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!

4 Fragrances Similar to Acqua di Gioia

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Acqua di Gioia is one of Armani’s long running and still high selling fragrances from its women’s line. It’s use of citrus, mint, floral notes, and an aquatic style really help to set it apart.  However, sometimes you simply want something that’s a cheaper alternative to the original or you want a perfume that’s similar yet slightly different. On this page, I will keep track of the scents which fit the bill.

What Perfumes Smell Like Acqua di Gioia?

Aquatic Peony by Dossier– If you’re looking for a perfume that tries to match what you get with Acqua di Gioia, the best option that I can find is Dossier’s inspired take on the formula.

Here, you still get the mint, the sharpness of citrus and blackcurrant, jasmine, and the aquatic touches that shape the Armani fragrance.

The start will be bold with its surge of freshness and citrus, but that’ll settle into something that is noticeably sweeter.

For the price (currently under $30 as of posting), this is the top choice for those who want something that comes close to the aroma of Gioia.

Queen of Seduction by Antonio Banderas– Not the same as Acqua di Gioia, but that might be what you’re looking for. Queen of Seduction doesn’t have the strong mint note, which turns some people of enjoying it.

Queen of Seduction gives you a sweeter, more aquatic, and fresher take on this style. The jasmine is still here, a citrus top, and good use of cedar wood in the base.

Still quite green, just with less intensity. Suede and iris add a smoother dry down with hints of powder, that further separate it from our target. This is a really nice value by that is similar yet different to the Armani perfume.

Aqua Bella by La Rive– Aqua Bella is another cheaper option which seeks to mimic the formula of our target scent. In fact, this one is the least expensive of the choices on the list.

However, you do still get plenty of value with the La Rive, which actually doesn’t come across as being entirely the same as the Armani.

Here, the citrus is still very bold, but there doesn’t seem to be the same level of mint. At least, it’s blended into the mix more so than Acqua. Pretty sweet, a nice aquatic, and those brown sugar touches are very nice at this price point.

Perhaps this one has more of a peony weighting versus jasmine in the mix. Less of that overall fresh and greenish feeling, yet still has an aromatic vibe. Performance is solid enough, without being a top notch performer.

Aqua Celestia by Kurkdjian– Celestia is for sure not the same as Acqua di Gioia and probably the most different out of any on the list. Also, it’s more expensive.

But, I’m including it due to the similarities that it has with our target, while remaining distinct and a decent alternative option for those who want a perfume that’s different enough.

The floral notes here are mimosa and rose, which are going to be the biggest changes. Also, Aqua Celestia is a fragrance without the same level of sweetness or cedar influence. Nope, here the base is pretty much all about the musk.

Still, the citrus and blackcurrant opening alongside a fresh mint? That’s still here. Crisp and bold early on, with a softer side on the back half.

Invictus Victory vs Bad Boy

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Invictus Victory is a flanker of the very popular Paco Rabanne cologne. Meanwhile, Bad Boy is the original of Carolina Herrera’s more recent best selling line. Since each of these fragrances has a similar style, they can be the final two picks that someone is deciding between.

On this page, I break down how Bad Boy and Victory compare and contrast with one another, after having tested and reviewed each. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Bad Boy vs. Invictus Victory

Bad Boy

Notes include: white pepper, cocoa, sage, tonka bean, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, and amber

Click here to try: Carolina Herrera Bad Boy EDT Eau de Toilette 3.4oz / 100ml For Men, Black

Read my review: Bad Boy EDT

Invictus Victory

Notes include: pink pepper, vanilla, amber, lemon, tonka bean, olibanum, lavender

Click here to try: Invictus Victory

My Full Review: Invictus Victory

Opening

The opening of the original Bad Boy EDT, strikes quite differently to my nose, depending on whether it is close to the skin or not. Up close, I get a honeycomb like aroma that is dipped in amber and dotted with various pepper notes.

From afar, I really pick up the sweeter and creamier aspects of this scent. Namely, the cocoa and tonka bean.

Invictus Victory starts a lot like the old Pure XS line that Paco Rabanne had put out some number of years before this. Victory has a lemon note up top, with pink pepper, and a dose of incense.

Kind of smoky, but it doesn’t dominate the composition. Up top, it’s a bit of that lemon with a spiciness and smokiness. As it moves on, Victory will start to have a greater use of the vanilla and amber notes.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Projection

Bad Boy has never been a heavy or very far-reaching fragrance whenever I’ve tested it out. It’s more of a moderate fragrance. Not weak, but it doesn’t blow the doors off.

