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!

7 Fragrances Similar to Drakkar Noir

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Guy Laroche’s Drakkar Noir, was an absolute powerhouse and best seller, back in the 1980s. It was, in many ways, a game changer in the world of men’s fragrances. Today, it can be easy to not recognize that fact, as its popularity also became a curse in many ways.

Nonetheless, it remains a very popular cologne, that men want to smell like. This naturally leads to guys looking for alternatives, clones, or just other fragrances which smell similar to Drakkar Noir. In this post, I am going to explore some of these scents.

Which Colognes are Alternatives or Clones of Drakkar Noir?

Similar with Spice

Rasasi Royale EDP – 75 ml (For Men)– Royale has a lot of similarities to Drakkar, mainly with the lavender and oakmoss, being prominent. This one has a more powerful sillage, more spice, but none of the leather.

As it dries down, more patchouli is present, with a fresh cedar note.  Has enough in common with Drakkar Noir, but has its own personality, which makes it distinct.

 

Barbershop Option

At the Barber by Maison Margiela– This is similar in some ways, but definitely takes a different route from the Guy Laroche scent.

At the Barber is spicier with more citrus influence. However, the moss and woods here aren’t nearly as impactful. But, that spice is great in this one. It features pepper and basil up top, with a rosemary note coming through in the heart.

Yet, we also still get the great lavender note, which is bumped up here and a lot of the woodiness of Drakkar is substituted by the geranium in the Margiela scent. More of an herbal feeling versus pure woods.

Nothing too crazy here, but I like this Replica perfume. A bit unique, a bit like Drakkar, and maybe some Egoiste Platinum thrown in for good measure.

A Closely Related Throwback

Caesars Cologne Spray For Men, 4 Fluid Ounce– Another 80s fragrance, that overlaps with Drakkar, but with more of a green/woodsy finish.

Caesars has a slightly soapy finish, less spice, and is another without the leather note. Very inexpensive option, with a smooth aroma, and a very nice fir note. Masculine.

Dirt Cheap Clone

Classic Match, version of Drakkar Noir for men Eau de Toilette Spray– This is a classic sort of cheapie duplicate. It’s designed to be a clone of the original Drakkar and is available for under $10.

It’s pretty close, in terms of smell, and the performance is respectable for the low price.  Not the best, but a very nice impersonation. Don’t expect a complete recreation of the original, but if you’re on a strict budget, it can be worthwhile. 

The Closest to the Original

Dakar – Al-Rehab Eau De Natural Perfume Spray – 50 ml (1.65 fl. oz)– I wasn’t around for the 1980s original version of Noir, but from what I’ve read, this is the closest thing around to recreating its magic.

It does smell different, from the current formulations of Drakkar Noir, to be sure. It gives you the full range of aromas, from woody to soapy to herbal, with a great depth and very good performance. Oh, did I mention it is available for super cheap?

A Cheaper and More Citrus Option

Lomani Pour Homme 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray for men by Lomani– Fresh, citrusy, and cleaner version of Drakkar. Doesn’t have the same level of spice and feels less ‘dark’ than our target scent.

A good blend of lavender/moss and bright citrus notes. Close relative of Drakkar, but not exactly the same.

 

 

Close but a Distinct Experience

Ralph Lauren Safari Eau de Toilette Spray, 4.2 fl oz– I’m putting this one on the list, because it is an alternative to Drakkar, not because it is a clone. Safari inhabits the same sort of niche, but can be a great option for guys who want to try something different.

The main thrust of it is an outdoorsy, green herbal plant and woods mixture. However, that’s only the beginning as Safari is a complex, and unique aroma. It’s masculine but tempered by citrus and floral notes.

6 Fragrances that Smell Similar to Nautica Voyage

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Nautica Voyage may already be the all-time cheapie best seller. Though, there could be some older scents that are still flying off the shelves, this scent has been the front runner for more than a decade now. People really seem drawn to Voyage.

Yet, you can grow tired of a cologne and might want to try something different, but close enough to the Nautica. In this post, I want to present alternative colognes which fit the bill as being similar to or near matches (if possible) of Voyage.

What Colognes Smell Comparable to Nautica Voyage?

