Fragrances

Invictus Victory vs. Elixir Comparison

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Invictus as a series keeps rolling along. Now, the flankers are getting their own flankers, and have little to do with the original scent. Invictus Victory is one that has been popular over the past few years, and they’ve put out its flanker, Victory Elixir. I’ve tested and reviewed both of these colognes, but which one smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Invictus Victory vs. Elixir

Invictus Victory

Notes include: pink pepper, lemon, vanilla, amber, tonka bean, olibanum, and lavender

Click here to try: Invictus Victory

My Full Review: Invictus Victory

invictus victory review

Invictus Victory Elixir

Notes include: cardamom, black pepper, bergamot oil, lavender, incense, patchouli, vanilla, amber, and tonka bean

Click here to try: Elixir

My Full Review: Victory Elixir

Opening

Invictus Victory starts out really reminding me of the Pure XS line that Paco Rabanne had put out a handful of years before this. Victory has a lemon note up top, with pink pepper, and a dose of incense.

Sort of smoky, but not overwhelmingly so. Up top, it’s a bit of that lemon with a spiciness and smokiness. As it moves on, Victory will become more about the vanilla and amber notes.

Meanwhile, Elixir starts with a more immediate use of the vanilla and amber. The amber is more powerful here, with a distinct resinous quality to it. Pink pepper has been replaced by a spice mix of black pepper and cardamom.

What’s interesting about Elixir is that it gets sweeter, after a few minutes. It gets more of a tonka bean influence and the impression of coconut. Now, it doesn’t actually have coconut, but it does smell a good deal like it.

Which is better?

I really enjoy both opening acts here. The hint of lemon in Victory is one of my favorite aspects, but it is too short-lived.

With Elixir, it’s a bit more complex early on and the best parts seem to stick around longer. I’ll give it the opening.

Edge: Elixir

Projection

Both of these are above average with the projection and have the ability to leave a scent trail in your wake. Neither are super heavy feeling, but the performance is there.

While Invictus Victory is above average, it wasn’t massive projector when I tested it out. It has a very strong burst at the opening. Then, it becomes rather moderate for the rest of the way.

Victory Elixir is quite powerful. I’m sure it’ll be even better with a full bottle. This one leaps off of the skin and stays at a high level for most of the wear. Pretty much a beast.

Elixir takes this category.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

Both of these fragrances don’t disappoint when it comes to how long they last. But, there is a clear winner between them.

With Victory, I got in the 8-9 hour range with it during testing. Not amazing, but well above average.

Elixir, was in the 9-11 hour range. It might actually be able to go beyond the higher end of that range for the right person, with a full sized sprayer.

Both Invictus Victory releases have good performances, however.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

These two are about the same in their use case. Both are best in autumn and winter. Both are suited more towards younger men. Both are attractive fragrances that will get plenty of play in the nightlife.

No real distinction.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I prefer?

Honestly, if I’m just going off the smell of each alone, it’s basically a tie. Two of the best releases from the Invictus line.

The opening and transition into the middle, is when they are most distinct from one another. I slightly prefer Elixir during that stage of the wear. Not a huge gap, but if I have to choose, I’ll roll with it.

But, the performance and slightly more unique formula gives Elixir the nod. It’s a lot stronger and gives you a few more hours of wear. Yes, that coconut-like aroma gives it shades of Le Beau Le Parfum, but I think this Invictus is better.

If you liked the original Victory, you’ll almost certainly like Elixir too. Doesn’t mean that you need both, though.

Winner: Elixir

Bleu de Chanel Parfum vs. Dior Sauvage EDP

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In this entry of the men’s fragrance comparisons, we are going to take a closer look at two very popular fragrance names: Bleu de Chanel vs. Sauvage. Naturally, each of these fragrances has three flanker scents, two of which I am going to compare today. I selected Sauvage EDP, as I think that it is the best of the Sauvage lineup.

If you want Sauvage Parfum, there is my review, of that scent. How does Sauvage EDP compare versus Bleu de Chanel Parfum? Which has the better performance? Which smells better? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Sauvage EDP

Notes include: nutmeg, bergamot, ambroxan, vanilla absolute, lavender, Sichuan pepper, anise

Click here to try: Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml

Read my original review: Sauvage EDP

Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Notes include: sandalwood, cedar, lemon, lavender, mint, bergamot, tonka bean, amber, geranium

Click here to try: BLEU DE C H A N E L PARFUM, 3.4 oz./ 100 mL

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Opening

Bleu de Chanel Parfum opens up with the usual BdC citrus notes: lemon, bergamot, and lime. However, in this version, the citrus isn’t as sharp and is tempered by the woody notes.

