An afternoon date that unexpectedly segues into an evening date. That fateful, eternal first day of a marathon bachelor party. Fridays at the office that have never not ended in happy hour with the office.
You never know when the need for an irresistible long-lasting cologne will arise. And you never know how long you’ll need it to last. The best cologne is present enough to be noticed, yet covert enough to sink into the background in the best way possible. But how do you know which scents are worthy of your inner wrist’s valuable real estate and which ones should be gone with the wind?
We’re here to help you sniff out the winners from the losers with our guide to the best long-lasting colognes for men.
Our Top Picks
The Best Long-Lasting Cologne
If you’re looking for a scent that will stick with you from your morning coffee right on through a nightcap, then you’re looking for Creed Aventus. Its rich and earthy middle and base notes are complemented by light, subtle hints of fruit on the front end.
It’s the Swiss Army Knife of colognes, making itself at home at almost any occasion, from the office to date night. There’s a reason this fragrance tends to pop up in almost every conversation about the best long-lasting cologne.
Top Notes: Pineapple, bergamot, blackcurrant leaves, apple | Middle Notes: Birch, pink berries, patchouli, jasmine | Base Notes: Ambergris, sandalwood, oakmoss, vanilla
You’re at the beach. Or the pool. Or in a hammock. You get it… you’re putting on a leisure clinic somewhere beautiful and want to smell your best. Problem: It’s hot and you’re sweating. Solution: Spritz a bit of Byredo Sundazed on in the morning and let it work its magic all day and into the night.
This long-lasting cologne has all your expected notes, from citrus scents like lemon and mandarin to refreshing florals like neroli and jasmine. Pair Sundazed with a bathing suit and white linen shirt and you’ll definitely be doing it right.
Top Notes: Lemon, mandarin | Middle Notes: Neroli, jasmine sambac | Base Notes: Musks
Up your seduction game with this masculine long-lasting cologne that’s both willing and able to do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to your date nights. With notes of cedar, oakmoss, woods, and tanned leather, Grand Tour exudes as much confidence as the man wearing it.
Not to be left out, its top notes of citrus fruits and aromatic herbs keep things from straying too far into lumberjack territory. And this long-lasting cologne, of course, lasts a long time. So if you’ve got a date right after work, don’t stress about reapplying — a spritz or two in the morning will do just fine.
Top Notes: Aromatic herbs, citrus fruits | Middle Notes: Sweet basil, cedar | Base Notes: Woods, tanned leather, oakmoss
This long-lasting cologne has been on the circuit for many years thanks — in part — to its approachable price point and strong signature scent. The hearty clove bud oil, tree moss and pepper notes make it a perfect match for sipping hot toddies by a roaring fire after a day on the slopes.
And it’s got some serious lasting power thanks to those standout notes. Anyone lucky enough to cross your path while wearing this cologne will be there with you in your winter wonderland. Too dramatic? We don’t think so.
Top Notes: Bergamot oil, clary sage oil, myrtle oil, pepper | Middle Notes: Clove bud oil, patchouli | Base Notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, tree moss
Thought to be originally produced in 1921, this heritage scent from Kiehl’s is as classic as it gets. Citrus notes get the old-school nose party started, followed by floral scents and neroli. It’s masculine, but not overly so — and it’s made to last all day and all night.
This long-lasting cologne is perfectly suitable for all-day use, but given its nickname of “Love Oil,” you may be better off harnessing its musky powers for your next date night.
Top Notes: Bergamot nectar, orange blossom | Middle Notes: Rose, lily, ylang-ylang, neroli | Base Notes: Tonka nut, white patchouli, musk
Club De Nuit’s Intense Man lives up to its name with long-lasting black currant, birch, vanilla, and other stand-out scents. A little of this long-lasting cologne goes a (very) long way, so you don’t want to overdo it when applying.
