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!

Guilty Pour Homme Parfum by Gucci

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It’s a new year and that means that Gucci is going to come out with a new fragrance to add to the Guilty line. For 2022, we have, Guilty Pour Homme Parfum. I ordered a bottle of this new scent to try out and see if the brand is going to add anything new or if its just more of the same. How does Guilty Parfum smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Guilty Parfum Smell Like?

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

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

My Full Review

Immediately upon spraying, I can already tell that the closest comparison to Guilty Parfum is the now discontinued, Guilty Intense.

They aren’t the same fragrance, but I do get a lot of the same DNA. Lemon, lavender, patchouli, orange flower, cistus (instead of amber), and nutmeg (instead of coriander).

But, the structure is different and this new release is much smoother and natural than the old Intense. It is a much better blend.

Guilty Parfum is fresh and aromatic early on. The lemon note isn’t a full juicy fruit, more of the peel itself. Very light, actually. Nutmeg and juniper are big players in the opening act. It has a colder and woodsier feeling coming from the base.

I love the nutmeg and juniper combo playing of the usual Guilty notes. The opening is probably my favorite aspect of this fragrance so far.

Yes, you get plenty of the signature lavender and orange flower note, but more of that later on. And really, not to the same extent as others in the Guilty series. One note that will really come into its own is the Spanish cistus.

Basically, a labdanum note, that gives Guilty Parfum its ambery qualities. Not as heavy as the amber note in Intense and just of a higher quality.

The dry down still has some of that cold freshness, but much of the nutmeg and juniper have burned off completely. The latter stages are about musk, patchouli, cistus, and the floral notes.

Lavender and musk with the amber/patchouli and some remaining aromatic notes. Still does have a bit of a spicy finish, but feels more musky/woody than anything. I like it. Not super amazing to me, but it’s a very easy to wear scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the upper edge of moderate, at its peak. Not going to leave a huge trail, but very noticeable in the first hour or so. After that, it’s pretty middle of the road and devolving into something that sits pretty close to the skin.

I would’ve liked more of a powerhouse, but this Gucci ain’t it. Not bad, just not a monster.

With these initial tests, Guilty Parfum lasts somewhere in the 7-8 hour range, on my skin. Again, not insane, but still well worthwhile. I’ll keep trying it out, to see if it can do more. But, that’s about what it’s looking like.

Seasonally, I do think that this one gives you plenty of opportunity to wear it. I would avoid the hottest days, but in the cold or more moderate temperatures, you’ll be good to go. Autumn through spring for most folks.

This one is very versatile and can be worn pretty much anywhere without offending anybody or feeling out of place. It’s got a more mature and refined aroma than something like Guilty EDT and older guys may want to go with this Guilty, if any.

Daytime or nightlife. It’s not a club beast, but one that I could easily wear (and will) to a bar or lounge to have a few drinks. Dressed up or even casual. Guilty Parfum is a good cologne to have in the rotation.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Parfum

Overall, do I like Guilty Parfum? I do. I think it is one of the better releases of the series. Especially, from the editions that actually stick to the main DNA.

Intense was one of my favorites, which I have a mini bottle of, and this one I might like a tad more…though, I’ll have to keep trying it out.

Update: The longer that I had this one the more indifferent I became toward wearing Parfum. It’s fine, still a good release in the Guilty line, but I don’t consider it to be a great fragrance. I eventually gave my bottle away, half used. If you can get a discount on it, it’s worth a try, I wouldn’t pay full retail for it.

It’s not a complete lavender bomb or strongly citrus. You do get a somewhat new direction with this version of Guilty and the juniper and nutmeg are awesome. Not too much in the floral notes, but a solid use of musk and wood in the dry down.

Very balanced scent, as a whole. It’s not a complete love for me, but one that I like a good deal so far. I wish it was a little more powerful, but it is still decent for what it is.

