Finding the right cologne for yourself is a chore, but finding it for your significant other increases difficulty tenfold. Narrowing down the best colognes for anyone requires a basic understanding of the process, and with Valentine's Day around the corner, it's a great time to upgrade your partner's scent.
Cologne trends stick within the same three-note formula that made many of these companies universally loved. But don't let French labels, fancy names, and long ingredient lists overwhelm you while you shop for a romantic Valentine's Day gift that benefits you both.
Shop this article: Maison Margiela "REPLICA" Jazz Club, Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette and Valentino Born in Roma.
Colognes should feel like an elegant Valentine's Day gift. While some bottles have pretty designs, you still want to get the right scent for your partner. If they already wear scents, you can search the labels for common scents and brands. If they don't, you can always ask them. Scents often match the personality of the person wearing them.
Think about your partner's personality and dissect their scent from there. For example, if your partner has a more rugged personality, they might enjoy earthy tones or notes of tobacco or rum. Conversely, a bubbly partner might want bright, freshly scented citrus with lavender underneath.
Cologne is more than a singular scent you spray onto your neck and wrists whenever you want to smell good. Each bottle has a unique experience that shifts over time and keeps you smelling well throughout the process. Colognes have three basic components, or notes: the top notes, the mid-notes and the base notes.
Maison Margiela "Replica" Jazz Club
This cozy Maison Margiela cologne hearkens back to an old jazz club with wooden, earthy and rugged tones of pink pepper up top and rum absolute and tobacco leaf underneath. It comes in a vintage apothecary jar that fits the brand and fragrance's aesthetic.
Versace Eros by Gianni Versace
This coolly scented, bright blue classic comes from a leader in luxury fragrances. Versace Eros cologne begins with notes of minty, citrusy vanilla that are bolstered with cedar and vetiver. It's a long-lasting and rugged-smelling cologne. This Versace cologne comes in a blue Greco-Roman Medusa-inspired bottle.
Parfums de Marly gives your partner a high-end scent made from luxurious ingredients from all around the world. It starts with a spray of apple, bergamot and other floral scents and finishes with base notes of vanilla, pepper and guaiac wood for a lingering, relaxing scent.
Christian Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette
This Christian Dior cologne has a warm and earthy fragrance without overwhelming floral notes or lemon scents. It starts with a refreshing spray of peppery bergamot and amberwood, with other earthy undernotes inspired by the great outdoors.
Versace Dylan Blue cologne begins with an aquatic blend of bergamot and patchouli that culminates in the subtle undertones of the Mediterranean Sea, paired with fig leaf, violet and natural citrus. It comes in a dark blue radiant bottle inspired by the Italian seaside.
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette
This Dolce and Gabbana cologne has a freshly scented summer fragrance. It starts with a spray of aquatic fresh juniper and mandarin, with undernotes of grapefruit peel and aromatic juniper, and a final touch of rosewood and spicy pepper to make up the long notes.
Already have a present picked out but want some scents as a bonus? This Jimmy Choo cologne spray comes in a travel size for your next family trip and romantic weekends away. It starts with a sweet blend of lavender, honeydew and pink pepper, and offers end notes of pineapple leaf, suede and patchouli.
This fragrance pays homage to its namesake with a range of floral, earthy smells. This Valentino cologne starts with subtle violet leaf, ginger and cedar essence notes before a dynamic sniff of lavender, peppermint and salt accord with wooden base notes.
Another winter-scented fragrance, this Yves Saint Laurent cologne perfectly blends the citrus scents with rugged, wooden tones. The sensual fragrance begins with a bergamot and ginger blend and then wooden notes for a subtle but undeniably pleasant tone for all occasions.
This Burberry cologne features an earthy mix of citrus scents with black pepper and cedarwood, giving this one a smoky, rugged smell inspired by mountain life around the world.
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
With a warm and spicy scent, this Tom Ford cologne is reminiscent of an English gentleman's club, featuring a blend of tonka bean, vanilla, cocoa and sweet wood sap. It comes in a sleek bottle that resembles a chess piece.
This Burberry Brit cologne is one of the brand's most popular and enticing offerings, with a fresh, oriental scent consisting of ginger blended with cedarwood and tonka bean. It comes in a gray bottle with Burberry's iconic check pattern.
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