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!

Polo Ultra Blue by Ralph Lauren

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So, I’m back again with another review of one of the newer Ralph Lauren releases, this one a flanker from the Polo Blue line of scents: Ultra Blue. This one came out in 2018, but how does it stack up? Is this flanker a worthy release? What does it smell like? How long does it last?

What does Polo Ultra Blue Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, salt, amber, bergamot, basil, verbena, sage, juniper

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue 2.5 Fluid ounce Eau De Toilette

My Full Wear Review

Ultra Blue opens up with a mix of citrus and salt. There are two types of lemon in this one and a salty note that reminds one of an ocean breeze. Yes, this one is an aquatic, but not overly marine in nature, but quite fresh.

It’s actually pretty close to Polo Blue EDP, while maintaining its own character. This is lighter, less spicy, and more citrus/salty.

The melon and cucumber of the original EDT are absent here, which is a nice change of pace if you’re coming off of wearing that one a lot. The opening act of the citrus is really nice. Pretty familiar with other non-Polo fragrances, which do the same thing.

However, for what this is, I find it enjoyable enough. The light marine/aquatic elements are a nice tough, without going overboard into the realm of the oceanic.

Ultra Blue is much lighter than either of the other three Polo Blue colognes. It also strikes me as having a pretty simple and linear aroma. There is some change after the opening, but it’s not a big one, in my opinion.

I pick up on some spicy herbal notes like the sage and basil, which tones down the saltiness of the composition. Even then, nothing that is so powerful to be readily noticeable, unless you’re paying attention.

For the dry down, I get lots of citrus, a mix of salt and amber (sort of like a Creed fragrance would, but more on par with Tommy Bahama), and then the herbal undertones. It’s a nice citrusy clean with limited aquatic elements and a nice spice.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Ultra Blue is weak. I mean, it’s decent for about an hour or so, and then it sticks close to the skin…really close. You’ll have to go heavier with the sprays, to get good use out of it.

While I’m not in love with the scent itself, if it had a bit more power, Ultra Blue would be something that I really wouldn’t mind wearing fairly often during the summer months.

However, the longevity actually isn’t bad. Not great, but not as bad as the sillage. I get about 6 or so hours with it on my skin, in that very light state. With double sprays, you might be able to pull off longer.

I thought that it might quit really early, after I tested it out for the first time. But, it did keep chugging along in that airy/skin scent form.

Seasonally, an obvious candidate for spring/summer, with a nod to summertime in particular. The citrus, the salty ‘sea air’ quality at the start, just screams warm weather. Though, it’s so light, that it could be worn at other times without issue.

Ultra Blue is a casual fragrance or a light office scent for the daytime. I don’t think that it is loud enough or really ‘sexy’ enough to be a club cologne.

Overall Impressions of Ultra Blue

Overall, do I like Ultra Blue? I do enjoy the smell, it’s not amazing, but the aroma is good. It is similar to Polo Blue EDP, but has enough differences to set it apart.

What I don’t like, is the very weak sillage, but that can be somewhat overcome with a greater number of sprays. It turns into a skin scent much to quickly. Though, it hangs around for a decent amount of time.

It’s a nice freshy cologne for the summer months and wouldn’t be a bad buy, at the right price. I definitely wouldn’t pay retail for Ultra, if I could help it. But, for under $40 for a full size…it could be worth it, depending on your situation.

A decent effort from Ralph Lauren, but far from perfect. Edit: Now that they’ve released Polo Deep Blue, I’d go with that or EDP. Ultra Blue seems pretty pointless to have, unless its super cheap

Viva La Juicy Rosé EDP by Juicy Couture

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For today’s entry, I have another ladies’ fragrance by Juicy Couture, and the last sample from this brand, that I currently hold. Viva La Juicy Rosé eau de parfum came out a few years back in 2015 and is one of the array of flanker fragrances to the ever popular original Viva La Juicy. How does this one stack up? What are the notes? Does it perform well? Is it even worth a buy?

What does Viva La Juicy Rosé Smell Like?

