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!

Toy Boy by Moschino

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Toy Boy has been gaining popularity since its release back in 2019, as such it’s time for a full testing and review by me. Honestly, I was kind of put off by the dumb name, and the fragrance contained in the little bear bottle.

Nevertheless, it was time to give it a go. As usual, I will cover how it smells, performs, when it can be worn, and if this Moschino fragrance is worth a purchase.

What does Moschino Toy Boy Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, nutmeg, bergamot, rose, clove, magnolia, pink pepper, vetiver, sandalwood, musk, and more

Click here to try: MOSCHINO Toy Boy Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

After the initial spray, I was struck by how different this fragrance felt versus the typical men’s cologne. I pick up on a light bergamot note and very nice pear. It feels juicy and has that citrus touch, which gives Toy Boy a bit of vibrance.

All of this is contained within, the embrace of the rose, magnolia, and pink pepper notes. I’m not a big fan of rose, so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this all that much, but I do.

The rose here is very different than what is found in something like Dunhill Desire, it’s got a ‘green’ aroma, is flanked by magnolia and the growing presence of vetiver.

The rose is closer to that found in Burberry Brit, though, that’s where the comparisons between these two fragrances ends.

The spice in the Burberry is more pronounced than in this Moschino.

It’s got a light spiciness lurking in the background throughout the wear, but never really hits you over the head with it. Pink pepper and some nutmeg. I don’t personally detect the supposed clove note, that’s in here.

There’s not too much change on my skin from this Moschino cologne. It really blends together well. I’d say, that I get more musk and vetiver, as it dries down. Those are joined by pear and this greenish wild rose. A bit of wood sprinkled in there, with the other notes seeming like one mass.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Toy Boy doesn’t have massive sillage. Though, I think that it sneaks up on you. Initially, I thought this was a lighter fragrance, but I kept getting strong whiffs from it throughout the day. It’s not a monster, but you could potentially overspray it.

Update: The more that I wear Toy Boy and also applying it to clothes/fabrics, the strong that I think the sillage is. I’ve bumped it up a few points on my scoring.

On my skin, it lasts right around 8 hours. Not elite, but for the price, this stuff delivers some great value. No real complaints with how this scent performs.

Update: I can sometimes get this EDP to stretch out to 9 hours of wear, but it’s pretty consistent with that 8 hour mark. 

Seasonally, I think that I’d like to wear it more in the springtime. However, I wore it outside on a chilly winter day, and it was actually extremely pleasant. I probably wouldn’t go with this during the summer, but any other time is fine.

 

I know the bottle and the name scares some people off from trying this, but it really isn’t a teenager’s sort of fragrance. Yes, younger guys can absolutely wear this, but it would fit well with any age group.

It does have a unisex and floral aroma, so, it’s not going to be for everyone. To me, the floral notes are great and don’t distract at all. Toy Boy is an attractive aroma that will probably draw plenty of complements. It’s safe for work, casual, dates, semi-formal occasions, etc. 

Really, it’ll come down to how you feel about the smell, as this one has plenty of performance and versatility. It does stand out from the crowd and I’ve been loving using this one as a change of pace versus my other fragrances.

Overall Impressions of Toy Boy by Moschino

Do I like this scent? Yes, I do. The more that I wear it, the more that my esteem for it grows. I’m not that impressed with it, if I press my nose closer to my skin. It’s just the aroma cloud that surrounds me, smells really good. 

The performance is solid, the price is right, and it brings something different to the table in a world of Sauvage knock-offs.

Again, not everyone is going to like this nor will it fit with the style of every man. Toy Boy is a scent that you’ve got to try out before you commit. 

I was skeptical going in, but I thoroughly enjoyed wearing this fragrance. I’m for sure going to finish out this mini bottle and decide whether or not I want a full one.  

I’m not sure that I’d call this one a safe blind buy, as it such a floral scent. But, it does certainly seem to have a mass appeal and isn’t all that pricey, so I can’t imagine being super bummed out by it. This is a great release from Moschino, after so many that were just ‘decent’. 

Curve Crush for Men by Liz Claiborne

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In this review, I want to take a closer look at Curve Crush for Men by Liz Claiborne. I recently picked up a mini bottle with an order, to give it a fair shot, and see how it stacked up versus the other Curve fragrances.

I didn’t know that there was also a women’s version available also. But, this men’s cologne was released by the brand in 2004.

Note: I’ve updated this page since the initial posting.

I’ve worn it around, for a few days, and collected my thoughts about this scent. How does is smell? What’re the notes? How does it perform? Is it actually worth a purchase?

What does Curve Crush Smell Like?

Notes include: apple, mandarin, cedar, geranium, and amber

Click here to try: Curve Crush for Men Cologne Spray, 4.2 Fl. Oz.

