Fragrances

Prada L’Homme Intense EDP

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So, today I have another entry from the Prada line of men’s fragrances, and one of the flankers to the original Prada L’Homme: Prada L’Homme Intense. In this post, I am going to cover what’s in it, how it smells, when it should be worn, how long it lasts, and if it is even worth a buy?

What does L’Homme Intense by Prada Smell Like?

Notes included: amber, leather, tonka bean, iris, sandalwood, patchouli

Click here to try: Prada L’homme Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

Prada L’homme Intense starts off with that familiar iris note, with its powdery aroma, and a warm amber plus smoothly rich leather. It’s very nice and has a noticeable darker profile than does the original L’Homme.

This scent is clean, warm, and sweet with the inclusion of a roasted tonka bean note for good measure. I like how dry the composition is and how the amber sort of soaks the iris.

Further along in the wear, we get to hit a base of sandalwood and patchouli. I really appreciate how subtle these later notes are and how they simply enhance the overall vibe of an already fantastic smelling cologne.

It’s really at this time, that I am reminded of Dior Homme and Dior Homme Eau, as L’Homme Intense fits right in line with that series. However, this is stronger on the iris and doesn’t have the leather to the same extent, nor any cacao. The overlap isn’t too extreme.

What it ultimately dries down to is an incredibly rich blend of mainly the iris and tonka bean. It’s so classy and smooth, with the leather and amber, being the next most powerful notes.

Though, I’d put the amber at number three. From here, it is pretty linear, and doesn’t develop much beyond this.

The powdery iris and the mix of woods, sweet notes, and leather are truly fantastic together. Not a super complicated fragrance in its development, but is definitely enjoyable throughout.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I find the sillage to be on the upper end of moderate. It’s not a heavy scent, but it projects well, just not crazy so. The performance is very good, regardless, and you or other people will notice this juice on you.

The longevity for me hits around 9 hours, which is great for just about any purposes. Not exactly top tier level, that goes on for seemingly ever, but this Prada isn’t going to disappoint. Truly, for most purpose Intense is going to work perfectly.

Seasonally, L’Homme Intense strikes me as a cold weather scent, with the ability to be worn in more moderate temperatures. I do feel it is a bit more limited than the original L’Homme, in this regard, but if you want to wear it at its absolute best, is should be colder.

This Prada cologne, does have a more mature profile, which isn’t to say that younger guys cannot wear it. However, it’s one that works extremely well dressed up, or out for an evening on the town. It is fresh and elegant and doesn’t have any of the overly youthful sweetness.

It is an excellent choice for men in their mid-20s and above, is completely safe for work, while being completely attractive enough for dates.

Overall Impressions of L’Homme Intense

Overall do I like Prada L’Homme Intense? I think it is an amazing fragrance. It’s got enough similarities to the original to be familiar, while also adding new elements, to stand on its own.

It does occupy that same sort of space that the Dior Homme’s of the world do, which might prevent me from getting a full bottle in the near future.

Though, since Dior has reformulated Dior Homme in 2020, maybe this would be a nice alternative.

This Prada is a clean, classy scent and the iris note is simply great. It’s not one to get, if you don’t really enjoy floral or powdery fragrances. The leather and patchouli rough it up and masculinize it, but there is a very good balance at play here.

But, I really have no negative things to say about Intense. I enjoyed wearing it thoroughly. This is an elegant scent, that performs well, and will appeal to a wide variety of people. Yes, there is plenty of overlap here, but still an outstanding scent to put on.

L’Homme Parfum Intense by Yves Saint Laurent

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I just got a hold of something like 40 new sample vials of fragrances for both men and women…sooooo I’ll be getting to a lot of reviews on the site here in the near future. First up to the plate, is a scent by Yves Saint Laurent that I have yet to try, L’Homme Parfum Intense.

Being a pretty big fan of YSL colognes, I knew that I had to grab this one and try it out. As usual, I’m going to cover what’s in it, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think this scent is worth a buy.

What does L’Homme Parfum Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: cedar, orange blossom, suede accord, lemon, bergamot, amber, black pepper

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent L’homme Parfum Intense Men Edp Spray 3.4 OZ

My Full Wear Review

It has been a while since I’ve worn the original L’Homme, so,  I was interested to see how this one stacked up versus that one, even if my memories of it are kind of hazy. Right off the bat, I’m drawn to Parfum Intense, as I usually dig amber scented fragrances.

