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!

L’Homme Ideal EDP vs L’Intense by Guerlain

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Continuing with some comparison posts here today, I thought that I’d do another one with two fragrances from the L’Homme Ideal line by Guerlain. One of which, L’Intense I tried for the first time over a month ago, when I blind bought a bottle that was on sale.

EDP, is one that I’m coming back to testing, after some time off. Which of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

L’Homme Ideal EDP wins on opening, longevity, and overall scent, while L’Homme Ideal L’Intense wins on versatility. Projection is basically a tie.

Buy Ideal EDP if you want the smoother cherry-almond-vanilla fragrance with better staying power and the stronger overall scent.

Buy L’Intense if you prefer more spice, smoke, leather, and a slightly more mature profile.

Category L’Homme Ideal EDP L’Homme Ideal L’Intense Winner
Opening Natural cherry, almond, slight spice, leather, vanilla, and smooth warmth Warm fresh leather, almond, cardamom, chili pepper, smoke, and toned-down sweetness EDP
Projection Moderate; above average early, then weaker later Moderate; can hit a slightly higher high but falls off quicker Push
Longevity Around 8–9.5 hours Usually around 7 hours, up to 8 EDP
Versatility Autumn/winter, nightlife, daytime, and office safe; sweeter profile Autumn/winter, nightlife, daytime, and office safe; more depth and maturity L’Intense
Overall Scent Smooth cherry, leather, almond, vanilla warmth, and refined sweetness Spicier, smokier almond-leather profile with chili, cardamom, and a solid dry down EDP
Best For Those who want the smoother, better-smelling, longer-lasting option Those who want the spicier, smokier, slightly more mature version —

Tale of the Tape: L’Homme Ideal L’Intense vs. EDP

Ideal EDP

Notes include: cherry, almond, lavender, vanilla, incense, rose, rosemary, leather, tonka bean, and more

Click here to try: L’Homme Ideal EDP at Selfridges (ships from UK)

L’Homme Ideal L’Intense

Notes include: tonka bean, chili pepper, almond, cardamom, vanilla, leather, and more

Click here to try: L’homme Ideal L’intense By Guerlain FOR MEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray, black

Read my full review: L’Intense

Opening

Ideal EDP opens with its natural cherry and almond blend. The opening features a slight spiciness, but it is overall a very smooth and refined opening act. Leather, vanilla, and other warmer hints are coming through from the base.

L’Intense is actually very similar to how Ideal EDP opens, but with some variation. L’Intense has a warm and fresh profile, with leather letting itself be known from the start.

With that, you get spice from both cardamom and chili pepper, which is the main distinction from EDP. Though, there is also a sweetness here like its competitor, from the cardamom note and what I think is the unlisted cherry note (just toned way down).

Also, just a general smokiness, like incense from hints of sandalwood and almond.

Which is better? Obviously, it’s a pretty close call since there is so much overlap between them. But, I think that I prefer EDP’s smoothness more so than the spicy and smoky L’Intense.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Both of these fragrances are moderate with their sillage. I’d say each is above average early on, but then devolve into more of skin scents after a few hours.

I think that L’Intense actually might fall off a bit quicker, but hits a higher high in terms of how far its projects. There’s no real distinction in this category, in my experience.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Ideal L’Intense can go for up to 8 hours, on my skin. However, it’s usually around 7 and for the back half its at that weaker sillage level.

It’s got some pretty good performance, but nothing spectacular. Right about what you’d expect from this type of cologne. 

Ideal EDP is a longer lasting fragrance, with an 8-9.5 hour range of performance. It too, is a weaker skin scent for a good portion of the wear.

Nonetheless, it has the better longevity of the two. Not a massive gap, but noticeable.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are built for the autumn and winter months. I think that they both have a good deal of versatility, as to what occasions that can be worn. Both are better for the nightlife, but are light enough to not be problems in the daytime, and are relatively office safe.

I do think that L’Intense has a bit more depth, refinement, and maturity than the sweeter EDP. L’Intense can be more appropriate for a man in his 30s, when he doesn’t want to go with a cherry/vanilla/almond focused EDP.

Not a huge distinction, but L’Intense takes this category.

Edge: L’Intense

 

Overall Scent

Overall, I really like both of these fragrances, but I don’t love either. I know the Ideal line has its fans that adore these scents, but for me they’re more of an occasional delight.

With L’Intense, I really wasn’t impressed with it the first few times I wore it. But, I’ve come to appreciate it more so. Early wears were particularly smoky, though, it now smells cleaner to my nose. 

