Men want to smell good, which is why many guys buy and use colognes regularly. However, one of the most common complaints men have about colognes is that the smell quickly fades.
The good news is that not all colognes and perfumes have this problem. Some of them pack a lot of staying power. Below we highlight the 10 best perfumes for men that will last long and take you from day to night and beyond with just a spray or two.
1. Blu Atlas Atlantis
(Blu Atlas) | Blu Atlas Atlantis Eau de Parfum.
Not many perfumes are nearly as versatile as Atlantis by Blu Atlas. Whether you are attending an important social event or having a date night with a special somebody, Atlantis is certain to draw in compliments.
One of the most impressive elements is its staying power.From its invigorating citrus opening, to its fresh floral heart, and then finally its musky base, Atlantis is a fragrance that lasts with you throughout the day.Atlantis touts itself as the perfume for those who are adventurous at heart. It is difficult to disagree, as its blend of fragrance notes is unique and attention grabbing, yet works together in perfect harmony. It is a bright and refreshing medley that speaks to sunny weather, new discoveries, and lasting memories. We can’t imagine any other perfume taking the top spot on our list.
2. Creed Aventus
(Creed) | Aventus.
Aventus, which makes this great fragrance for men, has a 250-year-old tradition of producing unique scents. Because of this, they have a track record that they can draw upon to ensure the scent of Creed lasts as long as you want it to.
Unlike many other scents on this list, this fragrance is not outdoorsy. Instead, this fragrance is floral forward from the first sniff to the lingering undertones. It combines apples, black currant and bergamot to create an unparalleled long-lasting fragrance.
3. Bleu de Chanel
(Chanel) | Bleu De Chanel Eau de Toilette
Chanel has a long and storied tradition of creating amazing perfumes and colognes. The French-based company has always focused on crafting complex scent combinations that send an unmistakable signal of class and refinement. Bleu is clearly a leading part of this family, and it reflects the strong family history.
This fragrance will remind you of a jaunt in the woods on a beautiful autumn afternoon, but there is also a bright citrus tone running through it.
If word-of-mouth matters to you, you can be confident that guys who use Bleu love it and report that it lasts from morning to night. However, it may not have quite as much staying power as some of the other perfumes on the list.
4. Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Perfume
(Tom Ford) | Private Blend Oud Wood Perfume.
We love this perfume, and believe Tom Ford has found his wheelhouse in producing perfumes and other high-end luxury products.
Compared with some of the other perfumes on our list, this fragrance has a dizzying array of ingredients that come together to produce a big aromatic punch. But strong and bold means that this fragrance is not for everyone. Some may find it too overwhelming.
If you appreciate powerful scents, you will find that the heady oud wood, sandalwood and cardamom last a long time. So, even by the end of a long day of working and sweating in the office, you might still be able to sniff out vanilla and pepper on your skin.
5. Acqua di Gio Giorgio Armani Parfum
(Giorgio Armani) | Acqua di Gio Giorgio Armani Parfum.
Not everyone thinks of Armani fragrances as being long lasting, but this entry defies any negative expectations.
Like many of the other long-lasting perfumes on this list, this fragrance has a woody profile. However, it is not a one-note perfume. In addition to its charming woodsy aromas, it sports many watery notes. And, for an added punch, there are subtle fruity and floral tones mixed in. Together, these flavors add up to a distinctively masculine aroma.
One cautionary note: This fragrance has a slightly feminine underlying tone to it, which we noticed more on days when we wore it inside. However, if you use a light hand when applying it in the morning, this should not be a problem. Just make sure to avoid overkill with this strong aroma.
6. Gucci Oud Eau de Parfum
(Gucci) | Oud Eau de Parfum.
Of the unisex options that we sampled, Gucci’s Oud is hands-down our favorite. Because it is aimed at the unisex market, this perfume is subtle, grounded and well-balanced. However, this subtlety has an associated weakness: It does not last as long as other perfumes.
If you decide to go down the Gucci road, it might be a good idea to start with a small sample and proceed from there. You may be able to score a sample at your local department store.
7. Tom Ford Noir de Noir Parfum
(TOM FORD) | Noir de Noir Eau de Parfum
If our list were solely based on the quality and design of the packaging, this Tom Ford entry would undoubtedly take first place. We appreciate the bottle’s small size and Art Deco design.
What’s inside the bottle matches the exterior. We love the calming vanilla mixed with the strong and spicy undertones of patchouli, and the top note of delicate nutmeg. When we splashed it on, we were immediately reminded of childhood Christmases and firelight dancing in the windows.
Despite being relatively inexpensive, especially when compared with the other entrants on the list, the perfume does have staying power.
8. Creed Green Irish Tweed
(Creed) | Green Irish Tweed.
This perfume is reminiscent of a day in the Irish countryside surrounded by the smell of fresh grass, with the wind blowing gently through the air. Like woodsy scents, grass scents done correctly tend to linger for extended periods of time, with the added bonus of feeling more subtle to the people around the wearer.
Creed has carved out a reputation as a luxury producer of great perfumes. That is perhaps not surprising, given that this perfume is expensive. But sometimes paying for quality is worth it, and a bottle of Creed is likely to last for far longer than you might imagine.
9. Elysium Roja Parfum
(Elysium) | Roja Parfum.
This is one of the most beautifully packaged men’s perfumes on the market. One look at the sleek blue bottle will leave you convinced that you are looking at a luxury item. And what is inside the bottle is every bit as luxurious as what is on the outside.
