• Log in
    Out.comFashionEntertainmentDesignLifestyleTravel & NightlifeOut ExclusivesNewsPrintWeddingsVideo
    ADVOCATEPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    Email NewsletterSubscribeSubscriber Services
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Out MagazineOut Magazine
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    20+ Fragrances You Should Consider Trying Before You Pick a Favorite

    Marco Medrano
    | 02/24/21

    20+ Fragrances You Should Consider Trying Before You Pick a Favorite

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Fragrance, by definition, is moody. It should be defining and sensual, create a positive response, and (hopefully) produce sexual attraction.

    But how much of the right scent in the right place makes you memorable, powerful, or confident? The best scent should appear to be part of your very DNA. Sounds easy enough -- but it's not!

    Know this: Enormous amounts of behind-the-scenes love, science, herbology, passion, romance, and sexuality are poured into testing these olfactory creations. To keep up with the high-end rarity of the luxury boutique fragrance markets, big-name fashion houses have rolled out some exquisite couture scents for those who rule the world. And now so can you.

    The fragrances that follow are worthy of our attention. The herbs, flowers, oils, and foliage that go into these masterpieces have a very long list of top, mid, and base notes. I've noted a few standout ingredients but didn't want to get too much into the weeds.

    One quick note: Spray on fabric, not your bare chest and neck for lung longevity and to avoid skin spotting. Also, the more formal, decidedly evening fragrances are strong and can arrive well before you do. So one small spritz between the wrists then smushed behind your ears is precisely just enough for daytime use. Let's see where that takes you.

    Atelier Versace

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Kiss the ring of refined decadence. Atelier Versace Fragrances bestows us with a super luxe collection of six flacons available only at the company's private boutiques and Saks.com. Cedrat de Diamante ($330) boasts a heightened zest of Italian lemon with injections of pink grapefruit and natural aromatic woods of cedar and vetiver. Figue Blanche ($380) serves up fresh fig and Italian mandarin pulp, enhanced by sensual neroli, bergamot, and jasmine. How and when these ingredients get picked, plucked, and unearthed is key to these royal scents. (Versace.com)

    The Nue Co.

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    The Nue Co.'s Forest Lungs ($95) is the only fragrance to master the balance of elegance and wellness, as it's meant to be breathed in while you achieve a state of Zen. It's woody and smoky, with clean resin featuring tart citrus notes of vetiver, cedar, pine, patchouli, and bergamot. Functional Fragrance ($95) is perfect when you need to smell suave, centered, and focused. I have a hunch that this is the brand that could very well flip the "not me" naysayers into full-on fragrance whores. (TheNueCo.com)

    Smudge by Heretic

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    I'm a big believer in pushing people's bad energy the hell away from me. Enter the very cheeky-chic brand Heretic. Smudge (with clary sage, frankincense, and patchouli) had me at "hello," merging powerful, safe, and OMG sexy AF. You might be more the Scandalwood, FlorGasm, PistilWhip, or Dirty Ginger type. Or all of the above. (Prices vary; HereticParfum.com)

    Tom Ford

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Tom Ford has singlehandedly created a demand for unattainable opulence by reinventing the luxury category with scents like Fucking Fabulous ($350) and Lost Cherry ($350). Personally, I love Neroli Portofino Forte ($350), a double concentration of florals, neroli, and Italian woods. (TomFord.com)

    Ligne St. Barth Homme

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Ligne St. Barth Homme could be another contender. It's extraordinarily manly, fresh, and nonchalant. Meant for the dynamite who might go from beach walk to country club lunch to denim-chic happy hour cocktail. It's rich in old family shaman heritage with rosemary and lime, and the aromatic notes of aniseed and orange blossom, hay, royal fern, and moss diffuse beautifully. ($155, BeautyHabit.com)

    Eau D’Italie

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Eau D'Italie presents an unstoppable sex scent, Jasmine Leather (doesn't it sound like a winning contestant's name on RuPaul's Drag Race?). It features elemi, saffron, jasmine, patchouli, and cedar, which defined a level of Renaissance-era class when people scented leather wardrobes. ($170, BeautyFrontier.com)

    Byredo

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Byredo offers a similar snarky must-have set of exquisite fragrances such as Velvet Haze ($180), Sellier ($330), and Tobacco Mandarin ($330) with coriander, cumin, and creamy leather to create a narcotic-like seduction and addiction. (Byredo.com)

    Serge Lutens

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Serge Lutens has always embraced haute everything with detailed, seriously exotic notes. Tarab ($400) is Arabic for "lifting off the ground in a blissful trance." Inside the coveted collector's bottle is a masterful blend of dab-on Turkish rose, Cambodian oud, and cypriol. Rare. (SergeLutens.com)

    Gucci

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Gucci is the ultimate expression of super-rich, frisky pleasure. Close your eyes. Memoire d'une Odeur ($120) transcends gender and explores the power of memory with musk, Roman chamomile, and Indian coral jasmine -- the latter known to unleash its scent at night. The Alchemist's Garden (prices vary) is a luxe artisan collection with names delivering the excellence they suggest with A Nocturnal Whisper, Oud, or The Last Day of Summer with cedar, cypress, nutmeg, and piqued notes of patchouli and vetiver. (Gucci.com)

