Cologne Reviews

Just Different by Hugo Boss

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For today’s review, I am going to cover another Hugo Boss scent, the 2011 release Just Different. How does this casual fragrance from Boss stack up? How does it smell? Is it ultimately worth a purchase? Please continue reading below for my full wear review.

What does Just Different Smell Like?

Notes include: mint, freesia, basil, cashmeran, patchouli and apple

Click here to try: Hugo Boss Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, Just Different, 4.2 Ounce

My Full Review

Now, naming fragrances can be a funny business. For example, there are many ‘intense’ versions of colognes out there that are actually weak as hell. Just Different by Hugo Boss takes its name and delivers something quite familiar and ordinary.

That’s not to say that this fragrance is bad, just the name really doesn’t fit.

The opening is a really fresh blast of cool mint and along with the patchouli, reminds me of Ice Men. These two colognes are not the same but they do share some similarities.

Where they differ (and where I think Just Different is better) is the light apple note and the herbal spice provided by the basil. I also feel that this Hugo Boss scent shares some DNA with Lacoste L.12.12. White, so I’d put it as a blend between that and the aforementioned Ice Men.

Just Different has a ‘cold’ energy to it. This is a very fresh/clean type of scent and the patchouli seems to give it a bit more body, to an otherwise thin or light cologne. It’s a pretty linear fragrance and what you smell is what you get after the initial opening 5 minutes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection is quite light. It is noticeable but definitely not a heavy hitter. Maybe at the lower end of the range of what could be considered moderate, at its peak.

The performance in terms of longevity is actually pretty decent, I can get up to 6 hours of wear. Not great but not as bad a some others out there on the market.

Just Different strikes me as a casual scent for spring/summer. It’s a change of pace from the usual citrus or aquatic fragrances and takes a bit of different path with the mint note (maybe that’s what’s so ‘different’ about it).

Overall Impressions of Just Different

Overall, this is a very meh fragrance. Hugo Boss seems to have a lot of these over the years, colognes that don’t really stand out and are pretty generic in almost every way.

I mean, it smells pretty nice, but isn’t fantastic by any stretch. What’s the point of owning this? Maybe if you got a really cheap bottle. Even the somewhat close alternatives of Ice Man and Lacoste White, aren’t amazing fragrances.

Rochas Man by Rochas

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Rochas Man cologne for men has been around for well over 15 years now and during this time has served countless men well in the pursuit of the opposite sex. Simply put, Rochas Man is well-loved by the ladies.

The really good news for guys is that they can get a hold of this seductive scent for under $30 and start grabbing attention upon first wear. In this post, I want to take a closer look a Rochas Man and give my opinion on this fragrance.

Update: I am adding further thoughts to this one in 2019, to expand upon this review, and share my more recent experiences with this Rochas fragrance.

What does Rochas Man Smell Like?

Notes include: coffee and lavender, with low notes of amber and sandalwood.

Try Rochas Man from Amazon:  Rochas Man Eau de Toilette, Woody Gourmand, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

The first things one notices about Rochas is that it is a rather sweet fragrance, with hints of cocoa and vanilla. This doesn’t mean that it is a feminine scent by any means but one that has a seductive charm to it.

Rochas Man is titled that for a reason, it is a masculine fragrance but with a mysterious undercurrent that I think is the key to drawing women closer and closer.

Rochas Man opens with that coffee/cappuccino note, some fruity hints of raspberry, and a calming lavender.

Additionally, there is the familiar smell of vanilla, which comes in and grows stronger as the wear moves on. It feels warm, with only a light amber note, giving Rochas that enveloping feeling.

As it settles down, this one does become drier, to my nose. There’s a light woody base to this fragrance and only adds to the smoothness, as the lavender and vanilla notes, pull it through.

It’s got a great blend of powder and creamy vanilla lurking throughout. Ultimately, I get: coffee, lavender, vanilla, and a bit of amber.

One major selling point of this cologne is its pricing point. It is available for significantly less than most other men’s colognes but delivers as much value as most of the expensive designer brands as well.

Rochas Man is versatile enough to be worn every day at places such as work or school but can also be applied at night for evenings spent out with friends or especially on a date.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Rochas is quite good, but not too heavy. It will project itself a decent distance from the wearer, but it doesn’t choke out a room, unless you go crazy with the sprays.

It is a warm gourmand fragrance, that sort of creates an enveloping cloud around you, but not overpowering.

The longevity is also solid and seems to fall into that 6-8 hour range of wear. Not a beast, but still very useful for most occasions.

I like Rochas as a fragrance mainly in the winter and fall months, as I feel that the sweetness projects well in the colder air around this time. Also, it has that projection of warmth and confidence which contrasts well with the harsh winter landscape.

This one is light enough to be a daily wear to school or even the office. However, it can definitely pull double duty and be a nighttime wear for the coldest months. A lot of women, find this one attractive, and will draw closer when you have it on.

It’s ‘sexy’ to some extent, but just a really pleasant fragrance, that is highly enjoyable to smell.

