Men’s Fashion

1 Million Paco Rabanne vs Issey Miyake Comparison

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L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake and 1 Million by Paco Rabanne are two of the more popular men’s fragrances out on the market today. Both of them have been around for quite a long time and are still best sellers even after years of public consumption.

So, what if you’re in the hunt for a new scent to wear and you’ve narrowed it down to these two colognes? Which cologne smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is more versatile?

In this post, I want to put Issey Miyake and the original 1 Million cologne head to head to see which is the best option.

Tale of the Tape: L’eau d’Issey vs 1 Million

1 Million by Paco Rabanne

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

My original review

Buy here: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake Tale of the Tape

Notes include: citrus, spice, musk, amber, and woods

issey miyake

My Issey Miyake Review

Buy here: L’eau De Issey By Issey Miyake For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.7 Oz

Opening

The opening of L’eau D’Issey is just ok in my opinion. It’s a spicy citrus scent that doesn’t really wow and is probably the weakest part of the fragrance.

The yuzu and lemon are nice, but it comes across as dry and spicy, thanks to nutmeg and tarragon. It’s a bit too sharp, with some additional tobacco and woodsy notes. Not saying it’s bad, just not my favorite part of this scent.

1 Million starts out with a candy-like grape scent that is bolstered with smoothness provided by leather and rose. Though, this is surrounded by a warm spice as well. Just not nearly as sharp and it’s mainly cinnamon, which leans into that candied sort of vibe.

Both fragrances get better as they go along, but 1 Million is the one that starts out ahead.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

The Paco Rabanne scent is a heavy hitter when it comes to projection. Issey Miyake is no slouch, but it is more of a moderate type of cologne.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million aren’t as strong as they used to be. The sillage is still good and better than Miyake, but it’s not a huge margin any longer.

Edge: 1 Million

Longevity

Both of these scents hold up well, 1 Million is a stronger scent, so it seems like it’s there longer even if it’s the same amount of time. I’ve had no problem with either of these quitting early.

Update: Miyake has always gotten me 6-8 hours of wear. 1 Million used to be 10+. Now, it is more like 8-9 and closer to 8. Sometimes, they are equal, but mostly it’s still the Paco Rabanne.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

Now, here’s where Issey Miyake has an advantage. 1 Million can be limited to nightlife and when worn lightly on casual occasions. It also doesn’t work too well in the summer heat. L’eau D’Issey on the other hand almost works well year round and I’ve worn it on just about every type of occasion and it never felt out of place.

Edge: L’eau D’Issey

Overall Scent

I have to admit that I prefer the scent of 1 Million more. 1 Million is a sweet cologne and that does weigh on some people as time goes on, it can get on my nerves, and I only wear it when I’m in the mood.

Issey Miyake isn’t my favorite scent but I like it and others seem to like it on me. Issey Miyake is the better choice for casual wear on a daily basis, but 1 Million definitely has something to it.

I have had L’eau d’Issey as a daily wear in the past, so I do like it quite a lot, particularly the drydown. It would easily be my choice if I needed an all around fragrance versus 1 Million.

If you like citrus/woodsy smells, go with L’eau D’Issey, as the drydown period is much better than the opening.

I wear 1 Million more often, so I’ll go with that. It doesn’t have the same level of power that it used to, but it’s a fragrance that I do like throwing on. In terms of pure smell, it gets the slight edge.

Winner: 1 Million

Individuel by Mont Blanc

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Here is another review from my latest batch of fragrance samples, that I received recently. Today’s cologne is Individuel by Mont Blanc. As always, I want to take a closer look and see what makes up this fragrance, how it smells, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase. Please continue below for my full take on Individuel for men.

What Does Mont Blanc Individuel Smell Like?

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Notes include: Cinnamon, oakmoss, vanilla, mint, bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, violet, and more

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Individuel Eau de Toilette, 2.5 fl. oz.

My Full Wear Review

The first thing that I am immediately struck by with Individuel is it similarity to a couple other fragrances. It is quite close to Original Santal by Creed and shares a common foundation with Joop!  

Of course when you take a look at the composition of each scent, it becomes clear what they share in common. Namely, cinnamon, vanilla, and sandalwood.

Each of these fragrances are along the same spectrum and Individuel is much closer to Santal than it is Joop!, which is much bolder and spicier.

