Men’s Fashion

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.

Guerlain Homme L’eau Boisee

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I grabbed a few Guerlain fragrances as a part of my latest batch of samples that I am testing out for cologne reviews on the site. One of them, is Guerlain Homme L’eau Boisee, which is a flanker fragrance of Guerlain Homme. In this post, I am going to cover what’s in it, what this scent smells like, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth buying a full bottle of.

What does Guerlain Homme L’Eau Boisee Smell Like?

Notes include: Indian vetiver, mint, lime, musk, rum, and grass

Click here: Guerlain Homme L’eau Boisee Eau De Toillete Spray, 2.7 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

I’m a fan of Guerlain Homme, I have a full bottle of the stuff, so I was interested in seeing how Homme L’Eau Boisee would compare with the original. The opening of Boisee is actually horrendous for about 5 seconds before it starts to settle.

At first, I was having trouble pinning down what that odor was that smelled like burning tires, and then I saw that this fragrance has grass as a note. Bingo! The grass note initially smells like a mowed lawn mixed with burning tires. Luckily, that smell is only very temporary.

Nevertheless, that aroma fades and  the Indian vetiver emerges to claim its supremacy within the scent. This is a contrast to the original Guerlain Homme, which led off with the minty rum of the mojito accord.

L’eau Boisee takes a different approach, the alcoholic aspect of the notes takes a back seat to the vetiver but it is still supported by the lime and a toned down mint note.

So, Boisee is much woodier and earthy than is Guerlain Homme, I suppose it depends on what kind of style you’re going for as to which mixture of the notes that you prefer. The original lacks the vetiver to the extent of this flanker, however.

L’Eau Boisee’s mint note, never fully takes over like it does in the original. The dry down for this fragrance is a fresh woody scent. The dry grass note comes back, a few hours in, but isn’t joined by that burning rubber smell which plagues the opening act.

It ends with a light lime, with cedar, vetiver, other woods, and grass. It’s a fresh yet quite dry aroma and not a complete booze-fest, like its predecessor. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Perhaps, it is just the sample that I received, but Boisee is weaker than Guerlain Homme in both its projection and longevity. The projection is just okay but it is more of a subtle fragrance, so I don’t have too much of a problem with that.

However, the longevity seems to be stuck in the 4-5 hour range on my skin, which isn’t great.

L’eau Boisee fits well into the current summer weather, which I totally attribute the the lime note, which plays extremely well off of the vetiver.

Update: I have also, worn this one in the cooler months, mainly autumn. I like the way it hangs in the crisp air. Vetiver and a juicy lime, but the woods really give it that fall feeling.

I’d say this is more of an office/casual wear scent but I wouldn’t be opposed to wearing this on a date either, since it isn’t really loud or overbearing.

This is a good alternative for people who liked the original Guerlain Homme but didn’t like the mojito accord being the main attraction the entire time. It’s a tough sell to want to smell like an alcoholic drink, while at work. The rum note in this one is so light, that it’s a non-issue. 

 

 

Overall Impression of L’eau Boisee

Overall, is this one worth a buy? Yes, but I personally enjoy the original more, so I won’t be purchasing a full bottle. I don’t like the longevity issues that L’eau Boisee has and I actually prefer that mojito, as I think that it is fun to wear at certain times.

However, aside from all of that, this is a very good cologne that is a great take on the original. I like how it sort of inverts the notes to create a familiar and yet unique fragrance. It just depends on what you personally like, when deciding between the two.

Update: This is now discontinued.

L’Homme Ideal EDT by Guerlain

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Looking through my haul of fragrance samples, I noticed that I had two scents with the L’Homme Ideal moniker. They had two separate colored sprayers and information cards but I really didn’t know if there was a difference.

It turns out that L’Homme Ideal (the subject of this review) has a flanker fragrance called L’Homme Ideal Cologne…yes, they just added the word cologne to it.

Anyways, I grabbed the original, and decided to wear it around for purposes of this review. I’m going to cover all of the usual stuff in this post, how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, etc. Please continue reading below for my full take.

What Does L’Homme Ideal Smell Like?

Notes include: almond, citrus, leather, tonka bean, bitter orange, orange blossom, vetiver, and cedar

Click here to try: Guerlain L’Homme Ideal EDT Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of L’Homme Ideal is a fresh blast of almond and woody spice. Lurking in the background is a sweetness that is quite nice and flanked by the leather note. I love the nuttiness of the opening act and how it also gets paired with a blend of citrus notes.

The citrus is fresh and reminds me somewhat of the Cologne version of Ideal, but this one still stays in more of a nutty/leathery mode, in totality.

