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 test out and 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!

Luna Rossa by Prada

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I’ve been doing a lot of posts on Prada colognes lately and I do have a few more coming down the pipeline. Today, I am finally getting around to writing a review of the original Luna Rossa. I guess I could’ve done this at any time, but I just never did, and wanted to buy a new mini bottle so my thoughts wouldn’t have to rely on old memories.

As usual, I will cover how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not Luna Rossa is worth a purchase.

Note: I have come back and updated this review, a few years after the original, after spending much more time with this fragrance.

What does Luna Rossa Smell Like?

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 Full Wear Review

The first few minutes after spraying Luna Rossa on my skin, I get a very fresh blend of citrus and lavender. The citrus is orange and it is bright with quite an upbeat vibe. After that initial blast of citrus, the spearmint note begins to emerge and take over a larger part of the composition.

I really enjoy how the juiciness of the citrus plays off of the calm vibe of the lavender, it weakens gradually, but that top is great.

Luna Rossa has such an interesting and pretty unique blend, even the mint note has a different style from something like Guerlain Homme. The mint doesn’t have that same sharpness to it and is smoothed out but the lavender note, which is ubiquitous in all of the Luna Rossa fragrances.

The mintiness is joined by sage, so you get even more of a boost of fresh spice. Yet, it always remains clean, with that green herbal freshness and not a more distinct pepper like found in other fragrances.

I think I’ll say that this is a ‘breezy’ kind of cologne. While the amber is there, it doesn’t have that cloud-like warmth that hangs over you, it’s a cooler and refreshing breeze. The drydown, has more of a powdery/soapy feeling to it, but always retains the extreme freshness throughout.

The amber/ambroxan does show itself more in the latter stages of the wear, and by that point, it is mostly just lavender, a weaker mint, and that ambroxan.

Still, it is a very nice scent, even in the latter stages. Is it pretty simple and linear? Yes, but Luna Rossa works so very well, within that simplicity. I have found myself wearing this more often lately, in the later part of this spring, as it is such an easy cologne to reach for.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Luna Rossa is pretty moderate. This one doesn’t need to be a bomb. In fact, it works much better being subdued, it’d get on your nerves if it were super loud.

This doesn’t mean that it’s weak by any stretch, you’ll know its there, but it won’t suffocate. I have a mini splash bottle and find that a few dabs are perfectly adequate. It also stays stable after application, Luna Rossa isn’t a scent that quickly turns into a skin scent.

Longevity, is good on my skin, I don’t think it’s amazing in this regard but it seems to fall into the 6-8 hour range…usually the higher end of the spectrum. It has been supremely consistent with how long it lasts.

It could be better in terms of how long it sticks around, though, it still is above average when compared to the whole lot of designer fragrances.

Is Luna Rossa a versatile fragrance? Yes, it is. However, it seems strange because you really don’t know how to categorize this scent at times. It can be worn casually, at work, or on a date. It’s fresh and clean, but also sexy, in its own way. Luna Rossa is a soft fragrance but also masculine in its presentation.

Warm weather, cold weather…it works. As I’ve said, I’ve been wearing this Prada a lot lately, and have been receiving plenty of complements when I have it on. It seems to appeal to women, pretty much across the board.

Overall Impressions of Luna Rossa

Overall, do I recommend Luna Rossa by Prada? I do. I actually enjoy wearing all of the Luna Rossa scents, as I think that they each have their own appeal.

The original, has a great citrus opening and a unique blend of lavender and spearmint. It grows on you, and has such a simple minimalist appeal, that it defies expectations at times.

Luna Rossa is a good staple for almost any man to have in his rotation or for a guy who wants an everyday wear. You must enjoy the smell of lavender, if not, you might look elsewhere. However, it has enough of the mint/sage and orange, for the lavender not to feel like too much of a distraction.

It is bright and energetic, yet has a coldness about it, that is appealing. The closest to the original in the Luna Rossa lineup, is probably Luna Rossa Eau Sport.

Luna Rossa is an all-around performer, very balanced and easy to wear. This is one of my favorite Prada fragrances to spray on.

Le Fou 21 by Dolce & Gabbana

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Dolce & Gabbana is a great Italian design house, especially when it comes to fragrances for both men and women. I really enjoy The One by D&G, as it has an absolutely wonderful smell, even if it doesn’t last quite as long as one would hope.

As a part of the recent batch of sample size colognes I purchased from Fragrancenet.com, I picked up a D&G fragrance which I was not at all familiar with and so was excited to try out. It is called Le Fou 21 and was introduced by D&G in 2011.

