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Every year, the USA Fragrance Foundation narrows down the top ten fragrances for men and women. The finalists for 2009 will be chosen in May. Though there will likely be some new comers to the race this year, we can take a look at last year's finalists, assuming these fabulous fragrances will place again this year. There are several categories to take into consideration. These categories include Men's Luxe, Men's Nouveau Niche, Men's Popular Appeal, and Men's Private Label.

In the first category, Men's Luxe, you will recognize some popular names that keep coming back year after year. Calvin Klein, Diesel, and Dolce & Gabbana rarely get it wrong. These companies have serious staying power in the fragrance industry and beyond. In 2008, there were twelve finalists in the Men's Luxe category due to ties. In order, the finalists were:

Attitude by Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Parfums

Burberry Summer for Men P&G Prestige Products, Inc.

Calvin Klein MAN Coty Prestige

Chrome Legend by Azzaro Clarins Fragrance Group

Diesel Fuel for Life Men L'Oral Designer Fragrances

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme P&G Prestige Products, Inc.

Fleur du Male Jean Paul Gaultier Beaut Prestige International

"For Him" Narciso Rodriguez Beaut Prestige International

Guess Suede Parlux Fragrances, Inc.

Polo Explorer Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Fragrances

Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts Him Gemini Cosmetics

Usher He Liz Claiborne Cosmetics

In the Men's Nouveau Niche category, we have ten wonderful fragrances from Armani to Bond. In order for 2008 the finalists were:

Armani Priv Vetiver Babylone Giorgio Armani Beauty

Bond No. 9 New York Andy Warhol Silver Factory (unisex) Bond No. 9 New York

Bond No. 9 New York Saks Fifth Avenue for Him Bond No. 9 New York

Courvoisier L'Edition Imperiale Kraft International Marketing, Inc.

Cravache Robert Piguet Fashion Fragrances & Cosmetics, Ltd.

Givenchy Classic Fragrances Parfums Givenchy

Kiton Black Eau de Toilette Spray Aramis & Designer Fragrances

L'Oeuvre Noire by Kilian By Kilian

Tom Ford for Men Tom Ford Beauty

West Indian Lime Crabtree & Evelyn

For the Men's Popular Appeal category, there were five finalists. It is easy to see by the names of these fragrances why they placed in this category. Don't call me sexist for assuming men are attracted to sex and cars, the proof is in the statistics. On that note, the five finalists in order were:

Bijan Nude Men Five Star Fragrance Company

Blue Seduction for Men by Antonio Banderas Puig Beauty USA

Intimately Beckham Men Coty Inc.

Mustang Cologne Spray Aramis and Designer Fragrances

Samba Sexy Man Perfumer's Workshop International, Ltd.

Last we have the Men's Private Label finalists. In this category, our favorite clothing brands have stepped up their game and placed with the big boys of fragrance. Gap and Banana Republic both placed in this category. The five finalists were:

Banana Republic Cordovan Inter Parfums USA

C.O. Bigelow Barber Cologne Elixir Blue Bath & Body Works

Derek Jeter Driven Black Avon Products, Inc.

G7 Gapmen Daily Grooming Spiked Inter Parfums USA

Gap Individuals The Original (unisex) Inter Parfums USA

We will just have to wait and see whether these power brands can stand strong in 2009. Anyone shopping for a men's fragrance will hit a home run with any of the above nominated scents. Keep in mind that personal preference takes more into account than just sales and awards. Every scent reacts differently to your own body chemistry. Women may want to take their men with them when choosing a cologne rather than surprising him with a scent that doesn't quite work for him.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Borrone.
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