Acqua di Gio Absolu vs Invictus Aqua Comparison

In this head to head cologne comparison post, I am going to take a closer look at two of the more popular aquatic fragrances of the past few years: Acqua di Gio Absolu vs. Invictus Aqua. Which of these two scents smells the best? Which gives a better performance? The Paco Rabanne or the Armani?

Tale of the Tape: AdG Absolu vs. Invictus Aqua

Acqua di Gio Absolu

Notes include: patchouli, marine notes, labdanum, tonka bean, wood, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, apple, pear

Click here to try: Acqua di Giò Absolu Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 fl oz Men

Read my full review here: Acqua di Gio Absolu

Invictus Aqua EDT

Notes include: yuzu, pink pepper, guaiac wood, marine notes, violet leaf, ambergris, grapefruit

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Invictus Aqua

Opening

Invictus Aqua starts out with yuzu, grapefruit, and the marine notes. The start of Aqua is my favorite part of the fragrance, as I really like the inclusion of yuzu within the composition.

It’s quite an salty aquatic citrus cologne and then the pink pepper kicks in, which brings some added depth.

Aqua di Gio Absolu also starts out with grapefruit, but pairs it with bergamot, instead of yuzu. Absolu has a woody base, apple, tonka bean, and the same sort of sea note that does Aqua.

Which is better? I think I’ll give the edge to Absolu. They have similarities but I like the woody base and tonka bean in the Armani, a bit more than in Aqua.

Edge: Absolu

Projection

Absolu starts out pretty strong for about an hour and then shifts into something that is much more moderate. Aqua is a lighter fragance, but probably is defined as a moderate, it just doesn’t reach the same level as AdG Absolu does at the start.

Absolu is also an EDP, so, it should naturally be stronger…it is.

Edge: Absolu

Longevity

While Absolu has the better sillage, Invictus Aqua actually lasts longer on my skin. I get about 8 hours from Absolu and Aqua can go over 8 hours and touch double digits. It has really good longevity for an aquatic.

It was actually surprising, that this version could match or excel past the other Invictus flankers.

Edge: Invictus Aqua

Versatility

These two colognes pretty much hit the same beats. Spring and summertime wears. They can go casual or to a party or even to work. They can also hold their own in the cooler months of the year. I don’t see an advantage here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Invictus Aqua has a really nice opening act. Beyond that, the performance is awesome, and it plays its role rather well. The dry down, however, brings out more of the violet leaf note and oud. It becomes woodier and ‘dirtier’, for lack of a better term.

Finally, it pretty much ends on my skin a pure sea water smell. I’m not too big of a fan of how it develops.

Meanwhile, Acqua di Gio Absolu has the citrus and marine notes, and then adds amber and wood to that. It also has an earthier smell, as it moves along, but it doesn’t get completely overrun like I feel Aqua does. Absolu also just has a better aroma, is better blended, and smells more expensive.

In the Acqua di Gio lineup, I actually prefer AdG Profumo, to Absolu. Though, between the two in this head to head, I’m going with AdG Absolu. If price is a serious consideration, then, Invictus Aqua isn’t a bad choice at all. You can usually pull bottles of that for cheaper than Absolu.

Winner: Absolu

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.