It’s dark, spicy, and floral. Don’t let the orange blossom fool you, because this cologne definitely isn’t girly, in the slightest. Maybe unisex, however.

It opens with a bright citrus blend of lemon, orange, and of course orange blossom. There is a spiciness from pepper and it’s all swimming in a warm/sweet amber note.

A few minutes in, I really get the orange blossom as the main note, taking over for the lemon combination. The scent is very floral with an increasingly smooth profile.

I think it might be the suede/leather that is combining with the orange blossom, to give it that soft powdery scent, that illuminates the background.

To the best of my recollection, Parfum Intense almost inverses the order of some of the notes and let’s the cedar become more prominent yet retains that beautiful citrus note that adds almost a boozy quality to it.

I was trying to figure out why I was into this cologne so much when I sprayed, then I went and grabbed some of my Armani Code Profumo, and found my answer.

Leather, amber, and orange blossom are the common notes between these two scents, although the Armani is highlighted by tonka bean. That tonka bean, does really help to set them apart and creates a vastly different effect. Sweeter, heavier.

L’Homme Parfum Intense is so smooth, rich, and warm. It’s a sweet floral that’s backed by wood and masculine notes that give it a fully developed identity.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it can be towards the strong side, if you over-spray it. But for most guys, one or two spray should be enough to make it more than noticeable. It’s not a bomb, but it can be a handful up top.

My one complaint, is the longevity, which is decent but not a complete beast. I wore this out to a bar with an outdoor patio area and while it was still there after 5-6 hours of wear, it had become mostly a skin scent.

Other times that I’ve tested Parfum Intense, it performed basically in the same manner. By that fifth hour, it is mostly on its last legs, and not really going to go beyond that.

This is another gem for the colder weather months, but I wore it that evening in mid-70s degree weather and it seemed fine to me. I wouldn’t wear it when it’s hot outside because it’d probably turn to complete shit, but it worked for this particular summer night.

Parfum Intense, seems like it’s cologne with some versatility in terms of its wear. Office, casual, or on a date and this stuff will shine. It’s quite attractive and sexy.

It’s not a cologne for every guy, as not everyone is into such a heavy amber and orange blossom note being present, in their scents. That being said, it will set you apart from the masses, and the endless array of ‘blue’ colognes nowadays.

Overall Impression of L’Homme Parfum Intense

Overall, would I recommend this? Absolutely. I actually like it better than the La Nuit L’Intense flanker sample that I also got (which is good) and I also think that I prefer it over La Nuit L’Homme Eau Electrique, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

This is a really great flanker fragrance to the original. It’s got a rather unique scent and is a fantastic use of floral notes in a men’s fragrance. Again, it’s best for the autumn or winter months, but I do really like it.

The amber, orange blossom, with a dark and spiced edge gives you something a bit different for a men’s cologne. I wish the performance was a tad better, but this is a really nice example of a floral scent for guys.

YSL even seems to have taken some cues from this one, with their more recent ladies’ release, Libre Intense. This one doesn’t seem to be around anymore, but Parfum Intense was a nice fragrance. Had its limitations, sure, but was different from most other men’s options.

Armani Code vs Code Profumo

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For this entry in the men’s fragrance match ups, we are going to be taking a closer look at two Armani scents, Code vs. Code Profumo. Which cologne is better? The original or its flanker? I have worn both a lot and reviewed each of them, so, which one do I prefer? I am going to break them down by category, before ultimately declaring a winner.

Tale of the Tape

Armani Code

Notes include: citrus, lavender, apple, leather, tobacco, star anise, woods

Click here to try: Armani Code By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 Oz.

Read my review: Armani Code

Armani Code Profumo

Notes include: leather, amber, tonka bean, cardamom, lavender, and nutmeg

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Code Profumo EDP Spray for Men, 3.7 Ounce

Read my full review: Code Profumo Review

Opening

Armani Code opens up with top notes of fruit, apple and citrus. The citrus is the strongest of the fruit notes, and it is joined by: leather, anise, and tobacco. It’s got a powdery quality along with, fresh spiciness, and that citrus which will slowly fade.