Intense Man is likely best left to the great outdoors — as opposed to, say, an office environment — where it’s aggressive (in all the right ways) notes can latch onto the breeze. If you’re looking for a solid, everyday fragrance that you can wear all day and all year long, you’ve found it.
Top Notes: Bergamot, lemon, pineapple, black currant | Middle Notes: Birch, jasmine, rose | Base Notes: Vanilla, ambergris, patchouli
Sometimes, you need a classic, no-frills long-lasting cologne to keep you smelling right. Enter: Boss Bottled from Hugo Boss. You’ve likely seen the bottle and smelled its apple and wood notes around town — it’s a staple in most bathrooms, and for good reason.
Apply a spritz or two of this light and airy long-lasting cologne in the morning and leave the bottle at home even if you’ll be out all day. The notes of cinnamon, geranium, and fruit will change throughout the day the longer you wear it, all without losing its strength and allure.
Top Notes: Apple | Middle Notes: Geranium, cinnamon | Base Notes: Wood
If you’ve said it once, you’ve said it a million times. When is someone going to create a fragrance bottle with a fully customizable LED ticker display on the front of it? You’ve said that, right? Anyway, that exists, and the Eau de parfum inside of the bottle is equally interesting.
This offering from Moncler would make a great gift for the gentleman who might appreciate a cool, statement-making bottle to put on his vanity. But more importantly, a gentleman who would appreciate a woody, long-lasting scent that makes just enough of a statement without overpowering the room.
Top Notes: Alpine green accord, clary sage | Middle Notes: Cypress, cedarwood | Base Notes: Mountain woods accord, vetiver
Almost all of Sauvage’s olfactory notes evoke rustic and natural elements, making it a solid travel companion if you and a significant other are heading out on a hiking or camping trip. Or, yes, just cozying up by the fire in a mountain lodge somewhere.
Cedar, sandalwood, amber, leather, and many other prominent scents work together to give this long-lasting cologne its unique, outdoor-friendly characteristics. Live in the city? Whip this cologne out whenever you feel like transporting yourself and those around you to the great outdoors, if only in your mind.
Top Notes: Calabrian bergamot, cardamom, elemi, mandarin | Middle Notes: Amber, leather, cedar, raspberry, sandalwood | Base Notes: Tonka bean, vanilla
Ah, London in the 1920s. You… probably weren’t there. But if you were, it had to be pretty exciting, what with all the dancing and gin-ing and general roaring. If you missed out, fear not — Penhaligon’s has thankfully bottled that spirit with their Juniper Sling offering.
At the heart of this gin-inspired cologne is a formidable top note of juniper berry. Otherwise, keep your nose peeled for black pepper, leather, brown sugar, and black cherry throughout. It’s a fun scent that comes in a fun bottle complete with a bowtie, so it would also make a great gift for the gin lover in your life.
Top Notes: Cinnamon, orange brandy, angelica, juniper berry | Middle Notes: Cardamom, black pepper, leather, orris wood | Base Notes: Brown sugar, black cherry, vetiver, ambrox
FAQ
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It depends on several factors like the cologne’s ingredients and how your skin reacts to the product, for instance. But generally, colognes with woodsy or generally heavier ingredients and scents tend to last longer.
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You might be surprised to hear that your skin type and general chemical makeup can affect the way a cologne smells, but that seems to be the case with many people. Things like what you do during the day and night and how warm or cold you are can also affect how any given cologne will smell on you.
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Experts suggest a number of ways to make your cologne last as long as possible. Though the list is long, a few common suggestions are spritzing right after a shower, making sure your skin is moisturized, applying the cologne to your clothes and making sure you apply it to your pulse points where the skin is typically thinner.
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Though we’re not aware of a conclusive consensus on this, it’s widely suggested that rubbing Vaseline on your pulse points before applying cologne can increase the scent’s longevity throughout the day and night. The thinking is that petroleum jelly helps lock in the cologne’s properties, releasing scents at slower intervals over time, thus making them last longer.
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