Prada

Luna Rossa Carbon vs Ocean Comparison

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Luna Rossa has been a massively successful fragrance line for Italian brand, Prada. In 2021, it released its latest edition, Luna Rossa Ocean. The question then becomes, how does this latest cologne compare to some of the more popular ones before it? In this post, I am comparing Ocean to the popular, Carbon. Which smells best? Lasts longer?

Tale of the Tape: Ocean vs. Carbon

Luna Rossa Ocean

Notes include: bergamot, iris, pink pepper, artemisia, lavender, sage, suede, saffron, musk, vetiver, caramel, patchouli

Click here to try:  Luna Rossa Ocean at Macy’s

Luna Rossa Carbon

Notes include: lavender, ambroxan, metallic notes, pepper, patchouli, coal, bergamot

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce

My Original Review: Luna Rossa Carbon

Opening

Luna Rossa Carbon opens up with a strong use of its citrus note, bergamot. Lavender, a light ambroxan, and the metallic aroma finish which gives it the name Carbon. It’s clean, citrus, then gives off a soapier vibe.

With Ocean, you get what I would call a ‘light blue’ impression. You get the same bergamot note. But, this time the lavender is toned down. It has a sweetness provided by a mix of tonka bean and caramel.

Smooth suede, powdery iris, really help to give off a fresh and aromatic aroma.  The iris is stronger than the lavender, in this one.

Smooth, sweet, spicy, but don’t expect an aquatic based on its name. Less of the ocean and something that would smell very pleasant while on the boat or shore.

Pink pepper is really coming through, at times. Artemisia? I really don’t pick up much, but there is some slight herbal bitterness there…if I stop and pay attention.

Which one is better? I really like the opening of Luna Rossa Ocean. It’s that absolute highlight of the cologne, to me. Very attractive and easy to wear. Familiar, while giving off its own style.

It has a great depth and sweetness that I completely enjoy.

Edge: Ocean

Projection

The two seem to open up at around the same upper level of moderate, with it how far they will project. Neither is a beast, but they are very noticeable by those around you, right after application.

Luna Rossa Ocean doesn’t hold up though. You get maybe 1-2 hours of decent projection, before it becomes super light. It’s kind of a bummer for something in this price range.

Meanwhile, Carbon is more consistent. Not a massive fragrance, it is just one that will stay steady and then slowly dissipate.  Easy win here.

Edge: Carbon

Longevity

With Luna Rossa Carbon, it has consistently performed well on my skin. I get over 8 hours of wear from it, sometimes in that 9-10 range. It sticks around and is overall a very solid scent, in this regard.

Ocean does have some performance issues. For me, it’s been 4-6 hours of total wear, during testing.

It is one that you’re going to have to spray like crazy in order to get decent longevity from it. Even with that, the last 2-3 hours are pretty much going to be sitting very close to the skin.

Edge: Carbon

Versatility

Both of these fragrances really do deliver value in terms of when you can wear each. They both fit in during pretty much all seasons. You can wear them casually, on a date, at work, or on formal occasions.

Mass pleasing for sure.

I think that I’d rather wear Ocean in the summer versus Carbon, but neither is strictly a hot wear wear.  These fragrances are daily wears for men of pretty much any age group.

I’m not sure that there is much of a distinction with these.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these colognes from Prada do I prefer?

If we were just going off of initial smell alone, I really prefer Luna Rossa Ocean. That opening act is fantastic and super pleasing to my nose. Carbon is cool, but Ocean gives me more.

The middle act is a fresh floral with notes like sage, coming through more. That initial caramel, will fade to a great extent.

But, the dry down is a pretty boring affair. Still nice, but you don’t get to enjoy the full experience thanks to its light sillage. It’s very floral, powdery, musky. Iris and lavender, a bit sweet, less ‘blue’ during this stage.

It still like it. But, I don’t like the performance. At full price? No, but I have already seen Ocean on sale that includes an extra travel sprayer. As such, I might still buy a bottle at some point. Just going to spray the hell out of it.

Carbon is just a bit better in terms of its consistency. I still like the way it smells, just not to the same extent. Plus, the performance is much better. It’s always been a better version of Sauvage.

I’ll probably own Ocean, but for most guys, Carbon would be the better play.

