By Designer

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

Man in Black by Bvlgari

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I’ve recently received 20+ fragrance samples for the new year, so expect a ton of reviews coming your way over the next few weeks or so. One such scent is a cologne from Bvlgari, Man in Black. I take it that this is a flanker scent to Bvlgari Man, which I enjoyed, but was far too weak in terms of longevity.

I got a hold of Man in Black hoping that it would be better than Man in that aspect but also actually live up to its name and be a darker kind of fragrance. So many colognes take on the ‘Black’ moniker and don’t really match up to the imagery…cough cough Black XS.

In this post, I want to give my full impressions of this Bvlgari offering and determine whether or not it is worth a buy.

What Does Man in Black Smell Like?

bvlgari man in black cologne

Notes include: rum, spices, leather, iris, tuberose, guaiac wood, tonka bean, tobacco

Click here to try: Bvlgari Man in Black Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Man in Black is a blend of spice and rum that carries a certain masculine intensity to it. I am also reminded a bit of Halston’s Man Amber cologne and Spicebomb, as both have a very similar profile of ingredients.

I’m not a big fan of either of those scents, but Man in Black has both of them beat, in my opinion. The spiciness doesn’t go too overboard and seems to be tempered by the leather and tobacco notes which is a smooth complement to the main notes.

During the opening, I can also detect the guaiac wood, which gives it that relation to Man Amber, and even though it is one of my least favorite notes, I actually think it works in this Bvlgari offering. It’s just enough and not totally in your face.

Mostly, Man in Black opens with a heavy hit of spices and rum, smoothed out by a sweet pipe tobacco. The sweetness that comes through, is one of my favorite aspects of this cologne, as it gives you just a little hint of something different.

Later on during the dry down, the spices subside somewhat and you get more of the leather and rum. Beyond that, tonka bean comes in, to give it an underlying creaminess and sweet addition to the light tobacco. Rum, leather, and the oud note are quite an amazing trio.

I like that Man in Black is actually a darker type of fragrance, it doesn’t cop out and add fruity notes to the profile. It’s boozy, spicy, and slightly smoky with a nice degree of warmth for the cooler weather.

The floral notes are present (iris, pretty much) but it isn’t dominant, just a slight reminder of a scent like, Dior Homme.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, Man in Black, isn’t all that powerful. It’s a decently heavy cologne but it doesn’t project like a beast. That’s kind of disappointing, but it does a good job at staying close to the skin.

It has good longevity, much better than Bvlgari Man, but again it hangs around as a skin kind of scent, so don’t expect to blow off the doors with this one. I tend to get in the six hour range, during the winter months.

When to wear it? Fall and winter is perfect for Man in Black. It would be completely out of place in the warmer parts of the year. It is also a more mature kind of scent, so, I’d recommend it for guys in their mid-twenties and up. It is masculine and sexy, but it could work more as a casual type of cologne.

I personally, have been wearing it as a nightlife fragrance with good results. I’ve gotten lots of positive comments from women, over the few years that I have been putting this on during the colder nights.

Man in Black works insanely well with my skin chemistry and just is perfect when it’s crisp outside.

Overall Impressions of Man in Black

Overall, is Man in Black worth it? Yes, this is a really well put together fragrance for guys who like darker/spicier kinds of scents. I really enjoy how it smells and it does have good longevity. I do wish that it was a bit bolder.

However, if you need something that is understated, Man in Black will do the job. I think Bvlgari did a great job on this one, when compared to some of their other offerings. Plus, it definitely lands in the range of affordable colognes for guys.

The more that I have worn this fragrance, the more I have come to love it. It can be limited to the times of the year, that I can actually throw it on.

However, those times are great, and I’m convinced this is one of the sexiest fragrances for men. Not every woman loves it, but the one’s who do, seem to go nuts for it. That’s always a plus, in addition to me, really liking to wear it.