To my nose, the newer bottles of Code seem to use more of the tonka bean note. It’s got that creaminess/powdery type of aroma and the anise still gives it a nice kick up top. It’s much the same way that I remember older batches, but probably a bit different.

Code Profumo starts with amber and tonka bean. It also features citrus in the beginning, but its spice, is that of nutmeg and cardamom. It quite rich and warm with a sweet fizzy kind of aroma.

Profumo does have some apple and orange in the opening as well. I get orange way more so than any apple. With the warm fizziness and sweetness, this Code does have a cream soda-like smell at times.

Which is better? While I enjoy the original, I really like the way that Profumo starts off. It has elements of its predecessor, but then, also has its own dynamic personality. It’s sweet, warm, with a nice bit of spice.

Edge: Profumo

Projection

Code starts off pretty strong, but it pretty much moderate in its sillage, for a majority of the wear. Meanwhile, Profumo is stronger from the start, and keeps it close to that range for the rest of the time its on my skin.

Code isn’t weak, it’s just not the same kind of powerhouse. It has lost a step over the years, but it never did have the same ability to project as the newer Profumo does.

Edge: Profumo

Longevity

Older bottles of Code used to last for about 8 hours, in my experience. Now, it seems to hit the 5-6 hour mark, and quits. Code Profumo, however, will go for over 10 hours each time. It outperforms the original, easily.

Profumo has always delivered a solid performance, when I’ve used it.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Both of these scent check the same boxes, as to when they should be worn. Both are suited for the colder weather. Both can go from the office and into the nightlife. There’s no winner in this category.

I might, however, give the slight edge to Code over Profumo because it doesn’t have the same sweetness and power. So, it might be more office appropriate.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Armani Code is a classic cologne, at this point, but it’s been surpassed by flankers that came after it. I still like wearing this stuff. The citrus top is nice, the leather and tonka bean during the dry down, the spice, and the powdery softness…it’s all very enjoyable.

It has been somewhat changed, also. It doesn’t have the same strength, but, I’d still pick up a bottle for the right price.

Code Profumo is awesome. It’s sweet and creamy. It envelops your senses perfectly, on a cold day. Profumo is bold and will last a long time. I love the tonka bean, amber, and leather trio in the latter stages.

For me, it’s absolutely a better fragrance than Armani Code. The clear winner in this contest. I will say, though, Code Absolu which was released recently; has taken the crown from Profumo as the ‘best Code’ fragrance.

Winner: Code Profumo

10 Best Smelling Creed Perfumes for Women

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Creed is a boutique fragrance designer which dates back centuries and has designed fragrances for for royalty and celebrities around the world (at least according to their stories). Creed is known for using the finest ingredients and creating complex natural scents that stand out among a crowd of imitators.

Their line of women’s perfumes seem to be mostly floral based and while many share similar floral notes, each one has a unique twist on them to add fruity, spicy, or other undertones. As always, I have linked out to a page where is of these scents can be purchased at a great price.

You may also find great Creed fragrances that can be worn by women in my Best Creed Colognes for Men post!

What are the Best Creed Fragrances for Ladies?

Most Popular Creed Perfume 

Creed Spring Flower by Creed for Women Millesime Spray, 2.5 Ounce– Notes include jasmine, peach, apple, musk, melon, rose, ambergris.  Spring Flower is an uplifting fruity scent with bright, floral undertones.

Melon, peach and apple are paired for a crisp and juicy sweet start to the wear.  Then, the rose and jasmine note usher in its flowery namesake, which is quite pretty.

Along with the typical Creed ambergris note, Spring Flower has a musky dry down that is fairly potent. The flower aspect is more prominent further along in the life cycle, with jasmine and musk being the highlights at that point. Meanwhile, the fruit notes have become more subdued.

Spring Flower isn’t really a heavy fragrance, more light to moderate. However, it provides good longevity, and versatility. It can definitely become a signature every day wear.

spring-flower-75ml-creed

Elegant Creed Fragrance

CREED FLEURISSIMO by Creed for WOMEN: EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 2.5 OZ– A more mature floral than Spring Flower and not as bright as that fragrance. Classy and elegant. This actually lacks the fruits found in the first entry.

Instead one is left with a bouquet of florals with iris, violet, and tuberose. Fleurissimo has a vintage style and a garden rich profile.

