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!

7 Best Smelling Perfumes by Rihanna

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Rihanna is one of the biggest pop stars in the world and as such also has a fragrance line to take advantage of this fame.  While it is limited in its selection and scope, Rihanna’s line of fragrances do a great job of representing her personality and also smell very good.

For this, list I have chosen the top seven perfumes by Rihanna, and I’ll continue to change and update as needed, when the newer Fenty fragrances are released.

Update: The main line of fragrances seems to be done with. There hasn’t been a new release in many years. Fenty EDP is the only release from that brand thus far, a few years since I’ve update this page. Maybe more will come along, but who knows?

Favorite Perfumes from Rihanna

 

Most Popular Perfume

Reb’L Fleur by Rihanna, 3.4 Ounce, Eau De Parfum Spray– A moderate, feminine scent from Rihanna  that works well for all occasions. It’s a clean fragrance that blends sweet and spice.

Yet, it has a dark juiciness, floral notes, and just an overall sexy feel to it. Hibiscus and some tuberose provide the floral aspect to Reb’l. Though, it’s never all that powerful, within the mix.

Reb’l Fleur is the best selling of these perfumes and for good reason, it smells wonderful. The top is made up of fruits, but you get vanilla and coconut-infused creaminess, underneath it all. These two notes, eventually take over the composition during the dry down.

The peach, berries, and plum are delicious up front and then you get enough patchouli to make it interesting. Notes include: red berries, hibiscus, plum, vanilla, peach and coconut water.

reb'l

Top Summer Fragrance

Crush– Crush is a citrus berry blend, with some light floral/woody highlights. This one is ideal for the warmer months, it is not too heavy, and has a sweet profile. But, with moments that are more toward being tart.

Up top, you get the citrus blend. As it moves forward, ylang-ylang and berries become more prominent. In that opening and transition to the next phase, it really has a nice yellow floral and citrus profile…though, that will fade. 

Towards the end, you get some fresh woods, paired with the berries and some lingering orange from the opening.

Crush has a unique aroma, that is delicious, and put together well. It isn’t a sugary or the run of the mill celebrity perfume. Crush is an absolutely great value pick for summer.

Best Floral Rihanna Perfume

Kiss- Peony, gardenia, and freesia come together along with a somewhat tart plum note to create Kiss by Rihanna.  Up top, the plum really shines along with peony.

However, as you move along, the other floral notes emerge fully. Gardenia is the most noticeable, but you will also pick up on neroli and the freesia.

It is a soft bouquet scent, that never becomes too ‘green’, but keeps a sweet lightness throughout. It is a bit of a floral gourmand with a caramel kind of aroma, but one that doesn’t get heavy and cloying.

Kiss isn’t all that complex, just well blended, and a great deal for the price. The plum and orange blossom note, bring enough fruitiness to keep it from being just another straight floral scent.

Best Bold and Spicy Scent

Rogue By Rihanna Eau de Parfum Spray, 4.2 Ounce– Rogue is a more complex and mature fragrance than the others on the Rihanna line. It is a spicy and outgoing perfume for women that is definitely for the bold.

It is interesting that it shares a few notes with Reb’l Fleur (vanilla, plum, and patchouli), and yet, is such a different scent. The patchouli is a bit heavier, but it is really dominated by a suede note.

Rogue is smooth, fresh, and dries down with a musky powder aroma. The patchouli with the sweeter notes, gives off a bit of a warm baked goods aroma, at times during the wear. 

Notes include: lemon blossom, cyclamen, plum.

rogue

Daily Casual Wear Fragrance

Rihanna Nude Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Nude is a great floral/fruity perfume that works well for the spring and summer months of the year. It’s soft and perfect for casual wear.

The fruits have a semi-sweet aroma, with vanilla and orchid, holding them back from becoming overly dominant in the mix. It opens with a clean and somewhat juicy tropical fruit blend with guava leading the way.

