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!

Sun Song by Louis Vuitton

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Sun Song was one of the Les Parfums Louis Vuitton releases, with bottles designed by Alex Israel, that they brought out back in 2019. I’m still working my way through reviews of the Louis Vuitton decants that I have and figured I’d finish out this series. What does Sun Song Smell Like? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Sun Song Smell Like?

Notes include: orange blossom, lemon, bergamot, neroli, jasmine, musk

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Louis Vuitton describes this fragrance: An ode to the orange blossom to brighten summer. The euphoria of those first beautiful days. Feeling the warmth of sunlight on the skin.

I really don’t like the opening act of Sun Song. The citrus is too sharp and the orange blossom (which I generally like) feels overwhelming. I imagine that plenty of folks will be turned off by that start, but it does get better.

Once it does settle down, this fragrance does greatly resemble Sole di Positano by Tom Ford. The citrus notes there are way better. The main differences are that the Tom Ford has some herbal spiciness early on and Sun Song gets somewhat musky.

As soon as I get past that harsh opening, I do begin to enjoy Sun Song much more. The floral notes start to balance out, while still being led by the orange blossom. Neroli is very present and there’s also a touch of jasmine.

The citrus falls into the background and the musk in the base rises, but never overtakes the strength of either orange blossom or neroli.

At this point, you’re getting exactly what you get for the rest of the wear. A smooth floral with citrus and musky highlights. Not too complicated, but very attractive.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sun Song is pretty strong on my skin. Especially, in the early stages of the wear. Overall, it’s a moderately projecting perfume, probably towards the upper end of that range. Quite a bit like its comp, Sole di Positano.

On skin, this Louis Vuitton will go for 7-8 hours. The last 90 minutes or so, stayed really close to the skin. I’ve also sprayed it on a t-shirt and it just goes and goes. Nice performance for this style of perfume.

Seasonally, Sun Song is made for the spring and summer months. Once it settles, it is a pretty fragrance and fairly delightful to catch whiffs of throughout the day.

Sun Song is a unisex fragrance. I will say the opening, is closer to a traditional ladies’ perfume, but it comes back more toward the center of things. As a man, you’re just going to have to enjoy wearing citrus/floral scents.

Within the context of spring and summer, this is a fragrance that can pretty much be worn anywhere. It’s classy enough for more formal occasions, while not being too stuffy to wear casually.

Overall Impressions of Sun Song

Do I like this fragrance? I do like it, except for the start. Once it dries down, the citrus notes lighten up and the orange blossom, neroli, and jasmine blend for a nice balanced aroma.

Also, the performance is solid and it isn’t going to just drop off after a few hours of wear.

But, the price point is the major hold up. Sole di Positano is the better fragrance. It smells better overall and is available at a better price.

This isn’t a bad fragrance from Louis Vuitton, but I think that the others in this series like, Cactus Garden or Afternoon Swim are more interesting and better.

9 Best Smelling Lavender Scented Colognes for Men

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Lavender is one of the most heavily used notes in men’s colognes, women’s perfumes, household air fresheners, and more. It has a familiar scent, plus a smooth and calming influence. In short, it’s a staple note, with a versatile use within the world of fragrance. So, when looking for a lavender based cologne, we have plenty of options.

With that in mind, which are the best lavender scented fragrances for guys? In this post, I am going to present 9 options, where lavender is the main attraction. Some on the list, will be more of a pure use of the note, while others it will be the main player within a total composition.

What are the Top Smelling Lavender Fragrances for Men?

Spice, Amber, and Lavender

Jo Malone Amber And Lavender Cologne Spray, 3.4 Ounce– As the name suggests, this Jo Malone fragrance, is a blend of amber and lavender notes. However, it also has a blend of herbal spices, which gives this scent a fuller body and greater depth.

Amber and Lavender is highly clean and fresh with a sharp and beautiful opening sequence. The title notes are obviously the stars here, and it is indeed, more of the lavender.

However, you also get a very solid mint note and clove, with an earthy patchouli. A very interesting use of this note, in conjunction with others.

