Men’s Grooming – New Fragrances For Autumn

Autumn Fragrances

As any fashion forward gent will testify, the new season brings with it a fresh and innovative wave of looks, styles, ideas and collections. Autumn 2010 is seeing the introduction of bright chunky knits, the re-emergence of tweed and country, the arrival of the desert boots and a salute to military styled outerwear. But what does the grooming world have to honour the new season? Our skincare product choice only requires a slight tweak, while our hair and shave routines stay very much the same. Where we really see grooming move with the times is the choice of fragrances as we enter the new season.

You would have had to have been walking around with your eyes closed not to notice the TV, billboard, magazine and internet campaigns centred around the latest fragrance releases. They’re more obvious and more frequent than a footballer and a prostitute scandal. But while the negative press coverage surrounding our sports stars is beginning to get tedious, the release of a new scent to accompany those Autumn/Winter styles is more than welcome.

We’ve spent the last few weeks pouring through the latest style trends, so I wanted to take this opportunity to take a closer look at what the fragrance world has to offer – without the marketing mumbo jumbo. Obviously personal taste is something that’s so huge in buying a fragrance, so if you like the sound of something then go to your local department store and try it first, making sure you leave it for a few hours to settle. Fragrances play a huge part in helping finish your style, so be bold, be adventurous and more importantly (like your clothes) wear it with confidence.

Marc Jacobs Bang

‘Bang’ made its worldwide début this September, and it’s the first new men’s offering from Marc Jacobs in a decade. Created for a “contemporary guy, who, even if he isn’t young, has a younger spirit”, bang makes a striking first impression both with its advertising campaign and strong, sweet peppery accord. But after that, Bang levels out into a fragrance that’s warm, woody and very likeable – but as the bottle suggests – packs a punch.

Category: Woody, Spicy.
For fans of: Masculine, elegant and sophisticated fine fragrance.
Available in: 50ml, 100ml and a selection of skincare products.

Kenzo Homme Woody/Boisee

An aromatic woody fragrance that’s my favourite from the new launches, Kenzo Homme Woody has an intense and vibrant trail that makes sure it stands out from the pack. I love the vivacious energy from the fresh, fusing leaves of mint and basil, but what I love more is that it’s not overpoweringly woody, as the name could suggest. Kenzo Homme Woody guarantees to bring (metaphoric) sunshine to the colder months, with notes that wouldn’t be so out of place in a light summer scent, but without loosing any of its woody roots.

Category: Woody, Aromatic.
For fans of: Masculine fragrances that don’t overpower, lending themselves perfectly for daytime and evening wear.
Available in: 30ml, 50ml, 100ml.

Buy From: Lookmantastic £35.00 for 50ML

Bvlgari MAN

Bvlgari MAN “interprets a new ideal of masculinity”, which is echoed by the packaging and their choice of ambassador – the ever stylish Clive Owen. Balancing fresh, vibrant notes with warmer tones Bvlgari MAN reflects self-confident sensuality by combining the traditional woodiness with which we’re all familiar, and modern sensual scents that ooze style, charisma and sophistication.

Category: Oriental, Woody.
For fans of: Bright, sensual fragrances that don’t compromise elegance on a quest for masculinity.
Available in: 30ml, 60ml, 100ml and a selection of skincare and body products.

Davidoff Champion

The desire to become a champion. A deep, fundamental instinct for victory and power. The daily ritual of taking the time to build physical and mental strength. Champion, the new fragrance by Davidoff, doesn’t waste any time setting out its stall. Hell you’ll probably have to hit the gym for a few weeks just to be able to lift the bottle. But beneath the masculine exterior is a fragrance that’s, well, dying to be noticed. It’s fresh, it’s citrusy and it’s as powerful and energetic as the name would suggest. With the obvious sporting links, Davidoff Champion is the perfect fragrance for the active guy who doesn’t accept anything less than the best.

Category: Fresh, Citrus.
For fans of: Fragrances that put you in the spotlight and allow you to make a striking first impression.
Available in: 50ml, 90ml and a selection of skincare and body products.

Ralph Lauren – The Big Pony Collection

My last fragrance focus has something for everyone, which makes it the ideal way to finish this article. The Big Pony Collection by Ralph Lauren is a ‘Team Of Fragrances’ available as a collection (perfect for those of you who want a bit of variety) or as individual fragrances. Each of the four scents represents key passions of young men: Sport, Seduction, Adventure and Style with up-to-the-minute and distinctive fragrances. I love fragrances 1 (Sport) & 3 (Adventure), but would happily wear either of the other two – and that’s the beauty of it. Ralph Lauren gives anyone who’s yet to find their next fragrance for this season the perfect solution.

Category: Sport, Seduction, Adventure and Style.
For fans of: Variety, and fragrances that represent each aspect of the life of a young successful man.
Available in: 1, 2, 3 & 4 as 75ml individual fragrances or as a 4 piece collection.