Cologne Reviews

Eros Eau de Parfum by Versace

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Eros has been an absolute smash hit fragrance for Versace, for nearly a decade now. So, it was kind of surprising that it took them so long to follow up with an eau de parfum version. Yes, they had Flame, but that wasn’t quite the same.

I’ve been spending time wearing this EDP edition of Eros, while anticipating the public release of Parfum, and am finally posting my thoughts on this scent. How does it smell? Is it better than Eros EDT?

What does Eros Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: candied apple, mint, mandarin, lemon oil, ambermax, cedar, clary sage, geranium flower, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla

Click here to try: Eros by Versace, 6.7 oz EDP Spray for Men

My Full Review

Before we get into my thoughts on this scent, let’s see how Versace describes it: Masculine and confident, the new Eros Eau de Parfum is a fragrance for a bold, passionate man. The sensual scent fuses woody, oriental and fresh notes, creating a powerful perfume that evokes Eros – the god of love.

The opening of Eros EDP brings me back to what the original EDT batches used to smell like. The latest bottles of the original, have way more lemon in the mix than I remember, when compared to the bottles that I used to have.

However, they aren’t exactly the same. The citrus notes are way toned down here, which is nice. Instead, you get plenty of the mint, geranium, and sage. These notes are all wrapped up in a sweet mix of vanilla and the candied apple note.

I like the opening a lot, but it doesn’t hit the exact same chord as the initial EDT bottles, which were awesome.

Eros EDP feels colder, sweeter, and smoother than the original does. One thing that I do notice, is how much weaker the vetiver is in this edition. Also, the tonka bean is out of there too. I enjoy tonka bean being paired with vanilla, but I actually prefer the vanilla by itself in this scent.

The cedar notes are pumped up and really start to come through after 30-45 minutes of wear.

The next phase, brings out those woods and the geranium and sage begin to fade. At this point, the citrus is really faint. Seriously, I compared this to Eros EDT on my other arm, and that lemon oil sticks out big time with the original.

The mint and vanilla are the stars, with some apple, and the cedar. The biggest change for the rest of the wear, is just how much the Ambermax starts to come through.

I’m not a fan of that synthetic smelling amber from Versace. The final drydown has a hefty dose of it and it becomes distracting to me. Mint and a general freshness of woods comes through on top of it. The vanilla isn’t as strong and the apple is gone.

That’s about the extent of Eros EDP’s development. Woody, minty, and a heaping of Ambermax. Everything else is relegated to a faint background place.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is a strong fragrance, but not a monster. It’s slightly stronger than the current EDT bottles, but not the same level as the original batches of that. Plus, EDP doesn’t feel like it has the same power, because it doesn’t have that same sharp lemon note coming through.

The longevity here is also quite good, not elite. This will get me 8-9.5 hour of wear, on my skin. Better than EDT, but not nearly to the same level as Flame. That being said, this is a parfum that will hang around and give you your money’s worth.

 

Seasonally, I don’t think there is much difference from the EDT. Eros EDP is also an autumn and winter scent. It wouldn’t fall apart in moderate temperatures, but don’t expect it to be a summertime wear.

One advantage it has, is that it is more wearable for older guys. The original comes across as brash and youthful, built for the nightlife. EDP is more reserved. Still dynamic, but able to appeal to those outside of their early 20s.

Not saying this is a formal type of fragrance, but it doesn’t completely feel out of place in more dressed up scenarios. 

Like the original, eau de parfum still puts out that romantic vibe and has that sweet attractive appeal. 

Overall Impressions of Eros Eau de Parfum

Overall, do I like Eros EDP? I do. Though, I’m not sure that I enjoy it anymore than the original, even in its current form. I certainly like how it starts out, more so than its predecessor’s newer bottles.

The mint, sage, and geranium really give this a cold and aromatic fresh beginning. I always like the candied apple note and the EDP strikes me as being pretty close to how Legend Night smells (without the warm cardamom). Since I have a full bottle of that, I don’t personally need to get this.

