Today I want to shift gears and discuss some bestselling men's fragrances. Most of my knowledge lies in the realm of women's perfumes, but like any good perfumista I will stray across the gender borders from time to time. I understand there are women that enjoy wearing men's colognes (I've done it!) and also confident men who will wear a fragrance marketed towards women if it smells right on him. After all, if you smell good, you smell good. No one has to know what bottle it came from unless you wish to tell them. The following scents are all bestsellers that you have probably already smelled at some point. Let's discuss what makes them so popular.
ETERNITY by Calvin Klein
The smell of everyone's ex boyfriend! Just kidding, but not really. This has been flying off the shelves since it was released in 1990 and when I think of men's colognes, Eternity is one of the first that springs to mind. It's classic, lots of herbs and citrus with just a hint of white flowers in the background. I smell lavender and bergamot most strongly and at the end of the day there is a lingering sandalwood and musk that smells similar to a man's natural un-perfumed skin. Elegant and masculine, I have no doubt that this stylish fragrance will be around as long as the name suggests.
POLO BLUE by Ralph Lauren
I grew up smelling adult men wearing the original Polo...it was everywhere when I was a kid. It was a bit overwhelming in my opinion and so I didn't give Polo a second thought when I became interested in perfumery. It took awhile for me to realize that Ralph Lauren had been making flankers and slapping the Polo moniker onto practically every new cologne he created. I ended up smelling Polo Blue just by chance and I'm glad I did. It's nothing like your father's Polo. This is fresh, modern, sexy without being in-your-face. Polo Blue doesn't ask if he can buy you a drink. He just smiles and runs his hand through his hair and you find yourself buying him a drink. It's another aquatic but much simpler and subtle than blaster bombs like Cool Water. Cucumber and summer melon, mixed with some fresh herbs. Starts off like a cold drink on a hot day and then it dries down to a musky suede that is irresistible. Perfect for summer but could easily be worn year round.
ACQUA di GIO by Giorgio Armani
Like many bestsellers, Acqua di Gio has become almost too popular. It is a ubiquitous smell now and easily recognizable in a crowd. Let's face it, there is a reason so many buy it. It gives the impression of standing in a citrus grove alongside the ocean. Armani blends it's perfumes beautifully and this is no exception, but I believe the real magic in this one lies in how well it mixes with a man's own skin chemistry. Some guys rock it better than others. This is perfect for warm days. From the initial zing of lemon-lime with bergamot all the way to the cedar-rosemary drydown, this is a nearly perfect aquatic. I hope men never stop wearing this, it's a real classic.
LACOSTE ESSENTIAL by Lacoste
How should a teenage boy smell? Ideally, like Lacoste Essential. When my son reaches adolescence I will buy him a bottle of this. It seems right for an active young man. It's not overly sexual, just fresh and aromatic. Lots of green leaves in here. It gives the impression of an outdoorsy male who has been playing ball in the park all day with his buddies and then goes home to grab a quick shower and throw on a new tee shirt before going to meet his girl. Easy going, no fuss, a clean grassy scent. I find this quite appealing and youthful.
CURVE for MEN by Liz Claiborne
Many women have told me that a whiff of Curve for Men makes their heart beat faster. I agree. Not sure what it is about this one that is such a guaranteed panty dropper. I know there is lavender, bergamot and vetiver in this, among many other essences, but I don't feel like any one note stands out. It all blends together into a sexual symphony. This is such an attractive smell that it's been a bestseller for years in spite of the fact that it's called Curve and is made by Liz Claiborne. There must be an underground Man Club where they pull you aside and gift you a bottle of this, telling you that it's a secret weapon to be used with caution. It's that seductive. The best part is...it's dirt cheap and can be found everywhere. This won't fail to generate compliments.
LE MALE by Jean Paul Gaultier
A very sexy scent. More appropriate for a night out on the town than a day at the office. The bottle is a bit, um...artsy, but I can forgive that because the juice inside is so sensual. Begins with a burst of lavender and then I smell soft cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of coffee, which is a nice change in a world of men's colognes that seems dominated by citrus or aquatic notes. Le Male is not a fragrance that every guy could pull off. He needs to be secure enough in his sexuality that the powdery feminine quality this has does not scare him away. It's a warm smell and should be worn quite lightly, as though it is your natural musk. Women love this one.
