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!

Contre Moi by Louis Vuitton

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Contre Moi is one of the fragrances released by Louis Vuitton back in 2016. It is also one of the many decants that I picked up from this designer, a while back in order to try out and review. I didn’t have any expectations about what this scent was like, when I first tried it, and no real preconceptions to influence me. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Contre Moi Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, orange flower, rose, magnolia, and cocoa

My Full Review

Contre Moi opens up with its blend of vanilla notes, light citrus, and orange flower. The vanilla is smooth, creamy, and a bit smoky. While you’ll notice that there is both vanilla and cocoa in this Louis Vuitton perfume, it isn’t a sugary or refined version of either.

After a few minutes, I don’t pick up on any citrus any more. From here, it is mostly a warm vanilla floral blend, where the different floral notes get their own time to shine. 

Really, the rose is the weakest of the bunch. At first, it’s more orange flower, then the magnolia. For the dry down it’s a bouquet effect without much differentiation. 

That’s basically what I get for the rest of the wear: vanilla, cocoa, bouquet, and some ambrette in the base of the composition. Not a super complicated perfume, but it does develop somewhat, within that simple framework. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

In terms of the sillage, this is a light fragrance without much projection, after the first 30 minutes or so. It stays pretty darn close to the skin, unless you overspray. Even then, it isn’t going to get you much more.

However, the result does stick around for 6-6.5 hours, on my skin. Again, that’s not great, but it isn’t absolutely dreadful. At the price point, I would want much more from Contre Moi’s performance, especially since I enjoy the smell so much.

 

Seasonally, I’d just avoid the hottest days of summer with this one. Nighttime, might work then, but Contre Moi is fine pretty much anytime outside of that. It’s warm, but not a heavy or enveloping perfume, that would get stuck in the winter.

It’s got enough style to fit into more formal occasions, but isn’t so stuffy, that you couldn’t wear it casually. Not really a ‘sexy’ perfume, but it feels like it’d be appropriate in the nightlife. 

Overall Impressions of Contre Moi

Overall, do I like Contre Moi by Louis Vuitton? I do really like how this one smells. It’s a great vanilla floral blend, with its own unique take on the genre. I like the different types of vanilla in this one, the nice unprocessed cocoa, and the orange flower.

The downside? The performance is lacking. That may or may not be a problem for you, just know that you’re not going to get a workhorse fragrance.

It is a very pretty and attractive scent, that could have been absolutely great with better longevity and power. As it is, it’s an enjoyable perfume, but not necessarily a must have.

J’adore EDP by Christian Dior

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I still have a handful of samples that I need to review and they’re all ladies’ perfumes. Two of them are Dior scents from the J’adore line and today, I am starting with the original eau de parfum. J’adore eau de parfum was released in 1999 and has enjoyed wild success ever since then. I will cover what’s in it, how it smells, performs, and whether or not I think it is worth a buy.

What does J’adore EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, orchid, plum, rose, mandarin, musk, ylang-ylang, blackberry

Click here to try: Christian Dior J’Adore Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of J’adore is a very clean and refined blend of floral notes. Mostly, I pick up on jasmine, ylang-ylang, freesia, and orchid.  Rose is also apparently in there, but it isn’t a strong rose scent, to me at least.

The florals have a juicy/watery aroma to them, this isn’t a ‘dry’ smelling perfume. Nice green undertones. Lily and melon, give it that juicy almost aquatic sensibility.

J’adore has a light fruitiness to it. It is mostly a floral dominated composition, but the melon/plum/mandarin trio do come through. and add to the juiciness of the fragrance.

It is very bright and uplifting but with a sophisticated air to the aroma. Sharp and pretty. During the latter stages, pear and melon are the main fruit notes that remain, and really don’t have intense aromas associated with either.

Finally, I’m left with lots of jasmine, some light musk, fruits, and a bouquet effect of various floral notes coming together. To my nose, it becomes rather difficult to distinguish between each.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on J’adore is pretty good. It isn’t a loud fragrance, it’s actually quite soft. However, that doesn’t mean that it is weak, you’ll know that J’adore is still there.