Victory does start off strong and it has a heavier/thicker feeling to it. That more powerful projection will last for an hour or two, before settling into a moderate sillage itself.

Between the two, Victory is stronger at first and still has a slight edge after that. Not much, but it gets the win here.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Longevity

Invictus Victory takes this category as well. On my skin, the Paco Rabanne cologne will last for 8-9 hours, which is pretty good but not elite.

Bad Boy falls a few hours short. At it’s best, I get 7 hours from that fragrance. Again, the upper end of average, but nothing spectacular.

Edge: Invictus Victory

Versatility

Seasonally, they’re both the same with what they bring to the table. Autumn and winter wear mainly, with the ability to venture into springtime, on days where it doesn’t get too warm.

They do both skew younger, have more nighttime vibes than something that you might reach for daily. But, they can cover that base too, if you don’t have a very formal environment you need to go to each day.

Really, there isn’t much separation in this category.  So, I’m calling it a tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances is the one that I’d go with, if I had to decide? For me, it’s not too difficult of a decision.

Looking back over at what I like about Bad Boy. The sweetness, the amber, the late stage vetiver, and use of cocoa. It’s kind of messy, when you press your nose to the skin. However, I do enjoy the fragrance while it floating in the air.

It’s just never been much more than that. It’s performance is middling, but it does have a good deal of versatility and this Carolina Herrera scent is very wearable.

But, I’d take Invictus Victory.

Spicy and smoky. Better use of the vanilla note, with maybe a somewhat harsher amber not versus what I get with Bad Boy. The performance is also better.

This isn’t a massive preference for one versus the other. I’d just choose to wear Victory 6 or 7 times out of 10, if all I had were it and Bad Boy.

Winner: Invictus Victory

5 Fragrances that Smell Like L’Interdit by Givenchy

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L’Interdit has been a massively successful series from Givenchy. There was of course an older edition from the brand which dates back to the 1950s. However, they’ve updated to the formula and brought some new smells to the name.

However, sometimes people want a cheaper alternative the designer perfume. Or, they’d like something with a similar scent, but not exactly the same as the Givenchy. On this page, I will keep track of the fragrances that can fit the bill, and are related to the sort of perfume the L’Interdit is.

What Perfumes Smell Similar to L’Interdit by Givenchy?

Cheapie Sweet

Al Ibdaa Gold– This is an interesting alternative to L’Interdit EDP, as it takes the ‘grape-like’ smell of tuberose found in the Givenchy, as uses flower blossoms (apple and pineapple) to replicate it. Plus, a nice peach note.

Now, the middle and back half of the wear are different. This is where Al Ibdaa Gold separates itself somewhat from L’Interdit.

Musky, powdery, with a greater rose influence. Plus, the earthy spice of patchouli. Still, the main thrust of this cheapie is a lot like our target scent. May be too sweet for some people, but it’s pretty good for around $20.

Which Way?

My Way Armani- The My Way series from Armani has a lot of overlap with L’Interdit, as a tuberose infused white floral perfume.

The overlapping notes? Bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, and vanilla. A main difference, this one doesn’t have the pear note of L’Interdit EDP.

Beyond that, they’re not exactly the same. Similar styles, but not the same smell by any stretch. Personally, I like the Givency releases better than the Armani’s. To me, they have more depth, better sweetness, and just a weighting of the notes that I prefer.

That being said, this is one that a lot of people may like as an alternative. The dry down here still has a sweetness (feels less candy-like at this stage) and a good blend with the musk and vanilla.


Forbidden Rouge

The Forbidden White Flowers by Dua– This one from the Dua Brand is actually their ‘inspired by’ take of L’Interdit Rouge Ultime and not the original EDP.

To me, the first Rouge release, was the best of the L’Interdit series thus far. But, I haven’t yet checked out Ultime to see how it stacks up. It looks like it’s a nice formula, maybe less of the spice of the original, and more of a white floral blend with cacao and tobacco.

So, if you’re looking for something that smells like L’Interdit Rouge Ultime, this is the one to go with. I’ve owned probably a dozen or so different releases from the Dua brand and they do a great job with their inspirations.

A Bit of Intense, A Bit Different

R U Serious by Rue Broca– R U Serious is a perfume that has a lot of overlap with the L’Interdit series, while not being exactly like any of them. A bit of EDP and Intense-like accords are found in this one.