Original Inspiration

Ocean Mist Men by Dua– Dua is a brand that not only has its own unique fragrances they create, they also create their own inspired takes on designer scents. Ocean Mist Men, is there take on the original Voyage formulation.

Now, this is going to be somewhat more expensive than the modern Nautica Voyage sold in stores. However, it is also an extrait de parfum concentration (higher percentage of fragrance oils), which will lead to a more potent perfume.

Clean, aquatic, with that apple and mimosa combination really coming through. Worth a try, if you want a potentially higher quality version of the Voyage note structure.

Spicier Blue Mix

Polo Blue Gold Blend– The Polo Blue line is mostly only tangentially related to our targeted cologne, but Gold Blend does show some noticeable similarities to Voyage.

Still very much a version of Polo Blue, but with nods to Voyage, and a greater use of herbal spice and ambroxan than either.  The opening of this features that crisp melon note with a nice use of citrus and the spice blend.

Sage and incense play a big role here, so expect some smoky spiciness in this mix. Nautica Voyage isn’t an exact overlap here, but the DNA is closely related, particularly the use of apple. Gold Blend Review

gold blend review

Great Newer Flanker

Nautica Midnight Voyage– Voyage was such a monster hit for Nautica, that they keep reusing the name to release flanker fragrances. Most of them aren’t that great, but Midnight Voyage actually brings the same value with the familiar yet distinct aroma.

Amber, mint, and pink peppercorn blend with seemingly a bit of the original Voyage DNA. It has that amber/ambroxan sort of aroma, like found in the popular Dior Sauvage. It’s not the same, but you get that kind of vibe.

Midnight Voyage is a bit spicy, but in a fresh and cooling way, while retaining its nautical and summery mystique. I’m almost positive that there’s an unlisted citrus accord in here. This has gone to the discounter’s recently and is a nice pickup if you liked the original.

High End Cold Gin

Roses on Ice by Kilian– Roses on Ice is a part of Kilian’s Liquors collection. I got a sample of this stuff a month or so ago and it does have a similar structure to Voyage. Which is surprising, as this costs about 10x as much. So, I don’t expect many to go for this option.

Basically it’s ice cold gin, cucumber, and a pinkish rose with a greenish aroma. It has the same ozonic/aquatic feeling as our target with the cucumber playing the role of apple. That floral heart and a musky/woody base.

Are they exactly the same? No, Roses on Ice isn’t trying to be, it just has that similar style and approximates what it’s like to wear Voyage. But, at around $200, I don’t find it to be worthwhile.

Crisp Fruits, Less Florals

Kenneth Cole Reaction Connected Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– Reaction Connected is another close cousin of Voyage. It has a crisp juicy melon opening act, with the aquatic sea notes also playing a role.

However, as it dries down, you still get the fruits but also plenty of violet leaf and wood. The middle is more herbal and the end is more earthy/woody. Connected has a really nice sweet and juicy fruit profile, but with more depth than other similar fragrances, on the market.

Reaction Connected is a lot like Nautica Voyage, but with less of the green-ish smell, and the floral notes. Melon with a ‘blue’ impression and some earthier qualities in the dry down. Kind of splitting the difference between Voyage and Polo Blue.

Drier but Fresh

Tommy Bahama Maritime Journey for Him, 4.2 Fl Oz–  Maritime Journey has a similar style to Nautica Voyage, but is closer in smell to Eternity Air. To me, it is definitely better than that Calvin Klein cologne.

There was an older cologne that was more like Voyage, but Tommy Bahama no longer produces it. But, this is a good replacement.

It opens up fresher than the Nautica. Coriander and the same kind of apple note. This goes along with lavender and violet. It will eventually dry down into a greener fragrance with a base of moss, cardamom, and cedar.

Martime Journey is a drier aromatic when compared to Voyage. It still has the floral notes and that apple sweetness. Not totally akin to the other, but if you liked Voyage, you will probably enjoy this. Maritime Journey Review

7 Great Fragrances Close to J’adore

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J’adore has been one of Dior’s most successful perfumes over the past few decades and has generated a ton of flanker fragrances, under the same name. It is an easy to wear and balanced fragrance that utilizes white floral notes, fruits, and a musky base.

Since it has become so popular, many are looking for something similar to J’adore yet different, while others will want a cheaper option to try get close to the same experience.