My favorite part is actually the opening, with the chili and almond notes. That’s the high point and even then, I don’t enjoy it as much as EDP.

I think L’Intense is a solid cologne to have around, has strong points, and is easier to acquire here in the US (than EDP).  The dry down is fine, pretty standard, but isn’t as enjoyable to me as the first hour.

I’ve been wearing this Guerlain, but it isn’t something I need to have a bottle of.

With EDP, it’s just a better scent. I think it might be my second favorite now behind the discontinued Cologne, in the Ideal lineup. I’ve begun to appreciate it more than Extreme, which I’m wavering on, with my opinion of it.

I love the cherry, the leather smoothness, and the warm sweetness that the fragrance has…without venturing into ‘candy aroma’ territory. To me, Ideal EDP isn’t way better than L’Intense, but it does feel like its a cut above.

Winner: Ideal EDP

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose L’Homme Ideal EDP if:

You want the better overall scent
You prefer cherry, almond, vanilla, leather, tonka bean, and smooth sweetness
You want better longevity, around 8–9.5 hours
You like warm sweet fragrances that do not become too candy-like
You want the smoother and more refined opening between the two

Choose L’Homme Ideal L’Intense if:

You want something spicier and smokier
You prefer chili pepper, cardamom, almond, leather, tonka bean, and vanilla
You want a slightly more mature profile than the sweeter EDP
You like autumn/winter fragrances that can still work for daytime or office use
You want the version with more depth and a less cherry-focused style

Guerlain Ideal FAQ

Is L’Homme Ideal EDP worth buying over L’Intense?

Yes, I think that it is a better fragrance. I do own L’Intense, because I got a bottle for so cheap, and at the time you had to order Ideal EDP from other countries. But, the added cherry and the blend of Ideal EDP is really great, even if I like L’Intense also.

Which one has better performance overall?

Ideal eau de parfum has a slightly better performance. Again, it lasts a bit longer than does L’Intense. Though, how each projects is roughly the same. Not a huge difference in terms of performance.

Is L’Homme Ideal L’Intense smokier than EDP?

Yes, the leather and smokiness is one of the distinct aspects of L’Intense. Particularly, the leather, but it is also a smokier blend when compared with EDP.

 

 

Burberry Her EDT vs EDP

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Her is a very popular series from Burberry nowadays. It has spawned more than a handful of flankers up to this point in time. I’ve been familiar with the eau de parfum for quite a while, but wanted to compare it to Her Eau de Toilette, which I’d only encountered once. So, this is my page for that.

How does each of them smell? How long do they last? Which is the better perfume pick?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Burberry Her EDT wins on opening and overall scent, while Burberry Her EDP wins on projection and longevity. Versatility is basically a push because the EDP works better outside of summer, while the EDT specializes more in spring and summer.

Buy Her EDT if you want the fresher, more interesting pear, black currant, strawberry, and floral version with very little performance drop-off.

Buy Her EDP if you want the stronger, longer-lasting berry-heavy scent.

Category Burberry Her EDP Burberry Her EDT Winner
Opening Strong citrus and berry opening with strawberry, raspberry, brightness, and some jasmine Pear-led opening with strawberry, black currant, pink pepper, lily of the valley, and peony Her EDT
Projection Pretty strong at first, then moderates after the first hour or so Starts fairly strong and comes close to EDP, but not quite as high at the peak Her EDP
Longevity Usually 7–8 hours, sometimes slightly above 8 About 7 hours Her EDP
Versatility Best outside of summer; pleasant daytime wear that skews younger Spring and summer vibe; light, fresh, pleasant daytime wear Push
Overall Scent Sweet-tart berry fruitiness with strawberry, citrus, raspberry, and a less original back half Fresher pear, black currant, strawberry, and floral profile with the better opening and dry down Her EDT
Best For Those who want stronger berry projection and slightly longer wear Those who want the fresher, more interesting version with near-EDP performance —

Tale of the Tape: Burberry Her EDP vs EDT

Burberry Her

Notes include: strawberry, citrus, raspberry, cherry, blueberry, wood, musk, amber, jasmine

Click here to try: Burberry Her Eau De Parfum Spray

Read my review: Burberry Her EDP

Burberry Her EDT

Notes include: pear, strawberry, black currant, pink pepper, peony, rose, honeysuckle, musk, cedar, lily of the valley

Click here to try: Her EDT at Sephora

Opening

Burberry Her EDP starts off with a strong use of its citrus and berry notes. The fruitiness is powerful in the early stages. Strawberry is the strongest note of the lot, with some additional raspberry and brightness of the citrus notes.

