Cologne Reviews

The One for Men EDP Intense by D&G

by

The One series has been a massively successful line for Dolce & Gabbana, in both men’s and women’s fragrances. 2020, saw the release of this flanker, The One for Men Eau de Parfum Intense. An intense version of the EDP edition of The One for Men. Yes, the name’s get confusing. I grabbed a sample to test out and see how this newer release compares and if it is worth a try.

What does The One for Men EDP Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, neroli, cypress, clary sage, benzoin, cashmeran, leather, labdanum, patchouli

Click here to try: The One EDP Intense

one edp intense review

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it:  The One For Men Eau de Parfum Intense, finds its magnetic appeal in a daring fusion of opposites. Intensely masculine, fascinating yet authentic, it is a scent of extremes – warm neroli golden facets with deep black leather in an enigmatic expression of olfactory chiaroscuro.

The One EDP Intense opens up with a pretty unique mix of spice, woods, and floral. It’s definitely fresh and has a much cooler aroma than that of the original warmth found in The One EDT.

Cardamom, sage, and cypress are pretty heavy after the initial spray. I have to say, I really like the opening here. The neroli, leather, and more resinous notes aren’t yet fully apparent; but, you can pick them up in the background.

While it matches the spiciness of the original The One fragrances, this one goes in a much woodier direction. That cypress note stands out on my skin. While it will weaken, as things move along, it stay around for the duration.

Actually while this has a unique sort of aroma, this has a lot of overlap with L’Homme Ideal L’Intense by Guerlain, which I have a full bottle of. In fact, I may prefer this D&G cologne to that one. Nonetheless, they share: leather, labdanum, cardamom, and patchouli. Not the same smokiness, though.

Ultimately different scents, but with a similar style and notes to one another.

Cardamom and neroli will start to muscle out the cypress. The neroli has its moment to shine, but will fade, on my skin at least. At this point, The One EDP Intense is a fresh and spicy cologne with an earthy/resinous/woodsy quality.

A bit further, the leather will really come in more. It never overwhelms the rest of the composition but that smoothness will keep this one from becoming too dirty. The benzoin and labdanum outweigh the patchouli.

This supplies the amber and resinous quality, which will most resemble the original The One EDT. This is much more resinous, medicinal, and animalistic than the sweeter amber of the original, but plays about the same role in terms of its presence.

The leather, is a lighter player versus the tobacco in the EDT.

At the end, I get an ambery cardamom with woods/leather and the remnants of the rest of the neroli. Not as spicy, as the beginning and to me, the patchouli never really comes across as being that heavy in the mix.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I don’t find this to be massive, even for an ‘Intense EDP’. I’d say it’s probably above average at its peak, and pretty moderate thereafter. Better than the original for sure, I just don’t think it really will bomb out a room.

This seems to hit the 5.5-7 hour range, on the skin. Again, an improvement and decent. Just not going to be a marathon runner, by any means. I think it provides a decent value, EDP Intense just doesn’t go above and beyond.

Seasonally, autumn through the very early part of spring. This is best for chilly to colder temperatures, but wouldn’t be bad in something more moderate. Just avoid the heat and put it away during the summer.

It does indeed have an appealing and dark sexiness about it. I personally think the EDT smells more attractive, but this would be nice as a nightlife scent.

It’s a bit more dense, masculine, and dirtier than some of the others in the series. But, that earthiness is a fraction of its personality.

Overall Impressions of The One EDP Intense

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, it takes a different direction than the original The One or even the EDP version, but it still has its own appeal within that uniqueness. I don’t enjoy the smell as much, as the EDT version, but this is still quite a nice wear.

Also, the performance blows the EDT version out of the water, even while not being a beast mode fragrance itself. That 5-7 hours, will net you probably around 4 with solid sillage, and go closer to the skin until it evaporates entirely.

I like the freshness, earthiness, and somewhat bitter opening act. It’s smooth and fresh, but doesn’t have the same warmth and ambery sweetness at the EDT.

