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!

L’Immensité by Louis Vuitton

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I’ve been gradually making my way through the Louis Vuitton line for review purposes, with most of them that have been released in the books. L’Immensité is one that I’ve already tried before, but I grabbed a sample of more recently, do give it a full testing. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does L’Immensité Smell Like?

Notes include: ginger, bergamot, grapefruit, sage, rosemary, geranium, watery notes, amber, labdanum

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes it: A whisper of fresh ginger speaks of an infinite inner journey. To open your arms so wide it’s as if they were wings deployed to take flight. Like a response to a vast, beckoning sea that nourishes fantasies of total freedom. Sometimes, finding yourself before a limitless horizon that stretches to the sky is all it takes to make your heart beat faster.

L’Immensité opens up with its potent ginger note being joined by the bergamot and grapefruit. Initially, that sharp and juicy bergamot is stronger on my skin than is the grapefruit, but that will flip as it moves along.

Underneath all of that is an aquatic accord, which helps adds to that summertime vibe, but this one never completely veers oceanic. A bit salty, that’s about it.

The ginger is the star of the spiciness within this mix. Sage and rosemary might make up around 30% of the rest, at their peak. Sage sticks around for a while, though, neither is too big of a player.

Most of this one is about the amber note coming in. The ginger and grapefruit sit on top of all of that amber, which gives it a warmer vibe. The style is similar to Bleu de Chanel EDP, but ultimately fairly different fragrances.

The drydown is a fresh and slightly citrus amber. Very little of that aquatic accord is still present.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage is actually pretty strong for this type of fragrance, for the first few hours. It gets softer, thereafter, but that amber note really sticks out to me when wearing it during those late stages.

It does have a nice 6-7 foot projection or so, at its peak. It will leave a scent trail for like an hour to and hour and a half. After that, this one moves in much closer to the wearer, but isn’t as soft as you might think. Seems like it has a tendency to sort of make you nose blind to it, at times.

On my skin, I can get up to 8 hours from this Louis Vuitton scent. It actually fluctuates between 6.5 and that 8 hour mark, so, expect about 7 a good portion of the time.

Seasonally, it’s mainly going to be a spring and summer play. But really, any time the climate is pretty moderate, it’d be fine too. Great in the warmer temperatures, but probably not my go to in the wintertime.

L’Immensité isn’t an offensive or super loud fragrance. It’s well put together, so it has enough style to fit into a pretty wide variety of situations. The versatility of this cologne, is probably its greatest strength.

Overall Impressions of L’Immensité

Overall, do I like L’Immensité? I do like it, but there are better options from Louis Vuitton or just in general with this sort of fragrance. It was formerly a part of my best LV men’s fragrance list, but just barely, and got pushed aside by Imagination.

That’s got some similarities to this one, but Imagination is ultimately better.

The opening act is where this one shines. That fresh citrus, ginger, other spices, and the aquatic-like feel of it…is all something that I enjoy.

Later, the amber and citrus just kind of gets on my nerves. It’s fine, nothing too exciting, but it does get old for me while wearing it.

The performance is good. Not amazing, but not terrible either, on my skin. Still, I do want a bit more from the fragrance, if I’m paying Louis Vuitton prices.

L’Immensité is worth trying out. You may indeed like it and want a full bottle. Personally, the brand has better options to sort through during the warmer months of the year.

Fahrenheit Parfum by Dior

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Fahrenheit was a late 1980s hit for Dior and has been a part of their lineup ever since. Naturally, they have come out with waves of flankers and special editions. In 2014, the design house released, Fahrenheit Parfum. I got a hold of a decant of this fragrance a while ago and have been testing it out, taking notes. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Fahrenheit Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: violet leaf, rum, suede, vanilla, cumin, orange, licorice, and more

My Full Review

Parfum opens up sweet, smooth, and fresh. It’s strange how you get the booziness of the rum, but the spice doesn’t hit you like it does in something like Bvlgari’s Man in Black.

Instead, you get a light orange and licorice sweetness combining with the warmth of the rum note. Yet, it isn’t at all cloying. Suede and violet leaf keep things light and with a leather like refinement.

The violet leaf compared to the original Fahrenheit is toned down. You do still get some greenish qualities early, no gasoline smell, but a light aquatic feel to Fahrenheit Parfum.

This is a fairly big departure from the original Dior release, so, don’t expect to smell something similar in this flanker. There is some overlap, but a lot of that will be in the background.

On me, that sweetness subsides in about 10 minutes. The top citrus note does have a bit of a sparkle to it. The style of this fragrance actually reminds me of Armani Code Absolu, just not nearly as thick, and with a fresher aroma.

