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!

Dior Homme Cologne by Christian Dior

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The original Dior Homme, is pretty much my go to daily wear. A such, I always want to try out the different offerings under the Dior Homme banner. Today, I am going to collect my thoughts and review, Dior Homme Cologne.

This is a flanker fragrance of sorts, but is a completely independent fragrance from the rest of the line. It was updated in 2022, after it’s initial release in 2013. However, it really didn’t get a full overhaul like Sport and Homme 2020, and is basically the same.

How does Cologne smell? Does it last long? How does it project? Is it worth a purchase?

Dior Homme Cologne Overview

Notes include: bergamot, Moroccan grapefruit blossom, musk

Click here to try: Christian Dior Cologne Spray for Men, Dior Homme, 4.2 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Before I get into my own thoughts about Dior Homme Cologne, let’s see what Dior has to say about it: Citrusy bergamot, sensual grapefruit blossom and cotton-fresh white musks infuse to create a radiant, contemporary signature. An enveloping trail that reflects the casual charm of a timeless white dress shirt. A simply elegant fragrance for your own pleasure. 

Right off the bat, Dior Homme Cologne, is going to be a laid back and casual scent. It’s actually pretty simple, in its presentation, but still manages to deliver a nice experience.

Also, it’s actually an eau de cologne concentration, as the name suggests. So, it’s not going to be as potent as a baseline eau de toilette. Still, for what this is, DHC has a good level of performance.

Bergamot and the grapefruit blossom, lead this one completely. At first, you get the more pure juicy citrus of the bergamot. Then, the grapefruit blossom comes in, and gives it a neroli-like aroma.

This and Allure Homme Sport Cologne have a lot of overlap. I prefer this Dior to the Chanel, since it has a colder feeling to it and the performance is better than its competitor.

Dior Homme Cologne is only a bit floral, but that light white floral note, does sit just underneath the surface. This is a very summery, upbeat, and bright sort of cologne.

Quite clean and refreshing, but definitely not one for those, who don’t enjoy the citrus fragrances. This one can hit like lemonade, at times, and also give you some musk.

Again, this is a really simple fragrance. In essence, you get: lemonade, white floral, a greenish note from the grapefruit blossom, and musk.

How’s the Sillage? How Long Does it Last?

The sillage is on the lighter side, but it isn’t weak. Dior Homme Cologne, simply doesn’t fill up a room, but is noticeable close by. Actually, that’s probably a good thing, with such a tart citrus note.

For the first hour or so, Cologne is actually fairly substantial with a decent amount of projection off of the skin. Again it’s an eau de cologne, this one isn’t designed to be a beast.

The longevity is pretty good for what this is. Not amazing, mind you, but I can get up to 6 hours with it. Usually, in the 4-6 hour range, which is to be expected with this style of fragrance.

There’s a lot of these citrus summertime fragrances which only pull 2-3 hours of work before quitting (the Chanel, for example). This, isn’t so bad by comparison.

Update: Trying out my newer 2022 edition bottle, I haven’t found the performance to have changed at all.  It’ll still last for 4-6 hours on skin, with the same lighter sillage.

Versatility

This is a spring and summertime wear, all the way. The citrus simplicity is built for the heat. This is one that I’ve worn in July and August, at peak heat and humidity, and it works extremely well for that environment.

With my new bottle, I’ve been picking it up a lot more here in the first half of springtime. Especially, when I know that I’m going to be spending time outside. The citrus aroma just delivers a great experience for me in these conditions.

It’s more of a casual daytime wear, but could easily fit in, at the office. That initial lemonade-like aroma, might not be ideal, but the more floral/musky dry down fits in just fine.

Dior Homme Cologne isn’t a nightlife scent. I mean, maybe an outdoor bar, on the beach in the summer. Outside of that, not really.

This is one that you reach for when it’s hot outside and you need to be fresh. It’s attractive enough, not really sexy, but it could get complements.

Overall

Overall, do I like Dior Homme Cologne? I like it, but it’s not amazing. It’s a simple cologne, that hits one note, pretty darn well. The citrus is tart and clean, can be very enjoyable to wear, but it is somewhat limited in its application.

I don’t think that I’d pay full price for it, but with a significant discount, I’d consider. An above average summer scent, but not a must have by any stretch. Not up there with the best Christian Dior fragrances, either.

