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 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!

6 Fragrances Similar to Dior Homme Intense

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Dior Homme Intense is one of the more popular fragrance options out there. It’s a continual best-seller and one that can be a starting point in a journey into more formal or floral men’s colognes. But, it can also be pricey. So, you want something cheaper that’s simialr. Or, something that’s close in style, but ultimately different from Intense. This is my ongoing page for tracking such scents.

What Colognes Smell Similar to Dior Homme Intense?

Inspiration 1

Velvet Iris by Alexandria– Velvet Iris is the first of the ‘inspired’ fragrances based on Dior Homme Intense. This one comes from Alexandria, which does a good job a creating their own versions of famous cologne formulas, at a much cheaper price.

Iris is going to lead the way, but we are supported here by lavender and a nice pear note up top. Moving more into a iris and amber middle act. Vetiver and cedar follow in the base, creating an effect extremely similar to Dior Intense, even if it isn’t 100% exact.

For the money, it is close enough and well worth a try if you want the same type of aroma without the designer costs.

Inspiration 2

Intense Homme by Dua– Intense Homme from The Dua Brand is the other ‘inspired’ fragrance based on the Dior Intense structure. For this, they chose to base their creation on the 2008 release of the Dior.

This one I haven’t tried yet. But, I have like 7 bottles of other designer inspirations from this brand and they’re all like 85%+ percent similar to what you’re looking for. Along with, having really good performance, as a higher extrait de parfum concentration.

Dozens of positive reviews for Intense Homme, so, I doubt that Dua misssed the mark. Very affordable, if you want something super close in scent.

Leathery Iris

Valentino Uomo Intense by Valentino EDP for Men, 3.4 Fl Oz– Uomo Intense from Valentino is one that has been compared to Dior Intense since it was released.

To me, it actually has a lot in common with the old Dior Homme, rather than just Intense. In fact, it starts out with a more leathery opening act than either of the Dior fragrances. Leather, vanilla, with lighter citrus notes.

The dry down is when this gets better and does more of its own thing. The iris is the commonality and it is well done. I like it with the vanilla, tonka bean, leather, and that sage note that weirdly pops out on my skin late in the game.

Personally, I still like Dior Intense more than this. But, Uomo Intense gives you a bit of a different take on this scent structure. Uomo Intense Review

Boozy Similarities

Gentleman Reserve Privee– Chestnut, iris, whiskey, and a light citrus make this one a close relative of what you get with Dior Homme Intense. Not the same, but plenty of overlap with it, Dior Homme 2011, and Uomo EDT by Valentino.

Reserve Privee with its chestnut note, starts out quite nutty and has a chocolate-like finish to it that I enjoy quite a lot.

Now, other people are higher on this fragrance than I am overall. Mainly, because once you get past the opening, it really doesn’t have anything that stands out. Iris, amber, and some wood is basically how it finishes. The iris just isn’t as good as the Dior, either.

But, maybe you enjoy it more than me? Reserve Privee Review

Bleu it Up

Bleu Noir Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez– This entry in the Bleu Noir series does strike a pretty familiar aroma to scents like Dior Intense and the aforementioned, Uomo Intense.

It’s going to give you something along the same lines, with a main iris note, but it isn’t trying to be exact and does plenty of its own thing. So, don’t expect the same thing, but a similar structure.

This one utilizes a great cypress note, leather, and a pretty hefty cardamom in the opening act. Plus, Narciso Rodriguez scents are known for their use of musk and this one doesn’t skimp on that either.

Powdery, clean, a different woody accord but very much in line with the type of scent we want here.

An Armaf

Futura La Homme by Armaf– So, here’s one from Armaf that I haven’t personally tried out. But, everything points to this be along the same lines as the style of Dior Homme Intense.  The iris note, woody notes, bergamot, and some light leather too.

I wouldn’t expect an exact match or anything like that, just another cheaper fragrance that doles out a similar experience. Armaf is usually decent with their colognes, this one is probably worth a shot.

4 Perfumes Similar to Born in Roma

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Born in Roma has been a successful line for Valentino in both the men’s and women’s editions. Today, I want to focus on the Donna version of Born in Roma, in order to keep an ongoing list of potential alternatives or other perfumes that simply have a similar style to the Valentino fragrance. Below are my picks.

