Best Men's Colognes

Best Men's Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I've owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally test out and written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!

20 Best Men’s Fragrances from the 1990s

by

The 1990s was a decade which further built the continuously growing men’s fragrance market. Compared to the heavy hitters of the 1980s (see also: 1970s), the popular 90s scents usually took a lighter and fresher approach. To me, there’s just more variety of style in this decade and it’s also when I personally got to experience, my first colognes.

So, I’ve selected 20 colognes released from 1990-1999, which are either best sellers or some of the best smelling fragrances of the decade. Some, fit in both categories. The list isn’t in any particular order or ranking.

What are the Best and Most Popular Men’s Fragrances of the 1990s?

Exotic YSL

Opium Pour Homme– I’m going to start things here with an entry from YSL. Really, I think Yves Saint Laurent had an all-time great run from the 1980s through the mid-2000s with their men’s fragrance releases.

Opium Pour Homme is an under appreciated release from 1995. It followed many years after the massive success of the women’s classic of the same name. There would be a EDP and EDT release, along with several flankers in the following decade. The Eau de Parfum is basically non-existent, outside of a few remaining bottles that pop up on eBay.

The EDT survived longer, being re-issued by YSL for a time, during the last decade. I bought one of those bottles and don’t recommend it, as Opium is a thin shadow of its former self.

Note: Dua has their inspired version of this formula, called: Impulse.

That being said, the original formula was fantastic. Star anise, black pepper, black currant, and balsam start things off. The spice, sharp fruitiness, and thickly warm embrace was great in the winter months.

Then, it turns sweeter with the vanilla note stepping up into the spotlight. That, along with the balsam and cedar notes. Still, somewhat spicy but I loved the blanketing effect Opium Pour Homme once had. Opium Homme Review

A Familiar All-Timer

Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Acqua di Gio really came to dominate in the latter part of the decade, after its release in 1997. Since then, it’s never quite released its grip on best-seller status.

Sure, nowadays we have options like Profondo and Profumo, but the smell of the original formula is simply amazing. The performance has taken a hit, while the aroma itself is still gorgeous.

A salty sea breeze opening act, paired with lemon and lime. It’s fresh and addictive, with further floral elements like hyacinth, neroli, and jasmine. I love the phase of this, when I get the jasmine and citrus blend coming through the most.

In terms of smell, influence, and sales…is there any way to leave Acqua di Gio off the list of all-time greats? Let alone the 1990s. AdG Review

Platinum Hits

Egoiste Platinum– The original Egoiste was technically released in 1990, but is pretty much a re-branded release by Chanel from 1987. Thus, that one ended up on my 1980s list.

For 1990s Chanel, I’m kicking things off with the sequel, Platinum Egoiste. I’ve gone back and forth about which one that I prefer (nowadays, I’m firmly in the Egoiste camp), but Platinum for sure has its own charm.

Petigrain, neroli, sage, and lavender create that fresh opening burst. This one is different from the original, as it is more of a modern take on the classic clean barbershop fragrance.

The lavender will stick around, surrounded by outdoorsy/woody notes, including vetiver and cedar. Very well put together and easy to wear. Platinum is still a hit for Chanel. Egoiste Platinum Review

chanel platinum review

The Other Chanel

Allure Homme– Allure Homme closed out the decade for Chanel, with its 1999 release. Since then, it has spawned off other great flankers under the Allure Homme title. But, this first one is a great fragrance and absolutely one of the top scents of the decade.

The opening of Allure Homme is a bright clean citrus affair, led by the mandarin orange. That note is flanked by peach and some lemon. This is paired with fresh spices including coriander, ginger, and black pepper.

Soon, the citrus will take over and the ending is a woody/vanilla/amber blend with that orange and lemon top still hanging about. Now, the performance was never amazing, but the newer batches of Allure have been disappointing.

I wished the formula was beefed up from what it is. Though, the scent itself still smells fantastic. Allure Homme Review

Jazzy Belle

Live Jazz– A flanker to the original 1980s great, Jazz. Live Jazz went in its own direction, was around for some years, before fading away entirely. However, this was another banger from YSL that too often gets overlooked.

It took until 1998 for YSL to release another flanker to Jazz after, the Prestige version. This one is a warm weather star, with notes of mint, citrus, and coriander. Live Jazz is super fresh, green and somewhat bitter, with a delightful grapefruit and lemon combination.

I had this one in the mid-2000s for a time, when I was on my initial YSL scent kick. Nowadays, it’s too expensive to track down the remaining bottles.

