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!

1 Million Prive vs 1 Million Lucky Comparison

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For today’s cologne comparison, I’m going to do two more from the Paco Rabanne 1 Million line of scents: Prive vs. Lucky. Which of these flanker fragrances smells best? Which has the better performance and versatility? Ultimately, which is the better purchase when looking for a 1 Million cologne?

Tale of the Tape: Lucky vs. Prive

1 Million Lucky

Notes include: hazelnut, cedar, green plum, patchouli, grapefruit, amber, and more

Click here to try: 1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml

Read my original review: 1 Million Lucky

1 Million Prive

Notes include: tonka bean, apple, cinnamon, myrrh, mandarin orange, tobacco

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Prive Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million Prive Cologne Review

Opening

1 Million Prive opens darker with a more emergent cinnamon note that blends with a crisp and sweet apple note. It’s warm and slightly spicy but still retains an overall sweet profile. Prive has a lot of similar elements with the original 1 Million and Armani Code Profumo, which is another great fragrance.

There is another layer to Prive with mandarin, tonka bean, and tobacco which adds depth and smoothness.

1 Million Lucky is closer to the original than is Prive. It has the same candy-like sweetness except you substitute in a plum note. It’s not exactly the same but this plum sits on top of wood and is soaked in amber.

Then, add a unique nutty profile with the addition of hazelnut. It’s got a great cedar note, which puts it above how the original 1 Million opens.

Between these two, I think Prive has the better opening. I like it’s dark cinnamon quality. Although, I don’t think it to be a massive advantage over Lucky.

Edge: Prive

Projection

The sillage between these two scents is close and neither beats the original. However, 1 Million Prive, just does a better job overall in terms of how potent of a cologne it is. Lucky can seem pretty intense, in the start, but its mostly due to the tart plum note blending with the sweetness.

Prive is actually stronger and projects itself better than Lucky. It’s just kind of an illusion of power at first for Lucky.

Edge: Prive

Longevity

On my skin, I usually get 6-8 hours from Lucky. Closer to six hours on average. 1 Million Prive gives me 9-10 and takes this category fairly easily. Lucky is the worst performing of all of the 1 Million fragrances, in terms of how long it lasts. Every other one has hit at least 9 hours for me.

Edge: Prive

Versatility

Both of these colognes have good versatility, as you can wear them both casually or during a night out. I will say that Prive is probably the ‘sexier’ of the two scents.

Prive is also more mature and better for older guys. Both of these do have a youthful vibe, Lucky does feel more like a teenage or college age scent.

While neither scent is built for hot weather, Lucky does hold up better in higher temperatures than does Prive. High heat, both will fall apart but Lucky hangs in longer.

Edge: Lucky (slightly)

Overall Scent

I’ve enjoyed wearing Lucky over the past week or so. I think it’s a nice addition from Paco Rabanne, but it doesn’t take things to a higher level. 1 Million Prive is still my favorite from that line of fragrances.

Lucky has a nice aroma, sweet, woody, warm, with nutty elements floating to the top. It’s a solid casual wear, but nothing that will really set one apart while wearing it. It has a tart and sweet opening, which I enjoy, but may turn some folks away. Plus, it is geared toward younger guys.

Prive is awesome. I like it better than the original 1 Million and it’s a fantastic cold weather scent. Yeah, it doesn’t have that year round versatility, but it’s a great cologne. It has a more mature and masculine vibe while retaining a warm sweetness that shares the spirit of the original.

Update: Prive has been discontinued and it’s already really difficult to find a bottle at a reasonable price. So, you’ll have to go with Lucky or one of the other 1 Million fragrances. Personally, if I had to buy one, it’d be the original. The Parfum is decent, but didn’t wow me.

Winner: Prive

Maritime Deep Blue by Tommy Bahama

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Along with my sample of Maritime Journey from Tommy Bahama, I also picked up one of Maritime Deep Blue, which I had tried out before. Now, I wanted to revisit this scent and give it a full and proper review for the site. How does it smell? Perform? When should it be worn? Continue below for my full take after testing it recently.

