Cologne Reviews

Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle

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Lipstick Rose is one of the Frederic Malle fragrances that I had yet to try throughout all of the years that I’ve been running this site.

It’s a perfume that was released back in 2000, so it’s no new by any means, but we might as well get into what makes this one so well-loved. Lipstick Rose was designed by Ralf Schwieger.

What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it really worth a try?

Lipstick Rose Review

Notes include: litchi, raspberry, galbanum, grapefruit, lemon, iris, rose, heliotrope, clove, amber, leather, musk, cedar, and more

Click here to try: Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle

My Take

Right away, you can tell that this Schwieger creation is going to live up to its name. The lipstick like aroma of the perfume is apparent, as is the well-blended rose note.

What I wasn’t expecting here was the lightness of this scent, especially early. I didn’t check the notes until later, but the fruitiness while subdued, is doing a lot of the work of helping to bring out the greenish and slightly dewy smell at the start.

Litchi is the strongest of the lot to my nose. However, it’s not ever dominating. The fruit here are just part of the mix and aren’t making themselves known with a sugary sweetness or tart presentation. Even the citrus, is just a faint hint, but it makes the opening sparkle.

Underneath that, galbanum is very prominent on my skin for a while. Greenish, woodsy, earthy, and slightly bitter. It’s playing off that somewhat dirty red rose, the iris, and lily of the valley. The latter, will gradually be replaced by heliotrope in the middle of the wear.

Galbanum does bring out the musk note more here. But, we will begin to shift away from the sparkling greenish opening further into the lipstick scent that we were promised. I’m also getting violet in the mix.

The powder really increases, while this Frederic Malle scent retains that lightness and freshness. It sort of reminds me of L’Homme L’eau by Prada, in that respect, but this is a more complicated fragrance.

The dry down is a powdery lipstick with vanilla, some amber, and a vague woody and green finish to it. The rose and iris are more distinct, as the other floral notes aside from some remaining heliotrope have fallen away.

It’s sweeter to me, still not majorly, and slightly warm and waxy in the finish. It does so while keeping that clean brightness to some degree.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This fragrance is pretty moderate with how it projects and the scent trail that it leaves in your wake. Lipstick Rose isn’t a heavy scent, but it’s not airy with how it presents either.

I always notice that I had it on and never had to press my nose up against the skin in order to detect it. Closer to the upper range of moderate than anything and not a complete beast with it either.

The longevity is actually really solid. I get somewhere around 8.5 hours on my skin from this fragrance. Again not elite, but you’ll get a full workday’s use out of it.

Seasonally, this is one that can fit in almost year round. It’s light enough for the spring and more mild days of summer, while also being substantial enough for when it gets cooler.

I would probably avoid it at the extremes of winter and summer, but you’re good outside of that.

It’s a very versatile perfume to wear too. While not inherently ‘sexy’ or a night club beast, Lipstick Rose can fit in just about anywhere else. It’s dressed up, attractive, without coming off as overly serious.

Casual, daily wear, or potential signature scent for the right person.

Overall Impressions of Lipstick Rose

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it is a really great perfume of this type. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if it sounds like you’d enjoy it, Lipstick Rose is one you should definitely check out.

I think the opening act is great. The mix of fruits playing off of the floral notes gives this one balance. It doesn’t have to stray too far into green stem territory or have a singular tone with the lipstick and rose theme.

That is there, but this Malle perfume develops quite a bit from that initial spray. It doesn’t ever lose me and I enjoyed the ride, even if this is a very feminine fragrance. Sure, I won’t buy a bottle for myself, though I can enjoy this sample for what it is.

The performance is good, not extreme or elite, but Lipstick Rose does its job well.

I don’t think that this is too challenging to wear or anything like that, but some people really don’t vibe with lipstick perfumes, even if they like the idea of it. That and the price itself, will probably prevent this from being a blind buy for most people.

However, this is actually is a great offering from this line for those interested.

Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza by Valentino

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Valentino’s Born in Roma series continues to roll along on both the men’s and women’s side of their fragrances. Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza was released by the designer in 2024, but I recently bought some more perfume samples and received this one as a part of the lot.

So, after testing this Green scent out, how does it smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try? Below is my complete and updated review of this cologne.

