Looking for the best cologne for young men? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re buying for yourself or searching for a gift, you’ll find just what you need in this article.
Though colognes were originally developed for older and richer men, thankfully colognes and perfumes have steadily become more available to a wider range of people. This is especially true of colognes for young men, who now have a full section of the fragrance market dedicated to scents that are modern and approachable.
In this guide, we’ll be introducing you to our five choices for the best colognes for young men, with options to suit every style and budget. You’ll learn about the aromatics that make each cologne unique and special, as well as suggestions for when and where to wear each fragrance.
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5 Best Cologne For Young Men In 2022
After making a thorough review of the wide range of modern colognes available today, we’re confident that the following five bottlings represent the best of the best colognes for young men. Once you’re older, you can then switch to these colognes for older men.
Yves Saint Laurent Y (Our Top Pick)
Y by Yves Saint Laurent is a modern take on a classic cologne style, making it a perfect first cologne for younger men. A woody aromatic cologne, it was released in 2017 to appeal to a wider audience than many of YSL’s more mature fragrances. We think you’ll agree that it’s a great starter cologne for young men that they’ll grow into appreciating more each time they wear it.
Ginger, mint, and citrus form an inviting and approachable trio of top notes in this cologne. Further into the heart notes, you’ll find juicy pineapple and green apple offsetting the intensity of violet, sage, and geranium. Built on a foundation of classically masculine ambergris, musk, and cedar, its base notes also include small touches of vetiver, burning incense, and balsam fir.
With its moderate longevity and balanced intensity, Y by Yves Saint Laurent is a perfect cologne for everyday wear. It’s versatile enough to wear year-round, and a fantastic choice for any young man to start their cologne collection with and one of the best YSL colognes for men, period.
Notes:
- Top notes of aldehydes, bergamot, ginger, mint, and lemon
- Middle notes of violet leaf, apple, sage, pineapple, and geranium
- Base notes of ambergris, musk, cedar, incense, balsam fir, and vetiver
Best For:
- Wearing every day
- Year-round wear
LaCoste L.12.12 Blanc
Inspired by French tennis player Rene Lacoste’s lifestyle, Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc is a woody aromatic style cologne that’s fresh and active. Since its debut in 2011, it has gained a reputation as an excellent cologne for wearing to school or a first job. Sporty and active young men will especially appreciate its freshness.
Grapefruit peel and cardamom are juxtaposed with rosemary in L.12.12 Blanc’s top notes, which move swiftly into heart notes of exotic ylang ylang and tuberose. Lest this become too unfamiliar, the classic base of suede, cedar, leather, and vetiver brings the whole composition back into clear focus.
A moderately intense cologne with a moderate longevity, Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc is an excellent scent to apply in the morning before classes or work, or to splash on after a trip to the gym. It’s just masculine enough to be attractive but never overbearing.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit, rosemary, and cardamom
- Middle notes of ylang ylang and tuberose
- Base notes of suede, cedar, leather, and vetiver
Best For:
- Splashing on after a workout
- Wearing to school
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Pour Homme
A true treasure to give as a gift, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Amyris Pour Homme is an expensive cologne whose performance more than makes up for the price. A gourmand style fragrance, it was released in 2012 and continues to be a sleeper hit with a small but devoted crowd of enthusiasts.
Mandarin orange and rosemary make a soft enough entry into this scent, gracefully introducing the incredibly dense heart notes of amyris, iris, coconut milk, chocolate, and coffee. Rare and exotic oud in the base notes gives it incredible complexity, while tonka bean continues to accentuate the gourmet heart notes.
An incredibly long lasting cologne with a balanced and welcoming intensity, a single application of Amyris Pour Homme will last for well over a full day. If you’re looking for a gift for yourself or a young man you know, there’s hardly anything better than this bottle.
Notes:
- Top notes of mandarin orange and rosemary
- Middle notes of amyris, iris, coconut milk, chocolate, and coffee
- Base notes of tonka bean and oud
Best For:
- Giving (or getting) as a gift
- Special occasions
Kenneth Cole Mankind
A woody aromatic style cologne that debuted in 2013, Kenneth Cole Mankind is a fresh and invigorating cologne that’s great for guys that are about to start college. It’s made in a fully modern style, leaning heavily on traditional masculine foundations and accenting them with the latest trends in fragrance making.
Juicy and tropical pineapple is the star of the show in Mankind’s top notes, where it is accented by ginger, cardamom, and tarragon. Moving into the heart notes, you’ll find plentiful cedar and cinnamon with just a touch of dry and earthy vetiver. Within the base, classic musk and sandalwood are paired with oakmoss and tonka bean for a delightfully spicy finish.
With its moderate longevity and moderate intensity, Kenneth Cole Mankind is a versatile cologne for everyday wear. Its fresh and modern style is perfect for young men about to start college, and great to splash on each morning before work or classes.
Notes:
- Top notes of pineapple, ginger, cardamom, and tarragon
- Middle notes of cedar, vetiver, and cinnamon
- Base notes of oakmoss, sandalwood, musk, and tonka bean
Best For:
- College age guys
- Daytime wear
Azzaro Chrome Pure
A new take on the fresh and masculine Chrome from 1996, Azzaro Chrome Pure is a citrus aromatic style cologne that was released in 2017. It takes the designer’s aesthetic of unique additions to classical formulations to new heights in a surprisingly affordable way. This is why we consider it one of the best cologne for young men.
Mandarin orange and bergamot give a gentle introduction to this scent before transitioning to the characteristic heart notes of orange blossom, running water, and exotic akigalawood. South American mate lends a smoky and green substance to the base, where additions of white musk, cedar, and tonka bean round out the full profile.
A long lasting cologne with a pronounced intensity, Azzaro Chrome Pure is fantastic for everyday wear. It’s a bit stronger than most of the colognes listed here, so we advise applying just a tiny amount to begin with before re-applying more later in the day.
Notes:
- Top notes of mandarin orange and bergamot
- Middle notes of orange blossom, watery notes, and akigalawood
- Base notes of tonka bean, mate, white musk, and cedar
Best For:
- Smelling great on a budget
- Wearing every day
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.
