Cologne Reviews

Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton

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Afternoon Swim is going to be the first full review that I’ve done of a Louis Vuitton scent, on the site. I’ve got decants of most of the releases and will work my way through them over the coming weeks and months.

This one was brought to market in 2019 as a part of the Les Colognes Louis Vuitton series. What does it smell like? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton Smell like?

Notes include: bergamot, mandarin orange, orange, ginger, ambergris

My Full Review

Before I get into my personal review, let’s see what Louis Vuitton has to say about Afternoon Swim: Passionate orange, to sail toward pleasure. A plunge into an ocean of sensations. Feeling all the energy of the waves washing over the skin on a hot summer’s day.

Alright, so from the start, just know that this isn’t a very complex fragrance. It’s also heavily weighted to citrus notes, so, if that’s not your thing try another Vuitton perfume.

Afternoon Swim kicks off with its orange notes front and center. I do smell mandarin, but another orange seems to have the upper hand, and there’s also a solid dose of bergamot.

It reminds me quite a bit of Dior Homme Cologne or Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel, just with different citrus notes, and more ginger. Less spicy and resinous than the Chanel. 

I like the addition of the ginger note, as it gives Swim a bit more heft than just being another thin and quick citrus scent. It’s also one of my favorite spices, so it really grabs my attention.

The other scent that I am reminded of is, Millesime Imperial by Creed. That one and this LV fragrance both have an ambergris note, at the base, but it is much lighter here.

Personally, I love a good summer citrus fragrance, and this one is a great example. Bright, juicy, and full of vibrancy. Very much like being at the pool or walking a seaside promenade during the warmer months.

As it moves along, I get more of the bergamot on my skin versus the orange note and just enough of the ambergris to add a touch of saltiness to the composition. 

That’s pretty much what the tail end of this fragrance is all about.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Most of the time, these sort of colognes aren’t powerhouses. Afternoon Swim, included. It’s on the lighter end of moderate and will project 4-6 feet from the skin, at its peak, before drawing closer and closer.

Though, this Vuitton wasn’t a complete skin scent until later in the wear. It has enough substance to keep bringing wafts of the aroma for a good while.

On my skin, it stuck around for 5-6 hours. Not amazing or any type of marathon runner. Though, again, to be expected with a summer citrus splash. But, at this price, you might be of the mind that you want more out of it.

Afternoon Swim is a safe to wear unisex scent. I’d keep it to the daytime, mostly in summer, but it’s great here in spring too.

Not going to be a nightlife, club banger, or sexy sort of scent. Probably not a bad choice for a pool or beach party, though.

A super fresh and fruity scent that  energizes and can be a lot of fun to wear.

Wear it casually or semi-formally when the temperatures start to rise, in your neck of the woods. This is one that I loved wearing outside, over the summer. Just at the beach, boardwalk, or other more vacation mode type of activities.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Afternoon Swim

Do I like this fragrance? I do. I like it a lot, in fact.

I really enjoy these citrus colognes for the summer months and this one gives me some really juicy orange notes. Orange is usually one of my least favorite citrus notes in fragrances, but the pair are great, along with bergamot.

It’s not a scent that is going to be overly complicated or even a signature wear for anyone. But, if you want a great summer wear that can hold up well in the heat, Afternoon Swim can deliver.

For the type and style that this perfume is, Afternoon Swim is pretty fantastic. It has a much more limited use case, but is a very nice wear within that.

Is it worth the price? I don’t know that I’d reach for this, if Louis Vuitton prices are a stretch for you budget.

Again, you can get similar results from Dior Homme Cologne, which is more affordable. It’s not the same, it’s simpler, but might be a fine alternative.

Update: The Dua Brand has its version of Afternoon Swim, called Gone Swimming. I personally purchased their blended version of this Louis Vuitton with their version of Virgin Island Water…and it’s fantastic.

If you want the Louis Vuitton experience, at a cheaper price and with better performance, I highly recommend getting a hold of one of the Dua versions. Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters is amazing and will be one of my go to fragrances in the summer.

