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!

Reveal Men by Calvin Klein Review

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Calvin Klein has a ton of fragrances that come and go from the market. Every year, there seems to be new ones which fly under the radar, or might stick around for a bit longer. Reveal Men was released in 2016 and seems to now be discontinued. No worries, bottles are available online. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Reveal Men Smell Like?

Notes include: agave, brandy, pear, tonka bean, ginger, melon, suede, vetiver, sage

Click here to try: Calvin Klein Reveal Eau de Toilette for Men, 1 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Before we jump into my review of this fragrance, let’s see how Calvin Klein describes it: Magnetic and sensual, Reveal Men is a woody oriental. A vibrant freshness wrapped in an addictive woody signature. 

The opening moments of Reveal, I would describe as: sweet, boozy, and fresh. Honestly, it’s a very unique smelling scent. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily good, but it’s at least interesting.

Upon opening, I get a lot of tonka bean and brandy, with the melon and pear notes floating around. Pear and melon aren’t my favorite fruit notes, so, I’m kind of lost as to how I should feel about this opening.

I will say that, when sniffing the fragrance up close, it feels messy. However, some distance away, and it’s rather captivating. The pear note begins to fall away and then the agave comes in. Brandy and a tequila-like aroma, with a warm fresh sweetness. 

I’m really not sure why they call this one a ‘woody’ oriental. The vetiver note, or maybe the sage, is the only thing close to being woody. Neither of which, is all that powerful within the composition.

Further along, some of the sweetness fades. The melon is still very present, but underneath is an alcoholic drink, with amber, and a nice saltiness. The alcohol and any spices that are here get smoothed out by the tonka bean and very light suede. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this isn’t a complete projecting beast, but it is very good. People around you will notice it and it’s not a weak skin scent. I’d say it’s a stronger moderate cologne with its sillage.

Reveal Men will last for around 8 hours, on my skin. Many Calvin Klein fragrances, don’t have very good longevity, but this one actually does. I could get a full work day from this, no problem.

Seasonally, I could wear this almost any time. Maybe not on the hottest days, but summer evenings? I’m thinking that this would work just fine.  

I just wouldn’t like it on a day with a high level of heat and humidity. Honestly, it’d be at its best during a more moderate day.

I do like this as a casual or nightlife scent. Not really something for formal or serious business wear (it is boozy), but anything else would be fine.

 

 

Overall Impression of Reveal Men

Do I like this fragrance? Yes. It’s got some oddly placed notes, but it is something different and intriguing. Smelling it right against the skin, I’m not sold on it. However, just wearing it around, I really enjoy the scent bubble that it creates.

The performance is good and now bottles are available for super cheap. This is a very nice pickup for guys looking for a value play. Is it the best thing ever? No, but it does plenty, at a pretty high level. For $30 or less, I’d definitely take the chance on it. 

This strikes me as being better than Eternity Flame by Calvin Klein, which I just reviewed. Very fresh, nice sweetness, great agave note, and solid performance. 

Update: Coming back to this fragrance in late 2023, Reveal Men is now discontinued. As such, it’s not going to be a cheapie in most places, if you can still find it. It’s not worth paying a high price for it, but again, under thirty or so this can work well.

Sauvage Elixir vs. Bleu de Chanel

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Sauvage Elixir has quickly become a very popular flanker from the top selling Sauvage line by Dior. Bleu de Chanel has been a long time favorite from Dior’s French competitor and these two can often be the final choices of men looking to buy, even if the formulas are quite differenct.

In this post, I want to compare the two colognes. I’m going to use the Eau de Parfum version of Bleu, as I think that’s probably the best of them overall. How does it compare to Sauvage Elixir? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Bleu de Chanel vs. Sauvage Elixir

Sauvage Elixir

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, lavender, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Sauvage Elixir

Bleu de Chanel EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, tonka bean, ginger, mint, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De Chaneâ…¼ Eau De Parfum Pour Homme Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Opening

Bleu de Chanel EDP kicks things off with citrus, including lemon, but the grapefruit note is actually the stronger of the two.