Mr. Burberry vs Burberry Brit Cologne Comparison

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Burberry is one of the most popular fragrance/fashion brands on the planet. They have so many best selling scents and have been doing so for the past few decades, seemingly on a regular basis. Today, I want to take a closer look at two of their men’s colognes, Mr. Burberry EDT vs. Burberry Brit. Which of these scents smells the best? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Brit vs Mr. Burberry EDT

Mr. Burberry

Notes include: tarragon, cedar, birch leaf, grapefruit, cardamom, sandalwood, vetiver

Click here to try: BURBERRY Mr Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

Read my original review: Mr. Burberry

Burberry Brit

Notes include: wild roses, tonka bean, green mandarin, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cedar

Click here to try Burberry Brit:BURBERRY Brit for Men Eau de Toilette, 1.0 fl. oz

Read my review: Burberry Brit

Opening

Mr. Burberry starts off with a grapefruit top note, woods, and some mint which adds a cooled spice to the aroma. It’s pleasant, not harsh, clean, and pretty simple. There is also a slight herbal scent to the composition, but I’m never too impressed with how it start, but it’s solid.

Brit, on the other hand, is very fresh with a great blend of ginger, tonka bean, and nutmeg. It’s got a green spiciness that isn’t sharp, and is instead, muted by some really nice wild rose.

This is a fresh and powdery kind of cologne, all of the notes work together in conjunction and none ever feels too dominant.

Which is better? I enjoy the start of Brit much more than Mr. Burberry, it is more engaging and interesting. I love the variety of notes, instead of a simplistic citrus woods.

Edge: Brit

Projection

Neither one of these fragrances is a monster in terms of sillage. They are both fairly moderate and I don’t really notice a difference in how they project.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With Mr. Burberry I get 5-7 hours of wear on my skin, which is decent. Burberry Brit is better and more consistent and will go 8 hours on my skin.

Edge: Brit

Versatility

Seasonally, Mr. Burberry has more of a year round appeal. Brit is more of an autumn/winter scent that can extend into springtime. Mr. Burberry holds up better in the warmer climate.

Both of these are great for work, casual, or just wanting to be low key. Pretty much the same, but Mr. Burberry has better extension into all of the seasons.

Edge: Mr. Burberry

Overall Scent

Mr. Burberry is a nice smelling scent with pretty average performance and is basic all around. I think it is pleasant to wear, but not something that I ever want to reach for. There’s nothing too interesting about that cologne.

Brit, on the other hand, is among my favorite releases for Burberry. It is a very green, fresh, and powdery cologne, so not everyone will be into it. However, it does what it does very well. It is intriguing, with spices, hints of citrus, and a nice addition of rose.

It’s something that I reach for on certain days in the fall or winter and actually enjoy wearing. It takes this battle.

Winner: Burberry Brit

CK One Shock Men’s Cologne Review

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When I got around to reviewing CK One a few days back, I decided that I would start to tackle some of the other fragrances in the Calvin Klein line also. Today, I want to focus on CK One Shock for men, which right away tells you it’s going to be quite different from its unisex counterpart. I really do like this fragrance, although, I guess I’m not too fond of the bottle design (the green lettering reminds me of Ghostbusters) but whatever it’s what’s inside that counts, right? With that in mind, let us take a closer look at CK One Shock cologne.

Note: I have updated this review, some 4 years after the original, to expand upon this scent more. Check out the Best Colognes for Men by Calvin Klein here

What does CK One Shock Smell Like?

shock

Notes include: Clementine, Cucumber, Black Pepper, Black Basil, Tobacco And Musk Base Notes

Click here to try: Calvin Klein One Shock for Him Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The first thing that one notices about CK One Shock is that it is a wholly masculine scent, especially when compared to the original CK One. With a name like Shock, you would also expect it to be extremely bold and of course, shocking.

However, that isn’t the case in my opinion, it is a good scent but there are far more energetic fragrances on the market.

CK One Shock is a very youthful fragrance to me and it’s woodsy and spicy masculinity is underlined but an inherent sweetness, like a warm vanilla scent. Also, while tobacco is a base note, it comes out in a very subtle way and isn’t overwhelming at all in its presentation.

It’s definitely the leader, but doesn’t hit quite as hard, as something like Burberry London or Versace Dreamer. The tobacco is sweet and cured, not the green, wild plant aroma.

The opening is actually quite bright with the clementine and cucumber note joining the tobacco. Shock will dry down into something much darker and warmer, but the initial spray, is energetic with some very nice citrus vibes.

There is even a hint of cherry in there, which I suppose goes with the cured tobacco note, but it is nice to catch a whiff of that in a men’s cologne.