It can be sharp and sour versus being sugary sweet or anything. The floral notes aren’t all that strong, but there is a decent amount of jasmine at times.

EDT also has that strawberry note. However, it starts off with the pear note being the lead. Under that, I get more of the black currant than I do the strawberry. It’s fresh and kind of watery, with a touch of pink pepper breaking up the sweetness.

But, what I do notice between these two options, is that Her EDT uses its floral notes a bit more in the early stages. Lily of the valley is the main focus, though, I get some peony also.

Which is better?

I don’t have a huge preference for one versus the other at this early stage. But, I do lean more towards the EDT version. The pear, freshness, greenish qualities are a bit more interesting than what I get from EDP.

Edge: Her EDT

Projection

Her EDP kicks off things with a pretty strong ability to project and leave a scent trail in one’s wake. It will moderate in the back half of the first hour or so.

Still, it doesn’t feel weak ever, until we get to the absolute depths of the wear.

EDT actually comes close to matching what EDP does. It starts fairly strong as well. Maybe not as high of a peak, but it’s not completely weak either. It then follows the same sort of trajectory on the way down.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Her EDP will generally hit the 7-8 hour range on my skin. Maybe it can go a little bit above 8 hours, at times, but not much. It’s actually been fairly steady for me over all of the testing of this perfume that I’ve done.

With EDT, it is once again, almost as good as the eau de Parfum. Yet, it still falls short. On my skin, I got about 7 hours out of this one.

So, maybe 60-90 more minutes of wear with Her EDP. Not a massive difference, but a win.

Edge: Her EDP

Versatility

Her EDP is one that I like in every season except for the summertime. I don’t think it holds up all that well in the heat and humidity. Meanwhile, EDT specializes in the warmer months of the year. It very much has a spring and summer vibe to it. Light and fresh.

Neither of these are formal wear perfumes, nor are they completely mature. More pleasant daytime wears, that skew a bit younger without being childish.

I don’t know if there’s an advantage here.

Edge: Push

her edp vs edt

Overall Scent

So, overall, which Burberry Her do I like more? EDP or EDT?

They’re not too far off from one another. Each fragrance has some things that I enjoy about them.

With Burberry Her EDP, I do like that opening fruitiness, as it does offer something somewhat different from Cloud and BR 540 which it often gets compared to. Not totally different, but sweeter and more tart, in that opening act.

The back half is fine. Nothing too original there.

I do think that I slightly prefer Her EDT to the eau de parfum version. Actually, I think Intense is better than either of these, but my pick is EDT out of these two. There are some other perfumes similar to Burberry Her.

With EDT, you don’t get much decline in the performance versus EDP. Also, I think the opening and back half of the perfume smells better. The opening of Her EDP was my favorite part of that scent, but EDT outshines it there too.

Winner: EDT

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Burberry Her EDP if:

You want the stronger performer between the two
You prefer strawberry, raspberry, citrus, cherry, blueberry, musk, amber, and jasmine
You like sweet-tart berry fragrances with a more powerful opening
You want slightly better longevity than the EDT
You do not mind that the back half is less original than the opening

Choose Burberry Her EDT if:

You want the better overall scent between the two
You prefer pear, strawberry, black currant, pink pepper, peony, rose, honeysuckle, musk, cedar, and lily of the valley
You want something fresher, lighter, and more spring/summer friendly
You like a more floral, greenish, watery take on the Her DNA
You want performance that comes close to the EDP without losing much wear time

Burberry Her FAQ

Which is better: Burberry Her EDT or EDP?

Again, I prefer the EDT version of this fragrance, even with the weaker performance. I like the pear not, the blackcurrant, and just find it to be a more interesting scent.

Which Burberry Her is best for summer?

Between these two editions it’s the EDT. Other options from the series are: Her Petals and Her London Dream. The latter two may be difficult to find nowadays. Those are the best bets for a warmer weather fragrance, though.

Which Burberry Her perfume should I buy first?

I’d probably try out Her EDT first, if it sounds interesting to you. Her EDP is nice enough, just never wows me. Maybe check out Elixir, as that is a popular option too. 

 

 

YSL Libre Intense vs. Le Parfum

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Libre has been such a hit for YSL, the flankers will keep right on coming. Intense was an improvement to me, versus the original. Now, I want to compare it to the more recent 2022 release, Libre Le Parfum. Which of these Libre’s will take the crown? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Libre Le Parfum wins on opening, longevity, and overall scent, while Libre Intense wins on projection and slightly better versatility.

Buy Le Parfum if you want the richer, smoother, honeyed vanilla version with the better dry down and stronger full-wear experience.