Luna Rossa Lavender

Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce– Luna Rossa Carbon isn’t solely a lavender fragrance, but it does feature a pretty heavy lavender note throughout the wear.

From the start, one gets a mix of citrus and lavender, that is bright and intense with a peppery kick. This is one of the best options on the list, for a mainstream popular scent, that uses our target note.

This is all surrounded by the grip of a warm amber note, with a metallic underpinning. This often gets compared to Dior’s Sauvage, which it is indeed close to, but with a toned down ambroxan note and beefed up lavender. Luna Rossa Carbon Full Review

Dry and Cool

Geo F. Trumper Lavender Water Cologne, 100ml– Talk about an old school fragrance, Lavender Water dates back to 1898, and is still in production due to its simple use of lavender in its formula.

It is an interesting blend of lavender and the cool spice of mint. Also, it has a very dry character with the blending of lavender and oak moss. Smooth, masculine, and outdoorsy. This has more mint than the Jo Malone entry above, but not the same level of spiciness.

Violet Led, But Lavender Supported

Hugo Boss BOTTLED NIGHT Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz– Boss Bottled Night is a popular men’s floral cologne with notes of lavender and violet. For something with the name ‘Night’, it isn’t a very dark fragrance, more light and smooth.

This Hugo Boss scent features a woody heart to complement that lavender led aroma. This one differs, as the lavender definitely shares power with the violet, and for much of the opening act is outshined by it. Nonetheless, I want to present it as an option. My Full Boss Bottled Night Review

Harder to Find, Old School Blend

CARON PARIS Pour Un Homme De Caron Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.5 fl. oz.– Another scent that dates way back, but at least in the 20th century this time. Caron Pour Homme is a linear and rather simple fragrance with vanilla and musk accompanying the lavender.

It has a creamy powdered aroma with that usual slightly spicy musk note that pairs very well with the vanilla. Smooth and soft.

Classic Modernity from Chanel

Platinum Egoiste by Chanel, 1.7 oz 50 ml EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY MEN NEW– Fresh citrus, spices, and lavender combine to create an amazing scent from Chanel that conjures up classic shaving cream aromas. Platinum Egoiste is a much more modern take on the barbershop scent, while retaining its masculine bonafides.

Super clean and sexy with supplemental floral notes and sandalwood pairing with the lavender. A great, adult scent, which has an air of refinement. Very dry during the later stages, but soapy elements, and a great herbal spice from sage and rosemary.

Lavender and Sandalwood 

Calvin Klein ETERNITY for Men Eau de Toilette, 1 fl. oz.– The ever popular men’s fragrance from the early 1990s, Eternity, features a soapy sort of lavender, with bright citrus notes and some fresh green spiciness.

The sandalwood note gives Eternity a solid woody heart with some additional herbal scents to flesh out the composition. This Calvin Klein cologne, is pretty much a classic, at this point.

The lavender eventually breaks out to essentially be the last standing note, but on top of a base of sandalwood. Citrus and herbal notes give it the finish of spice and fruit. Full Eternity Review

Lavender Clean with Some Spice

RIVE GAUCHE for Men By YVES SAINT LAURENT, Eau De Toilette Spray, 4.2 Ounces– Spicy with a soapy and clean presentation. This has similarities to Egoiste Platinum, but with a much different structuring of the ingredients.

Rive Gauche is a class YSL scent, that is highly masculine, balanced, and versatile. It’s creamy aroma is perfect dressed up or even in more casual situations. Yes, it’s even got that attractive vibe, to draw in the ladies.

Sweet Creamy Lavender

Prada Luna Rossa SPORT Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 oz– Lavender with sweet vanilla and a creamy tonka bean note. Highly fresh with a ginger spice lurking around. Luna Rossa Sport is probably my favorite cologne from the Luna Rossa lineup.

I get good performance and something that is versatile enough to be worn in nearly any situation. The lavender is less pronounced than in Luna Rossa Carbon, so, I’d lean toward that one to get my lavender fix. This is a great wear, however. Luna Rossa Sport Review

Santal Royal by Guerlain

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When getting myself some new samples to go through, I saw some from Guerlain, and decided that I should pick up these fragrances that I hadn’t experienced before. One of these colognes, is Santal Royal. Obviously, it is going to be much more of a niche, sandalwood based scent. Is it worth a try?