The differences that are most pronounced is the use of a heavier patchouli in this Rue Broca release and the smokiness of the birch. That note, kind of reminds me of the one found in Creed Aventus for Him.

Somewhat heavier in comparison to L’Interdit EDP. Amber, patchouli, and birch give R U Serious plenty of substance and projection power. The top notes are light and crisp highlighted by apple and blackcurrant.

Fruitier Cheapie

Fakhar Rose by Lattafa– Fakhar is an inexpensive alternative that has a good deal of overlap with the way that it smells in comparison to L’Interdit EDP, in particular. Though, it’s not an exact match.

This one is brighter, sweeter (at first), and overall fruitier than what I get with the Givenchy perfume. That’s especially true in the opening act.

Once the transition into the middle comes around, they have more similarities. Yes, this one does have a rose note, but it feels balanced with the gardenia and the tuberose. The back half doesn’t maintain the sweetness and L’Interdit has a longer go with that aspect.

It’s also lighter, with some nice muskiness into the dry down. For the price, Fakhar Rose is an excellent deal that can deliver much of what you get with our target.

Cedre Blanc EDP by Creed

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Cedre Blanc is a Creed fragrance that I had never gotten around to testing out. It was released back in 2014. But, when I saw a sample of it available online, I threw it in one of my batch orders. So, I really had no expectations of this fragrance going in. How does it smell? Does Cedre Blanc last long? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Cedre Blanc Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, bay leaf, galbanum, cardamom, geranium, lily, jasmine, cedar, vetiver, sandalwood

My Full Review

Cedre Blanc opens up with a lot going on. It’s fresh and woody, as the name suggests. But, there is also a bright, juicy, and sour bergamot coming through. Also, some greenish and somewhat bitter galbanum. Plus, a host of spiciness from mostly bay leaf (with some cardamom).

It’s a bunch to take in. However, it works well enough, especially if this is your type of perfume. Which, I will say up front, isn’t going to be most people’s cup of tea.

The next phase is more floral with jasmine and lily. There is still the spiciness of the bay leaf, but much of the bitterness and the citrus has moved on.

Less of an intense spice, more of a fresh and clean woods (hints of a watery accord, probably lily and remaining bergamot). Geranium, vetiver, and our cedar note are already making themselves known.

Finally, Cedre Blanc is a fresh and greenish fragrance with undertones of the floral notes. Cedar, geranium, galbanum, vetiver, florals, and the sandalwood. Very clean with sort of a mossy-like aroma. The complexity of the opening tones way down and this Creed becomes pretty simple.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

That initial spray does have some intensity to it. As I said, there’s a lot going on here at first, and it’s also pretty loud.

Still, it does have a freshness about it, and it’s not a completely heavy fragrance. That initial projection is quite good though. After that, it will quickly become a softer scent.

Honestly, it was kind of surprising how quickly this one calmed down into something which sat so close to the skin. Much of the wear will be about a 1-3 radius from where you sprayed Cedre Blanc.

The longevity is also kind of lacking. For me, I got somewhere around six hours during my testing of it. If this were a $40 perfume, I wouldn’t be too mad. At Creed prices, it’s pretty bad.

This is a spring and summer wear. It’s nicer to smell while outside than indoors. I was walking around on a warmer day with it on and that’s when I was most impressed by what Cedre Blanc brings to the table.

Pretty much a daytime wear, however. Not one that’s going to be a nightlife or date night sort of wear. It’s a unisex perfume, but it leans masculine, even with the floral influence.

Unique, in a lot of ways, but this is a fragrance for those who want something niche. It’s pleasant enough, but wasn’t ever going to enjoy mass appeal.

Overall Impressions of Cedre Blanc

Overall, do I like Cedre Blanc? It’s not for me. I don’t think it’s bad, it’s certainly unique, but it’s really nothing special.

Especially, at the Creed price point. There’s probably a very limited market for this, which is why it appears to be discontinued now. So, if this one was of interest to you, you’d better get a move on finding a sample or biting the bullet and buying a full bottle.

I do enjoy the bay leaf note that’s in here. It’s an ingredient that is more of a ‘once in a while’ type of thing for me, but I did appreciate it. The dry down is also a highlight. Things have settled down and there isn’t the same initial bitterness.

Performance does leave much to be desired. Really not powerful stuff, outside of a sharp opening act. A pretty intimate scent bubble and less than a full work day of wear for sure. Again, Cedre Blanc is absolutely not a value play, you’ve really got to like this scent for it to be worthwhile.

