18 Must-Have Future Scents For Queer Men, Shown Off By Bruno Alcantara

Must-Have Scents for Queer Men

Parfum, eau de toilette, and cologne, in that order, define the pungency and potency of all scents. Spring is prime season for all of us to awaken new methods to make ourselves more noticeable (desirable). Breathe deeply. Fragrance has been an age-old symbol of individualized personalization. While many used myrrh in lieu of a difficult-to-get shower in medieval times, the oldest known perfumes were discovered by archeologists in Cyprus. They date back some 4,000 years.

One of the first commercialized parfums was of royal blended oils, commissioned (commanded) by Queen Elizabeth of Hungary as Hungary Water in the 14th century. In the present, fragrance houses work hard to formulate wafting aromas that reflect not only how we're feeling on a given day but how we want to be perceived. A dab of roll-on oil before the gym, a light spritz to top off your workday look, a more serious evening spray that challenges the laws of physical attraction, or just your everyday scent to define your DNA's being at your home office -- that's the basis of our fine fragrance story.

The Alchemist’s Garden Collection: Hortus Sanitatis and A Midnight Stroll

You'll love Gucci's The Alchemist's Garden Collection: Hortus Sanitatis (Latin for "The Garden of Health"), where old-world therapies meet ultramodern sensuality. This noble scent of papyrus with hints of ginger pique cedarwood and an amber smoke subtlety is one way to go; or try A Midnight Stroll, the Spanish delight featuring cypress and a combination of aromatic incense and an intense, smoky cade wood, to remind one of the decadence left behind on earth. (both $330) SaksFifthAvenue.com

Bergamusk

We both know Heretic will be with us for some time. Bergamusk ($65-$165) flaunts bergamot, lime, thyme, musk, verbena, cedar, and ambrettolide. A collab with famed cannabis brand Drew Martin, the Herbalist Rollerball infuses calming CBD, violet leaf, vetiver, and hinoki wood. You'll smell like you were born with it. ($45) HereticParfum.com

Vivaciously Bold

The Diana Vreeland fragrance line's Vivaciously Bold scores high with a super-luxe scent and chic presentation. With olfactive vetiver, grapefruit, lemon, musk, bergamot, and patchouli. ($185-$250) BergdorfGoodman.com

Blue Mark Eau de Parfum by Jack Black

Blue Mark Eau de Parfum by Jack Black exceeded my expectations for an everyday luxury men's scent that's terrific for daytime or office. Watermint, cilantro, bergamot with Japanese juniper, ginger essence, patchouli, and driftwood equal fancy and fresh. ($78) GetJackBlack.com

Escentric Molecules

Escentric Molecules "owes its existence to an aroma-molecule that doesn't exist in nature," Iso E Super, as its website states. Molecule 01 + Mandarin keeps you grounded in the now and propels your vibe into the universe ($35-$145). Escentric 05 Body Wash lathers with the scent of figs near a fresh ocean. Definitely in your go-bag for the future. ($40) LuckyScent.com

Métallique

Beyond futuristically fluid is Tom Ford's luxurious, undeniably sexy Metallique. Described as a "narcotic nectar," it has flashes of ambrette seed and wooded Peru dalsam that tone vanilla and buttery sandalwood, heliotrope, and white muguet blossom. ($160-$205) TomFord.com

Defy

Calvin Klein's Defy Eau de Toilette spray is fresh, masculine, and intentionally daring. Featuring an addictive citrus of bergamot and lavender absolute, grounded by rugged and earthy vetiver oil and sexy amber notes. (from $70) Macys.com

Wellfounded

With 90mg of CBD and active botanicals, Wellfounded Eau de Parfum takes its wearers on a sheltered journey. Sara Rotman, a fashion branding guru turned cannabis and CBD cultivator, has poured pure positive forces such as coastal sage, eucalyptus, sea spray, and valley oak into this soulful, centering luxury fragrance that promises to "soothe, delight, inspire and sustain." ($85) Wellfounded.com

Atacama

"Rain is scarce." Altaia's story symbolizes the brand. Fashioned after one of the highest and driest deserts on the planet, Atacama Eau de Parfum weaves seasons of salts, clary sage, tonka bean, and cashmere wood. They'll surely think you're related to Venus, goddess of sex and desire. ($210) BeautyFrontier.com

Angélique Noire

Guerlain's Angelique Noire Eau de Parfum impresses with polar opposites. Angelica flower is often weakly dosed due to its bitterness, but coupled with vanilla, it shines. Assisted by pink pepper and cedar, it will make sure you're remembered, dark angel. ($360-$550) Guerlain.com

Bergamusk

Mini Soleil Neige

Want to turn your birthday suit into a space suit? Try Tom Ford's Mini Soleil Neige Shimmering Body Oil. Sparkly wellness exudes bergamot, jasmine flower, and lemon. ($34) Exclusive to Sephora.com

Moonlight in Heaven

Kilian Paris fine-tunes scents that match our emotions. Moonlight in Heaven, with pink pepper berry, coconut milk, and rice tame creamy mango while tonka bean dries down delicate vetiver. Refillable. Offered with an art deco lacquered clutch. ($240-$300) Sephora.com

Tabac Tabou

Parfum d'Empire shares Tabac Tabou. It's ignited by healing immortelle resins, while tobacco coils itself around narcissus and provides a whiff of Havana, honey, heated skin, and wild grass. You'll be irresistible. ($175) BeautyHabit.com

Mind Energy

The Nue Co. is rare in that it perfectly brings wellness into the fragrance category -- and slays it -- with its newest unisex "fragrance supplement," Mind Energy, which uses patented neuroscience to create a shift in your mood with upcycled extracts from Madagascar and Morocco: clove leaf, cedarwood, and Egyptian geranium oils. ($30-$95) TheNueCo.com

Jo Malone

Jo Malone is a favorite fragrance of many. Starlit Mandarin & Honey is one scent that'll definitely remind you of the galaxy you left behind. ($150) Bloomingdales.com

Cologne Sologne

Parfums de Nicolai produces aristocratic French fragrances. Cologne Sologne Eau de Cologne has a high concentration of superfine extracts, including rare Tunisian neroli, bergamot, benzoin, orange blossom, rosemary, and patchouli. Definitely take this king's hunt scent into your future. ($51) BeautyHabit.com

Talent BRUNO ALCANTARA@brunocalcantara for bactalent.com
Creative Director & Location BEN WARD@_benjaminward_
Photographer EASTON SCHIRRA@eastonschirra eastonschirra.com for @theonly.agency
Grooming ROB SCHEPPY@robscheppy for @theonly.agency

This article is part of Out's March/April 2022 issue, appearing on newsstands April 5. Support queer media and subscribe -- or download the issue through Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.

18 Must-Have Future Scents For Queer Men, Shown Off By Bruno Alcantara