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!

Versace Eros vs Eros Flame Comparison

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Versace Eros has been one of the most popular men’s fragrances of this decade. It really was only a matter of time before Versace, released a flanker fragrance of it, and did so with the late 2018 release of Eros Flame.

Obviously, I had to get a bottle of Eros Flame to try it out, and also to do a head to head with the original. Which of them smells better? Does Flame have great performance, like the original? Does it come close to or actually surpass Eros?

Note: I’ve been updating this page since 2018. Documenting the changes with each and my changes in preference.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Versace Eros wins on opening, versatility, and overall scent, while Eros Flame wins on projection and longevity.

Buy Eros if you want the fresher mint-apple vanilla profile with stronger mass appeal and easier everyday wear.

Buy Eros Flame if you prefer the spicier citrus-pepper style with a warmer, more mature feel and stronger cold-weather performance.

 

Category Versace Eros Versace Eros Flame Winner
Opening Mint, green apple, lemon, vanilla, and bright youthful sweetness Mandarin, lemon, black pepper, rosemary, and spicy citrus warmth Eros
Projection Strong and loud, but smoother off the skin Even stronger early projection with heavier spicy presence Eros Flame
Longevity Usually around 7–8 hours Usually around 8+ hours with stronger late wear Eros Flame
Versatility Nightlife, dates, parties, but also easier casual daily wear Best for autumn/winter, nightlife, and more dressed-up wear Eros
Overall Scent Sweeter mint-apple vanilla scent with stronger mass appeal Spicier citrus-amber profile with a warmer, more mature personality Eros
Best For Those who want the fresher, more versatile crowd-pleaser Those who want the stronger, spicier cold-weather option —

Tale of the Tape: Eros vs. Flame

Versace Eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver, Italian lemon

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Versace Eros

Eros Flame

Notes include: lemon, tangerine, chinotto accord, black pepper, wild mountain rosemary, pepperwood, geranium, rose, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, oak moss, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla

Click here to try: Versace Eros Flame 100ml 3.4Oz Eau de Parfume For Men

My review: Eros Flame

Opening

Versace Eros opens up with a zesty note of lemon that is paired with juicy green apple and a refreshing mint note. It is quite intense and fresh, later to be joined by vanilla, tonka bean, and a bit of vetiver.

The combination of these notes, gives Eros a slight, chocolate-like undertone.

Update: With modern bottles of Eros, I do get more of the lemon note in the mix, than I previously had. It kind of throws the balance off. It’s not as good to me. So, it’s a lot closer to a tie nowadays, versus being a clear cut favorite.

Eros Flame has a very similar opening to the original. However, there are distinct differences. Noticeably, the mint and green apple notes are not there.

Instead, the lemon is joined by tangerine, a chinotto accord, and black pepper for the spice. It also has the vanilla and tonka bean.

Which is better? While I really do like the addition of the tangerine in Eros Flame, as I think that it smells great, I still prefer the original and that awesome mint note.

How it plays off of the lemon and apple, was always intriguing to my nose.

Update 2: Here in 2024, Eros EDT is back to smelling more like it used to. Eros Flame is less citrusy than before, I’m getting more rose along with the chinotto. It’s nice. Almost made me flip this category to Flame.

Edge: Eros

Projection

Eros has become very well known for its sillage over the years. It’s always been a fragrance that you could spray a couple of times and be set.

Does Flame match up to that? It does actually.

The first time I sprayed in on my skin, I definitely noticed how strong it could be, and its ability to project was great. I really don’t notice a difference between them.

Update: Newer bottles of Eros don’t seem to have the same power. Flame now has the better performance. That power really came through with the initial Flame bottles. I don’t believe it has lost a step, as of this update.

Update 2: Flame is now somewhat weaker than before. Still has the advantage, however.

Edge: Flame

Longevity

Again, these two share so much of that same fragrance DNA, that their performance is near identical for me.

I can get into the double digit total in hours of wear with either of these fragrances. Performance is not an issue for Flame.

Update: Longevity is also not quite as good with newer Eros bottles. So, Flame has a bigger lead here.

Update 2: Eros Flame still has the advantage. Neither hits double digits in terms of hours worn, for me anymore.

Edge: Flame

 

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are mainly colder weather scents. Springtime is viable for either but I would avoid the high heat and humidity of the summer months.

These are mostly nightlife or casual fragrances, but not bad in more formal settings, if you go light. This is another category, in which they occupy the same space, as to be expected.

