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!

Creed Aventus vs Aventus Cologne Comparison

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The release of a new Creed Boutique fragrance, is a pretty big event, in the fragrance world. That is especially true apparently, when it involves a scent which carries the Aventus name. The brand released a men’s flanker fragrance, under this title, and I have tested it out.

The obvious question is, how does it compare to the original? Is it a better formula? Which scent wins the Aventus vs. Aventus Cologne, match up?

Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs Aventus Cologne

Creed Aventus

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to try Aventus: Creed Aventus Creed 4 OZ Millesime Spray For Men

My original Review: Creed Aventus

Aventus Cologne

Notes include: birch, ginger, baie rose, mandarin, musk, mint, pink pepper, apple, vetiver, styrax, patchouli, sandalwood

Read my original review: Aventus Cologne

Opening

The original Aventus’ opening, is honestly not my favorite. It does get much better, but to my nose, it strikes me as being quite sharp with the pineapple and bergamot. Plus, it has a dry woodiness.

Together, it takes on a somewhat kitchen cleaner, type of scent. The pineapple, bergamot, and birch are just a lot to deal with, at the beginning.

Aventus Cologne begins with mandarin orange, which doesn’t have the sharpness or tart qualities of the original.

It is paired with a bit of apple, but mostly, mint and ginger. It has a fresh, juicy, cool, and somewhat ‘green’ aroma.

Which is better? I prefer the opening to Aventus Cologne, more than the original. That’s not too much of a surprise, coming from me.

However, I think it is smoother and just a less harsh experience. Still, that’s not to say that there’s a wide gap in enjoyment. Though, the trio of notes it uses are among my favorites, and it works out well.

Edge: Aventus Cologne

Projection

Aventus Cologne’s sillage is pretty moderate, at first. For about two hours, it is solid, and quite noticeable. Then, it becomes a much lighter fragrance, without much ability to project.

Aventus has always been a strong fragrance. It’s not on the top tier of sillage, but, it can certainly make itself known in a room. It is more powerful than the Aventus Cologne formula and it isn’t all that close.

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

Aventus has consistently lasted for 8-9 hours, on my skin, over the years. It’s a scent which performs quite well, in all regards.

Aventus Cologne, stays around for about 5 hours of solid performance, with a few more hours of being a skin scent. Aventus lasts longer and is way more consistent throughout.

The lighter quality of Cologne actually does translate to a worse performance in this case. None of the notes hang around on the skin, for an extended dry down period.

Edge: Aventus

Versatility

Aventus is pretty much a year round fragrance, except for the high heat of summer. To me, it is much better in spring or autumn.

Aventus Cologne, is better in the summer. It’s lighter and got a nice mandarin orange/ginger/mint freshness.

They can both be worn in a variety of situations. Cologne is more understated, while Aventus, is can play the dual role of daytime/nightlife scent. To me, the original still has a bit more use.

Edge: Aventus

Overall Scent

Aventus Cologne is a nice fragrance. There are plenty of aspects of it, that I truly enjoy. I like how it starts off. I like its less smoky aroma.

The dry down is where the homage to the original, is really noticeable. The main drawback here, is that, it doesn’t really perform that well. It’s pretty much the same issue that Viking Cologne has versus Viking.

I know that, it is supposed to be a lighter fragrance, but for the price it doesn’t warrant such performance. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a terrible cologne, by any measure.

It just never fully surpasses the original or provides enough of a difference, to truly get excited about.

Aventus is a classic, at this point. I know what I’m getting. That’s why hundreds of fragrances try to copy Creed Aventus. I know what I like about it and what I don’t. In all of that, I still get a better overall experience and performance than the newer Aventus Cologne.

It’s not a bad effort by Creed, but doesn’t outdo its predecessor.

Winner: Aventus

13 Fragrances that Smell Similar to Bleu de Chanel

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Bleu de Chanel is a very popular name in the world of men’s fragrances. The three releases are all very popular and highly sought after. As such, there are going to be guys who want to smell close to Bleu, a near dupe, but don’t want to have to pay the same price. Not to worry, as there are alternatives, which can give you a similar experience for cheaper.

