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!

Le Male In The Navy by JPG

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In the Navy is one of the multitude of Le Male flankers to have been put out by JPG, over the years. It came out back in 2018 and I had come in contact with it back then. But, once I saw it again, I scooped up some samples in order to give it a proper review. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is In the Navy worth a try?

What does Le Male in the Navy Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, peppermint, oceanic accord, ambergris

Click here to try: Le Male in the Navy

My Full Review

Here’s how JPG describe it: An aquatic fougere. A splash of icy peppermint, invigorated by the salty freshness of an oceanic accord and contrasted with a vanilla note.

The opening is cold and fresh with that peppermint note leading the way. Right from the jump, you will notice the light and water accord running through the middle of In the Navy.

Actually, pretty nice. With the vanilla, mint, and ambergris notes; it can become easy to compare this to Eros. Sure, there’s some overlap, but they’re not the same fragrance by any means. Especially, sans citrus.

Once some of that peppermint has worn off, this becomes more about that vanilla and ambergris. Saltier and warm, with less of the initial oceanic freshness that defines the opening act.

Le Male In the Navy, isn’t a complicated scent. It’s pretty much a watery blend of vanilla and amber for the rest of the way. Basically, take three of the notes from the original and add an aquatic accord.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I can say that this is at best, middle of the road. Maybe you’ll get a scent trail going with heavy sprays. But, past that first hour and this one is a light and intimate fragrance.

The longevity doesn’t help matters. On my skin, I get about 4.5 hours of wear. Even in that lighter state, it just doesn’t want to stick around.

Some of these Le Male flankers are pretty weak. In the Navy is one of the worst, in my experience.

That being said, it is a versatile fragrance. It’s fresh, non-offensive, and can work well from springtime through autumn in most places. I’d skip in winter, but this is at its best when it gets warm out.

Not really going to be a sexy nightlife beast. But, a daytime casual or semi-formal wear, when you want something light to put on in the heat. Not that it’s going to keep up the fight for long, but it’s a serviceable smell for that climate.

Overall Impressions of In the Navy

Overall, do I like In the Navy? Not particularly. I did think that this was one that I’d be more into, but this Le Male falls flat, and performs poorly. It sounded a lot better than it actually is.

The opening is the best part. Even then, the peppermint and oceanic accord aren’t all that amazing together. It’s a nice aroma, just nothing that really grabs my attention.

After that, In the Navy is a simplistic and linear experience, that smells okay enough. That alone would disqualify it from being a full bottle purchase for me. Throw in the fact that it only sticks around for a bit more than four hours and it’s a pass.

Most bottles that I’m seeing still floating around, aren’t heavily discounted. Seems like the stock that’s left is priced close to retail. No real value with In the Navy.

Light Blue Pour Homme Summer Vibes by D&G

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Summer Vibes is the 2023 issuance under the Light Blue banner. I haven’t gotten access to the women’s Summer Vibes yet, but I did manage to buy a few samples of the pour homme off of eBay to test out. It’s good timing, as I’ve been making my way through reviewing all of the old Light Blue flankers lately. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Light Blue Pour Homme Summer Vibes Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, cypress, amberwood

Click here to try: Light Blue Summer Vibes

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it: The Italian holiday dream. The energy of summer by the sea. This fragrance captures the fresh energy of Italian holidays through an invigorating blend of Mediterranean citrus and woody notes.

Since this is one of the dozen or so Light Blue Pour Homme releases, I suppose that I’ll begin by comparing to other fragrances in the series.

It isn’t like the last two Forever or Italian Love, so, don’t expect the hyper grapefruit.

I’ll say that it is closest to Discover Vulcano and Swimming in Lipari, in terms of smell, while coming across as being fairly different. Both of those fragrances have a much more prominent use of citrus and are fairly sour in their openings versus Summer Vibes.

Luckily, I actually do have decants of both of those in my possession at the moment, to compare Vibes to.

