By Designer

CK One vs CK Be Fragrance Comparison

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Today, I want to take a closer look at and compare two hit unisex fragrances from the 1990s, CK One and CK Be. These Calvin Klein perfumes were best sellers of their time and are still going strong two decades later.

The real question is, which of these scents is better? Which has the best scent? Lasts longer? Is the better buy? Please continue below as I break down this head to head match up of the Calvin Klein family of fragrances.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

CK One wins on opening, projection, longevity, and overall scent, while CK Be wins on versatility for cooler weather and softer casual wear.

Buy CK One if you want the fresher citrus-forward fragrance with stronger performance and better overall mass appeal.

Buy CK Be if you prefer a softer muskier scent with more woods, lavender, and a smoother understated vibe, but overall CK One is the stronger fragrance.

Category CK One CK Be Winner
Opening Bright citrus with lemon, pineapple, bergamot, papaya, green tea, and a clean fresh lift Lavender, green notes, mint, musk, sandalwood, and a softer powdery-musky feel CK One
Projection Stronger scent bubble and better overall presence Lighter and can become almost skin scent fairly quickly CK One
Longevity Around 6–7 hours Usually lighter wear and fades faster. 4-5 hours CK One
Versatility Excellent for spring/summer, daytime, gym, office, and casual wear Works especially well for relaxed casual wear and cooler softer moods CK Be
Overall Scent Cleaner, brighter, fresher citrus scent with better universal appeal Softer musky woody scent with a more intimate understated personality CK One
Best For Those who want the fresher stronger all-around pick Those who want a softer muskier low-key scent —

Comparing Calvin Klein’s CK One and CK Be

CK Be Tale of the Tape

Notes include: magnolia, peach, lavender, musk, sandalwood, bergamot, mint, vanilla

rp_ck-be-300x263.jpg

Read my original CK Be Review

Click here to try: Ck Be by Calvin Klein for Women, Eau De Toilette, 3.4 Ounce

CK One Tale of the Tape

Notes: papaya, pineapple and jasmine. green tea and amber

ck one

Read my CK One Review

Try CK One: Ck One by Calvin Klein for Men and Women, Eau De Toilette, 1.7 Ounce

Opening

The opening of CK Be is a fresh blend of mostly lavender, with citrus, mint and sandalwood notes, which feels very familiar and clean. The orange note here, is a very light touch, especially when compared to the bold citrus found in One.

As it moves a bit further along, Be starts to take on more of its floral character. It’s got a musky clean, sort of soapy quality, with the introduction of mostly freesia.

CK One is also very fresh and clean but instead utilizes the citrus, pineapple, and green floral notes to create a light yet quite attractive aroma.

CK One starts off with an initial burst of its citrus and tropical fruit notes. Lots of pineapple, papaya, lemon, and bergamot. This is joined by a nice little green tea note, and the slight warmth of cardamom.

One has a very citrus opening, that has a watery, almost aquatic feel. This is flanked by its tea influence and musk.

It depends on your tastes, but I think One is the winner. To me, it’s opening act, is just more interesting. Hell, its an extremely famous smell at this point. I do love the fruity notes, but the green tea, is just an added delicious touch.

Edge: One

Projection

Neither one of these scents is a monster in terms of how it projects. These are lighter, casual fragrances, meant to be inoffensive and universally enjoyed.

That being said, CK One is the stronger scent of the two. Be can be a very light almost skin type of fragrance. At first, Be is pretty good, but it gets quite light.

I think CK One is a light to moderate sillage perfume. You’re going to notice, that it is there, much more so than Be. The opening hour or so, with One is fairly strong, and definitely projects itself a decent distance.

Edge: One

Longevity

CK Be has longevity issues. Like, it will last around 4-5 hours…I’m pretty sure that reformulations took away some of its staying power from how it used to be.

CK One gives decent longevity, again, it’s not a beast by any means but it gets the job done fairly well. The most recent bottles that I’ve tried out, still lasted 6-7 hours, on my skin.

Again, both of these used to be better, but One was always the better performer of the two. CK Be, used to get, about what One achieves nowadays.

Edge: One

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are casual wears, that seem to work best in warmer weather. Neither is a nighttime or date night type of scent. Really no difference in this regard.

