Adjusting Your Nose For Winter: Choosing The Best Men’s Fragrance

Words by Rebecca Loades
Nov 23, 2022

Just as we switch up our wardrobes for the cooler months, it’s worth considering swapping out those zesty, fruity, fresh notes for something more rich, deep, and warming. Fragrance is subjective though! So, we’re not here to tell you what you should be wearing, but we can certainly advise you on some amazing luxury men’s fragrances to take you through the winter.

Getting Personal With Fragrance

We know that deciding on a fragrance is a very personal choice; what might suit you, might not suit your best mate, and vice versa. All our noses vary. Plus, scents affect us all in different ways - they are extremely emotive: one scent can remind someone instantly of a memory and give a direct hit of nostalgia, whereas someone else might get a whiff and just want to chuck it in the bin.

A study by the Monell Chemical Senses Center (in 2019) has shown that our differences in scent vary due to olfactory receptor genes. One slight change in these genes can determine whether we find a smell pleasant or not. What’s even more fascinating is the receptors inside our noses unravel information about certain smells - even before it hits the brain. We have around 400 different types of olfactory receptors in our noses, and how these receptors determine each scent, is still being researched today.

It is suggested (but surprisingly not scientifically proven yet) that fragrances can also vary from person to person by different fluctuating pH values in the skin, as well as changes in hormone levels. As hormones change, so can your body temperature and this can disrupt molecules in a fragrance.

Discovering The Types Of Fragrances

The fragrance wheel (created by Australian perfumer, Paul Jellink, as the Odor Effects Diagram in 1949, and re-evaluated by perfumery taxonimist Michael Edwards in 1992) breaks down fragrances into four main categories: Floral, Oriental (also referred to as Amber), Fresh, and Woody. Other modern varieties of the fragrance wheel have a fifth category, Fougere. These categories are then broken down into sub categories.

General thoughts are that men, in comparison to women, prefer fragrances that fit into the woody and oriental categories of the fragrance wheel. Now, this is partly down to gender associations we’ve picked up via our culture and society. According to some people, men wear rich, bold, spicy scents; whereas women wear light, fresh, and floral scents. This is a HUGE misconception, because nowadays fragrance (although it might be marketed differently) is unisex, and as we’ve said before, fragrance is a personal choice and whatever you like to wear, just wear it! After all, a fragrance can be seen as an extension of your own personality.

Saying all that, when considering the seasons, one side of the fragrance wheel tends to emote the feeling of blue skies, white sandy beaches, glorious sunshine, and freshly mown grass. And the opposing side sends your brain to sitting by a roaring fire, walks in the rain, a smoking cigar in one hand and a whisky in the other. We all love that cosy feeling in the winter - it’s comforting. And to create that feeling we would suggest fragrances selected from the woody and oriental categories.

Woody Or Oriental?

Woody fragrance notes: Pine, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oudh, Patchouli.

Woody fragrances smell earthy, warm, and aromatic. As the same goes for all four main categories of the fragrance wheel, woody scents can be mixed with citrus and leather to adda further layer to a fragrance. Notes of caramel and tonka are often used to create a rich and lingering scent.

Humanery recommends: Acqua Di Parma Sandalo Eau de Parfum

Oriental fragrance notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Jasmine, Orchid, Orris, Orange Blossom.

Oriental fragrances typically smell sweet, spicy, and intense. They are often associated with fragrances to be worn in the evening, but they can certainly last out the entirety of the winter months; both day and night. Again, you can find that perfumers sometimes fuse woody and floral notes in oriental fragrances. Inspired by the historic trade routes in India and theMiddle-East, men’s oriental fragrances are alluring and exotic.

Humanery recommends: Captain Fawcett Maharajah Eau de Parfum

Both woody and oriental fragrances are recognised as lasting longer on the skin than fresher and lighter fragrances. This is normally due to the concentration of ingredients blended within the fragrance.

Top Tips To Make Your Fragrance Last Longer

Keep your skin moisturised (preferably with some unscented - unless you want to layer up) - fragrance molecules will latch to the oil in a moisturiser. This is particularly important in winter as we can suffer from dry skin.
Don’t apply to wet skin as the scent will either be wiped off, or the concentration will be diluted.
Use an eau de parfum, rather than an eau de toilette, as the essential oils within the fragrance will be in a higher concentration and will pack a bigger punch.
Spraying a fragrance onto clothing will absorb into fabrics, which can last throughout the day, just be aware of delicate fabrics as highly concentrated fragrances can stain.
Keep your fragrances out of direct sunlight. Continual heat will cause the alcohol to evaporate and it can actually damage the molecules and cause it to go bad/off. Store your fragrances like a fine wine: in a cool and dry environment!
It is thought (although there are contrasting beliefs) that spraying a fragrance on your pulse points is preferential as this is where veins are closest to the skin, the body's heat is given off, and this helps to diffuse the fragrance.