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!

The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger

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In this post, I want to take a loser look at a sample fragrance that I received months ago, but never did anything with: The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger. Now, this one came out a few years ago, and is not to be confused with Tommy Girl. The Girl is an entirely different sort of perfume, but is it actually any good? What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is it worth a buy?

What does The Girl EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: fig leaf, cashmere, pear, jasmine, cedar, violet leaf

Click here to try: TOMMY HILFIGER The Girl Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

This fragrance opens up with a crisp and juicy pear note that is joined by a particularly strong fig note. It is a green fruity experience with wood notes, like cedar and cashmere, becoming immediately apparent. It’s soft and has a watery element that sits underneath the fig note and gives The Girl a bit of an aquatic vibe.

A few minutes into the wear, the pear note subsides a bit, and this takes on a more vegetal green aroma. Now, there is violet leaf in here, but that’s not really what I’m picking up. It’s that aquatic aroma peaking in, mixed with plant life, and the woody base.

I guess it’s a mix of the lily of the valley, violet leaf, and the pear. It’s okay, I’m not completely turned off by it, sort of interesting.

The Girl is a very fresh and clean scent, with an airy mix of natural elements, combining for something that is quite pleasant.

Ultimately, I get a lot of fig, the wood notes get stronger, with the aquatic aroma, and some violet leaf. It’s pretty simple and for a fragrance called The Girl, it really isn’t a girly sort of scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on The Girl is pretty light. It starts of pretty moderate, but again, shifts to an airy semi-aquatic fragrance without a massive footprint.

This isn’t going to take over a room or leave a scent trail in one’s wake. More like create a light private scent bubble or have a misty kind of presence in the air.

The longevity with normal sprays, is pretty bad, like a few hours. You can boost it to 4-5, if you double up the sprays on each spot. Meh, could’ve been a lot better.

Seasonally, it would be best for the warmer months of the year. I get more of a springtime vibe from this one. It’s more naturalistic or garden-like vibe reminds me of a cheaper version of the Hermes Jardin series of perfumes. Similar style, but the quality isn’t nearly the same.

It would be good casually, for class, or for work depending on your situation. It’s not a nighttime scent at all, not really sexy, just a fresh and clean wear for the day.

Overall Impressions The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger

Overall, do I like The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger? I like the way it smells, I’m not blown away by it, but it is pretty nice. It’s almost a unisex scent. The wood and the fig leaf note, are really attractive in this composition, and this could be a great naturalistic sort of perfume.

However, the performance, isn’t great. If it was boosted in its strength, it would be worth a buy for those who don’t want overly fruity or floral fragrances. As it is, this is probably a pass.

The violet leaf isn’t completely bothersome to me in this mix. The Girl has a lot of positive things going for its aroma. The lightness, freshness, and that early fig and pear combo are  nice.

The Girl could be a solid cheapy. Again, probably one to pass on, but for somewhere around $20 it might find a place in one’s rotation.

Boss The Scent for Her Intense by Hugo Boss

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As of now, I have yet to try the original women’s version of Boss The Scent, but I grabbed a sample of the Intense version to review. So, I won’t be comparing the two in this review, but will simply stick to Boss The Scent for Her Intense. How does it smell? When should it be worn? How does it perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Boss The Scent for Her Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: honeyed peach, osmanthus, vanilla, cocoa 

Click here to try: Hugo Boss SCENT FOR HER INTENSE Eau de Parfum, 1.6 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see what the brand says about this fragrance: An irresistible fragrance, unforgettable like a savored seduction. Exquisite notes of honeyed peach, captivating osmanthus absolute, dark cocoa and vanilla unfold over time for an intense experience.

The opening of Boss The Scent Intense starts off with a strong peach note that’s dipped in a light honey. It’s fruity and sweet, with a floral undertone. It’s got a warm and enticing aroma.

It kind of reminds me of another fragrance, but I can’t quite place what this comes close to smelling like. Not exactly like Viva La Juicy, just something along those lines, perhaps?

Boss The Scent Intense isn’t a super complicated perfume. The development beyond the initial notes, consists mostly of the cocoa and vanilla, coming into the fold.

