Cologne Reviews

Nuit d’Issey Blue Astral by Issey Miyake

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Still working my way through a huge box of sample fragrances to do review on. Today, I have an offering from Japanese designer Issey Miyake: Nuit D’Issey Blue Astral. How does this one perform? What does it smell like? Is it even worth a purchase? Read my full take below.

What does Bleu Astral Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, amber, coriander, lime, wood

Click here to try: Nuit D’issey Bleu Astral By Issey Miyake For Men Edt Spray Vial

My Full Wear Review

Man, I really didn’t like the original Nuit D’Issey, that Bleu Astral is based off of (maybe I’m in the minority opinion). It was a cologne that I truly found terrible to wear, and as such, I was really in no rush to try this flanker fragrance out.

However, I will say from the start that I like Bleu Astral much better than the original. So, my apprehensions were unfounded.

The opening gives me a fresh bergamot on top of a woody base sprinkled with some coriander. It’s actually quite a simple scent. It has a smoothness to it provided by the wood and the leather note which begins to emerge after a while.

It also has a sense of class and elegance, as the citrus note never gets too far out ahead of the rest of the composition. Definitely not a bright and sunny type of citrus, it has a darker depth and a hint of smokiness to it.

As it dries down, I tend to pick up more of the fresh and soft spiciness of the coriander, the warmth of the amber, and that familiar leather aroma. The bergamot takes more of a supporting role at this point. It’s all a rather dry affair.

The amber also isn’t a pure amber, more of the ever so often used, ambroxan. Here, it actually works well.  During the latter stages, it can have more of an earthiness to go along with that dry leather and wood.

Not sure what the name Bleu has to do with this, but, I think anything with ambroxan nowadays gets tossed into a blue bottle…seemingly, anyway. Still, this Issey Miyake comes off as being a pretty unique smell. Familiar, yes. Though, one that can for sure stand on its own.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it really doesn’t feel all that strong to me. I would say it’s more of a moderate, as you probably won’t choke out a room unless you go overboard, and it’s not a airy skin scent either. Just not a heavy monster of a fragrance, by any means.

3-6 feet from the skin, depending on which part of the wear you’re in. The opening is pretty good. Again, not powerful, but it brings a nice kick.

On my skin, I get about 6-7 hours of wear out of Bleu Astral before it begins to fade away. A few hours with that moderate sillage. Then, the rest of the time it becomes much lighter.

Testing a few more times, it seems that the 6-7 hour range, is all that this one is capable of.

What I like about this scent, is how versatile it is. Bleu Astral can seemingly be worn in any weather condition and even holds up in the heat of the summer. It can also be worn casually, out on a date, or formally. I wouldn’t call it sexy, this is more fresh and refined.

Nonetheless, it is going to offend anybody. Also, it doesn’t feel too youthful nor too out of date. So, a wide swath of the population can wear this, if they so chose.

Overall Impressions of Bleu Astral

Overall, do I like Bleu Astral? It’s decent. I find it to have a rather unique and inoffensive smell. Nuit d’Issey Bleu Astral has a classy masculine presence and an ability to be worn in many occasions. If you can get it at a fair price, it wouldn’t be a bad addition to a man’s collection.

I do like the opening with the lime note and the underlying wood and leather. Though, if I’m going to go with a citrus and wood blend, I’d probably just pick up a Bleu de Chanel bottle way before ever getting to Nuit d’Issey.

But, this can be an affordable replacement. In terms of style, not smelling like a total match of the Chanel.

It doesn’t wow me, however. I have the feeling that I won’t remember it in a few months, even when smelling it directly, it’s not super impressive…but it’s pretty good. I still like the original L’eau D’Issey the best from Issey Miyake’s line of fragrances.

It’s fresh and the leather and coriander is somewhat interesting in the dry down. I could wear this on summer nights and probably enjoy it somewhat. Blue Astral is not something I’m clamoring for, even while I have no real complaints about any aspect of it.

St. Kitts for Men by Tommy Bahama

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St. Kitts has been my personal favorite from the Tommy Bahama line of men’s colognes for a long while now. But, it’s also been some time since I’ve tried it, and I’ve never written a full review for the website. Let’s change that. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is St. Kitts for Men, worth a buy?