Each of these perfumes, skews toward a younger audience. These were and still are to some extent, staples in the world of high school and college age.

Yes, anyone can indeed wear these fragrances, but don’t expect some super formal usage out of either.

I’d stick to both being more of a daily wear for younger people or something to throw on casually, if you’re someone older who enjoys how they smell. That’s how I’ve used either, in the past.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like how both of these fragrances smell. They are both unisex and as such they enjoy a wide appeal from a great number of people.

CK Be, while smelling quite nice, has some pretty noticeable longevity issues which only serves to undermine its case here. I do like the warmth of this composition, as well as the lavender cleanliness.

It has enough of a spicy kick from fresh notes like mint and juniper to keep it interesting. It does have a bit of depth, with its fairly short lived, floral period.

Ultimately, it’s a nice smelling perfume, that has seen better performance days. It does have a more unique formula than One, which has been imitated more so over the years, and lost some of its unique status.

CK One on the other hand, is still a classic, and while you won’t be wearing a niche scent in using it…One gets the job done as a solid casual fragrance.

I love its balance as a fragrance, it truly is one of the all-timers, for a unisex wear. The fruity opening is great, along with the green tea. It still shines during its dry down, as it becomes a greener, a bit muskier, with a super fresh cedar finish.

Yes, it’s lost a bit of its punch, but for the prices you can find it at; I still feel that it has plenty of value as a casual fragrance for men or women. It’s still among the best Calvin Klein has ever produced.

Winner: CK One

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose CK One if:

You want the better overall fragrance
You prefer citrus, pineapple, bergamot, papaya, green tea, and brighter freshness
You want stronger projection and better longevity
You need a true warm-weather daily fragrance for office, gym, or casual wear
You like classic clean scents with broad mass appeal

Choose CK Be if:

You prefer muskier, softer fragrances
You like lavender, mint, sandalwood, musk, green notes, and a smoother powdery style
You want something more understated and relaxed
You prefer intimate scents that stay closer to the skin
You like cooler-weather casual fragrances with a quieter personality

CK One and Be FAQ

Does CK One last longer than CK Be?

Yes, in my experience I tend to get an extra hour or two of wear from CK One. CK Be lasts about 4-5 for me. Not a great performer.

Which is better: CK One or CK Be?

Again, for me I think that CK One is the better of these two Calvin Klein scents. It’s a bit better smelling than Be and also has the better performance. I do like Be, too.

Are CK One and CK Be very similar?

Not really. CK One has the more citrus and tea influence. While Be, gets lavender, peach, musk, and other notes going. They’re just both popular Calvin Klein fragrances and so get compared often.

Y EDP vs Y Le Parfum Comparison

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The Y series from YSL is now on its 5th release, 2021’s Le Parfum. Obviously, it is going to get compared quite a lot with the other scents that came before it. Mainly, Y Eau de Parfum, since that’s been the best seller of the series.

So, with that in mind, it’s time for another cologne comparison. Which one of these Saint Laurent fragrances smells better? Lasts longer? Should you buy?

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Y EDP wins on opening, projection, and versatility, while Y Le Parfum wins on longevity and overall scent quality.

Buy Y EDP if you want the louder, fresher, brighter blue fragrance with stronger everyday versatility and bigger compliment-factor.

Buy Y Le Parfum if you want the smoother, darker, sweeter, and more refined version with the better dry down and stronger overall scent experience.

Tale of the Tape: Y Le Parfum vs. Eau de Parfum

Y Le Parfum

Notes include: apple, grapefruit, ginger, aldehydes, lavender, sage, geranium, patchouli, tonka bean, and cedar

Read my review: Y Le Parfum

Y EDP

Notes include: bergamot, apple, ginger, sage, vetiver, geranium, juniper berries, tonka bean, amber, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

Read my review: Y EDP

Opening

Y EDP starts off with its bold kick. It’s a strong bergamot, apple, and ginger blend initially. Then, will come the amber, juniper berry, and tonka bean. However, that initial blast is quite juicy, bold, and blue.

I know some people don’t like that initial punch, but I love it. I actually think that its that amber and juniper layer that can put some folks off. But for me, the apple and bergamot pairing really grabs my attention with its crisp bite.

The sage also comes through quite a bit, even at this early point of the process.