The next phase is a rummy vanilla scent with the suede and violet leaf sitting underneath that. I do get some licorice and very light spice, but a lot of the top is basically gone. At this stage, it also seems to acquire a bit of a fizziness.

The final dry down is a dark vanilla suede and violet leaf blend. Those are the notes that I can still pick up. It’s very smooth, not really all that sweet, and well-balanced.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is above average, on the whole, and starts off fairly strong. Though, Fahrenheit Parfum doesn’t project all that hugely, especially after the first wave begins to wear off.

The opening act? Sure, it’ll give you 5-7 feet worth of projection or thereabouts. But, it moves in much closer.

On my skin, it lasts somewhere in the 8.5-9.5 hour range. Kind of depended, when I was testing it out. Not really something that hits double digits for me, but came as close as you can get.

Still, the performance really isn’t disappointing and quite good, if you’re into how this one smells.

Seasonally, obviously with the notes, this is best in autumn and winter. The thing is, Parfum isn’t all that heavy or super cloying. It can venture into the springtime (early part), since it does have the freshness from the violet leaf and citrus.

I wouldn’t go too hot with the temperatures while wearing this, but it’d be fine for a good chunk of the year.

This is a well put together scent that has a maturity about it, is attractive, and is very wearable. I like it more for nighttime engagements, but it wouldn’t be out of place to wear during the day. Maybe go easy at work or something like that, since it does have a rum note prominently featured.

Overall Impressions of Fahrenheit Parfum

Overall, do I like Fahrenheit Parfum? I do. It’s more enjoyable for me, than is the original Fahrenheit.

However, it’s still not a complete love for me. I almost blind bought a full bottle, but I’m kind of glad I didn’t and got a decant first. I like it, while not being super enthusiastic about wearing it.

The opening is interesting and that’s when I feel Parfum is at its peak. The blend of rum, citrus, suede, spice, and violet leaf is very well done. It’s such a great mix of different notes and is stitched together beautifully.

After that? Fahrenheit Parfum smells good, it’s just not all that exciting. It feels much flatter than how it started out and I’m not too into any longer. I said that I was reminded of Code Absolu and I’d rather have a bottle of that versus Fahrenheit Parfum.

The performance and everything is solid. No worries there. Fahrenheit Parfum is a scent that is well worth a try from Dior, but with the price and limited availability, may not be worth a blind buy.

Very good, but doesn’t cross the great barrier.

Coco Mademoiselle EDP vs Flowerbomb Perfume Comparison

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Coco Mademoiselle is one of the more popular fragrances for women by Chanel. Citrus, floral, and patchouli help to make it approachable and dynamic. Another fruit-chouli scent, is the best selling Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. With these similarities, it is no wonder that these perfumes often get compared as potential options. However, which one is actually better? Which lasts longer?

Tale of the Tape: Flowerbomb vs. Coco Mademoiselle

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: jasmine, rose, orange, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my review: Mademoiselle

Flowerbomb

Notes include: Centifolia Rose, Sambac Jasmine, Cattleya Orchid, India Osmanthus, tea, bergamot, patchouli, musk, and vanilla

Click here to try: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fl Oz

Read my review: Flowerbomb EDP

viktor rolf review

Opening

With Flowerbomb, you get an initial burst of sweetness and fruitiness. The osmanthus flower gives you a jammy sort of aroma, sweet almost-peach like that is paired with bergamot citrus.

Tea, patchouli, and vanilla are also present coming from the heart and base notes. The rose and orchid will have their moments, but very early stages it is osmanthus, tea, and patchouli taking turns.

Meanwhile, Coco Mademoiselle begins more as a fruity floral fragrance. More specifically, it is a blend of citrus, neroli, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang peaking through. A little more musk, but it also has about the same level of patchouli, maybe a stronger presence early on.

Which is better?

I actually like both of them a lot in their early stages. It’s not too easy of a call. But, I really have always loved the opening act of Flowerbomb. The sweetness and fruitiness is great, also tea and patchouli really helps to tie the whole thing together.

Edge: Flowerbomb

Projection

These two perfumes are well above average in terms of sillage and projection. Strong enough to be over-sprayed, just not absolute monsters with how they do with normal application.

Really, I don’t notice much of a difference here. Maybe Flowerbomb is a bit stronger, but I’m not entirely sure that it’s the case.

As such, I’m going to call the category even.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Both of these fragrances have great longevity. Really, it’s a nice change of pace to compare two popular perfumes with such staying power.

With Flowerbomb, it will go over 10 hours, on my skin. On clothes, it goes for days. The actual amount of time falls somewhere between, 10 to 12 hours. That’s where it seems to max out at.