But, The Dua Brand, has released their own inspired take on Live Jazz at a much better price. Haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list.

Summer Stunner

Millesime Imperial by Creed– This entry was technically released in the 1990s, but I’d say it has had more of an impact over the latter 2000s to the present.

Millesime Imperial is a salty aquatic sort of fragrance highlighted by bright citrus notes, which come across as more of a melon when applied to my skin. It’s fresh and juicy, while having warmer highlights, a touch of iris, and dry woods underneath.

To this day, it’s still among the best fragrances that Creed has ever produced. 7-9 hours of wear, not being overly complicated with its structure, but a lovely addition to a summertime rotation. Millesime Imperial Review

Gaultier’s Signature

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier– Le Male was released back in 1995 and is still among the best selling men’s fragrances here in 2023. It has spawned dozens of flankers and special editions, many of which have become popular in their own right.

It’s a rather simple scent, but one with enough nuance to make it stand out. Early, you get a blend of warm and fresh spice with the mint and cinnamon note. The main focus however, is the vanilla and lavender. Clean, sweet, powdery, and floral.

This is still a fantastic wear, that really doesn’t cost too much and still holds up after decades. It’s an absolute classic cologne, that’s showing no signs of losing its accumulated popularity. Le Male Review

Givenchy Gold

Pi By Givenchy For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces
A sweet blend of vanilla and almond with underlying notes of cedar, rosemary, and mandarin to give it a dash of woodsy and citrus flavor.

I’ve never personally been too big of a fan of Pi, but I have used it some in the past. Since it still does well, there are apparently a ton of people who seem to swear by it.

Pi is another very good option for those who enjoy vanilla and is best served for use in winter. Longevity is pretty hit or miss, especially in the last batch I tried probably like 5 years ago.

The newer bottles do feel quite a bit different, than the older ones, that I remember. It does still have that great vanilla and almond combination with some boozy flourishes. Though, it feels like its lost a step. Pi is one that is going to need a re-visit soon, but it is undeniably a classic.

Boss Battle

Hugo Boss Men’s Boss No. 6 Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.- Bottled No.6  is another 90s fragrance that is still popular today and along with Hugo, is one of the best that the designer released.

The apple and cinnamon notes provide a familiar sweetness and warmth from the start of the wear. If feels super clean and gourmand. Then, the vanilla note adds a layer of smoothness over the whole composition.

The dry down, adds wood notes such as sandalwood and cedar, that prevent it from going too far into the sweetness end of things and straying into a women’s fragrance.

Yes, it does have that sort of apple pie aroma, but Boss Bottled No. 6 never feels like a teenage girl’s perfume. This is a very safe to wear fragrance, that has a versatility for most every occasion.  Hugo Bottled Boss Review

Citrus Spice

L’eau d’Issey– This is a fragrance that I’ve used a lot in the past. Particularly in college, I had a bottle of L’eau d’Issey around.

Since 1994, this scent has pretty much carried the label from a fragrance perspective, launching flanker after flanker and under this banner.

The actual fragrance is a sharp and spicy citrus, which packs a punch in the outset. It will start to include more tobacco, vetiver, and dry woods. Thus transforming into a cologne that is much more tolerable while remaining a unique entry into popular perfumery.

Almost 30 years later, this Issey Miyake cologne is still racking up the sales. It’s versatile and presents a nice value proposition. L’eau d’Issey Review

Unique in a Red Bottle

Xeryus Rouge by Givenchy– Xeryus Rouge is another mid-1990s fragrance that is still hanging around, even with at least a few changes along the way.

This one has a blend of red pepper, citrus, and cactus early on. Juicy with an herbal green quality to it in the early stages of the wear. The spiciness is a great touch, but this one will dry down into a woody aromatic blend that is rather traditional.

I bought a new bottle of this last year, since it was so inexpensive, and it had been years since I’d experience Xeryus Rouge. Still one that I like and a cologne that stands out against all of the ‘blue’ fragrances of the modern day. Xeryus Rouge Review

From Here to Eternity

Eternity for Men– A 1990 release that started the decade in a major way for Calvin Klein. Fresh off of the heels of the late 80s success of the Obsession line. Eternity for Men is lovely and simple in its aroma. It features notes of lavender, vetiver, and sandalwood that give off a super clean and fresh ‘soapy’ feeling.

