By Designer

YSL Myslf EDP vs. Le Parfum

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Myslf by YSL has become a very popular fragrance since its release. Naturally, this is going to lead to more flanker releases under this name, the first of which is Myslf Le Parfum. Now that there are two options in the series, which is the better men’s fragrance?

I’ve bought two travel spray sizes of each of these scents to test out and compare. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is ultimately the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Myslf EDP vs. Parfum

Myslf

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review: Myslf 

Myslf Le Parfum

Notes include: black pepper, orange blossom, Bourbon vanilla, amber, patchouli, woods

Click here to try: YSL Myslf Le Parfum

Opening

Myslf begins with bergamot and orange blossom, as its main combination. It’s fresh and it also has a bit of a creaminess to how it smells, mostly due to the orange blossom note. Which doesn’t have as much of an opening sweetness, thanks to that large citrus start.

But, the very opening stage is a bergamot centered fragrance. That will change later on, but for the start it’s a fresh citrusy cologne.

Le Parfum opens up fresh and sweet. Here, there still seems to be a touch of that bergamot in the mix, but this version is much more orange blossom dominant.

The orange blossom sweetness is pretty bubblegum like, with how it comes across, but I think it is kept in check well by that top use of black pepper. A nice kick of spice but not too much of it.

It’s warm and I also get a decent amount of the woods and patchouli, during this opening act.

Which is better?

It’s neck and neck, but I actually might give the edge to EDP. That citrus opening really can capture my attention and I’ll give the original the go ahead.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Myslf for the first hour is actually fairly strong. Not a heavy fragrance, but it will create a substantial enough scent trail in your wake.

After that, it’s more of an intimate scent surrounding you. I’d say it sticks in that 1-3 foot range off of the skin, but it’s still noticeable.

Le Parfum is a heavier cologne than is the EDP. It is also the more powerful of the two, as far as projection goes.

Still, it’s not a great deal more powerful, and it’s not a beast. But, it does give you more punch throughout than the original.

Edge: Le Parfum

Longevity

With EDP, it will last for 6-7 hours on my skin. It’s okay, a bit disappointing for this price range, by no means terrible.

On my skin, Le Parfum seems to deliver 9 and possibly 10 hours on my skin, depending on the day.

It’s a pretty easy win for the newer scent and higher concentration.

Edge: Le Parfum

Versatility

Myslf eau de parfum is just such an inoffensive and easy to wear fragrance, that it can fit in pretty much anywhere during any time of year. It’s an easy on to just spray on as an everyday wear, but is attractive enough to hit the nightlife, even if that’s not it’s main function.

With Le Parfum, you get a lot of the same. Better than EDP in the colder weather, but doesn’t hold up to the same degree in the heat. It’s not bad in the higher temperatures, but EDP is better, in that regard.

I think Le Parfum is the better nightlife or romantic wear. It’s got greater depth than just being a clean daily wear.

As such, I would give it the slight edge here.

Edge: Le Parfum

Overall Scent

Overall, which one of these YSL fragrances do I like more?

It’s actually a somewhat tight contest between these two or at least. For me, while I really do enjoy the opening act of EDP, it’s not as exciting on the dry down.

Plus, that fresh and clean heavy citrus, type of aroma isn’t something that I always want.

With Parfum, I think that it gets better and the longevity is also gives it an edge. Between them, I lean more towards Parfum. The more that I wore each of these scents, the more Le Parfum started to grow on me.

The vanilla, amber, and orange blossom blend are really great in the back half. Le Parfum has moment where it is powdery, then it’s woodier, then it’s more of an amber floral.

Which the trio of those three notes is also found in Le Male by Gaultier and during the heavier vanilla parts, there is a bit of a resemblance.

There’s more depth here, you’re just giving up the bergamot citrus explosion that you get with Myslf EDP.

However, I will add a caveat. Myslf Parfum is a much more floral fragrance. It’s actually smells quite a bit like the long-discontinued, YSL L’Homme Parfum Intense. Just with more depth and better performance.

