Fragrances

6 Fragrances Similar to Dior Homme Intense

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Dior Homme Intense is one of the more popular fragrance options out there. It’s a continual best-seller and one that can be a starting point in a journey into more formal or floral men’s colognes. But, it can also be pricey. So, you want something cheaper that’s simialr. Or, something that’s close in style, but ultimately different from Intense. This is my ongoing page for tracking such scents.

What Colognes Smell Similar to Dior Homme Intense?

Inspiration 1

Velvet Iris by Alexandria– Velvet Iris is the first of the ‘inspired’ fragrances based on Dior Homme Intense. This one comes from Alexandria, which does a good job a creating their own versions of famous cologne formulas, at a much cheaper price.

Iris is going to lead the way, but we are supported here by lavender and a nice pear note up top. Moving more into a iris and amber middle act. Vetiver and cedar follow in the base, creating an effect extremely similar to Dior Intense, even if it isn’t 100% exact.

For the money, it is close enough and well worth a try if you want the same type of aroma without the designer costs.

Inspiration 2

Intense Homme by Dua– Intense Homme from The Dua Brand is the other ‘inspired’ fragrance based on the Dior Intense structure. For this, they chose to base their creation on the 2008 release of the Dior.

This one I haven’t tried yet. But, I have like 7 bottles of other designer inspirations from this brand and they’re all like 85%+ percent similar to what you’re looking for. Along with, having really good performance, as a higher extrait de parfum concentration.

Dozens of positive reviews for Intense Homme, so, I doubt that Dua misssed the mark. Very affordable, if you want something super close in scent.

Leathery Iris

Valentino Uomo Intense by Valentino EDP for Men, 3.4 Fl Oz– Uomo Intense from Valentino is one that has been compared to Dior Intense since it was released.

To me, it actually has a lot in common with the old Dior Homme, rather than just Intense. In fact, it starts out with a more leathery opening act than either of the Dior fragrances. Leather, vanilla, with lighter citrus notes.

The dry down is when this gets better and does more of its own thing. The iris is the commonality and it is well done. I like it with the vanilla, tonka bean, leather, and that sage note that weirdly pops out on my skin late in the game.

Personally, I still like Dior Intense more than this. But, Uomo Intense gives you a bit of a different take on this scent structure. Uomo Intense Review

Boozy Similarities

Gentleman Reserve Privee– Chestnut, iris, whiskey, and a light citrus make this one a close relative of what you get with Dior Homme Intense. Not the same, but plenty of overlap with it, Dior Homme 2011, and Uomo EDT by Valentino.

Reserve Privee with its chestnut note, starts out quite nutty and has a chocolate-like finish to it that I enjoy quite a lot.

Now, other people are higher on this fragrance than I am overall. Mainly, because once you get past the opening, it really doesn’t have anything that stands out. Iris, amber, and some wood is basically how it finishes. The iris just isn’t as good as the Dior, either.

But, maybe you enjoy it more than me? Reserve Privee Review

Bleu it Up

Bleu Noir Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez– This entry in the Bleu Noir series does strike a pretty familiar aroma to scents like Dior Intense and the aforementioned, Uomo Intense.

It’s going to give you something along the same lines, with a main iris note, but it isn’t trying to be exact and does plenty of its own thing. So, don’t expect the same thing, but a similar structure.

This one utilizes a great cypress note, leather, and a pretty hefty cardamom in the opening act. Plus, Narciso Rodriguez scents are known for their use of musk and this one doesn’t skimp on that either.

Powdery, clean, a different woody accord but very much in line with the type of scent we want here.

An Armaf

Futura La Homme by Armaf– So, here’s one from Armaf that I haven’t personally tried out. But, everything points to this be along the same lines as the style of Dior Homme Intense.  The iris note, woody notes, bergamot, and some light leather too.

I wouldn’t expect an exact match or anything like that, just another cheaper fragrance that doles out a similar experience. Armaf is usually decent with their colognes, this one is probably worth a shot.

Burberry Hero EDT vs Hero EDP Comparison

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Hero is a newer series from Burberry, coming on the heels of their Mr. Burberry line. It has been a pretty popular scent thus far, already producing an eau de parfum version following the initial EDT. The question is, how do these two colognes compare? What does each smell like? Which lasts longer? Which is actually the better scent?

