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!

Un Jardin Apres la Mousson by Hermes

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Hermes’ Jardin line is one that I’m currently doing my write-ups on, after having tested them out. Today’s perfume is the release, Un Jardin Apres la Mousson (A Garden After the Monsoon). How does this one smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

Quick Overview

Un Jardin Après la Mousson is a light, airy fragrance built around ginger, cardamom, coriander, pepper, watery notes, and vetiver.

The opening is the most interesting stage, combining warm spices with a cool rainy freshness and light citrus that gives it the impression of a humid garden after a storm.

As it develops, the sharper spice settles down and ginger, soft florals, green vegetal notes, and the aquatic base become more prominent. Later, the fragrance gets drier and earthier as vetiver strengthens, though the overall development stays fairly simple.

You can also try the ‘inspired by’ fragrance Anticipation by Dua, if you want something inexpensive.

What does Un Jardin Apres la Mousson Smell Like?

Notes include: ginger, ginger flower, cardamom, coriander, vetiver, pepper, citrus, water

Click here to try: Un Jardin Apres la Mousson

jardin mousson review

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: Un Jardin après la Mousson explores unexpected aspects of India, when the monsoon gives back what the sun has taken from the earth, and drives away the scorching breath of drought.

The opening of Mousson is an interesting blend of warmth and aquatic coolness. It does really capture that rainy aftermath, where the sun is out, but you have somewhat of a break from the heat…but not necessarily to humidity.

The citrus top is light, much like a flavored water than a distinct solo lemon or orange note. This is joined by the suite of spicy notes: pepper, cardamom, coriander, and the headlining ginger.

The pepper and coriander do give it an initial sharp spiciness, that will become more subtle and really a fresh aromatic.

Once this stage has cleared, the heart is where you get much of the garden aspect of this scent. Ginger, floral notes, and a greenish quality with that rainy aquatic base.

The only real change is that it becomes less watery and get a drier aroma, with some added vetiver strength. This Hermes scent is pretty simple in its development.

Spices, watery notes, earthiness/floral, with an underlying sweetness throughout.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Mousson definitely leans more towards the lighter side of things. With a decent amount of sprays, you’ll get an airy scent trail for about 2 hours or so.

The projection is like 4-6 feet, at its peak. Don’t go into this thinking that you’re going to get a powerhouse, that’s not this scent.

The longevity is about 5-6.5 hours, also. The back half of that is going to be a skin scent, that you’ll catch whiffs of throughout that 3 hour or so span. Then, it’ll fade away.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer fragrance. I would want moderate temperatures at least to wear Mousson, but more of a warm weather fragrance for me.

This is indeed unisex. I don’t think that it strays too feminine, but it’d lean more that way than something traditionally masculine, in my opinion. But, it’s a safe one for anybody to use.

Casual to semi-formal wear during the daytime. It’s a fresh and invigorating sort of aroma. Not sexy. Not something built for the nightlife or romantic occasions. Just something that can be pleasant to put on for the right person.

Overall Impressions of Un Jardin Apres la Mousson

Overall, do I like Apres la Mousson? It’s fairly enjoyable, but not something I really want to wear often, nor is it my favorite from this series. I’m partial to the Monsieur Li fragrance, myself.

While I like ginger a lot as a note, it’s usually in more of a support role versus the main attraction.

I like the concept and like the other Jardin perfumes, I think that it nails a fairly naturalistic smelling impression of an Indian garden after a monsoon has ripped through. Not that I’ve encountered that personally, but on the level of imagination…this gives that impression.

The mix of water, spices, and vegetal aromas is intriguing. I think that it is worth a try. Personally, I like the opening act where the spices and watery aspect are most pronounced.

The performance is okay, in terms of longevity. However, this is more of a lighter and airy fragrance, so don’t expect much of a long lasting sillage.

If you like these Hermes scent, check Apres La Mousson out. It’s a good perfume, that may speak to you more than it did for me. As an alternative to this, try the ‘inspired by’ fragrance: Anticipation by Dua,

Voce Viva Intensa by Valentino

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Voce Viva is a fairly popular release from Valentino, even if it was one which seems to get mixed reviews from those who have tried it. Either way, it was successful enough for the designer to follow it up with 2021’s, Voce Viva Intensa.

