Cologne Reviews

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.

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.

Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford

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In this edition of the never-ending fragrance reviews on this site, we have yet another entry from Tom Ford. This one is entitled, Tobacco Oud, which should be a giveaway as to what type of scent you can expect. It was released in 2013. In this post, I will cover my experiences with Tobacco Oud, and determine whether or not it is worth a try.

What does Tobacco Oud Smell Like?

Notes include: tobacco, oud, amber, whiskey, vanilla, cinnamon, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, coriander, cedar, incense

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz

My Full Review

Tobacco Oud opens up with very prominent oud that is soaked in whiskey and quite resinous. The tobacco strikes my nose as being pipe tobacco, already cured with some spicy coriander and cinnamon peaking through.

The opening isn’t the best part of this Tom Ford, as it is more about the whiskey and oud over the tobacco notes. It’s smoky and a bit dirty with patchouli. I do like a good whiskey note, and this gets better, but I’m really not all that enthralled with this opening act.

As it dries down, the incense and warm resinous qualities (including benzoin) begin to be more prominent, and the oud less so. Also, the tobacco rises to the top of the heap, this is when I start to enjoy Tobacco Oud much more.

It’s a spicy oriental flavor surrounding the tobacco and the still present boozy quality of the whiskey note. Benzoin is one of my favorite resinous or balsamic notes, with the added incense smoke, you do get a whiskey cigar sort of aroma here.

Finally, the fragrance finally dries down into something that is ultimately woody and with more sweetness. The smoky quality subsides a lot and the tobacco fades, but it smells sweet and warm on the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I would say that Tobacco Oud projects itself very well for the first hour or so of wear. After that, I find that the sillage is toward the moderate end of things, not too intense but certainly not weak.

With the longevity, Tobacco Oud is a great performer, and will go over 10 hours without issue. It’s essentially like other Tom Ford fragrances of this ilk. It’s going to stick around and give you a completely developed run on your skin.

Seasonally, Tobacco Oud is an autumn/winter wear. The warmth, spices, etc. aren’t going to be too great in the heat, but do perform quite well in the cold. It’s not a casual sort of fragrance at all.

While, this is technically a unisex scent, it is actually heavily masculine to my nose. I wouldn’t want to smell this on a girlfriend ever. It’s more refined and niche, but I wouldn’t call it a sexy fragrance, somewhat attractive but that’s it.

Yet, it’s one that you can wear dressed up on a night out and with the crisp and colder air of the winter, it can absolutely stand out.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Tobacco Oud

Overall, do I like Tobacco Oud? I like aspects of it. The opening is my least favorite part, but I like the dry down more. Still, it’s never been a fragrance that is a personal favorite of mine. Whiskey, tobacco, and benzoin are highlights but not enough to truly sell me on Tobacco Oud.

Personally, I like Tobacco Oud Intense more. Even if, neither are really my style. 

This scent has strong Middle Eastern/Oriental aroma to it, I think that every high-end designer has their version of this vibe. Other people seem to like this more than I do, at least that seems to be the take online.

The performance is also very good, so, you at least get bang for your buck. It just is a niche sort of scent, it will appeal to a certain type of fragrance lover, but probably not something that the masses will adopt.

You’re going to have to be a fan of resinous, incense smoke, tobacco, oud, and herbal spices. If that’s your thing, than this is your fragrance. For me, it’s above average, but I’ve never clamored to want to wear this particular Tom Ford.

Virgin Island Water by Creed

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Within the box of sample fragrances, I recently received (note: I’ve updated this page several times since), were several fragrances by Creed which I had yet to review on the site. One of them, is the popular unisex summer fragrance, Virgin Island Water. It was released in 2007.

This is a scent that screams time spent at the beach in some far flung tropical paradise. But, how does it perform? What does it smell like exactly? Is it actually worth the price of admission? Please continue reading below for my full take on Virgin Island Water, after wearing it.

What Does Creed Virgin Island Water Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, lime, rum, sugar cane, coconut, ylang-ylang, and ginger

Click here to try: Creed Virgin Island Water by Creed for Unisex – 4 oz Millesime Spray

My Full Wear Review

Upon getting my sample of Virgin Island Water, I immediately wanted to do a side by side comparison with Set Sail St. Bart’s, due to the similarities with these fragrances. I have tried both fragrances before but never had them together at the same time.

Virgin Island Water opens up with the lime and bergamot notes taking center stage, whereas the Tommy Bahama cologne is almost exclusively lime.

The opening is where the two scents are the most similar. I like Virgin Island Water better, as I feel the lime is less in your face, and tempered by the other citrus note and the coconut hanging around in the background.

It’s really the lime note that allows St. Barts to temporarily pass as a super cheapie VIW clone of sorts. The two scents also each have an alcohol note (tequila in St. Barts), which gives them another similar feel, but the quality difference is noticeable to yourself when wearing.

Anyways, the bergamot used in Virgin Island Water reminds me of it’s fellow Creed scent, Aventus. It really does blend well with the lime to create a beautiful citrus fusion.

After about 10-15 minutes of wear the creamy coconut takes over as the top dog in this scent and VIW starts to feel more like a suntan lotion.

It’s really like a sensory experience type of fragrance, it’s like being in the Caribbean on a beach with a drink in hand and a delicious smelling lotion covering your skin.

There are hints of jasmine and hibiscus, throughout the wear, but the floral notes are never out in full force. During the final dry down, it’s like a coconut rum lotion with some musk added in.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, it’s okay. It’s not a super strong scent but you’ll know it’s there for the first few hours. With these notes, I’m kind of glad it’s not a complete beast, as it’d probably too much.