The citrus notes add some depth and a change of pace from the lavender laden parts of this cologne’s life cycle. This is a calming masculine fragrance, that enjoys a mass appeal.

Eternity is quite herbal and floral with supporting notes such as basil and sage. It’s not a heavy spice by any means, but that light herbal kick, gives this fragrance a lively profile.

It is fresh and bright, built for the warmer months of the year, as it is such an upbeat cologne. The longevity is moderate, as is the sillage, but Eternity is a nice addition for daily wear. Eternity Cologne Review

The One You Couldn’t Escape

CK One– The mid-1990s in a bottle. CK One was absolutely everywhere during the back half of the decade and hangs around even up to present times. The real advantage it had, was being unisex, and having the massive brand cache of Calvin Klein at the time.

Yet, this is a very likeable perfume. Not my personal favorite, though it is one that I would gladly wear on occasion, if I currently had a bottle of the stuff.

Its notes are a blend of fruit and more earthy or woodsy ones. However, CK One doesn’t have a heavy or rugged aroma to it, it is clean and warm instead. The papaya and pineapple help to give this scent a light sweetness, which I think plays a major part in its appeal.

It dries down with light greenish notes, floral touches, musk, woods, and the remaining citrus. Still usually highly affordable and the performance isn’t too bad. CK One Review

Casual Refinement

Burberry for Men– Mint, cedar, and amber launch Burberry for Men. The combination is fresh with a mix of cold and warmth from the amber, with a light bergamot citrus adding further dynamism.

The mint will be there along with a clean lavender note, the cedar and sandalwood. Woodier and low key, with still a hint of spice coming through at times.

This is one that I’ve liked to come back to time and again, over the years. Still one of my favorite releases from Burberry, up to current day. Burberry for Men

The Lone Dior

Dune Pour Homme– Dior was basically absent from the men’s fragrance discussion during the 1990s. Even the early 2000s, wasn’t great from this brand, with its decent but fairly forgettable Higher line.

Dune Pour Homme is a bright spot in the darkness. While the performance is frustrating, the scent itself is unique and terrific.

Basil, sage, and cassis open things up. A trio of notes that aren’t always used (save the sage),but give this one a dynamic start. Fresh, fruity, and lots of fig coming through. Dune is extremely dry wood, herbal greens, and an early sweet fruitiness.

Not a long-lasting cologne, not a powerful one, but an absolute gem from 1997. Dune Pour Homme Review

Light Dreams

Dreamer By Gianni Versace For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– The Dreamer has now been re-formulated and re-released, over the last few years. But, I’m referring to the 1996 era cologne, that is different from the newer batches.

Green and herbal, The Dreamer features a prominent tobacco note that smells more like the uncured plants than something more processed. It has a rose note, sage, and fir at the early stages. Coming across as strong and sharp, at times.

However, you end up with a sweeter and more floral fragrance. The tobacco is flanked by carnation and that rose with dry woods and fresh spice appearing throughout the wear. This was one of the last scents that came out, with Gianni still at the helm of the company. There’s nothing exactly like The Dreamer, but it still feels familiar. Dreamer Review

Peak 90s Hilfiger

Athletics By Tommy Hilfiger For Men. Cologne Spray 1.7 Ounces– Yes, Tommy was the quintessential Tommy Hilfiger cologne of the decade, and one that I like. I’m sort of combining these two colognes on the list.

But, Hilfiger Athletics is one that often gets overlooked and was actually awesome. As such, I’m giving it the nod.

This scent was discontinued a long time ago (but you can find old bottles on Amazon, at times, which I’ve linked or eBay). It’s probably too expensive due to scarcity, for most to want it nowadays.

However, I happened to have it back when it was released in 1998, and I was in 5th grade. I lived in a very hot and humid climate and Hilfiger Athletics, was up to the task.

It was sneaky great, as I recall, and very fresh. As a sport scent, it was light with citrus notes including bergamot and grapefruit which was paired with grass and star anise. Simple…wish I still had some, but these are my memories of it.

Sporty Americana

Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– Polo Sport is another one that brings back memories from my childhood. Using this cologne years ago, I absolutely enjoyed how fresh and invigorating a fragrance that it is.

Smelling this scent takes me back, and to me, really defines what a sporty fragrance should be. This was probably the best Polo fragrance in the 1990s. It’s not too citrusy or too much of a light aquatic, rather, it blends all of these elements together to make something wonderful and upbeat.

