Fragrances

Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus Cologne Comparison

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Two of the more popular fragrances for men over the past few years, have been, the two that we’re going to take a closer look at today. It’s pretty common for these two colonges, to be the final scents that a man will be deciding on buying. However, when it comes down to it between: Azzaro Wanted vs. Invictus by Paco Rabanne, which of these smells the best? Has better performance? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Invictus

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Azzaro Wanted

Notes include: tonka bean, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, juniper, ginger, geranium, mint, amber wood

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Azzaro Wanted

Opening

Invictus opens up with its citrus notes, bay leaf, and ambergris. It is fruity and sweet, with a grape bubble gum sort of aroma, and sea notes giving it an aquatic sensibility. Despite its sweetness, I really do enjoy the top notes here, and its probably my favorite part of the fragrance.

Wanted opens up with lemon, ginger, mint, and woods. It actually smells quite a bit like Invictus, which is why these two, so often get compared. Wanted is similar, but is spicier and woodier, than is Invictus. Then, the tonka bean and cardamom, come in and its becomes more distinct.

Which is better? I prefer Invictus. Wanted does a solid job at mimicking the start of Invictus, but I don’t think it does as good of a job. The lemon alone, can be kind of sharp.

Edge: Invictus

Projection

Invictus has a strong sillage for a decent amount of time, after first application, before it turns into a moderate cologne. Wanted starts off fairly strong, but it never seems to eclipse Invictus. Both are moderate, but Invictus is a bit bolder.

Edge: Invictus

Longevity

Invictus has better strength, for me, and will last about 6-7 hours. However, Wanted will go 7-9 hours, while not having the same sillage. Go figure. It’s actually a very steady fragrance, not a complete monster with its strength, but sticks around well.

Edge: Wanted

Versatility

Both are pretty versatile scents. I’d say, Invictus is better in the heat, and as a nightlife scent. Wanted is more mature and fit in as an office wear better. As a steady daily wear, I’d say that Wanted has a slight edge.

Edge: Wanted

Overall Scent

I’m not a huge fan of either of these fragrances. That being said, I like each, well enough. As it dries down, Wanted has a smooth fruitiness, with tonka bean, apple, and juniper berry coming in. It’s fresh, not super spicy but has a slight bite to it.

However, I still like Invictus more than Azzaro Wanted. The opening act is better than anything that Wanted, throws at me. The dry down of amber, jasmine, and sea notes is pleasing. I feel that Invictus is just a better blend of notes, overall.

There’s parts of Wanted, where I really don’t enjoy the smell much at all. Other parts of the wear, it smells nice, but Invictus just strikes me as the better scent.

Winner: Invictus

Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

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For this entry in the men’s fragrance, head to head match ups, we have two fragrances that often get compared: Dior Sauvage EDT vs. Coach Platinum. Which of these colognes smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy? In this post, I am going to break them down by category before declaring a winner. I have already tested and reviewed each, but which perfume for him, is the greater option?

Tale of the Tape: Coach Platinum vs. Sauvage EDT

Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

Coach Platinum

Notes include: vanilla, sage, sandalwood, pineapple, leather, patchouli, black pepper, geranium, juniper berries

Click here to try: Coach New York Platinum Cologne for Men 3.3 fl.Oz Eau De Parfum Spray

My Review: Coach Platinum

Opening

Sauvage EDT opens up with a sharp bergamot note and spicy Sichuan pepper. This is quickly followed up by ambroxan and the latter emergence of lavender.

Coach Platinum begins with a great pineapple note, juniper, and black pepper. The pineapple top, burns off quickly, and more vanilla and leather come through in its place. After the pineapple moves on, its really about the juniper and spices, in the opening stages.

Which fragrance starts off better? I think I’ll lean toward Coach Platinum. The beginning of Sauvage EDT, has never really been a favorite of mine.

However, I don’t think Platinum is super great, either, just a bit better. The pineapple is gone too quickly and was a highlight of the top notes. Nonetheless, it takes this opening category.

Edge: Platinum

Projection

Sauvage starts off with a bang, before gradually becoming more moderate. It’s sillage is pretty darn strong at first, and overall, isn’t a weak fragrance.

Coach Platinum is decently strong at first, but pretty middle of the road, and its sillage stays in the 3-5 foot range. It never really gets to the level of Sauvage, though.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

With Platinum, I have been getting around 6-7 hours of wear. Sauvage has a wider range and one which goes longer. I get 6-9 hours, depending on the climate, on a particular day and what I’m doing. It does have the ability to go all day, in plenty of circumstances, and outdoes its opponent here.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

While both of these scents are pretty versatile and can be worn in almost any situation, I think that Sauvage has the edge in two ways. First, it is better in the heat, than is Platinum. Secondly, its stronger sillage, is probably better for nightclub sorts of environments. Though, Platinum is good for night wear, also. Otherwise, these are two quite well-rounded fragrances.