What does Maritime Deep Blue Smell Like?

Notes include: geranium, cedar, orris, juniper, bergamot, cardamom, water lily, freesia, musk, moss

Click here to try: Tommy Bahama Maritime Deep Blue Eau de Cologne Spray, 2.5 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Upon the first spray, I immediately get the similarities between this and both Polo Blue and Eternity Aqua. The main commonalities are mostly in the beginning of the wear and they aren’t entirely the same, but it’s pretty close.

The main difference for me, is the both Polo Blue and Eternity Aqua feel much more aquatic and coldly crisp than this Maritime Deep Blue. Those both contain the cucumber note, along with the citrus or tart plum, in the case of the CK fragrance.

Maritime Deep Blue, opts for water lily and a nice dose of juniper for freshness. It doesn’t have an exact aquatic aroma, but it’s a decent facsimile at first. Geranium is a very light note in Deep Blue, but it is also found in the Polo scent, adding to the overlap.

Once we get past that first wave of bergamot citrus, rosemary, and juniper; this one will become more floral and woodsy. I know the advertising and name makes you think oceanic, but I’d set my expectations for freshness. This is a classic fresh sort of cologne.

The spice of cardamom and rosemary is a very nice contrast against the juniper and juicy citrus.

The next phase,  the juniper and cardamom hang around, and the water lily, cedar, and freesia really come through. At this point, Maritime Deep Blue becomes a lot more distinct than it opens up.

Nevertheless, the woods/musk/spice are found in all three of these colognes, and keeps them in the same relative area.

I end up with a dry and fresh spice, floral touches, and a clean woody base. Pretty simple, but well done.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Like other Tommy Bahama fragrances, Deep Blue isn’t a powerhouse, and falls toward the lighter moderate end of the spectrum. With three sprays to the same spot, this one is noticeable but isn’t going to carry over the entirety of a room.

Probably, a 4-6 foot scent bubble, that gets progressively closer as it dries down.

Longevity wise, 5-7 hours. There is a lot worse from this brand, in terms of performance, but it isn’t an outstanding example of an all day wear. Thus far, it is much closer to the 5 hour mark for most wears versus 7.

Update: Yeah, like 4 out of 5 times, Maritime Blue will be on the skin for around five hours. Usually, with low humidity, it has better odds at going longer. But, it’s usually very humid around here.

Seasonally, I like this as a spring/summer wear. Though, it’s fine to wear here in January, as the citrus isn’t massive. It can be a bit too fresh for the winter, when I prefer to go with something warmer and with some greater thickness.

In the summer, it can get eaten up a bit by the humidity. However, it also smells at its absolute best and just works with the general vibe of the season.

Maritime Deep Blue is mainly a casual warm weather cologne. It can also be worn in daily, semi-formal situations. Light enough for the office, if need be. Fresh and clean, not really sexy, and not a nightlife focused scent.

Overall Impressions of Maritime Deep Blue

Do I like this fragrance? I do. I think that it’s one of the better offerings from Tommy Bahama. It’s not very original, but it at least mimics fragrances which smell nice. However, I don’t really love either the Polo or Calvin Klein, but can enjoy wearing them.

The performance is okay. It’s not great and actually lags behind its two comparable colognes. I do really like the use of juniper in Deep Blue, I think it adds a layer that the other two don’t have. Is that enough to buy? For me, no.

I can get Eternity Aqua for much cheaper, usually. Plus, Polo Blue EDT, isn’t the best one from that lineup. Polo Deep Blue or Blue EDP are both better. So, while I like Maritime Deep Blue, I don’t really see a place for it.

Maybe, at $15-30 this would be worthwhile, but I can’t see me needing a bottle at near full price. If it’s like $80-something, I’d pass. Although, I’ve been seeing Tommy Bahama fragrances for cheaper as of late. So, it’s probably pretty likely you’ll be able too grab this one near that price point.

