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9 Best Solid Colognes for Men
If you want to make a good first impression, a solid cologne is a perfect place to start. In our list, you’ll find that a number of your favourite brands have a solid state cologne as an alternative, from Le Labo, and Maison Balzac to Mr Gladstone. So, whether you’re over the spray, looking for something more portable, or just looking for something different, we’ve dug some digging into the best solid colognes for men to add to your fragrance collection.
Check out more of our fragrance favourites:
Best Woody Perfumes for Men
Best Winter Perfumes for Men
Best Summer Perfumes for Men
How Man of Many Chose This List of Solid Colognes
When it comes to Man of Many’s list of the best solid colognes money can buy, it goes without saying, that expertise is key. While they’ve had the chance to test every cologne on this list (often thanks to their friends in the industry), they’ve also turned to the wider public for their overall ratings. Man of Many’s lists takes into account three major perspectives to determine the overall rating. In addition to their own opinions, they take into account reviews via perfume forum Fragrantica and the Australian retailers Myer and Chemist Warehouse. They then collate the information and measure the best men’s colognes via overall scent profile, reader ratings and commercial availability.
Best Solid Colognes for Men at a Glance
- Best overall solid cologne: Orpheon by Diptyque
- Best for everyday wear: Clearwater by Fulton & Roark
- Best for going out: Santal 33 Perfume Solid by Le Labo
- Best for value: Theo by Theo & Amelia
Now you’ve got the gist, let’s check out our list below.
Image: Orpheon by Diptyque | Diptyque
1. Orpheon by Diptyque
This delicious scent from Diptyque is one of the best solid colognes for men, managing to capture the essence of the Orphéon’s original composition. We love the subtleness of the scent, with a warm, woody, floral undertone that is combined with wisps of tobacco, giving it a spicy kick.
Launched: 2021
Top notes: Juniper berry, Cedar
Middle notes: Jasmine
Base notes: Tonka bean
Price: from $100 AUD
Buy it here (Diptyque) Buy it here (Mecca) Buy it here (Selfridges)
Image: Santal 33 Perfume Solid by Le Labo | Le Labo
2. Santal 33 Perfume Solid by Le Labo
The signature Santal 33 scent has been reimagined to create a solid perfume for men that is long-wearing and just as recognisable as the liquid scent we all know and love. You can expect all the same powdery, wooden flavours, the wax form spiked with cardamom, iris, Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, leather and musk. It’s the perfect solid perfume to take with you when you’re on the go.
Launched: 2021
Top notes: Juniper Berries
Middle notes: Jasmine
Base notes: Powdery Notes, Cedar, Tonka Bean
Price: from $122 AUD
Buy it here (Mecca) Buy it here (Amazon)
Image: La Chapelle by Maison Balzac | Maison Balzac
3. La Chapelle by Maison Balzac
Add this to your pulse points and prepare to be asked “what are you wearing?” every time you walk out the door. La Chapelle is one of the best solid colognes for men that prides itself on its simplicity – only using five ingredients including sweet almond and coconut oil, evoking memories of snuffed candles and the creaking of old wood in a small chapel in the South of France.
Top notes: Sweet almond oil
Middle notes: Coconut oil
Price: from $59 AUD
Buy it here (Maison Balzac) Buy it here (Adore Beauty) Buy it here (Aura Home)
Image: Hash by Solid State | Solid State
4. Hash by Solid State
If anyone knows how to do men’s solid cologne and do it well, it’s these guys. Their signature scent, hash, is simultaneously sweet and smoky, with notes of cannabis and rose infused at the heart. The result is a unique, innovative scent that you have to try before you make a judgment.
Top notes: Leather, Anisic, Tobacco
Middle notes: Cannabis, Fir Balsam, Violet, Rose
Base notes: Oud, Vanilla, Labdanum, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Cashmere Musk
Price: from $44 AUD
Buy it here (Solid State) Buy it here (Opus Design) Buy it here (Milligram)
Image: Clearwater by Fulton & Roark | Fulton & Roark
5. Clearwater by Fulton and Roark
This is one of the best solid colognes for men if you’re looking for something nice and fresh. Initially released as a limited reserve offering, the Madagascan Geranium, Oakmoss and freshwater scent is so good it has earned a permanent position in Fulton & Roark’s fragrance collection. It also comes in a cool, flick-able case, for seriously easy application.