Cypress, sage, benzoin, and the leather are the highlights for me. Is that enough to make it a must have? No.

But, The One EDP Intense is worthy of a try. For some, this will be the among the best of the series, while others may enjoy the formulations which closely mimic the original.

Invictus Victory by Paco Rabanne

by

Invictus Victory was the 2021 flanker release from this popular line. I don’t know if it has caught on quite to the same extent as some of the others, as of yet, but seems to have a generally positive rating among people. I grabbed a sample a while back of this Paco Rabanne cologne and have been testing it out. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Invictus Victory Smell Like?

Notes include: pink pepper, lemon, vanilla, amber, tonka bean, olibanum, and lavender

Click here to try: Invictus Victory

invictus victory review

My Full Review

Here’s how Paco Rabanne describes this cologne: The new Invictus Victory extreme eau de parfum seizes with its power and seduces with its freshness. Instantly, citric lemon notes flow. The woody fragrance of incense strengthens the composition whilst the sensual vanilla wraps itself around a fiery Tonka bean. An eau de parfum that subtly celebrates modern masculinity.

So, this Paco Rabanne is actually not anything like the other entries in the Invictus line of fragrances, and instead, shares a whole lot of overlap with the less popular (but nice) Pure XS line.

It’s almost like they decided to not make a third Pure XS flanker and just rebranded it under the Invictus label. Nonetheless, Victory is a likeable cologne, no matter the nametag it is presenting under.

Pure XS is boozy and sweet. Pure XS Night is spicy and sweet. This is more of a warm gourmand with hints of spice, but with a heavier use of vanilla, tonka bean, and amber.

The opening act gives me a nice dose of lemon, a general warmth, and a peppery kick to round things off. The pink pepper gives it that extra bit of a warm vibe, but isn’t super overwhelming in the mix.

The marketing definitely overplays the lemon note, as it is the weakest of the bunch, and is gone pretty quickly.

It’s also got a smokiness in the very early part of the wear. That’s from the olibanum note, which replaces the myrrh that’s found in the Pure XS scents. Basically, incense. Later, it smells more like a generic wood, just smooth.

As it dries down, that’s when it becomes more of a vanilla and amber based cologne. But, with everything coming together, Invictus Victory actually gets a chocolate smell, also. Sort of a mix between vanilla and chocolate.

Not sugary milk chocolate, mind you, more of a raw cacao. Lavender comes into play, at this point in time.

Clean and smooth for the middle act. Then, a thicker finish with less of the lavender. Really, vanilla is going to dominate. Tonka bean and amber fight out for most of the rest of the space.

Lavender and the general woodiness stick around in a pretty sparing amount.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Victory doesn’t come across as a powerhouse to me. Strong initially, but fairly middle of the road for much of the duration. You’ll get a nice scent trail going, but it’s projection wasn’t huge off the skin.

Still, it is a solid wear and never felt weak to my nose.

With the longevity, it can go just over eight hours. Maybe nine, depending on the day. That is great for the price range of this. You’ll get your money’s worth from the performance with Victory.

On clothing itself, it will go for days.

Seasonally, this one is an autumn and winter wear for the most part. You could probably sneak it into the early springtime, but I’d pass on spraying it for the summer.

Victory is more of a younger man’s fragrance, like most of the rest of the Invictus scents. It has a nice appeal for the nightlife and should catch attention with its gourmand style. Is it really sexy? Not really, but that delicious attractiveness should do just fine.

Overall Impressions of Invictus Victory

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it is nice. Victory gives you a youthful gourmand sweetness that is attractive and easy to wear.

The opening is interesting. The brief lemon is a nice touch, that I wish lasted a bit longer. Good smokiness from the incense note.

The dry down isn’t super complex or anything. It’s still good, just doesn’t catch my attention in the same way.