11 Best Smelling Colognes for College Age Men

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Going to your classes in college, you won’t necessarily see too many well-dressed and stylish people. Many times, in fact, there will be plenty of people rocking sweats and baseball caps.

If you’re one of those people who wants to buck that trend or you want to simply smell great at a house party, investing in the right cologne can go a long way to making sure you make a good impression.

Fragrances are designed to fit different lifestyles and personalities and a good college cologne should match with the circumstances you’ll find yourself in or what you own style is. What is the best cologne for college students?

Well, there isn’t one definite answer as it depends on your own tastes. However, with this post I want to present you with some great options that should have you covered no matter who you are or who you’re buying for.

What are the Best Smelling Scents for College Men?

Note: I’m not getting into the super inexpensive options in this post. Here is my list of cheaper buys for all age ranges.

Invictus Flanker

Invictus Legend–  The original Invictus is still a best seller. To me, that scent is okay, but if you want something similar but better…go with Legend. Intense is also an option, but that might be too boozy for most guys.

Legend is closer to Intense than the original but with a more aquatic and fruity profile. Thus, making it easier to wear on a day to day basis.

It starts off with those marine notes, amber, and grapefruit. An interesting addition to this version of Invictus, is a metallic note sort of like in Azzaro Chrome. You get the usual sweetness of Invictus and the bay leaf undertones.

Warm amber, slight spice, woodiness, and that metal note make up the base. Legend is a very powerful scent and can hit double digit hours of wear. Invictus Legend Full Review

New Take on an Old Classic

Acqua di Gio Profondo– The original AdG has been a staple for around 25 years or so. However, it is past its prime and doesn’t deliver the same quality (here are cheaper alternatives to the original).

The good news is that Armani, has put out two flanker versions of this scent that are much better than the original, in my opinion. Profondo and Profumo. I’m listing Profondo as the better option for college guys, as it has a brighter and bluer aquatic profile, and is a complement getter.

Profumo is great and one that I really enjoy wearing in summer. If you want a darker, deeper scent, with more intensity and incense smokiness…go with that. Profondo gives you citrus, aquatic freshness, with a woody and herbal base.

Simple and Versatile Prada

Luna Rossa by Prada–  Luna Rossa is a very simple fragrance, but also smells wonderful. It has spawned a number of flanker fragrances. I could also go with Sport, here. That one, doesn’t have as good of performance as it should, though.

This is a super fresh and clean sort of scent. Luna Rossa kicks off with citrus and spearmint, being the two main attractions. It is very upbeat and the mix is joined by lavender and sage, the latter giving it an extra kick.

This one settles down into a blend of lavender, mint, and some remaining citrus. A unique sort of smell, that keeps it simple, but excels at everything. Prada Luna Rossa Review

The Explorer

MONTBLANC Explorer Eau de Parfum, 3.3 fl. oz.– This Montblanc cologne has become a very popular alternative to those wanting a cheaper Aventus by Creed. There’s some similarities there, but Explorer isn’t entirely a complete match.

Explorer starts off with a very nice bergamot citrus that gets paired with the fresh spices, pink pepper and sage. Underneath that, sit cacao and leather. It will become bright, fresh, and very smooth to wear.

Explorer is very versatile and easy to wear. It doesn’t have monster sillage, but it does have a good ability to project itself. Plus, a 6-8 hour lifespan, on the skin. This is a good choice for an all-around crowd pleaser. Explorer Review

The Better Sauvage

Sauvage EDP by Dior– I know that it is still the best seller, but my opinion of the original Sauvage, has only declined with the hype. It was never very high to begin with. Nonetheless, I was really surprised by how good the eau de parfum version of Sauvage was. It blows away its predecessor.

From the opening spray, EDP is so much smoother and doesn’t have the same sharpness as the EDT. You get the ambroxan amped up, with the citrus and Sichuan pepper toned down. That, is no longer a heavy spice and is joined by anise and nutmeg, giving this version a better balance.