Then, the woods come in to provide a base to the mint, vanilla, and candied apple top.

My biggest complaint here, is the ambermax note in the base. During the dry down, it is much more noticeable, and is the reason that EDP doesn’t completely surpass the original. It’s the same note that ruined Flame (I’m pretty sure it’s the culprit, anyway) for me (which I really like the opening of).

On my skin, the synthetic amber really has a harshness to it, that I simply don’t like. Maybe others won’t have this same problem, but it makes the wear after a few hours somewhat annoying. Not terrible, but not anything I need.

The Parfum version also goes with the Ambermax note, but it is much smoother, and leveled out by the other notes in the composition. I slightly prefer the Parfum to the EDP.

That has an aromatic fresh start, with a vanilla amber finish. Lighter on the woods (cashmeran), but they’re still there. It’s got a tad better performance too. 

Is Eros EDP worth a buy? Provided you liked the original from Versace, you should also like this one. It’s different enough and overall quite good. It’s at least as good as the EDT, with better performance currently.

In their current versions, I have all the Eros’ essentially neck in neck. I think Parfum would be the number one choice. Then, either EDP or the original. 

Acqua di Gio Profumo by Giorgio Armani

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So, I recently got a sample of Acqua di Gio Profumo to go along with the Armani Code Profumo vial that I really enjoyed. This is an updated and slightly altered flanker to the original and highly popular, ADG. How does this one stack up to its predecessor? Does it improve on the past or not live up to the hype?

In this post, I want to take a closer look at the Profumo version, see how it smells, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy. Note: This is a continuing review, I’ve been updating since 2016.

What does Acqua di Gio Profumo Smell Like?

acqua di gio profumo

Notes include: bergamot, sage, patchouli, incense, geranium, rosemary, and marine notes

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo 75ml (2.5oz) Parfum Vapo., 2.5 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Before we get into my own review, let’s see how Armani describes it: Acqua Di Giò Profumo is a sophisticated fragrance born from volcanic rock and deep ocean waters. Deeply sophisticated and intensely masculine, Acqua di Giò Profumo evokes the depth and intensity of the Mediterranean Sea.

Wow, Armani has been crushing it with these Profumo releases, at least the two I’ve tried so far. Acqua di Gio Profumo is very closely related to the original release, yet, feels somewhat more mature and sensual. This fragrance is dominated by the salty marine notes and bergamot, which gives it a wholly summery aura to it.

Think deep ocean waters, dark and mysterious. The incense and other more earthy notes adds a smokey/spicy touch, which is quite masculine. Now, this isn’t completely different from the original Acqua di Gio, just more ‘grown up’ and I think it’s even more interesting than the previous incarnation.

AdG Profumo opens up with the bright and somewhat sharp bergamot note, a nice spicy sage, and the marine notes which again, feel darker than in the original Acqua di Gio. I really like the refreshing aquatic summertime aroma of the top notes and how it starts strong, on my skin.

The juiciness of the bergamot is easy to overlook, but it really helps to capture the same sort of citrus feel as the original.

The sage and incense are really evident early on, along with the signature sea notes of the AdG lineup. 

The next layer comes from the same rosemary note from the original, plus, the incense which provides that smoky note, playing off of the marine accord. The incense comes up from the base notes earlier on than I get with the patchouli, which plays a bigger role in the dry down.

Profumo is a salty citrus with rosemary and the lovely Oriental quality of the incense note. It doesn’t have the same woody base as the original, and instead, substitutes patchouli and geranium.

During the dry down, it takes on more of a warm and slightly metallic air. When blended with the bergamot, the bit of metallic sensation from the geranium, reminds me somewhat of Hugo Red. Different scents, but have some commonalities. Way less citrus in the Armani. 

