As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon affiliate link on my pages, I receive a commission based on that qualified purchase. It doesn't cost you any more money and it helps keep the site running.
Two of the more popular fragrances for men over the past few years, have been, the two that we’re going to take a closer look at today. It’s pretty common for these two colonges, to be the final scents that a man will be deciding on buying. However, when it comes down to it between: Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus by Paco Rabanne, which of these smells the best? Has better performance? Is the better buy?
Tale of the Tape
Invictus
Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine
Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce
Azzaro Wanted
Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood
Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce
Read my review: Azzaro Wanted
Opening
Invictus opens up with its citrus notes, bay leaf, and ambergris. It is fruity and sweet, with a grape bubble gum sort of aroma, and sea notes giving it an aquatic sensibility. Despite its sweetness, I really do enjoy the top notes here, and its probably my favorite part of the fragrance.
Wanted opens up with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. It actually smells quite a bit like Invictus, which is why these two, so often get compared. Wanted is similar, but is spicier and woodier, than is Invictus. Then, the tonka bean and cardamom, come in and its becomes more distinct.
Which is better? I prefer Invictus. Wanted does a solid job at mimicking the start of Invictus, but I don’t think it does as good of a job. The lemon alone, can be kind of sharp.
Edge: Invictus
Projection
Invictus has a strong sillage for a decent amount of time, after first application, before it turns into a moderate cologne. Wanted starts off fairly strong, but it never seems to eclipse Invictus. Both are moderate, but Invictus is a bit bolder.
Edge: Invictus
Longevity
Invictus has better strength, for me, and will last about 6-7 hours. However, Wanted will go 7-9 hours, while not having the same sillage. Go figure. It’s actually a very steady fragrance, not a complete monster with its strength, but sticks around well.
Edge: Wanted
Versatility
Both are pretty versatile scents. I’d say, Invictus is better in the heat, and as a nightlife scent. Wanted is more mature and fit in as an office wear better. As a steady daily wear, I’d say that Wanted has a slight edge.
Edge: Wanted
Overall Scent
I’m not a huge fan of either of these fragrances. That being said, I like each, well enough. As it dries down, Wanted has a smooth fruitiness, with tonka bean, apple, and juniper berry coming in. It’s fresh, not super spicy but has a slight bite to it.
However, I still like Invictus more than Azzaro Wanted. The opening act is better than anything that Wanted, throws at me. The dry down of amber, jasmine, and sea notes is pleasing. I feel that Invictus is just a better blend of notes, overall.
There’s parts of Wanted, where I really don’t enjoy the smell much at all. Other parts of the wear, it smells nice, but Invictus just strikes me as the better scent.
Winner: Invictus
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
User Review
( votes)
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.