Luna Rossa Sport by Prada

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This is the first time that I have gotten to a Prada fragrance on this site.  No particular reason for that but I really wanted to write about this fragrance because it caught my attention. When I saw the name, I must admit that I thought it would be a different type of fragrance profile…you know, something ‘sporty’ or outdoorsy but it was something else all together.

Luckily, it wasn’t a disappointment to smell this Luna Rossa flanker, and whatever my expectations were; they went out the window. With that in mind, please continue reading below for my full take and breakdown of Luna Rossa Sport.

What does Luna Rossa Sport Smell Like?

Notes include: Vanilla, juniper berry, ginger, lavender, and tonka bean

Shop on Amazon: Prada Luna Rossa SPORT Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

My Full Review

The first thing that I really noticed about this scent was how sweet and clean it was. I really dug the opening of the tonka bean with just an underlying hint of vanilla, which really begins to emerge later.

It’s got an aromatic powdery scent to it, but unlike something such as Joop!, it isn’t accompanied by a heavier spice. It’s a sweeter and more airy scent like Kouros Body (again without the spice) or Eros by Versace (without the heaviness).

Ultimately, it reminds me most of Armani Code Profumo, in how it presents itself, and the two notes it has in common. While the opening is delicious and reminiscent of other fragrances, I think its unique qualities emerge with time.

Beyond the vanilla and tonka bean in the opening, there is also a nice juniper, and a clean ginger spice. These two really contribute to the fresh and mild spicy profile.

This does create a dynamic feeling to this edition of the Luna Rossa line, that the original just didn’t have, with its bright citrus and lavender paring.

The one thing that is very familiar about Luna Rossa Sport, is its use of the lavender note that is prevalent throughout the series. I don’t feel like it’s as heavy as it is in Luna Rossa Carbon, for example, and seems much more subdued by the tonka bean note.

It’s utterly refreshing with a bit of a crisp bite lying underneath, which I guess is the ginger note, at play.

Versatility

Again, this isn’t a sporty scent in the usual sense of the word, I would categorize it as a sexy and versatile fragrance. You could definitely wear this out on a date or to the office or school.

It has an ability to be worn by all ages, but probably best for mid-20s and up. It’s a well put together, ‘sport’ fragrance, and doesn’t have a cheapie youthful aroma.

I actually like it the best during the colder months of the year, it hangs so well in the crisp night air of both autumn and winter. I’d give it a go in the springtime, but summer around here is much to humid.

Luna Rossa Sport is pretty linear and what you get at about 10-15 minutes in, is what you should expect from the cologne thereafter.

Sillage and Longevity

The projection is decent. I don’t find it to have as much sillage as Carbon but around the same amount as the original Luna Rossa. Sport has more depth than the original and can therefore seem heavier than it actually is.

That tonka bean and vanilla creaminess/smoothness can make it have thicker aroma, but the sillage isn’t as powerful as it might lead you to believe.

It’ll be noticeable around 8 feet from the skin, at first, before moving in closer to the 3-4 foot range. That initial burst, is pretty short lived, while being a pretty high peak.

The longevity is more stable, and I can pull 6-7 hours from this one, without a problem. This fragrance, isn’t an absolute workhorse. Though, it does give a solid enough performance to be useful

Overall Impressions of Luna Rossa Sport

Overall, do I like Luna Rossa Sport? Yes, it is quite an underrated fragrance in my mind. I think it gets overlooked because it is so simple and there are so many other Luna Rossa variants out there now, that Sport can get lost in the shuffle.

It is more of a subtle fragrance, that isn’t weak, but doesn’t overpower either. Sport features a crispy freshness and a rush of aromatic clean. I dig it and have absolutely loved wearing it around as of late.

The juniper and tonka bean pairing, isn’t always something that I’m in the mood for. Some days, it can feel annoying. Nonetheless, it really does have an appeal, which keeps bringing me back to this scent.

The whole Luna Rossa line has been great. Eau Sport is another one that really gets no love, but should be checked out.

Prada L’Homme vs. Luna Rossa Cologne Comparison

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For this edition of my running cologne comparisons, we have a contest between two popular Prada scents for men, L’Homme vs. Luna Rossa. Which of these fragrances smells the best? Which has more versatility? Better sillage? Overall, which is the better buy? Scroll down for my full breakdown and links to my original reviews of each.

