Selecting a fragrance for someone else is difficult at the best of times, but trying to choose one for dad is tricky to say the least. But there’s a big pay off if you get it right. There is simply nothing better than delighting your dad with a scent that he loves wearing every day for Father’s Day. It’s deeply personal in a way that socks and whiskey certainly aren’t – and it’s not as challenging as getting his size exactly right. And the best part, if you choose something you like too, you get to smell it every time you go in for a hug.
So for those looking to surprise dad with a new scent this year on Father’s Day here is my fail proof guide to choosing one that will feel ‘like him,’ and remind him each time he wears it how special he is to you
Best for the Modern Dad:
Sky for Men is made by Arbonne, a health, beauty and wellness brand that is 100% natural, vegan friendly and botanically based. It has a lovely, clean and citrusy smell that hits you right away. Creators say that it’s made for the modern day renaissance man who approaches life as an endless new adventure, with intellectual curiosity and bold enthusiasm. It’s masculine but feels light and modern with notes of citrus, woods and refreshing herbs. It’s available from Arbonne.com for £41.
Best for the Sporty Dad:
With a bottle in the form of a trophy it’s a dead giveaway who this one is for. Made by Paco Rabanne, it’s designed to be a lot sportier and younger than the other scents in their range – and let me tell you, this one gets it right. In fact it’s completely gorgeous. Invictus, which is Latin for “invincible,” is supposed to represent power, dynamism and energy. Opening with the smell of fresh grapefruit that leads into aromatic bay leaf and Hedione jasmine it smells really clean but manly with a woody base of guaiac wood, patchouli, oak moss and ambergris.
The fragrance is available starting at £42 for 50ml at theperfumeshop.com.
Best for the Stylish Dad
Michael Kors is already a legend in women’s perfumes and accessories – and here he brings his expertise to men’s fragrance. This one (Man Extreme Blue) has a distinctly masculine feel but at the same time with a very new and modern edge. Bold and magnetic, creators hail it as the scent for ‘a man who has no limits and knows no boundaries’. Not sure about that one but the fragrance does strike a lovely note between sleek freshness and a sensual musky undertone with key notes of bergamot, juniper, angelica seed, and ambrox. From £36 for 40ml. theperfumeshop.com.
Best for the Dad still who’s still ‘got it’:
You literally cannot go wrong with Hugo Boss for Men. They have a huge range of scents and all of them are irresistible. The latest is triumph is BOSS THE SCENT, hailed as a new seductive perfume for men. There are notes of ginger here and also exotic Maninka fruit mixed with tones of lavender which give it a sexy, alluring feel but then underneath all of this there is the smell of leather which keeps things nice and manly. Creators say that this scent taps into what women really want, it’s a ‘masterful orchestration of all the senses. It lasts and is not easily forgotten.” This is certainly true. It’s lovely. Staring at £47 for 50ml at theperfumeshop.com.
Best for the Sophisticated Dad:
Armani Code Profumo by Giorgio Armani is less masculine than the others – it’s hailed as an Oriental Spicy fragrance for men. Newly launched and lovely, the top notes are green mandarin, green apple and cardamom; with a bit of orange blossom, lavender and nutmeg that hits you. Despite masculine base notes of tonka bean, amber and leather, this one smells more unisex – the women in dad’s life will definitely find themselves stealing some now and again. £45 for 30ml at theperfumeshop.com.
Best for the Lad Dad:
Calling itself ‘Manliness in a bottle’, The Bluebeards Revenge Eau De Toilette is one for the dad who is still a bit of a lad. Completely refreshing, it opens with ozone notes accented by Sicilian bergamot and Ligurian basil, – smells divine – while the heart notes features a rich blend of jasmine, black tea and watermint. I loved the rich base notes here which include a musky Madagascan vanilla along with sandalwood and patchouli. It’s alluring and draws you in – a pleasure to sniff. The vibrant blue bottle laser-etched with the iconic Bluebeards skull also gives it a young, trendy feel. Purchase today from bluebeards-revenge.co.uk for £19.99.
