By Designer

Light Blue Capri in Love Pour Homme by D&G

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Light Blue is the line that keeps right on going for Dolce & Gabbana, on both the men’s and women’s side of things. 2025’s release is Capri in Love Pour Homme. I recently bought a sample vial of this new cologne to test it out.

How does Capri in Love smell? Does it last long? Is this Light Blue worth a try?

Capri in Love (Men’s) Overview

Notes include: fig, black pepper, patchouli

Click here to try: Light Blue Capri in Love Homme

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it: A dive into the salty sea breeze and golden light of Capri.
Intriguing and enveloping, Light Blue Capri In Love Pour Homme Eau de Parfum opens with the spicy note of Black Pepper. At its heart lies the vibrant and green soul of Capri Green Fig, while Patchouli lends a deep and magnetic elegance, encapsulating the Mediterranean island’s allure.

So, there are only three listed notes here. But, looking at the ingredients there is a light citrus note up top that I’m smelling, which pairs up with the opening spice of the black pepper.

From the jump, you can tell that this one isn’t going to be too heavy and it will have a freshness that is great for the summertime. Very reminiscent of Kenzo fragrances and Paradise Garden (if you stripped it of mint and coconut).

Love in Capri is definitely a departure from the rest of the series. Dolce & Gabbana have done some really different takes on the Light Blue name, like, Vulcano and Stromboli.

Clean, spicy, slightly sweet, and a greenish base is how this Light Blue edition starts out.

Then, it really become fig dominant for the rest of the wear. If you don’t like fig, you’re not going to enjoy this. For me, this is something that I do think I’d enjoy, at least somewhat. A good fig mix for summer, isn’t usually something that the mainstream designers do.

Anyway, it’s basically just fig and a light patchouli the rest of the way. There are some woody undertones popping out as well. A pretty simple use of notes for the warmer months of the year.

But, I do think that this one shines once that black pepper starts to fall off. The green fruitiness of the fig works well.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This sillage here is a lighter moderate. It’s not weak, it’s just not going to be a heavy thick cloud of scent. Nor should it be. It’s light, clean, and somewhat refreshing. Though, the reach it has with it’s projection is good.

On my skin, this one lasts somewhere in the 6-7 hour range. That’s about what I expect from these D&G Light Blue releases, this edition is par the course.

Seasonally, obviously we’re going spring and summer with this one. That’s what it’s built for.

Within that, though, I think that Capri in Love has plenty of use cases. It can be a daily wear, something casual, or even venture into the nightlife if need be.

Also, this is one that can be worn by any age group. Capri in Love is a well balanced summer cologne.

Overall Impressions of Capri in Love

Overall, do I like Capri in Love? So far, I do kind of like it. I’m not blown away by it, but for what it is, I think this Light Blue edition is nice.

It’s not too complicated of a fragrance and is fairly linear once that fig note kicks fully into gear. If you enjoy the Kenzo scents, K by D&G, etc.; you’ll probably like this one at least somewhat too.

If you’re a fan of the usual Light Blue citrus heavy colognes, this one might not be worth your while.

Either way, I don’t think it’s a great scent. Probably too high priced, at the initial release, but if you want an enjoyable change of pace for the summertime, this can do nicely.

Performance is mid, as usual with the Light Blue fragrances. Yet, it does enough to make it useful.

If you want a simple designer fig cologne, this is a good option. If it doesn’t sound appealing to you, I don’t think it’s going to shock or change your mind, if you try Love in Capri out.

Le Beau Paradise Garden vs. Le Male Elixir

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Le Male from JPG has been a long-running and massively successful line for the brand. Le Beau, is the more recent line of colognes that they’ve released and has also ridden a wave of popularity.

Two of the scents from Gaultier, Elixir and Paradise Garden, have been recent standouts for them. Even if they’re not exactly similar smelling fragrances, they are options that people sometimes decide between.

So, which one smells better? Lasts longer? Is the one that you should buy?