I got a sample sprayer of the perfume with one of my orders a few months back and have tested it out for a full review. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

Quick Overview

Voce Viva Intensa is a smoother, richer variation of the original Voce Viva, built around orange blossom, vanilla, jasmine, and citrus. The opening keeps the same general citrus character, but removes the ginger kick and puts orange blossom front and center from the beginning.

As the citrus fades, the fragrance becomes increasingly vanilla-heavy, with jasmine adding a softer white-floral layer.

The final dry down is mostly vanilla, generic white florals, and a touch of moss, making the scent sweeter and creamier than the original without changing the formula too dramatically.

🌸 Voce Viva Intensa by Valentino — At a Glance
Fragrance Family Sweet White Floral Vanilla
Key Notes Orange Blossom, Bourbon Vanilla, Jasmine, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Crystal Moss
Season Fall, Winter, Spring, Cooler Weather
Occasion Daily Wear, Work, Casual Wear, Evening Wear, Social Events
Longevity Around 8–9.5 hours, usually closer to 8 hours
Sillage Above average — upper-moderate projection with a noticeable scent trail
Rating ★★★★☆ 8.0 / 10
Quick Verdict A smooth and sweet white-floral fragrance centered on orange blossom, Bourbon vanilla, jasmine, and citrus. It stays close to the original Voce Viva but removes the ginger and amplifies the vanilla and orange blossom for a richer, cleaner profile. Performance is strong at around 8–9.5 hours with above-average projection. Not especially unique, but an attractive and well-executed cold-weather designer perfume.

What does Voce Viva Intensa Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, mandarin orange, jasmine, Bourbon vanilla, orange blossom, Crystal moss

Click here to try: Voce Viva Intensa

voce viva intense review

My Full Review

Before I get into my own thoughts about this fragrance, let’s see how Valentino describes it: A feminine, opulent bouquet of Orange Blossom amplified by Jasmin Absolute, twisted with addictive Crystal Moss and intensified with Bourbon Vanilla. VOCE VIVA INTENSA Eau de Parfum celebrates the sound of your voice in the scent of your fragrance.

Immediately upon spraying, I can tell that this is going to be a flanker of Voce Viva that sticks close to the original, and doesn’t completely change everything like some designers do.

It opens up with the same citrus accord as the original. But, I think the opening here comes across as smoother and more refined. The original had a ginger kick, that Intensa does not.

Also, the orange blossom is dominant from the get go. On my skin, the original Voce Viva started strong with the orange blossom and then shifted to gardenia. With Intensa, the orange blossom will reign supreme for most of the duration (until vanilla takes it over).

Yes, there is a jasmine here, just its role isn’t to the same degree as the gardenia in the previous version.

Once the citrus tones down, you will get a very vanilla soaked orange blossom aroma. It’s clean and enjoyable, with a sweetish finish. This stage is actually when I get the most jasmine from this Valentino scent.

The final dry down is vanilla, with less of a distinct orange blossom (more of a generic white floral smell), with some moss in the base.

Voce Viva Intensa doesn’t have the same level of moss or muskiness for that matter. The vanilla and orange blossom get amped up. Close to the original, but retains a distinction from that fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts off pretty strong and has a higher peak than the original Voce Viva. On the whole, it’s certainly above average with how it projects off of the skin and leaves a scent trail in your wake.

However, it’s not super heavy or powerful. Solid, better than its predecessor, and on the upper end of what could be considered moderate. Capable of being over-sprayed, but fine with normal application.

The longevity is also a bit better. I get 8-9.5 hours with this on my skin. Usually, more towards the 8 hour end of things, but I did get a full 9.5 during one testing run. For a mass appealing designer wear, Voce Viva Intensa is pretty darn good.

This one is also best in the autumn or winter months, while being able to venture into the springtime. In that respect, it’s exactly like the original. I’d still avoid the heat and humidity of late spring and summer with this.

I still don’t consider this one to be particularly sexy. However, I think that it is more attractive and has a slightly better use case for evening wear versus the original. Both of them lean more toward being daily wears, but this has somewhat more appeal.

Overall Impressions of Voce Viva Intensa

Overall, do I like Voce Viva Intensa? I do. I think that I enjoyed the original more than a lot of others seemed to. I also think that Intensa is a slightly better version of this formula.

