Last-minute Father's Day gifts, anyone?

It's only fitting that I give you a few men's fragrance ideas for Father's Day, seeing as I'm such a huge fragrance junkie myself. I'd like to offer you some alternatives to the more generally-known and loved men's fragrances, based on what the father in your life might already love.

C.O. Bigelow Barber Cologne "Elixir Blue" ($19.50, 2.5 oz), available at Bath & Body Works stores and online.

For Father's Day, this gift is a recessionista's dream-come-true. For under $20, you get a clean, fresh, light fragrance that just about any man would love. There's something about this scent that, when combined with a man's skin, gives him that just-out-of-the-shower fresh scent that just smells comforting. If Dad isn't really a "cologne guy", THIS would be a perfect fragrance for him. It's truly difficult to think of anyone who'd be bothered by this scent in the slightest because to me, it just smells like a nice, clean-shaven man. Don't believe me? Then check out the link (above) to read all of the 5-star ratings on bathandbodyworks.com.

Elixir Blue fragrance blends watery marine notes, lavender and rosemary with hints of clean white musk and woody undertones.

Banana Republic Mini Fragrances (7.5 ml. 1 for $10, 2 for $15), available at Banana Republic stores and online.

Available in fragrances like Slate (citrus), Black Walnut (woody) and Alabaster (musk), these minis are perfect for the indecisive father who might not quite know what scent he likes best. I love that these bottles are exact replicas of their full-size counterparts and well, you just can't beat the price! Banana Republic scents tend to be more on the soft and subtle side, which is also great if Dad is a "special occasions only" type of cologne wearer.

Diesel "Only the Brave" ($52.30 for 1.07 oz and $65 for 2.5 oz), available at Sephora, Macy's and other major department stores.

If you're feeling like splurging on the younger, hip father in your life, this is a great choice. From the edgy bottle, which can be stored in three different positions, to the modern scent, it's definitely a bold statement. To my nose, it smells clean (thanks to the lavender) yet warm and leathery at the same time. This would be a great choice for someone who's a fan of Kenneth Cole Reaction or Hugo Boss Dark Blue.

Only the Brave contains top notes of Lemon Blossom, Mandarin and Coriander leaves; a heart of labdanum, black rose and lavender; a dry-down of amber, tolu wood and ebony wood.

I hope you've found some last-minute inspiration in these suggestions, and please stay tuned because I will be reviewing more men's fragrances in the future (sorry, I can't help myself!).

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and gratis samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.