The best men's fragrances and aftershaves

Margiela's Replica: Under the Lemon Tree is a unisex fragrance that anyone can enjoy. As the name suggests, it evokes feelings of late summer evenings lazing around in fields, lounging under lemon trees surrounded by zesty lemons and a gentle breeze. It should come as no surprise, then, that it offers up a fresh, citrusy and clean scent great for every day wear. It’s also long-lasting, lingering on the skin for most of the day. Since it’s just so refreshing, Under the Lemon Tree is best suited for wear during the warmer months, but heck, we don’t make the rules.

Bleu De Chanel is a modern and sophisticated fragrance with a classic edge, like a crisp white shirt. Each nozzle pump unleashes top notes that are fresh and clean, giving off a burst of zesty citrus, which eases into a refined mix of aromatic and spicy notes. It settles with a warm, woody depth that’s cosy yet sharp. A great all-rounder that’s elegant and timeless - ideal for those who like to keep things stylish but understated.

Yves Saint Laurent's Y for men is all about freshness. It slaps you around the face with a zesty blend of bergamot and ginger for an instant pick-me-up. As it settles, you'll catch the middle note hints of sage and juniper, which add a lovely warm and herbal touch. Then, it wraps up with base notes of vetiver and cedarwood, leaving you with a clean, masculine vibe. Y is a versatile, everyday fragrance that you can wear year-round and on any occasion. We prefer it for the daytime rather than night, though.

Spicebomb Infrared is the latest twist on the original and hugely popular Spicebomb scent by Viktor & Rolf. Normally, we’d follow the mantra of “if it ain’t broke”, but Infrared is one worthy exception thanks to added hints of amber spice. Expect top notes of red fruits and saffron, heart notes of cinnamon and red pepper and base notes of tobacco and benzoin, the latter of which make this fragrance so distinctive and long-lasting on the skin. The tobacco adds a warm, slightly sweet and earthy aroma while the benzoin offers a vanilla-like scent with hints of balsamic. The result? A rich, sweet and comforting fragrance that’s great for evening wear in the autumn and winter seasons.

An aftershave spray that is under a tenner is rare to find, particularly one that smells as good as this. It has a fresh and clean smell to it when you first apply, as the top note of Italian bergamot (a member of the citrus family) is quite intense. The addition of pink pepper adds to the fruitiness of the scent and gives it a joyful punch. Over time you also start to smell the woodiness of this spray as the base notes of leather and Cacao Pod seep through. Not surprisingly for the price point, the smell only stays on the skin for around four or five hours so you do need to reapply throughout the day, no mean feat if you consider the cost of the product. This is a good everyday aftershave which is perfect to wear over the festive period as it has a very warm and cosy smell to it.

This iconic aftershave has a very masculine scent with its blend of leather and orange citrus notes which give off a very woody smell; a bit like fresh wood chippings. Some of the latter can be overpowering in other aftershaves but this is just the right amount for everyday wear. The top note of cinnamon gives it a spicy edge that evokes the feeling of all things Christmas. When it comes to longevity, this stays on the skin well for around six hours, so it won’t take you through day to night. A very comforting smell that is perfect to wear on dreary days as the scent is super uplifting.

We simply love this fragrance. With a name inspired by one of the most famous streets in London, Saville Row by Hugh Parsons certainly fits the luxury connotations of that locale.

The fragrance opens with notes of cypress, offering crisp woody aromas like those you’d expect from lush forest greenery. This is followed by heart notes of sage and fig leaves, which combine herbaceous and slightly spicy scents for balance. Musk, patchouli and sandalwood round out the fragrance at the end, creating a warm, earthy foundation that’s both long-lasting and sensual smelling. A great scent for the end of summer or early autumn.

This unisex fragrance oil lingered on the skin for a much longer time than the other products listed here - mainly because oils stick to the skin better than other perfumes. And the smell is heavenly. The dark rum note gives a kick to the fragrance and creates a dark and spicy aroma that is very seductive. With the base notes of cedarwood and sandalwood it evolves into a kind of musky smell that's reminiscent of open fires, leather-bound books and smoky air. Being a roll on oil you can apply it all over the body and the compact size of it makes it suitable to add to your bag and carry on the go.

Clinique Happy for Men is a vibrant, everyday scent designed to give you a mood-boosting start to your day. Best suited to the warm and humid summer months thanks to its zesty, fresh notes of lime, lemon and mandarin, it's like sunshine in a bottle. Since it's light yet long-lasting without being overwhelming, this fragrance is great for casual wear. And a top choice for those who want to smell fresh and energised without trying too hard to impress.

An Eau de Toilette (otherwise known as an EDT) is a great choice if you want a light scent that is not as overpowering as Eau de Parfum (EDP) and the Gucci Guilty is a perfect aftershave for everyday wear. It’s neither a vintage nor new scent – it sits in the middle as it’s been around a good 15 years - but it’s remained a hugely popular aftershave. It has a very citrus scent to it but don’t let that put you off wearing it in the winter months as it is balanced out by an aromatic and woody base note that seems to linger on the skin.