Tale of the Tape: L’Homme vs. Luna Rossa

Luna Rossa

Notes include:  lavender, sage, spearmint, ambrette, ambroxan, and bitter orange

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Review: Luna Rossa Review

Prada L’Homme

Notes include: iris, amber, geranium, patchouli, neroli, violet, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: Prada L’Homme Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Prada L’Homme

Opening

Luna Rossa opens up with a nice bitter orange citrus note, lavender, and a refreshing spearmint. It’s very simple, bright, and up beat. The spearmint note is key to the composition and how it plays off of the orange, to keep it interesting.

L’Homme, opens up with a fresh iris note, and other powdery floral ingredients. It’s got violet and neroli, which are surrounded by a warm amber. It’s slightly sweet and has a solid base of cedar, pepper, and patchouli.

Which is better? Both are pretty straightforward fragrances, and as much as I like the citrus top from Luna Rossa, I think that L’Homme just smells better. It’s cleaner and more refined.

Edge: L’Homme

Projection

Luna Rossa is a light to moderate fragrance, but it does feel quite airy, and definitely not a beast or heavy type of cologne. Meanwhile, L’Homme is more solidly in the moderate camp than is its competitor. It will be moderate for about 2/3 of the wear and then is a much lighter scent.

Edge: L’Homme

Longevity

Both scents fit in the 6-7 hour range of wear. L’Homme is stronger and has better sillage, but doesn’t last any longer than Luna Rossa.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, this category is a draw. Both of these fragrances is very versatile and can be worn year round in pretty much any scenario. Really a strength of both.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I really like both of these Prada scents and the performance is so close to one another, it really becomes a simple preference of which smell you prefer. Luna Rossa is a great simple blend of citrus, lavender, and mint.

You do get a little bit of amber, beyond that, but it’s a fairly linear experience from start to finish. Super clean and a nice light daily wear sort of cologne.

L’Homme, smells better to my nose. Yes, it is one of those floral based colognes, and could honestly be unisex.

However, the underlying pepper, patchouli, and cedar lend some masculinity to the aroma and blend really well with the prominent iris note. If you don’t like iris, you probably won’t like this. If you want citrus, go with Luna Rossa.

For me, I’d rather wear L’Homme over the original Luna Rossa in most scenarios. For that and the slightly better sillage, it gets the nod.

Winner: L’Homme

Prada L’Homme EDT Cologne Review

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Prada has a ton of different fragrances on the market. They can often be confusing, as each release seems to get a bunch of different flankers with similar names. Today, I want to focus on one scent in particular, Prada L’Homme EDT. The original blend that started off the L’Homme line of perfumes. How does this men’s cologne smell? What are the notes? Does it perform? Is it versatile? Is this even worth a try?

What does Prada L’Homme EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: iris, amber, geranium, patchouli, neroli, violet, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: Prada L’Homme Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Prada L’Homme immediately hits my nose with an iris note, a super freshness, and other warm powdery floral ingredients. It seems to have plenty of similarities with Dior Homme Eau, but definitely isn’t exactly the same as that fragrance. For one, it lacks that cacao, leather, and bergamot top notes.

They just happen to share a dominant iris, which isn’t the most common of ingredients in men’s colognes. I think that the iris pairs very well with the neroli and violet notes, all of which is swimming in the usual Prada amber.

The composition is somewhat sweet, but there aren’t any fruity or candied elements in here, just a light floral sweetness. L’Homme is a rather simple cologne, but has a solid base of cedar, light pepper, and a bit of patchouli to make things less feminized. Even though, this could absolutely pass as a unisex scent.

As I wrote, this cologne is pretty straightforward. You do get different stretches of time where the neroli, violet, or geranium is more intense but none of these ever overtake the beautiful iris or amber note. The base is just the base and doesn’t interfere too much into the main soapy/powder clean attraction.

This isn’t as powdery as some of the flankers in this series, but it is a very good and balanced blend of notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Prada L’Homme is a moderate fragrance with an airiness. I don’t even notice that I’m wearing it at times, but it’s not weak. I’d say moderate for the first 2/3 of the wear and then it turns light. Don’t expect some bomb of a perfume, it’s about subtlety with this one.