In this post, I want to present some perfume options of ladies, that can give you a close experience to what you’ll get from the Dior best seller.

Favorite Similar Perfumes to Dior J’adore

Inspired By

Fruity Jasmine by Dossier– Coming back to update this list, I am adding two perfumes inspired by J’adore, the first is from Dossier. Fruity Jasmine is their take on the Dior formula, starting you off with mandarin, leaves, and sweet pea up top.

I haven’t tried this one from them as of yet. But, others from Dossier have been quite good. The main difference here, seems to be the inclusion of fewer fruity notes than what we get with our target fragrance. Still, mandarin and plum are present.

The floral heart looks to be the same. For under $30 (as of update), this is an easy one to take a chance on as a potential alternative.

J’adore Inspiration 2

Lo Amo by Fragrenza– Another one that I found from a good brand. Not sure that this one has fruit notes in the mix at all. but, the floral arrangement is ylang ylang, jasmine, and Damask rose.

So, I think they’re going more with the J’adore EDT styling (or another flanker) versus the original 1999 formulation. Actually, maybe L’absolu would be closer to what Lo Amo seems to be. Which is fine, Dior changes things up quite often anyway. 

This one is slightly more expensive than the Dossier option. But, having used them before Fragrenza does deliver with quality scents.

Very Similar Floral Notes, Slightly Different Presentation

Gabrielle Essence by Chanel Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz / 100 ml (Women)– Gabrielle Essence isn’t an exact match of J’adore, but there is plenty of overlap between these perfumes.

Jasmine and ylang-ylang are the main floral notes of each. Essence also has a prominent orange blossom, which has some obvious similarities with the mandarin note in the Dior scent. As such, these two do strike a similar chord.

Essence, though, has even less of a fruity aroma than J’adore. The opening does feature some light peach and citrus, but that fades quickly. Though, the touch of coconut brings a creaminess to the base of the fragrance. 

J’adore also has a muskier and somewhat watery aroma, that the Chanel doesn’t really bring. Nonetheless, if you want this type of floral scent Gabrielle Essence is a similar choice. Gabrielle Essence Review

Focus on Freesia

Bond no.9 New York Astor Place Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce– Astor Place has a similar structure to J’adore, some overlap in notes, but ultimately does its own thing in comparison. However, while it isn’t entirely such, it does present a similar experience overall.

Astor Place features the mandarin orange, musk, and violet. Most importantly, the freesia note that is in the heart of both of these fragrances, really makes the resemblance noticeable. In fact, it is greatly amped up in the Bond No. 9 perfume.

I noticed the citrus was prominent pretty early on, but in the back end of this perfume, I was getting more of teakwood and freesia notes. So, even in how it plays out the wear is close to what we’re looking for.

This isn’t going to be a cheaper option than just buying a bottle of Dior, but it does share that same style, and can give you another fragrance to consider when wanting a slightly different presentation. Astor Place Review

Alternative to J’adore in Joy

Eau de Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford– Smells similar to, but better than, J’adore in Joy. That J’adore flanker was pretty simple in its presentation: a salty white floral blend that has a stronger peach note than the original J’adore.

Eau de Soleil Blanc is a flanker to the original Tom Ford scent and kind of splits the difference between that and In Joy. The noticeable difference is going to be in the citrus notes, the depth, and the spicy touches found in Eau de Soleil Blanc.

Less salty, with a creamier vanilla/coconut combination, and that delicious citrus top. With that, you get a comparable white floral heart and overall beachy sort of feel. 

Eau de Soleil Blanc is an upgrade versus that In Joy flanker, in my opinion. Totally worth checking out if you want this kind of style.

 

A Potential Cheaper Option

Paris Hilton by Paris Hilton Women’s Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz – More of a fruity/floral fragrance, but has a similarity to scents in the J’adore family. It’s not an exact of the original by any means, but there is lots of overlap between Paris Hilton EDP and those Dior releases.

Melon and peach are shared fruit notes. Though, this one also has berry and apple notes, which are more prevalent. Also, the floral heart of jasmine, lily, tuberose, and freesia is a dead ringer for J’adore. Add to that, a musky base and you got a worthwhile cheap substitute.

