Fragrances

Ultra Male vs Armani Code Profumo Comparison

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In today’s head to head match up, we have two fragrances that are both popular, and two of which that I personally enjoy a lot: Ultra Male vs. Code Profumo. Which of these men’s colognes actually smells the best? The Jean Paul Gaultier or the Armani? Which has better sillage? Longevity? Ultimately, which of these scents is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male for Men Intense Spray, Eau de Toilette, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original Review: Ultra Male

Armani Code Profumo

Notes include: leather, amber, tonka bean, cardamom, lavender, and nutmeg

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Code Profumo EDP Spray for Men, 3.7 Ounce

Read my full review: Code Profumo Review

Opening

Code Profumo begins with a very warm and rich blend of amber and tonka bean. It is joined by a slightly juicy citrus and cardamom and nutmeg, which interestingly takes on the aroma of a soft drink, such as cream soda. It’s not exactly, but it does have that kind of vibe.

Ultra Male has a sweet candy-like opening. It is pear, mint, cinnamon, and vanilla. The cinnamon gives this JPG fragrance, a spicy blast in the heart of that sweet outer shell.

Between the two? Hmm, it’s a tough choice, but I think Profumo has the better start. The amber and tonka bean really has a great appeal to it. I’m an Ultra Male fan, but the Armani gets the nod in this category.

Edge: Code Profumo

Projection

Code Profumo has a strong sillage. It is by no means weak and other people will definitely be able to pick up on it. Ultra Male is huge, in this regard. I can spray it on a shirt and smell it from the other side of my living room. I never need to apply much of the stuff, to make it take over. It’s a beast.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

Interestingly, Code Profumo can usually get me 10 hours or more of wear. It’s a fantastic performer on my skin. Ultra Male is too, but it usually gets 8-9 hours. It can also, hit the 10+ mark, just not with the same consistency.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Okay, these are both cold weather fragrances. That is kind of a limited niche, but there are so many amazing winter colognes, that it is kind of necessity to have one. That being said, for these two, I like to wear them out at night to a bar, dinner, night club, lounge, or whatever.

Profumo has much more ability to be worn at the office, and it is the more mature scent. Ultra Male is pretty much a nightlife scent for me and skews more toward younger guys. Code Profumo is more versatile.

Edge: Profumo

Overall Scent

I wear both of these colognes. I like them both a whole lot. As such, it’s not really an easy call to make. I’ve always really like how bold Ultra Male was, how improved over the original Le Male it was, and just that whole unique and playful vibe.

Some people don’t like it’s sweet and spiciness mix or the fact that it can be limited to when it can be worn. Fair enough.

Code Profumo is a wonderful fragrance, some people don’t like its sweet creamy profile either. However, the tonka, amber, and leather really do give it a sexy and masculine aroma.

It can be worn dressed up or at the office and is more mature than Ultra Male is. For that, I think I’ll give it the go ahead for the win in this match up.

I would, however, consider what type of fragrance I actually want before making a choice. Look at those ingredients, which ones sound more appealing to you? Both of these give great performances, so, that won’t be an issue.

Winner: Code Profumo

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. White

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This is my second review of Lacoste’s L.12.12 cologne series. I already covered Rouge and my thoughts on it: here. This time around, I am covering Eau de Lacoste Blanc (White), and testing out this floral/woody cologne for men. As usual, I am going to overview how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not this casual fragrance is worth a buy.

What does Lacoste Blanc Perfume for Men Smell Like?

lacoste l.12.12 white

Notes include: cardamom, grapefruit, ylang-ylang, cedar, rosemary, suede, tuberose, leather

Click here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Men, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

With the opening of Lacoste Blanc, I am immediately reminded of daytime in the spring. It’s a very clean floral and woody opening, with the main note of grapefruit taking charge.

I detect the cedar note but it seems to be smoothed out and tempered by the suede/leather combo, which is surprisingly quite mild. This fragrance definitely starts out with a bang, as it both projects well and also brings a lot of energy. Blanc is very upbeat and bright.

The is a slight herbal spice to this, light rosemary, and some cardamom. However, it never makes all that much of an appearance for me. Cedar and leather? Yes, the others? Not so much.

The floral notes aren’t really the ‘girly’ kind of scent, more earthy, and get hidden some by the citrus of the grapefruit. The interplay between these two is quite nice. It’s tuberose, which is hardly ever used in a men’s fragrance, and ylang-ylang.

There is also a layer of sweetness in this cologne that doesn’t take over but lends itself well. It feels like everything about this fragrance is just blended the right way. The grapefruit is mainly responsible for it, especially when it gets paired together with the ylang-ylang note.