What does St. Kitts by Tommy Bahama Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, star fruit, lime, sea salt, watery notes, musk, driftwood, and more

Click here to try: Tommy Bahama St. Kitts Men Eau De Cologne Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz

My Full Review

I bought a giftset of St. Kitts over the holidays for $15. It included a full bottle of the cologne, aftershave balm, and a body wash. For the price, it’s a pretty great deal. It had been a while since I’d tried this Tommy Bahama scent and figured it was time for a full review.

It opens up with the star fruit and citrus blend. The star fruit leads the way, with mandarin second, and that same lime note found in St. Barts bringing up the rear. Many other fragrances have variations on the citrus opening, but this combo is pretty unique and really is the selling point with St. Kitts.

The fruits are light, fresh, and give it that sweet tropical aroma. One thing I noticed here, is that the musk note seems stronger than I remember. It’s going to play a bigger role in the cologne versus the aftershave balm which is the pure fruity smell.

With the musk, comes an ambergris. It’s not too prevalent versus the musk, either.

Underneath that, water is the next main note, salt water to be specific. Not heavy or super oceanic smelling, but it does lend to the island vibe we’re looking for with this sort of fragrance.

Finally, some cedar and driftwood. These two notes are pretty light in this iteration. Almost like they flipped with the musk note. Still, very enjoyable.

St. Kitts is a rather linear cologne. The development is the fruits fade in strength and it becomes more balanced with the musk, ambergris, water, and salt.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty moderate. At the start, it’ll project itself 4-6 feet with a decent amount of sprays. That’ll last an hour or two, and then, St. Kitts for Men is a much lighter scent. It’ll stick close to the skin.

It’s probably my main gripe with this fragrance, it’s eau de cologne strength. I wish the concentration could’ve at least been an EDT, or even better, and eau de parfum. That would’ve beefed it up and give Kitts better performance.

The longevity, though, isn’t terrible. The scent will stick around for about 6.5 hours on me. Much of that original opening will be gone, but what’s left is still definitely there for the duration. Again, I want that to be different.

Seasonally, spring and summer all the way. This is a very nice casual cologne for a hotter day. I will wear it around town, on vacation, or maybe even for a workout.

I personally have too many other fragrance options for this to be my daily wear, but it could have a spot for someone who wants something understated.

Overall Impressions of St. Kitts for Men

Do I like this cologne? I do. It’s my favorite from the Tommy Bahama line. St. Barts is number two. I absolutely love the citrus notes in this, which is probably why I enjoy wearing the aftershave balm more than my bottle of the cologne itself.

Those fruity notes are an amazing combination. I love them in this, but they’re kind of not being used to their full potential either.

This is a pretty simple fragrance, without too much development. Tropical fruits, watery notes, musk, and a beachy constitution.

I actually like the aftershave balm more, as you get a better version of the scent without the alcohol. The eau de cologne concentration isn’t great with these Bahama fragrances.

The performance is a weak point. The sillage doesn’t maintain its strength for very long, and while it does technically last 6.5 hours, most of the best part is non-existent by then.

Still, this is an easy one to wear, and a scent that I’m going to enjoy breaking out when things start to heat up. For $15? It’s a buy. Full price? That’s up to you.

Guess Seductive Homme by Guess

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I first came across Guess Seductive Homme, many years ago, while shopping at my local Target. Immediately, I really enjoyed the scent, and purchased a bottle for myself. In fact, this sweet Guess fragrance, was one of the first that I ever reviewed on this site back when it launched.

Every so often, I come back to this post to update the review, and expand upon my thoughts on this scent.  This is the latest incarnation. Also see: Guess Seductive Homme vs. Seductive Homme Blue

What does Guess Seductive Homme Smell Like?

guess seductive homme review

Try it here: Guess Seductive Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce


Notes include: Cardamom Milk, Pink Pepper, Orchid, Mandarin orange, Patchouli, Amber, Sandalwood, And Musk.