In this post, I want to present some colognes that can serve as alternatives, have a similar style, or just come close enough to what BdC EDT, EDP, or Parfum smells like…while being inexpensive.

Fragrances that are like Bleu de Chanel 

A First Alternative

Bleu de Dua by Dua Brand– This is the more expensive of the similar smelling options, but they also currently have a smaller travel spray size available for $20 (as of posting). Bleu de Dua is their inspired version of the original Bleu formulation from over a decade ago.

This has a smokier vibe than the Dossier scent listed below. Not massive smoke, but that nice incense infusion playing off of the citrus and mint note.

The citrus is somewhat toned down, but the rest of the note compensate with great performance, a woodier dry down, and a sweet touch.

Dua is usually really good with their inspired versions of designer scents and this one hits the mark.

Another Blue 2

Citrus Ginger by Dossier– Citrus Ginger is a lighter and cleaner sort of interpretation of Bleu de Chanel. It’s also a less expensive option at $29 (as of writing) for their full bottle. But, you can also try it out to see if you like it, with how Dossier has things set up.

This one can be a good option. It doesn’t have as much depth and complexity. It also goes with more citrus than the original BdC, not the same incense level as Bleu de Dua, but gives you most of what you get with the current Chanel for a fraction of the price. 

Bleu EDP Similarities

Bleu Memoire by Alexandria– Other ‘inspired by’ takes on Bleu, tend to be of the original EDT version, which is great. My personal favorite Bleu de Chanel variant is the Eau de Parfum and Bleu Memoire sets out to be Alexandria’s version of that.

The EDP has the same great citrus opening, but a greater use of amber in the base. Not as woody as the other Parfum version, but more substantial than the original Bleu de Chanel.

I haven’t tried Bleu Memoire from Alexandria as of yet. I have tried other scents from this brand and they do a really good job at replicating a close experience to the designer fragrance that they’re basing the formula on.

I’m adding it to the list for those who want a Bleu Eau de Parfum alternative.

Bleu Dusk

Dusk by Oakcha– Here’s the latest inspired by Bleu de Chanel option that I’ve found. This time it one from Oakcha called Dusk. 

Now, I don’t have any experience with this brand at all, so I cannot speak to its quality personally. Though, I’ve read a lot of reviews and they generally are very positive.

This is another affordable option for those who want something that smells close to Bleu de Chanel EDT…just with a heavier Extrait de Parfum concentration than the Chanel itself.

Divine Bleu

Divino by Fragrenza– Fragrenza’s version of the BdC formula, is the latest one that I’ve run across. This one is inspired by Bleu EDT, so, yet another option for those who like the original.

I’ve bought samples from Fragrenza about a year ago, testing out a lot of their designer inspired perfumes, and they were all quite good. Very close to what you’d want from a cheaper alternative.

One great thing about them, is the fact that you can buy samples or smaller sizes, without committing to a fully bottle purchase. Even if those are also fairly inexpensive. Just another one to consider.

Pretty Linear but Somewhat Similar

Armaf Tag Him 3.4 Eau De Toilette Spray for Men– To continue on the list, we will highlight this inexpensive option, as an alternative to Bleu. Tag Him has a very heavy overlap with the ingredients of the Chanel, and thus, shares quite a close aroma with it.

The closer resemblance to me, is more in the dry down period. The opening here, isn’t my favorite and the weighting of the notes is noticeable different versus what you get with the Chanel scent.

The citrus, ginger, mint, cedar, pink pepper, vetiver, and sandalwood are all here. Is this Armaf, an exactly the same aroma of BdC? No, but it does occupy a similar space, and can be a solid choice for guys who want a cheapie.

You don’t get the same quality or nuance, this is a nice citrus with spice, and without that incense smokiness of Bleu. Not as much depth or layered spice effect, but still a good overall wear. Tag-Him Review

Missoni Style

Missoni Pour Homme– Citrus, ginger, jasmine, and woods. That’s what this one has in common with BdC. So, obviously, it’s going to strike a fairly close chord to what we’re going for.