The wood notes of sandalwood and cedar, are ever present during the wear, but the opening also has a fresh mint note. A bit later, the lavender starts to emerge. It’s citrus, fresh, woody, and a bit herbal.

It’s very similar to the others in the series, just with a different weighting of the ingredients and more woodiness.

Sauvage EDP comes with the usual ambroxan note, a smoky vanilla note, and lavender. It’s warm, clean, and has a lot less of the lavender than the original Sauvage. The bergamot, up top is lighter, and then you get spicy pepper later on in the wear.

But, that Sichuan pepper will share duties with both anise and nutmeg, which allows it to come across less harsh and more balanced than EDT.

Which is better? I really enjoy both of them and how they start off, for different reasons. In the end, I think I prefer the Chanel fragrance, a bit more. I love its depth and complexity. It is refined and smells really nice, up top.

Edge: BdC Parfum 

Projection

Bleu de Chanel Parfum starts off with a pretty strong sillage, in the opening act. Then, it tempers down, by quite a bit. It’s noticeable but not super powerful from far away.

When it transitions to its more woody phase, that’s when it doesn’t leave the same scent trail or project off of the skin to the same extent.

Overall, Parfum is pretty moderate once that initial citrus blast has faded away a bit.

Sauvage EDP is a beast. For me, it is a complete powerhouse, and easily outdoes the sillage of Bleu. It definitely has a greater strength than the original Sauvage, also.

Not only that, it sustains itself at a higher level for longer before it actually moderates. The Sauvage uses heavier notes, so it’s not really too much of a surprise that it takes this category.

Edge: Sauvage EDP

Longevity

When it comes to performance, neither of these fragrances, will let you down. Both of them, will go for over 10 hours, on my skin.

Yes, Sauvage is more powerful, but the length of time worn overall is equal with Bleu. Sauvage EDP might have a slight edge here, as I can sometimes get more wear out of it, but I’m going to call this a tie.

Parfum is lighter than Sauvage EDP, but it sticks around well.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Again, these two are on about the same wavelength, in terms of when they can be worn. I’d probably avoid each, on the absolute hottest days of summer, but they are good at other times. Maybe the citrus of the Chanel gives it a slightly better use case in the warmer months.

Both of them, are best in the autumn/winter. They can be worn at the office, casually, or for a night out. No trouble with either.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

For me, this is a pretty close call. I don’t think the original Sauvage EDT, can stand up to the Bleu lineup, but the EDP has that ability. Dior took what was great about Sauvage and made it better, and also, took away the more unpleasant aspects of it.

I love the ambroxan and vanilla. The smokiness and the emergence of the more varied spice, in the EDP, as it’s no longer just about Sichuan pepper. You also get anise and nutmeg. The performance is also enhanced and is outstanding, overall.

If I had to choose between these two, I would ultimately pick Bleu de Chanel Parfum. It is refined, smooth, and the sandalwood note is utterly perfect.

Parfum is warm, deep, and dark. You get a great blend of wood, with a zesty citrus profile. It’s dry, fresh, with an herbal/mint aroma up top. Not as strong as Sauvage, but a bit better.

Bleu Parfum is a more low key fragrance to wear, overall. As such, if you want something with some boldness and that Sauvage style of fragrance, go with that. I still think it’s a really good choice.

Honestly, if I had to rank Sauvage and Bleu de Chanel fragrances, my top 3 is: 1. BdC EDP 2. BdC Parfum 3. Sauvage EDP.

So, I’d actually go with Bleu de Chanel EDP, which is similar enough to Parfum. However, you get more of the citrus notes. But, in this head to head, the winner is Parfum.

You might consider getting the Chanel and one of the attempted dupes of Dior Sauvage for cheap. That way, two bottles for not that much more than one. I don’t think any of the attempted knockoffs of Bleu de Chanel have really nailed the essence of Parfum, as of yet.