Update: I bought a small travel sprayer of this for spring and summer 2022 (and a full bottle thereafter). Dior Homme Cologne is better than I initially thought, a few years back, so I bumped its score up a bit. That citrus is awesome when it’s hot out and I used up my entire supply.

I do like these kind of colognes, but they do have limitations as to when it can be worn. Not one that will be your only wear, but can be an alternative option for when the temperatures rise.

If you do live in a tropical region, you’ll probably get a lot more use out of this fragrance versus most people. But, if you’re someone who wants a summer scent, Dior Homme Cologne is well worth a shot.

Libre L’Absolu Platine by YSL

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Libre L’Absolu Platine is the latest version of this YSL line for 2023. I really hadn’t heard about it, but I saw an ad with Dua Lipa, and so ordered a sample of this a few weeks back. I’ve been testing this one out, to see how it stacks up versus other entries in the Libre series. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is L’Absolu Platine worth a buy?

What does Libre L’Absolu Platine Smell Like?

Notes include: citrus, lavender, orange blossom, white lavender, vanilla, amber

Click here to try: Libre L’Absolu Platine

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: The iconic structure of Libre, a tension between cool Diva lavender heart from France, crafted for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty and sensual orange blossom absolute from Morocco, reinterpreted in vibrantly metallic way. A juice with an exclusive concentration within the Libre range, enriched with a unique aromatic white lavender accord fashion by the master perfumers.

L’Absolut Platine starts off with cold and slightly metallic aldehydes coming through. Citrus, lavender, and orange blossom are all in the mix from the start.

It sort of reminds me of the beginning of Soleil Neige by Tom Ford. That one is a snowy cold with citrus and orange blossom. Platine is a metallic cold with an additional lavender note. Oh, this one is much more influenced by the classic aldehyde floral perfumes of the past.

Early, the orange blossom strikes me as being slightly stronger in the mix. That will quickly reverse and this one will have its various lavender notes coming in to dominate the blend.

I do like this cold and refreshing start. It’s pretty captivating, in that first hour or so.

After that, the lavender really comes into its own. That feature note, with the orange blossom still sticking around, and Platine smells a lot like the original Libre. Different, but strong similarities.

To my nose, L’Absolu Platine has less of the vanilla in the dry down. It is there, but not as much as what I got with Libre. Plus, the aldehydes still give this one a chilled brightness versus the original. Sort of soapy clean.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

L’Absolu Platine does start off very strong, with a powerful projection and a nice cloud around you, as you go about your day. Quite in line with what you get from the rest of the series.

However, I don’t think it maintains it’s strength as well as Libre or Intense. This YSL is a tad weaker than its predecessors.

The longevity here is somewhere in the 7-8 hour range, on me. On a t-shirt, this is like most everything else, and will go forever.

I do find it to be a step below both Libre and Libre Intense, in terms of its performance. Not bad, by any means, but both of those were great for mainstream designer perfumes.

Seasonally, autumn through mid-spring would be best for L’Absolu Platine. It’s a bit much for the summer months, but I like it in the cooler temperatures that I’m experiencing right now.

It is like Libre in its use cases. Daytime wear that can transition into evening. Has an attractive quality, not sexy, and isn’t a nightclub sort of scent. But, can be a signature or daily wear for many people.

So, L’Absolu Platine is a pretty darn unisex fragrance. Seriously, if you’re someone who though Libre EDP was ‘masculine’ this might seem even further in that direction.

Personally, I think the use of aldehydes keeps it more in the middle, but I can see how some who like more standard ‘girly’ perfumes might be put off by this.

Overall Impressions of L’Absolu Platine

Overall, do I like Libre L’Absolu Platine? I do like it more than Libre, but less than Libre Intense. I have a Le Parfum review to finish, but I’m not sure that Platine passes that one either.

I do think the start is interesting and it’s the highlight for me. I like that chilly and metallic sort of aroma that I get with the citrus and emergent floral notes.

The rest of the way, has a lot of the DNA of the original with a boosted lavender note and the remaining aldehydes helping to set it apart.

That being said, I’m not sure that you need this one, if you already have Libre. I think it’s at a higher price point too, so, no real need unless you’re a collector.

For others, I think that it is worth trying, especially if you’re a lavender fan. It’s a somewhat different take and one that I enjoy more than Libre EDP.