Coco Mademoiselle also does all that. However, I’ve actually tested it to over 12 hours before, something which Flowerbomb doesn’t seem to reach.

Again, you won’t be disappointed with the performance of either, but the Chanel does have a slight advantage.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Versatility

Seasonally, I think that Coco Mademoiselle has some advantage. Both of these can work in autumn and winter, with Flowerbomb being much better in those seasons.

But, Mademoiselle can go deeper into the springtime and holds up better when it is warmer out. Neither is a summer fragrance, but the Chanel has more flexibility.

Both can go day or night just fine. They each have a level of sexiness. I think that Coco Mademoiselle, not having the same level of sweetness might be better in some more formal situations than Flowerbomb. Though, neither is a formal type of fragrance.

Not a massive distinction here, either. Coco Mademoiselle does take the category, anyway.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Overall Scent

Really, this is a tough comparison post to do, as these fragrances are just about neck and neck by almost all attributes.

With Mademoiselle, I like the bold orange opening act and the vanilla notes in the dry down. The jasmine and patchouli are also awesome. Really, the scent doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

It lasts longer than Flowerbomb and has about the same peak in strength, with better sustainability.

At the end of the day, I think I personally prefer the aroma of Flowerbomb more so than the Chanel. Not by much, but I like the sweetness and fruitier facets of this perfume versus Mademoiselle.

If you want a less sweet, fragrance with a great jasmine note, you might go with Mademoiselle.

If you like the sweetness and the mass appealing nature of the patchouli and floral notes, you should probably go with Flowerbomb. Me, I fall more in the latter camp, while not thinking you can go wrong with either.

Winner: Flowerbomb

Givenchy L’Interdit vs Rouge

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Givenchy’s L’Interdit series has enjoyed a good deal of popularity over the past few years, with its newer releases. Two of the most popular options remain the revamped EDP and the newer offering, L’Interdit Rouge. I’ve tested out the line in order to do reviews for the site and present a head to head comparison of each. Which of these fragrances smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: L’Interdit EDP vs. Rouge

L’Interdit EDP

Notes include: tuberose, pear, orange blossom, jasmine, vetiver, ginger, patchouli, vanilla, ambroxan

Click here to try: Givenchy L’interdit Women, Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7 Fl Oz

My Full Review: L’Interdit EDP

L’Interdit Rouge

Notes include: blood orange, ginger, jasmine, orange blossom, tuberose, patchouli, sandalwood

Click here to try: L’Interdit Rouge by Givenchy

My Review: L’Interdit Rouge EDP

l'interdit rouge review

Opening

L’Interdit EDP starts off with a blend of pear, bergamot, orange blossom, and ginger. The bergamot and ginger add an initial kick to the mix, but quickly fade out.

The orange blossom is the star white floral in the early stages, that will be joined by tuberose and jasmine,  as they strengthen. But, I actually get a good deal of patchouli from EDP, on my skin.

The opening is actually a sweet floral, that some people compare to the smell of grape bubble gum. I understand the comparison, it’s just overblown.

With Rouge, we go spicier from the start, and use a greater amount of citrus. Here, it is blood orange. The ginger is the same between the two, but is amped up and sticks around for much longer in Rouge.

It is interesting, that you also get that big orange blossom start with Rouge also, but it is the note that fades away quickly. The tuberose moves into full strength earlier, in this edition.

Which is better, at the start? I really like each of them a lot early on. Though, I have a slight preference for Rouge. That ginger spice and blood orange is really great and just somewhat more attractive than EDP.

Edge: Rouge

Projection

So, both of these perfumes are what could be considered strong fragrances. You will get great projection off of the skin, a scent trail, without completely bombing out a room (if you don’t over-spray).

The sillage of both is actually pretty similar. During my testing, I did find L’Interdit to be a bit more powerful when compared to Rouge.

It isn’t a huge difference, but I do seem to be able to pick up the scent of EDP on a shirt, somewhat further away than I did when I did the same later with Rouge.

Edge: L’Interdit

Longevity

With L’Interdit EDP, it will last between 8-9.5 hours on my skin. It is a good amount of range, but definitely leaned towards the higher end, during testing.

With Rouge, it’s a bit of a step back from that, but a similar level. I get somewhere around 8 hours, maybe less or a little bit more. However, it doesn’t hit that same high end that the original does. 

I tested each of them out multiple times and it was consistently the case that EDP was outdoing Rouge.

Not a huge discrepancy, though, there’s enough of a difference to have a clear distinction. 

Edge: L’Interdit

Versatility

Neither of these fragrances is built for the hottest days of the year. I’d stick mostly to autumn and winter with each. But, EDP can more easily venture into the springtime than Rouge.

