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!

Guilty Essence (Black) Pour Homme by Gucci

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I first reviewed this fragrance way back in the beginning of this website. Actually, it was one of the first handful of full wear reviews that I ever wrote. Gucci Guilty Black was a cologne that I would wear quite a lot and really enjoyed it back then.

As such, I felt that it was time to update this page, and expand upon what makes this scent what it is. Especially since Gucci has now changed the name to Guilty Essence. Same cologne, new marketing.

I will cover how it smells, what’s inside, how it performs, and if it is still even worth a try.

Gucci Guilty Essence Overview

Gucci Best Cologne

Guilty Black Notes: green coriander, lavender, orange flower, neroli, patchouli, and cedar wood

Click here to try: Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Fragrance Collection 3.0-oz. Eau de Toilette

My Full Review

The first thing I’d like to say about Guilty Essence is that it definitely is not a boring fragrance. One of the best words I’ve read described it as, ‘hypnotic’, and I would agree wholeheartedly with that assessment.

It is a refreshing scent that isn’t fruity or too light, rather, it is completely masculine and versatile in its uses.

I notice immediately, how it shares a very similar DNA to its predecessor, Gucci Guilty. However, Essence doesn’t have that same citrus fruit top, but relies instead on orange flower and neroli to provide a different experience.

It starts off with a bit more of a spicier kick than the EDT version.

I will say, that I think Guilty Essence is better than Guilty Pour Homme. It’d be a tougher pick between this one and Guilty Intense, but I don’t want to get too off track here.

Essence is such a well-blended fragrance, that it can be hard to actually distinguish the notes themselves. Instead, it is more like you get the impression that each ingredient would normally give you, and sort of infer that it is there.

That being said, I can obviously pick up on that oh so familiar lavender, the other floral notes, and that great spicy coriander which adds a sexiness to the composition. The whole thing comes together as very green, fresh, masculine, with a great underlying spice/woodiness.

It shares that really clean and bright feeling that you get from wearing the other Gucci Guilty scents. I love the energy of this one and how I can pick out hints of notes, such as patchouli, when catching a whiff of it on my skin.

Sillage (Projection)

Projection wise, it was always very solid for me. Not huge, but not a weak skin scent either. Here’s what I wrote back in 2014, about it’s staying power: Also, it seems to both project well and it lasts long without fading. I put it on this morning at around 7:30 and it was still there at 6 PM when I left work, so it has staying power. 

This was of course from the original bottles of Guilty Black, but the longevity was great on my skin, and the sillage stayed pretty moderate throughout.

How Long does Guilty Black Last?

Coming back to testing this cologne out again, I still manage to get anywhere from 7-12 hours. It really depends on the climate and how much time I spend outside with Guilty Black on.

Updating again: I don’t seem to get double digit hours with Essence now. It’s more in the 7-9 hour range.

Season and When To Wear

Seasonally, another sort of year round wear. The Guilty line, always struck me as better in warm weather, but ubiquitous enough to spray it on whenever.  This is a cologne which is appropriate for the business world, but can be worn effectively for a date or a night at the club, as it draws attention.

Mostly, I always for it as a casual cologne, with t-shirt and jeans. Here’s another snippet of my initial experiences:  I’ve worn it three days thus far and have had at least one person comment positively on it during each one of those days. 

This is a scent for a man who exudes confidence and wants to be noticed and while it isn’t overpowering it does stand out. That can be a good or bad thing depending on your own personality but with a scent like this, one won’t stand out in a bad way.

It isn’t a heavy scent either, it’s clean, but not really definable as a clear woodsy scent or aquatic or even sporty.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Gucci Guilty Essence

Overall, do I think Guilty Essence is worth a try? Yep. This one has gained a substantial following since its release way back in 2013. It smells good and covers so many bases, that it is great to have on hand, when you just want something easy to wear.

Is it groundbreaking? No. It’s just a pleasant and sexy fragrance, which gets complements, and has nice performance. Sometimes, that is enough to make a cologne worthwhile.

This is still one of the best Gucci colognes for men, one of the better performers, and has good versatility.

They changed the name to Essence, but the formula remains the same and they’re still selling it, more than a decade later. So, you know it has plenty of fans, when so many other scents in this series got discontinued. It, just got rebranded.