Tale of the Tape: Le Beau Paradise Garden vs. Le Male Elixir

Le Male Elixir

Notes include: mint, honey, lavender, tonka bean, benzoin, tobacco, vanilla

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir at Amazon

Read my review: Elixir

Le Beau Paradise Garden

Notes include: mint, ginger, fig, coconut water, salt, tonka bean, sandalwood

Click here to try: Paradise Garden

Read my full review: Le Beau Paradise Garden

Opening

Elixir makes a bold first impression with its mint note, delivering a cooling fresh spiciness right from the start. This distinctive opening blends seamlessly with the signature Le Male lavender accord.

The tonka bean emerges as another key player in the early stages. While Elixir features a vanilla note that intensifies throughout the wear, the tonka creates a sweet, syrupy character when combined with honey and the fuzzy warmth of benzoin.

Meanwhile, Paradise Garden introduces itself through an interesting blend of sweetness, freshness, mint, and subtle aquatic undertones.

A greener character develops as the fig note asserts itself, complementing the coconut beautifully, while a pronounced ginger note makes itself known early on after spraying. The fig brings both sweetness and verdant freshness to the composition.

Paradise features a distinct coconut water element, though a certain creaminess remains present throughout. This is all supported by a base of sandalwood, fig, and tonka bean, which further enhances the creamy quality.

The sandalwood will become increasingly prominent in the dry down phase.

Which do I like more? It’s close, but I’ve been liking the mint, coconut water, and fig mix of Paradise Garden a lot lately. So, it gets the edge.

Edge: Paradise Garden

Projection

Paradise Garden isn’t too heavy of a fragrance, but it does project itself quite well and leaves a scent trail in its wake. It doesn’t have that same thickness, but you’ll know that it is there.

With Elixir, it starts off really strong, more of a cloud-like envelopment before it finally moderates.

Elixir is really strong stuff and it takes this performance category.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

With Paradise Garden, I’ve been getting 8-9 hours of wear out of it. That actually is pretty great for a scent that you’re mainly going to be wearing in the summer.

However, it falls a bit short compared to what I get with Le Male Elixir which will hang around for up to 10.5 hours or so, on my skin.

The Le Male entry takes this category.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Elixir is pretty bold with its sweetness, it’s crafted for colder days and has a youthful energy that is good for nightlife. I’ve also worn it in a more temperate climate and Elixir was fine. Most guys won’t be wearing this to the office or some kind of formal black-tie events.

Paradise Garden falls squarely into that relaxed, summertime cologne territory. It’s tropical coconut aroma is built for daytime wear mostly.

Though, I could see wearing this on a warmer night out, at a bar or something. 

Neither fragrance really ventures into formal territory. They’re casual scents that’ll resonate more with younger guys definitely not something you’d rock at work. These are pretty even here, but I might give a very slight edge to Elixir

Edge: Elixir

Overall Scent

This is honestly a pretty close race between these two, but I think that Paradise Garden is slightly better. If I were to include Elixir Absolu, I’d pick that one over both of these options.

I’m particularly drawn to Elixir’s opening notes and how honey and tobacco enhance the Le Male line. It delivers a sweet, warm, spicy, rich, bold experience that’s genuinely fun to wear.

That said, Le Beau Paradise Garden wins my vote as the better JPG fragrance. The opening is a tad better and I have a slight preference for the entirety overall. You don’t have to give up much performance either.

It strikes an excellent balance with impressive longevity, a gorgeous tropical character, and an overall pleasantness that makes it wonderfully wearable. I’ve been enjoying spraying it on warmer days, since I bought it.

Neither of these would be my daily wear, but they are fun colognes that I will finish out the bottles of, at some point.

Winner: Paradise Garden

Le Beau EDT vs. Paradise Garden

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Le Beau is an increasingly popular series, which is continually spawning new flanker colognes to add to the lineup. Le Beau EDT is the original release, which has been somewhat recently overshadowed by scents like, Le Beau Paradise Garden.

But, which of these fragrances is actually better?

In this post, I want to do a comparison between each of these JPG perfumes, after I’ve worn and tested each out many times. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better Gaultier fragrance to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Le Beau vs Paradise Garden by JPG

Le Beau EDT

Notes include: bergamot, coconut wood, tonka bean

Click here to try: Le Beau by JPG

Le Beau Paradise Garden

Notes include: mint, ginger, fig, coconut water, salt, tonka bean, sandalwood

Click here to try: Paradise Garden

Read my full review: Le Beau Paradise Garden

Opening

Le Beau EDT starts off with its citrus and coconut wood blended together. It’s got a fresh and blue sort of tone to it, in the opening. Pretty simple up top.