My Full Review

Curve Crush opens up with a fruity presentation of orange and apple notes at the top. These two are given the shine for about 10 minutes or so before the cedar really starts to come on strong and assert itself.

That opening ten minutes brings to mind the style of Nautica Blue, with a detergent/shower gel clean, but that fragrance is much sharper and harsh than is Crush. It clear early on, that this isn’t a higher end cologne, but it does a better job than many others at this price.

The wood note is what brings this cologne together and kind of dominates. It’s pretty unusual to have cedar be this dominant of a note, in most fragrances, particularly those designed for young men. But, it isn’t that uncommon in freshie body washes and the like.

Beyond that, Crush stays fairly linear and simple. However, there is a sweet and warm amber note, that surrounds the main ingredients. There is also a earthy and spicy geranium, that really makes itself apparent for the first hour or so, and kind of fades thereafter.

Again, very simple scent. What you get is cedar with mandarin orange and a lighter apple. Plus, the amber. Very clean, with a shower gel vibe. This one is woody with citrus undertones, when these will usually be flipped the other way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage is moderate for a bit, then quite airy and light. This one only projects itself a few feet from the skin, it’s very low key. I didn’t expect this to be a powerhouse based on the notes and the other offerings by Liz Claiborne.

The power that it does have, will fall of usually in 30 minutes or so after application. After that, it’s a pretty intimate scent bubble.

The longevity, however, is pretty darn good for how inexpensive Crush is. I can get it to last 6-7 hours on my skin, at times. Others, it’ll go for about 5. Not bad. There are plenty of higher end designer scents that don’t last as long as this one.

Seasonally, Curve Crush seems to fit in the mild to warmer temperatures. It doesn’t feel at all like a wintertime scent, but it’d still perform just fine. This is a fragrance for teenage boys.

I liked the smell well enough, but it doesn’t fit me at all, in my early 30s. It’s one of those inexpensive starter colognes, that young guys can wear on a daily basis. Maybe up to college age, if you need something super affordable, but you can do better than this.

Not professional or a nightlife wear, pretty much just casual or something to wear to class, and skews to the younger crowd.

Overall Impressions of Curve Crush

Overall, do I like Curve Crush? It’s okay. I mean, barely okay, but I can tolerate it for a while.

I still like the original Curve, much better than this one. It’s a clean and inoffensive scent, that has good performance for cheap. The cedar and fruit mix is pretty good, but not amazing.

There’s nothing really that stands out about Crush. It’ll give you a very workmanlike performance and a decent, though mostly forgettable aroma.

However, this Liz Claiborne scent, wouldn’t be a bad choice for middle or high school aged young men. It’s wearable and not going to dominate a room.

There’s plenty of colognes worse than this, but also others that are much better at the same time. It’s not one of the best inexpensive men’s fragrances. The most positive thing about it, is the price level. But, all Claiborne offerings are like this, and many are better.

Eros Pour Femme EDT by Versace

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Going through the samples of many different fragrance to do a review on, I have today, another entry from Versace. This is one for women, named, Eros Pour Femme Eau de Toilette. It was released in 2016.

As usual, I will cover how it smells, what’s inside, how it performs, when it should be worn, and even if it’s worth a purchase. Please continue below for my full wear take on this edition of Eros.

What does Eros Pour Femme EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin, raspberry sorbet, white currant, freesia, magnolia, jasmine, orange blossom, ambrox, wood, patchouli, and musk

Click here to try: Versace Eros Pour Femme Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounce

Full Wear Review

This is a review of the eau de toilette version of Eros which was released after the popular EDP and so it’s quite a different composition. This Eros Pour Femme opens with a sharp lemon and orange which pairs with a cold raspberry sorbet.

The iciness of the sorbet reminds me of the cold lemon note in the men’s Versace cologne, Eau Fraiche. It is a very fresh and crisp aroma that has an underlying floral accord playing a support role to those three fruits.

After about 10 minutes, the citrus tartness drops significantly, and the perfume is solely headed by the raspberry sorbet. It’s sweet and sugary and the floral notes that I pick up are mainly the freesia and jasmine.

Musk and patchouli are there but along with the wood, serve merely as a base to hold things together.

Later, magnolia makes a stronger appearance and I can also get the impression of orange blossom, but it’s kind of hidden underneath the raspberry and lemon aroma.

In the end, you’re going to be left with a raspberry-centered perfume with citrus flanking it while sitting on a bed of flowers. It’s cheerful and uplifting.

It can be an experience like a cold lemonade blend at times, with a sugar rush, but then the layers of floral, ambroxan, and wood notes hold the hold thing together.

The base notes give Eros EDT some actual substance. That icy raspberry is definitely my favorite part. Definitely a pleasant experience and one that really works well, within this sort of sweet summertime scent context.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it can be strong in the right climate, more so when the humidity is low. To me, it’s not a sillage bomb, but it could easily be over-sprayed. It really doesn’t take that much to be effective. This is true for the first couple of hours with Eros EDT.

