By Designer

Mont Blanc Legend Spirit vs. Legend Night

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For this edition in the head to head men’s fragrance match ups, I want to do another comparison between, two Mont Blanc fragrances: Legend Night vs. Legend Spirit. Which of these descendants from the original popular cologne, smells better? Which has a better performance? Which is overall the better buy?

I have worn, tested, and reviewed each of these scents. Now, I will break them down by category, before ultimately declaring a winner.

Tale of the Tape: Spirit vs Night

Legend Spirit

Notes include: grapefruit, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, aquatic accord, lavender, cardamom, oak moss, wood

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Spirit Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz

Read my review: Legend Spirit

Legend Night

Notes include: candied apple, cedar, vanilla, cardamom, vetiver, sage, mint, bergamot, fir, lavender, violet, patchouli, and musk

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Night Eau De Parfum, 1 fl. oz.

Read my review: Legend Night

Opening

Legend Spirit opens up with a citrus and aquatic blend of notes. Beyond that, is a warm and slightly spicy blend of cardamom and pink pepper. It is a nice scent, clean, and that cardamom note really helps to prevent it from settling into a standard issue aquatic.

Legend Night starts off with bergamot and candied apple. The citrus is the same as Spirit, but Night goes in an entirely, different direction. The second layer is of vanilla, sage, cardamom, and cool mint.

You get plenty of creamy vanilla and apple mix, with the warm spicy undertones.

Which is better? To me, Legend Night, has the better start. The initial juiciness of the fruits, the cool and warm contrast in spice, and then the vanilla note. It’s great.

Edge: Night

Projection

So, Spirit is a moderate with its sillage, but on the lighter end of that spectrum. Legend Night is also moderate overall, but has a strong start, and can be quite noticeable for a while, at a distance.

It’s also just a heavier fragrance versus Spirit, which can be used into the spring and summertime, whereas Night isn’t a hot weather wear.

Edge: Night

Longevity

Legend Spirit gives me 5-6 hours of wear and that’s about it. Pretty consistent with that range. Legend Night will get me 7 hours, but when I double spray each side of my neck, it goes for 9 hours.

Spirit doesn’t get any more time, with double sprays. I don’t think either of these are amazing with their longevity. Pretty standard for most Montblanc colognes. Night, has just worked better for me, over many times testing them.

Edge: Night

Versatility

Legend Spirit gets the edge in versatility. It is a warm weather fragrance but can do well year-round. It can go casual to work to a date with ease. Legend Night, is great in cold weather, and fine in the moderate temperatures.

It is also more geared toward casual and nightlife, as the name suggests. So, probably not the best business fragrance, but neither really is.

Edge: Spirit

Overall Scent

There is a lot to like about Legend Spirit. It’s got a clean and aquatic citrus aroma, with nice touches of spice. It’s pretty average in its longevity and sillage, but I do really enjoy the cardamom note in this one. Nice overall cologne.

Legend Night is better and it’s one that I wear on a pretty regular basis. It too has the cardamom, but an overall, warm and enveloping scent. It’s sweet, fruity, spicy, and has sex appeal.

I’ve gotten complements with Legend Night from ride share drivers to women to random folks at the bar. I really dig this type of scent and when it’s in the right environment, it can be amazing.

To me, it’s a fairly easy win.

Winner: Legend Night 

Dior Homme (2011) by Christian Dior

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Somehow, I’ve never gotten around to reviewing the Dior Homme line (other than Sport), up to this time on the website. Since I didn’t have a bottle of this stuff anymore and it’s been a while, I had to get myself a sample vial, and put it through its paces once again. In this post, I’ll cover what’s its notes are, how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

What does Dior Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: vetiver, iris, cacao, bergamot, amber, leather, sage, and lavender

Click here to try: Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

My Full Review

Note: Dior has updated Dior Homme with a new formula, that I have yet to try, but will smell quite different. It apparently doesn’t have the iris note. In this post, I am reviewing the last formulation, which was a sort of reformulation itself...Dior does these things. So, note that if you’re buying from the major retailers going into 2020, you’re going to be getting something different than what I’m describing here. I will do a separate review for the new release, when I get to test it out.

I am updating this review, a few years after the fact. Why? I needed to expand upon this fragrance and what it is. I purchased a bottle in the largest size, after my initial review, and it became my go-to scent outside of testing things for this site.