What I’m ultimately left with a very wonderful blend of citrus and cedar. It’s fresh and uplifting. Though, this does go in more of a unique direction, with those floral notes. It comes together as being super clean and a delight to have on.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this one starts out fairly strong, but begins to weaken pretty quickly. It does transform more into a floral/woodsy cologne during the dry down period but that is again, brief.

The longevity on this one really isn’t all that great, it’s better than L.12.12. Rouge, but still taps out to the 4-6 hour range and more towards the low end.

This is a warm weather fragrance that is great for office, casual, or even some dating type environments. It’s appropriate for any age group, but has more of a youthful sort of vibe.

I wouldn’t be wearing this during the winter or autumn, but it is great when the weather starts to improve.

Overall Impression of L.12.12 White

Overall, I think that L.12.12. White is a very good cologne and an interesting floral based scent for men. I do prefer it, to the Red version from Lacoste (which I also like), and think that it can be a really good casual choice for guys.

I wish the longevity was a little bit better but aside from that Blanc is a quality cologne that is fresh, clean, and energetic. Coming back to this scent, years after my initial review, I can say that this is the best of the L.12.12 lineup, from my perspective.

Blanc is the only one that truly delivers a great smell and has at least decent performance. This line from Lacoste, really had plenty of mediocre and unmemorable scents.

This is a bright spot. Smells quite good, average performance, and a good pick up if you can get it cheap.

6 Best Smelling Adidas Colognes for Men

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Adidas has had a long and prosperous run as an athletic apparel company. However, it has also been in the fragrance game to one extent or another for decades, as well.

In fact, some Adidas fragrances were among the first colognes that I wore on a regular basis as a teenager. They are also extremely inexpensive and full bottles can be had at under $20 and even for less than $10.

Obviously, this makes it a good route for younger guys to try out without having to break the bank. In this post, I have selected six from the Adidas line that I feel are the best of the bunch, and have linked each to its Amazon page for more info.

What are the Best Adidas Colognes for Men?

Best Smelling Cologne

Adidas Dare Eau-De-Toilette Natural Spray by Adidas, 1 Fluid Ounce– A sneaky good blend of lime and apple at the start with a undertone of vanilla.

Then, a smooth rum note kicks in and is paired with leather to create something that is unique while still being inexpensive. Really good fragrance.

Like most inexpensive fragrances, Adidas Dare isn’t all that complicated, but this never smells ‘cheap’. Is it a luxury scent? No. However, the apple and citrus pairing is great. Plus, a undercurrent of rum, vanilla, and leather? I’m sold.

Most Popular Adidas

Adidas Victory League Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– Sweet and slightly spicy. It reminds me a bit of Ultra Male and Boss Bottled and Tommy Hilfiger, like a blend of those three.

So, an apple/pear blend with vanilla and a cinnamon kick. It’s another good casual option from Adidas. Somewhat related to Adidas Dare, though, Victory League isn’t as much about the fruit. Vanilla has much more strength in this one, than in the other Adidas scent.

If you want a cheapie, along the lines of the aforementioned designer scents, Victory League is a very solid pickup.

Underrated Scent

Adidas Deep Energy by Adidas For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4-Ounces– Was one of the Adidas fragrances that I received in a 3 bottle gift pack, many years ago. It’s an athletic or sporty kind of aquatic citrus. It works well in the summer months and I used this as a gym cologne for a long stretch of time.

Updating here in 2020, this has been discontinued, and I haven’t seen any cheap bottles floating around. What’s funny is, The One Sport by D&G, smells very similar to Deep Energy. I wouldn’t pay more than $20 for either, but this did front run the designer cologne by a decade. Deep Energy Full Review

Classic Sporty Scent

Adidas Moves By Adidas For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 1.0 Oz / 30 Ml– The first Adidas cologne that I ever had, back in high school. It’s definitely geared toward younger guys. It’s a very fresh and clean scent but I was never really sure what the specific notes were.

Turns out it features tomato leaf, pepper, pineapple, and apple among others. I think I wore this for most of 9th and 10th grade, so it brings back some memories.

The juice inside is blue and it does have a ‘blue-ish’ vibe, to the aroma. Sort of aquatic, but that is due to the crisp fruity notes involved. Tomato leaf, is a severely underrated note, and somehow Adidas Moves is one of the few colognes to use it.  Adidas Moves Full Review

Simple and Clean Fresh

Adidas Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, Pure Game, 3.4 Fluid Ounce– A citrus and woody cologne that is pretty linear, but surprisingly good in it simplicity. The basil note gives it a bit of spice along with that familiar oud aroma.

