How to Choose the Best Men’s Cologne for a Date

The idea of the rag-tag macho man who smells like tobacco and sweat stopped being sexy decades ago. Modern men understand the importance of grooming, and they take BO seriously. There is nothing sexier than a man who knows how to get ready for a date, according to most women. 

Yet 80% of men do not wear cologne. Let's clear the air and say, at least half of them are confused, or too afraid to ask what kind of cologne to buy for a date. 

This guide is dedicated to all the men who need a little help selecting the perfect cologne for a date or other special occasion.

1. Choosing The Right Strength

The first step to choosing the perfect perfume is to understand what you are looking for. The tiny glass bottles might all look the same to you; they can be completely different things.

Eau de Cologne

Remember Old Spice? Despite many lumping it as perfume, it is a cologne. Colognes are usually fresh smelling and light, and can even have a fruit tone.

Eau de Toilette

The perfume oil concentration is higher than cologne, but still quite light and fresh smelling.

Eau de Parfum

In old times, men and women used parfum regardless of gender. They have around 20% highly concentrated fragrance that can last a very long time.

2. Choosing The Right Longevity 

Investing your money in a good perfume means assuring its longevity. The fragrance has a three-part life-cycle consisting of a base, a holder, and the perfume concentration. These three parts together determine the duration for they linger on your shirt or body.

Top Notes

This is the light smell that you catch instantly when it's out of the bottle. The top note is short-lived and dissipates within 2 hours.

Middle Notes

This note is the main ingredient that gives the perfume its strength. You won't smell it right away, but slowly feel it once the top note is gone. It lasts around 4 hours.

Base Notes

This smell is strong and develops after the middle note has fainted, and this is what decides how long your perfume lasts. A strong base could last for up to 10 hours. Some common base notes come from moss, sandalwood, smoke, and vanilla.

For an easy comparison, cologne is the lightest perfume and lasts around 2 hours from application. Toilette lasts about 5 hours. A perfume can stay up to 8 hours, and parfum will linger for 24 hours.

3. Choose a Price Range

Fortunately, colognes come in an array of price ranges. From super affordable ones to luxurious pieces – you can discover them all, depending on your budget.

Mass-produced

These are colognes you see in most stores, and they are super affordable. Albeit, they don’t have anything fancy and are made from common ingredients. Don’t worry, just because it’s pocket friendly does not mean it smells bad. Think of a Calvin Klein fragrance – it is easy on pockets and still great in terms of scent.

Designer fragrance

These colognes are hyper-expensive, and can even be considered a collector’s item. But hey, if you don’t have a problem spending over and above $200 for a cologne, good for you! What about a Tom Ford fragrance? It just smells heavenly!

You can decide what suits your style. If there is a special someone in your life whose opinion matters to you, then ask them to help out with the smell.

Just whatever you do, don’t buy a cologne instantly just because the sales guy is haggling you. Here’s a step by step approach to test out the smell. And remember, the perfume is not a standalone smell. It interacts with your natural musk to develop a scent that is unique to you. So, don’t buy until you have figured out the right choice.

• Spray a little on the inside of your wrist. Let it sit and develop.
• Don’t try many smells at one go. If you want to try different perfumes, use the other wrist, and have a coffee to clean out your palate.
• Walk around with your two chosen samples on the wrist. Take a break before you smell them and decide. Make sure you remember the perfumes you tested.
• You might not get it right at the first try, and that’s ok. If you like perfume, you could develop solid chemistry to it. In any case, you will own several perfumes to suit your style. So, take it as a step in a long journey.

4. The Best Perfumes For A Date

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

The blend has high notes of cinnamon with blood mandarin, mint citrus, grapefruit, leather, and even a hint of patchouli, perfect for the enigmatic man.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Costly, yes. But for a good reason. The dry cedar, incense, and ginger combination is a sublime masculine combination which will set you apart in a crowd.

Acqua di Parma Essenza

If you like fresh, summary notes, then Acqua is perfect for you. With just a hint of jasmine and rose, it will keep you smelling refined and pristine.

Calvin Klein Euphoria

Sexy and smooth, the Calvin Klein number is perfect for seduction. The dark wood and spice mix will jazz you up for any occasion.

Conclusion

Above all else, remember that a sense of smell can be objective. Your date might not like the perfume you’re wearing today, but you can always switch styles. It’s your unique expression of style, and there is no competition with other men in this department.

Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Let it complement your natural musk, and you will see that perfume adds to your personality instead of substituting for it.