Born in Roma Green Stravaganza Review

Notes include: bergamot, coffee, vetiver

Click here to try: Green Stravaganza

My Take

Here’s how Valentino describes it: A fougere ambery fragrance, uplifting your extravagance with the bright Calabria bergamot heart, a fresh aromatic complex, and an addictive coffee accord.

So, Born in Roma Green Stravaganza is a fairly simple fragrance. It’s paired down so that it can be the line’s go to option for the spring and summer months.

The opening is mostly about the bergamot note. It actually sort of reminds me a bit of YSL’s Myslf up top. Same use of citrus. However, here it doesn’t take on the same level of juiciness and intensity.

The bergamot is smoothed out by the inclusion of coffee. The coffee accord isn’t heavy or dominant, but it’s used to beef up the scent a bit while maintaining its freshness. It darkens the feeling of the wear compared to the usual bright and citrus-laden summer colognes.

As we move along, the bergamot will lose a good deal of its power, and Born in Roma Green Stravaganza will be much more of a balanced bled.

It’s fresh, somewhat earthy and greenish at times thanks to the inclusion of the vetiver note. The dry down has a soapy/amber finish to it. I think there is a light ‘amber’ note that isn’t listed and the greenish finish is pretty vetiver heavy on my skin.

Not much obvious coffee aroma left and I can still detect the citrus that prevents a complete domination by the vetiver.

That’s about it with this cologne.

Projection, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening here actually does have some weight to it and reach, as far as the projection goes. It will leave a fairly substantial scent trail in one’s wake for the first 30-60 minutes, with a decent amount of sprays.

But, that will tone down into something that could be considered a lighter moderate scent for most of the wear. It’s noticeable for a majority of the wear, but isn’t going to be in your face about it, before it turns completely into a skin scent.

For me, I get somewhere in the 6-6.5 hour range of use out of Green Stravaganza. It’s about what I was expecting, something simple and for the warmer weather, and not a dense long-lasting powerhouse.

Seasonally, again, this one is spring and summer for most places. If you live in a warmer climate, I guess that will be more year round for your area. It’s fine in more moderate temperatures.

I don’t think that it would smell bad in colder weather, but maybe feel out of place with it’s livelier ‘greenish’ aroma.

This Born in Roma isn’t a serious fragrance or a nightlife scent. It’s not completely juvenile or informal. I’ve been wearing it around as a casual daytime fragrance when I’m running errands around town or just lounging around the house. Something along those lines.

Overall Impressions of Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza

Overall, do I like this cologne? I do, even if I ultimately think that it falls short of being something that is truly great. In the end, I think it’s a pretty good scent that wouldn’t be a bad pickup at the right price.

The opening act with the bergamot at its peak, blended with the coffee accord giving the fragrance some more depth is really quite attractive. It works well on a warmer day and is my favorite part of the wear.

After that, it’s fine. The general woodsy aroma with some soapy touches in the dry down is fine. I’m not enthralled with the back half of Green Stravaganza and it really doesn’t hold much interest for me.

The performance is middle of the road, but still better than a lot of fragrances that are spring and summer wears.

I have finished out my samples of this scent for this review. I won’t personally be grabbing a bottle of this Valentino, but I do think that it’s a solid enough effort from this line.

Eilish No. 2 by Billie Eilish

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Eilish No. 2 is the follow up fragrance to the first Billie Eilish perfume release. It was then followed by a third entry into the series, each of which has nothing to do with the other in terms of how they smell. It was released in 2022.

Anyway, I finally got some samples of this woody perfume and have been testing it out recently. How does this Eilish scent smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

Eilish 2 by Billie Eilish Overview

Notes include: bergamot, apple blossom, wild poppy flower, black pepper, papyrus, palo santo, ebony wood

Click here to try: Eilish No. 2

My Full Review

Eilish 2 opens with a sharp hit of black pepper that’s brightened by bergamot’s subtle citrus scent. Apple blossom brings a bit of sweetness to the initial burst.

The florals stay pretty understated throughout, you’ll pick up traces here and there, but they never take center stage in this blend. You just get different facets of them at different times.

What really drives this fragrance is the palo santo wood running through from start to finish. Early on, papyrus kicks in with extra dryness and spice. The whole thing feels warm, grounded, and carries this gentle smoky quality.