To me, this one really gets going once the tonka bean note has ramped up and the bergamot has settled. That’s when the creaminess of the fragrance unfolds.

Paradise Garden opens with a mix sweetness, freshness, minty spice, and an aquatic undertone to it all.

It’s a greener aroma from the fig note asserting itself, that pairs well with that coconut, and I get a good deal of the ginger note coming through early on. The fig is sweet and green

Paradise has a coconut water note. Though, there is still some creaminess in the blend. All supported by sandalwood, fig, and tonka bean, which adds that creamy touch further. I get more of the sandalwood in the dry down.

The start of Le Beau EDT is my least favorite part of that cologne. It gets better, but I’m not too sold on the blue citrus aroma that I get with it. Paradise Garden has more depth and smells better.

Edge: Paradise 

Projection

Paradise isn’t a super heavy fragrance, it’s not a completely light scent, and has some body to it.

Though, it does have really good projection for what kind of cologne this is. It’s a lighter moderate sillage for spring and summertime. 

It hangs around in that lightness quite well. I never don’t notice this one, when I have it on, at least until it finally fades.

Edge: Paradise

Longevity

Paradise Garden will go for 8 or so hours. For me, while I’ve worn this Gaultier cologne, I haven’t yet had it reach the 9 hour mark. It’s quite good, but not a spectacular performer.

Le Beau EDT is more middle of the road with its performance, at least for me. I can get up to 6.5 hours of wear from this Gaultier cologne. Doesn’t seem to go beyond that.

It’s a pretty distinct advantage for Garden, here.

Edge: Paradise

Versatility

Each of these works best in the spring and summertime. I wouldn’t be wearing them in the winter. But, if the temperatures are moderate to hot, they can be used without issue.

Both of these are more casual daytime wears. Not formal or something that you’d wear to the office. They do tend to skew younger, as well. Though, for when you’d wear each of these, they fit fine for all ages.

I do think the smoother dry down of Le Beau fits in better as a daily wear. The coconut and minty tropical intensity that Paradise Garden gives off, might not be the best in every situation. 

As such, I’ll give the slight edge to Le Beau EDT.

Edge: Le Beau

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I enjoy more?

With, Le Beau EDT, I find it to be a likeable cologne. As a daily wear for younger guys, it works well. The opening act isn’t great, but that dry down is pretty nice with the tonka bean and wood coming through more.

As a daily wear option, it might be a better bet for some guys.

However, if I have to answer which one smells better overall? It’s Le Beau Paradise Garden, for me. Sure, it’s tropical vibe might make it somewhat more limited or not something some percentage of guys will want to wear, but it is a unique and attractive cologne.

Note: You might also consider picking up the Dua Brand’s cheaper ‘inspired by’ take on Paradise called: Garden Tales. Just grab a bottle of Le Beau to go with it too.

The performance is without a doubt better and almost everything about the blend is preferable when compared to Le Beau EDT.

A pretty easy win for the green juice.

Winner: Paradise Garden

5 Colognes Similar to Le Male Le Parfum

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Le Male Le Parfum has quickly become the most popular or at least seemingly most talked about flanker from the long-running Le Male by JPG lineup.

I’ve actually warmed up to this fragrance, after not particularly enjoying the first bottle that I bought. Turned out to be a bad batch, that lacked a lot of the cardamom spice. Which, is a large part of this cologne’s appeal.

But, what fragrances are similar to Le Parfum in smell? What are some cheaper alternatives. On this page, I will keep a running account of the options.

Fragrances that Smell Like Le Male Le Parfum

Inspiring Parfum

Error 404 Attar by the Dua Brand– For those who are looking for a cheaper alternative that is ‘inspired by’ the JPG fragrance, Dua has that covered with Error 404 Attar.

I’m going to start out the list with a few options that are directly attempting to smell like our target fragrance. I haven’t tried either of them out, but I’ve owned over a dozen fragrances from Dua, and they do a great job at recreating a very similar scent.

The Imagine fragrance that I bought from them, which was inspired by the popular LV fragrance, was really good.

