Aftershave Buying Guide

Aftershave provides a great way to soothe your skin when you've shaved, and you can buy all the leading brands online. Other types of men's fragrances have also become very popular, and are available in a variety of formats.

Here are some useful hints and tips to help you choose a suitable aftershave or a men's fragrance from the wide range available from online retailers.

How to Buy the Best Type of Aftershave

Here are the main types of aftershave and fragrances for men:

Eau de Parfum: The strongest and most lasting of the men's fragrances.
Eau de Toilette: A men's fragrance with a good, lasting scent. It comes second for strength, after the eau de parfum.
Cologne: The weakest of the fragrances. Cologne won't last as long as Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette, but is an ideal choice if you don't need it to last all day or only want a soft, understated smell.
Aftershave splash: Finishes off your shaving experience by helping to close the skin's pores, and gives a subtle fragrance.
Aftershave balm: This should be used after you have shaved. Balm will soothe the skin and leave a delicate fragrance in its wake. It's a good choice for anyone with slightly more sensitive skin.

Aftershaves within these categories all normally come in different sized bottles, so if you want to try something new, start with the smallest size.

Points to Consider When You Choose an Aftershave

Things to look out for when buying aftershave and other fragrance products include:

Fragrance notes: The fragrance usually comes in three layers. Each layer has a few different ingredients, which complement each other for the best effect. The first to be noticed are the top notes; these don't last very long. Next come the heart notes, and this group of scents will last for around 3 ' 4 hours. The bottom notes round out the fragrance and give it a lasting quality.
Individual skins: Remember that not all fragrances smell the same on each person; whilst they may smell great (or not so good!) on someone else, it doesn't mean the same will be true for you. Always wait until the aroma has fully developed before passing judgement, as it will change as each layer comes into play. There may be certain notes that don't smell good on your skin but when mixed in with other combinations may be incredible.
Categories: Fragrances for men come in many categories, giving you a chance to match your moods. Choose from warm and spicy to clean and zesty and just about everything in between. Popular men's fragrances commonly fall into the oriental, woody, citrus, spicy and aquatic categories.
Occasions: Keep the fragrance light and casual for daytime and go for something with more body for the evening. Pick a warm, sensual fragrance for that special night out, but don't choose anything that will be too overpowering. Another good tip is to change your fragrance with the seasons; in the warmer, summer months a light and refreshing choice is ideal, whilst warmer, heavier scents are great for winter wear.

Buying Matching Men's Fragrances

A good aftershave usually has matching care products available and sometimes these come as part of a set. Buying them this way is a great idea, as it means all the products you use have the same smell and you will find that sets are cheaper than buying each item individually.

Matching products to look out for when choosing an aftershave include:

Body lotion: Keeps the skin supple and smelling gorgeous.
Deodorant: Will keep you smelling great all day and won't clash with your aftershave.
Hair and body wash: For a head to toe sensual experience of your favourite fragrance.
Shower gel: Scented gel to leave you feeling fresh and smelling great.
Soap: Cleans and leaves behind a lingering smell to match your fragrance.

Set a Budget Before Choosing an Aftershave

Aftershave and men's fragrances are often cheaper online than they are in high street stores, and you may be able to take advantage of special offers and discounts. Remember to compare prices between different online aftershave retailers, as you might find you can make a great saving or buy a larger bottle for your money.