Winner: Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Drakkar Essence by Guy Laroche

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Keeping up with my recent burst of fragrance reviews, it is time to turn my attention to an offering from Guy Laroche. I saw a bottle of this while shopping in Target and noticed Cam Newton on the cardboard display (update: this original review was back when Target still sold fragrances).

I’m not that big a fan of Drakkar Noir (just a personal taste…many people love it), although I appreciate its impact in the fragrance world and how big it was in the 1980s.

It just never excited me all that much. However, I figured that I’d give Drakkar Essence a try and see if I liked it. How does Essence stack up? Is it worth a purchase?

What does Drakkar Essence Smell Like?

Notes include: mint, musk, lavender, grapefruit, tonka bean, woods

Click here to try: Guy Laroche Drakkar Essence Eau de Toilette Splash, 3.4 Ounce 

My Full Review

It’s kind of funny that I tried out Drakkar Essence at about the same time that I tested out The Essence by David Beckham. Not only did these two scents share the same name but also lavender and grapefruit are ingredients in both.

So, even before I knew the contents of Drakkar, I was struck by how much both of these colognes resemble one another. The difference comes in where the Beckham scent is more citrus/aquatic, Drakkar Essence is kept warm and mildly spicy by the musk and mint, though still retaining an aquatic feel.

I actually don’t detect that much of a mint influence, it’s definitely there, but I get mostly the grapefruit and musk notes. I do like this cologne, even if it isn’t terribly unique or anything.

The opening does seem to stray more toward the grapefruit end of things, with that mint and sage freshness, sitting underneath that.

Another fragrance, I’ll have to talk about in regards to Essence, is Drakkar Noir. This new release has very little do to with the 1980s classic from Guy Laroche. Lavender, mint, and wood is about it. They don’t smell alike in the slightest, though.

Essence is completely enjoyable after a few minutes when it has had some time to settle on the skin.  It becomes a smooth and fresh scent highlighted by the emergence of the lavender note to go along the other aforementioned notes.

In the end, the mint begins to peak out a bit more, lavender and musk flank it, and there is the remnants of the citrus. Not very complex. Smooth and spicier in the dry down.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it starts off rather strong before settling into a moderate fragrance. I got pretty good longevity out of Drakkar Essence also. I took a shower and scrubbed with body wash and could still pick some up on my skin. So yeah, no problems there.

Coming back to this scent for a second time, I found that it lasted on my skin for about 7 hours. That’s good enough, for most wears. Not a total workhorse, but very serviceable.

Seasonally, this will absolutely work anytime. I will give it lots of points for its versatility. It holds up well in the warmer weather and doesn’t feel out of place in the wintertime.

Drakkar Essence can be used as a daily wear or even a subtle nighttime fragrance. It’s simplicity and low key vibe, make it an ideal choice for an all-around type of cologne. It’s by no means amazing, but its usefulness and performance are indeed, its strengths.

Overall Impression of Drakkar Essence

Overall, is Essence worth a purchase? I like it. It’s pleasant. However, it doesn’t really stand out to me. I guess it’s a buy because it is a nice fragrance and not very expensive. Drakkar Essence isn’t a scent which will blow you away but it is quite serviceable and sometimes that’s all you need.

The grapefruit, musk, and minty opening is solid. I actually like the latter stages with the lavender, mint, and musk coming through more.

This isn’t a bad buy if you want something simple and straightforward. I’ve seen bottles for super cheap, as of late, so it may well be worth trying out for some guys.

Update: Everything about it is decent. Coming back to this one years later, I did get a bit more sage in the opening, this time around. Not around very long, but nice. Really, grapefruit and mint really kick early. It’s a bit better than I remember, just not anything that draws me in entirely.

Fresh, musky, lavender in the dry down. Bright and energetic in that opening, more of a clean and almost soapy finish to it. If under $30, it’s a fair option. Assuming, you have a strict budget and cannot go higher.

Le Male Terrible by Jean Paul Gaultier

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Today, we have review of another Jean Paul Gautier flanker fragrance: Le Male Terrible. This take on the 1990s classic cologne, Le Male, was released in 2010. I have tested it out and will present, how it smells, what are the notes, how it performs, when it can be worn, and if it is actually worth a buy.