Between the two, the cocoa is the stronger, with the vanilla hanging around, mostly underneath the composition. During this development, the peach is toned down, and the aroma takes on a creamier feel.

The peach does start to take a back seat, the osmanthus becomes more noticeable, late in the wear. With that is honey and the cocoa. That’s pretty much the scent, in totality.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, is it actually intense? It doesn’t project itself insanely far or anything, but with the sweetness, I guess it can come off as being intense. It leaves a scent trail for a couple of hours, after that it’ll be a more intimate scent bubble, though not a skin scent.

The strength is on the upper end of moderate, but it can just hit harder, with all of those super sweet notes.

The longevity is good, but not amazing. I got Boss The Scent Intense to last for around 7 hours, on my skin. You might be able to squeeze out another hour or two with heavier application.

It’ll serve well in most scenarios, but isn’t a marathon runner, to any extent. A full workday is a decent target for Intense.

Seasonally, I’d stay in the autumn to early spring, with this fragrance. It does have notes, which lend themselves to the summer, but the cocoa and honey, will melt in the summer heat. It just wouldn’t hold up well.

I wouldn’t call this one a teenage scent, but it definitely skews more toward younger women. It’s sweetness is kind of girly, but not completely so. This is a casual daily wear, maybe for a night out or something like that. It doesn’t strike me as all that serious or ‘sexy’.

Overall Impression of Boss The Scent Intense

Overall, do I like Boss the Scent Intense? It smells nice enough. I’m not enthralled by it. I do like the honeyed peach note and when the cocoa comes into the picture.

That opening act seems to be this one peaks and then it falls off into being something much more forgettable. Sort of like the men’s versions of this one. They too had some interesting starts, winding up to be decent to somewhat nice.

The whole thing is pretty good. It ultimately doesn’t really move the needle for me. It’s performance is solid. It’s smell is nice at times, maybe going to be a little too much, for many women. It’s a serviceable scent.

Would I recommend running out and buying it? Not really. It’s worth a try, but maybe when you can snag a cheap bottle.

Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence

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Bvlgari’s Essence line had a fairly extensive release over the past few years, but already looks like it’s going away. I’ve been testing them out over the past few months to see what they’re all about. Today’s entry is Glacial Essence, the icy fragrance of the line. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Bvgari Man Glacial Essence Smell Like?

Notes include: juniper, ginger, geranium, cedar, musk, wood, orris root, sandalwood, artemisia

Click here to try: Glacial Essence

glacial essence review

My Full Review

Here’s how Bvlgari describes it: BVLGARI MAN GLACIAL ESSENCE enriches the Bvlgari Man collection dedicated to the power of natural elements. After fire and wood, Bvlgari Man explores air. The BVLGARI MAN GLACIAL ESSENCE fragrance captures the unbridled magnitude of the frozen mountains and the unstoppable masculinity of a man on a constant quest for greatness.

So, the opening is indeed quite cold and fresh. The freshness comes across more like a blue-ish detergent sort of aroma, but not as harsh and thick.

This does get the frosty mountain air feeling down pretty well…not naturalistic, more like the deodorant sort of interpretation. It’s likeable, just not great.

Juniper is huge within the mix. Geranium pairs up with it early to give it a further cold and somewhat minty aroma. Along with the spicy pop of the ginger note up top.

A few minutes in the bitterness of the artemisia really comes through on my skin. It’s not very long lasting, but for like a 15 minute stretch it felt like it was the second or third strongest note, behind juniper.

After that passes, this one becomes quite musky and woody. Clear and cedar wood. Fresh blue aroma with wood and musk. That’s about it. Most of the top notes have burned away and there is some sandalwood involved, but not a ton.

A mix of fresh notes, coldness, that dries down into a woodsy musk. Glacial Essence is pretty simple.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This has a solid bit of power after the first spray. The top fresh notes really can project decently off of the skin and has a short-lived scent trail.

After that? Glacial Essence will be more of a scent bubble type of fragrance. Within 3 or so feet from the skin. It’s all a bit better than average, just not by much, and not for the entirety.

