by Annie Vischer
A guy’s chosen scent can make it or break it. Sometimes. We’re not saying that girls don’t get it wrong too, but there seems to be more scope for error with colognes. Maybe it’s the heavy reliance of musky notes that makes getting overenthusiastic with the bottle a seriously dangerous business.
Every girl at one point or another has been sat next to a perfectly lovely man on a bus, tube, train, yacht, private jet, who’s got it wrong. And ruined her journey. So we’ve decided to clarify this season’s mass of new releases by selecting our favourites. Men folk, take note.
First up, Boss Bottled Unlimited 100ml (£55.00). It’s fresh, it’s understated and ever so slightly sweet. In a very manly, macho way of course. England’s goal keeper Joe Hart is the face of the new campaign so it’s safe to like and will keep any ego intact. Read our full review here.
Now this might just be my favourite. And no it’s not because it evokes images of David Gandy hauling himself from the Mediterranean sea into a sun soaked boat. I promise. It’s clean, invigorating and deliciously moreish. One spritz onto my neck to test, and it had me at hello. With top notes of lemon and ginger it was hardly surprising. But complimented with heart notes of lavender and vetiver base notes? Oh stop it. Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Discover Vulcano (£46.00). Need I say more?
If you’re all set to don your tennis whites and get your Wimbledon groove on then this one’s for you. Eau De Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc (£29.00) is a zesty scent that screams sport, youth and summer. It’s a no brainer. A couple of sprays and you’re good to go. It’s that shirt that’s miraculously perfectly fitting as well as blissfully comfortable. It’s the bed hair you wear the whole day through because it looks darned good. It’s effortless.
Paul Smith himself is fanatical about cycling. Did you know that? He has a love of sport and admiration for athletes, that he uses his men’s fragrance line as an outlet for. Paul Smith Extreme Sport (£27.50) is a fresher take on its original version. It’s the sort of cologne that smells clean, that has that ‘just out of the shower’ allure. Top notes of Florida oranges and frosted spearmint combine with geranium and lavender to balance and mellow. It’s the scent a girl will miss if it’s gone.
Dior Homme (£79.00) has hit the headlines again, mainly due to a steamy ad campaign with Robert Pattinson and a willowy blonde getting hot and heavy in a monochrome film. It’s brooding, just like its poster boy, musky and powdery. You take this guy seriously and think of him whenever you recognise notes of Dior Homme in the air. It’s a fragrance a guy has to commit to and make his own. If he’s up for the challenge, he’s worth a double take.