YSL Libre vs. Mon Paris Comparison

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YSL has released a ton of perfumes over the past decade, in addition to the classics they’re still selling. Mon Paris and Libre are two of their newer lines, that they seem to be in the process of creating even more flanker perfumes for. Between the originals, though, which smells better? Which fragrance is the one to check out? In this post, I will break down my thoughts and compare these scents.

Tale of the Tape: Mon Paris vs. YSL Libre

Libre EDP

Notes include: lavender, white musks, orange flower, vanilla, orchid

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 90ml/3oz, clear

Read my review: Libre EDP

Mon Paris EDP

Notes include: peony, white musk, patchouli, and datura accord

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Fluid Ounce

My Original Review: Mon Paris 

Opening

Mon Paris opens up with berries, pear, and other citrus notes. It’s a floral perfume, but much of the wear is actually pretty fruity in its presentation. Underneath that, are the floral notes of datura flower and peony. As things progress, they will take over more of the composition.

Libre also opens with a bit of citrus. However, it is much more floral from the start. Orange blossom and lavender are the main highlights at the start. The lavender is going to end up being the main focus of this fragrance, though.

Which is better? I think the fruity notes in Mon Paris are more enjoyable than the lavender and orange blossom, that I get with Libre. Libre feels soapier and musky versus the berries and nice datura note, that comes with Mon Paris.

Edge: Mon Paris

Projection

Both of these fragrances have above average sillage. Mon Paris is more in the moderate camp, but towards the upper end of the spectrum. While, Libre is definitely what you could term as strong. Not a monster, but it projects itself a bit better than Mon Paris.

Edge: Libre

Longevity

On my skin, Mon Paris goes 7-8 hours. Libre, again has the greater strength, at just over 9 hours of full wear. Plus, Libre keeps its power up for a longer period of time.

Edge: Libre

Versatility

Neither of these fragrances are going to be best for the hottest days of the year. Though, I think that Mon Paris holds up a bit better there.

Also, neither is very formal. Both are best for daily wear or casual wear and are quite versatile within that setting. I’d also say, both of these will probably skew toward a younger crowd. I don’t see much distinction in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I don’t absolutely love either one of these scents. In my mind, they’re both pretty good and have nice performance, but never reach anything all that special.

Libre is an interesting fragrance. It’s a bold lavender fragrance, that dries down into a creamier scent, with its vanilla note. Not super complicated and has an emphasis on the floral notes, including that opening orange blossom.

Mon Paris is fruity, floral, and musky. The opening is pretty, but also a pretty standard fruit-chouli type of fragrance with its prevalent patchouli note. However, it does have a nice datura which separates it somewhat.

Between, them I like the sweetness of Mon Paris just a tad better. Libre is more unique and has better performance. But, it’s nothing mind blowing. Out of these YSL perfumes? I’d give a slight win to Mon Paris.

Winner: Mon Paris

Coco Mademoiselle EDP vs. EDT

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Chanel has had a lot of success with the Coco Mademoiselle line of fragrances. The EDP and EDT have been out for decades now, but, I recently picked up samples of the latest batches and wanted to do a head to head comparison post for the site. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy here in 2021?

Tale of the Tape: Coco Mademoiselle EDP vs. EDT

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: orange, neroli, may rose, patchouli, vetiver, jasmine

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my full review: Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Coco Mademoiselle EDT

Notes include: litchi, citrus, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, musk, rose, jasmine

Click here to try: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle 3.4 oz eau de toilette 

Read my Full Review: Coco Mademoiselle EDT

Opening

Mademoiselle starts off with its blend of neroli, patchouli, and orange. The orange is very powerful at first, before this perfume starts to feature its other floral notes, being jasmine and a slight rose. It blends with the patchouli for a bold and somewhat gourmand opening act.

Mademoiselle EDT does somewhat mimic its predecessor. However, the neroli isn’t present. The patchouli and orange are toned down. Also, EDT adds a very nice litchi note, that gets balanced with the other citrus notes.

Which is better? It’s actually a close race. While I do appreciate the balance, litchi, and having less patchouli in the opening act. I actually still slightly prefer the start of the EDP version more. I’m one who has always appreciated that strong punch of fragrance to start things off.