Vulcano is the only other Light Blue fragrance with the cypress note. Dolce & Gabbana brings it back for this 2023 edition. You also get the same lemon note. While Vulcano was very heavily laced with cypress and tried to create a wearable volcano-like aroma, this is much more tolerable and sweeter.

The citrus note in Summer Vibes is led by the lemon note. There may be a touch of grapefruit for good measure, but it leans much more towards that lemon. Checking its ingredients versus Eau Intense, Summer Vibes has the same ‘citrus’ chemical ingredients. So, probably a yes to grapefruit.

That is the third comparison scent, Eau Intense. Mostly, it’s in the amberwood note, which is also found in Swimming in Lipari. I’d say Summer Vibes is closer to Lipari than Eau Intense. Sweeter than either.

The citrus accord here is subdued from the start. Summer Vibes doesn’t give you a super juicy or tart opening at all. It’s a bit watery, no saltiness or sea breeze, just a light aquatic feeling.

The cypress is going to be much less green than what I got from Vulcano. Summer Vibes still has a freshness, maybe a little spice from some unlisted note. But, it is much more focused on the wood of the cypress tree.

As we dry down further, the citrus is very faint. It’s a mix of the cypress and amberwood with some muskiness. Not really a complicated fragrance at all. In some ways, it’s got a style similar to a streamlined Costa Azzura EDP and the old Higher by Dior.

It wouldn’t shock me if there was cedar or vetiver in the notes pyramid, but D&G only gave us three notes. It smells like there’s something else in there other than amberwood and cypress.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the lighter end of moderate. This isn’t a heavy bomb, especially since that lemon note doesn’t come out with an initial punch. I’d say it’ll leave a nice scent trail for maybe the first hour.

Thereafter, expect it to project in the 2-5 foot range from the skin. Declining towards the lower end of that range by the second hour or so.

On my skin, it lasts for 6.5-7 hours. About what I get from other Light Blue fragrances in the series. Aside from, Eau Intense. Summer Vibes doesn’t massively project itself, but it does stick around for a solid amount of time.

Seasonally, late spring and summer, obviously. It is versatile within that time frame, particularly during the daytime.

It fits for any age of man. More put together and mature than some of the others in the series. This could go casually or for work or some semi-formal event in  the summer.

I actually do enjoy the way it hangs on the light breeze outside. It was warm outside today and Summer Vibes had a great freshness while I was walking around.

Overall Impressions of Summer Vibes

Overall, do I like this release? It’s pretty good, but not great. It’s better than Vulcano and Lipari, for sure, just doesn’t blow me away.

The scent is a pleasant one that should work well in the summer. If you don’t want a heavy citrus scent or the opposite with a heavy greenish one, this can fit the bill, since it is balanced woody aromatic.

It is still very much in the Light Blue tradition, bringing back familiar notes, and changing up the weighting of them.

The performance is middle of the road. Not a projection beast, but the longevity is decent enough for one of these summer colognes.

At least the bottle looks cool, as a bonus. Summer Vibes is worth trying out, but not necessarily something that you have to rush out and buy. I’d say find a tester in stores, give it a spray to see if it works for you, assuming you’re in the market for a warm weather scent.

Light Blue Forever by D&G

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Light Blue Forever was the flanker release in the Light Blue series for 2021. Since I’ve been reviewing all of the men’s scents from this D&G lineup, I figured that I should do some more of the women’s as well. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Light Blue for Women Forever Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, apple, blood orange, musk, orange blossom, white flowers, cedar, cashmeran

Click here to try: Light Blue Forever

My Full Review

So, the men’s version of Forever changed things up with a hyper-realistic grapefruit note. I was expecting something like that with the women’s. However, it seems to be an updated remix of the original Light Blue.

The apple note and the cedar are toned down in Forever versus the original. But, up top you get that same lemon note, joined by blood orange, and a pretty prominent orange blossom. Very juicy citrus opening, that I actually like quite a bit.

The balance among the fruit notes is better here, than the original. Since the cedar note isn’t blasting your nose, it’s not as woody fresh, but that lovely citrus and apple blend is keeping the clean sunny vibes going.