My Full Review

The opening of Guess Seductive Homme is warm and smooth. The top features a mandarin orange note which gives off the juicy citrus aroma and it is joined initially by cardamom milk. Now, this cardamom is more inline with Villain by Ed Hardy, rather than what is found in The One by D&G.

The mandarin orange note is paired extremely well here with the other notes, especially for such a low cost cologne option. It can come together quite balanced, but I’ve always really dug that sweet juiciness up top.

It’s a slight spice with a very clear and upbeat citrus scent that is also flanked by the emerging pink pepper note, which becomes more noticeable as the cologne moves along.

After about ten minutes or so, the warmth becomes more enveloping as the amber takes its place as the main note along with a slight musky tinge. It is such a great blend of sweet and spicy. The sweetness is unique and the spicy isn’t overpowering, just warm and inviting.

None of the spice notes have that sharp black pepper vibe, pink pepper is much more mellow, as is patchouli and cardamom milk.

Seductive is just that, a seductive fragrance. It is not one that is feminine in its charms, rather, it is fresh and masculine. Although, there is a definite floral aspect to this cologne from the orchid note. The orchid isn’t overpowering but it does do an excellent job in support of the other aromas.

The drydown is so sweet and the whole composition become blended together, to create an aroma that is rather unique in the fragrance game. There’s a reason why this one has caught on to be a best seller, in this very affordable price range.

Finally, Guess Seductive Homme, ends its life cycle with a lightly musky amber, pink pepper, and a fruity air. Still retaining its warmth and glowing appeal.

It’s so clean and fresh without having a sporty vibe about it at all. Seductive Homme is reserved and workman-like with ability to stay close to the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Seductive Homme is moderate. It actually works very well on my skin compared to some of the other offerings from Guess. It isn’t a beast or anything but it is much better than a skin scent.

It could always project itself in the 4-6 foot range, at its peak, on my skin. Not insanely impressive, though, quite useful.

I get good longevity out of this Guess cologne as well. 6-8 hours isn’t a problem to achieve at all and this is where the Blue version of Seductive fell apart.

Update: Newer bottles, are supposedly a bit weaker from what I’ve read. I haven’t experienced them, but that 6-8 hours was always very consistent for my old bottle.

I like this as a winter scent mainly although it does have year round wear capabilities. I’ve worn it in the summer and it held up decently, not great, but it wasn’t a slouch either. Seductive Homme is versatile in its uses, I’ve worn it both casually and out at night on dates. It works across the board.

Nowadays, I tend to wear it to the gym or just running errands around town. It’s a younger man’s fragrance, but I still have some of a bottle left, and I definitely like to spray it on from time to time.

Does it receive complements? Yes, I have gotten them often with this one. However, understand that it isn’t a loud or overpowering fragrance, and so it’ll usually come when someone is in close proximity to you.

It was always nice to wear this scent to a night out at the bar back in college during the winter time. That’s usually when it got noticed the most by women.

If you’re going to wear it during the summer, I’d probably do nights only. Heat and humidity aren’t amazing with this formulation. It’s much less enjoyable in that sort of climate.

Overall Impressions of Guess Seductive Homme

Overall, I am very happy with my experience with Guess Seductive. It is a warm, crisp, long-lasting, and great smelling cologne for men that is available for an inexpensive price. What more could you want from it?

I enjoy the citrus, fresh spiciness, and inclusion of saffron and amber. It does have a pretty unique mix, especially when it was released. To me, it’s really reached classic status in this price point. Is it the most incredible scent? No, but it really shines versus comparable colognes, and gives you something worthwhile.

I’m glad that I picked up a bottle of this for under $20 and much like a fragrance such as Nautica Voyage, it greatly exceeds its price in what you get in return.

It’s not nearly as well-made as many of the higher end designer scents out there, but Seductive Homme delivers a unique a deliciously sweet experience, for a third of the price. It’s still one of the better ‘cheapies’ on the market and probably will be for quite a long time.

Even if the newer bottles don’t have the same level of performance (and I’m not sure that’s the case), it’s still a solid option for those in the market.

