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6 fragrances you'll want your boyfriend to wear on your next date night – from fresh scents to sexy notes
Creed! Le Labo! Chanel!
On a first date, or a fiftieth, your fragrance is one of the first – and most memorable – impressions you can make on a person. After all, smelling good is part of the allure of date night.
But finding a scent that strikes the right balance of sexy, sophisticated and subtle isn't always easy. So, natch, we asked the women in our office which fragrances they'd like a man to wear on a date night.
From cult-favourites like Le Labo to Creed and to timeless classics like Chanel, read on to see our team's picks of the best aftershaves and colognes to wear on a date night.
Penhaligon's Luna Eau de Toilette
"Hear me out: there's nothing cooler than a man wearing a fresh, effervescent floral scent for summertime dates. It whispers quiet confidence (the kind that's untethered by social conventions) and just smells so incredibly present. My partner wears Penhaligon's Luna. It's luminous, discreet and beckons one to come closer." – Medina Azaldin, Beauty Editor, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK
Glowing customer review: "A really beautiful Fresh and Light fragrance with clear citrus notes. The lemon really comes through with a floral rose type scent on dry down. The longevity of this fragrance is great and lingered for most of the day particularly on clothing! A definate day time scent I would happily repurchase."
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
“I like the idea of a man showing up to a date wearing Santal 33. It has notes of smoky sandalwood, leather, and spicy cardamom, which feels rugged but also clean and effortlessly confident without being overpowering. It’s also unisex, so I’d be able to steal it if things go well.” – Geri Dempsey, Art Director, Esquire
Glowing customer review: "I've had this perfume on my wish list since 2017 after I was lucky enough to visit LA and it was there that I first discovered the beautiful aroma and always promised myself that I would eventually buy it ¦. it finally landed in my hands today after I decided to treat myself over the Easter Weekend and I'm so glad that I did! It smells warm and herbal with a tiny bit of a Parma violet scent at the end, it's really hard to describe but it's a scent/perfume that I've never smelt before and I would say if you like smells that are a bit different, a little bit masculine, less floral and very unique, then this for you, trust me : )"
Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette
"Bleu de Chanel! It's a failsafe, sexy, masculine scent. It's also not loud or attention-seeking, but if someone's close, they'll catch it. Perfect for a first date, wink, nudge." – Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer, Cosmopolitan UK
Glowing customer review: "Absolutely awesome this is in my favourites which I will definitely treat myself at Christmas"
Creed Silver Mountain Water
"I’m yet to meet a Creed fragrance I don’t like. The house does men’s scents exceptionally well, but Silver Mountain Water is the one I really fell for on first sniff. It has all the breezy, sparkling freshness you want from a great cologne (bright bergamot and orange), before drying down into something soft and sexy, with creamy sandalwood and musk. It's confident without trying too hard." – Phoebe Lee, Senior Beauty Writer, Red
Glowing customer review: "What an amazing scent this is, very refreshing and the smell lasts all day, delivered very quickly, 10 out of 10"
Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette
"Sailing Day smells like a long summer's afternoon on the beach. It's fresh, bright and gently masculine." – Laura Sheppard, Senior Designer, Esquire
Glowing customer review: "Sailing day is the perfect summer scent! It’s salty, woody, fresh and just gives you a throwback of a beautiful summers day out at the beach. Highly recommend"
Parfums de Marly Castley
"My favourite date-night fragrance is Parfums de Marly Castley for its subtly woody, spicy scent. It feels comforting yet intriguingly mysterious. As it settles on the skin, the woody amber base becomes smoother and warmer, creating an intimate scent trail that feels luxurious and memorable up close. It’s the kind of fragrance that gives off effortless confidence without being too overpowering, making it ideal for leaving a lasting impression." – Jenna Waggitt, Beauty Intern
Glowing customer review: "Bought this for my husband it smells amazing very fresh and masculine the longevity is good you can still smell it the next day and still as fresh. Very high quality fragrance would definitely buy again worth the price"
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