The lemon will quiet down some and the blood orange with orange blossom emerge as the leaders of the pack. It feels sweeter, more floral, and less tart than Light Blue.

Further along, it will be more of a white floral scent, with fruity tones, musk, and some light woody notes. Cashmeran comes out some in the final act.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts to really approach the original and Intense, unlike some of the earlier flankers. Others in the Light Blue series could be pretty light with how they project. This one, is well above average and actually performs very well on my skin.

As far as longevity, it lasts 8-8.5 hours for me. Again, it’s not a scent that’s just going to fade away. Those other flankers could be in the 4-6 hour range, so you get some value with Forever.

Seasonally, obviously we’re going to be late spring and early summer. It’s built for the warmer weather and sits beautifully in the air.

It’s good for casual or just general daytime wear. If you go lightly with Forever, it can be pretty versatile with its applications. More of a pretty fragrance than something that’s super sexy. Yet, it certainly has its appeal.

Overall Impressions of Light Blue Forever

Overall, do I like Light Blue Forever? Yes, it’s nothing that’s super unique but it’s about what you’d expect from a Light Blue scent. Very clean and fresh summertime wear, lots of citrus, and neroli.

If you’re not into the citrus ingredients, you can pretty safely pass on this one. If you like the original Light Blue, you might actually prefer this, if the cedar bothered you in that one.

The performance is really good and the scent has some enjoyable moments. I like the dry down more so probably, since the fruit overload could get on my nerves at times.

Forever is probably a pretty safe blind buy, if you’re familiar with the Light Blue fragrances already. If intense citrus bothers you, this might. Yet, it’s pretty easy to wear overall. It’s already been discontinued, so supplies are going to be much more limited moving forward.

Light Blue Sunset in Salina by D&G

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Sunset in Salina is one of the flankers from the women’s Light Blue line. It was released back in 2015. Since I am currently finishing up my review of all of the men’s Light Blue colognes, I took the opportunity to pick up a few more for the ladies, including Salina. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Sunset in Salina smell like?

Notes include: orange blossom, vine, violet leaf, amber, freesia, jasmine, musk, cedar

Click here to try: Sunset in Salina

My Full Review

This is going to be a different take on the Light Blue name and doesn’t have too much in common with the original, other than a few notes.

It starts off with the orange blossom already out in full effect. Now, this is not just the flower itself, but there does seem to be a little zest of the fruit too.

It’s a slightly citrusy white floral start, with an ozonic breeziness and a touch aquatic. The aquatic aspect is actually just the freesia and violet leaf doing their thing. Luckily for me, the violet leaf isn’t too heavy in the mix.

Another part that I want to touch on, is the greenish aroma that Sunset in Salina has. Vine and that violet leaf, give this one a fresh leafy boost, that I think works really well. It’s like sitting in a flower garden on the Italian coast during summer.

For a time, this does feel a bit more violet leaf heavy. When mixed with the other notes, it has a hair spray sort of vibe for a time. For me, it does go away.

A bit further along, the greenish parts will start to fade. This becomes much more of a white floral dominant scent. Orange blossom still reigns supreme followed by, jasmine and freesia.

Very clean and not nearly as woody fresh as the original. The cedar is still here, but it’s a faint impression in the dry down.

The final act is a more run together mix of the floral notes, a surprisingly strong amber giving Salina a warm resinous quality, and musk.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty middle of the road. It comes across as being lighter than others in the series, without much of a trail left behind. The projection, outside of the opening, is like 2 or maybe 3 feet. Not a beast at all.

The longevity too isn’t great. It’s okay at around 5-5.5 hours, on my skin. I don’t have too much of a problem with it for what the use case of this perfume is. Unless you really over-payed, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Seasonally, late spring and summer, depending on where you live. Sunset in Salina is built for the hottest days and its light cleanliness hangs very nicely in the air.

This is more of a casual or daily wear for the summer months. Not a nightlife beast or one that is particularly sexy. It lives up to its name, as I could totally see this as something a woman would wear walking through an island market or sitting outdoors for a drink in the Mediterranean.

