Fragrances

5 Colognes Similar to 1 Million Elixir

by

1 Million Elixir is one of the more recent flankers of the long running and best-selling 1 Million line from Paco Rabanne. Now, maybe you like this scent a lot, but want something a little different. Maybe you’re looking for an inexpensive alternative that smells a lot like it.

Well, I’m going to present options on this list that have a similar style or give an inspired by take on the Elixir formula.

Fragrances that smell like 1 Million Elixir

million elixir review

Inspired Option

Error 419 by Dua– This is one of the ‘Error’ scents that Dua releases, where they don’t use the designer’s name in their ‘inspired by’ formula. 419 is a mimic of 1 Million Elixir.

Basically, if you want a cheaper alternative that tries to smell as close to Elixir as possible, this is currently the best bet.

You still get the apple, davana, vanilla, etc. It’s all there and in an extrait de parfum formula. I haven’t tried this one from Dua, but I have bought probably 12+ fragrances of this sort from them in the past. The usually hit the mark extremely close.

Absolutely a Similar Style

Stronger with You Absolutely– Sweet, warmth, and vanilla are going to be the main overlaps between Absolutely and Elixir. These two are not identical, but share a lot in terms of style.

With Elixir, I get plenty of the amber note. With this Armani, it’s a mix of the resinous elemi and the ‘glaze’ of that signature chestnut note. They both have a hint of smoke at times.

This one is spicier and has a boozy rum note in there too. Sweet, the dry down is where they feel closest to one another. Absolutely is close to being my favorite of the SWY series, but that’s currently a title held by Intensely.

Again, though, they never quite match perfectly. This is one to check out if you’re a fan of Elixir, but want to switch things up. I might slightly prefer Absolutely to Elixir, but it’s more of an even contest.  Stronger Absolutely Review

Royal Relation

1 Million Royal– 1 Million, Elixir, and Le Male Airlines are fragrances that I would use to describe what 1 Million Royal smells like.

I bought a full bottle of this when it came out. The main similarities with Elixir are the amber and the sweetness. However, this one really comes out with a spiciness provided by the cardamom note, ala, Le Male Airlines.

Lighter on the vanilla. But, that benzoin, cedar, amber and general 1 Million foundation is all there. But, Royal having a split in terms of fragrance influences, it’s going to have a different smell beyond those similarities.

The back half of the wear gives you a stronger lavender influence, with a fuzzy sort of vanilla, woods, and the remaining cardamom spice.

Another one that stands separate from Elixir, but some of you might prefer this edition to our target scent. Royal Review

Victory 

Invictus Victory– Victory or Victory Elixir are two alternatives by Paco Rabanne, that you might like more than 1 Million Elixir. These do have the sweetness, but the openings of each aren’t too similar to what we’re after.

The dry down is where its at. Vanilla, tonka bean, amber, wood. Both of these Invictus flankers have a closely related middle and finishing act to 1 Million Elixir.

I’m not even much of a fan of Invictus as a line, but these two are actually really good and are colognes you’d probably be into if you like Elixir.

Personally, I think Victory Elixir is a bit better than the original Victory. Smoother with slightly better performance than its predecessor. Not a massive gap between them, but a really good option, that isn’t like the original Invictus; but is closer to this 1 Million flanker.

Another Elixir

Le Male Elixir– Probably the least like our target, out of the bunch. But, it has style elements that make me put it on the list.

Vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin are the notes most reminiscent of 1 Million Elixir. This one has a strong mint, up top, with a powerful sweetness. Warm, somewhat cloying, and intense. Honey and tobacco also have a role to play here.

Not the number 1 pick, as an alternative that smells like our target cologne, but one worth considering in the same ballpark stylistically. Possibly, Ultra Male too.

After having a full bottle of this for a while, I think that I’d lean towards having 1 Million Elixir instead. I would have said I preferred Le Male Elixir at first, but these two have diverged somewhat in my enjoyment of wearing them. Le Male Elixir Review

16 Best Men’s Colognes from the 1980s

by

The 1980s was a decade in which men’s fragrance not only got bolder, but the selection really start to expand with the market. Cologne was now starting to become more than a niche aspect of perfumery and designers really began to focus on creating memorable scents for men.

So, what are the most popular or best smelling scents from the 80s? Which stood the test of time from this decade? Here’s my list.

Favorite Men’s Fragrances from the 80s

The list is going to consist of best-sellers and what I think are some of the best smelling scents (and fragrances that land in both categories).

Here are my lists for other decades: The 1970s and 1990s

Overlooked Reinterpretation 

YSL Pour Homme Haute Concentration– When talking about 1980s colognes from Yves Saint Laurent, most people will mean the next entry on my list. However, this remix of a 1971 classic, is just overall a more enjoyable fragrance to me.

The opening is a concentrated Amalfi lemon that is quite intense with a sour quality to it. But, that will be toned down into a ‘dustier’ sort of lemon smell when the oakmoss, petitgrain, and rosemary coming through. Rosemary, is actually quite strong in the composition.