In terms of longevity, I get about 6.5 hours, on my skin. Again, the entire time isn’t super powerful, but Glacial Essence does hang around in that lighter state.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. I have to say, the highlight of testing came when I wore this outside in the heat. When the juniper, ginger, and geranium really were at their peak; this one had some pleasant moments.

More of a daily wear or casual fragrance. Not nightlife or something that’d be considered sexy.

Just a simple one to spray on to freshen up. Not particularly formal or serious, just clean and cold. It’d be fine for younger guys who want to wear something that’s pretty low key.

Overall Impressions of Glacial Essence

Overall, do I like Glacial Essence? Not really. It’s almost certainly my least favorite cologne from the Essence series. It’s not terrible to me, but I also don’t really enjoy wearing it that much.

The opening does really give you a icy blast that simulates the mountain air. But, it also feels like a synthetic detergent type of smell too. I mean, it’s better than the laundry stuff, but still not all that appealing.

That freshness can be quite nice. Ginger and geranium are highlights, but don’t hang around for the duration. I wish those notes had more prominence.

The rest of the way is kind of simple. The performance isn’t amazing. It’s all kind of boring. Which is disappointing, as I would’ve thought that this would be one of my favorite Essence colognes, but it’s last on the list in reality.

While this Bvlgari surely wouldn’t offend anyone, I don’t think most people would be too thrilled if they bought it without testing. Sure, some will be fans of this, but it really doesn’t have that universal appeal.

With a discount? Maybe take a shot. Retail price? I’d pass.

Guilty Love Edition Pour Femme by Gucci

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Guilty is the long running franchise for Gucci, in both their men’s and women’s line. In 2020, they came out with the first of their Love Editions. I’ve been doing my reviews on the Guilty Pour Femme line and so I picked up a sample of Love to try. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Gucci Guilty Love Edition Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: narcissus, musk, violet, raspberry, grapefruit, bergamot, mineral amber, water notes, patchouli

Click here to try: Love Edition

guilty love review

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it:  The new scent is a tribute to the vintage character of the narcissus flower. Opening with a transparent and green crystalline freshness composed of bergamot, grapefruit and a watery accord, a narcissus accord is elevated by the tangy notes of raspberry. 

The opening does have raspberry, grapefruit, and bergamot in the mix. Really though, Guilty Love is never all that fruity. Actually, from the jump, the powdery aroma really takes over.

Powdery early on, with a nice dose of that narcissus floral note. The musk and the violet sit underneath that, but as it dries down these notes will flip, and the violet and musk will be stronger than the powder and narcissus.

Beyond the powder, it does smell like the narcissus is floating in water. There is a watery accord in Love Edition that lightens this one up.

This one really isn’t too complex. Violet infused soap is basically what this turns into. More musk, less powder, and the patchouli note also comes in to add some light earthiness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the lighter end of what would be considered moderate. It’s not too weak, in my experience. I’d say the first two hours or so are just fine, in terms of how it projects off of my skin.

That doesn’t last, though. The rest of the wear is pretty light and stays close to the skin.

The entire wear lasts somewhere in the 5-6 hour range before fading out completely. The performance is really pretty baseline average and not going to wow you.

It’s main strength lies in its versatility. Outside of the depths of winter, this one should be just fine. it works well enough in the heat and is probably at its best in the moderate to warm weather.

So, spring through the early part of autumn is Guilty Love’s reach.

It’s a clean and easy to wear scent. The powdery notes and soapiness aren’t really at all sexy. But, just as something to wear around or to work or wherever, it’d be quite suitable.

This isn’t a Gucci built for the nightlife, however.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Love Edition

Overall, do I like Guilty Love Edition? Not particularly. The whole Love Edition line hasn’t really seemed to gain traction. Personally, I like the men’s version and have a bottle for myself. The women’s…meh.

It’s powdery, watery, and ultimately like a bar of soap. There’s nothing here that is too exciting or noteworthy. That’s fine, but even while being boring, it doesn’t really smell all that good. Not horrible, but very forgettable.

It’s my least favorite of the Guilty line. I compare it to Absolute, for example, and that one just blows it away.

I do like some of the powdery aspects early on, especially when you do get some of the opening fruit notes. After that passes, I’m not too keen on Guilty Love.

