Cologne Reviews

Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel

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Chanel has a long list of flankers in the Allure series. The Allure Homme Sport series even has multiple versions of its own. One, that I have yet to review on the site is the Cologne version, which was released in 2007.

So, I recently grabbed some samples to go ahead and give it the full review. How does it smell? Is Allure Sport Cologne worth a try?

Allure Homme Sport Cologne Overview

Notes include: elemi, cedar, lovage, lemon, grapefruit, vetiver, neroli, and more

Click here to try: Allure Homme Sport Cologne from Chanel

allure sport review

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Chanel describes it: Allure in motion. More than a fragrance, ALLURE HOMME SPORT Cologne is a boost of well-being for the active man — a fresh, invigorating composition like a breath of energy. A generous citrus freshness is subtly heightened by spicy Lovage and Elemi notes and set against a backdrop of Cedar and White Musk.

This one often gets compared to Dior Homme Cologne. That’s a pretty accurate assessment of this version of Allure. I currently have both of these fragrances and that opening act is close to being the same.

The main differences are going to be that Dior Cologne has much more of a cold lemonade sort of aroma. Whereas, Chanel’s Cologne, is a bit warmer.

Secondly, this one has more of a neroli and lovage influence, with a tad less juiciness from the citrus top notes.

Thirdly, the usual Chanel aldehydes are in play, and you do get a resinous spice lingering in the background.

Allure Homme Sport Cologne opens with these juicy citrus notes, neroli, and lovage. Lovage apparently has a floral and slight greenish/celery sort of aroma. Which, when I press my nose to the skin, I can pick up on.

The background does have a bit of a resinous quality from both the lovage and elemi notes. It’s nothing too noticeable, and I’d guess, that most people wouldn’t even gather that unless the were super focused.

So, yeah, like 85-90% the same in the opening as the Dior.

The dry down does begin to separate these two somewhat. Cologne becomes a woodsier and more floral scent, than just the citrus top would suggest.

Cedar starts to play a greater role in the composition. I also get the same vetiver that’s found in Allure Homme Blanche, which also has some similarities to this.

That’s basically it, until the end. Neroli, cedar, vetiver, and the remnants of the other notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage on this one starts out pretty well. In the first fifteen to thirty minutes it will leave a decent scent trail and projects itself well off of the skin. You’ll notice it without question.

But, that is a rather short-lived experience. After an hour or so, this is pretty much a skin scent. Even when I spray the heck out of it, Allure Sport Cologne isn’t going to really go beast mode or stay around strong for too long.

The longevity here is also pretty meh. I get 3-4 hours, which is a shorter duration than Dior Cologne, which isn’t great if that’s your closest comp. Especially, once you start comparing pricing, Dior is usually available from online sellers for more of a discount.

The performance with this one really holds it back. That being said, it does have a spring and summer use case and isn’t super versatile, so spraying a lot won’t really matter. It’d probably still take a while to work through a bottle.

Seasonally, this one is spring and summer. This is of course a more casual or sporty wear for those months. One to wear during the daytime. Not a formal fragrance, but one could get a decent use case out of Cologne, when it gets warm enough.

Overall Impressions of Allure Homme Sport Cologne

Overall, do I like Cologne? I do enjoy the scent itself. Not my favorite thing ever, but I do like a good summer citrus, and this is a fine example.

But, I also don’t like it quite as much as Dior Cologne. With that one, I like the simple lemon and grapefruit blossom aroma, it’s colder and slightly more refreshing to me.

With the Chanel, I also get a pretty weak 3-4 hours of wear. I don’t really expect that much from this type of sporty summer fragrance, but I do want more than that at Chanel prices.

Also, I don’t know that I prefer it to any of the other Allure scents. It’s in the same ballpark, but I’d prefer wearing the others, even Blanche which occupies the same niche. It’s sort of the odd fragrance out from this line.

I know it’s the easy to wear summer version, but Blanche is better than this, and Dior Cologne is cheaper at the very least (and again better, in my opinion).

So, I smell alone, I can recommend this one. On all of the other intangibles? Probably not for most people. Just understand what sort of scent you’re buying with Allure Sport Cologne and don’t expect it to be your main wear for much of the year.