Edge: Sauvage (slightly)

Overall Scent

Coach Platinum is a nice scent. At times, it smells like Sauvage EDP, but more often like Luna Rossa Carbon. If you took that Prada scent, added vanilla and leather, and some different spices; you’d essentially have Coach Platinum.

Albeit, a version that I think, doesn’t smell nearly as good or as balanced. The pineapple note is great, but short-lived. The ultimate dry down of vanilla, leather, and sandalwood also works quite well. The rest of it? Is decent.

Sauvage EDT isn’t my favorite fragrance, but I like wearing more so than Coach Platinum. It has a lot of intensity up top, but the lavender and ambroxan dry down is smoother, and really pleasant. The performance is better than Platinum and already has an established track record of being pleasing.

Sauvage EDT is the winner here. However, could include other options, I’d go with: 1. Sauvage EDP  2. Luna Rossa Carbon. Then, I’d pick Sauvage EDT, and Coach Platinum as number 4.

Winner: Sauvage

Nautica Voyage vs. Voyage Heritage Comparison

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After recently purchasing a bottle of the newer release from Nautica, Voyage Heritage, I knew that I had to do a comparison with its famous predecessor. Would this one finally be the flanker scent that could compete head to head with the original?

Well, after wearing both, I am going to break it down for you. Which smells better when comparing Nautica Voyage vs. Voyage Heritage? Which lasts longer? Ultimately, which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Voyage vs. Heritage

Nautica Voyage

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, lotus, amber, mimosa, and oak moss

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 oz

Read my original review: Nautica Voyage Review

Voyage Heritage

Notes include: rosemary, peppermint, sandalwood, lavender, ginger, bergamot, vetiver

Click here to try: Nautica Voyage Heritage by Nautica

Read my original review: Voyage Heritage Review

Opening

Right from the start, these two fragrances have nothing in common, outside of the shared name. Voyage Heritage opens up with a blend of warm spices and cooler ones. It is somewhat herbal with rosemary leading the way and being paired with peppermint.

Also, a slight bergamot sits underneath. Then, after some minutes, ginger begins to take some of the strength of the rosemary away.

Voyage starts off with crisp apple, mimosa, musk, and a watery sort of aroma. It feels pretty green and the musk is too much, for my nose at times. Honestly, the start is my least favorite aspect of Voyage.

Which is better? Neither one of these colognes, starts off amazing. However, I think that I prefer Heritage, and its fresh spice versus the somewhat messy opening of Voyage.

Edge: Heritage

Projection

Both of these fragrances, start off as moderate, with their sillage. Neither is going to overwhelm the room. I will say that, Voyage, holds up much better than Heritage. Heritage gets noticeably weaker, much faster than the original.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

After testing Heritage, I get a consistent 4-6 hours of wear. With much of that time, as a close to skin scent. Meanwhile, Voyage will get me 5-7 hours, with better strength.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

These fragrances can both be worn year round, but really excel in the spring/summer months. Heritage gives you that cool and spicy fresh vibe, for the warmer weather.

They are both casual daytime wears, that can serve as daily colognes, for guys who want something subtle. No clear winner, here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, does Voyage Heritage, knock the original off of its throne? I’m going to say, no. I think that it could’ve, if the execution of this fragrance, had been better. When I originally read the notes of Heritage, I had pretty high hopes, that this one could be a new classic cheapie.

However, it just kind of falls flat. It smells nice enough, but the performance leaves much to be desire, and it feels like it’s missing something.

I said in my review of this scent, that I thought there should’ve been a stronger citrus top. I was also expecting more from the peppermint note. It’s a pretty good fragrance, that had lots of potential.

Note: You could also consider getting one of the ‘inspired by’ remixes of Voyage from the Dua Brand. Imperiale Ocean Mist, for example, takes this idea and their version of a Millesime Imperial like formula and blends them.

Voyage, is still the top draw of the Nautica line. The apple note is nice, the musk settles, and Voyage becomes much smoother as it wears on. Then, the dry woody notes come out, and Voyage really becomes a great inexpensive option for guys. It wins this match up.