Polo Sport takes so many different elements a does a wonderful job at blending them all together. The sharp and cool mint, the lovely lavender, the sunny citrus notes…all of which sit atop a layer of marine notes. This has always been a very versatile fragrance and works well for teenagers to adults. My Polo Sport Review

Curve

Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men – 4.2 Ounce Cologne Spray– Curve is one from the 90s that was still going strong during the next decade. Plus, still sells well.

People always see to react positively to this one, as Curve’s unique blend of notes, just draws people in. For an inexpensive cologne, this is a complement machine.

There are fruity elements such as pineapple, citrus, and juniper berries which play off a calm and clean lavender note. It is super fresh with a slight spice provided by pepper and ginger. However, the outdoorsy elements really set this Liz Claiborne creation apart.

It’s got a floral charm while being masculine and uses mahogany and cactus as a part of its base. An almost perfect choice for the younger guy, as it is non-offensive, doesn’t cost much, and is quite versatile in a number of situations. My review of Curve

Chrome Citrus

Chrome Cologne for Men 3.4 fl. oz Eau De Toilette– Chrome is a staple of the nineties. Sort of in the same vein as CK One, just more masculine.

A very clean and fresh cologne that can become a man’s daily wear fragrance at a very inexpensive price. Chrome is simple yet a quite potent blend of citrus notes.

Chrome starts off with it strong juicy citrus notes of pineapple and lemon, giving the cologne a bright and upbeat disposition. These two are joined by a very nice neroli, giving chrome a further semi-soapy cleanliness.

During the wear, you will notice aquatic aromas, a slight metallic air, and woods at the base. Chrome is a classic, still has a good performance, and smells great all these years later. Very easy to wear and perpetually popular. Chrome review

11 Best Smelling Neroli Scented Perfumes

by

Neroli is a very popular note to use within women’s fragrances, particularly those made for the summer months. This derivative of the white flowers of certain orange trees, is often elegantly paired with other citrus notes, white florals, and a few spicy herbal ingredients. In this post, I want to take a closer look at what could be considered the best smelling neroli fragrances out there.

I have selected eleven options, that represent a range of styles, and there should be something for everyone. Is this an exhaustive list? No, but, it will serve as a great starting point.

What are the Top Neroli Fragrances?

 High End Neroli Scent

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Forte Eau De Parfum 3.4oz/100ml New In Box– I’m not a fan of the opening five minutes of this fragrance (too much musk and basil), but ultimately came to prefer it over the original Neroli Portofino.

The citrus notes here are blood orange and bergamot, which gives Forte a much juicier aroma than the original, but it does still have that soapy clean essence. As it dries down, leather and woods emerge, to flank the neroli note and blood orange still playing a big role.

The longevity here is good and this is a unisex perfume that leans more feminine. This isn’t a ‘pure neroli’ wear, but that is the main feature; that is housed in a great blend of citrus and then woods. Read my review here.

Better High End Neroli Scent

Neroli Amara by Van Cleef & Arpels– Adding this one to the list, with this update. Man, Neroli Amara is a fantastic fragrance. I think it’s exclusively at Bergdorf (linked above) now, however.

Anyway, this one is joined by bergamot, lemon, and orange. Super bright, but understated. Juicy freshness, but not overpowering. The neroli and orange blossom are going to be flanked by those citrus notes for most of the wear.

But, you will get to enjoy a heart of crisp pear and a light touch of pepper. The dry down isn’t too soapy, but you will get some musk, that will ramp up alongside the main notes.

If you want a great citrus and neroli blend, Neroli Amara can for sure fit the bill.

A Market of Flowers

Fanfare by Thameen London– Another expensive citrus and neroli blend. This one is quite good, however, with unique qualities and inspired by The Flower Market at Convent Garden.

What this means in practice is, a big dose of bergamot and lemon blended with our target ingredient. Underneath that: vermouth, juniper, and rosemary. Along with, some generic floral touches.

This one is fresh, with some aromatic spiciness, and the cold contrast to a hot summer’s day. There’s even a honeysuckle accord which get in on the act for a time.

Not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but Fanfare is a newer neroli release, that I think delivers.

A Grand Neroli

Grand Neroli by Atelier– Grand Neroli is an interesting mix of our target note, with drier woodsy ingredients, greenish notes, and a nice vanilla coming from the base.

The top is especially green and citrusy, but it will turn more into a neroli showcase, as it dries down with hints of moss and the vanilla. This Atelier Cologne is light and fresh, with a sort of old school vibe.

It doesn’t really go overboard with any of the notes, has a nice balance, and isn’t screechy or too much like a cleaning product.