Buy Libre Intense if you prefer a brighter orange blossom opening with stronger projection and a slightly easier everyday wear profile, but overall Le Parfum is the better fragrance. You might also want to try a cheaper alternative: Intensely Liberated by Dua

Category Libre Intense Libre Le Parfum Winner
Opening Orange blossom, lavender, vanilla, amber, and brighter floral sweetness Honey, saffron, ginger, vanilla, orange blossom, and richer warm sweetness Le Parfum
Projection Stronger projection and a louder first few hours Strong, but smoother and less sharp off the skin Libre Intense
Longevity Around 7–8 hours Usually 8–9+ hours with a stronger dry down Le Parfum
Versatility Slightly easier for daytime and cooler-weather daily wear Best for evenings, cooler weather, and dressed-up wear Libre Intense
Overall Scent Beautiful floral-vanilla scent with stronger brightness and projection Richer, deeper, smoother honeyed vanilla with the better full wear Le Parfum
Best For Those who want stronger projection and easier daily wear Those who want the richer, smoother, better overall Libre —

Tale of the Tape Libre Intense vs. Le Parfum

Libre Intense

Notes include: lavender, orange blossom, orchid, vanilla

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent for Women Libre 1.6 oz Eau de Parfum Intense Spray

Libre Le Parfum

Notes include: ginger, saffron, mandarin orange, bergamot, orange blossom, lavender, vanilla, honey, tonka bean, vetiver

Click here to try: Libre Le Parfum

Opening

Libre Intense starts fairly sweet for me, but still not super sugary or anything. Less lavender/musk soapiness than the original, a lot more orchid, and the orange blossom is about the same. Vanilla is a bigger player for the entire duration of the wear.

Le Parfum goes more in a citrusy direction, but not completely so. The orange blossom, honey, spice, and vanilla are all very present early. Parfum is warm and cozy.

Way less lavender here (at least early, later it shows up quite a bit on my skin) than either the original or Intense, for that matter. It also feels much thicker and syrupy like than the others in the series.

Which do I like better?

There’s obviously plenty of overlap between them. However, I like the direction that Le Parfum takes it. Sweet, citrus, warm, with enough spice from ginger/saffron to not be boring. It’s familiar yet unique.

Edge: Le Parfum

Projection

Intense is a powerful perfume. I don’t think it’s elite in this regard, but it is certainly well above average with its reach, and has some heavy qualities to it.

Le Parfum feels thicker, but I don’t think that it leaves the same sort of scent trail in its wake as does Intense. It is also a strong perfume, but it seems to be a slightly less powerful one than its competitor.

Not too much of a difference, just what I noticed.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

Libre Intense is fantastic with its longevity. For me, it’ll easily hit 12 hours worth of wear. Maybe a little bit beyond that, also. It’s no slouch.

With Le Parfum, I got close to the same. Maybe a tad less than 12 hours. It seems to hit 10-11 hours for me. Not at all bad, just a step behind what I get with Intense. Now, that may not be the case for everyone, but I have to give Intense the edge.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

I don’t see much difference here in this category. They are both autumn and winter wears that will break down in the heat. Both are powerful, both lean more towards nighttime wear.

The similarities here, don’t give it much space to pick a winner. Maybe, I’d say that the sweeter qualities may make Le Parfum the more attractive/sexier fragrance of the two, and that could be enough to push it over the top.

Le Parfum is sweet, without being girlish, and maintaining a maturity.

Edge: Le Parfum

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these perfumes do I like more?

Well, Intense was my favorite of the bunch coming into trying out Le Parfum. But, I think Parfum has surpassed it. Le Parfum is slightly better than Intense and much better than Platine, which was released in close proximity to Parfum.

Intense, was one that I liked because of the greater performance versus the original, it had more depth and better balance. I liked that the lavender isn’t as heavy, as the original. The orchid was improved and the vanilla gets ramped up.

Again, here’s a similar alternative to Intense for $33 currently: Intensely Liberated

Here, we get an interesting shift towards less lavender at the start, with Le Parfum. But, it does still come through past that opening act, much to the same level as Intense. I like the added citrus, a similar vanilla, plus the spiciness.

To me, the orange blossom has a lot of similarities in terms of strength to the Intense version. It’s less soapy, but the honey and gourmand notes give Le Parfum a stand alone identity, while remaining true to the series.

It’s not a big win for Parfum, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with it. The complexity is more interesting. It’s smoother and I like the delicious honey and vanilla combo.  I do think the competition is closer in the latter stages, since I think that Le Parfum has a very nice opening and good enough back end.

