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!

Prada Luna Rossa vs Luna Rossa Sport Comparison

by

I’m back with another head to head match up, to determine which is the best fragrance from the Luna Rossa line: Luna Rossa vs. Sport. I’ve already compared each scent to Carbon and these two came out as the winners. Now it’s time to pick between my two favorite Luna Rossa’s. Does the original smell better or does Sport exceed its predecessor?

Tale of the Tape: Luna Rossa vs. Sport

Luna Rossa

Notes include:  lavender, sage, spearmint, ambrette, ambroxan, and bitter orange

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Review: Luna Rossa Review

Luna Rossa Sport

Notes include: vanilla, lavender, tonka bean, juniper berries, ginger

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa SPORT Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

Read my review: Luna Rossa Sport Review

Opening

Luna Rossa opens up powered by bitter orange to give the fragrance its citrus tone. It is blended with calming lavender and a refreshingly cool spearmint note, that adds a nice contrast to the bright citrus.

I like how bright and great the bitter orange blends with that fresh spearmint note. It honestly has a sporty aroma of its own.

Sport gives you an enveloping opening of tonka bean, lavender, and vanilla. It has some juniper berries, but lacks the citrus burst of the original. It’s actually really clean and fresh.

Which do I prefer? Ehhhh, it’s a tough call because they both share that lavender note, but I tend to lean toward Sport, as the tonka and vanilla combination is more appealing than the bitter orange. Even if I do thoroughly enjoy the spearmint kick in the original.

Edge: Sport

Projection

Neither of these fragrances have huge sillage. The radius of each is going to stick close to the person that is wearing it. Luna Rossa is on the lighter side, it is a moderate fragrance, but sticks toward the more airy end of the spectrum.

Initially, it seems much more loud, mostly due to that sharp citrus opening. Luna Rossa will settle down.

Sport isn’t heavy either, but it is pretty much a typical moderate, and has more projection than does its Prada compadre. It sustains it better, at least.

Edge: Sport

Longevity

With both of these scents, I can hit the 6-8 hour range. Sport is stronger, but it doesn’t last any longer than the original. No winner here.

Both of them are solid, for what they are. But, neither are going to be all-day marathon type of wears.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, both of these colognes match up well in terms of when they can be worn. Luna Rossa is pretty much a year round fragrance and has a better ability to hold up in the heat and humidity of summer than does Sport. Sport doesn’t completely fall apart or anything, it’s just not as good in those months.

Each can be worn casually, at the office, or in a more formal environment. Sport is probably better for date nights or evenings spent out on the town.

I’m tempted to give the edge to Luna Rossa, but it’s really not clear cut at all.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

These are the two best Prada Luna Rossa fragrances that have been released, in my opinion. Which one is better?

Luna Rossa is a very simple fragrance. Clean, bright, and quite linear in its presentation. It’s a light and inoffensive cologne, that can be worn pretty much whenever. I like the citrus, lavender, and mint blend but it can feel kind of boring at times.

Luna Rossa Sport is the best, in my opinion. The creamy tonka bean/vanilla paired with the lavender is the main attraction, but, it doesn’t stop there. Ginger adds a spicy undertone, which keeps it interesting, and juniper gives it a touch of fruit.

It like, the original, is really crisp and fresh. Sport just took it to a higher level.

My rankings for the Luna Rossa lineup. 1. Sport. 2. Luna Rossa. 3. Carbon.

I’ve worn all of them a dozen times or more and I keep coming back to the same conclusion. I do, however, waver between these two. Some days, I’m feeling Luna Rossa more, but mostly it’s Sport that takes the crown.

When I’m not in the mood for tonka bean, that’s usually when I’d reach for the original. I just slight prefer the flanker to the first one.

Winner: Luna Rossa Sport

9 Best Vetiver Scented Colognes for Men

by

A highly popular and a note that is found in a lot of classic men’s fragrances is vetiver. Some people absolutely swear by the stuff and I have to admit, I dig it to, when I need a change of pace on the right day.

For this post, I wanted to present a range of options for men who are looking for the right vetiver based cologne. I have chosen one’s that are more of a pure or classic vetiver, some that are blended, or have their own unique take on this ingredient.

What are the Best Vetiver Scented Perfumes for Him?