What does 21 Le Fou by D&G Smell Like?

Notes: Bergamot, cognac, violet, coriander, and juniper

Click here to try: D & G 21 LE FOU by Dolce & Gabbana EDT SPRAY 3.4 OZ

My Full Review

Note: I am updating this page from 2014 to reflect the new format on the website. It’s been a long time, since I’ve smelled this cologne, so I’ll keep my more basic review from then. At least until I encounter Le Fou 21 again.

I had no expectations of Le Fou 21 before I got it and frankly only bought it on the strength of the Dolce & Gabbana name. I didn’t check the notes which made up this fragrance nor did I check to see what category of scent it could be placed under, so I was going into this sort of blind.

When I first sprayed Le Fou 21 from the tester, I immediately noticed its warmth and spice. It reminded me somewhat of YSL’s wonderful Opium for Men, in that respect, with its oriental spice and smooth aroma that is similar to a vanilla.

Le Fou, however, is a different fragrance from Opium, especially once it settles down. It is a really great blend of spice, florals, and greens. The cognac gives this fragrance its warmth and I think that it would work beautifully in late Autumn or Winter.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

I wore it to work yesterday, in order to see how it would perform over a long day. Le Fou 21 held up and didn’t fade noticeably at all during work hours.

This cologne isn’t heavy, rather, it is a light fragrance that seems to linger in the air but never overwhelms the senses. It’s there and it’s noticeable but it is as if it is simply ambient or a part of the fabric of daily life.

Overall Impressions of Le Fou 21

Out of the five new testers that I bought I would rank Le Fou 21 as my second favorite behind Gucci Guilty Black. However, they are both completely different fragrances, so having both in your rotation wouldn’t be repetitive.

Guilty Black is a bolder scent while Le Fou 21 is also sexy, just in its subtlety.

I think that 21 Le Fou is a great addition to D&G’s line of fragrances. It is classy, sophisticated, and sensual without being overbearing.

It is a fragrance that seems as though it could work very well in an array of different settings and for guys who want to be low key with their cologne choices.

Godolphin by Parfums De Marly

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Yes, I am indeed still working my way through the samples of all of the Parfums de Marly colognes that I received a month plus ago. If you want to check out the rest, they are along with every other review I’ve ever done, on the fragrance reviews page.

We have now made it to Godolphin from this line and as always I want to explore and break down what makes this scent tick. How it performs, smells, what’s inside, etc. Godolphin was released in 2010.

What does Godolphin Smell Like?

Notes include: saffron, leather, iris, rose, jasmine, amber, musk, cedar, thyme, mate, and vetiver

Click here to try: Parfums de Marly Godolphin Men’s Edp Spray, 4.2 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Right off the bat, I’m going to tell you that I enjoy this fragrance. In fact, I’ve already placed it on my top five fragrance from Parfums de Marly. Just so there’s no confusion about where my thoughts are going to fall on this particular cologne.

The opening is a leather and musk mix. Like the primal animal spice of the musk is sitting on top of the leather note and it also seems to feature some sort of metallic like aroma, of which I’m not quite sure what it is.

Perhaps, that is just the way the saffron is mixing with the other herbal notes and how it is all pieced together.

In a lot of ways, it is like Tuscan Leather and Ombre Leather by Tom Ford. It’s not an exact replica of either, but if you’re familiar with those, this is along those lines.

After the initial 10-15 minutes or so, the musk dies down quite a bit, and I get some sweeter fruit undertones and the emergence of the floral notes. Rose, in particular.

It has that bit of sweetness but it is combined with a dark and intriguing warmth one would expect from a masculine type of fragrance.

The saffron is the other main player here with the dominant leather. I don’t want to make Godolphin seem like an overly masculine scent because it does have those floral notes which give the cologne a great depth and moderation.

This is what I get for pretty much the rest of the way, a sweet leather blend, with a rich rose note, and a somewhat metallic aroma. I really love the saffron note in here. It’s such an underutilized ingredient outside of these more niche designers, but it’s fantastic. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it is fairly strong for the first couple of hours, but then becomes much more of a moderate scent. The sillage isn’t as powerful versus some of the other options by PdM, but it still has a nice strength to it. 

Godolphin also has very good longevity, easily eclipsing the 8+ hour range, and comfortably hitting double digit hours in most situations. It’s not the elite of the elite, but it does give you at least a full standard workday.

Update: Coming back to this fragrance, it seems to hit the 11 hour mark consistently. Occasionally, I’ll still pick it up after that, but 11 is about what I expect to get each time. 