It’s not far and away better, but I like its smoothness, and taking out of the gardenia in exchange for a lighter jasmine playing a supporting role.

The vanilla and orange blossom are great together. No, it’s not really all that unique, but it is an effective and attractive pairing. The spice is pretty much absent and I don’t get the same muskiness in the latter stages.

The performance is also better than the original. Not by much, but you will get another 1-2 hours of wear and a more powerful scent trail developing. Both versions are quite good with how they perform, anyhow.

This is a really good release from Valentino. Expect a white floral fragrance, with heavy orange blossom influence, and a lot of vanilla. If that doesn’t sound appealing, I’d go elsewhere. If it does, this is a perfume to check out.

The One for Men Grey by D&G

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Dolce & Gabbana keeps right on using The One name to introduce new fragrances, some of which actually have a relation to the original formulation.

2018’s The One Grey, is one of those cologne offerings which has a lot of overlap with the popular EDT and EDP versions of this D&G scent. But, how does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

Quick Overview

The One Grey is a fresher, lighter remix of the familiar Dolce & Gabbana The One DNA, with grapefruit pushed forward over cardamom, basil, sage, coriander, and a quieter tobacco note.

After the initial spicy citrus burst, it settles into a cleaner aromatic style built around vetiver, lavender, geranium, tobacco, and cardamom.

Overall, The One Grey is one of the better under-the-radar flankers in the line. It is not as good as the strongest versions of The One, but the clean grapefruit-vetiver profile, familiar tobacco undertone, and warm-weather usability make it worth trying if you already enjoy the series.

This has been since discontinued.

🌫️ The One Grey by Dolce & Gabbana — At a Glance
Fragrance Family Fresh Spicy Aromatic Woody
Key Notes Grapefruit, Cardamom, Basil, Sage, Coriander, Vetiver, Lavender, Geranium, Tobacco, Patchouli, Labdanum
Season Spring, Summer, Early Fall, Mild Weather
Occasion Office, Casual Wear, Daytime, Daily Wear, Semi-Formal Events
Longevity Around 6–7 hours
Sillage Moderate to slightly above average early, then settles into a closer scent bubble
Rating ★★★★☆ 7.3 / 10
Quick Verdict A fresher and more aromatic version of The One built around grapefruit, cardamom, vetiver, lavender, and a lighter tobacco accord. It keeps some of the familiar DNA while shifting the emphasis toward clean citrus, herbs, and woods. Performance is solid at roughly 6–7 hours, and the lighter composition makes it much more useful in spring and summer. Not the sexiest or richest release in the line, but one of the better choices for versatile daytime wear.

What does The One Grey Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, coriander, cardamom, vetiver, basil, lavender, geranium, sage, patchouli, tobacco, labdanum

Click here to try: The One for Men Grey

My Full Review

The One Grey is very much a flanker of The One and I can tell that from the opening spray. The difference with Grey is, that the strength of each of the notes has been changed in order to make a lighter fragrance more friendly to warmer temperatures than The One EDP.

Grapefruit leads the way, just like the original versions. Except that it is amped up in this formulation. Spicier, fresher, with less tobacco and amber.

It is joined by cardamom, sage, basil, and coriander as the main spices. Basil is actually strong to my nose and the equal to the cardamom early on. That will change and cardamom will be the one which sticks around the longest.

The basil will fade and sage, takes its place, but doesn’t muscle out that cardamom. Coriander is a distant fourth, with a minor influence. Patchouli very briefly gives Grey an earthiness, that will pass too.

It is interesting that after the initial blast, I can pick up on that tobacco note, from the others in the series. It sits underneath almost everything, but it is there reminding you of The One EDP.

After 20 minutes or so, this is less of an intense spice and more of a lightly spiced clean freshness. Vetiver, lavender, geranium and that tobacco really help to moderate this one.

Bright citrus with a cold aromatic aroma.

The final dry down will be a balanced mix of vetiver, lavender, tobacco, and cardamom. Still a bit of a spice, but not much, and there is a smokiness that emerges. Not heavy, but I guess it’s the labdanum mixing with vetiver and some other notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The One Grey actually has some decent power, at least for a while. It’s not a massive fragrance, but for the first few hours you will get nice projection off of the skin.

