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!

Polo Red Intense vs. Extreme Cologne Comparison

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Today, I am going to be doing a head to head comparison between two Ralph Lauren fragrances. These two entries are from the Polo Red lineup and are flankers to the original cologne: Polo Red Extreme vs. Intense. I have worn and review each already, but which one is the better buy? Which lasts longer? Smells the best? I will break down each by category, before declaring an ultimate winner.

Tale of the Tape: Red Intense vs Extreme

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

Polo Red Intense

Notes include: cranberry, grapefruit, coffee, leather, ginger, amber, lavender, lemon, cedar, sage, saffron

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense for Men 4.2 Oz Edp Spray By Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Red Intense

Opening

Polo Red Extreme opens up with coffee and blood orange, I also get a bit of that tart cranberry note, which is in all Polo Red fragrances.

Intense opens with a similar profile to the original Polo Red, using cranberry and lemon, for a bright fruity start. However, it is also joined by spicy notes such as ginger, sage, saffron, and that warm coffee.

Which is better? I think that Intense is quite an improvement over the original and I like it a whole lot. However, I like the mature simplicity of Extreme, even more.

The blood orange note is great, very juicy, and the coffee is even stronger than the rest of the lineup. Not way better, but I like it a tad more.

Edge: Extreme

Projection

To me, the first few hours of wear, for both Intense and Extreme are about the same. The sillage for each is quite strong and will definitely project itself plenty away from the wearer. After a few hours, Intense becomes more moderate, while Extreme remains close to how it opened.

Edge: Extreme

Longevity

Again, in terms of performance, they are quite similar but Extreme has the ability to go longer. Extreme lasts 8-10 hours, on my skin, depending on the day. Meanwhile, Intense lasts 7-9 hours. Obviously, some overlap here, but Extreme reaches a greater height.

Edge: Extreme

Versatility

These scents are pretty equal, in when they can be worn. Both are best for cooler temperatures and don’t do great in the heat. Casual and nightlife fragrances mainly, but you can wear to the office, if you go light with the spray. No real distinction.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Polo Red Intense is a really great fragrance. I liked the original Polo Red and then this came along, and improved upon every aspect of it. It has a lot of personality and great complexity.

The dry down period features sweet fruit, smooth leather/coffee, warm amber, and lavender. It’s got very good performance and is a solid scent overall. I recommend it, completely.

Update: I’m not into Red Intense as much now, then when it first came out. I would definitely go with Extreme over it now.

However, I think Polo Red Extreme, is a little better. It’s really simplistic with that blood orange/cranberry opening, coffee, and ebony wood in the dry down.

Yes, you will have to love the blood orange and coffee mix to like this one, but it is damn good. The performance is really great and it’s smooth and warm profile is a joy to wear.

Extreme wins this round, not by a huge margin, but enough for the nod.

Winner: Extreme

Jasmin Noir EDP by Bvlgari

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In this post, I want to share my experiences with a Bvlgari fragrance for her: Jasmin Noir eau de parfum. It was released in 2008. Now, I think that this particular fragrance has been discontinued by the company, but you can easily still find bottles of it online (update: not so much anymore).

As usual, I am going to cover how it smells, what the ingredients are, when it should be worn, how it performs, and if it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Jasmin Noir Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, tonka bean, gardenia, almond, licorice, amber, musk, patchouli, wood

Click here to try: Bvlgari Jasmin Noir by Bvlgari for Women – 3.4 Ounce EDP Spray

My Full Review

Before I get into my own review of Jasmin Noir, let’s see what Bvgari has to say about it: Jasmin Noir is a flower of the imagination, rich and delicate that at nightfall reveals its intriguing sensuality.

The opening of Jasmin Noir doesn’t strike me as too dark, as the name would suggest. It starts off with a floral burst of jasmine and gardenia.

These two notes are surrounded by a sweetness and spiciness. It’s actually a fairly unique aroma, almond and licorice, with some patchouli hanging around in the back.

The tonka bean emerges a few minutes after spraying and adds another layer of sweet smoothness.

This is also when a woody base is revealed giving Jasmin Noir, a center from which to hold all of these sweet notes together. Together, it all strikes me as a rather seductive aroma.

Ultimately, what Jasmin Noir is highlighted by is almond, jasmine, gardenia, and licorice. To my nose, the jasmine and licorice are the strongest notes here, but none are super powerful. It’s well blended and doesn’t drop too much into a straight jasmine fragrance.