Warm and Smoky Vetiver

Vetiver Oriental By Serge Lutens for Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 1.69 Ounces– I’ll start out the list with this unisex fragrance by Serge Lutens. This has a unique take on the use of vetiver, it’s smoky, a bit powdery, and has a slight sweetness from a chocolate note. Plus, the subtle embrace of the amber note.

Many of the vetiver fragrances on the list, will go with a fresher, or woodsy take on this note. Vetiver Oriental, on the other hand, infuses it with warm amber, that chocolate, and some light oud.

It’s a very good blend, with enough vetiver, to satisfy our requirements. Not too heavy, but delivers a long wear.

Unique, Earthy, Smooth

Sultan Vetiver by Nishane Istanbul Pure Perfume 1.7 oz Spray– I’m adding this one to the list, as it’s not only a great vetiver, but also gives you something pretty unique versus the rest of the pack.

The opening really packed a wallop when I tried Sultan Vetiver out. It was a huge blast of anise and neroli, with a bright citrus top, and the underlying vetiver (which there is plenty of). There is a thickness and dampness to this fragrance early on.

Later, it becomes smoother to my nose. Leather, amber, join the vetiver. Meanwhile, the anise really tones down. It actually seems to go from being a colder perfume, to something much warmer. Interesting.

Also, it’s a complete beast. Not necessary to overspray this Nishane scent. Plenty of depth and this fragrance, sort of unfolds in layers, as the hours move on. Might not be one for the masses, but vetiver lovers should give it a go.

Clean and Balanced Vetiver Scent

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– Much more masculine than the first entry and one that puts more of a modern feel on a classic vetiver scent. Oak moss joins the main attraction as well as a citrus opening. Grey Vetiver is a masculine/woodsy scent with underlying notes of citrus and a warm/smoky finish.

The grapefruit note adds a bright cleanliness to the already awesome vetiver note and creates a modern twist on this popular men’s ingredient. It opens up with that citrus note, along with orange blossom, and a touch of herbal spice.

The latter stages get much drier and outdoorsy. The oak moss and cedar flank our vetiver note, and the other notes sit in the background of this main front.  Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford is super clean and refined.

grey

Classic Style Vetiver

Guerlain Vetiver Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce– An affordable classic with citrus, tobacco, and nutmeg notes to help round out the vetiver dominance. A really good entry for those looking to get into vetiver scents.

Guerlain’s Vetiver opens with a blend of spice, citrus, and some tobacco. To my nose, the tobacco isn’t too powerful, and I actually get a stronger citrus vibe. However, that will quickly morph into a dry and earthy wear, led by our vetiver.

Modern Luxury Fragrance

Creed Creed Original Vetiver Men Millesime Spray, 4 Ounce– Creed’s Original Vetiver opens with a nice blend of mandarin and bergamot to go along with a soft ginger spice.  Subtle scent with good longevity.

This is a hyper clean and masculine use of vetiver and citrus with a classic soapy quality. I always feel energized after applying Original Vetiver, as the fragrance just seems to strike an upbeat and positive chord.

It’s not a complex sort of cologne, rather, it is linear but everything that it needs to be. This vetiver is a modern style with an older soul. Solid choice for business or casual wear. The mandarin and bergamot citrus notes, really give this one a boost, in my opinion. I love the opening act and how they interact with the vetiver. Original Vetiver Review

Vetiver Mojito

Guerlain Homme L’Eau Boisee Eau De Toilette Spray 80ml/2.7oz– More of a blend then a pure vetiver scent. This one takes the mojito accord of the original Guerlain Homme and makes that take a backseat in favor of the vetiver. The opening minute is really harsh with a grass note but it settles nicely.

After the burnt grassy opening, L’eau Boisee, the vetiver begins its dominance. You get additional fresh woodiness from the cedar note, a juicy lime, and a clean mint aroma. Dry, woodsy, grassy, and fresh. Not as much of a boozy scent like the original. Still, it has its elements. My Full Review

Dark Woods 

Lalique Encre Noire Pour Homme EDT Spray, 3.3 oz– Another blend. Encre Noire takes a more woody interpetation of vetiver with added notes of cypress and cashmere wood. A really interesting and unique scent that is dark, green, and earthy.

Encre Noire delivers the a wide array of wood notes, with cypress, vetiver, and cashmere; being the main attractions here. Yes, this is a darker sort of fragrance, with the dry freshness you’d expect, and a great addition of smokiness to give it depth. The vetiver here is really great, comes across a bit differently, and this is an amazing value purchase.