It’s not exact, by any means, just a much cheaper alternative that brings a similar style. Noticeably missing is the mint note that Bleu EDT has fairly prominently. Missoni also added lavender into the mix.

To me, it seems sharp in the beginning, perhaps too much so. But, the dry down feels woody and fresh and has a much better balance. Performance is okay, just not spectacular.

Journey to Blue

Voyage Bleu by Armaf– Yes, another of the many options from Armaf. This one is better than Tag-Him, more mellow, less spicy, and without the soapiness than can come through in Tag’s opening act.

Voyage gives you an array of citrus. It’s clean and bright, with a juicier aroma when compared to Tag-Him. Ginger still plays a role here, as does pink pepper, with the latter thankfully neutered in strength.

Still, compared to the Chanel fragrance, this is much simpler. Less spicy than either BdC or Tag-Him and none of the smokiness. But, as a fresh citrus with a close composition to Bleu, Voyage is very likeable. Not much depth, however.

A Bit of Parfum

Club de Nuit Blue Iconic by Armaf– Armaf strikes again with this newer addition to the Club de Nuit lineup. This one actually favors Bleu Parfum versus the original EDT. It doesn’t hit either exactly, but leans toward the former.

Whereas, the others from Armaf lack the same incense smokiness, Blue Iconic makes up for it with a well-balanced incense note that pairs well with the dry sandalwood.

The strength versus Tag-Him is enhanced, with Blue Iconic giving you at least a couple hours more of wear. I like that this one has mint and ginger heightened, losing the pink pepper. It feels smoother, warmer, in its spice. Not as rough as the other Armaf editions.

Like BdC Parfum, this doesn’t end with the citrus still being massive. It’s woodier, with a good amber base to boot. Note that this one is pricier versus the other Armaf scents and the savings won’t be as extreme.

Fresh Citrus without the Smoke

United Colors of Benetton United Dreams Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, Aim High, 3.4 Ounce– Aim High from Benetton is another affordable choice, for those looking for a scent of the same type as Bleu. This one really does seem like a thinner and less quality version of Bleu EDT, at times.

The citrus is just about right, less spice but close, and no smokiness. Lots of lemon and grapefruit, some sage and mint, with vetiver coming through later on. The longevity isn’t all that amazing, but it’s definitely serviceable, and a pretty good alternative of Bleu for cheaper.

 

A Similar Style 

Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue FOR MEN by Versace – 3.4 oz EDT Spray– This isn’t an inspired fragrance, by any means. However, it does some of the same things as Bleu (I’d actually put it closer to Bleu Parfum, though). Dylan Blue is a citrus aquatic, with strong ambroxan notes.

As such, it is in the same fragrance family as, Dior Sauvage and  Acqua di Gio Profumo also.

It opens with a grapefruit and bergamot mix, sitting on top of a watery base. Then, there is the addition of a lovely fig. The dry down is more about the ambroxan and light spiciness.

This one has lots to like, but overall, it just never stays at those heights in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice cologne and a best seller, but doesn’t make the cut among the Versace elite. Dylan Blue Review

Lighter but Somewhat Similar Cheapie

Perry Ellis Pour Homme, 3.4 fl oz EDT– This is another inexpensive option that gets close to what Bleu smells like. The citrus and spice, is different here, along with most of the other notes.

However, Perry Ellis Pour Homme does still manage to replicate the same sort of spirit as Bleu. Citrusy clean, with spice, and then some musk in the dry down.

Plenty of cardamom and lavender in this one, none of the incense, and feels lighter than BdC. Light woodiness at the base, mostly from sandalwood, and some cedar. The performance is okay, but nothing amazing. For the price, it fits the bill, and gives you a nice mimic of our Chanel.

Perfume Oil Option

2145 for Men from The Fragrance Shop– I recently bought a sample of this to see how it compared to Bleu EDT. Actually, they did pretty darn well at recreating Bleu de Chanel’s aroma. However, the weighting of the notes is off.

I compared it directly with the real thing and the citrus notes in the Chanel are much more prevalent than in this one. 2145 doesn’t have that same pop that the original does, but the mint and woods are pretty spot on.