Fragrances that Smell Like Donna Born in Roma

Electric Option

Electric Fantasy by Britney Spears– So, Electric Fantasy is a great little flanker from Britney Spears, that does have a pretty similar aroma to Born in Roma.

Pink pepper and jasmine are heavy influences in both during the opening acts. Here, we get passionfruit instead of the more tart blackcurrant of the Valentino. As such, more of a tropical vibe with Electric.

Yet, the Britney fragrance isn’t as sweet. A lot will have to do with the difference in the use of vanilla, which is heavy in Born in Roma. With Electric Fantasy, a powdery heliotrope serves that role, but it’s obviously going to be different.

Again not the same exact scent, but this is a cheaper option that can bring an enjoyable and at times close fragrance to that which we are looking for.

Rome Inspired

Heart of Rome by Dua– The only ‘inspired by’ fragrance of Donna Born in Roma that I’m currently aware of comes from The Dua Brand. Their scent Heart of Rome attempts to capture much of the same vibe as the Valentino release.

As such, the not structure is going to closely follow our target scent, which hopefully translates into a perfume that is pretty darn similar.

Now, this is one from Dua that I haven’t tried out, so I can’t say for sure. However, I’ve owned like 7 fragrances from this company that were ‘inspired by’ designer scents and they all were very good.

Quite the Aura

Aura MUGLER 90 ml refillable Spray EDP– Aura EDP is another fragrance from Mugler that can be a great one to check out if you like Born in Roma.

Now, these two aren’t the same. But, the base notes and the structure do have a lot of commonalities between them. With Aura, you get orange blossom instead of the jasmine of the Valentino perfume.

Also, has a greenish layer of leaves, that gives it a unique dewy aroma. Sort of a minty aroma up top, especially when blended with the rhubarb. But, the dry down is orange blossom, vanilla, and woods.

To me, this is an underrated scent. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but still quite good. Aura EDP Review

Paradise

Paradiso Assoluto by Cavalli– This perfume from Cavalli isn’t going to be anything like an exact match. But, the structure and the main notes does personally remind me of Born in Roma to an extent.

Jasmine and vanilla are the main attraction with Paradiso. You also get a citrus fruity top and very similar wood notes in the base.

The main differences are the fruity sweet/tart opening act is greater and much more significant in the Valentino. Secondly, Paradiso Assoluto has more of the jasmine note, particularly later in the wear, along with a wisteria influence.

Le Male Airlines by JPG

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Airlines is a limited edition Le Male flanker released by Gaultier back in 2020. I had never tried it, but came across a bottle, while ordering other fragrances and decided to try it out. I believe it is a variant of Le Male Aviator, slightly different, but I’ve never tried that either.

JPG’s Le Male scents are somewhat hit and miss, but I am generally positive on the lineup. How does Airlines smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Le Male Airlines Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, cardamom, mint, artemisia, lavender, caraway, cinnamon, bergamot, and more

My Full Wear Review

So, Airlines really separates itself from others in the Le Male series, by being heavily weighted with the cardamom note. Early on in the wear especially, Airlines is a cardamom bomb. But, you’ll still definitely know this cologne is from Gaultier, as it strikes a lot of the same Le Male chords.

Along with that, there is a very light citrus, mint, artemisia, and cinnamon. So, there will be an herbal and greenish influence in this one, not that it is overwhelming just present. I think there is a touch of violet leaf in the mix too. Fresh and a warmer spice to this cologne in the opening act.

The initial complete dominance of the cardamom will pull back some, giving the chance for the mint and vanilla notes to take on a larger role. The cardamom and artemisia have a slightly bitter edge to their smells, with the latter fading a lot after 30 minutes or so.

The next phase has some more balance to it, with the emergence of the lavender note. Things feel softer, cooler, and there’s a powdery aroma coming from underneath. At this point, it’s a: cardamom, lavender, vanilla, and mint blend mainly.

That’s pretty much how it’s going to finish as well. The only really differences being, that the ‘greenish’ scent has pretty much gone, and there is an emergence of a woody accord. Yet, the cardamom, lavender, and vanilla are going to be what Le Male Airlines is about for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here starts off with a bang, almost close to my bottle of Ultra Male. It can project very well and leaves a nice trail in your wake.