Herbal and Earthy Fragrance

Etro Vetiver Eau De Toilette Spray 50ml/1.7oz– Very rich and earthy vetiver, that also takes on a woody aroma but one that is different than Encre Noire. Has such a nice natural freshness to it.

Etro Vetiver is a bit unique, as it can have an herbal smell at times (sage and something else), that grabs your attention. Then, you get vetiver, cypress, and a light smoky wood aroma. This one is pretty mid-range in price, but it can absolutely compete with the high end designer fragrances on the list.

Earthy, Woods, and Citrus

VETIVER EXTRAORDINAIRE by FREDERIC MALLE 3.4oz/100ml– Another mix of vetiver and citrus. Has a drier quality that is fresh and crisp. Can be on the expensive side. Dry, earthy, and very woody.

Vetiver of course, leads the way, and is joined by cedar and sandalwood. Smooth outdoorsy smell, that manages to not feel too ‘dirty’, thanks to orange and bergamot notes. The citrus isn’t too strong, but it’s there and noticeably flanking the vetiver, and competes with a layer of pepper.

6 Fragrances Similar to Versace Pour Homme

by

Versace Pour Homme is a best seller and a favorite cologne of many guys. But, sometimes you may want a change of pace or to find something that is close to what it brings to the table for a better price.

In this post, I am going to cover (and update when necessary) other colognes which can fit the bill and strike close to the Versace aroma. Some will be fragrances that are trying to replicate, while others will be colognes with a close style to the Versace scent.

Scents Similar to Versace Pour Homme

The Similar Chanel

Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 5 oz– I have to include Allure Homme Sport on the list, as it does have a lot of similarities with Versace. Not exactly the same, but they really do strike a similar chord.

I actually enjoy the smell of the Chanel more so than I do Pour Homme. However, newer bottles of Allure Sport don’t have the same performance level as they used to. Since it is also more expensive, I would probably go with the Versace instead.

The main difference to me, is that Versace has more of a citrus start. Also, the Chanel has the traditional Chanel aldehydes and a somewhat oceanic freshness to it. I love this fragrance, but the performance has become pretty meh. Allure Homme Sport Review

More Aquatic, Vanilla Creamy

Missoni Missoni Wave Men EDT Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz – This one is a really nice entry from Missoni. It does smell more like Allure Homme Sport than it does Versace, but the overlap is for sure there between the three.

The citrus top is closer to the Versace. While the aquatic and aromatic qualities are closer to the Chanel. However, Wave has more of an aquatic aroma versus either of them and also dries down with a creaminess provided by vanilla orchid and vetiver.

The performance is pretty good, at least close to par versus what we get with newer Versace Pour Homme bottles. For the price, this is a really solid and affordable wear, that gives you an easy reach during summertime.

A More Floral Based Citrus Cheapie

Nikos Sculpture Homme for men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounces– Sculpture is a really nice cheapie and has been around for multiple decades now. It isn’t a complete match, but the citrus notes do remind me somewhat of Pour Homme.

It’s in the same style, I’d say. Actually, it is sort of like a mix of Versace Pour Homme and Dreamer. The citrus opening, prominent orange blossom and floral notes, and at times bitter herbal qualities. Like a synthesis of those two Versace scents, with its own added flair.

Woodier and Light Freshness

Hatem for Men EDP – Eau De Parfum 75ML (2.5 oz)– Hatem has a ton of overlap with our target, in terms of notes. Rose, citrus, geranium, cedar, sage. So, right from the bat you are going to get a very similar structure.

The difference is going to really be with the weightings of the notes. This has a bit more spice and some added woody notes. Fresh and clean with a toned down amount of citrus.

Hatem has okay performance, but the sillage is pretty light. Depending on the price, it may be worth a look, but if it is close to the Versace I’d go with that.

Similar Aquatic Blue

Desire Blue By Alfred Dunhill For Men, Eau De Toilette Spray (3.4 Ounces)– Lighter on the citrus, but a good deal, and some amped up general blue aquatic notes.

This one is sweeter, more floral, with some tonka bean and amber finishing things out. Again, this is another one that won’t be an exactly the same as Versace Pour Homme, but in the same general style for very cheap.

The marine/aquatic aroma in this is stronger than the others on the list and the citrus is also paired with a nice lychee fruit early on in the wear. Crisp freshness and fruitier rather than just being a citrus dominant cologne.