The main difference with Individuel versus the Creed fragrance is the citrus notes, which are prevalent in the Mont Blanc cologne. The bergamot, raspberry, and juniper notes in Individuel give it a slightly fruity aroma which distinguishes it, in my opinion.

Original Santal has really grown on me and while I still think it’s better than this one, Individuel, is close enough and it’s cheap enough to get a nod.

The opening act starts off with the juniper, raspberry, bergamot, and pineapple. It has a fresh and sweet aroma, which is joined by calming lavender, and cinnamon spice. The cool freshness which permeates the start (juniper and mint) is played well, off of the warmer spiced notes (cinnamon and cardamom), and makes Individuel enjoyable.

As it dries down, this clean freshness, becomes woodier and creamier. The sweetness of the raspberry is paired with vanilla, on top of that sandalwood base.

It’s honestly not that complex and is pretty steady, as to what you get from this fragrance, thereafter. A sweet slightly woody scent, with a creaminess, which is dotted with cinnamon spice.

Sillage and Longevity

The projection is pretty good on this. It’s not overwhelming, but not weak either. It’ll create a scent bubble of around 3-5 feet from the skin. This Mont Blanc is not a beast, but it isn’t really intended to be so.

I also get moderate longevity, of about 6-8 hours, depending on the day. Individuel is a solid performer and more than useful, for most occasions. There are other fragrances from this brand that don’t hold up as well as this. So, it was somewhat surprising that this one did with the notes it has.

Versatility. When Should Individuel be Worn?

Individuel is a clean scent, that is useful for daily wear. Since it doesn’t have the heaviness of Joop!, Individuel, can venture into somewhat warmer temperatures, but still isn’t a summer cologne. This one can work well in casual situations or at the office/school.

While not a sexy fragrance, it is attractive enough to be worn in the evenings or on a date, as it does have a pleasant aroma. It is the type of scent, that will draw complements, but not really turn heads.

 

The scent isn’t offensive nor is it overpowering, which gives it plenty of flexibility as to when and where it can be used.

Overall Scent

Overall, I like this cologne. It’s warm, sweet, and has a bit of a candy-ish scent to it. Also, it’s a decent replacement for Santal and a good choice for those who feel that Joop! is too harsh of a fragrance.

The opening is very nice and has an interesting interplay between warm and cold. Then, the refined smoothness does have a nice similarity to the Creed fragrance, when the vanilla and sandalwood take over.

Is it my favorite Mont Blanc cologne? Probably not. However, for the price, I think it’d be a nice pickup for the late winter or early spring months. I don’t think that I’d pay full retail for Individuel, but at a discount, I wouldn’t be opposed to owning it.

Polo Red Extreme vs Polo Red Rush Comparison

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Swinging back to the Polo line of men’s fragrances, I want to today, focus on two offerings from the Red line of colognes: Polo Red Extreme vs. Red Rush. Which of these fragrances, smells the best? Which has better longevity? Which is the better buy? I have worn and reviewed both, and will now, break them each down by category before declaring a winner.

 

Tale of the Tape

Polo Red Rush

Notes include: mandarin, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, saffron, orange flower, spearmint, red apple, lavender, red coffee, cedar, musk

Click here to try: Polo Red Rush by Ralph Lauren EDT Spray 4.2 Oz.

Read my review: Polo Red Rush

Polo Red Extreme

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

Read my review: Polo Red Extreme

Opening

Polo Red Rush opens pretty similar to the original Polo Red, though, instead uses: apple, grapefruit, mandarin orange, and pineapple. This is versus the tart cranberry of the original, but this blend does get quite tart itself. After 10 minutes or so, Rush starts to become more of its own fragrance, with added musk and spearmint.

Red Extreme, on the other hand, starts off with an intense and juicy blood orange note and coffee. It is sweet and warm, with a hint of that cranberry from its predecessor. The fruit and coffee blend is very well done and quite delicious.

Which is better? I like Red Extreme more, as Red Rush is like a less well-defined copy of the original, and Red Extreme has more of its own style. Plus, it just smells better.

Edge: Extreme

Projection

By name, Red Extreme should have better sillage, does it? Yep. It’s strong, but not insanely so, and don’t think I’d have called it Extreme…but they already used Intense. Red Rush starts off with a similar decent sillage, as that of the original, but then is weaker later on.

