Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth. ~ Diane Ackerman It is often said that a man's choice of perfume tells a lot about his personality. It is also said that the sense of smell is stronger than any other sense. If this is so, then you must obviously have to be very careful while selecting the best smelling perfume for a man. Men's cologne, classically known as Eu de Cologne or 'EDT', is a strong masculine toiletry fragrance which is very different from a woman's perfume. How to Choose the Best Cologne Selecting the best smelling perfume for a man isn't enough, if he's not aware of how to apply that cologne. The application of cologne holds the key to its smell, and that's why there is a proper way to wear the same. Colognes are activated with body heat and hence, they must be applied to the area from where maximum heat is produced. Going by this fact the armpits, neck, wrists and the area behind the ears are some spots that are ideal locations to apply the cologne. Always remember to hold the bottle of cologne 6 to 10 inches away from your skin and never spray it anywhere below your chest. Also, never rub the cologne on to your skin in an effort to make it last longer or better, as it interferes greatly with its smell. The biggest mistake men make is to wear the same perfume day in and day out. Do not encourage that, I know you're trying to get the best cologne for men, however, try to find some more fragrances, so that you may sport a different one, if not each day then at least as often as you can. Another thing you need to take note of is not to overwhelm your personality by spraying too much of cologne! Try to keep it as subtle as possible. Remember that three sprays per application are more than enough to catch the attention of the intended person. Best Colognes for Men Selecting a good/best men's cologne could be a tiresome job, considering the number of brands that are there in the market. For help, here are some brands of cologne from which you may choose the one best smelling cologne for men. Given below is a general listing, which is nowhere related to ranking and you may feel free to choose any one of them and rank them too! Cool Water by Davidoff Zino Davidoff introduced this perfume in '88. It's made from a blend of lavender, jasmine, oakmoss and musk sandalwood. It has a spicy refreshing fragrance which has a very masculine blend that will get every girl out there to want to be in your vicinity. Guilty by Gucci Introduced in 2011, this perfume will make the man ooze confidence and make him feel invincible. The lavender and lemon make sure that the first impression is all that one could desire for, and thereafter, once the orange blossom followed by the cedar and patchouli kick in, there's no stopping the warm woody fragrance that will captivate everyone the entire day. Versace Pour Homme One of the best colognes for men, this 2008 entry made sure that the man wearing this emitted a lot of positive energy and confidence. It has a wide range of ingredients ranging from citruses, neroli, bergamot and petit grain that forms its top notes, to tonka bean, musk and amber that gives it its base notes. The perfect scent for any occasion at any time of the year, this perfume will receive a lot of appreciation from any one fortunate enough to get a whiff of it. Tom Ford Grey Vetiver Using a revolutionary extraction process, Tom Ford was able to remove the very essence of vetiver. This perfume leaves in its wake the mark of a man that couldn't be more masculine or sophisticated. A citrus top note, along with a nutmeg, pimiento, and orris middle, lends the perfume pure harmony for the skin. The whiff of pleasantness coupled with the undercurrent of strong confidence is perfect for official as well as casual wear. The Beat by Burberry This cologne is for the man of the moment. Guys who are lively and like to live in today, can go and grab this one. Creators describe it as a masculine, intelligent and innovative smell of the woods, or having a forest like fragrance! Popular fragrances of this brand include Leatherwood, Violet, Black Pepper and Bourbon! Obsession by Calvin Klein This is arguably the most loved cologne by both men and women. This is the best cologne for men who are decisive but do not advertise their decisiveness. It suits those who like to keep it quiet and who are straight forward. Make it a point to wear it for night parties though, as it is 'quite too much' for your office! Essential by Lacoste This is one sexy cologne for men, that could be worn without thinking about suitability of time and place! However, for it to be most effective, save it for some special occasions. This is one of the best colognes for men that yields a subtle yet fresh smell. Declaration by Cartier Men who are, and feel, sophisticated and honorable can always choose this cologne. It is an utterly masculine perfume with an attractive bottle too! Those who are totally confused about what to buy, can always choose this effective long-lasting fragrance! Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani Adorably known as Gio, this cologne is also very masculine and is known for its fresh woodsy fragrance. It is a really aromatic cologne with hints of herbs, fruits, woods, and a slight aqua refreshing note! It contains the fragrances that are given by Persimmon, Mandarin, Rosemary, Bergamot, Jasmine, Patchouli, Amber and Cistus. There are a few more colognes that stand apart when it comes to the best colognes. As their names define their characteristics loudly and clearly, I am just mentioning their names without going into details. They are - 'Polo' by Ralph Lauren, 'Eternity' by Calvin Klein, 'Capri Orange' by Acqua Di Parma, 'Kenzo' by Tokyo, 'Cannabis Santal' by Fresh , 'Chrome' by Azzaro Paris, 'Le Male' by Jean Paul Gaultier, 'Envy' by Gucci, 'Green Irish Tweed' by Creed, 'Artisan' by John Varvatos, 'Aqua pour Homme' by Bulgari, and 'Brit for Men' by Burberry. Men's colognes have a distinct fragrance compared to women's. Earlier, fragrances were restricted to showing off just the masculinity of a man, however, now's perfumes make sure that besides that particular quality, it also brings out the real essence of being a man, that is a sense of harmony, sophistication, confidence, and increasing the quality of a man becoming approachable.