    Prada

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Prada launched the Olfactories line to exude artsy, plush, and individual. You ready for Double Dare ($300), Tainted Love ($300), or Midnight Train ($300) with sweet Texan cedarwood, Andalusian citrus, Indonesian patchouli, and amber? Have your calling cards ready. (Prada.com)

    Bleu Noir by Narciso Rodríguez

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Bleu Noir by Narciso Rodriguez is mercurial and meant to seduce with blue cedar and black ebony, heightened by a musky vetiver. The sexy bottle is of degrade translucence. This, friends, is a true showstopper for this fab Cuban fashion couture superstar. Si, papi. Me gusta. (Prices vary; FragranceNet.com)

    Eau D’Italie

    Sometimes the Perfect Scent - In the Perfect Spot - Is Precisely What You Need

    Eau D'Italie presents an unstoppable sex scent, Jasmine Leather (doesn't it sound like a winning contestant's name on RuPaul's Drag Race?). It features elemi, saffron, jasmine, patchouli, and cedar, which defined a level of Renaissance-era class when people scented leather wardrobes. ($200, EauDItalie.com)

    Latest Stories

    pride anthems
    Music
    Badge
    gallery

    20 Essential Gay Anthems Perfect for Pride Month

    7m
    Kim Cattrall; Sarah Jessica Parker
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    Kim Cattrall Confirms 'And Just Like That' Cameo, Says 'Happy Pride'

    18h
    These 35+ Steamy Pool Pics From This Year’s White Party Will Get You Soaked!
    Events
    Badge
    gallery

    These 35+ Steamy Pool Pics From This Year’s White Party Will Get You Soaked!

    19h
    Mistress Isabelle Brooks; Heidi N Closet; Trixie Mattel
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    Here's How Much Money 'Drag Race' Queens Spent to Compete on the Show

    21h
    Fredy Alanis
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Remember the Gay Guy Who Went to the ER After Sucking a 10-Inch Penis?

    22h
    Pride Gear Roundup: The Essentials For Every Parade & March
    Lifestyle
    Badge
    gallery

    Pride Gear Roundup: The Essentials For Every Parade & March

    23h
    All the Celebrities Who Came Out As LGBTQ+ in 2023 (So Far)
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    All the Celebrities Who Came Out As LGBTQ+ in 2023 (So Far)

    June 01 2023 9:37 AM
    These LGBTQ+ Celebs Got Engaged in 2023 (So Far)
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    These LGBTQ+ Celebs Got Engaged in 2023 (So Far)

    May 31 2023 5:53 PM
    ted cruz
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    Ted Cruz Condemned Ugandan Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws & the Internet Was Shook

    May 31 2023 4:28 PM
    Out Magazine May/June 2023 Party
    Can't Cancel Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    equalpride Celebrates 'Can't Cancel Pride' at Out's Latest Cover Party

    May 31 2023 1:35 PM
    Matt Pappadia
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    Yes, Gay 'The Circle' Hunk Matt Pappadia Has an OnlyFans

    May 31 2023 12:37 PM
    Shaun T; Scott Blokker
    Fashion
    Badge
    gallery

    'Insanity's Shaun T Launches Sexy New Underwear Line For the Gays

    May 31 2023 11:33 AM
    16 LGBTQ+ Reality Dating Shows & Where to Watch Them
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    16 LGBTQ+ Reality Dating Shows & Where to Watch Them

    May 31 2023 11:13 AM
    Yvie Oddly Drags 'Drag Race' Producers, Speaks Out on Insider Details
    Drag
    Badge
    gallery

    Yvie Oddly Drags 'Drag Race' Producers, Speaks Out on Insider Details

    May 30 2023 4:41 PM
    Gus Kenworthy; Joel Kim Booster; Luke Macfarlane
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    10 Celebs Who Have Talked About Being on Grindr

    May 30 2023 3:50 PM
    18 LGBTQ+ Shows That Got Canceled in 2023 (So Far)
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    18 LGBTQ+ Shows That Got Canceled in 2023 (So Far)

    May 30 2023 11:33 AM
    Anthony Bowens
    Fashion
    Badge
    gallery

    Anthony Bowens Stars in Savage X Fenty's Sexy New Pride Collection

    May 26 2023 11:38 AM
    Boomer Banks Reveals Which 'Drag Race' Queen He Hooked Up With (and How)
    sex
    Badge
    gallery

    Boomer Banks Reveals Which 'Drag Race' Queen He Hooked Up With (and How)

    May 26 2023 10:29 AM
    Here's How Hollywood Reacted to the Loss of Tina Turner
    Celebs
    Badge
    gallery

    Here's How Hollywood Reacted to the Loss of Tina Turner

    May 25 2023 1:24 PM
    matt bomer and jonathan bailey
    Television
    Badge
    gallery

    Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey Look Historically Hot in 'Fellow Travelers'

    May 25 2023 1:10 PM