By Designer

Polo Red Extreme vs Polo Blue Comparison

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For this entry into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I am going to be taking a closer look at two scents from the Ralph Lauren line up: Polo Red Extreme vs. Polo Blue EDT. I will break down each by different categories and deciding factors to determine, which one smells better? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which men’s cologne is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Polo Red Extreme

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

Read my review: Polo Red Extreme

Opening

Polo Blue opens with melon and cucumber notes, giving it a cool, familiar, and crisp aroma. There is a constant aquatic note, at the heart of the fragrance, with tangerine and amber adding a bit more to the composition. It smells nice and has a rather simple aroma.

Red Extreme is also pretty simple, in its presentation. You get a big burst of blood orange and coffee notes. It’s simple, but is actually quite unique versus most of what you’ll get on the market. There is also a hint of that tart cranberry, which is found in the original Polo Red.

Which is better? Polo Blue is pleasant, but I prefer the opening of Red Extreme. That blood orange and coffee combination is just great, it does its own thing, while staying somewhat true to the original.

Edge: Red Extreme

Projection

The sillage of Polo Blue is pretty solid throughout, but not a bold fragrance. It is more of a moderate, that will get noticed close by, but not take over a room. It’s also an EDT, so the power is going to be less than the EDP, Red Extreme.

Extreme is quite strong and stays that way throughout. It’s probably not as ‘extreme’ as the name would suggest, but it has no problems projecting.

Edge: Red Extreme

Longevity

Polo Blue is a good performer overall. I have always gotten 7-8 hours of wear, on my skin, while wearing that cologne. However, it again falls short of the performance of Red Extreme. That fragrance will go 8-10 hours of wear.

Edge: Red Extreme

Versatility

In terms of occasion, they are pretty equal as to when they can be worn. However, in terms of climate, I think that Polo Blue has the advantage. It can be worn year round and will hold up way better in the heat, than Extreme.

Extreme can go into moderate temperatures, but is not a summertime scent. The Red is much more limited with its wearable opportunities.

Edge: Blue

Overall Scent

Polo Blue EDT is a nice scent. It’s never amazed me, as it’s pretty basic, and there are lots of similar scents. To me, I like the aquatic elements and the hints of citrus within that. Price wise, I would probably get Eternity Aqua over Polo Blue, as it’s similar and usually cheaper nowadays.

It does have the advantage, in that, it can be worn pretty much anytime. That’s usually a big selling point with Blue.

Red Extreme is also quite linear but it smells better and has greater performance versus Polo Blue. The blood orange and coffee are really nice, and then, there is the ebony wood note which brings its own unique element to the cologne.

Not everyone is going to like the notes in this, but it is a better composition in my mind, versus Blue.

Winner: Red Extreme

212 by Carolina Herrera

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In today’s review post, I want to take a closer look at a reasonably priced fragrance for men, 212 by Carolina Herrera. I want to give an overview of its ingredients, my impressions of it, how it performs, and rate whether or not that I think it is worth a buy. Also, check out my post in the best Carolina Herrera colognes for men for more options that might suit your tastes better.

What does 212 by Carolina Herrera Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, bergamot, ginger, green notes, musk, spices, violet

Click here to try: 212 By Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

My Review

The opening of 212 is a rather unique blend of green notes, ginger, and grapefruit. This gives is a sort of grassy/floral scent at the start, which isn’t my favorite but it is moderate and short lived enough that it doesn’t distract from the overall scent which is very pleasant.

While this cologne is for men, it strikes me more as a unisex fragrance with enough musk and spice to make it lean slightly masculine.

It has quite a bit of citrus after the beginning, a commonplace bright and clean aroma, with ginger and pepper sitting underneath the grapefruit. I can’t pinpoint what other fragrance that 212 smells like, but it has a pretty generic scent, so to speak.

When wearing it, it’s like I’ve been here before, just with another scent. Then, 212 gets more interesting.

