Fragrances

5 Best Tommy Hilfiger Colognes for Men

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Tommy Hilfiger was a major force in popular fashion back in the 1990s and while its popularity has faded since then, it still has its place in that world. It’s fragrance line while not as spectacular as many other design houses, does have some highlights that both smell great and can be gotten at a good price.

For this list, I have selected what I feel are the five best Tommy Hilfiger colognes for men and as always have linked each to an online store for purchase.

What are the Best Smelling Tommy Hilfiger Fragrances for Men?

Most Popular

Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger for Men Eau de Cologne Spray, 3.4 Oz– The original namesake of the company. Tommy Hilfiger for men is a crisp and clean presentation loaded with citrus and other fruity notes. Good starter cologne or something to wear casually, as it can be gotten for cheap.

This fragrance is seemingly going to be around forever, as it’s still the highlight of the Hilfiger line up. Tommy starts with a very sharp and tart blend of apple, grapefruit, and cranberry. The cranberry note isn’t used very much in colognes, outside of Polo Red, but it is really nice here.

It opens fresh and crisp, then gets warm and sweet, with its apple pie accord. You can expect a good deal of amber and cinnamon, with later green and floral touches. Tommy was a ubiquitous fragrance back in the 1990s and it’s honestly, still a very attractive cologne. Read my full review here.

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Forgotten and Unique

Athletics By Tommy Hilfiger For Men. Cologne Spray 1.7 Ounces–This scent was discontinued a long time ago (but you can find it on Amazon, at times, which I’ve linked). 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.

Smooth Star

True Star by Tommy Hilfiger Eau De Toilette Spray (unboxed) 1.7 oz (Men)– This is another one with that licorice note, that I’m not too crazy about. However, I do like the rest of the presentation of True Star and I think that the other notes like vanilla, sandalwood, and grapefruit work well together.

I don’t think they produce this scent anymore but bottles can still be had online as of now.

True Star has a lemon and grapefruit top filled with light spice, from one of my favorite notes, anise. It actually doesn’t get all that complicated, but you do get a nice leather note, paired with the citrus and vanilla. Oh, and of course, sandalwood. If you want a bottle, you’re going to have to act, while they’re still floating around.

truestar

Youthful Option

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Eau De Prep Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Eau de Prep’s name alone should indicate that it’s going to be a clean and well put together fragrance. Yes, indeed, that’s what you’re going to get.

Prep opens with a spicy citrus aroma, with notes of pepper and sage. A bit further along in the wear, it becomes a fresher, and noticeably cleaner cologne. Lavender, juniper, and a bit of suede. All of this sits on top of a woody base.

Eau de Prep isn’t terribly complicated. It is, however, a very light scent. So, don’t worry about going to town with the sprays, and for the current price…there’s really no need to.

Best Newer Fragrance

Impact Intense– This is a flanker fragrance to the original Impact, that has enjoyed some moderate success since its release. Chestnut and a red apple note up top, give this one a nice start with a woody dry down.

Akigalawood, cedar, and sandalwood make up the base with a resinous amber note in the mid. This is a great cheaper option for the autumn and winter months. The apple accord up top, gives it a nice sweetness that blended with the amber and chestnut, is sort of candy-like.

But, that sweetness with dampen with time and you get a warm spice with woods and a fresher finish. The cedar note really comes on, as this one moves forward. Pretty decent performance from Impact Intense, as well.

Jardin d’Amalfi by Creed

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Yet another sample I’ve received as of late is Jardin d’Almafi by Creed. This is a unisex fragrance, that is a part of the Royal Exclusives collection, of high end specialty scents. In this post, I’m going to cover my usual how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if I think it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Jardin d’Amalfi Smell Like?

Notes include: neroli, mandarin, bergamot, rose, vetiver, cedar, musk, pink pepper

Click here to try: Jardin D’amalfi By Creed EDP 250ml 8.4 Oz Splash

My Full Review

The opening of Jardin d’Amalfi is a strong burst of mandarin with a bergamot note that is very similar to Creed’s Aventus for men. The bergamot note never takes over and the mandarin is interestingly paired with green/woodsy notes, mainly neroli and vetiver, I think.