Notes include: amber, peony, rose, jasmine, orris, benzoin, pear, Italian mandarin

Click here to try: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Rosé, 3.4 fl. Oz., perfume for women

Before I get into my own review of Viva La Juicy Rosé, let’s see what Juicy Couture has to say about it: Celebrate with Viva La Juicy Rosé, a springtime toast to the forever bubbly Viva girl. An irresistible bouquet of honey-like pink blossoms pops with fizzy citrus perfection and is kissed by the glow of sensual amber. Cheers!

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Viva La Juicy Rosé is very interesting, as it actually does capture the sparkling bubbly aroma of Rosé champagne. It retains this exact smell for roughly 10 minutes, before moving on into a more traditional floral blend, but that opening is kind of great.

Rose is the main attraction in this fragrance. It isn’t super strong but it is the most noticeable note. At the start, there is more of a fruit influence with the Italian mandarin and pear notes, and the warmth of amber.

It is actually very pleasant and quite a beautiful perfume, at this point. It has a pinkish sort of smell, that strikes a balance between being too sweet and too floral. Bright, but not obscenely annoying. Yes, this is a pinkish rose and not a red one.

As it dries down, the other floral notes become more pronounced and the fruits fall back somewhat. I mainly pick up on jasmine and then some peony. What’s interesting, is that, as it moves further along, the mandarin begins to peak out again.

What I’m ultimately left with is a more floral version of the sparkling champagne opening. The notes at that point are mainly: rose, peony, mandarin, amber, orris, and some pear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Rosé is moderate to strong. It never felt very light on the skin, but this one isn’t a complete bomb, either. It’s a solid projection, with maybe a 3-5 foot radius, around the wearer.

The opening hour or so does bring some power, so, don’t overspray. Thereafter, it’s noticeable and not something that I could characterize as airy.

The longevity is somewhere around 7 hours, maybe a bit longer, but all you can detect is the rose note really, at that point. Pretty solid. This flanker isn’t an absolute beast performer, though, it is certainly passable for most purposes.

Coming back to testing this one again. Yep, about 7-7.5 hours of wear, on my skin.

This is an attractive and upbeat fragrance that is great for the warmer days of the year. It’s light enough to be worn at work, can be worn casually, and has enough sexiness for later in the evening.

It isn’t a serious fragrance, but I do think that it elevates above the standard teenage fair. Sure, it’s bubbly and girly but never feels child-like. It comes across as being quite clean and presentable. There are obviously gourmand elements, but it isn’t an enveloping or dominant sort of perfume.

Overall Impressions of Viva La Juicy Rosé

Overall, do I like Viva La Juicy Rosé? Yes, I think it is a very attractive scent, that is both playful and pleasant. This Juicy Couture never takes itself too seriously and just does its own thing without being presumptuous or too niche to be enjoyable.

I really like the champagne-style vibes in the opening act, along with the fruity notes. Pear gives it the sparkle and mandarin the citrus deliciousness.

It’s got a great energy to it. The dry down, is pretty basic with the floral notes. That along with the amber, is what you can expect from many of these Juicy Couture perfumes.

It’s a very nice addition to the Juicy Couture lineup and a worthy flanker to Viva La Juicy. It’s not an amazing scent, nor is it super unique. It does everything well, though, and if you can get it for a good price; it can definitely be worth a try.

It’ll help if you enjoy rose, peony, and mandarin orange.

Polo Sport EDT by Ralph Lauren

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Polo Sport was an insanely popular release back in the 1990s. I remember so many people wearing this, back then, and occasionally using some myself when I could get ahold of it. Since then, the ubiquity of use has calmed down, while this Ralph Lauren scent has pretty much achieved classic status. I grabbed a small sprayer of this cologne recently and wanted to give a full and proper review to Polo Sport. 

What does Polo Sport Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin orange, mint, neroli, artemisia, lavender, bergamot, ginger, musk, sandalwood, and more

Click here to try: Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren for Men 4.2 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

My Full Review of Polo Sport

Obviously, I’m going to have to do this review with the current formulation of Polo Sport. Does it smell the same? My memory says no, but it doesn’t feel so radically different, that I couldn’t be wrong.