Winner: Voyage

Fleur de Portofino vs Neroli Portofino Comparison

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Tom Ford has released a good number of citrus floral fragrances over the years. Two of them, will be our competitive subjects today, Neroli Portofino vs. Fleur de Portofino. They obviously have a similar name, but which one stands out more? Which gives a better performance? Which is ultimately the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Neroli Portofino

Notes include: neroli, orange flower, amber, mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon

Click here to try: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Review: Neroli Portofino

Fleur de Portofino

Notes include: bergamot, Sicilian lemon, bitter orange leaf, tangerine, violet leaf, magnolia, white acacia, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, acacia honey

Click here to try: Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz

Review: Fleur de Portofino

Opening

Neroli Portofino starts off with a blend of citrus notes, led by lemon, along with the neroli note and orange blossom. It’s aroma is upbeat and zesty with the floral ingredients providing a clean soapy quality.

Fleur de Portofino also starts with the citrus, but the blend is more of a mix of tangerine and lemon. It too feature floral notes of orange blossom and white acacia, but is joined by sweet honey, and a ‘green’ outdoorsy scent.

Which is better? I enjoy the opening of Fleur better. It has a similar citrus, with white floral notes like Neroli Portofino, but also features a nice honey note and more depth than its competitor.

Edge: Fleur

Projection

Neroli Portofino starts out as a moderate sillage perfume. It’s not super strong, but noticeable. After a while, it’s much softer, and sticks closer to the skin. Fleur de Portofino has a stronger sillage at the start, before becoming fairly moderate, in how it projects.

Edge: Fleur

Longevity

These two are pretty much the same, in terms of how long they last. I get 5-6 hours from either. Not great, but not terrible, as is fairly common with lighter citrus scents.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, these two are very similar with their uses. They are spring and summer fragrance. Perfumes that can go casual or dressy and unisex. I’d say Fleur is a tad more feminine, but both really hit the same sort of notes.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Honestly, I don’t find any of these fragrances to be amazing. However, they both are nice fragrances, that are enjoyable in the warmer weather. I enjoy the zesty citrus scent of Neroli Portofino and it has a light clean floral drydown. It is simple and fresh.

Between these Tom Ford fragrances, though? I prefer Fleur de Portofino slightly more. I like the honey note, added to the composition. The citrus and the honey keep it from becoming overly floral and creates something distinct, that Neroli Portofino, doesn’t really have.

It’s not a major edge for Fleur, in this contest, but it is a bit better than Neroli is.

Winner: Fleur de Portofino

Polo Red Extreme vs Ultra Male Comparison

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It’s been a minute since I’ve done a head to head fragrance comparison, so let’s get to it. In today’s post, I am going to be covering a contest between Ultra Male vs. Polo Red Extreme. I have worn both of these colognes many times, but which smells better? The Jean Paul Gaultier or the Ralph Lauren scent? I will break down each by different metrics, before ultimately declaring one, which I consider to be the best.

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

Polo Red Extreme

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

Read my review: Polo Red Extreme

Opening

Ultra Male kicks things off with its sweet and somewhat candy-like aroma, that is joined by the warm spiciness of cinnamon and sage. Beyond that is the pear note, vanilla, and mint; which brings a cooler sensation.

Polo Red Extreme goes in with a bold blend of blood orange, some cranberry, and coffee. It is delicious, with it’s own DNA, but just a nod to the original Polo Red by using the cranberry note.

Which is better? That’s tough. I really like how both of these fragrances start off. If I have to pick? I think I’ll give the nod to Ultra Male, as it has more depth, and its nice aroma.

Edge: Ultra Male

Projection

Ultra versus Extreme, both should have huge sillage, do they? Well, yes, both are strong colognes. Polo Red Extreme is definitely powerful, but it doesn’t have that top tier sillage. Ultra Male does, it is strong and definitely a bold scent. It has the edge.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

Here, we are are about the same. Both of these scents, usually give me around 8-9 hours of wear, each time. Both are very good with their longevity, but not elite.

Edge: Push

Versatility

The two of these fragrances are best reserved for the colder months. Ultra Male is pretty much a nightlife fragrance and isn’t going to find too much use as a daily wear. Polo Red Extreme, leans in that direction, but can actually be used casually or even at the office.

Edge: Red Extreme

Overall Scent

This is a fairly close call, as I really do enjoy both of these scents. Polo Red Extreme is the best incarnation of the Polo Red line. It’s pretty straightforward with the blood orange, coffee, and the later ebony wood base. It’s unique and offers a good performance. Plus, is slightly more versatile.

Ultra Male, is just a bit better smelling, in my opinion. It’s bold, warm, fresh, with a great sweet and spicy profile. It is an upgrade over the still very popular, Le Male. Yes, it has a limited use, but this stuff is a beast, in the winter months.

When it comes down to it, I would prefer to wear Ultra Male, a higher percentage of the time versus Polo Red Extreme. Though, I do recommend either.

Winner: Ultra Male