Tale of the Tape: Hero vs. Hero EDP

Burberry Hero EDP

Notes include: pine needles, cedar, incense, benzoin, amber, olibanum

Click here to try: Burberry Hero EDP from Macy’s

My Full Review: Hero EDP

Hero EDT

Notes include: cedar, bergamot, juniper, black pepper

Click here to try: Hero EDT

Opening

Hero EDT starts things off with a lightly spiced, citrusy aromatic tone. The citrus note isn’t overwhelming, but it does have a major role in the start. Along with, the ever-present cedar accord, which will really dominate the latter parts of the wear.

But, early, the cedar and juniper will pretty much split duties. Aromatic, but a touch sweet and quite fresh. Black pepper isn’t highly concentrated in the blend. However, I do think that it is a great addition to the citrus and woods.

The opening of Hero EDP is fresh, smokier, and surprisingly still has a sweetness to it. It stems from the olibanum, in this addition, which can give off a level of fruitiness to the aroma. Apparently, the grapefruit has been stripped out of it.

EDP has plenty of resinous amber influences here. The early stages are more of a fuzzy impression and resinous, with the olibanum and benzoin notes. Then, it becomes a cleaner, warmer, and more straightforward amber.

Which is better? The opening of EDT is better to me. It’s fresh and mass appealing. Not overly complicated, but attractive. EDP’s opening act, is probably its weakest link, in my opinion.

Edge: Hero EDT

Projection

On me at least, I really don’t notice a difference between the higher EDP concentration and the EDT. After all, the are somewhat different formulas. Maybe the EDP has a better ability to project and leave a scent trail.

I don’t notice it at all, after testing out both of these colognes. If it is, pretty negligible, and both scents are above average but moderate.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Now, with the longevity, I can get between 8-9.5 of wear with the eau de parfum. Sort of a wide range, but it is certainly capable of hitting that upper limit.

Hero EDT, is also a pretty good performer, just with a lower ceiling. I get 7-8 hours of wear, on skin. With it being quite noticeable for most of that timeframe.

Not a huge blow out win, but EDP definitely lasted longer.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Seasonally, EDP is an autumn and winter release. It can be somewhat cloying and isn’t all that great in the heat.  When it is cold out, Hero EDP is at its best.

With EDT, I feel a lot more comfortable extending it use case into the warmer days. It is one of those colognes which can work year round pretty much. I wouldn’t go with it on the hottest or coldest days, but outside of that EDT is better at fitting in.

Hero EDP skews towards being more of a nightlife or casual type of scent. Both of these scents probably skew towards younger guys. But, can be worn by anyone. I actually think EDT is the more versatile. Not a formal or super serious cologne. Very much a modern mainstream release, that can do almost anything else.

Edge: EDT

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I prefer? From the first time that I tried them both, I was already slightly leaning towards the original EDT.

After testing each out further? I’m still going EDT, except that margin only grew wider. I without a doubt prefer it to the EDP. The EDP is fine, it gets better in the dry down. Cedar, amber, dark, and smoky. The pine needles are an interesting touch, but it doesn’t do enough for me.

EDT. I think that opening act is just more captivating. The cedar, juniper, and citrus notes just work all together to produce something that is wholly enjoyable. It’s not a mind-blowing experience, but I’ve found myself wanting to wear Hero EDT consistently. I can’t say the same for EDP.

The performance of Burberry Hero EDT is good enough, that it doesn’t have an effect on my call between these two. I like them both, EDP does have that darker resinous woods going for it. I enjoy it to an extent, not as much as I might have thought.

Winner: Hero EDT

Light Blue Eau Intense vs. Versace Pour Homme

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Light Blue Eau Intense and Versace Pour Homme are two of the more popular citrus based men’s fragrances over the past decade. Because of this, these colognes can often get compared to one another as potential buys. The question is, which fragrance smells better? Which lasts longer? Which actually is the top cologne option?

Tale of the Tape: Eau Intense vs. Versace Pour Homme

Light Blue Eau Intense

Notes include: mandarin, frozen grapefruit, juniper, aquatic accord, amber woods, musk

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

My review: Light Blue Eau Intense

Versace Pour Homme

Notes include: bergamot, bitter orange leaves, geranium, sage, oud wood, mineral amber, tonka bean, musk, neroli

Click here to try: Versace Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Natural Spray 3.4 fl. oz.