As it dries down, this Creed scent has more warmth and a soapy/powdery clean quality. This is an all day wear, with excellent longevity. A springtime fragrance. Notes include: Bulgarian rose, violet, tuberose, Florentine iris.

creed fleurissimo

Classic Rose, Citrus, and Musk

Creed Fleurs De Bulgarie By Creed Millesime Spray For Women 2.5 oz– A very old perfume, supposedly dating back to 1845. Fleurs De Bulgarie is another floral perfume but one with more of a kick of citrus and spice to it.

This floral, however, is straight rose. It’s sweet and clean with a musky profile.

Fleurs de Bulgarie is pretty linear, but the dry down elevates the ambergris to go along with that great rose essence.

Obviously, it has been updated along the way, by Fleurs is still a wonderful addition to one’s collection.  Notes include: Bulgarian Rose Essences, Musks, Ambergris, bergamot. 

Fleurs De Bulgarie

Amazing Vanilla

Sublime Vanille– Creed’s Sublime Vanilla, might have the best smelling vanilla note that I’ve ever come across, it’s absolutely delightful. That creamy goodness is joined up top by orange and lemon, that creates a dessert-like quality to this scent.

It’s warm, with some additional touches of musk and tonka bean. A softer fragrance, that isn’t too complicated, but shows the absolute quality of the Royal Exclusives line of perfumes by Creed.

The issue that can come up with this one, is the heavy price tag. It is even higher priced than the others on this list. The sillage and performance are pretty good, just not outstanding. What you do get is a nice creamy vanilla, with bright citrus, and a bit of musk. Sublime Vanille Review

Sweet Violet

Love in Black– I’m personally not a huge fan of wearing violet fragrances, but I have to say I do enjoy the way that Love in Black by Creed smells.

First, it opens up with a sweet and tart black currant note that can come across like a jam. This is joined by a fresh cedar, giving it an interesting, though not always immediately enjoyable smell.

The iris and violet notes come through, giving this one a powdery aroma, fairly similar to Broadway Nite (that’s probably more powdery, but smells a lot like Love in Black).

It will become an intense violet aroma, with a sweetness, mixed floral notes, and some slight woodiness. Love in Black isn’t for everyone, so, it’d probably be best to test before committing to a full bottle.

Yet, for those who enjoy violet, this is a great example and wonderful performer.

Princess Creed

Royal Princess Oud– Royal Princess Oud is an interesting one. Like, Love in Black it features violet and iris, but early on this is paired with citrus and is way less dense.

In fact, it’s kind of bright and a bit green/floral at the early stages. The title-sake agarwood will come on, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

The fragrance certainly has its stronger ingredients, but also feels very balanced for much of the wear.

Yet, this stuff is intricate. The powdery qualities of the florals have their time. Bright citrus. Woodiness. Spice. Then, a resin/creaminess of vanilla, sandalwood, and some benzoin. The opening can be rough, but the development is really great.

Tuberose-led White Floral

Tubereuse Indiana By Creed For Women. Millesime Spray 2.5 Oz– Tuberose Indiana brings on a nice smelling bouquet of white floral notes highlighted by the tuberose, but not really dominated. In addition, one gets a hint of bergamot, and a creamy vanilla at the top.

Then, there is the ambergris and fairly heavy musk. With that, a slight earthiness in the middle act, and a spiced kick too. The mix is attractive for those who like an old school sort of floral perfume, but not completely stuck in the past.

Notes include vanilla, ambergris, tuberose, white flowers, and bergamot. Captivating smell.

Tubereuse Indiana

Best Woody Fragrance

Vanisia By Creed For Women. Millesime Spray 2.5 Oz– A nice, feminine scent that screams sophistication. Vanisia is a move away from the strictly floral scents featured before. This is a very well performing blend of mostly sandalwood and vanilla.

Naturally, the Creed ambergris is another heavy hitter within the composition but there is also a straight amber note, which makes for an interesting pairing.

Vanisia is like vintage confidence in a bottle, with jasmine playing a supporting role to the main ingredients. Notes include: Jasmine, vanilla, rose, sandalwood

vanisia

Best Summertime Pick

Acqua Fiorentina Perfume by Creed for women Millesime Spray 2.5 oz
A complex fragrance that is a light aromatic with layered notes of (some) floral and (mostly) citrus.

