Though perfumes may be more associated with women, men have always used perfumes and fragrances from times immemorial. However, men do not like to use the word, perfume, preferring to call it Men's Cologne or Fragrance. Eau de Toilette or EDT is another word for cologne, but it is stronger and more concentrated. Many men's fragrances have a fresh clean scent, sometimes sporty, sometimes spicy, and they are used not only to mask body odor but also keep you smelling good.

Perfumers keep working at producing newer scents for men. The nine fragrances which are blended to produce hundreds of varieties are citrus, spice, musk, herbal, woody, powdery, fruity, floral and leather.

Most fragrances comprise three layers, the top or head notes, the middle or heart notes and the base notes. The initial smell which you get is of the top note which may smell fresh or spicy and quickly dissipates. The middle note follows and that usually is made up a heavier or stronger small which may be spicy or citrus and stays for an hour. The base note is what lingers and these are stronger and more complete. They also last much longer and are the ones which stay with you.

As a head note, citrus is fresh, confident and acute. These smells may comprise or bring to mind oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bergamot and pomello. To give you an example Calvin Klein's Truth is a very citrusy fragrance, with the emphasis being on freshness. Sandalwood, cedar, patchouli are woody fragrances, while leather is one which may have a combination of honey, tobacco, wood and wood tars, either in the middle or base notes..

These substances may be used in various combinations and permutations and the end product is what makes the fragrance. People who buy these should be aware the each cologne will react to their skin differently and perhaps even smell different on different people depending on their own skin smell. People with sensitive skin need to exercise caution if they face any reaction.

The process of manufacturing men's cologne is complex and it is made of a combination of alcohol and various perfume oil in a diluted form. The base oils may be floral such as jasmine, lavender and orchid. Cologne comes at a high price because of the complexity of its manufacture and marketing. Everybody cannot afford them. That is the single most important reason that discounted products and cover versions are a popular substitute. They are for the budget conscious and still manage to help you make a style statement.