Fragrant Fathers
There’s a weird misconception out there that perfume and cologne aren’t ‘personal’ gifts. Admittedly I find them to be total no-brainers – the price point, pretty packaging, and general acceptance / need by the people on my gift list make them an easy pick for most occasions. But to call them impersonal? That’s laughable. The fragrance you choose is something they’ll reach for almost every day, especially if they’re looking to you to help define a signature scent. With Father’s Day on the horizon, I scoured the shelves for some of the top new picks for men’s colognes, and came up with the following list. To make things a little more personal, I’ve also highlighted the ‘scent signature’ your dad / husband / son / father-in-law will give off every time they reach for a spritz.
Nautica Aqua Rush – $57 – $75 @ The Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart
Everything about Nautica’s new fragrance is designed to channel a classic seafarer. From the sail-inspired bottle to the very design process behind crafting the fragrance to smell like salty water, this is a truly oceanic cologne experience. Naturally the most powerful note is sea water, but it’s also got some surprises up its sleek sleeve – like the Asian citrus fruit yuzu, spicy sweet coriander, and delicate violet leaf.
Scent Signature: Gentlemen need only apply. This mature, masculine cologne wafts off of the man that strolls with equal confidence down the board room and the golf course alike. A little preppy, a lot polished, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn his leisure time is spent sailing the coast, or jumping into more extreme activities like rock climbing or surfing.
Beckham Instinct Sport – $49 @ your favourite drugstore
If you associate the world’s best-known football player with his seamless blend of rugged sports talent and sleek metrosexual styling off the field (did you see those H&M underwear ads?), then you’ll definitely dig the latest fragrance from the house of Beckham. Packaged in a bright orange flacon that reflects the scent’s distinctive mandarin orange notes, this is a get up & go kind of cologne – the kind that’ll energize a guy to kick start his day, or let him bottle up that energy he expended on the field or in the gym when he spritzes it on after a hard workout. While it invokes an athletic feeling for him, you’ll also get a hint of Beckham’s dapper public persona thanks to the elegant violet leaf and geranium floral tones.
Scent Signature: A guy who wears a Beckham fragrance gets the appeal of the Beckham way of life. He’s not afraid of looking good or grooming himself because he knows how to go all rough & tumble where it counts – on the field, in the office, or even just walking down the street, this is a take charge guy who doesn’t mind some extra attention.
Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific – $87 @ Sears
Inspired by the crashing waves of the mighty Pacific Ocean and only available for a limited time this summer, the latest Davidoff Cool Water scent for men comes in a beautiful ombre blue glass bottle that’s reminiscent of sea glass. Like the original Cool Water, the cologne is infused with crisp mint and earthy herbs, but the summer edition is also exploding with juicy citrus fruits like lemon and mandarin orange.
Scent Signature: The man who wears this scent is one that takes care of himself. He appreciates the finer things in life and regularly indulges – from luxurious beachside brunches to purchasing a stunning piece of modern art for his dining room, this guy is known for his sophisticated taste level.
CK One Summer – $58 @ your favourite department or drugstore
This isn’t the first CK One Summer edition, nor do I anticipate it’ll be the last – and for good reason! Calvin Klein’s legendary fragrance is given a sparkling update for the sizzling months with this vibrant green, crackle-finish bottle. And green is the thing to keep in mind when spraying the scent – the most dominant notes are cucumbers, limes, and Granny Smith apples, with beachy water and rum close behind. Like all CK One perfumes, this one is unisex, meaning even if you’re gifting it to your husband or your dear ol’ dad, you can always sneak a spritz or two for yourself.
Scent Signature: Seeing as how it’s like summer in a bottle, expect the guy wearing CK One Summer to be completely at home with your classic summer activities. When he’s not splashing in the waves, playing beach volleyball, or hosting a sunset BBQ, he’s a man about town, and always on the guest list.
Got a scent picked out for your number one guy this Father’s Day? Torn between the four? Look no further – I’m giving away the ultimate Father’s Day cologne collection in the form of all four of the scents highlighted in this post. To enter:
1) Leave a comment below and tell me which of the four featured colognes you (or the guy you’re buying for) would most love to spritz! You’ve got until June 19th so get wafting & typing.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around June 20th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Go Pinterest crazy. ANYTHING that you pin from The Canadian Gift Guide over the contest period (and it doesn’t have to be from new posts) can earn you a bonus entry. Just leave a link back to your pin in the comments below. And yes, it’s an unlimited number of pins, from any post that’s ever been published on the site. Just make sure the pin itself is new, and not something you tagged three months ago 🙂
Canadian Gift Guide 
I would love for my man to change scents, he has worn the same for about thirty years. Rescue me from the same dull scent, please.
