Fragrances

Versace Man Eau Fraiche vs Bvlgari Aqva

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In today’s cologne comparison, I am going to take a closer look at two summertime wears, Bvlgari Aqva and Versace Man Eau Fraiche. Which of these popular fragrances smells better? Which performs for a longer amount of time? What is the better buy between the two?

Tale of the Tape: Eau Fraiche vs. Aqva

Bvlgari Aqva

Notes include: mandarin, seaweed, cedar, orange, lavender, petitgrain

Click here to try Aqva: Aqua By Bvlgari Eau De Toilette Spray For Men 3.4 oz

Read my Full Review: Bvlgari Aqva

Versace Man Eau Fraiche

Notes include: Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Cedar leaves, Tarragon, Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore

Click here to try: Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 Oz

Read my Full Review: Man Eau Fraiche

Opening

The opening of Bvlgari Aqva consists of seaweed, cedar, and orange citrus notes. This is where the citrus is most prominent in this cologne and it is quite an interesting blend with the sea weed.

It’s unique while also still being wearable for the average person. It’s not too challenging or niche to put off most who will try this fragrance.

Eau Fraiche on the other hand is a cold blast of lemon citrus, that hits immediately with an absolutely fresh and bright aroma. Along with that is the carambola (star fruit), that blends well with that typical Versace lemon note.

Underneath all of that, are the herbal notes and the super freshness of the woods, which will grow in strength later on.

Which is better? I think the Versace is more appealing. Aqva is interesting but that cold lemon of Versace is really crisp and just smells better to me. Plus, I really love star fruit.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Projection

Aqva starts off pretty strong for about 10-15 minutes and then turns into more of a skin scent. However, it does linger around and has moments of intensity through the wear, it’s sort of unique in that way.

Still, it’s not a powerful scent for an overwhelming majority of the wear.

Eau Fraiche is a moderate but is consistently stronger than Aqva. Aqva is stronger at first but Eau Fraiche maintains its course.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Longevity

Neither one of these is a beast in terms of how long that it lasts. Aqva gives me about 5 hours of wear.

Eau Fraiche is a 6-7 hour wear. The Bvlgari has never been a good performer for me, whenever I’ve worn it in the past.

Eau Fraiche has the better performance between the two, longer lasting and stronger for the duration. It’s still not amazing, but serviceable for a summertime wear.

Edge: Eau Fraiche

Versatility

Both of theses scents are warmer weather colognes and to me, should be worn during this time, and not stray to far from that. Both are clean and casual scents. Eau Fraiche is probably a bit better for dates, but I wouldn’t say that it is explicitly used for those purposes.

There doesn’t seem to be a real leader in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Honestly, neither of these fragrances are among my favorites to wear. I like both of them but don’t really love either. If I have to choose between the two, I’m reaching for Versace Man Eau Fraiche a lot more often than Aqva.

Aqva is a cool enough scent. It’s got such an oceanic vibe with the sea weed and sea water saltiness, which depending on who you are, might just be right up your alley. I like it’s fresh summery feel and how smooth it is.

There were a few others in the series that were better than the original version. It’s worth trying out, if it sounds interesting to you.

Eau Fraiche has that initial blast of lemon but then shifts to something a bit spicier and woodier as it dries down. The cedar and the herbal spices give it a more defined and enjoyable character.

The longevity is better and I think it is just a more pleasant cologne to wear, in my opinion.

Winner: Versace Man Eau Fraiche

Le Male Elixir Absolu by JPG

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Elixir Absolu is the latest release in 2025 of the long-running Le Male series by Gaultier. It is also a flanker to the massively successful flanker, Le Male Elixir.

I bought a bottle of Le Male Elixir Absolu to test it out and do a full review of the results. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it even worth a try?