Very citrusy up top with that neroli floral boosting it. There is also a slight warmth/spice from pink pepper, but it isn’t all that powerful.

This fragrance is quite a bit floral during the middle act, and though unisex, it definitely seems to stray more toward the feminine end of things. The light apple note, gives this one a slightly crisp bite.

Jardin is my third scent from the Royal Exclusives line by Creed. I would honestly, put it behind Sublime Vanille, but ahead of Spice and Wood in terms of how it smells.

Jardin definitely does have that natural garden type of scent to it; with the rose and neroli which give it, it’s floral dimension. Plus, the top citrus layer gives off a ripe sweetness, like a spring/summer day. It’s a very pleasant and clean fragrance.

There is another layer of woody crispness and greenery involved. Vetiver and cedar seem to be the main two players and I detect just a hint of the pink pepper note in there as well. It’s sort of reminiscent of a pine tree aroma but not as heavy.

The majority of the wear is a citrus/floral with a woodsy green base. The rose note becomes the main floral ingredient, but it never fully takes over the composition.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this scent isn’t too strong but it is still very noticeable. Jardin d’Almalfi doesn’t strike me as weak in any way, but it isn’t really a smell it across the room fragrance, unless you overdo it.

Overall, it’s a nice moderate sillage that is actually consistent throughout most of the wear, before fading out.

The longevity is actually where it seems to shine, I’ve gotten a full workday out of a few dabs of this juice, during both times that I have worn it. For the price, it should provide good longevity and it actually does the job.

So, after a few times of use, Jardin seems to fall in the 8-9 hour range on my skin. Not complete beast mode, just good.

I totally see this mainly as a casual springtime fragrance, possibly early summer. I’m not sure that it will be all that fantastic when it is super hot outside, but it’ll do nicely in the warm weather.

This is not a club scent or one that I find all that sexy or alluring. It’s natural, fresh, green/citrus.

Unisex fragrance that leans more towards the traditionally feminine. If you’re a man, who isn’t a fan of the floral notes, this will most likely be a pass for you.

Overall Impressions of Jardin d’Amalfi by Creed

Overall, is Jardin d’Almalfi worth a purchase. I’ll set aside the eye-popping price tag for the moment and say that while it’s not really my style, I do think that it smells good.

It’s a bit too floral and ‘girly’ for my tastes and added with that high end Royal Exclusives price, I’ll pass on ever getting a full bottle.

It’s a nice fragrance and if you’ve got the money to spend, you could do a lot worse, but this scent is hardly earth-shattering…it’s just nice and clean.

Again, I think that Sublime Vanille is better than this one. Though, even that fragrance, probably isn’t worth the price, despite having the best vanilla note I’ve come across.

In lieu of this, you could grab an Acqua di Parma or Tom Ford citrus/floral for cheaper. While still getting a perfume that smells great. There’s a ton of other options in this style of scent, which can do the job just as well if not better.

6 Best Smelling Nautica Colognes

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Nautica has created plenty of men’s fragrances which are quite good and also fit into the theme of the oceanic/aquatic lifestyle. What is great about the company is that it offers men some great colognes at a very inexpensive price point.

Now, the quality in terms of uniqueness or ingredients isn’t as high as some of the higher level designers but if you find one of these options that you like, they can have plenty of use as an everyday wear. Also see: Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Blue Cologne Comparison

What are the Best Nautica Fragrances for Men?

Best Overall Nautica Cologne

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
It made the list of best value colognes for under $30 because of it’s fantastic scent and performance. It’s an green fragrance with aquatic elements, as goes with the whole Nautica theme, and is probably best served for use in the spring or summertime as a casual everyday scent.