Bleu will also start to show off its mint note. However, the ginger and pink pepper, have a stronger spiced influence. A little later, you get a smoky incense, and warm amber.

With Sauvage Elixir, you get a ton of spice. In the Dior fragrance it’s: cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. At the top, there is a lighter grapefruit versus the EDT version’s heavier use of citrus.

And especially less citrus than Bleu de Chanel.

The next phase will have more of the lavender and some sweetness from licorice and amber. Sauvage Elixir is spicy, woody, with enough sweetness to change it up. Lots going on in the mix.

Which is better? The opening of Elixir is rather unique and super bold. However, I do prefer the more balanced use of citrus and spice with the Chanel cologne.

Edge: Bleu

Projection

Bleu EDP, is strong, but doesn’t have a crazy powerful projecting ability. In fact, as it wears on, it’s pretty moderate. You’ll get a nice scent bubble, a few hours of creating a scent trail. Bleu de Chanel just isn’t going to overpower a room.

Elixir just might, however. Elixir starts off very powerfully, with a large projection radius, and it maintains a high level for hours on end. Yes, it does settle after that first punch, but it’ll stay stronger than the Chanel for the duration.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

This category is a clear win for Elixir. It’s one of the best performing mainstream designer fragrances out there. When I’ve worn it, I’ve easily gotten to 12 hours of wear.

It goes further than that, but I take a shower before I find out exactly where it tails off. Elixir is well into the double digit hour mark without issue.

Bleu de Chanel EDP definitely isn’t a bad performer, it just gets overwhelmed by the heavier monster from Dior. With Bleu EDP, I get about 8 hours, each time I’ve worn it.

Honestly, good enough for almost any purpose, just not to the same level.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Bleu EDP can go year round, with when you can use it, but is just okay when it’s really hot. Nonetheless, Bleu is better in a variety of climates than is, Sauvage Elixir.

Elixir is built for the autumn and winter months. It’s not like the original Sauvage with its ability to to pair well with warmer weather.

Bleu is also much better as an office scent or a formal-type of fragrance. It isn’t just limited to that, though, as it also fits while wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Sauvage Elixir works in casual or nightlife scenarios, versus the office. Bleu is more of a daytime fragrance, but wouldn’t be out of place at night, since it is an attractive scent.

Between the two, Bleu has the greater versatility.

Edge: Bleu

Overall Scent

Overall, which is better? I actually like each of these a lot. However, I do think that Bleu de Chanel EDP will be a better buy for most people versus Sauvage Elixir.

Mainly, Bleu just has a wider appeal. Elixir is the more unique of the two, but that spice and licorice won’t appeal to everyone, especially at that high concentration.

Bleu while not able to match the power and longevity of the Dior, is no slouch itself. Which combined with its more expansive use case makes it a pretty easy pick.

Finally, I do kind of prefer the actual scent of Bleu de Chanel to Sauvage Elixir. I enjoy the massive spice of Elixir and can even get into the sweeter licorice accord. You don’t get to much of a similar perfume to Dior Sauvage, in smell, but the notes are mostly rearraigned.

But, the clean citrus and amber of Bleu EDP is a tad more appealing. Even if it too, has seen a host of Bleu de Chanel ‘clones’ come to market.

Winner: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Naturally Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch

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Naturally Fierce is a sample that I kind of just got randomly with another order. I hadn’t ever heard of this Abercrombie & Fitch scent and initially thought it was a flanker to the men’s version. Nope. This women’s perfume was released by the company back in 2021. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Naturally Fierce worth a try?

What does Naturally Fierce by A&F Smell Like?

Notes include: cactus, agave, sunflower, coconut, plumeria, vetiver, sandalwood, orange blossom, moss

Click here to try: Naturally Fierce

My Full Review

The opening of Naturally Fierce will bring the coconut out, front and center. However, it does have somewhat of an odd presentation. It’s sweet and greenish, with a milky and syrupy sort of aroma.

