Perfume Tips

Published on May 15th, 2014 | by The Perfume Expert

The Best Men’s Cologne for Summer

As the weather heats up, your cologne should keep you cool! And if you’ve been wearing the same scent since your college days, or aren’t familiar with anything but Old Spice, then it’s time for a change! Time to perk up the senses!

This Summer, Men’s colognes are seeing a drastic shift from the traditional spicy and leathery scents; incorporating cool, refreshing notes of Citrus, Mint, exotic Herbs & spices, and even some of your favourite beverages (cocktail hour or tea time)! But not to be taken lightly, these colognes are full of depth, confidence, and sex appeal!

There are three main trends this Summer for Men’s colognes:

1. Refreshing: Including Acqua notes, green aromatic Herbs, and Citrus

2. Cocktail Hour: Featuring intoxicating notes of Gin, Juniper Berry, Vodka, Bourbon, and Whisky along with finer beverages like Black and Green Tea.

3. Exotic: Highlighting rare and exotic spices and woods such as Oud wood, Saffron, and Myhrr. An new take on the classic Oriental, making it more vibrant for Summer.

Refreshing

Summer is all about lightening up! Not only do our wardrobes change but our activities change too and along with this, so should our scent! You can’t expect to wear the same heavy cologne you’ve been wearing all Winter while boating on the lake, or smelling like rich mahogany and oriental spices while teeing off in the hot summer sun!

Think about it! One trick that you need when picking out a seasonal scent is to look/smell/taste the things around you in that particular season. It’s simple, what are some of the things that are around in warmer weather? Crisp, cool cocktails, refreshing mint and herbs, lemons & limes, salt water & sand, fresh cut grass, juicy ripe fruits, and the list goes on! Just by looking/smelling/tasting the things in season will point you directly to the notes that should be in your cologne!

And when all else fails, simply take a look at the marketing/advertising for a cologne, it too will provide hints as to what season it should be worn in! Most Summer scents will picture more aquatic or sporty scenes and models in lighter clothes as opposed to wool sweaters or fancy three piece suits.

Here are my top refreshing colognes for Summer 2014:

1. Clean Summer Sailing

This cologne is the epitome of an aquatic Summer! Summer Sailing by Clean is full of refreshing notes and plenty of sunshine, this scent is perfect for more casual down time or Summer vacations at the lake or by the ocean!

Featuring an authentic Salt-Water breeze, crisp Cucumber, metalic Violet Leaf and green Bergamot, this scent will definitely help you keep your cool! However, the combination of these notes with rich Sea Moss, smooth Blonde Woods, and soft Musk, make for a dreamy lingering scent that will remind you of afternoon naps in your adirondack chair! A casual scent for days off.

Buy it now exclusively at Sephora HERE

2. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male Summer 2014

This new fragrance, exclusively for Summer 2014, is a perfect example of the use of aromatic Mint in colognes. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male is an equisite combination of fresh green Mint and herbal Lavender that give a refreshing hit but in a very sophisticated way. Combined with powdery Violet, warm Sandalwood, and sweet Vanilla, this scent goes from day to night and from the Office to dinner with ease!

For the best price, buy now from Amazon!

3. Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale

This is another impeccable combination of fresh Aqua notes and nose-tickling Mint! Acqua Essenziale by Salvatore Ferragamo is quite possibly the ultimate Summer fragrance on the market! It combines everything light, breezy, fun, and energetic as a sunny Summer’s day, but also imbues all of the class and sophistication of a true masculine masterpiece!

Featuring aromatic notes of Mint, Lavender, and Lemon Leaf combined with true Aquatic nuances, this scent is a like a wake-up call! But over time, green notes of Geranium and Patchouli add maturity to this fresh scent and you end up with a cologne deep in earthy Vetiver, smooth Musk, and rich Labdanum. This is another example of how a Summer scent does not have to be all fun & games as it is as rich and mature as it is light and airy! A versatile cologne whether it’s for a dressy occasion or at the office!