The opening of Dior Homme is a clean rush of iris, that has sort of a unisex quality to it.  However, there is this underlying cacao note that gives it a certain sweetness and helps to further the powdery aroma.

The cacao will get a bit stronger, later, but does make an early appearance. Dior Homme is very smooth and floral, especially once the lavender note begins its ascent.

What I think is unique about this fragrance is its use of bergamot. Obviously, lots of male scents use this notes, but here it is so damn subtle and just about perfect in how it comes across. It’s just a peak of citrus popping off of the floral/leather/cacao notes, which gives it this zesty freshness.

It is an interesting contrast, between the light juiciness of the bergamot, and the underlying dryness coming from various notes like sage and vetiver. The sage is only noticeable to me, for a brief period of time.

I’ve smelled it as a more intense note in other men’s fragrances, but it has never had that much power in this composition.

To me the cacao isn’t as noticeable as it is in Dior Homme Intense, but it does give off that sweetness, and I think it’s the leather that’s holding it back somewhat. Then, there is the vetiver, which has the woodsy sharpness that seems to tie things together.

What I’m ultimately left with is a smooth and fresh blend of mostly the iris and leather. The cacao and lavender, as a secondary pairing. Some amber, with whatever’s left of the other notes. It hits my nose with such a cooling sensation. Like, a really dry cold breath of fresh air.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I’d call it a softer fragrance. Not super weak but more toward the moderate end of the scale. It’s not an overwhelming beast, but does have a nice perimeter around your person.

The longevity lasts me from anywhere to 5-7 hours, depending on the circumstance, and it can hang around on the skin for longer than that…but that’s when it’s noticeable.

Update: with the full bottle and its powerful sprayer, the longevity is a bit better than 5-7 hours. Now, I’d say it’ll give me 8 hours, pretty regularly. 9 with good climate conditions.

Seasonally, I wear this mainly in autumn and winter. The springtime is great too, but I generally stay away from the heat of summer.

The high humidity can make it a bit messy. We’ve had a week of temperatures of 50-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and Dior Homme, fits in beautifully.

In terms of its versatility, Dior Homme is on the dressy casual to fully dressed up end of things. Though, I would honestly have no problem wearing this anytime, it does have that air of class, maturity, and refinement.

So, yeah, you could wear this casually or out on a date. It does have a sexy quality and women enjoy smelling it.

The reaction that you get will largely depend on how that person, deals with the iris note. Some don’t like the powdery or ‘make up bag’ sort of smell. Though, the leather and other notes, do prevent this from being a female scent…for me at least.

I’ve never once gotten a negative reaction from wearing Dior Homme, but I have gotten a ton of positive reactions. It’s not necessarily the most complemented, but it does draw them.

Overall Impression of Dior Homme

Overall, would I recommend Dior Homme? Of course. It’s probably a classic, at this point in time. It’s such a well balanced scent that has a interesting and unique aroma, that can be appreciated by anyone, and not just those who are really into niche fragrances. This is great juice.

I’m kind of sad that they’re reformulating this cologne. I still have plenty left, but I guess I may need to buy another back up bottle, unless the new version just blows me away.

Dior Homme is a modern fragrance, that is extremely well put together. It has been emulated by other colognes, over the years, but this remains my favorite use of the iris note. I love this scent, it’s basically my signature wear, if I can have one outside of my commitments to this site.

La Nuit de l’Homme vs. Sauvage EDT Comparison

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Today, I am going to be taking a closer look at two of the best selling men’s fragrances out there, and comparing what sets them apart. The two contestants? La Nuit de L’Homme vs. Sauvage EDT. Which smells better? The Dior or the YSL? Which cologne lasts longer? Has better sillage? Is the better buy? I have tried out and reviewed each of them, now it is time to see which is the winner.

Tale of the Tape: La Nuit vs. Sauvage

Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

La Nuit

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, vetiver, lavender, cedar

Try it out: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce

Read my review: La Nuit de l’Homme

Opening

The opening of Sauvage EDT is a spicy citrus blend of bergamot and Sichuan pepper. It is strong and fairly sharp, but is quickly joined by a calm lavender, and the ambroxan note. The ambroxan will become more prevalent as it settles on the skin.

La Nuit de l’Homme kicks off with cardamom and bergamot. It is also a somewhat spicy citrus blend, but the spice is fresher, smoother, and the bergamot is lighter in this YSL. La Nuit is warmer than it is spicy and the lavender note here, eventually takes over most of the citrus.