Rouge is a bit more mature and sexier, when compared to the EDP. Both can fit into nightlife wear, but Rouge is a better option there.

Not a huge difference, basically on par with one another. Rouge does have a very slight edge.

Edge: Rouge

givenchy l'interdit perfume

 

Overall Scent

Which one of these fragrances is better? To me, it’s actually a close race, as they are my two favorite perfumes from this Givenchy series.

With EDP, I like the opening act with the pear and the orange blossom. Sure, a candy-like at times, but still a wonderful scent. The dry down is more of the traditional tuberose led, white floral. Still, I like it.

However, even with a slightly better performance, I prefer Rouge more so than the original. 

It’s not a major sure fire win for the flanker scent. Yet, the opening is better to me, as is the whole experience. 

It’s got a more dynamic start with blood orange and ginger, while still retaining that familiar L’Interdit DNA. I like the spicier vibe and dry down with plenty of sandalwood and patchouli. Rouge is a great perfume release, to me.

It’s a perfume that I wanted to keep coming back to, time and time again.

I can honestly recommend either one of these. Or really, any of them in the series (if you enjoy tuberose or can stand it). Just in this head to head battle, I think L’Interdit Rouge stands just a notch above. 

Winner: Rouge

 

Nude by Rihanna

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It seems as if almost every celebrity eventually releases a fragrance or a line of fragrances. With pop stars, it’s pretty much a given that it’s going to happen, and not always successfully. However, Rihanna is one notable exception, who has put out well received perfumes over the years. In this post, I want to do a full review of Nude. What does this fragrance smell like? How does it perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Nude by Rihanna Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, guava, orchid, mandarin orange, gardenia, sandalwood, orange blossom, musk

Click here to try: Rihanna Nude Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

Nude opens up with a gorgeous array of fruit notes, led by guava, with pear and orange following.  The orange is a blend of mandarin and a rather distinct orange blossom aroma, which will come into play more, later on.

The guava is the real star, up front, and it provides a juicy sweet and tropical sort of smell. The overall fragrance, probably isn’t tropical per se, but the opening act sure feels like its heading that way.

Nonetheless, it starts out as a fruity floral, which will later reverse more into the floral/fruity arena. For me, the start is mostly a guava and pear affair with an emerging gardenia and orange blossom.

As it moves along, I do start to get much more of a floral smell, as I said. It comes in waves. First, is the gardenia and orange blossom. Then, it is more about the vanilla orchid.  When the gardenia comes in, there is a bit of creaminess from the sandalwood, with a hint of vanilla. 

 

Finally, the dry down is a blend of orchid, guava, sandalwood, musk, and the other floral notes. It is clean and still pretty sweet, but not nearly the same intensity, as the sweetness at the start.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage isn’t all that heavy, but the initial sweetness, can project itself fairly well. However, I don’t think you’ll bomb out a room, unless you severely over-spray this perfume.

The good news is, that it does leave a nice scent trail and create a fairly substantial scent bubble. For a celebrity perfume, the performance here is actually quite good, if somewhat inconsistent. 

It seems to hit a max of around 7 feet in projection, when I sprayed it on a shirt in my room. It’ll move in closer, but wasn’t ever a skin scent, until the very late stages. 

The longevity is good here, not amazing. On my skin, it’ll hit somewhere in the range of 5-8 hours, at varying strengths. It’s kind of a wide mark, but this Rihanna scent, does linger around.

Seasonally, I cannot really place it exactly. I’d lean more toward the warmer weather, due to the fruits, but it really wouldn’t be terrible in the cold. Trying it outside, on a fairly mild day, it held up well and never felt cloying. 

This perfume does, skew towards the younger set. Like around college age, through the mid-20s. More of a casual or something to wear out and about, rather than, a formal or office type of setting. Nude is attractive, but has a playful vibe about it.

Overall Impression

Do I like this perfume? I really do. Now, some may not care for the sweetness of such a scent, but I like it. I especially like the guava, pear, and orange opening. I think that it’s great.

It’s a fairly simple, clean, upbeat, and fruity celebrity perfume. Nude probably won’t end up being a daily wear, for an older woman, but could very well be for someone younger.  As far as celebrity fragrances go, this is one of the better examples, and it’s pretty hard to go wrong with.

The performance is pretty good, and the value for the price, is quite high. It smells very attractive. Is it completely unique? Not really, but it is distinct enough and highly enjoyable. 

Nude is a perfume that I don’t think has any glaring weaknesses, while also not being the most amazing fragrance out there. That being said, it is worthy of trying out, and safe enough for a blind buy.