Longevity wise, I get about 6-7 hours on my skin, not amazing but quite serviceable. I do wish that L’Homme had an extra bit of power. That would make it truly elite in my book. At least, in terms of this style of fragrance.

What is great about this scent is its versatility. It can be worn year round pretty much. Can go casual, but it works completely in a business setting, and is non-offensive. You can wear it on a date, but it is pretty low key, and not as much sexy as it is clean and elegant.

Definitely pleasant to be around, but might not have the power to draw people in. Teens and younger men, would probably want to opt for something else, maybe a bit more dynamic than this. If you want another Prada, try out the Luna Rossa line of colognes.

Overall Impressions of L’Homme EDT

Overall, do I like Prada L’Homme? Yes, I think that it’s an excellent fragrance. The longevity and projection isn’t amazing, but the smell is simple yet great. This Prada L’Homme line shares a lot of similarities with the Dior Homme lineup, but each has its own unique scent.

I like the aroma. I do with that there was more power behind it. The iris note is fantastic, as is the amber, that is so often used by the brand. Fresh and a bit sweet, with very minor development, but some good floral highlights coming through.

Personally, I don’t need a bottle of this, since a full bottle of Dior Homme already fills this role in my collection. However, for a guy that is looking for something understated for work or for more dressed up events, this is simply an awesome option.

Prada L’Homme vs. Dior Homme Cologne Comparison

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In today’s head to head fragrance comparison, I am going to take a closer look at to men’s fragrances that feature a leading iris note: Prada L’Homme vs. Dior Homme. Which of these popular designer scents, smells better? Which gives a better performance? Which is the better buy overall?

 

 

Tale of the Tape

Prada L’Homme

Notes include: iris, amber, geranium, patchouli, neroli, violet, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: Prada L’Homme Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My review: Prada L’Homme

 

Dior Homme

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

Read my Full Review: Dior Homme Review

 

Opening

Prada L’Homme opens up with that fresh powdery floral scent, that is led by the iris note. It also is flanked by neroli and violet. This is all surrounded by amber, dotted with pepper, and on top of a cedar base.

Dior Homme opens up with its own floral blend of iris and lavender. However, it teams that up with a sweet cacao, citrus bergamot, and dry vetiver. With a smooth leather note, coming through.

Which is better? I lean toward the Dior. The Prada is very nice, simple, but smells great. I just think that the Dior’s use of cacao and citrus, give it a more complex, and better aroma.

Edge: Dior

 

Projection

Both of these fragrances are pretty moderate, in their sillage. Dior Homme might be slightly stronger, but it’s not much, and no significant enough to give an edge here.

Edge: Push

 

Longevity

I get 5-7 hours with Dior Homme. It’s mostly towards the 7 hours end. However, I can double spray the Dior and get 8-9 hours, and this is what I usually do with my bottle. Prada gives me 6-7 hours of wear, but the double spray really doesn’t add any time…go figure.

Edge: Dior (slightly)


Versatility

Another category that they really overlap. Both are good year round, outside of high heat and humidity. Both are office friendly, can go casual if need be, and have a refined style. I personally think that Dior can venture better into the night life, as the cacao sweetness and leather notes, fit in more than the fresh powdery scent that Prada is.

Edge: Dior (slightly)

 

Overall Scent

These are two extremely evenly matched fragrances, and since they both are masculine iris-based floral colognes, that is to be expected. Ultimately though, which is the better scent? I’m going to have to go with Dior Homme. It’s my personal choice, the one I went with when buying a full bottle, and is the closest thing that I have to a daily wear.

I really do like Prada L’Homme, it’s a very nice scent, but a pretty straightforward cleanly fresh cologne. Non-offensive with decent performance. I would personally go with, Prada Intense, over this one if I were in the market for a Prada fragrance.

I think Dior is a much more interesting and better fragrance to wear. I love how it has the powdery iris, but that’s not all that it is. It can be dry and woodsy. Sweet. Smoothed by rich leather. Even having a touch of citrus, to set it apart. It’s not way better, but it’s my pick.

Winner: Dior Homme