Ultimately what I get from Acqua di Gio Profumo is an oceanic bergamot with herbal spices, smokey elements, and an altering between warmth/aquatic aromas. It took me some time to truly appreciate this one, but once I was done with my sample sprayer, I was fully into wearing this stuff.

The sage and rosemary definitely tone down as you move along. It stays fairly marine with its aroma, but with more warmth and smoothness. 

Sillage

Projection wise, it doesn’t falter. Profumo isn’t a heavy type of scent but you’ll know it’s there. It starts out strong on my skin for about an hour and then becomes much more moderate. It’ll radiate during the dry down, about 3-5 feet, but still not heavy.

Coming back to this fragrance, a few years later, and that initial sillage is quite good. I can spray AdG Profumo on a shirt and pick up the scent from across the room.

How Long does it Last?

Also, it has really good longevity and will last throughout the day. On my skin, I’ve been able to get 8+ hours consistently, and longer on some occasions. It maxed out just under 10 hours.

With more testing, I have found Acqua di Gio Profumo, usually settles in the 9-ish hour range. Occasionally, I can squeak out some more time, but it has to be the right climate mix. 

Update: My latest bottle doesn’t seem to hit these same total number of hours. Now, it’s more like 6.5-7 hours of wear. Don’t know if that’s everyone’s experience, but my initial testing of this had a longer impact. Still, very useful and it hasn’t stopped my from enjoying my bottle.

 

 

Versatility and When to Wear

To me, this is mainly a summer scent, as it will stand up and perform very well in the heat. However, it can honestly be used in the winter without any problem, which is a good bit of versatility.

It does have that oceanic aroma, which can be somewhat out of place. However, Profumo is pretty signature scent worthy and isn’t overly weird when it gets colder. Though, I wore it today when it was chilly out, and still enjoyed it.

Update: I usually wear this in spring and summertime. But, I do come back to it during the colder months and it’s still likeable in that environment. The smokiness and patchouli helps a lot with that.

Profumo is more mature than the original Acqua di Gio, so, if that one was more suited for teens through college age…this is for mid-20s and up.

That’s of course, not a hard rule or anything, but the vibe this one puts out. Good for casual occasions or during the night life. You could totally wear this to a bar or club, and I have gotten complements from women, while wearing this, just from the sample sprayer.

Can this one be an office scent? Yes, it can fit in nicely, if not over-sprayed. 

I was wearing this one around during the summer, fairly often. To me, that’s still when AdG Profumo is at its absolute peak. The citrus and spice, just sits beautifully in that climate. This or Profondo are well worth your consideration, if you live in a sub-tropical or tropical area. 

Update: Having worn this one a lot, Profumo has gotten me a ton of complements over the years. Maybe that’s just a factor of having worn it many times, but I think it’s sustained popularity over time speaks to its attractiveness. It’s not for everyone, but this manages to be unique, stay with the AdG DNA, and appeal to the masses simultaneously.

Overall Impression of AdG Profumo

Overall, is is worth a buy? Yes, if you liked the original Acqua di Gio and want a new bottle this is a great scent. However, there is the matter of price, as you can get the original for cheaper, usually. Profumo isn’t so much better that you should fork out more money, unless you want to of course.

Updated note: newer bottles of the original, don’t seem to have the same staying power. Now, you can find bottles of Profumo, for below retail price. Also, along with Profondo, you can also try out the EDP version. I like that in the summer, it’s just not as good overall as Profumo. This one still ranks as my favorite of the line.

Between the two? I do like wearing this version much more personally, but some might not enjoy, the incense addition. AdG Profumo is a very good release though and a summery wear that hits the mark.

Since I first began this review years ago, I have had a few full bottles, including currently. I’m a pretty big Acqua di Gio fan and this has been my favorite. Even though, I still like wearing the others. 

I enjoy the freshness, spicy elements, the dark ocean vibe, and metallic hints. Profumo is a wonderful blend of the aromatic, aquatic, and fresh. 

