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!

Kouros Body by Yves Saint Laurent

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I first posted this review of Kouros Body back in 2014 or so. But, this was one of my go to wear’s in the previous decade also. I love this fragrance. So, I had to do an update for the site. It doesn’t quite fit comfortably in a category, the notes are unusual on their own, and quite weird when placed together.

However, it was always great, and an absolute joy for me to wear. I’m going to cover: how this Yves Saint Laurent cologne smells, what’s in it, how it performs, and when it should be worn.

What does Kouros Body Smell Like?

KO14M

Body Kouros Notes: Incense, eucalyptus, benzoin, cedar, sage

Click here to try: Kouros Body by Yves Saint Laurent for Men – 3.4 oz EDT Spray

I would describe the scent of Kouros Body as sweet with a spice. Not sweet like a fruity scent would be,  but rather a bit like candy. The spice is subtle, more of an undertone, but gives Kouros Body a certain character and warmth. This cologne is highly distinctive and memorable.

On nights I’ve worn it out to a bar, it always seems to have women inching closer before they ask, “What are you wearing that smells so good?”

The scent profile is rather unique, as I’ve never come across anything else like it, and it doesn’t share any real connection with the original Kouros from YSL.

I mean, when the strongest note is benzoin, and you have a smokey incense note throughout the wear…you’re going to be a different type of cologne.

Anyway, Body is pretty warm and enveloping, with a medicinal touch from the inclusion of eucalyptus. I find it to be smooth and soothing.

The benzoin and eucalyptus are paired at the top of this cologne, along with the spicy sage note. It’s not a heavy spice, by any means, just a part of the warm cloud everything is wrapped up in.

As it dries down, Body Kouros, feels quite herbal and sweet but with less of the eucalyptus and more of a cedar coming through. The composition is so simple, but manages to have such a great smell on my skin.

In the end I get, lots of benzoin with burning incense, and sage and eucalyptus flanking that. Very fresh.

I have to admit that Kouros Body is one of my personal favorite colognes and one that I like to have on hand. It doesn’t have the same attention grabbing qualities as other scents. Body is to me, like a slower and more methodical seduction, almost hypnotic in its draw.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this one was always pretty moderate on my skin. Body Kouros isn’t a heavy fragrance and the sillage is going to hang pretty close to you, after about an hour of wear or so.

But, it’s not a total skin scent. Just one that is lighter and not a powerhouse.

The older bottle that I had would give me about 6-7 hours of wear, sometimes better on colder days. I’m not sure what the newer bottles are putting out, but it was always solid.

One draw back for me is that it doesn’t perform as well during the summertime. Especially, if you live in an area of high humidity like I do. No, Kouros Body begs to be worn during chilly days or evenings when it’s warmth can fully emanate outwards.

Stick to wearing it in the autumn through early spring and you should get Body at its best.

This was definitely one of my go to scents during the winter time, in the 2009-2013 era, of my life. I could wear this out for a night at the bar, somewhat dressed up, with an overcoat.

It wasn’t clearing out the room, like 1 Million would, during that time period. However, when women got close to me, a whole lot of them were digging this YSL gem.

It’s got a good age range on it too. It’s not irreverent and young, nor does it smell stuffy and old. Men in their early 20s and older gentlemen, can spray this one on without issue or feeling out of place.

Overall Impressions of Kouros Body

Kouros Body will always have a soft spot for me, after being a great wear for such a long stretch. I should get a new bottle at some point, but I have so many reviews and tests to do for this site, it gets difficult to not have sparsely used bottles laying around.

However, I can recommend this scent, but it’s not going to be one that everybody enjoys wearing. Body is its own thing completely, and kind of a time capsule cologne, that represents the turn of the new century when not every fragrance felt like a clone of another.

Eucalyptus and benzoin are actually a great combination. It’s resinous and herbal, while being smooth and fresh. It’s an easy to wear fragrance, even with its more unique style, and women have seemed to compliment it quite often over the years.

Then, you have the warmth, sweetness, and smokiness from incense. It’s not really anything like the original Kouros, but does its own thing, and does it well.