Underrated Neroli Perfume

Annick Goutal Neroli Les Colognes Eau De Cologne Spray 6.8 Oz / 200 Ml For Women, 24 Ounce– A great rendition of neroli starts off this Annick Goutal fragrance, which is then joined by, orange blossom. It has a greenish citrus aroma, but dries down more into that soapy neroli fragrance.

It also features petitgrain and it provides an herbal sort of scent to this cologne. A very good balance of being floral and citrus, but maintaining a neroli dominant composition. As it moves along further, you definitely get more of a pure neroli scent.

Les Colognes Neroli is a simple blend, but probably something that most fans of this note are looking for. It can be tough to find bottles, but its worthwhile, if not too expensive.

Fresh Spice & Neroli

Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne Spray 30ml/1oz– Basil & Neroli by Jo Malone is a great change of pace fragrance, for those who want an herbal spice, with their neroli note. This can also serve as a great base perfume to layer with other Jo Malone scents.

It is very herbal and green at the top, with a light musk note floating around throughout. The drydown is much more of a citrus/floral, with a naturalistic smell. A beautiful and crisp wear for warmer weather.

I didn’t like the basil in Neroli Portofino Forte, as it struck me as strange, when paired with the musk note. However, Basil & Neroli, is devoid of that and much more pleasant than the opening act of the Tom Ford.

Deep Florals and Neroli

Sex and the Sea Neroli– I didn’t know of Francesca Bianchi prior to coming across this fragrance. But, this one for sure got me intrigued to try more.

There’s a lot going on with Sex and the Sea Neroli, which is a flanker of another of this brand’s perfumes. That being the case, this probably isn’t a fragrance for everybody’s taste.

It opens up with our neroli note. However, it is paired with coconut, civet, honey, and powdery florals which will come on later in the wear.

The neroli here is pretty green and has a bitter quality. This can be a bold start, but it does play well off of the creamy, sweet, and powdery notes in play. Smooth vanilla, kind of salty, beachy and tropical with that coconut.

This fragrance is a bit strange, yet, I dig it.

A Light Guerlain

Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Bianca by Guerlain– Long enough name? Sure, but this is a very nice neroli perfume from Guerlain, that isn’t super expensive.

Nerolia Bianca leans more towards the citrus floral than some of the others who have a greater use of herbal notes. The citrus is confined to the orange note, that is fresh, lush, and plenty juicy.

Yet, the opening is pretty much the orange juiciness and a greenish quality. This will transform into the use of the neroli and orange blossom, with the dry down being much more about the floral notes.

Very light and clean, great for use in the summer. Quite a Mediterranean feel.

Citrus/Neroli

Neroli Sauvage By Creed For Men. Millesime Spray 4.0 Oz.– A fantastic smelling citrus neroli blend. The opening features that traditional Creed bergamot note, grapefruit, and lemon verbena. The neroli is clean and green, but the citrus is more of a star here than that note.

The fragrance is very zesty and immediately brings to mind, being outside in the summertime. Obviously, Creed is going to be on the expensive end of things, but this one is gorgeous. I really enjoyed the juiciness of the actual citrus notes and how they played off of the neroli.

I tried this one out in the Creed boutique, the performance wasn’t as great as the aroma, but I really can’t deny the awesome smell.

Most Popular Designer Neroli

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray– Yes, I like Neroli Portofino Forte better, but the original is still a very good neroli based scent. Neroli Portofino is more floral, but does have an opening act which features lemon, to go along with the neroli and orange blossom.

It has a soapy profile and becomes even more floral as it dries down, as jasmine really starts to come through underneath the neroli. Clean and feminine, great for warm weather, with pretty good performance.

Plenty of folks, seem to prefer this one to Forte. It will probably be a better bet if you want a more floral experience, with the main focus being neroli and that jasmine. Read my review

Cheap Pure Neroli Perfume

Demeter Neroli Cologne Spray 120ml/4oz– An inexpensive option for those who want more of a pure neroli perfume. It is a light and fairly sweet fragrance, with quite a good, and realistic neroli note. It has elements of orange blossom in there, but overall just a very solid option to spray on, when wanting a neroli blast.

Demeter does specialize in creating this singular note focused fragrances. Some are a complete miss, but this neroli one, is actually one of their better examples. Not going to blow you away, just something that does a good job, at a cheap price point.