The Error 404 series is all based on the JPG Le Male line.

The Cheapie

Glacier Le Noir Alhambra– I’ll add it to the list, since it’s like $20 per bottle. Alhambra has their versions of most popular fragrance formulas, some are better than others.

I haven’t tried this one out, the reviews are mostly positive, but there are also a contingent of people who weren’t too happy with this.

But, if you’re solely fixated on the price alone, you might be willing to go for something that is somewhat similar. Personally, I’ve had better experiences with Dua’s releases, so I’d go that way first.

Breaking the Code

Code EDP by Armani– The vanilla in Code eau de parfum makes it smell the most like our target out of the Amani Code lineup. But, I think Code Parfum is the better fragrance.

Still neither of them are exactly like Le Parfum with how they smell, but are similar enough that people should like these a lot, if they’re into the Gaultier cologne.

This is close in the opening to Luna Rossa Sport, with its use of lavender and tonka bean. So, you’re swapping out the iris in Le Parfum, but you’re getting a creamy/powdery infusion from that tonka bean note.

Sweeter and smoother versus the spicier Le Male Le Parfum.

Suede and wood will also be there, but the vanilla is going to be the main focus and everything else is in support. Just one that can give you a different aroma with a close enough style.

A Possible Alternative

Guilty Elixir by Gucci- Another option that doesn’t smell the same, but has similarities. Now, I do have to say, I didn’t think this one was all that great and prefer Le Male Le Parfum to it.

However, there seems to be a large contingent of people online who really love this.

It too starts off as a spicy fragrance with a blend of vanilla and iris. Here, it is more of an orris butter, a richer take on the more powdery iris in the JPG.

It does get powdery, has a fuzziness from benzoin, and an amber base. Mostly, the dry down is that vanilla and iris with those notes sitting underneath.

Plenty of overlap, even if, ultimately these two are distinct fragrances. Elixir review

More Extreme

Gentleman Society Extreme by Givenchy– If you want a more complex (and to me better) use of iris and vanilla Society Extreme is a great release from Givenchy, that I’ve been wearing for months now.

You get a spicy top, this time it’s: peppermint, sage, and nutmeg. Plus, a coffee note which really sets this one apart to me and the whole presentation much better than the original Gentleman Society.

Again, this isn’t one to go with if you want an exact copy of the JPG cologne, but it’s got a similar style and structure as to what we’re looking for. Nice performance and around the same price as the Gaultier (might even be cheaper at times). Society Extreme Review

9 Best Leather Scented Colognes for Men

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Leather is a common note in men’s fragrances which helps to give it a masculine air that is both smooth and crisp. Not everyone is a fan of this kind of scent but when it is done well, the result can be incredibly amazing.

In this post, I want to explore some options for guys who enjoy a good leather note being featured prominently in their colognes. This is by no means an exhaustive list but one which can definitely help point one in the right direction searching for the best leather fragrance.

Favorite Smelling Leather Colognes for Men

The Classic Tom Ford

Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce
I’ll start things off with this higher priced option from Tom Ford. This one is bold, heavy, and quite leathery in its presentation.

This one isn’t for everybody, but for those who enjoy leather notes in their fragrances, Tuscan Leather (review here) shines, with amazing performance and longevity.

Tuscan Leather grows darker, warmer, and deeper with amber and a bit of smokiness. Overall, this is a fabulous fragrance, with a great smell and performance.

Vanilla Infusion

Vanille Leather by BDK– This one has a lot of facets and the leather note shares the space with a rich and creamy vanilla note.

Still, the leather accord playing off of that vanilla and a somewhat buttery yet powdery orris note actually works extremely well.

It’s not too sweet, has a smokiness, and a floral heart with some prominent orange blossom and slight tuberose, at times. This is very much a unisex scent, so, if you want a pure motor cycle jacket leather, this isn’t it.

The performance is also very good, not going to choke out a room, but Vanille Leather will stick around for longer than a typical work day. 

 

 

Absolu Boss

Boss Bottled Absolu by Hugo Boss– Boss Bottled Absolu is one that was released by the brand in 2024 and it’s really established itself as a favorite already, both for the general public and fans of this note.