 

I would say that it is a very versatile scent, at least within its seasonal range. Yes, this is a colder weather fragrance, but I’ve worn it in indoor environments here in the summertime.

It can be worn casually, but I think that it fits best when dressed up. Not necessarily formal wear, but for work or for a night on the town. It has a sense of intrigue and sexiness that will draw complements.

Overall Impressions of Godolphin

Overall, do I like Godolphin? Obviously. I think it is a great leather based scent with a complex and amazingly put together profile. Like other Parfums de Marly colognes, it is pricy, but if you’re in the market for this scent…that shouldn’t be too much of a hurdle.

It smells great, performs well, and has a versatile ability to be worn in many situations. It has its similarities to the Tom Ford leather fragrances, while still maintaining its own unique character and providing you another option. 

The leather and saffron combination is very good. It’s probably never going to be a super mass appealing cologne, but Godolphin is easily one that can become a signature scent for the right man. 

Azzaro Wanted vs. The Most Wanted

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Azzaro has been releasing new Wanted flankers since the success of the original release. The latest, is The Most Wanted, which is an inspired new take on the formulation. However, how does it actually compare to the original Wanted? Which smells better? Is the better buy overall?

Tale of the Tape: Azzaro Wanted vs The Most Wanted

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

The Most Wanted

notes include: caramel, cardamom, amberwood

Click here to try: Azzaro The Most Wanted Eau de Parfum Intense | Cologne for Men 1.7 fl oz

My Full Review: The Most Wanted

Opening

Azzaro Wanted kicks things off with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods as its main notes. It is a warm and quite sweet start to things. To me, the fragrance has an enveloping quality thanks to the dose of tonka bean and cardamom, and how they blend with mainly the lemon note.

The Most Wanted starts with the same cardamom note as the original. This note has a slightly lemony aroma already, but The Most Wanted doesn’t actually have the citrus note. It’s fresher, spicier, but less of a sharp sweetness.

Though, the Most Wanted is still sweet with the caramel and Bourbon vanilla note. 

Which is better? For me, The Most Wanted smells better at the beginning without question. Wanted can be a bit sharp with its lemon and mint notes, among the mix as a whole. Meanwhile, Most Wanted is much more streamlined and enjoyable.

Edge: Most Wanted

Projection

In terms of sillage, these are both strong fragrances. Maybe The Most Wanted is a bit more powerful and better at projecting, but it’s really not by much. It’s not enough of a difference to base a purchase off of.

Edge: Most Wanted

Longevity

Wanted will give me a range of wear, in between 7-9 hours in total. It’s a well performing, though not elite scent.

The Most Wanted isn’t elite either, but it consistently delivers 9 hours of wear on my skin. Wanted keeps up sometimes, but it isn’t as consistent.

Edge: The Most Wanted

 

 

Versatility

Both fragrances are served best for younger men. More mature than a pure teenagers cologne, but not super refined and formal. I would wear either for nights out, dates, etc.

There’s not too much of a distinction here, they’re from the same line of colognes after all.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

The original Azzaro Wanted wasn’t a bad fragrance, but it never appealed all that much to me. It was an okay cologne with nice performance. Most of what turned me off of it was the sharpness and sweetness in the opening act. 

Though, I will say that I enjoy the tonka bean and wood notes in the final dry down. That’s the peak of Wanted and it’s definitely very wearable.

However, I thought that Wanted by Night was better than Wanted when it was released. Now? The Most Wanted is my favorite in the series. It’s rare that flanker releases have completely turned me around on a series, but it’s the case here.

The caramel and vanilla notes in The Most Wanted give you a great sweetness. The cardamom, warmth and spice. Plus, there is a freshness here that prevents the fragrance from becoming too heavy. It’s a simpler cologne, but it smells better and also has quality performance.

The Most Wanted wins pretty easily.

Winner: The Most Wanted

6 Best Smelling Patchouli Perfumes for Women

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Patchouli is a staple ingredient in both men’s and women’s fragrances. Often times, it won’t be the main note within the composition, but more of a lighter touch in the base to bring things together. It can be a divisive aroma, with some ladies swearing by it while it repels others in the population. Nonetheless, it is a force to be reckoned with and appreciated. In this post, I want to explore six of the best patchouli perfumes for women, to give as a starting point for those who are interested in finding their signature scent.

What are the Top Smelling Patchouli Fragrances for Her?

