With warmer weather on the horizon, we can’t wait to lighten our load by shedding layers of woolen clothing and spritzing on a lighter scent. Our grooming expert Adriana Ermter puts her nose to test, selecting this season’s best fragrant offerings.
Here are her top 10 picks:
Comptoir Sud Pacifique, Aqua Motu EDT
This French brand pays homage to the South Pacific by incorporating fresh tropical winds, sunny waters and humid forests into its perfumes. Replete with invigorating marine notes, cool sea grass and warm sand, this eau de toilette encapsulates it all. It’s available for $44 for 30 ml at Sephora stores across Canada.
Dolce & Gabbana, Intenso Pour Homme EDT
For 20 years the Italian design duo, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, have been mix-mastering ultra-sexy and sophisticated men’s fragrances. Intenso captures clean aquatic and herbal notes with luxurious honey, warm sandalwood and rich labdanum. It’s available for $81 for 75 ml and $105 for 125 ml at the Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.
Gucci, Guilty Diamond Limited Edition EDT
With a name like Guilty, this eau smells just as provocative as one would imagine. With fresh lavender, masculine orange flower and intoxicating patchouli—the Gucci trademark ingredient—it’s every bit as coveted as its crystal-embellished bottle. It’s available for $99 for 90 ml at the Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.
Jimmy Choo, Jimmy Choo Man EDT
This inaugural men’s fragrance from the man behind every woman’s well-heeled foot, doesn’t disappoint. Vivacious and crisp, moody and seductive, this sexy eau intertwines geranium and lavender with honeydew melon and pineapple leaf for a spicy and woody finish. It’s available for $68 for 50 ml and $88 for 100 ml at Hudson’s Bay and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.
Lacoste, L.12.12 Jaune EDT
This sunny eau is a direct reflection of its bright, yellow bottle and name. Energetic notes of grapefruit and pink peppercorn blend with fizzy tonic, sweet apple, balmy cypress and warm amber. It’s available for $81 for 100 ml at Shoppers Drug Mart and at Murale stores across Canada.
Nine years ago, Le Labo creators and New Yorkers Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi launched their brand with the belief that the soul of a fragrance comes from intention and preparation. Ambrette 9 is the embodiment of this philosophy—a musky base blends smoothly into tart lemon and warm amber. It’s available for $170 for 100 ml online at 6 by Gee Beauty.
Ramon Monegal, Dubai Next To Me EDP
Naturally, the Barcelona-based brand’s Latin heritage brings a certain amount of passion into each bottle. Its latest scent, Dubai Next To Me is no exception, opening with sensual, juicy fruits and lush, heady rose before drying down into a spicy, intimate and woody oud. It’s available for $250 for 100 ml online at Etiket.ca
The songstress’ premier men’s fragrance is a spicy, woody compilation. On first spritz, it smells of tangy citrus with a touch of fresh herbs before easing into a heady bouquet warmed with musk, sandalwood patchouli and tonka bean. It’s available for $69 for 100 ml at Shoppers Drug Mart.
There’s nothing commonplace about perfumer Serge Lutens or his creations—each one bears a unique story and one-of-a-kind scent. L’Orpheline, based on the mythical prophet Orpheus’ ability to charm, is fresh and intriguing with sheer musky, woody and balsamic notes. It’s available for $150 for 50 ml online at SergeLutens.com and at Ogilvy Canada stores.
Valentino, Uomo Edition Noire Limited Edition EDT
This sensual, smoky and woody eau is one part classic elegance; another part elusive mystery. Notes of dark coffee and rich giandula cream introduce the scent before opening up to release a spicy compilation of musky white leather, majestic cedar and zesty bergamot. It’s available mid-April for $98 for 100 ml at Holt Renfrew and at the Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.
