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I used to not be a cologne guy. I've found a lot of fragrances for men to be overwhelming, too musky – just too much. Then my perspective changed after I interviewed actor Jovan Adepo (Fences, Babylon, 3 Body problem), WHO always he carries a bottle of cologne. “I think it's really important to always smell good,” she told me. “That's what my dad drilled into me when I was younger. He said, “There is something about a man that always smells good. People will always remember that. “
A man who always smells good. Who can argue with that? But how do you define what a good fragrance is and what price you're willing to pay for it? Personally, I think a shower, antiperspirant roll on, maybe a body spray or some eucalyptus oil can help a lot. And while Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is one of the best unisex scents out there, my budget doesn't justify $250 for a 1.7 oz splurge.
So where can you recommend a good, even great, cheap cologne? I searched the Fragrance Reddit for answers. And what I found became my favorite cologne: Nautica Voyage. It turns out that this cologne, available for just $18 (3.4 oz!) on Amazon, is loved by many fragrance junkies.
Nautica Voyage Cologne (3.4 oz)
Courtesy of image
“Smells good enough to carry with $100+ cologne and has a great price that's affordable and accessible to most people,” commented one Redditor.
“He got a lot of compliments,” said another simply.
As a novice perfumer, I had to buy a bottle and under $20 I had nothing to lose. When the sea blue, square bottle arrived, I lightly sprinkled my pulse points. I found that it lives up to everything that perfume scent reddit said and more.
It also suits my penchant for fresh-smelling fragrances. According to another Redditor, the top notes really smelled like “green apple and green leaf” — not so much fruity as refreshing — while the base notes offered “soggy mimosa, sailcloth, and watery lotus.”
Okay, so I still don't really understand what a “soggy mimosa” is, but I would describe the flow under the Nautica Voyage as oceanic, slightly beachy, windswept. It was as if he had spent the day in the sun on a sailboat.
Now, months after I bought the Nautica Voyage, it has become my trusty companion on nights out, romantic or otherwise. I have found that some sprays provide a pleasant aroma without being overpowering. As expected, it doesn't have the staying power of more expensive competitors. As someone who believes that less fragrance is often more, that's fine with me. And for the price, I have no hesitation in applying again.
One night I hugged a friend who said, “You always smell so good.” Suddenly I knew exactly how Adepo felt.