Probably not going to be a daily wear for a professional, but either could do so for a younger guy.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

OK, so, are these two the same exact fragrance? No, not really. The distinctions become more pronounced during the dry down periods of each.

Yes, the opening for both are quite similar, with only the aforementioned alterations.

Eros Flame is actually a nice change of pace. The dry down of Flame is much more woody with a combo of cedar and sandalwood. Also, rosemary is a prominent part of the composition of Flame.

There is still a ton of overlap in the base notes, but the amount used of each changes. I think that the cedar and geranium are more heavily used in Flame, than in the original.

Plus, there is a very slight rose note, that peaks through at times in Flame; I find it to be a cool touch.

What you get ultimately with Flame? The citrus top led by tangerine with tonka bean and vanilla. This sits on top of a base of cedar, geranium, rosemary, and sandalwood. It reminds you of the original, but still separate enough.

Which is better? I’m still riding with the original most of the time, if I had to pick between the two. I own bottles of each of them and have been going heavy with Flame, as of late, for review purposes.

In the future, I will probably alternate between them, when I want to go with an Eros scent.

Update: Yeah, I’ll stick with Eros before Flame. Even with somewhat of a reformulation and weakening of the original it is still better. Flame has great performance, but after the initial citrus burst and  chinotto, it tends to give me a headache. I really started to never want to wear it.

Update 2: I like what I’m getting out of the modern Eros Flame, in terms of aroma. Feels more balanced and doesn’t have such an overwhelming dry down like my original bottle had. If Eros EDT, was still to strong with the lemon, I might have changed this to Flame. But, I’m still going with the original Eros.

If you liked the original, you’ll probably be into Flame as well. If you hate Eros, this one isn’t going to win you over.

Do you need a bottle of each? Probably not.

I don’t believe Flame does anything to surpass the original, but is a solid addition to the line, that can give you a bit of a different feel.

Winner: Versace Eros

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Versace Eros if:

You want the better overall fragrance for most people
You prefer mint, green apple, lemon, vanilla, tonka bean, and sweeter freshness
You want stronger versatility for nightlife and casual daily wear
You like louder youthful fragrances with broad compliment appeal
You prefer fresher sweetness over heavier spice

Choose Eros Flame if:

You want stronger projection and better longevity
You prefer mandarin, lemon, black pepper, rosemary, vanilla, and warmer spicy woods
You like a more mature take on the Eros DNA
You mainly wear fragrance in autumn, winter, and evenings
You want the stronger spicy-citrus version with more depth

Versace Eros FAQ

Are Eros and Eros Flame too similar to own both?

No. These two are quite distinct from one another. The Eros’ in the blue bottles are very similar and its probably redundant to own all of those, but you could own EDT and Flame without issue.

Which one has better performance overall?

Eros Flame. Both of these have taken a step back in terms of performance from my older bottles that I’ve owned. Still, Flame has the edge in performance.

Which is the best Versace Eros?

To me, they’re all currently around the same in terms of enjoyment. My preference is toward Eros Parfum, if I had to buy one. Probably Eros EDT, second. Then, Flame. If I had to buy two, I’d get Parfum and Flame, just to have something different to wear.

 

Comparing Santal 33 vs. Oud Wood

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Santal 33 from Le Labo and Oud Wood from Tom Ford are two very popular releases that people seem to have a tough time deciding between. I have never been a mega fan of either of these fragrances, but have tested each out repeatedly over the years.

So, today I am going to try and provide my own personal in depth takes while comparing these two perfumes, to see if I can help you get some clarity in this head to head matchup.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Santal 33 wins overall because it has better longevity, better versatility, wider appeal, and a stronger full-wear experience after the opening.

Oud Wood wins the opening and projection categories thanks to its stronger oud-cardamom-spice start and heavier peak, but it does not hold interest or performance as well over time.

Buy Santal 33 if you want the better daily/signature scent.

Buy Oud Wood if you mainly want the warmer, spicier, oud-heavy opening.