Elixir Absolu Overview

Notes include: lavender, tonka bean, plum

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir Absolu

My Full Review

Here’s how Gaultier describes this fragrance: Radiating a golden aura, everything in his wake is turned into gold. This new Male — and the most precious of all — keeps the signature fragrance notes of the iconic Le Male Elixir but is intensely richer. Fruity notes of spicy, sensual plum develop into lavender and tonka bean, taking sensuality to the extreme. But be warned! This Le Male will soon become an obsession.

Elixir Absolu opens up different yet familiar to the original JPG Le Male Elixir. It doesn’t have the cooling the mint note. Instead you get a good deal of that lavender, with some warmer spice, and a new addition of a sweet plum.

To me, the plum actually isn’t too heavy in the start. It’s much less of a tart note and sweeter than I thought it would be.

I’m not sure what the spice here is. It kind of smells like cumin mixed up with a bit of cinnamon. The plum can have a bit of a spicy sort of aroma too, but I personally get cumin.

Lavender is the focus with Le Male Elixir Absolu. It’s interesting that I get the sensation of iris lurking around in this mix. I haven’t seen anything from Gaultier about this.

So, it could just be an effect of the lavender, tonka bean, and the velvety touches of the plum note blending together to cause that.

Anyway, the opening still feels messy to me, even after about 2 weeks of wearing this one around. It doesn’t have that honeyed heaviness, while you can still pick up the scent of the first Elixir underneath our main attractions.

Still, it’s an okay start, just not really something that I’ve liked.

Once that warmer and slight spiciness moves away, Le Male Elixir Absolu really comes into its own. The plum becomes more apparent on my skin. It sits gently on top of the lavender note, never being too heavy, while still being captivating.

This doesn’t feel too complicated. It’s middle act is the lavender and plum with that iris sort of smell coming through.

Then, the dry down will have more tonka bean and the background of the original still coming through. Mostly, the vanilla seems to be here. So, it’s a fruity sweet lavender floral fragrance with a mix of powdery and creamy highlights.

Still similar to the original, but I think the differences are very noticeable and are placed front and center here.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one isn’t as heavy feeling or cloying as the first Elixir can be. However, its ability to project is unchanged. Still a beast that doesn’t require a massive amount of spraying in order to be potent.

I always catch whiffs of its scent throughout the day until it has finally faded or I’ve washed it all off.

The longevity here is also still the same as with the first Elixir. I still get 9-10.5 hours of wear with this version of the juice.

The performance doesn’t have any issues, as with the rest of the Le Male lineup. Powerful and long-lasting for a designer cologne.

Seasonally, this is still mostly an autumn and wintertime wear. However, I think it’s still nice in the milder temperatures. So, it can venture into springtime more so than its predecessor.

Still, this isn’t one that you’re going to be reaching for during the summer months, unless it’s a cooler evening.

Elixir Abolu is a fragrance that is still going to skew younger. It’s more of a casual or nightlife sort of cologne versus something that you’d wear to the office.

Not completely juvenile, especially once it gets past the opening, but is still going to worn mostly by men in their 20s and younger.

Overall Impressions of Le Male Elixir Absolu

Overall, do I like Elixir Absolu? Yes, I think it is a better fragrance than the original Elixir and one that I have been enjoying wearing thus far.

The opening is my least favorite part of the whole thing. However, once it settles down and I get this sweet mix of light plum, lavender, and the tonka bean I really do like wearing this fragrance.

I wasn’t expecting that dry down, after a slow start, but this JPG fragrance surprised me. The performance is still the same as the first Elixir release. As such, choosing between the two really just comes down to which smell you prefer.

I think this is a better fragrance. The original has a heavy use of honey which feels much more cloying than anything that is presented here. The plum also isn’t insanely strong or even tart, it parks itself nicely in the mix and gives it a real boost.

If you already have the first Le Male Elixir, you probably don’t need both. I would still test this one out, to see if you like the changes. That being said, you shouldn’t rush out and buy this.

It’s distinct enough, but obviously still covers a lot of the same bases.

If you don’t have either and want a Le Male Elixir scent, I would pick up Elixir Absolu. I might end up finishing this bottle before my bottle of Elixir that I purchased back when it came out.

