How to Choose a Men’s Cologne: Concentrations, Notes and Wear

What the names usually indicate

In everyday use, “cologne” is often a general word for a men’s fragrance, while in perfumery it traditionally means a lighter composition. The label on the box is a different thing again: eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum and parfum (or extrait) are the strength names brands use.

As a rule of thumb, the order from lighter to stronger runs roughly eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, parfum. That is a trade convention, not a defined standard, so a given brand’s eau de toilette can be stronger or weaker than another brand’s. Compare the listing’s stated type for the exact product rather than relying on the word alone.

Reading the notes

Retailers describe a fragrance as top, heart and base notes. Top notes are what you smell first and tend to fade first, heart notes form the body of the scent and base notes remain longest. A listing may also group the scent into a family such as citrus, aromatic, woody, spicy or fresh.

Notes are the brand’s description, not a measurement, and the same note can smell different from one product to another. Use them to narrow a choice, then test the scent if you can. A product profile shows notes only where the retailer’s listing records them.

How to test a fragrance

A fragrance changes over the first hour as the top notes fade, so the first spray tells you only part of the story. If you can, test on your skin, wait for it to settle and judge it after some time. Test one or two scents at a time; more than that makes them hard to tell apart.

Skin type, climate and what else you are wearing all change how a scent comes across, so the same fragrance can smell different on different people. If you are buying without testing, check the return terms; some sellers do not accept returns on opened fragrance.

How to make a scent last longer

People ask how to make an eau de toilette last longer. There is no guarantee, and results vary by person and product, but common practical steps are to apply to clean, moisturised skin, to spray where the fragrance is not likely to rub off and to store the bottle away from heat and direct light. A stronger concentration usually lasts longer than a lighter one. Treat longevity statements in listings as the seller’s description, not a promise.

Ingredients, allergens and sensitivities

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that fragrance ingredients may be listed simply as “fragrance” on a cosmetic label because fragrance formulas can be trade secrets. ^[1] The FDA also notes that some fragrance components can cause allergies or sensitivities in some people, and that it does not have the same authority to require allergen labelling for cosmetics as for food. ^[1][2] If you know that certain fragrance ingredients affect you, check the ingredient list, test a small amount first and ask the maker if you have questions. ^[2]

What to check in the listing

• The strength type: eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum or parfum.
• The bottle size in millilitres, so you can compare like with like.
• The brand’s notes and scent family, if given.
• Whether the product is the full-size retail bottle, a gift set or a travel size.
• The seller’s return terms for opened and unopened bottles.

Gift sets and travel sizes

Gift sets often bundle a fragrance with other items such as a shower gel or a smaller bottle. Check what is in the set and the size of each bottle. Travel sizes are the same scent in a smaller bottle, which can be a low-risk way to test a scent before buying a larger one.

Where to look next

Browse the matching category: men’s cologne.

• How to choose a women’s perfume
• Unisex perfume buying guide
• Vanilla perfume