However, that will fall apart quickly and it’s slightly above average for the rest of the duration.

The performance is pretty good, but doesn’t dare approach anything great. I can get about 6.5-7 hours of wear on skin. Falling short of Ultra Male, but in line with most of the other editions in this series. It’s fine, not too much to complain about.

Seasonally, this is a very versatile fragrance. Outside of the height of summer, this will be fine. I’ve worn it on milder and very warm spring days, and Airlines performed well and didn’t start to smell weird.

Though, it’s more of an autumn through early spring wear, at its best.

It can also serve as a daily wear or something to use for the nightlife. It’s got that great spiciness and freshness and generally is attractive. It does have more of a younger man’s vibe to it, but isn’t completely immature. Just not going to be a formal type of cologne.

Overall Impressions of Airlines

Overall, do I like Le Male Airlines? I do. I think it’s one of the better releases out of the Le Male flankers (better than In the Navy, which I also recently tried). It’s not great, but overall pretty enjoyable and a cologne that I will wear from time to time.

This is really heavy with the cardamom, which I already own a few fragrances like that, so it’s not filling much of a need. I do like the varying spices. Not just warmth, but also a cold mint, and other assorted green freshness.

The end result hangs pleasantly in the air, with a more balanced approach with vanilla and lavender notes. It’s nothing too complicated, but a solid scent on the whole.

The performance is basically mid-range. It has that bold start and quiets down quickly. Even with that, it stays around for a while. As long as you’re not overpaying for a bottle, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

This was a limited edition, and while bottles are still floating around, you’re going to have to make a move soon to avoid paying outlandish prices. Mine was about $45, which seems about right for this cologne.

6 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Chance

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Chance by Chanel is one of the best selling ladies’ fragrances of the past decade or so. It’s just one that has its legion of followers, who will swear by it. The one main issue is, you’re going to be paying Chanel prices in order to enjoy it. Which then begs the question, are there any cheaper fragrances that smell comparable to Chance? In this post, I present 6 options that can competently do the job (If you’re looking for scents like Eau Tendre, that’s my post).

What Fragrances Smell Similar to Chanel Chance?

Poker Cheapie 

Milton-Lloyd Cosmetics | Poker | Parfum De Toilette | Spray for Women | 0 | 1.7 oz– If you want something pretty close to how Chance smells, but costs under $15 per bottle…Poker is it.

Milton Lloyd actually does a great job with most of its inspired by fragrances and Poker is an example of such. Poker is closer to smelling like the aroma of Chance EDT, though, it’s not an exact match. This one doesn’t have the same depth and has more of a fruity aroma versus the Chanel.

However, for the price, you’re not going to do better. It opens up with a nice and soft citrusy aroma, that takes on the powdery and musky qualities of the base notes. The performance is actually pretty darn good for such a cheapie, but you may have to spray a bit more than usual for the same effect.

Inspired Dossier

Woody Hyacinth by Dossier– The next three perfumes on the list, I haven’t tried. However, they are all ‘inspired’ by Chanel Chance, and I have used other designer inspired fragrances from each of these brands in the past.

I will say, that this Dossier has some mixed reviews, as to its accuracy in matching our target. Can’t say that it’s true, but there are also plenty who seem to think that it hits the mark. The ones that I have tried, were all pretty solid or very good.

But, maybe you give it a try?

Another Chance Taken

Leave it To Chance by Dua– So, Dua is a brand that I have faith in their quality. I’ve owned 7 full bottles from them, as well as, smaller travel sprayers. They do a great job at getting as close as possible to the aroma of the designer scents.

Leave it To Chance is their inspired version of the 2003 original formula of Chance EDT. It’s about $4 ($33 as of posting) more than the Dossier. Which if you wanted to try all three of these types on the list, it’d still be cheaper than one bottle of the real thing in most cases.

Impressions

Cherasco by Fragrenza– This is the third potential alternative, which attempts to come close to our Chanel target. The good news about Fragraenza, is that you don’t have to commit to a full bottle, and can buy a smaller sample to test out.

Again, I haven’t tried this one. But, I did try their inspired versions of BR 540, some Kilian’s, Lost Cherry, Bitter Peach, etc. The quality was there and the brand does come pretty close, if not completely exact to what they’re trying to match.