Overall Impressions of Rochas Man

If you’re looking for an inexpensive scent with just the right amount of sweetness and spice, have a look at Rochas Man, because it’s a winner. For about 20 years now, it’s been a great option for guys who want a sweet, and well-blended cologne.

This one is attractive, performs well enough, and can usually be found at a great price point. Yes, it is more limited to the times when its cold outside, but it’s actually pretty amazing and well worth having despite its limitations.

Chez Bond by Bond No. 9

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Getting further into my Bond No. 9 fragrance reviews, I’m going to take a closer look at Chez Bond, one of the more popular men’s scents from the brand. It came out in 2003 and has been sticking around ever since. In this post, I will present what it contains, what it smells like, how it performs, and whether or not I think it is worth a purchase.

What does Chez Bond Smell Like?

Notes include: sandalwood, tea, citrus, cedar, leafy greens, violet leaf, vetiver

Click here to try: Chez Bond by Bond No.9 Eau De Parfum 3.3 oz Spray

My Full Review

All right, I’m first going to address the similarities that this fragrance has with others. Notably, Green Irish Tweed. Yes, these two are quite a bit alike, and share many of the same notes.

Also, Riverside Drive by Bond No. 9 is quite similar to GIT and L’Homme Libre. So much overlap.

Between the two, I think that Chez Bond has a much smoother aroma, and more of the tea element. Yes, it is quite a bit like a lemon herbal tea with greens and violet leaf.

I don’t know, GIT always came across as having a more earthy quality to it, while Chez Bond is more airy and warm.

The citrus up top is quite bright and really a great smell. From there, the greener notes come through. It’s violet leaf, tea, and some light grassy notes.

I’m not usually a huge fan of a strong violet leaf note, but it works well within this composition, as it gets balanced out.

As it dries down, I still get the tea but less of the citrus notes, and its ups the content of the sandalwood, vetiver, and cedar.  It is a lush green forest  just a way’s away while your standing outside with a cup of hot herbal tea. Is that odd? Maybe. However, it is also quite nice.

The sandalwood and cedar can be pretty strong, during the latter stages of the wear. To me, it has more of the fresh woody smell, and less of the creamy sandalwood aroma. It starts to get dry, as a fragrance, and more of a woods than the herbal tea smell. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Chez Bond is pretty soft to moderate. It isn’t an overwhelming projection beast, by any means. It’ll venture out about 4-6 feet from your skin and a shorter distance, once it settles down.

But, it does have good longevity, it pops up and reminds you that it is still there for 8-9+ hours depending on the day. Very nice performance.

It’s a bit surprising, given how soft it can be at times, but Chez isn’t one that quits early.

This stuff doesn’t remind me of a crisp fall or winter day. More like a cloudy/rainy one. Yes, I would say that it’s best during that time of the year and into the springtime.

Summer, I’d go with something else. On those temperate days, this stuff is really great to put on, and reaches a higher level than it is usually capable of.

Chez Bond is a good casual cologne and beyond. It is refined and stylish, probably best for men in their mid-20s and up. I wouldn’t call this a romantic or sexy scent, it is just pleasant, and definitely not a club beast.

You could also wear it to work, since it is none to offensive. While not super formal, Chez Bond also doesn’t come across as being juvenile. As such, you can get plenty of use out of it, and the versatility is one of this fragrance’s strengths.

Overall Impression of Chez Bond

Overall, would I recommend Chez Bond? Yes, provided that it fits your style. If you’re a fan of Green Irish Tweed, this one will be a scent that you enjoy.

I personally like it, but it really doesn’t go along with my tastes, there is a lot that I’d rather wear instead. That’s not to say it’s bad, it isn’t, and it’s a well blended fragrance. Just not my thing, per se.

I do like the citrus notes, herbal tea elements, and the forest smell. As I said, on the right day, Chez Bond is an excellent wear. Still not my favorite, but it can be very wearable. 

There’s no real weak points with this scent, unless you demand it be super heavy or project like crazy. It’s well above average in every other aspect and I do consider it to be one of the best from Bond No. 9 New York.

Mankind Unlimited by Kenneth Cole

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Mankind Unlimited is the 2020 release from designer Kenneth Cole and the latest in the long running Mankind series of men’s fragrances. I received a sample of this fragrance within a recently purchased batch and have been trying it out over the past few days. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy?

What does Mankind Unlimited Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, sage, sea notes, juniper, black pepper, cardamom, cedar, sandalwood

Click here to try: Kenneth Cole Mankind Unlimited 3.4 oz. EDT, 3.4 fl. oz.

My Full Review

Before I give my full take on this scent, let’s see how Kenneth Cole describes it: Fresh citrus and aromatic notes. Live without limits.

I know that the tag line is: live without limits, but what really struck me throughout, was exactly how limited this fragrance actually is.