The dry down period is where 212 really begins to shine. The floral/green note is present during the whole way and the citrus scent from the grapefruit and bergamot takes on a support role.

Ginger is a strong element to this fragrance and gathers some of it warmth and spice from the musk. It’s a very clean scent overall. I pick up on those notes, herbal elements, and sandalwood.

However, one note that really come through for my nose is violet, like the actual flower and not violet leaf that is usually used. The floral element in 212 has a well-established place in the dry down, among the other grassy/outdoorsy smells that are present. I like this part, much more than the typical start.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

212 is a moderate fragrance in terms of projection. At first, it comes on pretty strong (in terms of projection) but quiets down later in the wear.

Also, it longevity is average, not bad but really not an all-day longevity champ either. I can get 5-7 hours out of this one, on my skin. This doesn’t hit the same level as some of the other Herrera colognes, that can be absolute beasts.

It is a versatile cologne that can be worn on any occasion but it is a better where for the warmer months of spring and summer.

212 for Men is a pleasant sort of cologne. You can wear it casually, to school or work, or any other situation in which you need something that doesn’t require much thought.

Overall Impressions of 212 Men

Is 212 worth a buy? Yes, it is a moderate, non-offensive scent that is affordable enough to be a value purchase. Carolina Herrera, has a whole line of great scents for men. I personally like CH or 212 VIP better than this one, but 212 for men is still a great pick for many guys.

It’s longevity isn’t the best nor is it very original, but it smells good enough and has decent performance. 212 is a good starter fragrance or one that you can go to whenever and not really have to worry about it.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. White

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This is my second review of Lacoste’s L.12.12 cologne series. I already covered Rouge and my thoughts on it: here. This time around, I am covering Eau de Lacoste Blanc (White), and testing out this floral/woody cologne for men. As usual, I am going to overview how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not this casual fragrance is worth a buy.

What does Lacoste Blanc Perfume for Men Smell Like?

lacoste l.12.12 white

Notes include: cardamom, grapefruit, ylang-ylang, cedar, rosemary, suede, tuberose, leather

Click here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Men, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

With the opening of Lacoste Blanc, I am immediately reminded of daytime in the spring. It’s a very clean floral and woody opening, with the main note of grapefruit taking charge.

I detect the cedar note but it seems to be smoothed out and tempered by the suede/leather combo, which is surprisingly quite mild. This fragrance definitely starts out with a bang, as it both projects well and also brings a lot of energy. Blanc is very upbeat and bright.

The is a slight herbal spice to this, light rosemary, and some cardamom. However, it never makes all that much of an appearance for me. Cedar and leather? Yes, the others? Not so much.

The floral notes aren’t really the ‘girly’ kind of scent, more earthy, and get hidden some by the citrus of the grapefruit. The interplay between these two is quite nice. It’s tuberose, which is hardly ever used in a men’s fragrance, and ylang-ylang.

There is also a layer of sweetness in this cologne that doesn’t take over but lends itself well. It feels like everything about this fragrance is just blended the right way. The grapefruit is mainly responsible for it, especially when it gets paired together with the ylang-ylang note.

What I’m ultimately left with a very wonderful blend of citrus and cedar. It’s fresh and uplifting. Though, this does go in more of a unique direction, with those floral notes. It comes together as being super clean and a delight to have on.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this one starts out fairly strong, but begins to weaken pretty quickly. It does transform more into a floral/woodsy cologne during the dry down period but that is again, brief.

The longevity on this one really isn’t all that great, it’s better than L.12.12. Rouge, but still taps out to the 4-6 hour range and more towards the low end.

This is a warm weather fragrance that is great for office, casual, or even some dating type environments. It’s appropriate for any age group, but has more of a youthful sort of vibe.

I wouldn’t be wearing this during the winter or autumn, but it is great when the weather starts to improve.

Overall Impression of L.12.12 White

Overall, I think that L.12.12. White is a very good cologne and an interesting floral based scent for men. I do prefer it, to the Red version from Lacoste (which I also like), and think that it can be a really good casual choice for guys.