Launched: 2016
Top notes: Sea Notes
Middle notes: Geranium
Base notes: Oakmoss
Price: from $60 USD
Buy it here (Fulton & Roark) Buy it here (Uncrate) Buy it here (Amazon)
Image: Bourbon by Duke Cannon | Duke Cannon
6. Bourbon by Duke Cannon
A concentrated cologne balm that doesn’t mess around, Bourbon by Duke Cannon is the scent for the modern man. With a woodsy, oak barrel scent inspired by the rack houses in the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is also made with natural and organic ingredients. You really can’t go wrong if you’re a bourbon-loving man – e.g. you’re a Man of Many reader.
Top notes: Sunflower Oil
Middle notes: Coconut Oil, Mixed Tocopherols
Base notes: Calendula Extract, Rosemary Extract
Price: from $25 AUD
Buy it here (Duke Cannon) Buy it here (Amazon)
Image: Theo by Theo & Amelia | Theo & Amelia
7. Theo by Theo and Amelia
Not your typical men’s solid cologne, Theo is a delicious scent that comes in a roll-on bottle. Different to your deodorant, however, is the indulgent woody tones and subtle sweetness that it radiates, balanced with crisp neroli and bergamot to perfectly capture the fresh, crisp goodness of an alpine wilderness somewhere far, far away.
Top notes: Bergamot, Petitgrain, Lavender, Neroli
Middle notes: Vanilla, Almond oil, Jojoba oil
Base notes: Texas cedarwood,
Price: from $25 AUD
Image: Blazing Saddles by Outlaw | Outlaw
8. Blazing Saddles by Outlaw
It’s not only big brands bringing out solid colognes, with some of the best solid colognes for men heralding from small businesses. Enter Outlaw, who makes products for adventurous people across the globe, like this solid cologne for the true cowboy, or cowgirl. Notes include leather, gunpowder, sandalwood, and sagebrush, just like what you’d find in the deep west of the USA.
Top notes: Leather, Gunpowder
Middle notes: Sagebrush
Base notes: Sandalwood
Price: from $25 AUD
Buy it here (Outlaw) Buy it here (Amazon)
Image: Fine Solid Cologne by Mr. Gladstone | Mr. Gladstone
9. Fine Solid Cologne by Mr. Gladstone
Looking for a spicy, musky scent that is as seductive as it is unique? Look no further than Fine Solid Cologne by Mr. Gladstone. Made from all-natural ingredients and only available in a convenient solid form, scent notes include mandarin, vanilla, amber, musk, and white clover honey.
Top notes: Mandarin, amber, white clover honey.
Middle notes: Vanilla, musk
Base notes: sandalwood
Price: from $55 AUD
Buy it here (Mr. Gladstone) Buy it here (Oz Barber) Buy it here (Amazon)
What Are Solid Colognes?
More like a scented balm than a liquid perfume, solid colognes are colognes that come in a solid state rather than your usual Eau de perfume, eau de toilette and eau de cologne, if you want to get fancy. The same ingredients are used, but the scent is mixed in most commonly, a wax base, that is melted, giving it that solid state.
How To Use Solid Cologne
To use your solid cologne, think of it as a balm. In saying that, dip your fingers into the wax cologne and rub a small amount between your fingers before dabbing it onto pulse points. The delicious aroma will emerge as it warms up on your skin.
General FAQs
They are alcohol-free, portable, leak-proof, travel friendly and generally last longer than liquid cologne.
On your pulse points, behind your ear, at the bottom of your throat, on your wrist, inside your elbow, and behind your knee.
The most masculine-smelling solid fragrance is Bourbon by Duke Cannon.
What is the advantage of solid cologne for men?
Where is the best place to apply a solid perfume?
What is the most masculine-smelling solid fragrance?
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Aimee O'Keefe
Aimee O’Keefe is a Sydney-based freelance writer with a background in content marketing, lifestyle, architecture and travel coverage. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communications at the University of Sydney and has worked with Universal Magazines, various leading digital marketing agencies and The Local Project.