Edge: Extreme

Longevity

Red Rush goes for about six hours, on my skin, which is decent. Red Extreme bests it with longevity in the 8-10 hour range, depending on the day.

Edge: Extreme

 

 

Versatility

Both fragrances can be worn casually or at work. Extreme probably has more of a ‘sexy’ profile, but still isn’t really a romantic type of wear. It’s probably got the edge, as a nighttime scent. That being said, Extreme is more reserved for cooler weather, while Red Rush is good year round. In fact, it shines in spring/summer. For that, I’ll give it the edge.

Edge: Rush

Overall Scent

After trying out Red Rush, I was really unsure of what its purpose was? I like the addition of a spearmint note, but most of the wear feels like a rehash of Polo Red, and not a better one.

It’s not a bad cologne, just one that is okay, and the last of the Red line that I’d reach for. The performance is pretty good, the smell is pretty good, but it doesn’t do anything well.

Meanwhile, Red Extreme has been the best release of the Red lineup from Ralph Lauren. It is pretty simple in its composition, but the blood orange and coffee together, are just great.

Plus, the ebony wood, in the dry down offers a distinct type of wood from what’s included in most fragrances. It smells great and has much better longevity and sillage.

There’s no real contest here.

Winner: Red Extreme

Silver Mountain Water by Creed

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As a part of my ongoing fragrance reviews on this site, I have been gradually tackling the Creed line of colognes for men.

Creed is a luxury fragrance design house with a long history and has created scents for the rich, famous, and leaders of the world during this time period.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at what I consider to be one of their best colognes, Silver Mountain Water. How does SMW perform? What notes does it contain? Is it worth a buy?

What does Creed Silver Mountain Water Smell Like?

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Notes include: mandarin, green tea, bergamot, black currant, musk, and sandalwood

Click here to try: Creed Silver Mountain Water, 3.3 Fl Oz

My Full Review

The opening of Silver Mountain Water reminds me of Imperial Millesime, in a lot of ways, as both fragrances contain mandarin and bergamot notes.

The main difference between the two is Imperial develops into a melon scented cologne with a sea salt note that brings about images of the summertime, while Silver Mountain Water, is cooler in crisper in its presentation and evokes mountainous terrain.

The citrus notes are most noticeable during the first 20 minutes of wear and after that, the green tea emerges along with the black currant, to really become the highlights. The black currant and citrus notes together can be fairly sharp, but the tea note settles it down quite a lot.

SMW is a very clean type of scent and isn’t overbearing at all. The musk note gives this fragrance it’s heart in my opinion and keeps it from becoming a completely light and airy affair. Once the green tea takes over, it starts to have a more green/herbal type of vibe to it.

It’s almost as if it goes from being a summertime type of fragrance towards a springtime wear. It’s like the melting of the last snow of winter and life starts to come out in full bloom again.

Another good springtime Creed fragrance is Green Irish Tweed.

Silver Mountain Water is super fresh at this point, with a green herbal chill, running through the heart of the fragrance.

Finally, the ultimate dry down, is the tea, musk, black currant/citrus mix, on top of a sandalwood base. Together, it’s a pretty simple and fairly linear scent, but does everything it needs to. Clean, sharp, and refreshing.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I’d say it’s moderate. I can definitely tell I’m wearing it, but it isn’t going to choke out the rest of the room.

I mean, it can if you overapply, but with a few sprays the sillage doesn’t stray too far.

It’s longevity is decent in my opinion, even though it gets a reputation for being short-lived.

I can tell you from my experience, I get six hours from this more or less. I have applied it before in the morning, and went on a long running work out, and could still smell it on me afterwards. Sometimes, it’ll go up to 8 hours but that’s not usual for me.

Seasonally, it’s actually good year round. The coldness of the fragrance is interesting in the warm weather. However, that bright citrus/icy quality, hangs around well in the wintertime. SMW is a unisex fragrance.

It’s good for daily wear, not really a ‘sexy’ scent, but can go casual or formal. Personally, I’d wear it casually or in some kind of semi-formal fashion during spring or summer.

Overall Impressions of Silver Mountain Water

Is Silver Mountain Water worth a try? I’d say yes. I honestly like it a lot, though, it definitely isn’t my favorite cologne ever.

