Gen Z Boys Embrace Fragrance Influencing

Teen boys and young men are building followings, landing brand deals, and monetizing cologne as self-improvement culture reshapes the male beauty market.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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A new generation of male fragrance influencers, like 17-year-old Tristan Rodriguez, are finding success on social media by reviewing and promoting cologne. Driven by self-improvement culture and the rise of TikTok, young men are turning their passion for scents into lucrative side hustles, with some earning thousands of dollars through brand partnerships and affiliate marketing.

Why it matters

The growth of male fragrance influencing signals a shift in the beauty industry, as Gen Z boys and young men embrace a culture of self-improvement and use cologne as an accessible entry point into the creator economy. This trend challenges traditional gender norms around beauty and personal care, while also providing new monetization opportunities for a younger demographic.

The details

Tristan Rodriguez, known as "That Fragrance Kid," started reviewing colognes online at age 13 and has since built a following of nearly 378,000 across social media. He now receives free fragrances from luxury brands and can earn $500 to $1,500 per sponsored video. Other young creators like Evan Hall and Oscar Almaraz have also found success in the fragrance influencing space, positioning cologne as a tool for self-improvement and confidence rather than just seduction.

  • Tristan Rodriguez started reviewing colognes online at age 13.
  • Rodriguez now has nearly 378,000 followers across social media.

The players

Tristan Rodriguez

A 17-year-old high school junior known as "That Fragrance Kid" who reviews and promotes cologne online, building a large social media following and earning money through brand partnerships.

Evan Hall

A 23-year-old fragrance content creator who runs the "Fragrance Knowledge" account, focusing on affordable cologne options for younger audiences.

Oscar Almaraz

A 21-year-old aspiring social media influencer who started the "Just Smell Better" account to promote and earn money from fragrance content.

Jeremy Fragrance

A popular and eccentric fragrance influencer with over 10 million TikTok followers who inspired younger creators like Tristan Rodriguez to get into the space.

Ciara Strickland

A content creator and client strategist at a social media marketing agency who has observed the rise of male fragrance influencing.

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What they’re saying

“I've always wanted to make videos for fun and just play around and post stuff online. I got my first cologne and was super-excited to review it online, but I didn't think I would have gotten this far.”

— Tristan Rodriguez, Fragrance Influencer (Yahoo)

“We talk about going to the gym, eating healthy, getting your steps in. It's not just about wearing a fragrance. It's about wearing a fragrance to help improve you a little bit and then taking other steps to self-improvement.”

— Evan Hall, Fragrance Content Creator (Yahoo)

“You look good, you feel good, you smell good. That's something the younger generation has really taken to heart. They see these guys who look put together and talk about fragrance, and they want to mimic that.”

— Ciara Strickland, Content Creator and Social Media Strategist (Yahoo)

What’s next

As the trend of male fragrance influencing continues to grow, brands may seek out more partnerships with young creators like Tristan Rodriguez, Evan Hall, and Oscar Almaraz to reach this emerging demographic. The profitability of this space could also inspire more Gen Z boys and young men to pursue social media content creation as a career path.

The takeaway

The rise of male fragrance influencers on social media reflects a broader cultural shift, as Gen Z boys and young men embrace a self-improvement mindset and use cologne as an accessible way to participate in the creator economy. This trend challenges traditional gender norms in the beauty industry and provides new monetization opportunities for a younger demographic.