I found this one to be quite attractive, I really enjoy the opening act with the blend or guava, orange, and other fruits. Smells similar to some other scents on the market, but this is a nice affordable option.

The orchid is quite noticeable at this stage, as well. The latter stages are more floral, with a bit of musk, to add some depth. Notes include: guava, mandarin orange, pear. My Full Review of Nude 

 

Tropical Vibes

Rihanna Riri Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce– RiRi is another tropical fruit fragrance, with passion fruit, playing a major role. However, this one is sweeter with a boozy note of rum, which really helps to set it apart.

Also, it’s not really a summertime tropical fragrance, which makes it more interesting in my eyes.

It isn’t an overbearing rum, but lightly there, adding the blend of sweet and spice. Riri has a sugary sweet disposition, with additional notes of mandarin orange, and particularly vanilla.

Simple overall, but with some interesting additions, to the sweetness which make it smell really nice. The vanilla and rum, give it enough to be a moderate to colder weather sort of perfume. The passion fruit brings a fantastic sweetness and makes Riri a joy to wear.

Rihanna’s Luxury Fragrance

Fenty EDP by Fenty– Fenty Eau de Parfum is currently a difficult one to get a hold of. As of posting, it’s sold out everywhere except eBay, it seems. Hopefully, that changes because this is a worthwhile perfume to try.

It starts with a beautiful citrus and blueberry top. Blueberry is all to underutilized in fragrances, but it is great here. The main star is going to be the rose note. It’s soft, musky, with hints of vanilla floating around at times.

Sweet and warm without the heavy or cloying feeling that can come with many scents like this. The geranium and magnolia play well off of the rose note. 

Overall, Fenty EDP is enjoyable and pretty. I will say, that it is probably best to get hold of a decanted sample on eBay or some other source, and test it out for yourself.

The limited supply has pushed prices to insane levels, beyond what this should be priced at, even if it’s a nice perfume.

9 Best Smelling Jimmy Choo Perfumes

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Jimmy Choo has been a huge name in ladies’ footwear for the past few decades. However, in the last decade the brand has expanded itself into fragrances as well, among other things. Nowadays, they have released many perfumes under the banner, and with so many options its time for me to present a list of the best to review.

So, below are a list of the nine top smelling fragrances by Jimmy Choo, thus far. I will update this as needed and more worthwhile additions come to market.

Favorite  Jimmy Choo Fragrances for Women

Top Overall Choo Perfume

JIMMY CHOO Illicit Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.0 Fl Oz– Illict starts off with a blend of honey, orange, and a touch of ginger for a light spice. It is sweet, warm, and citrusy. That is only ramped up with the inclusion of vanilla and amber.

As it dries down, Illict becomes more floral and smooth (jasmine and sandalwood). The sweet start is fairly strong but this Jimmy Choo settles down and becomes a subtle scent for the winter.

Illict does have some limitations to colder to moderate climates, but the scent itself is really quite great. I just would go with something else, if you happen to live in a more tropical region of the planet.

I Want Choo

JIMMY CHOO I Want Choo Eau de Parfum Spray 2.0 ounces, 2 fl. oz.– This came out in 2020, but I recently had a chance to smell it and it certainly is a crowd pleaser. I Want Choo EDP opens up with a juicy citrus and peach mix, with some of its vanilla wafting up from the base.

The opening is a nice fruity sweetness, with the peach being the strongest notable scent from that accord. It’s more or a less a general citrus (orange) aroma beyond that. 

Then, the red lily and mostly jasmine will provide a floral heart. The jasmine actually seems heavier, but Jimmy Choo’s site says the fragrance was built around the lily. Nonetheless, it comes across as sweet and creamy with lighter floral notes.

As a blind buy, this one is simple and inoffensive. I Want Choo shares commonalities with other popular perfumes of the day, but so what? It works well and can be a joy to wear. A pretty, gourmand, white floral perfume.

top choo fragrance

Plum, Vanilla, Floral

JIMMY CHOO FEVER 1.3oz Eau de Parfum Spray– I’m adding Fever to this list, as it’s one that I’ve come to enjoy more and more recently. It is a sweet (but not overly sugary) gourmand floral fragrance. Fever opens up with plum, lychee, and grapefruit.