What does Santal Royal Smell Like?

Notes include: sandalwood, oud, leather, rose, amber, cinnamon, musk

Click here to try: Guerlain ‘Santal Royal’ Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2oz/125ml

My Review

The opening of Santal Royal is much more about the oud and leather than the sandalwood with a touch of cinnamon spice. While it’s there, the sandalwood isn’t the main attraction, and much more of a supporting player…at least at the beginning.

The Guerlain fragrance has a warm air and a rose note that is joined by a sweet fruit note. It’s almost a fermented sort of fruit smell. Santal Royal is very rich and thick at times, which I guess adds to it’s ‘royal demeanor’.

As it dries down, Santal Royal becomes drier and woodier than it had been previously. The leather and sandalwood emerge much more and form a triumvirate with the oud note. I’m glad because oud and rose can be a bit too much for my nose, so, I’m glad that this one balanced things out.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Santal Royal is strong. This is a sillage beast and it really doesn’t require many sprays to be effective and I think too many would be a hindrance to enjoying this fragrance.

Longevity, is absolutely great also, it doesn’t crap out at any time during the wear and will last all day long. I’ve gotten at least 9 hours of wear with this one, each try during testing.

I would put this as an autumn/winter cologne. It is not at all a summertime scent and I can’t imagine wearing this in the heat. It is unisex to an extent, though, much more suited to the masculine end of things.

Santal Royal could be worn dressed up or for an evening on the town. It is mature but not old man smelling. One could wear it to the office, if you went light with the sprays.

Overall Impressions of Santal Royal

Overall, do I recommend Santal Royal by Guerlain? Yes, provided you fall into this niche of oud/sandalwood lovers. This isn’t something that everyone could wear or even enjoy, it’s much more unique (but very much like others in this niche) and complex, than an average best selling cologne.

You get a lot of oud, sandalwood, leather, and rose with some other notes giving their best support. For some, that’ll sound appealing. For others, not so much.

12 Best Smelling Summer Colognes 2021

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Summer is very nearly upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere. That means it’s time to break out all of those fragrances that shine, when the heat index goes higher. By this time, I’m usually tired of the heavy winter wears and want something more dynamic. There are plenty of great options, but I decided on 12 colognes that each offer different things to enjoy in the warmer months.

What are the best summer fragrances for men?

The All Around for Hot Weather

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue– I do enjoy AdG Profumo even more than Profondo, but this is the one that I’ll go with more on the hottest days of the year. Both can work, but this is great in the hotter climate.

The opening feels like its a blue-ish green sort of smell. Citrus from the bergamot and lighter mandarin, a deep marine aroma, the usual herbal AdG notes, and a resinous note of lentisk. Very smooth, not salty, and has a slight creaminess at times.

Profondo is an easy reach, gives a good performance, and can be worn in a wide variety of situations during the summer. Definitely a safe bet and one with mass appeal. AdG Profondo Review

Citrus and Fig

Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Fico Di Amalfi Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 5 Ounce– Acqua di Parma has a whole host of fragrances which are great in the summertime. Fico di Amalfi, is my personal favorite, though.

This Blue Mediterraneo scent opens with grapefruit and bergamot. Then, the totally underrated fig note comes in, and the aroma has a sweet and attractive profile.

The grapefruit and lemon are strongest at the top, but it leans more grapefruit, than the other perfumes on this list. Once the citrus settles down, it plays very well off of the fig, and light cedar base.

I don’t always like fig in fragrances, but this has to be one of the best examples of how to do it right. Fico di Amalfi is a very unisex and a magnificent summer perfume.

Something Different from the Jardin 

Hermes Le Jardin De Monsieur Li Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fluid Ounce– One could also go with another Hermes fragrance, Un Jardin en Mediterranee, but that is pretty close to Fico di Amalfi with how it smells.

Le Jardin de Monsieur Li is an underrated addition to this line of fragrances. Unique, light, and deceptively simple…but very good. It opens with a sweet and bright kumquat note, with a watery heart that feels like sitting next to a garden pond.