L’Absolu Platine isn’t one that I’d recommend on a blind buy. More of a test and see if you vibe with it.

CK One by Calvin Klein

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In the late 1980s through the mid 1990s, there were few bigger names in popular fashion than Calvin Klein. From the famous jeans advertisements, to the black and white fragrance commercials which stirred up some controversy, CK had  created quite a brand.

The thing is that the line of scents for men and women is still highly popular today, as they are always among the best sellers at any online retailer. Perhaps the most popular of all is one of the unisex fragrances, CK One.

If you’re new to fragrances or too young to remember when this scent was everywhere, you probably have some questions. What does CK One Smell like? How long does it last? Is it still worth a try?

Note: I have updated this review some 8+ years after the original, to expand and add upon it. Check Out: 7 Best Calvin Klein Fragrances for Men

What does CK One by Calvin Klein Smell Like?

ck one

Notes: papaya, bergamot, lemon, cedar, cardamom, musk, green tea, pineapple and jasmine. green tea and amber

Click here to try: Calvin Klein ck one Eau de Toilette, 6.7 Fl Oz

My Full Review

As a unisex fragrance, CK One had to tiptoe the line between being too masculine and too feminine in the risk of alienating one gender or the other of its customer base.

It just so happens that they accomplished, almost perfectly, a scent which would appeal to both and enjoy massive popularity.

This is what makes CK One such a great starter fragrance or inexpensive every day wearer, its universality. It can be put on and enjoyed by almost anyone.

Its notes are a blend of fruit and more earthy or woodsy ones. However, CK One doesn’t have a heavy or rugged aroma to it, it is clean and warm instead. The papaya and pineapple help to give this scent a light sweetness, which I think plays a major part in its appeal.

The opening is a blast of citrus and the tropical fruits. Lots of lemon and bergamot, that is matched up with papaya and the pineapple.

The is also a hint of green tea with cardamom giving it a slight spice (and perhaps a further lemony tinge). That spice doesn’t hang around too long nor get too intense, but it is there.

The citrus notes feel pretty watery and the musk and floral notes come in rather quickly to generate a soapy quality to CK One.

It’s really not overly soapy, in my mind as I’ve come across fragrances that do it to a much greater extent, but it definitely provides that lighter lathery freshness.

As it dries down, the intensity of the opening citrus notes begin to subside, and it becomes much more green and floral. The base is still musky and woody with the cedar note, but on top of that, is mostly jasmine and lily-of-the-valley.

This is probably the most ‘feminine’ part of the wear, but even still, CK One manages to straddle that line so well. I think that the lemony citrus and the base notes, sort of offset the floral aspects of this fragrance, even when a powdery element emerges.

What I get in the end is, a just out of the shower freshness, with lemon and papaya notes that are met by green floral ingredients. There is a light musk and a woody base holding the whole thing together.

The floral elements are a nice touch. Not too heavy, but a soft jasmine and lily influence, really helps to balance this scent out. Enough to give One, its unisex designation.

One thing that I really like about CK One, is that even after 20 years since its release, its still feels modern and fresh. It really hasn’t lost its luster to me. The notes just give off this crisp energy which invigorates your senses and gathers complements from those around you.

Again, this is not a niche fragrance, which will be a unique find or only some people will enjoy but that doesn’t make a bad scent, it is a best-seller for a reason.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it is a light to moderate fragrance. The sillage isn’t super strong, but it was always noticeable. Boy, did you get to notice this stuff back in the 90s, it was on nearly everyone it seems.

For me, One is pretty strong for about 1-2 hours, then becomes much lighter. The initial citrus and tropical fruit, does lend itself to having the illusion of a greater sillage, than may actually be the case.

The longevity is solid, 6-7 hours still seems capable with this stuff, perhaps vintage bottle went even longer.

Seasonally, it was always more of a spring/summer scent, but this was around all the time and can go year round. Super unisex, depending on what part of the wear it leans one way or the other.

This one is very youthful and casual. I’d wear it on a warm day, just hanging around, or out for errands. It’s one of those scents that is great for teenagers and college students to wear to class or wherever.

Overall Impressions of CK One

Overall, CK One is a great scent for those who want something youthful, those who want a versatile everyday wearer, those who like clean and energetic scents that aren’t too manly or too girly, and those who just appreciate a good fragrance.

