Deodorants That Work With Your Cologne
There’s nothing wrong with Old Spice, but Old Spice doesn’t always play nice.
Here’s a common scenario: You splash out for fancy cologne and douse yourself liberally, only to find your crappy deodorant competing for your nose’s attention. The problem is that most drugstore offerings feature a rather, um, robust aroma, practically smacking you in the face with their eau de masculinity. And they don’t play well with other scents. Luckily, most mainstream fragrances are offered alongside ancillaries, a.k.a. grooming products spiked with the same exact scent, so there will be no olfactive infighting. There are loads of options out there but here is a selection of some of the more popular and best smelling sticks for your pits.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Deodorant Stick
Catch a whiff of the French Riviera: the citrus fruits and bergamot—not the inhabitants. [$50; nordstrom.com]
Creed Original Vetiver Deodorant Stick
The freshest vetiver you’ll ever smell, which should count for something. [$70, creedboutique.com]
Acqua di Parma Colonia Deodorant
Like the cologne, this stick leave you smelling like a dapper Italian gentleman. [$38; nordstrom.com]
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Deodorant Stick
Supposedly this is the scent of a rebel; you know the kind or rebel that cares deeply about personal hygiene.
Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Red Alcohol-Free Deodorant
A blend of saffron, grapefruit, and redwood that will wake up your armpits. Don’t worry, it’s less lumberjack and more hunting lodge. [$19; ralphlauren.com]
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Deodorant
Though the word “spice” isn’t how you should describe the odor wafting from your underarms, the scent’s crispness prevents it from going full on fiery. [$29, nordstrom.com]
Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Deodorant
This deodorant is infused with something called “urban energy concentrate,” whatever that means. It smells masculine and clean, like dish detergent or your dog (when he’s clean). [$22; yslbeautyus.com]
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Deodorant
The ubiquitous woodsy aquatic scent is now available in stick form. [$22; giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com]
Photos by John Turner / Corbis