Edge: EDP

Projection

The eau de parfum obviously has the higher fragrance concentrate and it does indeed project better and feels stronger overall. Add to that more of the orange note and patchouli and you get a strong perfume. Not an absolute monster, but very good.

Mademoiselle EDT is decent at how far it will project, but it is much more of a moderate fragrance. It never hits close to the same highs as the EDP.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Coco Mademoiselle EDP will last on my skin for over 10 hours, without fail. It’s got fantastic performance, to this day, with the newer batches Chanel has put out.

EDT? It’s a solid performer with 6-8 hours of wear, depending on the day. Quite usable, but again, doesn’t touch the original.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

I actually think that EDT has the edge in this category. It’s lighter feeling is a plus for many people who wear it, who may have been turned off by the strength of the original. So, it is going to be better for situation where you’d want to be low key.

Add to that, while neither is a summertime fragrance, EDT does hold up a bit better than the heavier EDP. Outside of those differences, both of these perfumes are highly versatile.

Edge: EDT

Overall Scent

I really enjoy both of these scents. I think that Coco Mademoiselle EDT can be a fantastic choice, if you want something lighter and that can seem less harsh to some folks. The scent really develops a nice woody/musky base with a smoother overall finish and light vanilla touches.

It’s a really good fragrance overall.

However, I think EDP is a great fragrance. I love the intensity of the orange and neroli, the gourmand touches, the power, and the vanilla creaminess that is more noticeable in this formulation.

In its totality, I just think that Coco Mademoiselle EDP has more strengths and a bit more depth. It’s not far and away better, but has a clear edge, in my book.

Winner: Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Coco Mademoiselle EDT by Chanel

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Coco Mademoiselle is a classic scent and has rightly spawned different variations of its popular formula. One of which, was brought out relatively soon after the eau de parfum’s release, Coco Mademoiselle EDT.

I got a hold of samples of each of these fragrances and have been reviewing them on the site. Today, I’m finishing things off with the eau de toilette. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Coco Mademoiselle EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: litchi, citrus, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, musk, rose, jasmine

Click here to try: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle 3.4 oz eau de toilette 

My Full Review

Coco Mademoiselle EDT opens up quite a bit like the EDP version, though definitely smoother and not nearly as intense. What’s most noticeable, is how the orange note shares duties here with other citrus notes, and an additional litchi.

Another thing that I notice here, is that, the patchouli note isn’t as dominant in this version of the Mademoiselle line. It’s there, but I feel it to be more balanced with the vetiver sitting in the base of the scent.

What’s interesting is that the base of Mademoiselle EDT, is very similar to the Chanel men’s cologne, Allure Edition Blanche. The creamy vanilla, woods, and vetiver is a dead ringer. That fragrance is dominated by lemon, rather than litchi and a more general blend of citrus.

What’s true about both of those fragrances, is that they both have a weaker ability to project than the flanker fragrances that they spawn from (more so in Edition Blanche’s case).

Once the citrus notes have burned off and the litchi seems weaker, the floral notes really come through strong. Jasmine and rose are fairly even, but I get more jasmine, on my skin. Those two with wood, musk, vetiver, patchouli, and the vanilla note that develops further along.

The final dry down is a woody vetiver scent with a less creamy aroma, that sort of starts to have a bit of a powdery feel. Not too much, but noticeable.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage of the EDT is much softer than both the EDP or the Intense version of Coco Mademoiselle. Overall, its pretty moderate and never has a far reaching projection. EDT will create a nice scent bubble for most of the wear, then, become a skin scent for a few more hours.

Longevity wise, this one will stick around for about 7 hours. Sometimes it will go for six, then other, it can be somewhat closer to eight.

With that being said, you do get a super versatile fragrance, that can be a signature/daily wear for many folks. It’s not too out of place in any season, though, I might avoid the hottest days of summer…if you’re going to be outside.

Mademoiselle EDT is safe for school, work, casual, and could even venture into the evening. It’s not particularly ‘sexy’, but it is attractive enough to catch some attention. It’s versatility is probably the greatest strength of this perfume.

Overall Impression of Coco Mademoiselle EDT

Overall, do I like Coco Mademoiselle EDT? I do. However, I don’t like it as much as the EDP version, in terms of smell. The weighting of the individual notes in the EDP is just better to me. Though, this can be much more wearable.