My Review: Versace Pour Homme

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Opening

Light Blue Eau Intense starts off with citrus notes, bringing out a mandarin orange and frozen grapefruit note that is slightly different from the one in the original. It actually does have a great cold feeling to it, that is refreshing to wear.

The aquatic note is less of a salt marine type, but is joined by a nice juniper note. Colder synthetic water with plenty of that amberwood note coming from the base. I like it.

Versace Pour Homme opens up with a bitter orange leaf and bergamot note. It is a purer citrus distillation than is Eau Intense. Very fresh and neroli comes in, to pump that up even further.

Tonka and the greenish floral notes will emerge more later. Initially though, it is a very citrusy cologne.

Which is better? I actually like the way that Light Blue Eau Intense begins. It’s not a massive advantage, but I do have a slight preference towards the Dolce, early on.

Edge: Eau Intense

Projection

With old bottles of each, I would say that these two are pretty equal with their sillage and ability to project off of the skin.

But, with the latest batches that I’ve tried, I’d give the edge to Eau Intense. It seems to have held up better over the years

With that, Eau Intense is going to be in the 4-6 foot range, for most of the wear. Stronger at the start, but well ahead of newer bottles of Versace Pour Homme.

Edge: Eau Intense

Longevity

Light Blue Eau Intense remains a great performer for me. Other Light Blue’s only seem to stick around for 5-7 hours. However, Eau Intense will still hit over 9 hours for me. This formula really nailed this aspcet.

With Versace Pour Homme, I do only get 5-6 hours of wear out of it on skin. Not great. But, since I use both in the summertime, it’s not too concerning to not have it be an absolute beast.

Yet, Eau Intense wins this category easily.

Edge: Eau Intense

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are at their best in the warmer weather. But, I think that Versace Pour Homme is the more versatile of the two.

It’s a cologne that is a signature scent for many guys out there. It can be worn casually, out at night, even as a daily wear to work or school.

Eau Intense also has plenty of versatility, but it can feel too casual and too limited to the summertime versus Versace.

Edge: Versace Pour Homme

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these colognes do I prefer?

While I like the start of Eau Intense a bit more than Versace, and it’s better performance is something worth considering. I actually like the overall smell of Versace Pour Homme slightly more than I do Eau Intense.

I will gladly wear either of these, but the dry down of the Versace is better to me, especially once you get that tonka bean fully engaged and the citrus tones down some.

Eau Intense becomes musky and has that amberwood note, which can be bothersome to some. It can get annoying, at times, for me too.

Versace Pour Homme probably has a greater broad-based appeal for that reason too. Sure, you need to sacrifice some on the performance end, but it’s an easy scent to plug into anyone’s rotation. It gets the nod here.

Winner: Versace Pour Homme

Light Blue Pour Homme Living Stromboli by D&G

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Light Blue Pour Homme has spawned off about a dozen flanker fragrances since its release. One of the earliest ones was 2012’s Living Stromboli. I had never tried this scent out, but as I’ve been working my way through this D&G series, I sought it out. I was able to find a bottle for $50 to test out. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Living Stromboli worth a try?

What does Light Blue Living Stromboli Smell Like?

Notes include: pink pepper, citrus, water notes, geranium, vetiver, amber, patchouli

My Full Review

Living Stromboli opens up with it’s pink pepper note out, in full effect. Yes, it’s a warmer and spicier type of aquatic fragrance, especially early on. It is interesting, however, how vetiver and patchouli are the two notes that I also get a lot of in this beginning.

The patchouli isn’t nearly as heavy, just giving this a light earthiness, sitting underneath the calone aquatic notes. Vetiver and the pink pepper are pretty dominant on my skin giving this a drier freshness, with some almost smoky elements.

The citrus here, isn’t out in front, as it is in many of the other Light Blue flankers. It’s there, just in a supporting role, seemingly diluted in the watery aspects of this cologne.

Further along, Stromboli moves into its more aquatic phase. The patchouli and vetiver really back off in this part. Geranium and amber emerge to join that pink pepper note, which is present throughout.

This isn’t oceanic and salty, as something like Swimming Lipari is. No, more of a thinner ‘blue-ish’ aquatic smell. Clean and synthetic, just not a marine-like sea water.

The final dry down is a mix of the water and amber. It’s much less spicy on the skin, more of an aromatic fresh feeling. Still a sense of dryness from those note, just much less intense.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s a lighter moderate scent. About 45-60 minutes of wear, in which it will project well, and leave a scent trail in one’s wake.