Le Beau Le Parfum vs Paradise Garden

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Le Beau is a series that has really been gaining popularity and sales numbers for Gaultier over the past few years. Le Beau Le Parfum is a flanker that is well liked and has more to do with the original Le Beau EDT.

Meanwhile, Paradise Garden changes up a lot of the formula, while retaining that coconut note from EDT and Le Parfum.

But, which of these fragrances has the best smell? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Le Beau Le Parfum vs. Le Beau Paradise Garden

Le Beau Le Parfum

Notes include: ginger, pineapple, sandalwood, ambergris, iris, cypress, coconut, tonka bean, woods

Click here to try: Le Beau Parfum

Read my full review: Le Parfum

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 Le Parfum, starts with a really tropical aroma with the pineapple coming out of the gate strong and the coconut sitting just underneath.

It’s a sweet juice, creamy and with an touch of spiciness from the ginger note. The ginger is a great note which adds some depth in the early stage, to prevent it from becoming an overly sweet mess.

The ginger will fall away and the pineapple will lose its prominence at the top. Coconut, tonka bean, amber, and a general set of woods will dry this one up and take away the juiciness of that tropical vibe, at least.

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.

Which do I like more?

It’s close. Though, I have been really gravitating toward Paradise Garden and what I get from it at the start. That fig and coconut water really set the tone and I’ll roll with it in this category.

Edge: Paradise Garden

Projection

Le Beau Le Parfum does start off with a good deal of power. It can project itself well and has a heavier wear than does its competitor.

Even after that first hour or so it’s still well above average with its reach.

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

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

Between them, Le Parfum takes this category as the stronger cologne.

Edge: Le Parfum

Longevity

Le Beau Le Parfum will hang around for 9-10 hours consistently. Not an elite performer, but it’s among the better of the mainstream designer fragrances.

With Paradise Garden, I get about 8 hours of wear. It lasts surprisingly long on my skin for the type of cologne that this is. Really, quite pleased with the performance of this one.

Le Parfum takes this, it’s as of now the best performing release in the JPG Le Beau series.

Edge: Le Parfum

Versatility

Both of these colognes are spring and summer wears, mostly. Le Parfum has a better ability to venture into the autumn months, while Paradise Garden is mostly in that laid back summer cologne category.

Neither of these is a formal kind of cologne. Casual and will appeal more to younger guys, as you’re probably not sporting either of them at the office.

I’d give edge to Le Parfum, as it’ll work better as a daily wear for younger guys, a nighttime wear and that extra time in the autumn helps to separate it.

Edge: Le Parfum

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Jean Paul Gaultier colognes do I prefer?

I like how Le Beau Le Parfum starts off, the performance is great, and I think that it’s a fine scent all around.

The dry down is woodier and has some extra amber influence. I’m not really thrilled with the latter stages of the wear. It’s a good fragrance, but never reaches that higher level for me.

I prefer Le Beau Paradise Garden and I think that it is the better JPG scent in comparison.

It has a good balance, solid performance, a lovely tropical aroma, and is just a very pleasant scent to wear around. I have been really enjoying wearing my full bottle thus far.

With Le Parfum, I like it, but I don’t want a bottle of it. Though, it might work better for some guys versus Paradise Garden, it’s not a better smelling cologne.

The performance isn’t too much of an advantage between them, so, it doesn’t really offer me anything beyond what I get with Paradise Garden.

Winner: Le Beau Paradise Garden

Angels’ Share vs. Paradis by Kilian

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Angels’ Share has become one of the most popular fragrances in the world since Kilian released it. Now, they follow it up with a proper flanker perfume, Angels’ Share Paradis.