Category Santal 33 Oud Wood Winner
Opening Cardamom, dry woods, leather, violet, papyrus, and cedar without much spice Strong oud, cardamom, peppery spice, sandalwood, rosewood, and warm dry woods Oud Wood
Projection Moderate and more sustained on skin, then turns lighter Moderate but heavier, with a further reach at its peak Oud Wood
Longevity Around 7–8 hours Around 4–5 hours Santal 33
Versatility Works as a wider-use daily or signature scent outside the height of summer Better suited to autumn and winter, with narrower appeal Santal 33
Overall Scent Weaker start, but develops better into the heart and checks more boxes overall Nice spicy-woody opening, but becomes less interesting after that Santal 33
Best For Those who want better longevity, wider appeal, and daily wear flexibility Those who want the stronger spicy oud-wood opening —

Tale of the Tape: Santal 33 vs. Oud Wood

Santal 33

Notes include: sandalwood, violet, iris, amber, cardamom, leather, papyrus, cedar

Click here to try: Santal 33 on Amazon

Read my original review: Santal 33

Oud Wood

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Oud Wood on Amazon

Read my original review: Oud Wood

Opening

Oud Wood starts off with a strong blast of the oud note and cardamom. Underneath that, is a peppery sort of spice. It’s warm and dry, with sandalwood and rosewood, already being prominent at the base. It’s a very spicy and woody, sort of aroma up top.

Santal also has the cardamom and dry woods. Just without the oud. It’s not remotely as spicy as Oud Wood is either. This notes are joined by leather and violet. Papyrus is a wood which distinguishes itself from the oud used in the Tom Ford scent.

Which is better? The opening act of Oud Wood is a great array of the various wood notes and spices. It’s not completely amazing, but it captures my attention.

I like the leather facets, the use of the papyrus in Santal. Though, even with that I feel the opening act is the weakest of the perfume.

Not a huge win, but I’ll give this category to Oud.

Edge: Oud Wood

Projection

Both of these are perfumes with a moderate sillage which then turn into lighter fragrances. I don’t think either is weak and both of them are detectable for most of their wear.

That being said, the Tom Ford perfume feels heavier and like it has a further reach at its peak. Yes, Santal 33 is more sustained on my skin, but I think Oud Wood is technically the stronger of the two.

Edge: Oud Wood

Longevity

Oud Wood has always been a strange one for me. Anytime that I’ve tried this fragrance out, I’ve gotten 4-5 hours of wear from it. The Intense version, lasted over 10 hours for me, however.

The Le Labo perfume will hit the 7-8 hour range, on my skin.

Neither of these is an absolute beast with their performance, but Santal 33 takes this category fairly easily in my experience.

Edge: Santal 33

Versatility

Seasonally, Oud Wood always struck me as being built more for the autumn and winter months. Santal can do that too, but it also extends well into springtime. Honestly, outside of the height of summer, I think the Le Labo works.

Both of these are unisex, of course. But, I think Santal has a wider range of use cases as a signature scent or a daily wear. Neither is a nightlife beast, but Santal also just has a wider appeal than you’re going to get with the oud based scent.

Edge: Santal 33

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these perfumes do I like more? I’d go with Santal versus Oud Wood. Which, I think that Oud Wood Intense was the better of the two anyway. Of course, it’s the one that got discontinued.

Oud Wood starts out nice, but never really interests me much beyond that. Sure, it has similar vibes at times to Santal, but I just think that the Le Labo smells better.

Santal has a weaker start. It’s never been bad to me, just kind of meh, who cares? Though, it really gets going as it transitions into the heart of the wear.

Along with the scent itself, Santal has better performance and will fit the style of a wider range of people. Plus, a more extensive use case. Santal checks more boxes and gets the win here.

Winner: Santal 33

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Santal 33 if:

You want the better overall fragrance in this comparison
You prefer sandalwood, violet, iris, amber, cardamom, leather, papyrus, and cedar
You want better longevity, around 7–8 hours
You need something with wider appeal as a daily or signature scent
You want a fragrance that improves more as it transitions into the heart

Choose Oud Wood if:

You want the better opening between the two
You prefer oud, cardamom, peppery spice, sandalwood, rosewood, vanilla, tonka, amber, and vetiver
You want something warmer, spicier, and woodier up top
You mainly wear fragrance in autumn and winter
You do not mind shorter longevity if you like the oud-heavy opening more

Santal 33 and Oud Wood FAQ

Does Santal 33 last longer than Oud Wood?

In my experience, yes. Oud Wood has never been a good performer for me anytime that I’ve tested it out. Personally, I only get 4-5 hours of wear from that Tom Ford perfume. Maybe you get more, but it’s no powerhouse.

Which one is better as a signature scent?

Personally, I think that the answer is Santal 33. Yes, it became such a massive hit, that it became commonplace. However, that’s probably receded quite a bit over the past five years, and it actually is a very nice perfume.

Are Santal 33 and Oud Wood similar?

These fragrances have a somewhat similar style in terms of the types of notes that each uses. But, they don’t particularly smell the same. Each is quite distinct if you test them out side by side.

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.