Autumn is a season to anticipate for many reasons. The return of cult TV dramas, thick jumpers and afternoons in the pub running late into the night, all in the name of staying warm.
It's easy to make the switch from summer style to pieces that beat the crisp autumn air, but when it comes to scents, the season is a minefield that leaves us questioning what to spritz on a daily basis. Is October the right time to say goodbye to citrus notes? Answer: it's time as soon as you bring your first jumper out of the cupboard.
Is there a transitional fragrances you should explore before delving into smoked, woody aromas? How do you make them last longer? These are all good questions and one's that we've posed to the grooming gods of Instagram. They share their best fragrance tips below:
Eau de elevate your look
"Think about the image you're projecting with your winter wardrobe and find a rich seasonal scent to lift the look. A fragrance has the power to bring together an entire look, elevating a simple, well tailored suit into a lasting impression on who you meet that day," says Adam Tanous of The Dapper Chapper.
"I'd recommend Molton Brown's newest fragrance, Russian Leather. With it's purple basil top notes and a strong heart of Siberian pine and tobacco balanced against a leather and vetiver base, it's a scent that cannot help being noticed."
Old tricks still rule
"Spraying fragrances is often an afterthought, something we do when we're on the way out the door," says men's fashion and lifestyle blogger Jordan Bunker.
"But don't forget the importance of where you aim it. There's a reason why people have doused their wrists and neck forever and that's because it's where fragrance leaves its strongest mark. It may seem basic, but you won't believe how many people essentially just spray their clothes and go."
Get ready for this jelly
"If you find that the scent of your fragrance doesn't last that long, simple rub a tiny amount of Vaseline onto your pulse points and spray over your scent over it (not too much, you don't want to feel greasy)," says grooming YouTuber James Welsh.
"Vaseline is an occlusive which means it sits on your skin and is slow to absorb, so your fragrance hangs around all day."
Layering isn't just for your threads
"A lot of people don't realise that you can apply the art of layering to your fragrances," says Joey London.
"Spray one spritz of the stronger scent as a base and then a double spritz of a lighter scent on top. It can be difficult to get right but the trick is to use complimenting notes, like a tobacco based fragrance topped with one with leather notes."
Switch up your notes
"Find yourself a different signature fragrance for day and evening, you needn't have only one fragrance for the season," says The Everyday Man creator John Robertson.
"I find that the change in notes puts me in a different frame of mind. When I apply my evening scent I know I'm ready for a night out as there's a distinct change from my usual scent."
Invest for the best
"Don't rush into buying a new scent. Take your time and go to a specialist or dedicated fragrance counter to explore the different types of scents and how they react with you," says Robin James of grooming and style blog Man For Himself.
"Before buying, ask to have samples of your favourites. Take them away and give a dedicated day to each. Think about how they sit on your skin? How long do they last? How do they make you feel?
"Don't be afraid to invest. Smell is an extremely powerful sense. It's what people will remember you for."
Make fragrance experts Molton Brown's newest scent, Russian Leather, part of your autumn fragrance arsenal. Made for the adventurous man, the scent is intensely woody, with smouldering and noble leathery notes that intermingle with Siberian forest brisk pine, leaving an unforgettable impression of the vast autumnal wilderness. Buy it here.