Eros for Men EDT by Versace

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In mythology, Eros was the God of Love. Perhaps it is fitting that a mythological deity who inspires love, should have a fragrance named after him. Italian fashion house, Versace, has a long history of producing fashionable and very well done colognes for men.

I am updating (and have been previously) this review of Eros for Men after spending years, coming back to it, and refining my opinion of this cologne.

This has become one of my favorite scents from the brand, as it just strikes me as something so different from the rest of the line. In this post, I want to explore how this cologne smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is a buy.

What does Versace Eros EDT Smell Like?

versace eros

Notes of Eros: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver, Italian lemon

Shop Amazon for: Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Intro to Eros

The first thing that one should know about Eros, is that it is a very strong fragrance, in certain circumstances. While there are plenty of others out there which you can wear many sprays and not offend, Eros is not among them. Which can be a good thing, as when you have to use less, the bottle itself will last for a longer period of time.

However, let this serve as a warning to those who like to wear too much cologne, because while this smells great, too much of a good thing will have you repelling people left and right.

That being said, the mythological moniker, has proved to be utterly appropriate for this scent since its release six or so years back. Eros has such a lively character and intensity, which really sets it apart from other fragrances and probably why it’s a perennial best seller.

Versace didn’t hold back with this one and its sheer boldness has garnered it a legion of dedicated supporters over the years. It’s also not just loud for loud’s sake, it is insanely attractive, and a cologne with complete sex appeal.

My Full Review

This Versace eau de toilette opens with a zesty Italian lemon note, that is joined by a crisp juicy green apple, and the cool spice of mint leaves. Eros is super fresh, intense, and has quite the masculine presence.

What’s always been interesting to me, is how there is a slight chocolate undertone, which sits throughout the wear, but mostly in the opening minutes. I know that I’m not the only one who detects this, but what I take it to be is the interplay between the dry vetiver, vanilla (among other sweet notes), and tonka bean.

It is sort of the same effect (chocolate aroma without the ingredient) you find in Dior Homme Intense, though, these are entirely different fragrances.

Eros is a cologne that yields a definite spiciness to how it projects itself. Not a peppery or overwhelming spice, mind you. The mint oil note probably gives it the strongest sense of spiciness, as it is a dominate note in Eros’ presentation.

It’s really a blend that is headed up by mint, vanilla, and tonka bean with the latter two notes helping to create that very rich warmth and ‘delicious’ flavor that this cologne becomes known for. This is offset by the cold crispness of mint (and apple to some extent).

Update: The newer batches have had an impact on my opinion of Eros EDT. I’ve tried a few different samples and minis and they now seem to be skewed towards a strong lemon in the opening, with more ambroxan (like Flame) in the dry down. The balanced nuance with the vanilla appears to be lost.

Some people find this cologne to be too sweet for their tastes, and though I agree that it can be too much sometimes, I also find it to be very pleasing to wear when I’m in the right mood for this Versace beast.

I think that there are much sweeter or candy-like fragrances out there and Eros gets balanced out but it other ingredients. It sort of tones down, once the fruit top notes recede into the background.

Further on in the drydown period, Eros really becomes an enveloping fragrance. It’s like a delicious gourmand cloud of warmth. The ambroxan amber and an ever so slight floral note (geranium) emerge to flank the main trio of notes.

It’s a radiating aura of a smooth, creamy, and freshly sensual aroma with the vanilla note at its absolute apex. Ambroxan is seemingly used in just about every new release nowadays. I think between this and Dior’s Sauvage, designers needed to put out as many copycat scents as possible. In Eros, the amber is great, and gives a perfectly desirable effect. (Update: Again, now it’s too much).

Then, we get to the base, ever present but most detectable a few hours after application. Dry woods and earthy aromas, this is the foundation of the entire fragrance.