I don’t like this as much as the Chanel, but it does come awfully close, I just wish the grapefruit and bergamot were amped up to similar levels. Then, it would be a great alternative choice…as of now, it’s just good. 

The One EDT vs. EDP Comparison

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The One for Men by Dolce & Gabbana is one of the most successful fragrance lines of the past two decades. With that success, comes a whole host of different flanker versions of the original formulation.

They are seemingly endless and have little or a lot to do with the original EDT depending on the edition. But, one that has a ton of overlap with the eau de toilette is The One eau de parfum.

On this page, is my comparison of the original The One EDT launch and the 2015 eau de parfum follow up. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Should you buy?

Tale of the Tape: The One vs. The One Eau de Parfum

The One by D&G

Notes include: grapefruit, basil, coriander, amber, tobacco, ginger, cardamom, orange blossom, and cedar

Click here to try: The One EDT

My Full Review: The One EDT

the one for men review

The One EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, basil, coriander, amber, tobacco, ginger, cardamom, orange blossom, and cedar

Click here to try: The One EDP

My Full Review The One EDP

the one edp review

Opening

The One EDT opens up with its grapefruit and spices being the main focus. The citrus note is pretty short-lived, but with that amber pool, the coriander and basil notes really come on beautifully.

But, ginger and cardamom are also present. Providing further warmth and spice to the opening act of EDT. It’s not a heavy spiciness, rather, a freshness tempered by the citrus, amber, and emerging tobacco note.

Now, EDP is mostly the same as the original.

But, to my nose, there are differences. The grapefruit has a larger role to play early on in the EDP version. Not entirely citrusy or anything, but it is more pronounced.

I’d say most of the spice profile is the same, but I do think that the cardamom has been amped up some, furthering the citrus impression that I get, while still providing some spiced warmth.

Beyond that, the amber and tobacco are just stronger and more potent.

Which opening to I prefer? Again, it’s like 95% the same. But, I do like the added depth of the EDP a bit more, so it takes this category.

Edge: EDP

Projection

The lack of power and staying power is a hallmark of the original The One. If I spray a good amount of EDT, I get 30-45 minutes of a solid scent trail and projection.

5-6 feet from the skin, is about it’s max distance. Thereafter, it’ll be within 2 feet of where you sprayed it.

With EDP, things improve. A little more of a radius at its peak, that’ll give you a nice scent trail and bubble for 2-3.5 hours. After that, it’ll be close to the skin, much like the original.

But, that improved performance is indeed worth it and simply better.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

The other problem with the original The One for Men was with its longevity. When I first tried it back in the day, I was lucky to get to 2 hours on the skin.

If you go heavy with the sprays (which you should with this cologne), you can stretch that time period to 3-4 hours of wear. Still, pretty darn poor versus what you’re paying.

With EDP, normal sprays nets me about 4-5 hours of wear. With heavy sprays, I can go 6+ hours and up to about 8.

Way better and much more acceptable as a fragrance.

It’s still not amazing, but it works out just fine with the eau de parfum. Plenty of time to enjoy the cologne.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

As far as when and how each should be worn, they’re exactly the same.

Seasonally, autumn and winter, mainly. But, I will still wear them in spring and summer, if it isn’t too hot and humid. Though, it is mostly an indoor only option with air conditioning going.

A nightlife machine, that is sexy and confident.  You can wear them in a variety of situations, appropriate for a wide array of ages, but may not want to go completely formal with it.

Romantic wear, nightlife, casual, and semi-formal.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which fragrance is better? The clear choice is the eau de parfum. The scent itself is overwhelmingly the same, as the original. Plus, the performance is better across the board.

I love the way the original EDT smells, I can pick up those slight differences early on, but it doesn’t change the outcome of this comparison.

Frankly, the performance of The One for Men EDT is too terrible. The price nowadays is fine, but even with heavy sprays, you’d have to apply and re-apply constantly.

Sure, EDP isn’t a powerhouse, but it does give you hours of solid wear before becoming a lighter fragrance. I wear it fairly often and don’t have much in the way of complaints about its performance.