It’s like the long lost brother of the Pure XS line and has some similarities to something like Code Profumo. This one goes heavy on the vanilla and tonka bean, sweet, amber-laden, and  can be a bit too cloying for some.

If you’re not into that sort of fragrance, you might want to skip on Victory. Also considering that it doesn’t have much to do with the other Invictus colognes that have been release. As such, if you’re a fan of those, you might not enjoy this one.

Mandarino di Amalfi by Tom Ford

by

Continuing my reviews of the Tom Ford fragrance lineup, we have another entry led by citrus notes: Mandarino di Amalfi. This one was released in 2014 as a unisex scent and has enjoyed some popularity ever since. In this post, I will cover: how it smells, what the notes are, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is even worth a try.

What does Mandarino di Amalfi Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, lemon, wildflowers, mint, tarragon, orange blossom, sage, amber, vetiver, basil, black pepper, black currant

Click here to try: Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi Eau de Parfum, 1.7oz./50ml

My Full Wear Review

Mandarino di Amalfi opens up of course with the great citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. These two notes are so juicy and great within this composition. There also seems to be a black currant in there too, but it isn’t that powerful, and doesn’t have that same sharpness as in other scents.

Yet, it is still sweet and provides that familiar bright zesty aroma, which is also found in Neroli Portofino.

The other element that is present at the start of Mandarino di Amalfi is the herbal/spice notes that are sitting underneath the citrus top. Cool mint, tarragon, basil, and some black pepper is what my nose mostly picks up.

It gives the fragrance a refreshing and soapy kind of smell while it is still of course, juicy and lemony. Yes, this is found in plenty of different scents, but I really like how this Tom Ford brings it all together and the herbal notes don’t override the citrus.

As you move along in the wear, there is more of a floral influence, to the aroma. We have a very nice orange blossom, which is one of my favorite floral ingredients, and then a generic wildflower listing.

I get lots of ‘greeness’ from the sage, basil, and tarragon; but also, plenty of spice from those same notes and the mint and dash of black pepper. In addition, there is a bitter quality at times. Mandarino is pretty linear and straightforward from there.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise,  the sillage isn’t huge, but it honestly is pretty darn good for a citrus. People nearby will be able to pick it up, for the first few hours of wear, but then it will sit closer to the skin. Not weak or a total skin scent, but not a monster by any stretch.

The longevity for me has been somewhere around six hours, give or take. Not an elite performer, but it is okay, in that regard. Most of these style of fragrances aren’t that great with their performance, this is a pretty good one.

But, that’s also at the low end of what I would personally consider acceptable for this price point.

Seasonally, spring and summertime. Mandarino has that perfect summer’s day sensation of warmth, citrus, and floral notes. This is more of a casual to dressed up wear than anything that is particularly exciting or sexy.

Not a night club wear. It is something to wear during the daytime, when the weather and climate, are particularly right. It is also a unisex scent, that actually leans feminine more than masculine.

Overall Impressions of Mandarino de Amalfi

Overall, do I like Mandarino di Amalfi? Sure, it’s a very pleasant experience overall. Is it insanely good or a must have? No. Just a nice example of a solid citrus/floral/herbal blend, with decent performance.

I think that the use of lemon and grapefruit here is really great, though, and that’s probably my favorite aspect of it. Would I pay for a full bottle? No. Would I want to wear it? Yes, sometimes, it’d be nice to break out.

Smooth, refreshing, and great for the summer months of the year. The greenish notes and the floral aspect do give this one a bit more depth, while note making it messy at all.

Again, it is Tom Ford, so the pleasure of ownership comes with quite a cost upfront. Personally, I like it more so than Neroli Portofino. The citrus and spice mix here is more interesting and while the floral notes aren’t as prominent, I think that is to Mandarino’s credit.

Amber Essence by Ferrari

by

I’m almost done going through and writing up all of the samples of Ferrari fragrance that I have laying around. It’s pretty interesting for a car manufacturer to have its own cologne line, but whatever. Today, I am going to do a review of Amber Essence by Ferrari from its Essence line of fragrances. What does it smell like? Does it perform well? Is it worth a purchase?

