(SPOT.ph) There are times when it feels like we're in limbo between summer and the rainy season, leaving the entire city peeling away more and more layers of clothing to keep up with the merciless humidity—so it makes a lot of sense for men to also sport shorter cuts, closer shaves, and lighter fragrances. Of the three aforementioned grooming updates, it is scent shopping that can be the most intimidating, leaving a lot of guys stuck with the same cologne they’ve used since college or one that’s too heavy for the weather.
We sniffed around on their behalf to come up with these 10 fragrance recommendations that'll leave you smelling fresh no matter the season. Some of them are left-field choices, a few of them are new to the market, and half of them are unisex, proving that there’s not one way to smell great in this hot and humid weather.
Here are 10 fragrances that will keep you fresh all day:
Dior Homme Sport Very Cool Spray (P5,100)
Combining the essence of citron, pink pepper, and vetiver, Very Cool reveals various scent personalities as soon as it hits the skin. Starting off strong and citrusy, graduating to spicy and intense, and ending on a woodsy note, it packs quite a punch in so short a time. Its slim spray bottle is also virtually unbreakable, and that, your traveling Dopp Kit would appreciate.
Available at Rustan's The Beauty Source.
CK All (P4,598/100ml; P3,398/50ml)
CK All continues the tradition its predecessor fragrances started back in the day: a unisex eau de toilette with a fresh scent and timelessly cool packaging. And just like CK One and CK Be, it’s the kind of effervescent fragrance—it enters with mandarin, escalates to citrus, and exits quickly with amber—you’ll want to splash or spray all over all day, every day just because.
Available at Rustan's The Beauty Source.
Kiehl’s Original Musk Blend No. 1 (P2,800)
Kiehl’s perhaps isn’t your default destination for scent shopping, but its fragrance shelf is worth a visit. Try on Musk Blend No 1., a mix of florals—among them, rose and ylang-ylang—that graduates to musk and white patchouli later in the day. A unisex pick, it’s also meant to be shared with your S.O. along with the apothecary’s best-selling serums.
See a list of Kiehl's stores.
Burberry Mr. Burberry Indigo (P4,059)
That its packaging is, in fact, an homage to trench-coat dressing already makes it a shoo-in as occasion or office fragrance. (It has its own scarf, too!) But that the fragrance itself was inspired by the essence of the British coast also makes it ideal for the outdoors. No matter where you’re off to, you’ll find it easy to make its mix of lemon, rosemary, mint, and amber a daily habit.
Available at Rustan's The Beauty Source.
Le Labo Another 13 (EUR 193.33; roughly P11,400)
Le Labo instantly impresses with its apothecary aesthetic—but don’t stop at the packaging. Another 13 is a hypnotic blend of musk, apple, pear, and green citrus—and has been getting rave reviews online. Many a user has fallen for its mysterious formula, with descriptions ranging from “light and airy” to “a trip to the central coast of California on a cool and breezy day.”
Available online.
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Absolu (P7,179)
Tell your Gen X boss: There’s a new Acqua di Gio variant and it gives as many pogi points as the original. Absolu, the latest iteration of the prolific Armani fragrance, is inspired by the citrusy and woodsy scents of the Mediterranean coast. It will remind you of sea water and grapefruit at first whiff, and patchouli and other woodsy notes a couple of hours in.
Available at SM Beauty.
Scentsmith Apple Geranium (P1,198)
Local perfumery Scentsmith has earned the nod of the city’s fragrance snobs with its reasonably priced and thoughtfully packaged eau de parfums. Of its lineup of men’s and unisex scents, Apple Geranium smells the most apt for humid afternoons and balmy evenings. Its blend of apple, geranium, and caramel smells fresh and fruity and lasts all day without being cloying.
Available at Scentsmith, Greenbelt 5, Makati City.
Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber (P7,850)
If you think that Earl Grey tea is British enough, how about adding it to the catalog of arguably the most popular British fragrance brand? You could say that Jo Malone put her money where her mouth is when she put this Earl Grey and Cucumber mix out in stores. Also picking up the freshness of cucumber and filled with notes of apple, beeswax, and vanilla, it is appetizing as it is invigorating.
See a list of Jo Malone stores.
Malin + Goetz Cannabis Perfume Oil (U.S. $52; roughly P2,690)
Could cannabis be your next fragrance addiction? Malin + Goetz’s ode to the daring and irresistible medicinal herb—they’ve a candle and body wash, too—is tempting but not in that way. Its exhilarating combination of spicy herbs (black pepper is a top note) and earthy cedarwood and sandalwood make it a joy to spray on—without the unnecessary side effects.
Available online.
Louis Vuitton Les Colognes Collection (price available upon request)
With names like Cactus Garden, Afternoon Swim, and Sun Song, this citrusy, unisex trifecta from Louis Vuitton smell like a well-deserved vacation. Cactus Garden has hints of tea and lemongrass, Afternoon Swim is potent with bergamot and mandarin, and Sun Song has notes of citron and musk. Stuck to your work desk all day? Spray any of them on to give your senses a break.
See a list of Louis Vuitton stores.
UPDATED (June 21, 2019): Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Absolu is exclusively available at SM Beauty. The previous version of the article mentioned that the product was available in Rustan's. The article has been updated to reflect the changes.