The One Eau de Parfum gives you a deeper and richer fragrance. That amber and tobacco is still awesome and this is a sent that I have come back to recently and will continue to wear into the future.

If you want a The One fragrance, the EDP is the best. There are some other good ones like, Luminous Night, but EDP still reigns supreme.

Winner: The One EDP

1 Million Intense by Paco Rabanne

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1 Million Intense is a fragrance that has been discontinued for a long time now, having a production run after its 2013 release. It’s one that I knew I hadn’t reviewed on the site, didn’t think I’d ever tried out (I really cannot remember), and I had the opportunity to by an old sample as part of a lot.

Better late than never, I’ve been testing out Intense to see what this one is all about. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is this Paco Rabanne, worth tracking down an older bottle?

What does 1 Million Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: saffron, orange, cardamom, rose, black pepper, cinnamon, patchouli, orris, leather, neroli, sandalwood

My Full Review

Here’s how Paco Rabanne describes it: 1 Million takes on a sensual and warm intensity through its new interpretation: a flamboyant burst of ruby mandarin orange laced with spices on a vibrantly masculine base of iris and sandalwood.

Immediately, you can tell that this is a follow up to the original 1 Million. That mandarin orange comes through plenty juicy and sweet, like in that one. The main difference is going to be the initial spicy punch.

Black pepper, cardamom, and saffron all come through. Cinnamon is there too, and it will become the dominant spice out of the bunch.

It’s rougher than the original, much less sweet, and with a bigger rose note. That, however, will reveal itself more later on.

The black pepper and saffron are pretty huge in that opening. The pepper is short lived, but that fresh saffron note sticks around, just in a declining role.

I actually compared aspects of The One Mysterious Night, to another Paco Rabanne flanker, 1 Million Cologne. However, it also applies to Intense with its spice and rose combo. Not to mention, saffron and citrus.

Once we get past that initial intensity, this one settles down into a smoother floral sort of aroma. Neroli and rose begin to take center stage, alongside them are cinnamon and saffron.

As we dry down, it gets closer to the original 1 Million. Leather which becomes apparent in the first hour, will be one of the last notes standing.

With that, will be the rose, a bit of patchouli, and cinnamon sitting on a woody base. It still has that 1 Million ‘bubble gum’ sweetness to it. Just with more depth.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Yes, 1 Million Intense lives up to it’s name. This one has a very strong sillage, can cloud up a room, leave a trail, and projects very well…in the early stages.

After that, it is still going to be strong, just not oppressively so. 4-6 feet from the skin, is about what I get out of this one.

On my skin, it seems to be in that 9.5-11+ hour range. About what I got with the old original bottles of 1 Million. It’s probably not going past 12 hours, but it’s capable of getting up there.

Seasonally, this one is also and autumn and winter wear. This might get ridiculous in the heat and I’d avoid that. But, on a moderate evening, it’s actually still nice. But, I’d stick to a chilly night.

I’ve never considered the original 1 Million to be a versatile scent. It’s always been a casual or nightlife wear for me. Something fun to wear, every so often.

Intense is along those same line, but I think it’s more mature. It’s depth, spiciness, and toned down sweetness will have a greater appeal across age ranges. Still not a formal fragrance, however.

Overall Impressions of 1 Million Intense

Overall, do I like this version of 1 Million? I do. It takes that 1 Million DNA that I like, amps up aspects, and adds others.

The opening is a spicy and intense punch, but I think that they pulled it off well. Maybe not my favorite part, but I like the transition to the next phase once things have calmed down.

The performance is fantastic. Just like how older bottles of the original were, but a touch above that. Loud (at first) and long-lasting. No complaints in that department.

I think that it’s very good, if you’re a 1 Million fan already. Those who aren’t, probably wouldn’t have their minds changed by Intense.

Then, we come to the fact that bottles are very pricey, since it’s been discontinued. I’m not so sure that it’s worth tracking down for probably 99% of people. If you’re a collector or just someone who loves these Paco Rabanne releases, then, you might be an exception.