While it has a rather strong sillage, I didn’t find the longevity to be all that great. Not that it was poor, but I think I got about 5-6 solid hours out of it, and maybe a little bit longer as a weakened skin scent.

It was kind of strange to start with that kind of power, and then peter out, but it could’ve just been my chemistry with it. ( update: I’ve tried it out again, after this initial review posted, and same results).

The men’s Eros releases have been such beasts when they were brought to market, that I would’ve thought you would’ve gotten the same with Pour Femme. But, nope.

Seasonally, Eros Pour Femme just screams sunny days and warm weather. Late spring into the summertime, is when this feels most at home. It is also a versatile fragrance that can be worn casually, at the office (if lightly sprayed), and even for more formal occasions.

Mostly, it’s a daily wear with a bit more personality than the usual fare, that gets sprayed on.

Is it sexy? As a man, I find it really attractive, not in a seductive way…but I think it’s really ‘pretty’ and would definitely love smelling this on a lady. Because of that, Eros could venture into the nightlife, and garner plenty of complements.

The freshness and sweetness of the fruity notes, really do draw you in, and are a joy to be around. It’s a very upbeat and just generally lovely perfume to smell in the air.

Overall Impressions of Eros Pour Femme

Overall, do I like Eros Pour Femme Eau de Toilette? Yes, I like it a lot. The raspberry and lemon combo is great, like, I cannot get enough of that aroma. The floral notes are great as supporting elements, but never take over the composition as a whole.

I’ve also reviewed Eros EDP, but I like this one a lot more.

It is versatile and gives a good enough performance to make it a decent value. Eros is balanced, has a sunny presentation, and just puts out a positive vibe.

It’s a very nice fragrance. Eros gives you a candy-like scent, without going overboard with a sugary heaviness/stickiness feeling.

This is a really good choice for women, who live in a tropical climate, or just want something seasonally that will smell fantastic.

The longevity could be better, but isn’t terrible, especially for a fruity summer wear. If you’re not into fruity/citrus fragrances with a big dose of sweetness, this one won’t be for you.

Sole di Positano by Tom Ford

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I have come to realize that, I still have so many Tom Ford fragrance reviews to post up on the site, even months after beginning the task. Well, better late than never, I suppose. In this edition, I want to take a closer look at the unisex fragrance, Sole di Positano.

This one was released in 2017. What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is it even worth a purchase? Note: I’ve updated since the original posting.

What does Sole di Positano Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, lemon, bergamot, bitter orange, orange blossom, jasmine, neroli, ylang-ylang, moss, lily of the valley, shisho leaf

Click here to try: Tom Ford Sole di Positano Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz

My Full Review

Sole di Positano opens with a beautiful blend of citrus notes, but mainly consists of the orange ones. It immediately brings to mind Mandarino di Amalfi by Tom Ford, which is near identical to this fragrance, at the start.

However, Mandarino has much more of an herbal spicy profile, than does Sole di Positano which goes with a white floral blend later on.

I think that I prefer this one to Mandarino, as well as some of the Acqua di Parma line and other Tom Ford citrus/floral fragrances, like the Portofinos.

Sole di Positano has such a brilliant zesty aroma at the top, with only a slight herbal/spicy flavor, from the shisho leaf and neroli notes. The whole thing is super fresh and bright, like a summer’s day, and really does capture that Mediterranean coastal vibe.

After the initial citrus wave, the floral notes begin to emerge. For me, they never fully overtake the citrus, but do support those notes (particularly the orange blossom and neroli). What I really like about this blend, is that the dry down doesn’t go completely ‘soapy’ with the smell.

You get the jasmine and ylang-ylang, but that beautiful citrus stays around, even if it becomes greener and more floral.

In its final stages, what I mainly get from Sole di Positano is: the mandarin/bergamot blend, jasmine, neroli, some oak moss (love this added touch), and the other floral notes battling it out. It is a very clean and attractive scent, which sits very well when out and about, in the sunshine.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage isn’t too strong, but it was more than a skin scent for me. It starts in the 4-5 foot range from the wearer and moves progressively in from there. Decent, but by no means a sillage bomb.

The longevity is actually fairly good, for a citrus based scent like this. I’ve gotten 6 hours from it, and maybe, closer to 7 during a few wears. Again, not amazing, but very solid for this style. There are plenty of summer citrus perfumes that are lucky to last half of this.

Sole di Positano is a unisex fragrance and I had no problems wearing it, as a man. Yes, it is a citrus/floral, but doesn’t feel hyper feminine at all. Not to say, everyone would want to wear this, but you could. This Tom Ford is a spring/summer wear, all the way.