Jimmy Choo Man

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Jimmy Choo‘s fragrances for men, having garnered, a fairly big fan base over the past five years or so. This was spearheaded by the introduction of Jimmy Choo Man, who’s delightful fruity profile, has become quite popular. However, what does it actually smell like? Does it perform well? Is it even worth a buy?

What does Jimmy Choo Man Smell Like?

Notes include: melon, pineapple, suede, patchouli, pink pepper, lavender

Click here to try: JIMMY CHOO Man Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Jimmy Choo Man opens with a nice fruity blast from pineapple and melon. The melon sits underneath, giving this one a watery crispness, at the start. However, pineapple is the stronger of the two, and I really like it here.

While this cologne is very similar to Coach for Men, I actually get, Coach Platinum vibes from the pineapple. (Side note: Coach Platinum would have been a lot better, with a longer lasting pineapple).

While we’re on the topic, of its similarities with Coach for Men, they do share a lot of similarities. I’d say the main difference in the beginning, comes with the pink pepper note in Jimmy Choo Man, which gives it a different wamth/spiciness. Somewhat reminiscent, of the way the orange and pink pepper interact in Guess Seductive.

Outside of the pink pepper and lavender’s influence, they are pretty identical in how they present themselves, and develop.

Once the initial fruitiness calms down a bit, when the melon falls off, you do start to get some fresh spice and smoothness.

Suede and pink pepper are the culprits, and I must say, I like the development more so here than in Coach. The suede here is pretty phenomenal, as it ties everything together so nicely.

From here it is pineapple, lavender, and suede with some pink pepper and very light earthiness from the patchouli. The smell is better than the Coach version. The suede really takes on a more leathery scent, later in the wear.

It ends with the sweetness still in tact, but I do get some powdery vibes in the really latter stages. Which, isn’t too deep with this fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Jimmy Choo Man, is light. This is not a powerhouse fragrance, nor one that will come close to filling up a room. It starts off decently enough, but after an hour or so, this is pretty much a skin scent. Lame.

I don’t know what’s with this brand and coming out with weak to moderate fragrances. Seriously, boost them up and these would be vying for best seller status with the public.

The longevity hangs around for a bit, maybe around 4 hours, on the skin. I don’t recommend spraying on clothes that you care about preserving, but on a t-shirt this could go 6-7 hours, which is tolerable.

So, weak and doesn’t last very well at all on the skin. If this were a $20 cologne, I’d still be disappointed, but with a designer that charges much more…it’s kind of a joke.

4 hours? I would be only purchasing this at one of the discounters, if I absolutely had to have a bottle.

Climate wise, this is a wear for the spring/summer months. It really does hold up beautifully for a while, before the performance gives way. You could wear this casually or on a date or to school/office, as it is attractive, and won’t overwhelm.

Again, it’d have to be close quarters and for a short period of time, for its versatility to really shine. But, the melon and pineapple notes make this one a pretty easy go to and dumb reach. Has the potential for daily wear, but really at the right price.

This will mainly appeal to younger men. Teens and twenties will probably get a kick out of it. Jimmy Choo Man is simple, but not completely immature, like some other fragrances in that target demographic can be.

Overall Impression of Jimmy Choo Man

Do I like Jimmy Choo Man? I do like it, but don’t love it. Even if it lasted longer, it wouldn’t be an absolute favorite. It does however, smell really nice, and it could’ve been so much more. It’s very much like Coach, but has the same sort of performance issues.

Though, I prefer the Jimmy Choo version.

It smells like of other scents, within this segment of the cologne world. Most designers have released something along these same lines, in the past 5 years, so there are plenty of other options.

I do like the fruity notes here. Bit juicy/watery with tropical vibes. Nice lavender and enough spice to be interesting. It also really doesn’t take any chances which might separate it from the pack.

Yet, it has pretty dreadful performance, which undercuts so much of its usability.

I cannot recommend buying this one, unless you get a huge discount. I’d go for either Jimmy Choo Man Intense or Bleu de Chanel EDP, for a similar experience, done better.

Eternity Now for Men by Calvin Klein

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This is the last of my current batch of Calvin Klein fragrance reviews. This is another from the long line of Eternity for Men flanker colognes, this one is entitled, Eternity Now. Released in 2015, I think this one has pretty much flown under the radar, for the most part.