With the changes in the formula, the citrus is fresh and juicy, as it should be. The longevity here is amazing, and honestly, one of the best from the more popular designers. Sauvage eau de parfum is the best, from that line, with Parfum being second. (Update: Elixir is the best now, but quite pricy).  Sauvage EDP Full Review

Sweet Red Spice

Spicebomb Infrared EDT– This newer edition of Spicebomb is a great choice for men in their early 20s. It takes parts of the familiar Spicebomb DNA and infuses it with a blast of reddish notes. Red berry oil, cinnamon, and peppers.

The result is a sweet, warm, intense spice up top. Then, Infrared will become a fresher sort of spicy cologne, with tobacco, and that great fruitiness from the red berry notes.

One could go with the Night Vision series from this line, but Infrared is much more appealing and my opinion and delivers a good performance without being overwhelming. Spicebomb Infrared Review

Powdery Clean with Spice

Burberry Brit– Burberry Brit is a very smooth, green, powdery, and slightly spicy scent. It’s one of my favorite from Burberry, the other being London, but this one is a bit more versatile. If you want a woodsy/tobacco scent, go with London.

It opens up with a blend of ginger, nutmeg, and tonka bean. Underneath this, is a nice bit of citrus, that really only hangs around for the start. It has some sharpness in the beginning and more of an outdoorsy aroma.

Then, the wild roses kick in but they balance quite well with the ginger note and tonka bean. This combines to create the powdery finish. Solid performance. Burberry Brit Full Review

brit

Classic, Well-Loved, Affordable

Jean Paul Gaultier– Le Male by JPG has been a super popular fragrance for younger guys since the 1990s. I actually prefer the discontinued release, Ultra Male, to this. However, this one is much more suitable for daily wear outside of the nightlife. It doesn’t have the same level of power that it once did, but Le Male is still pretty good in terms of performance.

It opens up with vanilla, mint, and cinnamon. A sweet and spicy blend with a bit of citrus and plenty of intensity. The fragrance will settle down into something warmer, cleaner, with some underlying creaminess.

Vanilla, lavender, and mint will lead the way. Under that is woods, amber, and some smooth tonka bean. Le Male is super easy to wear and gives you a fresh option for daily wear.  My Review of Le Male

jean paul

Fresh, Herbal, Aquatic Polo

Polo Deep Blue- I like this newer release from the Polo lineup. I’ve never been a huge fan of Polo Blue, but this or the EDP are the best options. Deep Blue adds a very similar mango note to the opening, as found in Polo Black.

For a younger man, I’d go with Deep Blue or Polo Black. The mango here is paired initially, with what the brand calls ‘deep aquatic accord’, which provides a bit of a salty oceanic sort of aroma. It’s not a super heavy addition, but it is a great touch.

This is a fresh and moderately aquatic cologne. The second stage comes with the herbal and woody notes, mainly, sage and cypress. My only complaint, is that it finishes smelling like the other Polo Blue offerings, but with more ambroxan. It’s still good, but I like the first half best. Deep Blue Review

Bright, Clean, Attractive

Gucci Guilty Black– This is probably the best of the Gucci Guilty line of scents. I rank it slightly ahead of Guilty Intense. Black, is a very clean and well-balanced scent, that offers notes of coriander, lavender, and orange flower as the main attractions.

Up top, you get a bit of a citrus aroma from the neroli and a nice cedar wood in the base. However, it blends together and it can be difficult to pick out the individual notes, but the result is a very attractive and versatile cologne for guys.

Not a huge powerhouse, but Guilty Black has very good longevity and can be worn in a variety of situations. Plus, it is a rather unique scent that stands out from the crowd. Gucci Guilty Black Review

The Best and Most Wanted

Azzaro The Most Wanted Eau de Parfum Intense | Cologne for Men 1.7 fl oz– This is the most recent release from the Wanted line by Azzaro here in 2021…and it is absolutely the best one.

The warmth and slight spiciness of the cardamom notes comes through early. But, it also has a lemony sort of scent to it as well, giving a nod to the first edition of Wanted. It has a bit of fruitiness, but more of a fresh spice and great sweetness provided by caramel.