Dry, Leathery Patchouli

Tom Ford Patchouli Absolu Eau De Parfum 50 Ml– A higher end and fairly niche designer perfume from Tom Ford. Patchouli Absolu does provide a great option for those who love the ingredient.

It opens up with a dry woody aroma, along with some spices of bay leaf and rosemary. The patchouli, will become the star as the scent progresses, but it plays a supporting role in the beginning. 

The spice will calm a bit, leather and oud emerge, along with the patchouli. It’s got a very woodsy earthy aroma, that leans more towards the masculine end of things. However, some women will definitely enjoy wearing this.

It ends up being mostly about the patchouli and leather combination, with some remaining moss still floating around the periphery. Again, this is a niche sort of pick and an expensive one. But, if it’s your type of thing, you get your money’s worth with the performance. Patchouli Absolu by Tom Ford Review

Clean Green Patchouli

Patchouli Imperial by Dior– Patchouli Imperial gives you more of a pure patchouli ride for most of the wear. It does open up with a pretty woody and quite smoky aroma, that will settle, but retains a cool instead of a ‘hot’ presence.

It’s a mix of sweet notes, with patchouli, and more ‘greenish’ woody aromas. You also have a spicy kick with the cinnamon note coming through. The fruity top notes allow Patchouli Imperial to have a cleaner scent, rather than a heavier dirty patchouli note.

It is a unisex fragrance that has great performance, though doesn’t feel overwhelming. You’ll probably have to buy a bottle from Dior themselves and fair warning…it’s really pricey. 

The Mass Appealing Chanel

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Oz – Mademoiselle Intense is the pumped up patchouli version of the best selling original and one that is quite awesome in its own right. 

Coco Mademoiselle Intense starts off with a very bold orange citrus mix, along with our target note and amber. The citrus will tone down a great deal, when compared to the original Chanel offering, and the jasmine/rose floral heart plays a larger role. 

The dry down is full of the patchouli, amber, and a creamy tonka bean/vanilla. Not to mention, a long-lasting scent with easily over 10 hours of wear. This can be a bold daily wear, that is quite versatile and gives you a blend, with patchouli as the focus rather than the sole ingredient. Coco Mademoiselle Intense Review

The Higher End Chanel

Coromandel by Chanel– There are different variations of Coromandel that have been released by Chanel. There’s the les Exclusifs, the EDP, and the Parfum. Each is going to give you a slightly different formulation and intensity. 

What you get with each of them is our patchouli note, with a warm mix of amber/balsamic/oriental notes (benzoin, frankincense), and a gourmand finish…usually the white chocolate will come through the most. 

The Exclusifs or EDP (whichever is available) tend to be a sweeter formulation with more of an emphasis on the vanilla and white chocolate touches. Meanwhile, the Parfum version feels woodier and denser than the others. 

You’ll probably have to test out which version you go with before committing to a full purchase, but it can be a fantastic choice for patchouli lovers. Coromandel Review

 

Powerful Gourmand Patchouli

Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce– Pretty much everyone knows the best selling perfume from Mugler. It’s been around for decades and has spawned a ton of flankers and can still blow out a room with its sillage.

However, the patchouli note is the lynchpin that holds this one all together and creates the environment in which those gourmand notes can thrive. Beyond just beasty power, Angel also has the longevity to match, which makes it a fair deal. The opening is sweet with coconut, a dark chocolate, and fruit notes (mainly melon).

The patchouli note is always present, but the dry down is where it gets to shine. Lots of that heavy edible gourmand style in the beginning, with a warm patchouli note finish. Notes include: vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli,  fresh citrus, melons, peaches, and plums. 

angel

The Standard Fruitchouli Perfume

Flowerbomb By Viktor & Rolf For Women – EDP Spray 1 oz– It’s very well known and super popular, but there is plenty of reason to love this patchouli scent. Personally, that opening act is among my favorites in mainstream ladies’ fragrances.

Flowerbomb mixes ingredients of bergamot, rose, jasmine, and tea. It is clean, delicious, and appropriate for women of a wide range of age groups or personal styles.

Flowerbomb opens up with its great tea note, which is one of the highlights of this fragrance. It is paired with a light but somewhat sharp bergamot citrus note. Next, comes the flower part of the ‘bomb’.

Orchid, jasmine, rose, freesia, among others. It’s a beautiful array, with a lively freshness provided by the top notes. It really is just an amazing example of the fruit-chouli sort of perfume and deserves a spot here.

Finally, you get to the patchouli, which is the star of the show and brings it together. Flowerbomb brings the power and performance, with an awesome aroma.