Meanwhile, Le Parfum has some similarities to its counterpart, using apple and ginger. However, it replaces bergamot with grapefruit and adds some sweet aldehydes. Le Parfum is understated in comparison, has some more sweetness, and even a darker quality.

Sage and geranium are more prevalent at the beginning in Le Parfum, as well.

Which is better? I like the opening of EDP more so than Le Parfum. I think Le Parfum smells its best when it has settled in and the opening act is the weakest spot, in my mind.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Y EDP does start off bold and the sillage comes across as being quite strong. However, I’d call it above average overall. Not a monster, but very solid throughout.

That first 30-60 minutes, can be a lot, especially with heavy spraying. Though, it always seems to calm down for me, while still having a noticeable strength.

Le Parfum never reaches the same levels. It’s also a moderate, but much closer to the middle of that range than the upper end like EDP. Plus, it doesn’t keep the same consistency as EDP.

I didn’t know if Le Parfum was going to be amped up in comparison, coming into testing it out, but it turned out to be a step down. Still, it’s not bad at all, just not the same level.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

With Y EDP, I always get over 10 hours of wear out of it. It never lets me down with its performance. Y Le Parfum, will stick around for 6-6.5 hours, on my skin.

That’s not terrible, it’s just that Le Parfum is no marathon runner. It’s really not even a contest here.

Perhaps others have better luck with this newer edition. For the life of me, I cannot get this fragrance to stick around to even come close to double digit hours. It’s about the same as what I get with Y EDT, I don’t know what the deal is.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Here is where Le Parfum has an edge and it really isn’t much of one. But, Le Parfum is a more mature fragrance, with a subtlety which can venture into more environments. Its understated qualities will be appreciated by those who think that EDP is too much.

Neither is best on hotter days, but can venture in more temperate climates easily. In either case, Le Parfum will most likely have a wider use case for you than the eau de parfum. Not a massive difference, but a win here for the newer release.

Edge: Le Parfum

Overall Scent

Is this an easy win for EDP? Not really. Y Le Parfum is probably my second favorite scent from this series.

The dry down with the tonka bean, lavender, apple, and woods is actually great. That part of the wear is a highlight for me, and at times, I think I prefer it to EDP.

The downside is, that blend of notes comes in when the sillage has already weakened a lot and it floats close to the skin.

That’s not the worst situation, as you can still enjoy it, just not ideal. Le Parfum does indeed have its merits and is a fine fragrance…that had potential to be even better.

In totality, I still prefer Y EDP. It does absolutely everything well. It has depth, performance, and enough versatility to pretty much be a signature fragrance.

I can’t really say that about Le Parfum, at least for me. Sure, it’s versatile and can be worn in a wide variety of climates, but it doesn’t stick out the same.

I will say, if you don’t like the boldness of EDP, Le Parfum could be an easier pick for a lot of guys. Again, I do like the fragrance, just never found it to be all that special.

Winner: Y EDP

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Y EDP if:

You want the stronger everyday fragrance
You prefer bergamot, apple, ginger, sage, amber, and bright blue freshness
You want stronger projection and more compliment-grabbing performance
You need maximum versatility for office, casual wear, and dates
You like louder, fresher designer fragrances with mass appeal

Choose Y Le Parfum if:

You want the better overall scent
You prefer apple, grapefruit, ginger, sweet aldehydes, sage, and darker sweetness
You want better longevity and a smoother dry down
You mainly wear fragrance in evenings, cooler weather, or dressed-up settings
You prefer refinement and depth over loud projection

Y by YSL FAQ

Which is the best Y fragrance?

For me, the best is still Y EDP. As I said, I think the Le Parfum is number two on the list. While, it is too expensive for what it is, I happen to like Y Elixir more than many other people seem too also.

Is Y Le Parfum sweeter than Y EDP?

Yes, Le Parfum is the sweeter of the two. Y EDP has a sharper aroma than does Le Parfum, both obviously use similar note, but Le Parfum has a sweeter aroma to it.

Which YSL Y fragrance should I buy first?

Probably one of these two: EDP or Le Parfum. You might also go with Y EDT, which is easier to wear. That one has been changed a bit over the years.

Which one has better performance overall?

EDP. I don’t get great performance from Y Le Parfum, but my bottle of Y Eau de Parfum is a beast, especially in comparison. Longer lasting and much more noticeable.