If you’ve liked the Guilty line, it is one to check out. I’m glad that I have a replacement for Guilty Intense and one that is cleaner and well put together.

I was afraid that this might be like Guilty EDP, a strong start, and then pretty disappointing. However, I think that the back end of Parfum actually holds up well.

5 Best Smelling Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Fragrances

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L’homme Ideal has gained a ton of adherents to the fragrance line, for almost a full decade now. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pick one out, if you don’t want to invest in the entire line. In this post, I want to break down my top five colognes that have been released thus far by Guerlain. Hopefully, to at least give you some idea about which of these scents will fit with your own style.

What’s the Best L’Homme Ideal Fragrance (Ranked)?

My Favorite

Ideal Cologne- I think my pick for number one has shifted a few times over the years. However, after giving it some more thought, I think Ideal Cologne was the best of the line. It is now discontinued, so, not great for those who want to try it out.

This one was a great summertime option. The focus here is going to be on the citrus notes, such as: grapefruit, bergamot, and orange. The Ideal almond note, plays a lesser role with Cologne, especially early on. But, it will come around with a nice vetiver.

Fresh and has an almost frozen profile to it, that’s perfect for the warmer weather. Lighter sillage, but it could last for around 8 hours. If you can find a bottle, for a reasonable price, L’Homme Ideal Cologne is worthwhile. Ideal Cologne Review

Best Available

L’Homme Ideal EDP at Selfridges (ships from UK)– Ideal eau de parfum has taken over the second spot on the list. Coming back to both it and Extreme, I now distinctly favor it versus the other.

Cherry and almond are the stars of EDP early on. The sweet warmth is very attractive, with some very light spiciness and other notes, like leather and vanilla. It’s not too sugary sweet or overwhelming with its sillage, just a nice balance, and a pretty similar aroma at times to L’Intense.

The main issue here, is getting a hold of a bottle in the US. They no longer sell it here, so, the best bet for getting Ideal EDP is to buy from the UK or grabbing a bottle from an eBay seller. To me, this is the best one that is still produced. Ideal EDP Review

Leathery Sweetness

Ideal Extreme-At times, Extreme has been my favorite. But, less so this time around testing out these fragrances. Though, it may again claim the top spot. This one gets me a ton of leather versus the others.

Extreme is actually pretty similar to the others, with the standard nutty almond note, but paired with fruity notes such as plum. Quite tart to me, rather than sweet, early on.  Add to that, Ideal Extreme has spicy notes and a tobacco finish. Still dry fruity sweet, but not overly sugary or unbearable.

Yes, the fragrance lasts all day and while the sillage isn’t insane, it’s a very solid wear all around. L’Homme Ideal Extreme is also very difficult to find, as of now it’s not even for sale on Guerlain’s website, so you’ll have to dig a bit. Another one, Americans will have to order from Europe. Ideal Extreme Review

The Original

Guerlain L’Homme Ideal EDT Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– Ideal EDT seems pretty underrated here in the number 4 spot, because it is a very enjoyable fragrance to wear.

Almond, citrus, and woody spice start this one off. To me, this has the most almond in it, especially in the early stages. You get leather in there as well, but mainly its a citrus blast with a nuttiness. Sweet, dry, and clean coming down the home stretch.

I like the versatility of EDT. It’s not purely a cold weather fragrance and can venture into the springtime or for summer evenings. Really easy to wear and all around a solid cologne. Also, it is a lot easier to find in the States versus Extreme and EDP.

Spicy and Smoky

L’homme Ideal L’intense By Guerlain FOR MEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray, black– As I mentioned before, L’Intense has some overlap with the EDP versus the other fragrances on this list. But, it is distinct and a separate fragrance in its own right.

L’Intense opens with chili pepper and cardamom spices blending with the strong leather note, in this blend. It’s not as sweet as EDP, more leather, more spice, and a smoky finish. However, there does seem to be plenty of the same DNA.