In terms of longevity, it tends to wear off after six or seven hours so whilst it may not see you through a day and night out, it is a great choice if you don’t want something too overpowering for the office, but are after something fresh and sophisticated.

Despite EDT’s generally having less staying power than other strengths of aftershaves, this one seems to last for up to 12 hours, with no need to reapply. It’s no surprise it is such a universally-loved fragrance because it really does pack a punch. It has a strong and vibrant smell and the combined fragrance notes of mint, Italian lemon zest and green apple, make it sweet but not overpoweringly so. If anything, it’s the base note of vanilla that seems to linger on the skin, making this aftershave a good choice if you are not a fan of overly fruity smells.

This is a unisex fragrance but its rich and decadent smell makes it one of the best scents out there for men. Its seductive smell makes it one to keep for date nights or special occasions as it is quite heavy, with its top notes of black truffle, ylang-ylang, blackcurrant, and bergamot creating a bold statement. Housed in Tom Ford's iconic bottle, this EDP has serious staying power, so much so it lingers on the skin for days. Excellent value for money as a little goes a long way.

An Australian fragrance brand, this scent from Goldfield & Banks smells exactly as it says on the label: it is mystic bliss. Described as gender-neutral, if you are someone who is drawn towards deep woody scents, this is for you. There is something magical about the smell with its alluring mix of botanicals including fig, cardamom and caramel — it’s almost an addictive scent. The addition of a base note of cedarwood gives it a warm aroma that lingers in the air for hours. The bottle is pretty cool, too.

Just like the online retailers' clothes, this men’s scent oozes sophistication and luxury. It is a real-head turner and slightly different to many other fragrances out there. Whilst tonka bean (a similar smell to vanilla but less sweet) is a common addition to many scents it is the blending of it, together with amber and leather that creates a really sexy and alluring smell. Although the top notes of mandarin, cardamom and apple produce a fruity smell when first applied, it is the bean and leather that give it depth once the scent has settled. A very masculine fragrance that lasts all day and is suitable for all occasions.

From the British sustainable brand Floral Street, this unisex scent is pretty intense, but in a captivating way. It has a wonderful mixture of fruity and floral notes, including the distinct aroma of saffron that adds a richness to the scent. Once it has settled down there is a slight hint of a sweet honey smell, from the centifolia rose note, which is a very comforting scent. Overall, this is an excellent fragrance for a man as it smells almost good enough to eat and it lasts all day so no need to reapply.

Undergrowth by Rook Perfumes will transport you to an Alpine forest in April time. It has that earthy, minty and grassy freshness that evokes memories of sheltering under trees during a heavy downpour without that annoying feeling of getting wet. The scent journey is filled with hints of greenness, a touch of mandarin and some floral orris, which adds a delicate and slightly woody scent with hints of violets. In the end, you'll feel the grounding effect of the vetiver, patchouli and petrichor base notes, which together add depth and warmth. A perfect scent for those who love the great outdoors.

Le Labo's Santal 33 is a fragrance that's all about comfort. Imagine the cosy scent of a well-worn leather jacket with a subtle, lingering smokiness. It's like a big hug in a bottle. With notes of sandalwood and cardamom, it's a bit spicy, a bit woody, but incredibly inviting. It's not loud or overpowering, either. If you're into understated, earthy scents that feel like a second skin, Santal 33 should be your go-to

Launched in 2017, Pure XS by Paco Rabanne was inspired by the idea of the “ultimate seducteur” - a man who is confident and unafraid to take risks. That’ll be why this is such a bold and intriguing fragrance. It kicks off with a fresh, slightly zesty scent from green sap and ginger but as it settles in, you'll notice warm and sweet notes of vanilla, myrrh and a hint of cinnamon. It's a bit spicy while also smelling a bit sweet, so certainly makes an impression. If you want a cologne that's both intriguing and confident, this might be your go-to choice. It's just the right mix of daring and inviting.

This fragrance’s box says it all: it’s bold and dramatic but super sophisticated. Each squirt offers a fruity blend with hints of citrus groves and lavender fields alongside the warmth of cedar wood. Next, you'll pick up a sweet whiff of lemon and geranium for the heart notes, spiced up with star anise and cloves, before it mellows into a base of patchouli, ambergris, cedar and a touch of soft leather. Since this fragrance is a versatile mix of freshness and warmth, we think it best suits autumn or spring, when the weather can’t quite decide what it’s doing yet.

This modern classic is like a shot of espresso on a hangover. Each spray kicks off with a zesty lemon and bergamot mixed with a spicy sprinkling of red saffron. These fresh top notes are like a refreshing splash of icy mint, swiftly followed by a warmer, woody base of cedar and vetiver. Think of it as a no-nonsense yet lively scent for everyday wear, year-round.