Uomo Born in Roma Coral Fantasy by Valentino

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Valentino has released its latest fragrance from its Born in Roma line for men. 2022’s scent is called Coral Fantasy, with its juice resembling the color with its pinkish hue. This is the third cologne in the Roma series. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Uomo Coral Fantasy Smell Like?

Notes include: red apple, tobacco, patchouli, sage, geranium

Click here to try: Coral Fantasy from Saks

My Full Review

Here’s how Valentino describes it: Inspired by the light of Rome at sunset, Uomo Born in Roma Coral Fantasy is an amber, fruity men’s fragrance composed of a colorful apple accord. Blended with smoky tobacco, this eau de toilette is infused with a heart of sage and germanium essence to reveal a powerful yet fresh cologne.

Tried it yourself? Leave your own review and score in the comments below.

I never ended up trying out Born in Roma Yellow Dream, as the original Born in Roma, is one of the few fragrances that I had a bad reaction to. Stuff makes me dizzy as hell. But, when I read the notes to Coral Fantasy, I wanted to give it a go.

I actually thought about blind buying a full bottle of this to test out, but instead found 3 sample vials for sale on eBay. It turned out to be a good call, as I don’t think I’d actually want a full bottle of Coral Fantasy.

The fragrance does open up with a pretty interesting aroma. The crisp red apple note is the star, with it sweet and juicy scent getting paired early on with cardamom and some spices.

It actually reminds me of a cider, that I’ve had before. But, with a bit of a sweeter kick.

That red apple note is great with the cardamom and bergamot, lending some warmth a slight lemon-like fruitiness of its own with the spice.  The first spray does give Coral Fantasy a warmer amber feel to it, but that’s not how it finishes.

Sage is the third player in the early stages behind the cardamom and apple. I get a nice burst of it at the very start, which will hold through the first transition.

That transition does come on early. The initial fruitiness will begin to fade, making way for the next phase. Geranium freshness will permeate, the lavender and tobacco notes will begin to show up, and the red apple will be a role player.

I actually do get some comparison to Spicebomb Night Vision EDT. Not the same, the Valentino is better, but there is overlap between them.

At this point, it is a colder, drier, freshness.  A geranium, sage, lavender trio will then morph into a geranium and tobacco scent with hints of patchouli and vetiver coming up from the base.

Tobacco is the note that hangs around. It ends up cold, slightly sweet, with a earthy sort of freshness. Patchouli and geranium also stick it out a bit, at the very end.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, you can call this a moderate. It doesn’t overpower. That first hour or so, will create a nice scent bubble around you, but it will weaken. Much of the wear, it is a skin scent on me.

Perhaps, you’ll have better luck?

It does stick on the skin for a decent amount of time, even in that weakened state. I could still pick up the tobacco note about 7 hours in. Not great, but serviceable for an eau de toilette.

Seasonally, I’d wear this anytime outside of the summer months. It works in colder temperatures, but best in this early spring weather or even in the autumn. So, one should get plenty of use out of it.

It could be worn in a wide variety of situations. Maybe not the most formal cologne or a club banger, but beyond that, it should be fine.

Really any age could wear this one. The opening does have a more youthful vibe, but it never strays too far that way, quickly snapped back by the tobacco note.

roma coral fantasy review

Overall Impressions of Uomo Coral Fantasy

Overall, do I like this scent? Coral Fantasy is pretty good, but not great. I don’t think it is a terrible cologne, but it doesn’t for the most part, grab my attention. I like aspects of it, just the overall presentation never hits a super high level.

The opening is where you’re going to get the sweetness and the most unique aspect of this fragrance. When that’s going on and when you get the pairing of the apple remnants with the tobacco note, this Valentino is enjoyable.

After that, it’s fine and I don’t dislike it. The geranium, tobacco, and overall freshness is nice. Though, it is also kind of weak with its sillage. A decent few hours of performance, before becoming fairly mediocre.

I wanted to like Coral Fantasy more than I actually do. The notes sounded intriguing enough to me that I almost purchased a full bottle. Personally, I probably wouldn’t have gotten much use out of that.

