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!

Erolfa by Creed

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I have several more cologne reviews on the way within the next week or so. However, before I got to those I wanted to do one on the last Creed fragrance I sampled while visiting their boutique in Las Vegas, named Erolfa.

Yes, it’s an odd name but it’s taken from the letters of the names of the Creed family. I had never encountered this particular Creed scent before trying it out on my vacation, so, I came at it with no real expectations of performance or smell.

Update: I have tried this again, years after the original review, so I’m adding to my thoughts on this scent. This cologne is in the aquatic/marine end of things and as such I was interested in giving it a whirl in the desert heat.

What does Creed Erolfa Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, ambergris, lime, melon, orange, violet, ginger, coriander, pepper, sandalwood, musk, amber, cedar

Click here to try: Erolfa By Creed For Men. Millesime Spray 4.0 Oz.

My Full Review

The opening of Erolfa is mainly a citrus affair. The lime, melon, and bergamot really stand out in the start which reminds me of pieces of other Creed fragrances such as Imperial, Virgin Island Water, and Silver Mountain Water. Now, it isn’t wholly similar to any of them, just vague reminders from these opening notes.

I rather enjoy the opening that is a citrus blended with saltier notes which replicate the air of the sea, sort of like Acqua di Gio Profumo.

I think that Creed has done a really good job at creating a summertime fragrance that is so reminiscent of spending time on the water. It is fresh, bright, with a clean, quasi-soapy aroma to it.

Mostly what I get from this scent, beyond the citrus opening, is a slightly spicy/woody undertone with that prominent saltiness that hangs in the air.

The musk, ambergris, cedar, and sandalwood are the notes which stood out the most to my nose. The citrus stays throughout but it does weaken as time moves on and these other ingredients begin to shine.

 

It is still a rather fruity fragrance, with salt watery elements, and ambergris sitting on top of a woody base.  What I did notice about Erolfa, the second time around, is the secondary notes. 

This time, I made sure to really pay attention to the composition. I definitely got more violet, than previously, and an underlying earthy dryness. Now, neither is all that powerful, but you can zero in on each if you’re focusing.

Nonetheless, Erolfa is going to be more about the citrus, melon, ambergris, woods, and musk. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Erolfa is honestly pretty moderate. It isn’t really a heavy hitter in that regard, decent but nothing to write home about either. The projection will stay within about a 5 foot radius from your skin and move in closer from there. 

Longevity, I don’t know if it was just that one test I did or if it has problems, but I got a little more than 4 hours out of Erolfa. This is disappointing when compared to other Creed scents but then again it might have just been a one time thing.

Update: I’ve tried this again, since the review in 2016, I got around 5-6 hours the second time. Still, not all that great. I think the extra few hours were due to being inside more, during the second wear. 

I’d definitely say that Erolfa is a warm weather or summertime scent. I couldn’t see myself wearing this at any other time of the year. It just captures that kind of atmosphere.

Erolfa seems more of a casual daytime wear more than anything. It smells nice but it isn’t a date night or club wear by any means. Not really a sexy cologne.

You could wear it in a semi-formal situation during the spring/summer months, but it doesn’t come across as being for any specific purpose. 

Overall Impression of Erolfa

Overall, is Erolfa worth a buy? To me, I don’t think so. I like it but I was never blown away by it and I think there are not only better Creed colognes but also better seaside aquatics out there for cheaper.

I enjoy aspects of this fragrance. Coming back to it, I really appreciate the bergamot and melon notes, here. The melon is on the lighter end of things, but it pairs very well with the citrus.

Erolfa is a very pleasant fragrance, but I still can’t say that it reaches another level of greatness. 

Erolfa didn’t really wow me with its performance and while it’s pretty nice, I don’t want to spend that kind of cash for something that isn’t remarkable.

If you need to add to your Creed collection, then, by all means have at it. Anyone else, should probably look elsewhere.