Obviously, you’re going to get the milky scent from the coconut, but the agave and cactus add to it early on. I really wasn’t sure what to make of it. It’s not something that I enjoyed very much, I didn’t hate it. Though, I just don’t think it works to well in the beginning.

As you move forward, things will become more familiar. The frangipani tropical flower (plumeria) joins its usual tropical partner in coconut. Along with, a fairly light orange blossom.

The greenish aspect and thicker syrupy sweetness will abate. Naturally Fierce will take on a bit of a powdery smell, with some woodsy/earthiness from the vetiver and moss notes in the base. The moss, doesn’t have too strong of a presence, however.

Mainly, though, this is about coconut and sandalwood. That’s what’ll dry down to and that’s what the other notes have to surround for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one doesn’t feel heavy, pretty average with the scent trail and how it will just project off of the skin. That first hour, is honestly pretty good. I can spray it on a shirt and detect it from maybe 5-7 feet away.

The power of Naturally Fierce will begin to subside quickly, though.

The longevity is basically 5 to 5.5 hours on my skin. The back half of that, is basically a skin scent. That middle of the road projection dies out and this one is going to be pretty intimate, without a heavier application.

Naturally Fierce will be at its best in the warmer temperatures of spring and summertime. It felt a bit off, when I wore it on one colder evening.

And yeah, it’s also a daytime sort of wear. It can actually fit in rather well for most occasion and even to work, since there’s nothing too off-putting here.

Unlike some A&F fragrances, this one doesn’t come across as just something that teenagers would wear. It’s coconut and sandalwood blend never feels too juvenile.

Overall Impressions of Naturally Fierce

Overall, do I like Naturally Fierce? It’s okay. I think the opening act is sort of weird and not all that appealing, but it settles into something much more pleasant.

That being said, it’s not much more than an average performer. So, even that fairly nice middle and dry down periods are short lived.

If it’s on sale for really cheap, it might be worth a pick up. It does have sort of a ‘poor woman’s’ version of Crystal Noir going for it (they aren’t the same, though). The Versace is better, but this could be a similar enough substitute (in the dry down), especially with a massive price break.

This perfume does have some unique aspects, especially early on. Agave, sunflower, and the like aren’t typical notes. I don’t think those non-typical notes work extremely well, but at least it offers up a change of pace for a while.

Naturally Fierce is a good enough release from Abercrombie. Nothing spectacular on the whole, but it has its moments where I think it’s a good little fragrance.

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger by Hermes

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Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger is a sample that I picked up along with the Eau Poivree version. Eau Ginger was released in 2021 as a flanker to the very popular original release from Hermes. I’ve been putting this fragrance through its paces to see what it’s all about. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger Smell Like?

Notes include: candied ginger, peony, cedar

Click here to try: Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: The joyful spirit of a luminous fragrance revealed by candied ginger, generous peony, and tender cedar

The opening is a blast of the sugary and spicy candied ginger note, along with the peony. To me, the candied ginger has a slight orange-like aroma to it. Fresh, sweet, and a similar floral aspect to the original Twilly.

Eau Ginger is a very clean fragrance, the peony is well balanced with the ginger note itself. I think it becomes more of a standard ginger smell versus the opening, where it has a sugary smell.

Closer to the ginger in Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, also by Hermes. Less of the overall spiciness, but some of that same aquatic-like freshness (not to the same extent either).

As it dries down, this one feels soapier. The cedar and peony really team up and the ginger, while it hangs around, is less of a factor overall.

That’s basically it for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eau Ginger isn’t a massive projector nor a very heavy perfume. It is in the upper range of what could be considered average. It’ll leave a decent scent trail for a time and has a nice reaching scent bubble effect.

But, I never felt like it was going to be overwhelming, unless you really went nuts with the sprays. Even then, that might be only for a limited time.