It’s a tug of war between sweet and spice and a balsamic finish. Really good performance with this one and a fragrance that is an awesome choice for this demographic. The Most Wanted Review

20 Best Smelling Cheap Perfumes for Her 2021

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There are many options for ladies’ fragrances out on the market today. However, many of those options are way out of the price range for a whole lot of people. While others simply don’t want to spend 100+ bucks just to smell good.

The good news is that there are plenty of great options in perfumes that are under $40 here in 2021.

That’s right, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for a great scent, you just need to know where to look.

These perfumes consist of a variety of styles and types of fragrances, so that there should be a fantastic choice for just about any woman out there. Here’s my list of the best men’s fragrances for under $30.

What are the Best Smelling Affordable Perfumes for Women?

Inexpensive Daily Wear

Ellen Tracy By Ellen Tracy For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Ounces– The original fragrance from Ellen Tracy, who has a whole host of inexpensive options. Bronze, is another nice one if you like cold powdery florals and lemonade.

Ellen Tracy for women is a gorgeous scent that is versatile and perfect for daily wear. It is a very clean woody/floral perfume with a warm musky undertone. It is elegant and vibrant with fruity notes of plum and peach giving it a very small dash of sweetness.

The crux of this perfume is its bouquet scent that is airy, sometimes powdery, and finishes with a clean soapiness.

Can pretty much be worn anywhere and really shines in the spring and summer months.

Fresh Lily and Citrus

Alfred Sung SHI Eau De Parfum Spray, Perfume for Women, 3.4 oz– Alfred Sung is another designer that makes really inexpensive perfumes, that usually punch above their price.

This one has a nice opening with a light orange note, that sits in a fairly watery aroma. The water lily note gives Shi a bit of an aquatic vibe, but it’s not oceanic or anything like that.

As it dries down it is more about the floral notes with frangipani and that water lily. The citrus fades somewhat, but you keep the aquatic element, and get a light musk. The floral notes are somewhat green. Shi is an outstanding pickup for under $20. 

Dynamic Nightlife Wear

Paris Hilton Can Can Eau De Parfum Spray 3.40 oz– Can Can is an upbeat and beautiful fragrance by Paris Hilton. Great for a night out. The nectarine note, leads the way with clementine, and other light citrus. All of that is soaked in a warm amber note.  It takes on a sugary sort of aroma when all paired with the musk and floral notes.

Can Can gives you that energy and attractiveness, when it gets cold out, and does so in its own unique way. Paris has many other great perfume options for cheap. Notes include: cassis, clementine flower, wild orchid, nectarine, musk, orange blossom, woods, amber. 

can can

Less Well-Known Flanker

Happy Heart By Clinique For Women. Parfum Spray 3.4 Ounces– Clinique’s Happy, is the more popular of the two, but Happy Heart may be better. It is a light floral with hints of citrus and the freshness of cool cucumber.

The dry down period, has a bit of a soapy feeling to it, but isn’t sharp or overbearing. Happy Heart gives you a solid performance with a sillage that is overall moderate. 

Avon Entry

Today for Her Eau De Parfum Spray– I thought that I’d add an Avon fragrance to the mix. Here’s my list of their best, if you want many other cheapie options.

Today may be the best of the bunch. It’s one for floral lovers, particularly if you enjoy tuberose and freesia. Though, I think its secondary notes are very interesting here, the orange blossom and cactus.

A nice little daytime wear, for the price, that has a lot of energy and a very attractive smell. Today for Her is definitely a great value buy, particularly for those who enjoy the scent of freesia or tuberose.

I really like the opening act with the orange blossom in full force. Though, the entire floral arrangement in here is a great experience. This is a very good daily wear, for those who want a floral perfume, that’s not overly ‘green’ or garden-like.

 

 

Sweet and Girly Cheapie

Vera Wang Princess by Vera Wang for Women – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray– Princess has been a popular fragrance for a long time now. It’s a very nice blend of sweeter notes like vanilla and chocolate, with fruits such as, apple and guava.