Though, it seems ‘darker’ during the dry down than it did at the start. The constant undercurrent of nuttiness provided by the almond note, is one of the highlights.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this Bvlgari perfume doesn’t have crazy powerful sillage. It is a fairly moderate scent, but one that isn’t weak. In terms of longevity, this one lasted 6-7 hours solidly on my skin, and then some additional time as a skin scent. Not crazy but very respectable.

Seasonally, Jasmin Noir fits right in with autumn and winter. However, it doesn’t strike me as being limited to just then, as it would be fine for springtime too. Really hot and humid days, probably won’t do too well with it. I think that it is also a pretty versatile scent.

Since it’s not overpowering, it is office safe. By the same token, it is not only subtle but also quite sexy and alluring.

Jasmin Noir EDP is actually at its best in the evening, wearing something revealing yet expensive. It is a very inviting perfume, that will catch attention, and draw complements.

Overall Impressions of Jasmin Noir EDP

Overall, do I like Jasmin Noir eau de parfum? Yes, I do. Licorice isn’t my favorite note, as it tends to give me a headache, but it’s not too bad here. The almond is a great little addition and almost always seems to get added to sexy fragrances.

This scent has solid but not amazing performance, but fits a definite role, as something to be worn on certain evenings and versatile enough to make appearances in the daytime.

You’re just going to have to like those particular flowers, almond, and licorice. But, if that’s the case, this one is very enjoyable to wear.

Now, it isn’t as easy to find as of this update. I’ve seen bottles selling for $200+, which is crazy high. Unless it is a fragrance that you already love, I’d pass on tracking down Jasmin Noir.

Oud Essentiel by Guerlain

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I’ve had this Guerlain sample vial for three months or so and knew that I needed to get around to wearing it so that I can post a review. The scent? Oud Essentiel. Released in 2017, this Guerlain fragrance is a unisex offering, for folks who are in search of a great oud perfume. Does it live up to the billing? Please continue below for my full take.

What does Oud Essentiel by Guerlain Smell Like?

Notes include: Bulgarian rose, agarwood (oud), leather, frankincense, and saffron

Click here to try: Oud Essential Guerlain EDP Spray

My Full Review

Before I start with my review, let’s see what Guerlain has to say about Oud Essentiel: To create the new fragrance in the Absolus d’Orient collection, Guerlain Perfumer Thierry Wasser drew his inspiration from the unique and precious oud wood. The fragrance is a majestic celebration of this rare ingredient which reveals its true strength and sensuality. Both mellow and intense, this woody leather fragrance blends the mysterious notes of leather and frankincense and the sweet notes of Bulgarian rose in a subtle alchemy. A unique olfactory encounter between East and West.

This is the second review I’ve done from the Absolus d’Orient collection, the first being of Santal Royal. Obviously, this whole line is going to be more of a niche luxury collection, than anything that will ever appeal to the mass market and usually focuses on a singular note of that part of the world.

Oud Essentiel opens up with a really sharp/sweet mixture of the rose and oud. Underneath that is saffron and just a peak at the leather note, which emerges later on in the wear. This stuff is an absolute monster at the beginning, very loud, and in your face.

You know right off the bat, that this is a fragrance that isn’t going to appeal universally, and won’t have a place in everyone else’s collection.

I don’t feel that the oud note is ever totally dominate in this composition. It is most certainly there, however, it is blended expertly with the other notes. It super sweet, dark, and resinous.

One can tell that the quality of the ingredients is very high, as each note, smells absolutely wonderful. Very bold but very wonderful.

As it dries down, the composition is still lead by the oud and Bulgarian Rose. It is fairly linear, in that regard. However, the frankincense, leather, saffron, and other woody notes each seem to take their turn being a highlight.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage is huge for the first half of the wear or so. Two sprays is more than enough and one spray will be all that is required many times.

Think half of the wear isn’t long enough? Well, this one hits 12 hours or so on my skin. So, half or more of that time, it’s a beast. Then, calms down into something more moderate. Either way, performance is top notch.

This is billed as a unisex fragrance, but leans more masculine. A woman can wear this absolutely, but it requires confidence (for anyone) to put this on. When you consider what most modern fragrances are, this one stands out totally.