Winner: Le Parfum

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Libre Intense if:

You want the stronger projection between the two
You prefer orange blossom, lavender, vanilla, amber, and brighter floral warmth
You want something slightly easier for daytime wear
You like fragrances that feel bold but still a bit more flexible
You prefer stronger opening projection over the smoother dry down

Choose Libre Le Parfum if:

You want the better overall fragrance
You prefer honey, saffron, ginger, vanilla, orange blossom, and richer sweetness
You want better longevity and a stronger dry down
You mainly wear fragrance for evenings, dates, or cooler weather
You want the smoother, deeper, more luxurious take on Libre

YSL Libre FAQ

Which YSL Libre should I buy first?

Out of the ones in the series that I’ve personally tried, Libre Le Parfum is the best. They have released other newer scents in this lineup, so you may want to check those out also.

Are Libre Intense and Libre Le Parfum very similar?

I don’t think so. Obviously, there are going to be similarities. I do like how they toned down the lavender in Le Parfum, it feels more balanced that way. Here’s my review for Le Parfum for more information on that perfume.

Does Libre Intense project more than Le Parfum?

I think it has a farther reach than Le Parfum. While Le Parfum feels denser. Libre Intense is one that I can spray something and easily detect it from across a good-sized room. That being said, both of these perfumes perform very well.

Stronger With You Intensely vs. Absolutely

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Stronger With You is a series that keeps marching on for Emporio Armani. Among the two highly rated and sought after versions of this formulation are: Intensely and Absolutely. Each has some memorable aromas and comes with great performance.

However, the question is, which of these colognes is better? Which lasts longer? Which one should you buy? I’ve tested and reviewed each of these scents and will break down the competition below.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Stronger With You Intensely wins on opening, projection, and overall scent, while longevity and versatility are basically tied.

Buy Intensely if you want the sweeter, smoother toffee-vanilla-sueded scent with slightly better sillage and the stronger full-wear experience.

Buy Absolutely if you prefer the glazed chestnut middle act, rum, elemi, and a more resinous nutty profile.

Category Stronger With You Intensely Stronger With You Absolutely Winner
Opening Pink pepper, cinnamon, sage, toffee, caramel sweetness, and spice Bergamot, sweet fruity notes, rum, cinnamon, elemi, glazed chestnut, and resinous warmth Intensely
Projection A bit more powerful with slightly better reach and sillage Very good projection with room-crossing reach, then a 4–5 foot scent bubble Intensely
Longevity Excellent, around 11–12 hours Excellent, around 11–12 hours Push
Versatility Autumn/winter, nightlife, casual wear, and date nights Autumn/winter, nightlife, casual wear, and date nights Push
Overall Scent Sweeter, smoother toffee, vanilla, suede, spice, and lavender with the better full wear Great glazed chestnut middle act with cinnamon, rum, elemi, and later lavender Intensely
Best For Those who want the sweeter, smoother, better overall pick Those who want glazed chestnut, rum, and a nuttier profile —

Tale of the Tape: Stronger with You Absolutely vs. Intensely

Stronger With You Intensely

Notes include: pink pepper, cinnamon, toffee, lavender, sage, suede, amber, violet, vetiver

Click here to try: Intensely

My Full Review: Stronger with You Intensely

Stronger With You Absolutely

Notes include: glazed chestnut, rum, lavender, cedar, vanilla, elemi

My Full Review: Stronger with You Absolutely

Opening

The opening spray of Absolutely provides the short-lived citrus burst of bergamot and some other sweetish and fruity background notes, that I believe are apart of the initial lavender accord.

This is met with some spice and warmth. Not overly so, however. Arman’s description mentioned  pink pepper being here, I think that may be a part of this initial mix, since that is in Stronger Intensely as a note also.

But, this one also strikes me as being quite resinous from the get go. Elemi or the ‘glaze’ of the chestnut note is something that really sticks out after that top blast.

Notably, there is cinnamon in addition to the rum accord. Yes, there is some warm spiciness and booziness , but this is a lot smoother composition than a heavily spiced boozy rum note. It never really hits that level.

With Intensely, starts with its spiciness. Here, it is warmer and doesn’t last long (like the bergamot in Absolutely). The pink pepper is now the stronger note, joined by cinnamon and sage.

I get a sweet influence earlier with Intensely. The toffee accord with the cinnamon and caramel notes really gives Intensely a more dynamic feel. It is much less resinous and doesn’t have the same ‘glazed’ aroma as Absolutely.

Which do I prefer? I consistently have favored the opening of Intensely. Absolutely is nice, but I think once its chestnut note gets fully going, that’s when it is at its best. However, that’s not entirely in the opening act.