This gives it a nice back and forth, as a gourmand scent. Princess has a yummy sweet profile, but not insanely sugary, the guava and floral notes give it a clean heart without the hyper-candy aroma.

Vanilla and chocolate can make a perfume feel heavier, but this one remains pretty light and enjoyable to wear. The performance is also quite good.

The Newest Fancy

Jessica Simpson Fancy Forever Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz– Jessica Simpson was putting out some gems in her line of perfumes. Though, the production seemed to go away for years now, before recently kicking back up.

Fancy Forever is one of these newer editions and it is right up there with her best fragrances. Forever is a sweet one with vanilla and tonka bean giving it a creaminess. You get added sweetness with litchi and apricot up top.

Actually, at times Fancy Forever will be powdery and it finishes with its musky base. Not overly complicated, but a delectable scent with nice performance.

Clean Summery Aquatic

Davidoff Cool Water Eau De Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce–  Cool Water for Women gives you initial blast of citrus notes, mainly lemon, with its aquatic undertones.

Then, the floral ingredients come in and give Cool Water a different tone, along with sandalwood for its soapiness.

It’s overall vibe is very clean, breezy, and definitely evokes memories of life at the beach. Nice performance and extremely affordable. 

cool water cheap perfume

Clean Floral/Fruity

Enduring Glow by Jennifer Lopez 3 Piece Gift Set – Eau de parfum– Throw a dart at JLo’s line of fragrances and you’ll at least come up with something okay, for not a lot of money.

I’ll add Enduring Glow to the list, as it is a newer flanker, and not very well known yet. It’s a fruity floral perfume, that begs to be worn in the warmer weather. Also, it has a pretty close resemblance to the ever popular Chloe EDP,  without the rose note.

That opening is bright and zesty, with a sparkle provided by the pear note. Later, the peony comes in fairly strong, and Enduring Glow has more of a fresh soapy feel.

Confident, Mature, Floral

Jessica Mcclintock By Jessica Mcclintock For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz.-This inexpensive choice is a highly feminine fragrance that is sure to draw complements. This fragrance is usually a best seller among the cheaper ones and has been for a long time.

Jessica McClintock perfume is a very floral affair, so if you’re into lots of flowers in your fragrance, this is a good bet. It features rose, lily-of-the-valley, ylang-ylang, and jasmine.

The opening features some sharper notes, like black currant, and citrus. Then, it has a ‘green’ and floral middle, with a fresh musky dry down and hints of wood. Quite mature and clean.

Warm Sugary Candy

Pink Sugar by Aquólína for Women Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz– A playful option, probably best worn by the younger set. It’s both sweet and fun with ingredients such as vanilla. This candy-like perfume has been a best seller for more than a decade and is a super gourmand that boasts fantastic performance.

This one is starts out with a cotton candy aroma, which is followed up by caramel and licorice. Yes, this one is sweet, but it has much more going on for it than it would appear. Warm and captivating.

Notes include: cotton candy, caramel, raspberry, bergamot, licorice, powder, fig leaves, orange, strawberry, and wood. 

pink sugar

Fresh and Fun 90s Wear

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce– Highly popular designer in the 1990s, Tommy Hilfiger, hit a home run with his female fragrance Tommy Girl. It’s still got a a large following of wearers, after all of this time. A warm, dynamic, scent that gives off a youthful vibe.

This Tommy Hilfiger perfume is probably best geared toward high school girls through women in their twenties. Although, I doubt anyone would be mad at someone more mature wearing this fresh scent. Tommy Girl is super fresh with a lemon and grapefruit top and floral notes including honeysuckle and magnolia, developing as it dries down.

This one exudes the spirit of summertime and is safe enough to wear on the daily, at school or work. What’s great about it (beyond the aroma), is how affordable it is, and how well it performs. From the 1990s, but still as dynamic as ever.

tommy girl

Summertime Gourmand

Ed Hardy Villain By Christian Audigier 4.2 oz Eau De Parfum Spray for Women– The men’s version of Villain, isn’t all that great, but the women’s surprisingly is.  It starts out with a melon/citrus fruit sweetness, which is blended with crème brulee, for a fresh and deliciously inviting scent.