The tart plum is the strongest of the bunch for me. Fever has a very rich depth and seemingly a lot of different facets, that I pick up during different trials.

Sometimes, the heliotrope feels stronger and Fever takes on a more powdery aroma. Other times, it’s a lot of vanilla and benzoin.

It’s a dark push and pull between jasmine and the heliotrope in the middle act. Finally, the tonka bean and vanilla take over, with the fruity top still lingering.

This has become a top seller over the past few years, has solid performance, and is enjoyable to wear. If you don’t like the sweet scents, it can be too much for some, so maybe skip it.

Most Popular Jimmy Choo Scent

JIMMY CHOO Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.0 fl. oz.– A sweet patchouli fragrance led by pear and then is joined by orchid and toffee. As it dries down, it gets less fruity and the patchouli fully develops into a spicier version of itself.

The patchouli is the main attraction throughout, but up top the pear first takes on the dominant role, with a little touch of orange. From there, the toffee note will gain in strength and become second behind the patchouli.

It actually is a clean and inviting fragrance that offers versatility and nice performance with this EDP edition. Just an absolute joy to wear and be around. Great mass appeal.

It is warm, sweet, with a nice spicy and orchid floral touch in the latter stages. Jimmy Choo EDP has wonderful staying power and a fairly strong sillage.  My Full Review of Jimmy Choo EDP

Want Parfum

I Want Choo Le Parfum– Between this and Forever, I think that this is the better I Want Choo flanker. Forever is pretty dense and powdery in comparison.

I Want Choo Le Parfum is also sweet and fruity up top, like the original. This time, though, we are greeted with a pear note and blackberry.

Gardenia adds to the sweet perception, along with praline in the base. But, it’s not a sweet or juvenile smelling mess of a scent. Nope, we get a fun initial opening act with a spicier and floral finish.

Gardenia, patchouli, moss, jasmine, and the praline really shine. Fruity then fruit-chouli perfume with a dark berry and pear opening and a nice bit of depth to it.

Unique Springtime Fruity Floral Option

Jimmy Choo Flash Perfume For Women 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray– A floral bouquet is joined by that familiar warm spiciness of pink pepper and a juicy strawberry note.

Lily, tuberose, and jasmine are the floral ingredients which form the heart of Flash. Sweet, floral, and a bit of a musky undertone.

Flash has a really nice strawberry note, if you happen to be a fan of that as an ingredient. However, the pink pepper is the standout, and sits perfectly within the composition when the floral notes emerge later on in the dry down.

The perfume doesn’t have any parallels, that I can think of which smell similar to it. Maybe not for everyone, but still ranks as one of the top Jimmy Choo fragrances.

Awesome Fragrance for Winter Wear

Jimmy Choo Stars Perfume for Women 2.0 fl oz Eau de Parfum– Stars has a lot in common with the original Jimmy Choo EDP, mentioned above. However, this adds candied orange to toffee and patchouli. It’s sweet and delicious with less of the patchouli note.

It’s super warm, enveloping, and a great wear for the colder months of the year. Stars also has a bit of orchid and sandalwood sitting underneath it all and adding to the beauty.

It can be a bit hard to find at times (was a limited edition), but if you like the original EDP, this can give you a similar experience with an additional boost of that great sweet orange. They don’t make this one anymore and I haven’t really seen any bottles of late.

 

Great Summer Perfume

JIMMY CHOO Blossom Eau De Parfum, Floral Fruity, 2 fl. oz.– The name would suggest that Blossom is more of a floral scent, but it leans much more towards fruity. Berries, citrus, and raspberry lead the way with rose added for that floral aroma.

So, essentially berries with floral notes supporting throughout.