What does Le Male Terrible Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, grapefruit, amber, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Terrible Eau De Toilette Extreme Spray, 2.5 Ounce

My Full Review

So, the opening of Le Male Terrible is very similar to the original Le Male. Immediately, you get the vanilla and lavender notes, and it conjures up thoughts of the first release in this series. However, the mint note is noticeably missing and instead you get a mix of grapefruit and pink pepper, in Terrible.

The pink pepper and grapefruit provide a warm and bright aroma in contrast to the cold/fresh/spicy element that the mint note would provide (I actually think that there is an unlisted bit of mint in here, just not as much).

It seems more subdued and smoother than the original. It also lacks cardamom and cinnamon, which makes it even less spicy. It does have a bit of a fresh kick from the pink pepper and later vetiver, but it’s not a particularly spicy scent.

As it dries down, the vetiver comes out some more and adds a certain dry freshness to the composition of this Gaultier (best colognes). Mostly, though, I get amber, lavender, pink pepper, and the vanilla note for the rest of the way.

The amber is the base and the rest of the notes play within its confines. The strongest notes for the dry down are going to be the lavender and vanilla.

This one leans much more toward vanilla than lavender, which is a reversal of the original Le Male.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Le Male Terrible, isn’t too heavy. The sillage is more moderate, probably not as strong as the original, and definitely not as intense as Ultra Male. Overall, it will be noticed, but won’t overpower.

It can seem much lighter than it actually is, as I will catch whiffs of it randomly throughout the day, which I cannot say the same for with a lot of actually ‘weak’ colognes.

 

I’d put the longevity to about 6-7 hours, on my skin. It’s pretty much in line with the current bottles of the original. Not bad, but not elite in the slightest.

Seasonally, yes, it fits in with the cold weather predecessor of the Le Male lineup. However, it also has an ability to fit in during most of the rest of the year. Perhaps, Terrible wouldn’t be the best choice for the hottest and most humid days of summer, but it’s fine any other time.

It’s a versatile fragrance, that can be worn casually, at school/work, or for a night out. It’s not overwhelming, so it’s a safe bet pretty much anywhere you’d like to wear Le Male Terrible to.

Overall Impressions of Le Male Terrible

Overall, do I like Le Male Terrible? Yes, it’s a nice fragrance, that I’d put on par or close to it with the original Le Male. It’s not as good as Ultra Male, but it’s a really solid choice.

I do believe it has been discontinued, but you can still pick up bottles online. It is a fresh and straightforward take on the familiar original cologne, it performs well enough, and has good versatility.

The best scent on the market? No, but a nice option for everyday wear. It doesn’t do anything spectacularly well, but it is an enjoyable cologne to wear.

Update: Coming back to this one, Terrible really was one of the better releases from the Le Male series thus far. That’s not too surprising since it took so many cues from the original, but changed enough to give it a personality of its own. 

It’s possibly top 5 in the series. I’d include Airlines in that mix, Le Parfum, and I have yet to get a hold of Elixir (but it’s getting great reviews thus far. If not fifth, then, at worst a few places back. 

As of this update, it’s still around. But, it is getting scarce more than a decade after its release. Still don’t consider it a must have, so, I wouldn’t reach too high on the price.

20 Best Men’s Fragrances from the 1990s

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The 1990s was a decade which further built the continuously growing men’s fragrance market. Compared to the heavy hitters of the 1980s (see also: 1970s), the popular 90s scents usually took a lighter and fresher approach. To me, there’s just more variety of style in this decade and it’s also when I personally got to experience, my first colognes.

So, I’ve selected 20 colognes released from 1990-1999, which are either best sellers or some of the best smelling fragrances of the decade. Some, fit in both categories. The list isn’t in any particular order or ranking.

What are the Best and Most Popular Men’s Fragrances of the 1990s?

Exotic YSL

Opium Pour Homme– I’m going to start things here with an entry from YSL. Really, I think Yves Saint Laurent had an all-time great run from the 1980s through the mid-2000s with their men’s fragrance releases.

Opium Pour Homme is an under appreciated release from 1995. It followed many years after the massive success of the women’s classic of the same name. There would be a EDP and EDT release, along with several flankers in the following decade. The Eau de Parfum is basically non-existent, outside of a few remaining bottles that pop up on eBay.