It has a dry sweetness to it, almost tobacco-like at times, but this is ultimately a spicy/smoky blend that dries down into a leather/vanilla cologne. The sillage actually isn’t all that heavy and the fragrance lasts around 7 hours.

Not my favorite of the lot, but L’Intense is readily available and brings a somewhat darker and more mature vibe to the Ideal name. L’Intense Review

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Creed Aventus

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Creed Aventus and Baccarat Rouge are two of the most popular fragrances in the world. Since they are both luxury scents and have that popularity, they often get compared to one another. Even though, they are both different scents, and one is distinctly for men to wear. Nonetheless, I thought I’d give my full comparison between these perfumes. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs. BR 540

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

Creed Aventus 

creed aventus

Notes of Creed Aventus: 

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to read my original Aventus Review

Click here to get Aventus: Aventus by Creed

Opening

The opening act of both of these is pretty funny to compare for me, as I’m not a huge fan of how either starts off. The sharp pineapple note, with the other citrus and woodsy elements of Aventus has never been something I enjoyed.

If all I’d have to go by was the first 15 minutes or so, I’d think that this fragrance wasn’t worth wearing. The pineapple, blackcurrant, and the dryness of birch can be a bit much at first.

However, I do like what it settles into. Fresh and lively, very enjoyable to wear. Next, you get less pineapple, and more of the birch wood and oak moss. This is where Aventus comes into its own. Plus, a little vanilla sweetness and the remaining apple note.

Baccarat rouge goes with the saffron and jasmine, front and center in the beginning. It’s clean, sweet, and presents a lemony tinge to it from the hedione (jasmine). Sitting under that, is the amber and wood notes giving this a invigorating and resinous quality early on…which will become greater as it develops.

Which is a better opening? Again, not a huge fan of either. But, I’d give the edge to Baccarat Rouge, because I like the resin.

Edge: BR 540

Projection

Both of these fragrances starts off strong. But, most of what separates them in sillage, will come later in the wear.

I think Aventus hits a higher level and can project itself further. Plus, it will maintain much of its strength for a longer time than Baccarat Rouge does.

Rouge kicks off strong, goes moderate, and then has a stage wear it is pretty airy and light. It does hang around, but doesn’t have a heavy or overwhelming presence.

Aventus is the better of the two here.

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

With Aventus, I will usually get 8-9 hours of wear out of it. Sometimes, it’ll hang around for 10, on my skin. But, within that time frame, the sillage will mostly stay pretty substantial and it won’t be a pure skin scent.

Meanwhile, BR 540 will land anywhere from 8-12 hours. It has a much wider spectrum than does the Creed, usually hitting around 10 hours total. They’re fairly close to one another, but Baccarat does have a higher high than Aventus.

Thus, the Kurkdjian perfume takes this category.

Edge: BR 540

Versatility

This is an interesting category. Baccarat Rouge 540 is much more of a unisex fragrance, than the more traditionally masculine Aventus. So, in that sense it is more versatile.

However, I think seasonally Aventus is more versatile since it can hold up better in the warmer weather, while also being able to stick around for the cold. Spring and autumn is where Aventus is best, in my mind.

Both are the sort of fragrances that can be worn pretty much anywhere.

All in all, I think I’ll give BR 540 the nod. Just because it will have a greater appeal to a wider range of people, even if it isn’t a warmer weather scent.

Edge: BR 540

Overall Scent

Baccarat Rouge is a very nice fragrance, that has captured so many hearts, that it has been endlessly copied. It is distinct, pleasant to wear, and has very good performance.

I do like when it settles down. The amber, jasmine, and overall clean yet resinous quality is intriguing. For women, it’d be the one I’d go with between these two. Although, if you can swing it, BR 540 Extrait is a better scent.

As to which of these two fragrances is better? The answer is Aventus. Yes, I think the opening is rough, but the dry down has so much depth and just smells better than does Baccarat Rouge. Sure, Rouge has a slight edge in different metrics, but Aventus isn’t far behind.