It’s citrusy, spicy, and somewhat green and herbal in the opening stages. Then, it settles down into more of a soapier fresh kind of fragrance. I really enjoy the dry down of this one.

I do hate the splash bottle that this fragrance came in. But, for a 30+ year old gift set scent (complete with ancient soap), this one still holds up and has been getting plenty of use from me. YSL Haute Concentration

Kicked off the Decade

Kouros by YSL– Really, Yves Saint Laurent had a run from 1981 to about 2005-ish, which was unreal in terms of producing classic fragrances. Just banger after banger. That run started out with the release of Kouros.

The modern version? It’s still pretty good. I have a bottle of the Fraicheur version from 1993 and it is much stronger than the current bottles of Kouros…and that was designed as a ‘lighter’ summer edition of this formula.

Much more tame and wearable for the times, while still having the charms of the original. Kouros Review

Classic Jazz

Jazz by Yves Saint Laurent– Jazz is one that has been discontinued and reinstated many times over the decades. Last I checked, it is now discontinued again. But, this late 1980s fragrance really helped to cap the decade for YSL and continued its leadership in this space.

Note: The Dua Brand has their own inspired take on this scent: The Blues.

Coriander and nutmeg kick things off as the main spices. You do also get some slight use of cinnamon and basil notes.

The spice is a nice opening act, but this one is a lavender-led cologne that is dry and has a classic barbershop sensibility.

It does become less spicy, cleaner, sweeter, and more floral. This is super versatile and a modernized take on this older style of scent. Jazz Review

Big Ego

Chanel Egoiste– Egoiste was technically released in 1990. Though, its predecessor Bois Noir was brought to market in 1987. Essentially, they’re the same thing.

Regardless of when you want to date it from, Egoiste is still an amazing fragrance, and absolutely holds up in the modern environment. This is one I wore a lot over the autumn and winter months and got plenty of complements on.

Dry and spicy up top. Coriander and cinnamon really hit hard in the beginning. A bit fruity with mandarin and a sweetness brought about by the pink Damask rose, which plays a fairly large role here.

Tobacco and rose will play plenty of support, but the woods here are the star. Sandalwood, in particular, with some rosewood and light mahogany. Seems like Egoiste will live on in perpetuity. Egoiste Review

1981 Again

Antaeus by Chanel– The other big French release of 1981. Antaeus has some mild similarities to Kouros, but really does its own thing. Leathery, masculine, rose, with an animalic quality that is present in the beginning.

The floral and cleaner notes really come through towards the tail-end of things, along with a pretty powerful musk note.

Really, this is my full recollection of testing out this scent a few years back. It’s not one that I’m super familiar with and do need to acquire it for further review.

I will say, Antaeus is one that probably needs to be tested by guys before they commit to purchasing a full bottle. It can be pretty divisive, but ultimately, I think it’s highly wearable for the right type of guy.

Woody Zino

Zino Davidoff by Zino Davidoff for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 4.2 Ounce– Another one that gets lost in the shadow if its much more popular label-mate. Zino Davidoff doesn’t get the same love as Cool Water, but it still has its place in history.

It’s a total 1980s fragrance, that provides something different from most modern releases, while note feeling out of date itself.

Masculine with enough sweetness in vanilla and floral notes. Yet, it is mainly a deep woody/patchouli fragrance that sits beautifully in the colder air of late autumn and winter.

Very well done. Smooth and not too heavy, but with enough performance to get through a standard work day.

Earthy with a dry woods, it comes together as clean, but definitely has an underlying dirtiness.

The Famous Davidoff

Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz– Ahh, Cool Water. The fragrance will probably never go away, has spun off a ton off different flankers, and continues to be a popular seller with the public.

Greenish blue opening act, with tobacco and mint really playing a major role. The tobacco feels more like an unprocessed plant, rather than pipe tobacco.

Neroli and lavender round out the start along with the feeling of an aquatic accord. Though, this is way less oceanic than you might expect.

Later, it does start to feel more aquatic. Lavender, mint, and the general aquatic accord that this one has. Minty aquatic, less of its soapy phase from the early to mid point of the wear. Still worth checking out nowadays. Cool Water Review

Mr. Giorgio

Giorgio by Giorgio Beverly Hills– Giorgio definitely comes with that old school vibe. Last time that I tried it, the fragrance was an absolute bomb on my skin for at least a couple of hours. Then, it moderated somewhat.

But, this 1984 cologne does give you something different from almost all of the newer releases. Patchouli is the centerpiece. It’s earthy and somewhat dirty in its entirety, but still well put together.

Bright with aldehydes in support, some citrus, a handful of other spices and rose heading up the floral accord. Yet, it ends up being mostly about that patchouli, moss, and a honey touch overall. Not for everyone, but it slides into a place on this list.

Early Versace

Versace L’Homme by Versace for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT Spray– Admittedly, I overlooked this 1980s classic, the first go round with this list of top Versace colognes. L’Homme really is a fantastic scent and is now available at a great price.

