Whether you’re a bachelor who’s currently dating or even in a long-term relationship and go on the occasional date with a loved one, you might want to reserve a particular fragrance for the occasion. If you combine this guide with our guide on how to apply fragrances for dating, you’ll be unstoppable!
Therefore, this guide will provide you with the definitive selection of the top 10 best and sexiest fragrances for men:
- Bleu de Chanel
- Armani Code
- Creed Aventus
- Dolce & Gabbana The One
- Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme
- Paco Rabanne Invictus
- Guerlain L’Homme Idéal EDP
- Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb
- Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man
- Chanel Allure Homme Sport
Simply use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to discover them all!
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Best Colognes By Occasion
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Aromatic
- Seasonality: Spring
- Occasion: Romantic
- Longevity: 4/5
- Pricing:
- Amazon: From $157 [Buy Now]
- FragranceX: [Check Stock]
Why Is It Good For Dating?
In many ways, it’s the archetype. With its deeply arousing and seductive aromatic aroma profile, Bleu de Chanel draws you right in. Subtle, elegant and unashamedly French, Bleu de Chanel excites with its grapefruit, soothes with its lavender and entices with its labdanum.
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Grapefruit, Lemon, Red Pepper, Mint
- Heart: Jasmine, Nutmeg, Ginger, Lavender
- Base: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Labdanum
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Spicy Oriental Amber
- Seasonality: Winter
- Occasion: Romantic
- Longevity: 3/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
With bittersweet head notes, a gourmand heart and a tobacco leather base, Armani Code is a deeply seductive fragrance. Ideal for those colder months, its subtle and elegant aromas create tangible fireplace imagery and don’t overwhelm the wearer’s entourage.
Read More: Armani Code Review
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Bergamot, Lemon, Pepper
- Heart: Vanilla, Anise, Olive Blossom
- Base: Tonka Bean, Guaiacwood, Labdanum
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Fruity Chypre
- Seasonality: Spring & Summer
- Occasion: Office
- Longevity: 4/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
Something of a wild card, Aventus will turn heads and raise eyebrows. Its bold and outgoing fruity notes are unforgettable and will leave a strong impression. Although a niche fragrance, it’s earning something of a reputation as a premium for those who take care of themselves.
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Pineapple, Cassis, Apple, Bergamot
- Heart: Rose, Jasmine, Birch, Patchouli
- Base: Oak Moss, Vanilla, Ambergris
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Oriental Amber
- Seasonality: Winter
- Occasion: Romantic
- Longevity: 3/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Winter?
With its smokey and leathery connotations, The One is a masculine and intoxicating scent. Its oily bittersweet citrus head is powerful yet soon cooks away for a short-lived if sensual experience. Not everyone likes The One. However, those who do fall madly in love with it.
Read More: Dolce & Gabbana The One Review
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Grapefruit, Basil, Coriander
- Heart: Nutmeg, Ginger, Neroli, Cardamom
- Base: Tonka Bean, Ambergris, Cedar, Guaiac
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Aromatic
- Seasonality: Winter
- Occasion: Office
- Longevity: 2/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It A Good For Dating?
While YSL L’Homme won’t win hearts on its own, its secret weapon is its subtlety. Without any particularly overt or overwhelming scents, it’s a wonderfully safe choice for any man who wants to remain understated and not off-putting.
Read More: Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Review
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Bergamot, Ginger, Lemon
- Heart: Basil, Iris, Pepper
- Base: Tonka, Oak Moss, Vetiver, Cedar
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Aquatic
- Seasonality: Spring & Summer
- Occasion: Casual
- Longevity: 4/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
Invictus offers a rich bouquet of sea breeze notes but not without substance, which results in a seductively tantalising profile. Being a laid-back summery scent, it makes for an excellent casual scent for more relaxed albeit equally sensual gatherings.
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Grapefruit, Clementine, Calone
- Heart: Bay Leaf, Jasmine
- Base: Guaicwood, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Ambergris
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Oriental Woody
- Seasonality: Fall / Winter
- Occasion: Romantic
- Longevity: 5/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
A unique concoction, Guerlain offers a rich fruity head and is probably the most original fragrance on this list. If you wish to present a sense of individuality and elegance, then this is the fragrance for you.
Read More: Guerlain L’Homme Idéal EDP Review
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Bergamot, Apple, Plum, Cinnamon
- Heart: Mahogany, Geranium, Vanilla
- Base: Cedar, Sandalwood, Vetiver
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Spicy
- Seasonality: Winter
- Occasion: Romantic
- Longevity: 4/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
Spicebomb is a somewhat daring fragrance to wear on it date. An overt spice cabinet of aromas, it can be overwhelming for some. However, with some careful application, it could be your mouthwatering secret weapon.