Again, the opening of this is much fruitier and juicier, but the dry down really does show a good amount of resemblance. The Paris Hilton line of fragrances don’t get enough credit, but this is a nice pickup for around $20. I really liked this one for what it is, when I tried this perfume, however many years ago.

Apple Laden 

Golden Delicious Dkny By DONNA KARAN FOR WOMEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray– Lily, orchid, and rose mimic the heart of J’adore. Golden Delicious gives you an inexpensive choice, with a great juicy apple top note, instead of the mandarin and melon found in our target.

Light and fresh with a cleanliness provided by that apple and a lighter plum note, that peaks through. Then, comes that floral heart that gives you a pretty close experience to what you’d get with J’adore.

Is it an exact match? No, but you get a value fragrance of quality, that’s close enough and awesome in its own right. Sillage isn’t too heavy, but the performance on skin is good.

6 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Gabrielle

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Chanel released Gabrielle a number of years ago now. Since then, it has become a fairly popular white floral blend with a citrusy sort of opening. Not really groundbreaking stuff, but one that can be very nice to wear.

As such, people tend to want to find similar perfumes, which are either cheaper or other designer fragrances in the same sphere as  the pricy Chanel. In this post, I want to present 6 (well, 7, technically) fragrances that can serve as potential alternatives. 

 

Favorite fragrances that smell similar to Chanel’s Gabrielle

Ylang-Ylang Similarities

Floral Ylang Ylang– So, this is Dossier’s interpretation of the Gabrielle formula. To my knowledge, this is the only attempt at creating a ‘inspired by’ perfume based on the Chanel notes. At least among brands that I trust to have quality product..

Update: Another one has been released, see below.

This is going to be the one to go with, if you’re looking for a near match of the aroma that you get with our target scent.

This starts off with a bright use of grapefruit and blackberry, paired with a top note of lily. Then, you get into the floral heart led by ylang ylang with jasmine and tuberose.

Again, this is inspired by Gabrielle. So, it may not be exactly the same, but it is a very good impression for a much cheaper price than the designer original.

Dear Similarities

Dear Gabby by Alexandria– Here is the second alternative option for those who want a perfume inspired by the Gabrielle formula. This one comes from Alexandria Fragrances, who I’ve had good experiences with in the past.

Dear Gabby is an extrait de parfum concentration, which is higher than what you get with the original. Not necessarily stronger, but it likely will have a greater staying power and potentially bring some more projection while wearing.

Now, I haven’t tried this fragrance out as of this update. But, I’m including it as another option for those who don’t want the Dossier, and because this is a brand that I know to usually do a great job at matching the vibe of a designer scent.

 

J’adore Options

Christian Dior J’Adore Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– So, from the J’adore line by Dior, you have a few options. The original J’adore EDP is pretty similar. While J’adore l’absolu kind of goes between Gabrielle and Gabrielle Essence. 

I actually prefer the Chanel scents to either of these, but not by a huge margin, and you can generally find bottles of Dior a bit (sometimes significantly) cheaper. 

L’absolu goes with jasmine and tuberose as its floral highlights. It lacks the fruity notes, however. Meanwhile, J’adore EDP gives you ylang-ylang and jasmine, along with notes of plum and blackberry up top.

Inexpensive White Floral and Citrus

Vera Wang Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounces–  The floral notes used between Gabrielle and Versa Wang are different. So is the overall quality, although this isn’t a cheap mess, by any means.

But, the structure of these two fragrances are similar. Clean and bright citrus up top, with a white floral heart and a musky/sandalwood base. The main difference is this one uses lily, lotus, Bulgarian rose, and gardenia as its floral bouquet.

It has more of a soapy quality than Gabrielle, but it retains some of that same sort of sweetness. An easy to wear scent with a low key profile, but quite presentable quality and longevity. 

Mix of a Few

 

White Diamonds Legacy– Obviously, there haven’t been a ton of new releases from the Elizabeth Taylor line. However, this updated take on the classic White Diamonds, actually has a good deal of overlap with how Gabrielle comes across.

Legacy is a more modern white floral than its namesake White Diamonds. Which, gives it a closer proximity to the Chanel.

This one has gardenia, orange blossom, and jasmine leading the floral heart. Gardenia is the most noticeable of them. But, that ylang ylang isn’t going to be in here. That’s the biggest difference.

