The 7 best spicy aftershaves for men (from best-sellers to old classics)

WHEN IT COMES TO cooking the perfect dish, the use of spices can make all the difference. And honestly, the same can be said of fragrance. Spices of all kinds have been used in fragrance creation for centuries because of their ability to instantly change the feel of other notes. Take vanilla, for instance. On its own, it can be cloyingly sweet, but add a dash of cinnamon or cardamom? It’s transformed into something layered and much more interesting.

Spicy aftershaves are a mainstay in men’s fragrance, but just because a scent contains spices doesn’t automatically make it great. Like the Spice Girls, there are all types of spicy scents: posh ones, sporty ones, and, yes, lots of scary ones. The good news, however, is that no matter your vibe, there is a spicy aftershave out there for you. Whether you favour fresh, earthy, sweet, or floral scents, choosing one with a dose of spice adds dimension – and often versatility – to your fragrance. These are the best spicy aftershaves out there for all tastes. It’s time to follow those aforementioned girls’ advice and spice up your life.

The thing about inexpensive aftershaves is that they usually smell, well, inexpensive. This wallet-friendly fragrance, however, smells just as complex as anything you’d find in the department store. Black vanilla and tobacco lend it a masculine gravitas, but the addition of cardamom is what really makes it special. It’s a spicy, elegant vibe that sticks around on your skin for hours, making it an even better value.

There are a lot of reasons to love Sauvage, another of the most popular and iconic men’s fragrances out there, but this more concentrated Elixir version builds on the original by dialing up the spice. Top notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom give teeth to the first spray and blend with the other notes, like lavender, sandalwood, amber, and patchouli, to give it an arresting yet still wearable vibe. It’s appropriate for every day but especially if you’re heading to a rock concert after work.

Although there aren’t any specific spices listed in the notes of this fragrance, the sharp pine needles and the smoky incense are what give it its bite. The base of this is a trifecta of woods (atlas cedar, Himalayan cedar, and Virginia cedar) that gives this a crisp, woody presence that is unabashedly masculine then punched up with the incense and pine. Without any actual spices in the formula, it’s still pretty damn spicy – but not in a “I just raided the spice cabinet” way.

Like the other members of the Eros family, this spicier, woodier version captures a party in a bottle. This is a casual, fun scent with fresh notes of mandarin orange, lemon, chinotto, florals like geranium and rose, and woods like sandalwood and Texas cedar. The spice that sets it apart – a double dose of pepper in both the top and heart notes – gives it a spicy edge. The overall vibe is cool, fun, and ready to stay out all night.

When you think of spicy fragrances, you don’t automatically think of florals and amber, but that’s exactly what this unexpectedly spicy scent delivers. It’s heavy on the flowers (jasmine, geranium, rose, orange blossom) but warmed and smoothed by vanilla, tonka bean, and patchouli at the base. What makes it spicy, though, is the crisp top note that features coriander, a sultry spice that lingers on your skin, adding warmth and depth.

At this point, this iconic aftershave probably doesn’t need an introduction. It’s one of Tom Ford’s most popular for a reason – it oozes sex appeal, just like his clothes. The smooth, warm vanilla mixed with the smoky tobacco is a powerful pairing, but what really makes this one of the best aftershaves out there are the spicy notes at the top that announce each spray with a bang. Mixed with a ginger, they amp up the volume of both the tobacco and vanilla and take what could be an overly sweet note into strong, masculine territory.

Since it debuted in 2009, this elegant, spicy aftershave has quickly entered the pantheon of most popular men’s fragrances – and for good reason. It’s the ultimate masculine nighttime scent, loaded with cardamom in the top note for a smooth opening, tempered with lavender, Virginia cedar, and bergamot at the heart for a masculine vibe, and then finished off with a base of herbal vetiver and spicy coriander. It’s a double hit of spice, but the effect is more sensual than nose prickling and pairs perfectly with a tuxedo.

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This story originally appeared on Esquire UK.

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