If you’re looking for a refreshing fragrance to wear in the winter, it’s crucial to understand what makes a fragrance suitable for wearing in the winter instead of summer. Then you can break winter fragrances into groups of scent families to narrow down your choices. You'll find that earthy colognes are among the most popular scent families and excellent for wearing during the winter.
In this article: Yves St. Lauren Y Live Intense, Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette and Tom Ford Oud Wood.
A winter cologne is different from a summer one because it’s meant to permeate several layers of clothing if needed. You can wear any fragrance at any point during the year, of course, but since body temperature is usually lower during the winter, a fragrance won’t evaporate as fast as in the summer. For that reason, winter fragrances are generally heavier and more potent, and they tend to linger much longer.
Earthy colognes are so named because they have a scent reminiscent of dirt and pine trees. They're more robust than citrus or floral fragrances, which are more suitable for summer, and often blended with woody notes to create a pleasant aroma that lasts for several hours. Earthy colognes are sometimes considered their own category of scent family but are often lumped together with woody fragrances.
A common descriptor of any fragrance is its notes, which give a cologne its signature scent and profile. Colognes are crafted from a blend of several notes, but it’s important to note which ones are the most prominent and which are more subtle.
Many earthy colognes have a woody scent, so a diverse range of ingredients can be used in their composition. However, the most common notes found in earthy colognes are those derived from patchouli, moss, orris root, vetiver and essential oils.
Earthy fragrances with spicy tones may contain base notes of cinnamon, cloves, cumin and nutmeg for a warm touch. Some earthy tones are even supplemented with fruity or citrus notes, giving them a slightly lighter scent, which makes them more versatile.
Yves St. Lauren Y Live Intense
The top notes of this earthy winter fragrance feature orange blossom intensified with spicy ginger and bright bergamot. Sage and juniper combine with geranium and lavender for the heart notes, and the base notes include a blend of cacao, sandalwood and balsam.
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Those who want a subtle fragrance with earthy tones will love this eau de toilette spray. The primary top note is Calabrian bergamot, followed by heart notes of Szechuan pepper for a spicy, woody trail and ambergris for a sweet finish.
This cologne comes in an elegant chess-piece-shaped spray bottle and offers a masculine scent bursting with woody and amber tones. It’s a classic woods fragrance with key notes of rare oud wood, sandalwood and Chinese pepper blended with exotic spices.
For those who want a long-lasting fragrance, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon offers a captivating masculine aroma that keeps you feeling refreshed all day. This cologne contains steam-distilled botanicals blended with sensual notes of lavender, dry amber, Italian green bergamot and patchouli.
A woody fragrance, Bleu de Chanel is subtle enough to wear year-round, but it really shines during the winter. It contains notes of zesty citrus, aromatic mint and a hint of dry cedar for a woody scent and a sensual trail.
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Hermes Terre d'Hermes Eau Givree Eau de Parfum
This earthy, woody cologne is made from an exquisite blend of spicy notes for a cool, refreshing fragrance. Its key notes include juniper, citron and timur pepper, and it comes in a bottle with a sophisticated look.
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Armani Beauty Armani Code Parfum
This earthy fragrance comes in a rounded rectangular bottle and offers an enthralling woody scent backed with citrus tones, making it one of the more subtle, pleasant winter aromas. Its key notes include tonka bean, mandarin essence, bergamot, rosemary essence, vanilla extract and cedarwood.
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Ralph Lauren Ralph's Club Parfum
This refreshing cologne lasts all day and comes in a bottle with a striking design featuring a matte-black glass construction and a gunmetal hinge cap. The fragrance offers a masculine scent cultivated by lavender, vetiver, cardamom and patchouli notes.
If you want an inexpensive cologne that’s great for everyday wear and smells fantastic, you won’t be disappointed by Every Man Jack’s sandalwood-scented cologne. It features prominent amber and vetiver notes and a hint of vanilla for a sweet trail.
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Boss Hugo Boss The Scent Le Parfum
This cologne is seductive and an excellent choice for wearing during the winter. Body warmth accentuates it and makes it stand out, and the key notes of ginger, iris and leather are expertly blended to create a refreshing scent.
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Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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