Dua Dua

Homage Pour Homme– This is The Dua Brands inspired version of the original 2008 formulation of Versace Pour Homme. This is one to try if you want something that’s trying to match the Versace experience.

Now, I haven’t personally tried this one out, but I’m including it on the list. I’ve gotten other scents and blends from them and they usually strike it pretty darn close.

Add to that, you get an Extrait de Parfum concentration, and in my experience with Dua…the perfumes tend to perform well. Also, they usually have discount codes on the site; so, it could end up being somewhat cheaper than new bottles of the Versace.

Gucci Guilty EDP vs Parfum

by

Guilty has added another name to its lineup, with 2022’s release, Guilty Pour Homme Parfum. I bought a full bottle of it, as soon as it was released, and have been enjoying it. But, how does it compare to another best seller from the line, Guilty EDP? In this post, I am going to break down each, before declaring an ultimate winner.

Tale of the Tape: Guilty Eau de Parfum vs. Parfum

Guilty Parfum

Notes include: juniper, orange flower, cistus, lavender, nutmeg, lemon, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: Guilty Pour Homme Parfum by Gucci (Macy’s)

Read my review: Guilty Parfum

Guilty EDP

Notes include: rose, French lavender, neroli, chili pepper, orange blossom, patchouli, vinegar, salt

Click here to try: GUCCI GUILTY POUR HOMME by Gucci, EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3 OZ

Read my review: Guilty EDP

Opening

Guilty EDP does have a very interesting aroma. It opens up with a balsamic quality. It is warm, spicy, and greenish with that rose note coming through. It is fresh and has a soapy cleanliness underneath, with a pinch of salt hanging in the scent.

Neroli and red pepper bring some spiciness and the white floral notes sit underneath the rose. It definitely leans toward the rose, early on.

Then, the neroli and orange blossom come through more. Finally, the fragrance will feature the lavender and orange blossom.

With Parfum, you get a fresh and aromatic fragrance early on. The lemon is more peel than juicy fruit. It has a colder and woodsier feeling versus EDT. The juniper and nutmeg, really are pretty dominant at the opening stages, on me.

Which do I like more? Ehhh, it’s a pretty close call. Parfum reminds me plenty of the old Guilty Intense, with some distinctions of its own.

EDP? I find the opening act to be attractive and quite unique versus plenty of the others in the series. I’ll give it the edge here.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Guilty EDP is a lighter to moderate fragrance, with the moderate end of the scale being confined to the first two hours or so after spraying.

It isn’t a super powerful fragrance, the sillage isn’t much to write home about. Though, decent.

Guilty Parfum hits the upper end of what could be considered moderate. The first two hours definitely hit a higher high, than does EDP.

It’s also not massive, but it will project itself 4-6 feet for a while. Then, it too will begin to lighten up after a few hours. The peak isn’t that much greater than EDP, but it does hold it for longer, also.

Edge: Parfum

Longevity

With Guilty Pour Homme EDP, I get about 5-6 hours of wear, on my skin. The performance does leave plenty to be desired. While it’s not completely atrocious, it still isn’t great at a Gucci price point.

With Parfum, it is 7-8 hours of wear. Not a complete beast, either. Though, I can say that it has consistently outperformed the EDP version.

That extra bit of difference does help separate these two.

Edge: Parfum

Versatility

Both of these are very versatile scent. I probably wouldn’t wear either as a strictly formal sort of fragrance, but outside of that, they should be fine.

Also, neither is really a club beast. More daily wears, that can sometimes venture into the evening.

I do think that Parfum performs better in the warmer weather than does EDP. I don’t want either on the hottest days of summer, but Parfum fits better in the late spring, I’d say. That’s about the only real difference.

Edge: Parfum (slightly)

Overall Scent

With Guilty EDP the opening act is quite nice to wear. The balsamic rose with red pepper spice? Smells great and gives you something unique.

Not a complete love for me, but a strong like, and something that doesn’t bore me.

After that?  It is pretty boring. It’s got some of the same notes as earlier entries into the series. Lavender, orange blossom, cedar.

Floral, soapy, clean. More in line with the original Guilty, which isn’t bad, but it’s disappointing after that start.

Guilty Parfum? It’s a very good cologne. Doesn’t quite reach must have or classic status, but one that is enjoyable all around. I think that it is just better than EDP. Every aspect outside of the opening and even that is a close call.