The opening act is a fresh burst of subdued citrus with fresh and quasi-soapy elements. I pick up plenty of orange, some lemon, as the man fruit notes. Then, there is the mint, lavender, and neroli. Up top, I mostly get mint and neroli, but the lavender will come on stronger later in the wear.

It’s got an absolutely chilled spice, with floral, and light aquatic smells due to the inclusion of seaweed. I appreciate the seaweed, in this Ralph Lauren cologne, versus something like Bvlgari Aqua. In the latter, I feel it becomes too much and distracts from my enjoyment.

The spice is fairly concentrated in the start, but within a few minutes, Polo Sport becomes smoother and more inviting with the citrus. This is when, I really begin to love this scent. The super cleanliness, vague watery pops, mint, and light floral touch. 

Then, there is that aquatic sweetness. It’s a smell that I find difficult to describe in words, but it’s exactly how I’ve always identified Polo Sport, and really haven’t found it in any other scent. There’s just something with the way the citrus blends with the aquatic notes and other ingredients, that has always stood out to my nose.

During the dry down, things are pretty set. However, Sport does add a slight muskiness and woodiness, later on. The fresh spice, doesn’t bite as hard, and it really lingers as a true sporty/aquatic cologne.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, Polo Sport has never been super powerful. It’s got decent sillage, in the first few hours, and then hangs closer to the skin. Even with this newer bottle, it doesn’t strike me as ever being weak. 

The longevity, seems to sit at about 5-7 hours on my skin. Not all that great, but still very useful. For me, the performance is better than Polo Blue EDT, which seems to get more attention these days. 

Does is have the same level of power as before? Probably not. Is it terrible now? No. 

 

Seasonally, this is a summer gem. Actually, any moderate to warmer weather situation will do, as Polo Sport is absolutely great. It’s a ‘colder’ sort of fragrance, so, it somewhat feels out of place during the winter. 

Polo Sport is like the ultimate casual cologne, that can still venture into semi-formal occasions. Warm weather daily wear, mostly, but there have been plenty of guys who wear this out on a date. This such an easy reach, as a daily wear fragrance.

Really doesn’t require much thought at all, as it won’t offend and has a great soothing character. It’s such a near all-around fragrance, which is why it has stood the test of time for decades now.

One of the best aspects, is that it can be a fitting choice to wear for teenagers, as well as older men. It simply has that dynamic energy to it, without being childish, or cheap smelling. Again, though, if you need something formal look elsewhere.

Overall Impressions of Polo Sport

This is a nostalgia cologne for me and a lot of other people, who are old enough to remember the 1990s. But, in the fragrance game, things can change a lot. The scents you once loved can be destroyed by reformulations.

Is that the case, with Polo Sport? Not really. It’s different, in some ways, but still retains its soul and what made this perfume work. Is it as good? Again, not really. Though, it’s still very nice to wear, and they haven’t killed it. 

Polo Sport is a classic, that is well worth giving a try to. I’m glad I bought a small travel sprayer, so that I can revisit this one. I’ll probably be wearing it, as the mood strikes me, over the ensuing months. 

Has it lost a step? Almost certainly. Though, when compared with some other options from older eras that are still produced, the decline isn’t as noticeable. It’s still a fun scent with its strengths and it’s not a performance beast…but I still enjoyed coming back to this cologne.

Update: Having finished the travel sprayer, I have to say that I do still enjoy wearing Polo Sport. Definitely not my favorite or anything, but it still has the ability to charm. I mostly wore it casually around town or to the gym, as a quick freshener. I don’t think I’d pay full price for it, but with some discounts in place, I’d give it another round.

Pure XS by Paco Rabanne

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For today’s review, I’m going to take a closer look at one of the newer Paco Rabanne releases, Pure XS. This cologne was released in 2017, and I’ve been wearing this scent out of my sample vial, in order to collect my thoughts. How does it smell? What are the notes? How long does it last? Is Pure XS even worth a purchase? Please continue below for my full wear review of this fragrance.

What does Pure Xs Smell Like?

Notes: ginger, vanilla, myrrh, thyme, sugar, leather, musk, liquor, cinnamon, cedar, and grapefruit

Click here to try: PACO RABANNE Pure Xs Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Before we get into my review of Pure XS, let’s see how Paco Rabanne describes it: Pure XS. Excess in its purest state. An overflow of ginger. The temperature rises. Carnal vanilla and myrrh release. Skin over-heating. An untamed-Oriental, on-fire and fresh, decadent and raw.

