5 Best Fragrances for the Men in Your Life This Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, many people are scrambling for gifts. With these unprecedented times, it is even more stressful than usual trying to find a present for those that we care about. For those that identify as male, there are a variety of incredible smelling fragrances that one can choose from. Here is a list, in no particular order, of the best designer brand fragrances catered to men this holiday season:

Phantom by Paco Rabanne

Paco Rabanne is known for their sweet-smelling and long-lasting fragrances, as well as the divisive bottles that they come in. We have all seen the brick of gold known as 1-Million and their various flanker fragrances. While many may see these bottles as gaudy, there is no denying that the brand can create some incredible smelling fragrances that last all day long. Phantom by Paco Rabanne is no exception. The robot bottle continues the brand’s trend of outrageous branding. The bottle is eye-catching, but the scent is where the magic lies. This is a perfect winter fragrance with a blast of citrus top notes and lavender. The sweetness of the vanilla blends well with the lemon and apple notes and the vetiver note rounds it out, ensuring that it does not come off as too feminine. No need to overspray this eau de toilette. Just a couple of sprays on the neck and this fragrance will project well and last all day. Over spraying can be a bit too cloying, especially in an office environment. The fragrance is perfect for those in the late teens and twenties age group due to both the fun robot bottle and youthful vibe of the scent.

Ralph’s Club by Ralph Lauren

On the opposite side of the fragrance spectrum is Ralph’s Club by Ralph Lauren. This is a woody aromatic scent perfect for those in their late twenties and above. While the previous cologne is youthful and fun, Ralph’s Club is ideal for the young professional crowd. The woody scent is reminiscent of classic fragrances but still modern enough for the millennial man. The notes are simplistic and straightforward with an opening of lavender and sage with the base notes of vetiver and cedar. The cologne has moderate projection and a decent performance throughout the day. One might have to reapply throughout the day, but this is ideal for those that work in an office environment but could also be utilized for a date night or night out on the town looking at the holiday decorations. If the guy in your life likes masculine classic scents, this is the gift for him.

La Nuit De L'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent are known for their wonderful fragrances. However, many in the fragrance community have shown their displeasure over reformulations of one of their most popular scents: La Nuit De L’homme. Critics of the fragrance claim that it does not perform as well as the formula from previous years. However, that is where La Nuit de L’homme Bleu Electrique comes in. Bleu Electrique has the similar DNA to the original La Nuit de L’homme but turned up a notch. The cardamom is once again the star of the show with a touch of ginger and citrus notes. This spicy aromatic fragrance is classy, professional and undeniably sexy. For fragrance lovers, this is the replacement for the OG La Nuit de L’homme and is perfect for date nights and everyday use. This is incredibly versatile but is ideal for colder nights.

Sauvage Elixir by Dior

Dior Sauvage is undeniably one of the most popular fragrances today. Sauvage and its various flankers (eau de parfum, parfum and cool spray) are renowned as modern classics. If one goes to the gym, the grocery store or the club, there is a high probability that you will catch a whiff of Sauvage or one of its flankers. Sauvage Elixir takes a step away from its original DNA which consists of fresh citruses and ambroxan. Instead of a continuation of the same, Elixir could be called something entirely different because it does not resemble the original Sauvage. Instead of fresh aromatics, Elixir is warm and spicy with a scent reminiscent of the holidays. This is a good enough reason to purchase Elixir for the guy in your life, but it is also simply a magnificent fragrance. With the popularity of Sauvage, this is a great alternative for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd. This is likewise an incredibly versatile scent, perfect for the office or a night out. Beware, only a few sprays are necessary because it is a powerhouse. The only time this may not be ideal to wear is during the warmer months because it will become cloying in the heat.

Platinum Egoiste by Chanel

Similarly, to Dior Sauvage, Bleu de Chanel is one of the most popular modern fragrances out on the market today. This is because it is likewise simply a masterpiece. The fresh citrus from the grapefruit sends an initial blast upon wear along with mid/bass notes of vetiver, sandalwood and ginger. But similarly, to Dior Sauvage, this is worn by a large demographic of individuals. If you want to stand out this holiday season, a less popular but equally impressive fragrance is Chanel’s Platinum Egoiste. For those that enjoy aromatic fougeres, or barbershop scents, this is the ideal choice. This is pure class and professionalism in a bottle. While this may lean towards the older crowd (30’s and above), this is an inoffensive scent that could be worn by anyone. Chanel makes masterful fragrances for all genders and platinum egoiste is no exception. There are notes of classic fragrance staples such as lavender, oakmoss, and vetiver. If your guy wants to smell like someone that commands respect or simply wants a pleasant office fragrance, Chanel’s Platinum Egoisite is the ideal scent.