The brand released some scents that a lot of people don’t seem to know about during this time period. How does it smell? What are the notes? Is the performance any good? Is it worth a try?

What does Eternity Now Smell Like?

Notes include: coconut, star fruit, vanilla, tonka bean, ginger, anise, cedar, and patchouli

Click here to try: CK Eternity Now MEN Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 OZ. 

My Full Wear Review

Eternity Now has a brilliant tropical opening act. I’ve seriously been loving putting this on, during my testing of this fragrance. A bright and delicious star fruit is the main attraction and is paired with coconut.

Underneath that is some light spiciness, from two of my favorite ingredients, for this style: ginger and anise. The anise is the stronger of the two, but neither ever gets too in your face with their presence.

I do like the subtlety of those notes, when playing off of the tropical ingredients

The star fruit is a note that doesn’t get used all that often, as a main ingredient, in men’s fragrances. Versace Eau Fraiche is one example, but I think that this CK cologne uses it better, in that first 30-60 minutes.

The pairing with the coconut is fantastic, juicy, and fresh. I really like the summertime energy that this one gives off. Casual and upbeat, something that begs to be worn in the sunshine.

Eternity Now, obviously gets creamier as it dries down. It’s really inevitable with coconut and a strengthening of both vanilla and tonka bean. What I appreciate though, is that is doesn’t go full sun tan lotion, on my skin. It’s more sweetly fresh than creamy, even at its height.

As it moves along, the star fruit fades from the spotlight. It’s a shame, as the opening is the best part of this scent. The rest of it is still good, but I wanted this fragrance to be completely linear, just because I don’t think it could’ve gotten any better.

For the rest of the way, this is pretty much a vanilla and coconut blend, with cedar at the base. You do still get some wafts of the spice, tonka, and star fruit but they are relegated to the background.

The vanilla takes the lead and the coconut mostly shares duties with tonka bean. Still, that woody freshness keeps it fairly interesting.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

For the first few hours on my skin, the sillage is quite good. It will project to about 6-7 feet, at its absolute zenith, and then move towards the skin. For part of the wear, it will be really close. Then, it’s a skin scent entirely.

The total longevity is in the 6-7 hour range. 2-3 with moderate to good projection. Then, the rest of it, with pretty poor sillage. For me, it isn’t a terrible performer, but it could be better.

Is this a versatile fragrance? I’d say, yes. Seasonally, I’d wear it mostly in the spring or summertime, as that’s when it feels most at home.

I could wear this casually, as a nightlife fragrance, or even out on a date. It does have a very attractive and appealing aroma, especially in that first hour.

This isn’t something you’re going to want to reach for for more formal situations or probably in a professional setting. But, you can get plenty of use out of it depending on your lifestyle.

Update: Casually and especially on summer nights, is when I have been wearing this one. Very bright and upbeat, clean scent.

Overall Impression of Eternity Now

Do I like this cologne? Yes, I like wearing it a lot. The star fruit, coconut, and spice opening is utterly amazing. If this whole scent was like this, it would be one of my favorite fragrances. Ginger and anise, with tropical fruitiness? Awesome.

Update: After having a year or so with this bottle, Eternity Now has become one of my go to cheapie fragrances. I wouldn’t pay full retail for it, but it is a great pickup at a discount.

Update 2: This one is discontinued it seems. However, it is (as of now) still in stock at Fragrancenet. Otherwise, you’re not too likely to stumble upon a bottle out in the wild.

Despite the change and only decent level of performance, I do still think that this is a worthwhile purchase. As a spring/summer wear, it fits in perfectly to that environment. The price is currently super cheap, compared to what you get from the scent.

I may end up personally buying a full bottle, once I’ve gone through using this mini. This is one of the best Calvin Klein releases, in the past decade. It’s the best of the three recent tests of CK fragrances, that I’ve done.

Better than Reveal Men and Eternity Flame, without a doubt (both of which, I enjoyed).

I’d say grab a bottle, if you’re in the market for something tropical or with a dose of vanilla. Eternity Now for Men falls short of being a complete classic, but it definitely tried to hit that mark.

eternity