Beyond that, it has so much depth, and a varied character. It opens up with a bold blend of citrus notes, headlined by lemon, and supported by bergamot.

Then, it dries down with leather, a cinnamon spice, and a mix of floral/woodsy notes. It’s got a clean aroma, with the citrus and leather. But then, the patchouli and other dry earthy elements come in, and dirty things up a tad.

It ends, as a smooth and dry citrus, with an air of absolute fresh spiciness. The longevity is good and the sillage can be pretty powerful, especially in the opening half hour or so. Very masculine and not really a teenager type of fragrance, at all.

Two Diors

Eau Sauvage Extreme Intense– So, I’m going to combine two different Dior fragrances into one post.

Reason being, I haven’t tried the 1980s editions of these fragrances, and both have been reformulated but are available in these newer forms (well, one is and the other on secondary  markets).

Eau Sauvage Extreme and Jules are two from the first half of the decade, that preceded the next entry on the list.

I’m much more familiar with Eau Sauvage Extreme than Jules (which I remember trying, but don’t remember much of the smell). Extreme has a citrus, basil, and mint blend which is cool and fairly herbal early on in the wear.

Lavender and cedar come in to join the citrus as much of the initial fresh spiciness wears off. Extreme is good and supposedly pretty close to the 1980s edition.  Eau Sauvage Extreme Review

Temps Rising

Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.– Fahrenheit hit back in 1988 and it’s still going strong today, having spawned a ton of flanker fragrances based on this original formula.

As such, any 1980s list pretty much has to include it. While it’s not my personal go to, since violet leaf is one of my least favorite notes, I still appreciate this Dior scent versus many others that feature it so prominently.

Greenish, grassy, and that famed description of Fahrenheit smelling like gasoline. Sure, to some extent, but it’s overblown, and this one absolutely has a masculine refinement and great leather note.

It’s one that you have to vibe with, but for the right guy, this is signature cologne worthy. Fahrenheit Review


A Cartier Throwback

Cartier Santos De Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce– A definitively masculine scent from Cartier, which has plenty of unisex type of offerings. Spicy and woodsy with notes of amber, pepper, and sandalwood.

Santos starts off with a bit of a different tone, than what it’ll eventually settle down into. There is citrus at the top paired with juniper, along with prominent basil, and lavender. It’s got a upbeat and bright freshness to it, that invigorates.

As it dries down, there is a smoky woody aroma, led by sandalwood and the pepper/basil combo. The spice here is prevalent, but not annoyingly in your face, because it gets subdued by the trio of sandalwood/lavender/amber.

santos

Joop!

 Joop Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce– Joop! is a fragrance that is pretty polarizing, but has continued to be pretty popular since the 1980s.

For this list, I’m adding it mostly for that reason, as I’m not too much of a fan anymore…though, I still sort of like it.

Cinnamon and patchouli bomb, up top. An intense spice that fills the room, Joop will become sweeter and a masculine floral. It just has always been a loud and pretty obnoxious cologne. I would wear this back in the day and get mixed reactions from other people.

Mostly, this is going to be a cinnamon and vanilla floral perfume. Honey and sandalwood help to flank the two main notes. I’d probably still wear it on occasion, if I had a bottle nowadays. But, I’m also not in the market for one. Joop! Review

Obsess Much?

Calvin Klein Obsession For Men Cologne, .5 fl oz– Obsession is one that had a very strong presence back in the late 1980s. It is still around, but doesn’t get the same play, that it once did.

Obsession has a lovely spice to it and features notes of mandarin, sandalwood, and amber. It’s got a great cinnamon led warmth and spice, that is supported by the nutmeg.

The amber creates a sort of an envelopment around the person wearing it and this is one of the reasons, that Obsession is so good during the winter time.

This is such a rich and enticing scent, good for everyday wear, but can also pull double duty as a date night go to. There is sweet vanilla and nutmeg, which help to round out the fragrance, and create a memorable wear.

Spicy and warm, yes, but also a smoky balsamic element that peaks through at times. The classic formulation of this was amazing, but it is still holding up well today.

Obsession has a good sillage and the longevity is decent, as well. This is a fragrance that can be worn in a variety of situations and has enough maturity for guys 30+.    My Obsession review

Drakkar

Drakkar Noir– Drakkar has to be on the list. It’s funny nowadays how this cologne has become somewhat of a punchline for ‘bad’ or ‘unwearable’ fragrances, while there’s nothing inherently offensive about it.

It’s actually pretty safe, so long as you don’t bathe in it, which is true for just about every other fragrance.

Personally, I’ve always found it to be just fine. I’ve never wanted full bottle, but also don’t hate the stuff. Drakkar is a dry and darker take on the classic soapy clean cologne.

It opens up with oakmoss and lavender already out in front, taking control of the structure. You get some cinnamon spice, a light citrus accord, and leathery facets. I tend to get a good deal of mint early, as well.