Voyage features notes of mimosa, apple, oak moss, musk, lotus, amber, and cedar. This cologne is less oceanic than the other scents that come out from Nautica and Voyage starts out with that crisp apple note, a floral mimosa, and the ubiquitous musk.

It’s a rather cold or chilled start, with an aroma that reminds one of dew or cucumber. Then, as it settles down dry oak moss and cedar start to come through with the apple top note, and add a masculine outdoorsy aspect to the composition.

You get a scent that is quite green, fresh, woodsy, with a pinch of salt underneath. Voyage is the best selling and most popular scent from Nautica. I still don’t think that they’ve managed to top this one, in all the years after its initial release.  My Full Review

Best New Release

Nautica Midnight Voyage– Ever since the original Voyage came out, the brand has put out a ton of flanker fragrances which share the name. However, most of them have either been mediocre in terms of smell or performance.

Enter Midnight Voyage. Right off the bat, I can tell you that it’s another one, that presents itself sort of like Dior Sauvage. Almost every brand has their own version of a cologne laden with amber or ambroxan, to capitalize off its success.

Midnight Voyage doesn’t smell all that much like Sauvage, but it is in the same neighborhood. It definitely has elements of the original Voyage’s DNA, but also the mint note of Voyage Heritage (which wasn’t a great scent, it could’ve been).

Midnight uses mint, amber, and pink peppercorn to give it a fresh and somewhat spicy profile. However, you do get that summertime and nautical vibe, from other notes that are unlisted. Maybe some light citrus? Smooth and it actually has decent performance.

Top Woodsy/Floral

Nautica White Sail for Men by Nautica 3.4oz 100ml EDT Spray
White Sail takes a turn away from the aquatic fragrances and towards a more earthy/woodsy scent. It is light an smooth with notes such as amber, teak wood, lavender, vetiver, and pink pepper.

The lavender and pink pepper seem to be the most prominent notes that stand out, with some additional floral notes, to round things out. It can actually be kind of tough to distinguish between these ingredients, but overall it does have a refreshing and somewhat spicy scent.

Longevity could definitely use some work, but the aroma itself is nice. White Sail has been discontinued for a while, but you can still come across bottles online, even if it is getting tougher. This does have a different vibe, from the rest of the Nautica offerings, though, still deserves a spot on the list.

white sail

Sporty Aquatic Soapy

Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 fluid ounce
Smooth and light with fruity notes such as pineapple and peach which highlight this fragrance but it is held together by its woody heart. Sandalwood is pretty prominent and smooth here, as are a few different floral notes, plus musk.

The pineapple and peach can be sharp at the start, but with the dry down it is more of a sporty aquatic and the fruit notes are much more tempered than they had been previously. The musk here is light and the whole composition is sunny and relaxed.

It isn’t a jump out at you type of cologne where you will be amazed by its unique scent. However, it is very solid, smells good, and can be had at a great price.

I personally feel, that the quality has taken a big hit since the 1990s, but it can be a worthwhile cheapie to pick up for some. It’s gotten more detergent-like and less pleasing. Though, I’d definitely go with one of the others before this. Read my review here

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Top Classic Clean and Oceanic Fragrance

Nautica Classic for Men by Nautica 3.4 oz 100ml EDT Spray
A blend of spice, woods, and citrus notes which gives off a summery feel. It has a body wash/soap kind of vibe to it. It’s clean and masculine, though it can have performance issues.

Nautica is a soft men’s cologne with oceanic elements but the sandalwood and cedar give it an outdoorsy base to start from. The citrus notes are bright and clean, but understated, which makes this a nice freshening spray on those days when the temperature starts to rise.

There used to be more of a spice to Nautica cologne, in the older bottles of this scent, but doesn’t seem to have that same little kick it once did. Nautica classic does however, deliver the type of aroma you would expect from the themes of this brand.

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Most Underrated Scent and Top Summer Pick

Nautica Island Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz.
A great and inexpensive summer cologne option, if you can find a bottle. Gives the same kind of Carribean feel as something from the Tommy Bahama line of scents.