Intensely, gives me a better blend of sweetness and spice initially, and that’s what gives it the win in this category.

Edge: Intensely

Projection

The projection of Absolutely really good, able to reach well across a room. Then, it’ll become a 4-5 foot scent bubble, and finally a skin scent. Not the heaviest or most beast mode projection out there, but I wasn’t disappointed.

Intensely, is a bit more powerful than that. Now, it isn’t completely overwhelming either.

However, I do notice it further away from Absolutely, when I tested each on clothing and walked to the other side of the living room.

Not a convincing win, but Intensely does have the edge. It’s not going to be the reason I’d buy one versus the other, however.

Edge: Intensely

Longevity

The longevity of both of these scents are really great, on my skin. But, there’s also no distinction between them, and they perform equally.

Both Intensely and Absolutely, outperform the original EDT. Total longevity is 11-12 hours, which is great for this sort of mainstream fragrance.

No winner here, just awesome performers.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Another category in which they are equals. Autumn and winter wears. A bit more mature than the original EDT, but still suitable for younger men as well.

Each is great for the nightlife, casual, or date night. Neither is something that’s completely formal or going to be an office scent for most folks.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, this is a pretty evenly matched competition. I enjoy both of these fragrances and they are among my favorites from the Stronger with You lineup.

But, which is the cologne that I actually prefer to wear?

With Absolutely, the opening is enjoyable, but I really like the glazed chestnut middle act that it provides. It’s one of the nuttier versions in this line and that core ingredient is really done well with Absolutely.

The cinnamon, rum, and elemi all give it further depth but is mostly limited to the opening. The dry down, though, comes on stronger with lavender.

It’s not terrible, but Absolutely really starts to lose a lot of its distinction from the rest of the series and the lavender doesn’t do much to boost it.

Even at that early stage, which with the heart of the fragrance is my favorite part of SWY Absolutely; it doesn’t hit the same level for me, as does Intensely.

With Intensely, I love the toffee, vanilla, and suede with periods of spice and lavender. Great, just without the same chestnut note, but also the vanilla reminds me of the EDT (just blended way better)

It’s sweeter, smoother, and gives me slightly more sillage than Absolutely. So, it’s my pick in this contest. I enjoy it from start to finish, even with Absolutely’s enjoyable middle act.

I would select it over Absolutely, unless you can find Absolutely for significantly cheaper for some reason. Maybe if you’re a bigger lavender fan, you might also want to go with Stronger With You Absolutely.

Winner: Intensely

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Stronger With You Intensely if:

You want the better overall fragrance in this comparison
You prefer toffee, vanilla, suede, cinnamon, pink pepper, and amber
You want the stronger opening blend of sweetness and spice
You care about slightly better sillage and projection
You want the version that stays enjoyable from start to finish

Choose Stronger With You Absolutely if:

You prefer glazed chestnut, rum, elemi, cedar, vanilla, and lavender
You like a nuttier, more resinous Stronger With You style
You want excellent 11–12 hour longevity
You enjoy the middle act more than the opening
You can find it significantly cheaper or prefer lavender-heavy dry downs

Stronger with You FAQ

What is the best Stronger with You fragrance?

What I consider to be the ‘best’ of this line or maybe just my favorites are: Intensely, Leather, Absolutely, and the original EDT. I haven’t tried every single edition as of yet, but here’s my list and rankings: Best SWY Colognes.

Does Stronger With You Absolutely project more than Intensely?

No, not in my testing of it. There isn’t a huge gap between them, but Intensely does have the edge in terms of its strength.

Are Intensely and Absolutely very similar?

They are quite similar, but still different enough. To me, the main difference is the stronger use of the chestnut note in Absolutely. The rum note also distinguishes it, though that isn’t super strong in the mix.

9 Best Smelling Axe Body Spray Fragrances

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Axe has been a popular brand of cheaply priced fragrances for decades now. I used to wear different body spray scents in high school, will still use the body washes and the deodorants, to this day. They’ve come out with seemingly endless scents under different names, but what are the best smelling Axe Body Spray scents for guys?

Quick Overview

🏆 Quick Overview: Top Picks

Best Overall — Kilo

Kilo is the best overall Axe pick because it has the most balanced profile of these scents and smells great. It is fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth, calming, and masculine without becoming overly fruity or too sweet.

It also has the strongest nostalgia factor, since it was one of the standout Axe scents from the brand’s earlier era.

Best Newer Release — Golden Mango

Golden Mango is the best newish Axe release from the Fine Fragrance Collection. It blends mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver for a juicy tropical scent that still has a fresh woodsy backbone.

