smelling Hugo Boss Perfumes for Women

My Favorite Hugo Boss Perfumes for Him

Most Popular Scent

Hugo Boss Men’s Boss No. 6 Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.
No.6 is the most popular Hugo Boss fragrance of the bunch and for very good reason. This cologne is just all around pleasant, moderately priced, and delivers a solid performance.

The apple and cinnamon notes provide a familiar sweetness and warmth from the start of the wear. If feels super clean and gourmand. Then, the vanilla note adds a layer of smoothness over the whole composition.

The dry down, adds wood notes such as sandalwood and cedar, that prevent it from going too far into the sweetness end of things and straying into a women’s fragrance.

Yes, it does have that sort of apple pie aroma, but Boss Bottled No. 6 never feels like a teenage girl’s perfume. This is a very safe to wear fragrance, that has a versatility for most every occasion.  Hugo Bottled Boss Review

The First Elixir

Boss Bottle Elixir– Every brand has had to jump on the bandwagon of naming every new release ‘Elixir’, with a supposed higher fragrance concentration than others. I will say, Boss Bottled Elixir actually delivers something worth checking out.

It’s a smoky one. Incense is the main draw, but this fragrance will also balance things out with some sweetness early on, and a great spicy accord in the heart. Vetiver, patchouli, and amber in the base.

The sillage is great, Elixir has a darker and heavier feeling than others in the Bottled series. Performance closes in on 10 hours and may surpass that mark for some people.

Better for colder weather. It also may not appeal to everyone. I personally like it, but I don’t think it fits my style very well. Still, a very interesting release from Hugo Boss nonetheless.

It is pricier than most of their other colognes, so Elixir might be one that you want to test out before grabbing a full bottle.

Best Boss The Scent Fragrance

Hugo Boss The Scent Absolute for Him Eau De Parfum, 1.6 Fl Oz– The series of fragrances under the ‘Boss The Scent’ banner have all been at least pretty good, even with each having their weaknesses.

Also, their strengths, even if most of ‘The Scent’ colognes weren’t amazing.

To me, The Scent Absolute is the best from the series overall. It gives you a closer approximation to the original, but with a spicier profile, and much better performance. It’s fresher and more linear than Private accord, which is also nice, Absolute is just a notch above.

It kicks off with the fresh spiciness of ginger, with a rich use of the signature maninka fruit. It’s fruity and warm, with a nice kick to it. Very masculine, attractive, and fairly unique even against the others in the line. Great and easy to wear. Read my Full Review

The Next The Scent

The Scent Elixir– This is a newer ‘The Scent’ release that came out in 2024. It’s as of now, my second favorite in the series. Closest to Absolute in terms of smell, also.

Here, we get a pimento spice. It’s warmer and more substantial than the ginger note found in Absolute. In terms of style, it’s very much akin to The Most Wanted. Not the same smell, but Elixir is like taking The Scent Absolute and giving it an infusion of that Azzaro vibe.

After that, it’s a sweetish blend that will become lavender dominant, with some fairly generic sandalwood in the base. What’s good here is the spice and resinous quality that comes through.

Very nice performance, but I don’t think we’re breaking very much new ground here. Again, the higher Elixir prices, may not be worth it for everyone. I still prefer The Scent Absolute to this.

Another Great Bottled

Boss Bottled Eau de Parfum– This one came out in 2020, so it’s not brand new, but it’s one that I think is enjoyable and worth a shot.

Bottled EDP features apple, bergamot, and a mix of spices up top. Now, it is pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon…but, mostly cardamom paired with the apple now. Cinnamon and pepper flanking those.

Sweet and fresh warmth, the apple note is going to be the star of this one throughout the wear. The spice will settle down and this will have a drier and muskier finish. Masculine sweet/candied kind of apple, while feeling well put together and not cheap.