Island Voyage is fresh and pleasant all around with melon and citrus top notes. This might be the most underrated or unknown of the Nautica colognes, but it should’ve been more popular.

It’s got a chilled juiciness at the start and later a pepper note emerges to give the scent a somewhat spicier disposition.

Island Voyage is more aquatic than the original Voyage and the lemon and melon combo give it a better opening, in my mind. There is also the usual lavender and a nice touch of iris during the dry down. This is another summertime wear for the daytime and really does a nice job of separating itself from the ever popular Voyage.

island voyage

Polo Blue Gold Blend by Ralph Lauren

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Polo Blue Gold Blend isn’t one that’s really been on my radar, since I’ve never been a massive fan of Ralph Lauren’s Blue line. I like all the fragrances, but nothing that has totally ever drawn me in. But, since Macy’s had full bottles of this on sale for $50, I decided to grab one and give it a review for the site. How does it smell? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Polo Blue Gold Blend Smell Like?

Notes include: melon, ginger, vetiver, sage, incense, citrus, apple, amber, and more

Click here to try: Polo Blue Gold Blend EDP

My Full Review

Polo Blue Gold Blend opens up with a mix that leans fruitier than towards its herbal spiciness. Early on, it’s melon, apple, and what seems like a lime within the citrus mix. Very fresh and has a nice crisp bite.

The main spice in the starting stage, is from the ginger. There’s briefly a pepper note, with sage playing the backup role, until when it will take over both of these notes later on. 

You can tell that this is very much a Polo Blue flanker, closer to the EDP version, but sort of a midway point between that and EDT.

After that initial phase, the melon and apple notes move the citrus out of the way. The spices begin their shift, incense emerges, along with the ambroxan starting to really waft up from the base. 

The impression that it gives off, as it dries down is being much less fruity and more of a fresh cologne. The melon and apple are solid, but don’t have that same punch as the opening citrus.

Sage and incense with lavender and ambroxan is essentially what I get for most of the dry down period. Clean with that warm amber smell and bits of spice and dry woodsy notes peaking through.

gold blend review

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty good. Not overly loud but not a skin scent either. On the longevity end, it might be a little bit better than the original but really, not by much. It’s definitely in the realm of average, in that regard.

Gold Blend also falls into the same longevity range as the other Polo Blue’s. I get in the 5-7 hour range, with it seemingly falling closer to the five or six area, thus far.

Seasonally, I’d wear this in the spring and summer months. It’s actually got the ability to venture into the nightlife during those months, so that’s a nice advantage to have.

It’s fine for daily wear, casual, sporty, etc. Not really anything formal, but could fit in, for most occasions. It’s also versatile enough to be worn by men of all ages. Really a jack of all trades, when it gets warm outside.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Polo Blue Gold Blend

Overall, do I like Gold Blend? I do. However, it’s about to the same extent as others in this series. Actually, I’d rank the EDP and Deep Blue above this version. Not way ahead, but I think they’re both somewhat better.

I like the opening act with the lime, melon, and apple notes. It’s nice and juicy with a spicy kick to it, while being similar to the other Polo Blue colognes.

At that point, it’s got itself some nice power and a clean and fresh aroma that is quite attractive. 

Once it dries down, it’s a pretty boring scent. I mean, still enjoyable, just a standard blue ambroxan based cologne. At times, if feels like a not as good, AdG Profumo that’s mixed with Polo Blue and added the amber in the base (perhaps, some Bleu de Chanel?).

Not bad company to be in, but just not anything better than either, particularly the Armani scent. The incense is a great touch, in Gold Blend, one of the highlights for me.

Update: I really started to dislike this one the more that I wore it. It’s pretty mediocre beyond some interesting points. So, I’ve downgraded it somewhat in the score. Not that it matters too much, as it’s not around anymore.

The performance is pretty standard. Not great, but won’t completely crap out on you, in a few hours. For the spring and summer months, it’s a perfectly fine wear, that isn’t going to offend and can be an easy one to spray on.