There is a light and fresh mint adding its cool spice throughout, but this one becomes greener and more of an herbal scent as it dries down. Not crazy good performance, I can squeeze 6 hours of wear, with this.

However, it does give you something different than the usual aquatics and other beachy fare. One of the best of Hermes. My Full Review

Refreshing Louis Vuitton Cologne

Afternoon Swim– This fragrance is summertime the whole way. Not super complex, but attractive and has a very refreshing energy. Afternoon Swim is a citrus-laden cologne, so, if that’s not your thing it won’t be for you.

Does remind me a lot of Dior Homme Cologne (or an Acqua di Parma scent, like Bergamotto di Calabria, only with a dominant orange note), with some exceptions. First, Dior Cologne has more of an iced lemonade profile. Second, this has somewhat of an aquatic vibe.

There is a saltiness here (ambergris), that is very slight, but it does catch my attention. The ginger note is also quite awesome. Performance is pretty good for this style of fragrance, just don’t expect a marathon. Afternoon Swim Full Review

The Chanel for This Season

Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche– I really overlooked this Chanel fragrance for too long. That was my bad, because it’s actually great. You could also go with one of the Allure Sport scents (or Bleu), but this is my go to for this year.

A delicious blend of lemon, bergamot, tonka bean, and vanilla (among other notes). Allure Edition Blanche gives you a delightful lemon note with a creamy finish. But, it isn’t the usual heavy gourmand of winter, and this can be an absolute gem in the summer months.

I’ll post my review of this one soon, but I want to spend some more time with it beforehand.

Another Easy to Wear Option

Legend Spirit- This isn’t my personal favorite, but I did like this release from Montblanc. Plus, it’s another good option for guys who want something that smells good, and isn’t too niche.

It opens up with a nice grapefruit note, cardamom, and an aquatic accord. Watery and fresh with a bright opening act, while sitting on a dry woody/musky base.

Spirit is the usual citrus aquatic with a bit of its own personality thrown in. Mainly, coming from the pink pepper and woody notes. The performance isn’t great, but it can be a worthwhile go for the right price. Legend Spirit Full Review

A Unisex Beachy Floral

Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Yes, this one does lean a bit more toward being a traditional feminine, but it can absolutely work for anybody. The original Soleil Blanc is great, but this lighter version, is one that I’ve been digging as of late.

The citrus here is amped up, but you still get that creamy floral sunscreen feel, and the excellent coconut note sitting underneath it all. This one does come across as floral as the original, which is why it is probably the better choice for men.

Warm, sweet, with a semi-tropical feeling coming through. Won’t be on everyone’s list, but an interesting one to check out from Tom Ford.

Light Blue Flanker

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Sun Edt Spray 4.2 Oz Men, 4.2 Oz– Alright, I’m going to put Light Blue Sun as my pick for this summer. I have yet to try Light Blue Forever, but I’ve read positive things about it…I’ll update, when I get a chance to give it a go. It could be a great option.

Sun is a great balance between the original Light Blue and Eau Intense. I do enjoy the Intense version, as well, but some folks don’t like it. This is a compromise, but a really good one.

Grapefruit, coconut, and ginger along with that famous Light Blue DNA? Yep and I’m going to get plenty of use from my bottle this summer. Light Blue Sun Review

Oceanic Aqva

BVLGARI Aqva Atlantiqve Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3 Ounce– Aqva Atlantiqve is probably the best of this line from Bvlgari, some of the others aren’t that great, but this is very good. This comes across sort of like an oceanic version of Versace’s Dylan Blue.

The two are most alike at the start, when the citrus is strongest. The sea notes are there, but it isn’t overly salty, and there is of course the ambergris. Atlantiqve does a great job at evoking the depths of the ocean, while still bringing the pleasant citrus notes.

Cold Citrus and Ginger

Y Eau Fraiche– Y Eau Fraiche opens up crisp and cool, with plenty of that familiar Y aroma. Ginger, mint, and lemon really start the show. It’s cold like a drink by the pool, on a summer’s day.