What does Amber Essence Smell Like?

Notes include: amber, patchouli, nutmeg, cashmere wood, musk, coriander, bergamot

Click here to try: Ferrari Amber Essence By Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Oz

My Full Wear Review

With a name like Amber Essence, it’s pretty clear what Ferrari intends to give you from the start. Obviously, if you’re going to enjoy this one, you must like amber on some level. It is the main attraction and from the opening it makes its presence known.

That’s not to say that it’s an absolute bomb, it isn’t. Instead, Amber Essence starts off softly with a woody amber topped with a hint of citrus and some nutmeg spice.

It’s a warm and highly fresh aroma, that is masculine while being completely understated. It comes across as very dry, with the wood and patchouli notes being the main supporters to the amber.

Still, it’s light and I enjoy the fact that they didn’t try to drown out the amber by amping up the coriander or bergamot notes. Those are of course, present, but the serve the background and give Amber Essence a bit more depth.

Like many of the other Ferrari fragrances, this one is pretty linear. What you smell after about 5-10 minutes is what you’re going to get from it. That’s not a bad thing in this case, as the cologne is pleasant and something that I enjoy getting whiffs of throughout the day.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

As I’ve written, Amber Essence is a lighter fragrance, so don’t expect a sillage bomb. You’ll be able to get away with spraying more than usual and since it’s inexpensive, it doesn’t really matter too much.

It’s noticeable from 4-6 feet at first. Then, it’ll settle down much closer to the skin. Although, it doesn’t become a complete ‘skin scent’ until much later in the wear.

However, even though it isn’t a loud or heavy scent, it does last a long time. It might be the longest lasting cologne from Ferrari and I can easily get 8-10 hours of it. Is it powerful? No, but it’s there for much longer than I would have expected.

This fragrance is versatile because it is so safe and inoffensive. You could wear it casually or out on a date or at the office. It’s attractive and has a bit of sexiness to it.

It’s easy to wear, best worn in mild to colder weather. Frankly, the colder weather of late autumn and winter is ideal for Amber Essence.

If you want something for the night club scene, you might want to go with something that stands out a bit more than this…but for everything else, Amber Essence is fine. It is limited to wear during the colder months of the year.

Overall Impressions of Amber Essence

Overall, do I recommend Amber Essence by Ferrari? Yes, I think it is one of their best scents. As an inexpensive amber fragrance, this is a really nice option. Is it amazing? No, but it is solid. I really like the simplicity and the combination of notes that they used for this.

I like the mix of the amber, dry wood, citrus, and spice early on. Nutmeg is a note that I usually enjoy, and while it isn’t huge within this mix, it does add a little something.

The namesake amber is actually pretty quality for a fragrance in this price range. Maybe not as completely dominant as you’d expect, but still nice.

Cashmere wood and patchouli have a greater role to play once past that initial phase. This is an amber/wood cologne, rather than being a pure amber scent.

For a really low price you get something that is smooth, versatile, and can actually last a long time. Not perfect by any means, but enjoyed wearing it. Amber Essence is another example of Ferrari providing good value.

Not all of their fragrances are worthwhile, but they do have a surprisingly decent collection. Amber Essence sits near the top.

1 Million vs 1 Million Prive Cologne Comparison

by

Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million has been a hyper-popular cologne ever since its release however many years ago. It is known as a bold and absolute monster performer, which has been a go to for younger men, at bars and night clubs across the globe.

With the release of 2016’s flanker scent, 1 Million Prive, the fragrance may have some competition from one which was birthed from it’s own success.

In this post, I am going to give my thoughts and performance review, in order to create a comparison between 1 Million vs 1 Million Prive by Paco Rabanne for men.