Is it worth it? For the fifty bucks that I paid, sure. If it’s going closer to that hundred mark, I wouldn’t be so thrilled about it. I should probably get some use out of this bottle, personally. Polo Blue Gold Blend is a nice and adequate fragrance, just nothing amazing.

Dior Sauvage vs Invictus Cologne Comparison

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In today’s cologne comparison, I’m going to do a head to head matchup between two more extremely popular fragrances for men, Dior Sauvage and Invictus. Which of these scents smells better? Which has better performance? Which one is the more versatile cologne? Please continue below for my full take on these two fragrances.

Which is Better? Sauvage EDT vs. Invictus

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

Invictus

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Opening

The opening of Sauvage gives off an aroma of amber, pepper, and the sharp bergamot note. There is a bit of spice to it but I do get a lot of the ambroxan. It’s nice and dries down to a clean/soapy scent with some slightly spice wood notes and the ever present bergamot.

Invictus has a candy-like opening of grapefruit/orange while retaining an aquatic appeal. It’s youthful and summery. Invictus also ramps it up with a bay leaf spice and amber.

It’s like the candy sweetness of one of the 1 Million fragrances with its oceanic element giving it a different direction. It does change somewhat, as it moves along, but you get most of what the fragrance is up front.

In this case, I enjoy the bergamot/amber combo than the artificial candy scent that Invictus puts out. I’ve actually grown to enjoy Invictus more than I used to, but I still think that the opening of Sauvage is better…and I’m not even a huge Sauvage EDT fan.

It was almost enough to tip the scales in favor of Invictus, but not quite.

Edge: Sauvage

Projection

Both Sauvage and Invictus are strong from the start. Invictus dips somewhat after a few hours of wear, while Sauvage mostly keeps chugging along.

These scents lean towards the stronger side of things, but I think Sauvage is slightly ahead. That being said, I think that the sweetness of Invictus can be much more noticeable/annoying, when over-sprayed.

I think Sauvage will leave a greater scent trail behind you, as well. It’s a more consistent sillage.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

Sauvage gives me 6-8 hours of wear, usually towards the higher end of that range. Meanwhile, Invictus gives 6-7 hours most of the time, and can occasionally surprise with an extra hour. Sauvage is more consistent in this regard.

Both are pretty good, but not elite with the longevity. Most of the time, they will be about even, but Sauvage has an extra gear that Invictus lacks.

For some people, Sauvage can go even longer than what it seems to do for me.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

I think both of these colognes has good versatility in terms of when you can wear it. They can both be casual scents and then also be worn for a night out or for romantic wear.

Both are mostly spring/summer scents and while you could technically wear both in the colder months of the year, they aren’t really in their element.

I might give the edge to Sauvage, as it can have a more mature vibe, but it really isn’t enough to separate them. As I don’t feel, that either is a formal type of scent.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like both of these scent, but I’m not personally crazy about either one. Other folks, seem to have a much higher opinion of both, than I do. However, if I had to choose one to wear, I’d pick Sauvage. It’s just better, in my opinion.

If you really like the way Invictus smells, that’s cool. However, I can’t place it all that highly even in the Paco Rabanne family of scents anymore. I’d rather wear, Invictus Intense over the original and either 1 Million cologne over both of them.

To me, Sauvage smells better than either Invictus option. tThough, I’d wear 1 Million Prive ahead of any of them.

Sauvage is a bright and upbeat cologne that has amber-y citrus freshness, that dries down into a clean and soapy blend with woody undertones. It’s nice and works well.

As of right now, if you enjoy both of these colognes, you might select Invictus, since you can usually find bottles for much cheaper than you can for Sauvage. If it’s just based of smell and performance, go with Sauvage. There are plenty of other cologne alternatives to Dior Sauvage too.

Both have become insanely popular over the years, so, you won’t really stand out with either choice.

Winner: Sauvage