It’s longevity is kind of meh, too. I’d say somewhere in the 4-6 hour range is what you can expect to get out of Virgin Island Water.

I get that this is a warm weather scent with some limited use cases versus others in the line, but that performance is pretty darn bad. It can make it difficult to justify paying full price for VIW, even if you completely love it.

When should this scent be worn? Summer. That’s about it. It’s a very good warm/hot weather scent, which is a bit rarer, so I think that it serves this niche well. Also, it is a unisex fragrance, and honestly doesn’t seem to lean towards one end or the other.

It’s a very balanced scent. I’d also say that this is a casual type of scent, I don’t think I’d be wearing it for any ‘serious’ functions or even a date. But, an outdoor party or beachy nightlife spot? Sure, I’d go for that.

VIW is mostly something to wear during the daytime to be refreshed and conjure up those memories of the island life.

Overall Impression of Virgin Island Water

Overall, is Virgin Island Water worth a purchase? I like the way it smells, but I don’t know that I like it for the price that Creed fetches. It’s honestly not one of my favorite Creed fragrances, but it is good.

The lime and rum are particularly likeable for me. The coconut is good, but it’s not my favorite aspect, especially how it plays off of the floral notes. Not bad or anything, just not the greatest either.

So, I wouldn’t tell anyone else to not buy it. Some folks love it, but it has never particularly struck me as a ‘great’ perfume. Plus, not much in terms of being a high performance scent.

Personally, Set Sail St. Barts, while not exactly the same and not as high quality…is cheaper enough in price that I could substitute it. I have a full bottle of the Tommy Bahama cologne, so having VIW seems like overkill, especially since it’s so limited to one season of the year.

Update: I wouldn’t go for the Tommy Bahama option nowadays. I do now actually have a Dua Brand blend of this and Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton called, “Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters”. That is much cheaper and better than just VIW on its own (they also have a cheaper alternative of that).

Plus, I’d wear this mostly while outdoors anyways, and with heat and perspiration, it’d be hard to tell the difference between the two.

Since this is a unisex fragrance, I would also recommend Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, over this. It is more of a women’s perfume (floral notes), but is honestly better than VIW, to my nose.

MYSLF EDP by YSL

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Myslfn is a new release from Yves Saint Laurent for 2023. After the endless Y and L’Homme flankers, I was excited to learn that they had come out with something different. I didn’t know anything about it before buying a sample online. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a buy?

What does Myslf by YSL Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: The first YSL Beauty woody floral for a contrasted trail of modernity.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this YSL coming into testing it. I saw comparisons between it and the women’s perfume, Libre by YSL after I ordered my sample, and wasn’t too excited for the prospect.

The thing is, it’s not really like Libre. Maybe closer to Libre L’Absolu Platine, which I also have a sample of. Even then, you’d have to strip out the lavender and aldehydes, which are major players in that fragrance.

Myslf starts off with it’s ‘fresh accord’, which basically consists of bergamot citrus notes, sitting on top of a strong use of orange blossom. It’s actually very nice.

The first time I wore this, I went outside for a stroll around the neighborhood and was loving the opening act and its mix of freshness and creaminess from the white floral.

The orange blossom will take over much of what the bergamot controlled up top. Patchouli and wood also appear, providing a slight earthy and spicy quality, while Myslf still manages to feel fairly clean.

The dry down comes and there is less distinction between the notes. The usual ambroxan fare, with the woody base, and a general aromatic smell perched front and center.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection in that first hour is good. Not a heavy fragrance, but it leaves a scent trail, and you can easily smell it on yourself.

I like to test scents outside, when I go for a daily walk. This was fantastic in that 30 minute window, when I had it sprayed on my wrist only. The scent itself was lovely, along with how it hung around me. Not quite a thick cloud, but more than a mist.

On my skin, this one will go for 6-7 hours. However, those last 3-4 hours are skin scent level performance. The first hour is really good and the next couple after that are decent.

Not an amazing performer. At the price point that Myslf is at, this is a reasonably disappointing result.

Seasonally, Myslf works best in the spring through autumn. It could be a year round fragrance, for those in a warmer climate. But, I’d probably go with something else during winter, for everyone else.

It’s a versatile clean. Any age group can wear it. Myslf isn’t a formal, wear it with a tuxedo type of cologne, but it works as an office daily wear. At school, casually, semi-formal events, etc.

It’s a scent that will be well-liked by others. It’s not a sexy sort of fragrance or one that’ll be a nightlife beast, either. Just one that can fit in pretty much anywhere else.

Overall Impressions of Myslf

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I do like it. It’s not a must have for me, but I do especially enjoy the first half of the wear.

Myslf isn’t a super unique or complex cologne. Though, that fresh accord paring with the orange blossom is very nice and attractive. It’s an easy to wear scent, that is clean and super versatile with its uses.

I like the light spiciness that comes through and that touch of earthiness. It’d be cool with some more of that.

Is it going to be one for those who love niche fragrances? Probably not. However, for the average consumer, this is a legitimate option if you just want to smell pleasant.

My biggest problem with this YSL, is the performance relative to the price. Not insanely expensive, but I want more longevity and power if I’m paying retail. I saw the small bottle selling for just under $90, which is a lot more than I’m willing to give up.

Outside of that, I think this is a very solid release. So long as you don’t have sky high expectations about what it should be or what YSL might have released instead of this.