Which is better? I think that I prefer the start of La Nuit versus Sauvage. Sauvage can be too sharp at the beginning for my nose and I like the cardamom note better than the Sichuan pepper.

Edge: La Nuit

Projection

La Nuit starts off pretty moderate with its sillage, before becoming a much lighter cologne. Actually, newer bottles are fairly light for the entirety. It was never a heavy fragrance, but now it’s got even less punch.

Meanwhile, Sauvage EDT, starts off with a powerful burst and gradually becomes more upper moderate. The sillage is an easy win for the Dior.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

La Nuit will last in the 6-8 hour range, on my skin, but it’s usually more towards the six hour end. Update: newer bottles of this YSL don’t hit that 8 hour mark anymore. I can still get six, usually.

Sauvage will go 6-9 hours, but usually towards the nine hour mark. Sometimes, they’ll be equal, but more often than not it’s Sauvage winning.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

Both of these fragrances have a lot of versatility and can excel in a variety of situations. I think that the distinction comes in, with the climate. Sauvage can work year round, better than La Nuit, which holds up in cold to moderate temperatures but not so much in heat.

Also, Sauvage is better suited for the night club kind of environment. They are pretty equal in other respects.

Edge: Sauvage

Overall Scent

As you can see, Sauvage performs a bit better and is somewhat more versatile, than is La Nuit. However, I have to say that La Nuit de L’Homme smells better than Sauvage EDT.

Sauvage starts out with that intensity, that I’m not too fond of, and it becomes smoother over time with its lavender and ambroxan note. It is warm, spicy, and crowd pleasing with its citrus.

La Nuit is very clean and masculine with a lavender and cardamom blend, leading the way. Under that, you get woodsy cedar and vetiver. It is fresh with a really nice aroma.

I’m going to give La Nuit the win over Sauvage, because I do think that it is better smelling fragrance. It’s performance is good enough, to make up for lagging behind Sauvage in area, by just having the better scent.

Update: The performance has suffered with Nuit recently. It still smells like a better fragrance. I wouldn’t pay full price for either, but I enjoy La Nuit much more.

Remember though, I’m talking about the more popular EDT version of Sauvage versus La Nuit. I would actually go with the EDP version over either. This is how I’d rank them: 1. Sauvage EDP 2. Sauvage Parfum 3. La Nuit 4. Sauvage EDT.

If it’s between just these two, go with La Nuit. Otherwise, I’d pick Sauvage EDP. If you want EDT, there are plenty men’s perfumes like Dior Sauvage.

Winner: La Nuit

Tuscan Leather vs Noir de Noir Comparison

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In this head to head matchup, we have to more entries from the Tom Ford Private Blend collection: Tuscan Leather vs Noir de Noir. Which of these popular Tom Ford fragrances, smells the best? Which has the better performance? Versatility? Which one is the better overall buy?

Tale of the Tape

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Noir de Noir

Notes include: rose, oud, patchouli, black truffle, tree moss

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Noir De Noir Eau De Parfum Spray Edp 3.4 Fl / 100 Ml

My original review: Noir de Noir

Opening

Tuscan Leather opens with saffron and a very good smelling and rich leather note. If one is a lover of how leather smells, Tuscan Leather is a fantastic example of it at its very best. Add to that, a smooth black suede note and the added touch of raspberry, and you have a delightful fragrance opening.

Meanwhile, Noir de Noir, opens up with rose and patchouli. It is a sweet smelling rose with a very earthy and slightly spicy patchouli. Oud sits underneath this combination and give it that familiar aroma.

Which is better? I like the way both of these fragrances smell at first, but I think Tuscan Leather has the better opening act. Noir de Noir is at its best once it starts to dry down, but Tuscan Leather tops it at the start.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Projection

Tuscan Leather starts off with pretty heavy sillage and then becomes a moderate fragrance the rest of the way. Noir is moderate pretty consistently throughout the wear and never really goes that big. It will stay within 3-4 feet of your skin.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Longevity

With the current incarnation of Tuscan Leather I get 8-9 hours of wear and I get about the same with its Tom Ford compatriot. No clear winner.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these fragrances shine in cold weather. Tuscan Leather can probably take the heat better, but it’s not a warm weather scent by any means. They are both listed as unisex, but I think Noir de Noir can be worn by a greater number of people.

