Whether you’re celebrating with a date or friends or indulging in self-love, Valentine’s Day is all about indulging in the pleasantries of life. Perfectly curated plans, a fresh haircut, and a stylish outfit aren’t complete without the right fragrance to tie it all together. But wait–you don’t want to reach for your everyday staples when spraying on a cologne for a special occasion.
Instead, try enjoying a few sprays of something you don’t wear often, or treat yourself to a new fragrance altogether. Whichever option you choose, it’s key to pick a fragrance that fits the mood of your V-day festivities so your scent doesn’t clash with how you’ll be enjoying the holiday. We’ve all encountered that one guy in life who smells like an extremely strong, lavish cologne…on a random Tuesday. Preventing a scent that’s overpowering and misplaced allows you to set the mood for yourself and those around you a whole lot better. Let’s take a look at some options.
Sweet & romantic
We all have an inner hopeless romantic, no matter how deep it’s buried. Roses, candlelight, opening car doors, and other sweet, selfless gestures. Those moments where love takes center stage may not have a scent that’s all their own, but you certainly can add one, so whenever you smell that fragrance again, you’re reminded of that moment. These fragrances convey a romantic mood without being too sweet, synthetic, or harsh on the nose.
- Prada Luna Rossa Black: This cologne blends musk and amber in a way that is mysterious yet elegant and uplifting.
- Byredo’s Gypsy Water: If you’re an advocate for fresh, earthy tones with hints of citrus, this is your new go-to special occasion fragrance. Lemon, pine, juniper, and velvety bergamot create a scent that is unique and memorable.
- Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka: This cologne combines vanilla and almond in a way that is rare in the fragrance world. What helps them blend so well, you may ask? Myrrh. The middle note has perfect woodsy tones that marry with the sweetness of almond and vanilla perfectly to create a fragrance that’s comforting and soft, kind of like a bed at the Ritz.
Grown & sexy
Whether you’re going for after-dinner drinks, gracing the floor at a lowkey jazz club, or aiming to recreate one of your favorite romance movie scenes, your confidence has got to be up to par. Keeping that grown and sexy mood alive would be ruined by a scent that makes your date sneeze or makes them wonder, “What is that?” More often than not, colognes are considered strong and overpowering to keep an air of sexiness and maturity. That’s completely false, though. These are some sexy special occasion scents to opt for when you’re trying to convey sophistication and sensual allure.
- Xerjoff Naxos: Lavender, tobacco, honey. All unique notes that you may or may not think to pair together on any given day. Lucky for you, this is a special occasion, not just any random day. So, the smooth hints of boldness and elegance in this cologne are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather: Smoky and leather go together seamlessly, creating a scent that’s masculine and mature without smelling synthetic or cheap. This fragrance is rich, amber-heavy, and accented by notes of different smoked woods and leather.
- Maison Francis Kurkdijan Grand Soir: This high-end cologne creates an interesting blend of jasmine and amber. With other notes like lavandin and cinnamon leaf, the scent is balanced yet powerful and memorably unique.
Fresh & fun
If you’re up for a date that’s lighthearted and energetic, a fresh and fun scent will accompany the occasion well. This variety of scents is also perfect for daytime dates or public outings like a trip to the park or your local aquarium. Here are some recommendations with low to medium projection that still have amazing staying power and a fresh and whimsical scent profile.
- Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée: This crisp and refreshing scent mixes citrus notes with woodsy tones that make an ideal scent for a casual day out that will last throughout the day’s activities.
- Versace Eros: Vanilla, mint, and green apple are blended together with notes of patchouli to create a scent that is energetic and captivating. This is the perfect cologne to wear when you want to leave an impression of being cool and fun, but still well put together.
- DS & Durga Debasser Eau de Parfum: This niche fragrance has the excitement and uniqueness of a weekend trip to New York, with the complexity and richness of a luxury vacation abroad. If you’re looking for a scent that’s fun but still mature, this is it.
Honorable Mention
If you’re looking to spoil yourself (or someone else), Clive Christian No1 is the way to go. With nuts like nutmeg, tonka, and sandalwood, you may be wondering what makes this scent worth the $790 per 50ml price point. Aside from the legendary Clive Christian branding, this cologne is a master’s display of perfumery skills. The main notes are blended with 15+ other notes such as bergamot, lime, mandarin, pink grapefruit, lily of the valley, vanilla…the list goes on.
This unique master mix makes for a scent that is undeniably one of a kind but also smooth and luxurious smelling, with no synthetic tinges or lingering notes that aren’t blended into the cologne properly. No1 is a favorite among celebrities and devout fragrance enthusiasts, and with good reason. If you’re ready to splurge on something new or are fortunate enough to already have this scent in your collection, it’s the ideal date night cologne to fit any mood.