Overall Impressions of Sunset in Salina

Overall, do I like Sunset in Salina? Yes, I was surprised that I enjoyed this Light Blue as much as I did. Based on the notes, I wasn’t sure that I was going to be into it. It’s not amazing or a must have, just very nice for a specific season.

The orange blossom is nice and so is the dry down, with the amber and musk. Much smoother and less green at that point, even if I personally enjoyed the vine note early on.

It’s got the same spirit as the rest of the series, but doesn’t just try to clone Light Blue.

Performance isn’t great. If you need an 8+ hour wear, you probably won’t get it with this one. My skin doesn’t tend to ‘eat up’ perfumes and I still only managed the 5 or so hours with Salina.

Light Blue Sunset in Salina does seem to be one that has split opinions on it. As such, I wouldn’t grab an expensive bottle, if you’re blind buying.

Though, since it came out years ago at this point, the cheapies may be harder to come by. $50-70 seems like an okay range, under $40 it’s a pretty safe buy.

To me, it’s worth a shot, especially if it sounds interesting to you.

Light Blue Pour Homme Discover Vulcano by D&G

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Discover Vulcano was the 2014 release in the Light Blue Pour Homme series. It’s one of the fragrances that really didn’t get too much attention upon release and still doesn’t to this day. I had the opportunity to grab a small decant of it to review for the site. So, here I am to give my thoughts on this one and whether or not it’s an underrated gem.

What does Light Blue Discover Vulcano Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, cypress, ginger, lavender, cedar, vetiver

Try here: Discover Vulcano

My Full Review

Discover Vulcano opens up with a huge blast of citrus, along with, cypress and ginger. It’s actually quite sour, ashy/smoky, with a certain saltiness to it. This is sort of like the Light Blue version of AdG Profumo (in terms of style), just way less subtle in the opening (and not nearly as good).

Once that initial lemon blast tones down, this one is much more wearable, but still the most unique smelling of the line. Whether or not that’s a good thing, is probably up to your personal tastes.

Lavender is what I think comes in for a while to help take some of that sourness away. It’s not too prolific of a note here, just a stabilizing force. The cypress is absolutely massive, on my skin, and this scent goes full on dry and fresh woods.

If we’re trying to capture the scent of a volcanic island, I think it works as well as one could expect, without creating something noxious. I like the spicy hints of ginger and can deal with the cypress bomb, once it’s not completely surrounded by a sour lemon.

Vulcano actually is a pretty simple scent. The only real changes towards the end, is the inclusion of more cedar and vetiver butting in on the space of the cypress. Those three notes covered in a light spray of lemon juice.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is about the same as some of the other flankers, but towards the weaker end of the series’ spectrum. Like, Italian Zest, Vulcano opens up very strong with its citrus before retreating into something that sticks to 2-3 feet from the skin.

Though, this is a tad better with its projection than Zest.

Again, this is another Light Blue that will go for about 6 hours. Probably 5-6 hour range, for most people. It’s not very strong, nor is it going to be an all-day wear.

Seasonally, this is a summertime wear. Daytime for casual wear or those in need of refreshing. I suppose it could be worn to work, also, for some people.

This is probably the lease mainstream appealing from the series. Not one that is probably going to appeal to most younger guys or draw a bunch of complements. If you’re one who loves woods or an older man, this might work for you…but far from a guaranteed winner.

Overall Impressions of Discover Vulcano

Overall, do I like Light Blue Discover Vulcano? Not really. I’d have to say it’s my least favorite of the Light Blue line. It’s not my style, even if it has a more unique smell than the others in the series, it’s just not all that good.

Some might dig this. If you want a cheaper summer use of cypress and other woods. But, there are better examples out there than Discover Vulcano. From performance to the scent itself, it’s all pretty mediocre.

Bottles of it don’t seem to be too hard to find, even today, after its limited run back in 2014. Not too many people are checking for this cologne. I don’t recommend it, unless you’re just very intrigued for whatever reason, or are someone like me who needs to complete the entire Light Blue series.