I also got a full day of wear out of this one. 8+ hours of solid performance, so there won’t be any problems on that end. Coming back to J’adore and trying it out a few more times, has produced very similar results. Not a perfume that will disappoint with its longevity.

Seasonally, I guess I would say that it is more of a springtime smell. Though, it really wouldn’t feel out of place in any season. It’s pretty solid year round, but performs best in warmer weather. During the summer months, J’adore can handle the humidity without completely falling apart.

It’s a good choice for office or casual daytime wear. Fits an age range of 20s+, as it retains a mature sensibility without being too ‘grandma’. J’adore doesn’t particularly strike me as sexy, I’d say that it’s attractive and pleasant.

This is a daily wear scent, if you’re looking for something more specific, J’adore isn’t going to fit a mold. Clean, floral, with greenish hints throughout.

Overall Impression of J’adore

Overall, would I recommend J’adore? It pretty much is a classic perfume from Christian Dior at this point. I like it and find it to be a well put together floral. If floral fragrances aren’t your thing, you would probably do well by looking elsewhere.

J’adore isn’t flashy and might not be a go-to perfume for all occasions but it does just about everything, extremely well.

Crystal Noir EDT by Versace

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Taking a break from the Tom Ford reviews for a second, to bring you a new ladies fragrance review from a popular Versace: Crystal Noir EDT. IN this post, I am going to share my experiences with this scent, describe its smell, how it develops, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is actually worth a try.

What does Crystal Noir by Versace Smell Like?

Notes include: black currant, fig, violet, tuberose, frangipani, jasmine, sandalwood, cashmeran, vanilla, heliotrope

Click here to try: Versace Crystal Noir by Versace for Women – 3 Ounce EDT Spray

My Full Review

Crystal Noir opens with a fairly sharp black currant leading the way. It is juicy and joined by a distinct fig note, the smell of tuberose and violet. This perfume has apparently been reformulated from what it was originally and now includes a whole host of new notes.

So, keep in mind that I am reviewing this newer eau de toilette version of Crystal Noir.

The fig and black currant are on top of this composition for quite a while and sitting on a bed of flowers, with some creamy undertones, and a woody base. It all strikes me as very fresh with slight oriental vibes coming through during different times of the wear.

There is some spiciness in the heart of the perfume, not sure what it is from the new notes listed, but the older edition had ginger and cardamom. So, maybe those are unlisted but still within the EDT.

As it dries down further, the black currant sharpness subsides quite a lot and the floral notes fully emerge. Plenty of jasmine and heliotrope to join up with the tuberose and violet.

Although, this Versace has plenty of flowers, it doesn’t hit me like a ‘greenish’ bouquet or like walking through some kind of garden.

From this point, pretty much what you’re going to get is established. A whole lot of florals, especially the white floral notes: tuberose, jasmine, and frangipani.

These are on top of a woody base of smooth sandalwood, fig, and cashmeran. Add in a dash of vanilla, purple flowers, and what’s left of the opening combo.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection wise, the EDT is a fairly light to moderate fragrance. The sillage on this one isn’t huge and is going to stay pretty close to the body. I wouldn’t call it weak, by any means, but Crystal Noir isn’t going to fill a room unless you go crazy with the sprays.

The longevity is solid but not amazing, seems to stick around for 6-8 hours, on my skin. That’s good enough for most purposes. Indoors, in air conditioning, it seems to track closer to that 8 hour wear mark.

Seasonally, this EDT reformulation, is pretty versatile. It’s floral component screams springtime, but it wouldn’t feel out of place at all, in the winter or fall. Maybe not the best for the height of summer, but very good for the rest of the year.

Crystal Noir has an air of maturity about it, but not stuffy or uptight. It can be worn to the office, dressed up, or for an evening out. I especially think the evening wear, is probably its best use. It is attractive and has some sexiness to it, but not a super seductive fragrance by any means.