The EDT survived longer, being re-issued by YSL for a time, during the last decade. I bought one of those bottles and don’t recommend it, as Opium is a thin shadow of its former self.

Note: Dua has their inspired version of this formula, called: Impulse.

That being said, the original formula was fantastic. Star anise, black pepper, black currant, and balsam start things off. The spice, sharp fruitiness, and thickly warm embrace was great in the winter months.

Then, it turns sweeter with the vanilla note stepping up into the spotlight. That, along with the balsam and cedar notes. Still, somewhat spicy but I loved the blanketing effect Opium Pour Homme once had. Opium Homme Review

A Familiar All-Timer

Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Acqua di Gio really came to dominate in the latter part of the decade, after its release in 1997. Since then, it’s never quite released its grip on best-seller status.

Sure, nowadays we have options like Profondo and Profumo, but the smell of the original formula is simply amazing. The performance has taken a hit, while the aroma itself is still gorgeous.

A salty sea breeze opening act, paired with lemon and lime. It’s fresh and addictive, with further floral elements like hyacinth, neroli, and jasmine. I love the phase of this, when I get the jasmine and citrus blend coming through the most.

In terms of smell, influence, and sales…is there any way to leave Acqua di Gio off the list of all-time greats? Let alone the 1990s. AdG Review

Platinum Hits

Egoiste Platinum– The original Egoiste was technically released in 1990, but is pretty much a re-branded release by Chanel from 1987. Thus, that one ended up on my 1980s list.

For 1990s Chanel, I’m kicking things off with the sequel, Platinum Egoiste. I’ve gone back and forth about which one that I prefer (nowadays, I’m firmly in the Egoiste camp), but Platinum for sure has its own charm.

Petigrain, neroli, sage, and lavender create that fresh opening burst. This one is different from the original, as it is more of a modern take on the classic clean barbershop fragrance.

The lavender will stick around, surrounded by outdoorsy/woody notes, including vetiver and cedar. Very well put together and easy to wear. Platinum is still a hit for Chanel. Egoiste Platinum Review

chanel platinum review

The Other Chanel

Allure Homme– Allure Homme closed out the decade for Chanel, with its 1999 release. Since then, it has spawned off other great flankers under the Allure Homme title. But, this first one is a great fragrance and absolutely one of the top scents of the decade.

The opening of Allure Homme is a bright clean citrus affair, led by the mandarin orange. That note is flanked by peach and some lemon. This is paired with fresh spices including coriander, ginger, and black pepper.

Soon, the citrus will take over and the ending is a woody/vanilla/amber blend with that orange and lemon top still hanging about. Now, the performance was never amazing, but the newer batches of Allure have been disappointing.

I wished the formula was beefed up from what it is. Though, the scent itself still smells fantastic. Allure Homme Review

Jazzy Belle

Live Jazz– A flanker to the original 1980s great, Jazz. Live Jazz went in its own direction, was around for some years, before fading away entirely. However, this was another banger from YSL that too often gets overlooked.

It took until 1998 for YSL to release another flanker to Jazz after, the Prestige version. This one is a warm weather star, with notes of mint, citrus, and coriander. Live Jazz is super fresh, green and somewhat bitter, with a delightful grapefruit and lemon combination.

I had this one in the mid-2000s for a time, when I was on my initial YSL scent kick. Nowadays, it’s too expensive to track down the remaining bottles.

But, The Dua Brand, has released their own inspired take on Live Jazz at a much better price. Haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list.

Summer Stunner

Millesime Imperial by Creed– This entry was technically released in the 1990s, but I’d say it has had more of an impact over the latter 2000s to the present.

Millesime Imperial is a salty aquatic sort of fragrance highlighted by bright citrus notes, which come across as more of a melon when applied to my skin. It’s fresh and juicy, while having warmer highlights, a touch of iris, and dry woods underneath.

To this day, it’s still among the best fragrances that Creed has ever produced. 7-9 hours of wear, not being overly complicated with its structure, but a lovely addition to a summertime rotation. Millesime Imperial Review

Gaultier’s Signature

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier– Le Male was released back in 1995 and is still among the best selling men’s fragrances here in 2023. It has spawned dozens of flankers and special editions, many of which have become popular in their own right.