I would rather wear Aventus, hands down. Most men, will probably prefer the Creed fragrance, also.

So, women: vast majority will want BR 540. Men: Vast majority will want to go with Aventus. But, again, BR 540 is the more unisex friendly scent.

Winner: Aventus

Light Blue Pour Homme vs. Forever

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Light Blue has spawned a ton of different flankers, seemingly every year for a long time now. The latest, is the blue-bottled Light Blue Forever, that gained a lot of popularity since its release. Though, how does it compare to the original? Which lasts longer? Smells better? Should you buy?

Tale of The Tape: Light Blue Pour Homme vs. Forever

Light Blue

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 review: Light Blue

Light Blue Forever

Notes include: grapefruit, violet leaf, white musk, vetiver, ozonic accord

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Forever for Men by Dolce & Gabbana Eau De Parfum,3.3 Fl Oz

My Full Review: Light Blue Forever

Opening

Light Blue starts off with its citrus fruits led by bergamot and grapefruit, with a bit of mandarin orange. It is super bright and summery, with a spicy pepper note, and an herbal aroma of rosemary.

After 10 minutes, the citrus is bolstered by some base notes, of incense and rosewood. This gives the scent a touch of smoky wood, lingering in the background.

Light Blue Forever also starts with a grapefruit note. But, it is the sole focus of this scent, and isn’t splitting duties between citrus fruits as the original does. It also smells more realistic and has a very fresh crispness to it.

Beneath that, is a blue-green ozonic accord that adds a watery freshness, and the ever-increasing violet leaf.

Which is better? Forever. If you’re going to make one note the focus, you’d better do it well. D&G definitely nailed the grapefruit experience and it is just more enjoyable early on.

Edge: Forever

Projection

I’d call both of these fragrances moderate, at their peak. With Forever, you get that bold grapefruit burst initially, which does project itself quite well. But, after that it will become lighter, and will be very light for much of the wear.

With Light Blue, it’s moderate also, but I’d call it more consistent with its sillage. It does also get lighter, but holds on to the middle for a few more hours.

Edge: Light Blue

Longevity

With longevity, I have gotten 6-8 hours with the original Light Blue in the past. Newer bottles seem to be on the lower end of the spectrum. Not too bad considering what you get with many long-running popular colognes.

With Light Blue Forever, it gets me just over 7 hours of wear, even with that lighter kind of strength level. Again, pretty good for a super citrusy fragrance.

I might have given the edge, to the original with older bottles. But, I’ll call it a tie with today’s offerings.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are at their peak in the summertime. Also, can venture into the spring, but really great on the warmer days. I think that Forever actually has more refinement, than the original, and that’s really the separation between them.

Not that it’s a formal cologne, by any means, but it can go better into semi-formal situations. It isn’t a massive difference, with when they can be worn, but a slight edge to Forever.

Edge: Forever

Overall Scent

I do enjoy Light Blue quite a bit. It isn’t my favorite, by any means, but it is so easy to wear and has plenty going for it. It’s clean, fresh, and a great first buy for many guys just starting out with fragrances. It gives you a decent performance for the price.

It’s got a drier, spicier aroma than the more green/ozonic qualities of Forever, that some men may prefer.

With Forever, I really do like that opening act with the grapefruit note. After that, it becomes a greener and woodsier scent and the grapefruit becomes just another part of the composition.

Violet leaf and vetiver with some musk…once you get past the grapefruit, I don’t really lover it.

It smells fine, at that point, but is pretty weak with its sillage. I don’t hate it, but once the opening fades, the appeal is gone for me.

The opening alone might have me recommend it over the original. As a whole, I’m kind of torn between the two. I think the original is still more enjoyable overall. It feels more dynamic and has a better ability to stick around with some power.

So, I guess the nod goes to Light Blue, over the newer Forever. But, it’s pretty equal. Forever has a higher high, but it’s short-lived.