As it dries down, it becomes a woodsier aroma. A bit herbal, with the leather starting to come into play quite strongly. Again, it’s not bad and I somewhat like the scent. Yet, it still remains a best-seller, so there a plenty of guys who dig it. Drakkar Review

Love and Passion

Passion for Men by Elizabeth Taylor– Been a while since I last came across this one. Not sure if it has been completely reformulated, but the old stuff was good, and the current batches are super cheap.

I remember a bold spice early on of cinnamon, that was somewhat tempered by a lavender and the emerging vanilla note. Sweetness from some light fruity notes and citrus, all on top of a woody floral base of various ingredients.

Mostly, that citrus and lavender combination in the dry down phase with touches of the remaining sweetness, spices, and woods. If it is still anything like the older bottles, it’s a steal at the $20 or so that it goes for nowadays.

Dior Homme vs Sauvage EDT Comparison

by

The House of Dior has produced a lot of amazing fragrances over the years for both men and women. Sauvage, has over the past decade, become the best selling fragrance on the market. The first men’s cologne to do so.

It has certainly been a best-seller for the company, but how does it stack up against other colognes from this brand? Today, I am going to do a comparison post of Sauvage EDT vs Dior Homme.

Which one smells better head to head? Which one is worth a purchase? Note: I am updating this post, for the newer edition of Dior Homme instead of the 2011 edition, which had been previously compared. They are quite different from one another.

Tale of the Tape

Sauvage

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Dior Homme

Notes include: bergamot, elemi, pink pepper, Haitian vetiver, Atlas cedar, musk, patchouli, cashmere, Iso E Super

Click here to try: Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men

Read my Full Review: Dior Homme (2020) Review

Opening

Sauvage starts off with a really sharp kick of bergamot, pepper, and the ambroxan note. It’s bright, upbeat, and clean.

The Sichuan pepper is pretty strong early one as is the bergamot. The citrus here is much more noticeable and in your face versus what you’ll get with its competitor here.

The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.

Meanwhile, Dior Homme,  begins with a light citrus top note of bergamot. That’s a continuation from the previous entries in the series, but that’s most of what the overlap is.

Along with that, some fresh pink pepper spice, Hatian vetiver, and a bit of a resinous quality from the elemi note.

Dior Homme is very balanced. Not too spicy, not too citrusy, just enough sweetness to prevent it from being straight up woods throughout.

Which one is better? Homme (though, I’d say Homme Intense has the best opening of the three).

Edge: Dior Homme

Projection

Dior Homme is a softer scent than is Sauvage. Though, I don’t think Sauvage is some kind of monstrous fragrance.

Homme is much more moderate and Sauvage leans more towards the strong end of the spectrum. Other editions of Sauvage really do amp up the power.

Dior Homme isn’t weak by any means. You’ll notice it throughout and get a nice scent trail going. Though, it never reaches the same level as Sauvage.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Again, if you’re talking single sprays, Sauvage wins. It’s not a crazy long-lasting fragrance but it will get you a solid 7-8 hours.

Dior Homme is usually around 6.5-8 hours with single sprays. It’s actually about the same as the 2011 edition, and sometimes, even better than I got with that.

Some other people seem to get more out of Sauvage EDT than I ever have. So, I think on balance Sauvage has the upper limit for the majority of wearers. Otherwise, it’s almost even.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

As far as the seasonal wear of each scent, Sauvage does have this ability to fit in during any season really. This newer edition of Dior Homme actually comes close to replicating that.

Dior Homme isn’t at its best in the depths of winter or height of summer. Though, it  wouldn’t be out of place entirely in either season. Mostly, autumn and spring.

Sauvage is good for casual wear, school, maybe some office wear depending on where you work. It’s good for a night out, but wouldn’t be my first pick. Although, I know I’ve smelled this on other people while walking through crowds.

Dior Homme is an awesome daily wear. It can fit in well for work, casual situations, school, dates, etc. It’s not a nightlife beast, but if you want to be low key, it’d work for that as well.

Dior Homme has the slight edge for me here, since it’s more of a well put together fragrance that can do it all.

Edge: Dior Homme

Overall Scent

Dior Homme smells better to me, hands down. I think Sauvage is pleasant to wear but it’s always struck me as a little bit boring and now there are so many clones of it coming out.

I don’t like this 2020 update as much as I enjoyed the 2011 version. Yet, I still think that it takes the cake versus Dior Sauvage. It’s simple and understated. Plus, more mature than is Sauvage.

The performance goes to Sauvage EDT. I like aspects of the aroma as well. I’ve never been too big on the opening act or the dry down, but there are moments in the heart of Sauvage that are really nice.

It’s really not a question to me, as to which one I would rather wear on a daily basis. If you’re younger, you might want to go with the more youthful Sauvage. Or, if you just want something that is energetic and stands out more.

Winner: Dior Homme

10 Best Smelling Hugo Boss Colognes

by

Hugo Boss has a long history in the fashion world. Their fragrance line has been popular for many years and produces good fragrances that can be had in the lower to moderate price ranges.