Le Male Le Parfum by JPG

by

Le Male Le Parfum is an entry from the long-running Jean Paul Gaultier series, that was released back in 2020. It’s already one that I’ve tried a few times before, enjoyed, but didn’t write a full review for.

I recently saw a mini bottle available for purchase and made it apart of my order, so I could further test it. How does Le Parfum smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a purchase?

What does Le Male Le Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, iris, vanilla, lavender, woods, spices

Click here to try: Le Male Le Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Gaultier describes it: Dressed in a black and gold officer’s jacket, this intense eau de parfum is taking leadership of the Le Male range with great style and strength. An elegant woody amber trail capturing the charisma and power of a leader. Attention sailors! The captain has arrived and we’re about to set sail.

Update: Adding more to this review, since the initial splash mini that I got was really poorly mixed. I got a travel sprayer and Le Parfum is much more enjoyable to me.

Le Parfum opens up with a warm blend of its spicy notes and floral ingredients. The cardamom is the strongest up top. The same note found in Le Male Airlines, but Le Parfum isn’t as intense with it, nor is the overall scent as sweet.

That cardamom spice is joined by some vague spiced accord. I’m not sure what this actually consists of, but I’m pretty sure there is cinnamon in the mix.

The Le Male lavender, is of course in play here. That and the vanilla are two holdovers from the original Le Male formula. But, lavender gets a bit overshadowed early by the iris.

Iris with the emergent vanilla, gives this a powdery undertone that is most present on my skin through about the middle act.

The main difference between this and Le Male is the original had a fresher/crisper profile. This one actually is warmer (not heavy or enveloping) and the amber wood note really helps to smooth things out.

As we shift into the middle, the other spices aside from cardamom fade, and the iris will be less prominent.

What you get more of is the vanilla, lavender, and amber notes? Cardamom and lavender of course will hang around until close to the end. However, the dry down becomes more and more about vanilla and amber and a light generic woody aroma.

It’s kind of sweet, sort of spicy, with a good amount of vanilla.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Le Parfum definitely doesn’t have the same power as Ultra Male and is somewhere close to the original Le Male, in terms of its reach. It’s a bit above the average cologne with its sillage.

This isn’t a heavy cologne or one that’s going to project across the room and leave a scent trail. That opening 30 minutes can come close to that, with enough sprays, but this is straight moderate the rest of the way.

The longevity is better. 8 hours for sure, with the potential to hit 9. That’s seems to be its maximum during all the times that I’ve worn the scent. Better than most from the Le Male series, just not elite.

Seasonally, I’d mostly go autumn and winter with Le Parfum. It doesn’t have to stay there entirely and can indeed venture into the spring.

It’s not so heavy that’ll be melted in mild to moderately warm temperatures. Le Parfum just isn’t built for those hot and high humidity days.

This does have a refinement and simplicity about it, which sort of extends the age range versus many others in this series. It can been worn by teenagers or much older guys. No real problem there, as Gaultier’s copy says about it, Le Parfum is the ‘captain’ of this line.

I don’t think this one is restricted at all to the nightlife. Ultra Male pretty much is. But, Le Parfum is low key enough to be worn to work or casually during the day. While also, having the appeal for date nights or just hanging out around town.

Overall Impressions of Le Male Le Parfum

Overall, do I like Le Parfum? Yes. Personally, I still like Ultra Male more. That one is more difficult to wear often and can be too much, at times. So, Le Parfum is probably going to be a better fit for most guys.

gaultier le male

You definitely still get plenty of the Le Male DNA, but this is more refined. It is smoother for sure and the spiciness is different in this one and improved versus the EDT.

I do like that opening act a lot. The cardamom, other spices, and iris give this fragrance plenty of dynamism and Le Parfum has a great balance. The dry down goes more in the vanilla direction and is still plenty attractive.

I’ve seen this also compared to Armani Code EDP. I can sort of get the relation. However, this one is better. The vanilla and tonka in that one, aren’t super enjoyable.

The performance is good. Not a massive beast mode cologne, but it is one that’ll stick around for a good while.

Le Male Le Parfum is well worth trying out and might even become a signature or simply a favorite of many guys out there. I’m not totally in love with it, though, it is a very good fragrance.

8 Best Smelling Pear Scented Perfumes

by

Pear is a note that doesn’t seem to take the lead often. Its crisp, juicy, and aquatic aroma usually is an add-on and gets used a lot to make a perfume have more of a soapy clean scent.

Sometimes, you just want a fragrance to have a pear note that’s going to play a bigger role and really shine within a composition.