Again, I’m not sure if the newer bottles got reformulated or not, but it’s one to try out. But, understand that it might not be a favorite for everyone.

Versace Man Eau Fraiche

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I am a fan of Versace fragrances. Versace Eros, while it can be a bit heavy if overused, is still one of my choices to wear during the cold winter months. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Versace Man Eau Fraiche. This isn’t a cold weather fragrance like Eros, rather, it is one which shines during the heat of summer and invokes images of day’s spent along the beach.

In this review, I want to delve into this scent a little bit deeper and see what makes it such a great summer cologne for men. How does it smell? What are the ingredients? How the sillage and longevity? Is Eau Fraiche worth a buy?

What does Versace Man Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

versace man eau

Notes include: Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Cedar leaves, Tarragon, Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore

Click here to try: Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 Oz

Eau Fraiche Full Review

What I notice right off the bat with this fragrance is that it has such a fresh and citrus based opening note that really grabs one’s attention and draws you in for more.

It’s always a good sign that a cologne has a good opening note and doesn’t require 20 minutes of wear before it even begins to get good.

No worries with Versace Man. Lemon, bergamot, and carambola (starfruit) lead the way. The aroma is great, very bright, and utterly captivating to my nose. I really do dig the opening.

The lemon is definitely the star of the show here in the opening and everything else it just in a support role.

The next striking thing about this cologne is how much it smells like a summertime fragrance. It’s warm, clean, confident, with a bit of elegance sprinkled in. Plus, it’s projection actually gets better with some heat, unlike all too many fragrances which wither in the warmer months.

While I find this feature to be a positive, one could argue that this narrow usage acts as a strike against it. If you are looking for an all-weather and daily wearer, then this Versace cologne isn’t for you.

However, depending on the climate of where you live, you could get 3-6 months use out of it.

The citrus becomes less pronounced after about 45 minutes or so and some spicier notes begin to emerge which adds a layer of energy to this fragrance that brings the intensity up a notch.

The spice is pretty herbal in its feel, you have sage, tarragon, and cardamom among other notes.

The base notes really help to bring out the personality and sexiness of this scent. At times, it really begins to remind me a lot of Light Blue, but I think I prefer this Versace (but Light Blue Eau Intense is better than both). More in the style, than the exact smell of the fragrance.

Finally, once the citrus has calmed down from its powerful beginnings, the woody base is on full display. Sycamore, rosewood, and cedar. It kind of blends into a generic ‘wood’ aroma, but you can detect the differences at times, if you’re paying attention.

So, from Versace Man Eau Fraiche, you get: a lemony aroma with a slight aquatic quality, bits of herbal spice, and a woody dry down.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Versace Man Eau Fraiche has decent projection, which as I said, gets better with a little bit of heat. Overall, I would say it is moderate in that regard. This doesn’t need to be too loud, but it projects itself well when compared to other summer scents, in the same vein.

Also, it’s not a marathon runner in terms of how long it lasts on your skin but it does seem to perform adequately, usually about 6-7 hours in my experience.

Not great by any means, but good enough for most usage. I am basing this off of a batch of 2014 fragrance, so, I can’t speak to any reformulations that may have occurred thereafter that effected performance.

It’s kind of an all-around wear in the summer months. Things are generally more casual during this time anyway, but this is a safe scent to smell fresh and pleasant. Not really a club beast, nor super sexy, but it is attractive.

Overall Impressions of Eau Fraiche

All told, this cologne is a very good option to wear during the warmer months. It’s not spectacular, but it smells pretty damn good and delivers good performance on my skin.

There are definitely some cheaper options out there, but I wouldn’t be opposed to owning a smaller sized bottle of this, because I do find it enjoyable. Although, this one has become more and more affordable over the years, since it’s so popular.

Personally, I have so many different autumn and winter fragrances, that I like colognes like this one, to switch up the pace for the summertime. Eau Fraiche is a solid choice.

To me, that star fruit and lemon opening, really hooks me in. Star fruit is one of my favorite summertime notes and this is a great rendition.

The herbal spice is attractive and the woody base is fine, but probably not the most intriguing part of this Versace.