This isn’t a Creed or Bond No. 9, where you are going to be spending a few hundred dollars for a larger bottle of the stuff. Rather, Hugo Boss makes designer fragrances that are both stylish and can be worn for any situation a man may face.

There are also a ton of variants and flankers from Boss. As such, it can get confusing with the names. I’d recommend double checking as to what you’re specifically ordering, to make sure it’s the cologne that you want.

Also check out: Best Smelling Hugo Boss Perfumes for Women

My Favorite Hugo Boss Perfumes for Him

Most Popular Scent

Hugo Boss Men’s Boss No. 6 Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.
No.6 is the most popular Hugo Boss fragrance of the bunch and for very good reason. This cologne is just all around pleasant, moderately priced, and delivers a solid performance.

The apple and cinnamon notes provide a familiar sweetness and warmth from the start of the wear. If feels super clean and gourmand. Then, the vanilla note adds a layer of smoothness over the whole composition.

The dry down, adds wood notes such as sandalwood and cedar, that prevent it from going too far into the sweetness end of things and straying into a women’s fragrance.

Yes, it does have that sort of apple pie aroma, but Boss Bottled No. 6 never feels like a teenage girl’s perfume. This is a very safe to wear fragrance, that has a versatility for most every occasion.  Hugo Bottled Boss Review

The First Elixir

Boss Bottle Elixir– Every brand has had to jump on the bandwagon of naming every new release ‘Elixir’, with a supposed higher fragrance concentration than others. I will say, Boss Bottled Elixir actually delivers something worth checking out.

It’s a smoky one. Incense is the main draw, but this fragrance will also balance things out with some sweetness early on, and a great spicy accord in the heart. Vetiver, patchouli, and amber in the base.

The sillage is great, Elixir has a darker and heavier feeling than others in the Bottled series. Performance closes in on 10 hours and may surpass that mark for some people.

Better for colder weather. It also may not appeal to everyone. I personally like it, but I don’t think it fits my style very well. Still, a very interesting release from Hugo Boss nonetheless.

It is pricier than most of their other colognes, so Elixir might be one that you want to test out before grabbing a full bottle.

Best Boss The Scent Fragrance

Hugo Boss The Scent Absolute for Him Eau De Parfum, 1.6 Fl Oz– The series of fragrances under the ‘Boss The Scent’ banner have all been at least pretty good, even with each having their weaknesses.

Also, their strengths, even if most of ‘The Scent’ colognes weren’t amazing.

To me, The Scent Absolute is the best from the series overall. It gives you a closer approximation to the original, but with a spicier profile, and much better performance. It’s fresher and more linear than Private accord, which is also nice, Absolute is just a notch above.

It kicks off with the fresh spiciness of ginger, with a rich use of the signature maninka fruit. It’s fruity and warm, with a nice kick to it. Very masculine, attractive, and fairly unique even against the others in the line. Great and easy to wear. Read my Full Review

The Next The Scent

The Scent Elixir– This is a newer ‘The Scent’ release that came out in 2024. It’s as of now, my second favorite in the series. Closest to Absolute in terms of smell, also.

Here, we get a pimento spice. It’s warmer and more substantial than the ginger note found in Absolute. In terms of style, it’s very much akin to The Most Wanted. Not the same smell, but Elixir is like taking The Scent Absolute and giving it an infusion of that Azzaro vibe.

After that, it’s a sweetish blend that will become lavender dominant, with some fairly generic sandalwood in the base. What’s good here is the spice and resinous quality that comes through.

Very nice performance, but I don’t think we’re breaking very much new ground here. Again, the higher Elixir prices, may not be worth it for everyone. I still prefer The Scent Absolute to this.

Another Great Bottled

Boss Bottled Eau de Parfum– This one came out in 2020, so it’s not brand new, but it’s one that I think is enjoyable and worth a shot.

Bottled EDP features apple, bergamot, and a mix of spices up top. Now, it is pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon…but, mostly cardamom paired with the apple now. Cinnamon and pepper flanking those.

Sweet and fresh warmth, the apple note is going to be the star of this one throughout the wear. The spice will settle down and this will have a drier and muskier finish. Masculine sweet/candied kind of apple, while feeling well put together and not cheap.

The sillage isn’t all that powerful, pretty moderate, but it does seem to last pretty long on the skin. Probably best for younger guys through their 20s.

top hugo perfumes men

Nice Summer Fragrance

Hugo Boss Eau de Toilette Spray, Red, 1.3 Ounce– Hugo Red seems to be an under appreciated fragrance. Its notes include pineapple, cedar, grape fruit, amber, tonka bean, and others.

Update: This one got discontinued. Bottles are pretty scarce nowadays. Still worthwhile, if you can find it for cheap.

It also has the distinct notion of being on the lower end of the price range while simultaneously being a well performing and great smelling cologne.

Hugo Red is clean and fruity, though not overpowering, and a perfect option for casual wear.

It opens with that sparkling grapefruit note along with a juicy pineapple.  Red is interesting in that it has this cold metallic note, which while low key, helps to set it apart from many other fragrances.