The sillage isn’t all that powerful, pretty moderate, but it does seem to last pretty long on the skin. Probably best for younger guys through their 20s.

top hugo perfumes men

Nice Summer Fragrance

Hugo Boss Eau de Toilette Spray, Red, 1.3 Ounce– Hugo Red seems to be an under appreciated fragrance. Its notes include pineapple, cedar, grape fruit, amber, tonka bean, and others.

Update: This one got discontinued. Bottles are pretty scarce nowadays. Still worthwhile, if you can find it for cheap.

It also has the distinct notion of being on the lower end of the price range while simultaneously being a well performing and great smelling cologne.

Hugo Red is clean and fruity, though not overpowering, and a perfect option for casual wear.

It opens with that sparkling grapefruit note along with a juicy pineapple.  Red is interesting in that it has this cold metallic note, which while low key, helps to set it apart from many other fragrances.

It has a slightly warm spice from the pink pepper note, but this allows it to have versatility in a wide variety of climates.

Since Hugo Red does have that blanketing spice and warmth, it really shines in the spring and summer months. The performance for me, has always been good. It doesn’t last a crazy long time, but it does last plenty long for almost any purpose. My Hugo Red Review

Another Bottled Boss

BOSS Bottled Infinite Eau de Parfum – Fragrance for Men, 3.3 FL. OZ.–  Boss Bottled Infinite is a flanker fragrance to the Boss Bottled name, but takes things in a different direction.

It opens up with a fruity blend of apple and mandarin. It has a clean freshness coming from the two spices, being, cinnamon and rosemary. The spice isn’t too intense and is actually pretty well kept in check.

During its dry down Bottled Infinite, becomes woodier, has a nice dose of lavender, and the remaining mandarin orange.

Olive wood is the main wood note, with additional sandalwood. Overall, a moderate sillage, with about 7 hours of wear in my testing of it. Update: May be discontinued now. Bottled Infinite Review

Best Classic Daily Wear Boss Cologne

Hugo Boss MAN Eau de Toilette, 2.5 Fl Oz– This fragrance was released in the mid 1990s and has been chugging along in stores ever since. It starts out with a very ‘green’ freshness with a crisp mint note that is joined by a calming lavender.

The apple note is cold and juicy to go along with a nice, sharp, citric grapefruit. Hugo has a woody heart, with pine, and a spicy profile that is complemented by the aforementioned sweeter notes.

A very nice casual or everyday wear scent by Hugo Boss. It gives a solid performance and is highly versatile, being able to fit in while wearing a suit on the right day, or simply sporting the fragrance around town casually. It’s got a great balance and interesting composition.  Hugo Full Review

Boss for Cold Weather with a Floral Blend

Boss Bottled Night by Hugo Boss for Men – 3.3 Ounce EDT Spray
A very nice and seductive cologne, which is probably best served for guys in their 20s to early 30s.

Bottled Night has good sillage, draws complements, but has average to slightly above average longevity.

Boss Bottled Night isn’t a dark fragrance, as its name would suggest, instead you get a masculine floral. The composition is led by lavender and violet that is held together by a woody base.

It is on the softer airy side of the spectrum, but it has a definite warmth and unique aroma for a men’s cologne. Boss Bottled Night isn’t one for everybody, although it isn’t one that enjoys a dedicated following.  Bottled Night Review

Underrated Boss Fragrance for Men

Boss In Motion By Hugo Boss For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3 Ounces– A very interesting cologne from Hugo Boss and one that I think has gone somewhat unappreciated. Boss in Motion is a citrus laden scent and orange is the main attraction.

This juicy citrus note is countered by a series of light and warm spices including from nutmeg, pink pepper, and cinnamon. It’s also got a woody base.

Boss in Motion was released over 15 years ago, at this point in time, but it is still a solid cologne and has its own unique style.