Mostly what I get from the base, is the dual blend of cedarwood notes (Atlas and Virginia), which are staples in men’s fragrances. This is what gives Eros its staying power and strong virile character. Throw in some oak moss and the aforementioned vetiver and this scent is perfectly rounded out.

How Long Does Eros Last?

Beyond being just a strong cologne, Eros also tends to last a long time as well. Seriously, a few sprays will last all day on my skin and well into the evening. Eros is an absolute monster in terms of performance, in my experience with it.

Longevity can of course vary based on one’s own skin, body chemistry, and the batch of the fragrance being sold. I haven’t heard anything about any significant reformulations of the scent by Versace yet, but I’ve tended to get 8-10+ of wear from Eros, depending on the climate that particular day.

Update: Yeah, it seems like it’s lost a step to me. Still very strong, but not to the same degree, in the latest batches I’ve tried. The longevity is still fine, just less of the wears that hit double digit hours.

So, yeah, not only is the sillage great; Eros also tends to last a very long time. More than you will need under most circumstances. Again, I’ve never needed or wanted to spray this at a maximum of 3 times. In confined space, I’m not even going more than two spritzes.

When Should You Wear Eros? Is it Versatile?

I like it best as a romantic or nightlife fragrance, I mean, you can wear it during the daytime but tread lightly in an office type environment. When I wore it casually to work, I’d put on only 1 spray and let it breathe some before heading into the office.

Update: Nowadays, you could probably do 2 sprays in this scenario. The initial release was an absolute monster, it’s still heavy, just not to the same degree.

I also wouldn’t wear this during the summertime and I don’t think it holds up well in the heat. At night, you can rock Eros during the warmer months, I just really don’t like what the humidity turns this one into.

This cologne is built for the cooler weather and it is absolutely beautiful during that time of year. Eros hangs so beautifully in the cold and envelops you in a warm and sweet cloud of fragrance that will have you wanting to catch a sniff of yourself all day. Now, picture how that turns out in hot and humid conditions.

It’s versatile in the sense that you can wear it everyday, if you go light with it. However, I really do keep it limited to evenings out, and casual daytime use. Personally, I don’t need such a bold cologne for situations that don’t call for it.

In terms of the age of a potential wearer, this scent does seem to skew younger, but I don’t find it to be a ‘teenager’ scent exclusively.

Sure, high school guys through men in their twenties, have really latched on to Eros and propelled it to top seller status…but it still works for males of all ages. Don’t let the sweet elements dissuade you, this Versace is still plenty manly and just exudes a vigorous confidence.

Eros Flame vs Eros

In 2018, Versace finally released a flanker fragrance to the original Eros, some six years after it came out. This cologne comes in a Ruby Red bottle and is called Eros Flame (linked my review).

Is it better than the original? In my opinion, no. It shares a lot of similarities, but ultimately takes things in a new direction during the dry down.  For a complete head to head breakdown: Eros vs. Eros Flame

Final Thoughts on Eros for Men

Overall, I rather like Eros a lot as a cologne. I think it is one that will work great from the Fall to the early Spring because its spice and rich aroma will project well in the crisp air of those months. If you’re a guy who like layered scents that are wholly masculine, then Eros might be just what you’re looking for.

Update: This was one of my favorites of the best-selling designer colognes. Nowadays, not so much. I still like it, but the formula just feels off to me.

The citrus is stepped up or the creaminess of the vanilla/tonka bean is scaled back, or both. I don’t think it’s just my imagination, as I wore this for years after this initial review came out in 2013 or 2014. With a thinner and less rich and creamy envelopment, the ambroxan comes on a bit too much, also.

I don’t think the new batches are bad or anything, just had to drop the score below down 10-15%. You might want to check out the newer Eros releases too, EDP and Parfum. EDP captures a similar start to how EDT used to smell, but not quite.