This Dolce & Gabbana is not going to leave a scent trail behind you for all that long. However, I get a nice intimate bubble of the fragrance for most of the wear. It’s pretty average, but towards the above average end of things.

This one lasts on my skin, somewhere in the 6-7 hour range. Not one that’s going to seriously outperform (like its predecessors), but it also doesn’t just quit like EDT, either.

Seasonally, this one takes the formula of The One and makes it acceptable for the spring and summer months. I love The One EDP, but the heat is not friendly towards it. With Grey, the clean style and lightness of the notes makes it one that can take the heat.

It’s fine in more moderate early autumn weather, also. I’d skip the winter application and go with EDP, instead.

This doesn’t have that same level of sexiness or date night vibe as the EDP. This is more suited for daytime wear, good for the office, casual, or even semi-formal occasions.

It smells good. Is attractive and easy to like. You can wear it in a lot of different scenarios without issue. Very nice versatility here.

 

Overall Impressions of The One Grey

Overall, do I like The One Grey? I do. It’s actually one of the better flankers from this line, despite the lack of fanfare about it.

The originals, Luminous Night, and EDP Intense are all better than this. But, I like it more than Gentleman and Royal Night (slightly). It gives you a different weighting of the notes of the original, but in a more palatable form for day to day wear, in the warmer months.

Grapefruit and vetiver give it a nice and freshly clean feeling. There’s still some tobacco and the spicy notes create a dynamic aroma, without being too much to handle.

The performance is much like other entries in the series, not terrible like the original, just passable and useful for daily wear. I’ve read others say that this one is weak, that hasn’t been my experience with the travel sprayer, this one came in.

If you like the originals, this one is worth a try. You just have to know going in, that it’s not the same fragrance. Yes, the note’s are quite the same, but the style is different. A remixed version of the original, where the background players get shown more love.

14 Great Perfumes Like Delina (or Exclusif)

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Delina is a very popular fragrance from Parfums de Marly. It’s blend of rose, lychee, rhubarb, and more are a sweet and powdery take on the classic rose perfume. PdM is a higher quality niche brand and their prices match, which can scare some people off.

As such, it can be worthwhile to find something that smells like Delina and/or Delina Exclusif without breaking the bank. Or, maybe you want something similar that’s not exactly the same. On this page, I am going to keep an ongoing list of scents that can provide alternatives that can almost duplicate the experience.

Quick Overview

Duchess by ALT Fragrances is one of the best picks if you want something that stays very close to the original Delina. It uses the same basic lychee, rhubarb, and rose combination, giving it that fresh, sweet, tart floral character at a much lower price.

Miss Congeniality by The Dua Brand– Another one that can give you that inspired take on this fragrance style for less. 

Adeline by Fragrenza is the standout option for fans of Delina Exclusif. It closely recreates the lychee, rose, and rhubarb development of Exclusif while also matching its powerful performance surprisingly well.

Club de Nuit Imperiale by Armaf is the best choice if you want something similar without being almost identical. It blends the Delina and Delina Exclusif styles with a creamier, more powdery rose-vanilla dry down and delivers extremely strong performance for the price.