Performance was good with all of the scents that I tried, so, I doubt that this one is any different.

Similar Smell, but Distinct

Vince Camuto Femme Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz–  Camuto Femme isn’t one to one of Chance’s structure, but it hits a lot of the same beats, at a more affordable price. Not nearly as inexpensive as Poker, but it’s not going to break the bank.

To me, the main difference seems to be having less of the patchouli note or musk, depending on whether you’re comparing it to Chance EDP or EDT.

Camuto feels like a cleaner citrus, with a nice dry down period where the vetiver really shines. Not a super powerful scent, but the performance is certainly passable.

Love Spice

Perry Ellis Love Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Love by Perry Ellis actually mimics both Chance and Coco Mademoiselle to some extent. A bit closer to the Chance side of things, but it provides you with another affordable close option.

This is a bit heavier on the spices, while still retaining a great citrus aroma. Other than the rose, the floral notes here aren’t going to be the same, and that’s probably the biggest difference between them. Even that note is a light one.

Love has a somewhat light projection once it settles. However, the performance overall is good and it’ll last for most (if not all) of a workday.

L’eau EDT by Chloe

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L’eau EDT is another entry into the long-running Chloe series from the brand. This version was released in 2019. I grabbed a sample of it, as a part of a lot, in order to finally give it a full review for the site. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is L’eau EDT worth a try?

What does Chloe L’eau Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, magnolia, grapefruit, lychee, moss, cedar, musk, amber

Click here to try: Chloe L’eau

chloe l'eau review

My Full Review

Here’s how Chloe describes it: A fragrance with a rare simplicity and eternal grace. A light natural dew drop trail where notes of rose absolute blend with a voluptuous magnolia accord.

The opening act of Chloe, does give you a clean and dewy sort of aroma. It’s a bit of that juiciness from the lychee and grapefruit notes. Plus, the greenish aroma coming off of the early bits of moss and rose.

This is a fruity opening, not really sweet, more of a tart sort of smell. But, on me that is kept in check and will gradually fade into the background.

As we move past the opening 20-30 minutes, this gets floral, woodsy, and musky. The rose is the note that stands out most, but this isn’t a pure rose, by any means. There actually is a good deal of magnolia present in the first 2-3 hours.

The rose and ‘dewy’ aroma do make this one come across as a rose water scent, as the name would suggest. Light, with a move into soapy clean territory.

The dry down, is more musky and woodsy. There seems to be a patchouli note poking up, during the wear. A nice amount of moss, but the latter stages are about the musk and amber. A drier clean, with less of the rose water fragrance. However, that stays somewhat present throughout.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here isn’t massive, but it is safely above average. It’ll project well off of the skin and leave a decent scent trail for a time.

I’d say somewhere at 5-6 feet from the skin, at its maximum projection. After that, it’s in the 2-4 foot range, until it’s skin scent time. Pretty decent.

The longevity hit right at 7 hours for me. Again, not a huge and overpowering fragrance, but the performance is nothing to complain about.

Seasonally, Chloe L’eau is best in the spring and summer months. The warmer weather makes this one come alive. Yes, it does have the drier woodsy undertones, but the perfume is balanced and still has that dewy lightness to it.

It’s mostly a daytime wear. It can absolutely serve as a daily wear for the spring and summer. Not super formal, but one that can get plenty of use, even at the office. Or, just going about your day elsewhere around town.

Overall Impressions of Chloe L’eau

Overall, do I like L’eau? Yes, I think it’s a very nice all-around rose scent. It has a nice balance with the early citrus/lychee notes and the dry down into a dewy, greenish, mossy/woods perfume.]

L’eau EDT doesn’t have to go too far in any direction and part of its appeal, is just how versatile and easy to wear it can be. Not necessarily one that everyone is always going to love, but a fragrance which can find a place in a collection and get used even as a daily wear.

The performance is slightly above average, but not by much. The name alone suggests that it isn’t going to be a heavy wear, but it isn’t too faint or airy. Noticeable, but not going to be screaming for attention.

To me, this is a buy, if it sounds interesting to you. Maybe try to find it discounted. There are other options out there that will go further with the moss or dew, but this Chloe perfume does it all well.