On my skin, Eau Ginger lasts a little more than 7 hours on my skin. Call it, about 7.5 hours. It’s pretty good, but nothing elite in its performance.

Seasonally, this one can be a nice pickup for the spring and summer months. Or, any other time of the year that is mild to temperate. I feel like it’s better in the mid-range temperatures versus the hottest and most humid days of summer. Good, if indoors, however.

This is mostly going to serve as a daily wear. Something clean and fresh to wear around with a nice sweet and spice blend up top. It’s not really a nightlife fragrance or one that is particularly sexy. Can be quite likeable though.

Overall Impressions of Eau Ginger

Overall, do I like Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger? I do. I think that it’s one of the best entries so far in the series. Perhaps the best, depending on your tastes. I like it more so than Poivree.

I’m a fan of ginger as a note. I like the candied sugary version that is presented with this Hermes release. That, with the orange note is really great. The fragrance isn’t too complex, but it delivers a fairly beautiful experience.

If you liked the original, this one should also appeal to you. If you’re a fan of ginger and need a daily wear that utilizes that note, this can be a great option.

Now, I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone, but it certainly has a mass appeal. Eau Ginger is pleasant and never strays to far into niche fragrance territory. It’s worth a try, if it sounds like something that you’d be interested in.

Flowerbomb Dew by Viktor & Rolf

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Flowerbomb Dew was a flanker of the popular perfume line which was released in 2020. I got a sample of this as part of my progress of reviewing most (if not, all) of the Flowerbomb perfumes for this site. How does Dew Smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Flowerbomb Dew Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, dew drop, musk mallow, bergamot, rose, iris, heliotrope, musk, cashmeran

Click here to try: Flowerbomb Dew

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Dew, does indeed have a light watery freshness to it. Between the pear and the dew drop, it’s really to be expected.

While it is sweet, somewhat fruity early on, it’s never dominant in the mix. Musk mallow, musk, and the powdery floral notes are already a factor. Iris, seems to poke through more early, but in the dry down I get more heliotrope aroma.

Much of what you’re getting with Flowerbomb Dew, is already apparent in the opening act. The aquatic dew drop element will subside, as will any bergamot, and eventually the pear too.

It goes from being a sweeter musky floral (led by the iris) to a musky more generic powdery aroma, that’s a mix of the floral notes. I do get periods which the rose is somewhat of a factor, but it really doesn’t pop out, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is average at its peak, and pretty darn light outside of that. It doesn’t completely disappear for me, but Dew is in skin scent territory a couple of hours into the wear.

That’s its main weakness.

How long does it stick around? Somewhere in the six hour range, for me, on skin. Again, it’s not a massively powerful scent at that point, but I do still detect it. Musk and mostly the iris note remain.

Seasonally, this is pretty much a year round sort of fragrance. It’s powder isn’t a heavy one, so, it doesn’t get bogged down much in the heat. That fresh opening really helps. Maybe not a pure winter scent and that’s not when Dew will be at its best.

This is very versatile as a daily wear perfume. It can go casual to semi-formal and be fine for most occasions. Another fragrance would be in order if you need a formal wear, nightlife, or something that is sexy.

Dew is pleasant and attractive, not one that is inherently seductive.

Overall Impression of Flowerbomb Dew

Overall, do I like Dew? Yes, I think that it is a solid flanker, on the whole. Not the best of the Flowerbomb lineup, but I’d put it in the upper half.

Dew is a very simple fragrance. The pear and dew drop add a lightness and aquatic sort of feeling to it. You get musky florals with powdery heliotrope and iris. It’s easy to wear and all around pleasant.

It’s just not going to be a massive performer. So, if you need something with more power, you might want to go with something else besides this V&R release.

I do wish it had some further reach and ability to stick around longer, at a stronger level. But, on the smell alone, I like this Flowerbomb. I prefer the original, Midnight, and Ruby Orchid to this for sure though.

I would probably want to get a significant discount, if I were going to give Flowerbomb Dew a try. At full price, the performance isn’t really worth the admission.