11 best men’s fragrances to shop this Black Friday, according to a beauty editor
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Take it from a beauty journalist who’s tested more scents than I can count: finding the best men's fragrances is never as simple as it sounds. And with Black Friday basically here already, now is genuinely one of the best times to pick up a new cologne for your boyfriend, husband or dad - especially if you’re trying to get ahead with your Christmas gifts for him list without blowing the budget early doors.
The tricky part? Much like women's perfumes, men’s fragrances aren’t one-note. From smoky oud and creamy sandalwood to fresher, citrus-led blends and spicier, gourmand styles, there’s a whole world to navigate. Some lean light and aftershave-y, others are bold and long-lasting to the point of being a bit much - and we’ve all encountered a scent that’s gone from “nice” to “headache” a little too quickly. That said, when you get it right, a fragrance can be one of the most thoughtful presents going.
They’re also far more versatile than people think. Plenty of these picks double as a unisex fragrance, which makes them just as appealing if you’re secretly shopping for yourself too (no judgement here). If you’re not 100% sure of his preferences, don’t panic - there are a few easy tricks that make choosing far less intimidating.
Below, I’ve rounded up the best men's fragrances worth knowing about right now, along with my tried-and-tested advice on how to pick “the one”. Get it right and don’t be surprised if he ends up building a whole routine around it from the matching moisturiser to body lotion. You’ve been warned.
Best men's fragrances on sale for Black Friday:
- Best overall: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum - WAS £170, NOW £144.50.
- Best smoky scent: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette - WAS £62, NOW £49.60.
- Best long-lasting: Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum - WAS £176, NOW £220.
- Best cult-favourite: Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette - WAS £77, NOW £61.60.
How we test & why you can trust us:
Throughout the years, the Glamour team (alongside our significant others) have been testing hundreds of aftershaves, colognes and eau de parfums – from premium to affordable brands alike. When testing each scent, we always make sure to take careful note of various factors, such as its lasting power, its value for money, the bottle design and the blend's complexity. Be it on a date night, or for the regular 9-5 in the office, we aim to review fragrances in different circumstances to assess whether they manage to meet or exceed or expectations. Find out more about how we test here.
Ahead, shop our top men's fragrance picks:
Best men's fragrance overall
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Violet accord, cardamom.
- Heart notes: Iris, papyrus, ambrox.
- Base notes: Cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.
Why we love it: Let's be real, it would hardly be a perfume roundup without the iconic Santal 33 from Le Labo. Loved by beauty editors and perfume obsessives alike, this addicting unisex fragrance exudes a warm, leathery and musky presence with its addicting notes of cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox and sandalwood. Our very own Senior Creative Designer Ben Neale declared that out of all men's fragrances he's tested, this one definitely takes the crown, and we couldn't agree more. Inspired by the American Wild West, this unique eau de parfum is a sure compliment magnet and is one that can easily become his favourite.
Enjoy more savings when you shop for the best men's aftershaves with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best smoky men's fragrance
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
- Top notes: Pink pepper, neroli oil.
- Middle notes: Rum absolute, sage oil.
- Base notes: Tabaco leaf absolute, vanilla bean.
Why we love it: Imagine walking into an intimate jazz club, getting a whiff of rum and tobacco as the elegant sound of a saxophone gently wraps you in a cosy bubble. Well, dear reader, that's exactly what you'd smell as soon as you spritz on the Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette by Mairson Margiela. The warm and spicy notes of vanilla, tonka bean, vetiver and tobacco add a nice elegant touch and leave an addicting veil, creating a perfect contrast to the boozier rum note which sits at the heart of this alluring scent.
Enjoy more savings when you shop for the best men's aftershaves with these Sephora discount codes.
Best long-lasting men's fragrance
- Head notes: Lemon, pink pepper, apple, bergamot, blackcurrant.
- Base notes: Pineapple, jasmine, Indonesian patchouli.
- Heart notes: Birch, ambroxan, cedarwood, oakmoss, musk.