Well, that’s where these perfumes come in. I will continually update this page, as I come across more pear perfumes that are worthwhile.

What are the Best Smelling Pear Perfumes?

Crisp Pear Florals

English Pear & Freesia Jo Malone 3.4 Oz Unisex Cologne Unbox– Juicy and crisp pear meets with freesia and rose notes to create a wonderful blend of floral and fruit. It’s sweet, light, and good for casual wear.

It has that crisp juiciness that is found in pear, but this scent is also blended with a melon note, which gives it a slightly chilled aroma. Further along in the wear, the floral notes get more of an upper hand, and the freesia/rose duo bring a somewhat soapy smell to the whole thing.

Pear & Freesia is the usual Jo Malone perfume that focuses on a few key notes and has the ability to be layered with other fragrances in the line. Or, just wear this one by itself, and enjoy how the pear presents itself.

One from Gaultier

Women’s Perfume La Belle Jean Paul Gaultier EDP– Le Belle is probably the best current women’s offering from JPG, that uses pear. It is a note that Gaultier seems to use pretty often. 

La Belle EDP has our target note, a nice floral heart, and a vanilla/musk blend coming up from the base. The vanilla is pretty strong here and provides a dynamic partner with the pear. This one is pretty sugary with how it presents itself. 

As it dries down, La Belle feels warmer, and becomes more floral. But, the pear and vanilla are always there, with a syrupy-like thickness in the latter stages.

Popular Jimmy Choo

JIMMY CHOO Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.0 fl. oz.– A sweet patchouli fragrance led by pear and then is joined by orchid and toffee. As it dries down, it gets less fruity and the patchouli fully develops into a spicier version of itself.

Yes, the patchouli is the star here, but the pear is stronger early on, and sticks around in a major role for the duration of the wear (along with toffee). This isn’t going to be a ‘pure pear’ play, but an easy to wear and great smelling scent that gives you plenty of the fruity note.

It actually is a clean and inviting fragrance that offers versatility and nice performance with this EDP edition. It is warm, sweet, with a nice spicy and orchid floral touch in the latter stages. Jimmy Choo EDP has great performance and the sillage, while not massive, is indeed strong.  My Full Review of Jimmy Choo EDP

Pear and Citrus

Aqua Allegoia Pera Granita by Guerlain–  A super summery wear with osmanthus, citrus fruits, and our pear note. Grapefruit and lemon do a lot of the heavy lifting to make this one a gelato-like aroma.

Very fresh with some early bergamot sourness. But, once that pear comes into the mix fully, Pera Granita really steps up its enjoyability. It’s juicy and has more of a realistic fruit feeling than merely a candy-like pear impression. 

Can be quite sweet at times, the freshness is boosted by the musk and floral notes, which also give this Guerlain a somewhat shampoo kind of quality in the dry down. Not super powerful or complex, but a lovely pear perfume.

Idolized Pear

Idole by Lancome– Not a pure play on pear, but another daily wear with a significant pear presence. By the end, the note will be faint, but through the middle this one is juicy and fantastic.

The opening act is the pear and the bergamot notes, on center stage. Sparkling, clean, with a lot of upbeat energy. Our target note is the dominant one between the two.

Jasmine and rose will have their back and forth, in terms of strength, and musk comes into its own during the dry down. It goes from fruit dominant, to floral-fruity, to mostly floral musky. This one’s an easy to wear crowd pleaser. Idole Review

Idôle review

Passione Pear and Rose

Armani Si Passione Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4-oz. – Si Passione has a fruity blend in the opening act. The pear actually shares duties with the pineapple note, which stands out more in the early wear.

But, the shift will come and the pear will take over the fruity side of things. While the floral side is headed up by rose. Heliotrope, pear, and the other fruit notes don’t allow this one to become a straight up rose perfume. In fact, the rose is pretty balanced within the composition.

Again, not a solo pear fragrance, but the not plays a big role here. It does take on a cleaner and soapier aroma than some of the more candy-like pear notes on the list. Not too heavy of a sillage, but the longevity is somewhere over 8 hours, most of the time. Si Passione Review

 

 

Ariana Grande Pear

God is a Woman by Ariana Grande– This Ariana Grande perfume seems to me to be underrated. Not that it is an incredible scent, but it is quite good, and better than people give it credit for. Yes, the bottle does look dumb.

However, the pear note here is great. It is put together with a wonderful ambrette, clean musk, and powdery touches of orris and rose. 