You get balance between citrus, freshness, floral notes, and woodsiness in the dry down. It’s a nice entry from Gucci and takes this contest.

Update: I wore my bottle of Parfum for a while, but grew fairly tired of it. I do still like it more than Guilty EDP, but I’m not that into either of these scents anymore. They’re fine, just not something that I wanted to have on all the time.

Winner: Parfum

Light Blue Pour Homme by D&G

by

After writing hundreds and hundreds of reviews on this site, I’ve noticed that I skipped over or forgot about doing reviews on plenty of men’s colognes, that have been really popular. One of these scents, is Light Blue Pour Homme by Dolce & Gabbana, which I haven’t tried out in more than a few years by now.

As such, I got a hold of a new vial of the stuff, to try out the latest formulation and give it a proper review. Please continue reading below for my updated thoughts, on this best selling summertime scent.

What does Light Blue Pour Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin orange, pepper, oak moss, juniper, musk, rosemary, rosewood, incense

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 6.7 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Light Blue opens up with a blast of fresh citrus, mostly the bergamot and grapefruit, with a hint of the mandarin orange rounding things out. From the start, this one is bright and upbeat, and immediately brings to mind summer days.

Beyond the citrus notes, there’s is some spice provided by the pepper and an herbal element of rosemary. Very similar style to the Acqua di Gio line, but they are still distinct from one another.

After 10 or so minutes, the base notes begin to come out more. Incense is quite noticeable, it doesn’t create a giant cloud of smokiness, but does create a light envelopment of the citrus notes.

The Brazilian rosewood is not overly prominent, but instead holds steady in the background, giving Light Blue a solid grounding to base itself from. There is some dried oak moss and musk, though, neither are all that strong.

More of just a light essence in the background. It all comes together as a very crisp and light fragrance. There isn’t too much development from this cologne, it’s pretty linear, and gets right to the point of what you’re going to get from the wear.

Citrus, pepper/rosemary, with a dry and woody base. Simple, is a good thing here, you don’t really want a heavy and complicated summer scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Pour Homme is a light to moderate scent. It’s not weak in my opinion, at least with this current formulation, and projects pretty darn well for around five hours before it winds down. The sillage on these current bottles is definitely passable and not at all ‘bad’.

Has it lost a step? Maybe. Though, I’m not sure if it’s my memory thinking that it used to be more powerful or an actual reformulation.

The longevity is also decent, it’ll carry along for 6-8 hours, depending on what the day is like. That’s actually good for a summertime citrus fragrance like this. It’s not elite, by any means, but this D&G will get the job done.

Seasonally, I like it best in the summer or the warmer months of spring. However, I’ve been testing it out so far in the winter, and it actually feels quite nice. Mostly, I’ll use it as a change of pace from the heavier and more wintertime only fragrances in my collection.

Light Blue has very good versatility, because it is super safe and inoffensive. You can wear it to work, casually, or out at night during the summer months.

Personally, I would wear something else for the nightlife, when its cold outside, but this could do the job when it’s simply too humid for a heavier scent. Light Blue Pour Homme is an attractive fragrance, so, you can’t really go wrong with it. Especially, if you are a younger guy.

It’s pretty close to being a jack of all trades. If you don’t need more formal or very ‘serious’ sorts of fragrances.

Overall Impressions of D&G Light Blue

Overall, do I like Light Blue Pour Homme? I do. It’s a simple fragrance that enjoys a mass appeal and women seem to enjoy it. It’s kind of an entry level cologne for guys just getting into fragrance and want a versatile value fragrance.

It’s not amazing to me, but I still do get enjoyment from this Dolce fragrance. And really, the entire Light Blue line.

The citrus notes are fresh and have a bit of sour lemonade quality, while the background notes add bits of themselves to the composition without being distracting.

This one has been so wildly popular for so long that it has become commonplace. You’re not going to stand out as unique with Light Blue on, but you aren’t going to choke out a room with it either. It really is a no brainer, easy reach, and mass appeal cologne.

I’m not big on the pepper and herbal aspects, which isn’t terrible here, but I prefer the citrus. Especially, on a warm day.

Personally, I prefer Light Blue Eau Intense to this one. I like the extra power and clean aquatic vibe that it puts off. It seems to be a toss up whether or not guys prefer the original or the intense version. Here’s my comparison: Light Blue vs. Eau Intense

Also, you could go with Light Blue Sun, which has overlaps with this original version; though, with a different overall profile.