The five fragrances I love most
A personal selection by Luís Valente · NOTAS DE HOMEM
Some fragrances surprise us immediately. Others grow on us. And a few become lasting favourites because they mean something to us.
For me, choosing a fragrance is deeply personal. Fragrance families, notes and reviews can help us understand a composition, but no technical profile replaces personal affinity.
These are five of the men’s fragrances I like most. They are not ranked, and this is not a universal list of the best: they offer five different interpretations of freshness, elegance and character.
Creed Aventus — A fruity, woody signature
Aventus brings together fruity, citrus and woody contrasts. The brand highlights pineapple and bergamot, alongside deeper facets. In this personal selection, it represents a confident, contemporary style with a distinct identity. My preference should not be read as a universal claim about performance or longevity.
Explore this fragrance profileDior Homme Cologne — The elegance of simplicity
Dior Homme Cologne favours luminous freshness, with bergamot, grapefruit blossom and white musks. Its restrained composition illustrates how lightness can convey elegance. In this selection, it represents fragrances that do not need constant intensity to remain distinctive.
Chanel Égoïste — Character beyond trends
Égoïste explores a warm, spicy and woody identity, far from the freshness of several other choices here. That difference is precisely why it belongs in this selection. It is a reminder that a fragrance can have character without trying to appeal to everyone.
Chanel Allure Homme Sport — Freshness with versatility
Allure Homme Sport combines citrus freshness with a softer, enveloping base. To me, it represents versatility: a fragrance with a recognisable identity across different settings. Its balance between energy and elegance helps explain its place among my five favourites.
Explore this fragrance profileGiorgio Armani Acqua di Giò — A connection with the sea
The original Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette belongs to the aquatic and aromatic family, with citrus and marine facets. Its place here is also personal: it connects with the sea, nature and open spaces. Fragrance preferences can reflect the landscapes and experiences we value.
Explore this fragrance profileWhat these choices reveal
Aventus offers fruity and woody contrast; Dior Homme Cologne, lightness; Égoïste, spicy character; Allure Homme Sport, versatility; and Acqua di Giò, aquatic freshness.
Together, they suggest a preference for freshness and elegance, with room for stronger personalities. This is an editorial interpretation of my choices, not a scientific measure of my taste.
Personal preferences on this page are separate from factual information about compositions. They are not laboratory tests or verified claims about longevity or projection.
The best fragrance is not necessarily the most expensive, famous or praised. It is the one we genuinely identify with.
Editorial note: “Dior Cologne” refers to Dior Homme Cologne, “Égoïste” to the original Chanel fragrance, and “Acqua di Giò” to the classic Eau de Toilette. Note descriptions may vary by version or reformulation.