Not something I want. Nor will most people, but there is a small percentage of you, that would really appreciate this blend. How much that’s worth to you, is your call.

Paradoxe or Born in Roma? Comparing Perfumes

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The Born in Roma line has been a main focus for Valentino, in both their men’s and women’s fragrance offerings. The original Donna Born in Roma has particularly been a popular release. Prada, on its end, has been rolling out its Paradoxe line of scents.

Since there is some overlap between each of these two, which perfume is the better option? Which smells better? Which lasts longer? On this page, I’ve compared the two, after testing them out.

Tale of the Tape: Donna Born in Roma vs. Paradoxe

Born in Roma

Notes include: jasmine, vanilla, black currant, cashmeran, pink pepper, bergamot, guaiac wood

Click here to try: Born in Roma on Amazon

My Full Review: Donna Born in Roma

born in roma review

Paradoxe

Notes include: neroli, pear, tangerine, bergamot, orange blossom, white musk, jasmine, vanilla, amber, benzoin

Click here to try: Paradoxe by Prada

Opening

Donna Born in Roma kicks things off with a fruity mix and all that entails. Here, it is a bit tart, but also blended with sweet and some juiciness from citrus.

Blackcurrant is in the mix, giving it that somewhat tart and sharp aroma. But, in Born in Roma, the note does seem tempered by the use of pink pepper and a jasmine note.

Early, it will be about the blackcurrant with some bergamot. Then, the jasmine really picks up a head of steam to emerge as a major player in the perfume composition.

Paradoxe starts off sweet, but has an early pretty heavy influence from its neroli note. The pear and tangerine are the fruity notes, but I think they have more of a candy-like feel versus what I got with Born in Roma.

The neroli isn’t in the top spot for long and it shifts more to the orange blossom. Yes, it is a trio with those two floral notes and the jasmine. But, the orange blossom even seems to have more impact on my skin than any of the others.

Which of these do I prefer? Honestly, I think the Valentino starts off a bit better than Paradoxe. I like the fruity notes more, the pink pepper spice is interesting, and I think those notes work better with its jasmine focus.

Edge: Born in Roma

Projection

Roma is on the lighter end of what could be considered moderate for a perfume. The initial spray does pack some power. So, that first 30-45 minutes is fairly strong and will have some good reach.

Thereafter, it’s more than a skin scent, but it’ll be more of an intimate scent bubble. Noticeable, but not screaming for attention.

I’d say that Paradoxe inhabits the upper end of that moderate range. It feels bolder than Born in Roma in the opening and sustains that for a tad longer. Still, most of its life will be above average but not a huge projector.

Edge: Paradoxe

Longevity

I find the longevity of Paradoxe to be quite good. When I tested the Prada out, I got in the 8-10 hour range, wearing it on skin.

While it is not elite with how long it lasts, Paradoxe is a mainstream designer perfume that actually puts forth a very good performance.

With Born in Roma, it’s closer to 7-8 hours of total wear. Not terrible, by any means, and probably enough for close to a full work day. However, it definitely didn’t hit the same level as Paradoxe when compared head to head.

Prada takes this category.

Edge: Paradoxe

Versatility

Paradoxe is more of an autumn and winter perfume, that can venture into springtime somewhat. Though, it strikes me as being at its best, when it is somewhat chilly outside.

With the Valentino perfume, I think that it works pretty much year round. The extreme days of summer, I’d go with something else, and also the coldest winter days. However, it has some more use than does Paradoxe.

Both are daytime and office safe. Very versatile as daily wears. I think that I’d prefer coming across Born in Roma more in a nightlife environment versus Paradoxe. It’s a bit more lively (flirty?).

So, this category is going to go to Roma.

Edge: Born in Roma

Overall Scent

So, which one of these fragrances do I prefer? It is an especially tight race here between Paradoxe and Donna Born in Roma.

Paradoxe has the performance edge. It has some more vanilla highlights than what I get with the Valentino. However, it will mostly be a somewhat soapy and clean fragrance, with a good balance between orange blossom and jasmine notes.

It’s all fine. I like the scent, it’s not offensive, and gives you plenty of opportunity to wear it.

That being said, I like Born in Roma more. The opening act smells better to me. Beyond that, even if it’s a fairly simple perfume, I like the sustained sweetness and light spiciness here. Not as much vanilla, but I think the woody notes give it greater depth even without too much development.

Not a huge margin, but I think Roma wins this.

Winner: Donna Born in Roma