IF THE SCENT WAS FOR MY HUSBAND I WOULD PICK THE DAVIDOFF COOL WATER, MINTY AND CITRUSY MMMMM,IF IT IS FOR MY DA I WOULD PICK THE NAUTICA , HE’S THE SEAFARER TYPE.
I love the David Beckham Instinct sport. He is a real soccer fan, so I am sure he will wear this.
My husband love CK products. The CK One Summer will be good for him. Very nice and sunny bottle.
David Bedkham it’s very subtle
http://pinterest.com/pin/236368680413264987/ I wish cake went right to my boobs
Hey Nikki – just to clarify, the items you pin / include in the comments here must be pinned from the Canadian Gift Guide!
I would love the Beckham Instinct Sport for my husband, he wears one kind of cologne and I keep telling him about different ones but he wont go buy it:(
dalleykt at live dot ca
CK Summer sound fresh!
I think my hubby would like Davidoff Cool Water scent the most but i’m not 100% sure LOL
I think my husband would love Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific
I’d pick the Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific for my partner.
I think the guy in my life would like the Beckham Instinct Sport, but I’m loving the look and sound of the CK fragrance!
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I would love to have the Beckham Instinct Sport for my man!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
I think my hubby would smell great with the Davidoff cool water (since his name is David, lol)
I would choose Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific for my son. #CGG
I think he would like the CK One Summer
brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com
Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific is what my father would like.
this is just a shot in the dark for me, but i would try Beckham Instinct Sport.
The Beckham cologne.
CK One Summer
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I know my Boyfriend will love Cool water!
I pinned the FLASH POST: GET CUFFED http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740317747/
I pinned the WHERE’S THE BEEF? post http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740317757/
CK Summer would be perfect for him!
one summer is the ticket for me.
I would like the ck one summer
The Nautica one is the one I’m most interested in. I can almost picture how it smells already.
I think hubby would most like Nautica.
I think my husband would like CK one summer, but they all sound great.
I pinned the 10 for $10 post http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740322987/
Definitely Beckham Instinct Sport.
I pinned this : http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008426550963/
ck one summer
kc one summer would be the ideal sent for my man
My dad would like the Nautica Aqua Rush.
My choice would be for the Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific fragrance.
I would most like to try the CK One Summer.
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I’d choose CK One Summer – for him and for me too! We could share.
Thanks!
The Davidoff Cool Water scent!
HE WOULD LIKE THEM ALL!!!
If I had to choose one it would be a toss up between Nautica Aqua Rush & Beckham Instinct Sport.
What a Great Giveaway!!! Thanks
CK One Summer all the way! My dad loves it! My son loves it & I love it too! I like that there’s a variety of scents for the boys here. Thank you for the great selection. Hope dad gets the package for father’s day! He deserves it.
I think I would love CK One Summer
Either the CK One Summer or the Davidoff!
David Beckams scent, for sure!
david beckham original is great, so the new one should be good too
Nautica aquarush …..love it on my son.
Pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740338561/
I think Beckham Instinct Sport would be nice!
I pinned this one: http://pinterest.com/pin/133137732704706833/
Pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740344436/
PInned http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740350088/
I am sure that my man would love the CK One Summer
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
pinned
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
I always liked Cool Water.
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I haven’t tried out this year’s CK One Summer edition yet but it does sound very in tune with the season
Pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/223350462740358969/
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
the CK one summer would be great.
I JUST LOVE THESE NEW SCENTS. MY BOYFRIEND HAS BEEN USING AN OLD RANCID ONE FOR YEARS,AND WHEN I HIDE IT,HE FINDS IT! A NEW ONE WOULD BE AWESOME! HOPE I WIN IT! WHEN I WIN–HE WINS!
David Beckham Instinct Sport is awesome!
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I think it would be the Beckham Sport Instinct. He is the biggest sport fanatic I’ve ever known so it would fit perfectly.
The Beckam fragrance would fit to my brothet.