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!

Coco Mademoiselle EDP by Chanel

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Coco Mademoiselle has been a best seller for a long time. It’s been one that I’ve enjoyed, when I’ve encountered it in the past. Since I recently set out to acquire a bunch of Chanel samples, I made sure to grab this one to finally post a full review on the site. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Coco Mademoiselle Smell Like?

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

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

My Full Review

Coco Mademoiselle opens up with a hard hitting orange note and neroli paired along side. It’s bright and juicy, at first, with enough warmth provided by the underlying patchouli.

The next phase, is where the other floral notes become apparent. The orange note tones down and jasmine and the rose emerge. The rose isn’t super powerful, but it’s there. Mostly, jasmine and the continued neroli come through.

Mademoiselle feels clean and enveloping, but kind of too dynamic for me to call it cozy, exactly. The floral notes hang around, but this gets drier as it moves forward. Patchouli, vetiver, and musk with sweetness/creaminess from vanilla and the still present citrus.

The final dry down is a much softer affair. I get more of the vanilla, patchouli, just the impression of overall sweetness and slight woodiness. Not super easy to pick out individual notes, but it’s a great smell.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Mademoiselle is definitely a strong fragrance. It isn’t on the extreme end (the Intense version is for sure, though), but it is well above average with how it projects and hangs around. It isn’t one that you’ll need many sprays of, for it to be effective.

The longevity is even better. Coco Mademoiselle EDP will go for over 10 hours on my skin. It’s to the point that it gets washed off before it quits usually. Plenty of another Chanel scents, especially the men’s, don’t hold up nearly as well as this one.

Seasonally, this perfume can work year round. Maybe avoid during the heat of summer, but it’s fine in any other sort of climate. Not necessarily as good in the dead of winter, but it’s not completely useless.

It’s very versatile. Can be a daily wear or one to wear out at night. It has a certain level of sexiness to it, while remaining modern and stylish. Not super ‘girly’ or feminine, but doesn’t quite meet in the unisex area, in my opinion.

Overall Impressions of Coco Mademoiselle

Do I like this perfume? I do. It’s always been one of my favorites from Chanel’s women’s line of scents. The bold orange opening is great. The floral heart, with vanilla and musk. It just works well.

The performance is pretty top notch on me, for whatever reason. It seems to be well above average for most folks who try it, as well.

Really not too much to complain about with Coco Mademoiselle. It can be too much for some, but most people like it, as proven by the sales. If you don’t like a bold orange, the floral notes, or maybe the patchouli…you might at least want to sample before buying blind.

Lucky You for Men by Lucky Brand

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I’ve done literally hundreds of fragrance reviews on this site from the very expensive to the completely cheap. It can be tough to compare the top shelf stuff to the inexpensive wearers because frankly they’re not the same thing. As such, I tend to grade the inexpensive colognes on a different scale, so to speak.

They are there for everyday wear, to smell good, and to have decent enough performance…if they pass those hurdles and it fits your style, then they are usually a decent buy because you don’t have to break the bank to acquire them.

Today I’d like to take a closer look at Lucky You under the Lucky Brand label and under the Liz Claiborne umbrella, which is usually available for under $15 a bottle.

What does Lucky You Cologne Smell Like?

Notes include: tamarind, bamboo, cardamom, cotton flower, musk, sandalwood

Click here to try: Lucky You Lucky Brand Cologne Spray 3.4 Oz For Men

My Full Review

During the opening of Lucky You, I really have a hard time detecting exactly what the notes are supposed to be.  It’s green, fresh, somewhat soapy, and has its own distinct aroma. Looking at the ingredients, I can tell why it can be difficult, as most of those notes aren’t everyday smells.

After a few minutes, I definitely start getting the musk note, which isn’t heavy but does give this cologne some character. The opening does come on pretty strong, even if Lucky You is overall pretty mild.

There’s really green almost grassy note supported by a base of various woods, which while making it interesting, might scare some folks off initially.

Since this is a Liz Claiborne creation, I compare it to scents such as Curve or Bora Bora or Mambo.  Out of the four, Curve is still the best smelling, in my mind.

However, I think I’d put Lucky You as a secondary candidate, it has its own unique thing going on while still being attractive. It isn’t any type of grand creation that will blow you away, it’s pretty synthetic smelling, but there is a definite appeal here.

The fragrance itself is rather simple and straightforward. Most of the development, is one note gaining strength while another fades. For instance, more musk early on, with a grassier/floral disposition later on. It loses some of that soapy clean quality, while still remaining totally fresh.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Lucky You isn’t strong outside of the first few minutes. Also, the longevity is pretty weak also, one will need more sprays than usual to get anything more than a few hours with this.

However, if you do over-spray, it’ll go for 4-6 hours, mostly as a skin scent. If you’re wearing a t-shirt you don’t care much about preserving, it can spray on fabric and last a decent amount of time. Still not a workhorse.