Seasonally, I’d stick to this in fall and winter. Colder weather only, for me at least. I wouldn’t want to have this on in the humidity of the summer months. This is more for semi-formal to formal wear. It’s loud, so, it might be out of the question for some folks to wear to work.

I could see throwing this on at night, though. Wouldn’t call it sexy, as many women would probably think that it’s too loud. This is one perfume that you’ve got to wear for yourself and not solely to draw complements.

Overall Impressions of Oud Essentiel

Overall, do I like Oud Essentiel? For a oud scent? It’s got one of the best oud notes, I’ve ever come across. It’s not my kind of style, since I’m not a huge fan of wearing oud. But, I still think that it smells good.

For those who love the note, love bold fragrances, and can afford the Guerlain prices; go for it. It’s a great blend and the performance is utterly magnificent.

La Nuit de l’Homme vs. Creed Aventus

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or this fragrance comparison match up, I want to do a head to head, between two of the better men’s colognes out on the market: Creed Aventus vs. La Nuit de L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent. Which of these two scents is the better buy? Which has the better sillage? Longevity? Which smells the best? I have worn both many times and have reviewed each. Now, I will break it down by category, before declaring an ultimate winner.

Tale of the Tape: La Nuit vs Aventus

Creed Aventus

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to try Aventus: Creed Aventus Creed 4 OZ Millesime Spray For Men

My original Review: Creed Aventus

La Nuit

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, vetiver, lavender, cedar

Try it out: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce

Read my review: La Nuit de l’Homme

Opening

La Nuit de L’Homme opens up with its main ingredient of cardamom and the addition of bergamot. Now, the bergamot, adds a light citrus touch to the start. However, the warm cardamom is much more of a force.

It is warm, fresh, with a light spice. After 15-20 minutes, the bergamot, is mostly replaced by lavender.

Aventus starts off quite sharp. Black currant and pineapple, at the top, will have the tendency to be harsh together. Add that mix, to birch wood, and it’s not my favorite. I’m not saying the opening of Aventus is terrible, but I’ve never enjoyed it, even if I do like the fragrance in its totality.

This round is obviously going to the YSL. It is simple, yet very effective.

Edge: La Nuit

Projection

The opening act of La Nuit is fairly moderate, but not weak. It does lighten up much more, as it moves along, but it won’t be mistaken for a sillage monster.

Aventus, isn’t elite with its strength, but it is a strong cologne. Plus, that strength will last for a long time, and doesn’t weaken the same way La Nuit does. Easy win here.

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

La Nuit has always lasted on me for 6-8 hours. I get 8-9 with Aventus. Some wears, they’re about equals, but most of the time Aventus will outlast its competitor.

Update: Newer bottles of Nuit aren’t even hitting that level. So, this is an easy win for the Creed.

Edge: Aventus

Versatility

Aventus is great in every season, except for the height of summer, where it is just so-so. It’s performance in the heat, isn’t spectacular, and I try to avoid wearing it then. La Nuit is better in colder weather through spring, but also not great in summer. Seasonally, they are equal.

Otherwise, they are both very versatile fragrances. They can both work in formal situations, work, date, late nights, whenever. I don’t really see any separation between them in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

When it comes down to it, both of the colognes, are awesome scents to wear. But which one has the upper hand? La Nuit has a great main duo of cardamom and lavender. It is warm, fresh, and smells really damn good.

The next layer of vetiver and cedar, only add to its overall appeal. Very clean, masculine, and receives complements.

Aventus doesn’t start off wonderful, but gets better, and has a whole lot of depth. The sharpness subsides, the woodsy notes led by birch are great and have a smokey touch. Then, there is some vanilla sweetness, with the now weaker fruity top notes.

I have to say, I think that Aventus is the better fragrance overall. The range of smells is more dynamic, the performance is better, and the quality is more consistent from bottle to bottle over the years.

I like the smell of each, for different reasons, and they are neck and neck in that aspect. Every other point, Aventus is equal to or better than, La Nuit.

That being said, if I had to buy one of them, and had enough cash to buy the Creed. I would probably buy La Nuit and some other fragrance(s), for the same amount as one bottle of Aventus.

I like having options and the price difference is pretty substantial here. Keep that in mind as an option, also. Or, you could try a fragrance that attempts to have the same Creed Aventus smell.

Update: La Nuit feels too weak and underperforms these days. As such, I’d probably go with something else. But, Aventus is still better.

Winner: Aventus

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.