Fragrance Key Shared Notes or Style Main Difference Best For
Very Good Girl by Carolina Herrera Lychee, rose, vetiver, vanilla, fruity sweetness, and a lightly powdery character Fruitier and tarter, with red currant and less emphasis on rose Those who want a designer alternative with a lighter, fruitier Delina-like style
Rose 01 by Swiss Arabian Lychee, rose, citrus, pink pepper, peony, vanilla, and musk No rhubarb and a muskier, slightly sharper opening Those who want an affordable take on the original Delina style
Miss Congeniality by The Dua Brand Pear, lychee, citrus, rose, and the sweet floral style of Delina Exclusif More specifically modeled after Delina Exclusif rather than the original Those seeking a close Delina Exclusif-inspired fragrance
Duchess by ALT Fragrances Lychee, rhubarb, rose, fresh sweetness, and tart fruitiness Designed to stay very close to Delina rather than create its own interpretation The closest affordable option for the original Delina style
Adeline by Fragrenza Lychee, rose, rhubarb, sweetness, and the layered Delina Exclusif profile Targets Delina Exclusif and has exceptionally strong projection Those who want a powerful and very close Delina Exclusif alternative
Madame Rose by Oakcha Built around the Delina-inspired sweet rose formula Not personally tested on the page, so the comparison is less certain Budget shoppers who want another Delina-inspired option to explore
Club de Nuit Imperiale by Armaf Lychee, rose, vanilla, amber, fruitiness, and powdery sweetness Creamier and more powdery, blending aspects of Delina and Delina Exclusif Those who want huge performance and a more distinctive Delina-style fragrance
Lady Diana by Alexandria Fragrances Rhubarb, peony, nutmeg, vanilla, rose, and lychee More expensive than many of the other inspired options on the list Those comfortable paying more for an inspired Delina-style fragrance
Aqua Allegoria Forte Rosa Rossa by Guerlain Fresh rose, fruity notes, and a light watery floral character Closer to Delina La Rosée, using peach and cassis instead of its sparkling pear Those seeking a lighter summer alternative to Delina La Rosée
Chloé Eau de Parfum Lychee, rose, peony, fresh florals, and a dewy aquatic quality Less fruity and more focused on clean rose and peony Those who like Delina La Rosée but want a cleaner, more classic floral
Rose Extase by Nina Ricci Rose, red berries, vanilla, musk, sweetness, and powder Only loosely similar, with raspberry and red berries replacing Delina’s main fruit notes Budget shoppers who want the same general sweet rose style rather than a close match
Atomic Rose by Initio Rose, vanilla, bergamot, pink pepper, jasmine, amber, and rich sweetness Removes the lychee and pear, creating a more concentrated rose-and-vanilla profile Those who like Delina Exclusif but want less fruit and more rose and vanilla
Angel Nova EDP by Mugler Lychee, rose, sweet fruit, spice, patchouli, and a resinous dry down Much fruitier, with juicy raspberry and an almost tropical quality Those who want a stronger fruity twist on the Delina concept
Delilah by Maison Alhambra An inexpensive fragrance specifically inspired by the Delina formula Not personally tested on the page, so quality and exact similarity are less certain Those looking for one of the cheapest Delina-inspired options

Perfume Alternatives that Smell Similar to Delina

Fruitier with a Similar Style

Very Good Girl 30 ml Eau de Parfum, 1 fl oz– This flanker to Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl, does have quite a lot of overlap with Delina, and is a good option for those who want something similar.

Litchi, rose, vetiver, and vanilla are notes that are shared by both of these perfumes. But, Very Good Girl isn’t an exact match, just closely related.

It opens up with a fruitier aroma that has an added tartness added by red currant. On the whole, Very Good Girl is fruitier and the rose is less prominent than in the Parfums de Marly scent.

The litchi and rose will take over the composition and the vanilla will serve a minor role. It’s somewhat powdery, less so than our target, and has a lighter freshness to it. I got about 7 hours of wear from this fragrance when I tested it out.

It’s a cheaper alternative, that still provides a designer level experience. Very Good Girl Review

Arabian Rose

Rose 01 by Swiss Arabian–  Rose 01 is a very nice and less expensive alternative to the original Delina. The opening with the lychee, citrus, and pink pepper can be sharp (even more than Delina), but it will settle down to more sweetness, rose, and a tad creamy.

Up top, though, it is a sharp tartness…but very rich, also. I think it is interesting, almost like a different take on Angel Nova.  The musk actually comes in with the rose, peony, and vanilla notes to calm the intensity.

The main difference between Rose 01 and our target is the lack of rhubarb. Not a big deal and might even be preferable to some. The muskiness is elevated here, the performance is good, and the price is right in comparison.

Dua Exclusif Inspiration

Miss Congeniality by The Dua Brand– Dua has a whole host of their ‘inspired’ fragrances, based on popular perfume formulas. Miss Congeniality is the one that does a great impression of Delina Exclusif.

I also like, Adeline by Fragrenza (listed below), and both of these scents strike very close to what you get with the Parfums de Marly.

The opening with the pear, lychee, and citrus hits the mark very well. I think that the Fragrenza version might be a tad more powerful, but the Dua is no slouch either. Plus, the pear itself is fantastic in this blend.