I recently bought a decant of Paradis and have been testing it out. How do these two perfumes compare? Which lasts longer? Which Kilian Angels’ Share is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Angels’ Share vs. Angels’ Share Paradis

Angels’ Share

Notes include: cognac, tonka bean, oak wood, cinnamon, praline, vanilla, sandalwood

Click here to try: Angels’ Share at Sephora

Read my review: Angels’ Share by Kilian

Angels’ Share Paradis

Notes include: raspberry liquor, cognac, praline, tonka bean, Bulgarian rose, moss, oak, sandalwood

Click here to try: Paradis

Opening

Angels’ Share starts of with its signature cognac, oak, and its tonka bean note. The cognac has an apple-like sweetness to it, which is fantastic.

The sweetness is enhanced by the inclusion of vanilla and praline. Which all plays well off of the spicy punch of the cinnamon note.

It’s a great mix of boozy, sweet, and spicy. Very warm with its aroma and has a baked good sort of undercurrent to the cognac-led mix.

Paradis opens up with a seemingly even boozier profile than the original and with a prominent raspberry note replacing the cinnamon and the apple sort of aroma that Angels’ Share brings to the table or at least most of it.

Also, it’s got some oakmoss hanging around early on, adding a slight freshness to the mix.

To me, the opening smells of Paradis like the latter stages of the original but with raspberry and some moss. The tonka bean note seems amped up versus what I get from my bottle of Angels’ Share.

But, other than that, these two are still quite similar. There are periods where Paradis seems even sweeter to my nose versus the original.

Which is better?

While I like what Paradis is bringing to the table, the original’s cinnamon spice and warm apple-like aroma is preferable to me versus the raspberry liquor and moss additions.

Edge: Angels’ Share

Projection

Both of these have a strong projecting start without being too heavy. Then, each of these Kilian perfumes will moderate, while still be noticeable throughout.

After having worn Paradis a few more times, I really don’t notice a difference between it and the original in terms of performance.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With Angels’ Share, I get 9-13 hours of wear on my skin. It’s not a complete powerhouse throughout, but I for sure get a good and long time with this Kilian perfume whenever I wear it.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Another place where they each occupy the same level. Both of these are still built for autumn and wintertime.

Even though, Paradis is it bit fresher with how it comes across, at times, it doesn’t lighten things enough for it to be a wear into the hotter months.

Each of these are also unisex fragrances, that lean more towards being traditionally feminine with how they can come across.

They’re mass appealing boozy fragrances. Neither has a leg up here.

Edge: Push

angels review

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these do I prefer?

These are two perfumes with a ton of overlap, as you might expect. But, some brands do like to create flankers that are wildly different. These, are somewhat different.

Praline, tonka bean, oak, cognac, and sandalwood are all the common notes here. The weightings are different namely the cognac being joined by raspberry liquor, the increase in tonka bean, and the moss and light Bulgarian Rose in the middle to dry down period.

With Angels’ Share Paradis, the introduction of the raspberry liquor note is enjoyable. Maybe not quite as good as I was hoping that it’d be before trying it out. However, I do like this perfume.

The spiciness of the cinnamon isn’t there, which I really like in the original. The oakmoss and rose do give it some distinct development, but those aren’t my favorite notes and so I’m not overwhelmed with the result.

Still, I’m going with the original. I just like the fragrance more, it’s cheaper, and I don’t think there’s enough distinction here for me to own both.

If you want a formula that’s a tad more focused without the same apple pie opening, you like the slight freshness in the middle and a good amount of oak in the dry down; you might consider Paradis.

It’s one that I’d try to test out before paying that price, but I don’t think you’d be too disappointed if you liked the original. Though, you may not really see a need for it either.

Winner: Angels’ Share

Le Male Elixir vs Absolu

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Le Male Elixir has been a smashing success for JPG since its release a few years ago. Now, in 2025, they’ve brought to market a flanker cologne of that flanker: Le Male Elixir Absolu. I bought a bottle of Absolu and have been testing it out and comparing it to my bottle of Elixir.