Pure Game does have a very nice blend of citrus and spice notes. Basil and pepper, that gets smoothed out by the woody base. Hints of sandalwood and cypress, with a vague smoky quality. Yes, it’s simple and linear, but it does have some depth to its personality. This is a really good buy, for this cheap price point.

Warm Sweetness

Adidas Extreme Power Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A sweet tonka bean laden scent with opening citrus notes and a great warmth throughout. There is also a coffee note that I think goes really well with the tonka bean and they are two of my favorite notes in men’s fragrances.

At this price point, Extreme Power is a great buy, but you’ll need to use more sprays for longevity’s sake. This does have similarities to Pure Game, but the notes are kind of flipped, with the strength. This is less woody and spicy, more sweet and warm.

5 Colognes that Smell Like Mont Blanc Legend

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Mont Blanc Legend is seemingly always a best selling fragrance, with fans who swear by it. To me, it’s always been just fine, and I actually prefer Legend Night over it. Anyhow, due to its popularity, guys are always looking for similar scents or even cheaper alternatives to save some money. In this post, I wanted to give a list of five men’s fragrances, that smell similar Mont Blanc Legend. Now, there may be some others out there, but these are the closest options that I’ve come across.

What Men’s Fragrances Smell Similar to Mont Blanc Legend?

The Famous Comparison

Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 6.7 Oz– To me, the classic formulation of Fierce, was better than Legend. Now, it doesn’t have the same essence that it did back in the 2000s, but it can still be a good buy at the right price.

Fierce starts of with clean lemon and orange, that is paired with the dry woodsy notes. Next up, is a spicy sage, with a base of fir, vetiver, musk, and oak moss.

This is the closest approximation of Legend, out of the three options. It can also cost more than Legend, so, it might not be one for somebody looking for a ‘cheap’ alternative. Fierce Full Review

A More Aquatic Version

Kenneth Cole Mankind Ultimate, 3.4 Fl oz– Mankind Ultimate isn’t exactly the same as Legend, but it does share a lot of similarities. The opening of this fragrance, has an aquatic element with cucumber, and reminds me somewhat of Eternity Aqua.

This one does become more like Fierce and Legend, as it dries down, but it smells a bit sweeter than either of them. It has an aquatic citrus, vetiver, and sandalwood. It’s aroma has an underlying dryness to offset some of that initial aquatic aroma. Mankind Ultimate Review

Different, but Better

Mercedes-Benz Man–  Mercedes-Benz Man strikes me as a better fragrance than Legend. It’s different, for sure, but shares a lot of overlap with the Mont Blanc scent. Not only that, as of now, this one can be had in the $30-40 range.

You get the oakmoss and cedar freshness, along with a top note of a crisp and watery slice of pear. The spice comes across as quite light, with less of a bite, than some of the other listed colognes.

However, the performance is quite good, better than what I’ve gotten with the modern formulations of Fierce and probably a slight edge versus Legend.

A Similar Cheap Cologne

PLAYBOY New York Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce Playboy– If you want to go down market and find a cheapie, New York is the closest you’ll find. Is this a 1:1, comparison to  Legend?

No, it isn’t, but it does produce a similar smell for $10-12. The quality isn’t as good, but this is still one of the best Playboy colognes, that they’ve made.

It utilizes apple, vanilla, vetiver, and vinyl. That vinyl note is quite interesting and at least gives New York, something to distinguish itself.

The performance is good for the price and lasted 5-6 hours on my skin, when I’ve worn it. Playboy New York Review

The Better Cheapie

Frank Olivier Sunrise Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 2.5 Ounce– Sunrise is a better down market option than New York, even if it is closer to a Fierce style, but not even exactly that.

It’s less woody and not as dry as Fierce, but has a good lavender note, and a nice bergamot up front. Again, you’re not getting the same level of quality or the same aroma. However, it’s a good deal for the price and the performance is actually pretty solid.

There you have it, five similar men’s colognes to Legend. I will update this list, as needed, when I find other potential alternatives to this fragrance. For now though, this list will do and can definitely yield a solid comparable scent to the Mont Blanc.

9 Best Smelling Lavender Scented Colognes for Men

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Lavender is one of the most heavily used notes in men’s colognes, women’s perfumes, household air fresheners, and more. It has a familiar scent, plus a smooth and calming influence. In short, it’s a staple note, with a versatile use within the world of fragrance. So, when looking for a lavender based cologne, we have plenty of options.

With that in mind, which are the best lavender scented fragrances for guys? In this post, I am going to present 9 options, where lavender is the main attraction. Some on the list, will be more of a pure use of the note, while others it will be the main player within a total composition.