It was a massive success when it came out and is still selling bottle to this day. Is it super amazing? I mean, nowadays, it is commonplace and isn’t all that exciting. It is pleasant, fresh, and very nostalgic. It still performs and has a scent that people have always enjoyed.

Nonetheless, I still like CK One, and enjoy revisiting this scent from time to time. There are a lot of fragrances from the 1990s, that aren’t around anymore, but this one keeps chugging along.

It’s for sure still worth checking out, if not just for nostalgic reasons. I will say, I’d want a discount versus paying full retail for it. That’s usually not too difficult to accomplish, but full price seems like a bit of a stretch nowadays.

Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Voyage Sport Comparison

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In this edition of a head to head men’s fragrance match up, we have the ever popular Nautica Voyage vs. Voyage Sport, it’s later released flanker fragrance. Does Sport carry on the Voyage name and surpass the original or does it flop completely?

Which smells better? Does Voyage Sport have good performance? Read below for my full take on these two inexpensive colognes.

Tale of the Tape

Nautica Voyage

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, lotus, amber, mimosa, and oak moss

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 oz

Read my original review: Nautica Voyage Review

Nautica Voyage Sport

Notes include: sea spray accord, citrus zest, coriander, palm leaves, green peppercorn, apple, Brazil wood, vetiver

Click here to try: NAUTICA Voyage Sport Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Voyage Sport

Opening

The original Voyage has a rather cold, crisp aroma that you would usually associated with a chilled cucumber. The composition opens with apple, mimosa, and musk notes.

The musk is pretty prominent and Voyage has a green/floral undertone of dewy oak moss, lotus, and that mimosa. The opening is actually my least favorite part of the fragrance, but it does get better.

Voyage Sport, doesn’t do itself any favors in the head to head, with its own opening. It’s kind of messy and runs together. What I get is citrus notes, musk, and some of that familiar alcohol smell from cheaper colognes.

It settles down after a few minutes and the citrus is joined by spice of coriander and green peppercorn. It has some salt water oceanic elements, spice, and that citrus zest.

Which is better? Even if it isn’t my favorite, I’ll take the original Voyage over sport in the one. It’s just much more pleasant and well done, than Sport, which takes a while to work itself out.

Edge: Voyage

Projection

Nautica Voyage isn’t a beast in terms of sillage, it’s moderate, but performs well overall for a scent of this category and price. Meanwhile, Sport is just mediocre.

On me, it’s pretty much just a skin scent, and doesn’t project at all. Shame. This has happened with a lot of the Voyage flankers, I wish that they could have some kind of close to equal performance.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

At its absolute best the original Voyage nets me about 7 hours of wear. Usually it’ll be between 5-7 hours. Sport, goes 3-4 hours on my skin and doesn’t project.

Again, that disparity in performance. This is why the original Voyage is such a good value play.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

Nautica Voyage is a daytime casual or school wear cologne for spring/summer. It’s a light daily wear, that you don’t have to put much thought into, as it is safe a non-offensive.

Voyage Sport aims to hit the same notes as its predecessor. No real advantage as to when either should be worn.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

To me, this isn’t even really much of a contest at all. Voyage is much better than Sport is, on every level. I actually kind of like how Voyage Sport smells when it dries down, but its performance was just lacking.

It could have been a nice aquatic variant of the original, but just couldn’t get its act together.

Voyage still has its unique blend versus most anything else out in the market. Particularly, at this price point.

I like Voyage’s freshness, slightly aquatic vibe, and use of floral notes. Even if, that opening act isn’t great. For what it costs, Nautica Voyage has always been a steal. It’s one of the top cheap scents for guys. Most of its flanker follow-ups, really fail to deliver on the standard it set.

If Voyage Sport, had better performance, it would honestly be a solid cheapie. I really liked what they were going for, but it’s just poor execution. There were some interesting things going on there.

Even if that were the case, I still think that Voyage smells better, and since it does have good performance it is the clear winner.

Winner: Nautica Voyage

13 Perfumes Similar to Cloud by Ariana Grande

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Cloud by Ariana Grande became a very popular fragrance to buy and try to duplicate, from the popstar (pretty sure it was at least for a time, the best selling one). People really dig its sweetness and lavender and creaminess.

Though, sometimes you also want something cheaper that can smell close to or a slightly different alternative that can provide at least some of what Cloud offers. In this post, I want to present 13 perfumes that smell comparable to Cloud by Ariana Grande.

