By Designer

Nautica Blue by Nautica

by

Here in my latest installment of fragrance reviews, I’m going to take a closer look at Nautica Blue. This scent is in the lower end in terms of price for men’s colognes. It was released in 2005 by Nautica and has been one of the best selling ‘cheapies’ on the market since.

There can be some good deals and great finds at really affordable  prices. Is Blue actually one of them? What are the notes? What does it smell like? How long does it last? Read below for my take. Also see: Nautica Voyage N-83 Review and Nautica Blue vs. Nautica Voyage Comparison

What does Nautica Blue Smell Like?

nblue

Notes include: Musk, cedar, bergamot, sandalwood, peach, pineapple, water lily, jasmine

Click here to try: Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 fluid ounce

My Full Wear Review

Nautica Blue contains fruit notes such as bergamot, peach, and pineapple. However, I wouldn’t classify it as a fruity fragrance at all. It’s more along the lines of an aquatic/woody scent and the fruit notes add a layer of freshness to it.

While they don’t smell the same at all, I am reminded of Polo Sport when I try out Nautica Blue, as they share the cedar, musk, sandalwood, and bergamot notes. It’s that same clean type of marine aroma you would get from Polo Sport but the Polo fragrance is way better, in my opinion.

The opening of Nautica Blue can actually be quite harsh, with the newest formulations on the market, the start of this scent has a sharp detergent-like smell. This really wasn’t as prominent with older bottles or maybe my memory of those is clouded.

Either way, the bergamot and pineapple, are super sharp at the top. Then, the cedar and heavier musk come in and give it that laundry sort of smell.

As it dries down, the sharpness is muted somewhat by the woody notes like the cedar and sandalwood. The musk also falls back and the floral notes become much more prominent for the rest of the wear.

Water lily and jasmine are the flowery ingredients, which go together with the pineapple and citrus bergamot, as the main attractions once this has had time to settle on the skin.

To describe this cologne I would use the words fresh, crisp, clean, soapy, aquatic. It’s a very safe and straightforward fragrance that won’t surprise you with anything unique but it won’t overwhelm you either.

I do find the cologne somewhat attractive, it is pretty basic however, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the price you’d pay for a bottle.

I really don’t like the opening, in these newer bottles, it’s way too sharp for my nose but it does quiet down a lot.

In some ways, this is a victim of some re-formulation. It’s been around for decades now, so, it was bound to happen. But, I do think that the quality has slipped, on the newer bottles.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

It’s projection is fairly moderate and definitely seems to have a short half life. So, it’ll go from a moderate opening to a lighter dry down.  Nautica Blue is usually going to last anywhere between 2-5 hours, depending on the circumstances in which you wear it.

Not a great longevity by any means but at this price point, one could afford to respray it as needed. At this roughly $15-25 price range, you’re not going to get too many scents that both smell great and last for a long time, it just what it is.

However, this isn’t terrible in terms of performance.

Seasonally, this works best in the warmer months of the year. It’s a nice refresher on summer days, as it can take the heat, and actually still smell like its supposed to. It holds up for the rest of the year, also, it just is at its best when the weather is hot.

I’d call this a casual fragrance. It’s safe and not overwhelming. Nautica Blue is a solid starter cologne for the younger guys out there. So, high school through college. Or just someone who needs an inexpensive and clean scent to spray on certain days.

That sharply fresh and soapy sort of scent, isn’t one that screams out, ‘romantic wear’ or nightlife fragrance. It’s a basic freshie, that can be had for super cheap.

Overall Impressions of Nautica Blue

Overall, I’d say it’s a decent buy, but nothing that will blow you away. It’s a good way to smell fresh during the warmer months of the year and could be a solid option for a guy on a tight budget.

I prefer Nautica Voyage over this. However, you might prefer Blue between those two. That’s usually not the case, for most people, though.

I think that this is still one of the best smelling Nautica colognes, but rather middling versus other brands in this price range.

That’s not too big of an accomplishment, as the brand has put out a lot of duds over the years. This one is still okay versus the rest of the competition at this price. It was better than it’s current form, at one time.

Fresh, simple, and you know what you’re getting out of it.

Angel Men Pure Havane by Thierry Mugler

by

It’s been a while since I’ve done a review of a Thierry Mugler cologne on the site. The last time being, B*Men, which I actually grew to enjoy quite a bit after my initial mixed reaction. I recently received another sample with one of my cologne orders, and it’s one of the flanker fragrances of the Angel Men (A*Men) series, Pure Havane.