Add to that, even if you like the smell, it’s still maybe going to get you six hours of wear tops. Which is pretty average, but costs much more than average with Gucci’s pricing.

I can’t really recommend this one as a blind buy or that it’s even worth a try. If you do like the soapy clean perfumes, violet, or narcissus…maybe this will appeal to you. But, at least see if you can find a bottle at a discounter.

Baiser Vole EDP by Cartier

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Cartier has a whole host of good perfumes, which can get overlooked in comparison to the best sellers in the world of fragrance. Yet, they are always consistent with releases and multiple flankers will get released of these formulas thereafter.

One of the more popular lines is Baiser Vole. It’s a rather simple scent that I’ve appreciated for quite a while. How does the EDP smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Baiser Vole Smell Like?

Notes include: lily, citrus, green notes

Click here to try: Cartier Baiser Vole Eau De Perfume Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce

cartier vole edp review

My Full Review

Here’s how Cartier describes it: The fragrance of a majestic yet elusive flower: the lily is recreated for the first time, from the freshness of the leaf, the floral scent of the petal and the powdery fragrance of the stamen.

Baiser Vole EDP is one that is pretty simplistic in its presentation. For one, you have to know up front that this is almost all about the lily note.

It starts off green with watery undertones. Maybe a bit of the citrus. However, it isn’t a heavy juicy citrus. More like water flavored with some squeezed citrus juice.

Very clean with a bit of spiciness to it. The petals of the lily are pretty prominent early on. The powdery stamen, as Cartier talks about, is there as well.

At times, this is a greenish dew covered stem and floral. At other times, you get more of the powder. Basically, the entire experience of the lily in a Cartier bottle.

A fresh and clean floral scent with spicy undertones from Cartier. Baiser Vole is a beautiful and elegant perfume that never overpowers. Baiser Vole is a lily heavy fragrance, so, enjoying this floral note is a requirement for this one.

It starts out with a green, somewhat watery lily, with citrus notes playing a support role. Then, it becomes much more of the petals of the flower itself, with a sweet creamy undertone. It’s a lightly projecting fragrance, with naturalistic notes, and solid longevity.

Baiser Vole keeps things extremely simple, but it still makes the cut as one of the best from this brand. Lots of lily petal and stem, with a watery quality and the citrus influences coming in.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one leaves a moderate scent trail behind the wearer with enough sprays. It’ll project off of the skin well, just not super far. Maybe 4-6 feet, during the first two hours or so.

After that, it is more of a personal scent bubble or one for those who get closer to you.

But, the performance in terms of longevity is actually pretty good. It seems to stick on my skin for up to 7.5 hours, at least during testing. I’m not sure that it is much more capable beyond that, but it isn’t bad even in its lighter strength.

Seasonally, you’re going to want to wear this one in the spring and summer months. That’s when it’s at its most beautiful. Moderate temperatures to warmer weather is when Baiser Vole shines.

Wearing it outside during the day, with a nice breeze going, was a very nice experience.

Baiser Vole is more of a daytime wear. But, within that it is safe for work, can go casual, or even more dressed up. Lots of opportunities to wear this fragrance.

Not a particularly sexy or nightlife beast, though. If that’s an important quality you’re looking for, go with something else.

Overall Impressions of Baiser Vole

Overall, do I like Baiser Vole EDP? I do. But, this is also one that won’t be on everyone’s radar. You’re going to have to like lily as a note and understand that it is the entire basis of the fragrance going into it.

I like the clean and green freshness that you get with Baiser Vole. The dewy aroma and light spice is enjoyable, if not being all that complex. It’s an easy to wear and rather elegant perfume, that can definitely serve as one’s signature scent.

The longevity is pretty good, even with the lighter to moderate sillage that you’re going to get with this Cartier. I don’t find it to be weak or anything, just not a spectacular performer on the whole.

Simple? Yes. Boring? I don’t think so. Maybe some others find Baiser to be bland, but I enjoy the focus on lily, even though it isn’t a favorite floral note of mine. Still, this Cartier perfume has plenty to offer and is well worth trying out.