Pure XS opens with a boozy and sugary ginger note, that is really quite fresh. It’s a blend of sugar sweetness and spice from a dash of cinnamon that is added at the top. There is the slightest hint of citrus thrown in there to add to that clean feeling.

Immediately, I am reminded of both Code Profumo and La Nuit Eau Electrique. Not because the smell exactly like Pure XS, but that is sort of the same family of fragrance, I’d put this one in.

Warm, spiced, boozy, and sweet. Very nice and confident start to this scent. I actually had no idea what to expect before trying this Paco Rabanne out and was pleasantly surprised by the aroma that I was met with.

It isn’t all that spicy, which is what you’ll get to the follow up Night edition (linked at the bottom). Smooth and enveloping, even if it isn’t an overly heavy fragrance. It produces a nice coziness over  your skin.

As it dries down, the myrrh comes in and gives Pure XS its Oriental edge. I like this note being included here, as it is usually paired with oud a lot, and it’s a nice change of pace within this context. It’s warm, there is a resinous quality, and it is met by an undertone of leather.

Ultimately, what I get with this scent is vanilla and myrrh, as the two main notes. With ginger, leather, and a sugary mix of a few other notes. Myrrh becomes dominant in the composition, the further that it moves along in the wear.

While myrrh isn’t really a mainstream note, that’s in a ton of popular colognes, Pure XS definitely brings the mass appealing elements and is easy to enjoy.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage starts off moderate and within a few hours becomes much lighter. That’s my biggest disappointment with Pure XS, is that, the sillage is kind of weak and it becomes a skin scent too quickly.

Much too soft for what it seems like they’d be going for, with this sort of scent.

I hope they make an intense version or a L’excess variant of this one (update: they released Pure Xs Night, review linked in bottom section). Despite that, the longevity is fairly good, even if it’s a skin scent for most of the wear.

It’ll last around 7 hours or so, on my skin. Again, only for a portion of that time, is it truly noticeable. At first for others, then, for you to be able to detect it.

Seasonally, I feel like this one could be worn year round without much problem. Maybe skip wearing it on the hottest or most humid days, but it’s fine in cold weather or a more moderate springtime. It’s got great versatility as well.

I wouldn’t go for summer, as there are plenty of better options available for those months of the year.

Since it’s light, you could wear this to work or school. It’s fine for casual events. Plus, it’s got a sexy aroma, and would be great for nights out…as long as you’re fine being low key after a few hours. Pure XS seems best for a guy in his 20s to early 30s.

Though, teens can totally use this as well, for a something a bit more mature than the average fare.

Overall Impressions of Pure XS

Overall, do I like Pure XS by Paco Rabanne? Yes. I think that it smells really great. The ginger, vanilla, and myrrh create a nice dynamic and the boozy warmth is almost always something that I enjoy.

There are other colognes that smell similar to this one and it’s projection could be much better, but it’s still a worthwhile wear. I’ve been spraying a bit more than I’d usually wear and that’s boosted it to more of a moderate fragrance for a longer period of time.

Still, the power is the weak spot with this cologne. I might try the Night version, that seems to have a lot of overlap with this original. Update: Pure XS Night review. The Night version has a lot more spice, particularly the ginger note in the opening.

All in all, I think that this is a solid addition to the Paco Rabanne lineup. I don’t think that this was has gotten as many fans as others from this designer, but it is certainly one to check out.

7 Best Lavender Scented Perfumes for Her

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Lavender often gets used in the fragrance world, though, probably more so in the men’s space. At least, as a lead note. But, there are plenty of women out there who also want this clean floral note, as the main attraction in their daily wear perfume. On this page, I will be keeping a running list of what I consider to be the best smelling lavender scents for women. It’s obviously not ‘exhaustive’, but can absolutely serve as a great starting point in your search.

What are the Best Smelling Lavender Fragrances for Women?

