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The end of the cold season heralds the welcome warmth of summer. And what better way to welcome the warmer weather than with a fresh and airy scent?
Summertime is also a good time to add new flavors to your cologne collection. This is a time when you want to smell your best and make a lasting impression.
If you’re fragrance-shopping and looking for inspiration in selecting the best fresh fragrances for spring and summer, we are here to steer you in the right direction.
Get ready to discover the most popular fragrances that invoke the summer and promise relaxation.
What are the Best Fresh Colognes and Fragrances for Men?
What Do Fresh Colognes and Fragrances Smell Like?
Fresh scents belong to the fresh fragrance family. Colognes that feature fresh scents mainly contain citruses, green essences, water notes, fruity accords, and aromatics.
Consequently, they are marked by bright, zingy, herby, clean, and oceanic compositions often anchored by woodsy undertones.
Freshies boast some of the most crowd-pleasing aromas. People are drawn to fresh scents because they are light, energizing, invigorating, wearable, and relatively uncomplicated.
Better yet, they are typically nature-inspired, thus evoking the refreshing feel you get from a cool ocean breeze or an early morning walk.
When determining whether a cologne is fresh, look out for citrusy accords such as bergamot or mandarin and fruity notes like apples and strawberries in the scent profile.
You’ll also discover that many Eau de Toilettes are freshies owing to their light nature.
In Depth Fresh Colognes and Fragrances for Men Review
Acqua Di Parma Colonia
Acqua Di Parma Colonia Review
Colonia is one of the best colognes for men ever. Fresh and citrusy, the 1916 composition exudes a timeless elegance and refinement that appeals to men of all ages.
This charming cologne promises to transport you to your top Italian destination. Sparkly Sicilian citrus joins herbal, floral, earthy, and warm woodsy notes to create a super refreshing fragrance.
Indeed, a few sprays are enough to make you feel like you’ve taken a deep plunge into the ocean on a sunny day.
Colonia is a classic citrusy scent with remarkable versatility. It’s excellent for daytime wear over spring and summer yet flexible enough to wear all year round.
Wear it to work or special dates for a fresh injection of confidence. Performance-wise, expect moderate longevity with decent projection.
The cologne comes in a delightfully simple fragrance bottle, but let this not deceive you. The fluid within remains stylish enough for today’s contemporary gentleman.
And as fragrance enthusiasts might tell you, many consider Acqua Di Parma Colonia a personal favorite.
Top Notes: Calabrian bergamot, Italian orange, Lemon
Middle Notes: Bulgarian rose, Jasmine, Rosemary, Lavender, Verbena
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vetiver, Amber, Musk
What we liked
- Easy to wear
- Ideal for whatever occasion
- A crowd pleaser
Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey EDT
Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey EDT Review
This fabulous-smelling cologne structured around citrus fruits burst into the limelight in 1994. It contains atypical elements designed to infuse it with ‘timeless freedom and serenity”.
L’eau d ‘issey Pour Homme opens somewhat sharply with top notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, and sage.
The opening invigorates the senses, making you feel alive. Next comes a spicy and woody core, thanks to cinnamon, saffron, and nutmeg, while lily-of-the-valley adds an unexpected cool twist.
And then there’s tobacco at the base. Overall, you get a pleasant, intriguing, and non-invasive scent.
Leau Dissey is incredibly popular. A beautiful woody-aquatic aroma, a unique scent profile, and above-average staying power make it a no-brainer when searching for a fresh masculine cologne.
The freshie suits work environments, the gym, lunch dates, or warm, sunny days. It’s not loud, but people near you will notice it.
This fragrance presents in a light grey flacon, the simple, clean lines giving the impression of a genuine classic. It is.
James Cavallier created this gem – yet another reason why you should consider adding Leau Dissey Pour Homme EDT to your spring/summer staples.
Top Notes: Yuzu, Bergamot, Lemon verbena, Sage, Mandarin, Tarragon
Middle Notes: Blue lotus, Saffron, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-valley, Bourbon
Base Notes: Musk, Tahitian vetiver, Cedar, Amber, Sandalwood, Tobacco
What we liked
- Attractive and ultra-fresh aroma
- Safe blind buy
- Great bang for your buck
Lacoste Essential Eau de Toilette
Lacoste Essential Eau de Toilette Review
Are you an adventurous man seeking a scent to pair with your exciting life? Here’s something that might interest you.
Lacoste Essential EDT makes it to our list of best summer fragrances because it smells like sunshine.
It won’t surprise you then to learn that the cologne contains loads of citrus. Laurent Bruyere conceived the fresh scent in 2005, infusing it with a light feel, smooth texture, and a green edge.
This masculine fragrance captures freedom, enjoyment, and total relaxation. Fresh and fruity, it starts off with tangerine, juicy bergamot, and tomato leaf for the green vibe.
At the heart of the fragrance, black pepper notes add a spicy kick before patchouli and sandalwood ease in, bringing things to a woody close.
Lacoste Essential can be summarized as a straightforward, unpretentious, fresh spring fragrance that suits casual everyday wear and captures the attention of everyone you meet.
