Switch Up Your Scent With These Expert-Tested Colognes

SOME DUDES wear the same cologne for years and others switch their scent as often as they change their underwear. Whatever camp you fall into, understanding cologne is important but can often feel like trying to learn a foreign language.

Fragrances are often divided into categories like fresh, woody, spicy, and floral. From there, consider the actual notes of the fragrance. Top notes (often light botanicals) are what you smell right away, heart notes are what you smell next, while base notes linger longest on your skin, like deeper woods. In addition, colognes are categorized by how strong they are: eau de cologne, eau de toilette, and eau de parfum (on a scale from lightest to strongest).

You don’t have to know any of this to wear and enjoy cologne, but keeping this knowledge in mind can make finding what you do want easier. In the world of fragrance, it’s best to always follow your nose (literally). Whether you’re looking for a new signature scent, a grooming gift, or just want something to add to your grooming and skincare routine, this list is the best place to start.

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