They are also both best served to be worn while dressed up or for a night out. However, I’d wear Tuscan Leather casually, but probably wouldn’t with Noir. I do also think that Noir is probably considered sexier. Again, this is a tough call but I think Tuscan Leather has a slight edge.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

 

 

Overall Scent

Noir de Noir is a great scent. The rose and oud notes, which I’m usually not a fan of, are actually something that I enjoy with this one. Beyond that the dry down actually does get earthy and a bit dirty with moss and patchouli, but also sweet and creamy with black truffle and vanilla.

It’s all very warm, complex, and strikes a lot of different chords while wearing. It is definitely the more unique scent of these two.

Tuscan Leather is a fantastic leather fragrance with solid performance and an intriguing smell. It isn’t all that unique and does have a rather straightforward composition, so it won’t score high on originality, but it does outshine Noir in some respects or at least equal it.

In the end, I think I’m going to give the nod to Noir de Noir. While it doesn’t have beast sillage, it is good, and lasts all day. Most importantly, the dry down is outstanding, and has such an interesting development throughout. Even with ingredients that I’m usually not a fan of, it makes me enjoy wearing and smelling the fragrance.

That’s a pretty high complement in itself. Is it remarkably better? No, but I can get a similar experience with Ombre Leather or Godolphin, as I can with Tuscan Leather. I cannot say the same about Noir.

Winner: Noir de Noir

Mont Blanc Legend vs. Legend Night

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In this head to head cologne comparison, I want to take a closer look at the always popular Mont Blanc Legend versus its flanker fragrance, Legend Night. Which smells better? The original or the nighttime edition? Which lasts longer? Has better sillage? I am going to break down each by category, before declaring an ultimate winner between them.

Tale of the Tape

Mont Blanc Legend

Notes include: Bergamot, Pineapple Leaf, Sandalwood, Apple, rose, oak moss, lemon verbena, geranium, lavender,  And Tonka Bean

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Eau de Toilette 3.3 fl.oz.

Read my review: Mont Blanc Legend

Legend Night

Notes include: candied apple, cedar, vanilla, cardamom, vetiver, sage, mint, bergamot, fir, lavender, violet, patchouli, and musk

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Night Eau De Parfum, 1 fl. oz.

Read my review: Legend Night

Opening

Legend opens up with crisp and clean fruit notes including pineapple, bergamot, and apple. These are joined at first by a prominent tonka bean note, before lavender comes in, in a big way. So, you get mainly the pineapple and bergamot, with tonka, and then a surge of lavender.

Legend Night, opens with bergamot and candied apple. It isn’t as fruit dominant, as Legend, but these notes blend in more so with the composition. It is a vanilla and apple based mix, but the sage, cardamom, and mint really bring in some nice energy. There’s a brief time in the beginning, where it has an Eros-like vibe.

Which is better? For me, Legend Night is the better smelling cologne at the start, and the more interesting one. Legend is nice and clean, but has an aroma like a more upscale version of Playboy New York, at the start.

Edge: Legend Night

Projection

Legend is pretty moderate throughout the wear. It isn’t a heavy fragrance, but the sillage is good, and it isn’t weak.

Legend Night is also a moderate, but has a thicker, more enveloping quality. If I do two sprays, on each side of my neck, the sillage is quite strong. That’s not the case with Legend, so, I give Night the advantage.

Edge: Night

Longevity

The original Legend, lasts about 5-6 hours on my skin, with normal spraying. Legend Night goes for about 7, with normal sprays. I can up that to around 9, with double spraying.

Edge: Night

Versatility

Legend is a very versatile fragrance. It can be worn in all seasons and climates, without issue. It feels more like a daytime wear, that can go into the evening, as well. Legend Night is more autumn/winter, but can go safely into spring, just not the heat.

It is more geared toward the nightlife and has a sexier vibe. However, the original is the more all around wear, and is safe to wear whenever.

Edge: Legend

 

 

Overall Scent

The original Mont Blanc Legend has a lot of fans. I get why, as it does smell nice, and it is so versatile. The longevity is just okay, but as a fragrance, you really don’t have to think when reaching for it. The smell is nice, but fairly simple, and commonplace. I like it, but not amazed by it.

Legend Night is still flying under the radar. I love this cologne when I’m in the mood to wear it on certain nights. It smells great, has better performance, and has gotten me way more complements than when I ever had on Legend.

To me, it’s the better option, and it has quickly become one of my favorite colognes to throw on. Is it for everyone? No, but I think it is superior to the original.

Winner: Legend Night