Note: If you can’t find a bottle of this, Dua has their take on this formula: In Full Bloom.

A pretty straightforward fragrance but with good performance, sillage, and a nice option for summertime. The mix of berries and citrus is very upbeat and will brighten up any day.

Can be sugary at some points during the wear, but it eventually evens out and the raspberry takes a solid hold on the composition.

Awesome Vanilla Perfume

Vanilla Love– Vanilla Love is going to be a great one for those who love a good vanilla fragrance. However, that’s not all there is to it. It kicks off with the spicy punch of black pepper and a nice bit of smokiness coming through, as well.

Then, the vanilla sits on top of a sea of amber and there’s a patchouli note, giving Vanilla Love a further gourmand type of aroma. Finally, there is the total creaminess of vanilla and I’m pretty sure tonka bean is floating around here also. 

Seductive and lively, this Jimmy Choo perfume, isn’t a complete bomb…but the performance isn’t terrible either. Has a pretty thick and creamy wear, though. It just doesn’t have the massive projection and will envelope the wearer instead.

Coco Mademoiselle vs Chanel Chance EDP Comparison

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Chanel perfumes routinely dominate the best seller lists, year after year, in the women’s space. Not only the main or classic formulations, but also, flankers using their predecessor’s names. Two of the most popular options for ladies are Chanel Chance EDP and Coco Mademoiselle. In this post, I want to compare them, and declare a winner as to which is best. Which smells better? Which has the greater performance metrics?

Tale of the Tape: Coco Mademoiselle vs. Chance

Coco Mademoiselle

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

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my review: Mademoiselle

Chanel Chance

Notes include: vanilla, jasmine, iris, patchouli, pink pepper, and musk

Click here to try: Chanel Chance EDP

Opening

Chance has both an EDT and EDP version, along with many flankers that are quite popular. I am going to be talking about Chance EDP, in this post, as I am comparing it to the EDP version of Mademoiselle. So, keep in mind that it applies to these releases specifically.

Chance EDP has much less of the patchouli note, than the EDT version. This one is a floral scent with clean vanilla highlights. It is led by both jasmine and iris, as its main floral notes.

You get a mix of sweetness, with musk, and enough earthy spice to keep things interesting. There does seem to be some light fruit notes, but it isn’t as much. The patchouli, will play a bigger role later on, but it is kept in check up top.

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. The musk is not as heavy, as in Chance, but it also has about the same level of patchouli.

Which is better? It’s a close call. However, I think that Mademoiselle has the more appealing start. I really like the citrus start, that transitions into an array of floral notes. These two do share similarities, but Coco Mademoiselle gets a slight not, in my opinion.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Projection

Neither of these perfumes are going to disappoint with a weak sillage. The EDP versions, are both strong. Which is stronger? I’d say that Mademoiselle packs a stronger punch, than does Chance.

I don’t find either to be all that extreme, but they can project themselves, very well. Mademoiselle, is just a notch above.

Surprisingly, Coco Mademoiselle still has great sillage and overall performance, after all these years. Chanel hasn’t seemed to skip out on the quality with this best seller.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Longevity

Chance EDP will go a full workday, and perhaps, a few hours longer. Expect an 8-10 hour performance. Which is enough for most purposes. But, it still falls short of what Mademoiselle delivers.

Coco Mademoiselle will last for over 10 hours, most of the time. It’s got a really great longevity and doesn’t want to seem to quit. I’ve tested it out to over 12 hours before. It has a pretty wide range, once you get above double digit hours.

Again, Chance is no slouch, but it’s competitor is a bit better.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Versatility

In this category, I don’t really see a winner. Both perfumes perform well year round and in a wide variety of situations. These Chanel fragrances are truly all around gems and can be the anchor of just about anyone’s collection.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

This head to head match up, really is a difficult choice, since both are really great scents. I’d say that you probably can’t go wrong with either. However, which one is truly better, even if by a little bit?