While I’ve smelled this cologne before, I was wanting to give Pure Havane a longer try, and see exactly how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase. In this post, I will share my thoughts of my experience with this fragrance and try to flesh out a bit as to what this tobacco based juice is all about.

What Does Pure Havane Smell Like?

Notes include: tobacco leaves, honeyed tobacco, patchouli, and bitter cocoa

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Eau de Toilette Spray, Angel Men Pure Havane, 3.4 Ounce

A*Men Pure Havane

The opening of Pure Havane is quite simple. Imagine a fine Cuban cigar dipped in honey and then rolled in a pile of sugar…that’s what this smells exactly like. It’s a very warm, sweet, and slightly sticky sort of smell that is actually quite beautiful and enthralling.

Although, it isn’t listed in the notes, I also detect a hint of vanilla which provides an extra creamy smoothness. Now, if this doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, look elsewhere. However, if you like rich and masculine scents, then Pure Havane is a masterpiece of fragrance.

The tobacco note in this is dominant but it is a rather different experience than something such as Burberry London, the tobacco in Pure Havane is a much lighter and sweeter smelling variety.

As it wears on, the honey note lessens and the vanilla scent gets pushed more into the foreground. Also, the cocoa note emerges and smells like a chocolate powder to me, it must be the way it blends with the honey and vanilla.

There’s a bit of earth spice here, from patchouli, but it mostly stays in the background. The dry down of Pure Havane is all about the rich tobacco and thick honey, with all of the other sweet notes, orbiting these two. Not too much development from this fragrance, but it’s very good in its contained style.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, A*Men Pure Havane is really good. It isn’t overwhelming, but it is on the strong side of things. It doesn’t require that many sprays to be effective, which is a relief with so many weak colognes out there.

The reach does decline during the wear, but the first hours are pretty potent.

It also has really good longevity, this is an all-day kind of scent. However, be aware that it is much more of a skin scent after 5-6 hours but with reasonable application it should still be noticeable.

Pure Havane is for cold weather. If you live in a climate that is hot year round, you probably shouldn’t bother with this at all. I fear it would become a complete mess in the heat, yet, it is so beautiful in the cold weather.

I would say you could wear this to pretty much whatever event you would want to and it seems perfectly acceptable for school and work. Plus, this is a sexy type of cologne. Great for dates or just wanting to get closer. Pure Havane is a very comfy sort of scent.

Overall Impression of Pure Havane

Overall, is Pure Havane a buy? Yep, while it’s limited to colder weather, it is still a fantastic scent and performer. This A*Men flanker is a layered gourmand fragrance with tobacco taking center stage in its profile.

Not everyone enjoys this kind of cologne, so if you’re more into fruity, dry woods, or aquatics then this probably isn’t going to be a good selection.

On the other hand, if you like sweet winter scents (that aren’t sickly sweet) and rich tobacco blends then Pure Havane is an excellent choice.

I think that the opening can be overwhelming or messy at times, but, this one does settle down and get better as it moves along. Not a super mature scent, but it can work well for guys through their 20s and 30s, with exceptions.

The A*Men line has produced some awesome colognes, over the years, and this is among the best.

Update: All of these ‘Pure’ fragrances got discontinued by Mugler.

Creed Aventus Vs Green Irish Tweed Cologne Comparison

by

I have already reviewed multiple men’s fragrances by Creed on this site including both Aventus and Green Irish Tweed. Now, I want to do a bit of comparison between the two colognes to see which one is better. Now obviously, scent is an entirely subjective experience, even if a majority of people are able to agree on something that smells good (which is why we have best selling fragrances).

However, I want to present my opinions on each of these colognes in this post and weigh as to which one is the better bet and why I think that.

Tale of the Tape: Green Irish Tweed vs Aventus

Green Irish Tweed (GIT)

Notes include: violet leaf, sandalwood, iris, ambergris, lemon verbena 

Click here to try: Creed Green Irish Tweed Eau de Parfum 3.4 Oz/100 ml New In Box

Read my original Review: Green Irish Tweed

Aventus

Click here to try: Creed Aventus for Men Eau De Parfum Spray, 4.0 Ounce

Notes of Creed Aventus: 

Top: Blackcurrant,Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Read my original Review: Aventus Review

Opening

Now, as I’ve stated in my original reviews (Aventus and GIT), I’m not really a fan of either cologne’s opening scent. To me, the opening 15 minutes or so of Aventus is akin to a dulled down version of Lemon Pinesol. Meanwhile, GIT has a pretty earthy and mossy type of opening which doesn’t really wow me either.