Here we get leather joined by incense, some early sweetness, and a nice blend of spice and woods. That davana, gives it the sweetness, maybe with some other unlisted note.

But, myrrh and incense together create a warm balsamic, resinous, and smoky accord here in Boss Bottled Absolu. Sort of earthy and blended beyond just being a pure leather cologne, but one well worth checking out.

Great, long-lasting performance, with enough power while not being obnoxious about it. 

 

Smooth, Dry Leather

John Varvatos FOR MEN by John Varvatos – 2.5 oz EDT Spray– Adding this one to the mix, as another affordable cologne option for those who are looking for our target note. 

Fresh leather with a bit of fruit thrown in such as dates and lime, at the beginning . Smooth, fresh, and inviting.

The leather is put together with a warm and enveloping amber note, which sits on top of a woody base.

Very nice development over the life of this cologne. At times, it is sweet, then it becomes dry, and finally a crispy spice. A great go to scent for daily wear.

varvatos

 

The Moon Above

The Moon by Frederic Malle– Just to get it out of the way, this both hyper expensive, and fairly niche as to its target audience. Like $500+ for a small bottle, expensive.

Moving on to the fragrance itself, this is a rose and oud tinged leather perfume. Usually, something that I personally don’t enjoy very much. In this blend? The oud is tame and the rose is more of a hint.

Now, the dry down is wear that beautiful leather note comes out in its full glory. Before you get there, you have a berry based fruity accord, the raspberry note being the most prominent. It’s fruity, it’s floral, woody, and then dries down into that leather centered scent.

For some, this will be their favorite from this entire list, and one that they want to save up for. If you can try it, do so. Though, you also may not vibe with it at all. 

 

 

Red Prive

Habit Rouge Rouge Prive by Guerlain– This Guerlain cologne is tougher to find nowadays, but this edition of Habit Rouge is a really good leather fragrance.

(If you can’t find this one, you can try these Guerlain’s also: Ideal Parfum and Ideal L’Intense)

What sets this one apart is the use of a bergamot citrus note that is the main pairing with our target ingredient.  Very juicy and sour up top.

Ginger and patchouli add to the mix early on, while the middle act has powdery hints from the floral notes.

The back end? Leather, the remaining bergamot, and some vanilla coming through as well. Personally, this one gets somewhat annoying to wear after a number of hours, but that opening act really is great. Rouge Prive review

 

My Favorite Tom Ford Leather Fragrance

Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.–Ombre Leather is unisex scent but leans more masculine, in my mind. This fragrance is very dry and warm, with leather being the main star.

I still prefer this one to the newer editions like Ombre Parfum.

However, it is joined by amber and moss, that play the background. The description by the marketing department at Tom Ford, describe this one, as taking a lot of cues from the arid landscape of the western United States.

Jasmine is another important part of Ombre Leather and it is shockingly good when put together with the leather in this fragrance. The leather is rich and very smooth, it really reminds me of a supple leather jacket.

The dry down period is mostly about the jasmine and leather notes, being at the forefront. Smooth, sweet, lightly floral, and with that subtle amber note hovering in the background. Ombre Leather review

Grassy Floral Leather 

Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.
A classic from the 1980s that has as many fans as it does people who dislike it, it seems. Leather plays a major role in this manly scent.

Leather is prominent here, along with violet leaf, which brings about the famous ‘gasoline’ smell. Well, with honeysuckle and the violet leaf, being so heavy in the opening that’s what you get with this composition.

Nonetheless, it does settle down thereafter, and you get a floral accord consisting mostly of jasmine. This one still packs a punch, but isn’t the exact same, as it was back 30+ years ago. Another dry, grassy, and interesting use of leather. My Fahrenheit Review

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Sweet with Saffron

Parfums de Marly Godolphin Men’s Edp Spray, 4.2 Ounce–Godolphin is a very enjoyable fragrance to my nose.  It opens with a blend of herbal notes and a hint of fruit. I mainly get a sense of saffron poking through.

However, the main note that comes into play is a smooth and beautiful leather that mixes with a woody base.

The leather note with the saffron is remarkably great. I was surprised when trying Godolphin out, how much I actually dug the scent. It’s invigorating to smell and has a layer of floral notes which allows the scent to have complexity and balance. Godolpin Review