Fragrances

12 Best Smelling Summer Colognes 2021

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Summer is very nearly upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere. That means it’s time to break out all of those fragrances that shine, when the heat index goes higher. By this time, I’m usually tired of the heavy winter wears and want something more dynamic. There are plenty of great options, but I decided on 12 colognes that each offer different things to enjoy in the warmer months.

What are the best summer fragrances for men?

The All Around for Hot Weather

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue– I do enjoy AdG Profumo even more than Profondo, but this is the one that I’ll go with more on the hottest days of the year. Both can work, but this is great in the hotter climate.

The opening feels like its a blue-ish green sort of smell. Citrus from the bergamot and lighter mandarin, a deep marine aroma, the usual herbal AdG notes, and a resinous note of lentisk. Very smooth, not salty, and has a slight creaminess at times.

Profondo is an easy reach, gives a good performance, and can be worn in a wide variety of situations during the summer. Definitely a safe bet and one with mass appeal. AdG Profondo Review

Citrus and Fig

Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Fico Di Amalfi Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 5 Ounce– Acqua di Parma has a whole host of fragrances which are great in the summertime. Fico di Amalfi, is my personal favorite, though.

This Blue Mediterraneo scent opens with grapefruit and bergamot. Then, the totally underrated fig note comes in, and the aroma has a sweet and attractive profile.

The grapefruit and lemon are strongest at the top, but it leans more grapefruit, than the other perfumes on this list. Once the citrus settles down, it plays very well off of the fig, and light cedar base.

I don’t always like fig in fragrances, but this has to be one of the best examples of how to do it right. Fico di Amalfi is a very unisex and a magnificent summer perfume.

Something Different from the Jardin 

Hermes Le Jardin De Monsieur Li Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fluid Ounce– One could also go with another Hermes fragrance, Un Jardin en Mediterranee, but that is pretty close to Fico di Amalfi with how it smells.

Le Jardin de Monsieur Li is an underrated addition to this line of fragrances. Unique, light, and deceptively simple…but very good. It opens with a sweet and bright kumquat note, with a watery heart that feels like sitting next to a garden pond.

There is a light and fresh mint adding its cool spice throughout, but this one becomes greener and more of an herbal scent as it dries down. Not crazy good performance, I can squeeze 6 hours of wear, with this.

However, it does give you something different than the usual aquatics and other beachy fare. One of the best of Hermes. My Full Review

Refreshing Louis Vuitton Cologne

Afternoon Swim– This fragrance is summertime the whole way. Not super complex, but attractive and has a very refreshing energy. Afternoon Swim is a citrus-laden cologne, so, if that’s not your thing it won’t be for you.

Does remind me a lot of Dior Homme Cologne (or an Acqua di Parma scent, like Bergamotto di Calabria, only with a dominant orange note), with some exceptions. First, Dior Cologne has more of an iced lemonade profile. Second, this has somewhat of an aquatic vibe.

There is a saltiness here (ambergris), that is very slight, but it does catch my attention. The ginger note is also quite awesome. Performance is pretty good for this style of fragrance, just don’t expect a marathon. Afternoon Swim Full Review

The Chanel for This Season

Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche– I really overlooked this Chanel fragrance for too long. That was my bad, because it’s actually great. You could also go with one of the Allure Sport scents (or Bleu), but this is my go to for this year.

A delicious blend of lemon, bergamot, tonka bean, and vanilla (among other notes). Allure Edition Blanche gives you a delightful lemon note with a creamy finish. But, it isn’t the usual heavy gourmand of winter, and this can be an absolute gem in the summer months.

I’ll post my review of this one soon, but I want to spend some more time with it beforehand.

Another Easy to Wear Option

Legend Spirit- This isn’t my personal favorite, but I did like this release from Montblanc. Plus, it’s another good option for guys who want something that smells good, and isn’t too niche.

It opens up with a nice grapefruit note, cardamom, and an aquatic accord. Watery and fresh with a bright opening act, while sitting on a dry woody/musky base.