Aventus kicks off with a sharp mix of pineapple and black currant. It’s pretty darn harsh to my nose, quite dry with the super dry birch note coming through. The citrus and apple notes, aren’t too prevalent but you can pick them up.

While, I don’t like this opening act of Aventus, I do enjoy it once it settles down. The birch strengthens, with oak moss, and the intensity of the fruity notes fade. This makes it much more balanced and tolerable to me. 

Green Irish Tweed, is pretty mossy and earthy in the beginning, to my nose. I get plenty of violet leaf, lemon verbena, and other assorted notes giving it that flair. I don’t particularly enjoy the opening, but like Aventus, it gets much better.

I enjoy GIT more, once it takes more of a turn toward the citrus, but this follows that earthy violet leaf start. 

If I had to choose the better opening from two which I’m not fond of, I’d give the nod to GIT. It doesn’t blow me away but it isn’t as pungent and intense as the opening of Aventus. So, during this initial stage it is a better fragrance.

Edge: GIT

Longevity

Both of these fragrances are very good in terms of how long each of them lasts.  There really is no edge here as both of them have about the same wear time of somewhere in the 7-10 hour range in most cases.

I’ve worn each many times, in a variety of climates, and I always get them to fall in this same range. Yes, heat and humidity, can diminish the results more toward 7 hours. Though, they are very resilient compared to a lot of other men’s fragrances, in such scenarios. 

Edge: Push

 

 

Projection

Just as both of these fragrances have good longevity, they also project very well too. I would say that Aventus is the stronger of the two in this regard, as I usually won’t apply more than the equivalent of two sprays, after that I think it just becomes too loud.

Neither of them, has an absolutely massive sillage, compared to others on the market. However, I view each as being firmly in the strong category. 

Edge: Slight Aventus

Versatility

I view GIT as more of a spring scent and Aventus as a spring/early summer scent. However, Aventus could be used well during the winter and in the summer as well, if it is not too hot.

Also, I think Aventus has more uses in terms of the occasion than does Green Irish Tweed. GIT doesn’t feel like a date night cologne to me or one that I’d one to wear out to a party or something.

Whereas, I think Aventus can pull both of these situations off. Aventus seems sophisticated but not necessarily something a younger guy couldn’t wear and GIT comes off as more mature in its use.

Edge: Aventus

Overall Scent

I like GIT but I’ve never been blown away by it. I understand why some people swear by it but it really isn’t my style and I feel like that’d also be the case for many other guys.

While the opening of Aventus has never sat right with me, once it settles down it does become a really great scent that is quite woodsy and masculine with the undertones of citrus, instead of its initial overwhelming citrus notes.

I really like the woodsy tones of Aventus, once separated from the fruit, and when paried with the ambergris and vanilla. Both add a touch of sweetness, without the tart feeling of pineapple and black currant in conjunction.

Pineapple, birch, and oak moss are still the strongest in the end, however. Though, have a much more balanced scent than before. 

Again, this is all subjective to my personal tastes and experiences. But, I simply think that Aventus is the better choice between the two, for most guys. Even if, there have been a ton of Creed Aventus copies hitting the market the past however many years.

Winner: Aventus

Oud Wood by Tom Ford

by

Continuing on into the depths of my Tom Ford fragrance reviews, we have another entry from the Private Blend line: Oud Wood. This is one of the more popular options in this collection, but does it actually live up to the hype? What does it smell like? Does it perform well?

What does Oud Wood by Tom Ford Smell Like?

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

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray – 50ml/1.7oz

My Full Review

Oud is one of those ingredients that seems to have a lot of fans in the fragrance world, but one that isn’t super appealing to my nose. Yes, in certain cases, when it’s a part of a well blended mix, I enjoy its presence but not when it’s leading the way.

With Oud Wood by Tom Ford, I get an opening of the oud note, that is paired with cardamom and a peppery spice. Cardamom is a pretty big player in the early life of this fragrance and the other woody notes sort of take a backseat to it.

Sitting underneath the two main notes, is a distinct rosewood, some vanilla sweetness, and the familiar scent of sandalwood. After a few minutes of wear, I notice the vetiver poking through, as well. At this point Oud Wood, begins to be less spicy, and has a bit of a sour element within the composition.

Also at this point, the oud note, isn’t the main attraction. As the fragrance dries down, I get the other woodsy notes, vetiver, amber, a bit of sweetness, and the cardamom.

The oud is definitely still around, but is has more of a supporting role than the lead, which is good for me. Though, odd considering the name of the fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Oud Wood is light to moderate. Honestly, this version doesn’t have much sillage at all past the first hour or so. Coming into this, I would’ve thought that Oud Wood would be a complete bomb sort of scent…nope.