Hero EDP by Burberry

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Hero is the newer series of fragrances from Burberry, who finally seem to be moving on from the Mr. Burberry line. Hero Eau de Parfum is the 2022 release, which continues with Adam Driver as the face of the campaign.

I recently picked up a sample of this fragrance to test it out for the site. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Hero EDP worth a try?

Burberry Hero EDP Overview

Notes include: pine needles, cedar, incense, benzoin, amber, olibanum

Click here to try: Burberry Hero EDP from Macy’s

My Full Review

Here’s how Burberry describes it: Burberry Hero Eau de Parfum explores an enticing new side of heroism: the courage to embrace who you truly are. It presents a man on a journey to self-discovery. An explorative spirit with a centred sensibility. His energy exudes tender soulfulness, expressed by the presence of the horse, a powerful creature that represents our hero’s strength.

The opening of Hero EDP is fresh, a bit smoky, and surprisingly has a sweetness to it. It stems from the olibanum, which can give off a level of fruitiness to the aroma.

It’s not clearly fruity, but the opening reminds me of being related to both 1 Million and Ultra Male. Different from each, but I get a similar vibe, as it is a sweet/spicy start.

The benzoin gives Hero EDP a fuzzy kind of resinous aroma, but the cologne will transition into being more of a straightforward amber, as the benzoin and olibanum fade. Particularly, the latter, and with it that fruity-like scent. The benzoin does stick around, just not as pronounced.

Ultimately, this is a woody amber fragrance. Pine needless are the dominant woody note, during the opening and into the heart. But, there is heavy cedar that will take control for the rest of the wear.

It will finish as a blend of different cedar types, amber, with some remaining smokiness and touch of spice. It’s dark, warm, outdoorsy, but not all that complicated.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here, starts off towards the upper end of what could be consider moderate, but relatively quickly becomes a lighter scent. You’ll get maybe an hour or so of solid, scent trail generating projection, but it’ll come in much closer to the skin.

The longevity here, is probably its greatest positive. This one goes for at least 8 hours on my skin and can get up to around 9.5.

Is that insane longevity? No, but still great for a mainstream designer release. The Hero line has done a great job with creating long-lasting scents.

Seasonally, it’s an autumn and winter release. It can be somewhat cloying and would probably turn pretty bad in the high heat and humidity. But, in the cold air, Hero EDP is likeable.

Hero EDP skews towards being more of a nightlife or casual type of scent. It might be a good option for younger guys in their 20s. Not a formal or super serious cologne. Very much a modern mainstream release, with a bumped up dose of wood.

It’s attractive and not grating, some might consider this to have a sexy quality. Like Hero EDT, this edition is a crowd pleaser and easy to wear.

Overall Impressions of Hero EDP

Overall, do I like this scent? It’s okay. It has a somewhat different style from many other scents on the market, which I appreciate. But, it’s still nothing special.

I do prefer the EDT release to this, even if I’ve only encountered that once thus far. It was just better and they’re actually different from one another.

Update: EDT and Parfum are both more enjoyable than this, in my opinion. EDT if you want more of a crowd pleaser. I’ve worn that some more and confirmed that I do like it more than this one. Parfum, if you want something earthy with a big dose of cedar. More unique.

This one doesn’t jump out to me all that much. I like the dry down, with the cedar woods and the amber. It’s not as sweet, at that point, but I kind of prefer that with the particular formula. Yet, there’s nothing here that makes me want to run out and buy a bottle.

The performance is quite good. Not overpowering with the strength or the scent trail that it leaves behind you, but the time you get to spend with it does lend this Burberry fragrance further value, than it otherwise might.

Personally, I have no intentions of getting a full size bottle. It might be worth waiting for, once it hits the discounters, instead of paying retail price. All in all, this is an above average release, just never hits the level of greatness.

L’homme Ideal Extreme by Guerlain

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L’Homme Ideal is a wildly popular line from Guerlain. Ideal Extreme is a scent that has really gotten talked about as one of the greats of recent history and as being a must have for anyone’s collection. It was released back in 2020.