It’s best served as a casual fragrance for younger guys (think teens to mid 20s) and since it is so inexpensive, it fits naturally into that demographic. This isn’t a date night or club wear, though…it’s an everyday, casual school/work type of scent.

Lucky You is a nice little change of pace from the usual fare, in the spring and summertime. It wears very well in the warmer weather, without having an aquatic or super citrus vibe like others.

Overall Impression of Lucky You

Overall, is Lucky You worth a buy? If you fit into the demographic and need something really inexpensive to wear on a daily basis, I might give it a try. It doesn’t really fit with me so I’ll pass.

I also think that there are much better smelling scent for cheap (as I’ve documented here and here) but I won’t say this is a bad buy. Lucky You is pretty good, although it’s longevity leaves much to be desired.

But again, it costs like $10-12 per bottle usually, so I can’t complain too much about performance. It’s a nice smelling starter cologne for those on a tight budget. If you can afford more, definitely go with something else. Even if you can’t, there are still yet more options.

Polo Red Extreme vs Polo Blue Comparison

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For this entry into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I am going to be taking a closer look at two scents from the Ralph Lauren line up: Polo Red Extreme vs. Polo Blue EDT. I will break down each by different categories and deciding factors to determine, which one smells better? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which men’s cologne is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Polo Red Extreme

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

Read my review: Polo Red Extreme

Opening

Polo Blue opens with melon and cucumber notes, giving it a cool, familiar, and crisp aroma. There is a constant aquatic note, at the heart of the fragrance, with tangerine and amber adding a bit more to the composition. It smells nice and has a rather simple aroma.

Red Extreme is also pretty simple, in its presentation. You get a big burst of blood orange and coffee notes. It’s simple, but is actually quite unique versus most of what you’ll get on the market. There is also a hint of that tart cranberry, which is found in the original Polo Red.

Which is better? Polo Blue is pleasant, but I prefer the opening of Red Extreme. That blood orange and coffee combination is just great, it does its own thing, while staying somewhat true to the original.

Edge: Red Extreme

Projection

The sillage of Polo Blue is pretty solid throughout, but not a bold fragrance. It is more of a moderate, that will get noticed close by, but not take over a room. It’s also an EDT, so the power is going to be less than the EDP, Red Extreme.

Extreme is quite strong and stays that way throughout. It’s probably not as ‘extreme’ as the name would suggest, but it has no problems projecting.

Edge: Red Extreme

Longevity

Polo Blue is a good performer overall. I have always gotten 7-8 hours of wear, on my skin, while wearing that cologne. However, it again falls short of the performance of Red Extreme. That fragrance will go 8-10 hours of wear.

Edge: Red Extreme

Versatility

In terms of occasion, they are pretty equal as to when they can be worn. However, in terms of climate, I think that Polo Blue has the advantage. It can be worn year round and will hold up way better in the heat, than Extreme.

Extreme can go into moderate temperatures, but is not a summertime scent. The Red is much more limited with its wearable opportunities.

Edge: Blue

Overall Scent

Polo Blue EDT is a nice scent. It’s never amazed me, as it’s pretty basic, and there are lots of similar scents. To me, I like the aquatic elements and the hints of citrus within that. Price wise, I would probably get Eternity Aqua over Polo Blue, as it’s similar and usually cheaper nowadays.

It does have the advantage, in that, it can be worn pretty much anytime. That’s usually a big selling point with Blue.

Red Extreme is also quite linear but it smells better and has greater performance versus Polo Blue. The blood orange and coffee are really nice, and then, there is the ebony wood note which brings its own unique element to the cologne.

Not everyone is going to like the notes in this, but it is a better composition in my mind, versus Blue.

Winner: Red Extreme

212 by Carolina Herrera

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In today’s review post, I want to take a closer look at a reasonably priced fragrance for men, 212 by Carolina Herrera. I want to give an overview of its ingredients, my impressions of it, how it performs, and rate whether or not that I think it is worth a buy. Also, check out my post in the best Carolina Herrera colognes for men for more options that might suit your tastes better.

What does 212 by Carolina Herrera Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, bergamot, ginger, green notes, musk, spices, violet

Click here to try: 212 By Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

My Review

The opening of 212 is a rather unique blend of green notes, ginger, and grapefruit. This gives is a sort of grassy/floral scent at the start, which isn’t my favorite but it is moderate and short lived enough that it doesn’t distract from the overall scent which is very pleasant.

While this cologne is for men, it strikes me more as a unisex fragrance with enough musk and spice to make it lean slightly masculine.

It has quite a bit of citrus after the beginning, a commonplace bright and clean aroma, with ginger and pepper sitting underneath the grapefruit. I can’t pinpoint what other fragrance that 212 smells like, but it has a pretty generic scent, so to speak.