The Tom Ford Option

TOM FORD LAVENDER EXTREME EAU DE PARFUM– Lavender Extreme is certainly a lavender fragrance for a colder day. It is headed up by the title note, but joined mainly by vanilla and some tonka bean.

Though, you also get some further spice from cinnamon and a violet note, which helps to add a slight powdery quality to this perfume. Unisex scent like most Tom Ford fragrances. Very cozy and inviting, with a warmer embrace.

Soft and a bit sweet, but a pretty darn realistic lavender note. It’s not one of my personal favorite Tom Ford’s and is probably overpriced at retail, but almost undeniably a great one for those who are seeking out this note.

Light Citrus Herbal Lavender

4711 Acqua Colonia Lavender and Thyme Eau de Cologne Spray, 5.7 Ounce– Simple. Lavender and thyme are what this one adds to the 4711 mix. The thyme note adds a different dynamic to our target ingredient versus others on the list. Plus, it’s really affordable in large quantities.

It’s not entirely lavender dominated, as the herbal notes and citrus are pretty prevalent, especially at the start. But, the lavender is a lovely inclusion, which you will catch wafts of throughout the wear.

Very light with the sillage and that citrus is pretty sharp. But, the dry down is clean and calming with the lavender taking control of the composition.

Chanel Wildflowers and Lavender

Jersey by Chanel– Not my favorite fragrance from the Les Exclusifs line by Chanel, but Jersey is the one to go with, if you want lavender. Also, maybe, Boy. But, that one doesn’t have the same level of our target note, while being a better smelling fragrance.

It kicks off with cold aldehydes, lavender, and a grassy and herbal aroma. The lavender is going to lead the way, but interestingly, those aldehydes stick around for the duration.

The wildflowers will flank the lavender for a while. But, as this moves along you will get a muskier finish with a creamy quality from vanilla and tonka bean. Nice performance at around 8 hours of wear and pretty versatile. One to check out for lavender lovers. Jersey Full Review

The Best Selling Blended Perfume

Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 90ml/3oz, clear– I actually prefer Libre Intense, but you get the stronger lavender (and still a nice perfume) with the ever popular YSL Libre.

Orange blossom and a touch of citrus juice start things off with this one. Lavender will be the main attraction, but it will take a back seat in the opening stage. Soapy clean with some early touches of vanilla creaminess. Almost bitter, with a stronger musk.

Then, it will shift to lavender. The orange blossom and musk both significantly weaken and all of the other notes just play a support role to our target. Vanilla will be the co-pilot. Nice performance and easy to wear, with an already proven mass appeal. YSL Libre review

One from Memory

Serge Lutens Gris Clair Eau De Parfum Spray for Women– It’s been a few years since I have smelled this one, but I thought that I’d include it on the list, because of what a popular lavender option it has been.

The gist of what I remember? Warm, slightly bitter, floral mix. Big dose of lavender in a blend that gets sweeter as it dries down. I’ll update this entry, once I come across Gris Clair again.

Masculine, but Fine Lavender Example

Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge Cologne Spray 3.4 Fl Oz– Oxford & Cambridge is one that has been around for decades now. Yes, it’s a men’s fragrance, but I think plenty of women could pull it off just fine.

This is a green and pretty mossy lavender interpretation. The lavender is the star, but you get a fresh rosemary, cool mint, and dry oakmoss. It’s outdoorsy, but naturalistic, especially the lavender oil that they use in this.

I get more of the mint for most of this fragrance, with more hints of rosemary. It settles down into something lighter and more pure lavender. Nice performance, not huge sillage. Can be tougher to find nowadays, it seems. I wouldn’t pay an arm and a leg to acquire, but solid at a better price point.

Super Popular, Lavender Focused

Guerlain Mon Guerlain Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.3oz– Mon Guerlain is a very popular option for perfumes in general and not just lavender specifically. The opening act is actually fairly candy-like and has always reminded me of other popular scents, like BonBon.

However, at its core, this Guerlain is about the lavender and vanilla combination. It is just presented in a very mass appealing way. It becomes a smoother and less sweet aroma, dotted with further floral touches of jasmine.

Easy to wear, nice performance, and extremely versatile outside of a pure lavender play. Yet, it can certainly attract those who love that note as well. Mon Guerlain Review