Comparing Santal 33 vs. Oud Wood

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Santal 33 from Le Labo and Oud Wood from Tom Ford are two very popular releases that people seem to have a tough time deciding between. I have never been a mega fan of either of these fragrances, but have tested each out repeatedly over the years.

So, today I am going to try and provide my own personal in depth takes while comparing these two perfumes, to see if I can help you get some clarity in this head to head matchup.

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Santal 33 wins overall because it has better longevity, better versatility, wider appeal, and a stronger full-wear experience after the opening.

Oud Wood wins the opening and projection categories thanks to its stronger oud-cardamom-spice start and heavier peak, but it does not hold interest or performance as well over time.

Buy Santal 33 if you want the better daily/signature scent.

Buy Oud Wood if you mainly want the warmer, spicier, oud-heavy opening.

Category Santal 33 Oud Wood Winner
Opening Cardamom, dry woods, leather, violet, papyrus, and cedar without much spice Strong oud, cardamom, peppery spice, sandalwood, rosewood, and warm dry woods Oud Wood
Projection Moderate and more sustained on skin, then turns lighter Moderate but heavier, with a further reach at its peak Oud Wood
Longevity Around 7–8 hours Around 4–5 hours Santal 33
Versatility Works as a wider-use daily or signature scent outside the height of summer Better suited to autumn and winter, with narrower appeal Santal 33
Overall Scent Weaker start, but develops better into the heart and checks more boxes overall Nice spicy-woody opening, but becomes less interesting after that Santal 33
Best For Those who want better longevity, wider appeal, and daily wear flexibility Those who want the stronger spicy oud-wood opening —

Tale of the Tape: Santal 33 vs. Oud Wood

Santal 33

Notes include: sandalwood, violet, iris, amber, cardamom, leather, papyrus, cedar

Click here to try: Santal 33 on Amazon

Read my original review: Santal 33

Oud Wood

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Oud Wood on Amazon

Read my original review: Oud Wood

Opening

Oud Wood starts off with a strong blast of the oud note and cardamom. Underneath that, is a peppery sort of spice. It’s warm and dry, with sandalwood and rosewood, already being prominent at the base. It’s a very spicy and woody, sort of aroma up top.

Santal also has the cardamom and dry woods. Just without the oud. It’s not remotely as spicy as Oud Wood is either. This notes are joined by leather and violet. Papyrus is a wood which distinguishes itself from the oud used in the Tom Ford scent.

Which is better? The opening act of Oud Wood is a great array of the various wood notes and spices. It’s not completely amazing, but it captures my attention.

I like the leather facets, the use of the papyrus in Santal. Though, even with that I feel the opening act is the weakest of the perfume.

Not a huge win, but I’ll give this category to Oud.

Edge: Oud Wood

Projection

Both of these are perfumes with a moderate sillage which then turn into lighter fragrances. I don’t think either is weak and both of them are detectable for most of their wear.

That being said, the Tom Ford perfume feels heavier and like it has a further reach at its peak. Yes, Santal 33 is more sustained on my skin, but I think Oud Wood is technically the stronger of the two.

Edge: Oud Wood

Longevity

Oud Wood has always been a strange one for me. Anytime that I’ve tried this fragrance out, I’ve gotten 4-5 hours of wear from it. The Intense version, lasted over 10 hours for me, however.

The Le Labo perfume will hit the 7-8 hour range, on my skin.

Neither of these is an absolute beast with their performance, but Santal 33 takes this category fairly easily in my experience.

Edge: Santal 33

Versatility

Seasonally, Oud Wood always struck me as being built more for the autumn and winter months. Santal can do that too, but it also extends well into springtime. Honestly, outside of the height of summer, I think the Le Labo works.

Both of these are unisex, of course. But, I think Santal has a wider range of use cases as a signature scent or a daily wear. Neither is a nightlife beast, but Santal also just has a wider appeal than you’re going to get with the oud based scent.

Edge: Santal 33

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these perfumes do I like more? I’d go with Santal versus Oud Wood. Which, I think that Oud Wood Intense was the better of the two anyway. Of course, it’s the one that got discontinued.

Oud Wood starts out nice, but never really interests me much beyond that. Sure, it has similar vibes at times to Santal, but I just think that the Le Labo smells better.