CK Be by Calvin Klein

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Calvin Klein was a major force in the fragrance world during the 1980s and 90s. From Obsession to Eternity to CK One and everything in between, this line of scents were constant best sellers, and still are in many ways.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at another unisex fragrance by Calvin Klein, CK Be. Is this fragrance still one to wear? What are its pros and cons? Is it worth a purchase?  Also see: CK One vs CK Be

What does CK Be Smell Like?

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Notes include: magnolia, peach, lavender, musk, sandalwood, bergamot, mint, vanilla

Click here to try: CK BE by CK Unisex Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz.

My Full Review

The opening of CK Be is quite pleasant and doesn’t overpower you like some fragrances. It is a subtle blend of musk, lavender, peach, and citrus provided by the bergamot.

Again, this is a unisex scent, so don’t expect anything that screams masculine but it isn’t some ‘girly’ perfume either.

Be starts off with a fresh mix of notes like mint, lavender, and juniper. These are paired alongside the lighter fruit notes. Lavender strikes me as being stronger, up top, but there is a nice cleanliness to the supporting ingredients.

At this stage, it does have its soapy-like aroma, but it feels ‘greener’ than it will later on. Bergamot, peach, mint, and juniper bring it about during this time.

CK Be is warm and somewhat spicy and highlighted by that citrus vibe. It’s got a youthful energy that really reminds me of late spring and the early summer months.

It’s got such a clean and almost soapy quality when it settles on the skin and really starts to bring out the floral/woodsy notes that are blended in it. Lavender, musk, magnolia, and sandalwood with a fruity soap finish. It is sweeter and less ‘green fresh’, in the latter part of the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it isn’t a big bold scent but it isn’t completely weak either, at least at first. The longevity isn’t anything to write home about and that’s what sort of ruins this as a scent to me.

In totality, I’d call it a light to moderate projecting fragrance. It was never completely weak, on my skin, but never had that huge sillage.

About 4-5 hours of good use before you should probably reapply. CK Be is usually really inexpensive, so it really isn’t too much of a problem for the price, but it is pretty annoying to not have it be an all day performer.

Seasonally, CK Be is a warm weather fragrance for the spring/summertime. It’s probably best for those in their teens or twenties. Something that anyone could wear to class, a job, or just casually during the daytime.

This isn’t an extremely attractive or sexy scent. Though, it’s a smell that is quite popular, with its delightful aroma. CK Be can be sprayed on by men or women, who want to wear a non-intrusive and clean kind of perfume.

Overall Impression of CK Be

Overall, is this scent worth it? It is if you want something light and fresh at this price point. It is a really good option for either men or women that need something versatile and safe to wear on a day to day basis.

However, the longevity issue can be a problem, and if you aren’t in love with the smell one might as well get CK One instead. I’m not sure if this fragrance has been reformulated or discontinued, because I haven’t really seen it around recently.

CK be is a worthwhile purchase, at the right price, and I’d place that at under $30 or so. It’s going to give you a clean and versatile wear, that won’t offend, and is a pleasant experience all around. Is it amazing? To me, no. I like it, but it’s not something I’m particularly crazy about.

Angel Nova vs Muse Perfume Comparison

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Angel has been a best seller for decades now. Over that time span, Mugler has released a bunch of flankers under that banner. Two of the more recent popular entries, have been Angel Muse and Nova. As such, it will often come down to these two, when women are deciding which Angel perfume to buy. In this post, I will compare and contrast these fragrances, before declaring an ultimate winner between them.

Tale of the Tape: Muse vs. Nova

Angel Nova

Notes include: litchi, raspberry, benzoin, Damask rose, akigala wood

Read my full review: Angel Nova

Angel Muse

Notes include: patchouli, vetiver, hazelnut cream, pink pepper, wood

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Angel Muse Eau de Parfum spray, 1.0 oz

Read my review: Angel Muse EDP

Opening

Angel Nova starts off with a burst of juicy fruit led by the raspberry note. There is also litchi and a slightly tropical aroma, that smells like mango, to my nose. It’s actually a sweet and slightly sour blend, but has a great intensity to it.