What’s interesting is how Eilish 2 develops this slightly humid, almost dewy character as it moves into the heart and dry down phases. That’s from the poppy flower note, which is described as being ‘wet poppy flower’ by the brand.

The latter stages of the wear are much more woody and warm, versus floral and spicy. The sap and resinous qualities really come through and the composition will dry out versus what it was earlier.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eilish 2 isn’t a heavy fragrance. It’s substantial and noticeable, but more airy than the first one and not as dense. It’s a moderate in terms of how it projects, it will leave a nice scent trail, but never really hits some insane level.

Longevity wise, this one is also pretty decent, just not great. I’ve been getting around 7 hours of wear from this perfume. Maybe an extra half an hour beyond that.

Eilish 2 is mainly for the autumn and winter months. It can venture into the spring, but I wouldn’t wear it out, when it gets too warm.

This Billie Eilish perfume is also much more unisex than the first one, which was a sweeter gourmand. This one can be worn by anyone and some would consider this to be much more traditionally masculine.

While it’s not a formal fragrance or one that is particularly sexy, it does have a wide use case to wear around. Eilish 2 could be a signature fragrance for the right person and it will fit in pretty much anywhere outside of a few exceptions.

Overall Impressions of Eilish No. 2

Overall, do I like this distinct sequel fragrance? I do enjoy it somewhat. The dry down is my favorite part, but it does have some interesting facets along the way.

Now, this second Eilish release isn’t going to be everyone’s favorite and the reaction to it seems pretty split. A spicy, smoky, and dry woody blend isn’t going to appeal to everyone…even if it is technically more unisex compared to the first release.

Still, even with its fairly unique presentation, I still think that this one falls short of being anything truly special. If it fits your style, it is an inexpensive pickup that should work rather well.

The performance is also a bit above average, but not by much.

The peppery start can be somewhat off-putting, but I do like the palo santo and ebony wood notes, particularly in the second half of this scent. It’s not too powerful, but it sits nicely on the skin.

Devotion Pour Homme by D&G

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Devotion is a newer series for both men and women by D&G. The women’s side of things got a head start, before Devotion Pour Homme was released in 2025. I recently bought a sample of this cologne to test it out and see what it’s all about.

What does it smell like? Does Devotion Homme last long? Is this Dolce & Gabbana fragrance worth a try?

Devotion Pour Homme Overview

Notes include: lemon, coffee, patchouli

Click here to try: Devotion Homme at Sephora

My Full Review

Here’s how they describe it: Dolce & Gabbana Devotion For Men Eau de Parfum celebrates unwavering and unconditional devotion, the power of love, and the joy of life. The fragrance, anchored by the timeless Sacred Heart, reflects the essence of a determined man, confidently guided by his instincts.

The opening is a warm roasted coffee note sitting underneath a giant squeeze of lemon juice. The lemon is pretty intense for a few minutes, before fading behind the coffee.

This isn’t really a coffee bean sort of smell or the grounds, this is like a literal interpretation of what a cup of coffee smells like. It’s spiced and given that citrus enhancement, but that’s what is here with this D&G cologne.

So, if you’re not into that, you probably won’t enjoy Devotion. At least the opening act.

A little bit further along, you start to get more of the patchouli note. Even that, isn’t enough to unseat the coffee from being the main focus of this scent.

It begins to be more of a coffee and woody/woodsy sort of aroma. Note sure which wood note is here, but there’s something underneath the patchouli and coffee. Things are still somewhat spicy, but this just seems more like a warm aroma. The lemon is pretty much just a sparkle now.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening spray does have some decent power behind it. It’s not a super heavy coffee blend or anything, but it’s got some reach in that first hour or so.

After that, this Dolce & Gabbana cologne will have a moderate projection, that trends fairly quickly to the lighter end of things.

On my skin, Devotion Pour Homme sticks around for about 7 hours. Nothing amazing with the performance here, but solid enough.

Seasonally, this is an autumn through springtime wear. So long as it’s not too hot or humid out, Devotion should be able to work.

This would be a good fragrance for younger guys, as far as daily wears go. It’s not formal or something that most would wear to the office. Nightlife, would be good. It’s not a massive projector, but its gourmand qualities are attractive.