It has a slightly warm spice from the pink pepper note, but this allows it to have versatility in a wide variety of climates.

Since Hugo Red does have that blanketing spice and warmth, it really shines in the spring and summer months. The performance for me, has always been good. It doesn’t last a crazy long time, but it does last plenty long for almost any purpose. My Hugo Red Review

Another Bottled Boss

BOSS Bottled Infinite Eau de Parfum – Fragrance for Men, 3.3 FL. OZ.–  Boss Bottled Infinite is a flanker fragrance to the Boss Bottled name, but takes things in a different direction.

It opens up with a fruity blend of apple and mandarin. It has a clean freshness coming from the two spices, being, cinnamon and rosemary. The spice isn’t too intense and is actually pretty well kept in check.

During its dry down Bottled Infinite, becomes woodier, has a nice dose of lavender, and the remaining mandarin orange.

Olive wood is the main wood note, with additional sandalwood. Overall, a moderate sillage, with about 7 hours of wear in my testing of it. Update: May be discontinued now. Bottled Infinite Review

Best Classic Daily Wear Boss Cologne

Hugo Boss MAN Eau de Toilette, 2.5 Fl Oz– This fragrance was released in the mid 1990s and has been chugging along in stores ever since. It starts out with a very ‘green’ freshness with a crisp mint note that is joined by a calming lavender.

The apple note is cold and juicy to go along with a nice, sharp, citric grapefruit. Hugo has a woody heart, with pine, and a spicy profile that is complemented by the aforementioned sweeter notes.

A very nice casual or everyday wear scent by Hugo Boss. It gives a solid performance and is highly versatile, being able to fit in while wearing a suit on the right day, or simply sporting the fragrance around town casually. It’s got a great balance and interesting composition.  Hugo Full Review

Boss for Cold Weather with a Floral Blend

Boss Bottled Night by Hugo Boss for Men – 3.3 Ounce EDT Spray
A very nice and seductive cologne, which is probably best served for guys in their 20s to early 30s.

Bottled Night has good sillage, draws complements, but has average to slightly above average longevity.

Boss Bottled Night isn’t a dark fragrance, as its name would suggest, instead you get a masculine floral. The composition is led by lavender and violet that is held together by a woody base.

It is on the softer airy side of the spectrum, but it has a definite warmth and unique aroma for a men’s cologne. Boss Bottled Night isn’t one for everybody, although it isn’t one that enjoys a dedicated following.  Bottled Night Review

Underrated Boss Fragrance for Men

Boss In Motion By Hugo Boss For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3 Ounces– A very interesting cologne from Hugo Boss and one that I think has gone somewhat unappreciated. Boss in Motion is a citrus laden scent and orange is the main attraction.

This juicy citrus note is countered by a series of light and warm spices including from nutmeg, pink pepper, and cinnamon. It’s also got a woody base.

Boss in Motion was released over 15 years ago, at this point in time, but it is still a solid cologne and has its own unique style.

The spice notes are never too heavy or intense but do provide a mixture of aromatic pairings which play off of that orange top note. This is a good casual scent for everyday wear, especially during a mild fall day, or at times in the early spring. Boss in Motion Review

Well, there you have it. These are the six absolute best men’s fragrances from Hugo Boss that have been released up to this point in time. The have a ton of scents and they don’t always stack up or perform well, but these cream of the crop colognes are a great place to start with the brand.

17 Best Smelling Colognes for Teenage Guys

by

When looking for the right cologne for either yourself or as a gift for another person, it is important to consider not only their own fashion sense but also their lifestyle needs. For teenage guys, most of their time will probably be spent in class or other low key functions.

Their fragrances choices should reflect their youth and shouldn’t be too bold, since they spend so much of their time in the close quarters of a classroom. So, something like Versace Eros, just won’t do.

But, we can still have some style and fun with our picks, beyond just smelling like body spray or baby powder. This page serves to present an ongoing updated list of cologne options for younger guys.

I’ve also included a few options within some of these picks, so it does technically go a bit beyond 17 selections. Holiday shopping? Also check out: The Best Perfumes for Teenage Girls

Favorite Colognes for Teenage Guys

Inexpensive but Versatile

Club de Nuit EDP– This Armaf fragrance has gained a ton of notoriety as being a cheaper dupe of the classic, Aventus by Creed. That is pretty much accurate, but they are slightly different.

However, for around $40 Club de Nuit gives you a great blend of fruity opening notes, a dry leather-like smokiness from birch wood, and some softer touches of vanilla. It’s a clean and fresh masculine cologne, that can be worn by younger guys as well.

The performance is good and it isn’t super heavy, but does have some nice power to it in that first hour or so. The EDP and EDT versions are basically the same, but I do prefer slightly the smoother opening of the eau de parfum.

Millions

1 Million Elixir– For younger guys, you can go with the well put together Elixir or the sweet and spicy Royal, from the 1 Million line.

I like Elixir a bit better, it’s still sweet early, has a great warmth and mix of vanilla and tonka bean. Elixir still manages to have a good deal of freshness to its aroma and doesn’t completely bog you down while wearing it.