There are some floral hints from lotus, but Villain is mostly about that watermelon, and crème. Juicy and with an aquatic vibe, this one works great in the warm weather, and is super pleasant to be around. 

Best Cheap Kim Kardashian Perfume

Kim Kardashian Gold Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz– Kim Kardashian has her inexpensive lineup of scents and the newer (and a bit pricier) KKW brand.

Gold is probably my favorite from the older releases. It is a warm citrus and amber blend. The bergamot and grapefruit are stars, in the opening act. That bright and clean effect. Later, it will become a bit spicy with some added patchouli

Kardashian Gold has an almost unisex vibe to it, is well-blended, and it is a very attractive perfume. Really, a steal for the price.

Consistent Best-Seller

Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, 3.3 Fluid Ounce– What can you say at the point, about White Diamonds? This Elizabeth Taylor fragrance is an absolute classic and a non-stop best seller for three decades.

It also just happens to be available at the under $30 price point for a full bottle. Flowers are the heart of the matter, but it starts out with a bright burst of aldehydes. As it dries down, you get a lovely sandalwood, with warm amber, and musk.

White Diamonds is still super potent (but not overbearing) and an all day performer. Whatever it is about this combination of ingredients, they certainly hit on a winner, when putting this together.

Classic Designer Bouquet

Oscar by Oscar De La Renta for Women – 3.4 fl oz EDT Spray-This one from designer Oscar De La Renta, has a bit of spice to it, but it is also a sophisticated floral perfume for mature women.

Gardenia, tuberose, and ylang-ylang are the main floral ingredients in this classic late 1970s ladies perfume. Has a powdery/soapy clean vibe but with beautiful floral notes and herbal undertones to keep things interesting.

Musky, Light Floral Perfume

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker for Women, Eau de Parfum, 3.4-Ounce Spray Bottle– Another fantastic option for less than $30. Lovely starts with some citrus notes and an undercurrent of apple martini. It is brought together with lavender, orchid, and musk.

Lovely has a bit of patchouli and cedar, which adds a light layer of earthiness to the composition. This is a very easy wear and quite favors the scent of Narciso Rodriguez EDP.

Quite clean and musky with floral notes peaking through to create an attractive aroma. Can be soft, but very appealing, and one that will garner complements. Lovely by SJP Review

Energetic Fruit Blend

VIP Private Show by Britney Spears Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml–  VIP Private Show was released following  Private Show by Britney Spears. However, the two perfumes are very different from one another. VIP Private show is a very nice blend of fruit notes with an upbeat personality. 

The scent opens with apple, raspberry, and blood orange with some mango thrown in. It’s got that awesome fruity sucrose sweetness and that’s most of what is going to be noticed upfront. Amber, violet, and musk appear later but aren’t that heavy in here.

It can be fairly linear in its presentation, but this one lasts all day, and is utterly delicious to smell.

Smooth Tropical Liqueur

Guess by Marciano 3.4oz 100ml EDP Spray– Guess Marciano is a perfume that goes overlooked and underappreciated. It is a magnificent blend of popular sensibilities with unique ingredients to set it apart, like orange liqueur and star fruit.

It is like a fruity tropical drink with notes of grapefruit, the liqueur, and cuarcao. Then, that booziness is met with a spicy cardamom and a smooth familiar vanilla note.

Later, it is deepened by the inclusion of white floral notes. Beautiful and unique for a price of $20 or less. 

Best Bold and Spicy Scent

Rogue By Rihanna Eau de Parfum Spray, 4.2 Ounce– Like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna has her more expensive Fenty brand and also these Rihanna name branded scents.

I went with Rogue for this list, as I don’t think it gets enough attention, and it brings something different to the table versus the usual fare. This one indeed stands alone, is bold, and has an awesome spicy profile.