Actually, I prefer Parfum to EDP overall, since EDP changes away from being a close comparison to the original EDT formulation. Still, none of the Eros releases really stand out as being significantly better than the others, in my opinion. I’d either go Parfum or EDT here in 2023.

Test them out and see which is best on your skin. Hopefully, with EDT you still get to experience more of that vanilla richness the 2012 version had.

If you don’t like sweetness, gourmand type of scents, or colognes that can be heavy…I would avoid Eros in that case. This is a bold and gaudy fragrance, that isn’t for the meek or those who are in the market for a moderate, year-round scent.

It has a specific function in a cologne collection and Eros does what it does very well. It’s not for everybody, but it is damn good.

Eros Flame by Versace

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I have been waiting for many months to get my hands on a bottle of this new Versace release, Eros Flame. I heard about it, saw that it was released in Europe, and couldn’t find any info as to when it was coming to the US.

It was a few months in between its European release and when I could actually purchase a bottle for myself, but finally the day came and I ordered it immediately.

I am a fan of the original, so, I was pretty excited to try out the new Eros in the sharp looking red bottle. Does it meet expectations? What does Flame actually smell like? Can it match the performance of the original? Is it even worth a purchase?

What Does Eros Flame Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, tangerine, chinotto accord, black pepper, wild mountain rosemary, pepperwood, geranium, rose, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, oak moss, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla

Click here to try: Versace Eros Flame 100ml 3.4Oz Eau de Parfume For Men

My Full Wear Review

Eros Flame opens in a similar manner to the original Versace Eros, but has enough differences to be a distinct fragrance. You can definitely tell that the two share a common DNA. The main overlap that I noticed immediately, was in the use of citrus in the top notes.

The lemon note is prominent in both, at the start, and is exactly the same. However, in Eros Flame it is joined by a tangerine note, that will eventually take over the composition from its citrus compatriot.

The tangerine/lemon combo is very bright and juicy at the top. It brings to mind not only the original Eros, but also, Ultra Zest by Thierry Mugler in its orange citrus use. This is especially the case, when the emergent vanilla and tonka bean bring about that smooth creamy aroma.

Versace says that the citrus pairing is a part of a chinotto accord, which is a carbonated soft drink in Italy. I’m not familiar with this at all, so I can’t really speak on what that supposed to smell like.

Now, there are of course, differences at the beginning even with all of the shared commonalities. The green apple from the original is gone and replaced by that tangerine. Also, the cool refreshing mint, has been replaced by a warm black pepper note instead.

The pepper here isn’t crazy spicy and probably not as strong as the mint is in the original. It does add a different element to the composition of Flame and really is the signal that this cologne is changing into something quite different from its predecessor.

On the whole, I really enjoy the opening act. The citrus and vanilla/tonka bean is familiar and there is a certain effervescent quality to the whole thing.

As it dries down, Flame takes on a lot of outdoorsy/woodsy elements, and even during this stage it share some with the original. Cedar, vetiver, oak moss and geranium are all here from the original.

The strength of each has changed particularly the cedar note but the geranium feels a tad more prevalent in Flame. One thing that is different is the rosemary, which I pick up a lot on, maybe an hour or so into the wear.

Flame has a woody and dry earthy base, like Eros, but it is much stronger in the newer version. Rosemary, cedar, some sandalwood, and a very slight hint of rose at times.

All of this sits underneath a top of tangerine, vanilla, tonka bean, and some light black pepper. It is noticeably different from Eros and especially the complete lack of mint here.

The dry down, isn’t my favorite part of Flame. Since wearing this, I really love the opening act, but seem to have to be in the right mood to truly enjoy the latter stages of it.

How Long Does it Last? How Strong is the Sillage?

Projection wise, Eros Flame is really strong on my skin. I definitely get that famous Eros sillage out of this flanker, and two sprays is fairly bold, I can pick it up when sprayed on an old t-shirt across the room. It does calm down, as it dries down, because that lemon top note fades.