Chanel Chance EDP is fresh, floral, with a great pink pepper spice. It’s not overbearing, but performs well. I really like the jasmine and how the pepper hangs around the edges, of the musk/patchouli heart. Really nice, overall.

Coco Mademoiselle, I prefer it to Chance. You get better performance, but I also think that it smells somewhat better, as well. The beautiful and classy citrus opening, sells it right away. Beyond that, the floral notes, with musk, and sweet creamy vanilla are so good during the dry down.

I think that Coco Mademoiselle just does a bit more, in its entirety versus Chance. Frankly, I think Chance is a great perfume…just not to the same extent.

It isn’t a blowout, by any means. However, I’m giving the win to Coco Mademoiselle EDP.

Winner: Mademoiselle

Polo Red Rush by Ralph Lauren

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In today’s review, I have tried out a new release from Ralph Lauren, from the Polo Red lineup: Polo Red Rush. This flanker to the original was put out in 2018 and the question is, does it bring something new to the table? What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is this new Red, even worth a try?

What does Polo Red Rush Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, saffron, orange flower, spearmint, red apple, lavender, red coffee, cedar, musk

Click here to try: Polo Red Rush by Ralph Lauren EDT Spray 4.2 Oz.

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Polo Red Rush feels pretty similar to the original Polo Red, which opens up with a strong cranberry note. This one, takes a different route, and produces a strong fruity smell with grapefruit, pineapple, apple, and mandarin.

The pineapple and lemon note give it that same sort of sharp quality that you would get from the original Red. Though, this time it is without the cranberry really bringing the tartness.

To my nose, only the top is very similar to the original, and Rush begins to take on its own character about 10 minutes into the wear.

I get a second layer of crisp and cold spearmint running through its heart, and a musk note which sets it quite apart from the other Red colognes. At this point, I get a lot of apple, musk, spearmint, and some saffron for good measure.

Red Rush is quite ‘green’, crisp, fruity, and has some aquatic elements lurking in the background. It’s base is a woodiness led by cedar and a very light coffee note, that is different from the one found in Polo Red Extreme.

It really isn’t that prominent at all. Though, the overall composition is upbeat and energetic, in its own way.

The dry down is more musky and floral than the rest of the wear. Orange flower and lavender come through for me, but saffron still heads up that aspect.

Beyond that, Red Rush is still mostly about the apple, musk, mint, and the citrus which seems to come back more as it reaches its final phases.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s light to moderate. It never felt very ‘loud’ or bold on my skin. Much to the same level, as the original Polo Red, maybe a little softer. It’s one that will probably require a few extra sprays.

Longevity, isn’t great. 5 hours on average, you might get six out of Red Rush. Serviceable but not really where it should be. Trying it out a few times, this seemed to be the natural limit for this scent.

It’s similar in performance to what you might get with the original Red. Red Intense and Extreme bring a longer lasting wear than Rush.

I like this as a cologne for the spring or summer months, though, it is safe to wear year round. Really, it is a year round wear, that’s just at its best when the warmer weather is here.

It probably has it’s strong point within its versatility. It can be worn casually, is safe enough for work, and is pleasant enough to wear out at night. Red Rush isn’t a cologne that is going to offend anyone, it’s pleasing, and easy to wear.

Though, probably won’t give you the same power in projecting, as you might want. It is fresh and clean, but not really sexy. As a low key and unobtrusive fragrance, it does a fairly good job, but isn’t something that stands out.

Overall Impressions of Red Rush

Overall, do I like Polo Red Rush? Meh. This Ralph Lauren fragrance feels unnecessary, in my opinion. It does take the Red line in a slightly new direction, but it’s not unique enough, nor does it perform well enough to be a great addition.

It certainly has its moments and is an overall enjoyable experience, it’s just not amazing in the slightest. Maybe consider picking it up, once it hits the secondary market, and comes down in price. Good, has some solid aspects, but not particularly memorable.

