Smells Like a Good Gift: The Men's Fragrance Edit

The best men's fragrances to give are colognes, eaux de parfum, gift sets and candles. Colognes, eaux de parfum, gift sets and candles are split by strength and format, from a light daytime scent to a long-lasting evening one.

The best men's fragrances to give or keep

Colognes and eaux de toilette

Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Toilette Fragrance Gift Set with Travel Spray ($145 Value)

Valentino

Masculin Pluriel Eau de Toilette, 2.4 oz.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Gift Set ($206 value)

NEW! Versace

Light Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Gift Set

Dolce & Gabbana

5-Piece Cologne Gift Set

Jo Malone London

Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne, 6.0 oz./ 180 mL

Acqua di Parma

The One for Men Eau de Toilette, 3.4 oz.

Dolce&Gabbana Beauty

L'Homme Eau de Toilette Gift Set

Yves Saint Laurent

$149

Colognes

Colognes from Valentino, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and NEW! Versace are lighter and fresher. They suit daytime and warm weather. Spray on the pulse points.

Eaux de parfum

Molecule 01 Eau de Parfum

Escentric Molecules

Terre d'Hermes Eau de Parfum Intense, 3.4 oz.

Hermes

$168

Tobacco Chocolat Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz.

Tom Ford

beauty Armani/Prive Indigo Tanzanite Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz.

Armani

Absolu Aventus Eau de Parfum

Creed

Loubiprince Eau de Parfum, 3 oz.

Christian Louboutin

Oud Wood Eau de Parfum 2-Piece Gift Set

Tom Ford

Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

$320

Eaux de parfum, up close

Eaux de parfum from Tom Ford, Escentric Molecules and Hermes are stronger and last longer. They suit evenings and winter. Two sprays are enough.

Fragrance gift sets and travel sprays

Pasha de Cartier Premium Fragrance Gift Set - Exclusive

Cartier

Selection 10-Piece Fragrance Discovery Set

Acqua di Parma

Shalimar Eau de Parfum Gift Set

Guerlain

Velvet Collection Oud 3-Piece Travel Set

Dolce&Gabbana Beauty

Aventus 3-Piece Gift Set

Creed

Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum Travel Spray Refills, 3 x 0.37 oz.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Private Blend Luxe Discovery Set

Tom Ford

The Coastal Ritual Travel Size Fragrance & Body Care Gift Set ($137 value)

Jo Malone London

$98

Gift sets and travel sprays

Gift sets from Cartier, Acqua di Parma and Guerlain let him try several scents. Travel sprays fit a bag. A set is lower risk than a full bottle.

Candles for the home

Forget Me Not Candle 13.5 oz.

Michael Aram

Peyote Poem Scented Candle

Byredo

Figue 15 Classic Candle

Le Labo

Laurier 62 Candle

Le Labo

Lost Road Candle, 8.5 oz.

Byredo

Banoffee Midi Scented Candle, 9.8 oz.

Loewe

Oud Wood Home Candle

Tom Ford

Vanille (Vanilla) Classic Candle 6.7 oz.

Diptyque

Our honest take

Scent is personal, so a blind buy is a gamble. We would choose a sample set if you are unsure.

Fragrance behaves differently on every skin, so test on yourself rather than on paper. Wait an hour to see how the base notes develop, and try a scent across different days. Store bottles away from sunlight and heat, which will break down the oils faster than anything else. Test a scent on skin for an hour before choosing, because it smells different on paper than it does on you.

If you take one thing away: smell it in person before you commit to a full bottle.

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