Santal has a weaker start. It’s never been bad to me, just kind of meh, who cares? Though, it really gets going as it transitions into the heart of the wear.

Along with the scent itself, Santal has better performance and will fit the style of a wider range of people. Plus, a more extensive use case. Santal checks more boxes and gets the win here.

Winner: Santal 33

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Santal 33 if:

You want the better overall fragrance in this comparison
You prefer sandalwood, violet, iris, amber, cardamom, leather, papyrus, and cedar
You want better longevity, around 7–8 hours
You need something with wider appeal as a daily or signature scent
You want a fragrance that improves more as it transitions into the heart

Choose Oud Wood if:

You want the better opening between the two
You prefer oud, cardamom, peppery spice, sandalwood, rosewood, vanilla, tonka, amber, and vetiver
You want something warmer, spicier, and woodier up top
You mainly wear fragrance in autumn and winter
You do not mind shorter longevity if you like the oud-heavy opening more

Santal 33 and Oud Wood FAQ

Does Santal 33 last longer than Oud Wood?

In my experience, yes. Oud Wood has never been a good performer for me anytime that I’ve tested it out. Personally, I only get 4-5 hours of wear from that Tom Ford perfume. Maybe you get more, but it’s no powerhouse.

Which one is better as a signature scent?

Personally, I think that the answer is Santal 33. Yes, it became such a massive hit, that it became commonplace. However, that’s probably receded quite a bit over the past five years, and it actually is a very nice perfume.

Are Santal 33 and Oud Wood similar?

These fragrances have a somewhat similar style in terms of the types of notes that each uses. But, they don’t particularly smell the same. Each is quite distinct if you test them out side by side.

9 Best Smelling Axe Body Spray Fragrances

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Axe has been a popular brand of cheaply priced fragrances for decades now. I used to wear different body spray scents in high school, will still use the body washes and the deodorants, to this day. They’ve come out with seemingly endless scents under different names, but what are the best smelling Axe Body Spray scents for guys?

Quick Overview

🏆 Quick Overview: Top Picks

Best Overall — Kilo

Kilo is the best overall Axe pick because it has the most balanced profile of these scents and smells great. It is fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth, calming, and masculine without becoming overly fruity or too sweet.

It also has the strongest nostalgia factor, since it was one of the standout Axe scents from the brand’s earlier era.

Best Newer Release — Golden Mango

Golden Mango is the best newish Axe release from the Fine Fragrance Collection. It blends mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver for a juicy tropical scent that still has a fresh woodsy backbone.

It feels more polished than a typical sweet body spray and has the best balance among the newer Axe scents that I’ve tried.

Best Sweet Scent — Dark Temptation

Dark Temptation is the best sweet/gourmand option if you want something warm, creamy, and compliment-friendly. The chocolate note gives it a delicious sweetness, while the vanilla undertone keeps it smooth.

It is one of the most memorable Axe scents because it feels more dessert-like and attention-grabbing than the cleaner fresh options.

Fragrance Best For Scent Profile Key Notes Vibe
Kilo Best overall Axe fragrance Fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth Vanilla, light citrus, mint, possibly lavender Classic, masculine, balanced
Golden Mango Best new Axe release Juicy tropical fruit with fresh woods Mango, mandarin orange, vetiver Fresh, tropical, modern
Dark Temptation Top sweet/gourmand scent Warm creamy chocolate with vanilla sweetness Chocolate, vanilla undertone Sweet, delicious, compliment-friendly
Black Vanilla Alternative to Dark Temptation Smooth citrus-vanilla with sandalwood Black vanilla, sandalwood, orange essential oil Sweet, smooth, powerful
Aqua Bergamot Fresh aquatic body wash style Fresh aquatic citrus with herbal-green freshness Bergamot, sage, juniper Clean, energetic, blue-ish
Anarchy Best fruity warm-weather spray Masculine tropical fruit with amber and woods Amber, sandalwood, coconut, bergamot, fruit notes Youthful, smooth, tropical
Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather Top fresh Axe deodorant Crisp cold mint with smooth leather Iced mint, leather Clean, understated, cool-weather fresh
Excite Energetic cold-weather scent Sweet gourmand with nutty caramel warmth Coconut, hazelnut, caramel, woody base Warm, easy, cocoa-butter sweet
Gold Citron Great citron release Bright citrus with clean white woods Citrus blend, white woods Zesty, low-key, clean

Favorite Axe Body Sprays or Deodorant Scents

Best Overall Axe Fragrance

AXE Body Spray for Men, Kilo 4 oz (Pack of 6)– This is what I wore back in 10-11th grade. Kilo was utterly great, and got me complimented like crazy, from girls when I wore it.