Plum, vanilla, and patchouli are all involved. The patchouli is somewhat strong here, but doesn’t overwhelm. Rogue becomes smoother as it dries down, with suede and a powdery finish. 

The patchouli with the sweeter notes, gives Rogue a somewhat warm sweet/spicy gourmand vibe, at times during the wear.  Notes include: lemon blossom, cyclamen, plum.

rogue

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Spicebomb Infrared EDT by Viktor & Rolf

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Spicebomb is a series of colognes, for which I have generally positive opinion on. The more recent Night Vision entries weren’t that great and were a step down from the original and Spicebomb Extreme.

As such, I wasn’t all that curious about trying Infrared, lest it be another mediocre fragrance. Eventually, I grabbed a sample of the stuff to test it out and review it for the site. How does it smell? Does it perform well? Is it even worth a try?

Spicebomb Infrared EDT Overview

Notes include: red berries, tobacco, habanero, cinnamon, saffron

Buy from Macy’s: Spicebomb Infrared EDT

My Full Review

Infrared kicks off with its hottest notes coming through in a big way. But also, the sweetness of the red berry oil leading the way and giving the Spicebomb formulation a different aroma.

The cinnamon is the dominant spice here and early on it is joined by that habanero pepper which really ramps things up. Infrared is intense, but never heavy-handed with how it comes across.

It’s always got it its warmth coming through but the spiciness also has a very fresh aspect, that is great.

Underneath that initial blast is the saffron note, which will take over for the red pepper accord. The cinnamon sticks around, but it is joined by that saffron note for a while. Also, benzoin appears to be in the mix, but comes across more like a pure amber to my nose.

After that phase, it will mostly be about the cinnamon and tobacco. The fruity sweetness of the berries hangs around for the entirety, but you get closer to the familiar Spicebomb DNA for the rest of the wear.

The saffron is probably the fourth most prominent note, but the habanero heat from early on has disappeared from the blend.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Infrared starts off with a pretty strong sillage. It is powerful and will project itself nicely. However, it settles into much more of a moderate scent overall. It’ll hit that 4-6 foot range for a good portion of the wear, before coming closer to the skin.

Not a monster and not a weak fragrance.

I get about 6-7 hours of wear on my skin with Infrared. It’s about what I get from other entries in the Spicebomb series, outside of Extreme, which goes on forever. For an EDT fragrance, it’s pretty darn good. Though, it could be better.

I’m not disappointed that much in the performance, since I get plenty of use out of it within that time frame. Just know what to expect, before purchasing.

Seasonally, it is best for autumn and winter. The colder temperatures will really let Infrared shine. However, I wore it on a day where the temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and actually was really great.

It was outdoors with a breeze and that is what sold me on getting a full bottle of Spicebomb Infrared.

This one is best used casually or for the nightlife. It does lean younger in its target demographic, but anyone could wear this really, just don’t expect some super formal cologne. That’s not what Infrared is.

It does have mass appeal and a level of sexiness to it. Gourmand, warm, attractive, with a masculine tobacco note.

Overall Impressions of Infrared

Overall, do I like Spicebomb Infrared? Yes, it has become my second favorite entry from the Spicebomb lineup. Extreme is better in terms of smell. Though, since it’s better for colder weather and the climate around me doesn’t get there too often, I purchased this one.

This versus Spicebomb EDT is a close call. I think the original used to be better and be a better performer, but it’s lost a step.

The opening act is really awesome. I love the red berries, habanero, and cinnamon spice. It’s very warm, spicy, and sweet. This stage completely sells you on the ‘red’ color chosen for the marketing of this fragrance.

The dry down gives me more of the traditional Spicebomb aromas, but Infrared still does it’s own thing. Still sweet, with the cinnamon and tobacco notes really coming through to the end. Fresh, not too harsh, with a softer spice than encountered in the opening.

The performance is good enough. Not great, but not poor, either.

Overall, I like this one a lot. I mean, I bought a full bottle shortly after trying the sample for the first time. It’s not my favorite scent ever or anything, just one that I enjoy wearing and want to experience this autumn and upcoming winter.