The longevity too, isn’t that great. I can get 4-5 hours on my skin, but after that, it’s gone. That’s a shame for something at this price point and considering how other Tom Ford scents hold up.

Seasonally, the woodiness reminds me of autumn, but also extending into wintertime. These notes aren’t built for the heat, however. I think that it’d turn gross, especially in the high humidity, so take that into account before buying.

It’s a men’s fragrance, even if it is listed as a unisex perfume. Quite masculine. Elegant and well rounded, Oud Wood should be worn on more dressed up occasions and not with jeans and a tee.

Overall Impressions of Oud Wood

Overall, do I like this Tom Ford fragrance? I do and I don’t. The performance isn’t good. I like how it smells at some points in the wear but then it also has a sour smell at times. The oud note, is actually not overwhelming in this one, so I enjoy that fact and the wood notes are great.

It is warm and has a rather unique aroma. Still, it’s not one for me, but is one that has a ton of admirers.

If it had better performance, I might give it the go ahead for a full recommendation, but I don’t think I can due to the cost. I enjoy the vetiver, tonka bean, and amber. They’re nice touches to the overall composition, but not enough to truly sell me on this one.

1 Million Paco Rabanne vs Issey Miyake Comparison

by

L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake and 1 Million by Paco Rabanne are two of the more popular men’s fragrances out on the market today. Both of them have been around for quite a long time and are still best sellers even after years of public consumption.

So, what if you’re in the hunt for a new scent to wear and you’ve narrowed it down to these two colognes? Which cologne smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is more versatile?

In this post, I want to put Issey Miyake and the original 1 Million cologne head to head to see which is the best option.

Tale of the Tape: L’eau d’Issey vs 1 Million

1 Million by Paco Rabanne

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

My original review

Buy here: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake Tale of the Tape

Notes include: citrus, spice, musk, amber, and woods

issey miyake

My Issey Miyake Review

Buy here: L’eau De Issey By Issey Miyake For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.7 Oz

Opening

The opening of L’eau D’Issey is just ok in my opinion. It’s a spicy citrus scent that doesn’t really wow and is probably the weakest part of the fragrance.

The yuzu and lemon are nice, but it comes across as dry and spicy, thanks to nutmeg and tarragon. It’s a bit too sharp, with some additional tobacco and woodsy notes. Not saying it’s bad, just not my favorite part of this scent.

1 Million starts out with a candy-like grape scent that is bolstered with smoothness provided by leather and rose. Though, this is surrounded by a warm spice as well. Just not nearly as sharp and it’s mainly cinnamon, which leans into that candied sort of vibe.

Both fragrances get better as they go along, but 1 Million is the one that starts out ahead.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

The Paco Rabanne scent is a heavy hitter when it comes to projection. Issey Miyake is no slouch, but it is more of a moderate type of cologne.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million aren’t as strong as they used to be. The sillage is still good and better than Miyake, but it’s not a huge margin any longer.

Edge: 1 Million

Longevity

Both of these scents hold up well, 1 Million is a stronger scent, so it seems like it’s there longer even if it’s the same amount of time. I’ve had no problem with either of these quitting early.

Update: Miyake has always gotten me 6-8 hours of wear. 1 Million used to be 10+. Now, it is more like 8-9 and closer to 8. Sometimes, they are equal, but mostly it’s still the Paco Rabanne.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

Now, here’s where Issey Miyake has an advantage. 1 Million can be limited to nightlife and when worn lightly on casual occasions. It also doesn’t work too well in the summer heat. L’eau D’Issey on the other hand almost works well year round and I’ve worn it on just about every type of occasion and it never felt out of place.

Edge: L’eau D’Issey

Overall Scent

I have to admit that I prefer the scent of 1 Million more. 1 Million is a sweet cologne and that does weigh on some people as time goes on, it can get on my nerves, and I only wear it when I’m in the mood.

Issey Miyake isn’t my favorite scent but I like it and others seem to like it on me. Issey Miyake is the better choice for casual wear on a daily basis, but 1 Million definitely has something to it.

I have had L’eau d’Issey as a daily wear in the past, so I do like it quite a lot, particularly the drydown. It would easily be my choice if I needed an all around fragrance versus 1 Million.

If you like citrus/woodsy smells, go with L’eau D’Issey, as the drydown period is much better than the opening.

I wear 1 Million more often, so I’ll go with that. It doesn’t have the same level of power that it used to, but it’s a fragrance that I do like throwing on. In terms of pure smell, it gets the slight edge.

Winner: 1 Million