Axe was popular back then, but there didn’t seem to be many guys around, that were wearing this particular scent…but it was my favorite, at the time. It was fresh, slightly spicy, and sweet.

As I recall, Kilo had a vanilla, light citrus, mint, and possibly lavender lineup of ingredients. It had an aromatic sort of freshness, with enough spice to give the spray and edge. I never see this one in stores locally anymore, but you can get it online still.

Kilo was like the perfect balance, out of the Axe collection of fragrances. Very smooth and calming, while still being masculine. Not overly fruity or sweet. Classic and still one of the best body sprays ever.

Best New Axe Release

Golden Mango– Axe has released some newer scents recently, under their ‘Fine Fragrances Collection’ banner. Golden Mango is my favorite of them, so far.

Mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver adding some fresh woodsy aroma to the mix. It’s actually got a good balance between the orange and mango notes, more of a juicy/tropical kind of aroma, than just generic sweetness.

The Fine Fragrance releases are supposed to last longer than the regular Axe scents. It seems to be the case, at least with the body wash. Body washes aren’t going to be perfume level performance, but it’s very good for the price.

Also, these higher-end and improved Axe scents use natural essential oils. So, here it is mandarin orange and vetiver oils.

top axe body wash

Top Sweet/Gourmand Scent

Axe Body Spray Dark Temptation– Warm and sweet, creamy chocolate with a vanilla undertone. Dark Temptation is delicious and this was one of the anti-perspirants that I wore, once I grew out of the body sprays.

Girls have always seemed to respond really well to this, the chocolate note just breeds complements. I used this deodorant a lot a number of years ago. I think that the body spray or the gel deodorant is better than the white stick deodorant.

Interestingly, if you want a cologne The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ take, available as a fragrance called: Temptation of the Dark.

The latter, seems to have more of a sweet powdery aroma, versus the other options.

I haven’t been seeing the gel deodorant around, but that was my favorite option. The white stick, could feel too sweet, at times. The body spray was on point, however. A potential alternative, could be Gold Temptation.

An Alternative to Dark Temptation

Black Vanilla– Black Vanilla is another newer one that I like from Axe. This one gives you a different type of sweet gourmand than that of the chocolatey Dark Temptation.

Here, it is less of the sweetness but the vanilla is surprisingly good, and the scent itself is pretty powerful for a body spray. The black vanilla is joined by sandalwood and orange essential oil.

A good mix of citrus and vanilla, giving it a smoother profile than the fragrance listed above. It’s still not my favorite of the newer releases, but it’s easy to see why Black Vanilla has become popular for an Axe spray.

Fresh Aquatic

Aqua Bergamot– This is another entry from the Fine Fragrance Collection. Aqua Bergamot is the second one that I enjoy, behind Golden Mango.

Aqua is a fresh, energetic, and somewhat aquatic blend. The citrus note here is bergamot and is not nearly as potent as those fruits in Mango.

This gets is freshness from a blend of sage and juniper. A bit of that sour bergamot, more juniper coming through for me versus the sage.

The style is a very classic ‘blue-ish’ sort of body wash. Basically, what most people think of with body wash. I don’t think I’d use the body spray, as my main go to, but I like the scent for taking showers.

Best Fruity/Warm Weather Spray

AXE Deodorant Body Spray Anarchy 150 Ml / 5.07 Oz (Pack of 6)– With notes of amber, sandalwood, and fruits (I pick up coconut and bergamot), Anarchy has a rich and smooth profile, much like Dark Temptation. It smells great while maintaining a fresh, youthful vibe.

Anarchy is a masculine tropical fragrance. It is youthful and does have the sharper bergamot note, at the start, but settles down into a delightful aroma. The amber is a great addition.

The fruit notes, give the top and opening creaminess, and light sharpness from citrus. There might actually be some other types of fruit in there, that’s too difficult to discern.