For me, the Ideal line has been one that I enjoy, but it’s not something I absolutely have to keep around. Does Ideal Extreme change that? How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a buy?

Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Extreme Overview

Notes include: plum, almond, tobacco, heliotrope, leather, cinnamon, bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli, cedar

Click here to try: Ideal Extreme

My Full Wear Review

Here’s how Guerlain describes it: L’eau de parfum extrême? A woody ambery fragrance that will allow you to remain a man who is talented to the extreme, for everything. For this all-new interpretation of L’Homme Idéal, Thierry Wasser, Guerlain’s Perfumer, chose to explore new facets of almond, L’Homme Idéal’s original olfactory signature. At the heart of the composition lies powerful ambery and woody notes which are bolstered by daring hints of spice and warm, charismatic notes of tobacco.

Outside of Ideal L’Intense, I actually get a lot of the leather note with Extreme versus others in the series. Even, early on in the wear.

But, Extreme doesn’t start off things as a pure leather, by any means. Pink pepper spice, sweet plum with a touch of citrus, a cinnamon kick, and the almond note that comes standard in the Ideal lineup.

The spice sort of just sits in the background once you past about five minutes, it’s not a massive factor on my skin, at least.

The plum isn’t particularly juicy, it’s tartness is subdued by the surrounding ingredients making it sweeter as you move along. Yet, early on that tart quality definitely has a bit of an upper hand when compared to the sweetness.

Ideal Extreme comes across as having a dried fruitiness versus something juicy. So, at this stage this Guerlain cologne is a nutty leather livened up by cinnamon/pepper/plum.

The next phase is when the tobacco note, comes into play. The spice and plum will recede, giving lots of ground up to the tobacco, leather, and almond notes. Those notes do hang around, but they’re not front and center.

Heliotrope is the floral note in this one. Not massive, gets somewhat obscured by that almond note, but you do get some sweetness/powdery touches out of that note. There’s also some patchouli, just not much at all for me.

Basically, the end is a general sweetness of plum, the tobacco becomes stronger than the leather, and then the almond note at a much diminished state.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

With a name like Extreme, you might expect a complete sillage beast. It’s not. Certainly above average, has a strong opening, but pretty moderate on the whole. It’s about what I get with the Eau de Parfum version.

I’ve seen some people say that Extreme lasts all day on skin. For me, I get in the 8-9 hour range. That’s still really good and meets the standard of what most folks will need on a regular basis. Yet, it’s not entirely elite, in that sense.

The last few hours, it’s a skin scent. Still, no issues with performance to worry about.

Seasonally, this is autumn and winter all the way. I really wouldn’t want to wear this in the heat, it’s decent in moderate temperatures, but lovely when it is actually cold outside.

Ideal Extreme gives you plenty of versatility within that time frame, however. You can wear it to the office in the daytime and to the bar at night. It’s got enough class to be professional, but it isn’t stuffy or boring.

Plus, it’s pretty mass appealing. The sweetness, tobacco, leather, and almond are all accords that most people are going to enjoy smelling.

Overall Impressions of Ideal Extreme

Overall, do I like Ideal Extreme? Yes, I think it’s a very very good fragrance. It’s not my personal favorite, but there’s nothing that below average here. I still think that I like Ideal EDP a tiny bit more.

Also, I personally was into the old Ideal Cologne, but that’s disappeared. Along with its, Platine Prive replacement.

The opening with the fruitiness, the cinnamon and pink pepper spice is really great. It doesn’t let me down, further on in the wear, staying pleasant throughout. With Ideal L’Intense, that dry down doesn’t match my enthusiasm for the start. So, I’m glad that this one holds up.

The almond, leather, and tobacco trio are easy to enjoy. Nothing too harsh here, you get a nice performance, and it’s a scent that will draw complements.

If you’re in the US, you will have to track this one down. Either off of eBay or at a place like Selfridges in the UK, which I’ve linked to.

Update: They’ve made this much more widely available since the initial review years ago. In fact, the whole Ideal line is easier to find in the US nowadays.

But, even with some international shipping costs, the price is still low enough to make it worth getting a hold of, if it sounds interesting.