I think it is a great idea for spring wear and it does develop this interesting herbal and almost metallic scent (the silver in the name), that is pretty unique and enjoyable.

I like the cold sensation that I get from the opening act, I do like a good black currant, and the tea is also a nice touch. It’s not a must have for me, but I have emptied the sample vials of this stuff over the years, and it didn’t just sit on the shelf forever.

I’d put it near the top of my Creed list and would choose it to wear out of the group depending on the weather and my mood (I have also been warming more and more to Original Santal, even if it is still a weak performer). Silver Mountain Water is a winner in my book.

Polo Red Extreme by Ralph Lauren

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So, here we are for yet another cologne review from the Polo line of scents. While, I enjoy a lot of the fragrances from this brand, my biggest complaint is how many of them have mediocre longevity…including a favorite of mine, Polo Red.

Now for this third incarnation of the ‘Red’ line of scents, Polo introduces us to Red Extreme here in 2017. In this review, I’m going to cover how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think it is worth a purchase. Update: This one is now discontinued.

What Does Polo Red Extreme Smell Like?

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

My Full Review

I was excited that a new Polo Red fragrance had come out and jumped at the chance to try it. I enjoyed both the original Red and Red Intense, even though they could both be lacking in the longevity department.

Now, there is overlap between all three of these fragrances but I’d say that Extreme is the most unique of the bunch. It also shares more qualities with Red Intense, than it does the original, due to the coffee note being prominent.

I have only been able to find out three of the notes in this cologne and they are of course the most noticeable. Coffee leads the way and it is tempered by a smooth and creamy feeling blood orange.

Red Extreme is like an amalgamation of other scents, I get, Polo Red Intense plus Rochas Man, and something else (Luna Rossa Sport? Maybe? It’s been so long, since I’ve smelled that). That being said Extreme seems familiar enough while being its own independent experience.

Side by side with the original Polo Red, I do think that this also might have a hint of the cranberry note, because there is a definite similarity.

Red Extreme does have that same fruity vibe but it is much darker, smokier, and bolder than the previous two colognes. Extreme is very energetic and sporty in a completely masculine way.

At times, the interactions between the ingredients can give Red Extreme, a sort of chocolate-like scent. The roasted coffee with the citrus juiciness of the orange, does give this one a gourmand chocolate candy aroma. I like it for still being sweet, but not nearly as tart, or spicy (versus Intense) as the other options from this Red lineup.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Longevity wise, finalllyyyyyy…they made a Red cologne with some really good longevity. Red Intense wasn’t bad, in this regard, but Red Extreme is bordering on excellent. This is an all day kind of wear but doesn’t hit the same length as something such as One Million.

In terms of projection, this stuff is fairly strong, and can be too much if you over spray but one or two spritzes should be enough.

The sillage is pretty potent in the early stages, though, it moderates much more as it wears on. Not a complete bomb, but it can be too invasive, at times.

I think Polo Red Extreme is quite a versatile cologne. I can imagine wearing this anywhere, as it wouldn’t feel too out of place at work or out on a date. I

want to say its geared more towards spring or winter but I do get a definite summer appeal with this one. Now, I cannot say if it will hold up well in the heat, but it seems like it could.

Update: As far as wearing Red Extreme in the heat, I’d probably skip it. Maybe on a summer’s evening or if only in an air conditioned building. Outside of that, I don’t really like its development in the humidity and high temperatures. It’s not the worst, but humidity is a killer.

Overall Impressions of Polo Red Extreme

Overall, would I say Red Extreme is a buy? Yes, I am digging it. If you were a fan of the previous Polo Red scents, you’ll probably be into this one as well. If you don’t like sweet or coffee scents, then, probably avoid this cologne.

I think that Ralph Lauren finally nailed this concept and produced a versatile cologne with good performance. It’s not the most amazing scent ever created, but I think it is very appealing.

The structure is all very simple. However, it shines within the confines of that simplicity. It gives you enough development, a really nice scent, and pretty high end performance. For guys in their 20-30s, who want a sweeter wear for the winter months, this is a very good pickup.

Update: Since it’s been discontinued, this one is getting increasingly expensive on the secondary market. I wouldn’t reach too high in price for a bottle, but Extreme is worth getting.