It is a pear dominated, mass appealing perfume, with fresh and juicy semi-aquatic vibes. Quite enjoyable to wear and I got 7 hours out of it during testing. Candy-like pear note, later in the wear, as it comes together with vanilla. 

Super versatile, probably skewing towards younger women. Though, I don’t find it to be one that’s got too strong of teenager vibes. Older women can definitely wear. God is a Woman Review

Clean and Sharp

Pear, Inc by Juilette Has a Gun– This one is going to have more of a limited appeal. Not that it is particularly offensive or anything, as it is a pretty simple fragrance.

But, it is one that is going to create that soapy or shampoo-like aroma, due to the fairly large musk note that joins the pear. That and amber pretty much rounds out the experience with Pear, Inc. 

I think that it can be pretty sharp early, but it settles down into more of a sweet clean perfume. Depending on your own personal taste, that early punch might scare you off or maybe the later sweetness?

Still, I like this one overall for how it uses the pear and I absolutely think that it deserves a spot on the list. I will say, it is a bit too expensive for my liking versus what you get. 

A*Men Ultra Zest by Thierry Mugler

by

In this review, I am going to take a closer look at another Thierry Mugler men’s fragrance, this one from the Angel Men lineup: A*Men Ultra Zest. How does this cologne smell? What are its notes? WHen should it be worn? Is it even worth giving a try?

What does A* Men Ultra Zest Smell Like?

Notes include: tangerine, red orange, cinnamon, tonka bean, patchouli, vanilla, coffee, ginger, mint, black pepper

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler A Men Ultra Zest Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Ultra Zest Review

Ultra Zest opens up with a great juicy citrus blend of the orange and tangerine notes. I can also detect a very light patchouli note and coffee in the background.

When I first read the notes and saw that it contained both citrus and coffee, I figured that it might be close to Polo Red Extreme, but that’s not the case as the coffee isn’t heavy enough and the citrus is much more intense here.

After a few minutes, the orange is still very strong but I start to detect the emergence of vanilla, mint, and tonka bean. It is a cool and creamy sensation, which I think works very well with the orange and tangerine.

Honestly, if you can’t stand those two notes, you’re more than likely not going to enjoy Ultra Zest but I am totally digging a pure men’s scent with those two juicy notes.

Further along in the wear, Ultra Zest becomes a warmer fragrance. It does still have a bit of a minty cool air about it, but the patchouli, cinnamon, and coffee really start to properly surround the orange and tangerine. It’s a smooth and light spice, not overbearing at all.

What it dries down to is citrus, patchouli, coffee, and the tonka bean/vanilla combination. There is still a very light spice, but again, it’s nothing too powerful. It all blends together extremely well and is definitely a balanced fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I’d say that Zest has moderate sillage. It will be noticeable throughout the wear and can project itself well for the first few hours, before pulling back closer to the skin. I wish it stayed powerful throughout, because I really enjoy this scent.

The longevity is pretty good though, I can get 7 hours out of the wear. Not the best of the best, but it’s decent enough for most purposes.

Seasonally, it’s another one that is good for year round. Unlike many of the other Mugler colognes, this one can venture into summertime and thrive there.

Meanwhile, it is also good in the cold. The citrus, mint, and ginger let it go into summer while the rest of the notes beef it up a bit for winter wear.

It is a versatile fragrance, not too powerful to not be able to wear it at work or school, but also attractive enough to wear it during the nightlife. It’s sweet and creamy disposition seems enjoyable for women, and it is for sure something that I loved to smell on me during the day.

Overall Impressions of Ultra Zest

Overall, do I like A*Men Ultra Zest? Yes, I like this a lot. I know that it has been discontinued, but that’s a shame, because it is a very good cologne. Yes, I wish it had slightly better performance, because that would take it into greatness territory.

You can of course, still find bottles online, and if you love orange but want to take them into another direction from most men’s fragrances, Ultra Zest is what you should be looking for.

Update: You can get a fragrance from the Dua Brand, that is inspired by this, called simply, Zest. I had a hybrid version of this blended with their version of Pure Havane.

The tangerine and orange notes here are awesome. They have the right juiciness and refreshing quality that the name calls for. Beyond that the supporting notes like: vanilla, tonka bean, coffee, and patchouli help to give this one even more substance and depth that is really pleasant.

Ultra Zest flew a little too under the radar the be continued beyond its limited run. It really is a nice cologne and checks all of the marks of an fantastic citrus-based scent.