I like the apple and mint notes, along with the saffron. At no point, do I find it particularly bad, and that second layer with the mint is actually quite nice. I’m just not all that impressed by Rush as a whole.

For me, this is the worst of the Polo Red options. It’s not terrible, just kind of pointless. The performance is only okay, so, even if you enjoy the aroma…it still might not be worth it.

Polo Deep Blue vs. Blue EDT Comparison

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The Polo line from Ralph Lauren, has released many different types of Polo Blue, over the years. For 2020, it put out Deep Blue, which is supposed to have a more oceanic quality to it. But, how does this new release compare to the original EDT? Which lasts longer? Smells better? Which cologne is the one to buy?

Polo Blue vs Deep Blue Cologne Comparison

Polo Blue

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 Deep Blue

Notes include: Hawaiian Green Mango, fir, sage, Deep Ocean Accord, Cypress Oil, ambroxan, grapefruit

Read my review: Polo Deep Blue

Opening

Polo Blue opens with melon and cucumber notes, giving it a cool, familiar, and crisp aroma. There is a prevalent and consistent aquatic note, at the heart of the fragrance, with tangerine and amber adding a bit more to the composition.

Not too complicated, but nice with a great freshness.

Deep Blue is similar to Blue, but closer to the EDP version, yet does have a distinct opening act. With this Polo fragrance, you get an opening of a delicious mango note, quite a bit like Polo Black.

This gets paired with some citrus and what is called, “Deep Ocean Accord”.

That Deep Ocean smell is a somewhat salty aquatic note with ambroxan highlights. Deep Blue has more of an aquatic profile, than does the original Blue EDT. EDT keeps it crisp and watery, due to melon and cucumber, but it isn’t oceanic.

Which is better? The original Blue has a cool crispness, that smells good, but I think I prefer Deep Blue. I really like the mango note and the more marine scent coming from the new release.

Edge: Deep Blue

Projection

Neither of these fragrances is a powerhouse. I would say that Deep Blue starts off stronger, and in general, has the better sillage. It is a parfum, so the fragrance formula is more concentrated.

Polo Blue EDT isn’t bad, it’s got pretty moderate sillage throughout the wear. Not a weak cologne and will be plenty noticeable. But, it doesn’t hit the same level as Deep Blue. Deep Blue is pretty much on par with Blue EDP, in terms of its strength. Not huge, but very good.

Edge: Deep Blue

Longevity

For me, both of these scents fall in the 7-9 hour range. Solid, but by no means, elite.  There’s not much of a difference, if any, maybe a bit more favorable for Deep Blue but I’m not sure.

I definitely don’t ever break double digit hours with either of these. Most Polo fragrances are like that, not elite, but good.

I haven’t tried recent bottles of EDT, so, I’m not sure if it’s lost a step over the years. As of now, I’m rating this category a tie.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Since these two colognes are so closely related, the do share the same space, in terms of their use. Either can easily be worn year round, but are honestly better in the warmer weather.

Each are more casual daily wears, rather than, anything formal. Clean aquatic fresh scents. Though, you can wear them to the office, without much issue. School, as well, if you’re a younger man.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Again, these two are variants of the same basic formula. As such, the differences aren’t going to be overwhelming. But, I will give an opinion as to which one, I’d pick.

While I like the cucumber and citrus elements in the original Polo Blue, I prefer the mango and Deep Ocean accord, of Deep Blue. To me, that opening act is just better, than anything the original offers.

After that, they do become much more similar. After the first two hours or so, Deep Blue is like a mix of the EDT and EDP, with added ambroxan. So, if I had a choice, I’d pick it just for that opening with the mango and slightly better performance.

Deep Blue gets some added freshness and woodiness during the late stages. The sage and cypress, does have an overlap with the newer AdG Profondo by Armani. Yet, this one is heavier on the ambroxan.

Polo Blue EDT can usually be replaced well by Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein. They are very similar and that can often be had for really cheap. But, then again, I’ve seen all the Polo’s on sale recently.

Winner: Deep Blue