I wish the longevity was a little bit better but aside from that Blanc is a quality cologne that is fresh, clean, and energetic. Coming back to this scent, years after my initial review, I can say that this is the best of the L.12.12 lineup, from my perspective.

Blanc is the only one that truly delivers a great smell and has at least decent performance. This line from Lacoste, really had plenty of mediocre and unmemorable scents.

This is a bright spot. Smells quite good, average performance, and a good pick up if you can get it cheap.

6 Best Smelling Adidas Colognes for Men

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Adidas has had a long and prosperous run as an athletic apparel company. However, it has also been in the fragrance game to one extent or another for decades, as well.

In fact, some Adidas fragrances were among the first colognes that I wore on a regular basis as a teenager. They are also extremely inexpensive and full bottles can be had at under $20 and even for less than $10.

Obviously, this makes it a good route for younger guys to try out without having to break the bank. In this post, I have selected six from the Adidas line that I feel are the best of the bunch, and have linked each to its Amazon page for more info.

What are the Best Adidas Colognes for Men?

Best Smelling Cologne

Adidas Dare Eau-De-Toilette Natural Spray by Adidas, 1 Fluid Ounce– A sneaky good blend of lime and apple at the start with a undertone of vanilla.

Then, a smooth rum note kicks in and is paired with leather to create something that is unique while still being inexpensive. Really good fragrance.

Like most inexpensive fragrances, Adidas Dare isn’t all that complicated, but this never smells ‘cheap’. Is it a luxury scent? No. However, the apple and citrus pairing is great. Plus, a undercurrent of rum, vanilla, and leather? I’m sold.

Most Popular Adidas

Adidas Victory League Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– Sweet and slightly spicy. It reminds me a bit of Ultra Male and Boss Bottled and Tommy Hilfiger, like a blend of those three.

So, an apple/pear blend with vanilla and a cinnamon kick. It’s another good casual option from Adidas. Somewhat related to Adidas Dare, though, Victory League isn’t as much about the fruit. Vanilla has much more strength in this one, than in the other Adidas scent.

If you want a cheapie, along the lines of the aforementioned designer scents, Victory League is a very solid pickup.

Underrated Scent

Adidas Deep Energy by Adidas For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4-Ounces– Was one of the Adidas fragrances that I received in a 3 bottle gift pack, many years ago. It’s an athletic or sporty kind of aquatic citrus. It works well in the summer months and I used this as a gym cologne for a long stretch of time.

Updating here in 2020, this has been discontinued, and I haven’t seen any cheap bottles floating around. What’s funny is, The One Sport by D&G, smells very similar to Deep Energy. I wouldn’t pay more than $20 for either, but this did front run the designer cologne by a decade. Deep Energy Full Review

Classic Sporty Scent

Adidas Moves By Adidas For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 1.0 Oz / 30 Ml– The first Adidas cologne that I ever had, back in high school. It’s definitely geared toward younger guys. It’s a very fresh and clean scent but I was never really sure what the specific notes were.

Turns out it features tomato leaf, pepper, pineapple, and apple among others. I think I wore this for most of 9th and 10th grade, so it brings back some memories.

The juice inside is blue and it does have a ‘blue-ish’ vibe, to the aroma. Sort of aquatic, but that is due to the crisp fruity notes involved. Tomato leaf, is a severely underrated note, and somehow Adidas Moves is one of the few colognes to use it.  Adidas Moves Full Review

Simple and Clean Fresh

Adidas Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, Pure Game, 3.4 Fluid Ounce– A citrus and woody cologne that is pretty linear, but surprisingly good in it simplicity. The basil note gives it a bit of spice along with that familiar oud aroma.

Pure Game does have a very nice blend of citrus and spice notes. Basil and pepper, that gets smoothed out by the woody base. Hints of sandalwood and cypress, with a vague smoky quality. Yes, it’s simple and linear, but it does have some depth to its personality. This is a really good buy, for this cheap price point.