Meanwhile, Muse starts off with a sugary sweet blend of patchouli, hazelnut cream, and a bright grapefruit citrus note. It’s warm, a bit earthy, and has the nice creamy sweetness.

Which is better? I do really like Nova. That semi-tropical raspberry bomb, is pretty darn good. However, I prefer Muse. Muse is a bit more traditional, but it really smells wonderful and I preferred it to Nova’s start.

Edge: Muse

Projection

To me, Nova had two phases. First, it’s loud opening act, where the sillage is quite strong. Then, it settles more moderate. Meanwhile, Muse is pretty moderate throughout. Though, probably the upper range of what could be considered moderate.

Nova definitely reaches a higher level of power overall.

Edge: Nova

Longevity

Nova and Muse both have really good performance and will hang on the skin for a long while. With Nova, it was 9 to 11 hours. With Muse, it was 8 to 10 hours.

So, not a huge gap between them, but Nova still has a clear edge here.

Edge: Nova

Versatility

Nova skews toward a younger audience and is best in the spring and summer months. It’s also more casual than Muse.

Muse isn’t a warm weather fragrance and should be worn during autumn and winter. I think that it will appeal to a wider age range and can fit into the nightlife or more formal occasions better than Nova can.

Edge: Muse

Overall Scent

I personally enjoyed Nova during testing. The opening act, where it is a fruity bomb was great. But, not everyone is going to like it. It does have some more depth, a bit of spiciness, and notes like benzoin to add more depth.

Nova is a very nice perfume and will give you great performance.

However, I prefer Angel Muse more so than its newer counterpart. It’s warm, sweet, and dry with a nice vetiver note in the base. It also has a creamy sweet aroma mix of hazelnut and cocoa, which comes together extremely well.

No, it’s not as powerful as Nova, but it’s close enough. Plus, it smells better and can be worn in more scenarios. For most folks out there, Muse will be the one to go with.

Winner: Angel Muse

Tango by Masque Milano

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At the end of last year, I received a whole bunch of sample fragrances, both that I purchased and that were thrown in as bonuses. Now, while I’ve gotten around to doing a review on most of them, I have fallen behind somewhat on getting all of them posted. Let’s rectify that.

Today’s entry is a scent release from 2013 by Masque Milano in Italy, called Tango. How does it smell? What are the ingredients? Is it worth a try? Please continue below, for my full take.

What does Tango by Masque Milano Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, jasmine, Damascena rose, cumin, patchouli, vanilla bean, amber, leather, benzoin, musk

My Full Wear Review

The fragrance from Masque, is pretty much a niche sort of scent, that is never going to be known by a wide audience. Only certain stores will carry it and it’s going to be pricey.

Nonetheless, I wanted to do a review here, even if no one is going to be reading this page; mostly, because I think that this is a really nice cologne.

The opening notes of Tango, mainly consist of the bergamot and black pepper. The citrus note is highly present, but wrapped up in the warm spice of cardamom/amber, and dotted with the black pepper note. It warm and smooth, the bergamot prevents it from becoming too heavy, and overbearing.

After that initial opening, Tango’s floral and earthier notes, really emerge. I get more of the jasmine note, than the rose, with a light touch of patchouli; which doesn’t distract from the overall composition.

As Tango moves along, the amber note really comes to dominate things. The spice is less noticeable and it really just gives off the effect of being warm, with some saltiness from the amber.

Finally, what I am left with is amber, leather, jasmine, vanilla, cardamom, and benzoin. The bezoin in the base note brings to mind Kouros Body by YSL, with a warm spicy profile, instead of being a sweet spicy scent.