However, it provides a solidly strong projection for the entire wear. This isn’t one that I need to spray, very much at all. It gets noticed by others, even with a lighter application, in my experience.

Update: The more time I spent with Flame the more I realized the sillage was crazy. One of the strongest mainstream designer scents that I’ve come across. I think that it actually outdid the initial batches of Eros EDT. I could spray this one something far away in another room and catch whiffs of it. Not sure if newer bottles maintained this power, but geez it was loud…

Longevity is also very good, I hit double digit hours with it each time, that I put it on. Versace didn’t screw this one up, in terms of performance.

Update: I have been using my bottle for months now and the longevity is insane on my skin. I can hit 13-15 hours, at times. It just keeps going.

Update 2: Newer bottles don’t have this same staying power or even close. Same thing happened to the original Eros. Now, it’s in the 8-9 hour range and not nearly as strong.

Versatility. When Should You Wear Eros Flame?

Seasonally, it doesn’t differ in my opinion, from the original. It is best in the colder months of autumn and winter, but can extend its wear into the spring. I think that the absence of amber, could let it perform a little better in the heat, but it’s not a summertime fragrance for me.

Eros Flame has good versatility. If you go super light, it can be an office scent…though, I wouldn’t use it for that purpose. But, it’s best as a casual wear, and especially as a nightlife one.

For some guys, they would choose this as a daily wear and it could certainly serve that purpose, as well.

It still has that Eros vigorous youthfulness, but never feels like something only a teenager can wear. It is attractive and has a level of sexiness about it. Obviously, I think it’s less sexy in the later stages, but I’m sure others will disagree.

Overall Impression of Flame

Overall, do I like Versace Eros Flame? I do. I bought a full bottle of this stuff as a complete blind buy and still plan on wearing it, after testing it out. That’s a good sign, I at least didn’t throw away money.

Update: The more that I wore it, the less I enjoyed Flame. I like the opening citrus, but the later dry down, gets on my nerves. Seriously, that dry down just grated on me. Something about it, that I’ve also found with the newer batches of Eros EDT…just to the extreme with this one.

The vanilla and tonka bean started to have less of an influence, in those latter stages. Also, once the citrus had mostly burned off, I just felt it less.

I ended up getting rid of my bottle, after not using it much at all past those initial 5-6 months. Even during that phase, it was sparsely worn. So, it sat on my shelf for over 2 years. The red bottle did look fantastic, however.

I know that this is some people’s favorite Eros. To me, it’s the worst. Opening hour or so is attractive and after that…meh. 

If you enjoyed the original Eros, you’ll more than likely be into Flame. If you didn’t like Eros, it probably won’t change your mind.

I don’t think that Flame surpasses the original, it has a lot of similarities, but offers more woodiness and enough differences to keep it interesting for me. Flame is a great balance of sweetness with dry woods and a peppery spice.

The citrus is similar at the beginning to Eros, but changes, and is a consistent aspect of the cologne. It is worth a try and should enjoy plenty of popularity in the near future.

1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne

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Sometimes, I completely miss that a new popular fragrance has been released, and don’t find out about it until months later. That is the case with today’s cologne review, a new flanker scent by Paco Rabanne, 1 Million Lucky.

Yep, there is a new continuation of the 1 Million namesake, but how does Lucky stack up? What’s it smell like? Is it any good? Continue below for my thoughts on this cologne after wearing it around for a while.

What does 1 Million Lucky Smell Like?

Notes include: hazelnut, cedar, green plum, patchouli, grapefruit, amber, and more

Click here to try: 1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml

My Full Review

Many people are going to wonder how much Lucky smells like the original 1 Million. I’m going to do an entire comparison between these two scents in another post, but for now, I will say that there is some shared sensibilities.

The main highlights are different but they have a similar core with the overlapping cedar, patchouli, amber, and grapefruit notes. Those weren’t the main attractions in the original, but they were indeed there.