The spice notes are never too heavy or intense but do provide a mixture of aromatic pairings which play off of that orange top note. This is a good casual scent for everyday wear, especially during a mild fall day, or at times in the early spring. Boss in Motion Review

Well, there you have it. These are the six absolute best men’s fragrances from Hugo Boss that have been released up to this point in time. The have a ton of scents and they don’t always stack up or perform well, but these cream of the crop colognes are a great place to start with the brand.

17 Best Smelling Colognes for Teenage Guys

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When looking for the right cologne for either yourself or as a gift for another person, it is important to consider not only their own fashion sense but also their lifestyle needs. For teenage guys, most of their time will probably be spent in class or other low key functions.

Their fragrances choices should reflect their youth and shouldn’t be too bold, since they spend so much of their time in the close quarters of a classroom. So, something like Versace Eros, just won’t do.

But, we can still have some style and fun with our picks, beyond just smelling like body spray or baby powder. This page serves to present an ongoing updated list of cologne options for younger guys.

I’ve also included a few options within some of these picks, so it does technically go a bit beyond 17 selections. Holiday shopping? Also check out: The Best Perfumes for Teenage Girls

Favorite Colognes for Teenage Guys

Inexpensive but Versatile

Club de Nuit EDP– This Armaf fragrance has gained a ton of notoriety as being a cheaper dupe of the classic, Aventus by Creed. That is pretty much accurate, but they are slightly different.

However, for around $40 Club de Nuit gives you a great blend of fruity opening notes, a dry leather-like smokiness from birch wood, and some softer touches of vanilla. It’s a clean and fresh masculine cologne, that can be worn by younger guys as well.

The performance is good and it isn’t super heavy, but does have some nice power to it in that first hour or so. The EDP and EDT versions are basically the same, but I do prefer slightly the smoother opening of the eau de parfum.

Millions

1 Million Elixir– For younger guys, you can go with the well put together Elixir or the sweet and spicy Royal, from the 1 Million line.

I like Elixir a bit better, it’s still sweet early, has a great warmth and mix of vanilla and tonka bean. Elixir still manages to have a good deal of freshness to its aroma and doesn’t completely bog you down while wearing it.

Sweet, fruity, with some spice and a light floral touches from the rose note. Really good performance and a balanced cologne overall.  1 Million Elixir review

Meanwhile, Royal has a more intense and different kind of sweetness. However, that opening act features a really great cardamom spice, blended with some citrus and resinous benzoin. Both of these options are worth checking out.

An AdG Pick

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue–  Profondo is a blue-ish type of cologne (more blue-green to my nose). This is less floral than the original and less smoky than Profumo (now Parfum), making it a great option for young men.

Profondo has a deep woody character, with a smooth somewhat resinous finish. The newer AdG EDP, is also a fine choice, that’s sort of an amalgam of different colognes from the line.

To me, the aquatic elements here aren’t salt water. More like the impression of fresh water. I like this the best on the hottest days of the year. Great release. AdG Profondo Review

Le Male Options

Le Male Le Parfum– Le Parfum is the latest from JPG and I’m replacing the classic Le Male on this list in favor of it (though, that’s still great and doesn’t cost as much). This features a warm, spicy cardamom note and soft powder from the iris.

It pays homage to the original Le Male, with its use of lavender. Also, it has periods of mimicking Ultra Male, just without the extreme sillage of that nightlife fragrance. Very warm with spicy punches throughout and wrapped up in that familiar JPG vanilla note.

It’s a more mature fragrance than either of the others. Not super high-end and formal, but it does give a nice update to the classic formula. Still, suitable and useable for high school aged boys.

Update: I also like Elixir and Le Beau Le Parfum from JPG. The latter one, is probably better for daily wear versus Elixir if you want something different. Elixir can be pretty heavy.

Azzaro’s Most Wanted

Azzaro The Most Wanted Eau de Parfum Intense | Cologne for Men 1.7 fl oz– The Wanted series is one which had been getting better and better with each release. The Most Wanted is the best, in my opinion (the Parfum version is also very good).