I actually like the start of this a lot. The litchi and citrus notes provide a nice entry into the fragrance and I enjoy the similarities at times, to the men’s Edition Blanche.

The performance is overall pretty good, but it isn’t a terribly strong perfume. Also, the longevity doesn’t go as far as you’d perhaps like it to.

That being said, if the EDP is too much for you, and you don’t like the strong patchouli note found in Mademoiselle Intense, this EDT version can be a great substitute. You’re giving up a some of the power and performance, but getting a more understated fragrance, that still smells great.

5 Best Smelling Tea Scented Perfumes

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Tea isn’t used as a note in a ton of fragrances. Also, out of those, it generally isn’t the main attraction, and will usually be placed in a secondary role.  However, it is a note that can be a great change of pace when done well, and can definitely carry the show. In this post, I want to present five perfumes that feature a prominent tea note. Whether that’s: black, green, or white variations. 

What are the Best Perfumes that Smell Like Tea?

An Option for White Tea

Elizabeth Arden White Tea Eau De Toilette Spray, 1 oz.– Elizabeth Arden has released plenty of fragrance options with tea as the main note for years now. You could also go with the popular Green Tea, but I’ll give this one the nod, as this one goes with the more unique white tea. 

Arden’s Green Tea was a lighter and fresher sort of scent. Meanwhile, White Tea utilizes some light aquatic notes, powdery iris, citrus, and amber in the base. 

White Tea is smooth, relaxing, and a well blended perfume with depth and plenty of strength to be noticeable. Very versatile and solidly performing perfume option that strongly features the ingredient we’re after.

Crisp and Cool Green Tea Fragrance

Creed Silver Mountain Water, 3.3 Fl Oz– Silver Mountain Water is usually marketed as a men’s scent, but it’s actually quite unisex. While it’s not my favorite fragrance from Creed, it does indeed feature a tea note that is absolutely worthwhile to try out. 

Silver Mountain Water is completely cool and crisp from the start. The citrus, black currant, and green tea notes combine to present a refreshing aroma at the top. Then, the tea will begin to take over, joined by base notes that give Silver more of a greenish/herbal kind of smell.

Not too heavy of a fragrance, but it does project well, and will usually last for around 8 hours on my skin. On the higher end, in terms of price, though one that can be a signature scent for the right person. Silver Mountain Water Review

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Creamy Smooth and Herbal

Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau De Parfum– Eau Duelle goes much more in the herbal direction with its tea fragrance, than the others here on the list. While the other scents tend to be cool and fresh, this scent goes in a warmer and smoother route.

It has its moments of spice, plenty of vanilla, and its tea note that is present throughout. Not too sweet, but creamy, woody, and paired with a slightly salty amber note. The spiciness kicks things off, before it mellows out further into the wear.

Then, it finishes herbal and woody, with a light smokiness and that remaining vanilla giving it a creamy touch. The vanilla is nice and rich. Very interesting with a multi-faceted presentation and nice performance.

 

 

Energetic Citrus and Tea

Moschino Funny By Moschino For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz- Moschino’s Funny opens up somewhat like Light Blue by D&G or the brand’s other fragrance, I Love Love. Though, the citrus is different However, it also has a green tea note that gives the fresh citrus perfume, an awesome infusion.

Green Tea, floral notes, and a musky base come through an give funny a fizzy and upbeat smell that is absolutely great in the spring and summer months. Does open up pretty sharp with currant and bitter orange leading things off.

The price is affordable and the performance is really good for this style of perfume. Moschino Funny is an uplifting fragrance for those wanting a nice use of tea.

Black Tea Amber

L’OMBRE DES MERVEILLES by Hermes, EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3.3 OZ– The Merveilles fragrances by Hermes are generally underrated in my opinion. The each bring something to the table and L’Ombre des Merveilles presents an awesome option for tea lovers.

The amber note that is found in this line of scents, is of course present throughout. However, this one goes woody and the black tea note is paired with incense to create a crisp and faintly smoky overlay of that amber base.

It dries down with a sweetness of amber/tonka bean, but never feels like a warm or enveloping fragrance. Instead, this one stays rather cool and light. The black tea note isn’t super heavy, but it is there for the duration.