As it dries down further, CK One Shock grows warmer, and there is a spiciness which emerges. Cardmom, pepper, and some other herbal ingredients. The spice is wrapped up in the embrace of the amber note, which grows in strength, and takes some of the real estate occupied by the dominant tobacco note.

At this point, it has sweet qualities still resonating from the clementine, with spices, and lots of tobacco and amber. It’s masculine and balanced.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Shock really packs a punch early on, which is awesome for a fragrance like this. Later on, it does settle down, and doesn’t have huge sillage but you will notice that you have it on.

Some definite things that CK One Shock has going for it, is the price and the longevity. This is one of those, that you will probably have to double spray, a few spots. However, that will give it a longevity boost into the 6-7 hour range.

For an everyday wearer, it is very affordable and unique enough for a man to stand out from the crowd. It is also one that will last long enough on your skin to go through its entire presentation of notes before it evaporates completely.

It is attractive enough to receive attention, but still plays it safe enough to be worn in an office, or classroom.

I would say that while it has to ability to be an everyday wear, it seems like it’d be at its best in the Fall and Winter months. So, while it is limited to the colder parts of the year, it enjoys great versatility within this time frame.

Overall Impressions of CK One Shock

Overall, CK One Shock can be a good choice for guys who are on a budget or have limited options. It is a moderate to slightly heavy scent that projects warmth, sweetness, and masculinity for hours on end.

It does have a certain uniqueness to it, but that uniqueness is still rather plain and unexciting. It’s a solid cologne at the price, not amazing, but I do have a higher opinion of it nowadays. It is worthwhile to pick up at discounted price.

Polo Red Extreme vs Polo Black Comparison

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For this edition of the men’s fragrance comparisons, I am going to take a closer look at two scents offered from the Ralph Lauren line, Polo Black vs. Polo Red Extreme. Which of these colognes is the better buy? Which has better longevity? Which just smells better overall? I have reviewed each already and will now break the head to head match up, in different categories.

Tale of the Tape: Polo Black vs. Red Extreme

Polo Black Tale of the Tape

Notes include:  mango, sandalwood, tonka bean, tangerine, sage, lemon, patchouli

Click here to try: Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray

My review: Polo Black 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 Black opens up with an icy mango note to go along with patchouli and sage. It has a juicy fruit note at the top, with warm spice underneath. It’s a great little balancing act, of sweet and spice, and there are other citrus notes sitting at the top, also.

Polo Red Extreme starts off with a bold blood orange note and coffee. The blood orange is juicy and sweet, to go along with the warm smell of coffee beans. It’s simple and there is a bit of cranberry, which is found in the original Polo Red.

Which is better? I really like Polo Red Extreme, but to me, the opening of Polo Black is one of its strengths. It is more balanced and the mango/citrus notes are really great in the composition.

Edge: Polo Black

Projection

The sillage of Polo Black is fairly moderate. It is pretty good for the first few hours and then weakens somewhat. Red Extreme has a strong sillage, not super powerful, but it is definitely stronger and projects itself further than does Black.

Edge: Red Extreme

Longevity

Polo Black, is once again pretty good, as it will last for 6-7 hours. With Red Extreme, I get 8-10 hours of wear, on my skin. It’s an easy win for Extreme.

Edge: Red Extreme

Versatility

Neither of these scents, holds up great on the hottest days of the year. However, Polo Black probably does a better job in warmer weather. Both are great for casual wear, can be worn in an office, or for a night out. I’d say that, Polo Black has a better versatility for climate though, and thus an edge.

Edge: Polo Black

Overall Scent

Polo Black has a great opening act of mango, citrus, and spice. I find this to be quite appealing and better than how Polo Red starts out. The dry down is nice, woody and has some tonka bean, but I think that it’s not as good during this period. Beyond that, the sillage is average, and the longevity is too.

Red Extreme is really straightforward with that bold orange opening, with coffee, and tart cranberry. It features an ebony wood note, at the base, but most of what you get is the orange and coffee. I think that it is a bold and dynamic scent, with great performance, and a really good sillage.

Between them, I think that Red Extreme is better overall. The nod could have gone to Black, if it maintained its opening act, and could at least be in the ballpark of Extreme in terms of performance. It doesn’t though, so, I give the win to Red Extreme.

Winner: Red Extreme