Sweet, fruity, with some spice and a light floral touches from the rose note. Really good performance and a balanced cologne overall.  1 Million Elixir review

Meanwhile, Royal has a more intense and different kind of sweetness. However, that opening act features a really great cardamom spice, blended with some citrus and resinous benzoin. Both of these options are worth checking out.

An AdG Pick

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue–  Profondo is a blue-ish type of cologne (more blue-green to my nose). This is less floral than the original and less smoky than Profumo (now Parfum), making it a great option for young men.

Profondo has a deep woody character, with a smooth somewhat resinous finish. The newer AdG EDP, is also a fine choice, that’s sort of an amalgam of different colognes from the line.

To me, the aquatic elements here aren’t salt water. More like the impression of fresh water. I like this the best on the hottest days of the year. Great release. AdG Profondo Review

Le Male Options

Le Male Le Parfum– Le Parfum is the latest from JPG and I’m replacing the classic Le Male on this list in favor of it (though, that’s still great and doesn’t cost as much). This features a warm, spicy cardamom note and soft powder from the iris.

It pays homage to the original Le Male, with its use of lavender. Also, it has periods of mimicking Ultra Male, just without the extreme sillage of that nightlife fragrance. Very warm with spicy punches throughout and wrapped up in that familiar JPG vanilla note.

It’s a more mature fragrance than either of the others. Not super high-end and formal, but it does give a nice update to the classic formula. Still, suitable and useable for high school aged boys.

Update: I also like Elixir and Le Beau Le Parfum from JPG. The latter one, is probably better for daily wear versus Elixir if you want something different. Elixir can be pretty heavy.

Azzaro’s Most Wanted

Azzaro The Most Wanted Eau de Parfum Intense | Cologne for Men 1.7 fl oz– The Wanted series is one which had been getting better and better with each release. The Most Wanted is the best, in my opinion (the Parfum version is also very good).

It opens up with a cardamom note, which lends to it a nice level of spiciness. However, this particular cardamom that they used, has a lemony essence. So, you get a fruitiness with the spice.

The sweetness continues with the caramel note, with added touches of Bourbon vanilla and fresh vetiver. It is a caramel based scent with a masculine edge and balsamic additions to round things out. The Most Wanted Review

Chilly Aquatic

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– I enjoy Light Blue Eau Intense over the original Light Blue. You start off with a frozen grapefruit and mandarin orange, which gives it a chilled freshness from the jump.

Also, this one doesn’t have the same spice or aquatic note. The pepper is replaced with a great juniper and the aquatic aroma, is much closer to fresh water, than a sea note.

It’s clean with more of a unique take on the aquatic genre, than many others which give you too much of an oceanic scent.

I think that this one is much more refreshing and fun to wear, with that cold citrus really shining on a cold day. The sillage is strong and I get around 9 hours of use, on my skin, so lighter sprays may be warranted at school. Light Blue Eau Intense Review

Most Popular Inexpensive Scent for Boys

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
A sneaky great cologne from Nautica. Voyage is a very clean and fresh scent that is perfect for daytime and the warmer months.

It opens with a crisp apple and aquatic undertones that is joined by a familiar musk note. There is also a sort of melon vibe going on in the background at times.

Voyage is always a top seller, both for its refreshing aroma, and the fact that is very inexpensive. Easily one of the best ‘cheap’ fragrances on the market.

Notes include: Amber, Apple, Drenched Mimosa, Green Leaf, Cedar Wood, Water Lotus, Moss, Musk, Sailcloth Accord. Review of Nautica Voyage

Sweet and Spicy

Spicebomb Infrared at Macy’s– This is one of the better newer releases of 2021 and one of the better Spicebomb fragrances for younger men. I would also check out Spicebomb Extreme, with its awesome vanilla.

It opens with a mix of habanero, cinnamon, and red berry oils. The opening is a balancing act between the hot spices and the sweetness of the fruits.

As it moves along, the habanero will subside and be replaced by a fresh saffron.

Ultimately, you get a sweet cinnamon and tobacco blend that gives a nod to the other Spicebomb colognes, while doing its own thing. Not too heavy of a fragrance, especially when it settles down, and you get into its freshie phase. Spicebomb Infrared Review

Great Designer Cologne for Younger Men

VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce– It’s not my favorite offering from the Versace lineup, but it is a very good and youthful fragrance. It’s best worn by guys in high school through their early 20s. 

Dylan Blue kicks off with an aquatic/fruity mix of marine notes, with bergamot, and grapefruit. It’s clean and warm, but my favorite aspect of the opening, comes with the fig note. You don’t find it too often in men’s fragrances, but it is done superbly here. 

Later, Dylan Blue gets it amber and peppery notes, and becomes somewhat similar to Dior’s Sauvage EDT. This one isn’t too heavy and has a fairly solid performance. Versatile for warmer weather and/or the colder months of the year. Dylan Blue Full Review

Great Low Cost Fragrance for Teens

Guess Seductive Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A warm and smooth blend of pink pepper, amber, and orchid. It is such a unique fragrance, especially at this price point ($20-ish), and also smells great.