But, all told, you get an awesome scent with decent enough performance for what it’s going to be used for. As far as hot weather colognes from mainstream designers, Versace Man Eau Fraiche still does rank near the top of the list.

Blind buy safe? Absolutely. Unless you really don’t like citrus based colognes, one shouldn’t have a problem finding enjoyment out of this one.

7 Best Smelling Kenzo Perfumes

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Kenzo has been an innovative and respected French design house for about 45 years now. In that time, it has also established a name and niche following in the world of fragrance. It grabbed praise and attention with it’s signature scent, Flower, and has produced unique and highly feminine perfumes ever since. For this list, I have chosen what I consider to be the top seven ladies’ fragrances by Kenzo.

What are the Best Smelling Kenzo Perfumes?

Best Bold Perfume

Jungle L’Elephant– Besides having a cool elephant on the bottle, Jungle by Kenzo is designed to “bring the animal out of you”. It is energetic with an oriental spiciness that will stand out from the crowd and delivers a long-lasting scent.

This one definitely isn’t for everyone. It is extremely bold and can take over a room. Which is why, it is probably best for outdoor use. Nonetheless, warm cardamom and caraway, get paired with strong cloves and a calming vanilla note.

It has a dryness and slight smoky quality, with that spice. Which by the way, isn’t all that sharp or unbearable. Yes, it has a big personality, but this one is still selling over 20 years later.

l'elephant

Juicy Fruity Perfume

Kenzo World–  A clean peony fragrance, with the sweetness of some red berry notes. Kenzo World is a newer release, but one that I think should make the list due to its scent and uniqueness.

At times, it comes off as very much a juicy berry fragrance, with other fruits assisting things. Then, you get more of the warmth of amber and the floral notes. Somewhat soapy, not overly complex, but a decidedly intriguing fragrance. Probably best for younger women.

The Powdery Classic

Flower by Kenzo for Women – 3.3 Ounce EDP Spray– Kenzo Flower is a very popular fragrance and has been for a long time now. It also happens to have an aroma that pretty closely approximates baby powder.

It’s a bit sweeter and creamier, than the real thing, which is to be expected with vanilla and black currant notes. However, the violet and rose, give Flower a very powdery finish that is quite soft and comforting.

The opening act, is probably the least like our target, but it settles down into that fresh powdery scent. The rose note isn’t overwhelming here, either. So, don’t expect it to be heavy, in that regard.

flower


Most Popular Kenzo

Kenzo Amour by Kenzo– An affordable, soft and floral, vanilla based fragrance for ladies. Amour is vanilla flanked by frangipani, heliotrope, and cherry blossom. This one is a nice example of vanilla, but used in a somewhat unique way.

Not only do you get, some different floral ingredients, from the run of the mill, Kenzo Amour also features a warm, fluffy, rice note.

The whole thing comes across as clean, inviting, with a bit of a fresh powdery finish (and smoky incense). Very nice performance and a versatile daily wear type of perfume.

Unique World

World Power by Kenzo– This Kenzo World flanker isn’t one that is going to be appreciated by everyone. It’s got a fresh, salty aquatic, and tonka bean finish.

The aquatic sea notes are more early on in the wear, but the saltiness stays going. The saltiness paired with the cold cypress wood notes gives this one a really interesting and almost unisex feel.

Then, the sweeter tonka type of finish brings it back around. The saltiness hangs around in a warmer amber form, with the woody base. World Power does actually have a nice punch of sillage to it.

It has great performance, in a rather simple presentation. Again, this one isn’t going to be appealing to everyone, but it’s nice and different.

A Green Spring/Summer Wear

D’ete- A clean and green floral that brings a certain sweetness to its layers. Warm and great for casual wear on a day to day basis and has a scent unique to itself.

It has a lighter floral appeal, much like the entry below. However, this one focuses much more on the flowers themselves, along with a dewy undertone. While L’eau Par Kenzo is cold and fresh, this one is warmer with some slight spiciness lurking around.

d'ete

Best Aquatic Perfume

L’eau Par Kenzo– A blend of aquatic and floral notes make Par Kenzo a very nice choice for the warmer months of the year. Simple. refreshing, and understated.