Another Inspired by Option

Duchess by ALT Fragrances– If you’re looking for a cheaper option with an aroma near that of Delina, Duchess from ALT fragrances is going to possibly be one of your best bets. ALT has its series of perfumes that are ‘inspired by’ the best sellers, with Duchess being the ringer for Delina.

Lychee, rhubarb, and rose providing that same sort of blend as the expensive PdM. Fresh, sweet, and a lovely rose. As close as you’re going to get, outside of picking up the real thing.

Exclusif Aroma

Adeline by Fragrenza– This is a sample that I picked up recently, which smells more like Delina Exclusif, rather than the original. But, it is actually really close to being identical in terms of smell, and matches its performance too.

Seriously, Adeline is powerful stuff. I sprayed some on a shirt laying in my bedroom and could smell it in the next room, for the opening act. So, not too many sprays needed with this one.

The lychee, the rose, and that rhubarb up top are all here. Adeline does a great job at being similar to the development and layers of Exclusif and does so at a fraction of the price.

Rose Inspired

Madame Rose by Oakcha– Oakcha is another brand that is doing some inspired takes on popular niche and designer fragrances. Madame Rose is their version of the Delina formula.

Now, I haven’t tried this one out as of yet. I will update if I do in the future. But, I’ll add it to the list for those who want to try Madame Rose out.

I’ve heard good things about this brand and this Delina inspired scent has a ton of positive reviews about it. So, it’s probably a good option for currently $30-45 per bottle, depending on the size you choose.

Imperiale 

Club de Nuit Imperiale by Armaf– This one is interesting. It is very similar to Delina, while at the same time, has enough difference to make Imperiale its own thing.

Mainly, the powdery aspect in the dry down is more intense in this than in the Parfums de Marly best seller. But, also this has a creaminess that tends to separate this Armaf perfume even further.

Imperiale is an affordable fragrance with a massive performance. So, if you like the style here, you’ll get your money’s worth. More like a mix between Delina, Delina Exclusif, and it’s own blend.

A familiar start then getting into a rose, vanilla, amber blend with the remaining litchi providing the fruitiness. The opening is probably not as good as Delina, but the back half makes up for it.

Lady Rose

Lady Diana by Alexandria Fragrances– Another inspired creation that I haven’t tried, but I’m more familiar with this brand, and they’ve produced lots of great stuff in the past.

Their version is called Lady Diana, and while still being cheaper than the PdM perfume, this is a higher price when compared to the other scents seeking to mimic our target scent.

Rhubarb, peony, nutmeg, vanilla, rose, litchi…all of the ingredients are there to strike up a close comparison and I highly doubt that it’s very far off.

La Rosee Possibilities

Aqua Allegoria Forte Rosa Rossa by Guerlain– With the Delina La Rosse now becoming a pretty popular fragrance, I thought that I’d add some alternatives to it.

Forte Rosa is apart of the Aqua Allegoria collection by Guerlain. Aside from having an extremely long name, it has a very similar, yet distinct aroma from that of La Rosee.

The PdM fragrane has that fresh watery note, along with a sparkling pear, which only adds to that quality. The Guerlain comes out with a peach note and some cassis.

La Rossee and Forte Rosa are lighter and less overwhelming rose options for the summer. Again, not entirely the same, but they do hit a very similar chord overall.

Delina La Rosee with More Florals

Chloe Eau de Parfum– Delina La Rosee does end up smelling quite a bit like this best selling Chloe fragrance.

It’s no surprise when you share lychee, rose, and peony as main notes. Chloe and Delina La Rosee both have an aquatic sort of finish to them, but with the Chloe, it comes from the use of freesia and lily. Less of a pure water and more of a dewy floral sensation.

A very clean rose and peony blend is the dominant force here, it also doesn’t have that same massive fruitiness that some of the Delina scents do. Easy to wear, classic, with a powdery aroma playing off of the dewy lightness.

Not Exactly, but in the Same Vein

Rose Extase by Nina Ricci- Pink rose, red berries, and vanilla. This Nina Ricci perfume is pretty affordable and hits a lot of the same chords as our target does. But, they don’t smell exactly the same. 60-70%? Perhaps.

The opening is a mix of being super sweet and actually fairly tart. The raspberry and red berry blend, do come on strong. But, it settles, you get more rose, vanilla, and musk. At times, it feels creamier. Then, you get bouts of powder.