(Note: The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ fragrance based on EDP. So, one could buy a bottle of that and get a bottle of Le Parfum from YSL, if you can’t decide). 

It’s like they took the original, added vanilla, stripped most of the citrus, and fused it with L’Homme Parfum Intense.

It’s also more unisex and some might find Myslf Parfum to be feminine with how it comes across. So, if you prefer the citrus floral aroma, you’ll want to go with Myslf EDP instead.

But, if  you have the opportunity I’d test both of them out. Again, I like both and it’s not a huge gap between them, but I do seem to have a definite preference for Le Parfum.

Winner: Le Parfum

Gentleman Society vs. Dior Sauvage EDT

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Dior Sauvage is a constant best seller, but so is the Gentleman series from Givenchy. It’s just spread over different fragrances with less in common with one another versus the Sauvage lineup.

One of the more popular options over the past few years, has been Givenchy Gentleman Society. Guys will often look for it and want to compare it with the popular Sauvage EDT.

In this post, I’m going to give my comparisons between these colognes, and talk about which I feel is the better of them.

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage vs. Gentleman Society

Sauvage EDT

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Gentleman Society

Notes include: sage, cardamom, daffodil, vetiver, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla

Click here to try: Gentleman Society

Read my review: Gentleman Society by Givenchy

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a blast of bergamot, pepper, and the ambroxan note. It’s super bright, energetic, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is a powerhouse early on, as is the bergamot note. The citrus here is very noticeable and actually is a nice note, even when it feels quite sharp.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Gentleman Society begins with a sweet, spicy, and seemingly nutty mix of notes. Sage is a leader up top, with some cardamom also coming through. That’s the spice of the mix.

Not too spicy, but tempered by the vanilla note and daffodil, that has it shine in the early stages of the wear.

Which cologne do I prefer here? I’m going with the Givenchy scent over the Dior for the opening.

It’s more interesting has a smoother blend than what I get with Sauvage EDT.

Edge: Society

Projection

The original Sauvage is an eau de toilette versus Society which is a higher concentrate eau de parfum.

However, it’s actually a closer match up in terms of their projection and sillage. Both start out as being above average with their reach. Neither is a weak fragrance, so don’t worry about that.

Then, both will moderate during the wear.

I think that Society has a high peak, though. Along with that, it maintains a higher level for me for longer.

Not a huge win here, but an advantage for the Givenchy.

Edge: Society

Longevity

With Sauvage EDT, it will last for 7-8 hours on my skin. It’s always been a solid performer and definitely gives you some value, in this regard.

But, Gentleman Society lasts longer than the Dior. For me, it seems to quit around 9 hours, so it can provide an extra hour or two of wear beyond what Sauvage seems capable of.

Givenchy takes this category.

Edge: Society

Versatility

Seasonally, I’d say Society is better autumn through early spring. I’ve worn it when it’s warm out and wasn’t pleased with the results.

Sauvage, does a better job across seasons. I’d still avoid extreme cold with it, but it can be fine for almost any other conditions.

Neither of these is a formal fragrance. Society seems geared toward younger guys, as does Sauvage to some extent. Day or night with either, but Sauvage actually might be the better daily wear.

I think this is where Sauvage EDT has a slight advantage.

Edge: Sauvage

Overall Scent

So, overall, which of these fragrances do I prefer?

I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Sauvage. I don’t hate it, I think that it smells fine, but I have grown tired of it and all the scents that have copied its style.

That being said, I still can appreciate the fragrance’s performance and the dry down which is better once the pepper note calms down.

With the Givenchy, I like the opening 45 minutes or so of the wear. That’s the highlight of the fragrance. After that, it’s fine but sort of boring, but I don’t think Sauvage does anything to make me really want it versus its competitor.

I’ll take Society over a bottle of Sauvage, even if I don’t love that Givenchy cologne. Actually, I would go with Society Extreme, which I enjoy much more than either of the fragrances we’re comparing in this post.

I might also pick Sauvage EDP over Society.

But, between these two, it’s Gentleman Society EDP.