The notes of this perfume represent nature and the great outdoors. It is a blend of bright citrus and the sharper notes of cedar, juniper and pink pepper. You can rest assured that this cologne is a great masculine scent that will last throughout the day. This perfume is built to last.
10. La Nuit de l’Homme Yves Saint Laurent
(Yves Saint Laurent) | La Nuit de l’Homme.
This dark, masculine, seductive fragrance is perfect for a night out on the town with your date. However, this perfume also packs a staying power punch so you can confidently put it on in the morning and be sure that the great scent will still be there when you step into a restaurant in the evening.
This perfume has an mesmerizing fragrance profile and is one the best perfumes for men that last long. It seamlessly blends woodsy notes with sweeter notes. We love the hearty notes of cardamom and bergamot, and are sure that most guys will agree with us.
There is nothing subtle about this fragrance. It is definitely not a scent for everyone, but if you are a man with a strong, confident personality, you should check it out.
Tricks to Help Your Fragrance Last Longer
As you’ve read, some fragrances last longer than others. So if you are looking for an all-day fragrance, you should probably pick one of the great choices listed above. However, no matter what scent you choose, there are some tricks you can use to ensure the aroma lingers for longer.
Tip 1: Skip the Extra Sprays
Many guys fall into the trap of thinking that if their fragrance does not last all day, it means they did not use enough. This results in more sprays each morning as they are heading out the door. Unfortunately, more does not always translate into longer or better. Instead, it may simply mean that a guy will fly through an expensive bottle of cologne or that he will leave the people sharing his subway car on his morning commute gasping for breath. And no one wants to be that guy.
Tip 2: Moisturize Your Skin First
The more you moisturize your skin, the longer a fragrance will last. This is because dry skin simply does not absorb scent as well. So, if you are going to grab a bottle of cologne in the morning, make sure that you grab a bottle of moisturizer before bedtime.
Tip 3: Spray the Right Spots
Many guys tend to splash a little bit of cologne on their neck or spray their wrists.Those are good places for cologne, but they are not the only places to think about. Remember that fragrances love heat. If you put the fragrance on the part of your body that is going to get toasty warm, this will bring out the scent, and it will likely help it last longer. For example, think about adding a splash to your ankles or the backs of your knees.
Also consider spraying cologne in your hair. As you move your head during the day, some scent particles will float out into the air, surrounding you with a delicious halo.
Finally, when you spray cologne onto your wrists, let the fragrance sit. Do not rub your wrists together. Fragrance molecules are fragile, and rubbing them together causes them to break down and the smell to dissipate.
Tip 4: Check the Expiration Date
Just like the food in your fridge, fragrances have an expiration date. As the perfume or cologne approaches this date, it loses some of its aromatic punch. This means that it may not smell as strongly when it leaves the bottle, and the scent is less likely to linger on your skin. Pay attention to changes in color or texture, which may indicate that your fragrance is starting to get stale.
To prolong the life of your fragrance, make sure that you store it in a cool, dry, dark place. Too much heat is not good for perfumes and colognes, and neither is extreme cold. It is never a good idea to place your cologne bottle in the freezer or fridge.
Tip 5: Some Fragrances Just Don’t Last Long
No matter how well you follow the tips above or how much research you carry out to maximize the bang for your buck, it is important to remember that some fragrances are simply not programmed to last. What we love about citrusy and fruity flavors is that they are subtle and light, but this subtlety does not go hand in hand with longevity. If you really want a long-lasting fragrance, focus on musky, woodsy, outdoorsy scents.
How Can You Guarantee That You Are Buying the Real Deal?
Guys may have heard about counterfeit sneakers that mimic some of the most in-demand items on the market. But guys are often significantly less aware that the fragrance market is rife with knock-offs. This is because scent is a colossal business, and scammers are good at following the money.
What can you do to make sure you do not fall victim to buying a counterfeit fragrance bottle? There are numerous steps you can take to stay safe.
Step 1: Stick With the Tried and True
The first step is to make sure to buy from reputable department stores or well-known online retailers. If you have a question about whether a site is okay to use, always be cautious. Google what information is available online and see what people who have used the site have to say. Once you have the product in your hand, if you have any questions whether it is legit or not, do not hesitate to return it. Websites that sell authentic products should have a generous return policy that you can take advantage of.
Step 2: Be a Savvy Shopper
We all love a bargain. Who doesn’t like to save a dollar or two? However, sometimes prices are simply too good to be true. If you notice that a listed price is only a fraction of the usual cost of the perfume, take a long breath and think before you click. A suspiciously low price is one of the most common warning signs of a knock-off.
Remember the old shopping maxim: You get what you pay for.
Step 3: Look at the Little Details
Perfume is not just about the great product that you put on at the end of the day. It is also about the entire luxury experience, including the beautiful packaging of your product. The more high-end a perfume is, the more high-end the package is likely to be.
Producers of counterfeit items are much less willing to invest in the bells and whistles of packaging. As a result, boxes are often flimsy, and the bottles often look slightly off. There may even be spelling mistakes on the packaging.
Another sign to look for is missing packaging. These counterfeits often do not have cellophane wrapping around them. They may also be lacking safety seals and other things that one would expect to see on a bottle from a legitimate brand.
Why Is It Important to Steer Clear of Counterfeits?
It is important to remember that counterfeit luxury-goods markets are linked to the financing of terrorists and other shady dealings. No one wants their signature scent to be used to make the world a less safe space.
Also, knock-offs are simply not as good. The fragrance may quickly dissipate on your morning commute. Or you may have an unexpected allergic reaction due to low-quality ingredients. Real products are carefully tested and fully regulated by various agencies, but counterfeits are a minefield and should be avoided.