Clean and pretty easy to wear once it settles. Not nearly as high as quality as the Parfums de Marly. It just gives you another option to consider, a decent price, and solid overall performance.

Focused Rose and Vanilla Exclusif

Atomic Rose by Initio– If you want something closer to Delina Exclusif, but without all of the sharper fruity notes, Atomic Rose can be a good choice.

This one does have light citrus note (same bergamot), but that litchi and pear aren’t present, which allow for a more focused concentration on the rose and creamy vanilla.  With a pretty strong pink pepper, early on at least.

Though, Atomic doesn’t give you a price break and can actually sell for more than the PdM perfume that it resembles. The performance, however, is outstanding.

You still get some great sweetness here, along with a developed jasmine note, and the wonderful amber without the underlying oud or other woody-like notes.

Raspberry Lychee Rose

Angel Nova EDP by Mugler– Now, I’ve only tried Nova EDP, as of now. However, the EDT version is supposed to have a greater use of the rose note and be a closer comp to Delina. So, you might want to check that one out.

Either way, Nova EDP has a similar style and construction, without being the same. This one takes the fruitiness early on to another level. The lychee is the same, but Nova adds a very sweet and juicy raspberry note.

Actually, to my nose there also smells as if there might be a mango in the mix. Nova has vaguely tropical smells, early on.

The fruitiness will settle and reveal the Damask rose note. There’s some spice, earthiness, and a resinous quality during the dry down. Patchouli and benzoin.

Very strong sillage early on, that will settle into something moderate. But, I got about 9 hours of wear from Nova EDP. It isn’t an inspired by rendition of Delina, but it’s got enough overlap to bear a resemblance. Nova EDP Review

Another Option

Delilah by Maison Alhambra– Delilah is another inspired by Delina fragrance, that seems to have a good reputation of coming pretty darn close to the original for cheap. If even comes in a similar looking bottle.

Now, I haven’t actually tried this one out, but I figured that I should include it for those who want a less expensive alternative perfume. It seems to sell for around $45, with positive reviews about its resemblance to our target.

I’m not familiar with the Alhambra brand, so I can’t actually speak to its quality. Nevertheless, there it is for those who want to try.

 

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?

Quick Overview

L’Interdit Rouge is the overall winner because it takes the familiar white-floral DNA of the original and gives it a spicier, more dynamic character. Blood orange and a stronger dose of ginger make the opening more interesting, while tuberose, patchouli, and sandalwood create a warmer and sexier dry down.

The original L’Interdit EDP has the stronger performance. Its pear, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, patchouli, and vanilla combination projects a little more strongly and lasts around 8–9.5 hours, compared with roughly eight hours for Rouge.

Both are best suited to fall and winter, although the EDP can move into spring more comfortably. Rouge gets a slight versatility edge for nightlife and its more mature, sensual character, while also winning the overall scent comparison by a narrow margin.

Category L’Interdit EDP L’Interdit Rouge Winner
Opening Opens with pear, bergamot, orange blossom, and ginger. Sweet, fruity, and floral, with a slight candy-like quality before tuberose and jasmine become stronger. Starts spicier with blood orange, stronger ginger, and orange blossom. Tuberose develops earlier, giving it a warmer and more energetic opening. L’Interdit Rouge
Projection Strong projection with an excellent scent trail. During testing, it was slightly easier to detect from farther away. Also projects strongly and leaves a noticeable trail without overwhelming a room when applied reasonably. L’Interdit EDP
Longevity Usually lasts around 8–9.5 hours and often lands toward the upper end of that range. Generally lasts around eight hours, sometimes a little more or less, but does not reach the same high end as the original. L’Interdit EDP
Versatility Best for fall and winter, though it can move into spring more easily. Works well for everyday wear, evenings, and nightlife. Also best in cooler weather, with a slightly more mature and sexier character that gives it an advantage for nightlife. L’Interdit Rouge
Overall Scent A sweet pear-and-orange-blossom opening that settles into a traditional tuberose-heavy white floral with patchouli and vanilla. Keeps the recognizable L’Interdit style but adds blood orange, stronger ginger, patchouli, and sandalwood for a spicier and more dynamic experience. L’Interdit Rouge

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