For everyone else, I wouldn’t bother, unless you see one out in the wild for a reasonable price. It’s a good fragrance, but not an absolute must have.

Goddess EDP by Burberry

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Goddess is one of the newer releases from Burberry, that came out in 2023. It wasn’t a perfume that I had heard much about going into testing, but I bought a sample anyway to check it out. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Goddess EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: lavender, vanilla, cacao, ginger, vanilla absolute, vanilla caviar

Click here to try: Goddess by Burberry

My Full Review

Here’s how Burberry describes it: Burberry Goddess is a unique gourmand fragrance led by a confident and powerful multi-faceted trio of vanillas. Enriched with a luminous lavender top note, the scent exudes a rich, layered personality that’s instantly memorable.

So, upon spraying this one I’m immediately hit with a wonderful gourmand aroma. Fresh and not overbearingly heavy, however. The ginger does a nice job at breaking up the vanilla dominance.

Ginger and a cacao note add a great mix to the aroma early. Goddess feels cold with a lightness that I enjoy. I’ve seen this get compared to Mon Guerlain, but they’re are not the same, while having a similar style.

I mean, in the dry down, both are all about that lavender and vanilla. Still, smell differently. But, this one  also doesn’t have jasmine, tonka bean, or patchouli. Cacao and tonka bean, play a similar role…but aren’t exactly the same and don’t have the same aroma.

The lavender also begins to show itself early on. It’s really tamed by all of the vanilla. I was worried that this might take a Libre path, with the lavender, but the note is balanced quite well in Goddess.

It’s interesting that there are three types of vanilla in this perfume. Can I tell them apart? I mean, not really. The ginger burns off and the middle is more about the lavender and vanilla pairing.

The very tail end of the perfume is a vanilla-centric scent. Though, it feels like a standard creamy vanilla note. So, I’m not getting any real distinction between the types.

Burberry Goddess isn’t very complicated and there isn’t really any development here, after this point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Goddess is not a massive projector or one that is super heavy. You’ll get an intimate scent bubble for most of the wear a decent radius of reach in the early goings.

It’s not weak, solidly moderate, until the last few hours of wear when it becomes a skin scent.

The longevity is somewhere in the range of average. For me, it was 6-6.5 hours of total wear from this Burberry. It’s okay, not great.

On clothing, you will get 3+ more hours, but it doesn’t seem to want to stick to skin. My skin, isn’t the type that ‘eats up’ fragrances either. I routinely get 10+ hours from other scents.

Seasonally, I do think that this fragrance isn’t too heavy or cloying, that it gets stuck solely in the autumn or winter. On a moderately warm spring day, I think that Goddess would hold up just fine.

I would skip out on wearing this in the heat, though.

It’s strength is with its versatility. It isn’t hyper sweet or too bold, so, it’s safe for most occasions. It’s attractive enough for the nightlife, even if you might want to go with something more dynamic.

It’s attractive and somewhat sexy, so, you could spray it before a date as well. Goddess isn’t the most formal fragrance, maybe have something else for really ‘dressy’ situations.

It also works for a wide age range. Not too mature for the younger set, but not too juvenile for older women either.

Overall Impressions of Goddess EDP

Overall, do I like Goddess by Burberry? I do like it. It’s not anything that’s crazy unique or complicated, but it is a mainstream perfume that is going to do well and have plenty of fans.

The name doesn’t really fit, what the actual scent is. You might expect something bolder, sexier, etc. Not to say this is a bad perfume, it certainly isn’t.

I like the opening and how it keeps things fresh and light. Not a heavy or overbearing use of the vanilla and lavender, just quite pleasant to spray on.

It’s not a great performer, though. For me, it’s okay, pretty standard issue. On skin, it’s probably not going to go past six hours for most people.

But, if that’s not too much of a problem for you, Goddess is worth trying out. Maybe test it in store or wait for the price to hit discount levels, over the next year or so.

If you’re not a vanilla and/or lavender fan, I don’t think there’s anything here that would change your mind. As such, you can also probably skip this initial Goddess release.