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Bergamot, Pepper, Elemi
- Heart: Saffron, Cinnamon, Paprika
- Base: Vetiver, Guaiac, Agarwood, Labdanum
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Fruity Musk
- Seasonality: Summer
- Occasion: Casual
- Longevity: 5/5
- Pricing:
Why Is It Good For Dating?
Although it won’t offer you the same premium experience, CDNIM is a much more affordable alternative to Creed Aventus. Despite being essentially a clone, it offers a rich experience on of itself. Therefore, if you’re on a tighter budget, it’s a great option to consider!
Read More: Club de Nuit Intense Man Review
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Cassic, Lime, Pineapple Leaf, Apple
- Heart: Rose, Jasmine, Birch
- Base: Ambergris, Patchouli, Vanilla
Also Featured In
Overview
- Fragrance Family: Woody Spicy
- Seasonality: Spring & Summer
- Occasion: Casual
- Longevity: 4/5
- Pricing:
- Amazon: From $176 [Buy Now]
- FragranceX: [Check Stock]
Why Is It Good For Dating?
Although sometimes overshadowed by the Aventus cult following, Allure Sport is often regarded as its antithesis as a summery premium fragrance. Despite being an exceedingly popular fragrance at its launch, it’s less known now but equally as seductive as before.
Seasonality
Aroma Profile
- Head: Blood Orange, Calone
- Heart: Pepper, Neroli, Cedar
- Base: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver, Elemi
Also Featured In
How Do You Associate Fragrances With Occasions?
Despite being remarkably subjective, we have a wonderful way of associating fragrances with seasons and occasions. Whilst casual fragrances are lighthearted and fresh, formal ones are deep and complex.
However, when it comes to dating, the subject is far more complex. Here, you’re not trying to choose a fragrance that suits what you associate with an event or occasion. Instead, you’re trying to find something that someone who may have never met you will like.
Therefore, there are two approaches to consider. The first is by picking a fragrance, which you feel is an extension of yourself and your personality. Alternatively, you can try to choose a fragrance that sets the mood you wish to create.
Although the first option is only something that you can answer, the second is a topic we can explore together.
Just remember that applying a fragrance for a date requires moderation and restraint. You can learn about this in our guide to applying fragrances for every occasion.
How To Define A Sexy Fragrance
Firstly, take into account the season and time of day of the particular date you’ll be going on. If you’re seeking to set the mood, wearing a summer daytime fragrance on a winter evening may break it.
As such, you’ll want to take seasonality into account. Coincidentally, nighttime and winter fragrances tend to share a lot of common traits with archetypal sexy fragrances. Therefore, it’s a good place to start.
The reason for this is because the best winter fragrances tend to go well in the cool night air. By extension, this is the most common time of day for a date. However, they aren’t always the sexiest fragrances.
Common Notes Of Sexy Colognes
Typically, a sexy fragrance is alluring, tantalising and draws the wearer’s entourage in. Its most important characteristic is a complex projection, which means that it reveals fewer notes at a distance. This will tease the other person by leaving hints to draw them closer and discover more.
Similarly, a sexy fragrance tends to be more masculine in the conventional sense. After all, it is an expression of our most primitive and innate desires. This is typically expressed through musky base accords, which are commonly made by blending labdanum, patchouli and resinous notes.
However, too much musk can become bitter and overwhelming. Therefore, it needs to be nuanced with other elements. These can be accented by accompanying leather and tobacco accords, which often feature notes such as agarwood, guaiacwood and vetiver.
As such, woods and spices are common choices. Usually, a sexy fragrance is composed of an oily and bittersweet citrus head, a somewhat floral yet robust heart before a deep and tantalising base.
Nevertheless, wild card notes can be included for a unique interpretation. For instance, powdery and gourmand oriental notes, such as vanilla, are clever choices that can make the fragrance mouthwateringly tasty and alluring.
Alternatively, the perfumer may opt for uplifting fruity notes or even aromatics. This can serve to lighten the mood and make the fragrance more soothing and less heady. Sometimes a comforting and relaxing fragrance is more effective than one that lacks subtlety.
What Next?
Enjoy our list featuring the sexiest colognes for dating? You can always head back to the top to see our other guides. Otherwise, we have a vast range of fragrance-related resources including the following:
- Latest Men’s Fragrance Reviews
- How To Try & Test Fragrances
- How To Apply Fragrances
- What Are Fragrance Families?
"Like a boss! Absolutely sensational recommendations. Some older stuff too that still works like a charm."Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★