It’s a rather simple scent, but one with enough nuance to make it stand out. Early, you get a blend of warm and fresh spice with the mint and cinnamon note. The main focus however, is the vanilla and lavender. Clean, sweet, powdery, and floral.

This is still a fantastic wear, that really doesn’t cost too much and still holds up after decades. It’s an absolute classic cologne, that’s showing no signs of losing its accumulated popularity. Le Male Review

Givenchy Gold

Pi By Givenchy For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces
A sweet blend of vanilla and almond with underlying notes of cedar, rosemary, and mandarin to give it a dash of woodsy and citrus flavor.

I’ve never personally been too big of a fan of Pi, but I have used it some in the past. Since it still does well, there are apparently a ton of people who seem to swear by it.

Pi is another very good option for those who enjoy vanilla and is best served for use in winter. Longevity is pretty hit or miss, especially in the last batch I tried probably like 5 years ago.

The newer bottles do feel quite a bit different, than the older ones, that I remember. It does still have that great vanilla and almond combination with some boozy flourishes. Though, it feels like its lost a step. Pi is one that is going to need a re-visit soon, but it is undeniably a classic.

Boss Battle

Hugo Boss Men’s Boss No. 6 Eau de Toilette Natural Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.- Bottled No.6  is another 90s fragrance that is still popular today and along with Hugo, is one of the best that the designer released.

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

Citrus Spice

L’eau d’Issey– This is a fragrance that I’ve used a lot in the past. Particularly in college, I had a bottle of L’eau d’Issey around.

Since 1994, this scent has pretty much carried the label from a fragrance perspective, launching flanker after flanker and under this banner.

The actual fragrance is a sharp and spicy citrus, which packs a punch in the outset. It will start to include more tobacco, vetiver, and dry woods. Thus transforming into a cologne that is much more tolerable while remaining a unique entry into popular perfumery.

Almost 30 years later, this Issey Miyake cologne is still racking up the sales. It’s versatile and presents a nice value proposition. L’eau d’Issey Review

Unique in a Red Bottle

Xeryus Rouge by Givenchy– Xeryus Rouge is another mid-1990s fragrance that is still hanging around, even with at least a few changes along the way.

This one has a blend of red pepper, citrus, and cactus early on. Juicy with an herbal green quality to it in the early stages of the wear. The spiciness is a great touch, but this one will dry down into a woody aromatic blend that is rather traditional.

I bought a new bottle of this last year, since it was so inexpensive, and it had been years since I’d experience Xeryus Rouge. Still one that I like and a cologne that stands out against all of the ‘blue’ fragrances of the modern day. Xeryus Rouge Review

From Here to Eternity

Eternity for Men– A 1990 release that started the decade in a major way for Calvin Klein. Fresh off of the heels of the late 80s success of the Obsession line. Eternity for Men is lovely and simple in its aroma. It features notes of lavender, vetiver, and sandalwood that give off a super clean and fresh ‘soapy’ feeling.

The citrus notes add some depth and a change of pace from the lavender laden parts of this cologne’s life cycle. This is a calming masculine fragrance, that enjoys a mass appeal.

Eternity is quite herbal and floral with supporting notes such as basil and sage. It’s not a heavy spice by any means, but that light herbal kick, gives this fragrance a lively profile.

It is fresh and bright, built for the warmer months of the year, as it is such an upbeat cologne. The longevity is moderate, as is the sillage, but Eternity is a nice addition for daily wear. Eternity Cologne Review

The One You Couldn’t Escape

CK One– The mid-1990s in a bottle. CK One was absolutely everywhere during the back half of the decade and hangs around even up to present times. The real advantage it had, was being unisex, and having the massive brand cache of Calvin Klein at the time.

Yet, this is a very likeable perfume. Not my personal favorite, though it is one that I would gladly wear on occasion, if I currently had a bottle of the stuff.

Its notes are a blend of fruit and more earthy or woodsy ones. However, CK One doesn’t have a heavy or rugged aroma to it, it is clean and warm instead. The papaya and pineapple help to give this scent a light sweetness, which I think plays a major part in its appeal.

It dries down with light greenish notes, floral touches, musk, woods, and the remaining citrus. Still usually highly affordable and the performance isn’t too bad. CK One Review

Casual Refinement

Burberry for Men– Mint, cedar, and amber launch Burberry for Men. The combination is fresh with a mix of cold and warmth from the amber, with a light bergamot citrus adding further dynamism.