Dune Pour Homme by Dior

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Dune Pour Homme is one that I experienced for the first time many years ago. Sometime in the past year or so, I picked it up again in the form of a travel sprayer decant. I thought that I’d already published my review of it, but I guess not.

So, this is another blast from the past, a fragrance first released in 1997. How does it smell? Is Dune worth a try?

Dune Pour Homme Overview

Notes include: fig, sandalwood, cassis, vanilla, tonka bean, basil, sage, rose, mignonette, cedar

My Full Review

Here’s how Dior describes Dune: Original and harmonious, Dune pour Homme takes its inspiration from breezy seaside escapes. Its composition associates fresh, woody and oceanic notes in a fragrance that is serene and in harmony with nature.

I’m not sure when this scent got discontinued (Update: it is apparently back or has been limited to certain markets. So, you can actually get Dune fairly regularly now). Nor do I know when my decant of it is from. So, who knows if any reformulation took place that effected its performance?

The scent itself, I don’t think so, as that smells exactly how it is sounds based on the notes list.

The opening act is really fresh with basil and sage, coming out of the gate hard. There is a light fruity cassis note that joins, but never feels too pronounced on my skin. It just sort of hangs around for most of the wear.

Under that fresh spice? Fig. Lots of it. Also, mignonette, which based on what I’ve read is giving it that greenish-watery-violet smelling aroma. I like it, more so than the usual violet leaf note that gets stuck into a ton of fragrances.

The basil and sage’s dominance hangs around for a little bit. But, this one will go from more herbal/green/fruity to a warm and dry fresh woods.

That fig, cedar, and sandalwood really take shape. The sweetness here is very light and faint. Sure, vanilla and tonka are there, but not all that noticeable to me. After the first hour, not even on the radar.

I like Dune a lot at this stage. The remaining sage note gives it an enjoyable freshness when paired to that of the woody notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this stuff is light and airy. Again, maybe that didn’t used to be the case. This batch doesn’t really leave a scent trail and isn’t going to project too far from the skin.

It is a nice scent bubble. 1-4 feet for a majority of the wear. Dune isn’t a cologne that is going to overpower or bomb out a room.

That being said, I can still pick it up on my skin around six hours later. It’s passable, just know what you’re getting into with this Dior.

Seasonally, spring through early autumn. I like this in moderate temperatures and the warmer air. I really want to be outside when I have this on. I don’t live in a desert area, but I could enjoy wearing this around a place like Las Vegas on certain days.

Dune Pour Homme is a daytime fresh woody fragrance. Not a nightlife or romantic wear. But, within that daytime arena, this one is pretty versatile.

It isn’t totally stuffy nor childish. It can work casually or in a more formal setting. Not like tuxedo level, but it’d be fine in an office.

Overall Impressions of Dune

Overall, do I like Dune Pour Homme? Yes, I do. It has a style that is unique and yet feels timeless. I don’t know of another men’s fragrance that smells exactly like this. This Dior is such a departure from the other colognes out on the market today.

It evokes the sandy dry air of the desert, but where it just begins, and not too far off from the sea. I dig these sorts of scents, that give you visions of a specific place you’d want to wear it.

Fig is one of my favorite underutilized notes. The stages of freshness, green herbal, and then warm air and dry woods are great.

The performance? Not so much. Maybe the initial bottles had more power than this. But, this batch is pretty darn airy. When you pick it up, it’s beautiful. But, a lot of the time you won’t even notice.

As a skin scent or a 1-2 foot radius aroma, Dune Pour Homme will stick around for about six hours. Again, not great, but not horrific. If I had a full bottle, I’d be spraying a ton to really try and get the full effect.

As it stands, this Dior is discontinued. It’s a great and unique 1990s fragrance, but not a must have for most people. Sure, if you find a bottle for cheap, give it a try. However, unless you’re a collector, you probably don’t need to chase any super expensive bottles on the internet.

Though, as of now, they seem to still be under $100. So, it’s not too big of a gamble.