That being said, I do think that it’s worth a try. Maybe not at full retail price, but with a significant discount, it could be a nice pick up for certain guys. This is one you should test out and see if it actually speaks to you.

Polo Red EDT by Ralph Lauren

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Ralph Lauren has become synonymous with American style. The companies’ designs are clean, classic, and often times colorful. Beyond the world of clothing, Ralph Lauren Polo enjoys also enjoys great success in the fragrance realm. For decades now, the firm has put out colognes and perfumes that perform and smell great.

Polo Red has been one that they’ve relied on for the past decade or so, spawning a ton of flanker scents, which have become somewhat popular in their own right. But, how does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Polo Red Smell Like?

polo red

Notes include: grapefruit, italian lemon, cranberry, saffron, sage, coffee beans, and amber

Click here to try: POLO RED by Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fl Oz

My Full Take on Polo Red

Sweet, warm, with spice is how I would describe this fragrance in short. This is not a girly type of sweetness like candy or something, rather, the citrus notes produce an alluring scent rooted in the masculine.

I think that there is a certain energy that comes with smelling Polo Red, sort of a refreshing blast that transitions into a moderate fragrance enveloped in a warm glow. It is a seductive cologne which maintains a classy air, subtle yet one which the ladies are sure to enjoy.

It opens with a mix of citrus and cranberry. This pairing is quite sharp and very sweet from the jump. The citrus contingent is led by Italian lemon with some added grapefruit. It opens up with a super bright disposition and of course that tart cranberry note.

Cranberry is the main attraction here, so, keep that in mind if you’re thinking about giving Polo Red a try…you have to like that note to enjoy.

Underneath those three fruity notes, is amber, which provides that warm cloud wrapping around the sweetness.

A few minutes after the sharp/tart opening, the edge is taken off by the amber and the sweetness then takes on a slight bubble gum aroma. Not too overt or anything, but it is the sort of vibe that I pick up on.

The Italian lemon note, I think, adds a different kind of feeling from many other colognes on the market. Versace Eros, also has Italian lemon as one of its notes and the two are somewhat similar, though Eros has a much heavier projection and woodsy feel to it.

There is a coffee bean note listed here, but I’ve never gotten that smell. Polo Red Extreme has the coffee note ramped up, but in the original, it is absent for me.

Saffron and sage are present, particularly the former, which brings some depth of character and a bit of spice. Finally, there is a bit of random wood note in the base. Not much.

So, most of what you’re getting with Polo Red is: tart cranberry, citrus, warm sweetness, with some light spice and wood. Lots of cranberry and lemon, sitting on a sea of amber. It really does evoke a sense of ‘red’.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Polo Red starts off somewhat intensely for me, before it settles down quite a bit into a subtle and moderate fragrance. Some people report that the longevity is a problem but I find it to be so-so in that regard.

Some days, it feels like it lasts quite adequately while other times it gives out too quickly. I’ve tried out doubling up on how much I apply and this works well to boost the longevity.

I’ve gotten anywhere from 4-7 hours, with this cologne over the years. It is kind of strange, its varied outcomes, but it’s usually in line with the other Ralph Lauren colognes.

You don’t need to go overboard but a little more wouldn’t hurt. I currently have a splash mini bottle and I have to go fairly heavy. So, initially Polo Red is radiating from my skin, and then settles down. This definitely isn’t a heavy scent but it does provide a warm cloud of fragrance.

I like this one for the springtime, mostly, although it wouldn’t feel completely out of place during other months of the year. It’s better in colder temperatures, than high humidity, and heat.

Polo Red is a very nice choice for an everyday casual wear and it can be versatile enough for other occasions. It isn’t going to be a formal fragrance, though. Probably not one, you’d want to wear in a more serious office environment.

It’s sweet fruity aroma, will skew more towards the younger set. If I were want a Polo Red fragrance as an older guy, I’d be picking up Extreme.

Overall Impressions of Polo Red

Is Polo Red a good cologne? Yes. I really like this fragrance and it seems that others do as well. It can be somewhat pricey and as such I think it should have better longevity. However, if one grabs a small 0.5 oz bottle for cheap, it would be worth it to wear now and again.