Mostly, this will be a versatile daily wear for most women. Not too intense or bold, but pretty enough to gather some attention and complements.

Overall Impressions of Crystal Noir

Overall, do I like Crystal Noir EDT? I do. I think that it’s a very good choice for a versatile floral that isn’t too girly or flowery. It’s woodiness and slight spice/sweetness keep it from becoming some overwhelming bouquet.

It has solid performance and a grown up disposition. The original EDP had coconut and gardenia in it, I’m not sure which I prefer, but that is the main difference between them.

This is a great Versace option for those who want something rather simple and clean, without being a complete bomb.

Dot Eau de Parfum by Marc Jacobs

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In today’s review, we have an entry from Marc Jacob’s line of women’s perfumes, Dot EDP. This one was released back in 2012 and quickly became a popular fragrance and well-known for its lady bug shaped bottle. In this post, I’m going to explore it ingredients, how it smells, develops, when it can be worn, and if it is actually worth trying out.

What does Dot by Marc Jacobs Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, red berries, honeysuckle, coconut, musk, orange blossom, dragon fruit, vanilla, driftwood 

Click here to try: Marc Jacobs Dot Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Before I get into my review of Dot, let’s see what Marc Jacobs has to say about it: Chic and charming, a lush floral bouquet of beautiful jasmine and juicy red berries.

Dot opens with a blast of the juicy red berries and the tropical sensation of dragon fruit. There is also the coconut water, which isn’t too heavy, but it is definitely present throughout the wear. Dot is much more fruity than it is floral and the berries are the main attraction here.

As it moves along, I do start to get the floral bouquet in a more pronounced aroma. It never takes over the fruits but I get jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom in descending order of strength. It’s all very light, pretty, and low key.

These florals are joined by just a hint of vanilla which brings a sweet creaminess to the composition. It’s not super noticeable all of the time, as it kind of blends with the coconut.

Finally, during the dry down, a bit of musk and a woody undertone help Dot to have more substance and a solid foundation. It is ultimately a fresh fragrance with red berries, jasmine, dragon fruit, woody, and hints of coconut/vanilla sweetness. Clean, juicy, with a tropical vibe.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Dot isn’t very strong. This is a very light perfume that is going to hang close to the skin, throughout the wear.

It isn’t weak or a super under performer, as the scent will get about 6-7 hours of solid staying power. For an EDP, that’s not amazing, but it’s usually good enough for most purposes.

Seasonally, it feels more spring/summer, but is kind of a year round perfume. It’s not going to be horrible in any particular climate, which gives it a bit more versatility versus other fragrances.

It is good for casual or office wear or other functions. It’s not really sexy, just pretty and pleasant. Since it is not really ‘loud’, it isn’t going to overpower or choke out a room. It smells youthful, but not like a teenager’s scent, it just doesn’t give off that ‘mature’ vibe.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Dot

Overall, do I like Dot by Marc Jacobs? Yes, I think that it is a very nice smelling perfume. It isn’t a bomb, by any means, but it gives a solid performance and has an interesting aroma.

The red berries and dragon fruit pair, really sets it apart from so many of the other fruity scents out there. Then the added layer of a floral bouquet, gives the perfume an added depth. It’s versatile and a really good choice for an everyday wear.

8 Perfumes that Smell Like the Beach

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The beach is a place that most of us have fond memories of, and is a place, we dream about being while stuck in offices, classrooms, etc. While we can’t always be where we want, we can try to replicate some of the sensory experience, through smell. In this post, I want to present some of the best smelling ladies’ fragrances which evoke the image of the beach. From the sea itself to the sand to the fruits and flowers native to islands, let’s see if we can’t find a great beachy perfume.

What are the Best Ladies Perfumes that Smell Like the Beach or Ocean?