Essential Lacoste is not overwhelming. Instead, it boasts a clean, icy freshness that lasts through the entire wear.
In other words, you will feel fresh and elegant all day long and smell like you just stepped from the shower.
Longevity is decent at 4-6 hours, making this EDT excellent for both summer and spring.
Fragrance Tip: Green notes are known to infuse perfume with a sharp, crisp freshness. Users will talk of a smell reminiscent of green leaves or freshly cut grass.
Top Notes: Tangerine, Bergamot, Cassia, Tomato leaf
Middle Notes: Pepper, Rose
Base Notes: Patchouli , Sandalwood
What we liked
- Smells fantastic
- Uplifting fragrance with a striking depth
- Great for busy days
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Review
In 2010, perfumer Nathalie Lorson developed Another 13 Eau de Parfum for Le Labo.
This amber woody composition provided a unique take on a fresh fragrance, coming off both fresh and musky. Larson designed the cologne to cater to both him and her.
Another 13 features 13 carefully selected ingredients, hence the name. These include citruses, ambroxan, jasmine petals, moss, amber, and woods.
Ambroxan appears at the core, lending the composition an animalistic essence tinged with musk.
The formulation also features synthetics that interact beautifully with the wearer’s skin, making each user smell unique.
Ultimately, what you get is a sweet-leaning, hypnotizing potion with a distinctive aroma. The Eau de Parfum is spunky, projects powerfully, and lasts long.
This stuff smells really good. It is made for nights out and when you want to get noticed.
Price-wise, the cologne is on the higher side, so be prepared to cough $100+. Still, for a classy freshie like this one, it is worth the investment.
Another 13 EDP by Le Labo comes in a simple, clear glass flacon. The fragrance name appears on a plain white label.
Top Notes: Pear, Apple, Citruses
Middle Notes: Ambrette, Moss, Amyl salicylate, Jasmine
Base Notes: Iso E Super, Ambrettolide, Cetalox, Helvetolide
What we liked
- Smells beautiful
- Amazingly light and fresh
- Makes a unique signature scent
Burberry Weekend Eau de Toilette
Burberry Weekend Eau de Toilette Review
Hot summer weekends call for indulgence plus something designed to revitalize your senses – like a fresh citrus fragrance.
Michel Almairac rose to the occasion, conceptualizing Weekend for Men in 1997, a crisp, breezy, and joyful cologne to go with warm weather.
Burberry explodes with a splash of citruses. Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, and pineapple take the lead, followed by a heart filled with ivy leaves, oakmoss and precious sandalwood.
As for the base, it’s an unexpected blend of sweetness and warmth, thanks to honey and amber.
Stand out from the crowd with Weekend by Burberry, a fragrance that embodies calm and relaxation.
The cologne offers good longevity and is ideal for work or daytime usage. Young men dipping their toes in perfumery will find Burberry Weekend especially enticing, given its pocket-friendly price.
Among Burberry’s fragrance collection, Burberry Weekend ranks highly as one of the best-smelling men’s colognes.
The nose-tingling fluid comes in a beautifully-crafted glass bottle with minimalistic aesthetics.
Top Notes: Lemon, Melon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Mandarin orange
Middle Notes: Ivy, Oakmoss, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Amber, Musk, Honey
What we liked
- Comfortable and relaxing
- Great for a casual weekend with friends
- Alluring scent
Gentleman Givenchy
Gentleman Givenchy Review
Our quest for the perfect fresh cologne ends with Gentleman Givenchy (2017), an earthy and woody formulation with a distinctive freshness.
This is a modern take on the Classic Givenchy Gentleman introduced in 1975.
Gentleman Eau de Toilette easily lends itself to daily usage. The aromatic fragrance unfurls with fruity pear, lavender, and patchouli for the earthy scent.
These key notes are then enriched with cardamom, geranium, warm vanilla, leather, and a fresh/powdery floral core, creating an amazing fragrance.
As the cologne dries down, it takes on a more masculine slant thanks to the patchouli and leather.
Imagine yourself wearing the scent with a leather jacket on a cool evening, receiving compliments from both friends and strangers.
Gentleman Givenchy is perfect for spring. It also works for summer, fall, and winter, making it an all-weather scent.
Loveable, extremely versatile, and a great performer, you can don it for work or more formal settings, day or night.
Gentleman cologne was formulated by perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Olivier Cresp.
The duo retained the perfume’s sophistication and retro vibe but infused it with a modern aura to suit contemporary tastes. For lovers of fruity scents, this is a tempting option.
Top Notes: Pear, Pineapple, Cardamom
Middle Notes: Lavender, Geranium, Iris
Base Notes: Leather, Patchouli, Black vanilla husk
What we liked
- Powerful yet sweet
- A classic
- Crowd-pleasing aroma
Final Thoughts
Fresh fragrances are an indispensable part of any modern gentleman’s grooming repertoire.
Not only do their mix of sparkly fruits, aqueous notes, and aromatic herbs underscored by light woods and musks suit most settings, but you can wear them regardless of the season.
If you are looking for a punchy, refreshingly masculine scent that can also induce vibrancy and a feeling of youthfulness, look no further than a fresh composition.