City of Stars by Louis Vuitton

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City of Stars is one of the new fragrance releases by Louis Vuitton for 2022. It was a perfume that seemed to get more attention than the others recently, so I was interested in seeing if it was actually any good. How does City of Stars smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

City of Stars Overview

Notes include: red mandarin, bergamot, lemon, lime, blood orange, musk, tiare flower, sandalwood

city of stars review

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes it: Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud offers a festive ode to Los Angeles by night, its excitement and extravagance, from star-studded boulevards to the constellations shimmering above the skyline. As darkness falls, the city’s lights surge in a sensual olfactory tableau.

The opening is obviously going to be a mix of citrus notes, just by looking at the ones listed. The main one that sticks out is the lime. Some blood orange and bergamot are also detectable. But, it is mostly a blend for much of the wear.

However, the citrus here doesn’t go full blast like how it does in Afternoon Swim. No, instead the tiare accord and musk have their own strong presence early on.

Louis Vuitton describes this as a nighttime fragrance, but the perfume is honestly quite beachy with the citrus and tiare giving it a tropical flair. Feels more sunny and daytime.

One thing to notice, during the wear, is how there is a balance of powdery and a creamy aroma throughout. The musk, tiare, and sandalwood notes all go back and forth to create this effect.

City of Stars has a similar style to Soleil Blanc and Virgin Island Water. But, I get reminded of Dior Homme Cologne, which is citrus, musk, and white floral. However, City is more complex and more feminine than that cologne.

Still, even with those comparisons, City of Stars still feels distinct from all of them.

The dry down is a slightly powdery white floral fragrance. There is a lime juiciness still around, just not all that powerful. There is still the muskiness and that lotion-like creaminess, neither really takes over the composition, though.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This fragrance has a pretty moderate sillage. It does hang in the air and leave a nice scent trail in your wake, for about the first hour.

The projection probably maxes out in the seven foot range. After that, it’ll stick around 3-4 feet for the bulk of the wear. A nice bubble of perfume for yourself and those who get closer.

Just know that this isn’t going to be a powerhouse. I found it to be good enough, in this department.

The longevity here, seems to be in the 6-7.5 hour range. After that, it is gone on my skin. But, it has hit in that range, each time that I’ve tested City of Stars out.

It doesn’t have that marathon performance, but it is passable in this regard.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summertime fragrance. It’s bright and lightly tropical vibe, is built for the warmer months of the year.

This is a unisex fragrance. The tiare is usually a note for women’s perfumes. While it does for sure lean that way, it isn’t too ‘girly’ that a man couldn’t pull this off.

Again, I don’t know why this is marketed as a nighttime wear. I suppose, on warm summer nights out, I’d wear this. But, this really comes across as a more casual to semi-formal daytime wear.

It’s pretty and attractive. Not a super seductive scent or one that begs for attention. Clean powder, musky cream.

Overall Impression of City of Stars

Overall, do I like City of Stars? I do. It’s not completely amazing, but I like it about the same as I enjoy Afternoon Swim or Cactus Garden by Louis Vuitton. Two of their better fragrances, in my opinion.

Much better than On the Beach. More recently, this has been getting overlooked by Pacific Chill, but this is the better perfume.

The citrus is nice, giving it the usual summertime vibe. City does do a good job with the tiare flower, letting it have a tropical influence, but also giving it a nice powdery aroma to balance out some of the creaminess.

So, you get a beachy sun tan lotion aroma, that is lightened by that nice fresh powder. It keeps things light and clean. It’s so bright, sweet, and just lovely.

I really love the lime note when it’s playing off of that powdery touch. Really quite phenomenal at times.

It’s not a super complicated or heavy scent, but it has its distinct facets, which give City some more character.

The performance is decent, not terrible but not amazing either. For this style of summertime fragrance, it is pretty good. But, Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc does have a better longevity.

Is it worth the money? It’s worth sampling to see if you want to spend almost $300 for a bottle.

(Update: even pricier since I first published this review in 2022). Louis Vuitton scents are very pricey and I don’t recommend most people just hopping in with a blind buy. The Dua brand has their inexpensive take on this formula, called: City of Dua. 

If you’re in the market for a good summertime beachy or tropical scent, this is one that I’d look at. It might be worthwhile in your specific case. Otherwise, I’d find a sample, if it sounds like one you might get a kick out of.