It feels more polished than a typical sweet body spray and has the best balance among the newer Axe scents that I’ve tried.

Best Sweet Scent — Dark Temptation

Dark Temptation is the best sweet/gourmand option if you want something warm, creamy, and compliment-friendly. The chocolate note gives it a delicious sweetness, while the vanilla undertone keeps it smooth.

It is one of the most memorable Axe scents because it feels more dessert-like and attention-grabbing than the cleaner fresh options.

Fragrance Best For Scent Profile Key Notes Vibe
Kilo Best overall Axe fragrance Fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth Vanilla, light citrus, mint, possibly lavender Classic, masculine, balanced
Golden Mango Best new Axe release Juicy tropical fruit with fresh woods Mango, mandarin orange, vetiver Fresh, tropical, modern
Dark Temptation Top sweet/gourmand scent Warm creamy chocolate with vanilla sweetness Chocolate, vanilla undertone Sweet, delicious, compliment-friendly
Black Vanilla Alternative to Dark Temptation Smooth citrus-vanilla with sandalwood Black vanilla, sandalwood, orange essential oil Sweet, smooth, powerful
Aqua Bergamot Fresh aquatic body wash style Fresh aquatic citrus with herbal-green freshness Bergamot, sage, juniper Clean, energetic, blue-ish
Anarchy Best fruity warm-weather spray Masculine tropical fruit with amber and woods Amber, sandalwood, coconut, bergamot, fruit notes Youthful, smooth, tropical
Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather Top fresh Axe deodorant Crisp cold mint with smooth leather Iced mint, leather Clean, understated, cool-weather fresh
Excite Energetic cold-weather scent Sweet gourmand with nutty caramel warmth Coconut, hazelnut, caramel, woody base Warm, easy, cocoa-butter sweet
Gold Citron Great citron release Bright citrus with clean white woods Citrus blend, white woods Zesty, low-key, clean

Favorite Axe Body Sprays or Deodorant Scents

Best Overall Axe Fragrance

AXE Body Spray for Men, Kilo 4 oz (Pack of 6)– This is what I wore back in 10-11th grade. Kilo was utterly great, and got me complimented like crazy, from girls when I wore it.

Axe was popular back then, but there didn’t seem to be many guys around, that were wearing this particular scent…but it was my favorite, at the time. It was fresh, slightly spicy, and sweet.

As I recall, Kilo had a vanilla, light citrus, mint, and possibly lavender lineup of ingredients. It had an aromatic sort of freshness, with enough spice to give the spray and edge. I never see this one in stores locally anymore, but you can get it online still.

Kilo was like the perfect balance, out of the Axe collection of fragrances. Very smooth and calming, while still being masculine. Not overly fruity or sweet. Classic and still one of the best body sprays ever.

Best New Axe Release

Golden Mango– Axe has released some newer scents recently, under their ‘Fine Fragrances Collection’ banner. Golden Mango is my favorite of them, so far.

Mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver adding some fresh woodsy aroma to the mix. It’s actually got a good balance between the orange and mango notes, more of a juicy/tropical kind of aroma, than just generic sweetness.

The Fine Fragrance releases are supposed to last longer than the regular Axe scents. It seems to be the case, at least with the body wash. Body washes aren’t going to be perfume level performance, but it’s very good for the price.

Also, these higher-end and improved Axe scents use natural essential oils. So, here it is mandarin orange and vetiver oils.

top axe body wash

Top Sweet/Gourmand Scent

Axe Body Spray Dark Temptation– Warm and sweet, creamy chocolate with a vanilla undertone. Dark Temptation is delicious and this was one of the anti-perspirants that I wore, once I grew out of the body sprays.

Girls have always seemed to respond really well to this, the chocolate note just breeds complements. I used this deodorant a lot a number of years ago. I think that the body spray or the gel deodorant is better than the white stick deodorant.

Interestingly, if you want a cologne The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ take, available as a fragrance called: Temptation of the Dark.

The latter, seems to have more of a sweet powdery aroma, versus the other options.

I haven’t been seeing the gel deodorant around, but that was my favorite option. The white stick, could feel too sweet, at times. The body spray was on point, however. A potential alternative, could be Gold Temptation.

An Alternative to Dark Temptation

Black Vanilla– Black Vanilla is another newer one that I like from Axe. This one gives you a different type of sweet gourmand than that of the chocolatey Dark Temptation.

Here, it is less of the sweetness but the vanilla is surprisingly good, and the scent itself is pretty powerful for a body spray. The black vanilla is joined by sandalwood and orange essential oil.