Warm Sweetness

Adidas Extreme Power Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A sweet tonka bean laden scent with opening citrus notes and a great warmth throughout. There is also a coffee note that I think goes really well with the tonka bean and they are two of my favorite notes in men’s fragrances.

At this price point, Extreme Power is a great buy, but you’ll need to use more sprays for longevity’s sake. This does have similarities to Pure Game, but the notes are kind of flipped, with the strength. This is less woody and spicy, more sweet and warm.

5 Colognes that Smell Like Mont Blanc Legend

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Mont Blanc Legend is seemingly always a best selling fragrance, with fans who swear by it. To me, it’s always been just fine, and I actually prefer Legend Night over it. Anyhow, due to its popularity, guys are always looking for similar scents or even cheaper alternatives to save some money. In this post, I wanted to give a list of five men’s fragrances, that smell similar Mont Blanc Legend. Now, there may be some others out there, but these are the closest options that I’ve come across.

What Men’s Fragrances Smell Similar to Mont Blanc Legend?

The Famous Comparison

Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 6.7 Oz– To me, the classic formulation of Fierce, was better than Legend. Now, it doesn’t have the same essence that it did back in the 2000s, but it can still be a good buy at the right price.

Fierce starts of with clean lemon and orange, that is paired with the dry woodsy notes. Next up, is a spicy sage, with a base of fir, vetiver, musk, and oak moss.

This is the closest approximation of Legend, out of the three options. It can also cost more than Legend, so, it might not be one for somebody looking for a ‘cheap’ alternative. Fierce Full Review

A More Aquatic Version

Kenneth Cole Mankind Ultimate, 3.4 Fl oz– Mankind Ultimate isn’t exactly the same as Legend, but it does share a lot of similarities. The opening of this fragrance, has an aquatic element with cucumber, and reminds me somewhat of Eternity Aqua.

This one does become more like Fierce and Legend, as it dries down, but it smells a bit sweeter than either of them. It has an aquatic citrus, vetiver, and sandalwood. It’s aroma has an underlying dryness to offset some of that initial aquatic aroma. Mankind Ultimate Review

Different, but Better

Mercedes-Benz Man–  Mercedes-Benz Man strikes me as a better fragrance than Legend. It’s different, for sure, but shares a lot of overlap with the Mont Blanc scent. Not only that, as of now, this one can be had in the $30-40 range.

You get the oakmoss and cedar freshness, along with a top note of a crisp and watery slice of pear. The spice comes across as quite light, with less of a bite, than some of the other listed colognes.

However, the performance is quite good, better than what I’ve gotten with the modern formulations of Fierce and probably a slight edge versus Legend.

A Similar Cheap Cologne

PLAYBOY New York Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce Playboy– If you want to go down market and find a cheapie, New York is the closest you’ll find. Is this a 1:1, comparison to  Legend?

No, it isn’t, but it does produce a similar smell for $10-12. The quality isn’t as good, but this is still one of the best Playboy colognes, that they’ve made.

It utilizes apple, vanilla, vetiver, and vinyl. That vinyl note is quite interesting and at least gives New York, something to distinguish itself.

The performance is good for the price and lasted 5-6 hours on my skin, when I’ve worn it. Playboy New York Review

The Better Cheapie

Frank Olivier Sunrise Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 2.5 Ounce– Sunrise is a better down market option than New York, even if it is closer to a Fierce style, but not even exactly that.

It’s less woody and not as dry as Fierce, but has a good lavender note, and a nice bergamot up front. Again, you’re not getting the same level of quality or the same aroma. However, it’s a good deal for the price and the performance is actually pretty solid.

There you have it, five similar men’s colognes to Legend. I will update this list, as needed, when I find other potential alternatives to this fragrance. For now though, this list will do and can definitely yield a solid comparable scent to the Mont Blanc.