What Are the Signature Scents of the Best-Selling Men’s Colognes?

Look, we get it. Whether it comes to clothes, books, tech, or even fragrance, there is a certain thrill in having something unique. But there’s also something to be said about popularity. Popular things become popular for a reason: because they work. That’s why we all gravitate towards certain products—they just get the job done, and get it done well.

The Charm of Popular Fragrances
Fragrance is no exception, but it’s also one of those industries where people tend to look down on its popularity. Popularity isn’t a bad thing. Sure, colognes follow trends just like everything else, but popular best-selling colognes often transcend trends because they just smell damn good. Really, that’s the only requirement for a cologne, right? It just needs to smell good enough for you to want to wear it.

Embrace the Best-Sellers
Whether you’re new to fragrance or a seasoned expert, don’t look down your nose at popular colognes. Sure, you may know other guys that have it or wear it often, but that doesn’t mean it won’t also smell good on you. Fragrance has a unique property in that it interacts with your own body chemistry, so even if you’re wearing the same scent as the guy standing next to you, it still might smell different. We’ve compiled this list of the best-selling, iconic fragrances because they’ve earned their well-deserved popularity and deserve a place in your rotation. There’s something here for everyone, which shouldn’t surprise you. They’re best-sellers, after all.

Versace Eros
Yes, Eros may be considered one of the ultimate “going out” colognes—bright, fun, sexy, and young—but it shouldn’t be restricted to just the nightclub. It’s a cologne that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with notes that range from fresh citrus to sexy vanilla that intermingle to create a youthful masculinity that anyone can enjoy—whether you’re on the dance floor or heading to your 9 to 5.

Davidoff Cool Water
The scent that launched a thousand aquatics, when Cool Water hit the scene, it changed the game for men’s cologne. It has since become a bona fide cologne icon and for good reason. The fresh, aromatic, aquatic scent is the ultimate watery cologne that’s both instantly fresh and incredibly masculine thanks to the musk, tobacco, and cedar at the base. It remains one of the best daytime colognes available.

Valentino Uomo Born
What sets this cologne apart is the mineral saltiness of the opening. It’s a unique introduction to a fragrance that is familiar enough to be crowd-pleasing (fresh and woody) but feels youthful at the same time. It’s a modern interpretation of traditionally masculine vibes that’s exceedingly wearable, especially during the day, no matter how old you are.

Yves Saint Laurent Y
What sets this crowd-pleaser apart from other fresh colognes on this list is the aldehydes in the top note, which give this a bit of a clean, soapy quality. It’s light and pleasant, perfect for warm weather, and is inoffensive enough to wear on pretty much every occasion. It’s the perfect daytime scent that toes the line between subtle and statement-making.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel
There’s a reason Bleu is known as one of the most popular men’s colognes of all time—it’s one of the most versatile you can find. The fresh top note, smooth spices of the middle, and the woody, earthy base notes are all crowd-pleasers, so every moment of wearing this cologne smells great. It’s equally appropriate for both day or night, office or date, or anywhere else you can possibly think of wearing it.

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue
Launched in 2003, Polo Blue is the epitome of a masculine “blue” fragrance, an exceedingly popular category in men’s cologne because of its wearability and versatility. Known for its lightweight, fresh, and clean vibes, this scent is your perfect, crowd-pleasing everyday scent that starts out fresh and clean and dries down to a subtle masculine woody-musk. It’s never offensive and always appropriate.

Whether you’re seeking a new addition to your fragrance collection or looking for a reliable go-to scent, these best-selling colognes have stood the test of time for a reason. Embrace the popularity and let these iconic fragrances enhance your personal style and grooming routine.