This is the go to, if you like fruitier compositions. Bergamot, lemon, and plum start off Acqua Fiorentina with a very bright and quite sharp citrus sensation.

However, there is also a crisp apple note in the mix, which adds to the overall juiciness.

As it dries down, there is a hint of rose and carnation, which balances out some of the fruit overload. Plus, the cedar/sandalwood which sits at the base, and holds this whole thing together.

Very much like, The Scent of Peace for Her by Bond No. 9.  Notes include: rose, Virginian cedar, lemon, sandalwood, carnation, bergamot. 

Acqua Fiorentina

Top Winter Creed Scent

Creed Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie Millesime Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce– The supposed story behind this one, is that Jasmin Imperatrice was personally designed for Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napoleon III. Ok, then.

If you enjoy jasmine and sandalwood, this might be your Holy Grail fragrance. It is an elegant woody fragrance with smooth vanilla undertones and that utterly delightful jasmine throughout.

Jasmin Imperatrice is luxurious and royal, whether or not it was actually made for an empress. This perfume has huge sillage and keeps going and going for hours.

Super strong but the sandalwood and jasmine combo might just be worth it to you. Notes include: bergamot, Bulgarian rose, amergris, Italian jasmine, vanilla

Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie

Ralph’s Club EDP by Ralph Lauren

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Ralph’s Club is a fragrance that I hadn’t really paid all that much attention to after its release. But, I eventually got a hold of it, as part of a sampler pack a few months ago. So, it was only a matter of time before I got to test it out and put this cologne through its paces. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a buy?

What does Ralph’s Club Smell Like?

Notes include: lavender, clary sage, cedar, vetiver

ralph's club review

My Full Review

Ralph’s Club opens up with a mix of the lavender and clary sage notes. While it is more herbal and greenish than this example, it actually reminds me somewhat of the start of Luna Rossa Ocean, just paired down.

If that Prada is a ‘blue’ cologne, this is a blue-green. There’s also elements of Y Le Parfum here. Just not a clone of either of those scents.

The lavender and sage are both very present there, along with some vetiver. The same sort of aromatic aroma, just without the oceanic and iris. Yet, there is a light powdery quality to Ralph’s Club early on.

It is very fresh, clean, and has a definite sweetness to keep it interesting.

The lavender is the head honcho, at the start. The clary sage is just a notch underneath. However, that will begin to flip as this Ralph Lauren cologne dries down. The sage never dominates, it just seems to switch roles with the lavender.

Beyond that, you’re going to get the woody freshness of cedar, which doesn’t come across as all that sharp here.

The rest of the wear is a fresh soapiness, with dry woodsy highlights. The powdery part and the sweetness have quieted down a whole lot and are seemingly background noise.

Clean and fresh like a soap or out of the drier laundry. Not too complicated, but still has its charms.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Ralph’s Club isn’t a monster, but it is above average. For the first few hours, I’d say it’s on the upper edge of what could be considered moderate. Then, it’ll pretty middle of the road thereafter.

Thankfully, it isn’t weak and can project itself nicely off of the skin.

Longevity seems to be in the 7.5 hour range, on me. Again, not a totally great performer, but very useful and not a waste of money.

Seasonally, this can work pretty much year round. I’d avoid the extreme heat. However, cold to moderate temperatures and this thing is a go.

It’s a very attractive and easy to like cologne. The versatility is probably the greatest strength of Ralph’s Club. Casual, office, dressed up, a night out. It’s got you covered for most any occasion and can be worn by all age groups.

They did a really great job at making this one a jack of all trades.

Overall Impressions of Ralph’s Club

Overall, do I like Ralph’s Club? I do. It’s an appealing fragrance with solid performance and sure to be a crowd pleaser.

It’s a pretty basic formula and there isn’t a ton of development. But, the sage and lavender are good enough to carry it.

Yes, it is will remind you of various elements from other popular colognes, but it doesn’t smell exactly like any of them. Just hints of them, while doing its own thing.

The good news, is that if you really enjoy the smell of Ralph’s Club, it will reward you with its versatility. This could very well be a daily wear type of scent for some guys. Is it amazing? No, but it also doesn’t have any really noticeable deficiencies as a fragrance.