Spirit is the usual citrus aquatic with a bit of its own personality thrown in. Mainly, coming from the pink pepper and woody notes. The performance isn’t great, but it can be a worthwhile go for the right price. Legend Spirit Full Review

A Unisex Beachy Floral

Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Yes, this one does lean a bit more toward being a traditional feminine, but it can absolutely work for anybody. The original Soleil Blanc is great, but this lighter version, is one that I’ve been digging as of late.

The citrus here is amped up, but you still get that creamy floral sunscreen feel, and the excellent coconut note sitting underneath it all. This one does come across as floral as the original, which is why it is probably the better choice for men.

Warm, sweet, with a semi-tropical feeling coming through. Won’t be on everyone’s list, but an interesting one to check out from Tom Ford.

Light Blue Flanker

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Sun Edt Spray 4.2 Oz Men, 4.2 Oz– Alright, I’m going to put Light Blue Sun as my pick for this summer. I have yet to try Light Blue Forever, but I’ve read positive things about it…I’ll update, when I get a chance to give it a go. It could be a great option.

Sun is a great balance between the original Light Blue and Eau Intense. I do enjoy the Intense version, as well, but some folks don’t like it. This is a compromise, but a really good one.

Grapefruit, coconut, and ginger along with that famous Light Blue DNA? Yep and I’m going to get plenty of use from my bottle this summer. Light Blue Sun Review

Oceanic Aqva

BVLGARI Aqva Atlantiqve Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3 Ounce– Aqva Atlantiqve is probably the best of this line from Bvlgari, some of the others aren’t that great, but this is very good. This comes across sort of like an oceanic version of Versace’s Dylan Blue.

The two are most alike at the start, when the citrus is strongest. The sea notes are there, but it isn’t overly salty, and there is of course the ambergris. Atlantiqve does a great job at evoking the depths of the ocean, while still bringing the pleasant citrus notes.

Cold Citrus and Ginger

Y Eau Fraiche– Y Eau Fraiche opens up crisp and cool, with plenty of that familiar Y aroma. Ginger, mint, and lemon really start the show. It’s cold like a drink by the pool, on a summer’s day.

The ginger and mint move aside, and then, the geranium and cedar finish things off. It’s got a finish that is closer to Y EDT and a similar style to the aforementioned Afternoon Swim.

If you’re a fan of the Y series by YSL, this is you’re option for summer. If you’re not, then, I’d stay away from this. Y Eau Fraiche Review

My Prada Pick

Prada Luna Rossa Eau Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 2.5 Ounce– I had already loved wearing the Luna Rossa fragrances, before I tried this one. However, this quickly became one of my favorites and the one I’ll wear for summer 2021.

To me, Luna Rossa Eau Sport is a lot like the former formulation of Dior Sport. Just instead of iris, you get a lavender note. Lavender with fresh citrus, that is super clean, and not too complicated.

Very refined and super easy to wear for casual to more formal occasions. Love this stuff. Luna Rossa Eau Sport Review

Into the Deep Blue

Polo Deep Blue Parfum by Ralph Lauren Parfum 1.36 oz Men– Deep Blue was released by Polo in 2020. I honestly, didn’t expect very much from it, since it’s like the 5th flanker in this series. Nonetheless, Deep Blue surprised me and it is probably my favorite out of all of them.

It features a mango note and a deep ocean accord, along with some other citrus up top. Actually, it feels somewhat related to AdG Profondo, yet remains distinctly a Polo Blue scent.

The next wave brings in the sage, cypress, and ambroxan. It’s got a dry spiciness wrapped up in that ambroxan finish. The performance here is solid in the 7-9 hour range, on my skin. It’s a versatile crowd pleaser, with an aquatic heart, that smells great in the heat. Polo Deep Blue Review

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

Voyage Sport vs Nautica Blue Comparison

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Nautica is one of the more popular brands for guys to score cheaper colognes that do offer a good smell and performance. Not all of there offerings actually achieve this outcome, but they are still worth a try usually.

Nautica Blue is one of the most popular options, behind Nautica Voyage, which has spawned yet another flanker fragrance: Voyage Sport. So, the question begs, which cologne smells better, Blue vs. Voyage Sport?