Nonetheless, the amber warmth, and woody base really does a great job at tying it all together. My Review of Anarchy

Top Fresh Axe Deodorant

Axe Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather– This is actually my current anti-perspirant deodorant, that I use each day (Update: was back in 2018 or so, don’t see it for sale much anymore).

A lot of people don’t seem to like the body sprays from Axe (or at least its associations with high school kids) and while I don’t wear those anymore, the deodorant sticks are great. They last all day and don’t quit.

Axe Gold Fresh is a crisp and cold mint with a smooth and rich leather aroma. I love it. It’s a relatively simple pairing, but one that doesn’t seem to happen often. Gold Fresh is an understated and clean option, that really shines, when the temperature drops.

There’s also another Gold Fresh option which pairs oud and leather. It’s more of a dry woodsy take, on this formula. I wore that one, for a while also, and prefer it in some ways.

 

Energetic Cold Weather Scent

Axe EXCITE Body Spray & Deodorant. 48 HOUR ODOR PROTECTION! Energized & Fresh! (6 Cans, 5oz each Can)– Axe Excite relies on coconut, hazelnut, and caramel to create a sweet gourmand fragrance with a woody base.

It’s sweetness has a cocoa butter vibe, in my mind. I like it and will use this body wash, when I can grab a bottle on sale.

Excite and Anarchy share that coconut ingredient. However, Anarchy is the fruitier fragrance of the two, with a lighter aroma. Anarchy feels more suited towards warmer weather, than Excite.

This one seems more appropriate in the colder months of the year. The coconut doesn’t make it too tropical versus the nutty and caramel notes. This one is really easy to wear,  as it isn’t too in your face or spicy. Axe Excite Review

Great Citron Release

Axe Gold Citron– This one isn’t super complicated, but it’s a very nice new release from the brand.

A citrus blend with white woods that is fresh and quite bright. Gold Citron does what so many popular men’s fragrances do, by pairing that chilled citrus aroma along with a woody base.

It’s a nice wear for the summer months and isn’t as ‘in your face’ as many others from the Axe line of scents.

Attractive, low-key, but one that is a great experience for those who want a zesty and clean fragrance throughout the day.

Axe Body Spray and Wash FAQ

Is Axe Dark Temptation a good scent?

Is a sweet and warm scent. The chocolate aroma does have a thickness to it and that sort of sugary appeal, without going too far into that territory. Nice powdery finish to it. I enjoyed wearing this when I was younger. Do you want to smell like chocolate? It’s a good scent for those who enjoy that.

Which Axe scent is best for teenagers?

All of them. That’s the main demographic of this brand. My picks for the best are all listed above.

How many sprays of Axe body spray should you use?

You probably don’t need more than 2-3, in most situations. Especially, if you’re inside in an enclosed area with other people all day. Axe projects more than you think it does and you don’t really have to overdo it.

Can Axe body spray replace cologne?

For teenagers, sure. There is a big difference in quality between most fragrances and a can of Axe Body Spray. Not just in terms of how each smells, the depth, how it develops, and the performance that you get from each. Axe is a very inexpensive solution to smelling better, but at some point, you’ll want to graduate to something of higher quality.

Tobacco Oud vs Intense Comparison

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For this head to head match up, I wanted to take a look at two Tom Ford fragrances but in particular, the two Tobacco Oud scents: the original vs. Tobacco Oud Intense. Which of these colognes smells better? Which has better sillage? Better longevity? Which one is the fragrance to consider buying?

Update: Both of these fragrances have seemingly been discontinued. For sure, Intense. Tobacco Oud seems to pop up and then go away, but you can still find it places online. If you want to try an alternative, The Dua Brand has their ‘inspired by’ take on each: Tobac Aoud and Tobac Aoud Attar. 

Quick Overview

🏆 My Verdict

Tobacco Oud Intense wins on opening, projection, and overall scent, while the original Tobacco Oud wins on longevity.

Buy Tobacco Oud Intense if you want the smoother, sweeter, less harsh version with stronger sillage and a better overall wear experience.

Buy Tobacco Oud if you prefer more whiskey, spice, booziness, and longer wear time.

