Solid colognes are becoming a popular alternative to the over-priced, over-marketed, over-done liquid colognes that promise an endless stream of attractive, adoring women in your scent-filled wake.
Solid colognes are better than liquid cologne in a number of ways:
It’s portable, packaged in small, spill-proof containers that make it easy to travel with, or throw in your gym bag, backpack, or dopp kit.
It’s natural, with ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, jojoba oil, and essential oils that won’t irritate your skin.
It’s moisturizing, so it won’t dry out your skin like alcohol-based liquid colognes.
It’s local, with many of the fragrances made by hand by small companies in the United States.
It’s concentrated, lasting longer than other colognes without making your favorite shirts smell like musk for the next month.
It’s inexpensive, because they’re not trying to compete with every other fragrance in the department store, and pay for celebrities to endorse their scent in million-dollar commercials.
So if you want to smell good without a lot of hassle, here are some great solid colognes to check out:
Spruce by Otter Wax
Smells Like: Vetiver, Virginian Cedar, Sandalwood, and Citrus
Made In: Portland, OR
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Spiced Citrus by Beardbrand
Smells Like: Spiced Citrus, Grapefruit, Clove, and Vanilla
Made In: Spokane, WA
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Siskiyou by Juniper Ridge
Smells Like: Cedar forests and your favorite backcountry trail
Made In: Oakland, CA
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Tuskalusa by Bawston & Tucker
Smells Like: Bergamot, Lemon, Olive Flower, Tonka Bean, and Guiac Woods
Made In: Alabama
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Ship by Patch NYC
Smells Like: Cedarwood, Vetiver, and Geranium
Made In: USA
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Drifter by Ulio & Jack
Smells Like: A lightly sweet blend of cardamom and mandarin, with subtle sandalwood, clove, and leather undertones
Made In: Austin, TX
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The Adventurer by Walton Wood Farm
Smells Like: Top notes of grapefruit, bergamot, and fresh ozone, followed by middle notes of watery-green-leaf, neroli, and rosemary, and ending with musky notes of spruce and cedar
Made In: Bailieboro, Ontario
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Tobacco Rum by O’Douds
Smells Like: Tobacco, Rum, Coriander, Clove, Clary Sage, Cedar, and Amber
Made In: USA
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Blazing Saddles by Outlaw Soaps
Smells Like: Leather, Gunpowder, Sandalwood, and Sagebrush
Made In: USA
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Philosykos by Diptyque
Smells Like: Fig trees, with a touch of white cedar
Made In: France
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Ireland Tweed by The Beer Soap Company
Smells Like: Sandalwood, Lemon Verbena, Ambergris, Oakmoss, and Violet
Made In: Johns Creek, GA
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Sturgis by Detroit Grooming Company
Smells Like: Leather, Amber, Cardamon, and Bergamot
Made In: Detroit, MI
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