Buy it now for almost 40% OFF here!

4. KENZO L’eau Par Kenzo Pour Homme

This cologne packs a punch with vibrant and zingy Citrus notes that are both refreshing and uplifting! L’eau Par Kenzo Pour Homme is a classic Summer scent featuring the Yuzu fruit, a Lemon–Lime scent that is both sweet and sour and slightly floral. This combined with Aqua & Green notes, crisp Green Pepper, fresh Mint and the ethereal Lotus flower give this scent a light and airy quality like a Summer’s breeze!

Also present are the classic masculine notes of soft Musk and woodsy Cedar, so not to worry; although this scent has a lot of Citrus it still retains its core masculinity! A perfect scent for romantic summer nights!

Get it now for 35% OFF on Amazon HERE

Cocktail Hour

Another trend this Summer is the unique combination of scents involving your favorite drinks! Don’t worry, you won’t come off smelling boozy or like you’ve spent the day in the pub! These colognes impeccably combine notes of aromatic spirits, smokey whisky, or fizzy gin for example to add a complex and unique scent to cologne that will certainly set you off from the pack!

These scents are masculine, edgy, and powerful. Full of confidence and intoxicating allure!

And if your after something a bit more refined, there are also a few colognes that feature the herbal scent of tea! A refreshing and delicate nuance that again is truly unique and intriguing!

1. CK One Summer

This cologne is full of life, and is perhaps the life of the party as well! CK One Summer (2014 edition) is packed full of Citrus fruits, lush Melon & Coconut and sweet Tequila! It’s like a tropical cocktail!

But not to be outdone, classic woodsy notes of Cypress, Cedar, and peppery Freesia ground the fragrance so you won’t get too tipsy. This is the perfect cologne for the beach and tropical vacations!

Available on Amazon for almost 35% OFF

2. Carolina Herrera 212 Men Summer

This powerful & masculine cologne, 212 Men Summer, features all the usual manly scents of soft Musk, spicy Cardamom & Pepper, green Patchouli and rich Woods, but it also includes the enticing note of aromatic fizzy Gin! This herbal Gin note combined with juicy Orange, tart Lemon, and sour Grapefruit makes for an exhilaratiing cologne for Summer! A great scent for Summer functions and star gazing at night!

Buy it today for 35% OFF the RRP here!

3. Southern Blend by Tim McGraw

This scent is for all those who are little bit country! Celebrity scents usually aren’t that sophisticated, but Southern Blend by country singer Tim McGraw is the ultimate exception! Highlighting smoky notes of Tobacco, warm Amber, dry Vetiver, and sweet honeyed Whisky, this cologne is not only manly but rich and sexy!

Other notes such as herbal Lavender, metalic Violet Leaf, zingy Bergamot, medicinal Star Anise, and sparkling Grapefruit add a modern freshness to the scent that’s reminiscnet of famous Parisian colognes! You may think you need a cowboy hat to wear this scent, but trust me, it also works in full black tie!

Available exclusively on Amazon

4. Guerlain Homme

The classiest Summer cologne! No one does class like Guerlain, and this Summer scent by them is the epitome of Summer sophistication, with a little charm as well!

Guerlain Homme features not only the usual refreshers of Mint, Lime and Bergamot, but also Cedar , floral Geranium, and dry Vetiver. But the magic of this fragrance comes in the thrist quenching Mojito and Rum nuances! This refreshing outdoor scent is perfect for drinks with the boys on the patio or golfing at the country club!

46% OFF on Amazon today, click here!

5. Bvlgari Eau Parfumee The Vert

Pure elegance! For something a bit more refined and sophisticated, Bvlgari’s Eau Parfumee Green Tea scent is a breathtaking fragrance perfect for those with a lighter side! Highlighting the Green Tea note, this cologne is fresh and airy scent perfect for romantic dates or cuddling on the sofa!

Top notes include Citrus, spicy Cardamom, green Coriander & Bergamot and Spring-like Orange Blossom that make for an eye-opening jolt to the senses.