The overall sweetness never strays into the ‘girly perfume’ territory as it sits atop the leather, vetiver, and cedar notes. This gives L’Homme Ideal an excellent platform to start from.

One thing that I really enjoy about this gourmand fragrance, is the inclusion of the citrus notes. They are never overpowering or brought out as the main attraction in this cologne, but they do provide an energy, and a change of pace from the rest of the composition.

The citrus isn’t huge throughout, but this blend does hang around, giving Ideal the slightest clean boost throughout its time on my skin.

Of course, there is the smooth warmth of the tonka bean, which is one of my personal favorites. The almond is the main star in this fragrance and during the dry down period, it kind of reminds me of Man in Black by Blvgari, as it has a warm spiciness that is sort of like an alcoholic drink.

I get a smooth and creamy blend during the final stages, that is peppered with some rosemary herbal spice. Leather, tonka bean, and almond with a fresh base of cedar and cool vetiver. When L’Homme Ideal is performing well, it is a fantastic smelling cologne.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty moderate. It’s not an absolute monster in this regard but it does the job pretty well. Longevity, is decent most of the time.

I’ve worn it a few times and I’ll get 4 good hours out of it and the 6-7 the next time. It’s not great, but it’s passable.

I’ve been wearing this here in June, after the official start of summer, but it’s not really built for the hot days outside. It’s fine at night when it cools off a bit, but L’Homme Ideal would excel during the colder months of the year, like a lot of fragrances seem to do.

I would try to wear this during autumn through early spring, preferably. Again, in the evening hours of the summer, it holds up pretty well on my skin. Though, I try to stay indoors, for optimal sillage and longevity.

It does have a good versatility, as it’s subtle enough to wear at work yet still quite sexy and attractive to wear on a date. The more that I went through the sample, the more it grew on me, and the more complements I received.

I think the first few hours is going to be when you’ll actually get complemented on Ideal. After that, it might have turned too light for many people to notice, outside of those who are close by.

Overall Impression of Guerlain L’Homme Ideal

Overall, I think L’Homme Ideal EDT is great. It is one of my favorites from the batch of around 40 or so samples that I recently got. The longevity could be better but aside from that, it smells fantastic, and is very well put together.

I do feel like, I already have a million options in the Fall/Winter space, like Man in Black or Armani Code Profumo. So, I’m not sure if I’ll pick up a full bottle at some point, but it is worth looking into.

Update: Coming back to this fragrance and working my way through the rest of the sample, I can say, that I truly enjoyed wearing this fragrance. The scent itself, is super attractive and great to wear. The performance could be better, and if it was an elite performer, it’d probably make my list of best colognes.

Boss Bottled Night by Hugo Boss

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I’ve done some Hugo Boss cologne reviews recently and even have few samples of this brand’s other scents on the way, so, I thought that it’d be a good idea before reviewing those to do one on Bottled Night.

I had already included this in my best Hugo Boss fragrances for guys but never got around to writing up a review of this scent.

I generally like most of the stuff that they put out (except Energise…) and have been wearing Hugo Red a lot this summer, so I’m a mood now to tackle Bottled Night. As usual, I’ll cover the scent’s smell, how it performs, when it can be worn, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

What does Boss Bottled Night Smell Like?

Notes include: African violet, birch leaves, musk, lavender, amarello wood

Click here to try: Boss Bottled Night by Hugo Boss for Men – 3.3 Ounce EDT Spray

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Boss Bottled Night is somewhat of a surprise, in that, when looking at the container and the name you’d think you would be getting something quite dark and mysterious.

However, what you find is a very clean scent powered by the lavender note and with a beautiful hint of floral provided by the African Violet. Add musk and you get an underlying warmth to go along with a masculine woodsy note.

Upon the opening, I really do pick up a lot of the violet. I must say, that violet isn’t one of my favorite floral notes, but it does work well within this composition.

The birch note is super dry, with a very slight smokiness to it, at times.

As we move forward, the lavender emerges more fully, and is joined by a light musk note. This is about as much development, as you’re going to get from Bottled Night. It’s a mix of lavender and violet, with dry woods, and some musky touches.

One of the things that I really appreciate about Bottled Night is how unique it feels. Like, it is pretty simple and straightforward in how it plays out, but it really doesn’t smell like anything else I can think of in the world of cologne. It is a soft scent yet has a very nice ability to project itself.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

As I said, the sillage is pretty good here. Again, not a heavy fragrance by any means, but people will be able to pick it up on you with in a decent radius. At least for the first few hours of wear.

Longevity wise, it is in the realm of average, which is weird since it does a good job of projecting. Six hours seems to be the demarcation point for Boss Bottled Night, after that it tends to fade.