Why we love it: Ideal for anyone looking for something a little more sophisticated and long-lasting, the Aventus Creed is one of the brand's most bestselling scents for a reason. Between a balance of woody notes of oakmoss, cedarwood and birch coupled with a fruity blend of apple, blackcurrant, pink pepper and bergamot, there's just so much to be enjoyed when it comes to this icon of a fragrance. One thing we can tell you for sure is that this powerhouse scent is a perfect fit for anyone who's wants to make an impression.
Best cult-favourite men's fragrance
- Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, Sichuan pepper
- Middle notes: Star anise, nutmeg, lavender.
- Base notes: Papua New Guinean vanilla, ambroxan.
Why we love it: There's no arguing that Dior Savage is easily one of (if not the most) popular men's fragrance there is. In fact, we're almost 90% sure that whoever you're shopping for either already has it in their collection or has at the very least heard about it. It's easily the safest bet, particularly when it comes to gifting. Inspired by wide-open spaces, blue skies, rocky landscapes and the scent of a white-hot desert beneath the burning sun, this iconic fragrance exudes confidence and leaves a powerful trail.
Enjoy more savings when you shop for the best men's aftershaves with these Boots discount codes.
Read on for more of the best men's fragrances that he'll genuinely appreciate…
Parfums De Marly Althair Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon.
- Middle notes: Bourbon vanilla, elemi.
- Base notes: Guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk.
Why we love it: Now, if you're looking to invest into a more luxury eau de parfum, look no further than Parfums De Marly – one of the most reputable fragrance houses around. And in our humble opinion, it really doesn't get better than Althair, a boozy vanilla scent that's perfect for the autumn/winter season. Its addicting nature is hardly a surprise, thanks to a clever blend that perfectly complements the vanilla accord with of notes of orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, praline, Guaiacwood, ambox and musk.
Jo Malone London Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense
- Top notes: Aromatic Clean Accord.
- Middle notes: Hinoki Wood.
- Base notes: Cedarwood.
Why we love it: It's earthy, it's warm and it's woody – the Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense is an ideal fragrance to wear in evenings, be it on date night or a get-together with friends. Inspired by Japanese wilderness, this unique cologne is a real head-turner and one that can easily become his new signature scent. A must.
Tom Ford Oud Minérale Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Pink pepper, aalt.
- Middle notes: Fir balsam, seaweed, sea notes.
- Base notes: Agarwood, amber, styrax, musk.
Why we love it: Whoever said that oud-y fragrances are too overwhelming didn't meet this stunning eau de parfum from Tom Ford. Oud Minérale is a truly one-of-a-kind scent that beautifully combines notes of salt, fire balsam, seaweed, agarwood and musk, delivering one of the most unique fragrances we've tested.
Hugo Boss BOSS Bottled Aftershave
- Top notes: Apple
- Middle notes: Geranium, Cinnamon
- Base notes: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver
Why we love it: If you’re looking to play it safe, Hugo Boss is about as foolproof as it gets. It’s one of the most popular aftershave brands out there and chances are, it’s been on your boyfriend’s shelf at some point in his life. Fresh, warm and lightly spiced, it’s the kind of easy, everyday scent that works for the office, evenings out and everything in between.
The crisp apple opening keeps things clean and fresh, while the cinnamon and geranium add just enough warmth to stop it feeling flat. It then settles into a smooth, woody base that feels polished but not overpowering. Bonus points? It’s surprisingly long-lasting for the price point, making it a solid, affordable gift for him. A reliable crowd-pleaser, and one you really can’t go wrong with.
Kayali Oudgasm Tobacco Oud 04 Eau de Parfum
- Top Notes: Mandarin, clary sage, plum, white honey, geranium.
- Middle Notes: Clove, saffron.
- Base Notes: Tobacco, patchouli, vanilla, benzoin, praline, oud.
Why we love it: Designed to layer, the Kayali's Oudgasm range is the perfect way to gently introduce oud to your fragrance wardrobe. One of the brand's standout men's fragrances would definitely have to be Tobacco Oud, which is a complex and opulent scent that can be worn either on its own for that oud-y kick or layered alongside a gourmand fragrance for a sweeter finish. Just think about all the potential combos for him to explore.
Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Cardamom and sage.
- Middle notes: French narcissus, Haitian vetiver and Madagascar vetiver.
- Base notes: Vanilla, Palo Santo and cedar.
Why we love it: It's bold and memorable, the Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum carries notes of sage, cardamom, vetiver, cedarwood and sandalwood, delivering a sophisticated and long-lasting blend to attract all the compliments. Edgy yet refined, this unique scent is a bestseller for a reason.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir Eau de Parfum
- Top notes: Spanish labdanum and orange.
- Middle notes: Lavender and siam benzoin.
- Base notes: Amber, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and cedar.
Why we love it: Hailing from one the best perfume brands in the world, the Grand Soir from Maison Francis Kurkdjian features an alluring blend of amber, vanilla, orange, lavender and musk – an uplifting scent to act as a pick-me-up or a confidence booster all year round. Bold yet not at all predictable, we'd be surprised if this doesn't become his all-time-favourite.
Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Him
- Top notes: Grapefruit, rosemary and cardamom.
- Middle notes: Ylan-Ylang and tuberose.
- Base notes: Virginia cedar, suede, vetiver and leather.
Why we love it: Inspired by Lacoste's iconic polo shirt, the L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Him is both fresh and crisp with an earthy, musky edge. If you or your giftee isn't someone who's into overpowering and punchy aftershaves, this scent is definitely worth considering, particularly if you're after a classy day-to-day fragrance.
FAQ's
How do I choose the right fragrance for him?
- Consider their current favourites: If you’re shopping for a partner that you live with, try to pay close attention to the fragrances that he tends to reach for on the daily and try to get a sense of the kind of scents that he loves. Is he into oud and leather or is he into lighter scents?
- Note down his dislikes: Same principle. Knowing his dislikes and fragrance ‘icks’ is just as important as being aware of his favourites. Are there any fragrances that he has that you never see him wear? Try to also pay close attention whenever he comments on home fragrances like scented candles and diffusers, as well as other people’s perfumes. He might not be the biggest fan of vanilla or he might find that oud-y scents are ‘too loud’ for his liking.
- Help him discover new fragrances: Remember that not everyone is comfortable with adding a new fragrance to their collection. If your partner still uses the same cologne from his uni days, there’s no need to judge him. Instead, try to gently introduce him to something new by occasionally going on a ‘perfume smelling’ date, where you both go to spritz your way through a perfume hall to uncover his new favourites. Another great way to do that is by potentially gifting him a discovery set full of sampled fragrances.
What is the most popular fragrance in the UK?
If we’re talking the most popular fragrance in the UK, it’s hard to ignore Dior Sauvage. Fresh, spicy and subtly woody, it’s become the go-to scent for a huge number of British men thanks to how versatile and wearable it is – the kind of fragrance that works just as well for everyday as it does for evenings out. It’s familiar in the best way, and there’s a reason it keeps topping best-seller lists year after year.
That said, fragrance is deeply personal, and popularity isn’t always so clear-cut. It’s almost guaranteed you won’t make it down the high street (or through your office) without catching a whiff of Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum - luxe, long-lasting and undeniably statement-making. Then there’s Le Labo, which has well and truly made its mark, with cult favourites Santal 33 and Another 13 becoming modern classics. Different tastes, different budgets, different vibes – but these are the scents that keep cropping up, again and again.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year — the day retailers across the UK (and pretty much everywhere else) roll out some of their biggest discounts on everything from beauty and fashion to tech and homeware. It officially falls on Friday 28 November this year, but most brands kick things off early with pre-Black Friday deals that drop weeks ahead (hence why we know call it Black Friday month). In short, it’s the perfect time to tick off your Christmas list - or finally treat yourself to that item that's been sitting in your basket for way too long.
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday takes place on Friday 28 November 2025, with Cyber Monday following on 1 December. But in true beauty-world fashion, the deals have already started dropping - most retailers now kick things off in early November.
Shop more Black Friday beauty deals here.
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