The erotic effect of choosing the right eau de toilette is far from just another marketing gimmick, studies show that scents definitely heighten women’s arousal senses, however not all fragrances are created equal.
Penhaligons’ fragrance expert Nick Gilbert says “Eau de toilettes from the ‘oriental’ family of fragrances – characterised by notes of wood, gum resin and sweet notes such as vanilla – tend to be the sexiest scents, holding her attention in a way that bright, citrusy fragrances don’t.”
Another expert, Perfumer Azzi Glasser, who creates scents for Hollywood A-listers says “I call vetiver the ‘nuzzling note’ as it works with your body temperature, coming out in peaks through the day, and if you wear it on your neck women just want to get up close to it.”
We’ve picked our top five top men’s scents definitely worth trying on for your big night.
Guerlain Vetiver
A long-lasting fragrance based around vetiver, this classic Guerlain fragrance has been seducing women since the ‘60s. Vetiver is masculine and elegant woodsy fragrance. The top notes are bergamot, coriander, lemon, mandarin, and neroli; the heart unites vetiver and cedar wood; the base is composed of tobacco, walnuts, pepper, and Tonka bean.
Yves Saint Laurent M7 Absolu
La Collection M7 Oud Absolu by Yves Saint Laurent is an Oriental Woody fragrance for men. La Collection M7 Oud Absolu was launched in 2011. The top note is mandarin orange; middle note is patchouli; base notes are french labdanum, myrrh and agarwood (oud).
Terre d’Hermes
Fragrance aficionados almost universally heap praise on this elegant, technically sophisticated blend of citrusy, woody and vetiver notes. Terre d’Hermès is a metaphor for materials, a matrix that speaks of territory as well as matter, earth, and roots. This vertically structured scent is based on an alchemy of wood, the scent first introduces the gaity of orange, the bitterness of grapefruit and the vivacity of pepper and of fresh spices
Paco Rabanne 1 Million Intense
The searing, slightly citric top note plays across a garden of spicy tones. Sweet cardamom vies with intense black pepper and mixes into sparkling blood mandarin. Mellow saffron and warm scents of nutmeg and cumin entangle themselves in the senses. Intense and refined, the heart is captured by rose absolute, the zest of cinnamon with its delectable charm, and sublime neroli. The base opts for daring and unexpected woody encounters. Bold sandalwood balances with the vibrant and textured character of spicy pepperwood. Finally, leather casts a light on butter of iris, giving the fragrance a distinctly sexy trail.
Creed Original Vetiver
This unisex fragrance pairs vetiver with Mediterranean citrus and spice, for a warm, sensual and sophisticated aroma.
The top notes consist of ginger, mandarin and bergamot. Middle notes incorporate vetiver from Haiti, Mysore sandalwood and Florentine Iris. The base notes include musk and ambergris. Original Vetiver was launched in 2004. Original Vetiver was created by Olivier Creed Sixth Generation and Erwin Creed Seventh Generation.