It opens up with a blend of mostly sage (some pepper), a bit of citrus, and a vaguely oceanic aroma. However, it doesn’t really go full marine or aquatic to my nose. It is a pleasant aroma, that is fresh with a chilled vibe. Though, it doesn’t really grab my attention.

A bit further into the wear, the citrus gets relegated to the background and I pick up more cardamom and juniper.

The notes fight amongst themselves for temporary supremacy, but it mostly smells like a blended concoction of freshness with a water base. At first, I get sage. Then, there is: a period of juniper, cardamom, and even cedar has a go of it.

I actually do like the latter stages of the scent. I’m not sold on it, but it was a somewhat enjoyable experience.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage is that of a lighter moderate fragrance. It wasn’t a total skin scent on me, but it’s definitely not a powerhouse. All in all, a decently projecting warm weather cologne.

I did get around 7 hours of wear from this Kenneth Cole. Not bad, and sure, the last few hours were pretty faint in how they came across. That being said, it wasn’t a complete disappointment with the performance.

Seasonally, spring and summer. This is one to wear around during the daytime when it gets warm out. Within that frame, it has plenty of versatility. Any age group could wear Unlimited and it can go casual or even be worn to the office.

Not one that is going to be offensive and is quite easy to wear. Mankind Unlimited is a fragrance that is competent, while also not really excelling at anything.

Overall Impressions of Mankind Unlimited

Do I like this scent? It’s pretty mediocre, in my opinion. I don’t hate it, but I couldn’t see myself buying a bottle of this fragrance.

The opening act doesn’t wow me, but I do enjoy it a bit more when the juniper and cardamom start to come through. It’s a fresh aromatic with a semi-aquatic vibe to it.

I was expecting a lot more citrus than I actually got from this Kenneth Cole scent, though, I don’t think a bigger orange dose would’ve helped.

If you need an all around fragrance for the summer months, you could do worse than this. By the same token, you could do a lot better. If you absolutely must try it, I’d wait for the discount bin.

The Essence by David Beckham

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I have been on a cologne testing kick recently and one of the new scents that I have tried out is The Essence by David Beckham. The former footballer has released many fragrances over the past few years and has created a niche for himself in the inexpensive cologne category.

How does The Essence stack up? What is its composition? Is it worth a buy? Keep reading while I go in depth about this cologne.

What does The Essence Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, tonka bean, pineapple, apple, lavender, kashmir wood, and more

Click here to try: The Essence for Men, 2.5 ounce

My Review

The opening is very fresh and citrusy. I can definitely detect the interplay between the grapefruit and pineapple notes. The apple note is there as well, but I find it to be on a tier below the other two fruits.

It really reminded me of a Nautica scent, somewhere between Voyage and Blue with a grapefruit twist. So, yeah, the opening is quite aquatic-like in character with that citrus accord which works well for spring and summertime.

The citrus notes are very nice, but ultimately kept in check by the lavender, tonka bean, and cardamom notes. It’s got that clean lavender scent, for much of the wear, and the warmth of cardamom, coming in an hour or so into things.

The dry down period is where I think that The Essence really begins to shine. It begins to take on a more earthy/woodsy type of scent and still remains just as fresh but much smoother.

The Essence has a noticeable violet leaf, that mixes with the lavender, and woody base notes. So, at this point, the fragrance is a toned down fresh grapefruit with clean earthy ingredients rounding it out.

Again, this cologne is reminiscent of many other fragrances, like Azzaro Chrome and even somewhat like Drakkar Essence with its grapefruit and lavender notes. Which means, if you’re looking for something unique, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

It’s projection is moderate. At first, the grapefruit opening comes on somewhat strong, before it settles down into something much lighter. Overall, it’s not a beast with its sillage, but it will be very noticeable for at least a few hours.

Also, you’ll get around 6 hours of life on your skin, maybe a bit more than that. Now, this six hour time frame isn’t spend entirely at full strength. The latter half of the wear is going to sit really close to the skin. It’s still there, you may catch whiffs, but not going to feel like a constant.

I would say that it is a safe scent to wear, for just about any occasion, and not offend anybody. Seasonally, spring or summer is when it’ll be at its best. It’s fresh and bright with an upbeat citrus zest.

I’d say this will skew younger. Probably appropriate for men in their early 20s. If older, you can definitely wear it on casual occasions, no problem. It doesn’t come off as a ‘kids’ cologne.

The Essence is clean and subtle. Not really a club type of fragrance or for dates or evenings out. Simple, clean, daily wear.

Overall Impression of The Essence

Overall, is The Essence by David Beckham worth a purchase? Yes, if you’re in the market for a warm weather wear and on a tight budget. It has shades of many other scents, so it is kind of generic. However, for the price it is clean, fresh, and effective.

The overall smell is nice. I like the grapefruit and pineapple notes, the tonka bean, and the lavender. The performance isn’t amazing, but a full bottle is less than $20, so I can’t complain too much. There are plenty of expensive colognes, that don’t even reach this level.

Probably won’t be amazed by this fragrance, but it is a deal, and easily enjoyable to wear.