How to Pick Cologne For Your Boyfriend, According to Perfumers

As you start brainstorming the perfect gift ahead of the holiday gifting season, you may have wondered how to pick a cologne for your boyfriend. After all, smell is most closely tied to memory, making a new fragrance a meaningful and romantic gift for the special guy in your life. Plus, it’s always a perk when he’s wearing an irresistible scent that you both love. But with all the best colognes out there, where do you even begin?

Fragrances are more popular than ever (thanks to social media and #FragranceTok) so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To help, we asked two expert perfumers to weigh in on the best tips for finding the perfect scent for your man.

What are popular notes in men’s cologne?

A good starting point is looking at popular notes. “Usually men like something citrusy and fresh, which is more strong and alpha, or woody and gourmand if he’s a more cozy and warm boyfriend,” says Ben Krigler, owner and perfumer of Krigler.

Clement Gavarry, principal perfumer at dsm-firmenich, adds that wood, resins, and amber are known for being warm and long-lasting, while leather and cedarwood usually create bold signature scents. “If you happen to know some of his preference, identifying the notes or scent families he naturally enjoys, whether that’s woody, spicy, or fresh, also helps to add a personal touch and meaning to the gift.”

How do I pick a cologne for my boyfriend?

There are a few methods when choosing a scent. According to Gavarry, fragrance is all about enhancing confidence, so you’ll want to make sure it’s something he likes and feels comfortable wearing. “It is important for the fragrance to be one that you think will resonate and make him feel great when he wears it,” he says. A good way to ensure this starts with the ingredients. “Look for high-quality and balanced compositions. I personally prefer strong, woody, ambery, leathery, and warmer accords qualities in men’s scents.”

Test samples

For Krigler it’s important to consider body chemistry—some perfumes wear differently on each unique person. To see how a fragrance wears, Krigler recommends testing samples on his skin. “Take his arm and check different types of scents that you appreciate with his chemistry,” the expert says. “Trust me, he will get hot seeing you attracted to him when he wears something you like.”

Consider his diet and climate

According to Krigler, a man’s favorite foods can indicate which fragrances he likes: “Is he more sugary, more salty? That has an impact on his chemistry. Does he drinks alcohol like beer or wine? This also has an impact.” For example, if he’s into eating healthy, you might want to try something citrusy and fresh.

Location and climate is also important. “If you live in Florida, his chemistry will react differently than if he lives in the cold,” Krigler says. “That also has an impact on the fragrance you would choose. If he sweats a lot, you would want something more deep, woody, spicy, instead of citrusy and fresh.”

Consider his style

Another useful tip? Reference his personal style. “When picking a cologne, it’s best to start by choosing a scent that you feel aligns with his personality and going with a brand that he connects and resonates with,” says Gavarry.

Clothing also has an effect on how a perfume wears. “If he is covered by layers of clothes, this will have an impact on his skin’s reaction with the perfume,” says Krigler. “If he lives with only with a T-shirt on, then that’s a different story.”