 

Category Tobacco Oud Tobacco Oud Intense Winner
Opening Big oud, whiskey, cured tobacco, coriander, earthy patchouli, rough smoky start Tobacco, oud, amber, tonka bean, dark smoke, smoother sweetness Intense
Projection Strong early, but does not hold peak strength as long Stronger sillage and maintains strength longer Intense
Longevity 10+ hours on skin Around 7–9 hours Tobacco Oud
Versatility Cold weather, dressed-up situations, less casual wear Cold weather, dressed-up situations, less casual wear Push
Overall Scent Boozier, spicier, harsher opening that improves into smoother woody sweetness Smoother, sweeter, almost leathery amber-tonka oud with a better full wear Intense
Best For Fans of boozy, spicy, rougher tobacco-oud scents Those who want the smoother, sweeter, stronger-projecting version —

Tale of the Tape: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud vs Intense

Tobacco Oud

Notes include: tobacco, oud, amber, whiskey, vanilla, cinnamon, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, coriander, cedar, incense

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz

Read my original review: Tobacco Oud Review

Tobacco Oud Intense

Notes include: oud, tobacco, amber, cedar, coriander, tonka bean, patchouli, sandalwood, labdanum

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud Intense by Tom Ford, 3.4 oz EDP Spray Unisex

Read my original review: Tobacco Oud Intense

Opening

Tobacco Oud opens up with a big dose of the oud, but also whiskey, which is more prominent than the tobacco at the start. Under that layer, there is the cured tobacco, spicy coriander, and an earthy patchouli. The start is rough and pretty smokey.

Intense starts off with the tobacco and oud notes, it is dark and smokey, but under that is a smooth amber and tonka bean blend. It is much sweeter and not as harsh as the original. For that reason, I will give the opening round to Tobacco Oud Intense.

Edge: Intense

Projection

Is the intense version better in terms of sillage? Yes. Tobacco Oud Intense reaches a higher level of strength and maintains that strength for longer than the original’s peak. Even after that, it is still stronger in its more moderate stages.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

This is where it is actually interesting. With the original, I could get 10+ hours of wear on my skin. With Intense, I only get 7-9 hours. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s the particular batch or maybe the original just has better staying power.

Edge: Tobacco Oud

Versatility

No real difference here. Both are cold weather fragrances. Better for dressed up versus casual. Both attractive, but not particularly sexy. The similarities don’t provide for distinctions in this category.

Edge: Push

 

Overall Scent

I like the dry down of the original Tobacco Oud, but the opening act, kind of puts me off. It’s too harsh and boozy. The latter stages get, better before it settles down into a smoother woody fragrance with an underlying sweetness…pretty much what Intense is throughout.

The original has more spice and booziness, which I usually enjoy, but not so much in the composition.

Tobacco Oud Intense, just has a better smell throughout. The amber and tonka bean help to create a smooth, almost leathery effect, in the fragrance.

Plus, the oud is toned down, the further along you get into the wear. For me, it is just a better overall experience. Between the two, I’d definitely go with Intense.

Once again, if you can’t find either of these Tom Ford fragrances, you can get a cheaper alternative(s) from The Dua Brand: Tobac Aoud and Tobac Aoud Attar. 

Winner: Intense

Who Should Buy Each?

Choose Tobacco Oud if:

You want the longer-lasting fragrance
You like whiskey, tobacco, oud, coriander, patchouli, and spice
You prefer a rougher, boozier, smokier opening
You enjoy the original Tobacco Oud dry down
You do not mind a harsher start if the fragrance lasts longer

Choose Tobacco Oud Intense if:

You want the better overall scent between the two
You prefer a smoother, sweeter tobacco-oud profile
You like amber, tonka bean, oud, tobacco, cedar, and labdanum
You want stronger projection and sillage
You want a less harsh version that still feels dark, smoky, and powerful

Tobacco Oud FAQ

Did Tobacco Oud Intense get discontinued?

Yes, as did Tobacco Oud. As of this update, neither is available for sale through Tom Ford’s website. Will they come back? I don’t know. Much less likely that Intense does.

Is Tobacco Oud Intense smoother than the original?

For me, yes. I think that the Intense version comes across as less harsh and more well-rounded than the original Tobacco Oud.

Which one is better for winter?

They’re both at their best in the winter. So, there’s no real difference, it’s just which fragrance you like more.