It is that time of year again. With all the new releases and time-tested formulations, Men’s Folio is pitting the industry’s best in the grooming category against each other to see which holds up in the scopes of ease of use, claim to fame and sustainability. Judged by a panel of local experts, this year’s iteration honours grooming routines — in all its steps and processes. From insider interviews with TCM scalp care label Jing Botanics to a professional’s opinion on laying the foundation for a dependable makeup routine, here, Men’s Folio presents the 2025 edition of our annual Grooming Awards.
Best Woody Fragrance: Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb Dark Leather Eau de Parfum
Can a perfume smell like a home? Perhaps not the sterile-like “clean,” laundry-like scents found in room sprays, but the warmth and charm of a well-loved space — maybe even with a touch of eccentric art on the walls? Viktor&Rolf’s Spicebomb Dark Leather comes strikingly close. It opens with a bold crackle of black pepper and nutmeg, setting off a spicy tension that feels both invigorating and grounding. As the fragrance unfolds, cinnamon and frankincense rise to the surface, infusing the composition with a smoky warmth that evokes the comfort of dimly lit corners, worn-in leather, and the quiet hum of conversation by firelight. At its base, deep notes of smooth, rich, and unapologetically black leather and tobacco take hold. The scent is packed with layers, one that is somehow familiar yet wholly unexpected — the kind of blend only a truly skilled nose could pull off.
Photography Zantz Han
Styling Vanessa Grace Ng
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our June/July 2025 issue.