L’eau Par Kenzo isn’t a citrus aquatic or anything like that. This one gives you some great floral notes, like lilac and water lily, to provide a clean and memorable aroma. This all sits on top of a watery and fresh base.

What’s great is the mint note, which gives this an icy sort of start, while being paired with some herbal ingredients. Unique and uncomplicated, though, a totally underrated fragrance.

par

Polo Blue EDT vs EDP Cologne Comparison

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Given my recent wear and review of Polo Blue EDP, I thought that I should do a comparison between that fragrance and the original Polo Blue EDT. While there is plenty of overlap between these two Ralph Lauren scents, the EDP does have a slightly different profile which gives it a distinction versus the Eau de Toilette. Which one smells better? Performs better? Is worth a purchase? Continue below for my thoughts.

Polo Blue EDT vs EDP: Which is Better?

Polo Blue Tale of the Tape

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Polo Blue EDP Tale of the Tape

Notes include: suede, bergamot, cardamom, basil, sea notes, sage, vetiver, woods

Click here to try: R.L. Polo Blue 4.2 oz / 125 ml Eau De Parfum EDP for Men

Read my original review: Polo Blue EDP Review

polo blue edp

Opening

The original Polo Blue EDT is a fresh and crisp experience highlighted by the cucumber and melon notes. To me, that cologne always felt pretty bland, especially in the beginning of the wear.

You get those watery and crisp fruits with some light citrus. Then, the sage and basil ingredients, are seriously toned down when compared to the eau de parfum. I will say, it is fresh and I’ve grown to like it a bit more than I previously had, especially that hint of smooth suede.

Meanwhile, the EDP version strikes me as a blend of the EDT and Acqua Di Gio Profumo. The bergamot note leads off and gives it a citrus aroma to go along with the spice.

Eau de Parfum has much more character than the original and even if I’m not blown away by either, I prefer the EDP. It feels a little bit darker, more intense, and just more substantial.

Again, I’ve like Blue EDT more recently, than I had in the past. But, I’ll still go with the EDP for this category.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Both are moderate in how well they project. However, I will say that the EDP is a bit stronger than the original, but not by much. Still, I do notice a difference between them.

None of the scents from the Polo Blue lineup are powerhouses, with their sillage, and overall ability to project themselves in a room.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Either one of these lasts in the 7-8 hour range usually. The EDP might have a slight advantage due to the strength of the bergamot note, but it’s basically even.

The line of Blue fragrances from Polo have all been pretty darn good on my skin. The Red’s have been more all over the map, but these seem to be pretty consistent across the board.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both are casual and warmer weather scents. I actually think that the EDP has fit in quite well during these winter months, so I’ll give it the edge. Again, it’s not a huge difference.

Both colognes can be worn on a daily basis, but I think they feel more casual, than being office scents. You can wear them out, but they aren’t club bangers.

Edge: EDP

Overall

I think that the EDP is an improvement on the original. The initial similarities with Acqua Di Gio Profumo is a nice addition, as is the later enhanced suede and sea notes, that make the Eau de Parfum feel much more defined.

The original Polo Blue was a decent smelling and performing fragrance, I just found it pretty boring. The EDP on the other hand, has gained some points in its favor, and I actually quite like it.

Plus, I have found that I can usually buy a cheap bottle of Eternity Aqua, which is a near clone of the EDT version and get the same experience for less.

It’s still not my favorite scent but I have found myself wearing the sample a lot over the past few weeks and think that it’s a good buy for those who like citrus/aquatic/woodsy parfums.

Update: I would also put forward, the new release, Polo Deep Blue. It settles into something like a midpoint between the EDT and EDP, but with an interesting opening act of mango and marine notes.

Ranking the Blue releases, I’d have Deep Blue at number one. EDP at number 2. Gold Blend at 3. I have a bottle of Gold Blend, that I got for cheap, and I’d put it a notch below the other two.