It opens up with a cardamom note, which lends to it a nice level of spiciness. However, this particular cardamom that they used, has a lemony essence. So, you get a fruitiness with the spice.

The sweetness continues with the caramel note, with added touches of Bourbon vanilla and fresh vetiver. It is a caramel based scent with a masculine edge and balsamic additions to round things out. The Most Wanted Review

Chilly Aquatic

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– I enjoy Light Blue Eau Intense over the original Light Blue. You start off with a frozen grapefruit and mandarin orange, which gives it a chilled freshness from the jump.

Also, this one doesn’t have the same spice or aquatic note. The pepper is replaced with a great juniper and the aquatic aroma, is much closer to fresh water, than a sea note.

It’s clean with more of a unique take on the aquatic genre, than many others which give you too much of an oceanic scent.

I think that this one is much more refreshing and fun to wear, with that cold citrus really shining on a cold day. The sillage is strong and I get around 9 hours of use, on my skin, so lighter sprays may be warranted at school. Light Blue Eau Intense Review

Most Popular Inexpensive Scent for Boys

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
A sneaky great cologne from Nautica. Voyage is a very clean and fresh scent that is perfect for daytime and the warmer months.

It opens with a crisp apple and aquatic undertones that is joined by a familiar musk note. There is also a sort of melon vibe going on in the background at times.

Voyage is always a top seller, both for its refreshing aroma, and the fact that is very inexpensive. Easily one of the best ‘cheap’ fragrances on the market.

Notes include: Amber, Apple, Drenched Mimosa, Green Leaf, Cedar Wood, Water Lotus, Moss, Musk, Sailcloth Accord. Review of Nautica Voyage

Sweet and Spicy

Spicebomb Infrared at Macy’s– This is one of the better newer releases of 2021 and one of the better Spicebomb fragrances for younger men. I would also check out Spicebomb Extreme, with its awesome vanilla.

It opens with a mix of habanero, cinnamon, and red berry oils. The opening is a balancing act between the hot spices and the sweetness of the fruits.

As it moves along, the habanero will subside and be replaced by a fresh saffron.

Ultimately, you get a sweet cinnamon and tobacco blend that gives a nod to the other Spicebomb colognes, while doing its own thing. Not too heavy of a fragrance, especially when it settles down, and you get into its freshie phase. Spicebomb Infrared Review

Great Designer Cologne for Younger Men

VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce– It’s not my favorite offering from the Versace lineup, but it is a very good and youthful fragrance. It’s best worn by guys in high school through their early 20s. 

Dylan Blue kicks off with an aquatic/fruity mix of marine notes, with bergamot, and grapefruit. It’s clean and warm, but my favorite aspect of the opening, comes with the fig note. You don’t find it too often in men’s fragrances, but it is done superbly here. 

Later, Dylan Blue gets it amber and peppery notes, and becomes somewhat similar to Dior’s Sauvage EDT. This one isn’t too heavy and has a fairly solid performance. Versatile for warmer weather and/or the colder months of the year. Dylan Blue Full Review

Great Low Cost Fragrance for Teens

Guess Seductive Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A warm and smooth blend of pink pepper, amber, and orchid. It is such a unique fragrance, especially at this price point ($20-ish), and also smells great.

It is a sweet warmth with gentle hits of spice. Guess Seductive Homme is a safe bet for everyday wear and versatile enough to be worn on many occasions. Guess Seductive has a surprising amount of depth, for a scent, at this price point.

I have tried hundreds upon hundreds of fragrances over the years, and this remains, one of my favorite cheapies. Guess Seductive Homme Review

Best Sporty Masculine Fragrance

Paco Rabanne Invictus Legend for Men 3.4 oz– You could also go with the original Invictus, but this one honestly, smells better. It’s like a mid-way point between Invictus and Intense.