Which Gaultier fragrance smells better? Which of these scents lasts longer? Between them, which is the best to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Le Male Elixir vs Absolu

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

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir

Read my full review: Elixir

Elixir Absolu

Notes include: lavender, tonka bean, plum

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir Absolu

Opening

Elixir begins with its mint note out in front, giving it a cooling and fresh spiciness. This is joined by the usual Le Male lavender note, that’s not as much of a stand out in the opening act.

The other major factor early is going to be from the tonka bean. Elixir also has a vanilla note, it just gets stronger as the wear moves forward. Tonka is sweet and syrupy when paired with the honey note and the fuzziness of the benzoin.

Elixir Absolu ditches the mint note. Instead you get a good deal of that lavender, with some warmer spice, and a new addition of plum. To me, the plum actually isn’t too heavy in the start. It’s also less of a tart note and sweeter than I thought it would be.

I’m not sure what the spice here is. It kind of smells like cumin mixed up with a bit of cinnamon.

Lavender is a stronger focus with Le Male Elixir Absolu. There might be some iris in here or it’s just how the lavender and tonka bean are coming across.

Which is better? The opening act of Absolu isn’t particularly interesting to me. I like it somewhat, but I still think that Elixir does a better job. It’s much bolder with its notes, but it works better to me.

Edge: Elixir

Projection

So, in terms of how each of these projects. They are both absolute beasts with their reach. At least for mainstream designer scents. My older bottle of Ultra Male still goes even further, but these are a notch below that.

Elixir feels like the heavier and more cloying scent, with its prominent honey and tobacco notes. But, as far as how each projects, there’s no difference that I can tell.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Le Male Elixir was always a very good performer with how long it lasts. It will keep going on for between 9-10.5 hours, on my skin.

How does Elixir Absolu stack up? While it doesn’t surpass the original Elixir, it once again matches it, 9-10.5 hours.

The scent itself has changed, but they both are stick around for the long haul. No real difference here.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Here, I think the newer release has a slight edge. It’s not as thick and heavy as Elixir can feel at times, way less ability to be completely cloying.

Again, it still projects well, but I think Absolu can venture a bit further into springtime than its predecessor. Still, both of these are good for autumn and winter, just Absolu holds up better when it’s somewhat warm out.

Still, wouldn’t wear this in the high heat, though.

Both of these still skew younger, but Absolu doesn’t have that same level of heavy syrup and loud sweetness that Elixir can feel like. So, it can probably be worn by a wider range of guys.

Still, these are both more casual fragrances rather than either being a formal or office wear kind of cologne. I do think Absolu takes this category, though.

Edge: Elixir Absolu

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these Elixir fragrances do I prefer? I don’t think either of these is a perfect scent, but the new Elixir Absolu has won me over thus far.

The dry down is where I really start to enjoy Absolu, it’s mix of light plum, tonka bean, vanilla, lavender, and maybe some iris?

The opening favors the original. Absolu isn’t that great at the start, but I do think the middle and later stages really knock it out of the park. There’s just something in the beginning that’s not clicking for me.

Now, you can also tell that it’s much like the original Elixir, just that honey/benzoin/tobacco combination are toned way down or like the mint note, not really existent.

The plum is also well blended into the mix. I was worried it be a super potent and tart note like in 1 Million Lucky, but it’s not at all. This is a sweet floral cologne with fruity highlights.

Elixir Absolu isn’t a complete overhaul of Le Male Elixir, but it creates enough separation between these two to not only be different, but better.

With Elixir, I enjoyed it when it came out and still like it, but have lost some interest in wearing it. There are times when the sweetness is too much, too thick with that honey note. I think JPG came through with a nice remix of the formulation.

The opening act of Absolu, isn’t my favorite. Still kind of a mess. Some kind of warm spice in there, taking the mint’s place. Smells like cumin to me.

But, if I had to buy only one of them, I’d get the newer release. If you already own the first one, try this Elixir Absolu out, when you can. But, I don’t think it’s a situation where you’d need or want both.

Winner: Le Male Elixir Absolu