After that, it’s a lighter cologne that’ll project about 2-4 feet from the skin. It’s about what I expect with these Light Blue flankers. Even if, this one is constructed differently, the EDT still have about the same strength.

On my skin, Living Stromboli will stick around for about 6.5, maybe 7 hours in total. Again, in line with the others from Dolce & Gabbana.

Seasonally, we’re going late spring and summer for this one. Obviously, as a refreshing aquatic, this is when it’s going to be at it’s best and most useful. Outside in the warmth, Living Stromboli has a lively and blue ozonic aroma that is nice to catch a whiff of.

Mostly going to be a casual one to wear around during this season. Stromboli is a daytime wear, that could venture out into the evening, even if it’s not a nightlife beast in its main use case.

Overall Impressions of Living Stromboli

Overall, do I like Living Stromboli? It’s fine. It’s a fairly simple spicy fresh aquatic fragrance. Something pretty different from the rest of the entries in the Light Blue Pour Homme lineup.

The pink pepper note works fairly well, but I’m not too enthralled by it leading the way. I do like this sort of calone-laced aquatic, but I probably would’ve preferred a citrus-led formula with the spices playing support, instead of what it actually is.

Still, the dry down is pretty appealing, when the spices are somewhat muted. An ambery aquatic aroma that hangs lightly in the air. Somewhere in the middle of the pack, as far as Light Blue Pour Homme editions go.

It’s not too amazing, but may be worth a try for guys who this formula sounds interesting to. There aren’t a ton of bottles left floating around. Though, the one’s that are, have been priced affordably. Better options exist, but this isn’t a massive disappointment for the $50 I paid.

Le Male In The Navy by JPG

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In the Navy is one of the multitude of Le Male flankers to have been put out by JPG, over the years. It came out back in 2018 and I had come in contact with it back then. But, once I saw it again, I scooped up some samples in order to give it a proper review. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is In the Navy worth a try?

What does Le Male in the Navy Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, peppermint, oceanic accord, ambergris

Click here to try: Le Male in the Navy

My Full Review

Here’s how JPG describe it: An aquatic fougere. A splash of icy peppermint, invigorated by the salty freshness of an oceanic accord and contrasted with a vanilla note.

The opening is cold and fresh with that peppermint note leading the way. Right from the jump, you will notice the light and water accord running through the middle of In the Navy.

Actually, pretty nice. With the vanilla, mint, and ambergris notes; it can become easy to compare this to Eros. Sure, there’s some overlap, but they’re not the same fragrance by any means. Especially, sans citrus.

Once some of that peppermint has worn off, this becomes more about that vanilla and ambergris. Saltier and warm, with less of the initial oceanic freshness that defines the opening act.

Le Male In the Navy, isn’t a complicated scent. It’s pretty much a watery blend of vanilla and amber for the rest of the way. Basically, take three of the notes from the original and add an aquatic accord.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I can say that this is at best, middle of the road. Maybe you’ll get a scent trail going with heavy sprays. But, past that first hour and this one is a light and intimate fragrance.

The longevity doesn’t help matters. On my skin, I get about 4.5 hours of wear. Even in that lighter state, it just doesn’t want to stick around.

Some of these Le Male flankers are pretty weak. In the Navy is one of the worst, in my experience.

That being said, it is a versatile fragrance. It’s fresh, non-offensive, and can work well from springtime through autumn in most places. I’d skip in winter, but this is at its best when it gets warm out.

Not really going to be a sexy nightlife beast. But, a daytime casual or semi-formal wear, when you want something light to put on in the heat. Not that it’s going to keep up the fight for long, but it’s a serviceable smell for that climate.

Overall Impressions of In the Navy

Overall, do I like In the Navy? Not particularly. I did think that this was one that I’d be more into, but this Le Male falls flat, and performs poorly. It sounded a lot better than it actually is.

The opening is the best part. Even then, the peppermint and oceanic accord aren’t all that amazing together. It’s a nice aroma, just nothing that really grabs my attention.

After that, In the Navy is a simplistic and linear experience, that smells okay enough. That alone would disqualify it from being a full bottle purchase for me. Throw in the fact that it only sticks around for a bit more than four hours and it’s a pass.

Most bottles that I’m seeing still floating around, aren’t heavily discounted. Seems like the stock that’s left is priced close to retail. No real value with In the Navy.