Winner: Society

Bad Boy vs. Bad Boy Cobalt

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Bad Boy is a popular ongoing line of men’s fragrances from Carolina Herrera. Each new year seems to bring about a new flanker in the series. The original EDT is still going strong itself, but how does it compare to one of the later additions, Bad Boy Cobalt.

I have tested out and reviewed both of them. On this page, I will compare how each smells, how they perform, and which cologne I think is the better buy between them.

Tale of the Tape: Bad Boy vs. Bad Boy Cobalt

Bad Boy

Notes include: white pepper, cocoa, sage, tonka bean, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, and amber

Click here to try: Carolina Herrera Bad Boy EDT Eau de Toilette 3.4oz / 100ml For Men, Black

Read my review: Bad Boy EDT

Cobalt

Notes include: pink pepper, geranium, lavender, black plum, truffle accord, vetiver

Click here to try: Bad Boy Cobalt

Read my review: Cobalt

bad cobalt review

Opening

The opening of Bad Boy EDT, smells differently to my nose, depending on whether it is closer to the skin or just wafting in the air.

Up close, it smells like honeycomb that is dipped in amber and infused with different pepper notes.

From afar, I really pick up the sweeter and creamier aspects of this scent. Namely, the cocoa and tonka bean.

Cobalt starts off with a fresh spice and tart sweetness. Plum provides the latter, but pink pepper and a crisp geranium note give Bad Boy Cobalt a cold and clean feeling.

That will, however, be ‘dirtied’ up somewhat by the emergence of the truffle note. To me, it’s always been an earthier example of that note, but it pairs well with an increasingly sweet and less tart plum.

Which is better?

I like both and they’re both interesting, but I prefer what I get from the original versus Cobalt. I like the mix of sweet and spicier here, more than the tart and freshness that I get with the flanker.

Edge: Bad Boy

Projection

Both of these are pretty moderate fragrances. When I compare them, there isn’t too much of a difference in how they project off of the skin.

However, Bad Boy EDT seems like it has a slightly heavier sillage and hits a higher level of projection than I get with Cobalt.

Not much more, but it’s noticeable to me.

Edge: Bad Boy (slightly)

Longevity

With both of these fragrances, I get 6-7 hours of wear out of them, on my skin. Bad Boy Le Parfum gives me a few hours more, but that’s a better performer in this series.

Between Bad Boy and Cobalt, they’re equal. No real advantage to be had in this category.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Seasonally, both work well in autumn and wintertime. I wouldn’t use either in the depths of summer, but I think Cobalt can hold up better in the warmer weather than can Bad Boy EDT. That’s one advantage that it has.

Otherwise, both of these colognes are for a younger crowd. More of nightlife fragrances than being a daily wear or something more formal.  Can be worn casually or out on a date. They cover the same ground, basically.

Edge: Cobalt (slightly)

Overall Scent

These two are quite close in terms of my overall enjoyment wearing them and in terms of how they both perform. Nearly interchangeable, but I do have a preference for one against the other.

Cobalt is a solid fragrance. I like it, but don’t really love any aspect of it. The plum and truffle is a good combination, though. To me, that’s the highlight of the entire wear. A lot of the wear will be lavender dominant and isn’t as good to my nose. Still fine, just doesn’t hit the same.

In the end, I like the way that Bad Boy EDT smells more so than what I get out of Cobalt. Cobalt is really close, so, if you happen to really enjoy that plum or the later lavender note more than the original formula, you can probably go with it.

Not a big difference in these two, just a slight edge for one of them.

Winner: Bad Boy

Sauvage EDT vs. Eau Forte

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Sauvage has become such a popular line, that it doesn’t appear that Dior will stop coming out with flankers of this fragrance any time soon. The latest one for 2024 is Sauvage Eau Forte. It’s a new scent, but how does it compare to the original Sauvage eau de toilette release?