A good mix of citrus and vanilla, giving it a smoother profile than the fragrance listed above. It’s still not my favorite of the newer releases, but it’s easy to see why Black Vanilla has become popular for an Axe spray.

Fresh Aquatic

Aqua Bergamot– This is another entry from the Fine Fragrance Collection. Aqua Bergamot is the second one that I enjoy, behind Golden Mango.

Aqua is a fresh, energetic, and somewhat aquatic blend. The citrus note here is bergamot and is not nearly as potent as those fruits in Mango.

This gets is freshness from a blend of sage and juniper. A bit of that sour bergamot, more juniper coming through for me versus the sage.

The style is a very classic ‘blue-ish’ sort of body wash. Basically, what most people think of with body wash. I don’t think I’d use the body spray, as my main go to, but I like the scent for taking showers.

Best Fruity/Warm Weather Spray

AXE Deodorant Body Spray Anarchy 150 Ml / 5.07 Oz (Pack of 6)– With notes of amber, sandalwood, and fruits (I pick up coconut and bergamot), Anarchy has a rich and smooth profile, much like Dark Temptation. It smells great while maintaining a fresh, youthful vibe.

Anarchy is a masculine tropical fragrance. It is youthful and does have the sharper bergamot note, at the start, but settles down into a delightful aroma. The amber is a great addition.

The fruit notes, give the top and opening creaminess, and light sharpness from citrus. There might actually be some other types of fruit in there, that’s too difficult to discern.

Nonetheless, the amber warmth, and woody base really does a great job at tying it all together. My Review of Anarchy

Top Fresh Axe Deodorant

Axe Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather– This is actually my current anti-perspirant deodorant, that I use each day (Update: was back in 2018 or so, don’t see it for sale much anymore).

A lot of people don’t seem to like the body sprays from Axe (or at least its associations with high school kids) and while I don’t wear those anymore, the deodorant sticks are great. They last all day and don’t quit.

Axe Gold Fresh is a crisp and cold mint with a smooth and rich leather aroma. I love it. It’s a relatively simple pairing, but one that doesn’t seem to happen often. Gold Fresh is an understated and clean option, that really shines, when the temperature drops.

There’s also another Gold Fresh option which pairs oud and leather. It’s more of a dry woodsy take, on this formula. I wore that one, for a while also, and prefer it in some ways.

 

Energetic Cold Weather Scent

Axe EXCITE Body Spray & Deodorant. 48 HOUR ODOR PROTECTION! Energized & Fresh! (6 Cans, 5oz each Can)– Axe Excite relies on coconut, hazelnut, and caramel to create a sweet gourmand fragrance with a woody base.

It’s sweetness has a cocoa butter vibe, in my mind. I like it and will use this body wash, when I can grab a bottle on sale.

Excite and Anarchy share that coconut ingredient. However, Anarchy is the fruitier fragrance of the two, with a lighter aroma. Anarchy feels more suited towards warmer weather, than Excite.

This one seems more appropriate in the colder months of the year. The coconut doesn’t make it too tropical versus the nutty and caramel notes. This one is really easy to wear,  as it isn’t too in your face or spicy. Axe Excite Review

Great Citron Release

Axe Gold Citron– This one isn’t super complicated, but it’s a very nice new release from the brand.

A citrus blend with white woods that is fresh and quite bright. Gold Citron does what so many popular men’s fragrances do, by pairing that chilled citrus aroma along with a woody base.

It’s a nice wear for the summer months and isn’t as ‘in your face’ as many others from the Axe line of scents.

Attractive, low-key, but one that is a great experience for those who want a zesty and clean fragrance throughout the day.

Axe Body Spray and Wash FAQ

Is Axe Dark Temptation a good scent?

Is a sweet and warm scent. The chocolate aroma does have a thickness to it and that sort of sugary appeal, without going too far into that territory. Nice powdery finish to it. I enjoyed wearing this when I was younger. Do you want to smell like chocolate? It’s a good scent for those who enjoy that.

Which Axe scent is best for teenagers?

All of them. That’s the main demographic of this brand. My picks for the best are all listed above.

How many sprays of Axe body spray should you use?

You probably don’t need more than 2-3, in most situations. Especially, if you’re inside in an enclosed area with other people all day. Axe projects more than you think it does and you don’t really have to overdo it.

Can Axe body spray replace cologne?

For teenagers, sure. There is a big difference in quality between most fragrances and a can of Axe Body Spray. Not just in terms of how each smells, the depth, how it develops, and the performance that you get from each. Axe is a very inexpensive solution to smelling better, but at some point, you’ll want to graduate to something of higher quality.