It is solid for office wear or casual or perhaps a formal summertime event. It is pleasing and is light enough, to fit in for nearly any occasion. Very middle of the road, with a near universal appeal and application.

Overall Impressions of Sole di Positano

Overall, do I like Sole di Positano? I do. It does have plenty of similarities with other fragrances of this ilk, from both Tom Ford, and other designers. However, the overall composition, performance, and smell is such that I have to give it a high grade.

Is it an amazing must have? Probably not a ‘must have’, but it is a very good perfume across the board. It is worth the high price of admission.

I love the citrus opening, along with the orange blossom. The performance is actually quite good for this sort of summertime wear.

There are so many other examples of this style of scent, that only bring it for 2-3 hours, that Sole di Positano kind of seems like a beast in comparison.

It comes across as a clean citrus, but with those underlying base notes of oak moss and what I take to be, shiso leaves; Sole di Positano does take on a distinct character of its own. Yes, similar to others, but it does its own thing quite well.

This is an easy pickup for almost anyone looking for a great summer fragrance. It’s not one that’s going to cover all of your bases, as a year round perfume, but it’s one that’s an awesome add-on for when the temperatures heat up.

Polo Red Intense EDP by Ralph Lauren

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It’s been a few years, since I initially tried out Polo Red Intense, and never got around to doing a review of it. So, when I saw it online, I grabbed a sample vial to go along with the rest of my latest fragrance order. Intense was released in 2015.

In this post, I am going to finally give this Red flanker, a proper review and provide my full thoughts on its performance. Is it any good? Does it last a long time? Please continue below for the complete breakdown.

What does Polo Red Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: cranberry, grapefruit, coffee, leather, ginger, amber, lavender, lemon, cedar, sage, saffron

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense for Men 4.2 Oz Edp Spray By Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Polo Red Intense opens up with a mix of spices and the familiar lemon and cranberry, that was found in the original, Polo Red. You definitely notice the similarities between the two fragrances, only with a heavier dose of: saffron, sage, ginger, and coffee.

It is a blend of citrus sharpness/sweetness and the herbal spices. The original goes really strong with the tart cranberry note, but it is much tamer, here.

As it moves along, I start to pick up more leather and lavender, in the mix. Intense is more of a fresh take on these notes, than the super sweetness, that is found with Polo Red. Intense especially, has less of the citrus notes, after about 15-20 minutes.

The cranberry is still there, but the fragrance, is strong with notes of amber, leather, and the coffee.

During the rest of the dry down, the cologne stays pretty consistent with the smell. You do get periods, in which the herbal notes reappear, where the coffee and fruit notes remind me of Red Extreme, and some other note combinations playing around.

Ultimately, what I get is a amber soaked cranberry note with warm coffee beans, and a smooth leather/lavender pairing. Everything else plays a bit part. It does have a really intense sweetness, at times, which can be hit or miss. However, it is generally pleasing.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Intense is pretty strong at first, but mellows out into something that is more of a moderate. People close by, will notice, but it doesn’t fill a room, in my experience. That initial burst, will bring some power, but never completely hits beast mode.

The longevity is better than the original Polo Red, but isn’t insane. It seems to go somewhere in the 7-9 hour range, depending on the day, and climate. Not bad, but not a superstar, just a very solid wear.

In cooler weather, the performance holds up much better, and will go towards the 9 hour range more often.

Seasonally, I like Red Intense for all climates, except for the hottest days. When it gets too warm, it has a tendency to get a bit messy. Cold to warm weather. It is a very versatile fragrance, that tends to skew towards a younger man, wearing it.

This is one that can go casual or into the nightlife. It smells really good and has a certain sexiness to it. Women have responded well, when I’ve worn it around. That sweet and warm freshness, will have a lot of fans, and enjoy some wide popularity.

Red Intense isn’t one to spray on, for the office. It feels out of place, in a more formal setting. As such, I wouldn’t expect to use it as a daily wear, unless you’re a teenager or college-age.

Overall Impressions of Red Intense

Overall, do I like Polo Red Intense? I do. In my mind, it is better than the original, which I also enjoy. The longevity problems, that the initial release had, are made better. Plus, the warmer and spicier composition, is a joy to smell.

It’s not a fragrance that I want to wear, all of the time. The sweet and spicy blend, can become a bit too much, at times. But, generally, Red Intense is something that I can like wearing.

Update: Trying this again, after a few years, I’m not as high on it. The mix of notes does get on my nerves after a while. Still a nice cologne, but Polo Red Intense, isn’t one that I’d want a full bottle of personally.

(newer update: From what I can tell, Red Intense is now discontinued.)

I definitely do still like Polo Red Extreme more, but that is heavy with orange and coffee notes, which won’t be for everyone. Red Intense feels like it is more of the crowd pleaser and one that a lot of guys would gravitate to.