Still, musky with sandalwood in the base, and we get a light citrus top also. Early on, the citrus notes are joined by a slight spice. Then, we get a great creaminess and a light sweetness throughout.

Not an exact match, but a likeable cheap alternative, and close relation.

A Fruitier Cheapie

Crush by Rihanna– Now, this isn’t a one to one with how it’s structured, as it has more of a fruity profile than does Gabrielle. However, this Rihanna perfume does hit a lot of the same beats.

The citrus notes are quite similar and ylang-ylang plays an important role here. Along with, an additional pink pepper.

Up top, you get the citrus blend. As it moves forward, ylang-ylang and berries become more prominent. Towards the end, you get some fresh woods, paired with the berries and some lingering orange from the opening.

Crush is like Gabrielle, while remaining completely unique and a great value play. It probably has the same level of performance, if not better than the Chanel scent. 

Ari by Ariana Grande

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Ariana Grande hasn’t just become probably the biggest musical act on the planet, over the past decade, she has also the namesake of a very popular fragrance line. Her line of celebrity perfumes, are all selling quite well, and do so at a fair price point. Today, I am going to review Ari, the first release of the Ariana Grande scents which came out in 2015. How does it smell? Perform? Is it even worth a try?

What does Ari Perfume Smell Like?

Notes include: marshmallow, pear, orchid, grapefruit, raspberry, musk, rose, lily of the valley

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Ari Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

My Full Ari Review

The opening act of Ari is mostly about the fruit notes, which are sweet, and compelling. The marshmallow note at the base, is always present, but becomes much more noticeable later on. For now, it is playing a support role for the raspberry and grapefruit.

Raspberry is the strongest aroma to my nose at first, then, grapefruit. To me, the pear will get a little bit stronger and have its moments in the light. Though, it’s not all that powerful on my skin. 

So, the opening is a pretty typical fruity scent, that you will find in many other celeb fragrances. However, Ari really separates itself during the dry down, when it becomes a very pleasant and somewhat distinct scent from others on the market.

It does remind me of a Juicy Couture sort of fragrance, very similar style, as those. I don’t think it’s an exact clone, however, of Viva La Juicy or the others…just strike the same chord.

 

After about 15 minutes of the initial burst, Ari gets more floral influence. There is a vanilla orchid and some musk that ascend, along with the marshmallow. Now, there are a couple of other flowers, that only really play a support role. 

At this point I get mostly the marshmallow with orchid and a raspberry/pear mix. The rest of the notes, sit underneath that top layer. In the end, this is most of what your going to get, as the perfume is fairly linear.

Expect a girly, fruity/floral, which turns into a marshmallow led version of that. It’s sweet with warm elements and a cute upbeat vibe.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage isn’t super powerful, nor is it meant to be. With this level of sweetness, I think a heavy cloud would become headache inducing. Nonetheless, its limited projection abilities, isn’t a bad thing.

It’s soft, but not really weak, in my opinion. It airy and cloud like, think fluffy soft marshmallow aroma. 

The longevity is pretty good, but not outstanding. On my skin, it hung around for 5 hours. Obviously, it can go longer on clothing, so long as you don’t mind damaging the material a bit. 

Seasonally, it can pretty much be worn year round. Maybe avoid the high heat of summer, but other than that, it’ll be fine. This Ariana Grande perfume is probably best served for the under 25 crowd. 

It’s sweet and sugary, with a casual sensibility. Think school or just going around town. It’s not a formal or very serious fragrance. I think that it’s attractive, in the sense that it is quite a pretty perfume.

Overall Impression of Ari

Do I like this perfume? I do. Again, though, you will have to probably be in the intended demographic to wear it. For teens and college age women, this is an affordable option, for those who want something cute and sweet. 

The performance is acceptable, but not all that amazing. Once the marshmallow and orchid come in fully, I feel like this scent is at its absolute best. 

It’s a delicious, light, sugary experience. One that I enjoyed catching whiffs of throughout the day. It’s happy and fun. Worth a try.

I still think that Ari holds up as one of the best releases from Ariana Grande. Not the top of the top, but certainly in the top half.

At retail price, it might be a tad too expensive for what it is. Nothing major, but I would try to get it on sale, if possible.