Update 2: Both of those fragrances are discontinued. Gold Blend got annoying after some time. I’d still go with Blue eau de parfum as of 2025 versus EDT and the newer Parfum.

gold blend review

Winner: Polo Blue EDP

Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton

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Afternoon Swim is going to be the first full review that I’ve done of a Louis Vuitton scent, on the site. I’ve got decants of most of the releases and will work my way through them over the coming weeks and months.

This one was brought to market in 2019 as a part of the Les Colognes Louis Vuitton series. What does it smell like? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton Smell like?

Notes include: bergamot, mandarin orange, orange, ginger, ambergris

My Full Review

Before I get into my personal review, let’s see what Louis Vuitton has to say about Afternoon Swim: Passionate orange, to sail toward pleasure. A plunge into an ocean of sensations. Feeling all the energy of the waves washing over the skin on a hot summer’s day.

Alright, so from the start, just know that this isn’t a very complex fragrance. It’s also heavily weighted to citrus notes, so, if that’s not your thing try another Vuitton perfume.

Afternoon Swim kicks off with its orange notes front and center. I do smell mandarin, but another orange seems to have the upper hand, and there’s also a solid dose of bergamot.

It reminds me quite a bit of Dior Homme Cologne or Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel, just with different citrus notes, and more ginger. Less spicy and resinous than the Chanel. 

I like the addition of the ginger note, as it gives Swim a bit more heft than just being another thin and quick citrus scent. It’s also one of my favorite spices, so it really grabs my attention.

The other scent that I am reminded of is, Millesime Imperial by Creed. That one and this LV fragrance both have an ambergris note, at the base, but it is much lighter here.

Personally, I love a good summer citrus fragrance, and this one is a great example. Bright, juicy, and full of vibrancy. Very much like being at the pool or walking a seaside promenade during the warmer months.

As it moves along, I get more of the bergamot on my skin versus the orange note and just enough of the ambergris to add a touch of saltiness to the composition. 

That’s pretty much what the tail end of this fragrance is all about.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Most of the time, these sort of colognes aren’t powerhouses. Afternoon Swim, included. It’s on the lighter end of moderate and will project 4-6 feet from the skin, at its peak, before drawing closer and closer.

Though, this Vuitton wasn’t a complete skin scent until later in the wear. It has enough substance to keep bringing wafts of the aroma for a good while.

On my skin, it stuck around for 5-6 hours. Not amazing or any type of marathon runner. Though, again, to be expected with a summer citrus splash. But, at this price, you might be of the mind that you want more out of it.

Afternoon Swim is a safe to wear unisex scent. I’d keep it to the daytime, mostly in summer, but it’s great here in spring too.

Not going to be a nightlife, club banger, or sexy sort of scent. Probably not a bad choice for a pool or beach party, though.

A super fresh and fruity scent that  energizes and can be a lot of fun to wear.

Wear it casually or semi-formally when the temperatures start to rise, in your neck of the woods. This is one that I loved wearing outside, over the summer. Just at the beach, boardwalk, or other more vacation mode type of activities.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Afternoon Swim

Do I like this fragrance? I do. I like it a lot, in fact.

I really enjoy these citrus colognes for the summer months and this one gives me some really juicy orange notes. Orange is usually one of my least favorite citrus notes in fragrances, but the pair are great, along with bergamot.

It’s not a scent that is going to be overly complicated or even a signature wear for anyone. But, if you want a great summer wear that can hold up well in the heat, Afternoon Swim can deliver.

For the type and style that this perfume is, Afternoon Swim is pretty fantastic. It has a much more limited use case, but is a very nice wear within that.

Is it worth the price? I don’t know that I’d reach for this, if Louis Vuitton prices are a stretch for you budget.

Again, you can get similar results from Dior Homme Cologne, which is more affordable. It’s not the same, it’s simpler, but might be a fine alternative.

Update: The Dua Brand has its version of Afternoon Swim, called Gone Swimming. I personally purchased their blended version of this Louis Vuitton with their version of Virgin Island Water…and it’s fantastic.

If you want the Louis Vuitton experience, at a cheaper price and with better performance, I highly recommend getting a hold of one of the Dua versions. Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters is amazing and will be one of my go to fragrances in the summer.