Tale of the Tape: Blue vs. Voyage Sport

Nautica Blue

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

Read my review: Nautica Blue 

Voyage Sport

Notes include: sea spray accord, citrus zest, coriander, palm leaves, green peppercorn, apple, Brazil wood, vetiver

Click here to try: NAUTICA Voyage Sport Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Voyage Sport

Opening

Nautica Blue opens up with a very sharp and sort of detergent-like aroma of bergamot and pineapple. These fruity notes are flanked by cedar and musk, which only lends itself to that laundry sort of scent. After that initial sharp wave, the cedar and sandalwood become more of a factor, and the initial intensity backs off a bit.

Voyage Sport, is a mess for the first few minutes, and it becomes quite difficult to tell exactly what is happening in the composition. Then, it sorts itself out, and I get a nice citrus zest and some coriander. These notes are surrounded by a sea spray accord, which provides a slight oceanic vibe.

Which of these has the better opening? Honestly, I don’t particularly enjoy how either kicks things off, but Voyage Sport seems better after those first two minutes and the new bottles of Blue seem really sharp.

Edge: Voyage Sport

Projection

Blue starts out as a moderate and the sillage stays at that level for 2-3 hours before becoming much lighter. Voyage Sport doesn’t really project at all, it’s slightly above a skin scent, and doesn’t have any real power.

Edge: Blue

Longevity

Blue projects itself better and can last up to 5 hours on my skin. Voyage sport will go anywhere from 2-4 and doesn’t seem very consistent in which it does.

Edge: Blue

Versatility

Both of these colognes, fulfill the same niche. They are inexpensive, geared toward younger guys, work best in warm weather, and are casual. Inexpensive starter colognes or quick ways to freshen up.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I can freely admit, that neither of these fragrances is a favorite of mine, nor are they all that great. However, in this price range neither is wholly terrible.

Voyage Sport has moments, where it is a nice wear, but it falls flat overall. I’m not crazy about how it starts and that initial spiciness, but when it dries down, there is more of a fruity/oceanic aroma that I like.

The problem is, this part is so short lived as to be near worthless. If it could muster anything, it’d probably be my pick.

Blue can be harsh at times, but it at least has passable performance. After the opening, it does feel much cleaner, soapy, and aquatic. After that it is linear, with bits of jasmine joining the pineapple and bergamot.

Yes, it smell synthetic, but it isn’t bad. Between these two? I’d go with Nautica Blue, as Voyage Sport just feels like a lazy effort from the brand.

Winner: Nautica Blue

Man Amber by Halston

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I’m winding down my reviews from the latest batch of fragrance samples I’ve received recently (although, I hope to buy some more scent to try out soon). One of the most interesting scents that I ordered seemed to be Man Amber by Halston.

I had no idea really what to expect from this cologne and reading the list of notes that were included grabbed my attention, since the looked different from many other scents. In this post, I want to give an overview on how it smells, performs, when it should be used, and if I think that Man Amber is worth a buy.

What does Halston Man Amber Smell Like?

halston man amber

Notes include: amber, geranium, bergamot, oud, musk, myrrh, oud, thyme

Click here to try: Halston Man Amber By Halston For Men Edt Spray 4.2 Oz & Eau De Toilette .25 Oz Mini

My Full Review

Update: I wrote this review many years ago and am updating it to fit the newer layout of the site. I’m pretty positive that this got discontinued a while ago.

Upon opening, it becomes very clear that Halston’s Man Amber is quite a unique scent. Just by taking a look at the notes, one can see that there is going to be something different about this cologne.

First, let me state that this fragrance has very limited use and isn’t going to appeal to everyone. The opening is a dry warmth with woody and smokey undertones. The myrrh note is quite distinct and prominent, even if it has ‘amber’ in its name.

I do enjoy scents that have amber as a note, so I was looking forward to seeing what this one was all about.

I’m not a big fan of oud scents. However, I think that it fits well in Man Amber and doesn’t distract me from the overall fragrance. To me, the wood notes give it a similar aroma to a cask, with the same smoke laden scent and added warmth and sweetness.

This is a fairly linear scent and most of what you get is myrrh, amber, and oud.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it does well, but Man Amber is on the softer side of colognes. So, a pretty moderate start, before it settles into something light.

It actually has good longevity and I got 6-8 hours out of it. That’s fairly good, but many of these types of fragrances will hit the 9+ hour range without question. This one is pretty moderate based on that metric.