The opening of 1 Million Lucky, is a freshly sweet, warm, and woody aroma. The plum note sits on top and is paired with a bit of honey and a dash of citrus. It actually does have a tart quality, as well, which some may not enjoy. I like it.

These sweeter notes sit on top of a cedar wood base that is covered in amber. It’s a warm, though, not spicy cloud which has a creamy/nutty quality to it thanks to the hazelnut.

About 30 minutes in, is when I really notice the similarities with the original 1 Million, but again they are ultimately quite different. At this stage, I am detecting quite a bit of the cedar, amber, and the familiar patchouli note.

Further along, the hazelnut plays a bigger role. It is there at the start,  but really starts to show later when some of the fruit has burned off.

However, I ultimately get a sweet plum/honey mix as the strongest players within the composition. It’s plum, honey, amber, hazelnut, with a little grapefruit sitting on top of a cedar finish.

The very tail end is like a honeyed woods. Cedar and vetiver come through the most for me. Maybe a bit of patchouli which aids in the gourmand qualities of the honey and remaining hazelnut.

Feels much drier in the latter stages, not the same level of tart/sweetness either. The tart aspects are pretty much completely gone with the degraded plum.

Sillage, How Long Does it Last, and Versatility

Projection wise, is this a beast like the other 1 Million scents? Not really. The sillage isn’t bad but it isn’t a fragrance that will completely bomb a room, either.

It hangs much closer to the skin and projects out to maybe a 3-4 foot radius around the wearer. That’s a nice change of pace.

Don’t get me wrong, Lucky is still well above average and can be over-sprayed. It’s just that you probably won’t with most usual applications. All though, that opening 20 minutes or so, can be fairly loud.

Longevity wise, it isn’t that 12 hour plus wear of the original. I get about 6-7 hours from Lucky. Perhaps, as much as 8 hours, with the last bit being super close to the skin.

I’ve worn this probably 10+ times by now and I seemingly get the same results each time. 6-8ish hours of wear. Then, it is gone. That’s not bad performance at all.

Is Lucky a versatile fragrance? Yes, I think that this is the aspect where it has the original definitely beat. Since it is much more understated, Lucky can be worn during your everyday life, while also still serving as a club scent.

It is also kind of a unisex fragrance, more so than one simply for men. I know that they’ve released a women’s perfume version of Lucky, as well, but this one could be worn by anyone. Though, leans masculine.

It has more of youthful vibe, like early to mid 20s, but isn’t as polarizing as the original 1 Million. It does come across as unique and that plum note can have a sharp sort of smell.

What’s great about Lucky’s versatility, is that it works year round. It can do somewhat well in the heat of summer and won’t completely melt. These particular sweet notes aren’t going to melt like the usual gourmand sugary ingredients.

But, if it is too hot and humid, I’d skip out for something geared more towards that climate. 1 Million Lucky is at it’s best in colder to more temperate weather. Actually, autumn was my favorite time to use my mini bottle.

Overall Impression of Lucky

Overall, do I like 1 Million Lucky? Yes. At the moment, I’m not blown away by it, but I definitely enjoy it. It’s got a pretty unique profile versus most of what is out on the market today and differentiates itself enough from its predecessors.

I like the plum note here, as I think that it adds a different sort of sweetness than is found in many colognes. It’s ultimately a very good mix of sweetness, woody base, and a nutty top that has an understated attractiveness.

That being said, I don’t prefer it to either 1 Million or Prive. For younger guys, it actually could be a solid first option. It’s something I can only really throw on once in a while, but I do like the tart and sweetness.

The performance is good. It’s not elite, but for the mass of designer colognes out there, Lucky can hold its own versus most of them.

Update: It looks like this one is being discontinued now, just as Prive was a few years ago. As of this moment, it’s still available in stores, but it might be the last of the new stock. So, if you want this one, you would do well to grab a bottle.