Which of these colognes lasts longer? Smells better? Is the one to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage vs. Eau Forte

Sauvage EDT

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Sauvage Eau Forte

Notes include: elemi, spice, blanched lavender, wood, musk

Click here to try: Eau Forte from Sephora

Read my full review: Sauvage Eau Forte

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a strong kick of bergamot, pepper, and the ever-present ambroxan note. It’s super bright, energetic, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is definitely strong early on, as is the bergamot note. The citrus here is much more noticeable and in your face when compared to the cool spicy freshness of Eau Forte.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Eau Forte starts things off with a cold and fresh aroma. The elemi note is a mix of waxy and resinous up top. There are spices, woods, and the impression of water from this alcohol free formula.

The Sauvage lavender note is present and there is a good balance of the ingredients early on. The musk isn’t too much, the spice and cold are wonderful.

I prefer how Eau Forte starts when compared to the original EDT. To me, it’s the best part of this newer Sauvage release. Not amazing. Though, it’s a really nice introduction to what they were going for.

Edge: Eau Forte

Projection

Sauvage EDT is a strong scent in terms of how it projects and can leave a scent trail. It’s not a massive beast or anything, but it is extremely noticeable and settles down into something that’s still above average.

Meanwhile, Eau Forte is in the lighter to moderate camp. Initially, it’s got some nice pop to it, but this Sauvage is going to be more intimate than other editions in the line.

Now, I don’t think it’s a weak fragrance and it does stick around. But, the EDT is for sure the stronger of the two.

Edge: Sauvage EDT

Longevity

Sauvage EDT has always lasted 7-8 hours for me, like clockwork. Other people seem to get a bit more from it, but I’ve never personally experienced it.

Eau Forte might not seem like it’s sticking around, when it enters its lighter phase. However, the fragrance is still there. I get somewhere around 8 hours during testing of this new Sauvage.

Not amazing, but still quite serviceable.

They’re about the same in terms of how long they last. Sauvage is stronger, but it doesn’t go any further than Eau Forte.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Seasonally, both EDT and Eau Forte can fit in during any season, but it’s probably best to not use them in either the extreme heat or cold. So, no real separation there.

Sauvage is good for casual wear, school, maybe some office wear depending on where you work. It’s good for a night out, but wouldn’t be my first pick. Although, I know I’ve smelled this on other people while walking through crowds.

I think Eau Forte has a slightly more mature profile and more of a low key vibe that can fit in better for more formalized occasions. Even if it’s not a powerhouse, it’s not out of place in most situations.

Not a massive difference here, but I lean more towards Forte taking it.

Edge: Eau Forte

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Dior fragrances do I prefer versus the other?

It’s tough, because they are so close in terms of rating them for each category, not to mention that I don’t think either is a great fragrance.

With Sauvage EDT, I’m somewhat biased against it. I was never a huge fan and I frankly sick of it and every other scent smelling like it. The opening was always harsh and sort of off putting, though, I do like it better during the dry down.

With Eau Forte, the opening is more enjoyable for me than anything that the initial EDT throws my way. The dry down is also pretty good.

In terms of smell? I’d pick Eau Forte.

In terms of performance? Sauvage EDT takes it.

Everything being equal, I’m picking Eau Forte in this matchup and just spraying more of it to get some better performance.

The only other factor is price. Eau Forte is overpriced, in my opinion. Sauvage EDT can be found from discounters at something much more reasonable. That significant difference could really sway your own choice.

Otherwise, I’m going with the newer scent.

Winner: Eau Forte

Luna Rossa Ocean EDP vs. Le Parfum

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Luna Rossa Ocean has been a popular line of fragrances for Prada. The initial eau de toilette release has spawned two other flanker scents thus far. One, Ocean EDP. The other, a Le Parfum version.

Stemming from the same lineup, there can obviously be similarities between colognes. What are those similarities? What are the differences? And just which one of these Ocean releases is the better one?

I’ve tested and worn both of them and this page is my full comparison between these men’s fragrances by Prada.

Tale of the Tape Ocean EDP vs. Le Parfum

Ocean EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, incense, vanilla bean accord, amber extreme

Click here to try: Ocean EDP

My Review: Luna Rossa Ocean EDP

Le Parfum

Notes include: lemon, saffron, amber, oak

My review: Ocean le Parfum

Opening

Ocean Le Parfum starts off as a saffron bomb. That’s the main note, but it actually does take on a bit of a tobacco-like aroma, with the way it blends with the other notes. It’s rich, spicy, somewhat sweet, and smooth.

