css-sm2oir e5f9kgu2″>
Courtesy of Retailer
ANYONE WHO has attempted to take a bottle of cologne through a TSA checkpoint knows that traveling with
fragrance can be a major headache. There’s the size of the bottle (is it less than 3.4 oz?) but also the weight, the space it takes up in your dopp kit, even the potential for breaking. We all want to smell good wherever we are, but sometimes traveling means choosing between smelling good and making it through security on time.
Best Overall Solid Cologne
Fulton & Roark Narada
$60 at fultonandroark.com
$60 at fultonandroark.com
Read more
Best Luxury Solid Cologne
Diptyque Orpheon
$70 at Diptyque$70 at DiptyqueRead more
Best Fresh Solid Cologne
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
$30 at Nordstrom$30 at NordstromRead more
Best Solid Cologne For Travel
JUNIPER RIDGE Desert Cedar
$18 at Amazon$18 at AmazonRead more
Best Traditional Solid Cologne
REUZEL Wood & Spice
$14 at Amazon$14 at AmazonRead more
Best Leather Solid Cologne
Outlaw Blazing Saddles
$20 at Amazon$20 at AmazonRead more
Best Sweet Solid Cologne
Walton Wood The Musician
$28 at Amazon$28 at AmazonRead more
Best Woody Solid Cologne
Otter Wax Spruce
$30 at Amazon$30 at AmazonRead more
Best Herbal Solid Cologne
Lush Dirty Solid Perfume
$16 at LUSH$16 at LUSHRead more
That’s where solid colognes come in. Not only are these scented balms ideal for travel (no liquids, smaller containers) but they can also fit in your pocket, gym bag, dopp kit, and really anything else so you’re never without your signature scent. They’re also way easier—and more polite—to reapply in public spaces. Solid colognes are typically going to be more subtle than their spray counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they’re less dynamic. The best solid colognes (i.e. the ones on this list) take all this into account: the type of elevated fragrance you’d find in a more traditional spray, but with the convenience of a solid.
Best Colognes for Men | Best Deodorants | Best Grooming Products for Men | Best Long Lasting Colognes | Best Body Washes
Best Overall Solid Cologne
Fulton & Roark Narada
Best Overall Solid Cologne
Fulton & Roark Narada
$60 at fultonandroark.com
Pros
Long lastingSturdy containerLuxurious scent
Cons
Contains alcohol
The Narada Falls in Washington State provide inspiration for this fresh and spicy scent that’s outdoorsy, but not in a literal way. Rosewood provides a woody note that’s transmuted through fresh citrusy bergamot and spicy ginger into something cool and unexpected.
| Size | 0.2 oz |
|---|---|
| Base | Ceresin wax |
| Notes | Bergamot, rosewood, ginger |
Diptyque Orpheon
Best Luxury Solid Cologne
Diptyque Orpheon
$70 at Diptyque
Pros
Alcohol-freeRefillableLuxurious scent
Cons
Expensive
Inspired by the actual nightclub the Diptyque founders frequented in 1960’s Paris, this unique scent uses cozy tonka bean, warm cedar and fizzy juniper berry (as well as notes of tobacco and others) to create a story in fragrance form.
| Size | 3 grams |
|---|---|
| Base | Wheat starch, paraffin |
| Notes | Tonka bean, cedar, juniper berry |
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Best Fresh Solid Cologne
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
$30 at Nordstrom
Pros
Luxurious scentRefillable
Cons
Must buy case separately
One of Jo Malone’s most iconic fragrances, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, is a crowd pleaser in every format, but this solid version is ideal for traveling or layering with other fragrances. The case, sold separately, holds two different palettes for layering or switching up your vibe on the go.
| Size | 2.5 g |
|---|---|
| Base | Beeswax |
| Notes | Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
JUNIPER RIDGE Desert Cedar
Best Solid Cologne For Travel
JUNIPER RIDGE Desert Cedar
$18 at Amazon
Pros
Small container is easy to travel withNatural ingredients
Cons
Scent does not last a long time
Inspired by desert nights, this outdoorsy scent is woody, but somehow also crisp and clean. The leather adds an earthy note that doesn’t overpower the subtle, airy vibes.