Invictus Legend keeps the aquatic and fruity notes, such as grapefruit, like the original but with more of the great amber note. The base notes, provide a woodsy spice, that isn’t too powerful.

Though, it provides a nice pairing with the ambery-aquatic aroma emanating from this cologne. The performance is great and can last all day. A few sprays is enough, as this can have a wide projecting sillage. Invictus Legend Review

Update: I might actually go with Invictus Victory Elixir versus Legend. I still like both of these and Legend is closer to the original Invictus (fresher and lighter). Victory Elixir is vanilla, amber, resinous, smoky. Still intense, but with a good balance.

 Daily Wear Designer Scent

Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray– Polo Black is definitely one of the best Ralph Lauren fragrances for guys. This and Polo Sport strike me as the top bets for teenagers from this designer.

It features a tropical array of mango, lemon, and tangerine draped over sandalwood and infused with tonka bean. Polo Black isn’t a dark smell, as the name might suggest, but it is a very nice moderate cologne for daily wear.

The mango with the two citrus notes is utterly outstanding, in contrast to the sandalwood and spice. Polo Black Full Review

Stronger Vibes

Stronger with You Intensely– Stronger with You Intensely is one of my favorites in the series. A bit more refined than the original and without the rum note of some of the others.

Here, you get a spicy opening of notes including pink pepper, cinnamon, and sage. This plays off of the sweetness of toffee scented like caramel early on.

Then, the back half gets warmer and smoother. Lavender with a light suede touch in the background. The spices begin to fade and warm amber with creamy vanilla join up with that remaining toffee note.

Great performance. Captivating aroma and a great balance between the softer and harsher notes. Intensely Review

Woodsy and Fresh

Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 1.7 Oz For Men

Fierce is one that was super popular back in the early 2000s and still has a lot of fans, to this day.. This A&F fragrance is famous for its recognizable aroma, that has seemingly been repeated by many other colognes since then. 

This one opens with a fresh spice, a bit of citrus, and woody notes that grow in strength during the wear. It’s clean and dry with a warm masculine air to it. Fierce is a great all around scent for teen guys. Notes include: petit grain, cardamom, lemon, orange and fir. Read my review here.

Versatile Designer Scent 

Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Fragrance Collection 3.0-oz. Eau de Toilette– Guilty is a line of fragrances from Gucci that has a long line of flanker variants. One of the best, is Guilty Black, which also happens to be an awesome cologne for teenagers.

It is a fresh, clean, and versatile fragrance. The opening act is led by both neroli and orange flower. However, the blend is so balanced that it can actually be difficult to pick out the individual notes. But, Black is green and has a slight citrus aroma to it.

Later, lavender, coriander spice, and woodsy notes complete the scent. Guilty Black is an easy to wear crowd pleaser, that can fit in a variety of climates and situations. Guilty Black Review 

A Newer Code

Code Parfum by Giorgio Armani– This is another entry from Armani and one of the better flanker updates to the classic Armani release.

Code Parfum starts with the usually bergamot note, paired with sage and iris. The bergamot is sparkling and this one has a great opening freshness to it. It’s sort of bright and aldehydic with the way the iris is worked into things.

There is some powderiness, not too much, and not as much as you’d think with both iris and tonka bean coming through. Those two notes are heavily featured in the dry down along with the remaining citrus and a crisp cedar.

It’s a clean daily wear that can fit in a wide variety of situations. Code Parfum is going to be one of those workhorse fragrances, that you can spray on pretty much whenever, but it has plenty of style. Code Parfum review

Inexpensive Daily Wear for Boys

Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men – 4.2 Ounce Cologne Spray
Curve is a wildly popular fragrance for men because it smells so great, even after a few decades of being for sale. It’s not a heavy or any overpowering scent but one that is fresh and memorable.

People always react positively to this one it seems, as Curve’s unique blend of notes, just draws people in. For an inexpensive cologne, this is a complement machine.