Winner: Light Blue

Guerlain L’Homme Ideal EDT vs. EDP

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Guerlain Ideal has become a very popular line for the French brand over the past near decade. I’ve like aspects of all the releases that I’ve come across and think that they are definitely worthwhile colognes to try. Albeit, I do personally feel they’re a bit overrated.

Nonetheless, two of the more sought out options are L’Homme Ideal EDT and the eau de parfum. In this post, I want to compare them head to head, before declaring an ultimate winner in the contest.

Tale of the Tape: L’Homme Ideal EDT vs. EDP

Ideal EDT

Notes include: grapefruit, bergamot, orange, almond, musk, pink pepper, musk, neroli

Click here to try: Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Cologne EDT Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

Read my review: Ideal EDT

Ideal EDP

Notes include: cherry, almond, lavender, vanilla, incense, rose, rosemary, leather, tonka bean, and more

Click here to try: L’Homme Ideal EDP at Selfridges (ships from UK)

Read my full review: Ideal EDP

Opening

The original Ideal EDT opens up with its blend of almond and woody spice coming through. It’s nutty and has its fresh citrus notes coming through along with the smoothness of the leather.

Nutty with a citrus and leathery finish.

Meanwhile, Ideal EDP goes with a natural cherry and almond blend. The opening features some spiciness, but it is overall smooth just like the EDT. Leather, vanilla, and other warmer hints are coming through from the base.

The opening is very much like Ideal L’Intense, just with the spices/smokiness toned way down and a much sweeter scent in comparison.

Which is better? For me, it is actually pretty close. I like the way EDT starts and kind of prefer it to EDP, even though I enjoy the cherry note.

Edge: EDT

Projection

Sillage wise, both of these fragrances hit the moderate band on my skin. You might think the higher eau de parfum concentration might give it a higher boost, but that hasn’t ever seemed to be the case.

Wearing them, I don’t particularly notice a difference with how well they project, or when I happen to spray each on clothing. No clear winner here.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Both of these have pretty nice longevity, even if they are the best projecting fragrances out there. With L’Homme Ideal EDT, I can get 4-6.5 hours from it depending on the day.

EDP is a bit better, in this regard. I will usually get 8 hours and it can last on my skin for up to 9.5, under the right conditions.

EDP actually takes this category fairly easily. Ideal EDT, just doesn’t have that level of perfomance.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Seasonally, these two colognes pretty much hit opposite ends. With Ideal EDT, it is a complete spring and summertime wear. It’s an awesome warmer weather wear.

EDP is all about the autumn and winter. On a crisp winter evening, it is fantastic.

Neither really serves as an all-around one size fits all fragrance. EDT does strike me as a bit more casual and better suited for the daytime. EDP feels like it could venture better into more formal situations, light enough for office wear, and can be a nighttime gem.

Edge: EDP

Overall Scent

Overall, I enjoy wearing both of these scents. There actually isn’t a wide gap at all between them, in my experience and which I’d prefer to wear.

I love the citrus and almond blend of the original EDT. It fits so well in the summer months and while not a complete beast, it has good enough performance. The dry down is fresh and pleasant.

But, I think that the EDP is a touch ahead of the EDT. The cherry not up top, with the leather refinement, and subtle depth of the overall composition brings more to the table than the EDT. You get improved performance and some more versatile wearing options.

Again, not a massive win, but a win nonetheless. I actually think I prefer the discontinued Ideal Cologne to both of them.

One more factor that I’d like to mention is the availability in the US. Ideal EDP isn’t sold here anymore, outside of places like eBay. As such, you’ll probably have to order from the UK. That means, you might be paying $30+ for shipping costs.

Is Ideal EDP, worth that amount? Ehhh, maybe not. Unless you really want a bottle, I would just consider buying the much more affordable EDT. EDP is the better fragrance, but can be a pain to acquire.

Winner: Ideal EDP