It is a versatile fragrance, I really can’t pin it down for a season, as I could see it working for multiple weather situations. It’s a fragrance that could go from the office to a night out on the town without much problem.

Yes, it is called bottled night, but it isn’t really one that would stand out as being ‘too much’ for daytime use. Really, never has struck me as a particularly dark or nightlife exclusive cologne. It has a clean, well put together aroma, for guys with a more stylish or mature air about them.

Overall Impression of Boss Bottled Night

Overall, would I recommend it? Yes, it is definitely a very nice cologne and it unique smell only adds to its appeal. It isn’t very complex, clean/floral/musk, so you definitely know what you’re getting within a few minutes of wear.

I’m not that much into violet as a note, so this will never be my favorite. Though, I can appreciate it for what it is.

Boss Bottled Night does everything at least pretty well and is quite sexy for what it is. If you want something clean, simple, at a good price, then this should work out for you. If you don’t like violet or lavender that much, then avoid Bottled Night.

The performance is decent, in my experience, but not amazing. I think this will appeal to a certain percentage of guys, but doesn’t necessarily have that super wide universal x-factor.

Oud Wood vs Ombre Leather Comparison

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In this edition of the head to head fragrance comparisons, we have two entries from the Tom Ford line up, Oud Wood vs. Ombre Leather 18. Which of these two popular scents smells the best?

As always, I am going to break down these competitors into categories, determine which has the edge, and is the ultimate winner between them. I’ve linked my original review of each below, for further reading.

Tale of the Tape: Ombre Leather vs Oud Wood

Ombre Leather

Notes include: leather, moss, jasmine, amber, patchouli and cardamom

Click here to try: Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.

My review: Ombre Leather

Oud Wood

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray – 50ml/1.7oz

Read my original review: Oud Wood

Opening

Oud Wood opens up with that oud note and cardamom. It also has a peppery spice to it from the jump, that settles as it moves along. Beyond that, there is heavy wood notes from the rosewood and sandalwood.

Plus, a nice dry vetiver. It’s nice, spicy, and has a very woody base. So, you get a nice punch before this one moves fully into what its name suggests is on its way.

Ombre Leather opens with leather, jasmine, moss, and saffron. It’s a very dark and dry with supple leathery warmth and a certain earthy quality to it all. To me, it does capture that desert-like mood that they used in the advertising.

It reminds me a lot of Godolphin, at the start, but ultimately is different from that scent.

Ombre, of course has that standout leather note, but there’s actually depth to it and I like that the brand didn’t just add a fruity note to it. The jasmine and saffron create a really interesting dynamic here.

Which is better? I like Oud Wood and its interesting opening, but I really enjoy Ombre Leather more. The saffron and leather combo is superb, always catches my attention.

Edge: Ombre Leather

Projection

Ombre Leather starts off strong on my skin and then becomes a moderate scent after a few hours of wear. The sillage is pretty strong, overall.

Ombre projects itself well, while not being overbearingly heavy, there is that mossy freshness sitting underneath the main notes.

Oud Wood is really moderate at first and then becomes quite weak. The Intense version of this was stronger and heavier, but this original sits much closer to the skin and doesn’t bog you down.

Which, might be a good thing for you, but I wouldn’t expect it to have a massive projection unless you go crazy with the sprays.

Edge: Ombre Leather

Longevity

Neither of these scents are elite in terms of how long they will last. I get 6-8 hours of wear from Ombre Leather.

Meanwhile, Oud Wood is pretty pitiful at 4-5 hours.

So, neither of these are among the best performers that Tom Ford has to offer. Oud Wood has always been disappointing to me, each time that I’ve tried it out. Ombre, is serviceable, but definitely not among the elite.

Edge: Ombre Leather

Versatility

I don’t particular see an edge in this category. Both of these fragrances are suited best for autumn and winter. They can be worn casually or dressed up (but favor dressed up), can work well in an office environment, or for a night out.

Neither is really a club beast at all and Ombre Leather is probably a bit sexier and can be more unisex…but not a definitive edge.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I’m not a huge fan of the oud note, but I do enjoy the smell of Oud Wood much more than others, which use that ingredient. They didn’t go overboard with it and create some nearly unwearable fragrance for most people.

It’s nice, it has a great woody base, but can be a bit sour on my skin sometimes. The performance is one of my biggest gripes about this scent, especially at Tom Ford prices.

On the other hand, I really enjoy Ombre Leather. The warm and dry composition, with its rich leather note is awesome, and one of my favorites from this designer.

Add to that, it has better performance than does Oud Wood, and it’s a pretty clear winner in my mind. Ombre is leathery, earthy, with nice floral touches of jasmine and is a pleasure to wear. (Get it here: Ombre Leather)

Winner: Ombre LeatherÂ