Some Perfumes that Smell a lot like Cloud

Obviously, beyond the original Cloud, you can also try out Cloud 2.0 and Cloud Pink. All three are similar, with slightly different structures that may appeal to you. Personally, I think both of those are a bit better than the initial Cloud release. As close to an exact ‘dupe’, as you’ll get.

Having said that, please continue below for the rest of the alternatives list.

Inexpensive Near Comparison

Dream Moon by Pacifica– As of now, this seems to be an exclusive to Target stores, which is where I got to experience this one. While the notes are different across the board in Dream Moon, it produces a very similar aroma to Cloud.

Here the notes are listed as pink rose, patchouli, and sandalwood. What else it has beyond that, I haven’t been able to track down. But there has to be some sweeter notes in here. I definitely get plenty of sandalwood and patchouli.

Nonetheless, it is sweet, creamy, and has a nice gourmand quality to it.  A bottle currently runs for around $22 and the performance is actually solid.

Cloudscape Pink

Sweet Pink Cloudscape– This one is the Dua Brand’s take on the formula for Cloud Pink. For those of you who want a slightly different blend then to what the original Ariana Grande Cloud offers.

Sweeter with some fruitier notes up top is what made Pink, a different scent than its predecessor.

I haven’t tried out the Dua version yet, but I’ve owned probably a dozen of their designer alternatives and they usually do a great job. This one, shouldn’t be too difficult to create something very similar to Cloud Pink, while also being a cheaper option.

Cloudy With Strawberries

Pure Sugar by Cosmopolitan– Pure Sugar is a great option than can usually be had for under $30, with a very similar aroma to Cloud, just infused with strawberries. Burberry Her also has a strawberry note, but it is mixed up with other stuff too.

This does lack the musky aspect and the creaminess here seems lighter. But, you get the sweetness (more so, actually), praline, and overall delicious vibe from this fragrance. Fresh with a powdery aroma that comes on in the dry down.

Is it an exact match? No, but if you want something affordable that is probably 80+ percent there, Pure Sugar can deliver the goods.

Another Celebrity Option

Queen by Nicki Minaj– Not exactly the same as Cloud, but Nicki Minaj’s Queen does strike a pretty close chord to what we’re going for.

The pear and bergamot top notes are the same. As is, the musk and wood from the base. However, you’re not going to get the same sort of creamy sweets, coconut, etc. It’s almost a stripped down version of Cloud with a greater focus on the fruity opening and a greater use of musk.

It’s still sweet, just not in the same way. Doesn’t have the same fluffiness to it and is actually better suited for the warmer weather. The bergamot here hits pretty strong in the early stage.

This is a likeable perfume, overlaps with Cloud, just not a full on rendition or anything.

Tropical Sort

Cheirosa 68 Body Spray– This is kind of an odd one, that somehow has a resemblance to Cloud, Baccarat Rouge, and Burberry Her, but it doesn’t exactly duplicate any of them. Cheirosa 68 is also a body spray, so, it will be a cheaper and lighter option.

Still, this one is pretty great for what it is. Sweetness like Cloud and Burberry Her, but also more tropical with dragon fruit and litchi kicking things off.

While also, giving you a musky/aquatic base to work from that can also have that metallic-like aroma that you sometimes pick up with BR 540.

Again, kind of weird how they’re all similar. This one is just a sweeter mix of all three it seems. You’re just going to need to be a fan of candy-like levels of sweetness, because that’s what this can bring, versus what you get with Cloud.

Cherry Mix

Whipped Cherry by Clean- This one from Clean has a lot of overlap with the various Cloud releases (particularly Pink) and BR 540.

What really separates it is the cherry note, which gives this perfume a bit of a different style, while still maintaining a fruity tart/sweetness up top with some included pineapple.

Also, it has almond, the whipped cream, vanilla, and the edible praline aroma that you get with our Ariana Grande scent.

A creamy cherry and pineapple blend with that same sort of fluffiness and the warmer dry down that’s not as sweet and closer to Baccarat (but not the same). If you want a cherry version of Cloud, this is a great option.

The Kardashian 

Opal Drip by KKW– Prices seem to be all over the map for this Kim Kardashian fragrance, but I have seen it for cheaper than Cloud before. That may or may not be the case, whenever you’re checking.