The mint will be there along with a clean lavender note, the cedar and sandalwood. Woodier and low key, with still a hint of spice coming through at times.

This is one that I’ve liked to come back to time and again, over the years. Still one of my favorite releases from Burberry, up to current day. Burberry for Men

The Lone Dior

Dune Pour Homme– Dior was basically absent from the men’s fragrance discussion during the 1990s. Even the early 2000s, wasn’t great from this brand, with its decent but fairly forgettable Higher line.

Dune Pour Homme is a bright spot in the darkness. While the performance is frustrating, the scent itself is unique and terrific.

Basil, sage, and cassis open things up. A trio of notes that aren’t always used (save the sage),but give this one a dynamic start. Fresh, fruity, and lots of fig coming through. Dune is extremely dry wood, herbal greens, and an early sweet fruitiness.

Not a long-lasting cologne, not a powerful one, but an absolute gem from 1997. Dune Pour Homme Review

Light Dreams

Dreamer By Gianni Versace For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– The Dreamer has now been re-formulated and re-released, over the last few years. But, I’m referring to the 1996 era cologne, that is different from the newer batches.

Green and herbal, The Dreamer features a prominent tobacco note that smells more like the uncured plants than something more processed. It has a rose note, sage, and fir at the early stages. Coming across as strong and sharp, at times.

However, you end up with a sweeter and more floral fragrance. The tobacco is flanked by carnation and that rose with dry woods and fresh spice appearing throughout the wear. This was one of the last scents that came out, with Gianni still at the helm of the company. There’s nothing exactly like The Dreamer, but it still feels familiar. Dreamer Review

Peak 90s Hilfiger

Athletics By Tommy Hilfiger For Men. Cologne Spray 1.7 Ounces– Yes, Tommy was the quintessential Tommy Hilfiger cologne of the decade, and one that I like. I’m sort of combining these two colognes on the list.

But, Hilfiger Athletics is one that often gets overlooked and was actually awesome. As such, I’m giving it the nod.

This scent was discontinued a long time ago (but you can find old bottles on Amazon, at times, which I’ve linked or eBay). It’s probably too expensive due to scarcity, for most to want it nowadays.

However, I happened to have it back when it was released in 1998, and I was in 5th grade. I lived in a very hot and humid climate and Hilfiger Athletics, was up to the task.

It was sneaky great, as I recall, and very fresh. As a sport scent, it was light with citrus notes including bergamot and grapefruit which was paired with grass and star anise. Simple…wish I still had some, but these are my memories of it.

Sporty Americana

Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– Polo Sport is another one that brings back memories from my childhood. Using this cologne years ago, I absolutely enjoyed how fresh and invigorating a fragrance that it is.

Smelling this scent takes me back, and to me, really defines what a sporty fragrance should be. This was probably the best Polo fragrance in the 1990s. It’s not too citrusy or too much of a light aquatic, rather, it blends all of these elements together to make something wonderful and upbeat.

Polo Sport takes so many different elements a does a wonderful job at blending them all together. The sharp and cool mint, the lovely lavender, the sunny citrus notes…all of which sit atop a layer of marine notes. This has always been a very versatile fragrance and works well for teenagers to adults. My Polo Sport Review

Curve

Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men – 4.2 Ounce Cologne Spray– Curve is one from the 90s that was still going strong during the next decade. Plus, still sells well.

People always see to react positively to this one, 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, as it is non-offensive, doesn’t cost much, and is quite versatile in a number of situations. My review of Curve

Chrome Citrus

Chrome Cologne for Men 3.4 fl. oz Eau De Toilette– Chrome is a staple of the nineties. Sort of in the same vein as CK One, just more masculine.

A very clean and fresh cologne that can become a man’s daily wear fragrance at a very inexpensive price. Chrome is simple yet a quite potent blend of citrus notes.

Chrome starts off with it strong juicy citrus notes of pineapple and lemon, giving the cologne a bright and upbeat disposition. These two are joined by a very nice neroli, giving chrome a further semi-soapy cleanliness.

During the wear, you will notice aquatic aromas, a slight metallic air, and woods at the base. Chrome is a classic, still has a good performance, and smells great all these years later. Very easy to wear and perpetually popular. Chrome review