A new aftershave is a birthday present almost any man would love to unwrap, so if you've found yourself looking for a gift for him, you're in the right place.
A good scent can boost confidence, evoke memories, and give his bathroom shelf a serious upgrade, and if you're unsure of which one to choose, we've done the hard work for you.
From the bestselling Dior Sauvage to Chanel's new icon Bleu de Chanel, luxury options from Tom Ford and spicy, sexy scents by Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, below you'll find a curated list of what we believe are the best men's fragrances.
How we chose the best men's aftershave
- Personal favourites: I was previously a beauty editor at a major online retailer, so I've tested all of these fragrances and can confirm they smell amazing.
- Bestsellers: Maybe you already know he loves one of these scents, but if you're blind-buying a gift, it's often a good idea not to go too rogue. Everything featured in this edit is a bestseller for the brand, and for good reason.
- Budget: I've included aftershaves for a mix of budgets, so you can purchase a gift for as little as £22 or up to £145.
The bestselling scent
DIOR Sauvage Eau de Parfum
Notes
Top - Bergamot
Middle - Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Star Anise, Nutmeg
Base - Ambroxan, Vanilla
With crowd-pleasing notes of Italian bergamot, warm nutmeg and soft vanilla, it's no wonder Dior Sauvage is one of the world's bestselling scents for men. Inspired by the desert at sundown, its sensual and a little bit exotic.
The fresh scent
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau De Toilette Spray
Notes
Top - Citrus Accord, Vetiver, Pink Pepper
Middle - Grapefruit, Dry Cedar, Labdanum
Base - Frankincense, Ginger, Sandalwood
Bleu de Chanel is the most popular men's fragrance by the French fashion house. It begins fresh and clean but develops into something warmer, masculine, woody and aromatic. Subtle with impressive longevity, it's the ultimate everyday scent.
The sexy scent
Gucci Guilty Eau de Parfum For Him
Notes
Top - Fresh Rose, Hot Chili Pepper
Middle - Lavender, Orange Blossom
Base - Cedarwood, Patchouli
Gucci scents are always a little more unique than your average. This dark and seductive fragrance mixes classic notes of rose and patchouli with red hot chili pepper for an added kick.
The spicy scent
Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum
Notes
Top - Apple, Ginger, Bergamot
Middle - Sage, Juniper Berries, Geranium
Base - Amberwood, Tonka Bean, Cedar, Vetiver, Olibanum
If he likes a bit of spice, Y by Yves Saint Laurent will fit the bill. Mysterious, modern and masculine, it's just soft enough to leave you wanting more.
The musky scent
Zara Vibrant Leather Eau de Parfum
Notes
Top - Bergamot, Lemon
Middle - Bamboo, Leather
Base - Patchouli, Papyrus
Not just one of our favourite high street fashion stores, Zara has fast become a go-to destination for fragrance. The sell-out scents could be mistaken for designer but have a high street price tag. Many think this smells very similar to a certain Creed Aventus.
The citrus scent
Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Toilette
Notes
Top - Bergamot Essence, Pink Pepper Essence
Middle - Iris Accord, Sage Essence
Base - Vetiver Essence, Tonka Bean
A cocktail of citrus and fresh, floral scents, Prada's Luna Rossa Ocean also has a unique leather heart and sensual accord of suede to add a delicious dose of masculinity.
The luxury scent
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
Notes
Top - Exotic Rosewood, Cardamom
Middle - Oud Wood, Sandalwood, Vetiver
Base - Tonka Bean, Amber
Smooth, woody, and a little bit spicy, Tom Ford's Oud Wood is the definition of luxurious and alluring, which could explain its unwavering popularity. If you really want to treat him, it's a fail-safe.
The addictive scent
BOSS The Scent Absolute For Him Eau de Parfum
Notes
Top - Ginger
Middle - Maninka Fruit & Mondia Roots
Base - Vetiver
Rich and intense, the notes of aphrodisiac Maninka fruit combined with elegant Vetiver is what has everyone coming back for more with this BOSS scent.
The modern scent
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Eau de Toilette
Notes
Top - Violet Leaves Absolute, Ginger Essence, Citron Essence
Middle - Clary Sage Essence, Peppermint Accord, Mineral Salt Accord
Base - Vetiver Essence, Guaiacwood Essence, Leather
Launched in 2019, Valentino's Born in Roma has very quickly become a popular choice for men, with it's woody, spicy and youthful but masculine scent. Suitable for all seasons, day and night, he'll be reaching for it constantly.
The customisable scent
Escentric Molecules 'Theirs' Gift Set
Notes
Molecule 01 - Iso E Super
Molecule 02 - AMBROXAN™
Molecule 03 - Vetiveryl Acetate
Molecule 04 - Javanol
Molecule 05 - Cashmeran
Escentric Molecules' minimalist scents are centred around a single note aroma-chemical, which is designed to work with your pheromones, creating something that smells different on everyone. If he likes the kind of fragrance that people stop you in the street to ask what you're wearing, this is it. In this limited-edition customisable gift set, you can choose two bottles from the collections to gift one to your partner and keep one for yourself.
