Chocolates are delicious. Boxers are fun. But if you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift for that beau in your life that lasts and won't be tucked away in a drawer (and that you'll get to enjoy, too), consider a cologne. We asked all our contributors what men's fragrances they adore, and we rounded up the top ten below.
Bond No. 9 Gramercy Park Eau de Parfum ($160-$230)
"The notes of ivy, minty greens and white muguet make it sheer, light and perfect for the warmer months. Plus it's unisex, so you can borrow his bottle when you run out of your own." — Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam, contributor
YSL L'Homme Eau de Toilette ($45-$79)
"Bergamot, vetiver, ginger and woods blend together in this swoon-worthy scent, which is sure to make me nearly fall in love with just one whiff." — Adina Zilberman of Krasey Beauty, contributor
Penhaligon's Opus 1870 Eau de Toilette ($120)
"As if on cue, whenever my honey wears this cologne I start salivating. Its peppery woods notes remind me of a cedar-paneled speakeasy, where the mustached bartenders have British accents and where you're warmed by a wood fire crackling in the back. The result for me is an insatiable desire to burrow my face into his neck." — Christiana Molina, editor
Tom Ford Noir Eau de Parfum ($90-$125)
"I sampled this fragrance on my own skin, and thought it would never fly on my husband. But lo and behold the feminine floral notes (bergamot, verbena, rose, geranium and iris) that dominate on myself deepen and meld with the pepper, nutmeg, patchouli and leather on him for a result that is absolutely nuzzle-inducing." — Jennifer Hirshlag, director of editorial
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Eau de Toilette ($75-$95)
"I love sweet fragrances for myself, though I never thought I'd want my husband to smell like candy. And yet somehow this cologne has just enough sugary allure balanced with the right amount of manly spice to make me swoon. The more it settles into skin, the more it smells like a true man." — Karie Frost of Fear No Beauty, contributor
John Varvatos Eau de Toilette ($62-$82)
"Any John Varvatos scent oozes sex appeal. It's 'hot guy' cologne. Whether it's woodsy or spicy, just a hint can be mood-altering. My personal favorite is the original namesake, which is incredibly masculine and exotic." — Lauren Cosenza of DIVAlicious, contributor
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Giò Homme Essenza ($79-$168)
"If you have nostalgia for the original Acqua Di Giò, you'll love this more grown-up version on your man. It's subtle yet incredibly sexy, with refreshing aqua notes. Yum!" — Grace Gold of Grace Gold, contributor
Chanel Platinum Égoïste Eau de Toilette ($60-$80)
"While I've given my husband a slew of colognes over the years, this one remains a favorite. Why? Well, it smells fabulous on him, of course. It's a woody scent that has a freshness to it that makes it sexy yet sporty and clean. But I also buy it because it smells great on me. While it's not marketed as a unisex scent, it totally works as one." —Kristen Oldham Giordani of Beauty Editor On Call, contributor
Comme des Garçons Wonderwood Eau de Parfum ($95-$125) and Standard Eau de Toilette ($120)
"I can't actually gift my man cologne for any holiday because he is so...metrosexual? He's got it covered is what I'm saying. His signature scent is varying combinations of Wonderwood and Standard, both by Comme des Garçons. He manages to achieve that high-end-men's-boutique-with-a-barber-shop-and-ski-lodge-in-the-back kind of odor, which is almost too hot." — Jane Marie of The Hairpin, contributor
Byredo Sunday Cologne Eau de Parfum ($145-$220)
"It’s the fragrance Ben Gorham worked on with the editors of cult magazine Fantastic Man, and it really does smell fantastic. With notes of bergamot, lavender and patchouli, the scent is sharp and complex, the likes of which I could get used to smelling around the house." — Aimee Blaut of The Formula, contributor
Photos: Courtesy of the brands