Now, the base note here is oak, which even the sample card calls a ‘leathery oakwood’. For sure, a bit smokier in the dry down, but in the opening it comes across like a woody leather paired with that saffron note.

Lemon essence? Yes, the same way there’s a citrus not in the opening of Spicebomb, except even more subdued. Has some overlap with Infrared, too. That amber extreme note is present throughout and this one will dry down into a woody/amber mix.

Ocean EDP begins somewhat like the original EDT. This time, this citrus is a grapefruit note, but for a few minutes I still get a very similar blue-ish vibe from the eau de parfum.

Still smooth and a bit powdery, though the tonka bean and iris aren’t listed as notes here.

But, that opening is short-lived, after a few minutes it really shifts into a slightly smoky vanilla and amber fragrance.

Which is better? They are actually pretty similar in the opening, after like 10 minutes. Le Parfum comes across as warmer and woodier, while EDP is a cooler amber and vanilla scent.

If I have to pick one, I’ll go with Ocean EDP’s opening. It’s smoother. Actually, I found my travel sprayer in a bag a few weeks ago, and wore this Prada for days in a row. It still doesn’t hit the same as the EDT’s opening act (the best of the trio), but it grew on me.

Edge: Ocean EDP

Projection

I’ve said that Ocean EDP starts out in the upper moderate range in terms of how it projects, ;leaves a scent trail, and how heavy it feels to have on.

But, that will quickly turn into something much lighter and intimate after not much time.

Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum is the bolder, stronger, and denser of the two perfumes. I don’t think it’s a powerhouse. Though, I do think it is a strong fragrance for the first hour or so.

After that, it too will moderate greatly. The performance is without a doubt better than either of the other Ocean scents released, as of this posting.

Edge: Le Parfum

Longevity

Ocean EDP always gives me between 4-6 hours of wear. This was a massive disappointment to me, back when I was hoping it’d be an improvement over the EDT. Nope, they’re the same.

Is Le Parfum better? Yes, it outpaces both of them. It seems to be in the 7-9 hour range. Ocean Le Parfum at least gives you something to work with, beyond just being a faded amber note (although that’s a big part of it too).

Still, it’s not a great performer, especially at the price. A good one, though, and an improvement beyond its predecessors.

Edge: Le Parfum

Versatility

Neither of these fragrances is a warmer weather scent. Both best in colder to moderate temperatures. But, EDP might have a slight edge in how it works in warmer temperatures.

They are very similar. Neither is a formal fragrance, both can work in the nightlife, both can be more casual wears, and they aren’t really going to offend anyone.

Don’t really see a clear cut winner in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Luna Rossa Ocean fragrances is better? It’s tough to call.

The first part, belongs to EDP. But, the back half of Le Parfum is better. Plus, Le Parfum lasts longer.

So, I’m inclined to to go with Le Parfum. If we’re assuming, that price is not a factor, it’s probably slightly better overall. A mid start, with a very nice finish.

The entire Ocean line sits around the same rating for me. Likeable, just nothing special enough.

The EDT still might be my favorite. I did love the opening act of that one, it’s just not one that has much performance or anything beyond that initial captivation.

Le Parfum is the most different of the lot. Warmer, spicier, dry, with a leathery finish. It’s interesting, as I always got a decent amount of the suede note in the EDT, but this is of a different character.

In a sense, it’s the least ‘ocean-like’ in a series, that doesn’t always feel like it represents the name anyhow. The first two entries are certainly fresher and feel ‘blue’ versus this newer fragrance.

The oak and amber extreme in the dry down is actually a nice combination. Plus, I am a fan of saffron, generally.

If I do include price as a factor, I don’t think Ocean Le Parfum is really worth the price of entry. $175 seems kind of crazy to me for this. At least I’ve seen the other two Ocean scents discounted online, not so far for Le Parfum, though.

Winner: Le Parfum