Tale of the Tape: Prive vs. 1 Million

1 Million

Notes include: grapefruit, blood orange, rose, mint, cinnamon, amber, leather, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million EDT Review

 

1 Million Prive

Notes include: tonka bean, apple, cinnamon, myrrh, mandarin orange, tobacco

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Prive Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million Prive Cologne Review

 

Opening

The original 1 Million has this grape bubblegum-like opening that has become pretty infamous. This candy scented start is one reason I think this fragrance has pushed some people away from wearing it. Personally, I think that it works just fine and actually enjoy it.

1 Million opens up with leather, citrus, and rose. Together, they create that bubblegum sort of smell. It’s actually a really smooth leather, juicy orange and grapefruit. This is surrounded by a warm and bold amber, with hints of cooling mint. 

All in all, it’s a nice and powerful start, to this now classic best-seller.

Prive, on the other hand, takes on something a bit darker and less sweet. It still retains the cinnamon note of the original but adds a scent of apple (though, it’s not an actual ingredient, it’s just the effect that the blend gives off), which reminds me of cinnamon applesauce but not as sweet.

There is a light citrus note, provided by the same mandarin orange, as the original.  Tonka bean, myrrh, and tobacco come in later, to give it a rich and thick aroma. 

Honestly, I think I was digging the opening of Prive while wearing it the other day, more so than when I wear the original. The more time that I’ve spent with both, the more that I prefer Prive as a flanker cologne.

Edge: Prive

Projection

Update: The latest batch of 1 Million that I tried, isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be. As such, I’m downgrading it, and calling this category a tie. Below is my original take.

1 Million is a straight beast in terms of performance and in order to take this category, Prive would have had to match or somehow even exceed the bar that was set. It doesn’t.

Prive actually has really good projection and is by no means weak, but, 1 Million is legendary in this regard. Maybe newer formulations of 1 Million are toned down, somewhat, but I haven’t experienced that myself.

Prive is a very strong fragrance, so, you won’t actually be disappointed by the performance, it just doesn’t hold a candle to the original. 

Edge: Push

 

Longevity

Update: The newer batches of 1 Million don’t go as long. Usually, it still hits 8-9 hours, but now Prive has the upper hand.

Again, performance wise, 1 Million takes the cake. It goes on forever seemingly. Prive is no joke and will last 9-10 hours after spraying.

1 Million, always seemed to go for 12 hours, on my skin. Then, I’d lose track of it. I mean, you have to go to sleep at some point. Nonetheless, Prive is again, a great performer too. 

Edge: Prive

Versatility

Both of these colognes are useful for casual to romantic wear. Though, go lightly when wearing to work or school. Both are well suited to the colder weather. I would say, that Prive, is better suited for more formal events. Even though, it’s not really a formal scent, by any means. 

However, 1 Million can probably hold up better during warmer whether than can Prive, which gives it the edge here. For me, these both were always colder weather, nightlife wears. 

Edge: 1 Million

Overall Scent

Right now, I am enjoying Prive more than I do 1 Million. The original is a better performer but Prive is also great in that manner. Prive is smooth, warm, and I really like the cinnamon/tobacco note dry down period.

Update: After a few years of having tried Prive, after its release, I can say it is my favorite 1 Million fragrance. Better than the original and 1 Million Lucky.  Plus, it now has a better performance than the original, also.

Update 2: Prive has been discontinued, as of now. I tried to find a bottle a few months back and it wasn’t possible at a reasonable price. So, the original 1 Million EDT is the one I’d go with out of the series, if I couldn’t get my hands on a bottle of Prive…which looks like is going to be the case moving forward.

It’s just the most well rounded fragrance of them all. It has enough elements of the original to be familiar, then, adds to that foundation with something uniquely its own. 

Prive seems darker and a bit more mature than the original and I love the tonka bean note. That’s not to say that the orginal 1 Million is bad. It isn’t and I still like to wear it but as of writing I’m more into Prive. Maybe, it is recency bias but I’m going with the new flanker as the winner.

Winner: Prive