When wearing it, it’s like I’ve been here before, just with another scent. Then, 212 gets more interesting.

The dry down period is where 212 really begins to shine. The floral/green note is present during the whole way and the citrus scent from the grapefruit and bergamot takes on a support role.

Ginger is a strong element to this fragrance and gathers some of it warmth and spice from the musk. It’s a very clean scent overall. I pick up on those notes, herbal elements, and sandalwood.

However, one note that really come through for my nose is violet, like the actual flower and not violet leaf that is usually used. The floral element in 212 has a well-established place in the dry down, among the other grassy/outdoorsy smells that are present. I like this part, much more than the typical start.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

212 is a moderate fragrance in terms of projection. At first, it comes on pretty strong (in terms of projection) but quiets down later in the wear.

Also, it longevity is average, not bad but really not an all-day longevity champ either. I can get 5-7 hours out of this one, on my skin. This doesn’t hit the same level as some of the other Herrera colognes, that can be absolute beasts.

It is a versatile cologne that can be worn on any occasion but it is a better where for the warmer months of spring and summer.

212 for Men is a pleasant sort of cologne. You can wear it casually, to school or work, or any other situation in which you need something that doesn’t require much thought.

Overall Impressions of 212 Men

Is 212 worth a buy? Yes, it is a moderate, non-offensive scent that is affordable enough to be a value purchase. Carolina Herrera, has a whole line of great scents for men. I personally like CH or 212 VIP better than this one, but 212 for men is still a great pick for many guys.

It’s longevity isn’t the best nor is it very original, but it smells good enough and has decent performance. 212 is a good starter fragrance or one that you can go to whenever and not really have to worry about it.

Ultra Male vs Armani Code Profumo Comparison

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In today’s head to head match up, we have two fragrances that are both popular, and two of which that I personally enjoy a lot: Ultra Male vs. Code Profumo. Which of these men’s colognes actually smells the best? The Jean Paul Gaultier or the Armani? Which has better sillage? Longevity? Ultimately, which of these scents is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male for Men Intense Spray, Eau de Toilette, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original Review: Ultra Male

Armani Code Profumo

Notes include: leather, amber, tonka bean, cardamom, lavender, and nutmeg

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Code Profumo EDP Spray for Men, 3.7 Ounce

Read my full review: Code Profumo Review

Opening

Code Profumo begins with a very warm and rich blend of amber and tonka bean. It is joined by a slightly juicy citrus and cardamom and nutmeg, which interestingly takes on the aroma of a soft drink, such as cream soda. It’s not exactly, but it does have that kind of vibe.

Ultra Male has a sweet candy-like opening. It is pear, mint, cinnamon, and vanilla. The cinnamon gives this JPG fragrance, a spicy blast in the heart of that sweet outer shell.

Between the two? Hmm, it’s a tough choice, but I think Profumo has the better start. The amber and tonka bean really has a great appeal to it. I’m an Ultra Male fan, but the Armani gets the nod in this category.

Edge: Code Profumo

Projection

Code Profumo has a strong sillage. It is by no means weak and other people will definitely be able to pick up on it. Ultra Male is huge, in this regard. I can spray it on a shirt and smell it from the other side of my living room. I never need to apply much of the stuff, to make it take over. It’s a beast.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

Interestingly, Code Profumo can usually get me 10 hours or more of wear. It’s a fantastic performer on my skin. Ultra Male is too, but it usually gets 8-9 hours. It can also, hit the 10+ mark, just not with the same consistency.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Okay, these are both cold weather fragrances. That is kind of a limited niche, but there are so many amazing winter colognes, that it is kind of necessity to have one. That being said, for these two, I like to wear them out at night to a bar, dinner, night club, lounge, or whatever.

Profumo has much more ability to be worn at the office, and it is the more mature scent. Ultra Male is pretty much a nightlife scent for me and skews more toward younger guys. Code Profumo is more versatile.

Edge: Profumo

Overall Scent

I wear both of these colognes. I like them both a whole lot. As such, it’s not really an easy call to make. I’ve always really like how bold Ultra Male was, how improved over the original Le Male it was, and just that whole unique and playful vibe.

Some people don’t like it’s sweet and spiciness mix or the fact that it can be limited to when it can be worn. Fair enough.

Code Profumo is a wonderful fragrance, some people don’t like its sweet creamy profile either. However, the tonka, amber, and leather really do give it a sexy and masculine aroma.

It can be worn dressed up or at the office and is more mature than Ultra Male is. For that, I think I’ll give it the go ahead for the win in this match up.

I would, however, consider what type of fragrance I actually want before making a choice. Look at those ingredients, which ones sound more appealing to you? Both of these give great performances, so, that won’t be an issue.

Winner: Code Profumo