A good aftershave can turn heads, boost confidence and evoke memories. Make sense of the scents with our guide to the top 20 on the market.
In a very saturated industry, finding the right aftershave can be a minefield. The market is so overflowing with them right now that buying a fragrance can prove quite a daunting task. From fruity smells to woody ones, old classics to new brands, there’s so many to choose from. And, having moved past the days when fragrances were exclusively gendered, you now have the addition – since Calvin Klein’s CK One was released in 1994 – of unisex products that have taken the industry by storm. So there is even more variety out there, complicating your choices.
As well as ultimately making you smell nice, a good aftershave can do wonders for your confidence. It can lift your mood, turn heads, and put a spring in your step. It can also take you down nostalgia lane; a familiar scent such as vanilla or cinnamon for example – two common fragrance notes found in aftershaves – can evoke past emotions as smell and memory are closely linked.
One of the most important things to look for when choosing an aftershave is its longevity, in terms of how long the scent stays on the skin for. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on one that you need to re-apply regularly, but that said if you are willing to spritz throughout the day a cheaper one may suffice.
Our guide below features some all-time favourites, as well as a few new fragrances that smell divine. And if you want to understand how the layers of perfume combine to give them their scent, scroll down to the bottom of this shortlist for a quick explainer.
The best men's fragrances and aftershaves
Understanding fragrances
Before you delve into the best fragrances for men, it might be worth looking at what makes a fragrance smell a particular way. Understanding this will make the shopping process a lot more straightforward since you’ll begin to learn what types of fragrances you prefer and why.
The most important thing to know is that perfumes, colognes, aftershave, etc are generally composed of three layers of notes: top notes, heart notes, and base notes.
Top notes are the initial, fleeting scents you perceive when you first apply a fragrance. Fresh and light, these are meant to grab your attention but don't last long. Common top notes include citrus, herbal and light floral scents.
Heart (or “middle”) notes emerge as the top notes evaporate. They form the core of the fragrance and last longer. They’re often floral, fruity or spicy to add depth and complexity.
Last up are base notes - the foundation of the scent. They appear as the heart notes fade, providing a lasting scent. They’re commonly woody, musky and sweet.
By understanding these layers, you can choose a scent that matches your style and personality.
However, when testing out a fragrance, it's essential to let it settle on your skin for a while before purchasing, as the full bouquet of notes reveals itself over time.
