Dr. Squatch Cologne Review
I tried the TikTok-famous Dr. Squatch—how do the brand’s colognes hold up?
Credit:
Reviewed / Dr. Squatch / Anthony Palliparambil, Jr.
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
To say that I love cologne would be an understatement. Even months into the pandemic, it was the one constant in my grooming routine that never changed. From well-loved men’s fragrance classics like Hermès Terre d’Hermès to niche fragrances like Le Labo Jasmin 17, my tastes in fragrances range from woodsy, earthy tones to bright light florals. So when I heard about Dr. Squatch and their line of natural products, I jumped at the opportunity to try out their colognes.
Although there are three fragrances within the line, for this test, Dr. Squatch sent me the Woodland Pine Cologne ($59) and the Glacial Falls Cologne ($59). I’ve been wearing these scents over the last few months, and here’s what I think about them.
What is Dr. Squatch?
Dr. Squatch has an impressive line of men’s grooming essentials.
Dr. Squatch is a Los Angeles-based men’s grooming goods company that was established in 2013. Over the past decade, Dr. Squatch has committed to providing all-natural products that are free from harmful chemicals. Currently, Dr. Squatch offers everything from bar soaps and face wash, to deodorant and colognes, and even offers esssentials like hair care, lotion, and toothpaste. The brand has even released officially licensed collaborations with Batman and Star Wars.
What I like about Dr. Squatch cologne
These affordable scents remind me of popular men’s classic colognes.
The scents remind me of beloved men’s fragrance classics
A subtle carefully-constructed niche fragrance, Dr. Squatch is not. These are colognes that absolutely remind me of similar, well-loved colognes from long-established companies. The Glacial Falls scent features notes of bergamot, clove, and citrus. To me, it recalls that ‘90s classic, Davidoff Cool Water. It’s cool and refreshing, if not somewhat expected and standard.
Surprising no one, the Woodland Pines scent indeed smells woodsy and slightly spicy. This cologne would make a fine scent for colder months, and it gives me a cozy vibe that reminds me of the holidays.
Dr. Squatch also carries another scent called Fireside Bourbon, which I would have loved to have tried (as I’m particularly fond of spirit-based scents) but wasn’t able to access for this review.
They’re affordable and accessible
Finding a signature fragrance can be challenging and expensive. Although brands like Dossier make it easy to find designer dupes for less, most perfumes from reputable brands will run anywhere from $75 to $250+. Dr. Squatch aims to flip that standard on its head, offering fragrances for $59 each. To save even more, the price per bottle drops when you buy more than one bottle at a time or one of the brand’s bundles where you can get two—or even all three—scents at once.
The savings don’t just apply to their colognes, as their other products ring in at similarly accessible pricepoints, like the brand’s popular Pine Tar Soap for just $8 and deodorant bundles starting at $27.
What I don’t like about Dr. Squatch cologne
Maybe using Dr. Squatch soaps will help extend the life of their colognes on the skin.
The scents don’t last very long on the skin
When I spray on my cologne for the day, I expect the fragrance to last on my skin for many hours. Certain brands really exceed the expectation, like Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady, a scent so deep and complex that I can even catch a whiff of it after my clothes have been laundered (with a price point to match).
Similarly, there are tricks to help a scent last longer on the skin. Spraying on your cologne just after putting on moisturizer (or even physically mixing it in with a heavy body cream) can help extend the life of your scent.
Whenever you put on a fragrance, it’s definitely possible that you’ll go nose-blind—meaning that you can no longer smell it on your body but others can. The risk is that you put on way more than you need and become the obnoxious dude who doesn’t know when enough is enough.
Even after using my moisturizer hack, Dr. Squatch colognes faded rather quickly on my body. I was careful not to put on too much, but I was dismayed to find that after an hour or two, I could barely smell it—and neither could the friends I spent time with. Moreover, unlike other fragrances that garner compliment after compliment, the projection of these scents (how strong they are when you wear them) was light.
Is Dr. Squatch cologne worth it?
For affordable, classic men’s colognes, Dr. Squatch is a solid choice.
Yes, if you like traditional men’s fragrances
If you’re a fan of traditional men’s colognes and are looking to upgrade your scent for the season, Dr. Squatch is a solid option. They’re classic, subtle, and fun to play with. Dr. Squatch has an impressive range of products available, and the fragrances are a great entry point for anyone looking to venture into the exciting world of fragrances.
feature