Overall Impressions of Devotion

Overall, do I like Devotion? I do like it somewhat. I’m not sure what the hate this has gotten is all about, it’s a pretty good fragrance, not amazing but likeable. I guess this is more of a love/hate cologne for a lot of people.

The opening spray isn’t too amazing, but I do think that once the strength of the lemon wears off a bit, it’s an enjoyable enough scent. Just sort of harsh to kick things off. I like the coffee and the slight spiciness of the mix. It does smell like a cup of joe. Then, it softens into something else.

Again, I’m not in love with this one, and won’t be buying a bottle for myself. But, for the time that I’ve had it on, there is enough to like here.

When compared to the other D&G sample that I received, Light Blue Capri in Love, I think that it is a bit better than is Devotion.

If you’re interested I would for sure try to get this when it’s discounted, because I don’t think it’s too worthwhile at retail prices.

Light Blue Capri in Love Pour Homme by D&G

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Light Blue is the line that keeps right on going for Dolce & Gabbana, on both the men’s and women’s side of things. 2025’s release is Capri in Love Pour Homme. I recently bought a sample vial of this new cologne to test it out.

How does Capri in Love smell? Does it last long? Is this Light Blue worth a try?

Capri in Love (Men’s) Overview

Notes include: fig, black pepper, patchouli

Click here to try: Light Blue Capri in Love Homme

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it: A dive into the salty sea breeze and golden light of Capri.
Intriguing and enveloping, Light Blue Capri In Love Pour Homme Eau de Parfum opens with the spicy note of Black Pepper. At its heart lies the vibrant and green soul of Capri Green Fig, while Patchouli lends a deep and magnetic elegance, encapsulating the Mediterranean island’s allure.

So, there are only three listed notes here. But, looking at the ingredients there is a light citrus note up top that I’m smelling, which pairs up with the opening spice of the black pepper.

From the jump, you can tell that this one isn’t going to be too heavy and it will have a freshness that is great for the summertime. Very reminiscent of Kenzo fragrances and Paradise Garden (if you stripped it of mint and coconut).

Love in Capri is definitely a departure from the rest of the series. Dolce & Gabbana have done some really different takes on the Light Blue name, like, Vulcano and Stromboli.

Clean, spicy, slightly sweet, and a greenish base is how this Light Blue edition starts out.

Then, it really become fig dominant for the rest of the wear. If you don’t like fig, you’re not going to enjoy this. For me, this is something that I do think I’d enjoy, at least somewhat. A good fig mix for summer, isn’t usually something that the mainstream designers do.

Anyway, it’s basically just fig and a light patchouli the rest of the way. There are some woody undertones popping out as well. A pretty simple use of notes for the warmer months of the year.

But, I do think that this one shines once that black pepper starts to fall off. The green fruitiness of the fig works well.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This sillage here is a lighter moderate. It’s not weak, it’s just not going to be a heavy thick cloud of scent. Nor should it be. It’s light, clean, and somewhat refreshing. Though, the reach it has with it’s projection is good.

On my skin, this one lasts somewhere in the 6-7 hour range. That’s about what I expect from these D&G Light Blue releases, this edition is par the course.

Seasonally, obviously we’re going spring and summer with this one. That’s what it’s built for.

Within that, though, I think that Capri in Love has plenty of use cases. It can be a daily wear, something casual, or even venture into the nightlife if need be.

Also, this is one that can be worn by any age group. Capri in Love is a well balanced summer cologne.

Overall Impressions of Capri in Love

Overall, do I like Capri in Love? So far, I do kind of like it. I’m not blown away by it, but for what it is, I think this Light Blue edition is nice.

It’s not too complicated of a fragrance and is fairly linear once that fig note kicks fully into gear. If you enjoy the Kenzo scents, K by D&G, etc.; you’ll probably like this one at least somewhat too.

If you’re a fan of the usual Light Blue citrus heavy colognes, this one might not be worth your while.

Either way, I don’t think it’s a great scent. Probably too high priced, at the initial release, but if you want an enjoyable change of pace for the summertime, this can do nicely.

Performance is mid, as usual with the Light Blue fragrances. Yet, it does enough to make it useful.

If you want a simple designer fig cologne, this is a good option. If it doesn’t sound appealing to you, I don’t think it’s going to shock or change your mind, if you try Love in Capri out.