To me, this is built for casual to semi formal wear in the winter. I wouldn’t wear it on a warm day and it doesn’t feel like much of a nightlife scent, in my opinion.

Overall Impressions of Man Amber

Is Halston’s Man Amber worth a buy? That depends. I think that it smells good, but it doesn’t totally fit my style or tastes. I can appreciate this fragrance for what it is, but it really doesn’t appeal to me.

However, I know that there are plenty of people who would probably love this cologne. If you’re a big fan of oud or amber, this might be a good bet for you to try out. Also, if you just want something outside the norm.

The myrrh is a wildcard, as to whether or not someone will enjoy this scent, as it is the main attraction here. Overall, it is a good performer at a really affordable price point.

Nautica Voyage vs Perry Ellis 360 Red Comparison

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In today’s cologne comparison, I want to do a head to head match up between two of the most popular inexpensive fragrance options for men, Nautica Voyage and Perry Ellis 360 Red. As usual, I want to cover how each one smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and declare a winner that will suit most guy’s in the market for one of these colognes. Please continue below to see how each of these scents stacks up.

Tale of the Tape 360 Red vs. Voyage

Nautica Voyage 

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, green leaf, amber, mimosa

NAUTICA-VOYAGE

Read my original review here

Try Nautica Voyage: Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

Perry Ellis 360 Red 

Notes include: bergamot, cinnamon, lime, orange, lavender, spices

360

My Perry Ellis 360 Red Review

Click here to try: 360 Red by Perry Ellis for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray

Opening

Nautica Voyage opens with it’s fruity/citrus and aquatic blend of notes. It’s completely summertime in a bottle. The apple note is quite prevalent and it actually takes on an orange-like aroma. With that there is the unique mimosa note and a good amount of musk.

Nautica really went with something different from the usual cheapie fare, when they released Voyage.

360 Red also brings the citrus but it is more defined with bergamot, lemon, and actual orange ingredients. 360 Red is a lot more in your face from the start and can come off kind of intense or harsh, even.

It does have a freshness about it but it is spicier and less smooth than Voyage. 360 Red is often compared to Acqua di Gio and it is a close comp. The citrus start is strong and the cinnamon spice also bubbles up.

Which is better? I prefer the unique aroma of Voyage’s start versus 360.

Edge: Voyage

Projection

Voyage is a moderate fragrance and is towards the lighter side of things. 360 Red settles down from its opening into something that is much more moderate. However, it is on the stronger side of moderate and projects better than Voyage.

Edge: 360 Red

Longevity

Voyage is no slouch in this department but it isn’t a beast either. I usually get around 7 hours of wear…not bad. 360 Red is a longevity beast, though.

It is the type of fragrance that gives all day performance, which is one of the reasons it’s such a bargain at the price. Meaning, all work day. With the last batch of this that I tried it would go anywhere from 6-9 hours.

The range is greater than Voyage, but it’ll hit a higher peak.

Edge: 360 Red

Versatility

Both of these are casual colognes that are great for office wear, school, or other places. Neither are really all that ‘sexy’ or club/date night type of scents. Seasonally, both are best worn in the warmer months and neither of them are fall/winter colognes.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Both of these fragrances are great bargain buys. 360 Red gets a lot of respect for being so similar to Acqua di Gio but with more of a spice to it. It is also a better performer than Nautica Voyage, which is why it’ll get the edge here.

Personally, if I want to wear something that smells like ADG, I’ll buy Acqua di Gio Profumo as I think that it smells the best out of all the options. There are lots of colognes that smell similar to ADG including 360 Red and Just Me by Paris Hilton .

Nautica Voyage is a very nice and linear semi aquatic fragrance for guys who want something inexpensive to wear. It is a perfectly valid option if you want to grab a bottle of that, if you don’t like the spiciness offered by 360 Red.

Again, both are cheap, so it really won’t set you back if you want to purchase both. Voyage is under $20 for a large bottle, so if cost is the only factor…go with that.

I only have a bottle of Voyage, at the moment, and won’t be buying another 360 Red because I frankly don’t need it when ADG Profumo is a better option in that category.

Winner: 360 Red