Top 5 men's colognes that will drive Max wild

A Christmas gift for yourself is also a gift to me 🎄

Dec 20, 2024

Much of what is deeply neccessary for my personal survival involves having my neck nuzzled on a consistent basis.

This time of year is built for cuddling and closeness. Romance and desire are all about the theatre of the mind. I feel like scent is the most neglected of the five scenses yet its one of the most creative and emotional. If we are going to be in close proximity of each other’s throats this holiday, we might as well spritz it with flair (and a hint of musk and tobacco).

Instead of coming on here and presenting you with my own Xmas wishlist (eh, I’ll post the link anyway…), I figured I’d make a gift guide for you! If you decide to treat yourself then show up having taken my directions and smelling sexy just the way I like, well, that’s a gift for me just as well...

Dior Sauvage

This one is pretty classic, you can’t mess it up. You may not see yourself as a style guy, but if you have passed by a downtown bus stop in any major city in the past decade, you are already familiar with its branding and popularity. If you’re new to scent in genreal and are afraid of drenching yourself, start with the Eau de Toilette instead of the Parfume. Its a little more subtle.

Spicebomb Dark Leather

As much as I cannot stomach the smell of actual cigarettes, I love when I find tobacco as a fragrence note. Spicebomb is new this year and honestly is made for me. Black pepper, black leather, and frankincense make it feel brisk and spicy but still warm and complex.

I’m pretty well trained on cutting and lighting cigars for a man. Take me to the Ashton Cigar Bar, you can play Don Draper and I’ll show off my skills over a glass of whiskey.

Le Male Essence de Parfum Jean Paul Gaultier

With cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla, this is the closest on this list to a gourmound, but that doesn’t mean you will be smelling like a cupcake, I promise. The lavender and leather balance it all out.

When I smell this, I’m imagining us running in from the cold, closing the door to our Gold Coast hotel. I remove your coat and am hit with a mix of this velvety fragrence with the heat of your body chemistry.

Tygar Bvlgari

Vetiver, ginger, and grapefruit are some of my favorite individual notes, but they really sing together here. Most of the options on this list are for nights best spent close to a fireplace, but I did want to add on a warmer seasonal option.

You know that moment in the Spring where the weather breaks and suddenly the empty sidewalks are spilling over with chatty patio dates? That first warm day of the year where all of your responsiblities can suddenly wait because you need a spontaneous happy hour moment. This is perfect scent for that exact moment.

Moustache Eau de Parfum Rochas

A lot of men can be cautious around fruity scents and that’s something you can work out on your own time. But for real men who isn’t afraid to get a little zesty, this is the one. Pink pepper and orange are really good together and add what I would call a “brightening effect“. Its like an alarm clock for your nose, it just wakes you up immediatley. Described as "A new fragrance with sensuality as its main focus", this one is reserved for breakfast in bed.

Bonus Points: Eau de Space

Apparently, the smell of outer space is so emotionally shocking to the systems of astronauts that NASA commisioned a realistic recreation to prepare their minds before leaving the atmosphere. I have read it is quite jarring and something you only really want to experience the one time. But honestly, I need to know!

If you want to help me educate myself, I’ve added it to my wishlist. Let’s test it out together and find out if “the smell of space” is an aphrodisiac.