| Size | 0.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Base | Beeswax, jojoba oil |
| Notes | Resin, leather, cedar |
REUZEL Wood & Spice
Best Traditional Solid Cologne
REUZEL Wood & Spice
$14 at Amazon$22 at Walmart
Pros
InexpensiveNatural ingredients
Cons
Formula is slightly oily
Like all of traditional barber shop brand Reuzel’s products, this solid cologne has a nostalgic vibe to it. It’s classically masculine, fresh and woody at the same time, yet still subtle enough to keep from assaulting anyone’s nose.
| Size | 1 mL |
|---|---|
| Base | Safflower seed oil, beeswax |
| Notes | Lemon zest, cedarwood, clove |
Outlaw Blazing Saddles
Best Leather Solid Cologne
Outlaw Blazing Saddles
Now 21% Off$20 at Amazon$24 at Walmart
Pros
Bold scentNatural ingredients
Cons
Scent doesn’t last as long as you would think
Have you ever wondered what a cowboy would smell like after a gunfight? Well, we think it’s probably close to this cologne. The masculine scent is heavy on leather and sandalwood with a dose of nose-catching gunpowder (yes, really) to amp up the story.
| Size | 0.5 oz, 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Base | Cocoa seed butter, beeswax |
| Notes | Leather, gunpowder, sandalwood, sagebrush |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Walton Wood The Musician
Best Sweet Solid Cologne
Walton Wood The Musician
Now 15% Off$28 at Amazon
Pros
Alcohol-freeNatural ingredients
Cons
Some might find the scent too subtle
The sweet, cozy vanilla and earthy musk of this scent are a welcome break from the woods and spices you usually find in solid fragrance. The scent is subtle but mysterious. Think of it as something you wear for yourself and only those who get closest to you will know you have it on.
| Size | 2.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Base | Sunflower seed oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, beeswax |
| Notes | Vanilla bean, musk |
Otter Wax Spruce
Best Woody Solid Cologne
Otter Wax Spruce
$30 at Amazon
Pros
Contains natural ingredientsFragrance comes from essential oils
Cons
Some may find the fragrance wears off too quickly
If you’re into woody scents, this cedar, sandalwood and douglas fir infused wax made in Portland, Oregon is exactly what you’re looking for. One Amazon reviewer likened the scent to a sawdust-laden carpentry shop. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
Lush Dirty Solid Perfume
Best Herbal Solid Cologne
Lush Dirty Solid Perfume
$16 at LUSH
Pros
Contains natural ingredientsVeganGlass pot is recyclable
Cons
Small size
Ideal for those times you don’t want to smell like a forest, this minty and herbal concoction is somehow both fresh and earthy. The vegan formula contains natural ingredients, including moisturizing jojoba oil, so it’s also healthy for your skin.
| Size | 0.2 oz |
|---|---|
| Base | Jojoba oil, castor oil, candellia wax |
| Notes | Sandalwood, tarragon, thyme, lavender |
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What’s the Difference Between Solid and Spray Cologne?
Olfactory-speaking, there isn’t any difference. All wearable fragrance is created the same way—with top, middle and base notes working together to create a unique scent. But when it comes to solid versus spray, it’s all in the delivery system. Spray colognes are diluted with other ingredients, often alcohol, to cover your skin like a blanket. Solid colognes, on the other hand, are wax-based balms that sit on top of your skin in specific areas, but don’t offer as coverage or need a bottle to apply.
What’s the Benefit of Solid Cologne?
One benefit of solid cologne is that they tend to be a bit more subtle than their spray counterparts, so if you find traditional spritzes overwhelming, a solid might give you the scent you want without overpowering your nose. But really, what makes solid colognes so great is the portability aspect. These fragrances pack serious punch in small containers and don’t use any liquid, so packing them in your dopp kit, gym bag, briefcase or pocket is way easier than a bottle. They’re also easier to reapply on the go – no spraying involved.
How Do You Apply Solid Cologne?
First, you need to warm up the balm a little bit. Rub your fingers on the surface to let your body heat melt it a little bit. Once you have enough on your finger (a tiny amount should be good), apply it to the pulse points on your wrists and neck. The heat from your body on these specific points will help release the fragrance.