Tango is amber soaked leather and jasmine, with cardamom, and a bit of vanilla peaking through with that benzoin note. It’s rich, fairly resinous, and smells quite nice.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Tango is a strong fragrance, at first. Overall, it’s more in the moderate range, but it can pack a punch early on.

The longevity is actually great and this Masque Milano scent, will last on my skin, all work day long. So, you will get the performance to match the price. It can go 10 hours, at times, but it seems closer to nine for the most part.

Tango is deep, ambery, and sexy. As such, I’d only be wearing this when it is cold out, as it won’t react well to the heat. Much more of an evening/romantic sort of wear.

If you go light with it, you could pull it off, in an office environment. However, I’d mostly be wearing this for nights on the town.

Overall Impressions of Tango

Overall, do I like Tango by Masque Milano. Yes, I really do. I don’t think it’s the greatest thing ever, but, I do think that it is a great example of a niche cologne. It is actually pleasant to wear, and not just weird, for the sake of being different.

It’s warm, has a nice spicy profile, with a dark and deep resinous quality. I dig it. If you can find a bottle, I recommend giving it a try at least. The performance matches the quality of the scent and it’s a very good scent, all around.

Elie Saab Le Parfum Review

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I’m getting really close to making it through the write ups, for my latest haul of sample fragrances. One of them, and the subject of today’s review, I’ve been meaning to do a full write up on for a long time. That would be Elie Saab Le Parfum, which was released in 2011. How does this one smell? How long does it last? Is it even worth a try?

What does Elie Saab Le Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, orange blossom, cedar, rose, honey, patchouli

Click here to try: Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3 Ounce

My Full Review

Elie Saab Le Parfum opens up with a sweet floral aroma. Orange blossom is the dominant note, especailly at the start, and is joined by a noticeable honey and patchouli.

The patchouli and rose note, seem to be intertwined in this composition, and form a singular ingredient. So, from the start you get orange blossom, with a light soaking of honey, rose/patchouli.

It feels like a blend of sweet floral, with an underlying freshness. After some time, the jasmine note moves up in the ranks, to join but not overtake the orange blossom. Whatever rose note there is, falls back to being nearly imperceptible.

What I get for most of the wear, is an orange blossom note, with jasmine undertones. Honey, patchouli, and cedar round things out. However, Le Parfum is mostly about those top two floral notes, working in conjunction.

Really late into the wear, there is more of a cedar presence, at the base. Clean woodiness, but nothing that overwhelms the scent overall.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

While this Elie Saab isn’t a complete bomb, with its projecting capabilities, it does indeed have a strong sillage. There’s really no need to go heavy, with this one. The performance is really a positive.

It will also last, around a full work day. Somewhere in the 7-9 hour range, on my skin. Not an elite level of longevity, but good enough for what most folks will need to get out of it.

Climate wise, this one is best for cooler to mild days. I wouldn’t use it on the really warm and humid days, as it wouldn’t hold up to well. Though, when worn in the right climate, it comes across beautifully.

This is a great option for daily wear. This can be worn to the office, school, casually, or to events. While it has a pretty aroma, it’s not a sexy sort of perfume, nor is it really built for the nightlife.

Very balanced all around.

Overall Impressions of Le Parfum

Do I like this fragrance? I do. It comes across strong, in the opening act, but it settles nicely. The opening feels too fresh, underneath that orange blossom and honey mix.

I do like it when, the jasmine comes in fully, and lends stability to the composition. The performance is great and it gives you a nice versatility for daytime wear.

You’re going to have to enjoy orange blossom and jasmine, to really like this fragrance. Those two notes, along with honey, are mostly what this is all about. A fresh white floral perfume, with a bold presentation, and sweet underpinnings.

Le Parfum is an easy fragrance to add to the rotation or rely on as a daily wear. There’s no particular weakness with this one. Everything about it is well above average, but just missing a higher level of greatness. Still, one that’s worth picking up.