They did just release Polo Red Intense which amps up the qualities of this fragrance but I have yet to try it (Update here is my comparison: Red vs. Intense). Good stuff, but it might be worth getting the Intense version instead now.

Newer Update: I liked this stuff more years ago. It was one of the earlier one’s I enjoyed, when I first started the site in 2013. As of now, I’m not all that high on it. I still do like aspects of Red.

For instance, the cranberry tartness is still pretty unique, paired with that amber glow. Still, I’d pick Polo Red Extreme over this. Depending on my feeling that day on Intense, the original Polo Red EDT, ranks either second or the more usual third out of this series.

It’s fun and fairly attractive. Not the most versatile wear, in terms of age range and occasion, but you can still get good use out of it.

Jazz by YSL

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I was very pleased to be able to get a hold of a travel sprayer full of Jazz EDT by Yves Saint Laurent. This 1980s classic has gone off the market and back on, even being offered in a slightly different version, under a slightly different name.

Nonetheless, I was excited to be able to get the original, and experience it once again. In this post, I will share my experiences with how it smells and performs, and whether I think it is still worth a try.

What does YSL Jazz Smell Like?

Notes include: lavender, coriander, nutmeg, artemisia, tobacco, geranium, jasmine, carnation, cardamom, basil, and more

Click here to try: Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent

My Full Review

Jazz is a fragrance which dates back to the late 1980s and you definitely can tell from the very first spray. That’s not to say that it’s dated, but it just has a smell and style that newer releases simply do not. That can be good or bad, based on your tastes.

It opens up with a spicy freshness. The main spices here are the coriander and nutmeg. Anise also comes through. Initially, you can pick up on notes like basil and a slight cinnamon, but that is short-lived.

Underneath the spice, is the ever-present and strengthening lavender note, with other dry notes such as: oakmoss, tobacco, and a bit of leather. It’s a classic clean spice with dry woodsy undertones.

The floral notes other than lavender, do come in to support the main attraction. It’s really blended well and none of the notes stick out too much to me.

As it moves along, Jazz EDT, moves more into a floral clean and somewhat sweet arena. Artemisia, geranium, with some very light amber and tonka bean give it a smoother appeal.

This combined with the lavender, creates a very nice mix, with its more masculine features occupying the base.

The final result is a dry, fresh, green floral/spice blend, that is fairly barbershop in its essence. Jazz is a great fougere example, that is balanced, and still retains a mass appeal. There’s a nice mossy finish towards the end or at least the impression of moss, anyway.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage is pretty strong at first, but it does become more moderate for the rest of the wear. It is noticeable, but not completely in your face, with its power.

Though not a powerhouse, the longevity, is actually very good on my skin. During testing, I was able to get 9-10 hours of wear from this YSL cologne, without any issue. I was actually surprised that a newer batch, could still bring it with the performance.

Seasonally, it works in any season but the height of summer. I would go with either autumn or spring, as it fits in well with the more moderate temperatures, versus either extreme.

This is best suited for men in their mid-20s and up. If you’re a younger guy and want something different, you could still pull it off. It can be worn casually, at the office, or for an evening out. It has a certain level of sexiness, but isn’t a club banger, by any means.

It’s versatile for many other situations, as it isn’t likely to offend or be obtrusive when wearing it. Very solid all around.

Overall Impression of Jazz by YSL

Do I like this fragrance? I do. That’s saying something, because this isn’t usually my style, but I can wear Jazz and like doing so. It’s not my favorite ever, or even favorite Yves Saint Laurent, but I do appreciate the scent.

It’s a great throwback to another era of colognes. There are others which smell, quite a bit like this one, but this is still a wonderful scent. I wish I could get a hold of Live Jazz, as I remember really liking that fragrance, possibly more so than the original.

This one has been reformulated over the years, so, it probably won’t exactly smell how it used to be. Not too much of a problem, if you’re new to it. Honestly, it still has plenty of life and I have to say that I find it pretty enjoyable.