There are fruity elements such as pineapple, citrus, and juniper berries which play off a calm and clean lavender note. It is super fresh with a slight spice provided by pepper and ginger.

However, the outdoorsy elements really set this Liz Claiborne creation apart. It’s got a floral charm while being masculine and uses mahogany and cactus as a part of its base. An almost perfect choice for the younger guy.

curve

 

Mon Paris Lumiere EDT by YSL

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Mon Paris Lumiere is another entry from the fairly long-running YSL series. This perfume was released in 2022. I got a sample of this a while ago, with another order of fragrances, so I tested it out for a full review. How does Lumiere smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Mon Paris Lumiere Smell Like?

Notes include: Isparta rose, lemon, jasmine, datura, white lotus, patchouli, musk

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: A chypre floral aquatic, as radiant and vertiginous as being loved under Parisian skies. The hypnotic fragrance of datura flower is embraced by the radiance of the white lotus flower and the elegance of the Isparta rose heart absolute. The scent of ecstatic love, a clash of light for an everlasting trail. 

Lumiere opens up bright, sweet, with an aquatic/ozonic accord underneath. It makes the floral notes seem like they’re floating in water.

Early, it’s notes of lemon, white lotus, and the datura. A few minutes in, I get some jasmine, but that never feels super powerful in this mix. At least on my skin.

It’s a tad odd, when I smell it sometimes, but I think Lumiere works. I do like the fresh and energizing aroma that this has, even if I’m not sold on the early lemon use.

Early, this does have some distinction from Mon Paris Intensment, which has a fruit-chouli aroma to it. That one joins a lighter datura note with black currant and rose in the early stages.

Here, we get the lighter and ozonic style that works better in the heat, but doesn’t have that same substantial feeling in the first half.

The next phase, is more floral and musky. Less of the ozonic aspect and the citrus will start to fade. It becomes more rosy, less lotus, and the jasmine is still involved. Not dominated by any of the floral notes here. Everything seems balanced for the duration.

Basically, Mon Paris Lumiere will end with it’s floral notes, freshness, patchouli, and musk. Not super deep or complex. More like the others in the series, in the second half of the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This is a lighter and fresher scent, but Mon Paris Lumiere isn’t one that is super airy or non-detectable. Actually, overall between it’s ability to leave a scent trail and just project more generally, is a bit above average. At least, for a couple of hours.

On my skin, this one will stick around for 6-6.5 hours. It’s nothing that’s going to be a beast performer. It’s just pretty much okay, across the board.

I thought that this might have a bit more to it, than what I actually got. I didn’t expect a completely massive scent, but I did think that I’d get more than six or so hours out of Lumiere.

Seasonally, Lumiere is a warm weather perfume that’s built for spring and summer. It’s not as heavy as others in the series, so, this YSL can be a good change of pace for those who like this formula and want a springtime variant.

It’s more of a daytime wear. It’s not very formal, but it’d work for most circumstances and can be worn by any age. There’s nothing here that is going to be off-putting for most people.

Overall Impressions of Lumiere

Overall, do I like Mon Paris Lumiere? It’s pretty good. It’s probably somewhere between the original and Mon Paris Intensement. I liked Intensement more than the first one. Lumiere isn’t doing anything wholly different or better than either, however.

The lemon and white lotus combination, in the early stages is nice enough. There’s nothing here that blows me away, but this is a likeable release from YSL.

It’s freshness and musk can be a nice pick me up on a warmer day. The rose and jasmine back half is fine, it’s been done a million times, we’re not breaking much new ground with this perfume.

Lumiere is pretty much a true flanker fragrance, not really going way off in the other direction versus others from the Mon Paris lineup.

Likeable at full price? Probably not. If another from the Mon Paris series is one of your signature scents, you’ll almost certainly like this one. If you didn’t care for one the others, this one isn’t likely to make you a new fan.

A pretty good perfume, with fairly average performance. Get it for a discount, if you can. Or, just skip it entirely.