The ginger and mint move aside, and then, the geranium and cedar finish things off. It’s got a finish that is closer to Y EDT and a similar style to the aforementioned Afternoon Swim.

If you’re a fan of the Y series by YSL, this is you’re option for summer. If you’re not, then, I’d stay away from this. Y Eau Fraiche Review

My Prada Pick

Prada Luna Rossa Eau Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 2.5 Ounce– I had already loved wearing the Luna Rossa fragrances, before I tried this one. However, this quickly became one of my favorites and the one I’ll wear for summer 2021.

To me, Luna Rossa Eau Sport is a lot like the former formulation of Dior Sport. Just instead of iris, you get a lavender note. Lavender with fresh citrus, that is super clean, and not too complicated.

Very refined and super easy to wear for casual to more formal occasions. Love this stuff. Luna Rossa Eau Sport Review

Into the Deep Blue

Polo Deep Blue Parfum by Ralph Lauren Parfum 1.36 oz Men– Deep Blue was released by Polo in 2020. I honestly, didn’t expect very much from it, since it’s like the 5th flanker in this series. Nonetheless, Deep Blue surprised me and it is probably my favorite out of all of them.

It features a mango note and a deep ocean accord, along with some other citrus up top. Actually, it feels somewhat related to AdG Profondo, yet remains distinctly a Polo Blue scent.

The next wave brings in the sage, cypress, and ambroxan. It’s got a dry spiciness wrapped up in that ambroxan finish. The performance here is solid in the 7-9 hour range, on my skin. It’s a versatile crowd pleaser, with an aquatic heart, that smells great in the heat. Polo Deep Blue Review

Fleurs D’Oranger by Serge Lutens

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I do have some samples of Serge Lutens fragrances lying around that I need to do write ups on. One of them, is today’s entry: Fluers d’Oranger. This is a floral fragrance highlighted by the use of orange blossom. How does it smell? Does it last a long time? Is it worth a purchase? Please continue below for my full take after testing it out.

What does Fleurs D’Oranger Smell Like?

Notes include: orange blossom, musk, jasmine, cumin, tuberose, hibiscus, rose, and more

Click here to try: Serge Lutens Fleurs D’oranger Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce

orange blossom perfume

My Full Review

Fleurs D’oranger is listed as a unisex fragrance but this one definitely strikes me as feminine. It opens with orange blossom, a spicy musk, and jasmine as the main notes that I detect. Very floral, like white flowers and cut stems, on a sunny spring day.

This perfume is quite bright and has an expensive soapy quality to it. I think there might be citrus fruit itself here (not just flowers), but it is never a ‘juicy’ aroma, Fleurs D’oranger is dry and has an outdoor garden vibe from this bouquet of floral notes.

As it dries down, I distinctly begin to pick up on the tuberose note, and it retains it’s animal like spice an warmth. Further along, the orange blossom seems to take center stage and never really relinquishes its hold on the composition.

I think that the cumin and musk combo give it a middle eastern sort of spice and that is what complements the orange blossom for the rest of the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s strong but not obscenely so. In fact, it dials back into more of a moderate, after a little while wearing it. After about 40-60 minutes, it has settled into a fairly moderate scent.

It does however, have very good longevity, 8-9 hours is what it usually lasted on my skin while testing the perfume out. It’s a solid performer, just not absolutely elite.

Again, I’d call this more of a women’s perfume than unisex, but if you’re a man who likes white florals…you could wear this one. Fleurs d’Oranger is a spring/summer kind of wear. I like it as a casual to business wear fragrance.

It is pretty and well put together but not sexy to my nose. It feels adult oriented and not something that would suit most teenage girls. This Serge Lutens scent is mature but not ‘old lady’.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Fleurs d’Oranger

Overall, do I like Fleurs d’Oranger? I like it, just not for me. It’s way too feminine and floral for my tastes. However, for those in the market for an orange blossom perfume, this one from Serge Lutens is near perfect.

For a more masculine orange blossom, I’d wear L’Homme Parfum Intense by YSL, which gives me amber and citrus notes to pair with the floral. Fleurs d’Oranger does deliver on it’s floral promise and as a bouquet type of perfume it executes very well.