If you want a lavender blend or something with that classic dry spiciness, Jazz is one to try out. Not going to be one if you’re looking for a super sweet or boozy kind of scent. The fragrance hits the spiciness, floral accords, and gives you a clean masculine finish.

Bvgari Aqua Pour Homme Marine

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Yes, we’re heading into the winter months, in the Northern hemisphere. However, I wanted to get some reviews done this week, and the first up is a decidedly summer scent. Bvlgari Aqva Marine is one of the offerings from the Aqva line, by Bvlgari. How does this one stack up? What does it smell like? Is the performance good? Is it worth a try?

What does Bvlgari Aqva Marine Smell Like?

Notes include: neroli, seaweed, orange, grapefruit, cedar, rosemary, aquatic notes

Click here to try: Bvlgari Aqva Marine Pour Homme by Bvlgari 3.4oz 100ml EDT Spray

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Aqva Marine immediately hits with a familiar citrus aroma, much like in the original from this series. Yes, the orange note is the same, but this Marine has more grapefruit and balance between the two fruit notes.

The original Aqva, had a pretty short-lived orange note. After that, it became much more of what you’d associate with a marine sort of fragrance. Aqva Marine, has more depth.

Add to that, the neroli note, softens and adds a different cleaner component to this version of Aqva. To my nose, the seaweed’s influence is lightened up, and I get more of the oceanic watery fragrance.

This cologne becomes very fresh, crisp, and a bit salty sitting underneath the citrus notes up top. The coldness of this scent, seems to come and go on my skin, but it’s one aspect that I rather enjoyed.

As it moves forward, Aqva Marine becomes less of a citrus based scent, and the oceanic ingredients really take control. Again, the seaweed is way less intense than in the original, which I take as a good thing. The seaweed, could become a bit overwhelming at times.

From here, this is a fairly linear fragrance. Sea water, seaweed, light citrus, neroli, with a touch of herbal notes from rosemary and petitgrain.

Similar to the original Aqva, but with enough difference to let it stand on its own accord.  Clean, but something that is going to appeal to a certain segment of the population.

Longevity, Sillage, and Versatility

The sillage of this one is light to moderate. Definitely not a complete monster, but then again, this isn’t the sort of scent you’d want to be one. It’s going to hang close to the skin, as a fresh aquatic. It’s got enough power to be noticeable, particularly during the opening act.

The longevity is pretty good, for this category of fragrance. Usually you cannot expect all that much from a citrus/oceanic cologne, but this one can hit 6 hours of wear, depending on the climate conditions. Again, not spectacular, but very solid.

It falls right in line with the other Aqva fragrances in this series. Not too bad, especially since this isn’t really going to be a stand alone daily wear for most men.

Climate wise, warm weather, all the way. This is a spring/summer fragrance or a year round, if you live in a tropical region. I wouldn’t call this a romantic wear or a nightlife go to, by any means.

This is more casual and potentially some office wear, on the right day. Also, something you could put on for a trip to the coast or a beach day. A very relaxed and chilled out fragrance.

Don’t expect very much beyond being a nice an refreshing grab, during the daytime in the summer. There’s no real age range on this, it could work for young men to older guys, as well. Quite balanced and non-offensive, at least for a summertime wear.

It actually seems like it might be a good candidate for layering with another cologne. It has depth on its own, but it could be interesting in a blend.

Overall Thoughts on Aqva Marine

Do I like Aqva Marine? Yes, I think that it’s a nice wear, in the aquatic space. I’m not blown away by it or anything, but it has its strengths.

Mainly, it can serve as a more balanced and easier to wear option, versus the other Aqva colognes. Those other ones, are probably more unique, but also more polarizing. This is a good middle ground.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the oceanic type of aquatics. Some of them are pretty good, but smelling like seaweed and salt water, isn’t really my thing. That being said, Aqva Marine is one of the better examples of this type done right, on the market.

The performance is solid, the smell is pleasing but not amazing. I’d rate this as being above average, and definitely worth a try, for guys who enjoy a good oceanic aquatic.

Is it anything amazing? No, but it doesn’t do anything poorly either, and can usually be found for a decent price.