It is a sweet warmth with gentle hits of spice. Guess Seductive Homme is a safe bet for everyday wear and versatile enough to be worn on many occasions. Guess Seductive has a surprising amount of depth, for a scent, at this price point.

I have tried hundreds upon hundreds of fragrances over the years, and this remains, one of my favorite cheapies. Guess Seductive Homme Review

Best Sporty Masculine Fragrance

Paco Rabanne Invictus Legend for Men 3.4 oz– You could also go with the original Invictus, but this one honestly, smells better. It’s like a mid-way point between Invictus and Intense.

Invictus Legend keeps the aquatic and fruity notes, such as grapefruit, like the original but with more of the great amber note. The base notes, provide a woodsy spice, that isn’t too powerful.

Though, it provides a nice pairing with the ambery-aquatic aroma emanating from this cologne. The performance is great and can last all day. A few sprays is enough, as this can have a wide projecting sillage. Invictus Legend Review

Update: I might actually go with Invictus Victory Elixir versus Legend. I still like both of these and Legend is closer to the original Invictus (fresher and lighter). Victory Elixir is vanilla, amber, resinous, smoky. Still intense, but with a good balance.

 Daily Wear Designer Scent

Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray– Polo Black is definitely one of the best Ralph Lauren fragrances for guys. This and Polo Sport strike me as the top bets for teenagers from this designer.

It features a tropical array of mango, lemon, and tangerine draped over sandalwood and infused with tonka bean. Polo Black isn’t a dark smell, as the name might suggest, but it is a very nice moderate cologne for daily wear.

The mango with the two citrus notes is utterly outstanding, in contrast to the sandalwood and spice. Polo Black Full Review

Stronger Vibes

Stronger with You Intensely– Stronger with You Intensely is one of my favorites in the series. A bit more refined than the original and without the rum note of some of the others.

Here, you get a spicy opening of notes including pink pepper, cinnamon, and sage. This plays off of the sweetness of toffee scented like caramel early on.

Then, the back half gets warmer and smoother. Lavender with a light suede touch in the background. The spices begin to fade and warm amber with creamy vanilla join up with that remaining toffee note.

Great performance. Captivating aroma and a great balance between the softer and harsher notes. Intensely Review

Woodsy and Fresh

Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 1.7 Oz For Men

Fierce is one that was super popular back in the early 2000s and still has a lot of fans, to this day.. This A&F fragrance is famous for its recognizable aroma, that has seemingly been repeated by many other colognes since then. 

This one opens with a fresh spice, a bit of citrus, and woody notes that grow in strength during the wear. It’s clean and dry with a warm masculine air to it. Fierce is a great all around scent for teen guys. Notes include: petit grain, cardamom, lemon, orange and fir. Read my review here.

Versatile Designer Scent 

Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Fragrance Collection 3.0-oz. Eau de Toilette– Guilty is a line of fragrances from Gucci that has a long line of flanker variants. One of the best, is Guilty Black, which also happens to be an awesome cologne for teenagers.

It is a fresh, clean, and versatile fragrance. The opening act is led by both neroli and orange flower. However, the blend is so balanced that it can actually be difficult to pick out the individual notes. But, Black is green and has a slight citrus aroma to it.

Later, lavender, coriander spice, and woodsy notes complete the scent. Guilty Black is an easy to wear crowd pleaser, that can fit in a variety of climates and situations. Guilty Black Review 

A Newer Code

Code Parfum by Giorgio Armani– This is another entry from Armani and one of the better flanker updates to the classic Armani release.

Code Parfum starts with the usually bergamot note, paired with sage and iris. The bergamot is sparkling and this one has a great opening freshness to it. It’s sort of bright and aldehydic with the way the iris is worked into things.

There is some powderiness, not too much, and not as much as you’d think with both iris and tonka bean coming through. Those two notes are heavily featured in the dry down along with the remaining citrus and a crisp cedar.

It’s a clean daily wear that can fit in a wide variety of situations. Code Parfum is going to be one of those workhorse fragrances, that you can spray on pretty much whenever, but it has plenty of style. Code Parfum review

Inexpensive Daily Wear for Boys

Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men – 4.2 Ounce Cologne Spray
Curve is a wildly popular fragrance for men because it smells so great, even after a few decades of being for sale. It’s not a heavy or any overpowering scent but one that is fresh and memorable.

People always react positively to this one it seems, as Curve’s unique blend of notes, just draws people in. For an inexpensive cologne, this is a complement machine.

There are fruity elements such as pineapple, citrus, and juniper berries which play off a calm and clean lavender note. It is super fresh with a slight spice provided by pepper and ginger.

However, the outdoorsy elements really set this Liz Claiborne creation apart. It’s got a floral charm while being masculine and uses mahogany and cactus as a part of its base. An almost perfect choice for the younger guy.

curve