What are the Top Smelling Lavender Fragrances for Men?

Spice, Amber, and Lavender

Jo Malone Amber And Lavender Cologne Spray, 3.4 Ounce– As the name suggests, this Jo Malone fragrance, is a blend of amber and lavender notes. However, it also has a blend of herbal spices, which gives this scent a fuller body and greater depth.

Amber and Lavender is highly clean and fresh with a sharp and beautiful opening sequence. The title notes are obviously the stars here, and it is indeed, more of the lavender.

However, you also get a very solid mint note and clove, with an earthy patchouli. A very interesting use of this note, in conjunction with others.

Luna Rossa Lavender

Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce– Luna Rossa Carbon isn’t solely a lavender fragrance, but it does feature a pretty heavy lavender note throughout the wear.

From the start, one gets a mix of citrus and lavender, that is bright and intense with a peppery kick. This is one of the best options on the list, for a mainstream popular scent, that uses our target note.

This is all surrounded by the grip of a warm amber note, with a metallic underpinning. This often gets compared to Dior’s Sauvage, which it is indeed close to, but with a toned down ambroxan note and beefed up lavender. Luna Rossa Carbon Full Review

Dry and Cool

Geo F. Trumper Lavender Water Cologne, 100ml– Talk about an old school fragrance, Lavender Water dates back to 1898, and is still in production due to its simple use of lavender in its formula.

It is an interesting blend of lavender and the cool spice of mint. Also, it has a very dry character with the blending of lavender and oak moss. Smooth, masculine, and outdoorsy. This has more mint than the Jo Malone entry above, but not the same level of spiciness.

Violet Led, But Lavender Supported

Hugo Boss BOTTLED NIGHT Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz– Boss Bottled Night is a popular men’s floral cologne with notes of lavender and violet. For something with the name ‘Night’, it isn’t a very dark fragrance, more light and smooth.

This Hugo Boss scent features a woody heart to complement that lavender led aroma. This one differs, as the lavender definitely shares power with the violet, and for much of the opening act is outshined by it. Nonetheless, I want to present it as an option. My Full Boss Bottled Night Review

Harder to Find, Old School Blend

CARON PARIS Pour Un Homme De Caron Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.5 fl. oz.– Another scent that dates way back, but at least in the 20th century this time. Caron Pour Homme is a linear and rather simple fragrance with vanilla and musk accompanying the lavender.

It has a creamy powdered aroma with that usual slightly spicy musk note that pairs very well with the vanilla. Smooth and soft.

Classic Modernity from Chanel

Platinum Egoiste by Chanel, 1.7 oz 50 ml EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY MEN NEW– Fresh citrus, spices, and lavender combine to create an amazing scent from Chanel that conjures up classic shaving cream aromas. Platinum Egoiste is a much more modern take on the barbershop scent, while retaining its masculine bonafides.

Super clean and sexy with supplemental floral notes and sandalwood pairing with the lavender. A great, adult scent, which has an air of refinement. Very dry during the later stages, but soapy elements, and a great herbal spice from sage and rosemary.

Lavender and Sandalwood 

Calvin Klein ETERNITY for Men Eau de Toilette, 1 fl. oz.– The ever popular men’s fragrance from the early 1990s, Eternity, features a soapy sort of lavender, with bright citrus notes and some fresh green spiciness.

The sandalwood note gives Eternity a solid woody heart with some additional herbal scents to flesh out the composition. This Calvin Klein cologne, is pretty much a classic, at this point.

The lavender eventually breaks out to essentially be the last standing note, but on top of a base of sandalwood. Citrus and herbal notes give it the finish of spice and fruit. Full Eternity Review

Lavender Clean with Some Spice

RIVE GAUCHE for Men By YVES SAINT LAURENT, Eau De Toilette Spray, 4.2 Ounces– Spicy with a soapy and clean presentation. This has similarities to Egoiste Platinum, but with a much different structuring of the ingredients.

Rive Gauche is a class YSL scent, that is highly masculine, balanced, and versatile. It’s creamy aroma is perfect dressed up or even in more casual situations. Yes, it’s even got that attractive vibe, to draw in the ladies.

Sweet Creamy Lavender

Prada Luna Rossa SPORT Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 oz– Lavender with sweet vanilla and a creamy tonka bean note. Highly fresh with a ginger spice lurking around. Luna Rossa Sport is probably my favorite cologne from the Luna Rossa lineup.

I get good performance and something that is versatile enough to be worn in nearly any situation. The lavender is less pronounced than in Luna Rossa Carbon, so, I’d lean toward that one to get my lavender fix. This is a great wear, however. Luna Rossa Sport Review