Anyhow, yep, this one really strikes a close comparison to Cloud. More so than the Nick Minaj above and Burberry Her, for instance. It’s kind of close to In the Stars (listed below).

This has a sugary aspect to hit, but opens up with an herbal aroma sitting underneath. This one has more of a focus on the lavender note versus the praline and coconut that you get with the Ariana scent.

Dries down with lavender, amber, musk, and other floral notes. But, much of the sweetness remains, just in a more presentable form.

A Cloud of Cherry

Seductive Red by Guess– This Guess perfume is one that has a similar style to Cloud, but doesn’t try to get the smell exactly right. In fact, this one does have it’s own distinct aroma, just a closely related one.

The most noticeable difference, is going to be Seductive Red’s use of a juicy cherry note. Along with that, the opening will have a nutty influence from almond, that pairs extremely well with the vanilla in the base, along with the cherry.

Still, the lavender and vanilla dry down provide some of that Cloud-like fluffiness and the sweetness is always around, just different from the Ariana perfume. Warm and not a crazy sugary rush sort of sweetness.

For the price range (around $20), this is a really great pick up.

Higher End Sweetness

Manege Rouge by Al Haramain for Women 2.5 Oz / 75ml Eau de Parfum– So, Manege Rouge isn’t going to be one if you’re looking for a cheaper comparable of Cloud. However, in many ways it is a more well put together fragrance, for those who might want to upgrade.

It’s not as thick as Cloud, though the performance isn’t bad. The opening act is a blend of sweetness and floral notes, led by saffron. The saffron adds a fresh and almost leathery quality to the mix.

Then, there is the caramel and cotton candy coming through to provide the light sugary sweetness with a pinch of salt. More mature with greater depth than the Ariana Grande scent (also see: Best Ariana Grande Perfumes).

Sugary Citrus and Saffron 

Ajmal Aristocrat, 2.5 Oz– A bit more like Manege Rouge, listed above, versus Cloud. However, this one still has plenty of similarities including the sweetness, just with a greater use of citrus notes up top.

Not too complex of a scent. Early on it is fruity and sugary. Then, there is the saffron note and a somewhat musky dry down.

Again, not an exact smell alike of Cloud, but could potentially be another option. Though, it probably won’t save you any money versus the Ariana scent.

Bath and Body Works Alternative

Bath and Body Works In The Stars Eau de Parfum 1.7 Fluid Ounce New In Box– In the Stars is another one that is very close to having a comparable aroma to that of Cloud. Though, this Bath and Body Works fragrance is a bit lighter and for sure fruitier than our target.

It is warm and sweet in the base with a creamy sandalwood note and very nice amber. One of the main differences with Cloud is the lack of a lavender note in this one.

Which, depending on your personal feelings about that note, may be good or bad. I know some thing that the lavender and musk in Cloud, gave it a more masculine vibe.

That isn’t an issue here. The citrus led by tangerine is really nice and helps to give In the Stars a somewhat fresher aroma than when compared with Cloud.

A Bit Like Burberry

Burberry Her Eau De Parfum Spray – Cloud often gets compared to Baccarat Rouge 540 by Francis Kurkdijian. That is indeed another alternative, but is an insanely expensive one.

Well, Francis is also the designer of this Burberry fragrance…which smells a lot like both Cloud and Baccarat.

Though, they aren’t exactly the same. Burberry Her goes more into the fruity side of things. Berries and citrus. Particularly strawberry and raspberry, to my nose.

It doesn’t dry down nearly as sweet, it gets woodier with a touch of sugar and some more musky/earthy notes poke through. Not an amazing fragrance, but another similar option to Cloud. Read my Full Review

Inexpensive VS Mist 

Victoria’s Secret Midnight Bloom Fragrance Mist 250ml/8.4 fl. oz.– Midnight Bloom is a body mist from Victoria’s Secret that sort of splits the line between Cloud and BR 540.

Note upfront, that you’re definitely not going to get the depth with a body spray. It’s going to have a somewhat similar effect, at rock bottom prices.

It’s sweet and woody with a floral heart. Almost like a vanilla candy during the dry down period, as it were. The wood notes aren’t too prominent, either and it’s more of a generic white floral note, versus anything specific.

Again, another cheapie option, in body spray form. To me it leans more Cloud than Baccarat Rouge, but that opening does have that same sort of character…just devoid of any saffron.