Oceanic Hermes

Eau des Merveilles Bleue– A flanker fragrance to the popular Eau des Merveilles line by Hermes. This one is pretty different from the other options from the brand. Very aquatic and oceanic, with a cool airy quality, of water and ambergris.

The top gives you a citrus brightness, while later on, you’ll get more patchouli with the aquatic smell. However, the patchouli is not overbearing at all. Relatively simple perfume, but an underappreciated aquatic.

Tom Ford Seaweed

Costa Azzurra by Tom Ford– I had to thrown in at least one scent on the list with a seaweed note. It’s not one, which everyone will like, but some percentage of you will completely dig it. I’m fairly indifferent to it, but in Costa Azzurra, I think it is well done.

Also, while this Tom Ford fragrance is unisex, it does lean a bit more masculine. Yet, it is still perfectly wearable for women. Azzurra is a woody aquatic, a beach laden with driftwood, breeze, and a dose of seaweed. Very interesting and gives a great, complex performance.

Tropical Fruit and Beachy

St. Kitts for Women by Tommy Bahama– This has plenty of similarities with the men’s version of St. Kitts, except that it features more floral notes. Yet, both have that great tropical beachy vibe, when you spray it on.

St. Kitts for women features star fruit and mango, as its main fruity notes, with frangipani and freesia holding down the floral side of things. This all sits in an aquatic base, that has driftwood-like highlights. St. Kitts is beautiful and relaxing, a clean mix of fruits/floral ingredients.

Clean Citrus Tea & Aquatic

Elizabeth Arden White Tea Eau De Toilette Spray, 1 oz.– A newer take on the green tea concept this time using, you guessed it, white tea. White Tea actually takes a different tact, than does the original Arden Green Tea.

It is a stronger scent, with more depth. However, it does share that super fresh vibe, like its fore barer.

It features an aquatic note, behind the white tea, and a powdery iris which is not overpowering. The top is clean with a light citrus note, and it dries down, into something with an amber embrace. The result, is a lighter aquatic influence, but one that still seems completely fitting for the shore.

Woody Sea Salt

Jo Malone ‘Wood Sage & Sea Salt Colonge 30ml/1fl oz’– A coastal aroma that will transport the wearer to the shore. Sea salt is infused with wood sage and a bit of citrus to create a unique fragrance, that you can’t quite put your finger on, at times.

The opening is quite oceanic with the sea salt, but is given a typical aquatic partner, with the grapefruit.

It is so fresh and aquatic, but dries down with a bit of sweetness, and light woody undertones. Let’s not forget the sage, which is a part of the opening, but comes into its own later.

Tropical Floral Perfume

JUDITH LEIBER Exotic Coral Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.5 fl. Oz.-This is a wonderful summertime scent from Judith Leiber. Exotic Coral is an island flower scent with heliotrope and tiare soaked in coconut with a touch of sea air.

It’s sweet in the floral sense, with some coconut and lime to give it that bit of island edge. Exotic Coral has an opening of a boozy coconut, with its sea water influence.

Much like sitting on a tropical island. From there, you get the floral notes, with the remaining coconut sweetness.

Celebrity Beachscape

Beachscape by Jennifer Aniston– This is a nice and fairly inexpensive option for a beachy perfume, with notes including the sand itself. It’s crisp blend of floral notes and oceanic ones.

The sea water isn’t super heavy in this, but it does provide a great cooling background to the composition.

Beachscape is fresh and clean with a light breezy citrus feeling, at the top, with its floral side coming through more so in the latter stages of the wear. I’m pretty sure it’s been discontinued, but I’m seeing cheap bottles still available online.

The Name Fits

Bobbi Brown Beach Rollerball Fragrance– A beautiful summertime fragrance with notes that transport your mind to the shore. The notes are mostly oceanic in their origin but are paired with jasmine and mandarin to smooth out and sweeten the perfume.

Notes also include: sand, driftwood, sea water, neroli. Yeah, sand and sea water. So, if you want to smell of the beach, with some extra floral notes to make it tolerable…this is a good one to try out.