Next, notes of sensuous Jasmine, romantic Rose, and dreamy Lily-of-the-Valley add a softer touch to this fresh cologne and a more unisex feel. But not to smell girly, base notes of Cedar, Woods, Amber, Musk, and Sandalwood give this scent a lingering masculine quality that is warm and comforting.

Available online at Nordstrom

6. Gucci Pour Homme II

For a more spicy Green Tea scent, Gucci Pour Homme II, also highlights the refreshing Green Tea note, but includes deeper notes of smoky Tobacco & Myrrh, hot Peppers and warm Cinnamon! This creates a real sexy scent that is perfect for a night out on the town!

Get it now for 32% Off the RRP here

Exotic

The final trend for Summer 2014 colognes includes a rich Oriental mix, but these aren’t your usual heavy Winter version of Orientals, these spicy scents include more modern and vibrant woods and spices, perfect for sultry Summer nights!

1. Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot

Oud wood is a big trend for 2014 and while usual very rich and smokey, Jo Malone’s Oud & Bergamot is bright and vibrant! Featuring the depths of Oud and green Cedar, this cologne is regal and powerful. But add the freshness of green Bergamot, zesty Orange, and Sunny Lemon and you have a sophisticated Summer scent that is perfect for board meetings or date nights!

Available exclusively at Nordstrom

2. Jo Malone Saffron Cologne Intense

A rare and decadent spice, Saffron, is even more rare in fragrances! Jo Malone Saffron Cologne Intense really represents the soft, sweet, and leathery nuances of the Saffron flower. Mixed with powdery Iris and smokey Incense, this fragrance is one of the most unique colognes on the market. It is masculine but in a strong, comforting, and heroic sense, like the kind of scent that wraps around the woman of your dreams!

Even more dreamy are the additions of Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, and Woody notes to give this scent even more warm and glowing feel! This cologne is perfect for date night or snuggling with the one you love by a roaring campfire! Romantic, warm, comforting, and inviting!

Available exclusively at Nordstrom

3. YSL La Collection M7 Oud Absolu

La Collection M7 Oud Absolu by Yves Saint Laurent is a Oriental Woody fragrance for men that incorporates two of the Summer trends for colognes; Citrus fresh and Exotic ingredients! This scent combines zesty and zingy Orange and fresh green Patchouli with the deep woodiness of Oud wood. But the added seduction comes with the smoky sweet Myrhh and the rich leathery Labdanum addition.

This cologne works for the Summer because of it’s refreshing Orange zest but still maintains the class and sophistication of traditional men’s cologne. This scent would be perfect for a black tie affair.

Buy it now on Amazon for almost 30% OFF

4. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather

I saved the best for last! Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford is nothing short of a masterpiece! It is modern, edgy, alluring, and charming yet with intelligence and maturity. Right from the start, this scent is set apart from the rest with its genius combination of sweet Saffron, tart Rhaspberry, and aromatic Thyme.

This fresh fruit nuance lingers on while seductive Jasmine and smoky Frankincense enter to lure you in closer. And the sultry experience continues with rich Leather, warm Amber, and deep Woods.

This is cologne is the epitome of sexy sophistication. Perfectly worn on hot Summer nights and for those who want to make a lasting impression!

Available exclusively at Nordstrom

For EVEN MORE great men’s colognes for Summer see my other article here where I list the LATEST trends! www.theperfumeexpert.com/best-summer-cologne/

Tags: Bvalgari, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Clean, Cologne, Fresh, Gucci, Guerlain, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jo Malone, Kenzo, Mens, Oriental, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tom Ford, YSL

About the Author

The Perfume Expert The Perfume Expert is an online Perfume Blog, Beauty Blog and Skincare Blog all rolled into one so you can stay looking good, smelling nice and feeling great all in one place! Written by an expert you can trust, I provide you with Perfume reviews, Best Perfumes, Beauty reviews and Makeup trends that are all written with passion and an eye for excellence.